Original subtitles

Like other feudal lords of the Warring States Period,

Nobunaga avoided battles with political marriages.

He married his daughter to Mikawa's Tokugawa,

and his younger sister Oichi to Asai Nagamasa.

Marriage promises were also made with Kai's Takeda...

and Echigo's Uesugi Kenshin.

But, such promises could be easily annulled at any time.

Nobunaga attacked Asakura, who were a threat,

but the Asai, who were his ally by marriage,

betrayed him in order to support their long-time friend, Asakura.

Such was the beginning of the Battle of Anegawa.

Next, the Asakura came to the rescue of the Asai...

and Mikawa's Tokugawa sided with Nobunaga.

The battle was fought along the Anegawa River.

At first it looked as though the Asai-Asakura were winning,

but the Tokugawa aided in turning things around.

This led to the victory by Nobunaga.

Nobunaga

Episode 30: "The Goddess of Death"

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

Rui TAKAHASHI KEIKO

Onabe WAKAMURA MAYUMI

Ikeda Tsuneoki MATOBA KOJI

Shibata Katsuie TAKITA SAKAE

Kinoshita Tokichiro NAKAMURA TOHRU

Inaba Yoshimichi SHINODA SABURO

Niwa Nagahide SUGIMOTO TETTA

Mori Yoshinari MIKAMI SHINICHIRO

Asai Nagamasa TATSUMI TAKURO

Akechi Mitsuhide MICHAEL TOMIOKA

Nene NAKAYAMA MIHO

Hayashi Michikatsu UTSUI KEN

Kano Zuiten HIRA MIKIJIRO

Producer: Yagi Masaji

Director: Komatsu Takashi

August 1570

About a month after the Battle of Anegawa, Nobunaga again left for battle.

The Miyoshi team took advantage of his absence...

and decided to control the nation again.

They left their home base of Awa in Shikoku...

to build fortresses in Settsu at Fukushima and Noda.

Nobunaga's army immediately departed for Settsu,

setting up camp at Tennoji Temple, and attacked the Miyoshi army.

Noda and Fukushima forts are situated against the sea,

and therefore are difficult to attack.

If only we had a 1,000 of these large rifles...

This battle may take some time.

Please let me speak. When will you meet the imperial envoy?

Tomorrow. I'm sure it's about reconciliation.

It seems that way.

This time I requested that the shogun go to battle.

That means that the Miyoshi are committing mutiny.

Thus, reconciliation is impossible.

If we keep attacking them every day, then,

as with Kozai Yoshikiyo, they may give up.

That's right. If you attack, then rest, and repeat that process,

10 or 20 men will escape from the enemy forts.

What are those alarm bells?

I don't really know.

That isn't one of our military signals.

Wada. Which temple are those bells from?

Probably the Ishiyama Hongwanji Temple.

Hongwanji?

I haven't heard rumors of the Hongwanji changing sides.

Wada. Check into this right away.

As a precaution, alert the camp and the others.

Order the men to be on the alert!

The Miyoshi army and Hongwanji...

I don't see the connection!

Yokoyama Castle

Um, delicious!

Your cooking is always good.

Um, this is great!

But Nene. I appreciate what you are doing...

Yes.

but, you are in a battlefield near the enemy.

This is no place for a woman to be.

No one will suspect I'm a woman dressed like this.

They will think I am a samurai.

No, it's not what others may think,

I'm worried about your safety.

I can run away fast.

That's not it. You don't get the point.

Don't worry and just eat.

But...

Hideyoshi, you have finally become the lord of a castle.

I am so thankful!

I'm not a lord yet; just the castle keeper.

It doesn't matter. It's the same thing.

I am so thankful!

It's all the fruits of your hard labor.

Don't be so thrilled with a castle keeper.

I promise to be the lord of a domain!

Yes, I know. So, please eat.

Reporting.

What is it?

Kihachi has returned from Asai castle town.

I'll be right there.

I'll be right back.

You look very courageous.

You think so? I'll be right back.

Oh, Kihachi. So, what are the Asai up to?

Something is odd.

Like what?

That ash-covered town is filled with soldiers.

Oh, so they plan on having it out with us?

Rumors say they are heading to Kyoto.

To Kyoto?

After that defeat, they are going to Kyoto?

The lord's army of 40,000 to 50,000 is there.

Asai Nagamasa is upset about his defeat...

and is probably dying to fight with us.

Sir Niwa Nagahide is here.

Send him in.

Saying they are going to Kyoto is just a tactic.

Their real motive is us.

Then we must tighten our defense.

That's right.

I'll do that now.

Before that...

I'm castle keeper now and you are commander of foot soldiers.

I know that.

It's okay if there is just the two of us,

but in front of others,

call me by my title or use some respectful terms.

Alright.

No, if there are just two of us, the other way is fine.

It's just in front of others.

I'll play my role better after this as well.

So help me.

It seems Rokkaku Jotei and Hongwanji have joined forces.

With the Ikko Sect?

They will make their moves in the near future.

I heard the Asai are also making preparations.

The Asai?

Then they are all planning a pincer attack on us...

from the south and the north.

What about the Asakura?

We don't know yet.

If the Asai make a move, the Asakura should move also.

This may turn out to be a fierce battle.

But Sir Niwa, I just got back from Asai town,

and rumors say they will be heading for Kyoto.

That's just a tactic. They will attack us for sure.

I must inform the lord about the Ikko Sect.

But, will southern Omi's Ikko Sect...

join forces with Rokkaku on their own?

The Ishiyama Hongwanji headquarters may be the culprit behind this.

The lord is near that headquarters right now.

I'll send a messenger immediately.

I'll return to the camp! Keep the men on alert!

Kihachi. Go to Gifu before dawn.

We should inform Gifu about the Ikko Sect, too.

And, take Nene with you.

She's here now.

Summoning your wife to a battlefield...

you sure have guts, castle keeper.

Don't be sarcastic. I'll owe you one.

I guess I have no choice.

What do you want in the lord's absence?

Yes...

Today, Sir Hayashi, please hear me out.

What is it?

There is a goddess of death in this castle.

Unless we do something, misfortunes will occur.

Zuiten...

Yes?

Take my advice.

Leave Gifu and never return again.

You and I have served the Oda for three generations.

You should have received a respectable title by now...

and probably should be my superior.

But you have made mistakes and angered the lord.

Just be glad that you still have your life.

Now leave this land.

I really appreciate your concern,

but I see a dark cloud in the Oda's future.

I cannot leave like this.

The lord is out at battle now.

Refrain from speaking about misfortunes.

But, Sir Hayashi, I see the goddess of death.

I told you not to say such things.

I could have you beheaded if I wanted.

If I speak a lie, then please behead me.

The goddess of death is Lady Onabe.

Please get rid of her today.

Otherwise, something terrible will happen soon.

It won't be limited to the Oda family.

Even the vassals will be affected.

Stop it!

Sir Hayashi, please forgive me for my rudeness,

but a retainer not only supports his lord,

but also has another important function.

If the lord is stepping outside the will of God,

the retainers must speak up, and if he does not heed them,

then on the clan's behalf, the retainer must act.

Sir Hayashi, as the head of the Oda retainers,

you have built up the Oda family...

and have suffered as much, if not more, than the lord.

But has the lord recognized that?

Sir Hayashi, you should rightfully be lord of a domain.

Are you saying that I should defy the lord?

Of course not.

Just that I am stating where your power is.

The lord is confused by the death god disguised as a woman...

and will not listen to my warnings.

Only you can stop this, and redirect the Oda.

I understand.

I will talk to him when he returns.

We don't have that much time!

It will be too late.

Then, show me evidence that she is the goddess of death!

Call Lady Onabe here.

I can't do that!

Then, I will meet with the lord's mother and tell her.

That is even more unacceptable.

If we don't hurry, it will be too late.

I need proof first!

Without the death goddess before me,

I cannot give you proof.

You really just want to see the lord's mother.

Everything else you have said are lies just to deceive me.

Then, twiddle your thumbs and watch things happen.

The goddess of death is gaining strength by the day...

and will entice one after another to death.

Soon, you will see the proof with your own eyes.

Reporting.

Hongwanji's Kennyo wrote an appeal to Settsu and Omi to rally.

There are rumors that Asai, Asakura, Rokkaku and Miyoshi...

have all joined forces.

They plan to surround us!

Hongwanji's Kennyo must resent my taxes!

I really don't know.

Why is he having his disciples rise now to surround our army?

Who is behind this move?

It may be the shogun.

Sure, the shogun is fighting the Miyoshi with us,

but you never know how he really feels.

The shogun may actually want me dead.

After he has us like rats in a bag,

he may show his true colors.

If the shogun becomes the enemy, then we are in mutiny.

Watch the shogun very carefully!

Reporting. A messenger is here from Sir Niwa.

Send him in!

Reporting! Rokkaku Jotei has joined forces with the Ikko Sect...

and they might attack Yokoyama Castle.

Good work.

I hear a cry...

I hear it...

Sir Inaba. Could it be the sound of the wind?

No, that's not it. It's the cry of a person.

Reporting. There is a messenger from Omi's Usayama Castle.

Send him in.

Reporting! The armies of Asai and Asakura numbering 13,000...

are heading towards Usayama Castle.

Sir Mori Yoshinari feels their real objective is Kyoto...

and would like appropriate support immediately.

Return to Mori and report that I will send men within 4-5 days.

Tell them to remain in the castle and fight.

Tell him they must not leave the castle.

Hurry!

My lord!

Please allow me to go to Usayama Castle.

Your younger brother Nobuharu and Mori Yoshinari...

are at Usayama Castle with only 1,000 men.

Even if they stayed in the castle,

they cannot fight an army of 13,000.

It's the same here. We cannot spare any men.

Shibata. Inaba and Mori are both from Mino.

Inaba hears a voice because Mori's thoughts were carried here by heaven.

Give Inaba some men.

I am most grateful!

Is a thousand possible?

Yes, I can manage 500.

500 is fine. Go out with 500 men!

They are coming again! Be on guard!

Oda Nobuharu

This man is Nobunaga's stepbrother...

and is the fifth son in line.

He is the son of a concubine.

Nobunaga has many more stepbrothers and sister.

Sir Nobuharu. Let's return to the castle as the lord said.

There is no chance of winning like this.

The lord has forgotten about me.

I will fight courageously so I'll remain in history.

The lord would never forget about you.

I'm just not one of his concerns.

The heavens sent the Asai-Asakura armies to me.

Please don't, Sir Nobuharu!

Now the Asai-Asakura army is like battling against the death god!

I will show heaven that there was a Nobuharu living!

Charge!

Sir Nobuharu... Charge!

Massacre those Oda men!

It's a vendetta! Charge!

Protect Sir Nobuharu!

We killed the commander, Oda Nobuharu!

The enemy commander is dead!

Sir Nobuharu!

Sir Nobuharu...

You monkeys from Asai and Asakura! Listen well!

I am Mino's Mori Sanzaemon Yoshinari!

Try and fight me!

Mori!

Mori Yoshinari!

Mori!

Mori...

Inaba... Thanks for coming.

Mori.

I'm glad I could see you.

I thank you.

The Miyoshi are not weakening because they have boats...

that bring in soldiers and food.

Maybe we can load the large rifles and fight at sea.

That's right, isn't it?

I should have brought the Kuki army of Chita with me.

At this rate the Ikko Sect will increase even more.

Reporting. There is a messenger here from Usayama!

Let him through right away.

Reporting!

A battle took place with the Asai-Asakura at Usayama...

and your younger brother Oda Nobuharu, Sir Mori, Sir Aochi,

and others were killed!

The lord said to keep confined to the castle!

Why did they leave?!

It was the late Sir Nobuharu's orders!

And what happened to Usayama Castle?!

The castle was attacked, but Muto Goroemon...

and Hida Hikozaemon and others fought to protect it.

Are the Asai-Asakura still surrounding them?

No, they left some to do that,

but the main army has moved towards Otsu.

It seems they intend to enter Kyoto through Osaka Pass.

A messenger is here from the capital.

Send him through.

Relay that troops will be sent in two or three days.

The Asai-Asakura with an army of 10,000 soldiers...

entered Yamashina from Osaka Pass and set fire to the area!

I'll send some troops over tomorrow.

Tell them to keep guard over the capital!

Tsuneoki.

Forget about the Miyoshi for now.

Send a messenger to each troop and gather as many men as you can.

We're going to Kyoto.

You will return to the shogun's camp now...

and report the situation to him.

At the same time, see how he reacts.

Hongwanji, Asai, Asakura, and Rokkaku...

may all be moving under the shogun's directions.

I won't lose...

Reporting. A messenger has come from the capital.

Send him in.

Reporting. The Asai-Asakura attacked Usayama Castle...

and the lord's brother Oda Nobuharu, Sir Mori,

Sir Aochi, and Sir Bito were killed.

What?

At Settsu and Omi, the Hongwanji have risen against them...

and have joined the Ikko Sect.

The lord precautions those in Mino and Owari.

Good work on the report.

Sir Nobuharu... Mori Yoshinari...

The death god?

My husband Hideyoshi was appointed Omi's Yokoyama Castle keeper...

and I thank his lordship for that.

I also want to express my gratitude to you.

I am just so grateful.

I'm really happy to hear that.

You and Hideyoshi have worked so hard.

However, my husband Hideyoshi, and this is not to be repeated,

really don't repeat this,

doesn't intend to end as a castle keeper.

He plans to be lord of a province someday.

That is very encouraging.

Yes.

But, that's not all. Can I ask one question?

What is it?

How did you raise the lord as a child?

No, I know he is different material than my husband,

but if you could only give me some tips,

I would like to try that on Hideyoshi.

Nene, Hideyoshi is already a fine soldier.

No, no. He looks like it, but he is a child at heart.

Well, I never raised Nobunaga.

Right after he was born, he was taken from me...

and raised by men.

I don't know what is best.

But, the lord has control of the nation.

Perhaps to succeed, women shouldn't interfere?

I will not part with Hideyoshi.

I think that's better for his success.

That's true, isn't it? If you are close, I think you are right.

Yes.

I report.

What is it?

On the 16th, Oda Nobuharu was killed at Omi.

Nobuharu?

Yes.

Is Yokoyama Castle safe?

I really don't know.

I hope everything is fine.

Nobunaga halted his battle with the Miyoshi...

and retreated his army to Kyoto.

The Asai and Asakura, who heard this news, escaped into Mt. Hiei...

and set up camps at Hachigamine and Tsubokasayama.

Nobunaga moved his army again to better position himself...

for a battle with the Asai-Asakura.

He entered Omi's Usayama Castle, but found himself in a stalemate.

It's been two months that the Asai-Asakura troops have stayed at Mt. Hiei.

They are trying to bring turmoil to the land.

They are foes of the shogun and emperor.

The temple at Mt. Hiei is to protect the emperor...

and therefore is to serve as a guardian.

If the villains escape into the hills, and I ignore that fact,

Mt. Hiei will be lowered to nothing more than a bandits' mountain.

I'll promise you this.

If you side with us and get rid of those men,

I will allow the return of Hiei lands under my control.

If you cannot kill them because you are priests,

allow us to go into your mountain and kill them.

If you cannot comply with either of these options,

we will be left with no choice.

I will burn everything down on Mt. Hiei.

Go back to the mountains and get a reply immediately.

Don't think that I am threatening you.

I hate threats.

I only say what I plan to do.

Mt. Hiei is only a mountain to me.

If there are priests who shelter bandits,

what is wrong with my correcting that?

If you defy me, I will burn the mountain.

And, I will behead each and every priest.

This is not a lie.

Reporting. On the 21st, Ise Nagashima's Kokie Castle...

was attacked by the Ikko Sect's army...

and sir Oda Nobuoki was killed in battle.

Sir Nobuoki was?

Yes.

What happened to Kokie Castle?

It was captured.

You may go.

Nobuharu and Nobuoki were killed in just two months.

Someone!

Go to town and get Zuiten.

Perhaps as Zuiten says, there is a death god in this castle.

Reporting!

The other day, the Ikko Sect attacked Ise Nagashima's Kokie Castle...

and Sir Oda Nobuoki was killed!

How many Ikko Sect soldiers were there?

There were too many to count,

but I would guess over 10,000.

That Hongwanji head priest!

That Hongwanji head priest! They are all connected!

The Miyoshi, Rokkaku, Asai, Asakura, and Mt. Hiei are with the Ikko Sect!

Who is the one stringing them along?

They are like the death god.

Tsuneoki.

Send a messenger to Gifu and Owari...

and have them be on guard for the Ikko Sect!

Sir Nobuharu and Sir Nobuoki?

Such frightening things happened to them both.

I didn't think it would happen so soon.

Has anything so awful happened to the Oda before?

Within two months, two family members died.

This is truly the work of the death god.

Please send that woman away immediately.

Otherwise, the lord's life will also be endangered.

The lord's life endangered? What do you mean?

He may lose his life.

Even if he doesn't, the Oda will perish.

I cannot send her away without the lord's approval.

Do you have any other strategies?

You can get rid of the goddess of death with this without anyone knowing.

Put this in her gruel and have her eat it for three days.

Then her strength will diminish.

Matsu can do it without anyone suspecting.

Sir Hayashi...

Please help me protect the Oda.

You must do what the lord may not want to protect the family.

So everybody, until next time...

To be continued.

To be continued.