Original subtitles

From Kagoshima to Amami-Oshima is 400 Km.

In Amami-Oshima the average winter temperature is 15 degrees C.

This warm island was a treasure for Kagoshima.

This is a tropical plant that belongs to the rice family.

Kurozato (Black Japanese Sugar) created a huge wealth for Kagoshima.

At the end of the Edo Era,

half of the sugar in the Osaka sugar market was from Amami-Oshima.

In the Osaka market, rice sales brought 6,000 ryo each year.

But, sales from kurozato brought 235,000 ryo,

nearly 40 times of sales from rice.

The future of the Meiji Restoration depended on Satsuma's massive wealth.

Profits from Amami's kurozato enable...

the purchase of new rifles and cannons.

Saigo arrived in Amami-Oshima, but his thoughts...

were about faraway places like Satsuma, Kyoto, and Edo.

Tobu ga Gotoku

Episode 13: Shosuke's Preparation

Screenplay: Osanai Mieko

Original Story: Shiba Ryotaro

Misic: Ichiyanagi Toshi

Original subtitles: TV Network Japan, Inc.

Subtitle Transcription: Rashomon

Timing and QC: Kame Fansubs

Narrator: Kusano Daigo

Cast

Saigo Kichinosuke: Nishida Toshiyuki

Okubo Shosuke: Kaga Takeshi

Aikana: Ishida Eri

Okubo Masu: Kaku Chikako

Moriyama Shinzo: Tono Eishin

Oyama Kakunosuke: Kanie Keizo

Ii Naosuke: Kamiyama Shigeru

Okubo Toshiyo: Kitamura Kazuo

Shimazu Hisamitsu: Takahashi Hideki

Producer: Yoshimura Fumitaka

Director: Kita Yukinori

Kichinosuke...

tell me how to get close to Lord Hisamitsu.

But since I thought it up, I'm not giving up.

I shall find a way.

You just watch me with your big eyes.

Everyday, everyday, will this continuous rain never stop?

If he doesn't return the principal in one month,

we'll attach.

Isn't this another bad debt?

That was an advance made to Arimura Shusai.

Arimura? It's all right then.

Mr. Okubo is here.

Okubo? Show him in.

How nice to see you. Won't you come in?

No, this is fine.

I'm here today to ask you for a favor.

I'd be happy to do whatever I can.

Is it money?

No, the truth is, I want some information on Lord Hisamitsu.

Since you do business on a wide scale,

you must know people of many pursuits.

I want to know where Lord Hisamitsu's interests lies.

He's an avid scholar with no other hobbies or interests.

Those with other pursuits have been confounded...

to find that he's happy just having a book to read.

He has no interest in poetry or tea ceremony?

No, except for 'go.' [Japanese checkers]

So he likes to play go!

That's good to know.

I'm glad that I came to see you. Good-bye.

So it's go...

Go?

Why would I want to play such a thing?

I'm not asking you to play.

I'm asking if you knew how to play.

- No. - Not at all?

What a persistent fellow you are!

We've never been a game-playing family.

How would I know how to play go?

Must you speak in that manner?

That's neither here nor there.

Kichinosuke's languishing on that island...

and Shosuke's thinking of playing go!

I have a reason for doing so.

Tell me your reason.

I'm sorry. I can't tell you.

Then I won't ask.

Isn't there someone discreet who'd teach me how to play?

I know of no such person.

I see. Forgive me for taking up your time.

Dear Kichinosuke, it's rather far-fetched,

but I've latched on to a lead.

Now all I have to do is follow it.

Husband, may I have a word with you?

It's about the game of go.

I know that a woman shouldn't interfere,

but I hear that the start is important.

Unless you have a good teacher,

you'll never be able to play a good game.

Do you know of a good teacher?

You won't scold me for interfering?

I won't, so tell me.

The head priest of Kissho-in Temple.

The head priest of Kissho-in?

He's such a good player that...

he even gives lessons to Lord Hisamitsu.

Masu! Say that again!

You promised not to scold me.

I'm not! Why should I scold you for telling me...

such a wonderful thing?

I'm much obliged, Masu.

I'll go and ask him to take me as a pupil...

first thing tomorrow.

He may not consider you.

Why not?

You don't even know how to set the pieces yet.

I think you should learn how to set the pieces...

and two or three plays before you go to ask him.

You're right about that.

How did you know about the head priest?

My late grandfather told me.

Grandfather?

Wait! Your grandfather must have had a partner.

Yes, he did.

Won't you tell me who that was?

Then, may I ask this?

Why do you suddenly want to play go?

It's in order to carry on our late lord's work...

and for the sake of Japan.

Go is one means to that end.

If you understand, then please tell me.

I will, but are you sure that you won't scold...?

What a persistent woman you are!

As your husband, have I ever broken a promise?

Still, I can't tell you unless I'm prepared to be divorced.

What are you saying?!

Why should I divorce you when you're helping me?

Then I shall tell you.

My grandfather's go partner...

...was me.

Please forgive me.

It's something a woman should never admit,

but seeing you so distracted every day...

my desire to help made me...

break my promise to my grandfather.

You're the most wonderful wife in the world!

You shall be my instructor.

Please teach me.

I can't.

Why not?

We don't have any game pieces.

So we don't.

Why? Why am I so unsettled?!

I'm supposed to have died.

I came here with that thought in mind.

I certainly lack discipline.

Lord Nariakira!

Abbot Gessho!

Aikana.

It's very good.

That samurai has collapsed on the beach!

What happened?

It's nothing.

Can you stand?

This is nothing.

Mother?

Thank you.

Dear Kichinosuke, how have you been?

At home, it seems Lord Narioki and the officials...

are trying to avoid the Seichugumi.

But, we shall persist; we won't give up.

Please take good care of yourself.

If you have any ideas that will help our country,

please write me about them. Sincerely, Shosuke.

How are you?

Haven't you removed that bandage yet?

The wound will fester if you keep it covered.

It's better to let it dry.

That hurts!

If you must stop to think, do it with composure.

Such a pose is undignified.

They were at it until dawn yesterday.

With Masu in that condition,

I'm worried about her health.

Why don't you tell them to stop?

I am retired.

Well, so am I.

I'm sorry...

Haven't you moved yet?

Once I make up my mind, I keep to my decision.

I want you to know that.

Shosuke soon mastered the rudiments of go.

After practicing nearly 10 nights without sleep,

he went to see Jogan, the head of Kissho-in Temple...

to become his pupil.

Well, now!

You're quite good.

I'm in a cold sweat.

However much one may like the game,

if his reasoning is poor, he's but a nuisance.

Perhaps, I was a little rough on you?

I've a pupil with a very sound reasoning.

He plays a lot like you.

And who might that be?

The master of the Shigetomi mansion.

Lord Hisamitsu?

Though he's the clan chief's father,

since Lord Narioki has taken over as the chief advisor,

he stays in the background.

He's a man of great forbearance...

who give his betters his respect.

I've heard that he's a very learned person.

I don't think there's another man of his caliber...

in the country not that Lord Nariakira is no more.

We members of the Seichugumi have pinned...

our hopes for the country on him.

The Seichugumi?

Ever since Saigo Kichinosuke, their leader, was sent...

to Oshima out of Lord Narioki's mercy,

Okubo has been in charge of the group.

I'm surprised to hear this.

I thought the Seichugumi...

regarded me as Nariakira's enemy.

Not at all.

This Okubo seems like an interesting fellow.

If this isn't too forward...

I was asked to bring this to you.

Isn't this the 'Koshiden' by Hirata Atsutane?

Like your lordship, he likes the study of the classics.

The other day, I mentioned your talking about...

the publication of this book in Edo.

Let's quit for today.

Tell Okubo that I shall borrow this.

I've been wanting to read this book.

Oh, my!

Instead of sending the entire set of 'Koshiden,'

which he had borrowed from a friend, at once,

Shosuke sent the priest with one volume at a time.

He wanted to make a lasting impression.

Those on this list are ready to die...

upon your lordship's order. Okubo Shosuke

What impudence!

What on earth did you do to Lord Hisamitsu?

Do? I'm in no position to do anything.

But, when I went to see him today,

he told me to return this to you.

He was quite angry.

I'm sorry to have made trouble for you.

It was unusual for a bookish person...

like his lordship to be so angry.

Now I'm worried about you.

Would his name be etched in Hisamitsu's mind...

or would it incur Hisamitsu's wrath?

Shosuke had taken a chance.

Meanwhile, Kichinosuke still hadn't blended...

into the island way of life.

You idiot.

This is what you get for getting into mischief.

It wasn't mischief. He broke the law.

Stay out of this.

What law?

He licked the sugar cane.

You'd kill a child for licking sugar cane?

Stop! You'll suffer the same if you interfere.

What are you saying?

Sugar is a valuable asset of the clan.

Anyone who steals from the clan...

or neglects his work needs no mercy.

Who decided that?

They're clan orders, of course.

Don't be ridiculous!

It's wrong to steal or neglect one's work,

but what if you kill the child by treating him like this?

Be quiet!

You listen!

What will happen with officials like you?

The islanders will think that your orders...

are the lord's orders.

You're a disgrace as a Satsuma warrior.

How dare you!

You idiot!

I've seen you take a whip to a man too ill to work.

Well, I can't stand any more of it!

You still don't understand?

Thank you very much.

It's all right.

Are you all right?

Sir...

From the islanders... to thank you.

Thank me?

For saving the child who was being punished.

I have a brother who's about the same age.

When I thought about that, I got so mad.

You don't need to thank me.

But...

There was an official back home who said,

"The harder one squeezes farmers and rape seed,

"the more taxes one gets out of them."

The way the islanders are being squeezed is too cruel.

It makes me shudder.

I wove this.

It makes cool wearing in the summer.

Since I didn't know your size...

Let's see how it fits.

In September of 1859, Nariakira's father,

Shimazu Narioki, died at age 69.

As the clan leader's father,

Hisamitsu assumed the guardianship.

After that, he was called the 'Kokufu,'

or the 'Father of the country.'

Shosuke did not receive any punishment.

He had made the right move.

Kichinosuke, I'm ready for the next move.

Meanwhile, in Edo, the shogunate intensified...

its pressure on the Hitotsubashi party.

Especially with the Mito, which had been made...

an example of, the Royalists crying for justice...

had joined with Satsuma to plot an attack on Ii.

So, Echizen's Hashimoto Sanai still won't admit...

to plotting treason with the Mito house?

Even at the Tenma-cho jail, he continues...

to insist that he has done no wrong.

We've no choice. It can wait no longer.

He's to be put to death along with the others.

Executed? Not seppuku?

Those scoundrels are major felons.

They've no right to die honorably by seppuku.

They must be beheaded as an example of what...

happens to those who rise against the shogun.

How could he?! Has Regent Ii lost his mind?!

Lord Nariaki has been confined to his fief.

Confining Lord Nariaki is the same as confining...

the spirit of the Royalists.

1,000 Royalists are getting ready to...

abandon their clans and storm into Edo.

I said there will be 3,000 from Satsuma.

Together, there'll be 4,000. I feel excited!

This is not a matter of numbers.

It's a question of abandoning our clan.

That's why Shunsai and I rushed back.

We've got to let Edo know immediately...

what Satsuma can commit.

Satsuma and Mito have an agreement.

We can't lag behind them.

The only way to stop the shogunate's headlong rush...

is to kill Ii while rousing public sentiment...

by raising a loyal army in Kyoto.

Let's leave Edo to the Mito men.

We'll leave our clan as a body and go to Kyoto.

By killing the shogun's representative and...

removing Kujo as the Imperial Advisor,

we'll seal off the Court and confront the shogunate.

Next, we must see to the war funds.

Leave that to me.

I wish we had a boat.

It takes only a few days by boat.

It can be used to transport arms inconspicuously.

Good idea! Let's purchase a boat.

So you're all in favor of leaving the clan?

You'll be able to work more freely without the ties,

but you'll never be able to return to Satsuma.

You must be ready to die...

to take part in this heroic deed.

You must really call up your spirit of loyalty.

Is this all right with you?

Kichinosuke...

Preparations for our going to Kyoto progresses steadily.

All that's left is to put our plan into action.

However, I have another idea.

I wish that we could go with the clan's support...

as it was to be under Lord Nariakira.

I feel that it can be done and...

I've thought up a plan.

Please watch me!

Shosuke met with Tanimura Ainosuke,

Hisamitsu's personal attendant.

Forgive me for asking you to meet me.

You wouldn't have asked unless it was important.

Now that we've gotten to know each other,

I couldn't disappear without an explanation.

Disappear?

I'm telling you this because I trust you.

I hope that you'll keep this to yourself.

We of the Seichugumi will be leaving the clan shortly.

What?

Okubo? Is his name Okubo Shosuke?

Yes. I hate to break the confidence of one who has...

resolved to die, but I felt that you had to know.

This was all a plan.

All right, I'll do it.

What did you say?

Tell the Seichugumi that I'll do it.

Only, when I move, the whole of Satsuma will move.

We need time to think and time to prepare.

Therefore, tell them to wait.

That won't be enough to convince those...

who have already resolved to die.

I thought I told you that I understood.

We'll issue a warning in the clan leader's name.

"A Caution"

"With the world in a state of unrest,

"these are difficult times.

"In the course of certain events,

"I shall carry out Lord Nariakira's plan...

"and serve my country faithfully.

"I fervently ask that those of you concerned...

"will consider this, and as the pillars of the country,

"assist us by giving us your loyalty."

"Signed by Mochihisa, 5th of November 1859.

"To the members of the Seichugumi."

The letter was entrusted to Shosuke and me.

Please talk it over to decide if we should...

accept Lord Mochihisa's directive or not.

What's to discuss? It's from the clan leader.

He's said that he'd carry on the late lord's work.

How can we not heed him?

I object.

What about our agreement with Mito?

Why did we amass guns and provisions?

The boat is ready to leave the harbor.

We can't let anyone stop us now!

But it's what our late lord wanted.

No, our late lord wanted to send troops to Kyoto...

and effectuate shogunate reforms.

I'm for leaving the clan!

That's right! If we back down now,

we'll never have another chance.

The clan leader has said that...

we will rise when the time comes.

Waiting won't bring us an opportunity.

What has become of Satsuma with our lord's passing?

They killed Abbot Gessho...

who had worked between the Court and Satsuma.

Kichinosuke has been sent away...

Satsuma trembles before the shogunate!

The arrow is ready to be shot!

My two brothers in Edo are ready to spring into...

action with the rest. If we quit now,

how do we explain it to the Mito men?

Mito is Mito. Satsuma is Satsuma.

What? Are you afraid?

Say that again!

I won't be accused of cowardice!

As a representative of our group, I've already...

left a letter describing our course of action.

Let's sail tonight!

You'll defy clan orders?

Once we leave the clan, there're no orders to heed.

The Mito men have already been leaving their clan.

You leave the clan only when you can't be heard!

Our clan leader has acknowledged our plan.

Aping them isn't a show of loyalty.

How dare you call me an ape!

I want to talk to you.

I understand how you feel.

I feel the same way.

But, let's all work together.

The agreement with the Mito must be considered.

However, if we ignore our lord's request...

and leave the clan, we'd be disloyal.

We will most certainly be killed.

I'm not afraid of death.

Then share the responsibility with me.

Responsibility?

We'll die upon each other's blade.

Our deaths will answer to the lord...

and the Mito men for the Seichugumi.

Then it will enable our comrades to work on...

carrying out our late lord's plan.

As things stand now, our comrades may end up...

being hunted and dying senselessly.

Kichinosuke warned us not to make stupid sacrifices.

Besides, do you want to see innocent men killed?

All right. If my death will do any good,

I'll die any time. But, I can't let you die.

Then you understand?

Yes, I do.

I'll live and help in carrying out our late lord's work.

Then help me persuade the others.

This will be a grave endeavor, too.

The first stage of Shosuke's plan...

which involved Hisamitsu met with success.

Wait, Hikokuma.

I'll carry you again...

after I've written a letter to Kichinosuke.

I put Kichinosuke's name at the head of the letter...

sent to his lordship to acknowledge the directive.

Can you understand, Hikokuma?

Please go ahead and finish your letter.

I predict that Kichinosuke will be pardoned and back...

in Satsuma next spring as our leader once again.

And we'll go to Kyoto under his leadership.

That would be nice, wouldn't it?

On the island, Kichinosuke had taken a second wife.

She was Aikana, the daughter of Ryusatami.

They are too strong for me.

Quelling the burning desire to be reinstated,

Kichinosuke turned to helping the islanders.

To be continued.