Original subtitles

In 1578, Oda Nobunaga, one of Japan's great warlords,

advanced westward, determined to unite the country.

One of his most loyal retainers, Araki Murashige,

lord of Arioka Castle in Settsu,

suddenly rebelled against him.

To this day, his reasons remain a mystery.

Oda's army surrounded Arioka, bringing the conflict to a stalemate.

Your siege strategy is excellent.

It emboldens the western provinces and drives Oda to despair.

Now we wait for our opportunity.

Yes, my lord.

My lord, Oda's envoy requests an audience.

Who is it?

Lord Kuroda Kanbei.

Kanbei?

No need for formalities, Kanbei.

- Why have you come? - So you truly are ready for war.

When I heard you intended to hold out inside the castle,

I could hardly believe it. Yet you truly are defying Oda.

So you came to dissuade me.

Defying Oda now means the death of your allies...

who have advanced west into Harima.

There is no better time or place to act than now.

Do you truly mean that?

Then join me. You would be a valuable ally.

But you cannot win.

You are counting on Mōri in the west, but he will not come.

Why do you think that?

War against Oda under these conditions would divide the country.

Mōri has no intention of doing that.

I can draw him into such a war.

Do not trust Mōri. He is a master schemer.

An alliance with him looks good only on paper.

You know that very well.

The same is true of Oda.

Then it is worth the risk to see who prevails, Mōri or Oda.

Even if it destroys this country?

Is Oda not already destroying it?

Perhaps it is worth the risk.

Well...

And yet, you stand with Oda.

Very well.

Take him to the dungeon!

An envoy is expected to return.

If I return, the western provinces may abandon Mōri for Oda.

If you will not send me back, kill me! That is the samurai code!

Lord Murashige! Why are you doing this?

I am sparing your life! Why do you still complain?

Why will you not kill me?

Kill me!

Lord Murashige! Please hear me out!

I have a son.

Shōjumaru. He is 11 years old.

He is in Oda's hands, awaiting his father's return.

So what?

Please, at least send my head to Oda!

You wish to die to prove your loyalty?

Exactly!

When an envoy fails to return, it means he has changed sides.

My son's life depends on it!

Someday, I will release you.

Until then, you will live to serve me.

Would you trample the samurai code?

If I merely obeyed tradition, I would not be here now.

You deceived me, Lord Murashige!

You are the one who came to me.

It was your misfortune to enter this castle just now, Kanbei.

Give him food and water. No visitors.

Yes, my lord!

In time, you will pay for this!

THE SAMURAI AND THE PRISONER

"THE BLACK PRISON CASTLE"

Translation, adaptation and timing by Hayllander.

The rumor is true.

Then Nakagawa has betrayed us!

Why did he go over to Oda now?

He owes allegiance to our lord!

Nakagawa's betrayal was predictable.

His fear of Oda drove him to it.

Oda has surrounded Arioka Castle on all sides.

What are you afraid of? This castle is impregnable!

Exactly. Once Mōri joins us, the tide will turn in our favor.

Is that not so, my lord?

Yes, exactly.

My lord, we have troubling news.

What is it?

Ōwada Castle has fallen.

- Abe surrendered? - Exactly.

Lord Abe has ties to the powerful Ikkō Buddhist sect,

which has so often risen against Oda. And yet...

he surrendered without a fight.

We hold his son, young Abe Jinen, hostage in this castle.

By tradition, he must be crucified.

- Crucified? - Yes.

No. Take him to the dungeon.

- You cannot mean to spare him. - I do.

Why?

Winter: Jinen

I heard Lord Abe changed sides.

You heard?

I cannot imagine how devastated young Jinen must be.

I expected this would happen.

A samurai's son must be ready to die.

Ready to die? I despise that way of thinking.

What do you mean?

A child ready to die? Ridiculous.

Jinen follows the Shinshū school, as I do.

He is always ready to enter paradise.

A child who barely knows this world cannot know paradise.

Even so, that is what he desires.

Very well. I understand.

- Let me through! - I cannot!

Let me through!

I am Abe Jinen.

Lord Murashige, I have a request.

Lord Murashige.

Lady Chiyoho.

Forgive me for my father's betrayal!

Please do not crucify me.

Give me a sword so I may die

and reach paradise.

My lord.

Jinen has suffered enough in this world.

- A sword... - No!

You will be held prisoner.

What... does that mean?

You intend to spare his life?

Do not mistake this for mercy.

If it is not mercy, then what is it?

If you will not grant my request, then I must...

I decide whether you live or die.

Your life is not yours to take!

Why do you humiliate me like this?

Come in!

Put him in an empty room. Do not let him leave.

Lord Murashige!

Forgive me for the trouble.

No matter how hard I try...

I cannot understand your heart.

- Kyūzaemon. - Yes.

Jinen is not eating?

I hear he is wasting away.

To protest what I did? Ridiculous.

Force him to eat something.

My lord, please reconsider.

If we do not punish Lord Abe's cowardice by executing the hostage,

our clan will appear weak.

I still do not wish to kill Jinen.

But, my lord!

We might have prevented Nakagawa's betrayal had we taken hostages.

But we did not.

Nakagawa would have betrayed us anyway.

That is the kind of man he is.

Forgive me, my lord! Young Jinen is dead!

What?

I am sorry I allowed this to happen.

The wound has darkened, but there is no arrow.

I see.

Jūemon, how were the sliding doors set?

Akioka entered this room before I did.

He said there was a gap of about nine centimeters.

Nine centimeters?

An arrow could pass through the gap.

Who was guarding that tower?

I do not know. I will check at once.

Who was guarding Jinen?

I, Itami Ichirōzaemon,

Mori Kahyōe and Akioka. The four of us.

Find out who was in that tower.

Compare every account.

Did you hear? An invisible arrow killed Jinen.

Surely divine punishment for Abe's betrayal.

No. It was our lord's doing.

Our lord said he would not kill him, but to preserve our honor...

he had him executed.

Our lord did no such thing.

Then was it... divine punishment?

I doubt it was anything supernatural.

Ridiculous.

If it were divine punishment, it should have struck Jinen's father.

It was neither execution nor divine punishment.

One possibility remains...

The obvious one: he was murdered.

Christian sorcery?

Enough of this nonsense!

It was plainly an ordinary arrow wound.

Then who did it, my lord, and how?

All will become clear in due course.

My lord, we learned who was in the tower.

Saika Sagehari, an arquebusier.

Did he have a bow and arrows?

We do not know.

Of course...

Sukesaburō, help me.

Yes, my lord. I will do all I can.

Then the arrow would leave a trail in the snow.

Sukesaburō.

Gather Sagehari and everyone who was here that day.

It is true I was guarding the tower that day,

but my duty was to watch the enemies outside the residence,

I had my back to the inner courtyard the entire time.

You heard nothing?

The tower is about 19 meters away.

So I would have noticed any loud sound.

I heard nothing.

Tell me, Sagehari. Did you have a bow and arrows?

I am skilled with an arquebus,

but I have never used a bow.

Understood. You are dismissed.

Ichirōzaemon, tell me everything you remember.

Yes, my lord.

I heard footsteps from Jinen's room,

and when I rushed there,

Jūemon and Akioka were tending to Jinen.

If I recall correctly, Jūemon held a bow.

My memory is unclear, but...

I was guarding the corridor outside,

and in the confusion, I stayed there to keep intruders out.

Kahyōe, you claim not to remember,

yet you seem to remember quite well.

Perhaps what I just said is not exactly a memory.

My lord, you wished to know about that day,

so I forced myself to remember.

While making my rounds past young Jinen's room,

I noticed the sliding doors, which had been closed,

were slightly open, so I entered at once.

I saw young Jinen lying on the floor near the brazier.

He was not breathing and appeared dead.

Jūemon arrived shortly afterward,

so I left to search for the killer.

At that time, Jūemon certainly had a bow in his hand.

I see. Jūemon...

Lord Nakanishi, it was a brilliant victory.

It was all thanks to my soldiers.

General Mutō fled in terror. What a sight!

But I failed to take Mutō's head. A pity.

Let us drink!

Jūemon?

I overheard our soldiers.

Why was their morale low despite our victory?

They all said they never heard our war drum,

but I doubt they agreed on the same story.

That is deeply troubling.

What is the real reason?

I... happened to overhear a rumor among the soldiers.

A rumor about me?

Speak plainly.

That you said you would spare young Jinen's life,

but executed him after all,

with the same cruelty Lord Oda would show.

And that is not all...

They think I lied about sparing him and cannot be trusted?

Regrettably, yes, my lord.

We must find Jinen's killer.

Tell me, Jūemon.

On the night Jinen was killed, did you have a bow?

Yes, I did.

I always carry a bow on guard duty

to prevent escapes across the roof.

When I came to Jinen's room, you were not holding it.

I had leaned it against the wall a short distance ahead.

I let Akioka follow the intruder's trail so I could examine the scene.

My longbow would have been in the way.

I see.

You never lie.

Regarding Jinen's case,

record all we know and keep it secret.

- Make haste. - Yes, my lord.

Who is there?

Oh! My lord!

- I did not expect you here. - I am coming in.

Sami?

Welcome.

You have held out for quite some time.

I thought I would not see you again until the castle fell.

The castle has not fallen yet.

Then we have no need to meet.

If the castle falls, you will die too.

It is time you made yourself useful.

I spend my days here,

day and night, between dream and reality.

How may I be of use?

The crisis I face is real.

Kanbei, lend me your wisdom.

Jinen, Lord Abe's son, was murdered inside the castle

under mysterious circumstances.

I need to know how it happened.

How can the lord of Settsu be stumped by so childish a riddle?

Do not jest.

If you have solved Jinen's death, explain it now.

Lord Murashige, may I speak a little?

The silence and monotony here are making me irritable.

What do you mean?

As you expanded your domains,

you spared hostages and freed women and children.

Why?

I always knew killing them served no purpose.

Even when you took arms against Oda,

his inspectors in your castle were returned alive.

Killing brings no benefit.

You took no hostages from Nakagawa,

so you would not be forced to kill them if he betrayed you.

And what of me?

Why am I still alive?

Why does that matter?

I know why you do not kill.

Then why ask?

Are you stalling for time to solve Jinen's death?

Not at all.

You defy the samurai code in order not to kill.

Your compassion and mercy bred karma,

and also brought about Jinen's strange death.

At last, I wish to ask you this.

What are you so afraid of?

- No answer? - I have wasted my time.

Wait.

Let me recite a simple poem.

Araki's bow; a broken spear will kindle no fire.

No path ahead, no path behind.

No path ahead, no path behind...

No path ahead, no path behind...

My lord.

You keep repeating that phrase.

I do?

A foolish poem that mocks my power.

The original poem is somewhat different.

Araki's bow; it roars toward Harima.

Yet it has no path ahead and no path behind,

as far as I recall.

And the 'broken spear that will kindle no fire'?

Well, my lord, I am not certain.

He came for the brazier.

Did you give him this?

Yes.

You were deeply concerned for Jinen's health.

Had I borne a son after becoming your wife,

he would be Jinen's age now.

My lord!

Then perhaps 'will kindle no fire'...

...refers to this lantern?

'Will kindle no fire'...

'A broken spear'?

This lantern and the 'broken spear'...

So that is what Kanbei meant.

The truth of Jinen's death has come to light.

There was no invisible arrow.

This was used.

A long-shafted spear!

Two spears joined together!

Of all things...

At that moment, only one person stood

on the far side of the inner courtyard.

Kahyōe.

You killed Jinen.

Why did you kill someone I had decided to spare?

Explain. Do not claim you forgot.

Everything I did was for you, my lord.

A traitor's son is the enemy of both Buddha and my lord!

Enemies must be killed!

Is that why you devised this trick?

No. I killed Jinen, but not for that reason.

A fool like me could only devise such a scheme

with the guidance of the gods.

Thus, Jinen's death was divine punishment!

Your reasoning does not convince me.

- Who incited you? - No one!

- Is that the truth? - I swear it!

Then your crime is graver still.

My lord, you must execute him.

Kahyōe!

Lord Kahyōe!

Surrender! Your crime is unforgivable!

Surround him! Draw your swords!

Kahyōe!

Listen well.

If you opposed my decision, you should have spoken.

Acting on your own is unforgivable.

Even so, I will consider your reasons.

I spare your life.

Redeem yourself on the battlefield!

Yes, my lord! I swear it!

The questioning is over.

Return to your posts.

Have faith in me. Have faith in this castle's strength!

And we shall defeat Oda!

My lord, Oda's forces are approaching.

- Who commands them? - Hori, Manmi and Sugaya.

Oda mocks us. They are all young.

It seems Oda underestimated Arioka Castle.

Draw them closer, then open fire.

My lord.

Our army has won.

And... regarding Kahyōe,

he charged the enemy alone and died bravely.

Understood.

Spring: The Head

Oda ordered me to join him on a falcon hunt.

How dare he...?

A contemptible trick. I will never go.

Without such tricks, he cannot take Arioka Castle.

I see...

His arrogance... is outrageous!

Our reply shall be his envoy's head!

But when will the Mōri army arrive?

Once Ukita joins us, the Mōri will come as well.

But if Ukita betrays us...

Why are you afraid?

The fact that Oda provokes us with such a letter

proves Arioka Castle will not fall!

That is certain.

Permission to speak?

I am Saika Magoroku, my lord.

For three years, the Saika clan has longed to punish Oda.

Lord Murashige, if you command it,

we shall lead the charge and defeat Oda's forces.

Do not be so hasty, Lord Magoroku!

I am Takayama Dario, my lord.

We of the Takatsuki clan should lead the vanguard. What say you?

No!

Both your clans are vital to our defense.

I cannot let you die in vain.

Do not attack.

Defend the castle.

Did my performance work?

Lord Nakanishi spoke exactly as you wished,

but when Takatsuki and Saika offered to lead the attack,

my blood ran cold.

Tell me. What news of the enemy?

Ōtsu Denjūrō Nagamasa, Oda's ally, has deployed his army to the east.

Nagamasa? He is only a boy. Unbelievable...

And that is not all. Oda did not send him.

Are you serious?

He wants to impress Oda.

How many men?

About one hundred.

- Can you guide us? - Yes, my lord.

Good. Ichirōzaemon, you have done well!

Thank you for coming.

We attack tonight!

Our target lies east: an army led by Ōtsu Nagamasa.

You will lead our elite unit.

Take provisions and all necessary equipment.

Anyone who is afraid may remain here.

The prize is Nagamasa's head!

Ichirōzaemon, rest. Your duty is done. Thank you.

Takatsuki, take the right; Saika, the left.

We will deal with the two guards. Attack on my signal.

If anything goes wrong, the trumpet will sound.

Retreat at once.

The young one on the right is mine. Sukesaburō, take the other.

The enemy is defeated and fleeing!

Good! Ready the trumpet!

I... am Hori Yatarō!

I challenge the leader of this night raid!

I have come for your head!

Ichirōzaemon!

Help him!

Lord Ichirōzaemon!

You served bravely, Ichirōzaemon.

The fortunes of war deserted me. What a pity...

Please...

Take care... of my son...

I will. Trust me.

My lord! The signal! Oda's reinforcements are coming!

Sound the trumpet!

Now inspect the commanders' heads.

Bring them here.

This one was taken by you: Hori Yatarō.

No need. Next.

Now, those taken by the Takatsuki clan.

Now, who might this be?

How did the Takatsuki men obtain these heads?

We fought in darkness. No names were spoken.

We cannot be sure whom we killed.

Next.

These were taken by the Saika clan...

Similar circumstances. Regrettably, we cannot be certain.

They were doubtless all renowned warriors.

Both clans shall be rewarded.

The inspection is over.

Ichirōzaemon's fate weighs heavily on me.

He died protecting my life.

I heard he was killed by a half-naked warrior.

His ferocity caught me by surprise.

We must fear men who have resolved to die.

As in the Ikkō uprising at Nagashima?

Yes.

You witnessed it yourself.

As Oda's arquebuses fired without mercy,

the faithful of the Shinshū school charged Oda's forces

without weapons or armor.

For a time, their resolve forced Oda's troops back.

As they charged, they all cried, 'Forward, toward paradise!'

'Toward paradise'...

Try as I might, I shall never forget that sight.

- Is Nagamasa dead? - It appears so.

Sagehari, is that true?

I was wounded in the forehead and lost consciousness.

When I awoke, I heard enemy soldiers say, 'Our general has been killed.'

Sagehari, are you saying we killed Ōtsu Nagamasa?

Exactly.

Nagamasa was young. Two of the heads were young men.

Yes. Takatsuki took one; Saika took the other.

Who deserves the honor, Takatsuki or Saika?

The Saika are arquebusiers. How could they behead anyone?

For the Saika, killing from afar

would be easier than for the Takatsuki.

Silence.

My lord, this may cause trouble.

We are cursed! Cursed!

My lord, the head has changed shape!

- What? - The one in that vessel!

The young warrior?

This head bears an evil omen.

How can this be...?

My lord! They say we brought back Ōtsu Nagamasa's head

and its face has become completely deformed!

Is it true?

Nonsense. It may not even be Nagamasa.

But they say this head is cursed

because Lord Takayama Dario brought it,

a Christian who disrespects Buddha.

Ridiculous.

What do you make of the rumor?

If that head's face truly changed, it is most strange.

Strange...

Indeed it is.

Is the head in question inside that box?

It is in this one.

Ah. Just as they said...

Shinpachirō, count the heads from that night.

Well, Takatsuki and Saika brought four... Oh!

There was one more.

The man you killed, Hori Yatarō!

How careless of me.

The deformed head was Hori Yatarō's.

At first I was startled, but now I understand.

Someone exchanged it for that young warrior's head.

What!

But who would do such a thing?

I do not know. Perhaps they merely wished to sow confusion,

or was there another purpose?

Truly strange.

Kyūzaemon, lead today's war council.

What if the dispute over who killed Ōtsu Nagamasa arises again?

Keep order. Make no decision.

I have something else to do.

Yes, my lord.

Make yourself comfortable.

Delicious, my lord. Truly delightful.

How is your son Ukon?

Thank you for asking.

I never imagined my son would betray you and join Oda.

He is a vile creature and a disgrace.

Did Oda threaten to kill all Christians unless his clan joined him?

Yes.

You are also a Christian. Surely you sympathize with Ukon.

No, that is not so!

Truly?

Whether to Buddha or the Christian God,

we pray for salvation for ourselves and our families.

We samurai do not exist to save Buddhism or Christianity.

I see.

Lord Takayama Dario,

how did your clan obtain that young warrior's head?

I shall recount all I experienced.

Truly remarkable.

Why?

We Saika pass down our teachings orally.

When loading or aiming, one's stance must be flawless.

My elder brother Magoichi had an extraordinary stance.

Your stance reminds me of his. It is truly remarkable.

Some mysteries cannot be solved through stance.

You mean the transformed head?

Was it Buddha's curse upon the Christians?

Ridiculous. Buddha punishes no one.

Why not? You believe in Buddha too.

Your priests disagree.

I am no priest.

Buddhism has no place in war.

'Advance is paradise; retreat is hell.' What an anguished phrase.

Are you laughing, my lord? Why?

You saw my hand. Surely you have realized it.

I invited you to discover which clan killed Nagamasa.

I used the tea ceremony as a weapon of war.

I was insolent. Forgive me.

No, my lord. It is I who must ask forgiveness.

Now then, Saika Magoroku.

Tell me how the Saika clan took that young warrior's head.

Yes, my lord.

I shall tell you everything.

Akioka!

Was the fire set deliberately?

Yes. Some peasants set fire to a Christian church.

What folly...

Utter folly!

The Takatsuki and Saika clans bear no rivalry toward each other!

There is no sign of conflict between them!

Just as you say, my lord.

Yet a band of idlers takes sides and starts fires!

It truly makes no sense.

Many people seem to have been swayed by these rumors.

That head...

I must uncover the truth...

How dare you address our lord with such familiarity?

Here, I am his right-hand man!

You are nothing but a condemned man.

You live only because...

...you owe me favors. Understood?

You speak without knowing what fate awaits you.

What?

Would you know the true nature of Murashige, lord of Settsu?

His own retainers have no idea.

But I know that man like the back of my hand.

His past, his present, and the future he desires.

Do you wish to know?

Have you lost your mind?

Traitor, prepare to die!

Killing someone from inside a cell was easier than I thought.

Kanbei!

What did you do to him?

Did you incite him to kill me?

I did nothing of the sort.

I wanted that guard's life.

In exchange for these wounds, I told him a few things.

That is all.

You used me as a tool to kill him?

Since I could not do it myself...

Damn you.

Forgive me for angering you. I could think of no other way.

Forgive me!

Then make amends by solving this matter with your intellect!

Which head is Ōtsu Nagamasa's? I want conclusive proof.

Another riddle...

If you examine your own actions closely,

you will find the proof with ease.

What do you mean?

If you cannot see how,

your mind must be occupied by some other concern, must it not?

It is clear who killed the general.

Lord Murashige, why was your night raid so successful?

Because of Nagamasa's carelessness.

Carelessness. Precisely.

It is absurd for a general to hide out of fear,

but to remove his helmet for a better view

with the enemy so near

is more absurd still. It was sheer carelessness.

Carelessness...

So that was it.

What concerns me most is your state of mind.

Set the head aside.

Beware what your hesitation may cause.

We arrested the five arsonists.

Make an example of them.

Let us turn to the main matter.

We have solved the matter of the general's head.

None of you killed Ōtsu Nagamasa.

Even so, Takatsuki and Saika

bravely killed high-ranking warriors.

I grant both clans swords from Bizen.

What do you mean, my lord? I do not understand.

Kyūzaemon, why was our night raid so successful?

Nagamasa's head was cut off.

Yes and no.

When we attacked, the enemy had no commander.

You mean Nagamasa fled?

No. Nagamasa was certainly killed.

But no one cut off his head.

How is that possible?

A commander's head is always taken after his death!

Correct.

But some have no interest in trophies.

Myself, for example.

What?

The first young man I struck with my bow was Nagamasa!

He had removed his helmet to observe the castle.

His boldness was reckless.

Everyone, listen well.

Boldness and recklessness do not always succeed.

When necessary, retreat with caution.

Never forget that.

Well, well. Excellent.

The flavor is sweet.

I am pleased to hear it.

And yet,

you seem troubled.

Because of the letter in your sleeve?

I can hide nothing from you.

Ukita has betrayed us.

Your fears... have come true?

'Join Ukita and me for a falcon hunt.'

That is what Oda's letter said.

Only I know this.

Was the night raid a way

to distract your commanders from that letter?

Exactly.

The main western routes are closed.

Does that mean war will soon reach the castle town?

How terrible.

Summer: Torasaru

Ukita has betrayed us.

My lord...

What did you say?

I repeat: Ukita has joined Oda's forces.

Has anyone anything to say?

Then the Mōri will not come.

Our future is bleak.

Forget Ukita.

The land routes are closed, but the Mōri will come by sea.

Lord Noto, that is too optimistic. You are mistaken.

How am I mistaken?

You insolent wretch! You dare mock me, a loyal native of Settsu?

I mock no one! I merely speak the truth.

And I am no child.

My name is Kitagawara Yosaku.

Well, well, Lord Yosaku.

I agree with Lord Noto.

Our mighty Arioka Castle is holding back Oda's forces.

Oda can do nothing.

Monk Muben.

Thank you very much.

Did you deliver the letter?

Yes, I did.

What did Akechi Mitsuhide say?

He is deeply concerned about your future.

Truly?

Though you risked everything to oppose Oda,

he does not understand why you now intend to surrender.

He is right.

This castle will not fall easily.

But the purpose of war is victory.

My victory will be to take Oda's head beside the Mōri.

Not to defend this castle.

Precisely, my lord.

Time is short.

Hashiba remains tied down in Harima, fighting the Mōri.

Lord Akechi is also on campaign.

Lord Oda cannot devote his full attention to us.

But now that Ukita has joined him,

Oda is preparing an all-out attack.

I suggest we feign surrender to put Oda at ease.

Then we can devise our path to victory.

Truly impressive.

But I must tell you something difficult.

Lord Akechi wants proof that you truly intend to surrender.

Proof? What do you mean?

Well...

Your treasured Torasaru.

Torasaru?

Very well.

Here is Torasaru.

My heavens! That priceless tea jar!

They say it is worth 2,000 kan, enough to buy an entire castle!

Would you like to see it?

I am not worthy!

Once Lord Akechi receives this, he will be under pressure.

Such a treasure cannot be hidden.

If people learn he obtained it improperly, he will be forced to act.

He will have no choice but to help me.

Muben.

This is a grave task. Will you accept?

I will, even if it costs me my life!

Until the gates open tomorrow, stay in the hut to the south.

Jūemon will bring you a confidential letter.

I shall do as you command.

My lord, are you there?

Do not linger. Come in.

- Were you cleaning the treasures? - No...

I was doing nothing. Merely looking at them.

May I look at them too?

I have parted with Torasaru.

I noticed it was no longer here.

Someone wanted that tea jar.

I see.

I did it for victory in this war.

When Matsunaga Hisahide refused

to surrender his precious Hiragumo tea kettle,

Oda killed him.

I will not repeat that mistake.

I won these treasures through strategy.

The time has come to use them.

But...

Now it is too late. I regret giving it away!

Who am I to grieve over a mere tea jar?

A man like me, who sent thousands to their deaths...

Grieve as much as you wish.

Do not tell my men.

I will not.

Then feel free to laugh at me.

I will not do that.

In this world, attachment always brings pain and sorrow.

Please, laugh at me.

This world ravaged by war fills me with disgust.

You have spoken from your heart.

Thank you very much.

- Monk Muben! - How could this happen?

Stand aside!

Stand aside! Make way!

My lord!

Make way! Lord Murashige is here! Behave yourselves!

Calm down!

I will not tolerate disorder. Go home!

Disobey and you will be killed!

My lord, I beg your forgiveness.

Monk Muben and Lord Akioka are dead.

Akioka too?

Yes, my lord. How could a swordsman as skilled as he...?

Yosaku?

What are you doing here?

A sick relative wanted Muben's prayers,

so I followed his tracks here.

I saw a man lying there. It was Muben.

My lord! Why did you lodge Muben in such a wretched hut?

- What did you order him to do? - How dare you!

I have no time to answer.

It is inside.

It is not.

Not there? What is missing?

Stay beside Akioka. Now.

I came too late.

This...

...is undoubtedly Monk Muben.

Jūemon, find the confidential letter.

If you find it, keep it with you.

One more thing. I gave Torasaru to Muben.

What? That treasure?

But it is nowhere to be seen. It was probably stolen,

though Muben may also have hidden it.

Search everything.

Search every corner.

Yes, my lord.

Was Akioka attacked from behind?

Who could kill so skilled a swordsman?

Sukesaburō, gather everyone who was here today. Yosaku as well.

Yes, my lord. At once.

How did this happen to you...?

I could not find Torasaru.

I see...

And the confidential letter?

It was sewn into Monk Muben's collar.

The same letter I delivered before.

But the stitching had been opened

and the letter's seal was broken.

So someone read it?

Most likely.

Izumi, when you took food to Muben's hut,

did you see a wicker box?

Forgive me, my lord. I do not remember.

Was Muben alone in the hut?

I... do not know.

But before I arrived,

a temple maid was attending him.

She heard Monk Muben would be staying here,

so she went to town to buy vegetables.

When she returned, Muben seemed to have a visitor.

After cooking,

she asked from outside whether he needed anything.

He replied sternly that he did not and that the visitor had left.

Continue.

Then she drew water and began working in the yard,

and heard Monk Muben reciting a strange sutra.

Some time later, she saw him heading for the privy.

Are you certain it was Muben?

Yes, my lord.

Why are you questioning me?

It was surely one of Oda's spies.

If so, why did you allow Monk Muben to be killed?

What were you seeking in that hut?

I want the details.

My lord, will you not tell me?

- I cannot. - I cannot accept that!

You are obliged to accept it.

For now, be patient.

Truly strange.

Why did they not take the letter?

I must conclude the letter was not their objective.

Then what was?

Perhaps the intruder merely wished to steal Torasaru?

Unlikely.

An ordinary thief would not seek a letter.

You guessed correctly.

It makes no sense at all.

I am overlooking something.

Yes, something is wrong.

Well? Surely you have more to say?

I have nothing more to say.

Your intelligence reaches no further?

I am human, after all.

In this dungeon, useless thoughts and delusions come and go,

and I am ashamed to have lost clarity.

I know what troubles you.

The fate of your son Shōjumaru.

Your son has a devoted father.

I prepared myself for the worst.

For what?

To cling to samurai tradition

and accept the unacceptable. Is that it?

Did you never wish to change it at all?

What are you saying, Kanbei?

Lord Murashige...

Would you please hear my small request?

Speak.

'Kanbei took his own life as a true samurai.'

Please tell Oda that.

So that your son...

...may avenge you by killing me?

No.

If, by some stroke of fortune, Shōjumaru still lives,

I want Oda to recognize him as head of the clan.

So that your clan may survive.

Very well.

That matters more than your own life?

It truly does.

Very well.

I shall say Kanbei died.

Thank you very much.

- What happened? - We have an intruder.

- He reached the central keep? - He must be Oda's spy.

Make him reveal all he discovered!

How amusing.

A traitorous dog, barking with a general's airs.

You... are Zensuke of the Kuroda clan?

You know the name of a nobody like me? I am surprised.

Zensuke, why did you sneak in here?

Your clan is not attacking us.

You ask why? Is it not obvious?

You... came to rescue Kanbei?

Lord Murashige...

Is Lord Kanbei alive?

I need not tell you that.

You mean... he is no longer alive?

He took his own life in the dungeon.

I came too late...

- What a pity! - Kanbei is dead!

Let his son take his place!

It is too late! Far too late!

What?

If only Kanbei's head had been returned,

we might have had a chance.

Oda concluded Kanbei had joined your side.

No one believes he was held prisoner.

Did you know Oda killed Shōjumaru, Kanbei's only son?

He spares not even children. Our clan will be destroyed!

Damn him...

That no longer concerns me!

Oda killing hostages is nothing new.

If it troubles you so, do something to stop it.

This pawn does not deserve to die.

Drive him from the castle. Kill him if he resists.

- Get up! - Murashige!

It was already too late...

- Do you hate me? - No.

- Oda? - No, I do not hate him.

In this age of war, killing hostages is common.

Zensuke said your clan will be destroyed.

But you are still alive.

What do you think?

Kanbei.

Oda cares nothing for what happens to your clan.

You and your son lived only while you were useful to him.

Taking Oda's side always ends this way.

Now you are finally free of Oda's spell.

Kanbei.

Set Oda aside.

And come to my side.

I understand.

I will stand with neither Oda nor Arioka Castle.

But as a man who admires you, Lord Murashige...

I shall serve you with all my soul.

Can I trust you?

You need not ask.

They neither attack nor retreat.

What is Oda thinking?

- Kyūzaemon. - Yes.

You know Kanbei is our prisoner in the dungeon.

- I do. - I am thinking of freeing him.

- For what purpose? - To join our war council.

We need not reveal his name.

My lord, that would not suit Settsu.

Why not?

His clan is from Harima, Settsu's ancient rival.

Having a man of Harima in this castle

would divide our clan, a greater problem than Oda.

I see. The people of Settsu would never accept Kanbei?

We face a grave crisis.

Yet pride matters more?

Some believe so, my lord.

I will fetch the keys.

Whom can I trust, and how far...?

They said a man of Harima is unwelcome here.

I should have killed whoever said it.

But then I would have no allies left in this castle.

Forgive me, Kanbei.

I am not surprised.

Why not disguise yourself as a rōnin and join my war council?

Surely you jest.

That will not work...

May I ask a question?

Why do you insist on coming to the dungeon?

- What? - Alone, without company.

I will tell you why.

You come here to speak about the war.

Ridiculous.

I suggested you join my council because I pity you.

I do not come here to discuss the war.

Truly?

Perhaps you have no one else with whom to speak.

Your time serving Oda must have been stimulating.

Hashiba Hideyoshi, Shibata Katsuie, Akechi Mitsuhide...

A host of generals.

Masters of war and tea, with whom you had worthy conversations.

But here, in Arioka Castle,

no one can discuss the intricacies of war at your level.

No one but me is able to understand you.

That is why you are here now.

A leader needs no advisers.

If my men obey my orders, I lack nothing.

If that is so,

when these retainers you trust so deeply

face this castle's imminent fall,

why do they cling to the fantasy that the Mōri will come?

Mind your words, Kanbei!

You know better than anyone that this war is all but over.

You surely acted to forestall Oda's attack,

yet none of your retainers knows it.

They all speak as though they can win.

None understands your true objective.

Now, why is that?

Because in this land, you are an outsider.

You came from elsewhere and do not belong here.

Your retainers' families have lived in Settsu for generations.

If Oda takes the castle, you will pay with your life.

The others will survive if they obey Oda.

They have a way out. They need not surrender.

They swore to fight to the last man.

Then, to survive, you must fight and win?

As befits any leader.

After all, this is an age of war.

So you admit you are no different from Oda?

Are you?

Young man...

The one you should hate is Oda, not me.

Precisely, my lord! I bow before you.

It seems I remain dazed by the loss of my son.

My mind is filled with madness.

Since we speak of it, allow me to answer the earlier riddle.

Speak.

About Oda's spy who killed Muben and stole the treasure...

Inside and outside, cause and effect, appearance and essence,

before and after, necessary and unnecessary.

What if all their places were reversed?

What vanished from the hut? That is your clue.

Watch the temple maid.

Lord Noto, withdraw. That is my lord's order.

My lord's?

Stand back, underlings!

How dare you insult me, Noto Nyūdō, a respected native of Settsu?

Noto Nyūdō.

You killed Muben and Akioka. You cannot escape through trickery.

Why accuse me? Have you not heard?

Rumor says Kitagawara Yosaku did it.

A rumor you spread yourself.

I would never do such a thing.

You may defend yourself here.

Say what you have to say.

I have no words.

Then I shall begin.

Akioka was struck from behind.

Only a surprise attack could defeat a man like him.

The assailant carried a wicker box and a staff,

just like Muben, so Akioka lowered his guard.

My lord, that makes no sense to me.

Tango, what if the order of events were reversed?

Reversed?

Before Akioka arrived,

the assailant killed Muben before the maid returned,

then impersonated him to kill Akioka.

That cannot be right.

The temple maid said she spoke to Muben from outside.

Yes, and heard Muben reciting an esoteric sutra.

And she saw Muben go toward the privy.

My lord, that seems very solid proof.

May I go?

This meaningless questioning is a waste of time.

Or do you wish to conceal the fact that Oda's spy remains at large?

Very well. I shall reveal everything.

Men, listen well.

Kyūzaemon.

The temple maid heard an esoteric sutra?

But she follows the exoteric Ikkō school. She would not know one.

Then what are we overlooking?

- Overlooking... - Now I understand!

The false Muben improvised a sutra, mistaken for an esoteric one.

Exoteric and esoteric were reversed!

- Correct. - What has that to do with Noto Nyūdō?

As soon as Izumi left, the assailant entered and killed Muben.

When the temple maid returned, he imitated Muben's voice

and improvised a sutra on the spot.

Soon afterward, he came out,

but when the maid saw him, he pretended to head for the privy.

He likely noticed Akioka standing guard nearby.

He waited for the maid to leave and took Muben's wicker box.

It was the only necessary prop. Necessary and needless were reversed.

Then he deceived Akioka and killed him.

Is that not so, Noto Nyūdō?

That pathetic lie convinces no one!

Many monks look alike around here!

If I impersonated Muben, who saw me?

No one saw or heard anything.

You!

You feared the only person who saw you and wanted her dead.

News of her disappearance was a relief to you.

Could it be... the temple maid?

Tell us what you saw.

Yes, my lord. I saw Monk Muben heading for the privy.

I am certain. I saw his face clearly.

It was the first time I had seen Muben.

Look at him.

My heavens! Monk Muben! You are alive?

Without doubt, it is Muben.

Tell me, Noto. Why did you kill Muben?

Why risk so much to read my confidential letter?

What did you think was written in it?

No answer? Then I shall tell you.

You are working for Oda!

You feared discovery.

You learned of Muben's secret mission and therefore killed him.

Noto Nyūdō.

In this castle and all of Settsu,

know that you can hide nothing from me!

Damn you, Murashige...

How dare you insult me!

Stop!

Noto!

Know your place, outsider!

Without our support in Settsu, you would be nothing.

You say I work for Oda?

I know your secret too!

I read the secret letter! Listen, brothers. Murashige...

What was that?

My heavens! Divine punishment!

Was Noto killed by lightning...?

- Did you find it? - Yes, it is in this box.

Then I have recovered it...

The box was in the privy at Noto's house.

He did not know its true value.

I will send it to Akechi. Make the arrangements.

My lord.

I... must tell you something.

What?

I heard Lord Akechi went to Oda.

- Akechi? - So they say.

I desire none of this world's treasures.

The only thing I want is to serve my lord.

You mean he does not want Torasaru?

It seems so.

Lord Akechi acted first to dispel Oda's suspicions.

Yet he may still change his mind.

Yes, there is still time...

No.

No longer.

Enough.

Thank heavens Torasaru is unharmed.

Treasures shine brightest in the hands of those who value them.

Indeed...

Will you use it again to win the war?

No. I will never part with it again.

Even if I must, I cannot.

Let them say I lack the ability to lead.

I will do what I believe is right.

Do you approve, Chiyoho?

Yes. Do exactly that.

Autumn: Divine Punishment

As you command.

These weeds have not yet been cut.

I will tell the maids. The enemy could hide here.

The castle is in disorder.

A bullet!

If we do not solve this riddle, we are finished.

Remember when Noto Nyūdō was struck by lightning?

- Are they connected? - Yes.

Before the lightning, we heard a shot and Noto fell.

The lightning came afterward.

You are right.

I made a quick examination of Noto's body.

I found this in his chest.

Someone shot him with an arquebus?

The shooter surely did not expect the lightning to strike him too,

but they wanted to silence him.

Was it the work of Oda's agent?

I am not certain.

But Jūemon...

You know what I wrote to Lord Akechi.

I do.

I intended to reveal my plan

and surrender there, before everyone.

Before I could, and before Noto could speak,

the gunshot rang out.

Could it have been a warning to you?

Had I spoken before Noto, that bullet might have struck me.

This is a very serious matter.

I will find who shot Noto that day.

Someone is surely behind all this.

What is their true aim? Learn all you can.

We have few men and arquebuses.

Now we must find a way to increase our allies.

Honganji Temple has resisted Oda's attacks for nine years.

We must endure until things change, must we not?

Have you forgotten?

Our lord's grand plan is to defeat Oda here, with Mōri's aid.

My lord!

Please, allow me to speak my mind.

I believe we should surrender at once.

If we do so now, Oda will spare us.

Then we can await a chance to strike back and win.

What do you think, my lord?

- It is a good idea. - I knew it!

But surrendering without assurances only benefits the enemy.

Who will speak with Oda? When and how?

I will go to Oda and ask Akechi and Shibata

to spare your people and your life, my lord.

You are a good man.

I thank you.

My lord!

Chiyoho? What happened?

All around me, a sea of blood...

However hard I try, why will it not disappear?

Come to your senses.

This is not a battlefield.

Buddha...

Where are you?

There!

Look closely.

Near and far,

many will die...

I am sorry.

Do not be.

I hope my visions...

...do not interfere with your war plans.

My lord.

That day, only the guards brought arquebuses into the central keep.

What of the Saika?

None of them was on duty that day.

Do you know where Noto was shot from?

I do.

Judging by the wall where Noto fell

and the shot's range,

it could have been that pine tree, the tower's second floor,

or the roof of your residence.

Which is most likely?

The roof of your residence.

Why?

The tower's second floor

is too high and offers a poor firing angle.

The pine is the right height, but escape would be difficult.

Did you test it?

Of course I did, my lord.

Jūemon, you have done excellent work.

As for who conspires against you,

I know nothing either.

I see. Even you were confounded by this mystery...

Well, drink.

Ah, precisely what I needed.

We reap what we sow.

I drove Lord Ikeda out to take this castle,

but never imagined I would suffer the same fate.

You seem intent on surrendering first.

If it were so easy, I surely would.

My lord, I know of your inner conflict.

Oh? What conflict?

Not killing, so all may live. Even me, despite the enormous risk.

I could have killed you at any time.

I keep alive those who may be useful.

Nothing more, nothing less.

I know that is not true.

What?

Oda kills. Murashige does not.

You wanted the world to know that. Did you not?

Lord Oda.

The maids are over there.

In my absence, they left the castle to amuse themselves.

What say you, Murashige?

Why not rebuke and expel them?

They set a poor example.

The monks say merciless slaughter brings curses upon me,

but can that be true?

There may be a hidden lesson in their words.

I want to see what is hidden. What might it be?

Well? Did you see what was hidden?

Murashige, it is your turn.

What do you see? Tell me!

A warrior who will not kill in wartime ends up suffering.

You know nothing.

You never thought to change this reality.

Enough. I have said too much.

I will surrender this castle.

But first,

I must expose the treachery behind Noto's shooting.

Why?

To hand the culprit over to Oda.

The motive is uncertain.

But I know he shot Noto, an ally of Oda.

I will take the killer's head to negotiate peace with Oda.

That is my objective.

It will be a bloodless surrender.

What I said...

Now I understand.

Regarding Noto's death, may I offer my conjecture?

Continue.

What if the lightning had not struck?

Noto would have been killed by a shot from an unknown source.

And if that had not happened?

I would have been the target, killed or gravely wounded.

I think otherwise.

The killer's target was always Noto.

He waited until Noto stood alone atop the wall.

Why would he do that?

Because he must have known you would not kill Noto.

He executed Noto in my place?

Exactly.

Who is he? What is his aim?

He carried out divine punishment

and struck down the traitor Noto before everyone.

A brutal act you would never commit.

He wanted to instill in the people fear of divine wrath.

In other words, divine punishment was the work of human hands.

That is my supposition.

The roof is the best place to fire an arquebus.

But even if he struck Noto,

being captured would ruin the illusion of divine punishment.

He surely escaped through a window, but there is no way out from there.

Someone in the residence must have helped him.

It seems so.

My lord, I have prepared supper.

Is something weighing on your mind?

At last I understand what Kanbei meant.

I see. I am glad for you.

Would you like to hear?

Yes.

An invisible arrow killed Jinen.

A transformed head.

The Noto affair...

All these cases seemed like divine punishment.

But why, in the darkness,

did Jinen sit with his back directly toward the spear?

And why were the doors open only nine centimeters?

Who exchanged that deformed head

for the young warrior's head?

And who helped Noto's shooter

escape across the roof?

Chiyoho.

Did you order Noto's death?

Was it the work of a Saika marksman?

Yes.

Was the arquebus smuggled in the day before?

I...

...took the arquebus on the eve of the war council

and asked a Saika man to shoot Noto from the roof.

The entire plan was mine.

Did you also exchange the heads?

Yes. I ordered a maid to do it.

And Jinen?

I told him

that if he sat before the brazier, his wish would be granted.

Did Jinen desire death so desperately?

Yes.

Did you punish me for disobeying samurai tradition?

Not at all. I merely...

I wanted to show that divine punishment truly exists.

For whom?

For the people of Arioka Castle.

The people?

Did you mean to provoke another uprising, like the one at Nagashima?

Incite the people? I would never do that.

I do not understand, Chiyoho!

If you wished to teach religion to the people,

why did you need to prove divine punishment existed?

You samurai, with your armor and swords,

may survive this age of war.

But common people cannot.

They die in vain, like insects.

Please answer this question.

What do common people fear most?

Surely...

...death.

My lord, do you fear death above all?

I cannot say I do not fear it,

but a samurai who fears death above all is worthless.

Very well, my lord. Allow me to explain.

Common people fear more than death

the absence of salvation in the next world, endless suffering.

I saw it myself at Nagashima.

It must have left deep scars.

It did.

The Ikkō uprising was hell.

A castle full of common people, wielding any weapon within reach.

They believed that even if Oda attacked, Nagashima would not fall.

They cried, 'Advance is paradise; retreat is hell.'

'Advance is paradise; retreat is hell.'

That devilish maxim was to blame.

Those words did not come from Buddha's mouth.

A cunning monk invented them to curry favor with samurai.

In the end, Oda surrounded the people of Nagashima.

I was among those helpless souls, trapped on a bloody battlefield.

We all knew we would die.

And so we all began to pray.

What we feared was not death.

It was that suffering would not end with death.

'Advance is paradise; retreat is hell.'

That phrase condemned us.

As the siege continued,

tens of thousands died there.

When Oda's attacks finally subsided,

someone said:

'We are retreating.'

We must not retreat.

We must reach paradise.

Forward, toward paradise.

Without even a sword, they advanced upon the enemy.

At that very moment,

Oda opened fire and cut them down.

I crossed hills of corpses and barely survived.

I returned to Osaka

and lived as an empty shell until you took me in.

Now, thanks to you, my life feels like a dream.

But seeing myself surrounded by Oda again,

I vowed to prevent the people of Settsu from suffering another Nagashima.

Upon witnessing mysterious divine punishments...

...the people come to believe in Buddha.

That salvation exists!

For those who advance and those who retreat,

paradise awaits them all.

Is that why you staged this divine punishment?

Yes. To save the weak, they had to be given signs.

Even if those signs were lies?

They were not lies!

Buddha acted through me to guide the people.

That is why I survived until today.

Now it all makes sense to me.

My lord...

Please kill me with your sword.

Chiyoho, may I ask you something?

Anything.

Those many who will die...

...am I among them too?

Of course, my lord.

You suddenly look pale.

Perhaps I am no longer worthy to rule this castle.

Not at all.

In my view, you have only become more worthy.

Set flattery aside.

Tell me: what drove you to rebel?

There was a time when I had hope in Oda.

But power consumed him.

I killed many, but his massacres went too far.

The people and even his own men are turning against him.

I merely tried not to be crushed by Oda's fall.

Perhaps I acted a little too soon.

Winning support without killing. An admirable ideal.

But victory without killing is impossible.

It is simple.

If you win, you will not need to kill.

Then your aim was to rule the realm.

Everyone in the castle must have thought so.

And yet, why did I...

end up losing my soldiers' loyalty?

Because you won their loyalty only through victories.

To win now, you have only one path left.

Do not toy with me.

Why would I jest about war?

Tell me!

I shall.

Go alone to Aki, Mōri territory.

Go to Mōri and beg for aid. Then the tide will turn in your favor.

Mōri also has a reputation to uphold.

He cannot ignore a meeting with you.

He will be compelled to send troops.

Brilliant...

First, you must go to the port of Amagasaki.

Kitagawara Yosaku knows a route unknown to Oda.

At the port, go to Lord Ura.

A man in his position can easily secure a boat to Aki.

I know Lord Ura.

Exactly. He can do it!

When you reach Aki, seek out Lord Ekei,

known for his hatred of Oda.

He can surely obtain an audience with Mōri.

Choose a fine gift for the lord.

And also for his uncle, Lord Kobayakawa.

I will write it down.

Kanbei! All this time in the dungeon,

were you devising only this plan?

This is only the beginning.

Returning with Mōri's support will merely balance the forces.

Victory will depend on all your experience in war.

Is this...

your way of fighting?

Who would believe a lord abandoned his castle to seek aid?

Oda will take Arioka with ease,

and my name will be stained forever

as a coward who fled to save his own life.

How dare you plot against me, Kanbei!

You foresaw my every step.

Something changed you.

You waited these ten months.

Until baseless rumors filled the castle and my soldiers abandoned me.

Until Oda

lost all compassion for me.

Exactly.

You stayed in this dungeon to plan my downfall?

A brilliant strategy: ask Mōri for aid in person.

That changes the game.

Everyone in the castle will rejoice.

It will be like a ray of light in the darkness.

But...

if Oda attacks before you return with Mōri...

If that happens, surrender. Avoid any confrontation.

Say Murashige fled and abandoned his soldiers.

A lord abandoning his soldiers? No one will believe it.

No. Oda will believe it.

A man so fearsome?

At this moment, he may wish to flee before one of his men kills him.

That is impossible...

What is this world coming to?

Nothing makes sense anymore.

Whatever happens, if you wake alive, thank the heavens.

My lord.

Could this... be what it means to rule the realm?

'Rule the realm'...

Throw him to the dogs.

As you command, my lord.

Leave the rest to us. Do what you think best.

Thank you.

The enemy can no longer reach us.

My lord.

I must leave you, my lord.

I understand.

During these ten months of siege, I wished only to serve you.

And I did so without regret.

Now I wish to wait here

for your return with Mōri and the others.

I cannot leave my brothers alone.

Very well, Jūemon. Until I return, protect the castle.

- I promise. - And if...

If I do not return,

Jūemon, do not die.

Do not die for my sake.

When the time comes, die for a better lord.

I will leave you here as well.

- Very well. - I am Saika soldier Magoroku.

It is an honor to accompany you,

but abandoning my leader would dishonor my clan.

Sagehari, you served well.

To tell the truth, I was the one who shot Noto.

- Is that true...? - I could not refuse Chiyoho's request.

She told me 'advance is paradise; retreat is hell' is a lie.

Paradise awaits the humble too. No one had ever told me that.

For the first time, I felt I could breathe freely.

I am willing to give my life to protect Chiyoho in the castle.

I understand. Do as you wish.

And you?

I will follow you to the ends of the earth.

This is my duty, and I shall fulfill it.

Good. Let us go, Sukesaburō.

That box is filled with treasures.

Take care not to break them.

Yes, my lord!

Another gift, Hayllander. Because there can be only one!

Soon afterward, Arioka Castle surrendered to Oda.

Three years later,

Oda Nobunaga was killed by Akechi Mitsuhide,

in the Honnō-ji Incident.

The age of war ended soon afterward.

Araki Murashige outlived Oda Nobunaga

and spent the rest of his life as a celebrated tea master.