Original subtitles

Year 10 of Showa (1935) March

What will become of this?

How did it go?

What happened?

Man, I was absolutely scared to death.

What are you talking about?

At the banquet the other day, he served tournedos.

Tou... Tournedos.

It's fillet of beef wrapped with bacon.

We tie a string around it so it stays together when we grill it.

Naturally, the string is removed before the meat is served.

And so?

Inadvertently,

we forgot to remove the string from one of them.

Oh my God!

This string...

whose plate was this on?

The thing is...

it was on Okami's.

It was me.

I forgot to remove the string.

Head Master Chef, what should we do?

It's my job to check everything.

I'll take the responsibility.

Oh, no. What happened then?

Shortly after that,

Okami called for me.

What do you think Okami said to me?

Did he actually say that?

Yes. I'm such a lucky guy.

To be able to serve an Okami like him.

By the way, is it true the emperor of Manchukuo is coming soon?

Ah...yes, it's true.

Manchukuo, huh? That sounds like another daunting task for you.

Yes...

I'm thinking the least I can do is welcome them by planning a menu

that pays tribute to their Chinese culture.

This time around, in deference to the Chinese culture,

I planned the menu for a Chinese-style cuisine.

Bird's nest soup,

- butterfish steamed in sake... - Excuse me.

This is the kitchen.

Excuse me, but who are these people?

They are the attendants of the emperor of Manchukuo.

What in the world is this?

- It seems they brought some ducks with them. - Ducks?

I-isn't this rotten? It's rotten!

They're watching over us, aren't they?

I swear, don't they have anything better to do?

- Oh, this... - Head Master Chef Akiyama, we have a problem!

Check it carefully.

What are you doing?

I'm asking you what the hell you're doing to my food!

I'm afraid that's their job.

Of course I know they're just testing for poison.

But why do they have to go to that extent?

Manchurians have a feeling of distrust towards Japanese because of the way

Japan invaded Manchuria.

But we're cooks.

How can we, as cooks, show such contempt for food?

I'm worried about your short temper.

When you hear the bells ring,

please remember what I said.

It's an unpleasant world we live in now.

However, this was merely a prologue

to the difficult times

that would follow and go on endlessly.

2 years later,

the Second Sino-Japanese War began,

and 4 years after that, the Greater East Asia War.

In order to achieve success on the front,

various goods came under the control of the Government

and were rationed.

And finally, even food became the target of rationing.

Year 17 of Showa (1942) May

Are you saying that

the Imperial family will be rationed just like common people?

Yes.

There's no way you can treat Okami like the rest of us, is there?

Okami, himself,

is asking to be treated like his people.

Okami said that?

He said that himself?

Thus, just like the Empire of Japan

that was being forced into a difficult situation...

Times have changed for the worse, Toshiko.

It's terrible now.

Akiyama Tokuzo was

finding himself in a difficult position

he never experienced before in his career as the Emperor's cook.

Banzai to His Majesty the Emperor!

Banzai!

- Banzai! - Banzai!

Year 19 of Showa (1944)

A way to make dried sardines tasty?

Yes. Recently,

all we can serve His Majesty are dried sardines.

We were wondering if we can give it some variation.

What do you think about soaking it in water to soften it

and then cooking it in oil.

Will that turn out to be good for sure?

If it doesn't,

we will end up losing this one piece of sardine.

Stop worrying so much. It will be fine.

But the ration delivery guy is late today, isn't he?

I'm here to deliver your ration.

We've been waiting. Thank you.

Can't we get some other fish on the blackmarket?

We've been given strict orders by Okami

not to engage in blackmarket no matter what.

Okami is just too honest.

Director, what can we do for you today...

Is it the sardine cooked in oil?

Was it not cooked to Okami's liking?

The sardine cooked in oil was my idea.

I apologize deeply.

What are you talking about?

Aren't you here to talk about that?

We received a request from the military for you to perform catering service duty.

For me?

They would very much like for you to display your culinary skills at Kaikosha (meeting place for Army officers).

That's fine with me, but...

Excuse us.

Kurokawa-san.

Is something the matter?

This arrived at your quarters, so

I came to deliver it.

"Notice of Death"

Thank you.

Toshiko...

today, Kurokawa-san got notice of his younger son's death in war.

Now, he's lost both sons.

Several young kids from the kitchen are gone too.

I know it's for our country,

but still, it's hard to take.

I wonder if the boys are safe.

"Akiyama Ichitaro"

"Akiyama Shujiro"

The whole country is persevering.

So that it ends well,

please watch over us.

Imperial Army Kaikosha

I'm sorry

for enlisting your help with military duties too.

No problem. We're in a state of being open but not doing any business anyway.

You mean Seiyou-ken?

You guys still have food supply, right?

Since you have a ranch and a farm too.

But that only goes so far, so

things are tight for us too.

"Rice"

There's always a stash somewhere, huh?

Huh?

Why...

why...

Head Master Chef Akiyama,

- thank you for coming... - What the hell is this!

Hey, calm down!

Okami is eating rice mixed with millets such as awa and hie.

Moreover, he says rice is too valuable and only has it once a day.

Bread is also made by mixing in things like corn and potatoes.

It's for the sake of winning this war.

But all they do here is plan strategies at their desk!

I heard that soldiers at the front get hardly anything to eat.

- My sons don't get anything like that... - Mine don't either!

Until we win.

It's only until we win.

However,

conditions did not improve, and

with the ongoing war,

the food situation continued to deteriorate.

To combat the shortage, the Imperial Cuisine

attempted to find various solutions,

such as experimenting with dehydrated vegetables, but

no drastic improvement was to be found.

And before long,

air raid on the mainland began,

and...

Year 20 of Showa, August 15

We are keenly aware of the inmost feelings of all our subjects.

However, it is according to the dictates of time and fate

that we come by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is insufferable.

Having been able to save and maintain the structure of the Imperial State,

we are always with you,

our good and loyal subjects,

relying upon your sincerity and integrity.

What can I serve him for dinner?

Did we lose?

We lost...

Well, I'm angry and disappointed that we lost, but

at least it ended before we got any official notice about Ichitaro and Shujiro.

Plus, there won't be any more air raids from today.

Is this bright enough for you all now?

We'll have to make this a brighter world again, won't we?

Toshiko.

Do you have any idea when the next luncheon or banquet will be?

It will be hectic for a while, won't it? What with negotiations between the countries and all.

Actually,

we can't decide anything yet.

Akiyama-kun.

The fact that we lost

means that Japan will be an occupied country.

Japan is now a vassal nation.

Vassal nation?

There's also the rumor that the Allied Forces, led by the United States,

are going to try military officers and politicians

as criminals in a military tribunal.

Military tribunal...

It means they're going to try the people responsible for the war in an international tribunal

and, depending on the circumstance, punish them.

Is that right?

Okami

is not a part of that, right?

It's the military authorities who started the war!

I heard that Okami even expressed his opposition to the war in his waka (poetry).

Why does Okami, who endured and endured

just like the rest of us, have to be punished?!

Okami is the head of the state.

- We can't assert that he is blameless. - Are you saying that Okami is to be blamed?

- I'm talking about the general opinion. - I'm asking you what your opinion is!

Akiyama-san.

We were attacking the enemy

shouting "Banzai to His Majesty the Emperor."

That was the image of Japan as seen by the Americans.

To them,

His Majesty must have looked like the instigating leader.

Although that is strictly my personal opinion.

Why can't we appeal to them that Okami isn't like that?

Can't the Imperial Household Ministry use its power do something about it?!

Shintaro-san?

Dude!

Man, all kinds of things turn up when you search through the ruins.

I think I could get quite a bit of money for them.

That's called stealing.

Don't be silly.

When the Yanks come, they'll take anything of value anyway.

I'm just trying to preserve this country's wealth.

Even if everything else change, you never change, Shintaro-san.

Really?

O'ume-san.

Look what I found.

Oh, my. Thank you so much.

I just happened to run into Usami-san.

Anyway, I'm glad everyone made it through safely.

Yes, indeed.

Toku-bo,

have you heard what's going to happen in the future?

They say Americans and British are brutes.

Rumor has it that when the Americans come, they'll make the men their slaves

and women their sex slaves.

O'ume-san, I don't think you have to worry about being their sex slave anymore...

- You never know. - No, no, no...

You never know.

Is the Imperial Palace going to be abolished?

Why do you...

There are things that I hear

through my connections from my Kazoku Kaikan days.

There are talks of

trying Okami at this thing called military trial.

Trial?!

Depending on the situation, they say death sentence is even...

Isn't the Imperial Household Ministry going to step in?

The Imperial Household Ministry can't make any move on its own.

If that's the case,

why don't you do something about it?

You're a public servant at the Imperial Household Ministry too.

There's no way I can do anything.

I may be a public servant, but a cook is

just a petty official that's a subordinate of a subordinate of more subordinates.

I see.

All His Majesty's chef does

is cook his meals as told, huh?

Sounds like something even I can do.

What's the matter?

What you're saying, Usami-san, is an ideal.

Japan is going to be occupied soon, you know.

If we even make one wrong move,

who knows what will happen to us or Okami.

How can I even attempt to do anything?

I see.

Brilliantly spoken like a true petty official.

Stop it.

I must be getting old and decrepit.

If the cook who was constantly put down as trash and worthless

was able to save His Majesty,

how satisfying would that be, is what I thought.

I'm sorry for being so naive.

Thank you for the food.

"Akiyama Shuzo"

F-Father?!

Are you lecturing me from the other world?

Mother?

Tokuzo, were you surprised?

When I was tidying up some things the other day,

I found the letter Father wrote to you.

He wrote it, but I think he felt too embarrassed to send it to you.

I'm sending it to you because I thought that would be the best way to remember him.

What does this mean?

Tokuzo, are you working hard every day?

No matter how stupid you may be,

I trust you aren't acting disrespectfully while serving under His Majesty.

Today, I thought I'd note down about the time Shutaro passed away,

being that I'm getting quite forgetful these days.

Shutaro departed as he was being read the menu that you planned.

He looked so very happy, as if your success was his very own.

Why was he that happy?

I think

it was because you were His Majesty's cook.

He had a strong desire to work for his country.

That's why I think he was proudest of the fact that

you were His Majesty's cook and not a cook for a famous restaurant or hotel.

Tokuzo,

I'm sure things will be tough at times. But

I sincerely hope you'll fulfill your duties as His Majesty's cook.

That is your father's dream right now.

I truly owe it to you, Father.

You'd better work hard.

I'll figure something out. Tokuzo-san, you just devote yourself to work.

It's not a dream I realized by myself, is it?

That's right.

I'm His Majesty's cook.

What are you doing, Head Master Chef Akiyama?!

Head Master Chef!

Head Master Chef!

What in the world were you doing?

I was sending signals to welcome the American planes.

- Welcome? - America will be the ruling power from now on.

We will have to comply with them.

In that case, I think the Occupation Force is our state visitor of the highest order.

Then why don't we treat them with warm hospitality?

Okami's life is in America's hands.

Cooking meals, doing household chores, running errands...

Even without the power of government this and that, there's a ton of things we can do.

Isn't protecting Okami our most important duty?

Then we should...

The Imperial Cuisine is not a housekeeper management service!

They're people too.

Why can't we appeal to their emotions?

Are you satisfied with this?

Are we going to silently sit back and watch His Majesty get tried in a trial?

If you do anything else,

you're fired on the spot!

Fire me if you can!

Thus,

with the Imperial Cuisine remaining in discord,

GHQ, the occupation force, arrived in Japan.

GHQ (General Headquarters) Conference Room

Do you think they'll give us any orders here?

If they do, the game is as good as won.

I'll render them spineless with my cooking.

I don't see how you can keep your personal feelings out of it like that.

By kissing up to the American and English brutes to win their favor.

Kurokawa-san...

we've got to swallow our pride for now.

Kurokawa-kun, do you have a minute?

Head Master Chef.

Because you did that thing, do you suppose you got left out?

The Imperial Household Ministry got a call from GHQ this morning.

The officers at GHQ are holding a dance party tomorrow evening,

and they would like us to deliver sandwiches.

Sandwiches...

- For this, I'd like you to be in charge... - Hey, we're making sandwiches!

All right.

What are you doing? The thickness is all uneven.

The butter! You're not spreading it all the way to the edge!

I'm sorry.

Kurokawa-san, the basics here is a precise square.

Yanks won't notice the difference.

What are you going to do if Okami is killed because the shape is all different!

In the end, it's the soul that eats the food.

That's precisely why the food we're preparing for the Americans right now

has to be made with the utmost sincere heart.

Then...I'd better leave.

Wait a minute, Kurokawa-san.

I'll do that.

GHQ (General Headquarters)

"This sandwich was prepared by emperor's chef, Tokuzo Akiyama."

"If you have any matters requiring discretion about which you like to consult,

please feel free to ask."

You actually planted a bomb like that?

If the request came directly from GHQ, our top will have no choice but to abide by it.

English...

When I accompanied Okami on his visit to England...so yes.

But will you be all right? Making promises like that.

What do you mean?

You don't know what kind of unreasonable demands they might make.

Plus, you're short-tempered.

One of these days you might end up...

Like you did with Araki-san.

I said it.

About Araki-san,

it was me who turned in the letter...

I'll be fine.

Toshiko will be by my side.

I'm going to win over the Americans' compassion

even if I have to go through hell and high water.

I guess it doesn't matter anymore.

Hai~.

Light's on.

Head Master Chef Akiyama.

I got a call from GHQ saying they want to meet with you as soon as possible.

Did you do something again?

No. What could they want, huh?

Please!

Why the hell should I go cook for a Yank?

If I slip away from the Imperial Kitchen and go there, I'll catch hell for sure.

For the time being, please.

Then you should've done it yourself from the beginning.

Okami is...

Okami is...

Okami's life is in America's hands.

I'm sorry!

I'm sorry!

Frankly speaking, I don't think what you're doing is doing His Majesty any good.

Here. Although you probably already know.

"Prince Nashimoto, along with 59 others, arrested"

...there is a possibility that His Majesty the Emperor will be held accountable for the war...

Well, it just goes to show you that big issues get decided in a big arena.

Whether you do anything or not,

it really doesn't make any difference.

You might as well quit doing anything, huh?

Today, there was a guy who was yelling that His Majesty should take responsibility first.

I'm just worried.

That you might get entangled and that something bad might happen to you too.

But Okami is a good man.

You may think he's a good man, but

you only know one aspect of him.

It's not like you know all his faces, right?

I have no doubt he's a good man.

He's an honest, kind man.

I can tell.

Excuse me. I'll be on my way.

Why is he so darn stubborn?

Maybe it's because he makes the meals.

Meals?

Here. A potato for you.

Go ahead and eat the whole thing.

Good?

- Banzai to His Majesty the Emperor! - Banzai!

It's not getting brighter, is it? Toshiko.

"Resignation"

What is this?

Thank you for everything all these years.

Kurokawa-san, let's talk this over, please.

I can't keep up with your way of dealing with GHQ.

In my mind, I'm cursing them as I work too.

Can't you try to understand?

Hating Americans won't bring your sons back.

Head Master Chef!

It's easy for you to say. Yours are coming back.

Your sons are coming back!

I guess so.

That probably makes it easier for me.

But...

What the hell are you going to do, Akiyama!

What are you talking about?

We got a call from GHQ complaining that you attacked an officer

when he asked a question about His Majesty!

He's the one who attacked me.

If something happens to Okami because of this,

what are you going to do?!

This is what happens

when a mere cook like you moves around without thinking!

I did it because I'm the Emperor's cook.

Because it's my job to maintain Okami's good health,

both physically and mentally, and to protect his life.

In order to protect Okami's life, what we have to do now

- is win over America's compassion... - No one gives a damn what you think!

If worse comes to worst, I'll cut open my belly in front of GHQ and apologize!

I...

I was the black sheep of the family in a remote countryside.

I was able to come this far

because of all the people who supported me.

Like my father,

my brother,

my mother,

my wife,

my mentor,

friends.

All of these people enabled me to realize my dream.

I think I owe it to all these people who enabled to realize my dream

to continue realizing my dream.

As Okami's cook,

I think I have the responsibility to do everything in my power to keep working hard.

Don't you all feel that way too?

When your family heard you were going to be serving Okami,

didn't they rejoice?

That you're the pride of the family.

To work hard to the best of your ability.

Didn't they tell you that?

What about your wife and children?

Didn't they tell you, "Father, do your best"?

Don't you want to do your best

to live up to their expectation?

Don't you want to tell them

you did everything you possibly could? That you made every effort with a sincere heart?

Besides,

I can't bear it.

When I think that Okami may be tried in court.

After all, day in and day out,

I cooked his meals.

Looking at his plate after he finished eating,

I'd agonize that perhaps he didn't like this dish.

If he leaves his favorite dish unfinished,

I'd wonder if he wasn't feeling well or was it just his mood.

Or was it not cooked well?

That was my daily life.

Day in and day out,

that's what it means to cook his meals.

It's been that way for 20 years already.

It's blasphemous...

it's really blasphemous , but

in a way, he's like my own child.

Even if...

even if Okami was held accountable for the war,

even if the whole world said so,

still....

I can't help wanting to protect him.

From now on, I'll grin and bear it no matter what they say, so

please, I beg you, allow me to have my way.

Head Master Chef Akiyama.

You're being summoned by GHQ.

They want to know how the event's coming along.

What is this about?

All of GHQ wants to go on an outing with their family

so they want me to plan the event for them.

If it's for everyone at GHQ,

it will be a large-scale event that will have to be undertaken by the Imperial Cuisine.

Then

please do whatever you can to make it a success for Okami's sake.

In the name of Okami's cook,

make sure you provide the best hospitality.

Let's do our best!

Let's do it!

Please.

I really don't want to deal with the Yanks anymore.

- I know, but please. - Don't stop me.

Ow, ow. I said let go of me.

We're shorthanded.

I'm wondering if it isn't possible to have them change their view of His Majesty as

a part of the Japanese culture and not a political figure.

Japanese culture...

I heard we don't do tsurubocho anymore. (lit. crane knife, the ceremonial cutting of crane).

- Then let's leave that out. - Kurokawa-san!

Now is the time to bring it back!

Father.

Nii-yan.

Tomorrow,

we'll be entertaining GHQ.

In the midst of these troubling times,

I don't know if what we're doing is going to be of any help at all.

But please, Toshiko...

make a miracle happen.

Imperial Household Ministry Niihama Wild Duck Preserve

There. There they go!

Is something wrong?

Toshiko's bells.

Excuse me for a minute.

He's saying, "What does Tenno" mean to you? I don't understand."

I'm just a simple chef.

He says he wants to hear the opinion of a simple chef.

He says, "You people are usually gracious,

but talk of Tenno drives you to anger."

"Does that mean Tenno is god to you?"

He's asking, "So does that mean you would do anything for him?"

To me,

the Emperor is...

I'm sorry.

The bells...

Bells...

Bells...

Not again...

Toshiko?

Toshiko...

Doyajaa~!

Is that a duck?

Looks like it.

Shintaro-san.

Tatsukichi-san.

"Your people would do anything for Tenno, won't they?"

Maybe so.

For better or for worse.

"Is that so for you too?"

To me, the Emperor is

miso.

It's a very strange and ambiguous way to say it,

but I'm just an uneducated cook.

Forgive me.

Because it's something we've known since we were born.

It's only natural to

love and cherish miso.

We've never even questioned why.

But if suddenly one day,

if we were told we can't ever eat miso again,

I...

I think I'll feel tremendously sad.

There will be people rioting everywhere,

and I think I'll be one of them.

If you deny the Emperor,

it will be the same thing,

and I think that will only make it more difficult for your government.

He says, "Your opinion will be noted."

GHQ

Year 21 of Showa (1946) April

It says GHQ announced that

His Majesty was exonerated for his part in the war.

What a relief, huh?

Our son can stay on as the Emperor's cook.

Thank you!

Thanks to you,

I can continue to be the Emperor's cook.

Today, tomorrow, and the day after too!

I'll always be the Emperor's cook!

And...

Welcome home.

Okay. Go!

- Man, that was good, wasn't it? - It sure was.

But homemade is better, right?

Of course it's better if I make it.

Hey, don't be so cocky!

- Now, now. - Mine is better, isn't it?

- Well, in any case, it's banzai! - Banzai!

And thus, the years went by...

Year 47 of Showa (1972) October 18

Taste By Akiyama Tokuzo

Please do your best.

"You are appointed as the Master Chef?"

If you call something of this quality "boule,"

you'll be the laughingstock in Paris.

We're going to have a soup run,

distributing as much food supply as we can!

Whose plate was this on?

It was on Okami's.

Akiyama.

Was it only on mine?

Was there no string on any others?

No, Your Majesty. It was only on Your Majesty's.

That's a relief.

The string was only on mine. Is that correct?

That's a relief.

Thank you for your hard work hard all these years.

Not at all.

? Unexpectedly people meet

The pleasure was all mine.

Thank you.

? Unexpectedly people go yearning

Take good care of yourself.

? To yearn is to dream, to dream is to live

Just as you took care of me.

? May you pursue a big dream

Good food is made with a sincere heart, right?

? Some day we?ll meet again

Head Master Chef Akiyama.

? We just have to wish very very hard

Thank you.

? To love is to dream

? My beloved

The era is Showa.

Year 47, October 18.

? Some day we?ll meet again

? We just have to wish very very hard

With happy,

with very very happy tears, indeed,

? To love is to dream

Akiyama Tokuzo

brought an end to his career that spanned 58 years

? My beloved

as the Emperor's cook.

? To love is to believe

? My dreamer

Thank you for your hard work.

Toshiko.