Original subtitles

This was a painting by Kano Soshu called 'Kyoto's Western Temple.'

It may have been the church built...

under the supervision of Luis Frois and Organtino.

It was three stories and looks somewhat Chinese,

but its landscaping reflects Western tastes.

The entrance is lively with people,

but the stores sell Western hats.

Because Nobunaga showed favor to Westerners,

Christianity became popular during those days.

It was not because Christ attracted them,

but after 17 or 18 years,

they were ready to accept the unusual culture of Europeans.

But this temple doesn't resemble a Christian church.

This was done on purpose in order to be better accepted.

How did the people of Kyoto see Christianity?

Nobunaga

Episode 42: "Ill Rumors"

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

Oichi WASHIO ISAKO

Inaba Yoshimichi SHINODA SABURO

Takigawa Kazumasu SHIBA TOSHIO

Niwa Nagahide SUGIMOTO TETTA

Lady Tsukiyama SHIMAMURA YOSHIE

Tomi DAI TAKAKO

Sakuma Nobumori TANAKA KEN

Hayashi Michikatsu UTSUI KEN

Imai Sokyu SATO KEI

Kano Zuiten HIRA MIKIJIRO

Producer: Yagi Masaji

Director: Komatsu Takashi

Nobunaga surrounded Araki's Arioka Castle,

but the lords in Settsu, Tanba, and Harima were now all against him,

so it came to a standstill.

New Year's 1579

Sir Hayashi. This is terrible.

I already heard from someone who just got back.

What should we do?

Who did you hear this from?

I heard it in town, so I quickly returned to the castle.

Then the men were upset because they heard rumors...

that His Majesty was killed by a musket while hawking.

How were the rumors started?

The way they are talking about it in town,

there may be some truth to this rumor.

That's not it. I want to know if anyone witnessed it.

No, it's just a bad premonition.

Rumors like this have never occurred before.

Has something happened to my father?

We still don't know for sure.

I heard he was killed.

Who told you that?

The women were talking about it.

Find out immediately.

Someone!

Find out how the rumors were started.

I will go to Azuchi to verify the truth.

They would notify us from Azuchi if this was really true.

Ikeda.

Go to Azuchi anyway and find out.

Okay. I will be going.

Pardon me. Zuiten requests to see you.

I have no time for Zuiten! Send him away!

Hayashi.

Keep that sorcerer Zuiten away from here.

He speaks of the righteous flow and confuses the vassals.

I'll send him away.

I would rather you find the root of this rumor about my father.

I'll do that as well.

Those old men... Just like Zuiten.

These are not ordinary rumors.

Can you see who started them?

I see...

You can see?

Yes.

Who is it?

It's His Majesty himself.

You have a way of mystifying things.

Why would he spread rumors of himself?

His Majesty's actions give birth to bad rumors.

Zuiten?

Yes.

You really can see, can't you?

No.

Then, how did you know where my knee was?

I can see with my heart.

Be honest. Tell me if you can see.

I cannot see a thing at all.

What is it about His Majesty that are bad actions?

What's the matter?

When has Zuiten lied to you?

If only I could see, I would live more decently.

Alright, alright...

My eyes can't see.

I said alright...

Now back to His Majesty.

He is building a five-story castle in Azuchi...

and a temple above it glorifying himself.

That is the root of these bad rumors.

Then, nothing has happened to His Majesty?

That I don't know.

If such rumors have come all the way to Gifu,

then it may be after the fact.

If only I could see!

If I could see, I would dash over there on my horse.

I'm having this rumor checked out.

Before that, have someone go over to Azuchi.

Ikeda Tsuneoki is on his way there now.

Please. Let me go to Azuchi.

I can't sit still.

We will know in a day or two.

Until then, just bear it.

Looking at my brother's deeds, this comes as no surprise.

Whether he is shot by a musket, beheaded or boiled,

my brother deserves it.

Auntie! Watch what you say!

I won't allow you to speak ill of my father!

Who killed my husband Asai Nagamasa?!

Silence!

Lady Onabe...

Pardon me. I will ask him again if I can go to Azuchi.

I beg of you.

You have three children.

Unless you move on, they won't be able to either.

I pray these rumors of my brother are true.

If anything happens to Nobunaga, I will hold a grudge against you.

We have quite a bit here, don't we?

Label them without errors.

May 11th is auspicious, so we will move that day.

I must check my valuables before then.

Reporting. Ikeda Tsuneoki is here from Gifu.

Tsuneoki?

Yes.

I'll see him here. Send him in.

Dismiss yourselves for awhile.

Oh, Tsuneoki!

I decided to pay a sudden visit.

Is there anything urgent?

No, it's nothing at all.

I just wanted to see how you are doing.

Don't lie. Tell me.

Has there been trouble in Gifu?

What is it? Is it Zuiten?

No.

Then Oichi?

It's nothing like that at all.

I hope it's not an uprising.

No, nothing like that.

It's just bad rumors.

What is it?

It's just rumors. I'd rather not say...

But, some bad rumors were whispered in Gifu.

They were that Your Majesty had been shot by a musket.

That I was shot by a musket?

Yes. So Sir Hayashi sent me here to Azuchi check on it.

I was shot by a musket... and died?

Yes, I'm sorry to say.

Are there any signs of mutiny in Gifu?

No, none at all.

Are you certain?

Yes, none at all.

Is someone after Nobutada?

No one would rise against Nobutada.

People change.

Nobutada has been lord in Gifu for three years.

People's hearts can change over three years.

That's not true in Gifu. Please trust me.

Then why have those rumors started?

It could be confirmed in a day or two.

Something must be going on in Gifu at this time.

Was it really Hayashi who sent you?

No, it was Nobutada.

Do you see Hayashi with a secret agenda?

Sir Hayashi is not that kind of man.

Sir Hayashi is the backbone of Gifu and Owari.

Which would you rather be? A lord or a retainer?

I bestowed all of Echizen on Shibata.

HIdeyoshi has Kohoku. Takigawa has Kita-Ise.

Even newcomer Akechi is lord of West Omi.

It wouldn't be odd for him to feel rebellious.

Long ago, Hayashi and my brother Nobuyuki rose against me.

But, pardon me, Sir Hayashi is very honored...

by the position you gave him with Lord Nobutada.

He is indeed the epitome of a warrior.

What one says and what one thinks are different.

Return immediately. Things may be happening.

Nobutada is my precious heir.

He will bring the Oda to its righteous flow.

I have been fighting battles since my youth.

But I don't want Nobutada to do the same.

It will end with my time.

I just want to give Nobutada the new kingdom I create.

No one will lay a finger on my Nobutada.

Slay anyone who might be a threat.

That is your main mission now.

Return quickly!

Then...

Someone!

Send a messenger to Sakuma who is surrounding Hongwanji...

and ask if there have been any changes.

Then ask the same of Niwa who surrounds Araki's Arioka Castle!

Who is making a move?

Shot by a musket?

No, I checked when I passed Azuchi and His Majesty was fine.

But, Shoemon thinks it strange that such a rumor started in Gifu.

So Nobunaga is safe?

Yes, there is no mistake about that.

But, that is a worrisome rumor.

Yes. When I heard it from Shoemon,

I thought I had better tell you about it.

Please use this as an opportunity to return to His Majesty.

He built a new castle in Azuchi.

His Majesty is looking so forward to your return.

It is very lonely when a couple lives apart.

His Majesty has shown me favor in business...

and has appointed me as head of tea ceremonies.

So I am prepared to die for His Majesty.

With Imai Sokyu in mind, please return to him.

These rumors may be the voice of heaven to have you return.

Forty thousand Ikko believers are confined within these Hongwanji grounds.

It's been three years, yet not one has surrendered.

It's inconceivable.

Food rations must be getting in.

But how?

We have built fences and guard the place day and night.

Nothing can get out.

Let's attack them once and for all.

His Majesty prefers to wait until they surrender.

Do you wish to defy his orders?

But, Sir Sakuma, Hongwanji is not our only enemy.

Araki's Arioka Castle and other Settsu lords are against us.

Harima and Tanba are also our enemies.

I have to think about Ise as well.

What will happen if a mutiny occurs while we are absent?

We are all in the same boat. You are not alone.

Waiting until the enemy surrenders...

and avoiding a battle is not a bad idea.

That is a beautiful tone!

Isn't it beautiful?

Tori is a master flutist I came across.

Huh?

Let me show you my skills, too.

Sir Sakuma is enjoying this the most.

A battle and a woman on each arm...

He can even enjoy the flute, too. I envy him!

Find a woman with a battle-ax. Then you can live it up.

I wish to report.

A messenger from His Majesty is here.

Sir Sakuma...

His Majesty sent a messenger.

From His Majesty?

Dismiss yourself.

Yes.

Send him in.

Reporting. His Majesty wants to know the battle situation.

So I, Nagai Hachiemon, came rushing here.

Has anything unusual happened?

Just a few small battles over the last two months.

But, I'm sure you didn't come all the way just to hear that.

What did His Majesty really order you to do?

His Majesty just wants to see what is happening at the battle front.

That is all he said.

However, rumors are coming from Gifu that His Majesty was shot by a musket.

A rumor to say he was killed?

It may be the Takeda's doing.

We should be on guard for them.

It's strange that His Majesty is bothered by rumors.

It's also unusual to have a night attack!

A night attack!

Come and witness the battle yourself!

This night attack is not to invade us.

They have no food and want a place to die.

Let's go!

May 1579

Several months passed without pinpointing the source of the rumor.

Azuchi Castle

On an auspicious day in May, Nobunaga moved to his new residence.

Then Nobunaga summoned his mother, Onabe, and Zuiten from Gifu.

Don't be awed too quickly. It's just the beginning.

I am such a fortunate man.

I am being led by the lord himself...

I would die happy if I died today.

I see.

This is my room.

These screens were all painted by Japan's finest artist, Kano Eitoku.

Doesn't it look majestic?

Yes.

It's dazzling. It feels like I'm part of a gold screen.

Doesn't it, Onabe?

Yes, it's like a dream.

Why did you bring Oichi?

I told you to send her back to Ise.

I'm sorry.

I repeated that to your mother, but Oichi insists on living here.

Oichi wants to live here?

Yes, that was what I was told by your mother.

I decide who lives here, not my mother.

You are right.

She's here only to make trouble.

Why would I want her here?

Lord Nobunaga...

Yes?

Show Oichi some sympathy.

She is unpleasant, but she is your sister.

She has also experienced much sadness.

Oichi was to be with Nobukane from the beginning.

But, she came to Gifu and just stayed there.

Now she wants to live here in Azuchi. She can't do that.

This castle has every extravagance.

I feel I'll be blinded by it all.

If this shocks you, then you will lose your breath...

when we go to the 6th and 7th floors.

Mother, allow me to present you the best view in Japan.

Yes, I am so grateful.

Zuiten, why are you so dazed?

We are going to see the best view in Japan.

Stand up.

Excuse me, but I wish to wait here.

I wouldn't be able to see the best view in Japan anyway.

Zuiten.

Yes.

Do you think it's unlucky to go above five stories?

No, I just want to sit here for a moment.

Sometimes you must go against heaven's will to see what no one has seen.

I'll take you. Stand up.

But Your Majesty, I can't see anything.

See with your heart. Now stand.

Follow me.

Your Majesty, please wait a minute.

Such a troublesome sorcerer.

It's Japan's best view.

Unless you work for it, it's not worth as much.

Now for the 6th floor.

Don't be afraid. Heaven is above.

So climb up.

Come inside.

Mother. What do you think?

I am just amazed.

Heaven may be a place like this.

I am so grateful.

What about you, Onabe?

It's so beautiful that it makes me afraid.

Tsuneoki? What about you?

I've never seen anything like this.

I'm speechless.

That's what I thought.

Now I'll show you the 7th floor.

We will talk again after that.

Come, Zuiten.

You will be punished.

I've already been there. As so will you.

Heaven is too close.

Where is Oichi?

She left us when we began climbing.

She probably returned to the Hon-maru.

Such a twisted woman!

Just the thought of her makes me angry!

Forget it. Otherwise I'm the one who is at a loss.

Let's go.

Your Majesty, I've seen enough.

What do you mean? Hold your cane out.

What are you doing?

Zuiten is truly afraid. Leave him here.

No, if he goes to the 7th floor, he may see again.

Now, keep going.

Oichi!

Why did you come up before I brought you here?

Respond!

This is the same view I saw from Odani Castle.

That sea of Omi...

Oichi!

Just let her be.

Look at this view of Japan.

Nobody can go to the 6th and 7th floors without my permission!

Remember that.

A letter has arrived.

Someone!

Did you summon me?

Has Ikeda Tsuneoki left yet?

Please wait a moment. I will go and check.

Okazaki Castle.

Pardon me. Sir Ikeda is here.

Send him in.

Come closer.

Do you remember the bad rumor at New Year's this year?

Yes.

Have you finished checking into it?

Not yet. We still haven't found the source.

What is it?

Do you know of any unusual events at Okazaki?

Nothing in particular.

Are you certain?

Those rumors may have been a prelude to this incident.

Okazaki Castle's Tokugawa Nobuyasu and Kai's Takeda Katsuyori...

may have aligned themselves together.

There is nothing definite, so check into it further.

But, Your Majesty, the Takeda and Tokugawa are in the midst of a battle.

Gotoku wrote me this letter. Read it.

You don't mind?

No, I don't.

This is complicated.

The rumors may have stemmed from here.

I understand now. What do you suggest?

Have our spies keep an eye on the Okazaki borders...

and capture anyone suspicious heading for Kai.

Then send a man to Hamamatsu to check on Ieyasu's motives.

The timing is bad.

If Nobuyasu and Katsuyori join with Ieyasu,

I won't have any troops around me to fight.

If they attack from the east, it would be disastrous.

I need to get to the bottom of this quickly.

Return to Gifu immediately and find me the evidence.

I'll be going...

So everybody, until next time...

To be continued.

To be continued.