Original subtitles

Luis Frois, who wrote "The History of Japan,"

was born in Lisbon, Portugal.

Nothing else is known about his lineage or family.

He became a Jesuit at the age of 16.

A month later he was sent to Goa, India.

Back then, Goa was a colony of Portugal.

He spent 16 years in Goa and Macao...

spreading Christianity to the people.

At 32, he arrived in Japan, a long-time dream of his.

He faced many battles,

but continued his lifetime work as a missionary...

and met with many leaders.

After Nobunaga's death, he live 15 more years.

Then in 1597, he died at the age of 65 in Nagasaki.

Except for a short trip to Macao,

he spent those years only in Japan.

Of course, he never saw his hometown again.

Four hundred years ago in a foreign land,

what did Luis Frois think at his deathbed?

Nobunaga

Episode 48: "King of Zipangu"

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

Ikeda Tsuneoki MATOBA KOJI

Lorenso INAGAWA JUNJI

Takigawa Kazumasu SHIBA TOSHIO

Kawajiri Hidetaka MORITA JUNPEI

Luis Frois FRANK NEIL

Akechi Mitsuhide MICHAEL TOMIOKA

Tokugawa Ieyasu GO HIROMI

Producer: Yagi Masaji

Director: Shigemitsu Yukihiko

After I returned to Kuchinotsu in Kyushu,

I was appointed by the Jesuit Society leader...

to write about Christianity in Japan.

Many things had happened during these 19 years.

The fact that the youth envoys went to Europe made me happy.

This was the first real battle in awhile.

Takeda Katsuyori had an admirable death.

But it was a pitiful end for Kai.

Katsuyori had only twenty or thirty vassals.

The end is always like that.

You seem to be very tired.

No, not at all.

You have run all over the east and west,

from Tanba, Harima, to Kai's Shinano.

Yah, it has been some work you have done!

I must work hard until His Majesty stabilizes Japan.

You all did commendable work in defeating the Takeda.

Thus, I will reward you.

Takigawa Kazumasu...

You will oversee Shinano's Saku and Chiisakata.

Kozuke is also yours to oversee.

I am honored.

Kawajiri Hidetaka...

You are entrusted with Kai and Shinano's Suwa.

I am very honored.

Mori Nagayoshi...

You are entrusted with Shinano's Takai, Minochi, Sarashina, and Hashina.

I am honored.

Mori Hideyori...

You will oversee Shinano's Ina.

I am grateful.

Return to your assigned posts and watch over those domains carefully.

You were commendable,

but I allowed Takigawa and Kawajiri to take the credit.

I owe you one.

Please don't worry about me.

We will go westward and stabilize Japan.

Saigoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu. So many more to conquer.

Then we must go north.

Echigo's Uesugi and others are there.

There will be many more rewards.

Rest assured.

No, you have endowed me, Akechi Mitsuhide, with a domain and province.

What more could I ask?

Get a little rest.

I know you and Hideyoshi are in competition,

but sometimes you need some good rest.

Saito...

Have the men rest for awhile.

There won't be any fighting for a month.

It will be their first rest in a long time.

I'm sure it will make them happy.

You should go home and get a good rest.

Then, you may all leave.

I don't want to be disturbed for awhile.

I'm so tired...

I wish to report.

I wish to report.

A messenger is here from Azuchi.

I'll be right there.

To feel tired is a weakness of the spirit.

Are you still here?

I wanted to finish up some things.

I see.

What message do you have?

I brought a letter from His Majesty.

Here it is.

I just saw His Majesty this morning...

Is there an urgent battle?

Tell His Majesty that I have agreed to it.

Then...

What is it? Is it an emergency?

Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu is coming to Azuchi to pay his respect to His Majesty.

I am in charge of the hospitality.

You were assigned to that?

So it seems.

Lord Tokugawa was rewarded with Suruga this time.

He is coming to express his gratitude.

But, why are you assigned to this role?

Aren't there others in Azuchi who can do that?

Arguing about it makes no sense.

His Majesty has selected me for this position.

You are one of the great Oda commanders.

Someone of lower status should be doing this job.

His Majesty wants me to do it since I am his key commander.

Then Lord Tokugawa will sense His Majesty's sincere feelings.

Years ago, His Majesty had Lord Tokugawa kill his wife and son.

He hasn't forgotten it.

That's why His Majesty wants a splendid welcome.

I am sure that is the reason, but...

I will leave for Azuchi early tomorrow.

Before then, I must see what I can order from the capital...

so we can serve the best food.

Bring me someone who knows about it today.

I can do that. You need to get some rest.

I am not tired!

How would you know how I feel?

Forgive me.

Just do as I say. Go immediately.

I am tired.

I just want to sleep.

Just let me rest a little while...

How can he say to get some rest...

and then assign me to this?

I've had enough.

"Go attack Tanba." "Overthrow Tango, too."

"Assist Hideyoshi."

"Conduct a land survey of Yamato and Tango."

"Invade Kai." "Invade Shinano."

"Burn the land. Kill them all."

And now he expects me to be a hospitable host for Ieyasu.

When do I get to rest?

When do I sleep?

We may have a full-scale battle tomorrow to stabilize Japan.

Do I do this all my life?

Is he going to make me kill men the rest of my life?

About this time, an Imperial envoy visited Nobunaga.

Congratulations for stabilizing the east.

The Emperor is pleased with your good work.

The Emperor would like to offer you a position as Prime Minister...

or Imperial Chief Advisor at this time.

Or would you prefer to be the shogun?

It may be the time for the Oda Shogunate.

However...

Yes?

What will happen to Ashikaga Yoshiaki?

Though he is in the custody of the Mori,

technically he is still the shogun.

If you accept the position of shogun,

we will remove Lord Ashikaga from it.

So he will be removed from this position?

Yes. There has been a precedent.

I will think about it for a little while.

Well, then accept the position of Prime Minister...

or Imperial Chief Advisor.

I will think about that as well.

How are things going?

Nobutaka's army and others will be gathering at Sumiyoshi,

Sakai, and Kishiwada.

Get Tosa's Chosokabe into the sea.

Since Akechi is familiar with that area,

I would like his army's support in this battle.

He has been assigned to welcome Ieyasu.

If you want, I will allow you to take some of his men.

Then I will speak to Sir Akechi about it.

Tsuneoki...

I gave you permission.

Why do you need to get Akechi's approval?

Forgive me.

There is no such thing as the Akechi army.

Only my army exists.

Tell the others that when I entrust them with a domain,

it is still mine, not theirs.

Some get the wrong idea.

That leads to betrayal and mutiny.

Battles begin from there.

Then we will revert to our past ways.

The new domains will have only one castle,

and my men will be stationed in each to follow my orders...

and govern the country.

Without that, this country will not be one.

Think of me as a god.

And my army as God's army and gather there.

Occasionally, Lord Nobunaga visited the seminary.

Usually Sotello accompanied him.

A short time later, Tokugawa Ieyasu arrived in Azuchi.

Akechi Mitsuhide was his welcoming party.

Ieyasu had killed his wife and son for Nobunaga.

What was thinking about Nobunaga?

Everything about this castle amazes me.

I've heard rumors about it,

but I didn't expect it to be this huge and beautiful.

It's been four years since I built it.

At first I was satisfied with the castle,

but lately I've grown tired of it.

Yah, for a first-timer, this is heavenly.

Is that so?

Take your time and see Azuchi.

Akechi is your host. Tell him what you need.

I am happy to have this honor.

I feel badly that you are doing this for me.

You don't need to be. You've done well fighting the Takeda.

I am grateful.

You have honored me.

By the way, what have you heard from the Hojo?

Nothing in particular.

I don't trust him.

He may join with Echigo and betray me again.

Keep an eye on him.

I feel like I'm living to see betrayals.

I want to always remain allies with you.

Yes.

Akechi...

Do you know when I first met Ieyasu?

No.

When Ieyasu was a boy, he was an Oda hostage.

Right?

Yes.

We've known each other since then.

We played together those days.

There are no enemies in a child's world.

Yes.

It's strange that we have never fought against one another.

I never wanted to invade your domain.

You must have wanted to kill me many times.

No, not even once.

I feel badly about your wife and son.

But I couldn't ignore it once I had evidence.

Isn't that right?

Yes.

Your wife and son might have joined with Takeda then...

and taken you life.

Mine as well.

Yes.

I'm glad we took precautionary measures.

Otherwise, we wouldn't be here talking today.

Isn't that right?

Yes, you are right.

Ieyasu!

Yes.

Be honest. Aren't you angry at me?

Don't you want to kill me?!

No. I've never thought about it.

How couldn't you?! Your wife and son are dead!

It's only human to want to kill me!

You can't fool me!

My wife and son were in the wrong.

Betrayal deserves death even if they are family.

It was only right that they were killed.

I have nothing to begrudge Your Majesty about.

I am fond of you.

Ignore my temper.

I am honored to receive such a warm welcome.

I know I didn't do enough.

Please feel free to make any demands.

Such a difficult job.

No.

Tomorrow we will walk around the town,

take a boat ride to Lake Biwa,

and then I will show you around Chikubu Island.

That's wonderful.

I especially look forward to seeing the town.

Azuchi is supposedly the future city.

Yes, that is true.

At night, you will enjoy a dance performance.

This will be with His Majesty.

After that, we will have the party.

The next day, we will see the Christian town...

and you can observe the seminary.

After that, we'll go to Sokenji where His Majesty will show you around.

A tea ceremony will follow.

How does this plan sound?

You have done so much amidst your busy schedule.

Everyone has heard about your battle achievements,

as well as your skills in tea ceremony.

No, it's nothing much.

Do you have many precious tea utensils, too?

Not at all. I only have inexpensive utensils.

One day, please make me some tea.

Being a country bumpkin, I have not been trained.

I need to broaden my horizons to see how things are done in Kyoto.

Kyoto is just busy and very dirty.

Perhaps it is not the best way.

I wish I could just escape to somewhere far away.

From your face, you look like you are getting better.

It may be the red color of the room.

Your face looks very happy.

Actually, I am not.

Why not?

You couldn't ask for more.

I can't be satisfied with just this.

What I really want is from now on.

Is that so?

Then while I was gone, it has changed.

No, it has been the same from the start.

Only the surroundings have changed.

I have gotten old.

It is the same with me.

Will you still be going to battle?

Yes, I will keep going until Japan is stabilized.

But, with added domains, work and people increase.

My close vassals are located far away.

I can't see them on a day-to-day basis.

When all 66 domains of Japan fall under me,

I will need over 60 lords to manage them all.

Then I won't have a single vassal near me.

That is another problem.

It's not easy to lead a country.

That's right. They all fear you and keep their distance.

You are the only one who has returned.

Someday I will cross the oceans to other lands.

When I go, I will take you with me.

This is like a dream for me.

No, it's not a dream.

Did you call me?

How is Ieyasu?

He is walking around the town.

Is that so?

You are now taken off the welcoming party.

Have I failed?

No that's not it.

Hideyoshi is at Bitchu's Takamatsu...

and is fighting with the Mori army.

He is requesting immediate support.

Return to your castle and prepare for battle.

What will happen to Lord Tokugawa?

I'll have someone else take over.

By the way...

You now oversee Omi-Shiga and Tanba.

Yes.

It has become peaceful around the capital,

so it must be boring for a man of your status.

So, I will take those domains back from you.

Your army is matchless in the country.

I will give you Izumo and Iwami who are enemies.

They will be yours when you defeat them.

Rest will mellow a warrior.

Warriors must keep fighting to live.

Reporting.

Lorenso requests to see you.

What should I do?

Have him go to the hall.

Hurry.

So this is what Frois has sent to me?

Yes.

But, it's such strange writing, isn't it?

Yes. I translated it into Japanese for you.

Let me hear it.

Yes.

To the Honorable Nobunaga, the King of Japan...

I am now in southern Kyushu in Kuchinotsu.

It is a poor country, unlike Kyoto and Azuchi.

The worse off they are, the more I feel the calling of God.

Heavy rains poured today. It has been over ten days.

The last several days, I could not go out.

Therefore I could do a lot of writing.

I am writing on Christianity in Japan.

I love writing and though it may take years,

with every page I finish, I recall nostalgically those days I spent.

I'll especially remember the day I met you for the rest of my life.

I waited for a response from Nobunaga somewhere deep in my heart.

But, the only letter I got was one notifying me of his death.

Nobunaga was a brutal ruler in Japan,

but for me he was a heart-warming man.

I had hoped to slowly share about Christ with him.

Let me talk a bit about what I last saw in Japan.

For 33 years I worked to spread Christianity in Japan,

but when I was 64, during my 32nd year in Japan,

I experienced God's revelation.

It was 15 years after Nobunaga had passed away.

It was Toyotomi Hideyoshi's era,

and 26 Franciscan and Christian missionaries were executed as threats.

It was the first of its kind in Japanese history.

I pleaded to be put on the cross.

But, I was denied the honor of dying for others.

Let's return to the time preceding Honnoji.

If only he were gone, we all could get some rest.

I could even sleep.

So everybody, until next time...

To be continued.

To be continued.