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Tokugawa Ieyasu

Episode 38: The Time is Ripe

Two distinct parties vied to control the country.

The flow of time did not stop for patient and cautious Ieyasu.

6 days after Ishida Mitsunari returned to Sawayama,

Ieyasu arrived at Fushimi Castle.

Rumors buzzed: People said Ieyasu and Mitsunari bargained,

or that Ieyasu was ready to control the country.

The people, too, were taking sides.

Koetsu, with disturbing news, hurried to see Ieyasu.

Ieyasu had carefully observed Mitsunari's moves.

And the situation in the country.

He was about to make his decision.

You must have heard some dangerous rumors.

I heard that you are about to move to Osaka Castle.

And plans to kill you on arrival have been made.

What's shocking is that rumors hold that

Maeda Toshinaga is the instigator.

What?

The magistrates must've started that rumor.

How do you know?

Why do you think such dangerous rumors spread?

It must be Ishida Jibu's conspiracy.

No, I'm the cause of the rumors.

As the adviser to Hideyori, the heir,

I should've inherited the control of the country, but I didn't.

I'm surprised to hear that.

I knew that we were all entrusted with life.

But one's position, status, finances, and the country...

I didn't realize we were entrusted with all that.

I see...

We are entrusted with the country.

The magistrates requested that I oversee Osaka Castle

because there has been trouble there.

If I refuse, I won't be fulfilling my duty.

Therefore, I have decided to go to Osaka Castle.

Mashita Nagamori and Natsuka Masaie, who had deep ties with Ishida Mitsunari,

were most disturbed to hear the news.

Natsuka!

The rumors we started to keep him from coming, backfired!

We calculated that the cautious Minister wouldn't come...

There's important news!

What?

The Minister has already arrived in Osaka!

What?

We must go to see the situation.

We must make him believe we're his allies.

Thank you for coming.

I'm happy to see that you arrived safely.

Why wouldn't I arrive safely?

You wanted to tell me something?

According to rumors, there's a conspiracy.

Right, Natsuka?

Right.

Lord Maeda has returned to Kanazawa.

He has secretly conferred with Asano Nagamasa and Ono Shuri.

The plan that resulted from that conference

is to assassinate you upon arrival in Osaka,

and Lord Maeda would return from Kanazawa to gain control.

Such rumors abound.

Please be careful.

Listen carefully, Masazumi.

In Kanazawa, Maeda is waiting for me to be killed.

I want to go there and kill him instead.

Exactly.

This is Mitsunari's strategy to make me leave for Kanazawa.

Then, he'll come to occupy the Osaka and Fushimi Castles.

I'll be trapped with Maeda before me, Ishida behind me.

All I can do is retreat to Edo, isn't that right.

Thank you for telling me this.

I'm counting on you when I enter the castle.

Please excuse us for today.

Thank you for your efforts.

Gather my men.

We'll discuss my entry into the castle.

Yes, sir.

On September 9th, Ieyasu entered Osaka Castle.

His escorts were Honda Tadakatsu, Ii Naomasa and others.

Never had so many men from another clan

passed through the gates to the main wing.

Passage is restricted to the Minister's aides!

These are all my aides.

I promised to let them see the famous lantern in your kitchen.

This was completely unjustifiable.

Danger and panic spread in the main wing.

I don't see the Minister or his men at the entrance!

Fool!

How can that many men disappear?

They're armed!

Open the doors and check the rooms!

...it's huge. So this is the lantern...

Thank you for a job well done. Take me to Hideyori.

Your grandpa from Edo has come. There's nothing to fear.

I'm delighted that you took the trouble to come.

Your greeting, Lord.

Thank you for coming, Grandpa from Edo!

Well...

Please listen carefully, both of you.

Lords Mashita and Natsuka informed me that

there's a dangerous atmosphere in this castle, and invited me.

Are you accusing us of not protecting our heir?

You've misunderstood.

Lords Mashita and Natsuka said those words, not me.

I don't know if it's a fact, but

Lord Asano Nagamasa was to kill me when I arrived,

and Lord Maeda Toshinaga was to return from Kanazawa.

What a terrible thing to say!

I said, I don't know if it's a fact.

Therefore, I increased my escorts.

However, in this supposedly impregnable castle,

not one man questioned or tried to stop my 60 men from passing.

Had the late Regents seen this,

how disappointed he would've been.

This cannot be.

Thus, I have decided.

Responding to Lords Mashita and Natsuka's pleas,

I shall stay and handle the political affairs.

There's nothing to fear.

I won't let anyone touch you.

So...

You finally let the Minister take over...

We followed your wishes and aided the Minister

thinking that he was the one to carry on the late Regent's wish.

But Mashita and Natsuka's charges brought all to naught.

I see.

It seems the Minister is prepared.

I hope he doesn't believe those charges and make us his enemy.

Time will tell.

The next battle will be decisive.

Now I'm ready.

I shall abandon this castle.

What are you saying?

This castle was built with the Regent's blood and tears!

When the Regent was the lord of this castle,

it was a symbol of peace in the country.

But it has been reduced to a target

for those who are hungry for power over the country.

I don't want to be dragged into this struggle.

If I do, I'd be opposing the late Regent's wish.

Leave everything to Lord Yukinaga,

and confine yourself to your province.

Would the Minister stop suspecting us, then?

He never wanted to make you his enemy.

He just pretended to believe those charges,

and you have followed his orders.

Otherwise, it would be difficult to go to battle.

Has he decided to fight Mitsunari?

I'm leaving this castle with one wish in mind.

What could it be?

I'm hoping that Mitsunari will compromise

once I hand this castle over to the Minister.

Yes.

Unless he abandons his grudge,

the late Regent's men will be split in two

and will end up killing each other.

That's what saddens me.

Soon after, Nene moved to a mansion in Sanbongi, Kyoto.

And Asano Nagamasa headed for Kofu.

In Sawayama, Ishida Mitsunari was meeting with Shima Sakon.

It seems Asano retired to Kofu.

Exactly.

The Minister ordered confinement.

Asano's son was sent to Edo as a hostage.

Ono Shuri and Hijikata Kawachi are confined in Hitachi.

The Minister got exactly what he wanted.

But I can't understand Nene.

I think she sided with the Minister

because she doesn't expect the Mori, Uesugi and Maeda to side with you, Lord.

It's her gamble.

The Maeda began to move.

Nene is deeply disturbed,

and sent a messenger to order him to submit to the Minister.

Just what I wanted.

What makes you think that

the Maeda's and the Minister will not become allies?

I will not share my power with Ieyasu.

You'll fight even if you can't win?

Don't rush to conclusions.

I want you to win, but I won't regret defeat.

I will not regret fighting just because of Maeda's betrayal.

I'm fighting for a warrior's pride and a man's defiance.

I don't mind dying for that defiance.

I will fight with faith in my strength.

I have decided.

A samurai dies for those who know themselves.

Victory or defeat will no longer influence my decision.

Sakon...

I have a plan...

It concerns your woman who is confined...

Osode?

She's a useful woman.

I'd like her to serve Nene, who is retired in Kyoto.

Osode? Serve Nene?

The more we know the better.

In a crisis, she can even kill her for us.

Osode, who was confined by the 7 men,

secretly received a letter from Mitsunari.

Osode, who had convinced Mitsunari not to lose his pride,

was about to take on a bigger task.

Ieyasu ordered the Maeda clan in Kanazawa

to send their mother as a hostage to Edo.

It's unjust!

A lord of one's territory does not accept hostages!

Wait, Toshimasa.

The Minister is one of the 5 elders.

He is protecting the Toyotomi clan and handling their political matters.

But we don't have to obey the Minister!

I'm sure this is a challenge.

Will you accept this challenge?

How can I refuse?

I don't need our clan or our fief

if that means sending you out as a hostage.

Calm down.

Mother!

This has been done.

Lord Asano has already sent his son to Edo.

That's different from sending one's mother!

I said, this has been done.

The Regent himself sent his mother as a hostage once.

If this is for the sake of peace, I will go.

Mother...

Her old friend Nene's request had influenced her decision.

The conflict with the Maeda clan has been settled.

Now the Mori and Uesugi clans are a problem.

I know about the Mori clan,

but I wonder about the Uesugi who moved to Aizu.

They are busy reconstructing their castle and the road.

But we don't know how they perceive the country's future.

Good.

Let's order them to come pay their respects...

so they can explain...

that their recent actions...

are not any form of rebellion.

Uesugi Kagekatsu had a retainer named Naoe Kanetsugu.

Ieyasu observed Kanetsugu's moves.

You will flatly refuse to go?

We have never submitted to enemy threats.

It seems the Minister has forgotten that.

That's what Jibu said from Sawayama.

Jibu's flattery...

It would be alright to fall for Jibu's flattery.

Scold the messenger and send him back.

There is no need to fear that

Ieyasu would come this far to attack us.

And the reason?

Ieyasu is not that stupid.

If he left to conquer our Aizu province,

Jibu would grab the chance to cause trouble.

Ieyasu knows that.

This is a great opportunity for you

to show the country you won't submit to Ieyasu.

Alright.

I'll do as you say.

The Uesugi clan's refusal to pay respects to Ieyasu

harshly criticized Ieyasu.

This was the famous 'Naoe Kanetsugu's Denunciation'.

Ieyasu placed the letter before his lords.

On behalf of Hideyori, I ordered him to come.

It is a crime to refuse.

If I do nothing after having received such a rude letter,

justice will not be done.

Therefore, we shall combine our efforts to punish them.

I intend to lead the army.

That would be unnecessary.

Please let us go.

Right.

Jibu and his men are trying to lure you out.

Please be aware of that.

I appreciate your warnings.

But please leave this to me.

When the Shimazu and Hojo clans didn't submit to the Regent,

he went to conquer them.

Now that I'm in charge, I must punish resistance to authority.

The attack on the Uesugi clan was decided.

If the Uesugi clan thinks the Minister is determined,

they may submit or fight.

In order to increase his strength,

Jibu wants a conflict between the Minister and the Uesugi.

Lord Koetsu...

I am concerned about Hideyori's future.

It's time for me to pray to the Buddha.

Please let my maid keep you company,

and inspect this bowl and see if you like it.

I appreciate what you've done for me.

Who arranged for you to serve Lady Nene?

I cannot say.

But Lord Ishida Jibu helped me decide.

Then you came too...?

I received orders to stab her.

Lord Koetsu.

I'd like to die.

What?

I won't hide anything.

I encouraged Lord Jibu to fight the Minister,

knowing he has no chance of winning.

In penance for encouraging war, I am serving the Lady.

In penance?

Once the Minister sets out to war,

Lord Jibu will capture the Minister's and his men's families.

Right.

Innocent wives and their children will drown in a bloodbath.

But there's no turning back...

Ieyasu moved quickly.

He prepared for the attack on the Uesugi clan.

June 2, 1600.

Ieyasu decided to set out in July,

and held his first military conference at Osaka Castle.

Both friends and foes attended this conference.

Let me announce the advance guard for this attack.

I, Ieyasu and Hidetada will attack from Shirakawa.

Satake Yoshinobu will attack from Sendo.

Date Masamune will attack from Shinobu.

All the lords were shocked, because

the lords entrusted with the key positions

were thought to be Mitsunari's allies.

Mashita, Maeda, and Natsuka, all Mitsunari's allies,

were in charge of the castle in Ieyasu's absence.

Of the 5 powerful elders,

Sickly Otani Yoshitsugu was ordered to fight.

June 15th, 1600

Restlessness of impending war filled Kyoto and Osaka.

By June 15th Ieyasu was prepared.

June 15th, 1600

On the 16th Ieyasu headed for Fushimi with his army.

Asano and Fukushima led their men to Edo.

Ieyasu's bold decision left Osaka empty.

Ieyasu bade farewell to Torii Mototada in Fushimi.

They had been together for over 50 years

since Ieyasu's days as a young hostage.

Their bond was stronger than that of brothers.

Once the wars begin, this castle will be destroyed.

There's nothing more I want in this world.

Don't be foolish.

I know you'll re-unify our country.

We survived Mikatagahara...

It's amazing we lived to this day.

Mototada...

July 11th, 1600

Just then, Ishida Mitsunari called Otani Yoshitsugu

who was on his way to Edo with his army.

Please! Give me your life!

Die with me!

What're you saying!

Otherwise, please kill me on this spot!

I have never doubted our friendship,

and won't regret being killed by you.

Ieyasu is attacking without me.

All those who disagree with him, will aid me.

When that comes to light, Ieyasu will destroy me.

I'll fight him just as he expects.

For that, I need your help.

The lords won't trust me.

I'm haughty, selfish, and unpopular.

But you have what I don't have. So...

If you can't help me, kill me.

I can't get rid of this grudge!

Lord Gyobu!

You have trusted me with a great task.

I will offer my life to you.

I appreciate it. I feel as if 1,000 men joined me.

What we need is a strong backbone which you aren't.

The first condition is to influence the Mori clan.

The Ukita, Shimizu, and Kyosoka clans may not help,

but once the Mori clan joins us, I'll help you.

July 19th, 1600

Various armies headed to Aizu on the 19th.

That day, Ieyasu received news that

Mori Terumoto, Mitsunari, and Otani entered Osaka Castle.

Yuki Hideyasu was Ieyasu's second son,

who became Hideyoshi's adopted son.

Is it true that Mitsunari entered Osaka Castle, father?

Calm down, Hideyasu.

We must return immediately!

Don't panic. The armies have headed toward Aizu.

Why should we return?

Their wives and children will be captured my Mitsunari!

That will affect our men and Uesugi may overpower them.

So what?

It's clear that they will confer to conquer you, my lord.

Make sure that our men in Aizu are kept informed

of the situation in Osaka.

Victory or defeat is not my motive now.

What do you mean?

What's moving me is a great sense of mission.

I have been chosen to pacify the country after the Regent.

This is a great burden.

Those who want to leave, may leave.

I will gather only those who understand my mission.

What are the obstacles?

Some lords may leave me.

Once the Uesugi's launch an attack,

I shall muster up all our strength to crush them

and head home immediately.

There's no room for discussion.

July 20th, 1600

As Ieyasu clarified his motives for war,

his mentor, Monk Tenkai, visited him.

You're about to do a general cleaning of the country.

Much thought went into this war to build the country.

This war will determine if the gods approve of my deeds

and if the people will follow me or Mitsunari.

It seems you have finally acquired great confidence.

The gods will light the way

only for those who are seeking peace for the country.

July 21st, 1600

July 21st, with the situation in Osaka in mind, Ieyasu headed for Aizu.

Ieyasu had been cautious and patient.

But he was ready to fight for peace in the country.