Original subtitles

-Ok. -Thank you.

YOKOHAMA

Hello.

Travel Ticket.

In November of 1874...

Niijima Jo returned to Japan after 10 years.

I owe it to you that I could return to Japan...

after breaking the law.

Thank you very much.

I thought highly of you since I first met you in Washington.

Won't you work for the government?

I'm sorry. I came back to build a school in Japan.

A new nation won't succeed unless the people change.

Education is critical in catching up to the West.

So many unsettled matters.

Mr. Kido.

I'd like to ask another favor.

Osaka prefecture won't let me establish a Christian school.

Can you help me?

Kyoto.

How about opening a school here in Kyoto?

On sacred Buddhist ground?

I'm not sure about that.

Won't it be more difficult than Osaka?

But there's someone who can help you there.

Yae!

Yae!

Yes!

Yes?

This book should be on the desk.

How are your English studies coming along?

It's coming slowly.

Found it?

Yes.

That's next.

The New Testament.

Umata?

It's Mataiden.

Are these the Christian scriptures?

There's a missionary named Gordon in Kiyamachi, Sanjo.

Go there for his lecture.

Why must I study Christianity?

Just study it.

I've already set it up.

You start tomorrow.

Yes.

The 260 year ban on Christianity in Japan...

was lifted just two years prior.

YAE NO SAKURA

Episode 34: The Man Who Returned

Screenplay: Yamamoto Mutsumi

Theme Music: Sakamoto Ryuichi Music: Nakajima Nobuyuki

Narrator: Kusabue Mitsuko

Kawasaki Yae: Ayase Haruka

Yamamoto Kakuma: Nishijima Hidetoshi

Niijima Jo: Odagiri Joe

Yamakawa Okura: Tamayama Tetsuji

Yamakawa Futaba: Ichikawa Mikako

Yamamoto Tokie: Tanimura Mitsuki

Sagawa Kanbei: Nakamura Shido

Yamakawa Kenjiro: Katsuji Ryo

Kawasaki Shonosuke: Hasegawa Hiroki

Saigo Kichinosuke: Kikkawa Koji

Kido Takayoshi: Oikawa Mitsuhiro

Makimura Masanao: Takashima Masahiro

Yamamoto Saku: Fubuki Jun

Executive Producer: Naito Shinsuke

Translations by MTI

Director: Kato Taku

Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Ms. Yae, please translate.

"Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

Good.

The Lord Our God is merciful..

and always with people who mourn.

Mr. Gordon...I have a question.

What is it?

Why are people who mourn are blessed...

is it not the opposite?

Well I agree. Those who mourn should be pitied.

Is God heartless?

No, no, no.

When people are sad and in despair,

they can feel the depth of God's love.

This is what it means to be truly comforted.

What did he just say?

To be truly comforted...

Still...

...it's better not to be sad.

I just don't understand Christian teachings.

I don't agree with what was being said.

Does God say wrong things?

You're not supposed to defy bad people.

Meaning you should not fight?

That isn't all.

If you're slapped in the right face, you're told to offer your left side.

Even the children in Aizu won't accept such teachings.

Only cowards and weaklings will remain beaten.

That's not for samurai.

That's true.

There are other strange things.

You're told not to hate your enemies.

To pray for them (your enemies).

Would anyone not hate the person who hits one?

God must never have been banned from his country.

Why did Kakuma tell me to learn this?

I'll go and ask him.

Oh, Mine!

Aunty, welcome home!

That looks good!

Mine! That's bad manners.

You're acting like a child.

In the old days, you would be getting married soon.

Mother, don't be hasty.

That's still far in the future.

Yae, are you fine with the way things are?

What?

It's useless to wait.

Sir Shonosuke has no intention of coming back.

I know.

I'll ask Kakuma why I have to study Christianity.

Father is with a guest now.

Mine! That's enough.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

As you can see, I am blind.

Mr. Kido should have warned you.

Pardon me. I'm Niijima Jo.

I'll prepare some tea.

I heard you want to build a school in Kyoto.

Yes.

I left Japan 10 years ago.

Fortunately, I met good people.

The time I spent in the U.S. was wonderful.

But during that time, war broke out in Japan...

and the country was overturned.

Japan is filled with people who seek mental support.

To help this wounded country...

I want to build a Christian school.

I want to develop national conscience through the school.

Then I can make use of what I learned in the West.

This is Kyoto.

There is strong resistance here against Christianity.

This might be a trial from God.

You will get resistance.

You will face hardships.

I'm a missionary.

Hardship brought by God is joyful.

Those who follow God carry a cross.

That's a line from the bible.

Tendo Sogen!

It's a Christian doctrine in Chinese.

Are you a Christian?

No, I'm not, but...

I found what I was looking for in this bible.

What is that?

For Japan to stay on the right path hereafter...

people with good conscience are needed.

That's what the school is for.

Please give me your support.

I understand very well.

Please do build your school here in Kyoto.

I will help you.

Thank you very much!

What...?

Thank you.

Thank you!

Thank you.

Thank you!

Thank you.

Thank you!

KYOTO PREFECTURE OFFICE

Sir Kakuma, thank you for your hard work.

Thank you for your hard work.

Thank you for your hard work.

An English school, huh?

Western education is good...

but I don't know about a Christian missionary.

That is why...

Governor Watanabe in Osaka rejected the idea.

What?

Watanabe rejected it?

Yes.

Well...if Osaka rejected it...

then Kyoto will accept it.

What? Really?

We can't lose to Osaka.

But a school will require more funding.

Don't worry about the money.

It's a private school, so we do not need funding.

I have already obtained $5,000 in financial assistance from the U.S.

Are you saying we can get this school for free?

Yes.

That's even better!

Spread Western influence in this moldy city of Kyoto.

Is your wife American?

I'm a bachelor.

That isn't good.

You won't be trusted as a Christian bachelor.

Trust is most important in business.

Get a wife and settle down.

I'll find you someone.

What's your preference? Slender or round face?

No..I'm not particular about face.

If anything...

someone who is obedient...

is just not my type.

I like women who are educated and opinionated.

A missionary can lose his life anywhere at any time.

She must be independent.

She must understand my work...

and point out my errors and guide me.

I want to build a warm home with someone like that.

I can't handle scary women like that.

Wait a minute.

Speaking of a woman I can't handle...

Excuse me.

Come in.

Thank you very much.

Western shoes with kimono?

Does he work for Mr. Gordon?

Judge not, lest ye be not judged.

God is telling you not to judge people.

Sir, then..what is the purpose of the Department of Justice?

I don't understand it.

Is Yae the only student today?

How unfortunate... I want to introduce our friend to everyone today.

Jo, Jo are you there? Please come here.

I'm coming maam.

Like me, he's a missionary from the American Board.

You're a missionary?

I thought you were Mr. Gordon's servant.

I'm Niijima Jo.

I'm Kawasaki Yae.

What makes you think this handsome gentleman is a servant?

He was polishing the shoes.

Oh, I see.

When I was at the Edo mansion, I didn't wash a single underwear.

I didn't think a samurai should be doing that.

But my thinking changed when I went to America.

America?

Physical labor is fun.

You see results.

When polished, the shoes shine.

This cookie is the fruit of Mrs. Gordon's labor.

-Uh...perfect.

Jo, this is the young woman working at Yokono school I told you about.

Oh, she is...

Oh, you're the person whom I have a favor to ask.

I'd like to tour the women's school.

No. It's for women only.

I don't mind at all.

I mind.

You'll shock the students.

Please.

He wants to build a Christian school in Kyoto.

A Christian school?

In Kyoto?

Yes.

This place is great.

Ms. Yae!

Who is that gentleman?

Everyone, get seated. Class is about to start.

What?

I'll use this place as a model when I build my women's school.

Women's school?

You're going to build one?

After I build the English school, I'll build a women's school.

It'll go hand in hand with the men's school.

I'm going to observe the English class.

Ms. Yae...who is that?

I'm sorry. A friend asked me to show him the school.

Give us prior notice next time.

I will.

Together.

What's going on?

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me...the bible tells me so!

Mr. Niijima, what are you doing?

The English lessons were a bit difficult...

so I want them to enjoy singing.

From the beginning again.

Jesus loves me, this I know.

For the bible tells me so...

That's a very popular hymn, known to everybody in the West

I remembered it fondly.

Little ones to Him belong They are weak, but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me

Let's sing a bit louder.

One, two

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me

The bible tells me so.

Kyoto is promising.

Amazing.

The town of ancient temples opening it's gate to us missionaries.

The governor there is willing to accept us.

I'll prepare the necessary documentations and makes the necessary requests.

That's is great to hear.

We'll establish our headquarter there.

Jo...Were you able to make progress with your other proposition.

To find a good partner.

Oh, that's right.

Mr. Makimura had suggested Kakuma's sister.

I got too absorbed in work that I forgot.

YAMAKAWA RESIDENCE IN TOKYO

Let's have hot pot! YAMAKAWA RESIDENCE IN TOKYO

Great!

Let's drink tonight!

I'll buy sake.

I'll get game fowl.

This is it.

Sister (Futaba).

(Brother) Kenjiro.

Welcome home.

You look great.

Are you going out?

I'm in a bit of a rush.

Let's talk later.

This...

Can I borrow it for a while?

Sure.

Is Kenjiro back?

Sir Sagawa (Kanbei)!

Is Kenjiro in?

Yes, in the back.

You've endured it well for five years.

Good work.

No...thank you very much.

What does it say?

It's a certification of education.

Yale University, huh?

What happened to your left hand?

Oh, this?

Last year, Eto Shinpei revolted in Saga.

I got injured in that conflict.

An honorable injury.

That's how he advanced in the (national) army.

The people of Aizu were abused and made to suffer.

There's finally a ray of hope.

When did you come to Tokyo?

The Satsuma police force returned to Kagoshima with Saigo (when he resigned).

They needed more policemen so 300 of us came last year.

Excuse us!

We bought sake and game fowl.

Thanks.

Is that you, Kenjiro?

Welcome back.

How was the U.S.?

Tell us about it!

Sure.

Put the fowl down first.

Invite the others.

Yes!

They're family of our starving fellow clansmen.

He pays for their tuition.

He's an admirable man.

Kenjiro...

We are poor.

Keep that in mind.

Yes.

We're regulars at the pawn shop.

Is that where Futaba went?

I won't be seeing my hat for a while then.

Where will you work?

Not for the government.

You can't use your knowledge in the current government.

In the military, either. Aizu men won't be promoted.

I wasn't thinking of work in the government or military.

I just want to further my knowledge.

That's good.

Kenjiro was hired in Tokyo Kaisei School,

later know as Tokyo Teikoku University.

He would lead the Meiji education scene.

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me... the bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me...This I know...

What are you doing?

Oh...it's you, Ms. Yae.

Mr. Niijima?

Why are you here?

This is my brother's house.

Brother's house?

Are you Kakuma's sister?

Yes.

What if you fall in (the well)?

The summer in Kyoto is overbearingly hot.

It feels cool when you sit on the well's edge.

Don't worry. I won't fall in.

Hey, stop that.

For a man, you're a scaredy-cat.

That's dangerous!

Excuse me.

I was afraid you would fall in.

I told you that I wouldn't.

I'm sorry. That was rude of me.

I was taught to protect ladies.

Protect?

Me?

I never wanted to be protected.

I'm not the type of woman who needs protection.

I fought with a rifle in the war in Aizu.

I killed the enemy just like our men...

and shot cannons at the enemy.

Seven years have passed.

But I can't pray for the enemy as a Christian.

My sister (Yae) fought at the castle.

She witnessed our province being trampled on.

The deep scars cannot be healed.

When I learned about Tendo Sogen...

I thought in Christianity...

there may be a way to overcome hatred and grudge.

That is why I had Yae study the bible.

Nobody can shoulder the burden that Yae is carrying.

Yae has to find a way to overcome it herself.

All who carry a burden, come to me...

Do you have all the documents ready for the school?

They're being processed now.

While I'm waiting, I'm going to visit home once.

I've caused my parents nothing but worry.

Where are you from?

Annaka.

I grew up in the Edo mansion, so I don't know the province.

When you were a child...

did you ever go to Sakuma Shozan's Dutch school?

Yes, I did.

It was an interesting place.

There were many Western things.

There were many adults with gleaming eyes.

What's the commotion?

Please help me!

I'm Shimeta, son of Annaka clansman Niijima Tamiji.

Why'd you let the pig out?

I was drawing them.

You're good.

When I focus, I lose sight of my surroundings.

It's all right.

Without such fervor, you won't amount to anything.

What do you learn here?

Western studies.

What do you do here?

Annaka clansman, Niijima...

Don't you have a scar on your forehead?

Yes, I do.

I fell from a tree when I was a child.

How did you know?

You're that boy!

God brought you here.

I've been entrusted to the former Satsuma clan estate.

Let's build your school there.

What?

This will definitely benefit Japan.

Yes.

Shortly thereafter...

I can clean the place myself.

Kakuma told me to clean.

I'll be in your care until the school matters are resolved.

Are you sure I can stay here?

Why do you ask?

Anti-Christianity may come barging in.

I hope I don't cause trouble.

That doesn't faze anyone here.

Kakuma and I have done many things that raised objections.

But...

When Christianity was founded...

...weren't there a lot of resistance?

Yes.

But Jesus relentlessly spread Christianity.

Yes, he did.

Then do the same thing.

Yes Jesus loves me...

the bible tells me so.

This should do.

Is there anything else?

Just one more thing.

Ms. Yae...

...will you be my wife?

EN OF EPISODE 34

Mr. Niijima, what is it?

Let's go on a picnic.

Ms. Tokio?

Shonosuke blames himself.

I wanted to help him.

Christianity is not for Kyoto.

Come to term with it.

Or the battle in your heart won't end.

What do you know?

I don't understand it.

All I can do is to be with you when you're sad.