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"Kan'ei 11 (1634), Summer"

"In the Kan'ei era (1624-1644)..."

"...during the reign of the third Tokugawa Shogun, Iemitsu..."

"...an unexpected disaster took place."

Ihei! Ihei!

Ihei!

"A sudden epidemic swept across the entire country."

"Scarlet smallpox."

Rokuninshu - Matsudaira Izunokami Nobutsuna's Mansion (The Rokuninshu was a post established by the Shogunate consisting of 6 people)

"The epidemic struck without regards to social status or position..."

"...and took only young men along with it."

Terutsuna! Terutsuna...

"Rokuninshu Matsudaira Izunokami Nobutsuna"

Do not cry, samurai woman.

You are telling me not to cry?

Two of our sons have died from the scarlet smallpox...

...and yet I am not to cry...

"Then finally..."

The Shogun enters!

"Third Tokugawa Shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu"

Shogun, you must come tonight.

"2 Years Later, Kyoto"

"Madenokouji Arikoto"

As third son...

"Isao's Father - Madenokouji Azumi" ...and though you excel at everything...

...you have become a monk.

Such a waste.

Our home makes more than enough to support you.

Father, I feel glad to have been born the third son...

...of the Madenokouji clan.

However in an alley of the capital...

...when I saw there a girl, wearing rags and covered in scabs...

...wiping away her younger brother's runny nose...

...I felt I could no longer return to being a court noble.

The love tactics of the wives of the Imperial Court...

...will not save people from the pain of this world.

That is what I wish to think about.

This seems like you.

From the time you were an infant, Arikoto...

...you were indeed gentle.

You were almost too gentle as a child.

Very well.

I will forget you.

It is just that there are many homes who have lost their sons to the scarlet smallpox.

"3 Years Later"

Young master. Arikoto-sama!

Ah, Myoukei.

"Myoukei" Young master, you mustn't!

As the one who is to become Temple Chief of the famous Keikoin Temple...

...if by some chance you were taken by the scarlet smallpox...

Even so, I cannot just leave them.

I could not stand becoming the Temple Chief and not being able to come here.

Just for today alone.

Very well. In that case, me as well.

Ala? Why aren't they moving?

That group is from Kanto, isn't it? (Eastern half of Japan including Edo/Tokyo)

Check into...

...that Buddhist monk there.

Yes.

"Ooku ~ Tanjou ~ Arikoto - Iemitsu Hen" "Shogun's Harem ~ Birth ~ Arikoto - Iemitsu Volume"

Episode 1: "The Shogun is a Girl?! The Reversal of Men/Women Roles Begins Here"

"Kan'ei 16 (1639), Summer"

"After that, Madenokouji Arikoto-sama..."

"...having been installed as Temple Chief at the famous Keikoin Temple..."

"...left for Edo for the first time..."

"...in order to give his thanks to the third Shogun, Iemitsu."

Young master, young master! I can see Edo Castle!

Put the palanquin down again.

"Gyokuei (later Keishouin)"

Young master, there's Edo Castle. Look, over there.

Hey Gyokuei, stop it with "Young Master" and call him "Temple Chief."

The Young Master has become Temple Chief of the famous Keikoin Temple now.

How many times do I have to say it before you understand? Listen well, Myoukei.

I asked Gyokuei to "Tell me once we are within sight of Edo Castle."

So that is the rumored Edo Castle I've heard about, huh?

Young Ma...

Temple Chief, you will be inside that castle tomorrow and will meet with Iemitsu, won't you?

That's right. It is quite the splendid castle.

Of course it is.

But for us who have worked so very hard in the countryside, it seems to be nothing but vanity.

Myoukei-sama.

Myoukei-sama, why is it that you hate the Shogunate family so much?

"Why"...? Gyokuei, do you like them?

- Well, I don't hate them. - Why?

You know about the case of Iemitsu's wet nurse who...

...didn't know her place and went to see the Emperor for an audience, right?

Yes.

As I recall, his wet nurse's name was... Kasuga no Tsubone.

The current Temple Chief should be giving his thanks for his succession to the Emperor.

Anyhow, by making him come all the way out here to Edo to thank the Shogun...

...I think the Tokugawa's are being far too conceited.

But the Imperial Court doesn't have enough power to oppose the Tokugawas, do they?

Eh?

It's the rule of this world that the decline of the weak is followed by that of the strong.

There is that, Myoukei. It is like that for you two, as well.

- Temple Chief. - Myoukei.

As it is an evil for a person who serves the honorable Buddha to do so...

...it would be best not to speak ill of people, would it not?

Yes. I am very sorry.

- Gyokuei. - Yes.

Rather than thinking like that of a monk...

...you are thinking more like a Warring States warlord instead.

I'm sorry.

Then I shouldn't have become a monk?

If you weren't a monk, you'd have become father to a Shogun, right?

Myoukei-sama!

Speaking of which Gyokuei, a traveling monk shouldn't be told such things.

There's no way I could become the father of a Shogun!

Such totally groundless things...

Gyokuei, you are a clever child, right?

Hurry and become a person who can see the structure of this world.

And then somehow, grow a little more from that.

- Yes. - It's not just a "little more," now is it?

Still, it is precisely because you had lost your parents...

...that you had a hard time as a child.

And so you became a monk because you understood the feelings of the weak, is it not?

Yes, Temple Chief.

What is it?

A dead person.

What? A dead person?

Someone with the scarlet smallpox, Temple Chief.

Ah, you mustn't!

May I say the sutras over this dead one?

Monk, are you sure?

If you are willing to accept me.

Thank you!

Everyone is afraid to get anywhere near him...

...so my son would be pleased!

Ah, you give your thanks, too.

Ah, thank you very much, Monk.

My daughter.

That case of the phantom assailant. He did this indecent thing to her head.

Phantom assailant?

Recently a samurai who kills passerby�s to test his sword...

...has also been slashing off the hair of young girls he grabs ahold of.

What's that...

In addition to the misery of your relatives...

...he made you truly pitiful...

...didn't he, Miss?

Thank you.

"The Following Day"

They've been making us wait quite a long time, haven't they?

The Shogun is a very busy person, so it can't be helped.

At this time, we will be accepting...

...the expression of thanks from the Temple Chief of Keikoin Temple for his ascension as successor.

As Keikoin Temple's new Temple Chief, I am Madenokouji Arikoto.

At this time, I wish to express my gratitude for my ascension from my predecessor.

I offer my true appreciation.

Is this your first trip to the Kanto region?

Yes.

You should sojourn here in this Edo for a little longer.

I am truly grateful for your wishes...

...but please kindly forgive me.

As the new Temple Chief, I am still just an immature novice.

Upon my return, there will be a great many things for me to do.

Such as the training of my body...

...as I know I am unfit even to be a watchman.

After a day or two, I shall return to Kyoto.

Kasuga! Kasuga, are you there?!

Yes.

"Total Supervisor of the Ooku Court Lady Kasuga"

Have the Temple Chief of Keikoin Temple, who has come to Edo from so far away...

...be treated courteously and made welcome.

Yes.

I congratulate you on your audience with the Shogun finishing smoothly.

Yeah.

- And? How was it? - Yeah.

The Shogun has also suffered from the epidemic.

He was wearing a hood to hide the wounds upon his face.

Is that so?

Myoukei.

The Court Lady Kasuga-sama will be coming here now.

Court Lady Kasuga?

Surely she's that old woman who dresses showily and has the evil countenance, isn't it?

Your hate for the Tokugawas is considerable, is it not?

Iemitsu's relationship with his dead, true mother was bad.

It's said Court Lady Kasuga now lords Edo Castle as though she was the Shogun's true mother.

Are you sure about this, Temple Chief?

Please don't allow yourself to be tricked by this ill-natured Court Lady Kasuga.

Court Lady Kasuga-sama has just arrived.

Once again.

I am the Total Supervisor of the Ooku, Kasuga.

This is such a fine figure of a man.

As expected, you could only be of noble stock.

How do I put it...

It is such a thing as the difference between samurai stock in your refinement.

Even an old woman like me could be unconsciously charmed by you.

Therefore...

Must you leave Edo...

...quite so quickly?

No, I was not suggesting...

It is a lively and good town, and the women are hard workers.

I am relieved to hear that.

Well then...

...once again, Temple Chief.

What is it?

In accordance with the Shogun's wishes...

Please remain here in Edo for a little longer.

No, but...

The vividness of your reply to the Shogun earlier...

...with no words of flattery in your refusal for his command...

...was, on the contrary, thought refreshing by the Shogun.

As expected from someone so young...

...having memorized the "Doctrine of the Mean," "The Analects," and "Mencius"...

...this is what would be hoped for from the genius new Temple Chief.

I, Kasuga, sincerely admire this.

However, for us to remain here any longer than this...

Then I must do this.

Please kindly...

You absolutely must follow the Shogun's wishes.

Kasuga no Tsubone-sama.

Please... I beg this of you, Temple Chief.

Staying around for just a little longer would be fine, wouldn't it?

Myoukei-sama, don't tell me this change is due to the sweets they've gifted us with?

"Mansion Bestowed to Keikoin Temple" It's certainly true these sweets are delicious.

But it's not just this, Gyokuei.

That old woman, Kasuga no Tsubone, is a much more modest woman than I expected.

Fawning over him with "Temple Chief, Temple Chief," like that.

Is that true?

Edo Castle is constructed around the Ooku and Iemitsu isn't the head of that...

...but rather Kasuga no Tsubone.

Well, she is quite considerate.

Myoukei.

Temple Chief, I am the messenger for Kasuga no Tsubone.

I was just now commanded to bestow this upon you with the Shogun's grace.

I have already expressed my gratitude for my ascension.

What is the meaning of this?

I do not know. Merely that it is at the Shogun's grace.

These Kanto people sure are showy, aren't they?

"The Following Day" I'd say you had 3 servings of rice at least.

To cross over the Hakone mountains, I have no choice but to eat that much.

That won't mean anything if you let your stomach burst.

Temple Chief, where would you be going?

Ah, we made these plans long ago.

That while we were in Edo...

...we wanted to go worship at the Zojo-ji Temple burial grounds and at Ueno's Toshogu Shrine.

That cannot be done.

It's said the scarlet smallpox...

...a rare disease that only consumes young boys, is running rampant through Edo.

And so, for the time being...

...the Shogun has made an official notice that you not go out.

Oi, what do you mean?

Then is the Temple Chief's sojourn in Edo...

...to be only of waiting patiently in this mansion that was bestowed upon him?

That is it.

Such a stupid thing!

Are you intending to treat the Temple Chief like some caged bird?!

This is definitely unusual. Tell me the reason.

At any rate, until further instructions come from the Shogun...

...you must wait.

Myoukei-sama...

...this place called the Ooku of Edo Castle; do you know what sort of place it's like?

It's like this.

For the sake of the Tokugawa's survival, Kasuga no Tsubone has gathered together women...

...who now live deep within Edo Castle.

There have been some strange rumors going around about it recently.

Strange rumors?

Yes.

It's said that the women of the Ooku are gone...

...and that only men are there now...

Huh?

It's a famous story that Iemitsu-go tastes run towards homosexuality.

And so, for Iemitsu-ko's sake...

...Kasuga no Tsubone has been gathering just beautiful young men for him.

- You don't mean?! - Shh! The Temple Chief might hear.

And so the Temple Chief hasn't been allowed to return to Kyoto because...

The Temple Chief is an unusual beauty among the young noblemen of the Imperial Palace...

...not to mention all the more so for being the stern Bando warrior (renowned for their bravery) that he is.

The Temple Chief is a monk.

Even if he is Shogun, there's no way he could force a monk to enter his Ooku, now is there?

In the first place, if the Ooku only has men in it, then how is he to get an heir?

Right, Gyokuei?

I'm sure we'll get further instructions from the Shogun tomorrow.

Let's get some sleep.

"And then, after 4 days had passed..."

"...there was still no further instructions from the Shogun."

Well then, it's about time for our return.

We will escape.

Let's do that, Temple Chief!

Somehow or other.

Temple Chief, I will go first.

It's fine.

Ah, it's a teahouse. Let's take a rest.

We should.

- Excuse us, some water, please. - Yes!

That a Temple Chief should have to go through such things before and after isn't right, is it?

That's right.

Temple Keikoin's remaining saga will be that of a martial story, won't it?

Oh, Temple Chief, your sandal strap is...

Temple Chief, here... I'll be fine.

It's because until you were found by the then Temple Chief, you had always been barefoot, right?

It's okay, since I can still wear it.

If you'd prefer, take these.

Ah, this is...

"Rest Stop"

What is this, my!

You aren't injured?

Kasuga no Tsubone-sama.

Such behavior... What on earth is the Temple Chief...

No.

This person is no longer the Temple Chief.

Lord Madenokouji Azumi's son, Arikoto.

You will no longer...

...be returning to Kyoto.

You will no longer be serving the honorable Buddha.

Can you tell me what the reason is?

You will...

...enter the Edo Castle's Ooku, where the Shogun is awaiting you.

- The Ooku? - Yes.

You will return to the secular life here in Edo...

...and become a Page to the Shogun Iemitsu-ko.

Is what you are saying sane, Kasuga no Tsubone-sama?

- To so simply return to secular life is... - That's right!

The Temple Chief is the son of a noble family of the Imperial Court.

Taking such a person of a samurai family and then turning him into a Page...

- ...is beyond rude... - Which of us is the rude one!?

And to be graciously asked to serve Shogun Iemitsu-ko can only be called an honor.

Compared to that honor...

...the position of being a Temple Chief is trivial.

You will immediately abandon the priesthood...

...and return to secular life.

- Higuchi, the front entrance. - Sir.

Sakadera, the back door. Kotani, the back yard. Adachi, circle around the gardens.

Don't worry, Myoukei.

Such a thing will not go unchallenged.

I wonder if that is so.

My Keikoin will become aware of this disaster.

In short, until then, even if I am threatened...

...I just must not say "yes" and things will be fine, won't it?

As you say.

I'm sure there will be someone who will save us.

- Temple Chief. - What's the matter, Gyokuei?

That is...

Something strange has come.

Something strange?

I am Yotsuba.

I am Kikyo.

I am Kogiku.

We were especially allowed to leave the red-light district of Yoshiwara for this.

Please enjoy your evening tonight.

What is this about, Temple Chief?

Kasuga no Tsubone-sama brought in these women to ensnare me...

...in an attempt to get me to change my mind.

This is the first time I've seen prostitutes up close like this.

All of you went to so much trouble...

...but could you pass over this celebration and return to where you had been?

Pardon us...

...but we have been ordered to stick by you so you may enjoy yourselves before we can return.

Is that so?

Temple Chief, what should we do?

Well then...

Shall we play along?

Come towards the sound of the demon's hand. Come towards the sound of the demon's hand.

- It's okay if you catch them. - Come towards the sound of the demon's hand.

Myoukei-sama, come towards the sound of the demon's hand.

- Um, this sake... - Your sake is really quite good.

You guys should drink all of it.

Um... Surely, I have never seen a monk visiting Yoshiwara openly...

...so I thought that was why we were brought here to this mansion.

You were wrong.

Just between us, I am the same as you.

I don't know the reason why I was brought here or why I am supposed to play with you.

A strange tale, is it not?

Now, now, drink up.

This is surely expensive sake, so drink up all you can.

You're very amusing, Monk.

Such a beautiful face saying such funny things.

Ah, you smiled at last.

You are called Kogiku, right?

It hasn't been that long yet since you entered the brothels, is it?

Yes, that's right.

You think it strange, don't you? Being a mature woman at 23.

Though I appear this way, it was not long ago that I was a man's wife.

Why is that?

My man had a debt, so he sold me off.

By your husband?

Still, it's a thankful story.

Since the times are such that there are so few men, that I was able to become a wife even once...

That is...

Because you are beautiful.

Monk...

Look, we're the hunters and the Monks are the village headman.

This is a victory for the Monks.

Now, please ask us for anything.

Anything at all.

I see.

Well then, it's about time to break this up.

- Monk, that would be... - Something I should not say?

But, this is something I cannot compromise on.

I am a monk.

To me, violating my priestly chastity would be a sin.

Trying to force me into the secular life is a waste of time...

...Kasuga no Tsubone-sama.

To me, violating my priestly chastity would be a sin.

Trying to force me into the secular life is a waste of time...

...Kasuga no Tsubone-sama.

It is said that it isn't unusual for monks to visit the red-light districts.

There's no need to be so uptight.

There is nothing wrong with this.

- Embrace these women. - I refuse.

Why must you be so obstinate?

These are nice women and such pretty ones.

Which of us is the obstinate one?

Why would you attempt to force a person who wishes to be a priest into secularization?

Monks and the like...

...are for those old people who have grown weary of the earthly life.

For a young body such as yours...

...to enter the priesthood not knowing even one of the pleasures of the earthly life...

To me, that would be such a pity.

To me, it is a joy.

No. I know.

Below those priestly robes...

...is the sprightly body of a young man...

- ...panting hotly, hotly... - Kasuga no Tsubone-sama!

I've hit the mark, haven't I?

Arikoto-dono...

Since earlier, you have been in tumultuous confusion over...

...these women's rouge and powders...

...and your manly desires have swollen and swollen...

Do not say such hideous things!

Ohh!

You have become truly angry for the first time.

My, my, what the quintessential gentleman.

Now, I will say this once again.

- Please take a woman. - I refuse.

- Is this how you will be? - Long-winded!

I see.

In that case, take out the monk on the left.

Yes!

- Kyaa! - Myoukei-sama!

Next that obnoxious woman.

Yotsuba-chan... Yotsuba-chan.

Yotsuba-chan, Yotsuba-chan. Yotsuba-chan!

Yotsuba-chan! Yotsuba-chan!

Now.

You still haven't said "yes."

Next will be that young monk there.

- Do it. - Wait! Wait!

Wait a moment!

Take a woman and return to the secular life.

Temple Chief, do not say "yes" to her!

Whatever happens to me is fine.

Now! Now! We Kanto people are a quick-tempered sort.

Do you want another person to die?

Temple Chief, you mustn't! Don't give in to these guys!

- Now! Now! - You mustn't!

You mustn't, Temple Chief! Temple Chief!

Kogiku.

Don't say anything.

Namida ga ochiteku kasanariau kono sekai dare no mono As one whose overlapping tears fell in this world

Nakanai de ai ga kanashimi no fuchi de kogoenu you Don't cry, love isn't frozen in the abyss of sorrow

Nageki kanashimedo sono gai mo naku koe wa todokanai Grieving and moaning is useless; your laments will go unanswered

Mujou ni sugiteku ima wo ikite yuku Just go on living now with the evanescence of life

Anata sae ireba ii As long as there is you

Kono sekai de subete wo kanjite itai I want to feel everything in this world

Tada hitotsu dake daiji na mono wo dakishimete Embracing you is the one and only important thing to me

I will grow out my hair.

Gyokuei.

You will return to Kyoto.

I am...

...no longer fit to guide you.

The one who killed Myoukei was me.

And the one who killed that prostitute...

...was also me.

I am powerless!

I felt I was experienced enough to be a Temple Chief.

And that I had the power of my good family.

But when it was I alone...

...I was this powerless.

Temple Chief.

I will also be secularized and enter the Ooku.

What are you saying, Gyokuei?

The one I will serve is you and no longer Buddha!

If you do such a thing, you will never be able to return to Kyoto again.

That's fine. I will follow you.

The day I first met you, Temple Chief...

...was the day my parents died.

Smeared in blotches...

...out of all the children with such rashes...

...the one the Temple Chief picked that day was me.

The Temple Chief didn't abandon me.

You could have left me to die by that roadside just as I was.

It was not I who saved you.

You yourself have a strong luck to you.

You are surely blessed by Buddha.

That's right!

And that's why.

I will protect you with my luck.

Please.

I have no attachments to either Kyoto or this world!

I only wish to follow you!

Gyokuei.

Him and that young monk together?

Yes.

Well, very well.

It's only one child.

We could do something about him later.

At your pleasure.

Ah...

I forgot to ask.

About those women yesterday?

Already taken care of.

"Kan'ei 17 (1640), Summer"

"Edo Castle, Ooku, Palace Hall Gate"

"Then one year passed."

"Having at long last grown their hair out..."

"...Arikoto and Gyokuei were brought in for attendance at Edo Castle."

Arikoto-sama, we have arrived at Edo Castle's Ooku.

Yeah, Gyokuei.

I will take you to your welcoming ceremony by the Shogun.

Your attendant will wait in the antechamber.

"Built during the reign of Tokugawa Ieyasu..."

"...Edo Castle was divided into three primary enclosures."

"Official events of the Shogunate were performed in the Omote. (front chambers)"

"Where the Shogun lived and where official functions of the Shogunate took place..."

"...was the Nakaoku. (middle chambers)"

"And, where a great many women lived and served the Shogun..."

"...including his legal wife and concubines..."

"...was the Ooku. (inner chambers)"

"The Ooku, with the exception of the Shogun..."

"...was absolutely forbidden to young men."

"This is strange."

"Since I first entered this castle..."

"...there hasn't been even one woman around."

"All I see instead are just samurai."

"I wonder if this can be the Ooku of Edo Castle?"

I failed to recognize you, Arikoto-dono.

Surely, the Shogun as well...

Shogun, this is Lord Madenokouji Azumi's son...

...Arikoto-sama.

Don't just suffer there. Raise your head.

Why are you so slow? Raise your head!

So this is the former monk Kasuga was searching for?

That is correct, Shogun.

As once before, long ago...

I am Lord Madenokouji Azumi's son, Arikoto.

Oman.

I'll take the first character of "Madenokouji" and make you "Oman."

You're like a woman with that white face...

...so you should have a woman's name.

Oi, Oman. (This is also used as a crude term for a woman's genitals; thus a huge insult to Arikoto)

Shogun.

Do you disagree with the name "Arikoto" that much?

Oman!

When I call you Oman, you say "Yes!"

Say "Yes!" Say it! Say it!

Say "Yes!" Say it! Say it! Say it!

Say it! Say it! Say it!

My interest has cooled off.

Kasuga, we're leaving.

Raise your head, Arikoto-dono.

That person just now...

Just who was that?

I don't understand the meaning of what you are saying.

Iemitsu-ko would be 37 years old this year.

I am asking just where is the real Iemitsu-ko?

That...

...person just now...

...was a young woman, wasn't it?!

And the one I gave thanks to on the occasion of my succession was you.

Yours is the same voice.

"Kasuga! Is Kasuga there?!"

My name...

...is Inaba Tanagokami Masakatsu.

However...

...to the outside world, I am already dead.

But...

...the true Shogun is dead.

The third generation Tokugawa Shogun...

...Iemitsu-ko.

"Masakatsu."

"We must hurry and have the court physician dispose of the corpse."

"6 Years Before (Kan'ei 11 (1634))"

"The physician's mouth cannot be sealed in any way."

"Do you believe we could get away with hiding the death of the Shogun?!"

"Don't do anything rash, Mother!"

"Inaba Tanagokami Masakatsu-dono."

"A samurai like you should not become so bewildered."

"And I'm telling you not to call me Mother."

"The three branches of the Tokugawa clan are now without young men."

"To say that Iemitsu-ko has died, leaving no heir..."

"Do you understand what that would mean?"

"The Tokugawa Shogunate..."

"...is extinct."

"And..."

"...the return of the Sengoku era." (Sengoku - 1450-1600, a period of nearly constant military conflict)

"It has been 30 years since the God Ieyasu-ko opened the Shogunate in Edo."

"Among the feudal lords..."

"...I have heard that many of them still have ambitions to rule the entire country."

"In addition, the scarlet smallpox is raging here in the eastern provinces."

"We would easily fall if we were attacked by one of the large western armies."

"By any means necessary..."

"...the Shogun must be made to still be alive."

"But there is already no one else available."

"You."

"You will die in his place."

"In spite of it being a dreadful thing..."

"...from this point on, you will wear the kimono of the Shogun and hide your face with a hood..."

"...and live as the Shogun."

"This corpse..."

"...is henceforth the suddenly dead body of Kasuga's first son, Inaba Masakatsu."

"He's dead? My husband is?"

"Masakatsu's Wife Yuki"

"I must make preparations right away."

"That is being handled by Kasuga no Tsubone-sama to the best of her abilities."

"So that the scarlet smallpox does not spread..."

"...the funeral services for Masakatsu-dono will all be done within the castle."

"No..."

Thus, 6 years ago...

...I, Inaba Masakatsu, died.

Kasuga no Tsubone-sama...

...having acted so rashly, manually carried it out.

Even if the Shogun had passed away...

...there was a single princess who had inherited a blood relationship with him.

It has now been 17 years since then.

"Ah, that refreshed me."

"Shogun, it's about time we returned."

"It's said there is a strange disease affecting only men going around."

"It is quite dangerous."

"I don't want to go back to the castle."

"I'll have to look at my mother's face as she shouts, "Make an heir; Make an heir!"

"Such an obnoxious, detestable woman."

"What's with that look, Masakatsu? There's no woman I can't take."

"I understand that."

- "Now, let's get back this evening." - "No, you don't understand."

"If I intend to take a woman, then I..."

"Ah, Shogun!"

The woman that time secretly gave birth to his illegitimate child.

This was known by Kasuga no Tsubone-sama.

And then Kasuga no Tsubone-sama...

...on the night that Iemitsu-ko passed away...

...called for Matsudaira Izunokami Nobutsuna-dono.

"Place Masakatsu-dono as the Shogun's shadow double?"

"Are you crazy, Kasuga no Tsubone-sama?"

"Now is not a normal time."

"Already, this princess alone..."

"...is the only person who carries Iemitsu-ko's blood line."

"Right now she is only 11 years old. But after a little longer..."

"Within a few years she will give birth to an heir."

"If it were for just a few days, it could be done."

"But hiding the Shogun's death for years..."

"We must hide it."

"No, we WILL hide it."

"You've brought the princess here to Edo Castle?"

"She will live secretly with me in the Ooku."

"Just in case, she will be brought up as a man."

"As a man?!"

"Even if by chance someone sees her without knowing the circumstances..."

"...we can merely tell them that "he" is the Shogun's Page."

"What about the Ooku's womenfolk and others and their children?"

"The women can be dispensed with."

"Then..."

"Women tend to run off at the mouth."

"Instead..."

"Gather up young ronins from around the country."

"And put them in the Ooku?"

"If by chance this leaks out and the country is disturbed by it..."

"...this Edo Castle will be attacked by its enemies."

"The princess..."

"No, we must protect the current Shogun."

- "I see." - "Yes, yes."

"And have foreign ships arrive only at Nagasaki and prohibit voyages leaving from Japan."

- "Huh?" - "There's not only that we have to deal with."

"If it were known that the young men of our country were dying from scarlet smallpox...

...it would become a big deal to foreign countries."

"The official position will be that it is to expel any and all Christians."

"I see."

"I see."

Can you understand this?

The current Shogun does not have a name.

The Tokugawa Shoguns cannot have a woman's name.

Iemitsu-ko has to live on.

That person is, essentially, a person who should not be in this world.

Well then, why was I brought here?

You are the "seed."

Your duty is to...

...come between the Shogun here in the Ooku and produce an heir.

Why me?

I don't know.

All of it has been decided upon by Kasuga no Tsubone-sama.

The Shogun is a phantom...

You are a phantom, too...

And I am to be called a phantom as well.

That's right.

An heir will be born.

And, until he grows up safely...

...we will continue being phantoms.

"This Drama is Fictional"