The Trusted Confidant (2007–…): Season 1, Episode 40 - Sankoku dômei - full transcript
In September of 1553,
the Takeda army confronted the
Echigo army led by Nagao Kagetora
for the first time at Kawanakajima.
However, without any actual fighting,
the battle came to a conclusion.
On September 20, Kagetora, who
had a trip scheduled to Kyoto,
withdrew his army.
In October, Harunobu
returned to Suwa.
Which means, Nagao Kagetora may
invade Shinano again anytime.
That's true.
But there's something that
bothers me more than that.
It is the reason why I came
to confide in you.
In me? Is it about a battle?
No... it has to do with Kansuke.
Kansuke?
"Swift as the wind"
"Silent as the forest"
"Conquer like the fire"
"Unmovable as the mountain"
{\fs40}FURIN KAZAN
Episode 40:
THREE PROVINCE ALLIANCE
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
Horse-Riding Coaches: TANAKA Mitsunori, TSUJII Keiji
Conduct Coach: NISHIKAWA Minosuke
Tea Ceremony Coach: SUZUKI Sotaku
Transverse Flute Coach: TOSHA Kisho
Cast
YAMAMOTO Kansuke:
UCHINO Masaaki
TAKEDA Harunobu:
ICHIKAWA Kamejiro
NAGAO Kagetora:
Gackt
Lady SANJO:
IKEWAKI Chizuru
OBU Toramasa:
KANEDA Akio
BABA Nobuharu:
TAKAHASHI Kazuya
HARA Toratane:
SHISHIDO Kai
KAWARAMURA Denbei: ARIZONO Yoshiki
KUZUKASA Takichi: ARIMA Jiyu
TAKEDA Nobushige: KASHIMA Noritoshi
KOMAI Masatake: TAKAHASHI Issei
TAKEDA Yoshinobu: KIMURA Ryo
OBU Masakage: MAEKAWA Yasuyuki
HOJO Shinkuro: SAOTOME Taichi
Ume: FUKUDA Mayuko
SANADA Yukitaka:
SASAKI Kuranosuke
YAZAKI Heizo:
SATO Ryuta
Hisa:
MIZUKAWA Asami
Ritsu:
MAEDA Aki
Shinome:
SHIMIZU Misa
Princess Yu:
SHIBAMOTO Yuki
Emperor Go-Nara:
ICHIKAWA Danshiro
TAKEDA Nobukado: MATSUO Toshinobu
AKIYAMA Nobutomo: ICHINOSE Hidekazu
Okuma: ASADA Aoi
KUZUKASA Mokichi: UCHINO Kenta
IMAGAWA Ujizane: KAZAMA Yujiro
TSUBAKI Nao
UEMURA Yuto
NAKAMURA Asaka
TAKAMUNE Yumi
KADO Naoyuki
Arona
IMAI Taisuke
Imperial Palace Dialect Coach: HORII Reiichi
Kyoto Dialect Coach: INOUE Yukiko
Yamanashi Dialect Coach: KASAI Kazuhiko
Photographed in Cooperation with:
Yamanishi Prefecture
Nagano Prefecture
Niigata Prefecture
Tateshina City in Nagano Prefecture
IMAGAWA Yoshimoto:
TANIHARA Shosuke
HOJO Ujitsuna:
MATSUI Makoto
Hagino:
ASADA Miyoko
AIKI Ichibei:
KONDO Yoshimasa
Shima:
OMORI Akemi
SHIMIZU Yoshimasa:
YOKOCHI Tadashi
MUROZUMI Torasada:
KATO Takeshi
TAIGEN Sufu Sessai:
IBU Masato
Jukei-ni:
FUJIMURA Shiho
Executive Producer:
WAKAIZUMI Hisaaki
Produced by: NAKAMURA Takashi
Art Direction by: ARAI Keiji
Technology: KAWASAKI Kazuhiko
Sound Effects: WADA Naoya
Photography by: ISHIHASHI Masao
Lighting by: IUCHI Minoru
Audio: NOHARA Tsunenori
Image Art: KANEZAWA Masato
Continuity: SATO Hideki
Editor: ABE Tadashi
Art Direction Manager: TAKAHASHI Hideki
Directed by:
OSUGI Taro
After ensuring Harunobu's
safety in Suwa,
Kansuke returned to Kofu.
Hey, I'm home!
Welcome home!
Okuma, did you gain weight?
Miss Ritsu...
Congratulations on your
victory in battle.
What do you think? It's not
a bad matchmaking, is it?
So Kansuke has someone like her...
Kansuke isn't young anymore.
Although he doesn't say anything,
I'm sure he would want a child
to succeed the Yamamoto family.
And I'm sure he would want it
to be his own flesh and blood.
Otherwise, he'll end up
searching for a place to die,
and engross himself
in battles alone.
Yu, will you approve of
Kansuke's marriage?
It is dark. Please leave.
I'll have someone escort you home.
Kansuke, do you dislike me?
It has nothing to do with
liking or disliking you.
I feel uncomfortable having
you serve me saké.
Am I not suitable as your wife?
Miss Ritsu...
Kansuke, why do you remain single?
Please tell me how you feel.
There is no real reason.
This is just my fate.
Please leave.
I will not leave...
for this is my fate.
Is she a nice maiden?
Yes, very nice.
She likes Kansuke.
Where do you see her?
At Sekisui-ji Temple...
Sekisui-ji Temple?
Isn't that where Princess Ogoto is?
Yes.
I see.
I cherish you.
I want you to be by my side always...
No... I cannot join you
in bed tonight...
And not just tonight...
I will never let you go.
You say that to all the women...
I don't have that many.
Why does Miss Ritsu call it fate?
She said you approve of it, too.
Why did you allow her to marry me?
Kansuke, what are you saying?
What's with you? Are you
unhappy with my daughter?
Are you discontent with Ritsu?
No, not at all...
Aren't you the one who is
discontent about it?
Yes, I'm discontent!
Why would I want her to marry
an old man like you!
Old man?
But what can I do, if it is
the lord's order?
It is a direct order from the lord.
The lord ordered that?
He must be concerned about the
future of the Yamamoto family.
Is that why he ordered Miss Ritsu?
Of all things...
SANADA'S RESIDENCE
What's wrong with it? I think
that is very good news.
She's right. You need to start
thinking about an heir.
You are starting rather late.
I have no such desire.
Are you impotent?
It's not that.
Then what are you pondering about?
Go for it, Kansuke!
Sir Aiki.
He really should go for the marriage.
The lord has a son to succeed him.
In Suwa, there's Young Lord Shiro.
Wouldn't it be joyous to have a son
to support those two young lords?
My third son, Gengoro, is serving
the lord as an attendant now.
Due to the increase in my stipend,
the lord wanted a hostage from me.
But he could potentially become
a hereditary general in the future.
That is how a lord and vassal
strengthen their bond with each other
and leave their name in history.
But I have no desire to make
my mark in history.
All I want is for the lord to win,
and to build a good province.
I can think like that,
only because I am single.
If you won't change your mind,
then it's useless to say anymore.
Never mind!
Having a debate over his future,
only makes the saké taste bad.
Let's talk about the battle.
Isn't that what you came for?
Let me get into it then.
What is it?
In preparation for our next battle
with the Nagao family...
Let's make the first move.
First move?
In the previous battle, the Echigo
army occupied Zenko-ji Temple.
They controlled the paths
for retreat and transport...
and managed to invade deep
into our territory.
So we will seal off Zenko-ji Temple.
I've informed Sirs Sanada
and Aiki of my strategy.
They're just waiting for
your order to act.
I understand.
Is that all you want to tell me?
No... another thing...
As for myself...
I am not interested in getting married.
Lord!
What is it?
I have a report from Kasuga Danjo.
Nagao Kagetora is on his way to Kyoto.
Kyoto?
However, it is not for the purpose
of attaining supremacy,
but to thank the Court for
his official appointment.
He's informed the provinces
along the way of his intent,
and it appears carefully planned out.
Just for that, he goes to Kyoto
at a time like this?
And left his home province unguarded?
That is the kind of man he is.
Lord, this might be
our perfect opportunity.
For Zenko-ji Temple?
That, too, but... This is our
time to make an alliance
with the Imagawa and Hojo clans.
A three province alliance?
Yes, indeed.
Shall we rid ourselves of all
domestic anxieties?
It is to our benefit to join
hands with the Hojo,
who is also an enemy of Echigo.
Therefore, we must get the Imagawa
and Hojo to also join hands.
We must work quickly... while Kagetora
is preoccupied with the trip to Kyoto.
KYOTO 1553
In the winter of 1553...
Kagetora fulfilled his long-
cherished dream to go to Kyoto.
At that time, he was granted an
audience with Emperor Go-Nara.
EMPEROR GO-NARA
This is truly an undeserving
honor for me.
Your majesty, at all times...
You shall have my loyalty
and unchanging devotion.
The Emperor gave Kagetora
a private message at that time.
Taira-no-Kagetora, as for your
province and neighboring provinces...
You may punish those who hold
hostility towards you and...
With this, Kagetora was given
unjustifiable sovereignty over Echigo,
and was granted permission to
punish the Hojo and Takeda.
Meanwhile, Harunobu summoned his
key vassals from the castle in Shinano,
and called an emergency war meeting.
Also present was his first son,
who had married the Imagawa princess,
and had gotten a character from
Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru's name,
and was now called Yoshinobu.
TAKEDA YOSHINOBU
Father, what is the three
province alliance about?
The Takeda and Imagawa are
tightly bonded with your marriage.
We're thinking of adding
the Hojo to this pact.
That should eliminate
all our domestic fears.
For the sake of our convenience,
will the Imagawa easily consent
to make peace with the Hojo,
whom they are enemies with?
Just make it a convenient
alliance for the Imagawa, too.
Hear the rest from Kansuke.
The Imagawa are in the midst
of battle right now.
They are being attacked by
Oda Nobunaga in Owari.
Yoshimoto is in Mikawa now for the battle.
For the Imagawa, who aim to
conquer Mikawa and Owari,
the Oda clan are their true foes.
While they are preoccupied with Owari,
the Hojo will attack Suruga soon.
You spurred them into action?
The Imagawa will have to worry
about their backs now.
We will go to battle as the
Imagawa's reinforcements,
and mediate the three
province alliance.
The three province alliance...
is what we are after.
I'll make it happen.
It is a rough strategy, but...
Unless we go that far,
the Imagawa won't budge.
Only the key vassals here
are to know about this plot.
Don't tell anyone about it...
Not even to your wife.
Baba, go back to Fukashi Castle,
and defend Shinano.
You need not go to Suruga for battle.
With the decisive battle
against Echigo looming,
this three province alliance will
serve as a great support to us.
In February of 1554, the Hojo
departed for battle in Suruga.
It has been a few years since the Hojo
and Imagawa last battled each other.
Those damn Hojo...
IMAGAWA'S ARMY, MIKAWA
So they are going to invade our home
province of Suruga, at a time like this...
They're trampling on the peace
treaty we made with them in the past!
Why are they attacking us
at a time like this?
IMAGAWA RESIDENCE, SURUGA
Mother, did you receive
any word from the Takeda?
The Takeda are already in Suruga.
The Hojo have set up camp
at Ukishimagahara,
and the Takeda have set up
camp at Yanagishima.
Ujizane, what have you been doing?!
I put you in charge of defending Suruga.
How could you not be aware
of the Hojo's movements!
Father, that is impossible.
I heard we had made peace with
Hojo Ujiyasu a long time ago.
You can't rely on that
in these turbulent times!
Take the Takeda for example.
They took Suwa, who they made
peace with in the past.
Now, they are trying
to take all of Shinano!
Yoshimoto, calm down.
Do not lose your composure
in front of your vassals.
If you let this battle with the
Hojo get the best of you...
It'll affect the outcome of your
battle with the Oda of Owari as well.
At this point, we'll have to rely on
the Takeda to fight the Hojo.
We can't rely on the Takeda.
If we force a battle with the Hojo, the
Takeda may betray us and switch sides.
What?
The Takeda and Hojo are threatened by
the same enemies in Shinano and Kanto.
Meaning, Echigo province?
Indeed.
I'm sure they would like to join
hands with each other.
This might be their way of
making their point of it.
They want me to acknowledge the
peace treaty between them?
Sessai, are you saying this battle
is part of their strategy?
But there is no way of proving it.
Are the Takeda that shrewd?
We have no choice but
to go along with it.
What do you mean by that, Sessai?
Let them make a mockery of me?
Lord, please be shrewd.
You have to be shrewd here.
If an ordinary peace isn't
reassuring enough, then...
Make it a strong pact, that will
eliminate all future fears.
And if you go to Kyoto first...
You will be the one
to succeed as Shogun.
There is no one more suitable
than the Imagawa for that post.
Once you become Shogun,
the Tortoise from Sagami
and the Monkey from Kai, will be
nothing more than vassals to you.
Fortunately, Sir Ujizane
doesn't have a wife yet.
Have his wife come from the Hojo.
Father, does this concern me, too?
Fool.
TAKEDA'S ARMY, YANAGISHIMA
Lord, Sessai is here.
Sessai, thank you for taking
the trouble to come here.
Thank you for personally
coming out to battle.
I am here as a messenger today.
To shed unnecessary blood is not
beneficial to the three provinces.
Chuang-Tzu said, "Where the bond
of union is its profitableness,
"when the pressure of poverty,
calamity, distress,
"and injury come, the parties
abandon one another."
Those who are joined for their
own interests, will easily abandon
the other, when put to
the test in hardships.
I know.
He also said, "When the bond is
of Heaven's appointment,
"they hold in the same
circumstances to one another."
Those who trust each other
under Heaven's decree,
will help each other
in times of hardships.
Yes. We wish to have a peace treaty,
acceptable under Heaven's decree.
What are you proposing?
Something that will benefit
all three provinces.
FUJI-GUN, SURUGA
With Sessai's mediation,
Harunobu, Ujiyasu, and Yoshimoto
met at Zentoku-ji Temple in Fuji-gun.
This is the infamous peace
meeting at Zentoku-ji Temple.
Sessai stated...
The king of the mountain
is coming here.
The king of the mountain?
What a sharp comment.
If we clear out of Suruga, then
Sagami won't be able to enjoy Fuji.
Just enjoy it fully
as a borrowed scenery.
No one can own Mt. Fuji.
Even we are just enjoying it,
from the outside.
That's an admirable thought.
Or is it...
Ujiyasu, you should be careful.
No one is as sly as Harunobu,
when it comes to gazing at Fuji.
We are all sly in our own way.
If at all possible, I wouldn't want
anyone slyer than us to show up.
True.
I wish that, too.
In that case, we should deepen
our ties and take Heaven's blessings.
The Takeda clan have received
a bride from the Imagawa.
Our peace treaty is based
on that marriage.
This time, I will send my daughter
to the Hojo to seal the pact.
In that case, I will send my daughter
to marry Ujizane, the Imagawa heir.
When all marriages have taken place,
the three province alliance
takes effect.
I pledge to that.
I pledge to it.
Then let it all be said.
Agreed.
In March 1554, the three
province alliance was formed.
Is this one of our strategies?
To remove the misfortunes with
strategy alone, is great arrogance.
That arrogance will eventually
lead to misfortune.
"Good and bad fortune are
next-door neighbors."
You must learn to be modest.
Sessai, what do you consider
as your fortune?
To conquer the country?
No... not to conquer the country,
but to bring peace to it.
To battle for that, is arrogance.
In that case, what are you fighting for?
The lord... Princess Yu and
Young Lord Shiro in Suwa.
No one else?
Yes.
The others fall into the
categories of enemy or ally.
I live for only those three people.
To think you can love someone
to that extent, is arrogance...
If you don't wish for your own
fortune, then it is not arrogance.
A gratuitous love?
Can you, who doesn't serve Buddha,
or have any family...
understand true love?
If restraining one's thought
is considered love, then...
to freely expose one's thought
is also considered love.
What it comes down to is, you are
merely a vassal in delusion.
It turns out we'll have to give up
our young daughter, after all.
This allows us to maintain
our ties with the Imagawa.
As a matter of fact, it has
gotten even stronger.
A daughter of a daimyo lord
has to suffer so, hasn't she?
Lady Sanjo, Young Lord Shinkuro,
the Hojo heir, is intelligent.
I shouldn't say this, but it is
better than going to the Imagawa.
Is the Imagawa heir stupid?
I heard he's into poems.
But that is merely for amusement.
He lives like a noble in Kyoto.
What do you take the
nobles' lifestyle for?
I wasn't calling the nobles stupid.
I don't care if he's stupid...
as long as he takes care of her.
DECEMBER, 1554
The wedding day of the Takeda
princess, Ume, arrived.
Ume!
Lady Sanjo!
Stop it.
Stop it... stop it!
What's wrong?
Our 12-year-old daughter is going to
another province against her own will...
Won't you at least allow me
to part with her in tears?
It'll only make it harder on Ume.
Ume, I, your mother, understand
your feelings very well.
Weren't you crying in secret last night?
Mother...
That's enough. Break it up.
Don't make her any sadder.
I am sad, too.
And you call yourself a mother?
Lord...
Stop acting unsightly in front
of the vassals!
Please overlook it...
Please!
Ume, you must bear it now.
You have no home to return to.
The day you are sent back here,
is when misfortune will come
to Father and the Takeda.
No matter how trying it is,
you must be strong and bear it.
No one here wishes
for your unhappiness.
You must believe that and bear it.
And if you can't bear it any longer...
Die courageously.
I will follow you in death.
I will not let you be alone.
I will be with you.
Do you understand?
Mother...
This is true love.
I can't expose my feelings like her...
Princess.
Princess!
Episode 40:
THREE PROVINCE ALLIANCE
The End
PREVIEW OF NEXT EPISODE
Episode 41: THE PRINCESS' DEATH
Fuji City in Shizuoka Prefecture
extends east of Fuji-gawa River.
Zentoku-ji Park is where
Zentoku-ji Temple stood,
in which the three province
alliance was established.
Takeda Harunobu of Kai...
Imagawa Yoshimoto of Suruga...
Hojo Ujiyasu of Sagami...
This is where the three men met.
The man who mediated the meeting was
Sessai, Imagawa Yoshimoto's strategist.
Sessai was born in present-day
Shimizu-ku, in Shizuoka City.
Seiken-ji Temple flourished with the
support of the Ashikaga Shogunate.
Sessai rebuilt the temple
that was destroyed in battles.
Sessai exhibited his abilities
in politics, military, and diplomacy.
He supported the Imagawa
as their military strategist.
the Takeda army confronted the
Echigo army led by Nagao Kagetora
for the first time at Kawanakajima.
However, without any actual fighting,
the battle came to a conclusion.
On September 20, Kagetora, who
had a trip scheduled to Kyoto,
withdrew his army.
In October, Harunobu
returned to Suwa.
Which means, Nagao Kagetora may
invade Shinano again anytime.
That's true.
But there's something that
bothers me more than that.
It is the reason why I came
to confide in you.
In me? Is it about a battle?
No... it has to do with Kansuke.
Kansuke?
"Swift as the wind"
"Silent as the forest"
"Conquer like the fire"
"Unmovable as the mountain"
{\fs40}FURIN KAZAN
Episode 40:
THREE PROVINCE ALLIANCE
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
Horse-Riding Coaches: TANAKA Mitsunori, TSUJII Keiji
Conduct Coach: NISHIKAWA Minosuke
Tea Ceremony Coach: SUZUKI Sotaku
Transverse Flute Coach: TOSHA Kisho
Cast
YAMAMOTO Kansuke:
UCHINO Masaaki
TAKEDA Harunobu:
ICHIKAWA Kamejiro
NAGAO Kagetora:
Gackt
Lady SANJO:
IKEWAKI Chizuru
OBU Toramasa:
KANEDA Akio
BABA Nobuharu:
TAKAHASHI Kazuya
HARA Toratane:
SHISHIDO Kai
KAWARAMURA Denbei: ARIZONO Yoshiki
KUZUKASA Takichi: ARIMA Jiyu
TAKEDA Nobushige: KASHIMA Noritoshi
KOMAI Masatake: TAKAHASHI Issei
TAKEDA Yoshinobu: KIMURA Ryo
OBU Masakage: MAEKAWA Yasuyuki
HOJO Shinkuro: SAOTOME Taichi
Ume: FUKUDA Mayuko
SANADA Yukitaka:
SASAKI Kuranosuke
YAZAKI Heizo:
SATO Ryuta
Hisa:
MIZUKAWA Asami
Ritsu:
MAEDA Aki
Shinome:
SHIMIZU Misa
Princess Yu:
SHIBAMOTO Yuki
Emperor Go-Nara:
ICHIKAWA Danshiro
TAKEDA Nobukado: MATSUO Toshinobu
AKIYAMA Nobutomo: ICHINOSE Hidekazu
Okuma: ASADA Aoi
KUZUKASA Mokichi: UCHINO Kenta
IMAGAWA Ujizane: KAZAMA Yujiro
TSUBAKI Nao
UEMURA Yuto
NAKAMURA Asaka
TAKAMUNE Yumi
KADO Naoyuki
Arona
IMAI Taisuke
Imperial Palace Dialect Coach: HORII Reiichi
Kyoto Dialect Coach: INOUE Yukiko
Yamanashi Dialect Coach: KASAI Kazuhiko
Photographed in Cooperation with:
Yamanishi Prefecture
Nagano Prefecture
Niigata Prefecture
Tateshina City in Nagano Prefecture
IMAGAWA Yoshimoto:
TANIHARA Shosuke
HOJO Ujitsuna:
MATSUI Makoto
Hagino:
ASADA Miyoko
AIKI Ichibei:
KONDO Yoshimasa
Shima:
OMORI Akemi
SHIMIZU Yoshimasa:
YOKOCHI Tadashi
MUROZUMI Torasada:
KATO Takeshi
TAIGEN Sufu Sessai:
IBU Masato
Jukei-ni:
FUJIMURA Shiho
Executive Producer:
WAKAIZUMI Hisaaki
Produced by: NAKAMURA Takashi
Art Direction by: ARAI Keiji
Technology: KAWASAKI Kazuhiko
Sound Effects: WADA Naoya
Photography by: ISHIHASHI Masao
Lighting by: IUCHI Minoru
Audio: NOHARA Tsunenori
Image Art: KANEZAWA Masato
Continuity: SATO Hideki
Editor: ABE Tadashi
Art Direction Manager: TAKAHASHI Hideki
Directed by:
OSUGI Taro
After ensuring Harunobu's
safety in Suwa,
Kansuke returned to Kofu.
Hey, I'm home!
Welcome home!
Okuma, did you gain weight?
Miss Ritsu...
Congratulations on your
victory in battle.
What do you think? It's not
a bad matchmaking, is it?
So Kansuke has someone like her...
Kansuke isn't young anymore.
Although he doesn't say anything,
I'm sure he would want a child
to succeed the Yamamoto family.
And I'm sure he would want it
to be his own flesh and blood.
Otherwise, he'll end up
searching for a place to die,
and engross himself
in battles alone.
Yu, will you approve of
Kansuke's marriage?
It is dark. Please leave.
I'll have someone escort you home.
Kansuke, do you dislike me?
It has nothing to do with
liking or disliking you.
I feel uncomfortable having
you serve me saké.
Am I not suitable as your wife?
Miss Ritsu...
Kansuke, why do you remain single?
Please tell me how you feel.
There is no real reason.
This is just my fate.
Please leave.
I will not leave...
for this is my fate.
Is she a nice maiden?
Yes, very nice.
She likes Kansuke.
Where do you see her?
At Sekisui-ji Temple...
Sekisui-ji Temple?
Isn't that where Princess Ogoto is?
Yes.
I see.
I cherish you.
I want you to be by my side always...
No... I cannot join you
in bed tonight...
And not just tonight...
I will never let you go.
You say that to all the women...
I don't have that many.
Why does Miss Ritsu call it fate?
She said you approve of it, too.
Why did you allow her to marry me?
Kansuke, what are you saying?
What's with you? Are you
unhappy with my daughter?
Are you discontent with Ritsu?
No, not at all...
Aren't you the one who is
discontent about it?
Yes, I'm discontent!
Why would I want her to marry
an old man like you!
Old man?
But what can I do, if it is
the lord's order?
It is a direct order from the lord.
The lord ordered that?
He must be concerned about the
future of the Yamamoto family.
Is that why he ordered Miss Ritsu?
Of all things...
SANADA'S RESIDENCE
What's wrong with it? I think
that is very good news.
She's right. You need to start
thinking about an heir.
You are starting rather late.
I have no such desire.
Are you impotent?
It's not that.
Then what are you pondering about?
Go for it, Kansuke!
Sir Aiki.
He really should go for the marriage.
The lord has a son to succeed him.
In Suwa, there's Young Lord Shiro.
Wouldn't it be joyous to have a son
to support those two young lords?
My third son, Gengoro, is serving
the lord as an attendant now.
Due to the increase in my stipend,
the lord wanted a hostage from me.
But he could potentially become
a hereditary general in the future.
That is how a lord and vassal
strengthen their bond with each other
and leave their name in history.
But I have no desire to make
my mark in history.
All I want is for the lord to win,
and to build a good province.
I can think like that,
only because I am single.
If you won't change your mind,
then it's useless to say anymore.
Never mind!
Having a debate over his future,
only makes the saké taste bad.
Let's talk about the battle.
Isn't that what you came for?
Let me get into it then.
What is it?
In preparation for our next battle
with the Nagao family...
Let's make the first move.
First move?
In the previous battle, the Echigo
army occupied Zenko-ji Temple.
They controlled the paths
for retreat and transport...
and managed to invade deep
into our territory.
So we will seal off Zenko-ji Temple.
I've informed Sirs Sanada
and Aiki of my strategy.
They're just waiting for
your order to act.
I understand.
Is that all you want to tell me?
No... another thing...
As for myself...
I am not interested in getting married.
Lord!
What is it?
I have a report from Kasuga Danjo.
Nagao Kagetora is on his way to Kyoto.
Kyoto?
However, it is not for the purpose
of attaining supremacy,
but to thank the Court for
his official appointment.
He's informed the provinces
along the way of his intent,
and it appears carefully planned out.
Just for that, he goes to Kyoto
at a time like this?
And left his home province unguarded?
That is the kind of man he is.
Lord, this might be
our perfect opportunity.
For Zenko-ji Temple?
That, too, but... This is our
time to make an alliance
with the Imagawa and Hojo clans.
A three province alliance?
Yes, indeed.
Shall we rid ourselves of all
domestic anxieties?
It is to our benefit to join
hands with the Hojo,
who is also an enemy of Echigo.
Therefore, we must get the Imagawa
and Hojo to also join hands.
We must work quickly... while Kagetora
is preoccupied with the trip to Kyoto.
KYOTO 1553
In the winter of 1553...
Kagetora fulfilled his long-
cherished dream to go to Kyoto.
At that time, he was granted an
audience with Emperor Go-Nara.
EMPEROR GO-NARA
This is truly an undeserving
honor for me.
Your majesty, at all times...
You shall have my loyalty
and unchanging devotion.
The Emperor gave Kagetora
a private message at that time.
Taira-no-Kagetora, as for your
province and neighboring provinces...
You may punish those who hold
hostility towards you and...
With this, Kagetora was given
unjustifiable sovereignty over Echigo,
and was granted permission to
punish the Hojo and Takeda.
Meanwhile, Harunobu summoned his
key vassals from the castle in Shinano,
and called an emergency war meeting.
Also present was his first son,
who had married the Imagawa princess,
and had gotten a character from
Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru's name,
and was now called Yoshinobu.
TAKEDA YOSHINOBU
Father, what is the three
province alliance about?
The Takeda and Imagawa are
tightly bonded with your marriage.
We're thinking of adding
the Hojo to this pact.
That should eliminate
all our domestic fears.
For the sake of our convenience,
will the Imagawa easily consent
to make peace with the Hojo,
whom they are enemies with?
Just make it a convenient
alliance for the Imagawa, too.
Hear the rest from Kansuke.
The Imagawa are in the midst
of battle right now.
They are being attacked by
Oda Nobunaga in Owari.
Yoshimoto is in Mikawa now for the battle.
For the Imagawa, who aim to
conquer Mikawa and Owari,
the Oda clan are their true foes.
While they are preoccupied with Owari,
the Hojo will attack Suruga soon.
You spurred them into action?
The Imagawa will have to worry
about their backs now.
We will go to battle as the
Imagawa's reinforcements,
and mediate the three
province alliance.
The three province alliance...
is what we are after.
I'll make it happen.
It is a rough strategy, but...
Unless we go that far,
the Imagawa won't budge.
Only the key vassals here
are to know about this plot.
Don't tell anyone about it...
Not even to your wife.
Baba, go back to Fukashi Castle,
and defend Shinano.
You need not go to Suruga for battle.
With the decisive battle
against Echigo looming,
this three province alliance will
serve as a great support to us.
In February of 1554, the Hojo
departed for battle in Suruga.
It has been a few years since the Hojo
and Imagawa last battled each other.
Those damn Hojo...
IMAGAWA'S ARMY, MIKAWA
So they are going to invade our home
province of Suruga, at a time like this...
They're trampling on the peace
treaty we made with them in the past!
Why are they attacking us
at a time like this?
IMAGAWA RESIDENCE, SURUGA
Mother, did you receive
any word from the Takeda?
The Takeda are already in Suruga.
The Hojo have set up camp
at Ukishimagahara,
and the Takeda have set up
camp at Yanagishima.
Ujizane, what have you been doing?!
I put you in charge of defending Suruga.
How could you not be aware
of the Hojo's movements!
Father, that is impossible.
I heard we had made peace with
Hojo Ujiyasu a long time ago.
You can't rely on that
in these turbulent times!
Take the Takeda for example.
They took Suwa, who they made
peace with in the past.
Now, they are trying
to take all of Shinano!
Yoshimoto, calm down.
Do not lose your composure
in front of your vassals.
If you let this battle with the
Hojo get the best of you...
It'll affect the outcome of your
battle with the Oda of Owari as well.
At this point, we'll have to rely on
the Takeda to fight the Hojo.
We can't rely on the Takeda.
If we force a battle with the Hojo, the
Takeda may betray us and switch sides.
What?
The Takeda and Hojo are threatened by
the same enemies in Shinano and Kanto.
Meaning, Echigo province?
Indeed.
I'm sure they would like to join
hands with each other.
This might be their way of
making their point of it.
They want me to acknowledge the
peace treaty between them?
Sessai, are you saying this battle
is part of their strategy?
But there is no way of proving it.
Are the Takeda that shrewd?
We have no choice but
to go along with it.
What do you mean by that, Sessai?
Let them make a mockery of me?
Lord, please be shrewd.
You have to be shrewd here.
If an ordinary peace isn't
reassuring enough, then...
Make it a strong pact, that will
eliminate all future fears.
And if you go to Kyoto first...
You will be the one
to succeed as Shogun.
There is no one more suitable
than the Imagawa for that post.
Once you become Shogun,
the Tortoise from Sagami
and the Monkey from Kai, will be
nothing more than vassals to you.
Fortunately, Sir Ujizane
doesn't have a wife yet.
Have his wife come from the Hojo.
Father, does this concern me, too?
Fool.
TAKEDA'S ARMY, YANAGISHIMA
Lord, Sessai is here.
Sessai, thank you for taking
the trouble to come here.
Thank you for personally
coming out to battle.
I am here as a messenger today.
To shed unnecessary blood is not
beneficial to the three provinces.
Chuang-Tzu said, "Where the bond
of union is its profitableness,
"when the pressure of poverty,
calamity, distress,
"and injury come, the parties
abandon one another."
Those who are joined for their
own interests, will easily abandon
the other, when put to
the test in hardships.
I know.
He also said, "When the bond is
of Heaven's appointment,
"they hold in the same
circumstances to one another."
Those who trust each other
under Heaven's decree,
will help each other
in times of hardships.
Yes. We wish to have a peace treaty,
acceptable under Heaven's decree.
What are you proposing?
Something that will benefit
all three provinces.
FUJI-GUN, SURUGA
With Sessai's mediation,
Harunobu, Ujiyasu, and Yoshimoto
met at Zentoku-ji Temple in Fuji-gun.
This is the infamous peace
meeting at Zentoku-ji Temple.
Sessai stated...
The king of the mountain
is coming here.
The king of the mountain?
What a sharp comment.
If we clear out of Suruga, then
Sagami won't be able to enjoy Fuji.
Just enjoy it fully
as a borrowed scenery.
No one can own Mt. Fuji.
Even we are just enjoying it,
from the outside.
That's an admirable thought.
Or is it...
Ujiyasu, you should be careful.
No one is as sly as Harunobu,
when it comes to gazing at Fuji.
We are all sly in our own way.
If at all possible, I wouldn't want
anyone slyer than us to show up.
True.
I wish that, too.
In that case, we should deepen
our ties and take Heaven's blessings.
The Takeda clan have received
a bride from the Imagawa.
Our peace treaty is based
on that marriage.
This time, I will send my daughter
to the Hojo to seal the pact.
In that case, I will send my daughter
to marry Ujizane, the Imagawa heir.
When all marriages have taken place,
the three province alliance
takes effect.
I pledge to that.
I pledge to it.
Then let it all be said.
Agreed.
In March 1554, the three
province alliance was formed.
Is this one of our strategies?
To remove the misfortunes with
strategy alone, is great arrogance.
That arrogance will eventually
lead to misfortune.
"Good and bad fortune are
next-door neighbors."
You must learn to be modest.
Sessai, what do you consider
as your fortune?
To conquer the country?
No... not to conquer the country,
but to bring peace to it.
To battle for that, is arrogance.
In that case, what are you fighting for?
The lord... Princess Yu and
Young Lord Shiro in Suwa.
No one else?
Yes.
The others fall into the
categories of enemy or ally.
I live for only those three people.
To think you can love someone
to that extent, is arrogance...
If you don't wish for your own
fortune, then it is not arrogance.
A gratuitous love?
Can you, who doesn't serve Buddha,
or have any family...
understand true love?
If restraining one's thought
is considered love, then...
to freely expose one's thought
is also considered love.
What it comes down to is, you are
merely a vassal in delusion.
It turns out we'll have to give up
our young daughter, after all.
This allows us to maintain
our ties with the Imagawa.
As a matter of fact, it has
gotten even stronger.
A daughter of a daimyo lord
has to suffer so, hasn't she?
Lady Sanjo, Young Lord Shinkuro,
the Hojo heir, is intelligent.
I shouldn't say this, but it is
better than going to the Imagawa.
Is the Imagawa heir stupid?
I heard he's into poems.
But that is merely for amusement.
He lives like a noble in Kyoto.
What do you take the
nobles' lifestyle for?
I wasn't calling the nobles stupid.
I don't care if he's stupid...
as long as he takes care of her.
DECEMBER, 1554
The wedding day of the Takeda
princess, Ume, arrived.
Ume!
Lady Sanjo!
Stop it.
Stop it... stop it!
What's wrong?
Our 12-year-old daughter is going to
another province against her own will...
Won't you at least allow me
to part with her in tears?
It'll only make it harder on Ume.
Ume, I, your mother, understand
your feelings very well.
Weren't you crying in secret last night?
Mother...
That's enough. Break it up.
Don't make her any sadder.
I am sad, too.
And you call yourself a mother?
Lord...
Stop acting unsightly in front
of the vassals!
Please overlook it...
Please!
Ume, you must bear it now.
You have no home to return to.
The day you are sent back here,
is when misfortune will come
to Father and the Takeda.
No matter how trying it is,
you must be strong and bear it.
No one here wishes
for your unhappiness.
You must believe that and bear it.
And if you can't bear it any longer...
Die courageously.
I will follow you in death.
I will not let you be alone.
I will be with you.
Do you understand?
Mother...
This is true love.
I can't expose my feelings like her...
Princess.
Princess!
Episode 40:
THREE PROVINCE ALLIANCE
The End
PREVIEW OF NEXT EPISODE
Episode 41: THE PRINCESS' DEATH
Fuji City in Shizuoka Prefecture
extends east of Fuji-gawa River.
Zentoku-ji Park is where
Zentoku-ji Temple stood,
in which the three province
alliance was established.
Takeda Harunobu of Kai...
Imagawa Yoshimoto of Suruga...
Hojo Ujiyasu of Sagami...
This is where the three men met.
The man who mediated the meeting was
Sessai, Imagawa Yoshimoto's strategist.
Sessai was born in present-day
Shimizu-ku, in Shizuoka City.
Seiken-ji Temple flourished with the
support of the Ashikaga Shogunate.
Sessai rebuilt the temple
that was destroyed in battles.
Sessai exhibited his abilities
in politics, military, and diplomacy.
He supported the Imagawa
as their military strategist.