Original subtitles

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"During the reign of the third Shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu-ko..."

"...an unexpected disaster took place."

"Scarlet smallpox swept across the country..."

"...taking the lives of young men, one after another."

"Ironically, this national crisis..."

"...led to the destined encounter of these two."

It wasn't my choice to become this way.

I have no reason to want to live in the Ooku concealed as a boy!

Even I do.

For your sake, I was recently brought here where I did not wish to be.

If you feel you are the only one who is in pain...

...then you are greatly mistaken!

"The one person I must try and save..."

"...has been right here before me all this time."

"Right here before me like this..."

"...is a person struggling with such pain."

"Is not that one person alone enough?"

Episode 4: "The Fruit That Will Not Grow; A Poisonous Snake Creeps In"

"1 Year Later (Kan'ei 18 (1641)), Summer"

Well done!

Well done!

Very well done, Arikoto-sama.

There is no need for flattery, Masashi.

What are you saying?

You've improved a great deal over this last year.

Your instructor, Kiyonari-sama, was saying so as well.

If I have, it is all thanks to Kiyonari-dono's instruction.

I felt from the first that, unlike fencing...

...archery doesn't injure people and all you have to do is strike at a target.

It is very profound and interesting.

It is regrettable that your muscles are poor for fencing.

No. I am already no match for Gyokuei.

It may be that that boy is far more familiar with the Ooku than I am.

Beat him, Gyokuei! Beat him!

That's far enough!

In that case, who's next? Now, who'll be next?

I can still go on. Who will it be?!

Okay! Then I'll take you on next!

Begin!

Arikoto-sama, please teach me the bow next.

No, I am hardly taught myself.

Oh, Gyokuei. Haven't you grown taller again?

I was told by Isuke of the kitchens that I'm growing faster than bamboo shoots do.

When I saw you for the first time last year, I thought you were a very good-looking child.

Arikoto-sama.

Please tell me the exact date for when your next lecture will be.

Well, it is not such an exaggerated thing that it can be called a "lecture."

No. During those moments when I am listening to your words...

...I am greatly comforted.

Here in Edo Castle, they are said to be a ward against the Shogun's loss in battle.

For those of us who must dwell in the gloominess that is the Ooku...

Very well.

Starting with this month, let us gather on the 5th of each one.

Yes! I will immediately inform everyone.

There is certain to be a great deal of pleasure about this.

Well then...

"Nagasaki"

- Masakastu. - Yes.

As I recall, in order to keep the Christian people confined to Nagasaki...

...we have made a small island.

Yes. The one called Dejima?

Should we move the Dutch trading posts to this Dejima?

And as well, any trading establishments of more than a year...

...shall be prohibited from staying in Japan.

However, at such a harsh decision, the Dutch will...

They will accept it.

Because the Shogunate will prohibit the arrival of Portuguese ships.

The Dutch will then be in a position to monopolize trade with Japan, won't they?

The Dutch won't have to part with their interests.

That's true.

Fascinating, isn't it?

It is completely as if Japan has put itself into a basket.

To outside countries, we will be invisible.

Just like this Ooku.

Right, Masakastu?

Yes. That's true.

Masakatsu, your "That's true, that's true." That's all you say, isn't it?

- Shogun. - It's okay.

And, about the scarlet smallpox.

Has that still not settled down yet?

Ah...

Far from settling down, it is rare for even one boy per family to come of age.

Not only farmers, but daimyo clans as well.

Fiefs are suffering as their heirs die, one after another.

That is convenient for us as well.

Huh?

Ah, you're so slow.

For the Shogunate, powerful daimyos can pose a menace.

If they aren't making heirs...

Ah...

Then we could take advantage of the daimyos.

That's right.

We can have them dissolved.

I see.

However, they could easily just adopt a child.

Adopting a child requires the permission of the Shogunate, right?

I won't be issuing such permissions.

Well, well?

This will give rock-solid control to the Tokugawas.

I am far better at governing than you are, Masakastu.

Indeed.

It surely is your sagacity.

It is quite the same as your dead father's.

I'm not happy about that.

Shogun. Your father...

Your father was a splendid Shogun.

If you had only been a boy...

Anyhow, I'm...

...not a Shogun.

Still...

Talking to you about politics...

...is a good way to kill the boredom.

Both you and I...

...are fellows inherently not of this world.

So we can complain about being bored here in the Ooku.

Shogun...

Shogun, please excuse me.

Is it Arikoto?

Yes, it is Arikoto. I have just returned.

Is the ocean that beautiful?

Yes.

The sound of the returning waves is indeed a pleasant one...

"Saa, saa," like that.

It is like a musical performance.

I should like to see it once.

With you...

Yes.

Arikoto.

If once I gave birth to an heir...

...both you and I would become unnecessary, wouldn't we?

Yes.

The day might come...

...when we may be able to leave this Ooku, won't it?

Yes.

At that time, straight away...

...I want to go to the ocean.

Yes.

We can become an old man and an old woman together.

That day may indeed come, won't it?

Shogun.

You should already be asleep.

In our dreams, let us dream of the ocean.

Yes.

Arikoto.

Are you asleep?

No. What is it?

Um...

Would you like to hear the things...

...I spoke to Masakatsu about during the day?

Would you come to hate me if I did?

I don't know what sort of person it is that you hate.

But...

...I still don't really know how it is I should behave...

...so that you would come to love me.

I don't want to be hated by you.

What do you think you are saying?

For me to hate the Shogun...

There is no reason for me to do such a thing.

Truly?

Truly?!

This wig wasn't made from the hair taken away from those Edo girls.

Because you were angry about that before...

...I made sure this was properly paid for by Den'emon.

In that case, it's fine, isn't it?

- Right? - Yes.

It looks very good on you.

Truly?

Your rouge and face powder, as well.

The kimono you wore during the day also looked good on you.

But, about your appearance...

Did you not receive any commands from Kasuga no Tsubone-sama about it?

I'm well-informed, after all.

When I became like this...

...Kasuga-dono wouldn't let me out of the room with it on.

Kasuga complained about it at first...

...but now she just keeps quiet about it.

In that case, it should be fine.

From the start...

...my Father would wear makeup like a woman...

...and called himself an actor.

That's a famous story among the lower classes.

So when I do the same thing...

...nothing is troubled because of it.

Arikoto.

Your eyes are so sorrowful.

Is it because I spoke in this nasty way?

I love you.

Arikoto...

Love you...

Love you...

Heiwa Fansubs Presents: "Ooku ~ Tanjou ~ Arikoto - Iemitsu Hen" "Shogun's Harem ~ Birth ~ Arikoto - Iemitsu Volume"

Well now, those two are in a harmonious relationship.

Having seen them, I would even call it heartwarming.

Arikoto-sama has, how do I put it...

...steadily made one round after another here and has endeared himself to many in the Ooku.

More than anything else, there is the change in the Shogun herself.

She has calmed so much that she is like a completely different person...

It is true that although the Shogun has not taken one step outside of this Ooku...

...she shows surprising insights into government...

Such things are irrelevant.

It has been one year since Arikoto was called to her side.

Nevertheless...

It is alarming that as of yet we have not seen even one sign of pregnancy in the Shogun.

Well, that is..

And therefore, all that has no meaning!

Consider what the reason was for having Arikoto!

For pete's sake...

For what sake have we endured all these hardships up until now?

At this rate, the Iemitsu-ko bloodline will...

"The man, when posed a question about his pearl..."

"...answered it had vanished like the dew."

"The Tales of Ise" (book of poetry from the Heian era, 794-1185)

We cannot be positive since some of the words have been omitted.

In other words, this is a love poem based upon a true story.

A man who had fallen in love with a certain noble woman...

...stole off with the Princess and eloped with her.

The tenderly raised Princess saw dew on the grass in the moonlight.

When she asked the man, "Are those pearls?"

...the man was not in a position to answer her.

That night, the Princess saw a demon...

...who then ate her in the blink of an eye.

True pursuers came, and they regained the Princess.

After that, the Princess came to be the wife of the Emperor.

She was now eternally out of the man's reach.

And then the man was grieved.

So when asked, "Whither is thy pearl?"

...he would answer, "That was dew."

Rather, like dew.

It would have been better for the two of them to have disappeared together...

Well then, that should do it for today.

Thank you very much!

That was splendid.

That was a success.

Masakatsu-sama.

Gyokuei.

All of them are hungry for learning.

No, I am no scholar.

It is merely a get-together to discuss Chinese schools of thought and poetry...

...and to consider what legends and other poetry we know.

A certain person wishes to join you.

They wear a hood...

That isn't what it means...

Is the Shogun in good humor and beautiful again today?

Yes. She is exceptionally beautiful.

After lunch, it seems she wishes...

...to explore the garden with Arikoto-dono.

Very well.

Well then, please excuse me.

Masakatsu-dono, what is the matter?

Huh?

For some reason, from your appearance...

No. I have said something I should not have.

Today is the anniversary of their death.

Death anniversary? Whose...

A certain... someone.

"You will die in his place."

"You will wear the kimono of the Shogun and hide your face with a hood..."

"...and live as the Shogun."

"Inaba Masakatsu, Governor of Tango Province 7th Death Anniversary Service"

"Eldest Son Tsuruchiyo"

"Eldest Daughter Nono"

Mother.

Please wait, Mother.

What business do you have with me?

Um...

- Um... - I am in a hurry, so speak quickly.

Even if only for a little while, could you give your greetings to Tsuruchiyo and Nono?

Those children were so looking forward to seeing their Grandmother.

Did I not just speak to them a moment ago, saying how much they had grown?

Are you dissatisfied by only that much?

No...

By the time I was your age...

...I had already separated from my husband.

I had made up my mind to become wet nurse to the Shogun.

As you are both a mother and wife to the dead Masakatsu...

...you must now be a little more level-headed.

My Lord...

Is Masakatsu-sama really and truly dead?!

All this time... for these six years, I...

I've felt that...

...Masakatsu-sama must indeed be alive...

Yuki-sama.

Keep in mind your position.

- Go left at that corner. - Yes.

Whaa, what a handsome guy!

Still, if a powerful daimyo who is a menace to the Shogunate is unable to put up an heir...

...we can take advantage of that to dissolve the daimyo clan.

And if they wanted to install an adopted child, they would need the Shogunate's permission.

I see.

We can take advantage of this crisis where the scarlet smallpox doesn't allow boys to be raised...

...to change the rankings of the daimyo all at once.

That is an excellent plan.

Just what you'd expect from the bright and able Governor of Tango.

No, a certain someone...

Don't be so modest.

For these six years, such discernment even without having set foot outside of the Ooku...

Under ordinary circumstances, we would have had you join us and be the seventh.

That you had to do this for your family is regrettable.

Then after that, there's the birth of an heir.

The Shogun has been calling to her side for a year now...

...that handsome monk who became secularized, right?

As you say, it's been one year, and yet he's been unable to make her pregnant...

About that.

All of you, do not worry about that.

I have already set things in motion.

"Sutezo"

Oi, oi, oi. People're watching, Oei-san.

I don't mind.

I want to show you off.

In these times when there are no men...

...being intimate with a handsome man like you...

...makes me a beautiful woman.

Ya don't have ta be with me fer that.

Oei-san, yer already a beautiful woman.

No, geez...

I wouldn't like it if you cast me aside.

Say... Let's be sure and meet again.

Definitely, now.

What are ya saying?

I'm da one who wants ta see ya.

That's a promise, Oei-san.

See ya again. Definitely.

Sutezo!

Damn! It's Daddy.

This fool's been neglecting the shop again!

- See ya later! - Flirting with some woman, are ya!

Daddy came!

"Secondhand Clothes"

Whaa! It's Sutezo-san!

I truly am pitiful.

Outta da four boys born ta us...

...da only one we could raise to adulthood was ya alone.

Are ya listening?!

Say, Daddy.

There just aren't many men bein' born...

...who kin help out at their parent's business nowadays.

And out in back of our house...

...dere's already someone important from the Shogun carefully watching us.

Shut up, ya! Yer such a great man, huh?

'Cause yer some kinda stallion, huh?

Dear, you're getting angry like that again...

Ya be quiet.

Since long ago, a man made his keep by working hard.

But you have ta go 'round cheating like some overbearing brat!

Well, I was born atta a good time.

- Oi, Sutezo! - Dear, wait...

I done heard da stories of how it was before I was born.

But ta be frank, it's boring.

"Work hard, work hard."

With da money I makes from women...

...I kin earn far and away more than what this secondhand clothing shop does.

I'm gonna build me a palace with it.

Sute-san, let's meet again.

Yeah, we will.

- See you again. - Yeah.

You there, townsman.

I'm speaking to you.

Yes, Samurai-sama. What business do you have with me?

My business is that you have been called for.

This way.

- Wait here. - Yes.

I have brought him.

Raise your head.

Show her your face.

Yes...

- Kasuga. - Yes, Shogun.

Thank you, Kasuga.

You were thinking of me, weren't you?

Oman...

About Arikoto.

Thanks to you, Kasuga, I got to meet Arikoto.

I will always be...

...the Shogun's ally.

Yeah.

- I'll do it. - This is fine.

I was thinking of showing them to the Shogun.

Shogun, please excuse me.

Wada-sama and Katsuta-sama are coming.

I wonder what business those two have with Arikoto-sama?

No, no, Gyokuei. Their business seems to be with you.

Don't be so formal, Gyokuei.

It's only natural I'd be formal.

I haven't forgotten what you did to me.

There's no time to talk about old things like that.

What we want to discuss right now is...

Gyokuei.

Kasuga no Tsubone-sama has been busy having the dead Sunami-sama's spare room cleaned up.

You understand, don't you?

That is exactly what happened one year ago...

...when Arikoto-dono entered the Ooku.

Eh?

What you're saying is...

You're lying. Both Wada-sama and Katsuta-sama are trying to deceive me.

Gyokuei.

Arikoto-dono...

...for occasions such as New Year's and the other seasonal festivals...

...he's made it our duty to manage the male servants of the Ooku during those.

To us whose daily lives had been made up of nothing...

...the effect is that we have something to live for.

We already...

...owe our thanks to Arikoto-dono.

There isn't anything we harbor against him.

I said that you would not have to raise a hand.

Yes, yes, I had forgotten.

Rest assured that the 7th Death Anniversary for Inaba Masakatsu, Governor of Tango...

...ended safely.

Um, please tell me one thing.

How are Yuki, Tsuruchiyo and Nono...

They are in good health. There is nothing for you to worry about.

Gyokuei. You're strangely quiet today.

Ah... That's not true.

Please excuse me, Arikoto-dono.

It's Masakatsu-sama.

Arikoto-dono, when you have finished your dinner...

...come to Kasuga no Tsubone-sama.

Kasuga no Tsubone-sama?

I have kept you waiting.

Please enter.

Now then...

I have called for another person to come here today.

Arikoto-dono.

Up until today, you have indeed been working hard...

...as the Shogun's partner.

From here on though, this Sutezo...

...will serve as the Shogun's partner.

I never grow tired looking at how beautiful he is.

Kasuga no Tsubone-sama...

The Shogun should be well satisfied from now on, good, good.

- Kasuga no Tsubone-sama! - What is it?

This is...

...impossible.

The Shogun, above all, would by no means...

By no means would she accede to such a thing.

Well then...

I will have you be the one...

...to tell the Shogun that you are being replaced.

No...

Can you not understand?

You have been the samurai at the Shogun's side for one year...

...and yet the Shogun has not given birth to an heir.

It is probably because you do not have any seed.

Having a person such as you at the Shogun's side is useless for her.

Arikoto-dono.

You should act responsibly and know when to quit! This is unsightly!

This was a place...

...I had never wished to come to.

Yet even so...

I searched desperately for what I could do...

...and at last, by being with the Shogun...

...I had found a way to live.

Just a little longer...

Please wait just a little longer!

Above all else, this sort of treatment would be too cruel to the Shogun.

This is exactly the same as treating her as a tool!

To connect the bloodline is what you say you are waiting for.

But to go to these lengths to protect the Tokugawa family...

Just what on earth is it you want from them!?

It is...

...a peaceful world without war.

I have a request.

That entirely after this...

...you decline to ask me to your bed.

Why?

Why would you say such a thing? Arikoto...

There is a new Ochuro samurai who will be at the Shogun's side.

Are you...

Are you asking me to share my bedroom with another man?!

I won't...

No! Nooo!

Shogun.

Shogun!

You know what happened to me!

And yet that didn't matter to you.

Any other man would only have made fun of me over it!

My body was always just dirty.

I was raped and I shed blood...

If you defied Kasuga...

...do you think your life would be in danger?

Die! Just die!

Such a coward should just die!

Please kill me.

Please kill me.

I can't.

I couldn't do such a thing.

I was lying, Arikoto! I don't want you to die!

No matter how terrible a man you are...

I love you, Arikoto.

I love you.

Kasuga's a fool.

My not being able to have a child...

...isn't Arikoto's fault.

I am a barren woman.

When I gave birth to my daughter, the delivery was extremely difficult.

Whatever man I sleep with...

...I cannot become pregnant.

Say, Arikoto.

When the time comes...

...shall you and I die together?

Shall we perish...

...along with the Tokugawa?

Yes.

Yes!

Mirai to kako kara ima wo terashidasu Now illuminating both future and past

Anata dake mitsumeteru Staring at you alone

Kono sekai ga ima nanika wo sakende mo Even if this world is screaming out for something

Tada hitori dake mamoreru nara nanimo iranai I need nothing if I can protect only you

Kizutsuita sono hate ni If in the end I hurt you

Itsuka wakare no hi ga kite mo And the day comes when we must part

Ashita ga mienakute mo Then I'll won't see a tomorrow

Kono sekai wa futari dake no mono This world is just the two of us

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 dakishimete Embracing you is the one and only important thing to me