In January of 1868....
The Imperial flag was hoisted at Toba-Fushimi.
Soon after, Tokugawa Yoshinobu fled to Edo with Katamori.
Accepting the anger of the abandoned Aizu clansmen,
Shinbo Shuri was driven to suicide.
Meanwhile, in order to learn modern tactics...
Shonosuke was in Edo.
The Lord is ready to depart.
On February 16, 1868...
Katamori left Edo quietly with a small entourage.
I am returning to Aizu now.
Please arrange the withdrawal from Edo.
Having left you behind in Osaka...
makes me truly ashamed.
I'll be going now.
Garde-a-vous (Attention)!
Attention!
Saluez (Salute)!
Since being appointed as the Kyoto Deputy...
Katamori had not returned home for five years.
YAE no SAKURA
Episode 22: Avenging My Brother
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
Takagi Tokio: Kanjiya Shihori
Matsudaira Katamori: Ayano Go
Nakano Takeko: Kuroki Meisa
Yamakawa Hyoue: Yamamoto Kei
Yamakawa En: Akiyoshi Kumiko
Sagawa Kanbei: Nakamura Shido
Saito Hajime: Furuya Kenji
Kido Takayoshi: Oikawa Mitsuhiro
Okubo Ichizo: Tokushige Satoshi
Iwakura Tomomi: Kosakai Kazuki
Katsu Kaishu: Namase Katsuhisa
Kayano Gonbei: Yanagisawa Shingo
Tanaka Tosa: Sato Bsaku
Ooyama Yasuke: Sorimachi Takashi
Inui Taisuke: Kato Masaya
Saigo Kichinosuke: Kikkawa Koji
Princess Teru: Inamori Izumi
Ogakiya Seihachi: Matsukata Hiroki
Saigo Tanomo: Nishida Toshiyuki
Executive Producer: Naito Shinsuke
Translations by MTI
Director: Suenaga So
AIZU CASTLE TOWN
Mother!
Takeko!
It's been a while.
Takeko's Sister: Yuko Mother: Ko
Sister (Takeko)!
That's Ms. Futaba.
Futaba!
It's good to have you back.
You must have gone through an ordeal.
Both Heima and Okura are well in Edo.
I'm glad to hear that.
Ms. Futaba, welcome back.
Ms. Yae!
Did you see Kakuma and Saburo in Edo?
Well...
Yae!
Welcome back! Were you with Kakuma and Saburo?
Welcome back!
Thank you for your hard work.
January 6 was the last day of the battle at Toba-Fushimi.
Saburo boldly attacked the enemy...
and was shot...
and killed.
His last moments...
was with Sir Okura.
It's a mistake!
Saburo went to Edo for training.
He wasn't in Kyoto.
He volunteered.
He fought with Sir Sagawa.
No! It's a mistake!
This common military uniform can't possibly belong to Saburo!
This is...!
What about Kakuma?
On the day the war began...
he was captured by Satsuma soldiers in Kyoto.
He wasn't on the battlefield?
He was injured during the battle at the Palace...
and hurt his eyes.
According to the men who withdrew from Kyoto...
he was...
executed at Shijogawara.
That's not true.
Kakuma wouldn't die!
Why do you lie?
Yae!
Dying in battle is a samurai's honor.
If he was of some use, despite his incompetence...
Saburo should be contented.
It must have been mortifying for Kakuma though.
If he hurt his eyes in battle, then it couldn't be helped.
Thank you for verifying what happened to my sons.
They both did not disgrace the Yamamoto family.
Yes.
I'm home!
Uncle, welcome home! Did you get to see my father?
Ura!
Miss.
Ura!
Mother!
I'll check the fire in the furnace.
Kakuma isn't dead.
We don't have his remains.
Sir Shonosuke.
Please tell me how I can get revenge for Saburo.
Didn't you observe the Western training in Edo?
Please teach me!
Yae!
I will avenge him!
The Western Clans have submitted.
They have pledged their loyalty to the new government.
The Eastern Clans are next.
Let's capture Edo Castle and hunt down the Shogun's remnants.
All right.
Inui.
Wasn't your ancestor Itagaki a key Takeda vassal?
That is correct.
Hereafter, use Itagaki as your surname.
What?
Invade Koshu.
You're a relative of Takeda Shingen (16th century) The local people will obey you.
Yes sir.
It is finally time to display the new government's power.
The government-general, with Saigo as adviser,
advanced their army East from three directions...
along the main highways Tokaido, Tosando and Hokuriku.
Meanwhile, Katamori returned home and spent his days...
in confinement after stepping down to Nobunori (adopted son).
He won't tell me anything.
My Lady...
I want him to open up to me in times of distress...
Am I of no help to him?
Sir Gonbei...please take care of the lord.
He's judging himself harshly.
Explain.
Have you heard about Jinbo Shuri's harakiri?
Yes.
At the time, we were under the wrong impression.
The defeat at Toba-Fushimi was not Shuri's fault.
But he took all the responsibility and committed harakiri.
The Lord is enduring this guilt alone.
I wish he would share.
...the heavy load he's carrying.
SATSUMA PRISON, KYOTO
Have some sake.
Not when I am on duty.
That was thoughtless of me.
Please.
Aizu is not an Imperial enemy. By international law...
I request fair treatment of the Aizu and the Kuwana.
Sir Yamamoto!
Who are you?
It's Master Ogakiya. Tokie is here too.
How did you find me?
What happened to your leg?
They injured his hip when he was captured.
Sir...
Tokie, will you get me paper and a brush?
We'll bring it soon.
The order to punish Aizu has been issued.
I must petition to stop the rebel punishment order.
If it comes to war, Aizu will fight to the last soldier.
I must stop the Eastern Expedition at all cost.
I must stop Saigo.
Sir...
But Saigo had already proceeded on Tokaido road and arrived in Nagoya.
Is this the Yasuke cannon?
I lengthened the barrel to increase range. OOYAMA YASUKE
Is that right?
Itagaki Taisuke and Ooyama Yasuke's army on Tosando road...
got the clans en route to submit as they proceed toward Edo.
While the Imperial army approached...
Katamori was at the Aizu castle to support Nobunori.
Submission is meaningless.
Our letter of apology was rejected by the new government.
Still...if you fight that new government...
we'll be seen as rebels.
We just have to win!
Ex-rebel Choshu is now a part of the new government.
The victor become the Imperial army!
Kanbei!
Retired Lord...
Can you uphold your samurai honor by remaining defeated?
We are falsely branded as Imperial enemies.
Will submission uphold the Aizu honor?
I heard all of you.
I will now state my thoughts.
Aizu will submit all the way!
Lord!
I have no intention to defy the Court...
but if they attack us, we will fight back with everything.
On the contrary...
Right now, Aizu...
has very little chance of winning against Satsuma and Choshu.
We'll start military reforms.
We have no place to escape to.
The battle will take place here in Aizu.
In March of 1868...
Aizu abandoned their traditional Naganuma military system (taking on French training)
Suzaku-tai (men aged 18-35) first task force!
Genbu-tai (men over age 50) first task force!
The forces were named Genbu, Seiryu (men aged 36-49) and Suzaku.
And then there was the Byakko-tai for 16 to 17 years old boys.
The total force numbered 3,000 including artillery and guerilla squads.
In Kyoto, Minister of the Left Kujo Michitaka was appointed as general...
and was ready to march.
What if Aizu submits right away?
Sera Shuzo (Choshu) Ooyama Yasuke (Satsuma) What if Aizu submits right away?
To display the new government's authority...
we must crush the Aizu clan no matter what.
The condition for submission is Katamori's head.
Nothing less.
Excellent.
Next!
Yes!
Sir Kawasaki.
I heard your brother returned.
He came back last night.
But he's marching to Nikko-guichi right away.
I wanted to talk to him about the training.
He said he'll be here later.
Load the bullets faster!
Yes.
She sounds rough.
The battle will be soon.
We must improve quickly.
We're a year short to join the Byakko (age 16-17), so it's frustrating.
Saburo, your muzzle is shaking again!
When you shoot, the muzzle must point up!
Didn't Father tell you so?!
Ms. Yae...
I am not Saburo (your brother).
Where are you going?
No!
What's wrong?
Yae!
Where are you going with that musket?
I'm going to get revenge for Saburo!
Don't go!
Let me go!
Where are you going?
Who do you plan to shoot?
Get a grip on yourself!
I should have gone instead!
I'm much stronger than Saburo!
I should have gone to war!
Saburo!
The Eastern Expedition forces were gathering in Edo.
We're launching a full-scale attack against Edo tomorrow.
Let's crush the Tokugawa!
Wait!
SATSUMA MANSION, EDO
Pardon me.
Sir Katsu.
How can you, the chief commander, come alone?
How else can I talk to you?
The danger is en route back to the castle.
Many target me, as one who is trying to sell out the Shogunate.
That's dangerous.
It's because you are trying to attack Edo Castle tomorrow.
I have Imperial order.
This war...
Can you stop it under these conditions?
Lord Yoshinobu will retire and confine himself in Mito.
We request clemency for the Shogunate allies.
We will surrender most of our weapons and warships.
Such easy terms won't be accepted.
Many want Yoshinobu's head.
Saigo, I won't ask persistently.
If Satsuma were defeated...
would you be able to offer your lord's head?
By International law, a loser that surrender...
is not to be executed.
If you'll accept our petition...
I'll stake my life on safely surrendering Edo Castle.
But... if you attack...
we'll be forced to fight back.
Then...
Edo will go up in flames.
Think it over.
There are people living under those roofs.
Innocent people who have nothing to do with this conflict.
Is the nation you have in mind...
going to rob those people of their homes and lives?
Is that your aim?
Do something for me.
Communicate to the generals.
The full-scale attack for tomorrow is cancelled.
Why?
I'll give them further instructions later.
Go quickly.
Yes, sir.
Thank you very much.
I'll negotiate with the chief commander in Sunpu...
and consult the administration in Kyoto.
Please take care of all things.
Now...
How do I handle this situation?
TSURUGA CASTLE, AIZU
Faster!
Swing your arms!
Next! Run backwards!
I've never heard of such running in Samurai training.
Will this help in battle?
Stop complaining and run!
This looks like child's play.
It's French training.
They start with this at the Yokohama training center.
Sprint!
Duck!
Sprint!
Get up!
Sprint!
I was right to send Kawasaki to Edo.
He has learned much during that short period.
We're remodeling our old percussion muskets, per Sir Kawasaki's order.
What's left is the reverberatory.
Get up!
We can't win with this weak spirit!
Sprint!
Rest!
I'll be going to Nikko-guchi.
I appreciate your help in the training.
It was nothing.
I'll be going now.
How is Yae?
I've never seen her that way.
Thank you for your restless work in Edo, Sunpu and Kyoto.
Sir Katsu's petition was accepted by most...
but the nobles’ attitude is strong.
Up until now, they feared the Tokugawa...
but now they are demanding that Yoshinobu be killed.
These nobles survived by swaying to the powerful.
We needn't crush the Tokugawa.
Considering we have an expedition to Oshu.
It might be wise to avoid a major battle in Edo.
Yamamoto Kakuma?
He's to be executed in 2 days.
Yamamoto Kakuma!
I read your petitions.
So you knew about international laws.
When a loser shows deference...
killing him would defy the International laws.
I am appealing to Satsuma.
Please stop the Oshu expedition.
Aizu has no intention to defy the Court.
Have a doctor treat him.
Yes, sir.
The execution is cancelled.
Is that you, Saigo?
Saigo...please save Aizu!
Don't attack! Don't crush Aizu!
Take my head instead!
Kill me and spare Aizu!
Sir!
Saigo...!
They are making their move.
What?
The Shinsengumi remnants that were defeated in Koshu...
are heading for Aizu.
Those unhappy with the Imperial army are gathering in Aizu also.
If the Clans in Oshu participate...
they'll have a considerable force.
So we have to crush Aizu.
NISSHINKAN, AIZU
Ms. Yae, please take over.
Yes.
You're good at it.
I'm used to dressing wounds.
You're siblings, after all.
You're like Kakuma.
Kakuma?
As in Yamamoto Kakuma?
He's sub-chief Saito with the Shinsengumi.
Do you know my brother?
I met him several times.
Would you know where he is right now?
We heard he was captured by the Satsuma.
We don't know what happened after that.
No, I don't know either.
Satsuma...
Would you have any clue?
He had a Western school in Kyoto.
He accepted other clansmen. Some may have been from Satsuma.
Then one of the Satsuma men may have saved him.
Someone who knew my brother may have helped and saved him.
I doubt it.
We're in the midst of a war. Many were killed.
I doubt they'd spare a captured foe.
Hey.
I don't know if he's alive or dead....
but don't get your hopes up.
I won't give up on him.
He hasn't been declared dead.
Why should I lose hope?
He's alive.
I'm sure he's alive.
END OF EPISODE 22
It's been a while since the shop's been lively.
I'm just eager to crush Aizu.
You can't join.
War cannot be avoided.
Be prepared!
If you obey, they will trampled over Oshu (Eastern Honshu).
This isn't only about Aizu!
Shall we?
Shall we join the Echigo?
This too, is a battle.
We have to keep going.