Original subtitles

FEBRUARY 1877

DOSHISHA ENGLISH SCHOOL

Shall we go in?

Yes.

It has a fresh new smell.

This is our new learning place.

Youths will gather here, accumulate knowledge...

and eventually improve the world.

Isn't that exciting?

Congratulations, Jo.

Hey! This way!

Can we unload?

It's awfully small compared to Kumamoto Western School.

No wry comments.

It's our school. We have to grow it ourselves.

Now let's get to work.

Let's bring in the desks first.

Terrible news!

Sir Saigo (of Satsuma) is rising in arms in Kagoshima!

What?

Kumamoto may be dragged into this war.

Where is the war?

The castle?

Our home town?

Sir Saigo is rising in arms?

Dear, please calm down.

Saigo, don't make such move.

Kakuma!

Did you hear about Satsuma?

Yes.

Come with me to the city office.

On February 15, 1877...

Saigo advanced his army of over 10,000...

Like an omen of turbulence...

Kyushu had an epochal snow storm.

Justice is with us.

We'll condemn the unjust government and question their cause!

Yes!

We'll control the government's army in Kumamoto...

and force our path to Tokyo.

Let us see cherry blossoms in Tokyo in March.

Another rebellion was about to hit Japan.

YAE NO SAKURA

Episode 38: The Satsuma Rebellion

Screenplay: Yamamoto Mutsumi

Theme Music: Sakamoto Ryuichi Music: Nakajima Nobuyuki

Narrator: Kusabue Mitsuko

Niijima Yae: Ayase Haruka

Yamamoto Kakuma: Nishijima Hidetoshi

Niijima Jo: Odagiri Joe

Yamamoto Saku: Fubuki Jun

Yamakawa Hiroshi: Tamayama Tetsuji

Yamamoto Tokie: Tanimura Mitsuki

Sagawa Kanbei: Nakamura Shido

Fujita Goro: Furuya Kenji

Makimura Masanao: Takashima Masahiro

Okubo Toshimichi: Tokushige Satoshi

Kido Takayoshi: Oikawa Mitsuhiro

Ooyama Iwao: Sorimachi Takashi

Saigo Takamori: Kikkawa Koji

Executive Producer: Naito Shinsuke

Translations by MTI

Director: Kato Taku

Mr. Makimura, what is happening in Kagoshima (Satsuma)?

It'll hit the newspapers soon.

Mr. Okubo sent spies to Kagoshima.

Those spies were suspected of plotting to assassinate Saigo.

Assassinate Mr. Saigo?

That's rubbish.

He advanced an army of over 10,000 because of a rumor?

The private school consists of discontent samurai.

They must have been looking for a reason to rise.

Yae...let's go.

Yes.

Saigo is the Army General. It's going to be troublesome.

Where to?

Mr. Kido is at the palace.

What? Palace?

Are you insane?

Unless we stop Saigo, Kyushu island will turn into a battlefield.

Let's go.

Is anyone here?

The palace...

...is not a place for you to go.

KYOTO PALACE

Mr. Okubo and Mr. Ito.

What's the situation in Kagoshima?

I was notified that an army of 15,000 was mobilized.

I'll go and verify Mr. Saigo's intent.

That's reckless. You'll be killed before you can see him.

The army has already been mobilized.

We must suppressed the rebels immediately.

Rebels?

Excuse me.

What is it?

We received a telegraph.

Saigo's army has invaded Kumamoto Prefecture.

To prepare for war, our army has holed up in Kumamoto Castle.

Mr. Okubo, we have no time to waste.

We have no choice but to kill him.

We're issuing an order to punish the rebels.

On February 19...

an order to destroy Saigo's army was issued.

The government's punitive army embarked for Kyushu immediately.

Okubo is turning us into rebels!

The government is at fault for plotting an assassination!

That's right!

The government's troops in Kumamoto (castle) are shooting at us.

They dare to shoot at the Army General?

We are backed against the wall.

We'll destroy Kumamoto Castle.

Let's show the country the Satsuma spirit.

On February 22, 1877...

the curtains to the Satsuma Rebellion were drawn.

Men of Satsuma

Watch how brave we are

Is my long sword sharp...or dull?

Ten years after the war in Aizu...

We (Aizu clan) can finally openly fight the Satsuma army.

Everyone is stirred up to get revenge for our dead comrades.

What is that?

A sword from the Lord.

The chance to recover from a huge blunder...

...has finally arrived.

Excuse me.

It's time to depart.

Aizu's honor will be...

redeemed with this war.

The Kumamoto insurgents number 15,000.

Several hundred Kumamoto samurai respond to the call.

The Saigo Army is rumored to have set up a new government in Kyushu.

There were men who responded to his call.

If war breaks out, history is about to repeat itself.

Japanese shooting at each other again.

The anger of the samurai...

...is going on a rampage.

Is Sir Saigo using that anger to forcibly change the country?

No...that can't be.

Why must there be another war?

That day...Sir Saigo did not answer my question.

I always thought that Satsuma and Aizu had similar qualities.

We both have samurai spirit.

Then why didn't you stop Aizu from falling to demise?

He was...

...searching for that answer, too.

Why did you rise?

Yae!

Welcome home.

I have good news.

We received approval to found a girls' school.

Jo...

Yes?

When we first met, you were visiting the women's school.

That's right.

You said it would be a reference for the girls' school.

But I want a different kind of school.

The women's school teaches one to be a good wife and mother.

It's a place to learn work.

That is important...

but that alone does not answer the question.

The question?

A war is about to begin.

A new country was built by destroying Aizu.

So what is the reason for another war?

To find the answer, education is needed.

That is why women must learn.

I feel the same way.

Take a look.

International history...

Mathematics...

Japanese history...

Science...

What is this?

The classes are about the same at Doshisha English school.

I believe an intelligent and graceful woman...

has the power to change the world more than a man.

Jo...

Saigo's army continued to lay siege to Kumamoto Castle...

while sent troops out to block the government moving southward.

And on March 4th, the hardest fought battle...

of the Satsuma Rebellion, the Battle of Tabaruzaka, began.

It's just a hill. Why can't we break through?

Where's our deficiency?

Rifles?

Unless, we break through this hill, we can't aid Kumamoto Castle.

What a problem.

Ito, leave us alone.

Mr. Yamagata...

Let me command the troop.

That's not good.

Why is that?

You and Saigo are like brothers.

That would be cruel.

The Satsuma people are already fighting against their own.

I can't be the only one to run.

The soldiers are happy to die as Saigo's shield.

That's difficult to deal with.

Brother's shadow...

is truly...

...brazen.

Is there anyone...

willing to die and storm the enemy camp?

Yes!

I will volunteer.

So will I.

Me, too.

You will be called the Sword Squad.

The Satsuma men will fight to the death.

The outcome of this war hinges on you men.

You were the first to volunteer.

Thanks to you, morale was raised.

Satsuma Artillery Commander, Ooyama Yasuke.

Rather...General Oyama Iwao.

I am Sagawa Kanbei, former Aizu clansman.

I will cut through the enemy for you.

I never imagined I'd join hand with him...

and fight against Saigo.

Now!

Wait!

We only have one life.

Get at least a few rebels heads before you die.

Attack!

Shoot!

Forward!

Now!

Sir Sagawa!

Men of Satsuma

Watch how brave we are

Is my long sword sharp...or dull?

Forward!

That's enough.

Put me down.

How ironic.

Ten years ago...

we were pursued as rebels.

But now we are the Imperial Army.

Whether you are in the right or wrong...

depends on the momentum.

Samurai merely...

desperately...

fight.

Sir Sagawa...

I got my wish.

I can...

...die on a battlefield.

I am grateful.

On March 20, 1877...

the government finally crushed the Satsuma army...

and took control of Tabaruzaka.

The place is empty.

I'll check the back.

Be careful.

I will.

Who are you?

What are you doing?

I'm looking for a dog.

Have you seen one?

By chance...are you Saigo?

Who are you?

Yamakawa from Aizu.

The one who made it into Tsuruga Castle?

Draw your sword!

I have no weapon on me.

Saigo, I have a question.

During the Boshin War...

Aizu showed deference many times.

Yet you men branded Aizu as an Imperial enemy.

You attacked a castle full with women and children.

Why did you corner Aizu to that extent?

If the old powers had centralized in Aizu...

the battles would never have ended.

Was Aizu a sacrifice?

This country stands atop...

the bloodshed of Aizu people.

I have never forgotten that.

However, the fighting must stop.

I won't let another civil war break out.

I will take it all with me.

Sir Saigo, where are you?

I can't find my dog.

I found him on the other side.

Is that right?

I'll be right with you.

Wait.

Let's fight it out on the battlefield.

I thought I heard the Satsuma dialect.

Saigo...

...was here.

What?

On April 14th, Yamakawa Horoshi penetrated through Saigo's army...

that surrounded the Kumamoto Castle.

Mother!

I have the newspaper!

Lt. Col. Yamakawa penetrated the enemy defense and entered the castle.

The lieutenant is from Aizu...

and displays exceptional valor.

Sir Yamakawa has truly distinguished himself.

The Battle of Tabaruzaka was covered as well.

It says that Aizu Sword Squad is awfully strong.

We'll soon be able to clear our names as rebels.

I'm going to report this to my husband and Saburo.

How long will this war continue?

Mr. Kido, please stop this war. KIDO'S MANSION IN KYOTO

The longer it continues, the more casualties there will be.

Civil wars ravaged the land and throw people into poverty.

No...we have to press it all the way.

We must annihilate them.

This is the finale of the restoration.

Please leave now.

Mr. Kido.

How ironic.

Your school is built on land that the Satsuma mansion once stood.

The seeds that Saigo sowed might bud with your school.

Mr. Kido!

Mr. Kido?

Saigo...

that's enough.

Mr. Kido...

Kido died before the Satsuma Rebellion ended.

He was 45 years old.

After a desperate fight, the Saigo army..

retreated to their home province Kagoshima in September.

They fortified themselves in the Shiroyama mountains.

Men...

You fought well.

You fought well.

It's over.

You've fought bravely up to now.

But the match has been met.

Those who want to leave may leave.

At this point...

we are not leaving.

We are prepared to die with you.

Shall we go together then?

Yes!

A full-scale assault was launched against Saigo...

at 4:00 AM on September 24.

Brother...

We shall now...

launch a full assault!

Fire!

Attack!

Sir Saigo!

This is far enough.

Please assist me.

I will.

Please forgive me.

The Satsuma Rebellion ended with combined casualties of 13,000.

The following year, Okubo was assassinated.

The men who started the Meiji restoration all died one after another.

Kichinosuke...

Per the telegraph from Kagoshima...

Shiroyama has fallen.

Saigo and others have died in action.

Wasn't there any other way?

What a suckling pig.

I'm Satsuma clansman, Saigo Kichinosuke.

I am here to assist.

Who are you?

Who are you?

Is that you Saigo?

Saigo...please save Aizu!

Don't destroy Aizu!

Saigo!

A FEW DAYS LATER

DOSHISHA GIRL'S SCHOOL

Ms. Yae, what is going on? DOSHISHA GIRLS' SCHOOL

What?

Three students have left.

This is Mine's seat.

Saint Petersburg is a very beautiful city.

What amazed me most in Russia was the excavation of a mammoth.

Mammoth?

A prehistoric elephant.

This is a mammoth.

This class is more interesting.

What I saw in Russia was discovered when the ice melted...

in Siberia and dates back to three million years ago.

Sis?

Aren't you...?

Let's go back to our class.

Principal, we also want to study in this class.

The girls' school is too easy and boring.

We should be able to study indiscriminately.

Hey!

Aunty!

What are you doing here?

In September of 1877...

the newly opened girls' school had spirited girls.

END OF EPISODE 38

We didn't come to Kyoto to learn to be lady-like.

Girls' school only teaches manners. It's sickening.

I'm Miyako's older brother.

My father died in Aizu.

In the Boshin War.

We'll only repeat our mistakes.

Women must study as well, so wars can be avoided.

I know that, but being from Aizu, I...