Original subtitles

Spring, Year 2 of the Bunkyu Era [1862]. NAGASAKI

The shogunate's commercial exploration ship,

the "Senzaimaru,"

which was supposed to go to Shanghai, has been in Nagasaki for over two months.

It's been nine years since Perry's Western ships arrived,

but the shogunate, which had been isolated for 200 years,

was too slow due to the myriad of issues it faced

and couldn't complete the departure preparations in time.

SHINSAKU TAKASUGI SAMURAI OF THE CHOSHU DOMAIN

Oh, there you are.

GUNPACHI ITO, SHOGUNATE INTERPRETER

How annoying…

The trip to Shanghai was postponed.

The gaikoku bugyo lacks a seal, [Magistrate of foreign affairs]

so he's going to Edo to get one.

Unbelievable. All this for a measly seal.

Hey, where are you going?

There's only one place to go in this tiny city.

I was hoping you'd say that!

Let's go! Come on!

He's Shinsaku Takasugi,

a koshaku who earns 150 koku. [Assistant to the shogun]

He's the son of Kochuta Takasugi.

As the son of a high-ranking samurai, his education at Meirinkan wasn't enough

so he studied at the private academy Shokasonjuku.

"I wish

to kill

all the crows

in the world…

so I can sleep…

all morning with you."

DODOITSU ALLEGEDLY COMPOSED BY SHINSAKU TAKASUGI [Comic love poem]

We have a problem!

I don't know why, but he's asking for a drink.

Just let him drink as usual.

But that yakunin is getting bolder. [Government official]

And today he didn't come alone.

Come on! Don't be shy, come up!

Most passengers on the "Senzaimaru" were shogunate yakunin,

and only a few were samurai from domains like Shinsaku Takasugi.

These people didn't have permission to travel abroad,

so officially, they were considered servants of the shogunate yakunin.

In the second year of the Bunkyu Era [1862],

Princess Kazunomiya was married to the shogun.

The policy of union between imperial court and shogunate,

promoted by the Satsuma and Tosa domains, achieved great success.

It was a strategy to strengthened the shogunate's power

under the authority of the imperial family. HAGI

However, in the Choshu domain, HAGI, CHOSHU

there were men who completely opposed this idea.

Although Shoin Yoshida, Choshu's genius,

had been executed three years ago during the Great Ansei Purge [1854-1860],

those men were youths

who had studied SHOKASONJUKU

at the Shokasonjuku academy, founded by him.

Go, boys! SHOIN YOSHIDA

Venture into the world and act!

Epochal changes can only be achieved with passion and madness!

Go, go!

Follow what you believe in.

Go! Go! Go!

- Oh! - Oh, Lord Inoue.

Takasugi is in Nagasaki.

Eh?

Oh, that's right. MONTA INOUE, SAMURAI OF THE CHOSHU DOMAIN

How stupid of me!

I apologize!

MASA TAKASUGI WIFE OF SHINSAKU TAKASUGI

Master Nagai!

Are you here, Master Nagai?

Master Nagai!

If you insist on refusing to meet with me,

I'm willing to do that!

Kijima!

Eh?

Oh, Monta. MATABE KIJIMA (LATER, COMMANDER OF THE YUGEKITAI)

Why are you here?

Is it true that at the imperial conference it was decided

that the future of the Choshu domain would be as Master Nagai advocated?

What about it?

Don't tell me that you were in favor of that.

Was it wrong for me to do so?

At a time

when the countries of the world pressure us

to open our doors,

Nagai's proposal

to foster the union

of the court and the militia and embark on a maritime opening,

is a good strategy.

Are you serious?

Nagai makes a grave mistake!

Russian warships

are currently in Tsushima!

They stole weapons, and furthermore,

stole seven cows from the villagers!

This is the reality!

Do you believe there can be

legitimate diplomatic relations

simply by proclaiming foreign travel

without doing anything to correct offenses of foreigners?

What we must do is expel those barbarians!

- Let's defeat those who threaten us! - I understand!

I understand.

You might have a point.

What do you mean "a point"?

I already told you.

This important issue should be given more thought.

Again with that?

I already told you there's no time for that!

Forget it!

Your stubborn head won't let you think!

I have nothing more to say, get out!

Very well!

I shall do just that!

I don't want to talk with a hothead like you!

Oh, and keep waiting for Nagai.

Wait for a year.

What?

- What do you mean "a year"? - "A year" means a year!

While you were playing the fool here,

Nagai left for Edo a long time ago!

He won't return this year!

Keep waiting for him all you want!

Goodbye!

EDO RESIDENCE OF THE CHOSHU DOMAIN [Mansion in Edo]

Master Nagai, wait!

I want to talk to you.

My current stance is that of the entire domain.

A mere student shouldn't interfere!

Are you so afraid of a debate? GENZUI KUSAKA, SAMURAI OF THE CHOSHU DOMAIN

Yes, I am.

Your argument about expelling foreign ships is purely emotional

and unworthy of debate.

But if we open our country,

we will be at their mercy for trade treaties

and for everything else.

Instead of sitting back,

at least we should strike them

and make them fear and respect the Japanese

before the opening!

That's unrealistic. UTA NAGAI, JIKIMETSUKE, CHOSHU DOMAIN

In a dojo, a single strike might suffice, UTA NAGAI, JIKIMETSUKE OF THE CHOSHU DOMAIN

but in a war between nations,

a single blow could lead

to our ruin.

But if we open the country, Japan will be destroyed.

In that case,

I prefer a slow and gradual destruction.

Even if we become

a colony without pride?

I won't take that path.

If we are to perish,

I choose to burn gloriously until the end.

That's madness.

It's not realistic.

Realism can't change anything!

Epoch changes are achieved with madness!

Nonsense!

KOGORO KATSURA, SAMURAI OF THE CHOSHU DOMAIN (LATER, TAKAYOSHI KIDO)

If you kill Nagai, your head will roll too!

Idiot!

If there is hope for immortality, one must die.

But if there is hope to achieve a great work, one must live,

Did you forget Master Shoin's teachings?

- But… - I will be the one to kill Nagai!

However,

I won't do it with a sword.

He plans to take his position to Kyoto

and persuade the imperial court.

But among the courtiers there is opposition.

I have been collaborating with the Sanjo family and others.

I will frustrate his plans.

It will be as if he were dead.

Do you understand, Genzui?

Not only swords can kill.

Diplomacy can do it too.

If that fails,

then I will kill him with my sword.

Katsura!

I will do it as well.

I...

was reckless.

I heard there was an uproar.

So it was you, Kusaka?

Yes…

Don't regret being reckless.

There was another fool who tried to do the same,

but he was not as reasonable as you.

It was hard,

but when I offered him to go to Shanghai, he happily left.

Despite what I said to you,

are you drinking again?

- Control yourself. - Since you are MASANOSUKE SUFU, SCRIBE OF THE CHOSHU DOMAIN

our "ray of hope," aren't you?

You won't fool anyone with that anymore.

That Torajiro only left troublesome disciples behind.

I'm tired of it!

I won't stop drinking.

Katsura!

Katsura! Where is he? SHUNSUKE ITO, SAMURAI OF THE CHOSHU DOMAIN (LATER, HIROBUMI ITO)

- Katsura! - Hey, Katsura!

So noisy! What is it, Shunsuke?

A letter arrived from Takasugi, from Nagasaki!

The ship has finally sailed.

Great!

The Portuguese consul

in Nagasaki told him that…

"France" has a strong army because they have a lot of land.

And "England" has a strong navy since it's surrounded by the sea,

just like our country.

And furthermore…

What is it?

- The next part is not important. - Liar.

- It's bad news, isn't it? - No, not at all.

It's something for you.

- Then show it to me! - I can't.

I'd rather tell you!

I will tell you, but…

please don't get upset.

I already know it's nothing good.

So hurry up and tell me!

Alright.

Well,

it seems Shinsaku overspent

because he was stranded for three months.

So…

he has a few debts here and there.

And he's asking

for you to pay those debts.

That damn Shinsaku…

How much is it?

Well,

just a little…

- just a tiny bit… - How much is it?

Just…

What?

Just…

"Just" how much?

Just enough

to buy a warship.

"Just," eh?

"Just," eh?

Masanosuke Sufu, the karo of the Choshu domain, [Karo: advisor to the daimyo]

was usually sympathetic

towards the youths of Shokasonjuku academy

and always protected them.

The "Senzaimaru," on which Shinsaku Takasugi traveled,

finally left Nagasaki

on the 20th day of the fourth month of the Bunkyu Era [1862].

The trip to Shanghai took seven days, but at the time,

crossing the waves of the East China Sea wasn't easy. SAISUKE GODAI, SAMURAI OF THE SATSUMA DOMAIN

And you call yourselves samurai?

Are you alright?

Hang in there!

Are you alright?

I'm fine.

It's been 20 years since the Qing Dynasty SHANGHAI

opened Shanghai after their defeat in the Opium War.

Meanwhile,

Britain, France, and the United States had made concessions,

which gave Shanghai the feeling of a foreign country

despite being within the dynasty.

Shinsaku's group arrived in Shanghai on the fifth day of the fifth month.

Hey!

Something happened!

- What is it? - Come and see it.

I'm coming.

Those guys have no money.

Money for what?

For the toll.

The toll?

What nonsense is that?

This land belongs to the Qing dynasty.

If it was for them, I get it,

but why should I pay to a foreigner?

That was the agreement.

This concerns you,

your job is to find out why they reached that agreement.

Ah! I can't watch anymore!

What did he say? Tell me now!

He says,

"I have been to Nagasaki,

and with that defenses,

our warships could bombard everything

and destroy it in an hour with those Armstrongs

from four thousand meters offshore."

What?

Those are mere assumptions!

Tell him that in a face-to-face challenge,

they will be annihilated!

Tell him! Tell him!

Well…

Hey, that was interesting!

- What was it? - Apparently, after we arrived,

a Japanese man came to ask about that cannon.

Who was it?

He had no sword, so he was not a samurai.

Then he must have been a boatman or a sailor.

A sailor?

Hold on!

Ah!

WEAPONS STORE

Do you need anything else?

- Yes. - What do you need?

A ship.

What kind of ship?

How much for that one?

Wow!

A warship?

Wait a moment!

It costs 37,000 dollars.

How much would it cost to load eight Armstrong cannons,

two on each side, fore and aft?

The Japanese do like their Armstrong cannons.

A Japanese man already came to ask the same thing.

Excuse me.

I'm Shinsaku Takasugi, from the Choshu domain.

Actually,

I wanted to speak with you, but…

I see I came at a bad time.

- I will return later. - No, it's fine.

I should be the one

to apologize for showing

something so embarrassing.

My name is

Saisuke Godai,

from the Satsuma domain.

It's my first time on foreign soil,

and I have witnessed many things.

But, as I see,

it seems you are one step ahead of me.

That's why

I came to seek your advice.

I have nothing to teach you.

Then I will speak.

Here, in Shanghai,

I have seen many things, but

they lead me to the same point.

That is…

the future of our country.

A country where foreigners charge tolls on foreign soil,

strike with firearms

and kick people like dogs.

To prevent that in our country, right now we must…

expel them!

Can you do that?

No.

None at all.

If ten Armstrong cannons were lined,

both Kagoshima and Hagi

would be ablaze in an instant.

But that path

is inevitable if we want to be on the same level

as the nations of the world, after 200 years of isolation.

But even if we open our ports,

we must expel the barbarians.

If we do, then

the Japanese will only grow stronger

in the fires of the Armstrong cannons.

Godai,

surely you understand.

Let's expel them!

Rally your comrades in Satsuma!

Even if it's just one or two!

I can't.

In Satsuma, it's not possible.

What's not possible?

I'm telling you, in Satsuma it's not possible!

I received news from there.

In Fushimi

and in Teradaya…

my comrades from Seichu group died!

The Teradaya incident

was one of the most horrific events at the end of the Edo period.

Some radicals from Satsuma, led by Shinshichi Arima, DAY 23, FOURTH MONTH, YEAR TWO OF THE BUNKYU ERA [1862]

set out to request an imperial decree to expel foreigners.

This angered Hisamitsu Shimazu,

and he sent eight samurai to Teradaya Inn

to bring them back. However… TERADAYA

Get ready!

Wait!

Kichinojo! Where is Arima?

Arima!

Kill us with your sword!

Kill us with your sword!

Hurry!

Namu amida butsu. Namu amida butsu. Namu amida butsu. [Buddhist prayer]

Namu amida butsu. Namu amida butsu.

Namu amida butsu. Namu amida butsu. Namu amida butsu.

Both attackers and victims were comrades of the Seichu group.

The vassals' code prevented them from disobeying their lord's orders.

Why did this happen?

They were all comrades…

sharing

the same cooking pot!

Later, Saisuke Godai changed his name to Tomoatsu.

After the Meiji Restoration, he became a businessman

and founded the Osaka Chamber of Commerce.

He was known as the benefactor of Osaka's development.

Oh, it's Japan!

Hey, Shinsaku! We are in Japan!

Oh!

Wow!

Takasugi Shinsaku returned to his country

in the second year of the Bunkyu Era [1862],

but in just six months,

the political situation in Japan changed.

Uta Nagai, who burst into politics advocating the opening of the country,

faced young courtiers like Sanetomi Sanjo and fell from grace.

He returned to Choshu and committed seppuku. [Ritual suicide]

This marked a victory for Kogoro Katsura and allies.

Thus, the imperial court fully aligned with his views, EDO CASTLE

and an imperial envoy was sent to Edo to urge Shogun Iemochi to go to Kyoto.

On the other hand,

the shogunate struggled to face

the edict to expel foreigners.

I disagree. YOSHINOBU HITOTSUBASHI, GUARDIAN OF THE SHOGUN

Lord Hitotsubashi,

do you not see the shadow behind that imperial envoy?

Shadow?

They are manipulated by clans that want the expulsion of foreigners,

Choshu, Satsuma, and Tosa.

They are not a reality, but an illusion. SANETOMI SANJO

If we go to Kyoto without caution,

we will be forced to accept the expulsion of foreigners.

If that were to happen, it would be a disaster.

Let's seek harmony

and form friendly relations with foreign powers,

after that, we shall open our country,

in that order!

There is no way to face Western ships…

and expel foreigners.

Do you truly believe that?

Of course!

Then, we must go to Kyoto.

What did you say? KATSUKIYO ITAKURA, ROJU

You just said that we would fall into the plot

of the Satsuma and Choshu clans.

It's a matter of determination.

If we want to assert our stance,

we must explain our resolve to the emperor,

and thus convince the courtiers.

However, he could issue a decree ordering expulsion.

In that case, we will reject it.

That's madness!

Reject an imperial decree?

That depends on our determination.

In Choshu, after Uta Nagai's death, Kogoro Katsura and Genzui Kusaka

face the situation with absolute resolution.

If we can't reject an imperial decree,

what can we do!

Now, please consider it calmly.

I will only tell you one thing,

the world moves

faster than you think.

SHINAGAWA, DOZO SAGAMI

Katsura said it's possible

to kill people with diplomacy, not only with swords.

And he was right.

We won!

However,

what exactly changed?

Stop rambling!

- It's a bad habit of yours. - Then stop drinking!

That's your bad habit.

Quiet, both of you.

In summary,

we are at a stalemate, like in shogi. [A board game]

In this case,

we have to break the tie.

Hey, Shunsuke,

what did the emissary from that country say?

Ah!

The 13th is something called "Sunday," a day of rest.

It seems they will leave the foreign concession in Yokohama

to go horseback riding through Kanazawa Hakkei.

For that, the interpreter

prepared three horses.

Great!

We will attack them.

They are emissaries, the repercussions will be greater.

Wait a minute!

It's too soon for that.

That's not a problem!

Yes, it is.

We have no money!

We will die anyway! What does money matter?

That's why we need it!

We have debts here, in Shinagawa and elsewhere.

Dying indebted to a brothel is disgraceful!

Don't you think?

How much do we owe?

Just to this place, about 60 ryo… [Ryo: gold coin]

In total, about 100 ryo.

A hundred?

Why so much?

What?

Hey!

Why are you looking at me like that?

It wasn't just me!

We are all equally guilty here!

Someone should get the money.

I… I can't.

I come from a lower-class family.

I can't get that kind of money.

There's no choice but to decide it in a duel.

The loser will pay!

Bu… but I told you I…

Stop complaining, Shunsuke!

- Come on! - Let's go!

Yoyoi no yoi!

You lost!

We are counting on you!

We will await your return while enjoying some drinks.

Let's drink!

- Is Katsura here? - Yes, he's here.

EDO YASHIKI OF THE CHOSHU DOMAIN

Monta, I'm going inside!

- Do you have guests? - Don't worry.

He's…

I know him.

I'm glad you are healthy despite the cold, Master.

Cold is natural in winter,

as is being healthy by having a good health

Why are you here? It seemed you were in a hurry.

No, not at all.

I will come later.

ZOROKU MURATA, SAMURAI OF CHOSHU (LATER KNOWN AS MASUJIRO OMURA)

What a peculiar man.

I'm leaving too.

This man, Zoroku Murata, will lay

the foundations of the Japanese army under the name Masujiro Omura.

He studied Western medicine.

The shogunate invited him to become

a professor at the military academy, but

when he met Katsura, he left his position,

and returned to his homeland in Choshu.

SAGAMI

Monta!

- Come! - What is it?

- Come! - The payment!

- We will pay later! - Hey!

- Stay back! - Move aside!

Stop!

Why are you doing this?

This man called our plan

"a reckless and foolish act"!

What! Is that true?

Did you say that?

I said it!

And I will say it again,

this is foolishness.

What will we gain by killing one or two foreigners?

The shogunate will only pursue us and we will be executed.

This is madness!

Then tell me,

what should we do to expel the barbarians?

Gather as many as possible…

and declare war on foreign powers.

How stupid!

That's a naive student's idea.

Genzui,

you read a lot

and have great ideals,

but you don't have an ounce of vision

to understand the current situation!

And you do?

- Of course! - Then, speak!

Fine.

It's sad, but our domain

made an irreparable mistake…

advocating for the opening of the country.

Now, no matter how much dedication we show,

others disdain us, saying,

"People from Choshu can't be trusted."

In a moment like this, logic is useless!

What we must do immediately

is draw the nation's attention to Choshu and regain the lost trust!

And anyone who says,

"What does it matter to kill one or two foreigners?"

isn't a friend, but an enemy!

And will be cut to pieces!

Interesting.

I, Genzui Kusaka,

am always ready to die.

Just cut me!

Calm… calm down!

Please, wake up from your drunkenness…

Leave them, Shunsuke!

If they want, let them do it!

But it's not funny.

It's not funny, damn it!

Shinsaku! Genzui!

Listen well,

did you stop to think

about everything I went through

to get this money?

Not knowing the efforts of others,

you only drink, eat,

and start fights!

Damn it!

It's not funny!

What are you looking at?

This is not a show!

It's not funny!

Huh?

"Everything I went through."

But it's only ten ryo.

It's what I could get!

Genzui.

However, this plan was not carried out.

The plan leaked to the Tosa domain,

and Sadahiro Mori, whom Takasugi and the others served, was informed.

Alarmed, Sadahiro went SADAHIRO MORI, HEIR OF THE CHOSHU DOMAIN

the day before the execution to Umeyashiki, in Omori,

to persuade them.

At that time, the loyalty of vassals to their lords

was something unimaginable today.

Moved to tears,

everyone obeyed,

except Shinsaku, who openly expressed his conviction.

Later, under Yodo's orders, four Tosa samurai mediated

and it all ended in a sake meeting and the group's dispersion, but…

Huh?

Shinsaku?

Monta, Shunsuke,

and even Genzui?

Heavens…

You all have your heads aligned like pumpkins.

They patted all of you on the head…

and your hair became

very soft and curly.

That's dangerous.

Please, come down.

I would like to apologize.

Your lord, Yodo, is a very deceptive person.

He always sang, "Revere the emperor, expel the barbarians,"

but apparently, it was all a sham.

Insolent!

How dare you say that? Take it back!

Don't bother!

I will handle this scoundrel.

Shinsaku!

Why?

Why didn't they let him act?

Shinsaku's impotent heart

was also Sufu's heart.

Five days later,

after eagerly waiting for Sadahiro to return,

Shinsaku Takasugi spoke with his comrades

and set fire to the British legation in Gotenyama, Shinagawa. BRITISH LEGATION

Get down there!

If you don't want to die, stay down.

You stay here.

Don't move…

Don't move…

Let's light them up…

It's already burning!

Did you hear? Count to a hundred!

- Everything ready? - Yes.

Quick! Quick!

Huh?

Ah!

I knew it!

These fools!

It's already burning!

Here I go!

Call the others!

Hurry!

Hurry up!

Come on! Come on!

- Fire! - There's a fire!

- Quickly! - Over here! Over here!

Hey, bring it over here!

Quickly!

- What happened? - Yes! We found this!

You only found these filthy sandals?

And something else.

This was next to it.

Huh?

"Monsama"?

What is this?

Are you kidding me?

Darn!

I dropped the letter!

Alright.

Let's give them another push.

UENO

What's that?

What is it?

His face seems familiar.

Who is it?

Who are you?

KANEIJI SANMAIBASHI

NO TRESPASSING

Remove it!

What are you doing? This bridge is for the shogun!

You will be executed!

Step aside!

Stop! Stop right there!

- What are you doing? - Silence!

This is the body of Master Torajiro Shoin Yoshida,

a fallen patriot,

unjustly executed at Denmacho Prison. A MARTYR OF THE NATION

He was buried at the Kozukappara execution grounds,

but thanks to the Emperor's words,

the master has been

exonerated of his crimes.

So now, we are taking him to be buried with dignity.

I know his crimes were forgiven,

so I won't prevent the burial.

However, this bridge is reserved for the shogun.

You can't cross it!

Shut up. Shut up, shut up, shut up!

The sentence of the Tokugawa shogunate that condemned a patriot

was overturned by the emperor!

It's clear

that the emperor is above the shogun.

This is the path

for the souls the emperor commands us to honor.

How does the shogun intend to obstruct it?

Moreover,

the shogun's house,

which defies the emperor's order to travel to Kyoto,

commits the gravest betrayal!

I, Shinsaku Takasugi, a ronin of Choshu,

with this fallen patriot's soul,

ask the shogunate to reflect.

Therefore, I will cross it!

Move aside! Move aside!

Move aside!

Wait! Wait.

Stop!

EDOYASHIKI OF THE CHOSHU DOMAIN

They will make the journey to Kyoto!

We won!

We won!

We won!

The plan of Katsura and allies

was to force the shogunate to promise the emperor

to expel foreigners.

Finally, the first stage was achieved,

which involved bringing the shogun to Kyoto. SPRING OF THE THIRD YEAR OF BUNKYU ERA [1863]

Thus, the stage moved to Kyoto.

However,

Yoshinobu Hitotsubashi's diplomatic skills, the shogun's guardian,

far exceeded the expectations of Katsura.

With pretexts, he avoided joining the emperor

in the procession to Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine

to pray for the expulsion of foreigners,

and at the same time tried to shorten the shogun's stay in Kyoto,

set at ten days.

It's me! KYOYASHIKI OF CHOSHU DOMAIN [Mansion in Kyoto]

Give me a sword!

What?

One that cuts well! I don't have one.

Who will you attack?

Hitotsubashi?

No…

Someone more important.

If he hides in Edo Castle, we won't be able to get him.

Where will you do it?

At the Imperial Palace!

Early tomorrow, Iemochi will have an audience with the emperor…

a decree to accompany the emperor

to Kamo Shrine will be issued.

Kamo?

Wasn't he going to Iwashimizu?

If he goes to Iwashimizu, they will pray for the expulsion of the barbarians.

In that case,

the shogun would have to comply with the expulsion.

Yoshinobu Hitotsubashi fears this

and won't allow the shogun to leave.

But Kamo is just a shrine for the people of Kyoto,

he won't have to do that.

However, they must leave regardless.

If they don't pray for expulsion, taking them to Kamo is pointless.

What is the objective?

Two things!

First,

to show the country that the emperor is above the shogun.

Second, to prevent Iemochi from returning to Edo.

While in Kyoto,

we will still have opportunities to act.

I see.

It's something Katsura would devise.

And if tomorrow they refuse

to escort the emperor to Kamo Shrine,

At that moment…

Whose idea is this?

Kusaka's?

I see…

That's fine.

Only him could come up with something so reckless.

No one else…

No one else could.

Take this.

Take it with you.

Eeeh…

Huh? What is it?

Ah!

It has the imperial emblem.

That's right, my lord bestowed this sword upon me.

It wouldn't be proper to use it for this.

Very well.

Take it.

Don't fail.

TAKASHI

I have gathered

my comrades here at this place.

Tomorrow morning,

we will act according to…

what transpires.

Look!

Tadamitsu Nakayama, imperial chamberlain.

From now on,

he will let us into the palace.

Upon leaving through the back,

you will be right in the palace garden.

When Maro was a child,

he was scolded for entering

the house covered in mud.

When is Iemochi's audience with the emperor?

- Early tomorrow. - Will we be hidden?

That's the plan.

Darn…

Make sure to go to the bathroom while you can.

For the good of the country.

IEMOCHI TOKUGAWA, FIFTEENTH SHOGUN

A MOMENT LATER

What is it?

They are taking their time.

Huh? Katsura?

Huh?

The shogunate's side conceded.

The shogun agreed to accompany the emperor to Kamo.

And that day…

Great shogun appeaser of barbarians!

How reckless…

Great shogun appeaser of barbarians!

Great shogun appeaser of barbarians!

Appeaser of barbarians!

Great shogun appeaser of barbarians!

Great shogun appeaser of barbarians!

Great shogun appeaser of barbarians!

What's so funny about shouting that?

How stupid!

Takasugi has become

quite famous.

It's not funny!

It's not funny at all!

What do you think, Shunsuke?

No matter where I turn, I only see this standoff.

I'm a bit fed up.

It's best to change the situation drastically!

Do you have any good ideas?

It's not that I don't have one, but…

Do you have something?

You could say so.

Don't waste time, say it!

What?

London?

London, England?

Don't raise your voice!

There is a man who has already left.

Kimio!

You two,

who do you take me for?

What are you talking about?

I'm a respected geisha.

Look at how you have managed to sneak around until now.

Alright! Let's leave that aside.

Let's toast!

If you keep feigning ignorance,

take a look with your own eyes.

Gioncho is a small city.

Shunsuke!

- Sit down. - Yes!

Good evening, madam.

- Come in, come in. - Thank you.

IKUMATSU (LATER, MATSUKO KIDO)

Hey! They are here!

Wait!

You are Ikumatsu, right?

Yes.

We were expecting you.

Come in and prepare some drinks for us.

Excuse me,

but I have a client waiting for me.

Alright!

Then,

we will take care of him!

That's right!

Which room is he in?

Well…

Get up!

We need to talk.

Did you hear us?

We are taking Ikumatsu.

That's a problem. I have matters to discuss with her.

We will wait for you.

Finish your business.

It's something very important.

It will take me a while.

How long?

Let's see…

About four or five days.

You scoundrel! Are you mocking me?

You! Get out now!

Don't do it!

This person is the leader of Renpei dojo.

Don't interfere!

Stay silent!

I see…

Well,

it seems there's no choice.

Alright!

Alright!

I want to know your names

in case something happens later.

You think you are a big deal?

If you ask our names, give yours.

I'm Kogoro Katsura, from the Choshu domain.

Well, let's begin.

Wait a moment!

Forgive us for speaking like that!

Forgive us!

- Sorry! - Please, forgive us!

Are you alright?

Yes.

People have become very agitated thanks to Shinsaku.

I can't relax here anymore.

What do you think

if we go somewhere else?

Sure.

Hey.

Were you up all night?

Yes.

Sorry for the trouble.

Here you go.

UNO

Ah! Delicious!

I don't recognize you.

I started this job yesterday.

Oh, really?

You look so tired it seems like you lost the lottery.

No,

not at all.

Are you from Kyoto?

That's right.

Where from?

From Akamagaseki.

Ah, Shimonoseki?

From which part?

A place called Sujigahama.

It's near Hikojima, right?

Do you know it?

I toured that beach with the lord

on a coastal defense inspection.

Wow!

Have you been there? It's quite empty, right?

It's a field of flowers

compared to Akaiso or Shiraiso.

I don't know how to thank you…

Ah…

Close your eyes.

Come on, do it.

It's something I bought in Nagasaki, you can have it.

Calling me when I'm so busy…

What do you want?

Lately,

it seems Yozo Yamao isn't around here.

Ah…

He's in Yokohama studying English.

He won't be back for a while. This is a clan secret.

Don't tell anyone.

Yakichi Nomura isn't around either.

Ah… They are together.

Is that so?

English will become more important than Dutch.

I recognize that your vision, Mr. Sufu,

in sending them to study English

is admirable.

Praise me all you want.

Kinsuke Endo isn't around either.

Is he in Yokohama too?

If those three get lost in London, it will be a problem!

We will go get them!

Don't raise your voices!

Who

told you that?

We have ears in hell.

What do you want?

We want to be sent

to study in England as well!

What nonsense!

Don't say it so lightly!

Do you know how much that costs?

The boat fare to London costs 400 ryo one way.

- Huh? - The annual living cost is 1000 ryo,

in five years, it would be 6000 ryo per person.

Will they be there for five years?

Ah!

Why weren't we invited?

And why would you go?

Huh? Those three are going to study earnestly.

But you…

would only go to study English women!

How am I supposed to spend money on that?

If you don't grant us permission, we are willing

to do anything!

Oh…

Would you dare to do something?

- Would you commit seppuku? - Not by ourselves!

With whom?

With the feudal lord

and the high officials,

starting with you, Mr. Sufu.

Why would I have to do it?

If the shogunate finds out that the Choshu domain,

which says "Expel foreigners!"

- is sending samurai abroad… - You!

Please grant us permission!

Damn it!

But what a bunch of…

They are blackmailing geniuses, right?

OTSU

Master Murata!

Master Murata!

We heard you would go back to Yamaguchi,

and we thought we would find you.

Master Sufu entrusted us with this.

ZOROKU MURATA

Could you give your consent for the trip to London?

The master told us that this letter states

how exceptional we are.

It doesn't say that.

What it does say is,

"They are passionate,

but impulsive to the point of immorality"

and that

"you are lustful and lack money."

Although the final decision

is left to me.

So, we beg you to approve us!

We earnestly plead with you!

We will behave righteously

and be prudent abroad!

We won't overspend,

we promise to uphold the name of the men of Choshu!

You really are very impulsive.

Well, all right.

When different materials are mixed, a chemical reaction occurs.

Mix with more serious people like Yamao and the others.

Before boarding the ship, read this.

"English-Japanese Pocket Dictionary"?

KOTO, WIFE OF ZOROKU MURATA

SUZENJIMURA

Madam!

Master Zoroku returned!

Really?

Yes. Two years have already passed.

So it has been two years?

He's a true traveler,

there's no point in counting the years.

I can't believe you are already back.

Can I stay at the Sugiya house?

They asked me to work there.

It will only be for a while.

Can I stay there?

Ah, I have those things under custody.

I'm airing them out.

Or else they will start to smell bad.

How long will you have them?

For now, five years.

Five years?

Excuse me.

Yes?

Is this Master Omura's house?

Ah, yes.

INE, DAUGHTER OF SIEBOLD

Oh! Is that you, Ine?

Master. You truly are here.

I heard you moved from Hagi Castle to Yamaguchi,

so I wondered if you had returned.

I see. I'm glad to see you.

She's daughter of a great German scholar named Siebold who lived in Nagasaki.

While he was building warships in Uwajima,

she studied medicine there.

Come on in!

Please, come in!

Master Zoroku is the one in the corner.

As soon as he returned,

he attracted a foreign woman.

But well…

Why is he with a foreigner?

No idea…

What is it? What is it?

You arrived just in time.

Are you cold?

No.

I will close it.

People like to spy around here.

Did something happen

in Uwajima?

Miss Ine?

I received a marriage proposal from a very distinguished man.

He's so honorable that I feel unworthy of him.

However, I couldn't make a decision…

and after much deliberation,

I ended up coming here.

Master,

did you abandon medicine?

Why do you ask that?

I have the feeling

that you have distanced yourself greatly.

If you quit medicine…

I will do the same.

And also…

I will accept the marriage.

Please,

tell me the truth.

Miss Ine,

I still consider myself a doctor.

I will never forget the time…

I spent in Uwajima.

It was a wonderful time,

progressing together along the path of medicine.

I have not

abandoned medicine.

However,

the illness I'm dealing with now

can't be seen with the eyes.

I returned this time

to teach

military tactics to the domain's youth,

this too is an emergency.

If we don't act now,

Choshu, my homeland…

will perish.

Come on, Johnny!

We too

paid for our passage!

And yet they make us sleep on the deck,

drink only saltwater,

and work tirelessly all day.

That's not fair!

But that's what's stipulated in the contract!

What contract?

The boarding contract we signed in Yokohama upon boarding…

In the section on the purpose of the trip…

The purpose was to study the navy!

You

translated it that way, right?

Yes, I thought I did.

Thought?

I did!

Well, at least I tried, but…

In English

we say "navy"!

I know!

But I made a mistake

and used the word right

above it in the dictionary.

And what word was it?

- "Navigation." - ¿Eh?

Meaning,

"to navigate".

So instead of

studying about the navy,

we will study navigation…

That is,

to become sailors!

What?

So,

will we be like this until we reach London?

I'm sorry!

- That's what the contract says. - You!

I won't forgive you!

According to records,

they traveled four months and ten days in these conditions

after leaving Yokohama.

But no one imagined that the two would return to Japan in just one year

and accomplish great feats.

KYOTO

Divine punishment!

IWAKURA

"To those near the emperor who wish to stop the expulsion of the barbarians:

Hear the nation's voice, eager to drive them out!"

We are people EXCHANGE HOUSE

who left our parents and siblings

and work hard day and night

on national matters with the will to expel the barbarians!

- What does money matter? - What do lives matter?

Get out of here!

We will blow your minds off

- at the Edo blood festival! - Indeed!

Mother!

Mother!

Mother!

Mother!

GAKUSHUIN

He's late!

What is Kusaka doing?

- Someone call him! - Yes!

Not expel the barbarians?

Takasugi, I won't accept those words,

even from you.

- Take them back! - I won't.

What are you saying?

The current movement

is just a passing fever,

a very malignant one at that.

Open your eyes and look around!

Those shouting "expel the barbarians"…

are opportunists seeking fame

or hungry wolves with nowhere else to go.

Master Shoin once said:

"The affairs of the world are not for boasting.

Only true loyalty exists."

But no trace of that sincere determination remains.

Master Kusaka! You are late for the meeting at Gakushuin!

- I'm coming! - Kusaka is busy.

But they have been waiting for him there for quite a while!

Let them wait!

Understood.

Even if I granted you were right, what do you suggest

we do then?

Kyoto is rotten.

We must return to Choshu.

And what would we do?

Carry out the expulsion.

That's madness!

Why?

If we can burn Choshu

and abandon it, expulsion is possible.

We wouldn't see this shameful spectacle anymore.

- I don't want to hear nonsense! - "Nonsense"?

Then tell me,

why expel the barbarians?

To protect the nation from foreigners.

And what is that nation?

It can't be just Choshu,

much less this country

ruled by the Tokugawa house.

The nation we protect is the one governed by the Emperor.

Then I ask you,

what is the Emperor?

He's our father and, at the same time,

our god,

perfect and infallible.

Do you really believe that?

If it weren't so,

why would we risk our lives?

Even if no one else believes it, I will.

I will believe!

In the Emperor,

in the expulsion of the barbarians, in Katsura, in you,

in all our comrades!

Even if it were all an illusion,

I will believe it!

Master Kusaka! A message from Master Katsura.

Please, hurry, master!

I believe…

I believe!

I believe!

Master Kusaka, hurry!

Please hurry!

Please hurry!

Master Kusaka!

Please hurry!

Master Kusaka!

- Welcome. - Is Takasugi here?

Yes.

He has a terrifying look

and looks like a different person.

The sake the nobles drink is so dull

that one doesn't feel drunk.

I was with Kusaka at Gakushuin just a moment ago.

Did you argue with him?

Yes…

Genzui Kusaka is an impressive man.

Just as expected from the disciple of Master Shoin.

His eyes…

are always fixed on a distant future.

In a country ruled by an emperor?

I can't think that far ahead.

I'm busy with what's in front of me.

For example…

No…

I better don't say it.

Then I will say it,

overthrow the shogunate.

Are you thinking about that too?

We must entrench ourselves in Choshu

and gather forces.

That's not right!

What's not right?

For our plan to succeed,

we must invite the emperor here.

If we manage that,

the imperial banner will rise.

And when that happens,

the whole country will avalanche toward us.

Is that why the court intrigues?

Understand this.

In a war,

winning is paramount.

Where are you going?

We are not finished.

No,

I'm done.

It's true that Kusaka

is impressive.

You are too, Katsura.

But you are different from me.

I only think

of one thing,

I don't want this country to become like Shanghai.

I…

don't want us to end up like that man.

We have to expel the barbarians.

We have to overthrow the shogunate.

And there is more,

if I'm going to fight,

I want to fight beautifully.

I want to fight honorably…

and die with honor.

Without tricks.

It seems that…

I have nowhere to go.

Oh, is he leaving already?

Why didn't you stop him?

He was known as "the Wild Bull."

No one can stop him.

Yes, but

why must you go separate ways?

You come from the same region of Choshu,

besides, you all ended up in the same place, right?

For us women, that…

Heavens!

It started to rain.

And Takasugi

didn't have an umbrella…

KYOYASHIKI OF CHOSHU DOMAIN

Who is it?

Takasugi.

Shinsaku?

Why are you here?

I came to

ask permission for something I must do.

Wait.

You…

I have decided to become a monk.

I have taken the Buddhist name Togyo, meaning "going east."

I came to request

ten years of leave

to be absent.

I was told that

you argued with Kusaka during the day. Is it because of that?

This is entirely my decision.

I no longer know what is good, and I also don't know what is bad.

Although I know where I must go,

I can't see the path.

My mind…

is completely empty.

What do you plan to do

with that free time?

I don't even know that.

I just…

want to do something foolish,

further empty this already empty mind and…

It seems that…

I have already lost my mind.

"Yes, yes, yes!

It's empty. Yes!

If you strike the monk's head…

Yes! It will make the sound of a pumpkin.

Yes!

Yes, yes, yes!

Yes, yes, yes!

It's empty. Yes!

It will make the sound of a pumpkin.

Yes!

It will make the sound of a pumpkin.

Yes!

Yes, yes, yes!

It's empty. Yes!

If you strike the monk's head…

Yes!

It will make the sound of a pumpkin.

Yes!

Yes, yes, yes!"

It will make the sound of a pumpkin.

Yes!

"It will make the sound of a pumpkin.

Yes!

Yes, yes, yes!

Yes, yes, yes!

It's empty, yes!

If you strike the monk's head…

Yes! It will make the sound

of a pumpkin.

Yes!"

Fool…

SHOKASONJUKU

Oh!

Oh, so you were here!

Father!

Yes. Someone saw you in the castle town. KOCHUTA TAKASUGI, FATHER OF SHINSAKU TAKASUGI

I didn't imagine you would be here.

Ah! Masa also came.

Masa!

I'm glad

to see you again.

Father,

forgive me for my repeated misfortunes…

and for looking like this.

Oh, no,

don't worry.

There must be a reason behind it.

Let's talk at home.

I will part ways here…

Eh?

I won't return home.

By my own decision,

I requested leave of absence.

Now…

I will fulfill my isolation.

Shinsaku,

she's your wife.

Couldn't you at least take her with you, eh?

The shogunate accepted the edict to expel the barbarians.

It will be carried out during these ten days.

But will there be war?

It seems Kusaka

has already set up a camp

in Shimonoseki for the strait.

Will you go there too?

Despite it being impossible,

Shinsaku heard the sound of cannons.

Fire!

It was the 11th day of the 5th month of the 3th year of the Bunkyu Era [1863].

Genzui Kusaka

fired the first shot

at the American ship "Pembroke"

while it crossed the Kanmon Strait.

This strait separates Shimonoseki and Moji…

at the western end of the Seto Sea. KANMON STRAIT (TODAY)

It used to be a mandatory passage for foreign ships

sailing between Yokohama, Nagasaki, and Shanghai.

The narrowest part of the strait,

between Danoura and Tanoura,

was only 700 meters wide.

Fire!

Fire! YAMAGATA KYOKAI, SAMURAI OF CHOSHU

Genzui Kusaka's unit, led by Tadamitsu Nakayama, NAKAYAMA

fired at the "Pembroke",

a small merchant ship of 200 tons traveling from Yokohama to Shanghai.

After sustaining minor damage, the ship fled toward Bungo Channel.

Fire!

- Fire! - Fire!

Fire!

In the early morning of the 23rd, the French vessel "Kien Chan", DAY 23

was attacked while sailing to Nagasaki.

It made it through the strait with flood damage,

but four sailors died… AKANE, SAMURAI OF CHOSHU

and one officer was wounded.

DAY 25

Fire!

Fire!

DAY 26

RETALIATION ATTACK BY THE AMERICAN SHIP "WYOMING"

FIFTH DAY OF THE SIXTH MONTH

RETALIATION ATTACK BY THE FRENCH EASTERN FLEET: FLAGSHIP "SEMIRAMIS" AND THE SHIP "TANCRÈDE"

Choshu's outdated military force

could not withstand this attack.

Quickly!

Get out of the way! Step aside!

French troops landed at Maeda.

Consisting of 70 soldiers and 180 sailors,

they quickly occupied the fort,

destroyed the cannons,

and blew up the gunpowder warehouse.

Another unit looted armors and weapons from a nearby temple,

burned 20 civilian houses

and withdrew about an hour after landing.

The two French ships remained offshore at Tanoura,

but by evening they withdrew towards the east.

SEIJIDO, YAMAGUCHI

Only you can do it. TAKACHIKA MORI, DAIMYO OF CHOSHU

Please,

Shinsaku.

I will accept your request.

Shinsaku was heading to the Kokuraya Maritime Trade in Shimonoseki.

Its owner, Shoichiro Shiraishi,

was known as a protector, not only of Choshu,

but also of the domains of Satsuma, Tosa, and exiled ronin from various regions.

Oh! Mr. Takasugi.

Please, die with me.

SHOICHIRO SHIRAISHI, MARITIME TRADER

You accepted the defense

of Shimonoseki, right?

- I have a plan! Listen… - No.

Merchants don't understand matters of war.

- You must listen! - No, no!

When I heard that

you were coming,

Mr. Takasugi,

I made my decision.

Money

is the life of a merchant.

And happily,

I will give you my life.

Please,

use it as you see fit.

Mr. Shiraishi…

Sir!

Sir! They are here!

Another foreign ship!

Don't worry.

That's an English commercial ship.

Mr. Takasugi,

seeing it

sailing so close to Kokura,

don't you think

that it's they who fear

an attack from us?

Go away! Go away!

- Go away! - Leave!

- Leave! - Go away!

Look!

This is it!

That's what I meant when I said I had a plan!

The uprising of masses, as taught by Master Shoin.

We can't depend on the nobles, feudal lords, or samurai.

We must unearth

the power of the common people.

In America, they say that anyone

can bear arms and be a soldier.

So do you plan to form that kind of army?

Exactly!

The kiheitai! [Irregular Militia]

KIHEITAI HEADQUARTERS

It's like a dream for us peasants to have this.

- Damn it! - What are you doing?

I will do it!

I'll take down those arrogant samurai!

I won't forgive anyone!

If we had had this, we wouldn't have lost two years ago.

It's no use remembering the past.

We still have time.

Just watch!

Everyone will recognize me!

And what will you do then?

Become an imperial guard!

I can't wait to shoot!

Quick, bring me bullets!

When will we receive them?

- Hey. - Tell me.

Do you know if the bullets are heavy?

Hey! Can someone say something?

We can't even talk!

It doesn't matter. They have energy!

- I'm sure they will be strong. - But…

- Let's just keep going! - Yes.

- How far did we get? - Good.

"Each basic unit will have five members, led by a corporal.

Everyone will be

under a chain of command to present proposals." KYUICHI IRIE, SAMURAI OF CHOSHU

The requirement is to be the second or third son of a peasant family.

- How about it? - Yes.

Yes, it's very good.

Oh, what noise!

What do you think?

- Will it work? - It will!

No, it will undoubtedly work!

In this region alone, in three days we recruited 60 people.

At this rate, it will keep growing.

- Master Kijima, - Yes?

- what I asked you… - I got it!

I brought four rifle barrels,

twenty Minié and Gewehr rifles, and enough bullets.

Impressive, Master! Where there's a will, there's a way.

You still have vigor!

Nonsense! I'm not so old as to be swayed by your flattery.

Where is Takasugi?

Master Sufu called him to go to Seijido.

To Yamaguchi?

With how busy we are!

Don't make that face.

Just say yes!

I know you don't want to leave the Kiheitai,

but it's well established now.

You can leave it to Akane or Yamagata.

You must come to Yamaguchi.

Listen,

being the okubangashira… [Rear leader]

is not just a decorative title.

Being close to the lord

gives you a lot of influence.

Moreover,

your salary will increase by 160 koku! [Koku: measure of wealth in rice]

Well, that last part is a joke.

I received a message

from Katsura…

It seems

the Satsuma domain has finally moved.

I knew it!

It will be Choshu or Satsuma…

Which one will manage to host the emperor?

This will turn into a bloody war.

Please, come to Yamaguchi.

The Satsuma, SATSUMA DOMAIN

the most powerful of domains,

feared that Choshu's power was growing stronger in the imperial court,

so they allied with some nobles and the Aizu domain…

to remove Choshu from power. TAKAMORI SAIGO, SAMURAI OF SATSUMA

FIELD ARTILLERY

DEFENSE AND NAVAL ARTILLERY

FUMON TEMPLE, CHOSHU

Look, there's a light.

He's still there.

Although he comes every day from the domain office,

he can't return by himself until someone comes for him.

Why?

Because of the dogs.

The master is afraid of dogs

and can't return alone.

What if his students knew

that the great master, who lectures

on cannons and armies, is afraid of dogs!

Master!

You have a visitor.

Long time no see!

Ine?

Ah! Well, well!

Please, come in!

Come in! Come in!

Is that so?

You are moving to Yokohama?

Yes.

I decided to become

an apprentice to Dr. Hepburn and study obstetrics again.

Is something wrong?

No.

I was just thinking…

about how soon

you will be the one teaching me…

about the human body.

That's a lie!

After all, I'm a doctor.

I can detect patients' lies.

You have been thinking about something entirely different.

Is there anything I can help you with?

You…

should only think about yourself.

Zoroku was pondering

the letter he had received from his friend, Katsura.

"I can't decipher Satsuma's movements.

What is Satsuma trying to do?

I don't know, I don't know."

The tone of the letter, suspicious and anxious,

conveyed Katsura's desperate cry. "Kagoro Katsura"

Master Murata!

It seems that tonight

that slacker of Jinsuke didn't come

to take you home, either.

So I will accompany you.

No, no, I'm fine on my own.

Where are you headed?

To the Seijido of Yamaguchi.

It's on my way. I will join you.

Don't worry, master. I'm not afraid of dogs.

BOMUNSA TEMPLE

It's okay, don't worry!

Why do you say that?

Dogs don't understand human logic!

So, let's walk together.

Two people have double the strength.

That's not true!

But well,

it's better than going alone.

Then don't let go! I won't let go either.

At that time, unusual changes occurred in Kyoto.

On the 17th day of the eighth month of the third year of the Bunkyu Era [1863],

at the hour of the rat, today 1:00 a.m.,

an imperial edict arrived

to the military commissioner, Matsudaira Katamori. KATAMORI MATSUDAIRA, DAIMYO OF AIZU

It ordered the gates of the palace to be closed

and prohibited entry to unauthorized persons.

Listen!

We will guard the gates of the palace

and will obey His Imperial Highness.

No one should pass except from the Aizu, Satsuma, and Yodo domains!

Among the authorized, Choshu domain was not included.

That is, the Choshu domain

and the seven courtiers supporting them, including Sanetomi Sanjo,

were expelled from the imperial court.

This was Saigo's secret plan in collaboration with the Aizu domain.

What? What did Satsuma do?

Yes!

SAKAIMACHIGOMON

Open up!

Open up!

I have a request to make.

Open the gate!

Please, open the gate.

- Please, open the gate! - Open up!

- Open the gate! - Open up!

We couldn't enter.

- Who's inside? - The Satsuma!

So, it's them, huh?

- How many are there? - It's unclear,

but around 300.

We can win!

Even if they add Aizu, Satsuma,

and the shinsengumi, they won't exceed 800 or 1000 men. [A police force]

They are less than half of ours.

So let's advance head-on!

Very well!

Don't do that!

Don't do foolish things!

What are you saying?

Depending on the circumstances,

I won't forgive you even if you share the same blood from the Mori clan!

If we rebel against the edict and start a war,

we will be considered enemies of the court!

Don't be ridiculous!

That edict is fake!

Do you have proof?

Proof?

This is not the time to cling to formalities!

It's clear that all of this

is a plot by the Aizu and Satsuma domains!

What mistakes

did we make?

We were the first to implement the policy against barbarians!

Stop boasting!

KANMOTSU YOSHIKAWA, DAIMYO OF THE IWAKUNI DOMAIN

Even that was possible

because our Iwakuni domain

controlled from Mitajiri to the east of Setochi.

We don't need to discuss!

If you truly insist on passing,

pass through our domain first!

Interesting!

If you are so eager,

I will cut you to pieces!

- Kojima! - Master! Master!

- Let me go! - Master!

- Master! - Let me go!

- What enemy of the court? - Master!

- Well, calm down… - Master! Master!

Master.

Katsura.

Katsura!

It's over…

We won't make it.

What will we do if even the Choshu region can't be united?

All this is my fault…

While they were in charge of Kyoto,

Aizu and Satsuma

took the first step…

and caught us by surprise.

We lost the battle.

Kusaka,

please, hold on.

Even if we lose now…

I will ensure we win next time!

At dawn on the 18th, Choshu's forces withdrew,

taking the seven courtiers led by Sanetomi Sanjo with them.

Thus, the influence of the Choshu domain was removed from Kyoto.

This is known as "The Fall of the Seven Nobles."

KIHEITAI

With this crisis, in Choshu YUGEKITAI: 500 PEOPLE

military units inspired by Kiheitai were formed. YAMAGUCHI: 100 PEOPLE

These units were comprised of townspeople. KOGUN: 50 PEOPLE

Men and women joined the cause, SHIMONOSEKI: 50

rekindling the fervor of the region.

- Well done! - One, two, three!

One, two, three!

One, two, three!

KIKUGAHAMA FORTRESS STELE

IKEDAYA

Furthermore, what intensified Choshu's fury even more was…

It's the authority! ISAMI KONDO, HEAD OF THE SHINSENGUMI

What is it?

The Mibu ronin?

SOSHI OKITA, SHINSENGUMI SOLDIER

- Shinsaku! Did you hear? - Yes!

Miyabe, Sugiyama, Hiroka, and Saeki…

If we include the Tosa domain, 14 have been killed.

Fourteen?

The Kijima infantry is losing its cool!

- Go to Mitajiri immediately! - Understood!

Hey!

Make sure to persuade them

and don't let any of them go to Kyoto.

If they advance, other units will follow.

If the troops go to Kyoto, a battle will ensue.

And if that happens, our lord

will have no choice but to participate…

Go!

Please, succeed!

MITAJIRI

Izumi Maki was a Shinto priest from Kurume. IZUMI MAKI, PRIEST OF KURUME

His ideology of venerating the emperor

and expelling foreigners captivated multitudes.

KATSUGORO, WARRIOR

Master Kijima.

Takasugi…

INFANTRY

We are going to Kyoto!

Don't try to stop us!

Allow me to ask a question.

With what purpose are you heading to Kyoto?

To denounce to the world the injustice of the Aizu domain,

which used those ronin to murder our men,

and to appeal to the emperor.

We will clear last year's false accusation!

That's useless. Please, stop!

The imperial court is under the control of Satsuma and Aizu.

We have no influence.

Don't speak any further!

Why discuss the outcome before we act?

Shinsaku! You fell to the level of a scarecrow.

Those who sit comfortably

discussing, are not human,

they are scarecrows!

I have not forgotten…

my slain friends.

Nor the humiliation of walking…

while I wept.

That 18th day of the eighth month.

Do you think you can stop me?

Step aside!

I see…

You are ready to die.

Let me think about it a bit.

Please, think it over.

I will wait here.

SHORTLY AFTER

Hey!

Where is Master Kijima?

He left with Master Maki.

Which way?

Well, he said,

"I won't return, so

I will have you head to Kyoto via messenger."

KYOTO

Wait!

I don't recognize you. Are you from Choshu?

If you are, leave immediately!

I won't allow the feet of a traitor to tread this place!

Answer!

SAKUMA KAWATA, SAMURAI OF THE TOTTORI DOMAIN

The Tottori domain in Inshu?

That domain has a close relationship with Choshu.

My lord won't tolerate being called a traitor.

My name is Sakuma Kawata,

from the Tottori domain!

Wait!

My apologies.

Let's go!

Excuse me!

Ah, Kawata!

Sorry.

I told him to wait,

but he said he had an urgent matter and wanted to see you.

Well, please, come up.

If not, they will scold me.

Come on, go ahead, come up.

Old Kijima finally did it!

He left Mitajiri with 500 infantrymen and warriors!

It's my fault.

No, it isn't.

No one could have stopped him.

Even Kusaka said that

that momentum can't be stopped.

But more importantly,

return to the lord's side!

Don't allow him to leave!

That will be your mission!

No, I…

will kill Hisamitsu Shimazu.

The culprit is the Satsuma domain!

There's no better opportunity,

- in Kyoto! - Takasugi!

- Don't stop me! - I won't.

If you do, do it after me.

After you?

I considered this possibility a while ago.

Our kin domain, the Tottori domain,

is in charge of the Arisugawanomiya family.

So from the family's grounds, there is direct access to the palace.

Therefore,

if war breaks out and the flames begin to burn,

I will disguise myself as a Tottori, enter the palace,

present myself to the emperor

and escort him directly to Choshu.

And the Tottori agreement?

It's secured.

Sakuma Kawata

already organized the arrangements.

I will return to Choshu.

Do you agree with what I said?

Katsura!

Are you here?

- Where are you? - It's Kusaka.

Oh, I'm here!

Come quickly!

Takasugi is here too.

Hey!

How curious to meet here.

- It's been a year. - Yes.

Exactly a year.

It seems that old Kijima

played a trick on you, right?

Who told you?

I was with him until now.

There was a military council at the Otokoyama Shrine

and, following the proposals of Kijima and Maki,

it was decided to advance towards Kyoto.

Besides the infantry, Masuda will command 600 men

and 800 kunishi, [Short sword users]

heading from

Yamazakiguchi, Tenozan, and Saga towards Kyoto.

The young lord will lead 2000 men from Mitajiri…

towards Osaka by sea, to observe Kyoto.

You heard all that? Why didn't you stop them?

Genzui!

I supported the expedition!

What?

Have you gone mad?

Everyone is ready to die.

None think they will return alive.

Looking at each one in the face,

I resolved to die with them.

Katsura,

I leave the rest to you.

Entrust it to Shinsaku.

He will stay

in Choshu.

I'm glad to have seen you.

So am I.

How ironic.

The one who wished for a glorious death the most…

is left with the worst fate.

Forgive us.

Katsura,

let me have a drink.

Of course.

Shall we drink until dawn?

What do you think?

Shall we go to Gion? To Sanbongi?

Let's drink here

just the three of us.

Alright,

I will go get sake.

Those two…

Monta and Shunsuke.

I wonder if now

they are drinking in London.

When will you return

to Choshu?

Perhaps tomorrow.

Do you think

we will see each other again?

Probably not.

As he said, this day was to be their final farewell.

TWO DAYS LATER

MITAJIRI

- Accompany us to Hagi. - What is my crime?

Abandoning your mission to persuade the infantry…

and even deserting to Kyoto

is a most grievous fault!

This is the decision of Master Sufu.

We did what you asked of us.

- Good work. - Thank you!

NOYAMA PRISON

Thus…

at least one

will survive.

The confrontation between the troops

that marched to Kyoto, and the forces of Aizu and Satsuma,

defending the palace, began on the 18th of the seventh month HAMAGURI GATE

of the first year of the Genji Era [1864].

The fiercest battle took place at the Hamaguri Gate,

where a combined unit of 400 infantrymen attacked,

led by Matabe Kijima, the most powerful force of the Choshu army,

and 40 members of a warrior group.

Attack!

Hurry!

Hurry! SHINPACHI NAGAKURA, SHINSENGUMI SOLDIER

ARISUGAWANOMIYA MANSION

The second group of gate guards is here! GENJIRO UMAYA, CHOSHU SAMURAI

The audacity to fire a cannon towards the throne's direction!

There is no greater disrespect!

Retire!

What are you saying?

This is war.

No matter where the bullets fall, our alliance stands!

Master Katsura, attack!

- Artillery! - Yes!

Hold on!

There's no choice.

- It will be next time. - Master!

Let's go!

It's Saigo!

Fire!

We got him!

Master Saigo!

Are you okay?

You don't need to worry.

The bullet just grazed me.

Master!

Master Kijima!

Master!

Hold on, Master!

Master Kijima!

We did it!

We killed Saigo!

Master Kijima!

They killed Mr. Matabe Kijima!

The exit's open! Hurry up!

We can't hold them off for much longer!

Master Katsura!

Master!

Master!

Don't you dare to die.

Dying means losing.

We can't afford to lose.

- Go! - Yes!

It seems that

we are surrounded.

Where shall we die?

Here is fine.

And that hair?

I will fix it.

Sorry.

Irie!

Irie!

Irie!

Irie!

Irie!

Stop!

Stop!

Why?

Why doesn't the emperor

listen to our words?

Stop!

Stop!

In just one day, the Choshu domain was defeated.

a total of 227 people died in battle.

There were also more than 60 exiles

from the domains of Higo, Tosa, and Kurume.

During this one-day battle, TOKO TEMPLE

the fire caused in Kyoto

destroyed nearly 28,000 homes.

CEMETERY OF THE DAIMYOS OF THE MORI CLAN

From then on, Choshu faced a period of hardship.

However, the tragedy of Choshu

was only beginning.

A far more powerful enemy than anyone could imagine

was stealthily approaching.

The United Kingdom, France, the United States, and Holland.

The combined fleet of these four countries