Original subtitles

SHOGUN'S SHADOW

One,

two, three,

four, five, six,

seven, eight, nine, ten.

Counting to ten five times.

You promised me, Young Master.

That was the fourth time.

Young Master, it's for your better health.

Please count to ten one more time.

One, two, three...

It's windy.

Don't worry.

I'm on your side.

I'll escort you to the Hotta residence at the Toshogu Shrine.

TOSHOGU SHRINE

They were ninjas from Negoro.

They work for the shogun.

There's only one person who can give the order.

The most powerful man in the government.

Please tell me, my lord. Who tried to kill Master Takechiyo?

We're hired to guard him.

We're paid for it.

We will not disappoint you.

Unless we know who is behind it, we will fail.

Father. Gyobu is right.

Tell him the truth. We must ask him for help.

It's Shigetsugu Abe, the minister of Tsushima domain.

But he's a chief vassal.

Why is he trying to kill the shogun's heir?

Takechiyo is supposed to be the next shogun.

But Lord Abe plans to make his younger brother become the heir.

Then, he'll become a prime minister.

The political leader under the new shogun.

My lord.

Minister Abe of Tsushima has arrived.

With Chief Guard Iba.

They are here to pay honor to Master Takechiyo.

Who's this?

Gyobu Igo, my retainer and Takechiyo's bodyguard.

Lord Hotta.

Thank you for taking care of the young master for a long time.

Thank you for your compliment.

I appreciate it.

He looks much better

than he was in the Nishinomaru Castle. His skin looks brighter.

His health must have improved.

I am very pleased.

Indeed.

Three months of the hot spring therapy worked wonders.

It has been an honor

to take care of him for seven years.

He was suffering from illness since birth.

So I tried everything to improve his health.

I wanted to make him stronger.

Strong enough to be the fourth shogun.

That was all I wanted--

Stop!

My sudden visit to the hot spring is a special mission.

I came to deliver a message from the shogun.

On the 15th of this month, at Edo Castle,

a coming-of-age ceremony for Master Takechiyo will be held.

To attend the ceremony, he must leave here immediately.

So that he'll arrive to Edo on time.

Lord Hotta,

this is an order!

Why did you stop me?

You told me to kill Takechiyo, didn't you?

It was impossible.

With that bodyguard around, even you wouldn't have succeeded.

If you had, you would've killed each other.

We'll leave for Edo early morning tomorrow.

Start preparing.

If we leave now, we would fall into Lord Abe's trap.

The second or third assassin will attack us.

But our army wouldn't be able to handle them.

If something happens to Master Takechiyo,

-our domain will be finished. -I know.

Then, we should stay here.

Let's wait and ask for our fief's help.

That would be the best option.

I'm aware of that.

On the 15th,

the young master's coming-of-age ceremony will be held.

That is the shogun's order.

If he fails, he will lose his right as shogun's heir.

Tokumatsu, his younger brother, will replace him.

If our domain fails, we will be punished. As his failure is ours.

We have only one way to survive!

By the time the coming-of-age ceremony will be held,

we must escort Master Takechiyo to Edo Castle.

We have only five days

until the 15th.

Indeed, only five days.

Even if we know this is Lord Abe's trap,

we must depart tomorrow morning.

Or we won't make it.

Gyobu?

You.

How much did Hotta pay you?

Five hundred ryo?

Or 1,000 ryo?

Leave us alone.

Then I will pay the same amount.

Is that all you wanted to say?

What?

Every samurai has pride.

Even a stray dog has pride.

You want me to betray it?

I can't believe a minister said that.

Wait!

I know why you hate me.

I deserve your hate.

But I won't give excuses. I won't ask forgiveness, either.

But I can tell you this.

If it's possible, I don't want to kill you.

Gyobu?

Gyobu!

Who was that?

A masterless samurai?

My childhood friend.

We grew up like brothers.

He was married to my sister.

But the shogun...

fell in love with her. So I had her separated from Gyobu.

She became the shogun's concubine, and the shogun made me a minister.

It was ten years ago.

Did Hotta leave?

As you planned, Lord Abe.

Shoza, I must return to Edo quickly.

Take care of the rest. You can do it.

I'll order the domain along the road.

So you'll get more help.

It's all about the shogun's order.

Use as many men as necessary.

Hotta is desperate.

But a cornered mouse attacks a cat.

Try everything. Remember.

Master Takechiyo...

will not arrive at Edo Castle alive!

Let's go!

The shogun is sick, ma'am.

Did he vomit blood again?

Yes. He wanted Lord Abe. He was too excited.

What's Abe doing?

Hasn't he come back from Nikko yet?

-Bring more sake. -No, sir.

-Sake! -It's bad for you.

You think you're loyal?

Nobody but me knows what's good for my health!

Come on!

Give me more sake! Sake!

That will aggravate your illness, Your Excellency.

What?

Even you defy me?

Get the doctor.

You bastard!

Retreat!

I, Masamori Hotta,

will protect Master Takechiyo. Even if it costs my life!

I, Shozaemon Iba...

challenge you to a duel.

Come on!

Forgive me.

I was tricked.

-Nobody is here. -I looked all over the place too.

Such a smart man, Masamori Hotta.

He used himself as bait.

There are three roads to go from Nikko to Edo.

Jinbo, let's split up into three and interfere with them!

Yes, sir!

Grab this!

We must hurry.

Wait.

Drink this.

Young Master?

Is this... where we are now?

Our initial plan was to have crossed this pass already.

Bad weather.

It was impossible to do that in this rain.

What should we do? We would reach Ashio around noon.

We could steal horses from the mine commissioner's office,

but that means they'll find us right away.

Let's head to the south and cross more mountains.

Or go to Sano or Ashikaga?

But there is no road around here.

It would be especially hard for women.

Young Master.

As we planned,

let's steal horses at the Ashio Mine.

Then travel along the Watarase River and go to Kiryu.

From there, we'll run to Edo.

Let's do that. We have no choice.

SUMMONS

My wife?

The shogun wants my wife to be his concubine?

Is it Lord Abe's order?

Yes. It's an order.

Unacceptable!

-No, Gyobu! -It's the lord's order!

Move aside!

I'll kill the lord! This is outrageous!

I'll kill him. I will kill Lord Abe!

I'll hold the young master.

Get some water, Saburo.

We'll get horses. Stay here.

Saburo.

Please get some water for the young master.

We don't have any more.

Five riders, let's go!

Five riders are here.

-Let's go. -Show us the way.

Why are they in a hurry?

-Maybe... -Let's tell the chief.

-Why? I was drying his clothes. -The smoke!

-They're on that slope! -Let's find them.

Surround them. Don't let them escape!

Let's go, Lady Yajima!

Denemon.

Sneak into the mine.

Stay here for two-- No, four hours.

Hey!

Who is this?

I am Lord Yamaguchi's retainer,

Sadanosuke Sengoku!

I'm going home with my wife and child.

Why the sudden arrest?

-What's this for? -It's Lord Abe's order.

-No one with a child passes here! -No way!

-Let Iba know. -Yes, sir.

Hurry up!

This way. We have no time!

Tie it well.

How is it going?

-Is the dungeon ready? -Yes, sir.

Let the miners out when it's done.

Every single one of them.

Yes, sir.

All right. Get out of here!

-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.

Hurry up!

I said hurry up!

Listen.

Do not let anyone in here.

Except Jinbo's men and those I permitted.

Yes, sir.

Don't you smell something nice?

Platoon one to the left! Platoon two to the right!

-Everything all right? -Yes.

-What is it? -Not sure.

Good boy.

All right, follow me!

Come on!

Is everything all right? Stay alert.

Yes, sir!

Keep guarding here.

Yes, sir.

What's he doing? Is he dancing?

-Don't come near us. -Back off!

-I said back off! -Go away!

-Get off! -Come on, get off of it.

-What a weird man. -Get off!

Who are you?

-Listen, weird man. -Don't you understand what I said?

-Come down! -Who the hell are you?

He's not listening.

-Gunners! -Shoot him!

-Come on, what are you waiting for? -Shoot him!

Kill that man!

Shoot!

Get back to your post.

Watch out, you understand?

Light.

What's wrong?

-I'm sorry. -"Sorry"? We're late!

-We're supposed to arrive to Kiryu-- -No, it's my fault.

-Shut up! -Enough. Let's go.

Hurry up.

Go, go.

Saheiji.

Watch out. Guard well.

Stay alert. Make sure everything's okay.

What are you doing?

Hey.

-Hey! -What happened?

What happened to the prisoners?

They were in the dungeon, sir.

But...

Close all exits.

Run.

Jump!

Let's hunt them in the mountains.

-Ask for more men. -Yes, sir.

Where are we running to?

We aren't on the run.

We're heading for Edo, your home.

Try it.

It's really good.

You can't eat these in a castle.

You haven't eaten at all since we left home.

Eat this. You'll get sick if you don't.

Go on, eat, if you want to live.

What's that sound?

I'll go check.

It's the Furukawa domain.

-Do that again! -Young Master. Don't be so difficult.

We must hurry. Let's go.

It's okay, let's do that again.

Go on, slide by yourself.

Here you go!

It's about time.

They have a big army.

There is no way we can win.

We worked hard. Hard enough for what they paid.

If we continue fighting, we'll die.

Chief!

Let's go.

Keep your eyes wide open.

Don't worry.

You'll be fine.

Come on! Pull!

My butt is cold.

So is mine.

We found them! Right here!

Follow them!

Come on!

Cross the river. Let's go!

Keep going, hurry!

Genzaburo, go ahead!

-Shoot them! -Iori!

We're surrounded.

It's too late to escape.

The big army scared me.

I guess I'm still a small man.

Let's start a fire.

They'll find out where we are.

There's nothing we can do now.

Children tend to get stomachaches in the cold air.

Let him hold this.

It'll warm him up.

The person who is trying to kill me, is it my father?

What are you talking about, Young Master?

-That is not true! -No, it can be true.

The shogun's army has more than 5,000 samurais.

Even Minister Shigemitsu Abe, the shogun's vassal,

wouldn't be able to move such a big army. Even if it's for killing the shogun's son.

There is only one person

who can do it in this country.

-I agree. -Wait.

-I told you not to tell Takechiyo-- -You can't lie about this anymore!

His father... No. There's no one...

who is as cold and cruel as the shogun!

The young master doesn't look like him.

He hates his son just because of that.

He never held the young master in his arms since he was born. Not even once.

He not only told him he's physically weak,

but that he's also too incompetent to become the shogun.

Is that something a father says to his son?

Instead, the shogun loves Tokumatsu, his second son,

because he looks like him and acts like him.

He wants his second son to be his successor.

That's why he wants to kill his first son. It's ridiculous!

Lord Hotta has tricked us.

But no matter how unreasonable his order is,

you must follow it. That's the Bushido, the code of samurai.

Gyobu.

Can you kill a five-year-old if you are ordered to do so?

I will fight against anything unreasonable.

I will sacrifice my life to protect the young master.

But why are you going to Edo? To get killed?

I won't let them kill us.

We're backed by three families of the shogun.

Especially Kishu, the chief councilor of state.

But look what happened now.

He is right.

There's no way you can win against the shogun.

Forget the shogunate. Let him hide and live a happy life.

The young master would like that.

-Then, I will take care of him-- -The shogun won't like that.

Even if we manage to escape,

he'll send assassins one after another.

If the young master wants to survive, he must go to Edo,

fight and defeat the shogun.

-That is the only way! -Wait.

Let him decide.

If you want to fight against your father in Edo,

go downstream.

If you want to escape and survive,

go upstream.

Young Master!

Let me go!

Young Master.

All right.

Let's go!

We found them!

This Way!

Follow me.

Saheiji, get on!

Blow them up.

Go! Quick!

They're coming.

They're coming closer.

To the right!

Go!

That's Genzaburo's horse!

Here we go.

Fire!

BEWARE OF FIRES

Are you all right?

Hey.

Thank you.

OIL STORE

Gyobu.

I'm impressed that you've come this far.

But this is it.

Hand Master Takechiyo to me.

What are you going to do, Chief?

Have we lost?

No. We haven't.

But almost everyone is gone now.

As long as Young Master is alive...

we will not lose.

If I survive, will we win?

Gyobu Igo,

Come out.

Takechiyo's coming-of-age ceremony is tomorrow. But...

you'll never be able to get out of here.

You don't want to waste your lives.

Surrender and come out!

If not, I'll set fire to this house.

CAMELLIA OIL

OIL

Understood?

I mean it!

Lady Yajima.

I put poison on the blade.

If something happens...

I was disappointed, Gyobu.

You're just a poor, masterless samurai.

This is it. I've given up.

I want to challenge you to a duel.

I, Shozaemon Iba,

gladly accept.

Listen!

Stay out of this. All of you!

That was splendid.

Magnificent.

Come on!

In front of you!

Watch out!

Gyobu!

Gyobu!

Get on, Gyobu!

Run.

Run!

Run straight ahead!

Thank you, Gyobu!

Gyobu!

All set?

I'd like to speak to you privately.

Oman. You can stay here.

Tell me!

Master Takechiyo...

has arrived here, safe and sound.

You idiot!

You couldn't even kill one child?

How can you even be a minister?

I can't trust you anymore.

All right.

I do not want to see your face ever again!

Get out of here! Go away!

Oman.

You take care of...

-Takechiyo instead. -Shogun!

Are you trying

-to destroy our government? -What?

The Kishu domain has already been approaching.

Masamori Hotta must've arranged this before he died.

So what?

Don't you understand this, Shogun?

I thought you were aware that the Lord of Kishu

is trying to rule this country.

Shogun.

It was all my fault.

I'm ready...

for any kind of punishment.

But...

you shouldn't assassinate Takechiyo in public.

Not at this castle, where all the lords gather.

If Master Takechiyo is killed, it's impossible to hide the murder!

I beg you.

It's too late, Shogun.

Please give up on killing your own son.

If not...

it would be a violation of the law.

The law of samurai, which states a first son should--

-Shut up! -The father who killed his son--

—Silence! -No excuse can justify it.

If I leave you, Shogun,

the lord of Kishu domain

rises and denounces you. Other lords would follow.

Also, there are over 400,000 masterless samurai nationwide.

If they rise...

it's going to be a civil war!

Shut up, I said! Oman!

What are you waiting for?

Your father made tea for you.

Don't drink it.

-What's the matter? -It's for the young master.

-I'm his nanny. I'll taste it-- -Don't.

It's rude that a nanny tries tea that the shogun made.

-Go away. -No.

That sword...

Where did you get it?

A man gave it to me.

The man who sacrificed his life to protect the young master.

Is his name...

Gyobu Igo?

Oman.

Oman!

I thought...

obeying the shogun was the right way.

No matter how unreasonable his order is.

I suppressed all my sentiments.

I sometimes had to be cruel.

I dedicated my life to serve you.

But I realize now.

I should've challenged you.

I should've challenged your unreasonable orders.

Even if it would cost my life...

Such nonsense!

Listen.

Do not appear before me ever again!

You'll be on leave for a while.

Wait for further punishment!

Oman!

What's going on?

Master Takechiyo...

is your son.

Your Excellency, Young Master struggled.

He struggled desperately to be loved by you.

Your Excellency.

Do you still want Young Master to die?

Young Master.

Why don't you beg him for your life?

No!

What?

No!

Why, Oman?

Why...

Why didn't you follow my order...

I gave you everything.

Everything that you wanted!

Everything that women would crave.

Wealth, status, and power.

-You've had it all! -Your Excellency.

But you didn't give me anything I wanted.

You robbed my husband.

You robbed my happiness!

Because... because I loved you.

I...

I was...

-in love with you-- -Selfish!

I always cursed you in my mind as I was in your arms.

Finally, my curse worked. You're dying.

Suffer.

Suffer more before you go to hell.

Be quiet!

The shogun passed away

from a sudden illness.

Just now.

He died suddenly from illness!

THE HIGHEST RANKING GIVEN AS HIS DHARMA NAME

The third shogun, Iemitsu, passed away in 1651.

Minister Abe followed him. Takechiyo succeeded the shogun.

If I survive, will we win?

Run.

Run! Run straight ahead!