Original subtitles

Tobu ga Gotoku

Episode 1: Satsuma Clan Family Dispute

Screenplay: Osanai Mieko

Original Story: Shiba Ryotaro

Music: Ichiyanagi Toshi

Original Subtitles: Network Japan, Inc.

Transcribed and Edited Subtitles: Kame Fansubs

Narrator: Kusano Daigo

Cast

Saigo Kichinosuke: Nishida Toshiyuki

Okubo Shosuke: Kaga Takeshi

Kiku: Tanaka Yoshiko

Saigo Masa: Fuji Manami

Akayama Yukie: Nishioka Tokuma

Oyama Katunosuke: Kanie Keizo

Saigo Kiuchibei: Sakagami Jiro

Zusho Shozaemon: Takashina Kaku

Saigo Ryuzaemon: Hamamura Jun

Saigo Kimi: Oji Michio

Abe Masahiro: Wakabayashi Go

Shimazu Hisamitsu: Takahashi Hideki

Yura: Kusabue Mitsuko

Okubo Toshiyo: Kitamura Kazuo

Shimazu Nariakira: Kayama Yuzo

Producers: Yoshimura Fumitaka & Okamura Yukiko

Director: Hirayama Takeyuki

A boat!

A boat comes from Ryukyu!

In 1846 an important report came to Satsuma...

from the Ryukyu Islands.

An English ship seeking to trade...

and carry out missionary work had appeared in the area.

This was 150 years ago, 7 years before Perry's arrival.

Make way!

Edo, Satsuma Clan Mansion

At this time, most of Japan...

slumbered in the deep sleep of an isolated country.

However, one man was alert to the danger.

Tell Councillor Abe that I need to see him urgently.

So they've come at last!

Yes, they have.

Shimazu Shuridaiyu Nariakira, 38, was the eldest son...

of the lord of Japan's southernmost fief, Satsuma.

He had been born and raised in Edo.

Only he had a true grasp of the overseas report.

Abe Ise-no-kami Masahiro

It seems this English ship, unlike the others,

disembarked a Catholic missionary and his family.

The captain is pressing the Ryukyus for trade...

and permission to carry out missionary work.

What has your father done?

Both are strictly forbidden, so neither my father,

nor the Satsuma Clan would readily agree.

They were given drinking water and wood...

and advised to leave as soon as possible.

What insolent wretches they are...

not to have heeded the orders promptly.

Have you heard about the Opium War...

that took place in China 4 years ago?

The English instigated it and used it as an excuse...

to use their superior weapons to rob Chinese of their territory.

The English may be planning to do the same thing to Ryukyu,

as well as Japan.

I understand.

We can't adhere to precedence in this situation.

That's right.

Nariakira went over your head and...

took it upon himself to advise the Councillor?

Shimazu Narioki

Even if he is a Councillor, Abe is still very young.

It seemed callow to bring up every little thing,

so I left it to Nariakira.

Yura (Narioki's concubine)

I beg to differ, but if this happens too often,

the government may treat Nariakira more as clan chief and slight you.

Yura, if you go around borrowing trouble,

you will only have more crow's feet.

A deputy is a deputy and a chief is a chief.

As long as I'm alive,

I won't let Nariakira have his way,

even if he is my son.

Zusho is worried that if someone as keen about foreign countries...

as Nariakira becomes head of the family,

our recently restored finances will be instantly reduced.

Zusho Shozaemon

That's exactly why I can't retire.

Who will succeed you? That's the problem.

Nariakira takes after his ancestor, Shimazu Shigehide,

who loved to spend money.

Since you have another son,

I would like to see the matter settled quickly.

I know.

I don't like Nariakira's fondness for foreign ways either.

I'll do something when the time comes.

Such a commotion over foreigners.

Why, I'll crush those blue-eyed devils with my bare hands.

The French descended upon the Ryukyus

on the heels of the English...

that year and drove in another wedge to open the country.

The commotion over the Black Ships...

had already begun in the islands to the south.

Chuji!

Chuji! Quickly!

Hurry, put her on this!

Hurry!

Never mind. I'll carry her on my back.

I can't let you do that.

She can't give birth here.

Give her a hand.

Hurry!

This won't work.

Grab hold of her legs.

Hurry!

Hang on, it's only a short while.

Have a healthy baby, won't you?

Hold her steady. We're off!

Make way! Make way!

Saigo Kichinosuke,

who would later be known as Saigo Takamori.

He was a minor government worker,

a district clerk whose duties included...

crop inspections and tax assessments.

Welcome home, Kichinosuke.

Did Kohei cry a lot again?

Yes, he finally went to sleep. See?

Such a nice baby.

Kichinosuke!

Kichinosuke!

Ah, Shosuke.

Oh, you're looking handsome today.

Be happy for me.

I was called to the clan office.

I'm going to be a clerk in the records office.

Oh, so that's why you're all spruced up.

Yes!

It's a nice job in a clean office.

Clean or dirty has nothing to do with work.

Don't look so envious.

Shosuke has a weak stomach about which even his parents worry.

It suits him to sit at a desk all day.

I always thought it suited you...

to walk through fields and paddies all day.

Why, even the cows make way for him.

Being in good shape is important in anything.

Whether it's sumo or swordsmanship,

what's the use if you lose all the time?

Confucius said one gains by losing.

Were you born from the mouth first?

Yes. Instead of my first cry,

I greeted my mother with, "Hello, I'm Shosuke."

Is that right?

Don't tease her.

My family believes anything.

You certainly are a naughty fellow.

In Satsuma, young men are called 'nise,'

and young boys are called 'chigo.'

Because Kichinosuke had leadership qualities,

he was the head of the young men's group.

All right, let's celebrate.

It's the best thing to happen to a bookworm.

Let's run.

Running again?! I give up.

Okubo Shosuke (Toshimichi)

This was the youthful form of Okubo Toshimichi,

fellow townsman and reluctant loser,

who'd become the impetus behind the Meiji Restoration with Saigo.

Okubo House

Kichinosuke, you saw a fast horse from Edo?

Just when we thought the English ship was gone,

in comes a ship from France.

France? Where is this France?

It must be in Europe, of course.

Oh?

Isn't it near England?

England is an island nation,

but France occupies the same land mass as Holland.

It has become very prosperous of late.

Two countries on the same land mass?

Set the bowls quickly.

Okay.

The fish is done.

Let me see.

They have been grilled very nicely.

Okinoerabu and Tokuno Islands of the Ryukyus...

have been Satsuma territory for 500 years.

Yet they took it upon themselves to name them the Cleopatra Islands.

Cleopata...?

No... la.

Oh, la?

It's the name of an occidental female ruler.

That's disgusting!

When they left,

those French said that they would call at Edo next.

We have arrived at a truly alarming age.

The young men's group won't let the foreign ship pass so easily.

Right, Kichinosuke?

It's time to think about other things besides cows.

Look here, Shosuke, you fair-skinned boy,

don't get carried away by youthful enthusiasm.

Kichinosuke. Won't you think of Shosuke as your younger brother...

and train him for me?

You're the leader of the young men's group.

Your responsibilities will be greater now.

Yes.

Quickly now.

Kichinosuke, we don't have much to offer,

but please stay and have dinner with us.

I forgot the time... I'll be going now.

Stay and have dinner with us.

We're celebrating today. Let's have a drink.

I don't drink...

That's right. I forgot.

Then have some brown sugar instead.

I couldn't...

Not something as dear as that...

Moo, moo, just like a cow, after all.

Saigo Home

Mother.

Yes?

Kohei's gone to sleep.

Did he now? Then will you put him down, please?

Yes.

Kohei, are you asleep?

Look here, he just went to sleep.

Ouch! What was that for?

Shush! Be quiet!

Oh, no. He woke up.

A boy doesn't cry out over a mere slap in the face.

Are you answering back to your mother?

Hand me that, please.

He must be hungry. Give him some milk.

Older brother is back.

I'm back.

Welcome back.

We got Mr. Okubo's message, so we had dinner without you.

I'm late because I had dinner there.

They even gave me some brown sugar for Grandma.

Brown sugar!

There goes that nasty voice again!

Brown sugar is Grandma's medicine.

That's all right. I'll share it with Shingo.

Here Shingo.

Thank you very much.

Kichinosuke...

Because of his job at the Ryukyu liaison office,

Mr. Okubo must have a lot of work.

Yes, his work is very difficult.

Kichinosuke! Come quickly!

More people ran away from Kawakami Village!

Kawakami Village?

Chuji, Yahei, and one other family.

Chuji? Are you sure?

I'll go and see.

There must be some mistake.

Chuji's wife just had a baby.

I just carted her home from the fields today.

Could they have put one over on you?

It's shorter this way.

The child was stillborn?

Yes.

The mother passed on as if to follow her child.

How sad...

You were watching.

How could you have let him get away?

I told Chuji to hold a wake for them...

and brought him some millet and potatoes.

But Chuji put them in his own pocket and took off.

How's that for gratitude?

A dead person has no need for millet or potatoes.

But...

A woman needs strength to have a baby.

She also needs to have milk for the child.

I told her to eat some rice,

but she only had potato gruel.

If I let the farmers eat rice,

it would set a bad example.

A handful!

Why couldn't you have overlooked a handful?

Rest in peace.

When you are reborn,

I hope it will be in a place where you won't be hungry.

Yura, calm down. What are you saying?

When it comes to farmers and rape seed oil,

the more we squeeze the more taxes we get,

but this time it concerns the French ship.

English or French, they are both foreign.

True, but once again the shogunate...

will shove everything onto us without dirtying their hands.

Our expenses will only increase.

Zusho is having another anxiety attack.

That's right.

Nariakira is close to the Cabinet.

What action will he take?

Don't pay any attention to Nariakira.

Be non-committal in reporting to the Council.

Of course, but...

We will take care of the foreign ship by ourselves.

By ourselves, you hear?

As I feared, Zusho's report makes light of the situation.

Then, how do you see it?

We can no longer stanch the flow.

We'll draw the foreign ships to the Ryukyus...

then to Satsuma while the shogunate...

readies its battleships and cannons.

Mataudaira Shugaku

Date Munenari

If we show them that we mean business,

no foreign ship would dare wage war against us.

I understand.

However, the shogunate has strictly forbidden...

the daimyo to have battleships and cannons.

Trouble is knocking at our door.

The important thing is to keep Japan from...

being split up before the foreign enemy.

I understand.

Let's place the entire problem of the foreign ships...

in Lord Nariakira's hands.

Thank you.

But, it means going over Lord Narioki's head...

and will place you in conflict with your father.

Senior Councillor Abe took swift action.

In the name of Shogun Ieyoshi,

he ordered father and son, Shimazu Narioki and Nariakira,

to appear at the castle.

By the shogun's orders...

12th Shogun Tokugawa Ieyoshi

As the Ryukyu Islands,

which have been visited foreign ships are in your charge,

you must come up with a plan to deal with them.

Lord Nariakira will be given a horse.

He is to return to Satsuma immediately in his father's place.

After mature deliberations, he will deal with the situation...

in such a way that there will be no repercussions.

To bypass you and give orders to Nariakira!

What can the Shogun be thinking?

For one and all to depend on Nariakira...

proves what a useless lot the councillors are.

Even if you can't go home, Saburo is in Satsuma.

Saburo is my own dear child.

He has your blood in his veins...

and is frugal and courageous.

Why not let Saburo handle it?

Calm down.

I'll put in my own request to return home.

I've been looking forward to going home...

since I haven't seen Saburo for some time.

The same goes for me.

Oh yeah, have someone keep an eye on Nariakira.

A watchdog?

Right.

Okay, I'll have Hisanori watch Nariakira.

Call Hisanori.

That won't be sufficient.

For Saburo's sake, we must take the initiative...

and stop Nariakira.

I know that.

In order to deal with the foreign ships,

Shimazu Nariakira, son of the Lord of Satsuma,

was given the privilege...

of conducting intercourse with foreign countries.

It was unprecedented in the history of the shogunate.

He arrived in Satsuma on July 25,

46 days after leaving Edo.

Tsurumaru Castle, Kagoshima

We have been waiting for your return.

Akayama Yukie, is it not?

What a gallant young warrior you've become.

Oh, Saburo?

I'm so glad that you've come home safely.

Welcoming him back was Saburo, later Shimazu Hisamitsu,

Nariakira's younger brother by 8 years...

and son of Shimazu Narioki and his concubine Yura.

Shingo, do your best.

Yes!

Louder! The heir can't hear you from the castle.

Yes!

What's wrong with the older group?

It's shameful if you let the young ones show you up.

If that's all you can do, slit your belly and die!

You're in fine form today, Shosuke.

I'm in fine form every day.

That sounds promising.

Next!

Don't act smart, Shosuke.

I wasn't.

Stop arguing!

That's the spirit!

Both groups must show that they...

are prepared to die before the heir.

You must know by my letter why I'm home.

I will send a courier to Ryukyu immediately...

and go on an inspection tour of our domain.

Since I was raised in Edo and this is only my second visit here,

I'm unfamiliar with many things.

I would like Saburo to please accompany me.

I understand.

Wait please, Sir Saburo.

You must not be taken in by Nariakira's invitation.

Why?

I received a letter from your mother,

asking me to guard you well.

What do you think my brother will do to me?

Nariakira has taken it upon himself to meet with the Councillors,

daimyo, and other officials, and has slighted Lord Narioki.

Who knows what he has in store for you?

Fool! No matter what, he is my only brother.

If he tells me to die,

I'll slit my belly without a moment's delay.

Get out of my way!

Sir Saburo!

That point would be a good place for a battery.

Yes!

Saburo...

I can almost hear those foreign ships approaching...

with billowed sails flapping in the wind.

Yes, I can hear them, too.

We must hurry with our reforms, or not only Satsuma,

but the whole of Japan could be destroyed.

Yes.

Pardon me for asking,

if we were to build cannons,

wouldn't the shogunate accuse us of treason?

Don't worry.

I've already settled that with the shogunate.

Let's go on.

Here's a really good one.

Isn't that Lord Nariakira?

How are the crops this year?

This area must suffer damage from flood waters.

Relax. If you have anything to say, tell me.

I'm sorry to have kept you from your work. Let's go.

Weren't you surprised by Lord Nariakira's friendliness?

Yes.

Let's have some sake.

Huh? They're both only youths.

We need them to work hard because they are young.

Satsuma will be needing the young for their support.

Shimazu Hisanori, Lord Narioki's watchdog,

was dismayed by the way Lord Nariakira took command.

It was so interesting.

I would give my life for Lord Nariakira.

Yes.

Yes.

Do you know about world affairs?

Yes, err, no, but Shosuke does.

I have some knowledge since my father works...

at the Ryukyu liaison office.

Oh, so you're Shosuke, Mr. Okubo's son and heir.

Yes.

When Kichinosuke told me about Lord Nariakira,

I couldn't contain myself and came along with him.

My grandfather studied Dutch learning at Nagasaki.

He even built a 3-masted western sailing vessel.

Oh, the Iroha Maru?

Yes. Someday I'll go to Nagasaki and learn about the world...

so I can discourage those insolent foreign ships from coming here.

That sounds good.

I feel enlightened when I listen to Lord Nariakira...

talk about the world.

I wish he would be the clan head soon.

- Yes. - Yes.

That day is close at hand.

Kichinosuke... Shosuke...

Satsuma will change drastically.

- Yes. - Yes.

How the farmers will sigh with relief when that day comes.

Not only the farmers.

Lord Nariakira leaves nothing to others,

but looks into everything for himself.

He will make reforms and things will improve.

Yes.

As long as he heads the Satsuma clan,

we won't be beaten by any foreign country.

Yes!

Kichinosuke, the world is moving, isn't it?

There will be fewer farmers who hang themselves.

That's your responsibility.

I just have to go to Nagasaki.

I want to learn more things.

Don't you have a weak stomach?

What if the water there doesn't agree with you?

You're drunk.

I am not.

There's risk in everything.

I only said it out of concern for you.

Kichinosuke, you just concern yourself about the farmers.

That hurts!

What? Nariakira has Saburo in tow as if he was a servant?

Yes. He's been going about the fief...

giving the impression that he is the rightful Shimazu heir.

What is Hisanori doing?

What's the use of his being placed beside Nariakira?

Please don't talk so loud.

Hisanori has been on his toes.

He has been working inconspicuously for Saburo's benefit.

There will be good news in the next letter.

I hope so.

My Lord! Someone has set a fire! This way!

We've been locked in.

What fools to conspire this!

Was Lord Narikira hurt?

No, he's all right.

Thank goodness.

He took shelter at Hamazaki Taheiji's home,

but returned immediately to Kagoshima.

I just got back from escorting him to the castle.

Someone was trying to kill Lord Nariakira.

Kichinosuke...

No matter what happens,

we must protect Lord Nariakira.

Yes.

Lord, Sir Saburo is here to see how you are.

Older brother!

What a relief to see you safe and sound!

What on earth do you mean?

I heard there was a fire at the Ibuski house.

If it was arson, we can't overlook it.

The Ibusuki house did burn down,

but I wasn't there at the time.

Huh?

A prolonged discussion at the Hamazaki mansion...

detained me, so I spent the night there.

Thus, I missed all the commotion.

I was lucky to escape death, wasn't I?

According to Hisanori's report...

Let's say it didn't happen, Saburo.

Why?

If anything had happened to you, Older Brother,

what explanation could I have offered Father?

Hara-kiri wouldn't be atonement enough.

As you can see, I am fine.

Any incident here would only draw...

the unwanted attention of the shogunate.

You understand, don't you?

If that's what you wish...

Meanwhile in Edo, Lord Narioki,

under the pretext of dealing with the foreign ship,

tendered a request to return to Satsuma.

His request granted,

he set out for Satsuma on January 19, 1847.

He arrived in Kagoshima on March 7.

When I thought of seeing Saburo again,

the weariness of the road was nothing.

Who complained throughout the journey about the distance?

Stop teasing me.

That was because I was impatient to see Saburo.

Isn't that right, Matajiro?

Yes.

Come to me, Matajiro.

Do you obey your father?

Father is always busy.

Oh, you poor thing.

I've been trying to spend as much time as I can...

with my older brother while he is here.

That wasn't really necessary.

Huh?

Sir Nariakira is here.

Older Brother, sit here.

Don't get up.

I'm very glad that you had a safe journey home.

Thank you for carrying on here.

It couldn't have been easy for Saburo either.

I could be playing with my grandchild everyday...

if he could live in Edo.

I just don't understand the shogunate's laws.

It has long been decreed that...

the heir and his family must reside in Edo.

Matajiro, your father has no feelings.

To wish despite knowing to the contrary...

is what love for family is.

With your father busy every day,

you must have been very lonely.

Now Grandma will play with you every day.

Right, Grandpa?

Now come to Grandpa, Matajiro.

My, you're heavy.

Nariakira left for Edo 7 days later...

because the clan head and his heir were not allowed...

to remain in their home province together.

My Lord! According to Akayama Yukie's report,

your father appointed Saburo the Head Councillor...

as soon as you left Satsuma.

My Lord!

I understood.

Move on!

Isn't the Head Councillor the same...

as the clan chief's deputy?

Why was Lord Nariakira passed over?

Not only that, Zusho Shozaemon was named...

administrator in charge of military service.

If that isn't absurd.

How can a man whose only experience is in finance,

be responsible for repelling foreigners?

It made Sire Akayama angry, too.

A sizable allowance was allotted to...

the military administrator...

all at Zusho's suggestion, it seems.

Zusho and his bunch think only of enriching themselves...

when our farmers haven't even potatoes to eat?

Kichinosuke...

Yes.

You shouldn't talk about dirty men...

and their dirty money.

Yes.

Now, the Saigo family...

He's crying again.

You mustn't make your brother cry, Shingo!

I didn't do anything.

Shingo, are you answering back to your mother?

Bring some water.

Water. Bring water.

Yes. Yes.

One "yes" is enough.

Here's some water.

Kichinosuke's fears about Hisamitsu's appointment...

was realized as rumors of Nariakira's disinheritance...

swirled throughout the town.

No, not only this time,

this has been done repeatedly in Yura's house.

What was that?

Nariakira's second son Kannosuke died at the age of four.

A woman's curse is the most fearful thing in this world.

Buy this newspaper, buy this newspaper.

It's an awful story about scary Yura.

If you want to know more, please buy a newspaper and read.

If for some reason the first child dies,

Yura has a chance for her son to succeed so she placed...

a curse on the legitimate child to get rid of him.

If you spread such groundless rumors,

I'll have your head.

What did you find out?

There's no mistake.

The articles used to place a curse...

were found in Yura's mansion.

Evil woman.

Kichinosuke!

Lord Nariakira will be her next victim.

We'll report it to Akayama and urge him to punish the villains.

Yeah!

Don't make excuses!

Have you come down with a case of cowardice?

How dare you say that!

Aren't we here to discuss the matter?

I'm slow. If you have a good plan, I won't argue.

True, it would be simple to behead Yura and her lot,

but it would be terrible if Lord Narioki retaliates...

by disinheriting Lord Nariakira.

You're right.

We must present the matter of succession...

to the shogunate through Lord Nariakira's uncle,

Lord Kuroda of Fukuoka.

And if that doesn't work?

In that case...

Why must we wait?

Arima Shinshichi says the cannons are ready to be hauled out.

If we surround Yura's mansion...

Would Lord Nariakira want us to do that?

If we bring out cannons and create a commotion,

the authorities will not remain silent.

It will jeopardize Lord Nariakira's position instead.

They say Kannosuke died from their curse.

When I think about that, I shed tears of blood, too.

The other vassals and I are seeking a plan which will...

enable us to see that justice is carried out.

However, we must not behave recklessly.

Recklessly?

Any action now would be reckless.

Kichinosuke, you head the young men.

You must keep them under control.

When it's time to take action,

I'll be there with you.

Lord Nariakira has often said:

"If we know our enemy and know ourselves,

we eliminate the dangers of fighting."

Wait for the right time.

If you're going to give up your life,

do it in a way that people will remember.

Remember, the world is a big place.

You must look further ahead.

I understand.

If that will help Lord Nariakira.

How foolish can it get!

Doesn't it anger you to be told to wait?!

Why can't we punish Yura and her lot now?

Kichinosuke just explained.

Be quiet!

Break it up!

Kichinosuke, we know Yura is responsible for Lord Nariakira's loss...

and she plots to make her own son the clan chief.

Won't you talk to Akayama once more?

I could go with you.

That evil woman brought disorder to the house.

It's that Zusho Shozaemon who is mot unforgivable.

He eggs Yura on and keeps Lord Narioki from retiring.

I'm not waiting any longer.

Kichinosuke is our leader. Can't you listen to him?

It's frustrating, just rotting here not doing anything.

What should we do?

There's only one thing we can do.

Justice will prevail.

Don't argue.

Justice will prevail.

Akayama Yukie sent a detailed report about...

the unrest in the home province to Nariakira.

Kiku (Concubine)

Is it bad news?

Sometimes, ties can be such source of woes.

Why?

The world may curse me one day for deposing my father.

I'll be 40 soon.

I would like Father to retire soon...

so that I can take control of the fief.

But it's not to further my own interests.

I want to work to my heart's content.

I don't want to retreat from foreign countries;

I want to confront them.

Any error in judgment would cover the fields and mountains...

of the south with the warm blood of our young men.

Have we come to the moment of decision?

Yes. What hurts most is that you,

who has Japan's interest at heart, will be disinherited.

Then, there is but one way to unseat my father.

Namely, he has violated a long established law.

Please wait.

If that becomes public, Satsuma is bound to be abolished.

Yes, indeed.

We have no other choice but to take a chance on the clan's destiny.

You're prepared to go that far?

I have come in response to your summons.

I have a request myself,

but first, please tell me why you've called me.

Let's hear what you have to say first.

Lately, I can't seem to get the books to balance.

Has your age caught up with you at last?

How could you say that?

There must be many loyal young men in the clan...

who are adept with the abacus.

You should ask my father to replace you...

before there is a problem with the balance.

If I let some Western crazy young men take over,

our finance, which I worked so hard to restore,

would be ruined all at once.

With a man like you around,

I didn't think our clan treasury was so low.

If we are to be ready for emergencies,

we cannot waste any money.

I see.

Now let's go into my business.

I'm listening.

According to Councillor Abe,

the measures Satsuma took in the Ryukyu are in violation of the law.

Huh?

We are suspected of illegal trading.

Why this now?

There was some official sanction in exchange...

for keeping the foreign ships away.

Yes, indeed.

However, the authorities can always bring up some charge.

Private trading has some sanctions,

but I hope you haven't overstepped your bounds...

because the authorities cannot come to check.

That's...

There's a discrepancy between the amount that...

Father and I set to send for the men on duty in Edo...

and the amount you reported.

As a failure to render proper service to the government,

it is a serious crime.

This move may be late,

but what should I say in defense?

Rumor has it that you masterminded...

the attempt to have me disinherited.

I regret having alienated you.

When asked if it wasn't carelessness...

on the part of the clan leader for leaving everything to you,

I could not reply.

The Council will probably conduct an inquiry soon.

There's only one thing we can do now.

The 770,000 koku fief of Satsuma must be protected,

even if it means asking Father to retire.

Is that understood?

With the government's inquiry close at hand,

Zusho Shozaemon killed himself.

He took sole responsibility for illegal trading and false returns.

What? Zusho killed himself?

Yes. This unwanted display of loyalty has ruined our plans.

Pray for him... privately.

My Lord!

Times are about to change drastically...

and I am the man being sought by the times.

You are right.

But, Zusho couldn't understand that.

In a time when the West was not advancing upon us,

Zusho Shozaemon would have been a man of distinction in Satsuma.

My Lord!

Is it true that Zusho died?!

He didn't die; he was killed!

That insufferable Nariakira drove Zusho...

into a corner with the government's help.

That's right.

Nariakira has won over many in the clan to support him.

We'll crack down on them...

so that Nariakira can never slight me again!

That morning, it snowed, which was unusual for the south.

Open the gate!

On the report of a conspiracy to assassinate Yura...

and some clan officials, severe punishment began on the reformists.

You have been charged with conspiracy,

slandering the government, attempting to kill clan officials,

and other criminal acts.

You are ordered to commit seppuku.

Kichibei, see me through this.

Yes...

Is this what he left me as a keepsake?

He said that he regretted dying before accomplishing...

what he had set to do, but you would understand.

He performed seppuku magnificently... without further word.

He was truly a valiant Satsuma warrior.

I wish I could have seen him,

if only for a brief moment.

They were so strict that it wasn't possible.

After he watched out for us,

telling us to be patient for he would die with us.

It's too cruel!

Kichinosuke!

Do not forget Akayama's grief!

As many as 50 men were punished,

among which 13 were ordered to commit seppuku,

and 16 were exiled.

Father!

Father!

Take care of yourself.

Don't you dare cry!

Shosuke's father, Okubo Toshiyo, was among those exiled.

The family bore the burden of implication,

Shosuke had to leave his office and was confined to his home.

Deprived of their income,

the Okubo household was thrown into the depths of poverty.

Pardon me!

How nice to see you, Kichinosuke!

I'm sorry that I can only bring you sweet potatoes and millet.

Thank you very much,

but you have so many little ones at home.

We're used to being poor.

I know it's difficult, but don't give up.

Someday things will be better.

Let me help you.

Will such a day ever come?

Shosuke!

Did justice prevail?

That evil woman Yura and her companions...

are still carrying out their wicked deeds.

This resulted from the attempt to punish corrupt officials.

Satsuma warriors are sincere.

It's frustrating that the blood of sincere men...

has flowed and stained crimson the river of regret...

but Lord Nariakira still has not succeeded as the head.

We will carry on!

It's useless to just complain.

I'm not complaining!

If you don't move around and get some exercise,

you'll mope yourself away.

I just can't...

Shosuke!

You're not the only one who's frustrated!

If you ruin your health by brooding,

you'll be of no use when the time comes.

If that's what you want,

just sit and wait for your death!

This unsuccessful coup d'état by Nariakira's supporters...

was known as the Takasaki Fiasco.

It instilled in the young Saigo and Okubo...

an intense spirit of defiance.

On the other hand, Councillor Abe took Narioki's oppression as a threat...

and launched a counter-offensive to protect Nariakira.

Ordering so many vassals to commit seppuku in a time of peace,

makes the authorities appear ignorant in the eyes of the various clans.

The Shogun is not happy about it...

and declares that the situation cannot be tolerated.

I shall return to Satsuma and talk to my lord.

It's too late for that!

Lord Narioki must tender his request to retire.

If he fails to act promptly,

it will be made public and a cause for regret.

Killing yourself in a show of loyalty won't get him off.

If he casts aside the letter from the Council,

he'll be regarded as having traitorous feelings.

Let them have their way!

Aren't you being hasty?

If you retire now, what will happen to Saburo?

Nothing!

My Lord!

My Lord...

Several days later, Narioki tendered his request to retire.

It was promptly granted.

Thus, Nariakira became head of the Shimazu.

He finally became head of the clan at 43.

Matsudaira Shuridaiyu Nariakira,

you are now Lord of Satsuma, Osumi and Hyuga...

with the combined revenue of 728,200 koku.

Shosuke!

Shosuke!

Shosuke!

Shosuke!

Let's run together!

I'm confined to my house.

Never mind. Quickly!

Never mind?

Quickly!

What's happened?

We did it!

To be continued.