Original subtitles

After conflicting with Ito Hirobumi,

Okuma Shigenobu was ousted from politics.

There will be a diet within ten years.

The people will have a voice in politics.

Tokyo College, the future Waseda University was established.

Strive very hard!

Come to Doshisha...

Jo was preparing to open a college as well.

Jo, Mr. Davis is back.

Hi, Jo!

Mr. Davis!

I heard you've not been well.

He won't rest in bed.

So, tell me what's been happening in America.

In New York, Thomas Edison demonstrates his electric lamp.

...Makes the night as bright as the day.

Ms. Yae, a gift for you.

Thank you so much.

Night will be as bright as day from now on.

You'll be working late into the night then.

Yae!

You haven't been well after traveling to Aizu.

Oh, yes!

There was a lady from Aizu on the same ship as I.

What?

She's the first Japanese to graduate from a U.S. college.

Is it Ms. Sutematsu?

Yes, it's her.

Mother.

I've been dreaming of this day.

As in Yamakawa Saki?

YAE NO SAKURA

Episode 43: The Flower of Rokumeikan

Screenplay: Yamamoto Mutsumi

Theme Music: Sakamoto Ryuichi Music: Nakajima Nobuyuki

Narrator: Kusabue Mitsuko

Niijima Yae: Ayase Haruka

Yamamoto Kakuma: Nishijima Hidetoshi

Niijima Jo: Odagiri Joe

Yamakawa Hiroshi: Tamayama Tetsuji

Yamamoto Tokie: Tanimura Mitsuki

Yamakawa Futaba: Ichikawa Mikako

Yamakawa Kenjiro: Katsuji Ryo

Yamakawa Sutematsu: Mizuhara Kiko

Katsu Kaishu: Namase Katsuhisa

Yamakawa En: Akiyoshi Kumiko

Yamamoto Saku: Fubuki Jun

Ooyama Iwao: Sorimachi Takashi

Executive Producer: Naito Shinsuke

Translations by MTI

Director: Ichiki Masae

Please wait!

In education, there is no difference between men and women.

How about a college for women?

Women also need higher education.

I majored in biology and physics.

I've studied philosophy and Shakespeare, too.

Write down in detail...

what you've done in the United States.

May I write it in English?

What?

If you can't read or write, who are you teaching?

We'll study Japanese.

You were unilaterally granted education abroad ten years ago.

No one wanted to send their daughters overseas.

That's how you rebels got to go.

Shutup! The Aizu aren't rebels!

Get married and bear male heirs for the country! Understand?

I can't stand it.

How humiliating!

Don't feel down. Come in.

Welcome home.

Here.

Sit on this.

Thank you.

You lived in the U.S. for ten years.

That's why you can't sit on the floor.

Your speech in the U.S. was covered in our newspapers.

Read it.

Miss Yamakawa's...

Hand it to me.

Miss Yamakawa's speech received endless applause.

She brought tears to the foreign audience.

She brings honor to Japan.

Japan's foreign policy in the eyes of the British.

Your graduation speech was well-received at my college, too.

Can I work at Tokyo University with you?

We have no women faculty.

Kenjiro.

Can I have some money?

It's for the students' drinking money.

Thank you very much.

Please send the money for this month.

This is all of it.

What is that for?

We're sending money to our kin in Aizu.

They're all struggling.

This is the least we can do.

I'll be on my way.

Please.

Be careful.

I'm sorry. I'll employment right away.

Sutematsu...

There's no need to rush.

It took me a while to find work too.

It can't be helped.

It's hard for a woman to be independent in Japan.

There were no work for me even after I studied in Russia.

I work as an interpreter now for a Frenchman.

It's unthinkable in the U.S.!

I have no work when the country paid for my studies!

The Ministry is stupid!

Sutematsu, I understand your feelings.

But Japanese dislike outspoken people.

Be careful.

These 10 years have been a waste of time!

No, it's not.

Don't worry.

I'll help you somehow.

Yamakawa Hiroshi who was in the army in Osaka...

visited the Yamamoto family.

I haven't seen you in a while.

Yae, you're looking good.

Kakuma!

Sir Okura, as councilor...

you must have suffered a great deal for the Aizu clan until the end.

I sympathize with you.

Kakuma, please stop.

I couldn't face you after losing the war.

But we were able to see each other again.

Master, aren't you glad?

Fifteen years have passed.

I've been out of touch with you for a long time.

Likewise.

I'm sorry I'm late.

Please to meet you. I'm Yamakawa Hiroshi.

I'm Niijima Jo. I'm very honored to meet you.

You can stay long, can't you?

I'm here today with a request.

My sister, Sutematsu, is back from studying in the U.S.

Will you hire her as a teacher at Doshisha Girls' School?

She learned Western studies to clear the Aizu name.

I had her shoulder a lot when she was only 12.

I wanted to at least find her work.

We will gladly hire her!

I've met her when she first arrived in the U.S.

She was an intelligent Miss.

Mr. Niijima was with the Iwakura Mission.

Is that so?

What that little girl learned in the U.S. for ten years

is very precious.

Thank you for saying that.

This is what the late Shonosuke left behind.

Sir Kawasaki left this?

I wasn't able to repay him for what he did.

I am full of regrets.

Please read it.

I will.

Specialized teachers educate the girls equally to the boys.

Equally to the boys? Times have surely changed.

In the past...

Do not exchange word with women on the streets.

No means no.

Time flies.

I'm scared of the flow of time.

Is the human mind made to forget?

I...at least...should not forget...

Sir Yamakawa.

Thank you.

You're strong as ever.

Just look at me now.

I heard about your feats in the Satsuma Rebellion.

Aizu will always be scorned by the government.

Perhaps, Kenjiro, my sister, and you...

were wise to choose education as your calling.

You nurture the country by nurturing her people.

My husband says the same thing.

Ms. Yae...

I'm glad you married a fine man.

Shortly thereafter...

Hiroshi was promoted to the army's personnel management.

He was called back to Tokyo.

Isn't that a promotion?

The reason is unknown.

He won't meet with any Satsuma person. Leave.

Leave.

What's going on?

I'm Army General Ooyama Iwao.

Why the personal visit?

I want your younger sister Sutematsu as my wife.

Sutematsu?

My wife died and I have three daughters.

It's not the best of conditions but she'll live comfortably.

Please let me marry her.

Was my transfer a means to bait my sister?

No. This has nothing to do with that.

Forget the excuse.

If I have to give her as hostage for a promotion...

I'd rather resign from the army.

Hiroshi!

Whyt Sutematsu?

Japan desires to revise the unequal treaty.

To do that, Japan has to be a civilized country...

that's acknowledged by the great powers.

Sutematsu knows the Western ways...

and is reputed to be a talented woman.

She'd be perfect as my wife.

Don't think of her as a tool.

Please leave.

Even if it's a proposal from you, we cannot accept.

Will I be Mr. Iwao's accessory?

I can't discuss this at home.

But it's not fair if you don't know aboutr it.

Tell me your honest thoughts.

Excuse me.

If I can be of use to Japan, I'll gladly be his accessory.

Wait.

Don't be rash.

Why don't you meet him first then decide?

Mr. Yamakawa wants me to hire Sutematsu right away.

But Kenjiro wants me to put it on hold.

What is going on?

It might have to do with Mr. Ooyama's proposal.

He's using his powers to snatch Sutematsu.

Mr. Yamakawa is rushing to decline the proposal.

The Yamakawa are a family of councilors.

He's not fit for that family.

I'm going to Tokyo to get the facts straight.

Do you have any business in Tokyo?

Well...to petition the founding of a college?

There you go! Let's go!

Go and help Hiroshi.

Leave things to me.

They're treating us as if we are foreigners.

Whether in America or Japan, we will always be regarded as foreigners.

Ladies, they are just startled by your beauties.

I went to Geneva, so I know a little English.

I'm Ooyama Iwao.

I was surprised.

But revising the foreign treaty is important.

Isn't it convenient to negotiate if I am your wife?

You are direct like a Westerner.

I am embarrassed.

I can't come out directly.

The truth is...

I've spotted you at parties many times.

I couldn't get how beautiful you are off my mind.

Let the maid do that.

It's all right.

You are not a foreigner.

You are a proud woman of Aizu.

Being I'm from Satsuma, you must dislike me.

But...

We are the same Japanese in the eyes of the foreigners.

Use this.

You met with him?

Yes.

You needn't marry a much older man as a second wife.

The age doesn't bother me.

The Yamakawa is a family of councilors for the Aizu clan.

You can't marry a Satsuma man!

Sutematsu.

I gave you that name, thinking I abandoned you.

I didn't send you to the U.S. for this.

It's to clear the Aizu name.

I wanted you to lay the foundation for Japan.

Do you understand?

AIZU WAR RECORDS

Sir Kawasaki...

Tosa...

Tose!

I miss them.

I want Japan to change with education.

KATSU RESIDENCE- AKASAKA, TOKYO

The government knows education is important.

That's why Tokyo University was founded.

A national university has control over the students.

A private university is needed to challenge it.

Which would be Doshisha?

Yes.

Someday, that must spread throughout Japan.

Or this country won't change.

If the people are stupid...

the government can easily manipulate them.

I agree on that.

But that would...

But that's a folklore.

Go to the countryside.

The reality is, many can't even attend grade school.

With the higher education you speak of,

how long will it take to reform Japan?

200 years.

Or maybe 300 years.

But it's something which need to be started now.

All right.

I'll support the foundation of Doshisha College.

If you said 10 years, I would've thrown you out.

I apologize.

I insolently tested your ardor.

It's all right. Thank you very much.

You've a good eye for men.

Yes.

I'm glad you have Mr. Katsu's support.

I was worried at first.

Me, too. I thought you might yell at Mr. Katsu.

Excuse me.

Mr. Niijima, someone is here to see you.

I'm sorry to come unexpectedly.

Miss Saki?

Are you Miss Sutematsu?

Yes. Ms. Yae!

You've matured!

It's been a while. Do you remember me?

Yes, of course! Mr. Shimeta!

Please sit down.

Please use this.

Here.

Jo, pass me a glass cup.

We were going to your house tomorrow.

Did something happen?

Please take me with you to Kyoto.

I want to work right away.

What about your marriage?

A marriage with a Satsuma man is undesirable.

Hiroshi turned it down.

But Mr. Ooyama comes to our hourse daily.

A truly persistant man.

I feel sorry for you.

Have you no fond feeling for Mr. Ooyama?

No way!

I'm sorry.

Why did you marry Mr. Niijima?

What?

That is...

I'd like to know too.

Well...

It's because Jo told me...

Let's walk together.

You never know what to expect in this world.

But I wanted to live this era with him.

Then in time, his dream became mine.

That's wonderful.

I would want a marriage like yours.

I'm sure you'll find a good partner in life.

Choose your own husband.

I'm home.

Mr. Ooyama!

Are you the one?

Thank you for coming from Kyoto.

Sutematsu will be working at Doshisha Girl's School.

He's Mr. Niijima, the Principal.

You have a guest. I'm terribly sorry.

We'll be back another time.

He'll be leaving shortly.

Mrs. Yae Niijima fought with a rifle during that war.

Are you that shooter?

Attack!

Sir Ooyama!

Bull's eye.

We got the Satsuma general!

That was a splendid shot.

But...

I'm healed as you can see.

My marriage wit Miss Sutematsu...

will show the people we have overcome our grudges.

Please consent to it.

That's a victor's selfish logic.

Outside of Japan, we are the same Japanese.

We are in Japan.

Japan can't grow with such narrow-mindedness.

Narrow-mindedness?

Japan's politics are run by the limited views

of Satsuma and Choshu.

Is that how you feel?

I merely spoke the truth.

You have no idea how much we've struggled

to raise the level of Japan. Keep your mouth shut!

Don't give me that.

It's a struggle you assumed for trampling on Aizu!

Both of you!

Aren't we talking about Sutematsu's marriage?

There is no end to this!

Let's settle this with arm wrestling.

No...forcew isn't good.

What do you say to it, Miss Sutematsu?

Yes...go ahead.

Sutematsu!

If you really love her...

beat me and take her by force.

I'll take you on.

I can't arm wrestle against a woman.

Are you scared of losing to me again?

Are you out of shape from sitting idly?

Yae!

Hiroshi!

Satsuma's army general came to the weaker Aizu to seek his wife.

That, in and of itself, is like arm wrestling a woman.

Aizu can't lose this one.

Let's leave it to Yae.

Jo, please be the judge.

Well...

Mr. Ooyama.

You might regret this.

Go Yae!

Push!

No...

Push Yae!

I will not lose!

Beat him! Beat him!

Go!

Beat Satsuma-Choshu!

Go!

Bring him down!

Go!

Bring him down!

Go!

Bring him down!

Bring him down!

Mr. Ooyama!

Let's continue.

Yes.

Sutematsu...sorry.

I'm...

I'm sorry.

It was a good match.

Jo...

The hands that shot rifles in the past...

arm wrestled today.

Fifteen years...

passed for everyone.

These hands, in different form...

Mr. Ooyama.

I almost lost again.

What a pathetic man.

The battle...

...is over, Yamakawa.

Call me Brother in this house.

Brother...

Sutematsu.

Be happy.

Sutematsu...

It's the first time...

I'm happy that I lost.

Meanwhile, in proceeding towards an open Diet...

Ito Hirobumi returned from researching constitutions abroad.

A civilized country opens the Diet based on a constitution.

But elections can sway the Diet.

It can be unstable.

What does a strong country need?

A strong bureaucracy.

A bureaucracy?

The constitution is merely the framework.

Excuse me , Sir...

You are downplaying the constitution.

Sirs, I want you to turn this Tokyo University...

into an exceptional bureaucratic training site.

Please wait.

Education shouldn't be controlled by the country.

The University should be independent of politics.

A place for education and research.

Who are you?

Professor of Science, Yamakawa Kenjiro.

Yamakawa?

Oh, the one from Aizu.

ROKUMEIKAN

-Thank you for coming to our wedding. -Congratulation.

In December of that year...

in order to prove Japan is a civilized country...

Rokumeikan, a Western Social Hall was introduced.

Ooyama and Sutematsu's reception was held there.

She's beautiful.

And young.

Ooyama did well.

Hiroshi.

Sutematsu might be ahead of us in success.

Time may help us overcome things.

While I can't forget, so can't he.

He'll continue to call us rebels.

However, in a hundred years, Aizu may be honored in Japan.

That all depends on you, young people.

I'm glad I lost that time.

Revised draft ordinance?

Private school students won't receive deferment (for military service).

Will our students be drafted for service?

Yes.

The national university will have the elite students.

END OF EPISODE 43

We must act quickly or Doshisha will be crushed.

Jo is working hard.

Sister, let us spend the rest of our lives together.

What right do you have to interfere in the operations?

Jo founded the girls' school! It doesn't belong to you!

Am I going to die here?

I don't are if the world is my enemy.

I'll fight with you.