Original subtitles

Written By: Mitani Kobi

Music By: Hattori Takayuki

Narrator: Udo Yumiko

CAST

Sanada Nobushige: Sakai Masato

Sanada Nobuyuki: Oizumi Yo

Kiri: Nagasawa Masami

Ume: Kuroki Haru

Takanashi Naiki: Nakahara Takeo

Sasuke: Fujii Takashi

Uesugi Kagekatsu: Endo Kenichi

Lady Acha: Saito Yuki

Ideura Masasuke: Terajima Susumu

Muroga Masatake: Nishimura Masahiko

Tori: Kusabue Mitsuko

Kaoru: Takahata Atsuko

Honda Masanobu: Kondo Masaomi

Tokugawa Ieyasu: Uchino Seiyo

Sanada Masayuki: Kusakari Masao

Producers: Yoshikawa Kunio Yashiki Yotaro

Translations by MTI

Director: Tanaka Tadashi

Episode 12: Hostage

Muroga Masatake, the Tokugawa assassin,

was killed by Sanada Masayuki.

As a result, the Sanada Clan subjugated Chiisagata in Shinshu.

It also started the long struggle against the Tokugawa.

SHINANO - UEADA CASTLE

How do you know where to find me?

A place with a nice view,

also means you are completely visible.

That's true.

Isn't the view magnificent?

Indeed, it is a castle.

A huge difference from the previous mansion.

I want to thank you.

For what?

For that time.

Don't just stand there!

Are you alright with this?

Poor Ume.

You don't have to thank me.

It just came out.

You voiced my feelings.

Let's leave it at that.

We've come far... the Sanada family and I.

When I told my brother I didn't know which direction to head,

He said I can only go forward.

I know where I'm going.

It's where you go.

Does that scare you? Do you think I'm crazy?

Don't worry. I know my place.

During this period, Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated Hideyoshi in battle

at Komaki-Nagakute, and won fame throughout Japan.

Ieyasu: Look at my wound of honor. TOTOMI - HAMAMATSU CASTLE

Impossible, when you haven't fought in battle. TOTOMI - HAMAMATSU CASTLE

I have gone to battle.

I issued orders from the main camp.

You've gained weight.

His heavy armor weight down on his shoulders, turning them red.

What is it, again?

It's about the Sanada.

Oh, the Sanada.

You ordered Muroga Masatake to kill Sanada Masayuki.

Did Masayuki die?

No, Muroga was killed instead.

What a disappointment Muroga turned out to be.

Don't bite your nails.

What will you do now?

Now if the Hojo were to become our enemy,

they can destroy us using a pincer attack with the Toyotomi.

We must take back Numata from the Sanada by all means,

and give it to the Hojo.

That's true.

Are the Sanada going to side with the Uesugi?

I highly doubt it.

They recently betrayed the Uesugi.

No....you never know...

We should play it safe.

All right.

Don't...bite your nails.

I wrote a letter to the Uesugi.

What?!

I asked that the Sanada become Uesugi vassals.

I received a reply.

They said no.

I don't blame them.

that was unexpected.

I can't believe that you even sent them a letter.

No matter how you look at it, they wouldn't go for it.

But hey helped us with Numata.

That was just one time.

Life isn't easy.

As solid as this castle may be,

surrounded on all sides by enemies...

we stand no chance to be victorious.

In order to sever ties with the Tokugawa,

we need the Uesugi.

That's what I thought.

Send another letter to the Uesugi.

Certainly.

We will sever ties with the Tokugawa,

after we are in favor with the Uesugi.

Tell the Uesugi we will do whatever they say.

So persistent.

Sanada Masayuki is extremely thick-skinned. ECHIGO - KASUGAYAMA CASTLE

Don't even consider forgiving him.

He said he'll do whatever we want.

Don't bother with him.

Let's make an unreasonable demand,

and see how he responds.

What did the Uesugi say?

To give them a hostage if we want their alliance.

A hostage?

I guess we have no choice.

Grandmother just returned from the Tokugawa.

She seems tired lately.

It's not Grandmother.

Will Mother agree to go?

Not Kaoru either.

Then...

Don't tell me... it's me?

I think this turned out for the best.

I wanted some time away from Father.

But...

This is part of my duty.

There are things you can do as a hostage.

Besides, I don't dislike Uesugi Kagekatsu.

True. He appears to be an upright man.

He values honor.

Unlike someone I know.

I wonder how long you will be a hostage?

It could a month or a year.

If Father defies Uesugi again, then they will kill me.

You have to see your child's face.

Let's come back alive.

I want to go, too.

You may not come back alive.

That's the fate of a hostage.

Stay here.

If anything should happen to me,

raise him into a fine man who'll protect the Sanada.

Please bear me a fine child.

I certainly will.

I hope to be back by the time the child is born.

Hey... that's not good for the baby.

I feel sorry for you.

Just when you thought you could live with him,

this happens.

It can't be helped. It's for the clan.

It's not funny at all!

What is it?

Ume, you're so prim and proper that it is not funny.

It's not that I want to entertain you anyway.

What a good wife you are.

Thank you.

How are you feeling?

What do you mean?

I don't know much, but do you have morning sickness?

Not yet.

Are you in your third month?

What is it?

Wait a minute.

How did you know you were pregnant?

What's going on?

I just had that feeling.

Did you lie?

It's not a lie, but a form of strategy.

What?

I had to prod Sir Genjiro into action.

This is a secret.

But I'm sure it'll work out.

It's a nice day.

I'm going to walk a bit for my health.

So that I can bear a healthy child.

ECHIGO - KASUGAYAMA CASTLE

The Lord is busy with previous visitors.

Wait here for a while.

He'll call for you later.

Understood.

How rude, when he named you as the hostage.

Don't say that. That's how it is for hostages.

I wonder who are they?

It looks like they are here to make an appeal.

Directly to the Lord?

I've never heard of a Lord directly hearing the people's requests.

It appears that Kagekatsu does not discriminate by status.

The Lord will personally hear you out.

Representative, follow me.

Thank you!

Wait a minute. We are...

Wait your turn!

How rude!

Why are they going before you?

They were here first.

Please do something!

Please!

I have heard your side.

I'll look into it and give you an favorable reply shortly.

We appreciate that!

Wait quietly until further notice.

Genjiro Nobushige has arrived from the Sanada.

Send him in.

Certainly.

It's a strife between villages,

on who has fishing right to a certain shore.

We have a lot of those problems, too.

Please follow me.

This is the third time I've met you.

Thank you for helping us protect Numata Castle from the Hojo.

Do you know why I named you?

No.

I tested Masayuki,

to see if he had the willingness and magnanimity to send his own son.

But that wasn't all.

I wanted to see you again.

You wanted to see me?

Yes.

I couldn't forget your face when you came to seek help.

At that time, you were staking your life on it.

And you were confident you'd win in the gamble.

That was how you looked.

I wanted to see you, Genjiro.

Thank you.

Though a hostage, you will be treated here as a guest.

Don't hesitate to ask for anything to make your stay comfortable.

Thank you for your consideration.

The Uesugi do not engage unjust battles.

But if we are attacked,

we will confront them.

We will not invade others for personal gain.

That's wonderful.

That's Lord Uesugi Kenshin's belief.

You listened intently to the fishermen's quarrels, too.

You were listening?

Not everyone does that.

In governing,

it's important that your people can live with peace of mind.

If you can't grasp what's in your people's hearts,

it's not sound government.

For Numata castle,

you were trying to defeat the Hojo without anyone dying.

Lord Kenshin's spirit of cherishing the people...

I saw that in you.

I am very honored.

Come.

If he forgoes justice,

and lives only for personal gain,

what will become of him?

Remember Oda Nobunaga's miserable end.

Your death will reflect your life.

So live honorably.

The Uesugi welcomed him warmly.

Kagekatsu is opposite of me, and is very righteous.

Genjiro can learn a lot from him.

Can we assume we are in good graces with the Uesugi?

Not exactly.

What do you mean?

I received a letter from Naoe Kanetsugu (Uesugi councilor)

He's making more demands.

Return Numata Castle to the Uesugi.

It was originally a castle governed by the Uesugi.

If you return it,

we will have an amicable relationship with the Sanada.

Numata Castle is out of the question!

That is a difficult one.

To begin with, we're fighting with the Hojo over Numata.

That is why we are seeking help from the Uesugi.

If we hand Numata over the the Uesugi,

it'll only get confusing.

Isn't that good?

What?

It was worth sending Genjiro as a hostage.

This is his job.

Excellent!

Try it.

No. I haven't learned the form yet.

Please teach me.

I received word from Ueda Castle.

That you asked for Numata Castle.

That's news to me.

You didn't know?

Must be (councilor) Kanetsugu.

He is in charge of negotiations with the other provinces.

It's an important castle to the Sanada.

We can't hand it over.

Could Sir Naoe be aware of it

and is making unreasonable demands?

What makes you say that?

To find out the Sanada's true intentions.

He's a cautious man.

But that's also why the Uesugi has survived.

I can talk to (Naoe) Kanetsugu for you.

Please do!

Leave things to me.

Please help us!

Almost three months have gone by.

Please do something.

We are looking into it.

Wait a bit longer.

The Lord said he'd take immediate measures!

Left alone, the villages will clash and it'll turn into chaos.

People could die!

I heard you. Leave for today.

It has to be resolved at once!

Leave!

Stop being persistent!

What are you doing?!

Let us go!

What are you doing?!

Let go!

Excuse me.

What?

I don't know the situation,

but why isn't it being resolved quickly?

You must be the Sanada hostage.

It looked like you were putting it off.

That's right, we are.

Why is that?

I feel bad turning them away, but there's nothing we can do.

But the Lord promised them.

He likes to put up a good front.

Put up a good front?

He makes promises he can't keep, so the burden falls on us.

Promises he can't keep?

I wish he'd think a little more before he speaks.

Sorry to always put up a good front.

Lord!

Shall I slay him?

Never mind.

Go.

You don't know how it is since Shinano has no sea shore.

Unlike a field, there are no border at sea.

Which is why conflicts arise between the fishermen.

The Lord said he'd resolve immediately.

That's just how he is.

When he sees someone in trouble, he offers help.

Isn't it his vassals' duty to grant his wish?

If we could, we would.

But what can't be done, can't be done.

Why?

It isn't the only place that is appealing.

There will be endless strife.

There is no end to it.

The Uesugi have no time to be bothered with that.

Does the Lord know?

There were too many battles.

I can only listen to what they have to say.

This is the real me.

Life isn't rosy.

To be honest, up until yesterday...

I respected you.

Sir Genjiro, watch what you are saying.

But not anymore?

Right now, I like you more than anything.

Don't tell me, even about Numata Castle...

Oh that.

Did you talk to Sir Naoe?

Not yet.

What about Numata Castle?

My father said he can't relinquish it to the Uesugi.

Then you got my answer.

The Uesugi won't join hands with the Sanada.

That's all there is to it.

NAOETSU

It's a fine port.

Yes, it is.

Naoetsu, Kashiwazaki, and Teradomari...

In Echigo, there are ports that Lord Kenshin cherished.

Thanks to these ports, Echigo grew.

But the ships are few now.

It was bustling before.

During Lord Kenshin's days, that is.

Is that so?

I hope to restore it to what it was.

The weather is nice.

Shall we go to the shore?

Yes.

What's going on?

This looks bad.

They're arguing.

That problematic shore is up again.

North and South shore?

Shall I go check on it?

Ignore it.

I'm going to check it out.

No!

Lord, please hide your face.

What happened?

The Hot Iron Oath is about to start.

What is that?

In order to settle disputes,

a trial is held before God.

Excuse me.

Through the warring era and into the early Edo period,

it was a ritual that sought judgment from the God.

Two people with differing opinions,

would grasp the red hot iron.

The one who is able to take it to a designated spot,

is deemed to be in the right.

The loser would be executed for deceiving the god.

Let's start with the North shore.

Am I supposed to put it on this?

And carry it to the stand.

If Jihei of the North shore drops it along the way,

then the shallows will belong to the South shore.

If Matakichi of the South shore drops it,

then the shallows will belong to the North shore.

If both sides drop it, we will repeat this with other people.

If both don't drop it, the one with lighter burns is the victor.

Go on, Jihei.

I don't want to do this!

I don't want to do this!

Jihei!

Let's stop this.

Who said that?

You won't gain a true answer doing this.

It's a traditional ritual.

Do you honestly think this will give you a sound judgment?

Of course.

This is the best way to get a divine answer.

Who are you?

This is Sir Sanada Genjiro Nobushige.

He's a guest of the Uesugi.

Magistrate, let's stop this.

Not possible.

Even if a person won the judgment,

he can't go out fishing with burnt palms.

That is how strict this rituals is.

Let's do this then.

I think you should stop this ritual.

You think this is the only solution.

So, you and I are in complete disagreement.

Let's ask God who is right.

What?

Let us do it too.

Get it ready.

Wait.

What are you suggesting?

You and I will hold the hot iron.

to see who will make it.

Don't be ridiculous!

I am serious!

Don't you know? The loser will die.

I don't think I'll lose.

If you think you are in the right in what you say,

please be confident.

He is ready.

I will go first.

You must do the paperwork first.

I'll let the Lord know later.

Stop!

On second thought, we needn't use this ritual to settle it.

Jihei and Matakichi.

Why don't you talk it over some more?

What?

Enough!

Lord?

The Lord is here!

It is my fault.

I should have given you people more consideration.

Lord!

I understand both sides.

I promise to do something this time.

Please wait a little longer.

Will you really?

Yes, I will.

Are you putting up a good front again?

You're being insolent.

I have an idea.

The quandary is, do the shallows belong to the North or the South?

That is what has to be decided, correct?

Good clams can be dug in abundance in the shallows.

That is why we fight over it when spring comes.

What do you say to this?

Why don't you split the days?

For example, the North shore people will go out today,

and the South shore people will go out tomorrow.

Take turns in days?

No, that won't work.

What if one side takes all the days with good tide?

We'll end up fighting again.

Then go according to the moon.

Switch turns every full moon when the tides are good.

Wouldn't that be fair?

How wise of the Lord!

We have no gripes about that!

I'll go back and discuss this with the villagers.

What do you think, everyone?

It looks like the matter has been resolved.

You are a good strategist like your father.

I enjoyed it.

The way you handled it was excellent.

It was only possible with your help.

The fishermen were happy.

If I were more reliable, they wouldn't have turned to the Gods.

Protecting livelihoods and nurturing their minds.

That in turn will build a strong army.

In essence, a strong province.

I agree with you on that.

You taught me something important.

Genjiro.

I was thinking...

I wish I had a son like you.

What?

Masayuki is a lucky man.

Lady Ume!

Lady Ume!

It looks like Genjiro.

Genjiro's first child was a girl.

She was named Sue.

Handle her with care.

Father, she looks like you.

Did she give birth?

Is it a boy?

It is a girl?

Yes.

That's fine! Ume did well!

I don't know what you told him, but

the Lord has been thinking about his people lately,

and has been very busy mediating their disputes.

That's good.

I have more work now.

I'm sorry to hear that.

The Lord told me,

isn't it about time we forgave the Sanada?

He's taken a great liking to you.

I didn't think Masayuki would give up Numata Castle.

If he had easily agreed,

I would have been suspicious.

That he had an ulterior motive again.

The Lord feels the same way.

The Sanada's unyielding resolve to the Tokugawa and the Hojo

appears genuine this time.

The Uesugi will join hands with the Sanada again.

This is a letter from my Lord. Please give it to Masayuki.

The Uesugi promise to protect the Sanada.

If the Hojo or Tokugawa should invade,

we will send aid,

to repel them.

And...

And?

Numata in Joshu...

and Chiisagata in Shinshu...

will be acknowledged as Sanada fiefs.

Genjiro...

Good work!

The Sanada will hereby sever ties with the Tokugawa!

Sue.

What's the matter?

Are you hungry?

Let's change your diapers.

You're a good girl.

I'll clan you up right now.

The Sanada severs ties with us.

Masayuki sent his second son as hostage to the Uesugi.

The Sanada... have sided with the Uesugi.

That is troublesome.

With the Uesugi backing,

the Sanada plan to hole up in Ueda Castle,

and fight the Tokugawa.

Masayuki outsmarted me.

So our Lord built a castle for the enemy?

How nice of you.

Sanada Masayuki...

What shall I do with you?

Why don't you crush them?

In August of 1585,

The Tokugawa army, led by Torii Mototada,

marched towards Ueda Castle.

The Tokugawa army, with their vassals in Shinano,

number 7,000.

7,000?

And us?

Even if we gathered all our fores in Chiisagata,

we have only 2,000.

What about aid from the Uesugi?

I wouldn't count on it.

The Uesugi are preoccupied now.

2,000 vs. 7,000.

How shall we fight them?

Let's sally out.

We should hole up in the castle.

We will not hole up.

But if the enemy is three times our number, that would be best.

That's an obvious strategy.

Which means, the enemy expects that.

We have to outsmart the enemy to win.

Let's hear your strategy.

I have a plan in mind.

But I lack the players.

In hindsight, sending Genjiro out as a hostage...

was a bad move.

The battle between the Sanada and the Tokugawa will commence.

Yes, I know.

As the Sanada's ally, we would like to send aid immediately,

but you should know we are not in position to do so now.

Yes, I understand.

Can't we help them?

No.

I promised to send aid.

They are fully aware of your feelings.

I promised I wouldn't forsake them.

As promised,

I will help the Sanada!

I knew you were going to say that,

so I scrambled to gather soldiers within our fiefs.

Our strongest troops are out,

but I was able to gather a hundred men.

Thank you!

I know I could count on you!

I ordered them to go to Kaizu Castle.

Kaizu Castle?

That's closer to Ueda.

Lord, I would like to make another request.

What is it?

Can you include us in this 100 men force.

Don't get carried away!

This battle will decide the Sanada's fate!

Returning a hostage for a battle is unheard of!

Permission granted.

Lord!

Sanada Masayuki will feel assured if you're there.

You should go with him.

Very well.

Fight hard!

When the battle is over, be sure to come back.

Yes, sir!

I hope we make it back in time!

The decisive battle against the Tokugawa,

was quickly approaching.

END OF EPISODE 12

Charge!

It's not a battle worth your appearance.

6-Mon is the fee to cross the River Styx.

Fight with no regrets!

I thought you disliked battles.

I'm going to fight for my child.

Sir Genjiro!

Ume!

Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture, facing the Sea of Japan.

This is the land of Uesugi Kenshin during the Sengoku Era.

Kasugayama Castle was the residence of the Uesugi.

Sanada Nobushige (Yukimura) was a hostage of the Uesugi in Tensho 13 (1585)

He lived here in Kasugayama at that time.

At that time the head of the Uesugi family was Kenshin's nephew Kagekatsu...

who after Kenshin's death won a succession struggle within the Uesgui clan in 1578.

He snatched the position of heading the (Uesugi) clan.

This is the Uesugi Family Temple Rinsenji Temple.

On the Sanmon Gate is the "primary" characters written by Kenshin

It represents the family tradition of Uesugi.

Living with righteouness was the day to day motto of the Uesugi during the Sengoku Era.

This will have a significant impact on Nobushige later life.