Original subtitles

The residents of Kyoto were not aware of...

the existence of rural feudal lord, Nobunaga.

Then Nobunaga suddenly appeared from the east on their doorsteps...

with tens of thousands of soldiers.

There was an uproar from top to bottom.

Many took their household goods and escaped.

The imperial court ordered the Nobunaga army...

to adhere to strict military rules and not plunder citizens.

Emperor Ogimachi even prayed for peace.

In Kyoto, Nobunaga set up his main camp at Toji,

and Ashikaga Yoshiaki stayed at Kiyomizu Temple.

Toji Temple was built outside of Kyoto's entrance.

Nobunaga chose this site because he could oversee...

any enemies from Osaka trying to creep up.

Back then, beyond the temple were miles of farmland.

But for Nobunaga, this was a heavenly view.

Nobunaga

Episode 25: "Ambition"

Original Story & Screenplay: Tamukai Seiken

Music: Mori Kurodo

Original Subtitles TV Network Japan, Inc.

Transcribed and Edited Subtitles Kame Fansubs

CAST

Oda Nobunaga OGATA NAOTO

Kicho KIKUCHI MOMOKO

Rui TAKAHASHI KEIKO

Onabe WAKAMURA MAYUMI

Ikeda Tsuneoki MATOBA KOJI

Shibata Katsuie TAKITA SAKAE

Kinoshita Tokichiro NAKAMURA TOHRU

Hosokawa Fujitaka KATSUNO HIROSHI

Akechi Mitsuhide MICHAEL TOMIOKA

Maeda Toshiie HASHIZUME JUN

Niwa Nagahide SUGIMOTO TETTA

Matsunaga Hisahide SHIMIZU KOJI

Sakuma Nobumori TANAKA KEN

Inaba Yoshimichi SHINODA SABURO

Takigawa Kazumasu SHIBA TOSHIO

Nene NAKAYAMA MIHO

Imai Sokyu SATO KEI

Hayashi Michikatsu UTSUI KEN

Kano Zuiten HIRA MIKIJIRO

Director: Okada Ken

Nobunaga finally made it?

Yes, he entered Kyoto's gates and made Toji his headquarters.

Congratulations!

I must send him a congratulatory note.

Shinpachiro, take it to Toji after I write it.

Yes.

These are my first tears in a long time.

Gifu Castle

Open the gate!

Reporting! The lord reached Kyoto safely the other day.

Is that so?

Also, he is chasing the Miyoshi army nearby.

After arriving in Kyoto, and without a moment of rest,

Nobunaga chased the Miyoshi army into Settsu,

and within a half a month, out to Shikoku.

Akutagawa Castle, Settsu

Your courage as a warrior has eliminated the foes...

to bring peace back to this land.

I'm sure the emperor is also very pleased.

Now Omi, Yamashiro, Kawachi, Izumi, and Settsu...

are at peace and will serve as our allies.

I am most grateful.

Now we must return to Kyoto to bring back order.

Yes.

Which reminds me, Nobunaga...

I have one concern.

What is that?

It's about Yamato's Matsunaga Hisahide.

When will you defeat him?

He sided with us this time...

and played a key role in leading us to victory.

I would like to spare his life.

He also knows the ins and outs of government.

He will be instrumental in the new regime.

However, Nobunaga...

He killed my brother and mother and brought disorder to the land.

This battle started with his mutiny against the shogun.

Unless he is dead, this battle will not end.

Yes.

Then you will fulfill my wishes?

Give me some time.

Ah, good job.

Are you done with everything?

Every army is place in a camp now.

They are either complaining of too much or no space.

I'm beat. I guess age is catching up.

Where is the lord?

He is meeting with Sir Yoshiaki now.

Neighboring provincial lords and merchants...

are waiting outside to meet with him.

Oh, I see.

Sir Shibata.

All the hostages are in currently in one room.

Please meet with them later.

How many are there?

Twenty-four.

Oh, that is quite a few.

I guess we overthrew many castles.

But we lost over a thousand of our men.

That's right, isn't it?

The lord is back.

Good work.

Together we chased out the enemy.

Ashikaga Yoshiaki was very overjoyed.

But after we return to Kyoto, we must be on guard.

So, let's drink and enjoy the night!

Set all formality aside!

Nobunaga succeeded in overtaking the capital for the future shogun,

though formally, he was nothing but a subordinate.

But even the shogun had no authority to rule Japan.

The emperor was above the shogun in rank,

and was the true ruler of Japan.

But, he had little power and no one obeyed him.

Japan was indeed a land of formality.

I've never seen a celadon porcelain like this.

I just got it.

Yah, it has such a fine shape.

Even the Korean ones aren't this deep colored and refined.

I've heard much about your good buys, Sokyu.

This bowl is another good example of that.

Is this from the Gen Era?

Now...

Changing the subject,

it seems we may be seeing a new shogun.

One day an unknown man from Owari, Oda Nobunaga,

comes in and is controlling the land the next day.

Who can predict what tomorrow will bring?

Ryokei, you are a Christian...

perhaps your bataran can tell us the future.

We'll talk about religion on another day.

Shall we run with only our tea utensils?

It seems like the battles will go on for awhile.

I'm pleased to see battle weapons are selling,

but I'd hate to see Sakai involved in a battle.

I doubt if it will get that far.

If this becomes a sea of fire,

the daimyo will be choking their own necks.

But, you can't be too careful.

Judging from the increase in battles,

it won't end that easily.

You're right. Fewer people appreciate the shogun.

One day, the tail may wag the dog.

Caution is the key to everything.

I would like to express my congratulations.

Congratulations.

Yah, what a great man he is!

He came out to Kyoto to establish a new shogun.

It is indeed auspicious.

You must be very proud, too.

My husband would like to see him to congratulate him.

That's nice.

But, he is such an important man.

Would I still be able to see him?

If you are worried, take him a letter from me.

That would be perfect. Please, I would like that very much.

Will you kindly do that?

By the way, my lady...

What would make the lord most happy?

Let me see...

I can get him anything. I will obtain it and present it to him.

Let me see...

It's sincerity.

Sincerity? Sincerity as in the heart?

That's right. He has everything else.

What he lacks around him is sincerity.

That's worth more than a thousand pieces of gold.

He would appreciate that the most.

That's the most difficult gift.

Be cautious. He can see through one's heart.

Matsunaga Hisahide...

We met once before.

Yes.

That was when I came to Kyoto after unifying Owari...

to report to the former shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru.

That's right. You even praised my gaudy kimono then.

I thank you.

You are quite a man.

You kill the shogun a short time after that,

then controlled the country as you pleased.

And when you fought against the Miyoshi army,

you set fire to the Great Buddha at Todaiji Temple,

and left the Buddha barren.

That was very hard to do.

This time you seemed to be on our side,

but, how should I interpret you?

If you would forgive me, Matsunaga Hisahide,

I will serve as your arms and legs and bring forth good results.

Show me first.

Near Kyoto and Yamato there are provincial lords...

who are still with the enemy.

Go and attack their castles and forts!

I will do so.

We will talk after that.

You may go.

Yes.

Before that, I have a gift for you as a token of my apologies.

Bring it in.

This is a tea ceremony utensil,

but I value it next to my life.

Here it is.

It is a Tsukumogami.

Oh, a Tsukumogami?

Please accept it.

Then, I will be going.

Acting as if he recognized it!

That country samurai doesn't know its worth!

This must be worth something.

Hayashi. What is this Tsukumogami?

I'm now sure. It looks like a plain bowl to me.

It's from the country's worst villain, Matsunaga.

Who knows what he has planned with this gift?

I'm not lying. It's a true story.

After Nobunaga fell into the lake,

he lay on the ground to dry his clothes.

He thought his father would scold him.

So, he lay there under the hot summer sun...

so his face and arms were sunburned and red.

After that, for one month, his face was like a tortoise shell.

So many things happened...

But, I never expected him to assist the shogun.

I knew he would.

Is that so?

My husband, Tokichiro, every day raves...

about how great a man the lord is.

He said he recognized his talents immediately.

Anyone who could do that had to become great one day.

Lady Nene, you are just boasting about Tokichiro.

But Lady Sei, my husband really respects the lord.

Every morning and night all he talks about is the lord.

He never hears a word I'm saying.

That's wonderful.

It is.

My husband Tokichiro understands everything with one word,

so he has been favored by the lord.

That's true isn't it?

Sei...

Yes?

You should learn from Nene.

It seems like you are a good couple.

Yes, thank you very much.

Have you gotten used to life here in Mino?

Yes, thanks to the lord, I am getting along fine.

Is that so? How are your children?

Yes, well...

Haven't they returned to you yet?

Yes... They are with the men to become good warriors.

I see... but get to see them once in awhile.

And, pat their heads.

A child grows with a mother's love.

Men have swords in their hands, not love.

I'll remember that.

My lady, I have a question.

Why aren't I having any children?

That is my only concern.

What should I do?

At your young age, you don't need to worry.

You will discover one morning that you are pregnant.

So keep working at it.

Yes, I will.

She must have a plan to make me wait like this!

Why am I here?

I shouldn't be humiliated any further!

Now, leave Mino immediately.

Get up! Get up!

Please wait just a little more.

How long do I have to wait?!

She's with a guest right now.

She will be with you in a moment.

Tell her that Zuiten is here!

I already told her.

My lady, forgive me for dropping by suddenly.

I heard the lord arrived to Kyoto safely.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations.

Thank you. I will relay that to Nobunaga.

You served the Oda for three generations...

and have brought good fortune to us.

Think of this as another job done.

Oh no, my power is nothing compared to the lord's powerful fortune.

I feel badly about that.

My job isn't done yet.

I haven't even done a thing.

Now, let's forget about what's done and past,

but I have a gift to give you as thanks.

You and Matsu should leave Mino before Nobunaga returns.

Then the two of you will see better days.

I don't wish to be ungrateful,

but I can't leave without the lord's orders.

I'll talk to Nobunaga. Don't worry about it.

No, if I move without his approval, it is betrayal.

He will kill me.

Nobunaga will never lay a finger on you again.

Your era has ended.

The longer you are around Nobunaga,

the more unhappy you will be.

Listen to me. Leave with Matsu.

I will not go.

If you force me, I will leave alone.

Why? You two have been intimate for years.

You're wrong.

What's wrong? Everyone knows about it.

You're wrong. His heart has never turned toward me.

It's always looking in another direction.

If a moment passes, has the era ended?

If time passes, does it mean it disappears?

As you said, I have served the Oda for three generations.

The leaders changed and the castles changed,

but the destiny of the Oda has remained the same.

In fact, it has become more apparent,

and through Nobunaga, it has further bloomed to its height.

Where Nobunaga is now is the ultimate Oda dream.

Time passes only so one can recall the past.

Only those without hope use time to forget everything.

Why does one live?

To await the end of his time?

Does one live so he can forget everything?

To reach the ocean on the righteous river,

he must first know his origins.

Recall where it all began!

Dig deep into one's feelings...

and don't forget what lies there.

There is no such thing as "my" era,

only what is the righteous flow of destiny.

Why has Nobunaga forgiven Matsunaga?!

He hasn't forgiven him.

He forgave him!

He still rules over Yamato,

and hasn't paid for killing my mother and brother!

After I requested it, he defied my orders and forgave Matsunaga!

Summon Nobunaga here!

I wish to speak.

Call Nobunaga here!

My lord, please lower your voice.

He didn't behead Matsunaga, because he looked ahead.

I know that! But, I'm angry at Nobunaga's disobedience!

Matsunaga committed mutiny and took the shogun's life!

We can kill him on those grounds!

I can't allow such a villain to live!

Please...

Focus on returning to Kyoto as soon as possible,

be named the commander-in-chief, and formally shogun.

We are where we are now because of your spirit...

and Nobunaga's loyalty and power.

Please overlook this situation...

and look forward to glorious days.

If you go separate ways from Nobunaga now,

everything you have worked for will go to waste.

You won't be able to become the shogun.

Please bear with this.

Now, it is of primary importance to exhibit...

the power of the Ashikaga Shogunate.

Next is Sakai merchant, Imai Sokyu.

It is my first meeting with you.

I am Sakai merchant, Imai Sokyu.

My congratulations to you on this auspicious occasion.

I have gifts for you to honor and thank you.

Please accept them.

This is a bowl from Matsushima.

The other is called 'Joo Nasu' and holds tea.

Present it to the lord.

Shoemon, there's no rush.

Imai Sokyu...

I've been inconveniencing you quite a bit.

Those are such kind words.

I haven't been of any use at all.

I feel very embarrassed.

What's wrong?

No, it's just that...

This fascinates you?

Please forgive me if I'm wrong,

but is that the 'Tsukumogami' that Sir Matsunaga owned?

That's right.

I haven't seen that in such a long time!

Is it that valuable?

There are no two like that in Japan!

What does 'Tsukumogami' mean, anyway?

I heard it is taken from a poem in "Tales of Ise."

"The woman with grey hair, a year less than a hundred"

"Longing for me, I see her face."

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu took extreme care of it,

and the poem came from there.

So it must be worth a lot.

There may be one in a thousand years.

A daimyo who loves tea ceremony...

would give up his rule to get hold of that piece.

So it's worth maybe 10,000 kan?

That depends on how much it means to the person,

but some will pay 30,000 kan or 40,000 kan for it.

It is that priceless.

A whole domain for a tea caddy...

Ignorance is not bliss...

In mid-October,

Nobunaga accompanied Ashikaga Yoshiaki to Kyoto and were glorified.

Then, Ashikaga Yoshiaki was appointed commander-in-chief...

by the imperial court and became the 15th Ashikaga Shogun.

He's enjoying the Noh performance!

Does he realize that only Kyoto's outskirts are calm?!

The shogun is a very unrealistic man.

He thinks that he just needs to sit back...

and the world will become peaceful.

He has no money or army. If the enemy surrounds him,

how does he intend to fend them off?

He is relying on you entirely.

Such a troublesome man.

Tsuneoki... Get the officers together tomorrow.

Decisions must be made or we will head nowhere.

Kiyomizu Temple

Obey your orders and keep on guard for any violence...

on the way to and outside of Kyoto.

We have decided on who will remain in Kyoto.

Sakuma Nobumori...

Niwa Nagahide...

Kinoshita Tokichiro...

Akechi Mitsuhide...

Remain with your armies and restore order.

You must assist the Bakufu.

Reporting.

What is it?

A messenger is here from the shogun...

and would like to meet with you.

What should we do?

I'll meet with them.

Let them through.

Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki was appointed commander-in-chief.

Sir Hosokawa...

Forget the introduction. Just get to the point.

Very well, I will do that.

The shogun would like to appoint you imperial overseer.

Will you accept?

I am indeed grateful.

Tell him I express my deepest gratitude.

But, this journey was to restore the rightful shogun...

and not to glorify myself.

Tell him that he doesn't need to be concerned.

Instead, we must restore the government immediately.

I declare taxes of 20,000 kan on Sakai...

and 5,000 kan on Hongwanji Temple.

I will leave a part of my army in Kyoto...

so that they will keep the Miyoshi armies out.

You men must do your part in the restoration.

He is some man to decline this offer!

But we will lose our ties with him!

I know. We must come up with another position...

or the order will fall apart!

I'm not asking for what you have done.

I just want to know the details of the battle.

Don't exaggerate on your accomplishments!

Reporting. The shogun's envoys are here again.

Let them through.

What is it now?

I come with the shogun's directions again.

Please accept the position of Vice-Shogun.

Silence!

Since this is the shogun's way of showing his gratitude,

please accept the position.

I am indeed grateful for his consideration.

I consider it an honor for the Oda family.

However, this was not done for our personal gain.

Thus, it will be taken as glory for my army.

However, Lord Oda...

Why don't we do this then?

Give me the domains of Sakai, Otsu, and Kusatsu.

Would that do?

The shogun is willing to give you any domain you wish.

No, that is sufficient.

Greed will only degrade the class of my army.

We don't need the government.

We have to go to battle.

We can't let Nobunaga have his way.

That's my husband.

He always addresses the issue directly.

What is that man thinking?

He has no greed... like a saint!

On October 25th, Nobunaga left Kyoto for Gifu.

Soon we have to do a major clean up of the nation!

I will be meeting Nobunaga shortly.

So everybody, until next time...

To be continued.

To be continued.