Original subtitles

Hello!

Yes, it's true!

Uesugi is heading to Kawanakajima with 12,000 men.

Yes.

There was no telephone in the warring era,

so this was not possible.

Then, how was information relayed?

Using a relay of fast horses,

the 160 kilometers from Kawanakajima would require 6 hours.

During the warring era,

the fastest method for communication...

was signal smoke.

Shingen developed the largest...

and most elaborate communication network in Japan.

There were 5 battles in Kawanakajima over 12 years.

Three routes were used from Kawanakajima,

and only required one and a half hours to communicate information.

"As swift as the wind," and with straight roads,

Shingen overcame Uesugi's advantage of closeness to Kawanakajima.

Today's signal is only one stream of smoke,

Is the destination Kawanakajima or Suwa?

Takeda Shingen

Episode 15: "Mother and Child"

Screenplay: Tamukai Masatake

Original Story: Nitta Jiro

Music: Yamamoto Naozumi

Original Subtitles JN Productions, lnc. (Hawaii)

Transcribed and Edited Subtitles Kame Fansubs

Lady Kita/Narrator: Wakao Ayako

CAST

Takeda Harunobu NAKAl KllCHl

Lady Sanjo KONNO MlSAKO

Princess Koi MlNAMlNO YOKO

Otsune FURUMURA HlRO

Gensuke MURAKAMl HlROAKl

Obu Toramasa KODAMA KlYOSHl

Tachiki AZAKl SHlGERU

Sanada Yukitaka HASHlZUME lSAO

Takeda Nobutora HlRA MlKlJlRO

Yae OGAWA MAYUMl

Producer: Murakami Satoshi

Director: Fuse Minoru

Two years ago, I lost my daughter Otoyo,

who was married to Lord lmagawa.

But now, I was to share her fate.

My lady...

Yes?

Lady Kita has collapsed.

What do you mean, "collapsed?"

I am not sure, but since Lady Kita is much beloved,

the messenger asked that we inform our lord.

I will pay her a visit.

No, allow me...

Lady Kita will not accept your visit.

She will ask why I haven't come.

Uehara Castle

We have only Murakami Yoshikiyo to defeat in Shinano.

However, his castle is in Kita-Shinano.

It is far from Suwa.

Therefore, we will build a new, quicker path there.

A new road?

On which our forces can move swiftly.

A direct route will be best.

A road as straight as an arrow.

A straight road.

Then, we can move swiftly into Kita-Shinano.

Suwa Mitsutaka...

You will supervise the building of this road.

In the fall, we will use this road...

to attack Murakami Yoshikiyo's castle!

Yes.

My lord...

A road alone is not enough.

In order to move swiftly,

we must know the enemy's movements.

We should first build a network of signal fires.

For example,

courier relays take one day from Kita-Shinano to Kofu.

But a fire takes less than two hours to send a message.

I see! Build many signal-fire sites?

A signal fire can tell us that the enemy is coming.

Cedar leaves make white smoke.

Decayed leaves make brown smoke.

With one more color, we can relay many messages.

Interesting.

White can mean the enemy is coming.

Brown can mean we are under attack.

Black can mean, "Get help, we are in danger." Right?

With more colors, we can relay many messages at the same time.

Exactly! It is brilliant, even for me.

Brilliant, indeed.

Ready the signal fire network by autumn.

You mean me, sire?

That's right.

It was your idea. Only you can do it.

Reporting!

What is it?

Lord Nobukado is here from Kofu.

Nobukado?

Nobukado, what happened?

Mother collapsed.

I see.

Is it serious?

Yes.

Tachiki says she has only...

No!

I will not count the days until her death.

I will come home as soon as possible.

Go home right away and watch over Mother.

Yes.

Taro...

I have come to visit, Grandmother.

You were very dear to Lady Kita.

Yes.

If only she could have stayed well until I was wed.

My mother will soon recover. Don't worry.

Yes.

Sir Obu...

Young Lord Taro has undergone his manhood rites.

What is he doing now?

He is studying the martial arts.

He is studying the martial arts. Is that so?

Is that so?

With you as his teacher,

I am sure he has become a fine warrior.

Lord Taro is fortunate to have you as his guardian.

No. Someone as lowly as me cannot do justice to the task.

Nonsense!

With your teachings and his noble Sanjo blood,

Lord Taro will be unbeatable.

He will become a great ruler of the Takeda.

If that should happen,

I could hope for no greater joy.

Sir Obu...

Beware.

Princess Koi manipulates our lord...

in hopes of making her son, Shiro, the successor.

I am your ally.

Beware of Princess Koi.

Mother is very ill.

I must leave for Kofu before dawn.

Yes.

I could hardly see you here in Suwa.

I cannot rest until I defeat Murakami.

Your mere presence in Suwa is enough for me.

Only, I feel guilty about Lady Sanjo.

You worry too much about others.

When will you return next?

Not until autumn.

Do not worry.

I will come back as soon as possible.

I vowed to be a bridge between Suwa and Kai,

but when you go back to Kai,

I feel you have abandoned Shiro and me.

I even resent the sound of waves.

Though awake, I had a strange dream.

Nobutora was sitting at my side...

and crying.

I was Nobutora's mother.

Without wondering at the strangeness of it all,

I tried to comfort Nobutora.

But, like a helpless child,

But, like a helpless child, he would not stop crying.

he would not stop crying.

Didn't Mother speak?

I think she did.

Didn't she call Father's name?

I heard her say "Nobutora."

Yes, that is what she said.

Mother...

Mother...

No, Nobukado.

But she might awaken.

She may have been delirious.

Welcome home.

How is she?

She continues to sleep.

Thank you both for looking after her.

Brother...

Late last night, Mother spoke Father's name.

She did?

Can't we grant Mother's wish?

What do you mean?

I wish to let her see Father again.

You want to bring Father back from Suruga?

Just for a short while.

We'll send Father back to Suruga on the same day.

Mother's wishes should be respected.

I cannot allow it.

Mother might die.

Since she called his name,

shouldn't we be good sons and let them say farewell?

Nobushige...

Mother and Father are my parents also.

I understand how you feel.

However, if I let Father return,

wouldn't it upset both Mother and Father?

Moreover, would we be good sons...

by admitting Father to Kai for only one day?

Then, why not let Father...

Iive out his life here with Mother?

Father no longer has power.

You do not know Father's true nature.

It is you who does not know Father.

Hatred can make you see a saint as an ogre.

It is not out of hatred...

that I banished Father to Suruga.

It was for our clan.

Brother...

Everyone knows of the strife between you and Father.

Why not admit that you keep Father away because you hate him?

Works of art cannot be painted with logic.

Ruling a clan is the same.

One must build on feelings.

Nobukado...

Art is all you know.

You cannot rule with hatred.

Reason is the first step toward building a clan.

If we relent and allow Father to return now,

Father will retain his power,

throwing the clan into chaos.

Why?

Because Father and l will be forced to clash.

The enemy is strong, so our lord has no time for poetry.

How sad, if Yoshimoto cannot compose poems.

By the way, my lord...

I chose this lucky day to come.

Have you considered the proposal of two years ago?

What proposal?

It concerns the marriage between your son Taro...

and our Princess Tsune of the lmagawa.

Oh, that proposal?

Yes. Several years ago, when the proposal was made,

Taro had not received his manhood rites,

but now he is a fine young warrior.

All that remains is for him to take a bride.

I am truly grateful, but I must consult Taro first.

Rest assured.

Lord Nobutora sent Lady Sanjo a letter,

and informed her of the lmagawa family's wishes.

In her reply, she said that Lord Taro was willing.

Is that so?

My work has kept me so busy,

that I have little time to see Taro.

It's quite a problem.

Welcome home.

Your mother's sudden illness...

must have come as a shock to you.

Why didn't you tell me...

of Taro's marriage plans with the lmagawa?

Don't conceal it!

I wasn't...

You received a letter from my father...

and sent a reply concerning the marriage.

I haven't done anything wrong.

My father has been banished.

You were wrong not to show me the letter.

Moreover, it is outrageous to give them Taro's answer.

A marriage between clans is no frivolous matter...

to be settled by a woman.

The marriage could affect the future of Kai.

Don't you know that?

In the letter,

your father mentioned Lady Jukeini's wishes.

She lamented the loss of your sister Otoyo,

and prayed that our clans could be joined anew.

No one would object to such a thing.

That is all I said.

You don't understand!

Your words were considered to be the wishes of the Takeda.

Why didn't you tell me?

A marriage between clans is no happy occasion.

It is war.

Even a single letter holds great significance.

Send Taro to the main hall.

Taro...

Yes.

Did your mother ask you about a marriage proposal?

Yes, she did.

What was your answer?

Yes. I said I would be happy to accept.

Why didn't you tell me?

Obu...

Did you know about this?

Yes. Lord Taro asked me not to tell anyone.

Didn't you think it was strange that I did not mention it?

I believed that you would inform me later.

What are you teaching Taro?!

He is the heir to the Takeda clan!

He is to become ruler of Kai!

You haven't taught him the importance of a marriage!!

Forgive me, sire!

It is not Obu's fault!

Okabe from Suruga was just here,

and asked to plan the wedding.

Okabe said you had already agreed to it.

Forgive me, sire!

It was all my fault!

Please forgive the young lord.

Why didn't you consult me?

Do you think manhood rites give you full authority?

You are heir, not the ruler.

You cannot dictate affairs of state!

Taro. You behaved with arrogance.

Take care!

Then, I will have Mother tell Lord lmagawa...

that I refuse their proposal.

Fool!

Don't you understand?!

Clans feel each other out through marriage talks.

Don't you know the wrong answer can start a war?!

I would refuse such a marriage from the start!

Even a marriage between clans...

is based on sincerity and courtesy.

A marriage made with ulterior motives...

...is wrong!

I gave my consent to the marriage.

The wedding is in the fall.

I refuse!

You cannot!

A pact made between two countries is just.

Injustice is born when the pact is broken.

It is the same for marriage!

There is no right or wrong in marriage.

I refuse!

My lord! Stop!

If you refuse, you can never rule the Takeda clan.

Shiro can take your place as my heir.

Do you want that?

My lord...

It is Lady Kita...

Very well.

Mother...

She has awakened.

Mother...

How nice to see you all together.

So like old times.

We were worried. You were in a deep sleep.

Was l?

It was like a long, long dream.

Now that you are well, we don't need to worry.

I was so sleepy.

Mother, if I may say so,

I sat here all night without a wink of sleep.

Don't worry.

Nobukado kept dozing off all night.

He will always be a child.

Always exaggerating.

You are the one who was sleeping. Snoring, too.

Now you are starting to fib.

You are still worse.

Quiet.

Mother, what is the matter?

I cannot die and leave you all behind.

Nonsense. You are no longer ill.

Tomorrow you will rise from your bed.

Harunobu...

Yes.

Take care of your brothers.

Mother, what is the matter?

Nobushige...

Nobukado...

Be kind to each other and help Harunobu.

Understand?

Mother...

Harunobu...

Yes.

Harunobu...

There is one more thing I must tell you.

Yes.

No matter what may happen,

you must never go west.

Yes.

The only lands you must rule are Kai and Shinano.

Protect these lands with your life.

With the armies of Kai and the fertile fields of Shinano,

the people of both lands can long live in peace.

Remember...

Never turn to the west.

Yes.

If you turn west, seeking to conquer the capital,

you will only find evil spirits and monsters.

The conquest of Japan is merely a bad dream.

Remember, never turn west.

To go to the capital is to die.

You must never forget this.

Yes.

Now I am done.

I am a fortunate woman.

Mother...

You are all good boys.

Please look after my lord.

Mother...

Call her back!

Call her back! Stop the god of death!

Mother!

Mother!

Mother!

Mother! Mother!! Mother!!!

I didn't summon any priests!!!

Begone!!

How can I die and leave my sons behind?

Though my body has died,

I must remain on earth and watch over my sons.

Please understand a mother's concern.

In early autumn,

Taro and Tsune, Lord lmagawa's daughter, were married.

I will end my story here.

Next, I will tell of the defeat of Lord Murakami.

To be continued.

To be continued.