Original subtitles

Your father treasures you.

We're prisoners to that woman.

You must stop these games.

Promise to release the hostages.

Which is more important?

Survival of our clan, or Japan?

Do not give up on our lord.

Even when it appears he has given up on himself.

Hiromatsu…

…knew his duty well.

Now are you ready to do your part?

I'm ready.

She's been caught three times now.

Her father was the treacherous Akechi Jinsai.

She's the last of his line.

Her husband showed her mercy, yet still she seeks death.

May I sit with her alone?

A beautiful name.

You are too young to be this sad.

I'm not much older.

I've known sadness and loss too.

But I believe God spared me for a purpose.

And now he's spared you.

For when you have no words…

and you just need something to hold onto.

Tell him as soon as we arrive at the castle we'll be met by Ishido's men.

He's to remain close.

You translated honestly?

I did.

I hate this fucking city.

We'll meet Lord Ishido tomorrow.

I want you there with me.

No.

We'll make our proposal then.

Understand?

Lord Ishido.

Tomorrow. Yes.

Do you understand?

Certainly.

It's true… you're here.

I apologize for the tight quarters.

We had to give up rooms for Lord Otomo's family.

I'm so sorry for what you've endured.

And Lady Shizu, welcoming a son in this cruel place.

I wish I could have been with you.

Is there word from Lord Toranaga?

Let's hope this works.

What a handsome gift.

Show me your bow.

No, not like that.

If we're going to win over our enemies,

the least you can do is bow right.

Your back, here! That's it.

What are you doing?

You show him how.

Good, great! Great. That's it.

Why…

Now, don't speak.

And don't disappoint.

Ah, Yabushige. I see you made good time from Edo.

How kind of you to return my prisoner.

My pleasure.

But he isn't for you.

He wishes to pledge himself to Ishido.

After all, no one lord should possess all the guns in Japan…

wouldn't you agree?

It won't matter.

The barbarian will soon be at the mercy of the Church.

Carry on with your boring Christian squabbles.

But don't wrinkle him.

He's mine.

Welcome, Yabushige.

On Lord Toranaga's behalf, I surrender to the Council.

And offer my condolences for the death of the Taikō's brilliant wife.

Hollow words from a traitor.

As I once explained to Nebara Jozen,

I was deceived into leading Toranaga out of Osaka.

Was that before or after you were deceived into killing him?

If you wish for my head, you shall have it.

But before that, might you take a look at my gift.

The Anjin was once Toranaga's prized hatamoto.

Now he is loyal to me.

He's well-trained,

and an excellent sea captain.

The Heir has no interest in a barbarian.

Dismissed.

Bow.

Move back.

We tried, Anjin. I don't know…

Welcome back to Osaka, Lady Mariko.

I congratulate you and Ochiba no kata

on your joyous engagement.

I'm surprised you joined this spineless traitor on his journey.

Do you bring news of Toranaga's progress from Edo?

Only that my lord still mourns.

Naturally, he has been devastated by the death of his son.

He has others.

It's a pleasure to see you, Mariko.

It's been too long.

Yes.

Since we were girls.

Mariko and I spent many years in Azuchi together.

Do you remember how we used to compete in poetry competitions?

I remember.

In Daiyoin's memory,

there will be a poetry competition.

If you could choose the first line,

it would be a great honor.

I think it should be…

While the snow remains

Veiled in the haze of cold evening

A leafless branch…

Excellent.

If a bit bleak.

It will give us something to look forward to

amidst all this death and treachery.

Unfortunately, I won't be competing.

What are you saying?

I'm sorry,

but I will not be here.

I'm leaving Osaka tomorrow with Kiri no kata and Shizu no kata.

Leaving for where, Mariko?

To meet our liege lord in Edo.

He has requested I escort them myself.

He --

Toranaga will be here in a few weeks, as you said.

It's been months since the Lady Shizu has seen Lord Toranaga.

And my lord hasn't yet seen his newest son.

Lady Mariko --

Let's find another time to discuss this private matter.

Perhaps you can call on us --

Thank you, but no.

I am leaving tomorrow.

You forget your manners!

Forgive me,

that was the last thing I intended.

I will return with my lord on the day we are required to be in Osaka.

Unless we are confined here.

No one is confined here.

But since you choose to speak in this outrageous fashion,

it is my duty to ask the Regents for a formal review.

Lord Kiyama?

What do you think?

I agree.

Good.

Mariko will remain here until then.

I would be honored…

However…

my first duty is to my liege lord, and I am ordered to leave.

You will be patient!

I cannot delay my departure, even for a little time.

The matter is closed!

The matter is closed…

when you have the manners to let me finish.

I am no peasant to be trodden on.

I am daughter of the great Lord…

Akechi Jinsai.

My line has been samurai for a thousand years,

and I will never be captive, or hostage, or confined.

I am free to go as I please…

as is anyone.

You will await the meeting of the Regents.

There is nothing more to discuss.

What in the name of all gods possessed you?

Has your mind left you?

And is this body of yours… stupid?

So sorry.

Tonight was unexpected.

You knew exactly what you were doing.

On Toranaga's behalf.

I know it, Ishido knows it…

What are Toranaga's plans?

I can help him, we can do this together.

Tell me your orders!

What is it!

It is not my intention to disrupt your peace.

Or any peace.

I suppose this one's part of it.

The Anjin is here on his own business.

I'm sorry, but please excuse me.

I am very tired from the day.

"Leafless branch" -- what a terrible poem.

Who writes about leafless branches in the spring?

Come on, idiot!

As your son,

I am concerned for our house.

I am only doing my duty.

To whom?

Your family?

It's difficult to explain.

…then I am no longer your son.

My Lady, are you ready?

Let's go.

Everyone get ready!

We're leaving.

Excuse me, Lady Mariko,

do you have a permit to leave?

Excuse me, but we require none.

Lord Ishido has instituted orders throughout the castle.

You must have a permit.

I have been ordered by my lord to escort his ladies to Edo.

Please let us pass.

I'm sorry, but without a permit, no lord or his retinue

may leave Osaka Castle. It is Lord Ishido's order.

You leave me no choice.

Please kill him.

The Lady will leave now!

Miyai, would you please take charge?

It would be an honor, my Lady.

Kill them!

I'm honored to have served you.

Lord Kiyama, Lord Ohno…

Please order these men out of my way.

They are not ours to order.

Those men belong to Lord Ishido.

We are powerless.

Then it's true we are all being kept here against our will.

I will call for a meeting!

I am a vassal of Lord Toranaga and my orders are clear.

I must be permitted to obey my lord.

Please get out of my way.

Lady Mariko must not be harmed!

It is not possible to fight through all these men.

We must go back.

However…

these men have prevented me from doing my duty to my liege lord

and I cannot live with the offense.

I will take my life at sunset.

Lord Kiyama.

As a Christian, you understand

it is a mortal sin to take my own life.

I formally ask that you be my second.

I am obligated to her as a fellow Christian.

Otherwise she faces eternal damnation.

That is her choice.

It's a bluff.

She won't forfeit her eternal soul with suicide.

You're all wrong.

Lady Mariko will do as she says.

It is her vengeance.

On fate.

On all of us.

She will die to be free of the disgrace that has burdened her.

And then all of Osaka will be disgraced for letting her die.

A bit extreme, don't you think?

What is your counsel?

I have no counsel for you, Lord Ishido.

If you allow her to die,

there will be a revolt from every high family in Osaka.

If you allow her to leave,

the hostages will also demand to leave.

Ishido's men began locking all the palaces…

we managed to leave just in time.

We ask for the honor of joining you in waiting for Lady Mariko.

We are pleased to have you.

The Anjin has been summoned for an audience with the Heir.

I'm told your Japanese is decent.

Can you understand me?

Yes.

But I respectfully request you use simple words.

A prepared phrase.

Smart of you.

I wonder if Mariko taught you that.

Thank you for coming.

The Heir requested an audience with the Anjin.

As we need a translator, I asked you to come.

It would be an honor if I can be of use.

The Anjin thanks the Heir for this audience.

These games must stop.

I play no games.

I have only my duty to uphold.

You can't bring nobility to your lord's warmongering.

By being a worm on Toranaga's lure,

you will not win your freedom.

So sorry, but you're mistaken.

My lord wishes only to end this fight.

Would you translate for the Anjin?

I want him to understand the relationship we once had.

When we were girls, Mariko did everything well.

She always knew where to stand,

when to leave the room without being asked.

It was easy for her.

But our fathers were enemies, you see.

Their misery was ours.

Wars raged, even in our castle.

But I had Mariko.

She was my happiness.

And then she was sent away.

For years, I couldn't recognize this woman I was told she'd become…

That Mariko, in her father's name,

wished to become a martyr…

But I see her now.

The girl who did everything right,

with anger growing in her chest.

All she seeks is destruction.

Aren't you tired of all this?

What should I do?

Surrender to some pointless death?

Wither like your "leafless branch"?

Only you can end the games you accuse me of playing.

I don't have that power.

I don't exist, except to protect my son.

Tell me, how will piercing your heart protect your son?

Accepting death isn't surrender.

Flowers are only flowers because they fall.

A message from Lord Ishido.

Your offer of service instead of death --

he accepts.

But he has a request…

I, Toda Mariko,

daughter of Akechi Jinsai,

leave this poem as my final statement.

Lord Kiyama, please come forward to second me.

Your permits.

Stupid as it is to have to come right back,

you are free to leave in the morning.

Lord Ishido!

I also ask to leave.

And me. With my family.

May we expect safe passage too?

Are we jailers?

No one is hostage in this castle.

If you wish to leave, then apply for your permits and it will be done.

A mere woman, threatening her own suicide,

and flouting the Heir's welcome…

Disgusting.

I'm all right, Setsu.

Lord, if you'd like to rest, we have the watch covered.

I was going to sleep,

but those hens unearthed all the saké in the castle.

I suspect they'll be up all night.

I can understand their desire to celebrate.

Go ahead, drink.

I insist.

Good.

What is it?

Intruders!

Intruders!

Come quick!

Intruders!

Wake everyone!

It's Ishido…

he'll never let us leave alive.

They've infiltrated the castle.

Quiet!

Step aside.

Look out!

We should go to the dozo.

Its doors will protect us.

No, we should go to the gate!

I will not risk being captured.

There's nowhere for us to go.

Ready the fuses!

An explosion will kill us all!

I, Akechi Mariko,

protest this shameful attack by Lord Ishido…

Lady Mariko, get over here!

And by my death…