Your observation of Shirakawa and Nihonmatsu...
was detailed and useful.
Yes, sir.
It's a great idea to build a reberberatory at Mt. Seaburi.
But that won't happen right away.
Aizu overspent in Kyoto.
Our finances are tight. You should know that.
It's an order to kill Yoshinobu.
The imperial order to punish Kyoto Deputy Katamori...
and the Military Commissioner will be issued at the same time.
Fall of 1867...
Saigo of Satsuma joined hands with Iwakura...
to overthrow the Shogunate government.
What is he proposing?
He's advising me (Yoshinobu) to return power to the Emperor.
I'm thinking of doing as he says.
I'll return power to the Emperor.
By returning power to the Emperor,
Yoshinobu attempted to preserve the Tokugawa.
Return power to the Emperor?
It's already been decided.
Will the Shogunate be gone?
His Excellency is accepting the Tosa clan's advice.
That's absurd!
It must be some kind of ploy.
Don't fall for it now!
But what Goto says makes sense.
But...!
The lord has returned from the castle.
Lord...!
I heard a Tosa man came.
Yes!
He remarked about a petition to return power to the Emperor.
His Excellency must be furious.
No. He's going to accept Tosa clan's petition.
He plans to return power to the Emperor.
Why should he do that?
What will become of the Shogunate and the Tokugawa?
The Tokugawa will become just one of the clans.
If I may speak...the Shogun is being deceived.
That will overturn the country! It's disloyal not to stop him!
Settle down!
For the sake of the country...
the Shogun has made this wise decision.
YAE NO SAKURA
Episode 19: Yoshinobu's Miscalculation
Screenplay: Yamamoto Mutsumi
Theme Music: Sakamoto Ryuichi Music: Nakajima Nobuyuki
Narrator: Kusabue Mitsuko
Kawasaki Yae: Ayase Haruka
Yamamoto Kakuma: Nishijima Hidetoshi
Kawasaki Shonosuke: Hasegawa Hiroki
Yamamoto Saku: Fubuki Jun
Yamamoto Gonpachi: Matsushige Yutaka
Yamamoto Ura: Hasegawa Kyoko
Yamakawa Okura: Tamayama Tetsuji
Hinata Yuki: Gouriki Ayame
Matsudaira Katamori: Ayano Go
Nakano Takeko: Kuroki Meisa
Saigo Chie: Miyaki Yoshiko
Tokugawa Yoshinobu: Koizumi Kotaro
Sagawa Kanbei: Nakamura Shido
Saito Hajime: Furuya Kenji
Jinbo Shuri: Saito Takumi
Akizuki Teijiro: Kitamura Yukiya
Hirosawa Tomijiro: Okada Yoshinori
Kurokouchi Dengoro: Musaka Naomasa
Okubo Ichizo: Tokushige Satoshi
Kido Takayoshi: Oikawa Mitsuhiro
Iwakura Tomomi: Kosakai Kazuki
Jinbo Kuranosuke: Tsukayama Masane
Tanaka Tosa: Sato Bsaku
Hayashi Gonsuke: Kazama Morio
Itagaki Taisuke: Kato Masaya
Saigo Kichinosuke: Kikkawa Koji
Oyama Yasuke: Sorimachi Takashi
Matsudaira Shungaku: Murakami Hiroaki
Saigo Tanomo: Nishida Toshiyuki
Executive Producer: Naito Shinsuke
Translations by MTI
Director: Suenaga So
Tug in your arms.
Hold steady.
Yes.
Bull's eye again!
It's my turn next.
Rifles are fun after all.
Much more fun than studying!
This isn't just fun and games!
Rifles are weapons that take lives!
You need readiness, not just form, to handle them.
Yes.
Shoot lying down next.
Yes.
Teijiro, your hair gets in the way.
Let me cut it for you.
Will cutting my hair improve my shooting?
If you can move easily, your skills will improve.
Please cut mine too.
What are you doing?
What have you done?!
You mustn't cut a boy's hair on your own.
I'm sorry!
What if people laugh at him for that strange haircut?
I was thinking of him as Saburo.
I feel bad.
Should you even be teaching them in the first place?
They're too young to be shooting rifles.
In Nihonmatsu, younger boys were already practicing.
In times of crisis, it's better to know how to use it
to protect yourself.
Yae...
Yes.
What do you think will happen to Aizu?
Well...
On October 15, 1867...
Tokugawa Yoshinobu returned power to the Emperor.
Satsuma and Choshu had lost their cause to overthrow the Shogunate.
I have the Imperial order to punish Yoshinobu.
That's a false order.
If we publicize that, our heads will fly.
It doesn't matter if it's a false order.
What?
I'll take this back to Satsuma...
and prepare for war.
What are you saying?
This will unify Satsuma to rise and overthrow the Shogunate.
The purpose of this order will be met.
It's a challenge we must see through.
Sir Iwakura, please be prepared.
Fine!
If Satsuma dispatches troops...
it'll immobilize Yoshinobu.
In the meantime, we'll proceed with our plans.
We'll restore Imperial rule.
RESTORATION OF IMPERIAL RULE
The Court will administer government?
No..it's nothing like that.
Japan will revert back to Emperor Jimmu's era.
Going back 2,500 years...
the Tokugawa's 300 years can be easily blown away.
We'll vacate the Empire and rebuild.
Yes.
The Court will be ordering the clan lords to report to Kyoto.
Political decisions will be made by consensus.
I doubt Satsuma will lay low until the clan lords gather.
The Shogunate side is on the verge of exploding.
If the two sides clash, a war may start.
Is it really to unify the country?
I think it's risky too.
Lord...?
But power has been returned to the Emperor.
It's too late to question it.
I'm sending a messenger to Aizu.
When the time comes, one councilor will stay back...
and the rest will prepare to report here in Kyoto.
That is...!
Are we rising in arms?
AIZU
Return power to the Emperor?
What does that mean?
The Shogunate government returned power to the Court.
The Tokugawa were acting on their behalf until now?
The Court entrusted power to the Shogunate to govern.
Now that the Shogun resigned, who does Aizu swerve?
What's going to happen?
It'll either be settled amicably...
or a decisive war will occur.
But there is no need to panic.
As Aizu clansmen, we will just follow orders.
Yes.
Sorry for the trouble.
It must be tiring going back and forth.
Not at all. It's quiet here, so it's nice and relaxing.
It's noisy at the mansion with all the in-laws there...
and my daughter.
There you go again.
Have you heard about the situation in Kyoto?
Yes.
I heard the Shogun returned power to the Emperor.
The lord sent me a letter regarding that.
What did the Lord say?
Should war break out in Kyoto...
be prepared to rise in arms.
For the clan to rise in arms?
That is outrageous.
Satsuma has momentum with Choshu's backing.
The way things are looking... it is possible to have a war.
Is the lord planning to fight Satsuma?
They're instigating it.
We can't let them crush us.
No...
there's a way to avoid war.
Before the Choshu return...
we clear out of Kyoto.
What do you say?
Our Lord Matsudaira Katamori...
was appointed Kyoto Deputy by the Shogunate.
Now that the Shogunate has returned power to the Emperor...
his duties as Kyoto Deputy should be gone also.
Everyone should return to Aizu as soon as possible.
Satsuma and Choshu won't pursue us here.
That might be the right path to take.
However, Tanomo...
What?
That sound argument isn't acceptable in Kyoto.
How far can you see now?
It varies by the day.
Kakuma...
How about moving to my lodgings?
Let Hirosawa have the Western school lodging...
and stay here instead.
It's dangerous to walk the Kyoto streets with those eyes.
Stay near me.
At least until things settle down in Kyoto.
Sir Hayashi...
It must be old age. I feel lonely by myself.
To be honest, I'd like a pretty woman by my side.
Thank you for your kind consideration.
But as long as I can see, I'll be at the Western school.
I can't shoot rifles with my bad vision...
but I can still teach.
I can be of some help to Aizu.
I have no choice but to continue my lonely life then.
I'll come occasionally to keep you company.
Don't be hasty Kakuma.
There are things you can do.
I have high hopes for you.
Yes sir.
Sir Shonosuke?
Is that a reverberatory (furnace)?
Sir Kayano summoned me today.
The councilor?
He wanted more details on the reverberatory furnace on Mt. Seaburi.
He apparently received some kind of order from Kyoto.
The higher-ups seem tense.
I wonder what happened.
Cowards.
What do you mean?
The Shogunate dogs have reverted back to stray dogs (ronin).
What did you say?
Hey! Stop!
Hey!
I said stop!
Stay out of this.
Stop!
Sheathe your swords.
Satsuma men, please withdraw.
Sheathe your swords!
We'll meet on the battlefield.
I'll remember your face.
Let's go!
Hey!
Refrain from petty quarrels.
Your duty is to guard the city.
I'm well aware of that.
But can you keep us in line?
What?
We're all agitated.
What was the purpose of all the bloodshed so far?
The head of the Samurai can't be relied upon.
Isn't he with Aizu?
How long will they be so pushy?
Sir!
You have a guest.
Guest? From which clan?
I don't know. The red dappled kimono looks nice.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Isn't anyone here?
Welcome back. Are you Sir Yamamoto?
Yes. What are you doing here?
I was cleaning while I was waiting.
Who are you?
I'm Oda Tokie. Master Ogakiya sent me.
What does Ogakiya want?
He instructed me to take care of you.
I wasn't informed of this.
He said if you knew you would reject his offer,
so I should just come in.
You know about my eyes?
Yes.
I know how to take care of myself without help.
Go home.
This isn't a child errand. I can't just go home.
What a stubborn woman.
SMITH & WESSON ARMY MODEL 2 REVOLVER (5" BARREL WITH .32 RIMFIRE BULLETS)
There are young men here.
I don't need a woman's help.
I'll do that.
Is this Aizu's western school?
It's a strange place.
Who are you men?
Here...you dropped this.
He can't see.
What do you men want?
How long do you plan to stay in Kyoto?
Yoshinobu abandoned rule.
Aizu will soon be gone, too.
What?!
This school won't be needed.
What are you doing?!
Can you see the sword?
Look here! Look here!
Stop it!
If you come any closer... I will shoot.
It's an empty threat.
A woman can't shoot!
Hey! It's all right to miss once or twice!
You have six shots.
I won't even miss once!
Shoot the man on the right.
I will slay the other.
Yes!
Let's go!
Fools!
Are you all right?
Yes.
Do you know how to use a revolver?
I was just desperate.
You've got guts.
Hey...aren't you glad they didn't notice?
What?
There is no bullet!
Where do you live? Are you commuting daily?
Yes.
You can start tomorrow.
Yes sir!
NOVEMBER 18, 1867
Meanwhile, the secret order to overthrow the Shogunate NOVEMBER 18, 1867
spurred Satsuma to action. NOVEMBER 18, 1867
Saigo Kichinosuke: Our Satsuma army numbering 3,000 will enter Osaka
Choshu Mitajiri: We Choshu will join you and head to Nishinomiya
Let's crush the Tokugawa.
Our lords have met...
and the Satsuma-Choshu alliance is now in effect.
Our concern is Tosa's movement.
Once we move, Inui Taisuke and others will rise.
Tosa will eventually join us.
Meanwhile, in Tosa...
What? Ryoma and Nakaoka? INUI TAISUKE'S MANSION, TOSA
They were attacked at Omi-ya in Kawaramachi on the 15th.
Why...
Won't Tosa rise, even with that provocation?
KUROKOUCHI PRACTICE HALL, AIZU
Match met!
Stop!
Who won?
Looked like a draw.
Yae won!
I have lost.
There are more people coming to practice lately.
At time like this, even women have a desire to do something.
What's happening in Kyoto?
Have you heard from Kakuma?
He must be busy. He hasn't written lately.
I haven't heard from my husband either.
Yae-sama
You beat me today.
You were great.
Not at all. I finally got one victory from you.
I was lacking. I'll train even harder from now.
Takeko-sama!
Yes?
Please come to our shop one day.
I'll show you my shooting.
I want you to see that the rifles do contain Aizu spirit.
On November 23, 1867, Satsuma advanced 3,000 troops
to Shokoku-ji, North of the Imperial Palace, to protect their lord.
Soon after...
DECEMBER 8, 1867
Your Excellency, it is time for the morning conference.
Please get ready.
I have a cold.
I'm not attending.
Send word to the Kyoto Deputy to be sick and not to attend.
Yes, sir.
If we carelessly appear there, we may be harmed by Satsuma.
Why is he telling you not to attend?
Satsuma is at Shokoku-ji North of the Imperial Palace.
If we go there, they may move too.
But if they discuss Choshu during your absence...
something bad may happen.
We can only follow the Shogun's decision.
IMPERIAL PALACE
That day, the conference lasted until late at night.
The Choshu lord and his son's status were restored.
The following morning... YAMAUCHI YODO (TOSA CLAN)
Satsuma is at the Imperial Palace?
DECEMBER 9
What is happening at the Palace?
At Hamaguri Gate...
the guards are instructed to sally out as ordered.
No!
Tell them to withdraw at once from the gate.
But...!
No fighting at the Palace!
Why, this is...!
August, four years ago...
It's like the time when we chased Choshu out.
Behind the closed palace gate...
Iwakura Tomomi, who was in a long confinement,
appeared with a document to restore Imperial rule.
The document to restore Imperial rule was read aloud.
The Regent and Shogunate positions were abolished.
It was announced that the government would be run
by the minister, council and floor participation.
What's happening at the Palace?
Lords Shimazu (Satsuma) and Yodo (Tosa) went to the Palace...
but nothing is known.
Satsuma and Tosa were summoned,
so why were the Shogun and our lord kept away?
Damn them! Depending on the circumstances...
The new government's first meeting was held at the Palace.
Why isn't Lord Yoshinobu here?
He, voluntarily returning power to the Emperor...
display his loyalty to the Court.
Yoshinobu cannot be trusted.
He's guilty of misadministration.
If he has any sincerity...
he should return his court title and fiefs to the Court.
Return his fiefs? That's outrageous.
To remove him from this conference...
and convicted him is underhanded!
You're taking advantage of the Emperor's young age
to take control of the country.
How disrespectful!
We are acting entirely on His Majesty's will.
Wait.
What Lord Yodo said was inappropriate...
but I too, think the severe punishment on the Tokugawa...
is improper.
Has the punishment for the Tokugawa been decided?
Lord Yodo (Tosa) voiced his opposition and won't budge.
That's not good!
Brother, what shall we do?
Please relay to Sir Iwakura...
that it is not a problem.
A sword is all it takes to settle this.
Saigo's fierce spirit to kill anyone blocking his way...
suppressed Yodo.
Yoshinobu's court title was reduced by one rank...
and his stipend was halved to two million koku.
The Tokugawa's reign was overturned in a day.
Stop!
Move! We're getting the lord's permission to rise in arms!
Satsuma won't get away with such outrage!
Sir Hayashi!
The Choshu army is heading for Kyoto!
Don't cause a riot now!
I'm telling you to move!
Out of our way!
Let me through!
I should have attended that conference.
Your Excellency.
No... there are measures we can take.
How do we recover?
You must not attack the Palace!
To give in will be a disgrace!
Choshu has entered the Palace!
They are coming in waves!
Choshu was behind it after all!
Damn them!
Bessengumi, prepare for war!
Men!
Lord Yoshinobu is leading his army to Osaka Castle.
Our Lord is accompanying him.
What? Is he planning to flee from Kyoto?
We won't let him drag our Lord down with him!
Sir Sagawa! Please wait!
Have you turned into a coward, Kakuma?
Out of my way!
A war was about to commence.
END OF EPISODE 19
To wake this country from her 260 years of sleep...
will require bloodshed.
Don't fall for Satsuma's threats.
Unless I crush Satsuma, their anger will be directed at me.
You and I may use different weapons, but...
we share the same feelings.
Firing up that monster Saigo...
was my mistake.
Give it to me!
You can't shoot!
Stop...the ending destination for this war is hell.