All language subtitles for 19.Nagashino no sen 長篠の戦 Battle of Nagashino

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Episode 19:
Battle of Nagashino

Takeda Katsuyori, who returned
to the Kai province

after learning that the
Nagashino Castle was captured,

was ready to make a
grand military move.

Ieyasu settled the matter with
the traitor, Oga Yashiro,

and asked for reinforcements
from Oda Nobunaga.

He was heading toward Yoshida
Castle with his son, Nobuyasu.

He knew that the Tokugawa army

couldn't defeat the
Takeda army alone.

The Kofu Castle,
a Takeda stronghold,

was brimming with warriors
waiting for Katsuyori's orders.

The Ashikaga Shogun, Yoshiaki,

sent me a message to come
to Kyoto immediately.

This isn't merely a battle to
fight Ieyasu,

but is a battle for supremacy.

I'm sure the late
Shingen would've been happy.

What brings you
all here?

The vanguards have succeeded.
You can't fall behind.

I'd like to know that you make
of the power of guns.

You're saying we don't
have enough?

The Oda clan is gathering
numerous guns.

Guns are cumbersome, you need
ammunition, wicks, etc. and,

it's useless in the rain. We'll
get them while they fumble.

Many disagree with you. You
must win them over first.

This could affect
the morale.

Alright!

Bring me the Suwa armor set and
the family flag from the warehouse.

But my lord! This is your
family treasure!

Shut up! Bring it here!

I know how you feel, but this
is the chance of my life!

Let me fulfill my
father's dream.

I'll crush the Tokugawa
army with one blow!

This set of armor was the
Takeda clan treasure.

When the lord brought this
armor out, it meant

that he won't listen to others

and wanted his men to sacrifice
their lives for him.

When Katsuyori brought this armor out,
he was telling his men not to retort.

Reporting.

Takeda Katsuyori has
left the Kai Province.

He is proceeding down the
Busetsu highway to Nagashino.

His army numbers 15,000.

Alright.

My lord, Okudaira Kuhachiro
of Nagashino Castle

will not let the Takeda army
take one step into his castle.

Therefore, he is requesting
your reinforcements.

I understand.

I'm going to Okazaki.

You go first and see
Okudaira Mirasaka.

Tell him to go to Lord Nobunaga
and ask for reinforcements.

Yes, Lord!

Katsuyori learned of Oga
Yashiro's death

when Nagashino Castle was
in sight.

...so he failed.

What shall we do?

His death means nothing to my
battle for supremacy.

But, entering Okazaki won't be
easy for you now.

We should reconsider
our plans.

Okazaki is not my problem!
We'll crush Nagashino first.

My Lord!

Now that Yashiro has been
exposed,

I'm sure Ieyasu has fortified
Okazaki.

But we're here now. We'll
attack Nagashino first,

before we attack Okazaki,
that's all.

Prepare for the attack
on Nagashino! Bring my map!

Nagashino Castle marked one of
the exits from Shinano Province.

It was a strategic point for
the Takeda's and Tokugawa's.

Okudaira Kuhachiro, Ieyasu's
son-in-law, ruled this castle.

However, the castle fortress
was yet to be completed.

What is he going to do if
the Takeda army attacks?

I heard they have 20 - 30,000 men.

We only have 250.

This is so depressing.

Hey!

My lord!

Don't worry, we have a
natural defense here.

As long as we finish our
fortress,

we will never
be defeated.

Just watch!
I'm sure we'll win.

Just a bit more.
Work hard!

My Lord!

What is it?

Reinforcements! Our lord
sent us reinforcements!

But the reinforcement army
sent by Ieyasu

was led by Matsudaira
and numbered only 250.

Together with the men of
this castle, we have 500!

If each one works as hard
as 10 people, that's 5,000.

With this many men, we can
give the Takeda's a bad time.

But the Takeda army is
over 15,000.

500 vs 15,000? It's worth
a good hard fight, isn't it?

I think you mean it's
worth dying for.

Each man can fight as hard
as 30 men!

The battlefield may be a
bit crowded, that's all.

My father says to protect
this castle with 500 men.

I'm sure he intends to fight
them outside.

My father would never abandon
his daughter's castle.

I can almost hear
him saying that.

They say the Takeda army is the
strongest army around and

the Tokugawa army, the second.

This is our chance to correct
that misconception.

There is red dirt on the
north of our grounds.

Let's leave behind
a legacy that

the brave Tokugawa warriors ate
dirt to fight the Takeda army!

Drink up!

On the morning of May 1st,

the Takeda army with 15,000 men
surrounded the castle.

Kuhachiro's father, Okudaira
Mirasaka,

was sent by Ieyasu to ask
Nobunaga for reinforcements.

Your message!

Right away!

Our lord believed that your
reinforcements would arrive

before our enemy arrived
in Nagashino.

So, he and his son went to
Yoshida Castle.

The enemy has launched an
attack on Nagashino Castle.

Yet you have sent
us no aid.

So what?

Once they take Nagashino,
we can't stop them.

Mirasaka! Is your son
so useless?

If he's useless, what are you?
You haven't even left for war!

Please send aid
immediately!

Not immediately!

Then when will
you leave?

I don't know.

Then I'll stay.

Does that mean you're
prepared to die?

Exactly!

How many men do you think
I should send?

That's my first concern.

I'm afraid we need
7 - 8,000 men.

I see. And guns?

5 - 600 guns, I believe.

I see.

I want at least
3,500 guns.

3,500?

I'm busy gathering guns
in Sencho and Sakai.

We'll win if I can stop
the Takeda cavalry.

Please excuse my previous
brash remarks...

I know!

It was sorry of Ieyasu to
send you as an emissary.

Ogre!

Nagashino Castle, which was
isolated amidst the enemy,

was thrust into bitter battle.

Here they come!

Don't shoot yet, we need
the bullets.

Fire!

The enemy is advancing
from the west!

They've crossed the river!

It was, after all, a battle
of 500 vs 15,000.

Though Ieyasu was ready to
leave immediately,

he was waiting for
Nobunaga's reply.

I believe he
won't come.

Don't doubt,
I know he'll come.

How can you
be so sure?

I won't rely on him,

If he's the type who won't
come when he's needed.

If I can't rely on him,
I won't be afraid of him.

Good for you,
my lord!

I know Lord Nobunaga will come.

He knows enough to see
beyond this battle.

If, in case he doesn't come,
will we go to Nagashino alone?

Isn't it obvious?

I can't let a brave warrior
like Kuhachiro die!

Kuhachiro ordered his men to
kill 30 men each.

Kuhachiro's boldness angered
the Takeda army,

exerting them to launch
a full-scale attack.

They burned the provision
storage,

forcing Kuhachiro to retreat
to the main wing.

So, our provisions burned.

What we saved
may last us three days.

We may last 5 days if
we eat dirt.

Not 5...

Lord Nobunaga may be slow
in sending his reinforcements.

Is Torii Tsunemon here?

I'm here!

Come.

Go into the river tonight.

Yes, lord.

I heard that ropes with bells
are placed across the river.

So walk on the
river bed.

You want me to break through
enemy lines to ask for aid?

I'm sure our lord
is at Okazaki.

When you see him, tell him
'4 - 5 days'.

Just tell him Kuhachiro
said, '4 - 5 days'.

I refuse!

But you just
agreed to it.

Knowing that our defeat
is imminent, I...

Shut up!

Are you mocking me?

No, I...

I said the provisions may
last 4 - 5 days, but

who said anything
about defeat?

I won't tolerate anyone who
mocks me by talking about defeat.

I'll go.

Don't be killed
no matter what happens.

I repeat! If you should die,
I'll renounce you forever!

Once you pass the enemy lines,
send flares up on Mt. Danje.

The Hachiman God of War, the
Great Buddha...

Send me safely to the
other side.

I'm off, my lord.

Lord Nobunaga will arrive here
in Okazaki tomorrow.

He'll lead 20,000 men.

I'm causing him
so much trouble.

He has 3,500 gunmen!

3,500 gunmen?!

I returned after seeing the
gunmen gather in his castle.

Just as he said,
there're 3,500 men.

Thank you. Rest well and
prepare for him tomorrow.

Excuse me.

He took this war more seriously
than I thought.

That means the
Tokugawa vs Takeda war...

has now become
the Oda vs the Takeda.

We too, must be careful
in dealing with Lord Nobunaga.

It's so hard to
figure him out.

Call Nobuyasu here from
Yoshida Castle.

Just as Okudaira Mirasaka
reported,

Nobunaga lead a regiment
with so many gunmen that

one wondered where in Japan
he found all those guns.

After meeting with Ieyasu
at Okazaki,

Nobunaga held a military
conference with the generals.

Reporting! A secret message
arrived from Nagashino!

Bring him here.

Do as he says.

You came to ask for aid?
Or did everyone die?

We can't expect good
news from Nagashino.

This is Torii Tsunemon.
He is my son's retainer.

Alright, I'll listen.

They took our provisions,
the food will last 3 days.

Is that all?

I was instructed that our lord
will make his own decisions,

so I should say nothing more
to interfere with it.

That's all Kuhachiro said?

How did you break through
the enemy lines?

I walked on the river bed.

You're a smart fellow.

Are Kuhachiro and
the others alright?

They're prepared to boil dirt
and eat their own flesh

and protect the castle until
you instruct them.

All right.

You must be hungry.
Have some rice and rest.

That's not necessary.

What?

My colleagues in the castle
are barely eating.

I would like to return to the
castle immediately,

and experience joy
and sadness with them.

So...you're returning
immediately?

I'm going soon,
so return with me.

I appreciate those words!

Now that I have heard those words
I'll return ever more quickly!

You...hastened my departure!

Kuhachiro has a fine
retainer.

You walked on the river bed?
Then fly back through the skies!

Tell them that the Tokugawa-Oda
alliance will come with-in 1 day,

with an army of 40,000 to
destroy the enemy!

Tell them to
hang in there!

Those words are deeply
imprinted in my mind!

Go!

We can't wait any longer.

Exactly.

Nagashino Castle

Look! There's the signal!

That's the signal! The
reinforcements are coming!

That fool.

He could have rested
at that castle.

You are determined to
fight them here?

I've already decided.
Don't make me repeat it.

I'm afraid that you shouldn't
be so preoccupied

with such a small castle
as Nagashino.

My goal is Kyoto.
Are you dissatisfied?

My lord!

What is it?

We've arrested an Okudaira man
who tried to sneak by us.

An Okudaira?

Right! I'm Torii Tsunemon who
serves Okudaira Kuhachiro!

I didn't try to sneak by.
I was returning to my castle.

But why? It'll fall
in a day.

Will it really fall?

The Tokugawa-Oda army of
40,000 will come within a day!

What?

You're the one who sent the
flares up this morning?

Not just this morning, but
on the 15th, too!

You left the castle to
request reinforcements?

I did! I met with Lord Nobunaga
and Lord Ieyasu!

I admire you for having broken
through the enemy lines

and returning to your castle
to be with your colleagues.

But don't you want to
save their lives?

That's why I
was sent out!

But what if it is too late?

We're ready to burn the castle
tonight and destroy them.

You've been gone, so you
don't know.

They may know that you
returned successfully,

but I'm sure they
want to know more.

Right.

My men will take you outside
of the castle.

You face them and say,
'The reinforcements won't come'.

And?

Then they'll surrender their
castle, you'll save 500 lives.

Isn't this an
act of mercy?

Mercy?

Right.

You can't waste
500 lives, can you?

Tsunemon!

Look!

This is Tsunemon!

Right here.

Let me speak to those
in the castle!

I, Torii Tsunemon have been
arrested on my way back!

But I regret nothing!

The Oda-Tokugawa lords have left
with an army of 40,000!

Hang in there for 3 more days!

Protect the castle well!

As if to follow Tsunemon,

the Oda-Tokugawa armies arrived
by noon on May 18th.

Ieyasu's main army set up
camp at Mt. Danje.

Nobunagas's main camp was set
in Mt. Gokurakuji.

They held their last
military conference.

Lord Ieyasu? The Takeda will
definitely fight us.

Our victory is certain.

There's something I'd
like to make sure...

I'd better make
sure and listen...

Katsuyori has been you
longtime foe.

You may want to kill him off,
but don't be short-tempered.

If you die amongst
the enemy,

it would be a loss even if
you win the battle.

I see.

If that should happen,

It would've been futile for me
to have come all the way.

In any case,
just leave this up to me.

Think of it as an outing, and
watch us fight.

We asked for your aid, we can't
take this as a mere outing.

We will do our best, but I'll
remember what you said.

We'll start the meeting!

Ieyasu saw through Nobunaga:

He wanted to claim victory as
his own through an appearance,

he had come only as
Ieyasu's reinforcement.

This is precarious.

Oh? Precarious?

I, who thought of this plan,
would like to explain.

Explain so Lord Ieyasu
would be satisfied.

Yes.

Needless to say, we number a
total of 28,000.

When we left Gifu, we each
carried a log.

With this we will make a
3-layered fence.

A 3-layered fence?

Yes!

The enemy, in an effort to
attack the main armies,

would advance straight
into this fence.

But this is a trap to stop
the Takeda Calvary.

I wonder if they'll advance
toward the fence.

I've handled that.

Even if the enemy falls
for this trap...

This is a military conference.
Speak your mind.

This Sakai Tadatsugu is a
clever strategist.

We may have a plan.

Oh? Speak, Tadatsugu.

If the Takeda army follows us
to Arumigahara,

they'll be left defenseless
behind them.

I'm sure that's true.

We can attack from behind
and capture their fort.

I see.

Fool! What do you think of
this battle!

We'll use such lowly tactics
to fight the bandits!

I know your worth now,
excuse yourself!

You heard him, go!

Excuse me.

In order to lure the enemy to
this fence,

I'll place the Okubo brothers
there as bait.

As bait...

I'd feel uncomfortable if you
do too much.

How about it? I'll ask them
to serve as my vanguards.

Alright, but if he struggles
with them,

I'll send Shibata, Niwa, and
Hashiba to chase the enemy out.

Alright.

Generals, please take your
positions.

You must be busy,
please leave.

I believe there is one
more matter.

So, you saw through me.

Call Tadatsugu here again.

We've won this war.
I'm finally convinced.

If the enemy realized our
strength and retreated,

our catch would have
been small.

I wanted to lure them out so
there was no turning back.

I think Tadatsugu's plan
is the best.

You called?

Lord Nobunaga wants to
speak to you again.

Come closer, Tadatsugu.

Just as expected of Lord
Ieyasu's right hand man.

I'm impressed, I'll give you
500 gunmen.

I couldn't afford to let your
strategy leak, so I scolded you.

I'd like to go on that
attack myself.

Go and capture
their fort.

500 gunmen. Use them well.

I'll excuse myself so
I can prepare.

Listen. They started
to build the fence.

Doesn't that sound good?

It sure does.

May 21st, 1576,

the guns opened fire for
the battle of Nagashino.

Reporting! Our general
has been wounded!

What? Prepare my steed!

Nobunaga's 3,000 guns overpowered
the Takeda cavalry.

Nobunaga's new guns,
which with proper aim,

could kill one man per shot,
were arranged in 3 layers

enabling them to fire
in rapid succession.

Renowned generals were struck
down by unknown gunmen.

Power and military strategy,
the pride of the Takeda army...

They were thrown
into utter chaos.

Nobunaga revolutionized the
ideals of warfare

by showing that no matter how
skilled the warrior may be,

he can be struck down by a
regiment of gunmen.

With this battle, Nobunaga
changed the course of history.

I wanted to get Shingen when
he came to our borders

and was disappointed that
I didn't have the chance.

But that Katsuyori came out
in his place.

Just as I wished,
I stripped him of his power.

And sent him to Shinano...
isn't this funny?

It is.

This is my son-in-law,
Okudaira Kuhachiro Sadamasa.

So you're Kuhachiro.

Well done.

I won't forget your
good work.

So you're Lord Ieyasu's
daughter...

I heard you helped your
husband out.

The clan prospers only when the
husband and wife cooperate.

Just as Ieyasu feared,

the battle of Nagashino brought
fame to Nobunaga.

My lord. It's too much.

Lord Nobunaga talks as though
that was his victory.

I'm not the only one
who feels this way.

Don't be suspicious of
Lord Nobunaga.

What if we didn't have
his reinforcements?

Or if his clan
became our enemy?

We must be constantly
prepared for such things.

Exactly.

You go and tell everyone
what I told you.

I will!

The ogre pouted!

Oai.

Yes?

I am greatly indebted
to Lord Nobunaga.

Someday, I'll have
to repay him.

Do you want to tell
me something?

Yes.

I have a favor to ask...

Tell me.

You need a lot of
children in the future.

I can repay Lord Nobunaga
with my children?

No, but I feel someone else
should be serving you...

You don't have to worry
about that.

I'm not worried. My task is
to bear you a child.

Oai.

But I haven't done so, and I
shouldn't be serving you.

I said, you don't have to worry.

My lord.

Ieyasu, who's doing nothing but fight,

enjoyed his time spending
with Oai, however...

his severe path, leading
to battles for unification

of whole country with
Nobunaga, is continuing.