The Trusted Confidant (2007–…): Season 1, Episode 39 - Kawanakajima! Ryûko gekitotsu - full transcript
Kawanakajima, which is near
the border of Echigo and Shinano,
is a triangular region, joined by
Chikuma-gawa and Sai-gawa Rivers.
The Takeda defeated Murakami and
controlled southern Kawanakajima,
and had just a few resisting powers
left to defeat in the north of Shinano.
Gaining control of Kawanakajima
was the finale of uniting Shinano.
And the Nagao family in Echigo
wanted to prevent that at all cost.
This should make that man
come out to battle.
Echigo's Bishamonten will
be coming to Shinano.
Let me correct the disorders
in the country...
Let me crush that unjust man...
Fill my empty heart with justice...
Grant me power...
This was the start of a long
battle at Kawanakajima.
"Swift as the wind"
"Silent as the forest"
"Conquer like the fire"
"Unmovable as the mountain"
{\fs40}FURIN KAZAN
Episode 39:
CLASH AT KAWANAKAJIMA
Original Story by:
INOUE Yasushi
Screenplay by:
OMORI Sumio
Music by:
SENJU Akira
Theme Music Performed by: NHK Symphony Orchestra
Theme Music Conductor: TAKASEKI Ken
Performed by: The Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra
Title Letters by: KAKINUMA Koji
Narrator: KAGAMI Sachiko
Period Consultant: SHIBATSUJI Shunroku
Customs Consultant: FUTAKI Kenichi
Architecture Consultant: HIRAI Kiyoshi
Wardrobe Consultant: KOIZUMI Kiyoko
Sword Fighting/Martial Arts Coach: HAYASHI Kunishiro
Conduct Coach: NISHIKAWA Minosuke
Horse-Riding Coaches: TANAKA Mitsunori, TSUJII Keiji
Buddhist Memorial Service Coach: OSAWA Kiyohiro
Biwa Coach: TOMOYOSHI Kakushin
Yamanashi Dialect Coach: KASAI Kazuhiko
Cast
YAMAMOTO Kansuke:
UCHINO Masaaki
TAKEDA Harunobu:
ICHIKAWA Kamejiro
NAGAO Kagetora:
Gackt
OBU Toramasa:
KANEDA Akio
BABA Nobuharu:
TAKAHASHI Kazuya
KAWARAMURA Denbei:
ARIZONO Yoshiki
TAKEDA Nobushige: KASHIMA Noritoshi
KOMAI Masatake: TAKAHASHI Issei
KASUGA Toratsuna: TANAKA Kotaro
OBU Masakage: MAEKAWA Yasuyuki
KUZUKASA Takichi: ARIMA Jiyu
Okuma: ASADA Aoi
Ritsu:
MAEDA Aki
Shima:
OMORI Akemi
Princess Yu:
SHIBAMOTO Yuki
KOSAKA Chikuzen-no-kami:
NAKAJIMA Hisayuki
KUZUKASA Mokichi: UCHINO Kenta
Kumakichi: TSUBAKI Nao
NAKAMURA Ryuten
OKAJI Naoto
NARITA Ken
WAKAKOMA
AIZU BUSHIDO
FUJI ACTORS CINEMA
Photographed in Cooperation with:
Yamanishi Prefecture
Nagano Prefecture
Niigata Prefecture
Nagano City in Nagano Prefecture
Nagawa City in Nagano Prefecture
NAOE Sanetsuna:
NISHIOKA Tokuma
MUROZUMI Torasada:
KATO Takeshi
OKUMA Tomohide:
OHASHI Goro
KAKIZAKI Kageie:
KANEDA Kenichi
USAMI Sadamitsu:
OGATA Ken
Executive Producer:
WAKAIZUMI Hisaaki
Produced by: NAKAMURA Takashi
Art Direction by: AOKI Masakazu
Technology: TANAKA Mitsuru
Sound Effects: IMAI Hiroshi
Photography by: HOSONO Kazuhiko
Lighting by: HORIKAGO Isamu
Audio: WASHIZU Nobuatsu
Image Art: YOSHIDA Kenji
Continuity: SATO Hideki
Editor: ABE Tadashi
Art Direction Manager: SUGIHARA Hiroki
Directed by:
HIGASHIYAMA Mitsuhiro
Luck is with Heaven...
The armor on chest...
Distinguishments on legs...
In battle, let the enemy within
at all times...
If you fight with a deadly
resolve, you shall live...
If you fight with a resolve
to live, you shall die...
Fortune is not stable...
it does not flow with the times...
A samurai should determine his own fate,
with the path he chooses.
Our army's flag is the "tobatsu-
bishamonten" (god of war).
We are a devil-quelling force.
We shall conquer the devil.
When we march into the
enemy grounds...
Hoist this dragon flag.
Anyone who defies us,
defies the gods!
Forge ahead without fear.
We shall follow Heaven's will
and punish Takeda Harunobu.
Men! Let us go to battle!
In August of 1553,
the Echigo army of Nagao Kagetora headed
south toward Kawanakajima in Shinano.
SHIODA CASTLE, SHINANO
TAKEDA HEADQUARTERS
Meanwhile, the Takeda army
stationed themselves at Shioda Castle,
in Chiisagata, which they
captured from Murakami.
Lord, there are movements in Echigo.
The main army led by Nagao
Kagetora has crossed the border
and is marching here.
They number about 8,000.
So they are crossing Sai-gawa River.
To take precaution, let us send
reinforcements to Maki Castle
and tighten security
along Sai-gawa River.
Maki Castle, which was situated
along Sai-gawa River, belonged to Kosaka
Chikuzen, who submitted to the Takeda
in the battle against Murakami.
Kasuga Toratsuna's forces
were guarding this castle.
Sir Kasuga, will the Echigo army
attack this castle?
Sir Kosaka, you need not worry.
Our allies should be coming soon.
We'll just be glaring at the Echigo army.
They probably won't even bother with us,
and will cross Sai-gawa River.
I believe Nagao Kagetora
is after just one place.
How did you acquire your sharp
insight at such a young age?
To figure out the enemy,
you must know his path...
That's a teaching of Sun Tzu.
Toratsuna would later be adopted
into the Kosaka family.
SAI-GAWA RIVER
KANSUKE'S RESIDENCE, KAI
Okuma!
Okuma.
Miss Ritsu!
Do you know which castle Kansuke is in?
No, I don't... I don't know
anything about battles.
Just that, my son is at battle, too,
so I can't sleep at night.
Is that why you were taking a nap?
Don't worry. Kansuke will
lead us to victory again.
OSAKA KANNON-IN, SUWA
Princess!
There was a messenger from the castle...
Echigo is invading Shinano.
Echigo?
The Murakami have turned
to Echigo for help.
The "kachimushi" insect
came to me earlier...
Kachimushi?
The lord shall win.
The Echigo army has attacked
northern Shinano, recovered Takanashi,
crossed Sai-gawa River, and are
marching to Yawata in Kawanakajima.
Lord, when they pass Sarashina,
we should tighten security
at Muroga Castle, to block their
entrance into Chiisagata.
Obu, will you go to Muroga Castle?
We must block their entrance
into Chiisagata at all costs.
Please leave it to me.
Kansuke, if we were to leave this
castle and move our main camp...
Will it be Amenomiya?
No, our main camp will remain
at Shioda Castle.
There is no need to
move out of the castle.
The Echigo army isn't attacking us
to acquire our territories.
They are after our lord's head.
Therefore, we will use that
to our advantage,
and bring them in as close
as possible for the battle.
The Takeda main army isn't moving.
The Takeda's vanguard will be
awaiting us from here.
Takeda Harunobu will make his
move when we close in on him.
Let us advance on until he moves.
We are entering the enemy's country.
Harunobu, at Shioda Castle,
dispatched troops to Yawata
and Fuse in Kawanakajima,
to ambush the Echigo army.
Charge!
Charge!
The two armies clashed
at the end of August.
The armies of Nagao and Takeda
fought fiercely at Fuse, Kawanakajima.
Then the Nagao army broke through.
On September 1, they defeated the
Takeda force at Yawata, and marched on.
They targeted the castle that
was encircled by the Takeda.
Arato Castle fell that same day,
and its lord Yashiro Masakuni fled.
We are only inspiring Echigo!
Everything is going as planned, so far.
Our forces are not strained.
We have lost numerous men already.
That is all in line with our
eventual victory.
Will it go that well?
Kansuke, what do we do now?
Nagao Kagetora should be marching
to Katsurao Castle in Sakaki.
We'll have Sanada at Toishi Castle
attack them from the rear.
The Aiki forces at Koraku Castle,
and the forces at Kariyahara Castle
will also be directed there.
And we'll launch a pincer attack.
We'll lure Kagetora out of the
castle and attack all at once.
It is dangerous to go to Sakaki.
Why? We are fighting to retrieve
the Murakami territory.
The Takeda are probably waiting
for us, who are harping on that.
If we don't take Sakaki,
after coming this far,
this would turn into
a meaningless battle.
It'll be more meaningless if we lose.
Isn't it faster if we just take Shinano?
Why don't you reward the vassals
with the castles and lands here?
In punishing the thief, you want
me to become a thief, also?
That is not Heaven's will.
Harunobu is hiding because
he is a thief.
Lure Takeda Harunobu out
of Shioda Castle.
In that case, the main army
will head to Aoyagi via Omi.
Please wait. On that route,
we will have to pass Omi Castle,
Kokuzosan Castle, and Kariyahara Castle.
They are tightly guarded by the enemy.
If Fukashi Castle, which is the
stronghold of Chikuma, is in danger,
Harunobu will be forced to move.
That is when we will instigate
the decisive battle.
Usami did the reverse of what
Kansuke predicted,
and advanced the troops toward
Aoyagi, where Fukashi Castle stood.
Usami's plan was to lure Harunobu
out of Shioda Castle,
by approaching the Takeda
stronghold at Fukashi Castle.
SHIODA CASTLE
Reporting!
The main army led by Kagetora
has departed Arato Castle
and are headed toward Aoyagi!
Aoyagi?
Is the enemy planning
to attack Fukashi Castle?
Kansuke, the enemy is sharp.
Yes...
Lord, if Kariyahara Castle
falls to the enemy,
we won't be able to defend
the entrance to Chikuma.
Morozumi, head to Kariyahara
Castle immediately.
We're counting on you.
Please leave it to me.
Sir Nobushige, please stay with
the main army and protect the lord.
Yes, I will.
On September 3, the Nagao army
headed to Aoyagi and burned it down.
Then they fell Kokuzosan Castle
and moved their main army.
Usami outsmarted Kansuke and
left the Takeda defenseless.
The Nagao army was approaching
Kariyahara Castle now.
KARIYAHARA CASTLE
Kariyahara Castle is our stronghold!
We must defend it at all costs.
Morozumi, aren't you the cause of it?
We unconsciously became
accustomed to bloodless victories.
We think of mere survival as loyalty.
Don't you feel sorry for Sirs Itagaki
and Amari, who died in action?
Fool!
What?
I meant to say that Nagao
Kagetora is a fool.
I agree. How can he engage in a battle,
with no plan to expand his domain?
What strength! They got to
Kariyahara Castle so quickly!
Shall we head to Fukashi Castle?
Lord, you must not move from here.
That is what the enemy wants!
If they attack the main army from
the sides, we'll be in deep trouble.
Are we going to abandon Kariyahara
Castle and Fukashi Castle then?
Let's abandon Kariyahara Castle.
We'll have the soldiers there
withdraw to Fukashi Castle.
Kagetora won't pursue it any further
and will either head to Sakaki
this time, or return to Echigo.
SHIODA CASTLE CAMP
Takichi, are we just going to stay here?
That's fine with me. Aren't you
afraid of the Echigo forces?
If you don't earn a name for yourself,
what's the use of going out to battle?
You, who have no family,
want a reward?
Denbei, have you ever seen Nagao Kagetora?
I wonder what he looks like.
He looks exactly like me.
Is that why the women
aren't attracted to him?
That's right.
KOKUZOSAN CASTLE
Kansuke...
Will the battle with Echigo prolong?
Yes...
I highly doubt it will
be settled in this battle.
Kansuke...
Don't think of our battle with
the Nagao family as your last one...
You must live much longer for me...
Lord!
Harunobu hasn't left
Shioda Castle yet?
It appears he has no
intention of doing so.
The Takeda have abandoned
Kariyahara Castle.
That Takeda Harunobu!
Their military strategist is sharp.
He knows what we are up to.
In this battle with the Takeda,
the one who moves rashly first, loses.
This should be enough this time.
We were able to display our strength
to the entire Kawanakajima region.
The castles in this area won't
submit to the Takeda anymore.
Please issue the order to retreat.
Reporting! The enemy soldiers
that have left Kariyahara Castle
are returning and preparing
to hole up in it.
What? They refuse to surrender it?
Who's the general in the castle?
Lord Morozumi Bungo.
Harunobu changed his mind.
He still plans to fight us.
Send the soldiers out.
Reporting! Echigo soldiers
are headed toward the castle.
Their numbers are unknown.
The enemy general, Nagao
Kagetora, is amongst them.
If we take his head, we will win!
Don't think of leaving this castle alive!
Men, prepare yourselves.
Morozumi turned back?
How foolish!
Don't tell me that he took that seriously?
Get ready to go to battle anytime!
Why did Morozumi go back?
I don't know. He was in charge of
bringing up the rear, but...
He suddenly turned back
and holed up in the castle.
Lord, please send reinforcements right away.
Are you going to let him die,
for disobeying your orders?
Brother!
Nobushige, lead the reinforcements.
If Kariyahara Castle should fall,
after a battle with the Echigo army...
The Chikuma and Azumi groups
may betray us and switch sides.
That is something we must avoid
at all costs in this battle.
Lord, please send an express
messenger immediately
and order the forces, with the
Fukashi group as rear guards,
to launch a night attack.
Night attack?
We'll force Nagao Kagetora to withdraw.
Morozumi...
Just come here, Kagetora...
Lord...
NAGAO'S ARMY
Reporting! The Takeda is planning
a night attack from the rear.
What? Night attack?
So this was part of their strategy...
They are planning to attack us
from the rear and sides.
Are they going to attack us here?
Is that why they lured us here?
Let us retreat before they launch
a pincer attack.
Reporting! The Echigo army
retreated in the cover of night.
What?
Sir Morozumi...
Sir Nobushige!
Morozumi...!
Prepare to be punished
for your disobedience!
SHIODA CASTLE
Morozumi, why did you disobey my orders?
Why?!
Lord... please forgive him.
That is not necessary.
Please!
I am asking you why you
disobeyed my orders.
This is it for me...
I'm in my 70's... and have
lived until this old age.
I am useless in battles.
Before I knew it, I started
to cherish my life.
I don't think of earning merits
in battle and expanding my fiefs.
I am a bad example to the other vassals.
Therefore, I should've retired
a long time ago, but...
After losing my two sons in battle...
I couldn't withdraw from
the scene so easily.
So I've lived disgracefully.
I thought if I fought
until my life expired,
then even an old warrior like me
could raise the morale of the army.
That is why I went against your order.
I shall humbly accept punishment.
Lord!
Morozumi...
You defied me again.
I will decide whether you are
useful or not. Not you!
Morozumi, you understand, don't you?
Nobushige, who was raised
by you, panicked...
Baba Minbu at Fukashi Castle
slept on his horse all night,
waiting for the battle call.
Kansuke came up with a sudden
plan to launch a night attack.
If you hadn't disobeyed me,
there would be no night attack.
As a result, the Nagao army
retreated to Echigo.
It turned into our victory.
Lord...
Everyone couldn't let you die...
If you're going to call that
a living disgrace, then continue it.
That is my punishment to you.
I'm sorry!
I blundered again!
Morozumi...
The Nagao army that was forced to
retreat, was at Yawata in Kawanakajima.
However, Kagetora suddenly
turned his horse around.
Lord, the Nagao army is headed
towards this Shioda Castle.
If I don't appear in battle,
it'll affect my army's morale.
Kansuke, make the battle call.
The two armies faced each other,
across Chikuma-gawa River.
Our allies are in the "kakyoku"
(crane's wing) formation.
The enemies are in the "gyorin"
(snake's scale) formation.
The one to move first, loses.
They have no chance of victory,
unless we move first.
Lord!
Wait!
Lord.
Usami, I am here to bid farewell.
Even the cowardly Harunobu
is here, seeing me off.
There may be no time, next time,
to bid farewell.
On September 20, 1553, Kagetora
retreated his army to Echigo.
This battle ended indecisively.
Kansuke felt the presence of
an arch rival, once again.
Episode 39:
CLASH AT KAWANAKAJIMA
The End
PREVIEW OF NEXT EPISODE
This three province alliance
will serve as great support.
The Takeda may betray us.
Those damn Hojo...
The three province alliance...
Won't I serve as your wife?
It's not a bad matchmaking.
It's useless for the three provinces.
We are all shrewd in our own way.
The one who succeeds as Shogun...
Will he be a foe or ally?
Episode 40: THREE PROVINCE ALLIANCE
FURIN KAZAN ERA
Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture.
This is where Kawanakajima is,
where Takeda Shingen
and Uesugi Kenshin fought five battles.
Zenko-ji Temple stands
in northern Kawanakajima.
It prides itself in a history of 1,400 years,
and has six million people
visiting it annually.
Shingen and Kenshin were both
religiously devoted men.
They fought fiercely over the
control of Zenko-ji Temple.
The Amitabha Tathagata statue
that was in the temple
was taken in the midst of
a battle to Kai, by Shingen.
It eventually passed to Nobunaga,
then Ieyasu, then Hideyoshi.
Only to return to Zenko-ji Temple
about 40 years later.
The altars of Shingen and Kenshin are
lined up side by side in the temple.
They are gradually passing through time.
the border of Echigo and Shinano,
is a triangular region, joined by
Chikuma-gawa and Sai-gawa Rivers.
The Takeda defeated Murakami and
controlled southern Kawanakajima,
and had just a few resisting powers
left to defeat in the north of Shinano.
Gaining control of Kawanakajima
was the finale of uniting Shinano.
And the Nagao family in Echigo
wanted to prevent that at all cost.
This should make that man
come out to battle.
Echigo's Bishamonten will
be coming to Shinano.
Let me correct the disorders
in the country...
Let me crush that unjust man...
Fill my empty heart with justice...
Grant me power...
This was the start of a long
battle at Kawanakajima.
"Swift as the wind"
"Silent as the forest"
"Conquer like the fire"
"Unmovable as the mountain"
{\fs40}FURIN KAZAN
Episode 39:
CLASH AT KAWANAKAJIMA
Original Story by:
INOUE Yasushi
Screenplay by:
OMORI Sumio
Music by:
SENJU Akira
Theme Music Performed by: NHK Symphony Orchestra
Theme Music Conductor: TAKASEKI Ken
Performed by: The Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra
Title Letters by: KAKINUMA Koji
Narrator: KAGAMI Sachiko
Period Consultant: SHIBATSUJI Shunroku
Customs Consultant: FUTAKI Kenichi
Architecture Consultant: HIRAI Kiyoshi
Wardrobe Consultant: KOIZUMI Kiyoko
Sword Fighting/Martial Arts Coach: HAYASHI Kunishiro
Conduct Coach: NISHIKAWA Minosuke
Horse-Riding Coaches: TANAKA Mitsunori, TSUJII Keiji
Buddhist Memorial Service Coach: OSAWA Kiyohiro
Biwa Coach: TOMOYOSHI Kakushin
Yamanashi Dialect Coach: KASAI Kazuhiko
Cast
YAMAMOTO Kansuke:
UCHINO Masaaki
TAKEDA Harunobu:
ICHIKAWA Kamejiro
NAGAO Kagetora:
Gackt
OBU Toramasa:
KANEDA Akio
BABA Nobuharu:
TAKAHASHI Kazuya
KAWARAMURA Denbei:
ARIZONO Yoshiki
TAKEDA Nobushige: KASHIMA Noritoshi
KOMAI Masatake: TAKAHASHI Issei
KASUGA Toratsuna: TANAKA Kotaro
OBU Masakage: MAEKAWA Yasuyuki
KUZUKASA Takichi: ARIMA Jiyu
Okuma: ASADA Aoi
Ritsu:
MAEDA Aki
Shima:
OMORI Akemi
Princess Yu:
SHIBAMOTO Yuki
KOSAKA Chikuzen-no-kami:
NAKAJIMA Hisayuki
KUZUKASA Mokichi: UCHINO Kenta
Kumakichi: TSUBAKI Nao
NAKAMURA Ryuten
OKAJI Naoto
NARITA Ken
WAKAKOMA
AIZU BUSHIDO
FUJI ACTORS CINEMA
Photographed in Cooperation with:
Yamanishi Prefecture
Nagano Prefecture
Niigata Prefecture
Nagano City in Nagano Prefecture
Nagawa City in Nagano Prefecture
NAOE Sanetsuna:
NISHIOKA Tokuma
MUROZUMI Torasada:
KATO Takeshi
OKUMA Tomohide:
OHASHI Goro
KAKIZAKI Kageie:
KANEDA Kenichi
USAMI Sadamitsu:
OGATA Ken
Executive Producer:
WAKAIZUMI Hisaaki
Produced by: NAKAMURA Takashi
Art Direction by: AOKI Masakazu
Technology: TANAKA Mitsuru
Sound Effects: IMAI Hiroshi
Photography by: HOSONO Kazuhiko
Lighting by: HORIKAGO Isamu
Audio: WASHIZU Nobuatsu
Image Art: YOSHIDA Kenji
Continuity: SATO Hideki
Editor: ABE Tadashi
Art Direction Manager: SUGIHARA Hiroki
Directed by:
HIGASHIYAMA Mitsuhiro
Luck is with Heaven...
The armor on chest...
Distinguishments on legs...
In battle, let the enemy within
at all times...
If you fight with a deadly
resolve, you shall live...
If you fight with a resolve
to live, you shall die...
Fortune is not stable...
it does not flow with the times...
A samurai should determine his own fate,
with the path he chooses.
Our army's flag is the "tobatsu-
bishamonten" (god of war).
We are a devil-quelling force.
We shall conquer the devil.
When we march into the
enemy grounds...
Hoist this dragon flag.
Anyone who defies us,
defies the gods!
Forge ahead without fear.
We shall follow Heaven's will
and punish Takeda Harunobu.
Men! Let us go to battle!
In August of 1553,
the Echigo army of Nagao Kagetora headed
south toward Kawanakajima in Shinano.
SHIODA CASTLE, SHINANO
TAKEDA HEADQUARTERS
Meanwhile, the Takeda army
stationed themselves at Shioda Castle,
in Chiisagata, which they
captured from Murakami.
Lord, there are movements in Echigo.
The main army led by Nagao
Kagetora has crossed the border
and is marching here.
They number about 8,000.
So they are crossing Sai-gawa River.
To take precaution, let us send
reinforcements to Maki Castle
and tighten security
along Sai-gawa River.
Maki Castle, which was situated
along Sai-gawa River, belonged to Kosaka
Chikuzen, who submitted to the Takeda
in the battle against Murakami.
Kasuga Toratsuna's forces
were guarding this castle.
Sir Kasuga, will the Echigo army
attack this castle?
Sir Kosaka, you need not worry.
Our allies should be coming soon.
We'll just be glaring at the Echigo army.
They probably won't even bother with us,
and will cross Sai-gawa River.
I believe Nagao Kagetora
is after just one place.
How did you acquire your sharp
insight at such a young age?
To figure out the enemy,
you must know his path...
That's a teaching of Sun Tzu.
Toratsuna would later be adopted
into the Kosaka family.
SAI-GAWA RIVER
KANSUKE'S RESIDENCE, KAI
Okuma!
Okuma.
Miss Ritsu!
Do you know which castle Kansuke is in?
No, I don't... I don't know
anything about battles.
Just that, my son is at battle, too,
so I can't sleep at night.
Is that why you were taking a nap?
Don't worry. Kansuke will
lead us to victory again.
OSAKA KANNON-IN, SUWA
Princess!
There was a messenger from the castle...
Echigo is invading Shinano.
Echigo?
The Murakami have turned
to Echigo for help.
The "kachimushi" insect
came to me earlier...
Kachimushi?
The lord shall win.
The Echigo army has attacked
northern Shinano, recovered Takanashi,
crossed Sai-gawa River, and are
marching to Yawata in Kawanakajima.
Lord, when they pass Sarashina,
we should tighten security
at Muroga Castle, to block their
entrance into Chiisagata.
Obu, will you go to Muroga Castle?
We must block their entrance
into Chiisagata at all costs.
Please leave it to me.
Kansuke, if we were to leave this
castle and move our main camp...
Will it be Amenomiya?
No, our main camp will remain
at Shioda Castle.
There is no need to
move out of the castle.
The Echigo army isn't attacking us
to acquire our territories.
They are after our lord's head.
Therefore, we will use that
to our advantage,
and bring them in as close
as possible for the battle.
The Takeda main army isn't moving.
The Takeda's vanguard will be
awaiting us from here.
Takeda Harunobu will make his
move when we close in on him.
Let us advance on until he moves.
We are entering the enemy's country.
Harunobu, at Shioda Castle,
dispatched troops to Yawata
and Fuse in Kawanakajima,
to ambush the Echigo army.
Charge!
Charge!
The two armies clashed
at the end of August.
The armies of Nagao and Takeda
fought fiercely at Fuse, Kawanakajima.
Then the Nagao army broke through.
On September 1, they defeated the
Takeda force at Yawata, and marched on.
They targeted the castle that
was encircled by the Takeda.
Arato Castle fell that same day,
and its lord Yashiro Masakuni fled.
We are only inspiring Echigo!
Everything is going as planned, so far.
Our forces are not strained.
We have lost numerous men already.
That is all in line with our
eventual victory.
Will it go that well?
Kansuke, what do we do now?
Nagao Kagetora should be marching
to Katsurao Castle in Sakaki.
We'll have Sanada at Toishi Castle
attack them from the rear.
The Aiki forces at Koraku Castle,
and the forces at Kariyahara Castle
will also be directed there.
And we'll launch a pincer attack.
We'll lure Kagetora out of the
castle and attack all at once.
It is dangerous to go to Sakaki.
Why? We are fighting to retrieve
the Murakami territory.
The Takeda are probably waiting
for us, who are harping on that.
If we don't take Sakaki,
after coming this far,
this would turn into
a meaningless battle.
It'll be more meaningless if we lose.
Isn't it faster if we just take Shinano?
Why don't you reward the vassals
with the castles and lands here?
In punishing the thief, you want
me to become a thief, also?
That is not Heaven's will.
Harunobu is hiding because
he is a thief.
Lure Takeda Harunobu out
of Shioda Castle.
In that case, the main army
will head to Aoyagi via Omi.
Please wait. On that route,
we will have to pass Omi Castle,
Kokuzosan Castle, and Kariyahara Castle.
They are tightly guarded by the enemy.
If Fukashi Castle, which is the
stronghold of Chikuma, is in danger,
Harunobu will be forced to move.
That is when we will instigate
the decisive battle.
Usami did the reverse of what
Kansuke predicted,
and advanced the troops toward
Aoyagi, where Fukashi Castle stood.
Usami's plan was to lure Harunobu
out of Shioda Castle,
by approaching the Takeda
stronghold at Fukashi Castle.
SHIODA CASTLE
Reporting!
The main army led by Kagetora
has departed Arato Castle
and are headed toward Aoyagi!
Aoyagi?
Is the enemy planning
to attack Fukashi Castle?
Kansuke, the enemy is sharp.
Yes...
Lord, if Kariyahara Castle
falls to the enemy,
we won't be able to defend
the entrance to Chikuma.
Morozumi, head to Kariyahara
Castle immediately.
We're counting on you.
Please leave it to me.
Sir Nobushige, please stay with
the main army and protect the lord.
Yes, I will.
On September 3, the Nagao army
headed to Aoyagi and burned it down.
Then they fell Kokuzosan Castle
and moved their main army.
Usami outsmarted Kansuke and
left the Takeda defenseless.
The Nagao army was approaching
Kariyahara Castle now.
KARIYAHARA CASTLE
Kariyahara Castle is our stronghold!
We must defend it at all costs.
Morozumi, aren't you the cause of it?
We unconsciously became
accustomed to bloodless victories.
We think of mere survival as loyalty.
Don't you feel sorry for Sirs Itagaki
and Amari, who died in action?
Fool!
What?
I meant to say that Nagao
Kagetora is a fool.
I agree. How can he engage in a battle,
with no plan to expand his domain?
What strength! They got to
Kariyahara Castle so quickly!
Shall we head to Fukashi Castle?
Lord, you must not move from here.
That is what the enemy wants!
If they attack the main army from
the sides, we'll be in deep trouble.
Are we going to abandon Kariyahara
Castle and Fukashi Castle then?
Let's abandon Kariyahara Castle.
We'll have the soldiers there
withdraw to Fukashi Castle.
Kagetora won't pursue it any further
and will either head to Sakaki
this time, or return to Echigo.
SHIODA CASTLE CAMP
Takichi, are we just going to stay here?
That's fine with me. Aren't you
afraid of the Echigo forces?
If you don't earn a name for yourself,
what's the use of going out to battle?
You, who have no family,
want a reward?
Denbei, have you ever seen Nagao Kagetora?
I wonder what he looks like.
He looks exactly like me.
Is that why the women
aren't attracted to him?
That's right.
KOKUZOSAN CASTLE
Kansuke...
Will the battle with Echigo prolong?
Yes...
I highly doubt it will
be settled in this battle.
Kansuke...
Don't think of our battle with
the Nagao family as your last one...
You must live much longer for me...
Lord!
Harunobu hasn't left
Shioda Castle yet?
It appears he has no
intention of doing so.
The Takeda have abandoned
Kariyahara Castle.
That Takeda Harunobu!
Their military strategist is sharp.
He knows what we are up to.
In this battle with the Takeda,
the one who moves rashly first, loses.
This should be enough this time.
We were able to display our strength
to the entire Kawanakajima region.
The castles in this area won't
submit to the Takeda anymore.
Please issue the order to retreat.
Reporting! The enemy soldiers
that have left Kariyahara Castle
are returning and preparing
to hole up in it.
What? They refuse to surrender it?
Who's the general in the castle?
Lord Morozumi Bungo.
Harunobu changed his mind.
He still plans to fight us.
Send the soldiers out.
Reporting! Echigo soldiers
are headed toward the castle.
Their numbers are unknown.
The enemy general, Nagao
Kagetora, is amongst them.
If we take his head, we will win!
Don't think of leaving this castle alive!
Men, prepare yourselves.
Morozumi turned back?
How foolish!
Don't tell me that he took that seriously?
Get ready to go to battle anytime!
Why did Morozumi go back?
I don't know. He was in charge of
bringing up the rear, but...
He suddenly turned back
and holed up in the castle.
Lord, please send reinforcements right away.
Are you going to let him die,
for disobeying your orders?
Brother!
Nobushige, lead the reinforcements.
If Kariyahara Castle should fall,
after a battle with the Echigo army...
The Chikuma and Azumi groups
may betray us and switch sides.
That is something we must avoid
at all costs in this battle.
Lord, please send an express
messenger immediately
and order the forces, with the
Fukashi group as rear guards,
to launch a night attack.
Night attack?
We'll force Nagao Kagetora to withdraw.
Morozumi...
Just come here, Kagetora...
Lord...
NAGAO'S ARMY
Reporting! The Takeda is planning
a night attack from the rear.
What? Night attack?
So this was part of their strategy...
They are planning to attack us
from the rear and sides.
Are they going to attack us here?
Is that why they lured us here?
Let us retreat before they launch
a pincer attack.
Reporting! The Echigo army
retreated in the cover of night.
What?
Sir Morozumi...
Sir Nobushige!
Morozumi...!
Prepare to be punished
for your disobedience!
SHIODA CASTLE
Morozumi, why did you disobey my orders?
Why?!
Lord... please forgive him.
That is not necessary.
Please!
I am asking you why you
disobeyed my orders.
This is it for me...
I'm in my 70's... and have
lived until this old age.
I am useless in battles.
Before I knew it, I started
to cherish my life.
I don't think of earning merits
in battle and expanding my fiefs.
I am a bad example to the other vassals.
Therefore, I should've retired
a long time ago, but...
After losing my two sons in battle...
I couldn't withdraw from
the scene so easily.
So I've lived disgracefully.
I thought if I fought
until my life expired,
then even an old warrior like me
could raise the morale of the army.
That is why I went against your order.
I shall humbly accept punishment.
Lord!
Morozumi...
You defied me again.
I will decide whether you are
useful or not. Not you!
Morozumi, you understand, don't you?
Nobushige, who was raised
by you, panicked...
Baba Minbu at Fukashi Castle
slept on his horse all night,
waiting for the battle call.
Kansuke came up with a sudden
plan to launch a night attack.
If you hadn't disobeyed me,
there would be no night attack.
As a result, the Nagao army
retreated to Echigo.
It turned into our victory.
Lord...
Everyone couldn't let you die...
If you're going to call that
a living disgrace, then continue it.
That is my punishment to you.
I'm sorry!
I blundered again!
Morozumi...
The Nagao army that was forced to
retreat, was at Yawata in Kawanakajima.
However, Kagetora suddenly
turned his horse around.
Lord, the Nagao army is headed
towards this Shioda Castle.
If I don't appear in battle,
it'll affect my army's morale.
Kansuke, make the battle call.
The two armies faced each other,
across Chikuma-gawa River.
Our allies are in the "kakyoku"
(crane's wing) formation.
The enemies are in the "gyorin"
(snake's scale) formation.
The one to move first, loses.
They have no chance of victory,
unless we move first.
Lord!
Wait!
Lord.
Usami, I am here to bid farewell.
Even the cowardly Harunobu
is here, seeing me off.
There may be no time, next time,
to bid farewell.
On September 20, 1553, Kagetora
retreated his army to Echigo.
This battle ended indecisively.
Kansuke felt the presence of
an arch rival, once again.
Episode 39:
CLASH AT KAWANAKAJIMA
The End
PREVIEW OF NEXT EPISODE
This three province alliance
will serve as great support.
The Takeda may betray us.
Those damn Hojo...
The three province alliance...
Won't I serve as your wife?
It's not a bad matchmaking.
It's useless for the three provinces.
We are all shrewd in our own way.
The one who succeeds as Shogun...
Will he be a foe or ally?
Episode 40: THREE PROVINCE ALLIANCE
FURIN KAZAN ERA
Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture.
This is where Kawanakajima is,
where Takeda Shingen
and Uesugi Kenshin fought five battles.
Zenko-ji Temple stands
in northern Kawanakajima.
It prides itself in a history of 1,400 years,
and has six million people
visiting it annually.
Shingen and Kenshin were both
religiously devoted men.
They fought fiercely over the
control of Zenko-ji Temple.
The Amitabha Tathagata statue
that was in the temple
was taken in the midst of
a battle to Kai, by Shingen.
It eventually passed to Nobunaga,
then Ieyasu, then Hideyoshi.
Only to return to Zenko-ji Temple
about 40 years later.
The altars of Shingen and Kenshin are
lined up side by side in the temple.
They are gradually passing through time.