Original subtitles

During World War ll,

During World War ll,

the United States, England & Russia formed an alliance.

Japan, Germany, and ltaly also formed alliances.

This was worldwide, and many other countries were involved.

Throughout history, alliances like these are formed...

and dissolved for ideological and economical reasons.

During the warring era, alliances were strengthened by marriages.

Takeda Harunobu's older sister married lmagawa Yoshimoto,

and lmagawa Yoshimoto's sister married Hojo Ujiyasu.

Kai, Suruga, and Sagami formed a strong alliance.

But, they were surrounded by strong lords,

Nagao, Uesuji, and Oda.

Hojo Ujiyasu in Sagami,

Imagawa Yoshimoto in Suruga,

and Takeda Harunobu in Kai...

are going to unite with solid ties.

Takeda Shingen

Episode 19: "Three Country Alliance"

Screenplay: Tamukai Masatake

Original Story: Nitta Jiro

Music: Yamamoto Naozumi

Original Subtitles JN Productions, lnc. (Hawaii)

Transcribed and Edited Subtitles Kame Fansubs

Narrator: Wakao Ayako

CAST

Takeda Harunobu NAKAl KllCHl

Nagao Kagetora SHlBATA KYOHEl

Lady Sanjo KONNO MlSAKO

Otsune FURUMURA HlRO

Gensuke MURAKAMl HlROAKl

Obu Toramasa KODAMA KlYOSHl

Obu Saburobyoei SHlNODA SABURO

Sanada Yukitaka HASHlZUME lSAO

Imagawa Yoshimoto NAKAMURA KANKURO

Matusda Norihide lNOUE TAKAO

Jukeini KlSHlDA KYOKO

Takeda Nobutora HlRA MlKlJlRO

Naoe Sanetsuna UTSUl KEN

Yae OGAWA MAYUMl

Hojo Ujiyasu SUGl RYOTARO

Producer: Murakami Satoshi

Director: Fuse Minoru

Tonight's tale concerns the tripartite alliance.

However, I would like to first digress to 1554.

You shall receive a name from Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru,

and be called Yoshinobu.

The word "Yoshi"...

is an honored name of the Shogun's house.

It stands for justice.

The word "Nobu" has long been used among the Takeda.

A word possessing nobility.

Never bring disgrace upon your name, Yoshinobu.

Yes. I solemnly vow...

never to bring disgrace upon my name.

Now you are truly the successor to the Takeda.

I am most grateful.

All that remains is to produce a child.

Otsune...

Are you not yet with child?

No.

Too loving a couple do not have children.

The whole palace knows of your fondness for each other.

Can that be the reason?

Forgive me, my lord.

Children will bring true happiness to your marriage.

I offer my encouragement.

Gensuke...

Formal attire suits you well.

I hereby decree...

that your name, "Kasuga Gensuke," be changed.

In the attack upon Koiwadake Castle,

you fought admirably.

As a reward, I confer upon you the rank of Danjo-no-jo.

You shall be Masanobu, "Nobu" from my own name.

You shall be Kasuga Danjo Masanobu.

You shall be a general in charge of 150 horsemen.

Thank you, my lord!

I will strive evermore...

never to disgrace the name of Kasuga Danjo Masanobu.

My lord!

What is it?

Sir Okabe is here from Suruga.

Okabe?

Did the Hojo march into Yoshiwara?

Yes. He seems intent upon invading our land.

Please help us, that we may teach the evil Hojo a lesson.

Very well. Tell Lord Yoshimoto...

I will dispatch troops immediately.

I am most grateful, sir.

Only...

The Takeda are at peace with the Hojo.

It is not wise to stir up trouble.

My Lord lmagawa is well aware of that.

Why not negotiate for peace?

Lord lmagawa and Hojo...

have been related for three generations.

They should reach an agreement.

It may be too late for that.

However, I doubt that either side really wishes to fight.

Lord Hojo will face danger from Echigo.

Lord lmagawa faces a threat from Owari and Mikawa.

Fighting each other would only benefit their enemies.

But, now the Hojo are cut off by Suruga and Echigo.

If you will help us,

we can attack from three sides and destroy the Hojo!

It is easier said than done.

You must not underestimate Lord Hojo.

Reporting! 800 Takeda troops left Kofu this morning,

and are heading in this direction!

Thank you.

So the Takeda are joining the fight?

Since a new marriage was made,

the Takeda cannot refuse the lmagawa.

How troublesome for the Takeda.

Sire, our flank will be in danger.

Why not pull back our troops?

Don't be hasty.

We have never faced the Takeda.

Let's see what they will do.

Are they as great as rumored?

Or, are the stories mere rumors?

Reporting!

What is it?

Takeda forces will arrive near Kariya River before dawn.

Takeda Nobushige leads approximately 800 men!

Nobushige?

Didn't Harunobu come?

It is Lord Nobushige.

Call Okabe.

Why won't Harunobu come himself?

Fearing to offend the Hojo...

Harunobu sends his brother.

Reporting.

My brother Saburobyoei has returned...

from the Sagami border.

Admit him.

Saburobyoei...

I Obu Saburobyoei have just returned, sire.

Thank you. Enter.

How were things in Sagami?

Hojo Ujiyasu's influence is great.

His subjects and retainers are calm.

However, Echigo troops threaten the north.

Lord Hojo must also fight the lmagawa in Sunpu.

His forces are divided in two.

Does Hojo really mean to attack Sunpu?

He seems intent on capturing the southern base of Mt. Fuji.

Is Odawara Castle fortified?

Its defenses are magnificent.

Its walls extend from mountain to sea.

Pirate ships maintain surveillance from the sea.

Troops at sea, too?

Hojo is cautious, so it must be difficult for Sunpu.

If we go along Sagami River to Hiratsuka,

we can attack the Hojo from the rear.

We cannot afford a fight with the Hojo now.

It would only benefit Echigo's Nagao Kagetora.

I sent Nobushige in my place...

to communicate my feelings to Lord Hojo.

A beautiful sunrise.

Magnificent!

A wonderful sunrise.

It shines upon our coming victory.

Imagawa Yoshimoto probably folds his hands in prayer,

and is saying the same thing.

But the sunrise belongs to our army.

The sun rises from the east.

The lmagawa to the west may not have seen it yet.

Omens are important in battle.

The lmagawa will never have this sunrise.

Reporting!

The Takeda have come to the Urui River!

Their numbers?

300 horsemen, 600 foot soldiers!

So Takeda Harunobu has finally shown himself?

Takeda Nobushige is their leader!

Not Harunobu?

Harunobu is nowhere in sight!

His brother, Nobushige, leads the army!

Thank you!

If Harunobu did not come himself...

Perhaps he remains in Kofu...

to hold off the Echigo troops.

Still, a direct request from the lmagawa...

should be answered personally by Harunobu.

Perhaps trouble is brewing between him and lmagawa.

Or, perhaps he has abandoned this fight.

Or...

Perhaps Harunobu will circle around us...

and attack Odawara Castle, which is not fully fortified.

Send spies to Kofu and watch Harunobu!

Watching this beautiful sunrise,

all we think about is war.

How sad life is.

It is wonderful to see my granddaughter so happy.

Otsune is a fortunate girl.

Yes.

Their marriage is so happy, they have no children as yet.

It shows on Otsune's face.

My old legs have brought me here,

because I wish to make a request.

What is it?

I will come directly to the point.

Please arrange for a peace treaty.

Being a man of reason,

you know that this is a useless war.

Please arrange for the Hojo to withdraw their forces.

Does Yoshimoto know of this?

I sent him a letter when I left Sunpu.

Then, you don't know how Yoshimoto feels yet.

Since Yoshimoto did not start this war,

he would not object to a peace treaty.

It is more difficult to make Lord Hojo lay down his sword.

We must have your help.

I would like a little time.

I have heard that...

Nagao Kagetora crossed the northern sea last year...

and went to Kyoto.

I have heard the rumors.

The Emperor granted Nagao Kagetora a special audience,

and gave him an lmperial mandate.

Kagetora's enemies will be the Emperor's.

And, Kagetora must punish them all.

That should be a cause of concern to you.

In order to face Kagetora's Echigo army,

you must make peace as soon as possible.

How shameful.

Fighting amongst retainers!

Forgive me, sire.

I will make them stop quarreling immediately.

Won't the fighting ever stop?

Punish those who fight for selfish gain!

This contains a special mandate from the Emperor.

He personally asked that I bring justice to his empire!

Sad to say...

the Emperor himself has fallen upon poor times.

How can we be fighting over territory?

For shame!

How pitiful...

How lamentable...

The scorched plains of Kyoto...

The palace in disrepair...

I cannot ignore this!

I will lead my army to the capital...

and establish justice in the land!

First, I must punish the Hojo and Takeda.

I was given the mandate!

But, I have returned home...

to find my subjects in never ending squabbles!

How can I embark on a war of righteousness?!

The Hojo, Takeda and lmagawa are fighting each other.

Now is the time to attack!

With their main forces occupied,

we can destroy the Hojo and Takeda.

But, with unrest in our clan, we cannot march.

I could...

I could never face the Emperor.

What do the Takeda want?

A peace treaty.

This is why Harunobu did not appear.

He and Yoshimoto may not be in complete agreement.

What will you do?

First, we should speak to them.

I would like to meet Harunobu.

...Yoshimoto, too.

To make the Hojo withdraw...

it is best to rely on Harunobu.

I do not wish to accept his help.

Rather than coming in person,

he sent his younger brother, Nobushige.

Why does that matter?

You know his true desires. Use them.

Mother, you are too meddlesome!

Leave the fighting to me.

Even without a peace treaty,

we could have crushed the Hojo!

You must not fight the Hojo.

What is you should be killed in this petty quarrel?

Your road lies to the west.

In the east, the Hojo and Takeda are nothing.

Don't order me about!

I am not a child.

East or West...

I shall decide where to march.

When I desire peace, it shall be made.

When I desire an empire, it shall be mine.

Mother, go back to Sunpu.

A treaty made in haste will only breed treachery.

It is crucial that peace be made.

Echigo cannot easily attack against a triple alliance.

We have nothing to lose by making peace.

We have everything to gain.

Go to Zentoku Temple...

and speak with envoys of lmagawa and Hojo.

Arrange for peace to be made.

I will come soon after. Inform Nobushige.

The next day at Zentokuji Temple,

retainers from the three clans met to discuss peace.

Absurd!

Fuji's southern base has always belonged to us!

Ridiculous.

The lmagawa gave these lands to our ancestor Hojo Soun.

How can you say it's yours?

Again I say, the first condition for peace...

is that the Hojo withdraw to their territory.

They must also vow never to invade us again!

If not, the war goes on!

What's so funny?!

A mediator must be cheerful.

We never asked the Takeda to mediate.

Peace talks cannot be settled with angry voices.

We have yet to decide if we want a peace treaty.

Peace talks are not a priority of my lord.

If you do not want a mediator,

I shall leave!

You are the ones who proposed peace.

My lord says the peace must be more than words.

It might be interesting to end negotiations now.

Still, no one will benefit by starting the war again.

Since we three have the opportunity to discuss this,

it is our duty to reach an agreement.

Let us start once more from the beginning.

For instance...

Why not make new marriages among the three clans?

Then, we do not need to set conditions for peace.

With marriages between our clans,

our bonds will be strengthened.

We don't need to be suspicious of one another.

We will be free to do as we please.

First, the Hojo must withdraw to their own territory.

Sir Okabe, when an alliance is formed,

there is no fighting over territory.

Right, Sir Matsuda?

It all depends on what my lord wishes.

A marriage alliance?

That's not bad.

We can avoid trouble for the time being.

Before long...

Suruga and Kai will be mine.

Another marriage with the lowborn Hojo...?

It makes my skin crawl.

However, if I am to march westward,

I cannot have the Hojo at my back.

I can deal with them...

after I have marched to Kyoto and conquered Japan.

Till then, I shall be tolerant...

of the Hojo and Takeda bumpkins.

An alliance by marriage...

will free me to fight Kagetora.

When I have destroyed Kagetora...

after that...

the seas of Sagami and Suruga...

will belong to me.

We lmagawa have brought the three clans together.

Is that so?

How are you feeling?

Being ill is my only pleasure.

When that is gone, I will die.

Such pessimism! From you, of all people...

I want to die!

He constantly says it, always drawing his sword.

I don't know what to do with him!

Why not go on a trip?

How time flies.

My life, though, is at a standstill.

I was banished more than ten years ago.

Though times and people have changed,

I am like a doll that merely sits!

I want to die.

If that is your wish, no one will stop you.

A man should not make empty threats!

Think of the piteous dayfly.

It may wish to live, but cannot.

A man should appreciate life.

Do not worry, Lady Jukeini.

Lord Nobutora has no intention of dying.

I'll show you!

Lord Nobutora!

Lord Nobutora!

Stop him, Ran!

He is pretending, as always.

He isn't! Stop him!

No one will stop you.

Show us!

Help!

Traitor...

Let me return to Kai!

Let me return to Kai!

Harunobu...

Disloyal son!

Zentokuji

I never dreamed we three would ever meet.

The gods must have brought us together.

Most wonderful, isn't it, Lord lmagawa?

Yes, indeed.

The three of us have never met before.

It is strange, indeed.

My sister is married to Lord Hojo,

and my daughter is married to Lord Takeda's son.

Moreover, his father Nobutora is my guest.

We should drink together sometimes.

We are all family.

Is your mother Jukeini well?

She is in excellent health. Women never fade.

By the way, Lord Takeda...

I understand you are fighting with Nagao Kagetora.

How is it going?

He is a mighty foe.

Is that so?

Have you fought him?

A few times.

What happened?

Kagetora is young.

How beautiful Mt. Fuji looks today.

We are seeing the front of Mt. Fuji.

Its lines are so graceful when not obscured by foothills.

It is beautiful, indeed.

This can be seen nowhere else.

Mt. Fuji is indeed majestic.

Only...

Is anything wrong?

Only, I fear it is a little too close.

I would rather view it from afar.

Perhaps I am prejudiced, living so far away.

One must gaze upwards at the sacred mountain.

From far away, its magic dwindles.

Indeed, you are quite right.

Lord Takeda. Seen from Kai...

the back of Mt. Fuji must be quite different.

No one in Kai thinks of the view...

as the "back" of Mt. Fuji.

I fear I have been rude.

Forgive me.

No, it is of no concern.

People of old maintain that the front of Mt. Fuji...

should be the side which is covered with foothills.

I have never heard such a thing.

When you hear the reason, you will agree.

Please tell me.

Fuji is a sacred mountain worshipped for its powers.

The front should be where its feet are covered.

Its mystical powers will vanish if its bare rump is exposed.

Is that so?

Mountain clans have their own way of thinking.

"Bare rump," indeed.

Kai is a mountain clan.

Hills as far as the eye can see.

A quaint outlook, indeed. Hills as far as the eye can see.

A quaint outlook, indeed.

A Fuji with a bare rump...!

Lord Hojo...

Let's discuss the peace treaty.

Lord lmagawa, may we begin?

OK. "Bare rump"...!

My son Ujizane shall wed a daughter of the Hojo.

Done.

Then, my son Ujimasa will wed a daughter of Lord Takeda.

He shall have my daughter Ume.

Since my son Yoshinobu is wed to Lord lmagawa's daughter,

our three clans are now joined by new marriages.

Are there any objections?

No, this is an occasion to celebrate.

I don't have any objections either.

Then, let us write down the conditions for peace...

and swear to abide by them.

Agreed.

Likewise.

Since I am giving my daughter in marriage,

I will have to withdraw my troops.

Please be kind to her.

Please be kind to Otsune.

Of course.

Please be kind to Ume.

Someday, I may need your help in fighting Kagetora.

Likewise.

Then, farewell, my lords.

Then, until we meet again...

As a parting gift,

may I have Kansuke's wife and children?

Done.

Farewell.

"Bare rump"...

Harunobu no longer faced a threat from the south.

Now, he would be free to fight Nagao Kagetora.

However, women must weep when peace is made.

They are sent away to strange lands as hostages.

It was an evil age.

I end my tale for tonight.

To be continued.

To be continued.