Original subtitles

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Episode 40: The Battle of Sekigahara

On the morning of Sept, 15th, 1600,

the Sekigahara Plain was shrouded in thick fog.

The Western forces of 108,000

surrounded the Eastern forces numbering 75,000.

The Eastern forces, in fish-scale formation,

were prepared to break through the Western lines.

Ieyasu had advanced his main army

to the eastern end of Sekigahara.

This was to surprise the enemy when the fog lifted,

and was an indication of Ieyasu's determination.

The outcome will be clear by noon.

They have been active all night.

The enemy will be exhausted by the afternoon.

The ones who look tired will be defeated.

My lord! We're all set to advance!

Ishida Mitsunari's main army was at the northern end

behind a double fence.

They were prepared to set their artillery there

to fend off the enemy offensives.

Has the flag on Mt. Nangu moved yet?

It hasn't.

At Mt. Matsuo?

Not yet.

They were prepared to surround the Eastern forces.

But the Mori army was to come from the east side

and the Kobayakawa army was to attack from the west.

If those two regiments didn't move, this battle would be in vain.

Both sides waited in the fog.

The fog began to lift by 8:00 AM.

What time is it?

About 8:00 AM.

Do it!

Ieyasu's fourth son, Matsudaira Tadayoshi, took the vanguard

with Ii Naomasa following close behind.

It indicated Ieyasu's unusual decision

to let his son face the enemy in his first battle.

That's a challenge to us!

Bring my horse! Blow the conch shell!

Tadayoshi and Ii Naomasa quickly broke through the enemy front lines.

They headed straight for the Shimazu army,

considered the most formidable in battle.

Reporting!

Tadayoshi and Ii's men have attacked!

Alright! Beat the drums!

Lure the enemy close, into our shooting range.

Yes, lord!

Reporting!

The Hosokawa, Kato, and Inaba armies have joined them

and they are all heading our way!

Where's Fukushima Masanori's army?

They're heading for the Ukita army!

Diversionary tactics... Ieyasu is no ordinary foe.

How are the Mori on Mt. Nangu, and Kobayakawa on Mt. Matsuo?

They haven't moved yet.

If we look weak, they'll join the enemy and crush us.

We must win before noon!

Reporting!

The Tanaka army is heading toward us.

Set up the gunmen and shoot them down!

Ieyasu had thought out this battle

in terms of human physical limitations.

The Western forces who rushed to Sekigahara,

had not slept the night before.

He sent Tadayoshi and Ii out

to open fire before the enemy had a chance to rest.

Lure them as close as possible, then shoot!

9:00AM. As the Fukushima and Ukita armies fought,

Ishida Mitsunari's army was facing the Takata army.

Ishida made Shima Sakon and his men fight outside the fence

so that he could lure the enemy into close shooting range.

But Kuroda Nagamasa, out of deep hatred for Ishida,

lead his gunmen on a surprise attack from the side.

Aim at Shima Sakon's army!

Kill one man per shot.

Attack!

What?

Sakon was killed?

As Mitsunari was shocked over Sakon's death,

more shocking news arrived.

One of the Western army's strongest generals,

Konishi Yukinaga, refused to fight.

And the Shimazu army was merely on the defensive.

Understood.

The time is ripe! All the generals must fight!

That's my order!

The messenger set out to

the Shimazu, Konishi, Otani, and Kobayakawa armies.

From this point on, the tide of the war was apparent.

Now it was force against force.

Everyone was engaged in battle

except for the Mori and Kobayakawa armies.

Everything was clearly visible from Mt. Matsuo.

Kobayakawa Hideaki had initially planned to be a spectator.

But two regiments of Otani's men waited below

to watch his every move.

And one of Nene's supporters and Ieyasu's messengers

were there to assassinate him should he make adverse moves.

Lord Kingo!

Now is your chance to descend the mountain and crush the Otani men!

Yet you won't move.

Are you mocking Lord Kuroda Nagamasa?

Then...

Just leave this to us, Elders.

With fine retainers by his side,

he won't deceive Lord Kuroda or the Minister.

Lord Honda is back!

Has the flag on Mt. Matsuo moved?

Not yet.

And Mt. Nangu?

Not yet.

Launch an all-out attack on the Ankokuji army!

How will Mori move...?

This is Lord Ishida Mitsunari's message!

You are the Western army's Commander-in-Chief!

Do you intend to lead us all to death?

Tell him that as soon as my men eat their meal,

we will descend the mountain.

Eat?

We'll be there when we're finished.

Mori Hidemoto was here on Mt. Nangu

heading the army in his father's place.

However, a peace treaty had already been sent to Ieyasu

from the Mori's Kikkawa Hideie.

Hidemoto had no intention to fight.

Send a messenger to Ankokuji Eikei.

I have a message from Mori Hidemoto.

Though I intend to descend the mountain,

my retainers do not intend to make any moves.

I don't want to trouble you any more, so please do as you wish.

That fool! He's the commander of the Western forces!

Reporting!

The Ikeda and Asano armies' gunmen are heading toward us!

Such impudence!

Didn't that boy on the mountain move yet?

Another messenger was sent from Lord Kuroda's camp!

What time is it?

It's almost noon.

That kid...!

The Western forces were weakening.

If the Kobayakawa army descended and struck at this point,

the Western forces would be crushed.

Both sides were reaching their limits physically.

I can't wait any longer. Fire at that kid!

You've finally angered the Minister.

So how are you going to handle this?

What're you going to do?

Send a messenger! We'll descend the mountain!

Blow the conch shell!

We'll crush the Otani army and attack the Ukita army!

Where's his flag?

He's descending the mountain and heading toward us.

My grudge will last for generations unless we can get that kid's head.

Break through the ranks and aim straight for his head!

After I commit seppuku, behead me.

Then bury my head deep in the mud and don't let the enemy have it.

Advance my palanquin.

The Otani fought bravely,

and it seemed as if they stopped the Kobayakawa army.

Just then, 4 armies betrayed the Western forces

and joined the Eastern forces.

Gosuke.

Yes?

Finish me off.

Yes!

Thank you for everything.

By the time Gosuke left the battlefield,

the outcome of this war was clear.

The Kobayakawa army and the 4 others joined forces

and attacked the Ukita army,

and crushed Konishi Yukinaga's men.

Ishida Mitsunari's men were attacked by the Western forces

and quickly escaped to Mt. Ibuki.

Lord!

Ishida Mitsunari has retreated!

It would bring us shame

if it looks as though we fought a losing battle.

I'll aim straight for the Minister's main army.

Should the enemy make way for us,

there's no need for us to take our own lives.

Relay that to all my men.

Reporting!

The Western forces have with drawn to Mt. Ibuki.

They aren't our men! They're the Shimazu men!

The Shimazu clan is attacking the Minister's army! Hurry!

Ieyasu's fish-scale formation had been kept intact.

Yet the Shimazu clan succeeded in breaking through,

a feat never before accomplished in history.

My lord...

Don't chase them.

4:00 PM, September 15th, 1600.

Leaving behind a sea of blood,

the battle of Sekigahara came to a close.

Bring on more light, and tend to the wounded.

Hang in there.

Lord Kuroda Nagamasa has arrived.

Congratulations on your victory.

You've fought well.

Mori Hidemoto himself should be here to congratulate you...

No, his father is in Osaka.

He should first report this to his father,

then come to pay me respects.

I appreciate those kind words.

Hidemoto will never forget this, Minister.

I heard you were wounded, Naomasa.

It's not serious.

This is effective. Let me put it on you.

I appreciate it.

Come closer.

- Does it hurt? - Not at all.

Take care.

Were you hurt, too, Tadayoshi?

It's not serious.

I'm glad.

Naomasa?

How did Tadayoshi fight today?

The son of an eagle is also an eagle.

Your father will put this balm on your wound. Come.

It's not that he's an eagle,

but the eagle trainer has trained him well.

Lord Kingo is here!

I...I...

I am truly grateful for our victory.

I hold no grudges, so don't worry.

Ishida Mitsunari, who had escaped alone,

was roaming around Mt. Ibuki.

He was heading toward Osaka Castle.

He wanted to rebel to the very end

to the world to which he could not submit.

Why must man repeat such cruelty?

Though he had won a great victory,

never before had it pained him to see his slogan:

'Depart from this ugly world to seek the pure land.'

On September 16th

a call to surrender was sent to Mitsunari's resident castle.

In trying to save their face,

the Kobayakawa army penetrated into that castle.

Mitsunari's brother took the entire family to the tower,

and set the castle on fire.

There, he stabbed his wife and children,

creating an unforgettable hellish scene.

News of the destruction of Mitsunari's clan reached Kyoto.

Your feelings for Jibu are beautiful.

Those are the feelings of a mother,

and women alone have the privilege to experience it.

Pray for the souls of Mitsunari and his family

that you tried to save.

Though your wish became naught, don't die.

Come, Osode.

You are staring into Hell.

Pray to the Buddha for salvation.

Many factors drove Mitsunari to this tragedy.

But the fact is, Osode fanned the burning ambition in him.

It broke Osode's heart that she could do nothing to save his family.

After roaming around in the mountains for 3 days,

Mitsunari arrived at Ikagori.

There, a villager saved him and hid him in a cave.

This was Mitsunari's birthplace.

Here, Mitsunari was discovered by Hideyoshi.

And now he was back as a defeated warrior.

Who is it?

I'm Yojirota's son-in-law.

What do you want?

Please attach this pack of rice balls to your wrist.

It may be useful in an emergency.

This is money.

Do you want me to take this and leave?

My father-in-law is a good man.

I don't want to make him a criminal.

The village squire sent out his orders.

He and an officer will inspect each house tomorrow.

He said to send away anyone that we may be hiding

or the entire village will be punished.

So please, escape with me before the sun rises!

Why go through such danger for me?

Isn't it easier to turn me in and collect your reward?

We are all indebted to you.

We can't turn you in.

Why is everyone here so good to me?

Because nobody has ever governed so benevolently.

Mitsunari never though of tormenting the peasants.

But has he ever loved them so much to risk his life?

Please...

Yojirota's son-in-law...

I, Ishida Mitsunari,

have always relied on logic,

and never found the warm wisdom that you have.

I learned something that I never knew...

Will you come with me?

I will, but take me to the village squire.

That's not what I meant!

Capture me and hand me over to the squire.

He will turn me over to the Tokugawa clan.

You mustn't do that!

Listen.

This is the only thing I can do

in response to your sincerity.

My lord...

News of Mitsunari's arrest reached Ieyasu.

It was soon after Hidetada's army arrived.

So...he was captured.

We'll treat him properly.

Send Ono Shuri as a messenger to Osaka.

Yodogimi is probably afraid of retaliation.

So...he was captured alive.

This is the Minister's message.

Though the recent war was fought in the name of Hideyori,

such a young heir could not have instigated it.

Moreover, Yodogimi is a woman

and could not have been a part of it.

That is all.

Please don't worry.

The Minister harbors no ill feelings toward you or the heir.

Had Ono Shuri's arrival been a bit later,

Yodogimi would have killed Hideyori and herself.

Kikkawa Hiroie and Mori Hidemoto came to see Mori Terumoto.

Father, the Minister wants to establish peace with you.

I shall leave the Western wing

and send him an oath showing my loyalty to him.

Father...

I was tricked by that Mitsunari...

On September 25th, Mori Terumoto's oath arrived.

On the same day, Mitsunari was brought before Ieyasu.

There is victory and defeat in war.

Victory or defeat depends on luck.

However, I intend to treat you as one of the 5 magistrates.

Now that it's come to this, I will accept whatever treatment.

Accept whatever treatment?

Kyugoro.

There is one thing that I regret

which is your father, Tori Mototada

who died in Fushimi Castle surrounded by Jibu's men.

I shall hand Lord Jibu over to you.

He is prepared to take punishment. Don't disappoint him.

Death to him was all the same.

But this was totally unexpected for Mitsunari.

He thought he'd be executed as the leader of the Western forces

who fought over supremacy with Ieyasu.

Now he was merely a target of revenge for Tori Kyugoro.

Kyugoro would probably torture him to death.

But Mitsunari was treated to a bath and a change of clothes.

I don't have much to offer, but please have your meal.

What a delicious aroma...

How did you know that I like scallion gruel?

The Minister told me.

So he told you to treat me to my favorite foods?

No, this is my doing.

I intended to offer you a feast, but

I knew that you had to refrain from chicken and fish tonight.

Please take your time.

Wait. Lord Tori?

I have a question.

Why couldn't you serve chicken and fish?

It's been 7 days since your family perished in your castle.

I knew it...

Please sit, Lord Tori.

Let me ask you. Will you allow me to commit seppuku?

I won't.

Will you kill me with a sword?

No. The Minister would be angry if I executed you myself.

The Minister says very little.

Many hate you, and your life is in danger.

I hold the deepest hatred for you.

The Minister is aware of that and entrusted you to me.

I have increased my guards and set up a fence.

You are not merely my father's former enemy.

You are the leader of the enemy forces.

My father didn't just fight a man named Ishida Mitsunari.

He fought for the sake of the country and died.

I know best how to treat the enemy's commander.

It is as if the Minister ordered me

to treat the enemy commander accordingly

and prevent any outbursts of violence on our part.

For the first time,

Mitsunari realized Ieyasu's true strength

which lay in the loyal, hereditary vassals.

When Ieyasu entered the Western wing of Osaka Castle,

he seemed to become even more powerful.

Though Mori Terumoto was wrong,

Fukushima and Kuroda prevented him from fighting

and convinced him to move out of Osaka Castle.

Those two are a different matter.

When I left to subjugate the Uesugi clan,

I sent an oath to Mori stating that we were like brothers.

Will you treat him like a brother...

Quiet!

I had sent him this oath before I left.

What do you think he sent to all the lords?

He sent a proclamation stating that

I was tricked by Lords Ankokuji and Jibu.

I shall make a fresh start.

Bearing in mind the earnest desire for unification

which was the late Nobunaga's wish,

and in order to pave the way for peace,

I shall distribute fiefs

In accordance with their work in the recent war.

I don't intend to destroy the Mori clan.

They can keep the Nagato and Suho provinces.

If they don't accept that,

I have no choice but to crush them.

Understood?

Winning the war was only half the work.

The problem lay in managing the country after the wars.

One mistake could lay the seed for the next set of wars.

Ieyasu had to be the absolute executor of law.

Ishida Mitsunari was taken to the execution grounds

with Konishi Yukinaga and Ankokuji Eikei.

Lord Jibu...

She could not let Lord Jibu go to the land of the dead alone.

This was love for Osode.

As Osode died true to her love,

Mitsunari's life of 41 years was put to an end.

...this war was the final phase of the Komaki wars of old.

16 years had passed since but

the late Regent and the Minister were always vying for power.

They had a contest of patience and intelligence.

But the Regent had never trusted him completely,

and the Minister never forgave the Regent

whom he could not conquer at Komaki.

Exactly.

Mitsunari's tragedy lay in the fact that

unknowingly he had inherited the Regents inner hatred, fears

after having been with him for so long.

Rather than realizing that this was the Regent's influence,

he thought this was his own feeling.

Grandfather? Discussing serious business again?

He must be boring you.

No, I'm learning a lot.

Right?

Men like discussing politics.

Yes, yes.

In your opinion, son of Lord Chaya,

what is the biggest concern after this war?

That would be Lady Yodo and the heir, Hideyori

who were once on Mitsunari's side.

If they are allowed to stay in Osaka Castle,

they may be a cause for trouble later.

And the gold that the late Regent left?

I am concerned about it's future use.

The Minister is intelligent.

He knows when to forgive and when not to forgive.

Did you forget the doctor's words?

He said you shouldn't drink too much.

Not only Lady Yodo, but all women become such pests.

Listen, Hidetada.

After you leave for Edo, I'll move to Fushimi.

Peace is like tumbleweed.

Whenever the strong wind blows, it rolls left or right.

Now how do we stop this strong wind?

A few miracles happened in my life.

I survived a war that I lost,

and found an unexpected escape from death.

These were doings of the gods to save me

to entrust me with the country.

Hidetada.

I will not become a court noble.

I shall bring peace upon the lands as a warrior.

Father!

Do you understand what I'm saying?

We cannot differentiate the old and the new if you stayed,

so you intend to establish your capital in Edo.

Differentiate the old and the new?

Everyone tried to establish themselves through war.

However, from now on, wars won't bring success.

Hidetada headed for Edo.

A new emotion was stirred up in Hidetada's heart.

A new age was about to begin.

'Mori'

And now, Ieyasu's new plan

was about to bring about a new dawn for the country.