Original subtitles

"Abhorring This Impure World, Seeking Rebirth in the Pure Land"

Go!!

Do not falter!!

Go!

Go! Do not falter!

"Life is like unto a long journey with a heavy burden."

That is a testament by Tokugawa Ieyasu.

"Swift as the Wind, Silent as a Forest, Fierce as Fire and Immovable as a Mountain."

Some say the testament was written by someone else later.

However, it accurately describes how Ieyasu was...

...compared with his contemporary heroes

like Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

The three men had the same goal;

unifying Japan in 100 years of a war-torn era after the Onin War...

...and bringing peace to Japan.

That's why they nurtured the rarest friendships with each other.

Nobunaga died at age 49.

Hideyoshi died at age 63.

Ieyasu died at age 75.

The first two men died passing on their dream of conquering Japan to Ieyasu.

Ieyasu put an end to the awful and lawless Warring Period.

Then, he established a new order.

In fact, the shogunate created by Ieyasu,

until its end in the Meiji Restoration,

hadn't allowed any foreign invasion and hadn't invaded other countries.

For 300 years, Japan existed as the only war-free country.

Ieyasu built the foundation.

TOKUGAWA IEYASU

Episode 1: Birth of Takechiyo

Original Story By: YAMAOKA Sohachi

Screenplay By: OSANAI Mieko

Music By: TOMITA Isao

Theme Song Performed By: NHK Symphony Orchestra and Keio University Wagner Society Choir

Narration By: TATENO Naomitsu, NHK Announcer

CAST

Tokugawa Ieyasu: TAKITA Sakae

Matsudaira Hirotada: KONDO Masaomi

Odai: OTAKE Shinobu

Ohisa: TAKAHASHI Keiko

Oda Nobuhide: ITO Takao Hirate Nakatsukasa: TOURA Rokko

Mizuno Nobumoto: MURAI Kunio Kinzo: KURATA Yasuaki

Sakai Utanokami: OGASAWARA Ryochi Kaneda Yosazaemon: YAMAMOTO Toshihiko

Ishikawa Aki: HAYAKAWA Jun'ichi Okubo Shinpachiro: KAWAHARA Sabu

Honda Heihachiro: YAMAGUCHI Yoshizo Iwamatsu Hachiya: MURATA Takehiro

Mizuno Nobuchika: TASHIRO Takahide Asahina Bitchunokami (Lord of Bitchu): KAMEICHI Seiichiro

Kipposhi: ITO Yoichi Kitchen Maid: AKI Takejo

Yuri: TACHIEDA Ayumi Kosasa: TANAHASHI Kumi

Lady Keyo-in: YACHIGUSA Kaoru

Imagawa Yoshimoto: NARITA Mikio

Zuifu: RYU Raita

Zen Master Sessai: KOBAYASHI Keiju

Mizuno Tadamasa: KITAMURA Kazuo

Torii Tadayoshi: MIYAGUCHI Seiji

Takenouchi Namitaro: ISHIZAKA Koji

Produced By: SHIBUYA Yasuo

English Subtitles By: Koala Fansubs

Directed By: OHARA Makoto

On December 26, Tenbun 11,

in a year of the tiger, at the time of tiger (around 4:00AM),

a baby boy was born.

It's the heir!

In this year, Takeda Shingen was age 22.

Uesugi Kenshin was age 13.

Oda Nobunaga was age 9.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi was still a skinny, grimy 7-year-old brat.

Beyond the sea, China was governed by the Ming dynasty.

It was 1542 in the European calendar, the year England invaded France.

Turbulent times prevailed everywhere, both in the east and the west.

It was 441 years ago.

One year before that,

located between the powerful Imagawa and the emerging Oda,

OKAZAKI CASTLE

...something happened here in Mikawa Province.

This is Matsudaira Hirotada.

He is the owner of this castle...

...and will become Ieyasu's father later.

Splendid!

TORII TADAYOSHI

Lord!

IWAMATSU HACHIYA

Where are you, lord?

- Lord! - Lord.

OKUBO SHINPACHIRO

Another messenger from Kariya Castle.

Quit yelling.

Your cracked bell-like voices have already reached here.

HONDA HEIHACHIRO

You haven't made up your mind, sir?

Why do you want me to marry my enemy's daughter?

The Mizuno aren't our emenies.

Then, who was fighting against us not long ago, in cold blast?

The head Matsudaira family owned Anjo Castle

until my grandfather's times.

The accursed Oda took the castle from us.

Who spearheaded the Oda's army and stood against us?

It was the Mizuno in Kariya!

Now they have nerve to force me to take their daughter.

They want you to marry her, because they don't want to fight us anymore.

Your mother, Lady Keyo-in, worked so hard on this.

Keyo-in married my late father,

but she had five children with Mizuno Tadamasa.

Odai is her youngest daughter.

She is my stepsister.

I can't marry my sister, even for my clan.

I refuse to hear that kind of idea!

Fine!!

Lord?

You just said, "Fine."

Are you accepting this peace?

- A peace? - That's right.

With the Imagawa in east and the Oda in west,

the Takeda in Kai and the Hojo in Odawara,

In a time like this,

the Matsudaira and the Mizuno shouldn't keep fighting as neighbors.

Soon, one of us will get tired and be engulfed by another clan.

A Takeda son, Harunobu, too,

is trying to attack the Imagawa of Sunpu from behind.

But the Imagawa are rock-solid.

Oda Nobuhide is on a roll, too.

He is trying everything to gain our Okazaki Castle.

Small clans like us, caught between big powers,

should avoid fighting against each other, you know?

All that is left is patience.

We must build up our strength now.

All right.

- Come, Hachiya! - Yes, sir.

Lord!

At the time of the clan's emergency,

Matsudaira clansmen spoke straight even to their master.

That was a culture unique to this Matsudaira clan.

Grandpop.

Oh, Utanosuke.

Who's with the messenger?

Ishikawa Aki is with him.

The lord is being fussy.

SAKAI UTANOSUKE

He's not an idiot.

He'll give a positive reply for sure.

I hope so.

This is Hirotada's stepmother.

Her name is Keyo-in. She will become Ieyasu's grandmother.

Welcome back.

LADY KEYO-IN

Another nice day, isn't it?

Can I help you?

A messenger came from Kariya.

Looks like the clansmen are busy doing something.

Listen, Sir Hirotada.

This marriage offer is what your late father wanted.

I don't know what to say about that.

If Odai doesn't bear a child,

can I divorce her?

Of course.

And...

If the two clans become enemies again,

can I follow samurai customs? In other words...

...can I kill Odai?

Go ahead, as you like.

Keyo-in left her five children at this Kariya Castle owned by the Mizuno.

The castle is 10km west of Okazaki.

This is Odai, Keyo-in's youngest daughter.

ODAI

She will become Ieyasu's mother.

Father.

MIZUNO TADAMASA

Is that you, Odai?

Come in.

Oh, you're here, Brother.

Good news, Odai.

Sir Hirotada in Okazaki agreed to marry you.

MIZUNO NOBUCHIKA

Our messenger returned with the good news.

Oh.

Are you happy?

Yes.

Above all, I'm happy because I can see my mother, Lady Keyo-in.

You must be.

I'm happy, too.

Thank you.

Father thinks happy events must be carried out as soon as possible.

He wants you to marry him early next year.

Oh.

Everything is ready.

Once you marry him, I cannot see you anymore.

So I want you to take your time today, massaging my shoulders.

Yes.

- Yuri. - Yes.

We should be excused now.

Yes.

Ah, it's so warm today.

- Leave the door open. - Yes.

I'm going to ask you something, just in case.

Some of my clansmen and one of your brothers...

...violently disagree about your marriage with him.

You know that, don't you?

Yes, I assumed so.

Matsudaira Hirotada is still young.

That's why they want to attack him now.

But that's just an impulse.

- I agree with you. - I guess so.

We're more powerful now.

But their vassals are different.

If we have a serious battle against them now,

we'll be the losers, not the Matsudaira.

I have gravely miscalculated something.

When Hirodata's father, Kiyoyasu, wanted your mother,

his clan in Okazaki was much more powerful than us.

I was frustrated, but...

...your mother left to stay with Kiyoyasu,

leaving her five children behind.

But...

...as long as your mother was in his castle...

...I thought the Mizuno clan would remain safe.

I sent your mother as hostage...

...and was going to stomp the Matsudaira clan when I had a chance.

That was never carried out.

You can't stomp the castle where your mother is staying.

Stomping the castle means...

...killing your birth mother by your warrior's hands.

I learned a lot from that huge mistake.

The Matsudaira and the Mizuno should never fight against each other.

That's why I'm marrying you off to the castle where your mother is.

I want you to release the two clans from small grudges...

...and bond us with big truthfulness.

Nobody will hate you, no matter where you go.

But, Odai.

That's not enough.

You must care for someone from the bottom of your heart.

Did you already figure that out?

Yes.

I'll risk my life to protect the treasure of Okazaki.

What's the treasure of Okazaki?

Vassals superior than any other clan's.

That's what my mother wrote me in her letter.

That's it.

That's it.

Keep that in your mind. Never forget that.

Good.

You'll be fine.

There's nothing left to say.

Father.

Odai.

Take care of yourself.

Yes.

MIZUNO NOBUMOTO

Father.

Can we talk in private?

You can go, Odai.

Go back to your room and rest.

Yes.

I'm against her marriage with Hirotada.

Okazaki is on the Imagawa's side.

Why are you sending here there?

Her marriage won't do anything good for our clan.

That's enough.

- Is somebody there? - Yes, sir.

Tell people in Owari that...

...I'm sending Odai to kill Hirotada in his sleep.

Father.

I'll say this again.

- We must stomp the Okazaki now. - I won't allow that!

This marriage adds the finishing touch on my lifetime achievements.

If you find out that Owari people start getting suspicious,

you remove their suspicions. That's your job.

I have an idea about Odai's role.

You just leave it to me.

I have no choice.

I'll follow your words this time.

Mizuno's heir, Nobumoto...

...is Odai's half-brother.

He wasn't born from Lady Keyo-in.

KUMA-YASHIKI (Bear Mansion)

Haw!

Hello!

It's Nobumoto from Kariya!

Is Onami here?

Onami! Where are you!?

It's Nobumoto from Kariya!

Onami!

This is the master of this mansion,

Takenouchi Namitaro.

Villagers call him "Prince Bear".

The village is called the Bear Village, too.

He is supposed to be a distant descendant of Takenouchi Sukune.

His family is a powerful local clan that focuses on praying to their god...

...refusing to serve any other clan.

In fact, he controls...

...nobushi (armed outlaws), rappa (mercenary spies) and pirates.

Thus, he holds latent power on the seas and lands.

Is Onami here?

Onami!

Ha!

Praying to your god again?

Working hard, huh?

My father...!

He's so adamant about sending Odai to Okazaki.

He doesn't see the declining fate of the Imagawa.

He's being prudent now, but he cannot see the future.

In this chaotic time,

you must hoist a banner with a just cause that appeals to peasants.

The Imagawa don't have such a strategy.

They are busy copying the obsolete elegance of the nobles.

How can they give commands to people?

In comparison, the Oda...

Oh, yeah.

This is what you said.

I want you to do me a favor.

Kidnap Odai on her way.

So her wedding date has been set?

I'll let you know later.

It'll be January 27th or 28th next year.

And what should I do with Miss Odai?

It's up to you.

You can send her to the Oda as a hostage.

Or you can hide her in this mansion.

Oh, yeah.

Why don't you take her as your wife?

That sounds great.

Then, you and I will be brothers-in-law.

We can extend the new wings of ours...

...as far as we want, in this turbulent time!

I know what you're thinking about.

What the dragon in the pond wants.

Why is it holding its breath and hiding?

You're praying to your god here,

as you patiently wait for a general who might be able to rule Japan.

- And... - I'll help him only because...

...I'm against this corrupt and pitiful society...

...where innocent women are used as political tools.

You don't have to ask me twice about Miss Odai.

This is another person who is distressed by Odai's marriage.

OHISA

This is Ohisa, Hirotada's concubine.

Hirotada and Ohisa already have a son called Kanroku.

Lord.

I heard your marriage date has been set for January 26th.

I'd like to extend my congratulations.

What are you congratulating?

Lord?

Why don't you blame me?

Why aren't you jealous?

Um...

Ohisa.

I took you because I was going to make you my wife in the future.

But Keyo-in and the clansmen took me lightly...!

- It's for your clan. - Don't say that!

Who wants to marry their enemy's daughter?

Fine.

They're forcing me to marry her.

I can kill her or save her. It's up to me.

I'll have someone poison her.

That's too cruel...

- Miss Odai is innocent. - I'm innocent, too.

Same for our Kanroku.

You're his mother.

Odai is stepping between us. She's a spy from the enemy.

You can't, my lord!

Ohisa.

I won't let you go.

You're my wife.

Lord.

And this man is sneering at Hirotada's upcoming marriage.

IMAGAWA YOSHIMOTO

This is Imagawa Jibutayu Yoshimoto, owner of Sunpu Castle.

DAIGEN SESSAI

He is Taigen Sessai,

high priest of the Rinzai Sect of Zen Buddhism

and Yoshimoto's military strategist.

Later, he will become Ieyasu's spiritual mentor.

Did you want to see me?

Did you hear that, Priest Sessai?

The boy in Okazaki decided to marry the girl in Kariya.

He made a good choice.

You think so?

You think it's a good choice?

Now, Okazaki and Kariya partner with each other to save their strength.

They will sit the fence between us and the Oda.

They made a desperate plan.

Hirotada in Okazaki is a bit unreliable as a warlord.

If I leave them alone,

the damn Oda might reach out to Okazaki...

...through Anjo Castle that they captured last year.

The simple and honest senior vassals in Okazaki...

...were already informed by me about the horror of any possible betrayal.

But you should keep a close eye on them.

The demon in Nagoya, Oda Nobuhide, too...

ODA NOBUHIDE

...is giving Okazaki his piercing look.

He is in Anjo Castle that he captured from Hirotada the year before.

After his wife was taken, he's giving his daughter away?

Mizuno Tadamasa is some fellow.

HIRATE NAKATSUKASA

Yes, sir.

I should kidnap her.

Kidnap?

Kemari (football) and makeup.

Yoshimoto likes copying nobles.

The boy in Okazaki is hiding under Yoshimoto's long sleeves.

I want to scare both of them.

Even if I decide to attack Mino,

I want Okazaki for logistics support.

- How's that? - Yes, sir.

The following year, with some seeds of turmoil,

Odai was leaving Kariya Castle.

Father.

I am leaving now.

Take care of yourself.

I will.

Father...

Odai.

These are...

...cotton seeds.

- Cotton seeds? - Yeah.

Foreign cotton seeds that I ordered from Sakai, Izumi Province.

Oh.

Cloth made of cotton...

...can be used for farm work clothes.

It's also strong enough for under armor clothing.

You must spin the first thread for your husband.

Then, talk with your mother and make a plan to spread them in your domain.

I will.

Yuri and Kosasa, you must remember that, too.

Yes.

Only you two are accompanying the princess.

Never forget what the lord said.

We won't.

You must look after the princess and...

...most importantly, taste her meals.

We're aware of that.

Brothers, please take care of yourselves.

Dai.

Have a happy life.

I got a message from Sir Mizuno Nobumoto.

Two fake processions already left the castle.

There are three in total.

The second one is the real one.

I see.

Go.

Being rocked inside the palanquin,

Odai wasn't thinking of her husband she had never met.

She was thinking of her husband's stepmother,

Lady Keyo-in, who was her real mother.

It started when Hirotada's father,

Matsudaira Kiyoyasu visited the Mizumo clan.

At a party, Kiyoyasu jokingly asked Tadamasa if he

could have this distinguished-looking Lady Otomi,

knowing that she was Tadamasa's wife.

But that wasn't a joke at all to the weaker ones.

In fear of Kiyoyasu's military power,

Odai's father, Mizuno Tadamasa silently divorced his wife.

And Kiyoyasu married her.

Hurry!

Put it down!

Don't let them take the palanquin!

They are too calm.

Master.

The princess is in our hands.

That Mizuno Tadamasa...

He must have deceived his own son Nobumoto.

- Then, the second palanquin is...? - It's fake.

- Are we all prepared? - Yes.

Get all the three palanquins.

Go.

The third procession was attacked, too.

It was attacked by...

...the Oda's armed group who was ordered by Nobuhide to kidnap Odai.

Idiot!

Sir Hijikata!

The first palanquin was taken!

The first palanquin was...!

Oh, no!!

Odai's palanquin was in the first procession.

But her procession was attacked by Matsudaira vassals.

To prevent the Oda from taking her,

Okubo Shinpachiro and other vassals put on a good show.

Lady Odai.

We can see Okazaki Castle!

Please be patient for a little while.

Thank you.

You don't see it yet?

It'll come soon.

Lady Keyo-in is waiting.

As soon as you see the palanquin, call it out.

Yes, sir.

She is here.

Everyone!!

We successfully captured spring!

Spring of the Matsudaira clan!!

The bride has arrived!

We are delighted at your safe arrival.

I could arrive here safely.

Thank you so much.

Odai... is that you?

Your palanquin was ambushed by many men.

You arrived safely thanks to our vassals.

You must think a great deal about their hard work.

I will.

Gentlemen.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

It was Odai's reunion with her mother that she dreamed about.

Mother...

Lord.

Lord.

Lady Odai's arrival was informed to Kariya Castle, too.

Lord Mizuno is happy.

He said, "Okazaki Castle has a person of wisdom."

Until my wedding is over, Ohisa stays with me.

Don't ever say Odai's name again.

ANJO CASTLE

This is Anjo Castle.

Those Mizuno women were captured in place of Odai.

You imposters!

Good.

You must think they succeeded in outsmarting me, Oda Nobuhide.

I'll take a look at your faces one after another.

You! The one on the far right!

Face me.

Name?

- My name is Kotoji, sir. - Not your name.

Your father's name.

I don't know.

Then, how old are you?

Sixteen-years-old, sir.

Sixteen?

A bud coming into flower.

How cruel Mizuno Tadamasa is.

I don't want you to have any hope, so I'm going to tell you straight.

Nobody is allowed to beg me for your lives.

I will not accept it.

Next!

My father is...

...the 23rd generation after Minamoto no Tsunemoto.

His name is Mizuno Uemondayu Tadamasa.

What?

Are you Tadamasa's daughter?

- Yes. - And your name?

My name is Odai, sir.

I see.

So yor're Odai?

All the six girls here are called Odai, sir.

I changed my mind.

Prince Bear.

They're precious Mizuno girls.

I want you to have them for a while.

I'm honored.

On behalf of them, I'd like to extend grateful thanks...

Too early to thank me!

Take them!

Stand up.

I haven't told you what to do with those girls.

Right, Matsukasa?

Well, Prince Bear seems to have some idea.

Do you?

Yes.

I'm thinking of training them to become shrine maidens.

Then, what are you going to do?

I'll make them sing and dance shrine music combined with Noh, Kyogen,

Paradise Dance and Imayo (modern) music from Kyoto.

I'll make them travel as singers and dancers.

Aha.

Woman spies instead of man spies.

Nobody will expect that.

Good idea, Prince Bear.

I don't want young women to be punished mercilessly.

Very well.

By the way,

this year, I'm having a battle at this castle again.

The boy in Okazaki has Odai now. He must be getting carried away.

But the Imagawa in Sunpu wouldn't overlook that.

The Imagawa will take this chance to move forces.

Right, Onami?

Well, I don't know anything about battles...

Don't know? Is that what you're saying?

Well, all right.

This is a treat for me.

I must make the bridegroom sweat.

I'm counting on your help, too.

In exchange for the girls' lives?

How can I deny your request, sir?

Let's have some drink.

Bring sake over!

Meanwhile, a wedding ceremony was being held inside Okazaki Castle.

Aw!

How auspicious!

Hurray for the Matsudaira clan!

Shinpachiro, you have credit for this battle over the bride.

That was nothing!

What if the bride was taken by the Oda?

I don't have enough bellies to slit, you know?

That's right.

As long as the Matsudaira and the Mizuno are firmly tied,

we can survive between the Imagawa and the Oda.

Now, we want his child as soon as possible.

But the child must not be only kind like the lord.

Right!

We want a brave boy like our late lord, Kiyoyasu.

What are you guys mumbling about?

Sing, Shinpachi.

Dance, Heihachi.

- Yeah, do it! - Shut up!

I can't shout in my coarse loud voice.

I don't want Lady Odai to awake from her bridal bed.

Ohisa.

I'm frustrated.

Clansmen always say frustratingly,

"If late lord were still alive."

I am late lord's son.

Once I go to a battlefield,

I wouldn't humiliate my father when I fight.

But they forced me to marry a Mizuno daughter...

...and say, "The Matsudaira are rock-solid now."

They're under estimating me!

I'm...

Lord.

The night air is too cold for you.

Ohisa.

I can spill my heart only to you.

No matter what anyone says,

I will take Anjo Castle again.

My ancestors built it.

It was the main Matsudaira castle during my father's time.

Even with the Imagawa's help,

recapturing Anjo Castle is my earnest wish.

Even...

Even with the Imagawa's help.

The Lord is staying with Lady Ohisa, as I doubted.

I see.

Lady Ohisa even has a son called Kanroku.

- So Lady Ohisa must have... - Kosasa.

I, Yuri, agree with you.

However,

Her Ladyship is sleeping all by herself. We shouldn't disturb her sleep.

But...

I can't help feeling sorry for her...!

The next day after Odai's nuptial night.

Kosasa?

- What's the matter? - Yes.

I feel so sorry for you, Your Ladyship.

Kosasa!

If this goes on, our clan in Kariya will be taken lightly.

Please ask the lord firmly...

...not to visit Lady Ohisa.

Don't say something like that.

My heart is filled with joy now.

Lady Keyo-in and the people in this castle are all kind to me.

Unlike Kariya, a strong wind isn't blowing in from the ocean.

I can have a good nights sleep and wake up to bush warbler's songs.

I cannot be easygoing like this, if the lord comes over.

Listen, Yuri.

I am a woman too, you know.

Hey, stop crying.

I will stop crying.

I won't cry anymore, so...

...please do not smile, Your Ladyship.

It's hard for me to see it.

Ah.

The bush warbler sang again.

You're right.

Because this garden is ablaze with fragrant plum flowers.

Yuri.

Did you hear the plum flowers calling the bush warbler?

Plum flowers are blooming silently.

They don't call bush warblers.

Yuri.

Isn't it OK for me to smile, too?

Your Ladyship.

Please forgive me.

I said something disgraceful.

Never mind.

Such a brisk morning. Don't cry.

How cheeky.

Your Ladyship.

Mother.

The Lord is still young.

You must embrace him warmly like the spring sun.

Yes.

Everyone has a Buddha and a devil...

...deep inside his heart.

Nobody has only a Buddha or a devil.

That's why you shouldn't deal with the devil in his mind.

If you do, you have no other choice than becoming a devil yourself.

Yes.

If you abhor battles,

use the courage to spread the teachings of Buddha.

Yes.

I heard you got cotton seeds from Lord Mizuno.

I want to see them.

Yuri.

Yes, ma'am.

We should sow the seeds inside the castle first.

We can give some to the peasants next year.

How's that?

That's great.

I heard Namitaro is back.

Where is he?

My master is has guest now.

I don't care.

Tell him Nobumoto is here.

I'm going in.

Onami!

Where are you, Onami?

Onami!

Where are you, Onami?

Hey, you.

Catch the bird over there.

Hey, you...?

Are you talking to me?

You're the only one here.

Come here and look at the bird.

What did you...?

Oh, the bird flew away.

Hey, how useless you are!

Wait!

What do you want?

You ordered someone to do something all of a sudden.

Don't you think you're rude?

No, I don't.

You don't know what to say now?

What a pitiful fellow.

Apologize to me.

Ah.

You can't catch a bird, but you can kill people?

Shut up.

State your name and apologize.

No!

You want to kill me now?

This brat...!

Prince Kipposhi.

I'm over here.

It's all ready.

Please come this way.

Yeah.

He is Kipposhi...?

Kipposhi is the heir of Oda Nobuhide.

KIPPOSHI

He later becomes known as Oda Nobunaga.

Guns arrived in Japan from Portugul in 1543 (Tenbun 12).

Namitaro had influence in Ryukyu and the Goto Islands.

So he obtained guns earlier.

Later, Nobunaga utilized guns and...

...changed the history of Japan.

Thanks for waiting.

What brought you here?

That wasn't like you. I came over to say that.

What are you talking about?

It's about Odai.

You got a fake palanquin. What a blunder you made.

We got the second palanquin as you said.

I guess you made a slip-up, too.

Sir Kipposhi has visited you here before?

Yes.

When were you assigned to babysit him?

I'm not babysitting him.

He comes over to pray to our god.

Pray to your god?

I heard a thunderous noise from the backyard.

What was making that noise?

I have a little problem regarding that.

Problem?

His party is staying overnight here.

I was ordered to keep other people away.

But you saw him. So he asked me who you are.

And?

Prince Kipposhi told me to kick you out of here right now.

That brad did?

He said, "I hate him!"

Unforgiveable!

- What are you going to do? - That brat...

I'm going to take him as a hostage now!

- Hostage? - That's right.

You can just say, "Matsudaira people kidnapped him."

That brat...!

That's...

...totally unfeasible, you know?

What a shaggy fellow...!

Who are you?

My name is Zuifu.

ZUIFU

I'm a traveling monk, who occasionally stays in this Bear Mansion.

The Takenouchi family knows authentic cosmology

from the Period of Two Dynasties.

I am learning the cosmology and a variety of

its distorted interpretations from Prince Bear.

Why does a mere traveling monk think my plan is unfeasible?

Little wonder that you don't know this, but...

...Lord Oda Nobuhide is famous for his guardedness.

He ordered not to let even a single kitten

come in while Prince Kipposhi stays here.

He told them to kill anyone who trespasses into here.

His arrangements are always unpredictable, you know?

Prince Kipposhi wants you to leave.

If you leave, Lord Nobuhide's men will kill you.

What should I do now?

"A dragon and a tiger cannot coexist."

The Imagawa are related to Ashikaga shoguns, but they are obsolete.

But the Oda are like a young tree. They are new and have momentum.

Oh, you already knew that, didn't you?

I know it.

Then,

the Mizuno cannot sit on the fence anymore.

That's why I wanted you to stop Odai from marrying into the Matsudaira.

That's what I mean.

Since Lady Odai has already been sent in,

why don't you utilize the bond to make true peace with the Matsudaira?

True peace?

To make both clans support the Oda.

Sir Nobumoto.

You can make a decision to appease Prince Kipposhi's anger.

It depends on your hard work to convince Sir Hirotada at Okazaki.

Hirotada was...

...even more determined to recapture Anjo Castle.

He sent another request to the Imagawa for help.

LORD ASAHINA (Lord of Bitchu)

The Imagawa finally agreed to send him troops.

"...will instruct them and deliver them."

"To Sir Matsudaira Hirotada"

Lord Imagawa is in a good mood.

Sir Hirotada.

You should go ahead and prepare for capturing Anjo Castle.

Certainly.

Look! I guessed right again!

You keep winning, Your Ladyship. No fun.

Excuse me, ma'am.

Lord is coming now.

Thank you.

Your Ladyship!

What shall I do?

Calm down, Kosasa.

- Open that door. - Yes.

Here.

Your Ladyship.

Thank you for coming, my lord.

You said...

...you learn from a plum tree about an attitude without conscious thought.

I am embarrassed.

That was an arrogant remark.

I am sorry, my lord.

Bring sake!

Pour some for Odai.

Yes, sire.

I beg a favor of you.

Please order me to taste your sake.

You...!

You think we're serving her poison!?

It is a custom in Kariya for a maid to taste for her mistress.

Your Ladyship.

Please give me your cup.

Kosasa.

You're doing it in the wrong order.

Suga.

The sake you just served the lord...

...should be tasted by me first.

Please wait for a moment, my lord.

This is fine.

Please drink it.

Kosasa.

As of today, I taste sake for the lord every time he drinks here.

This is a new rule here in the back quarter.

Lord.

Please give me your permission.

Fine.

I will dance for you.

Everyone, watch.

"In the guise of forget-me-not flowers"

"In the guise of forget-me-not flowers"

"I shall hide my..."

I'm staying with you tonight.

Yes.

- Odai. - Yes.

Why are you shivering like that?

Um...

Was that Keyo-in's instructions?

I'm sorry?

Even I cannot meddle in the back quarter's rules.

You're changing family tradition. Must be someone else's idea.

No.

If you feel offended, please forgive me.

Then,

did you come here to kill me in sleep?

Lord.

Listen carefully.

In the next room, Yuri and Kosasa are listening to what I'm saying.

I...

I don't know anything about that.

Then, watch this!

I cannot have a good sleep in a bedroom like this.

Your Ladyship.

Lord.

I thought you weren't coming tonight.

Your legs are cold.

Please lie down with me.

I heard Lady Odai was excited to have you tonight.

Lord?

Ah, Ohisa.

- I... - Yes?

...almost made an enemy unnecessarily.

Lord...

I was wrong.

Forgive me.

Don't cry.

Stop crying.

I was wrong.

Don't cry any more.

I was being twisted.

I was jealous of your smartness.

My incompetence made me hate you.

Dai.

Forgive me.

Lord.

Are they really growing that cotton thing in the castle?

Sure, inside the castle.

The Lady of the Mansion and Lady Keyo-in

tilled the soil to sow the seeds.

- Lady of the Mansion did? - That's right.

Lady Keyo-in said she should grow more seeds in the castle first.

They want to grow as many seeds as possible this year.

They're working really hard.

They're planning to give the seeds to the people next year.

Cotton is softer than hemp and tougher than kamiko (paper cloth).

And it's not labor intensive like silk worms.

The Lady of the Mansion wants to help people if even a little bit.

She's so considerate.

Wow, how thoughtful she is!

Why don't you work harder like her!

Come on!

"The Lady of the Mansion" is...

...Odai's nickname spontaneously given by the people.

Now.

If there's no battle, it's even better.

I know.

But they're preparing for attacking Anjo Castle again.

We'll be fine.

The Lord has been drinking 'so' made by Lady of the Mansion.

He will win this time for sure.

What's that 'so'?

It's something nutritious made from cow milk.

That's why he has got more color now.

The Lady of the Mansion is extraordinarily smart.

Then, the lord will have a baby soon.

How come?

If the lord is healthier now,

he must be working hard every night.

Silly you!

'So' means cheese.

Men cannot help having ego battles.

They cannot stop fighting.

But these cotton plants grow steadily.

What do you see from these growing plants, Lady of the Mansion?

I...

...see the mysteries of life in them.

I do, too.

These cotton plants will...

...keep growing here even after you and I die.

Without saying anything.

Sir Hirotada...

...got to know Lady Ohisa first.

Men are attached to their first women.

This might be something that you cannot put up with, but...

...you must bear it with the mind of cotton plants.

Yes.

I already sent cotton seeds to Ohisa.

Oh, you did?

Ohisa loves the lord with all of her heart.

I heard Ohisa is pregnant with her second baby.

That's right.

She's doing well, they say.

Doesn't that make you suffer?

If I hate her, she will hate me.

If I make friends with her,

I'm sure she will become my friend.

Now, Lady of the Mansion.

I want you to deliver my present for Sir Kanroku.

I will.

Well, well.

Thank you for coming over.

I'm coming in.

Are you doing well?

Yes, I am.

I came over...

...to bring Lady Keyo-in's present for Sir Kanroku.

It's sweet candies made with sugar cane from Tosa.

"Is it poisoned?"

Sir Kanroku.

What if...

...you mess up her nice kimono?

I don't want him to be rude.

I don't mind it at all...

Wow.

It's must sweeter than sweet rice drink and dried persimmon.

Here, Sir Kanroku.

Then, I'll give you some, Lady of the Chamber (Ohisa).

Here.

Yes.

Hey.

Try some, Lady of the Chamber.

It melts in your mouth.

I grew up without seeing my mother, Lady Keyo-in.

Mothers are real blessings.

Lady Ohisa.

Please take care of yourself.

Lady Ohisa didn't see you off. She doesn't know any manners.

She must be jealous because the lord doesn't see her often recently.

Stop saying disgraceful things.

Lady of the Mansion?

What is the matter?

- Yuri. - Yes.

Go and check on Sir Kanroku.

Those candies are too sweet.

He's small. He shouldn't eat too much.

- Hurry. - Yes.

Your Ladyship?

Your Ladyship?

Bring a basin, Kosasa.

Yes!

Lady of the Mansion!

Lady of the Mansion...

Congratulations.

Miss Suga?

You are pregnant, Lady of the Mansion.

This is the sign.

Congratulations.

Lady of the Mansion!

What?

Dai is...?

Congratulations, sire.

Really?

She's pregnant.

She is.

Hey.

What are you guys doing outside The Lady of the Mansion's room?

Stealing a march is the first step to distinguish yourself.

We came here to congratulate her pregnancy.

It's truly auspicious!

I, Yosazaemon, was looking forward to this, Lady of the Mansion.

Please give birth to the heir, ma'am.

Fool!

She is pregnant with a boy for sure.

Stop talking like that. Or I, Shinpachiro, won't forgive you.

Please be quiet!

- What are you doing!? - Lady of the Mansion!

Great job, Lady of the Mansion!

- Have a healthy baby! - A baby boy!

However, another war cloud cast a heavy

shadow on Owari, Mikawa and Suruga.

Hirotada in Okazaki was ordered to go to battle, too.

Listen.

This time...

We're going to do it this time.

Lord!!

Lord!

The first reinforcement from the Imagawa already left Sunpu!

Good.

Meanwhile, a key Oda vassal, Hirate Nakatsukasa,

secretly summoned Mizuno Nobumoto to the Bear Mansion.

And this is another thing my master said.

"Your father, Sir Tadamasa,"

"married his daughter away to his old enemy."

"That was an excellent decision in a sense."

"But it might complicate matters further."

That's...

...since my father is gravely ill...

But...

If something happens to Sir Tadamasa,

you'll be in charge of Kariya Castle.

The problem is, as you know,

this battle against the Imagawa.

If your father passes away and you take over his clan,

your clan's wishy-washy attitude will not be tolerated.

You must be aware of the harsh reality.

Furthermore,

you have met Prince Kipposhi at this mansion.

And you promised him to convince the Matsudaira to side with the Oda.

"You perish unless you attack."

What a tragic saga of our times.

Listen, Nobuchika.

The Imagawa already left Sunpu.

When we lower our guard even a little bit,

Lord Oda will tell us to take the vanguard

of his campaign against the Imagawa.

But the Mizuno and the Matsudaira are both

sandwiched by the Oda and the Imagawa.

Avoiding fights against the Matsudaira is our way to survive.

Tell so to Nobumoto.

If Nobumoto knows what he's doing,

as long as I'm alive, he's not allowed to change Odai's destiny.

This is my living will.

Yes.

Brother.

Where did you go?

What?

- Must be a secret meeting with Oda. - Shut up!

Not a secret meeting. It was a conference!

Father strictly told us not to fight against the Matsudaira now.

You must still remember that.

That's why I'm having a hard time. Don't you get it!?

"A dragon and a tiger cannot coexist."

Choose which one? Dragon or tiger?

If a dragon and a tiger fight,

one of them gets hurt and the other one falls over.

You don't have to choose to be involved in such a fight.

What if...

...you already know who's the falling dragon

and who's the hurt and reviving tiger?

The tiger might be hurt deeper than it looks.

As long as we sit on the fence unhurt,

even the tiger cannot attack us with his claws easily.

Brother, you must already know that.

I'm going to change.

I'll talk with you later.

Did you want to see me?

Gonroku.

Kill Nobuchika.

It's for the sake of the Mizuno clan.

- Kill him. - Yes, sir.

Oh, my...

This is terrible...

What do you think?

If he survives, that means he has good luck.

He was probably attacked by his brother's man.

His brother tried to kill him instead of convincing him.

How little Sir Nobumoto is.

A man killing his younger brother.

Or killing his father.

That might be acceptable among samurai.

But I traveled to many provinces.

All I saw is the misery of common people

falling prey to continuous battles.

We must raise a powerful general who is able to unite Japan.

Until then, unfortunately,

more blood will be spilled.

That's why I'm patiently waiting for Prince Kipposhi to grow up.

What a grand vision you have.

The Imagawa do not see the Oda as a big enemy yet.

This war-torn era might not be over until the next generation comes up.

The next generation.

If this man miraculously survives,

I'm going to harbor him.

To make him help the next generation.

But, soon after that,

Okazaki Castle was informed of Nobuchika's death by Kariya Castle.

Nobuchika was Odai's blood-related brother...

...and Keyo-in's own child.

Brother...

And Imagawa Yoshimoto, guardian of Suruga, Totoumi and Mikawa Provinces,

is about to leave Sunpu with his main force.

I wish Hirotada in Okazaki...

...were as strong as his father, Kyoyasu.

He is fighting against the Oda.

I have to show off my power to the Oda, even if it looks immature.

You're right.

A message to the lord!

What is it?

Lord Iio (Lord of Buzen) at Hikuma Castle sent you a message.

The Matsudaira assured the Mizuno's support for you 100%, my lord.

But Lord Iio said he saw a sign of the Mizuno's betrayal.

I'm frustrated with Hirotada.

After Kiyoyasu died, I let him have Okazaki Castle under my protection.

He's still young, but he's too incompetent.

My lord.

The tiny Mizuno's decision won't make any difference.

You must make the Oda learn a lesson first.

All right.

Let's go to battle!

When Imagawa Yoshimoto was leaving Sunpu,

Oda Nobuhide left Nagoya.

Oda army was moving lightly like nobushi (armed outlaws).

But Imagawa army carried many things for their pastime on their way...

...including sake, appetizers, musicians and entertainers.

Their procession was majestic.

Yoshimoto was supposed to enter Okazaki Castle

and command the whole army.

But the plan was changed suddenly.

In other words, Lord Imagawa Jibudayu decided not to come down to Okazaki.

Instead, Sir Toda Danjo is entering Tawara Castle.

Why?

He said, "Because it's too close to the enemy."

He is scared of being left alone in the middle of the enemy.

Speak up.

He's worried about us betraying him, isn't he?

Must be!

Sir Nobumoto has been acting suspisious.

It's obvious to everyone!

It's obvious, so what do you want me to do?

First, we must remove the worry from Lord Jibudayu.

Are you telling me to kill Odai?

What unthinkable thing are you saying?

That will make the Mizuno people mad at us.

They will rush toward the Oda as allies.

Then, never say something like that!

Please calm down.

It is a Matsudaira tradition to be outspoken at battle conferences.

Lord Jibu said this to me.

"I wish Hirotada grew up faster to become like his father."

- What...!? - I got it.

He meant to say, "I cannot trust a greenhorn."

Battles aren't games.

They are deadly.

I think...

...the Oda have a 60% chance of winning this time.

How can you be so sure?

Those who move lighter are stronger in battles.

Now, we must find out the place where both sides will crash against each other.

Right.

When the Imagawa lose and take flight,

we need to clearly know where we can stop the enemy.

How far do you want to lure the enemy out?

- To Azukizaka (Red Bean Slope). - Azukizaka?

That's east of Okazaki.

Are you going to leave this castle for the enemy?

Or are you going to hole up in this castle?

We're holing up here.

But my Okubo Party will sneak into my home area up on the mountains...

...to disperse the enemy later.

If we show them our resolution from the beginning,

the Mizuno in Kariya won't side with the Oda carelessly.

Lord.

Leave the main force in Okazaki no matter what.

As long as we have intact forces inside the castle,

the Oda don't want to deal with my Okubo Party too long.

Then, Okazaki Castle will be saved.

What do you think?

The conference ended up adopting Okubo Shinpachiro's idea.

It's sad to be inferior to your own father.

Lord Jibudayu doesn't come here, because he's unsure about me.

My clan's seniors are the same.

They would have been excited to attack Owari under my father's command.

But, after I took over this clan,

they want me to hole up in this castle while they take on the enemy!

You should forgive them.

Seniors want to take good care of you, lord.

Okazaki's treasure is those senior vassals.

My father in Kariya was jealous all the time.

- Dai. - Yes.

Have a strong child.

Don't give birth to a weak child like me.

What...

What are you saying, my lord?

This is a year of the tiger.

Pray to god and Buddha for a strong, tiger-like child.

Without depending on the Imagawa or succumbing to the Oda,

I want my child to walk along his own path all by himself.

Yes, I will.

Leaving the main force in Okazaki,

the Okubo Party was going to battle.

They must stop the Oda at Azukizaka.

Okazaki Castle's destiny will be determined by their work.

It's getting noisy again.

Yes.

Those who are coming into the world.

Those who are leaving this world.

Lady of the Mansion.

What if Sir Hirotada dies in battle?

Are you all prepared for that?

Yes, I am.

Do you want to commit suicide to join him?

Yes.

If that happens,

I want to die with him.

I used to be like that.

But that'll make you a loser.

Make me a loser? What do you mean?

Do women like battles that often kill their husbands?

No, they don't.

- No! - I want...

...a peaceful world where I will never lose my dear husband and children.

Women are able to create such a world.

That's women's duty.

A peaceful world?

If I were you, I would focus on something else.

I would frantically pray for my unborn child's abilities to cut out warfare.

Battles make winners mourn and make losers become criminals.

I wouldn't pay attention to such battles.

I would just pray, give birth to the baby and raise the baby.

If all the mothers in this province pray like that,

suffering caused by battles will vanish someday.

"Eliminate battles and create a peaceful world."

Those are Buddha's determinations.

Pray and ask Buddha to give you his determinations.

Odai wasn't worried about Hirotada's love anymore.

But how can she have a powerful, strong-minded child as Hirotada said?

Yuri.

Once I go into the delivery room,

go to Mine-no-Yakushi Temple (Medicine Buddha Temple on the Ridge).

If you hear news of me having a boy,

I want you to steal one of the Buddhist statues in the hall.

- A Buddhist statue, ma'am? - Listen.

The third statue of the Twelve Heavenly Generals...

...Shindara Daisho (Great General Shindara).

I want you to steal that standing Fugen Bosatsu statue

holding a pike of tiger.

He is a god of war who protects Buddha.

He is the guardian of my unborn child.

Don't worry.

I had a dream of Buddha's revelation that...

...he is giving me a Fugen Bosatsu so I must raise him good.

Don't you get it?

Bosatsu himself will be incarnated in this world.

He will suffer as a human to save people.

He wants to disappear from the temple.

And he wants to be hidden by a loyal woman like you.

That's another revelation by Buddha.

- He wants me to hide him? - Right.

As soon as the baby boy is born, he wants to vanish.

When the boy dies, he wants to go back to the temple.

Until then, he wants you to hide him in a place nobody knows.

All right?

If there are two Great Generals Shindara, people will be confused.

I want you to play this big role without fail.

I will.

Please do not worry.

I will hide the statue perfectly even with my life.

Don't breathe a word of it.

I will never breathe a word, ma'am.

But people will find it out soon.

That's good.

Because the baby will be an incarnated Great General Shindara,

who will eliminate battles.

Yes.

Go!

On August 10, 1542 (Tenbun 11),

as people in Okazaki expected,

the Oda and the Imagawa had a head-on confrontation at Azukizaka.

During the first fight,

the Oda had a hard time fighting against the grand Imagawa army.

But the deadly fight by seven brave soldiers of the Oda...

...started breaking the Imagawa army down.

But the vigorous Oda army was flank-attacked by...

...the Okubo Party that stayed outside Okazaki Castle.

Furthermore,

Hirotada's aide, Iwamatsu Hachiya,

did not yield an inch even after his eye was shot by an arrow.

That gave a chance to Imagawa Yoshimoto to withdraw to Okazaki.

It seemed to be the Oda's victory.

But the Oda were disrupted by the Okubo Party...

...and fled into Anjo Castle.

The Matsudaira key vassals' tactics worked marvelously.

It is hard to tell which side won this battle.

I guess that's what it really was.

Men in Okazaki were regarded undependable, but they fought great.

Thanks to them, Imagawa Jibu-no-Tayu did not have to be a loser.

But he scrambled away into Okazaki Castle...

...with his teeth colored and his eyebrows painted,

holding onto his saddle.

That was an ugly sight, they said.

I bet.

Well, Jibu withdrew to Okazaki...

...after he confirmed the Oda was returning Anjo Castle.

What on the earth was this battle?

It was a fruitless expedition for the Imagawa.

For the Oda, it killed many sons of its clan.

If someone asks me what is left after this battle,

I must say only a deep-rooted hatred was left between the two clans.

How futile.

Namu Amida Buddha, Namu Amida Buddha...

And in this year,

on December 26, 1542 (Tenbun 11),

in early morning around 4:00AM...

Lady Keyo-in!

And?

She had a boy.

I see.

She had a boy.

Congratulations, sir.

It's a boy!

It's the heir!

The heir was born!

We have the heir! How auspicious!

He's not an ordinary heir!

What!? Not an ordinary heir?

Is he disabled...?

Idiot!

Our clan's heir was...

...born at 4:00AM (time of tiger), in a year of tiger.

He must be a strong boy!!

Meanwhile, a Buddhist statue vanished suddenly from Mine-no-Yakushi Temple.

The rumor was spreading fast from the temple to a nearby village...

...from the village to the local region.

This newborn baby...

...will become Tokugawa Ieyasu later.

End of Episode 1