Regarding the military reform and Dutch school...
please ask the lord again for his sanction.
What you just heard are the Lord's orders!
I don't believe that!
Our lord knows about the Black Ships!
What?
You men know nothing about the world.
You are like frogs in a well!
Kakuma!
Refrain!
Be gone...Kakuma.
Yes, sir!
The punishment Kakuma received was confinement.
It was for an unlimited time.
FEBRUARY 1858
Tanomo! You are in the lord's presence!
Pardon me.
Lord! Please forgive my rudeness!
If I may speak...
Regarding the signing of the commerce treaty....
Should it go awry, I heard we'll be warring with the Americans.
Because of the times...
Yamamoto Kakuma's proposed military reforms
were correct as a samurai.
Please end his confinement as soon as possible.
Refrain!
It's all right!
Continue.
Meanwhile, in central politics, there was a strife between
the Hitosubashi and Kishu factions over the shogun's heir.
The Mito and Satsuma men have entered Kyoto.
They're working on the nobles to support Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu.
That is troublesome.
If Yoshinobu become the heir, he'll interfere with the treaty.
Sir Yoshitomi of Kishu must be the heir.
Yae's Sakura
Episode 4: Ghost Star
Screenplay: Yamamoto Mutsumi
Theme Music: Sakamoto Ryuichi Music: Nakajima Nobuyuki
Narrator: Kusabue Mitsuko
Yamamoto Yae: Ayase Haruka
Yamamoto Kakuma: Nishijima Hidetoshi
Kawasaki Shonosuke: Hasegawa Hiroki
Yamamoto Saku: Fubuki Jun
Yamamoto Gonpachi: Matsushige Yutaka
Yamamoto Ura: Hasegawa Kyoko
Takagi Tokio: Kanjiya Shihori
Matsudaira Katamori: Ayano Go
Tokugawa Yoshinobu: Koizumi Kotaro
Ii Naosuke: Enoki Takaaki
Tokugawa Nariaki: Ibuki Goro
Yoshida Torajiro: Oguri Shun
Kayano Gonbei:: Yanagisawa Shingo
Jinbo Kuranosuke: Tsukayama Masane
Tanaka Tosa: Sato Bsaku
Hayashi Gonsuke: Kazama Morio
Saigo Kichinosuke: Kikkawa Koji
Katsu Rintaro: Namase Katsuhisa
Shimazu Nariakira: Hayashi Yoichi
Matsudaira Shungaku: Murakami Hiroaki
Saigo Tanomo: Nishida Toshiyuki
Executive Producer: Naito Shinsuke
Translations by MTI
Director: Kato Taku
Okichi!
Yes!
Where's Sir Hayashi?
He just came.
Does he bear good news?
Missus, please stay.
This is confidential, but...
you'll be receiving word soon to report to the castle.
Is his confinement...?
He will be pardoned.
What about his position?
He'll be reinstated as the Western gunnery instructor
and teacher at the Dutch school.
That isn't the only reason why you're being summoned.
Is there another punishment?
Kakuma, you will be...
in charge of military affairs and artillery.
Military affairs...
and artillery?
Yae?
Will you help me make rifle cartridges?
Yae?
It's a direct order from the lord.
My persuasion bore fruit...
is what I'd like to say, but...
Sir Saigo appealed to the lord that military reform is imperative.
He did?
After hearing what happened,
the lord ended your confinement and ordered the reform.
Thank you very much!
Raise your head. I'm not done yet.
Don't get into fights.
You have a short temper.
Yes...
Get married and settle down.
I found a good prospect.
Prospect?
Hey! Yae!
Sir Kawasaki, too?
How clumsy!
I'm sorry!
No, this is good timing. Show me your skills.
What are you doing? Go and get ready.
Yes!
Ready!
Fire!
I'll check the target.
Impressive.
Even a woman can train to be that skilled.
Compare to Teppu (muskets),
Western rifles have power and are easier to manage.
I clipped the upper black section.
Good!
Excellent!
If those with minimal knowledge of military arts
can use western rifles, they'll be useful in a war.
After reforming the rifle squad,
I'll teach on how to use western rifles.
But rifles are expensive.
We don't have the fund.
I actually have a plan.
We can make them cheaply by using local gunsmiths.
Who are you?
This is Kawasaki's specialty.
He's working on a new rifle model.
You've got good help.
Proceed with the military reform at once.
Yes!
I'll proceed with the marriage arrangement, too.
What?
She's the daughter of Higuchi, the accountant.
She's very compliant.
But...I'm not ready to...
Just gratefully accept her.
She's a rare woman who will marry into a family...
where her sister-in-law shoots rifles.
That was excellent.
Thank you very much.
TSURUGA CASTLE- ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
Thank you very much for your help.
It wasn't me. Our lord made the decision.
Now work even harder.
I will.
Kakuma, come closer.
Come closer!
Didn't I warn you?
If you don't keep quiet, you'll make enemies.
I am to blame for it.
But the situation has changed.
Are you aware Great Britain and France invaded China?
Who knows when we'll become their next target?
If it comes to war...
as guards, we'll be at the forefront.
We have to be prepared for the worst.
For the Western training... I'm counting on you.
Yes.
Please excuse me!
Oh, come in!
Sir Shun'ei!
Thank you for employing me as a teacher at the Dutch school.
Spread your knowledge on the medical sciences.
I will.
You obtained approval to return to the clan!
Junior Elders Tosa and Kuranosuke interceded.
Thank you very much!
One more thing...
Your request to employ Kawasaki Shonosuke...
has been approved as well.
I am very grateful!
We can't survive by upholding traditions.
We must change... right?
Yes.
Right?
Both of you...work hard.
We will!
Ura married into the family shortly after that.
It's delicious.
What a pretty bride.
She's our older sister. Let's go along with her.
Yes.
How boisterous.
Why not join them?
I'll pass. I'm a freeloader.
I'm sorry.
Kakuma told me.
The clan refuses to hire you.
Yet you're working for Aizu.
I don't care about status or position.
Here, I can do what I want.
I'm content with that.
But I feel bad staying on as a freeloader.
We think nothing of it.
Kakuma looks stiff.
Were you sitting there all this time?
Yes.
I'm sorry. I'll be done soon.
Yes.
Sir Hayashi is right.
She is very compliant.
You know...
Yes.
Father and Mother are nice people.
You can always go to them with questions.
Yes.
It's dangerous in the workplace, so don't touch anything there.
Don't touch the rifles either.
That's all I have to say.
Yes.
It's an easygoing household. Just be yourself.
Yes.
My sister shoots rifles, though she is a woman.
She does outrageous things, but you'll get used to it.
I hope to count on you forever.
Forever...
As for Katsu with the Naval Training Center...
He was visiting Lord Shimazu Nariakira of the Satsuma clan.
What will become of the treaty with the Americans?
The shogunate has decided to sign it,
but the Imperial Court won't approve.
What are your thoughts on opening the country?
By opening the country and initiating trade...
can we be equal to the foreign powers.
I feel the same way.
To be equal, Japan must become stronger.
My warships and cannons aren't only for Satsuma's protection.
They're for overcoming this crisis with the shogunate.
That is why I'm speaking frankly with you, a shogunate vassal.
Yes, I know.
But the key posts in the shogunate...
are controlled by the hereditary lineage,
while the non-hereditary vassals can't participate in government.
Can't we change this custom?
Not so easy.
Freedom from lineage...
and hiring promising men will strengthen then country.
I have my hopes on Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu.
Despite who is heir...
the country matters must be fairly and openly discussed.
A country without proper administration
will be slighted by the foreigners.
I see what you mean.
I'd like to introduce a vassal to you.
His name is Saigo. I think you'll get along.
Sir Saigo?
Saigo Kichinosuke was working on the affluent nobles in Kyoto
to make Yoshinobu the shogun's heir.
So there's a big struggle in the east.
Please...help us gain imperial recommendation.
to name Hitotsubashi as heir.
Yoshinobu would be ideal as the next shogun.
Yes, sir.
Lord Shimazu informed us...
that he gained the support of the affluent nobles in Kyoto.
HITOTSUBASHI YOSHINOBU
Can we get the Court's recommendation then?
Most likely.
The shogunate is unable to get the treaty approved,
and is in distress.
When you become heir...
we can proceed at once with government reforms.
However, in April, shortly thereafter...
Ii Naosuke was suddenly appointed as Chief Minister.
The events went against what Shungaku expected.
Saburo! Right there! Right there!
Kakuma! There's a big one there!
You missed again!
You're lousy fisherman! Watch it carefully and stab it!
I'm sorry.
Move quietly or you'll scare the fishes.
Excellent!
A good catch.
Kakuma, let me try too.
Sure!
Sir Kakuma!
We brought lunch.
Thanks!
Did you catch many?
Kakuma isn't bad.
Shonosuke and Saburo keep missing.
I caught some too.
Ura, won't you join us?
I'm going right back.
You can join us for a bit.
I have chores to do at the household.
If you stab it with this, it's fun. Try it.
That's not something a woman should do.
Saburo, eat this trout.
Saburo, your catch was zune.
What?
It means big.
My grandma was impressed at how hard she works.
Everyone praises her for being such a good bride.
But she's like a foreign ship to me.
What?
It's been two months and I've hardly talked to her.
She always works quietly.
Isn't that how it is when you get married?
It's written in the book, "Onna Imagawa".
That you must quietly obey your husband and in-laws.
We speak our minds at home.
Your family is different.
Do you think so?
It's boring to get married then.
Ura is a mystery to me.
All right... let's try it again.
I want to try it, too!
I'm done.
JUNE 1858
On June 19th...
the shogunate concluded the commerce treaty.
A gun salute resounded throughout Edo Bay.
How dare you sign the treaty without imperial sanction!
You're being disrespectful to His Majesty!
I am sorry.
Does His Excellency know?
It wasn't an arbitrary decision, was it?
I am sorry.
Lord Kamon!
Never mind.
I'll ask His Excellency myself.
If I may speak...
He is not feeling well today, and will not see anyone.
The following day...
That red demon! I'll make him slit his belly!
That's the old lord of Mito.
Today isn't the day for the branch families to report.
His sudden appearance must mean trouble.
The treaty signing and the strife over the shogun's heir...
Who would it be more beneficial to side with?
Reporting. The old lord, the lord of Mito,
and the lord of Owari have reported to the castle.
So the branch families have come here.
Have them wait.
Yes, sir.
Please excuse me.
I've had enough tea. Where is the Chief Minister Ii?
I'm sorry to keep you waiting.
I had matters to attend to.
Your signing of the treaty without imperial sanction
lord Ii, cannot be overlooked.
We heard Great Britain and France who defeated China
would be invading us next.
That is why we rushed into the treaty with the U.S.
For the unapproved treaty...
you must go to Kyoto at once to apologize to His Majesty.
You are absolutely right.
I will do that.
What's become of the matter of the shogun's heir?
Did the Court decide?
Everything is in order.
It won't be Kishu, will it?
The Court supports Hitotsubashi.
We can't have any misunderstanding.
Everything is in order.
By the way...
the branch families are not allowed to report today.
Unannounced appearances are prohibited.
We are aware of that.
As long as you know that.
Considering you were prepared to receive severe punishment...
this wasn't much of a discussion.
The following day...
Tokugawa Yoshitomi was announced as the shogun's heir.
Damn him!
Then shortly later, Lord Nariaki was ordered to confinement,
Lord Shungaku was ordered to retirement and confinement,
and Yoshinobu was prohibited from reporting to the castle.
The Hitotsubashi disappeared from the central political scene.
I shall partake.
Things must be done properly.
Even in a family, if you break the law, you'll receive punishment.
That order keeps the country in peace.
But if you are too harsh, you'll only make enemies.
Signing the treaty without imperial sanction...
is seen as disrespectful.
Lord Katamori.
Yes.
It was the shogunate that decided on the isolation policy.
The shogunate governs the country...
by imperial order.
If we ruin the country based on an inadequate decision,
that would be disloyal.
I will assume the blame for the unauthorized signing.
That puts your life in danger.
I'm prepared to die.
I already have a posthumous name.
One must be prepared to risk his life for country affairs.
Lord!
Utsugi, what is it?
You have an urgent letter from Kyoto.
I'll be leaving now.
Let's talk more leisurely again.
Yes.
Letter from Kyoto?
The Mito clan received an imperial message.
Going above the shogunate's head is unheard of!
The Court wants the Mito clan to head the shogunate.
The Mito have collaborated with the anti-alienist scholars.
Listen to this!
There's a plot to kill me!
Damn them!
We cannot overlook this.
This is treason.
Those who shake the shogunate will be cut from the root.
My gunsmith did excellent work.
Yes, he did.
Look! A ghost star!
I've never seen a comet so large.
Yes...
When the Kamakura shogunate fell, a ghost star appeared.
Is it a warning?
It's just a superstition.
That's just a work of nature.
That's true.
Edo is in chaos with cholera.
I hope that star doesn't incite more fear.
In June, the cholera epidemic that started in Nagasaki...
spread in no time at all and killed many people.
It even killed Lord Nariakira of the Satsuma clan.
That can't be...
The Lord has...
It can't be...
In September of 1858...
Those involved in Mito's secret imperial order were arrested.
It was the start of the Ansei Purge.
MAY 1859
Ura, here you go.
What nice seedlings.
They were talking last night...
after the treaty was signed...
there are more anti-alienists at the Nisshinkan school.
I heard.
Kakuma said unless one study Western sciences...
one is not a true anti-alienist.
What are your thoughts on this?
I don't know anything about the situation.
Aren't you worried?
What?
Among the anti-alienists are men who hate Kakuma's school.
I'm sure he has his plans.
You sound indifferent.
Women shouldn't get involved in men's business.
Still...
Let's take a break and have some tea.
Yes.
I'll make the tea.
They look good.
Look at it.
Ura always puts her heart into everything.
[ Skipped item nr. 455 ]
Kakuma's fortunate to have such a fine bride.
That's ridiculous!
Shonosuke, are you in?
Kakuma?
Welcome home!
This came to the school from Sir Katsu.
What happened?
Torajiro was arrested.
What?
That can't be.
He was in prison in Hagi last year.
He was sent to Edo for direct interrogation.
What did he do?
It must be serious.
It might have to do with the arrests that started last year.
That can't be it. He's been in Hagi all this time.
Why would he be suspected?
Torajiro?
Is the one who came to Aizu before?
I'm Yoshida Torajiro from Choshu.
The Ansei Purge resulted in many prisoners.
It would later turn into disaster for the Aizu clan.
I wasn't involved!
That's a lie!
Anti-alienism!
They are like mad dogs! Killing me is anti-alienism?
Killing the foreign sailor is anti-alienism?
Pregnant?
It's your first child, so we have to be very careful.
Torajiro wasn't trying to split the country in two.
Just rise alone!
Rise!