Original subtitles

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Final Episode: A Prayer For Eternal Peace

On May 8th, 1616,

the impregnable Osaka Castle burned up in flames.

Though it was for the sake of the country,

Ieyasu was thrown into the depths of despair.

For despite his promise with the late Hideyoshi,

he let Hideyori and his mother, Yodogimi, die in the castle.

The following day, Date Masamune and his son-in-law,

Matsudaira Tadateru visited him at Nijo Castle.

Munenori, why couldn't you save Lord Hideyori?

That was the biggest mistake of my life.

I am prepared to accept punishment...

Fool!

You're the Shogun's adviser.

I can't punish you on my discretion.

Neither the Shogun, nor his young aides

understand my earnest prayers.

I must scold my sons.

First, Tadateru.

Yes?

I heard that you killed the Shoguns retainer in a fit of anger

on your way to fight in Kamigata.

I was in a rush to get to the battlefield.

That's not all.

Why didn't you render aid at the battle of Domyoji?

Do you know what the people are saying about that?

Not at all.

They're saying that you had no intention to help the Shogun,

but you intended to let the Shogun die and take his place.

That's ridiculous!

Wait!

I believe I should be scolded for that.

Shut up!

If we let this rumor be,

who knows how much damage it may do.

They'll say that Hideyori and Tadateru plotted this rebellion

making use of the ambitions of the Redheads and Europeans.

What're you doing?!

If there's a reason for you to die, let me hear it.

For you dying may solve the problem.

But then, people will think the rumors were correct.

Die if you still want to die!

Tadateru.

Our father is saying those things because

he truly values the country and his son.

But I, Masamune, had a reason to stop Lord Tadateru.

At the Battle of Domyoji,

I was trying not to embarrass the Shogun by going out first.

If we had gone out, we could have wiped the enemy out, but

then, we'd've gotten full credit for the victory.

Therefore, I thought we should wait until it was truly decisive.

I am the one who deserves to be scolded.

I gave the instructions with all good intentions.

Therefore, I ask that you forgive me.

What the people want to hear most

is about trouble between the Tokugawa brothers.

Talk to Tadateru about this for me.

I understand.

Let's excuse ourselves, Lord Tadateru.

Ieyasu couldn't sleep that night.

Out of anger toward Masamune, he was too harsh on Tadateru.

He pitied Tadateru.

Ieyasu knew about Masamune's ambitions.

He was one of the survivors of the age of wars

who could not abandon the dream of conquering the country.

He tried to involve Tadateru in this dream

and didn't let him fight in the dangerous battlefield.

Tadateru's looks and character

reminded Ieyasu of his late son, Nobuyasu.

Though they had the talents of becoming great leaders,

neither of them had capable advisers.

Therefore, their talents became the cause of troubles.

Ieyasu was worried that Tadateru was about to grab misfortune

in the same tragic way that Nobuyasu did.

After a sleepless night,

Ieyasu reached the conclusion that he must talk to Tadateru.

I have brought Lord Tadateru.

I'd like to talk to you in private, father.

I see. Excuse yourselves.

Yes, sir.

Rumors have spread as you said.

They're saying that I am planning to rebel against the Shogun.

Do you believe that, too?

Do you think I want to believe that?

No!

You already suspect me!

You scolded me in front of the other lords

to warn me not to ask for Osaka Castle.

All right.

Let me ask you once again.

Do you still want Osaka Castle?

I do!

Listen.

Hideyori and his mother died in that castle.

If I give you that castle now,

people will think that I attacked that castle

only because I wanted to win it for my son.

I'm asking for that castle not out of greed,

but because I want to preserve peace in this country.

There are at present 400,000 masterless samurai.

Wars will never cease if we let them be.

We need a strategy.

The Shogun is a reliable, intelligent man

but he's not suited to negotiate with foreigners.

Therefore, I felt I can serve at Osaka Castle,

as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

I have the confidence to negotiate peacefully

with both the Redheads and the Europeans.

Using these foreigners,

we can send the 400,000 masterless samurai abroad

to establish Japanese colonies throughout the world.

Let me ask you.

What're you going to negotiate with?

I'll have a religious alliance with the South Europeans

and a military alliance with the Redheads.

The Redheads are an emerging power,

so they need military power.

We'll provide them with the war-loving masterless samurai.

In that way, we can maintain peace within our country.

Though you may have a religious alliance with the South Europeans,

you will betray them militarily?

Their primary purpose is to propagate their religion.

They pretend to trade amicably,

but they are donned in suits of armor underneath their robes.

Will your strategy to fight them be violence?

Or with justice?

You believe you can trick them with which strategy?

With the rule of the might.

What about rule of the right?

You taught me that the rule of the right

governs the people with mercy and justice.

I'm glad you remembered.

Which do you think is true to my desire for peace?

Rule of the right.

I want to devote my life to the rule of the right.

I do not want the rule of the might.

Your brother and I are plagued with the question

of creating a country with no wars.

Even if we don't start them, wars arise when we are attacked.

Wars will never cease.

Wars will never cease?

Yes.

Listen.

There are no wars in the Pure Land.

In order to establish the Pure Land on this earth,

we must surpass our ambitions and greed,

and exert all our efforts.

My first step in creating the Pure Land on this earth,

is to wipe out all wars.

If all the energies that we put into fighting wars

were put into creating happiness,

we can build the Pure Land.

You can excuse yourself.

Excuse me.

Katsushige...

I know two stubborn people

who believe that wars will never cease.

They are Sanada Yukimura and Date Masamune.

If Tadateru believes that,

then that makes three.

My lord.

Tadateru has no respect for the Shogun.

I...

I am about to lose another son.

The Shogun, Hidetada, was summoned to Nijo Castle.

There is someone we must punish

because of his actions in this last war.

Who is that?

Matsudaira Kasusanosuke Tadateru.

What could the reason for his punishment be?

He was late in arriving at the battle of Domyoji.

Moreover, he killed the Shogun's retainer ruthlessly.

Listen.

The late Regent's son misbehaved and we punished him cruelly.

I would not be right to let my son go when he misbehaved.

I understand that Tadateru misbehaved,

but it was due to my negligence.

I'd like to give him a chance to explain himself.

I listened to his explanations.

Then I shall have him confined to his mansion.

That's too lenient.

Then he shall be transferred...

That's lenient.

It was clear that he was suggesting seppuku.

Sire!

Masanobu,

he has nobody to scold him, and prevent him from making mistakes.

He may be a great liability to the Shogun.

It's dangerous for Tadateru to be close to the Date clan.

I shall discuss this matter with the Elders

and render a personal decision.

Sire!

And leave the treatment of Princess Sen to me.

Treatment of Sen?

She did not get a divorce from her late husband.

The Toyotomi clan may be destroyed,

but she is still the rebel-rouser's wife.

Wait!

Tadateru does not understand our rule of the right.

But Sen is merely a powerless, pitiful girl.

We must let Sen die to eradicate the roots of the Toyotomi clan.

Otherwise, I have no confidence to secure peace in our country.

Eradicate the roots of the Toyotomi?

Sen may be pregnant.

That's good news!

No!

I'd be a selfish, heartless ruler if I allowed that...

I have already ordered that

Hideyori's son, Kunimatsu, be captured and executed.

Kunimatsu was 7 years old.

He was the son of Hideyori and a maidservant.

Jokoin had arranged to have the boy

raised secretly by a commoner.

What good would finding such a child do?

Just forget about him!

I can't do that.

Why not?

Someone turned him in!

His identity, and the fact that Jokoin helped him,

is known throughout the country!

If we let the rebel-rouser, Hideyori's son live,

we would have to punish Jokoin

for helping the son of a heinous criminal.

Therefore...

I must execute Kunimatsu!

And, my own daughter, Princess Sen...

Kunimatsu's execution was carried out.

This was not only an act to save Jokoin,

but it was also an indication of the Shogun's power

to the Toyotomi clan's fugitives.

Reporting! The Retired Shogun is coming!

Forgive me, Lady Kodai'in.

It's all over.

Lord Hideyori's son, Kunimatsu was just killed...

Retired Shogun...

It's my fault.

Had I talked directly to Lady Yodo,

this might have been prevented.

No...the gods blessed our late Regent with a son, Hideyori.

And the same gods took him away...

After the death of the late Regent,

the stupid fools got together and burned our dreams away.

This was also the gods' doing...

Lady Kodai'in.

I would like you to lead us on the path to peace.

Now that I have lived too long,

it is my duty to pray for that until I go to join my late Regent.

Forgive me, Regent.

But I am not punishing your son alone.

Forgive me, Regent.

Contrary to Ieyasu's desires,

a mad hunt for the survivors of the Toyotomi clan ensued.

The whole town was turning each other in,

and threw the people into a hell of distrust.

Sire, a month has gone by since the fall of Osaka Castle

and the area is in a state of disgrace.

I cannot bear to live in Kyoto any longer,

and have come today to bid you farewell.

I'd like to know what upset you so.

I believed that once Osaka Castle was conquered,

you would allow the Toyotomi clan to continue.

What good would it do for the country

to eradicate the Toyotomi clan?

Lord Hideyori and the Lady Mother were mere figureheads.

Now that you've forced them to death,

you have left a deep root for the next round of violence.

I see...

That's not all.

The execution of Kunimatsu was like twisting a baby's arm.

I don't like suck measures.

All right.

There's more!

I heard that the Shogun is trying to make Princess Sen die.

What value is there in peace

if such defenseless beings are victimized?

All this is truly despicable!

Sir Koetsu!

If I angered you, just kill me.

I am not one to live with my eyes closed to corruption.

You have gone too far, Sir Koetsu.

The Retired Shogun seems to be tired;.

Please leave.

I have said everything.

Excuse me.

Go to Fushimi Castle for me, Munenori.

Tell the Shogun directly that

I want Lord Hideyori's wife, Princess Sen to be sent to Edo.

There may be no objections.

Yes, Sire.

I think there was another Princess.

She is Sen's adopted daughter, so let her accompany Sen.

I am sending them to Edo to pray for the late Toyotomi clan.

Make sure you relay this message.

Katsushige.

Koetsu is disgusted with life here, he said.

Please forgive him.

He is always in the pursuit of beauty.

Those harsh words merely prove that he cares about you.

Not about that. There was some vacant land in Takagamine.

It is an ideal location for Koetsu.

Let him live there,

and tell him he can make ceramics, write poetry, paint..

and pursue the arts and live as he pleases.

Well...

There's one more thing... That's Tadateru.

When I return to Sumpu,

I'll forbid him from seeing me ever again...

Ever again?

That's right.

I'll never see him again in this world.

Sire!

Don't say anything.

I've thought about this.

It's dangerous for Tadateru to be with the Date clan.

I'm going to be an ogre...

I would like to discuss this with you.

I don't want to embarrass Tadateru.

Whom shall I sent to tell him of my decision?

Can you become ogres, too?

This is my request.

Discuss this between you.

They chose a relative of Ieyasu's and a childhood friend

of Tadateru's, Matsudaira Katsutaka.

We would like you to accept this task

as the desperate secret order of the Retired Shogun.

I refuse.

I am not capable enough.

Why would Lord Tadateru be convinced by me?

If you refuse, wars will arise again next year.

Does the Date clan still want to fight wars?

First, separate Lord Tadateru from the Date clan,

or we may have to fight a war more tragic than the last one.

The Retired Shogun decided that to stop the Date clan,

and to preserve peace, he has no choice but to punish his son.

Once Lord Tadateru is removed from the Date clan,

they may stop plotting a rebellion.

You're ripping Lord Tadateru to shreds!

That's why the Retired Shogun cried...

Will you accept?

You just want me to die... be prepared to die...

You can convince him if your life is at stake.

The Retired Shogun believes you have the capability.

The gods entrusted you with this mission.

Ieyasu left Kyoto for Sumpu

in the first year of the Genna period, on August 4th.

And Princess Sen headed for Edo on the Tokaido highway.

Out of despair for having lost her husband,

she also lost her baby in a miscarriage.

Matsudaira Tadateru came to his home in Sumpu

3 days before Ieyasu arrived.

Very good!

Reporting!

What is it?

A messenger arrived from the castle.

The Retired Shogun has arrived safely.

That's good news. I'll pay my respects in the morning.

The messenger wishes to speak to you directly.

My father sent him?

'You were delayed in rendering aid at the battle of Domyoji.

'You have also cruelly executed one of the Shogun's retainers.

'Such conduct is truly unforgivable.

'I shall therefore forbid you from seeing me ever again.

'Date: August 10th, 1616.

What's this all about, Katsutaka?

He says he will never see you again in this life.

What would you do if I don't accept this letter?

Commit seppuku?

Exactly.

OK.

I shall go to talk to my father about this!

Wait!

This is written in official language.

But don't you think there's a reason

that he cried and said he'll never see his son again?

Fool! Why didn't you tell me that first.

You are the son-in-law of the Date clan.

There is a copy of a letter sent by Lord Date to Carlos.

It asked King Phillip to send his great navy.

When the ships arrived,

Lord Date intended to stay in Osaka Castle with the followers

and begin the conquest of Edo.

He was holding you hostage and waiting for the Spanish ships.

It would have been to his advantage to prolong the war.

Therefore, he prevented you from rendering aid to the Shogun.

I was careless...

What would you do if you were me?

I'd leave immediately and go to the Edo mansion.

I would confine myself and wait for the Shogun's decision.

What would my brother decide?

He'll make you divorce your wife.

And?

I don't know.

But the Shogun is your brother.

He doesn't hate you.

But I don't know how his aids feel...

Bring some sake!

Yes, sir.

I'd like to drink with you.

I shall accept gladly.

Tadateru drank sake until midnight and saw him to the door.

Who is it?

I have a secret letter from Date Masamune in Edo.

The letter stated that if he returned to Edo,

there was a danger of being assassinated by the Shogun's men.

He told Tadateru to go to Takada in Echigo Province

and wait for further instructions.

Yagyu Munenori came to Tadateru's mansion in Edo

to see his wife, Princess Iroha.

...a divorce?!

This is a secret order from the Retired Shogun.

I can't!

God chose one husband for me. A divorce is strictly forbidden.

If it opposes God's will, you may separate.

You have done nothing wrong to deserve this,

but this was caused by Lord Tadateru.

In any case, you cannot stay in the Matsudaira family.

I'll ask my father to ask forgiveness.

That will do no good.

No good?

My father is also to blame for the trouble that Tadateru caused?

As you have guessed...

Munenori aimed to use Princess Iroha to influence Date Masamune.

There is only one man that you can seek help from...Monk Tenkai.

What're you talking about!

If I discussed this with Tenkai, everyone will know my intentions.

It may destroy our clan!

I am Matsudaira Tadateru's wife. I don't care about the Date clan.

The Retired Shogun is punishing my husband

to prevent trouble with you, Father.

If you indeed have intentions to rebel,

and my husband is killed in your stead,

you would be a target of my vengeance.

What?

I shall apologize to the Retired Shogun through Tenkai.

If he doesn't accept my apologies,

I refuse to divorce my husband, and will die.

Fool! Our religion forbids suicide!

There's the example of Lady Garasha of the Akechi clan,

who married into the Hosokawa clan.

Why should I let an Akechi girl beat a Date girl?

Princess...

Please save me, Father.

Father...

I don't want to let you die.

I'll do my best, so stay here.

I remembered something...

Yahei? Is Yahei around?

You called, Lord?

I'm going hunting.

I'll take 100 men with me.

If I don't find a good catch, we'll continue on.

Tell my men to prepare their feet for that.

Yes, Lord.

Another thing... about Iroha...

I'm worried about what she'll do

when she finds out Tadateru is in Echigo.

You and my wife must watch her while I'm gone

so that she won't kill herself.

News reached Ieyasu.

I see...

He suddenly went hunting.

Then, saying there was nothing to catch,

he announced that he's returning to his province, and left.

Maybe he just lost his temper. Don't worry about it.

But Lord Tadateru returned too, instead of coming to Edo.

Lord Date arranged to have Lord Tadateru return, too.

So rumors that they are consolidating forces have spread.

Such troublesome rumors...

Indeed.

He did this to see whether the Shogun has enough influence

to stop Lord Date from fighting a war.

All right.

I'll go to Edo.

Instead of making Tadateru divorce the Date girl,

send one of the Shogun's daughters

as a bride to their heir so that they will be related.

The Shogun's daughter?

This is all for the sake of peace.

We will not draw swords or spill blood.

I am deeply touched.

That night, Ieyasu visited Lady Cha, Tadateru's mother,

who handled domestic affairs.

Cha...

It's about Tadateru...

He reminds me so much of Nobuyasu that I lost long ago.

It seems Tadateru has heard that, too.

Though he has never met Lord Nobuyasu,

he speaks very fondly of him.

Please, forget about him.

Nobuyasu was innocent to his last words.

He said he'll throw his life away for the sake of the country.

The age of wars was cruel...

In fact, this age of wars isn't over yet.

What did Tadateru do?

Ieyasu summoned Matsudaira Katsutaka once again.

Can you go to see Tadateru once again?

Sire!

Tadateru is selfish for he broke his promise with you

and changed his mind about going to Edo.

Therefore, you are the only one who can serve as messenger.

You're not the only one burdened with a cruel task.

I myself shall go to Edo to see if Masamune will come or not.

You, yourself, Sire?

I am prepared not to return

until I lock up that man-eating tiger in a cage called peace.

I have a request.

What is it?

Please don't make him commit seppuku!

He is still young; he may be confused, and make mistakes.

If you would give him a chance to change his mind, he has potential.

Wait.

I haven't said anything about Tadateru.

Therefore, I beg of you!

Despite Matsudaira Katsutakas's warning,

Tadateru obeyed Date Masamune and returned to his province.

But he was restless as he waited for the Shogun's reprimand.

He was told of the arrival of his father's messenger.

Tadateru was prepared to die.

'...Matsudaira Tadateru must leave this castle

'and be confined to the castle in Fukaya.

'His castle and men will be handed over to Shigekatsu.'

Lord Tadateru?

To Fukaya? That's all. You can relax now.

You must not be short-tempered.

Short-tempered?

Your father is not rested yet from his trip from Osaka,

yet he is forcing himself to go to Edo.

This is how to stop the Date's rebellion.

The Retired shogun is wracking his brains day and night

to try to prevent wars...

Can't you hear his sad cries?

You're telling me my father cries every night?

Exactly!

I beg you to go to Fukaya

and send a plea to the Shogun and the Retired Shogun.

A plea?

Yes!

Tell them you don't know why you're treated like this.

This is the best thing for your father.

Why is that?!

Don't let me get sentimental...

You want to kill yourself, don't you?

What?

You think it's more courageous to die.

But as a warrior, you're being cowardly.

Cowardly?

You're running away from confrontation. It's cowardly!

The Retired Shogun is fighting...

The best you can do for him is to fight back...

This is what he said:

'I will not ask if he is alive or not, but I shall see him someday...

'Then, I shall ask who led a more serious life...

'That's the competition between father and son...'

No doubt that meant he'll see him in the land of the dead.

Ieyasu left Sumpu for Edo on September 29th, 1616.

For 74-year-old Ieyasu, this was the season to stay indoors.

Tadateru's wife, Iroha, was sent from Edo back to Sendai.

Then, Ieyasu set out on a large-scale hunt

in Numazu, Mishima, and Odawara.

Though in appearance, it was just a hunt,

he was in fact preparing the defenses surrounding Edo,

and also keeping the date clan in Sendai in check.

This became Ieyasu's final outing.

Sorry to trouble you.

How are the taxes? Heavy? Light?

Is the policy of 4 lords per 6 farmers carried out?

We farmers are truly grateful that there are no more wars.

We can devote ourselves to making rice.

We'll excuse ourselves...

Take care of yourselves, now.

Please take care of yourself, sire.

The farmers can barely live on the ratio of 4 to 6.

Therefore, samurai must be frugal.

Let's exempt the new farmlands from taxes for 7 years.

Then, the following 3 years,

the ratio of lords to farmers will be 3 to 7.

Then we can eradicate famine from our country.

How about it, Munenori?

You're absolutely right.

Reporting!

What is it?

We received urgent news that

Katakura Kujuro, chief retainer of the Date clan passed away.

He was Masamune's right hand man...

Lord Masamune must be deeply depressed.

So...Katakura died...

After his hunt, Ieyasu returned to Edo.

There, he received greetings from various lords.

You shouldn't sit here.

You are Lord Takechiyo's retainer.

We are truly happy to see that you are well.

Ieyasu introduced the 12-year-old Takechiyo

as the 3rd generation Shogun.

He was the future Tokugawa Iemitsu.

Announcing the Retired Shogun.

What? Grandfather?

You were copying the sutras, were you, Sen?

Yes.

You look well, Grandfather.

Not a day has passed without thinking about you...

I'm glad you're well.

I couldn't make you happy.

Forgive me.

What're you saying?!

Everyone is born with their destiny,

and everyone carries his own burden.

Don't be defeated, no matter what happens.

You will never be happy unless you're strong.

Happiness is unattainable for me...

My grandmother was forced to marry 5 different men.

And my mother married twice.

Your mother married three times...

They were all political marriages.

But...

None of them lost hope...

They desperately tried to attain happiness each time they married.

I wanted you to become a mother.

You were carrying Lord Hideyori's child, yet...

I will not make you our offering to attain peace.

I killed Lord Hideyori...

I'll stake my life on building an era

where women will never have to suffer...

Forgive me...

Ieyasu, who left for another hunt,

met with his mentor, Tenkai, along the way.

Have you decided?

I haven't thought enough...

The country unraveled into chaos after the Onin Revolt,

and Oda Nobunaga fought to unify the country

under loyalty to the emperor.

The sacred Imperial Court is

our country's source of religion.

There may be villains in the future generations

who try to manipulate the sacred family

for personal ambitions and greed.

Should the Imperial bloodline be severed,

it may destroy peace, and even the country.

I cannot be so negligent to let that happen.

What do you intend to do?

You mentioned that the great Lord Yoritomo

once asked that an Imperial Prince be sent east.

Therefore, I have a favor to ask.

To preserve the Imperial bloodline, no matter what happens,

I'd like one Imperial Prince to reside in the East.

Now, if the Imperial family grants you your request,

will you place him in Mt. Futara?

No.

It would be difficult to defend him there,

so I shall build a temple in Edo for him.

In Edo, we can protect him through any catastrophe.

Just as Mt. Hiei is the sacred mountain near Kyoto,

the Ueno highlands will be the site

in which prayers for eternal peace will be heard.

Let's try that.

I'll go to Kyoto as soon as possible.

This was the plan for the future Kaneiji Temple in Ueno.

Meanwhile, Yagyu Munenori was visiting Date Masamune in Sendai.

You're telling me neither the Retired Shogun nor the Shogun

have any desire to fight?

Yes.

He is willing to punish his own son to prevent war with you.

He is a master swordsman who does not kill.

He has not drawn his sword,

but he has prepared the entire Kanto Plains area

so that no wild tiger can run loose...

'There will be no more wars in the country

'if that one-eyed swordsman sits next to the Shogun.

'We don't want to provoke that wild tiger...', he said.

He has mastered the essence of military strategy.

Exactly...

That tiger in Sumpu hasn't aged for nothing...

You're right.

Masamune felt that his will to fight was completely contained.

...And this pheasant?

I shall reward you.

I shall give you the meritorious service award.

While he was on the hunt, Ieyasu was giving orders

on cultivation and irrigation of new lands

and met Hidetada along the way.

Edo was now fully protected.

I shall return to Sumpu for the New Year.

Please don't wear yourself out.

Supposing there was an evil landlord

who tormented the farmers by cheating on their share.

Who can the farmers turn this landlord in to?

This is worth considering.

Unless you establish a way

for people to turn such evil lords in to the Shogun,

you cannot exercise control over these lords.

Warriors do not till the soil.

They may one day become useless evils to society.

I hate to oppose you, Sire,

but there was an example of abuse of that right to appeal

when monks used farmers to rebel against the lords.

A direct appeal to the Shogun

is an act of rebellion towards their lord.

Therefore, the lord will be punished,

but the one who appealed will be crucified.

Crucified?

This is an act of mercy, for it will curb wrongdoings.

Now I understand.

Let's return to our lodging.

Thank you.

Thus, Ieyasu's last journey came to an end

and Ieyasu returned to Sumpu in the middle of December.

It's snowing...

I'll have to go to Sumpu

to extend my New Year greetings.

Is that true?

I pity you...

My son-in-law Tadateru is confined in Fukaya,

and the Retired Shogun checked my military provisions.

It's all over for this one-eyed-dragon...

Father...

I was willing to separate you from your husband

to cause a rebellion...

I know now that I was wrong.

Forgive your father...

In my religion,

God alone can unite my husband and me.

We may be separated for the sake of the country,

but our bond as husband and wife has not been severed.

The New Year, 1616 arrived.

Hon'ami Koetsu and Chaya Matashiro visited from Kyoto.

It's beautifully done.

I was making these just as a pass time, but

I finally made one that I wanted to show you.

I suppose you like living at Takamine.

After having lived in another land,

I can truly appreciate your kindness, Sire.

I see...so you understand.

Because you have taken me under your wings,

my days are filled with happiness.

So, you're happy.

Yes.

I have an unusual gift for the Retired Shogun.

What is it?

This is oil taken from a plant called olive.

It is fragrant.

Let's see.

It has a gentle, elegant aroma.

In Nagasaki, it's fashionable to fry foods in this oil.

They dip some fish in batter, and drop it in hot oil.

When it's done, they dip it in red vinegar sauce and eat it.

It's delicious!

Turn on more light!

I don't want to lose sight of such delicacies!

I'm filled with awe.

It's good to eat while it's hot.

Ieyasu, who was in a good mood that day,

ate three servings of sea bream tempura,

had 2 bowls of broth, 2 bowls of rice,

and went to bed around 10 that evening.

At two in the morning...

The Retired Shogun was passed out in the toilet!

It's food poisoning! He has a high fever!

Report to Edo.

Hidetada, who heard the news,

took his brothers Yorinobu and Yorifusa with him

and sped through the 5-day journey without any sleep

and arrived in a matter of 36 hours.

Yoshinao had already arrived from Nagoya.

Father?

Is it peaceful in Edo?

It is. Please recover as soon as possible.

My brothers are here, too.

Don't disobey the Shogun.

Shogun, take my place.

I know.

Father!

Don't cry.

Life and death are one...

There is a great tree of life in this world.

We are merely the branches which grew out of it.

Just because one branch has withered,

doesn't mean the tree will die.

The great tree grows as time goes by,

and blooms annually...

This outward shell may deteriorate,

but the soul lives on within this great tree...

It's constant...

There's no life or death...

Father...

In February, Ieyasu's condition was fluctuating.

A gloomy tenseness prevailed in Sumpu Castle,

and various lords arrived to pay their respects.

An Imperial messenger came from Kyoto.

This is a crisis!

You mustn't get out of bed.

If the people in the West learn of my condition,

some may decide to cause trouble.

Shut up!

Place Matsudaira Tadazane in Fushimi Castle to protect Kyoto.

We must show that the country is in total control

though I, Ieyasu may be seriously ill.

Yes, lord, please lie down.

I shall change clothes!

Hurry up!

The Imperial messenger came to visit Ieyasu in his illness,

but also brought him an Imperial edict

asking for Ieyasu's recovery.

I am truly grateful.

I have ordered that the Western areas be guarded securely,

so please don't worry.

Date Masamune, who heard of Ieyasu's condition,

came straight to Sumpu, bypassing Edo.

Masamune had no desire to rebel.

I'm counting on you, Lord Masamune.

I look forward to seeing how much longer I can live...

Sire...

I'm Konchi'in Suden.

When one's stomach is full, the soul starves.

Don't let them stop studying.

Yes, Sire.

Where's Monk Tenkai?

I'm here.

What about the Imperial Prince coming East?

Don't worry.

His Majesty was happy to hear that.

I'm glad.

Next, Masazumi.

I'm here.

You're too sharp.

Don't make more enemies.

I'll remember that.

Munenori...

Take care of the Shogun.

And Takechiyo, too.

Masanobu...

Thank you for serving me for so long.

My children...don't forget the feelings of the people.

There's no other way to proceed

but to listen to the people's feelings.

Father!

Shogun?

Yes?

There's nothing that man can claim as his own.

Neither money nor riches, nor one's own life.

Neither money nor riches, nor one's own life.

One's children...one's grandchildren...

Keep my wealth of military funds to use in an emergency.

Use it for unexpected disasters.

The gods are always testing us to see if we're prepared.

I shall give it all to you, but don't use it for yourself.

I'll remember that.

As for arrangements after my death...

Shogun, bury my corpse in Kunosan as soon as possible.

Make my corpse face west, and bury it standing up.

Standing up?

I shall continue to glare icily towards the West,

not only to protect Kyoto,

but to face the countries,

of the Redheads and the Europeans which lie west.

I shall stare west with a determined soul.

After one year, make a shrine for me at Futarasan.

I'll become the tutelary god of the 8 Kanto provinces.

As long as the 8 Kanto provinces are secure,

the entire country will be at peace.

Ieyasu's critical condition was reported to Tadateru.

'...I have read your frequent letters.

'Your father may die any moment just as you inquired.

'Though he is still upset with you,

'I'd like you to see him before he passes away.

'Please come close to Sumpu before that happens.

'Just a short note to inform you...'

May I have some warm water?

Of the many concubines who served Ieyasu,

Tadateru's mother, Lady Cha,

was the only one allowed to be at his side constantly.

I have a favor to ask.

Is it about Tadateru?

Though you didn't give him permission,

Tadateru is now in the area.

He said he must apologize before you pass away.

If you refuse to see him,

at least let him come to your door to bid you farewell.

Cha...

Can you bring me 'Nokaze'

the famous flute that Lord Nobunaga gave me?

Even the ferocious Lord Nobunaga

had a gentle side to him and loved the soft flute...

Give this to Tadateru in memory of me after I die.

This was a valuable treasure

which made his father believe in man again.

Rather than my giving it to him,

if you could present it...

I can't see him.

I shall begrudge you!

Tadateru married a daughter of Lord Date.

Tadateru is not to blame for that.

What father hates his own son?

Tadateru is dear to me, too.

We live in an era

in which we can't afford to show affection to those we love.

We must make small sacrifices to bring an end to such an era.

This is an example for his younger brothers

and for the other lords in the country.

'He was strict in punishing those who disturbed the peace.

'Look at the way he handled his son, Tadateru,' they'll say.

You said he came out here without permission.

Tell him to stay at Rinsaiji Temple.

And you report to the Shogun

that Tadateru is at Rinsaiji Temple, so you stopped him.

You're going to make him arrest Tadateru?

No, but he'll send his men to keep watch on Rinsaiji.

Then Tadateru will be better protected, don't you think?

Please understand...

I love Tadateru, too.

Those were Ieyasu's last words.

I see...

Father gave this flute to me.

The Shogun also said that it was the retired Shogun's wish

for you to abandon your sword and pursue the arts.

I see.

He also said that he was most afraid of

the Retired Shogun's order to have you commit seppuku.

So, he is truly thankful for this flute.

'Though I have not lived out my life's span,

'there is nothing to lament

'for the Shogun shall rule the country.'

'The country does not belong to one man.

'The country belongs to its people.

'Should the Shogun's rule be unreasonable,

'and should any citizens grieve,

'anybody can take the Shogun's place.

'If the 4 seas lie calm,

'and the citizens bask in the ruler's benevolence,

'I shall begrudge none.

Reporting! The Retired Shogun had a relapse!

Bid him Farewell.

Do it in Tadateru's place.

He is gone...

At 10:00 AM, April 17th, 1616,

Ieyasu passed away.

His body was carried out of Sumpu Castle after 6:00 PM.

Just as Ieyasu stated in his will,

the procession headed for Kunosan that night.

For 75 long years,

he continued to pray for peace.

And now his corpse was buried at Mt. Kuno, facing west.

After one year, his body was to be buried at Mt. Futara

to become the root for peace.

His awesome will brought an end to the age of wars.

How did future generations

accept this great man's exceptional prayers?

History, with it's keen judgment,

is sure to pass a verdict.

THE END