Original subtitles

For most its history...

Japan has been a patriarchal society.

However, there was a period...

...when the roles of men and women were reversed.

The cause was a red pox epidemic that killed only men...

...decimating the male population.

The women who inherited family headships...

...did as men had done before that...

...taking consorts and concubines...

...to ensure the birth of an heir.

(Winter 1681, Kyoto)

(Reizei Mansion)

Oh, dear!

Worry not. It's just a rat.

Until you sire from me a second child...

...you must keep coming to me.

I shall.

With pleasure.

I am like a filthy rat.

OOKU ~EIEN~ The Castle of Crossed Destinies

Out of the way! Move aside!

(Edo)

(Gate to Oku, Imperial Harem of Edo Castle)

(Oku Front Hall)

(Inside Oku)

(Akimoto, attendant to the shogun's consort)

"Dear Kinue..." (Akimoto, attendant to the shogun's consort)

(Akimoto, attendant to the shogun's consort)

"...starting today...."

"...I will write to you." (Consort's Palace, Ooku)

(Consort's Palace, Ooku)

Lord Nobuhira, it's nearly time for the chamber call.

Yes... Indeed.

(Nobuhira, Shogun's official consort)

"Yet, I'm afraid my writings will never reach you."

"This is because..."

"...we are forbidden to reveal all that is seen and heard in Ooku."

(Denbe, Shogun Tsunayoshi's Concubine) "...we are forbidden to reveal all that is seen and heard in Ooku."

"And so this is but a memoir of my own private journal."

(Keishoin, father of Shogun Tsunayoshi)

Her Highness has arrived!

(Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, 5th Shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate)

You in the purple.

Raise your face.

Yes.

No no, never mind.

(Mansion of Councilor Makino Narisada)

"Due to a plague that affects only men..."

"...even in the Shogunship which is held by men..."

"...has to be succeeded by women..." and so we are now on our 3rd female Shogun."

"Lord Iemetsu, Lord Ietsuna..."

"And now the 5th Tokugawa Shogun, Lord Tsunayoshi."

(Makino Bingonokami Narisada, Councilor to the Shogun)

"By now..." (Makino Bingonokami Narisada, Councilor to the Shogun)

...matriarchies are no longer a temporary measure. (Aguri, Narisada's husband)

(Sadayasu and Tokie, Narisada's son and daughter-in-law)

Your Highness, we are most humbled by your visit this evening.

In this modest abode of ours...

Oh, no...

...it was a rather splendid banquet, Narisada.

By the way...

Aguri...

Yes?

It has been ages.

I miss the old days...

I'm exhausted.

I shall rest inside.

Yes, Your Highness, at once!

My! What do we have here. All quite exquisite.

I hope that they are to your taste, Your Highness.

You are dismissed, all of you.

I appreciate your time.

Your Highness...

Is something wrong?

You may withdraw, too.

Aguri, you stay.

My... my husband is to stay?

Please...

Your Highness, please reconsider.

No, I will not.

A long time ago...

...you told me I'm beautiful.

Was that a lie?

No!

Then...

Do you fear drowning in the pleasures of my flesh again?

It was a delightful evening.

I shall visit again.

Mother!

(Naka-Oku, Edogawa)

How was last night, Your Highness? (Naka-Oku, Edogawa)

It was a delight!

I ought to go out more often as you suggested.

Would it be please you to visit again? (Yoshiyasu, Councilor to the Shogun)

Narisada would surely appreciate it. (Yoshiyasu, Councilor to the Shogun)

Yes.

Indeed, Narisada's very kind.

I lost my mother early.

Narisada is like a mother to me.

What?

Her Highness is visiting Makino's mansion again? (Third Palace, Edo Castle)

(Third Palace, Edo Castle)

It's already her 5th visit this month. (Third Palace, Edo Castle)

Lord Keishoin, what should I do?

What should you do?

You ask what you should do?

You've already sired an heir with the Shogun.

So simply remain confident.

But...

...as a concubine from a lowly standing...

I find it endearing that you're the son of a sweep.

I myself came from humble origins before becoming the Shogun's father.

But to survive here in Ooku requires greater fortitude than this.

Why don't you use your head a little.

Use your head!

But...!

Lord Keishoin...

I'm not as clever as you.

"Not as clever as you"... Oh please!

Now fix it... fix your collar for crying out loud.

Fix your collar!

Aguri...

Aguri...

Sodeyasu...

You bear quite a resemblance to your father.

Did you hear, Akimoto? Not only did Narisada offer up her husband...

...she even offered her son to Her Highness.

Indeed.

And this time according to rumors, she will be handed the position...

...of Sekiyado's seat of lord in the Shimosa Province.

Oh, what shameless wretchedness!

Next year I turn 35, past the allowed bedding age.

Alas, I couldn't sire an heir with Her Highness.

It's too late to draw the attention of Her Man-Crazy Highness.

However!

What will become of my standing?

It's too early for me to retire, isn't it!?

I have an idea!

How about we bring over a handsome man from Kyoto?

What do you mean?

Oh, you dimwit...

Akimoto, what do you think?

If Her Highness fancies him, and he sires a child...

As his backer, it will strengthen your standing, my Lord.

Precisely.

I shall ask sister to find me a handsome man.

I heard Makino Narisada returned all her lands and retired.

Her husband and son died of disease in succession.

And her daughter-in-law took her own life not long after.

With such misfortune in her family...

...who can blame her?

Her Highness misses her dearly.

Councilor Narisada was like a mother to her.

All of these started...

...when Tsunayoshi began frequenting the Makino mansion...

Seemed like she sucked them dry.

It was not Her Highness's fault.

The men of the Makino family were too weak and frail.

Well now... things are just as you had desired.

You are her sole remaining favorite.

What are you saying?

So be it.

Say, have you heard?

The official consort...

...has sent a court noble to be presented to Shogun as a concubine.

Indeed.

They say he will enter Ooku tomorrow.

They say the Shogun's husband is growing desperate.

As if...

...matters will transpire so easily.

"On this unusually cold spring morning..."

"...the man from Kyoto arrived at last."

I've been waiting for this day!

I'm honored to meet you, Official Consort Nobuhira.

I am the son of Imperial Councilor, Minase.

Emonnosuke, is my name.

They say he came without changing his attire...

He's still dressed in his imperial garb.

Yes.

Seems like the son of a poor noble, can't afford the appropriate robes.

I can't wait to receive him.

No, that one.

He didn't come today.

He hasn't come!

Even today, he still hasn't come!

How dare he!

To enter Ooku...

...and yet failed to come pay his respects to me, the Shogun's father...

Lord Keishoin!

Emonnosuke has just arrived to pay his respects.

Bring him in at once!

I am Emonnosuke, senior attendant to the official consort.

You may enter.

Lord Arihoto...

I am Emonnosuke, I have just entered into service here in Ooku.

When I entered Ooku I had wanted as soon as possible...

...to pay you a call, Lord Keishoin.

For that, please accept my sincere apologies.

In fact, as soon as I entered Ooku...

I visited your beloved temple, Mt. Myouken Hosshou Temple in Yanagishima...

And then yesterday to Kuji Temple.

Oh... Kuji Temple?

Indeed.

The temple's stone pathway leading up to the temple...

...is truly splendid indeed.

It was befitting of a temple you had sponsored.

We have many temples in Kyoto...

...but few has a grand approach as that.

Oh, is that so...

And although this is but a small token...

A Buddhist robe from Nishijin.

Please accept.

As I have much to learn as a newcomer...

...I ask for your guidance.

Why... such flattery...

Your considerations are most impressive...

I see. That sly old fox.

He must have been tongue-tied.

Thanks by your arrangements, Your Excellency. All thanks.

Since we nobles cannot...

Nothing you can do about that.

Under the Shogunate rule...

...aristocrats are doomed to low stipends.

Indeed, during summer we were reduced to eating spoiled rice.

The capital was by name only; the court was thoroughly dispiriting.

Frankly, I found it unbearable.

Your Excellency, I've taken quite a liking to Ooku.

Is that so.

Everyone here is brimming with ambition.

I feel alive here.

Here in Ooku?

Not to mention, the rice here is always freshly cooked.

"Kinue... I've never met a person who sees Ooku in such a light."

"By looking at this place through his eyes..."

"I may be able to see things anew."

Her Highness has arrived!

I've summoned all of you retainers from the Takada Domain.

As well as other lords for one reason alone.

(Oguri Mimasaka, Chief retainer)

Oguri Mimasaka.

I hereby sentence you and your son, Dairoku...

...to death!

But Your Highness, the verdict was already...

I am not the lenient Shogun that my predecessor was.

Correct, Yoshiyasu?

What do you think of Her Highness' decision?

Do you think it as the Official Consort's suggests?

Is it merely an act of impulse by the willful Shogun?

- No, I don't believe so. - Explain.

I believe she was impressing her authority among the lords.

I agree.

I also hear she has equally punished the 3 ranks of retainers.

That is correct, Sir.

A rather fearless ruler, I must say.

Indeed...

...and she has peerless appetite for scholarly studies?

Sir...

You know much for someone who just arrived from Kyoto.

Important nuggets of knowledge, if I am to eat.

Mother!

Oh, Princess Matsu.

You've grown so heavy!

Mother, my cherry blossoms have bloomed. (Princess Matsu)

The tree planted last year...

...to celebrate Princess Matsu's 3rd birthday...

...has finally blossomed.

I see! I see!

I'm so happy for you, Princess Matsu.

I never knew one's own child can be so lovely.

And she grows lovelier by the day.

The thought of seeing you...

...is what inspires me to work hard.

Princess Matsu!

Say, the man from Kyoto, Emonnosuke...

He's a sly fox.

Mother...

Oh, I'm sorry Grandpa scared you.

Forgive me, it's my fault.

I hear you've already met him, Father.

He did display exemplary behavior.

Your Highness!

This Emonnosuke has yet to come and pay me any respect!

I am the father of the Shogun's daughter.

This is an indignity!

Indeed, it is reprehensible.

Indeed.

I will summon him and give him a dressing down.

Right, Princess Matsu?

(You fool!)

Mencius lived during the Warring States Era...

...when many schools of philosophy in China were flourishing.

Among these, Mencius focused on...

...the philosophies of Mozi and Yang Zhu.

Mozi argued for universal love...

...in contrast to filial piety, as emphasized by Confucius.

Your Highness...

It's fine, just carry on.

So you began with Mencius.

I would have expected the Analects.

I expected more of Samurai families...

...to be familiar with the Analects.

I'm not so familiar with Mencius.

But I heard he approved of King Wu of Zhou...

...over King Zhou of Shang.

This kind of thinking...

...has been the system that's been adopted by our rulers for 1000 years in our country...

I think it's somewhat appropriate for us.

Your Highness...

During that time, King Zhou of Shang had subjected his people to unspeakable terrors.

Such a ruler has lost his divine mandate.

That is what Mencius meant.

Divine mandate?

Without divine mandate...

...he ceases to be a legitimate ruler.

Thus, for King Wu to pursue and attack kill King Zhou...

...who stooped to a common criminal...

...is no longer considered usurpation.

A foolish ruler cannot object to being killed by the people then?

That is what's written in Mencius.

Worry not, raise your face.

By the way...

Why haven't you paid respects to Denbe since entering Ooku?

"Ministers should serve their prince with faithfulness."

Quoting the Analects now?

Yes.

I serve none other than the official consort.

For me to seek the acquaintance of your concubine, Lord Denbe...

"Would be seen by people to be flattery," you mean?

Most impressive, Your Highness.

He was right.

A sly fox, indeed.

Tell Nobuhira to join me for a midday meal tomorrow.

Say Lord Nobuhira...

Yes? Why so formal.

Will you give this attendant to me?

Is that all right, Emonnosuke?

Your Highness.

The truth is I turn 35 next year.

35?

Emonnosuke, but...

Forgive me, Your Excellency...

I only learned after entering Ooku...

...that a groom over the age of 35...

...may no longer serve Her Highness at night.

Even if Her Highness favors me thus...

...it would be short-lived.

After a fleeting taste of heaven...

...what awaits me would be endless hell.

Hell?

How dare you say such a thing to Her Highness!

Well then...

What is it that you want?

Worry not.

Speak your mind.

Well...

Her Highness has arrived!

Raise your faces.

Emonnosuke, come forward.

Yes.

I hereby appoint Emonnosuke...

...the new Senior Chamberlain of Ooku.

I, Emonnosuke am honored to serve henceforth as the new Senior Chamberlain of Ooku.

Any and all manners inside Ooku shall now be referred to me.

Despite my inadequacies...

I intend to fully devote myself to Her Highness.

I ask for your support and look forward to working with you.

"Kinue, there is no way he didn't know about the age limit."

"The position of Senior Chamberlain long vacant since Lord Arikoto..."

"...is the most powerful post in all of Ooku."

"This is what he has been after all along."

Not again, Mother...

I know it's cheap, but I'm sick of fish gone bad.

No complaining.

Even the Emperor lives under similar modest means.

Emonnosuke, after dinner...

Go to the Reizei Mansion, and see the second daughter tonight...

Yes, mother.

We'll get to eat fine fish tomorrow!

Do well tonight, dear brother.

Another thing...

That marriage proposal...

It's been broken off.

Broken off?

Well, not exactly but... (Minase Gonchunagon Ujinobu, Emonnosuke's mother)

They received a marriage offer by the Maeda family of the Kaga domain and so...

- Hardly anything to fret about. - That means, I'll be a concubine...

...instead of a consort.

Precisely. Oh, and also...

They'll still pay the same amount as promised before.

That is after all, what's most important.

We're so fortunate to have a brother who's so beautiful and learned.

Indeed!

Thanks to him we get to wear finer clothes than the other ladies.

Indeed, all that studying has clearly paid off.

Such a pleasant day...

Akimoto...

Why did you enter Ooku?

I wanted money to buy these glasses.

Now that I have these glasses...

I'm content spending my days here hopefully without committing any grave mistake.

I see.

Well...

What about you... Why did you enter Ooku, my Lord?

How would you like to be the Senior Chamberlain's attendant?

Really!?

There's nothing really between Your Highness and Emonnosuke?

Really, there's nothing between us.

If there was, I would have already made him my concubine.

Please forgive me!

I should have known better than to doubt you.

Oh, mercy...

You truly are an adorable man.

Your Highness!

Say, Denbe...

Shall I build you your own palace?

My own palace!? Like Lord Keishoin's?

It was Emonnosuke's suggestion.

As father to the Shogun's heir, you are entitled to your own palace.

Emonnosuke suggested it?

He was easier to handle than Lord Keishoin.

You mean Lord Denbe?

He was ecstatic about having his own palace.

So easy, I feel a bit let down.

I'm afraid the next person won't be as...

I've longed looked forward to meeting you.

I am pleased to meet you, I am Emonnosuke.

Just as rumored.

So beautiful as to make a woman like me jealous.

Says the lady whose beauty has been legendary ever since childhood.

Such flattery for an old hag like me...

Oh yes. About that palace being built for Lord Denbe...

They say it'll be magnificent.

You've managed to push out the Shogun's favorite concubine out of Ooku.

With Lord Keishoin already living in his own palace...

You are now free to run Ooku unfettered...

...Senior Chamberlain Emonnosuke.

I have not intended such machinations.

When did you tryst with Her Highness?

Surely you jest.

Not even Her Highness can even sneak a tryst here in Ooku.

You have not slept with her?

No, absolutely not.

Then, what was your method?

When I became Councilor...

It was deemed an unprecedented promotion...

Yet even that was the culmination of years of giving myself...

...in service of Her Highness.

How did you rise so quickly...

...without so much as sleeping with Her Highness?

There was no method I'm afraid.

Frankly, I still haven't a clue as to why Her Highness granted me...

...such a lofty standing.

If I were to attempt a guess...

...perhaps it was capriciousness.

Having served Her Highness from an early age...

I trust that this would be no surprise to you.

I see.

Even so, in the post of Senior Chamberlain...

Countless men and money will be at your fingertips.

Not so long ago, you were wearing faded head wear and court garb.

Lamenting your unfortunate lot.

Suddenly you have all that you could ever desire.

Is it power...

...or wealth...

...or maybe both.

Do you covet these things as well?

I live only to serve one person.

Then I shall do likewise.

Serving only Her Highness...

There's no need for that!

Have I made myself clear, Lord Emonnosuke?

There is no need for your service.

Emonnosuke is a rather handsome man, isn't he?

Quite shrewd, I must add.

This is Emonnosuke's aloeswood scent.

Surely you jest.

Why would I?

That's right.

You only have eyes for my daughter.

Yoshiyasu...

Yes...

Bring in the choicest men from Kyoto...

Not just some pretty face...

He must be the equal of Emonnosuke in scholarship as well.

What is your name?

Oosuke, Your Highness.

(Oosuke)

Did they not know we are old friends from Kyoto?

How foolish they are.

When I read your letters...

I saw immediately it was a brilliant plan.

For us aristocrats, entering Ooku is the easiest way out of poverty.

I hope you'll like it here, Lord Oosuke.

Without a doubt!

And it appears that Her Highness has taken quite a liking to me.

Very good.

Now if you can sire a child...

...for the first time...

...noble blood will be introduced into the Tokugawa lineage.

That may not be too far off.

"And in no time, Lord Emonnosuke solified his power..."

"...making him nearly invincible within Ooku."

"And yet, Kinue..."

"There was one thing that did not go as Lord Emonnosuke had hoped..."

Is Her Highness still enamored with that Kyoto lad?

Indeed but there is still no sign of any child.

Perhaps he is without seed.

Why all the fuss?

It's not as if I lack an heir.

Princess Matsu is already 5...

The shogunate is stable, the country at peace.

Princess Matsu...

Princess Matsu?

Are you not feeling well?

I'm fine.

She has no fever, and she doesn't appear ill.

No...

This quietude could be a portent to an imminent fever.

I'll call for the wet nurse.

May you sleep early today.

You worry too much, Yoshiyasu.

Wet nurse!

I'll play with you tomorrow.

Do you love me, Princess Matsu?

Yes.

Is that so? I love you, too.

Excuse me, Your Highness.

"Kinue..."

"...tragedy strikes without warning."

"Like a sudden shower at dawn."

Lord Emonnosuke...

Lord Emonnosuke!

Akimoto?

Yes!

Princess Matsu has just passed away.

She had a fever for 5 days...

...the physician said it was just a cold but...

When will the new lad from Kyoto arrive?

My Lord...

He should be arriving from Edo today.

Prepare so that he may enter Ooku immediately.

But my Lord...

Listen well, Akimoto...

We have no time to mourn!

Our singular purpose here is to produce an heir.

May Her Highness come out of her room.

You appear to be doing better.

Paint it thicker.

For a skin that's exquisite as yours, a thin layer should be sufficient.

Have hardly slept for 10 days.

Sleep only bring dreams of Princess Matsu.

I'd rather not show it to men.

This tired skin of a grieving hag.

Paint it thicker.

Your Highness...

Princess Matsu...

Why!

Why, why!

If only I could bear the grief in your place!

Princess Matsu!!

Princess Matsu!!

This is enough.

Yoshiyasu...

Paint my face again.

I must find a man to conceive a child once more.

Denbe...

I understand your grief.

I myself cried for 3 days and 3 nights...

Yes.

That is why...

...especially now...

You need to go to your daughter's mother...

...to be with her and comfort her.

Right?

Then eventually you will sire another child.

That will make you the father of the heir again.

- And all will be... - With all due respect...

What?

No matter how many children I sire...

There will never be another Princess Matsu!

What do we have here...

What is your name?

Shinsuke is my name. (Shinsuke)

(Shinsuke)

Interesting choice.

Is this the one you brought from Kyoto?

That is correct, Your Highness.

Shinsuke, hold me a little longer forever and ever.

As long as you wish.

You're as light as a little girl, Your Highness.

Now take us to the garden. We can gaze at the moon.

Yes, Your Highness.

Shinsuke, the moon tonight is exceptionally beautiful!

Indeed.

The lads you have brought from Kyoto...

They show no signs of getting my daughter pregnant with child.

Kyoto men have proven that they're only useless, I see.

I could not agree more.

I hear you yourself came from Kyoto before entering Ooku.

I suspect you're of a different breed.

Emonnosuke...

- I won't lose! - I won't lose!

Listen, producing a Tokugawa heir...

...is the single-most urgent task charged to the men of Ooku.

We will have chamber calls three times a month.

Gather candidates from every room to present to Her Highness!

Raise your faces!

Not good enough!

Primp yourself even more! Study diligently!

Learn to appreciate Noh theater!

We have enough candidates in the privileged ranks!

If she fancies a lad from the waiting ranks...

...tell him to enter the bed chamber!

Go on, attack more!

Attack, I said!

What a spectacle!

This was my idea. Are you pleased?

This is the only form of battle I ever hope to witness.

With Princess Matsu gone...

I have no wish to see another person die.

I got it!

That man is impressive!

He has caught his fourth!

Where to, Sanosuke?

Please forgive me!

I fear I won't be able to...

The burden is too much...

A good luck charm.

Be confident, Sanosuke.

Your dark, rugged body which none of the chamber grooms possess...

...is precisely what she seeks.

Also, when you lie with Her Highness...

This is what you will say...

Y-y-your Highness...

...all of the m-m-men in Ooku...

...all of them are in love with you, Your Highness.

These words...

...who taught you to say them?

What is your name?

Katigiri is my name.

What's your name?

I... I am Yoichi.

This could catch her attention.

The female body is unfamiliar to ones...

...who have served in Ooku for years.

Listen, this is what you need to do in bed.

What is your name?

Money is no issue.

Whatever it takes, catch the Shogun's fancy!

And... sire a...

What is your name?

I shall impart to you some wisdom...

...some methods to please Her Highness in the bed chamber.

What is your name?

"Day after day, enormous sums were spent on events and costumes..."

"And yet..."

"...Her Highness showed no signs of conceiving."

(Four years after Princess Matsu's death)

Enlighten me, Master Ryoku...

Why is that my daughter has yet to conceive an heir?

Master Ryoku, please enlighten me!?

Lord Keishoin...

Yes.

A priest though I may be, I can't see all in this world. (Riyuuko)

But... But...

Long ago, you correctly predicted...

...that I would become father to a future Shogun.

That was simply because I happened to receive a prophecy from Buddha.

But...

If you feel that this temple is unsatisfactory...

I can have a large temple built.

And appoint you its Chief Priest.

Lord Keishoin...

This is not just for the Tokugawa family...

I cannot bear to see my daughter suffer any further!

Please, please Master Ryoku.

Please!

Very well then, I shall speak.

Yes!

Lord Keishoin...

Yes.

In your earlier years...

...have you ever taken the life of an animal?

Taken the life of an animal?

Little Murasuki.

Forgive me...

My child! ...My child!

My child!

My child!

What have I done!

Forgive me!

It is my fault! It is all my fault!

Father...

Long ago...

When serving my late master, Lord Arikoto...

I...

...took the life of an animal.

Listen...

We must treat all living things with respect.

Born in the year of the Dog...

...you must treat dogs in particular with utmost respect.

I shouldn't say dogs...

We should address them as "Honorable Dogs".

Father...

Do you hear?

You must issue edicts banning the killing of all living things.

If you do not do this...

...you will not be able to conceive a child ever again.

You hear?

You hear? You hear?

What does it say?

"Edicts on Compassion for Living Things"? What does that mean...

(Thou shall not kill any living thing)

We're getting more and more dogs.

After the edict, the townsmen abandoned their dogs.

Build kennels in the open air garden and have them place there.

Lord Emonnosuke, shall I call for a physician?

At a time when the inflation urges us to reduce our attendants...

...we're wasting expenses on dogs!

Lord Emonnosuke, you must say "Honorable Dogs"!

Ridiculous! Has the world gone mad?

(Edicts on Compassion for Living Things)

Death penalty?

It's so hot!

Some cold dumplings would be lovely.

But with rising prices these days...

...we could barely afford them.

That's for sure.

Though low salaries as constables...

Have you heard? Lord Ioka of Hachibori has been dismissed for killing a mosquito!

Shame, she was so frank. I kind of liked her.

As if this would produce an heir...

Why is the Shogun trying so hard...

Right! Why doesn't she simply adopt her niece?

Lord Tsunatoyo from Koto...

Wouldn't it be better is she adopted her?

Absolutely not!

Anyone but Tsunatoyo!

She's the granddaughter of that contemptible Onatsu!

Never will I allow her to be Shogun!

Listen well...

Continuing the bloodline of Lord Iemetsu and myself...

...is not only my wish.

It was Lord Arikoto's wish as well.

You hear? That is why...

...you must give birth to an heir.

You must!

You must conceive!

These are made from flawless tortoise shell.

It has rather been boisterous in the garden recently.

I hear they've been putting up a bare-skinned dance tonight.

These days, Her Highness has grown indiscriminate in her taste.

Sometimes, she even receives two men in her bed chamber at once.

Say no more. I've heard enough!

Next...

You shall mate with each other before me.

Clearly you fancy each other, so I command you to mate before me.

Well?

But I...

Your Highness...

Saito here, and myself...

...do have a relationship, as you have surmised.

Here in Ooku...

We are supposed to wait on and serve only Your Highness...

We have truly committed an extremely insolent act.

We are prepared to accept any kind of punishment!

We beseech you.

Please spare us from your earlier command.

We beg you!

No... I will not.

Who do you think I am?

You dare to refuse the Shogun?

If I say do it, you do it.

Now, make love.

Do it.

Nakamura!

Enough!

Lord Emonnosuke...

Nakamura.

This sword is for protecting Her Highness. Not to taint with your own blood!

You insolent fool!

I shall issue your punishment later.

Now leave!

You're no fun.

It was just about to get interesting.

So you are my bed guard then.

What?

You are the supreme ruler, Your Highness.

No one can go against you.

But shouldn't this power be used to guide the country onto the path of righteousness?

Are you...

...admonishing the Shogun?

Your Highness, this power is not for making sport of young men.

Nor is it for issuing edicts...

Forcing people to call dogs honorable dogs.

Not another word from you!

You wish to be slain?

In the first place...

I was pulled away from governance, and told to produce an heir.

Does Your Highness truly believe that protecting animals thus...

...would lead to the conception of an heir?

My father believes so.

He hasn't much longer to leave.

And it's his last thread of hope.

Then you must...

...leave your father.

You...

How could you say such a thing!

I lost my mother early.

Nobody loves and raised me as my father did!

He alone loved me from the heart!

How could I possibly leave him!?

I'm sick and tired of the duties of the Shogun.

I just want to enjoy my life.

Is that why...

...you were out to humiliate those young men?

Humiliate?

What's humiliating about that!

So what if I asked them to make love in front of me night after night!

I must endure attendants listening to my deeds in bed!

Shogun, you say!

The things I've done in bed... to please all those men!

Being a Shogun...

...compared to the men in brothels who sell their bodies to women...

...is a far more... lonelier existence.

Princess Matsu...

Why did you desert me and die?

Why does no one come to overthrow me?

Can someone wish to kill me and become Shogun?

I'm ready to be killed anytime.

You once said to me a long time ago...

That a ruler stripped of divine mandate...

...deserves to be overthrown.

Go on Emonnosuke.

Now is your chance to kill me.

Go on!

Go on...

You should get some sleep.

You aren't the only one, Your Highness.

So often I have sold myself to ladies of the court...

I'm no different from rats.

Crawling in the depths of the night.

Only father would call this face pretty.

You're too modest.

I'd rather keep your beauty hidden from men.

But pretty soon every men in the castle would fall in love Your Highness...

You're so kind.

Beautiful... me?

Yes.

You are the most beautiful.

What?

Aguri is to marry Makino Natsusada?

Yoshiyasu!

Yoshiyasu!

By the way...

Is my father well?

Forgive me, my lady!

You're the only one I trusted.

Please believe me!

I did everything so I could remain by your side.

That is all I ever wished for!

That proves it.

Do not betray me.

Never.

Swear it.

Yes...

I swear.

My lady...

I am...

...very happy.

Yoshiyasu...

Yoshiyasu...

You want Yoshiyasu?

I'll send for her at once.

(17 years after Matsu's death)

Poor soul. (17 years after Matsu's death)

This must be exhaustion.

Rest and get well as soon as possible.

So I can soon see your heir.

Remember, Tsunatoyo is unacceptable.

Yoshiyasu!

Yoshiyasu!

Yoshiyasu!

Your Highness?

My father...

Is it possible he isn't losing his mind after all?

Yoshiyasu...

My father isn't senile. He simply doesn't know.

Poor father.

Having entered Ooku as a youth...

He knows nothing about a woman's body.

He actually thinks...

That I can conceive at any age.

My monthlies...

...have long since stopped.

Her Highness has arrived! (Several years later)

What is your name?

Asanuma is my name.

Your Highness, are you all right?

Whom do you work for?

Or did you scheme this on your own.

You man-crazed old shrew.

You can no longer bear children.

Yet you sleep with men every night. Have you no shame!?

People laugh at your folly behind your back.

An ugly old hag that hordes young men night after night!

Enough take him away.

No, let him finish.

Dog Shogun!

Have you no idea how much the people have suffered for your absurd edicts?

You spent 10,000 ryo feeding stray dogs.

While my betrothed was mauled to death by a stray dog.

This happened at a busy street while a crowd looked on...

Too afraid to intervene!

A Shogun who produces stupid policies instead of an heir...

...is no longer a just ruler!

From Samurais to farmers from the countryside...

No one speaks of it, but all wish for your death!

That's enough!

What a pathetic Shogun.

Die!

Die, Tsunayoshi!

Die! Die! Die!

Your Highness...

Perhaps tonight you should return to your quarters.

And change robes.

No.

Allow me to stay in your room tonight.

Why am I still alive?

What that man said was true, all of it.

When all is said, I have failed...

...to leave behind any legacy whatsoever.

Not an heir to my name...

....nary a contribution to politics.

As a Shogun, and as a woman...

I have accomplished nothing that's expected of me.

Emonnosuke...

Thank you for your service tonight.

You should rest in another room.

Now withdraw.

I said withdraw.

I will not.

Because once I leave...

...you're going to take your life.

That's nonsense.

Your Highness...

The purpose of living...

The purpose of being man or woman...

...is not simply to plant seeds.

...nor to continue the family's bloodline!

You must live!

You will live!

No.

I'm tired of living...

Stop...

No!

Emonnosuke...

No men have seen my bare skin in years.

I won't!

This is all I ever dreamt of.

I won't let you go!

I love you!

I love you...

This is like a dream.

You may not believe me...

But from the moment we met...

I have been in love with you.

When I first saw you...

You are arrogant...

...stubborn...

...and altogether, formidable.

What a marvelous woman, I thought.

I will not lose to her.

I will match her as an equal.

For years that's what I was determined to do.

I had never bedded a woman other than the purpose of producing children.

Tonight...

I experienced for the first time...

The true intimacy between man and woman.

I'm surely glad that...

I'm with you like this.

What indescribable happiness.

Her Highness has arrived!

I have assembled all of you today for no other than...

...the matter of my successor.

I hereby announce that as my successor as Shogun...

Lord of Kofu, Tokugawa Tsunatoyo will be adopted as my rightful heir.

May that be clear to you all.

The 6th Shogun will be... Tsunatoyo.

But why!

How could you choose Tsunatoyo as your heir!?

She governed Kofu well.

Demonstrating great skills and capability as leader...

And by bloodline...

...she is also the rightful successor.

No, you can't!

Father!

This is my decision...

...as Shogun.

Tsunayoshi...

No, never...

I won't allow it.

Wait! No, wait, my daughter!

Father, I have already decided...

...you are dead to me as of yesterday.

No...

Now...

I shall go and see Emonnosuke.

- Your Highness? - Your Highness!

- Your Highness! - Your Highness!

You have nothing to say?

No.

It's the first time...

I feel glad to be alive.

Go on, kill me.

For you, I will allow it.

Well?

It's the first time I have ever seen...

...such an expression on your face.

Yoshiyasu...

Yes?

Thank you for everything.

Lord Emonnosuke.

Her Highness has finally appointed Lord Tsunatoyo her heir.

Is it your migraine again?

Lord Emonnosuke...

The one you have been waiting for...

...is here for you.

Emonnosuke!

'Emonnosuke' SAKAI MASATO

'Tokugawa Tsunayoshi' KANNO MIHO

'Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu' ONO MACHIKO

'Akimoto' EMOTO TASUKU

'Gyokuei' TANAKA KOKI

'Denbe' KANAME JUN

'Osuke' KIRIYAMA REN

'Shinsuke' RYUSEI RYO

'Sanosuke' MITSUSHIMA SHINNOSUKE

'Nakamura' KAKU TOMOHIRO

'Saito' NAGAE YUUKI

'Asanuma' MIURA TAKAHIRO

'Makino Narisada' ICHIGE YOSHIE

'Aguri' ENOKI TAKAAKI

'Minase Gonchunagon Ujinobu' YUKI SAORI

'Nino-hime' TSUBAKI ONIYAKKO

'Sadayasu' INO MANABU

'Tokie' TSUJIMOTO MAI

'Takako' SATO MEGUMI

'Toyoko' MATSUYAMA MARY

'Ioka' KINO HANA

'Riyuuko' SAKAI MASAAKI

'Nobuhira' KUDO KANKURO

'Keishoin' NISHIDA TOSHIYUUKI

Based on the original work: Ooku by YOSHINAGA FUMI (Published by Hakusensha-kan)

Screenplay: KAMIYAMA YUMIKO

Music: MURAMATSU TAKATSUGU

Theme Song: "Back in Love Again" by MISIA (feat. HOTEI TOMOYASU) (Under Ariola Japan)

Shooting: YAMANAKA TOSHIYASU

Lighting: SHIHARA KYOKI

Recording: OGAWA TAKESHI

Art: KOIDE KEN

Art: MIKI MASAHIKO

Music producer: SHIDA HIROHIDE

Line Producer: SUZUKI YOSHIHIRO

Executive Producers: TOYOSHIMA MASARO HAMANA KAZUYA

Producers: ISOYAMA AKIRA ARAKU MIYAKO

Production cooperation: Dragon Fly Entertainment

Distribution: Shochiku / Asmik Ace

Production Committee: Asmik Ace / TBS TV / Shochiku / Hakusensha Dentsu / Central Japan Broadcasting Company

Production Committee: RKB Mainichi Broadcasting System Yahoo! JAPAN / TBS Radio & Communications Shizuoka Broadcasting System / RCC Broadcasting

Director: KANEKO FUMINORI

Following the death of Emonnosuke...

Shogun Tsunayoshi passed away 3 years later.

Tsunayoshi is remembered today...

...for misguided edicts.

As for Emonnosuke...

...few have even heard of his name.