Special Drama
A very small country is
about to become a civilized nation.
Three men lived in Iyo-Matsuyama in the Shikoku region.
Saneyuki Akiyama was born in this old castle town.
Saneyuki
During the Russo-Japanese War,
he planned the tactics to defeat the unbeatable Baltic Fleet.
And he successfully executed them.
His older brother was Yoshifuru Akiyama.
Yoshifuru
He trained the Japanese cavalry
to defeat the Cossacks, which was the world's strongest cavalry.
It was a miraculous feat.
The third man marked a new phase in Japanese Haiku and Tanka.
He became the founder of new literary forms, Shiki Masaoka, the poet.
Shiki
All three possessed the typical disposition of the Meiji era.
They only looked at what was ahead of them.
If there were white clouds glistening in the blue sky above a hill,
they would only focus on the clouds. and climb the hill.
Cloud Above the Slope
Episode Two: Great Ambitions
September, 1884
One year had passed since Saneyuki and Shiki moved to Tokyo.
Shiki, who was always an instigator, made a suggestion to his fellow students
to try for the entrance exam of the university preparatory school.
Start.
As an institution associated with a university,
it'd be considered today's high school or a preparatory course for university.
Everyone knew at least one more year of studying was required to pass.
Shiki was the most questionable of all students.
His English ability was the worst among his peers.
What is this?
It's "Hokan."
Hokan.
Hokan? Hokan...
Hokan (male entertainer)
Don't do that to me.
A male comedian who entertains at a drinking party.
We're not fighting. Why do you hit me?
Okay. Got it. You're strong.
When Mr. Norton was once
a male entertainer...
You got the wrong Hokan.
Judicature
It's the judiciary.
Only you would imagine a comedian.
Thanks for a good laugh.
I failed then.
My dream of becoming a prime minister is fading away.
Don't be disappointed. You might have passed.
How did you do?
Why does English have to be part of the exam subjects?
I say, "don't worry."
A few days later
That was too funny.
Sakuma, a former retainer to Shogun, lived in their family mansion in Kojimachi.
Saneyuki and Yoshifuru were renting a room there.
Your sake is here.
Do you want to drink with us?
Did anything good happen to the army man in the annex?
It's this.
His brother and a friend got accepted at the university preparatory school.
They're celebrating.
That animal's brother?
What is the world coming to?
But this is...
They don't have money for the sea beam so they brought sardines.
Hold on.
I never thought I'd pass with that silly mistake.
Luck is on my side.
I question the preparatory school now.
But don't rely on the luck too much.
I passed with my own ability.
There's something I've been wanting to ask you.
What is it?
Who do you respect the most in this world?
I have not yet met him, but that person is Yukichi Fukuzawa.
Yukichi Fukuzawa.
I was expecting you to name a military man.
One must become self-sufficient to create an independent nation.
"An Encouragement of Learning."
That's right.
Brother's motto for a long time.
Listen, you two.
Don't ever indulge yourselves.
You may meet students who take advantage of the freedom
and end up hurting others as well as themselves.
To be self-sufficient, you must stay modest.
Keep your life plain and simple.
- Yes. - Yes.
Your dinner is ready.
Sea beam?
Thank you for this.
I didn't ask for this.
What about the sardines?
I gave them to Ofuku.
Ofuku?
My dog.
Sardines are Ofuku's favorite.
Congratulations on your acceptance to the preparatory school.
Please accept this sea beam as my gift to you.
Thank you.
Appreciate your kindness.
But we cannot accept this.
You should learn to accept the kindness of others.
I can't believe him.
You gave him your own sea beam.
I'll have sardines for dinner.
This was the first time I saw the retainer's daughter.
She's a pretty lady.
So this is the sea beam of Tokyo.
I'll return it.
Wait.
It's a special day after all.
Eat as much as you want.
Oh, thank you!
There only one rice bowl.
We take turns.
That's what I heard so I brought my own.
Let's dig in!
This is delicious.
So delicious!
Preparatory School for University of Tokyo
The preparatory school was located in Hitotsubashi.
Students of this school were considered to be the brightest of the country.
They were destined to be doctors or ministers.
In other words, they were not ordinary students.
Textbooks of those days were imported from other countries.
Therefore, all textbooks, including geometry, were in English.
The exams were in English, too.
Since I have no idea what it says, I can't begin to understand geometry.
There's nobody like me here.
That man could write English faster than Shiki could write Japanese.
Bimyo Yamada
It was Bimyo Yamada who later became a popular writer.
Excuse me, teacher.
Can I leave if I'm done?
Is it all right?
I'll give you permission to leave.
That was Kinnosuke Shiobara,
Kinnosuke Shiobara
later known as Soseki Natsume, a great writer of the Meiji era.
Are you done already?
It's perfect.
Jun-san, I'm over here.
Looks like you had a hard time.
Nobo-san, you finished so quickly.
How about if we compete with studying?
I'm impatient, but you're the first one who submitted your test without answers.
This is Kinnosuke Shiobara, born and raised in Tokyo.
Hey.
Did you write all answers?
Of course I did.
Don't become a jack of all trade and a master of none.
How about you?
Me?
I saw what this guy submitted and I have more respect for this school now.
You're quite a man.
You're making me feel like I should submit blank papers from now on.
Hey, how about going to the theater?
Did you just say theater?
Jun-san loves Miyako Takemoto.
You love her, too.
I love Miyako, too.
Shall we go?
- Shall we go? - Shall we go?
Let's all go to the theater.
Saneyuki acted humble in front of his brother.
But he was quite a brat when he was with his buddies.
One who complains about appearance is a sour grape.
If the food tastes good, why complain?
And if soba has good texture, I'm happy.
He was also loud at the theater.
You're not good.
I said you're not good enough. Leave the stage.
If the opening performance wasn't to his satisfaction, he let them know.
He made noise to interrupt.
I will not forget the wrong you did me.
The students out there, I will not forget this.
Are you still sticking around?
We say, "no, thank you."
"Please take a look at this, Master Mitsuhide."
"Let us celebrate your departure to the war."
Miyako!
Miyako.
"When she gave him the word of wisdom,"
Miyako! Miyako!
"if he had decided not to go, there was no need for such sorrow."
Miyako.
"She knew she couldn't have predicted this."
Army War College
Yoshifuru's instructor at the Army War College was German.
The main guest isn't here.
I can't believe he's late.
The instructor better arrive in a good more or we'll suffer.
Gaishi Nagaoka / Shigeta Fujii / Shogo Iguchi
Here he comes.
It was the German army's staff officer, Meckel.
He was rumored to possess God like resources.
Come on. Hurry up.
I'm sorry I'm late.
Hurry.
This man was Gentaro Kodama.
It took longer than expected to get the packages.
He was an army colonel at that time.
He became the Army War Collage's first chancellor the following year.
I am Gentaro Kodama, army colonel.
This is German Army Major, Mr. Klemens Wilhelm-Jakob Meckel.
Let us drink together.
Come help me.
Untie the rope and open the cases.
Moselwein.
Meckel was known as an unrivaled drinker.
He was hesitant to come to Japan he couldn't drink Moselwein.
Let's toast.
Salute!
Salute.
Considering Meckel's contribution lead to Japan's win at the Russo-Japanese War,
this Moselwein was a symbolic drink.
You're the elites who will lead the future Japanese army.
I see you appear to be up for the job.
But what if...
If I lead one German army troop of 10,000 men,
I could easily defeat all of the Imperial Japanese Army of 50,000 men.
He'd beat our whole army with one troop?
Interesting. Let's see how it's done.
Come attack us now. We'll beat you down.
All of you.
Don't get fired up by Instructor Meckel's statement.
That already shows defeat.
Then please teach us how your troop could defeat the Imperial Japanese Army.
We may not like your answer.
Grumpy old man.
That's perfect.
Endo, translate it well.
Take a seat.
How did our army defeat the French in the Franco-Prussian War?
Did we have more soldiers?
That wasn't the case.
Then how did we win?
Our commanders were more superior.
Lieutenant Fujii.
When one large troop march in double file,
what's the length?
Any students in a German military academy knows it.
Give me a moment.
Too late.
Fujii Troop is destroyed while you're thinking.
- Next. - Lieutenant Nagaoka.
You're taking too long. Nagaoka Troop destroyed.
Next.
Lieutenant Akiyama.
Without knowing the length, you can't plan the next strategy.
Large troop in double file is approximately 700m in length.
Good.
Large troop in double file is 700m. Medium troop is 160m.
Small troop is 15m.
Repeat.
Large troop in double file is 700m. Medium troop is 160m.
Small troop is 15m.
A staff officer must memorize this information.
Yes, sir!
Shiki's younger sister, Ritsu, paid a surprise visit in spring.
Shiki used to come home crying when he was bullied by his friends.
Ritsu was three years younger than him.
She used to take revenge on her brother by throwing rocks at the bullies.
She was a famous tomboy.
Our relative was coming to Tokyo, so she came along.
Is that right?
As soon as she arrived, she scolded me for living in a mess.
Ri-san.
Jun-san, it's been a long time.
It's been two years.
You look grown up now.
So are you.
Quite a respectable student.
You look like a Tokyo person now.
Are you sure?
He hasn't changed since he was in Matsuyama.
He's in the same old clothes.
Brother, you're sarcastic as ever.
You're in Tokyo. Don't keep busy cleaning and washing clothes.
Let's go on a Tokyo tour.
I'll take you to wherever you want to go.
Thank you. I appreciate it.
Jun-san, can you look that way?
What?
I'm only here for a week so I can't be playing around.
I want to do as much as I can.
Here you go.
Jun-san, get up.
I'm ready.
What are you doing?
She wants to make us new kimonos.
That's not necessary. Don't do that for me.
Is there anyone who'd be upset if I make you a kimono?
You may not believe it, but he has someone in Tokyo.
Nobo-san.
Who would believe that?
Ritsu, I was only kidding. That was a joke.
But even if she makes you a kimono, your brother will not let you keep it.
A new kimono isn't appropriate for a modest life.
Then you can leave it here.
I'd be happy if you'd wear it when you come here.
This will be my first and the last time to make you a kimono.
Jun-san, is it okay?
That's not clear enough. You need to tell him straight.
Don't say it.
You don't have to.
Here.
He's an army man, our cousin.
He came from Tokyo and bowed his head to ask me for a marriage.
Sleeve length is 57cm.
It was a curious turn of fate.
Ritsu is no longer that young.
The length is 117cm.
117cm.
I'll stay in Matsuyama after our wedding.
I'll be taking care of his parents.
I'll go visit the sublieutenant in Tokyo with Brother before I return.
It was a total surprise.
But I'm glad you'll be happy.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Tell mother I'll go back to Matsuyama for your wedding.
What about Jun-san?
I can't go back to Matsuyama.
You have no money.
This is enough.
I'll see you later.
Jun-san.
I have a request.
What is it?
I won't be able to protect Brother.
I want you to protect him.
Brother always tries to act tough.
But he's spineless like a young gourd.
A young gourd?
Where do I look like a young gourd?
It's your face.
He needs someone to be his shield to protect him.
Or he'll lose courage to do anything.
Jun-san,
please be Brother's shield.
If you do that for me,
I can get married with no regrets.
Got it.
I'll take Ri-san's place.
Thank you.
Listen to you.
You stay well.
I hope you'll wear the kimono I'm going to make for you.
Yeah.
I promise.
Akiyama, thanks again.
You saved me from failing.
Saneyuki was quite skillful with speculating the exam questions.
Other students called him God of Exams.
You hit the jackpot again.
How do you do that?
I put myself in the teacher's position.
I analyze the teacher's preference and get the statistics.
You can ask the upperclassman.
The rest is up to my instincts.
Quite a strategist.
Listen to me.
Exams are like the fights with the school.
You must win the fights. The school isn't that tough.
But someone still fails even with a strategist friend.
Who is that?
Do I have to tell you?
Did Masaoka fail?
He failed with English.
I tried to teach him before the exam, but he wasn't serious about it.
He wasn't focused enough.
Where is he now?
I'm sure he's disappointed.
Jun-san! Kinnosuke!
What the hell?
Let's play baseball.
No-ta-ma?
Ya-kyu!
It's baseball.
No-ball.
It's named after me.
No-ball is from Noboru.
A poor pun.
Starting today, I'll call baseball "Yakyu".
Hey Masaoka, listen.
No wonder you failed in English.
No-ball?
That's an insult to the real baseball.
Ya-kyu, I like the sound of it.
At least someone gets it!
Pay attention. This is baseball.
A true battle is full of danger and loss.
There are no other battle as fun as baseball.
- Do you understand? - Yes.
I didn't hear you. One more time.
Yes!
Nobo-san, stop talking and let's just play.
I won't hold back. Get ready.
- Throw a high ball. - Start with a high ball.
Don't drop it.
I got it!
I can't believe I hit it.
Throw it over here!
Oh no, my book!
People could probably survive without any friends.
But Shiki was definitely not one of those people.
Shiki was not the one who named baseball "Yakyu" in Japanese.
It was said to be Kanoe Chuman, one of Shiki's classmates.
Kanoe Chuman (1872~1932)
After entering the preparatory school in 1884, Shiki learned about baseball.
And he was completely hooked.
Later when he wrote an article about baseball in a newspaper, Nippon,
he translated baseball terms into Japanese.
Some examples were Japanese words for a batter of a runner.
A fly ball was another example.
That's it.
Do this one. One more shot.
Come on in.
Saneyuki got his brother's permission and moved in with Shiki.
I appreciate it.
I can't face the Matsuyama lord if I fail again.
We can motivate each other.
It's a competition now.
Teach me English.
I'll teach you literature.
Literature?
I don't like Chinese poetry.
I'm tired of them, too.
But now...
Wow, you have so many books.
I'm into this now.
I'm reading with deep admiration.
The future is in novels.
How do you like the novel by Tsubouchi, the popular writer?
This is beyond good.
It's an impressive piece by a teacher in Tokyo.
This has many stories about love and success that touch our hearts.
His descriptions are so true to life.
And he's very active.
This symbolizes the dawn of Japanese literature.
This book will definitely change the history of Japanese literature.
Check this out.
This right here.
You moved on from Bakin or Saikaku.
I've decided to write novels.
Look forward to my finished work.
Shiki's youth was full of excitement.
He was maturing twice as fast as other young men.
He went through many transformations.
To Saneyuki, who didn't have much excitement in his life,
Shiki appeared imprudent.
But he also admired Shiki as if he was a luminous body of multiple colors.
I'm starving.
We haven't even reached Zojoji Temple.
Are we really going to walk?
Akiyama started up something.
It's only a no-cost trip to Enoshima.
Don't whine like that.
This is another one of Jun-san's silly plans.
But you always fall for it, Masaoka.
Saneyuki Jungoro Akiyama.
"As I look at you, it's only in your appearance, it's all an act."
What's that?
It's my Saneyuki Akiyama theory.
You're an active man, but little too frivolous and loud.
You are definitely skillful.
But I doubt you'd achieve anything big in your life.
Their no-cost trip was to go to Enoshima from Tokyo on foot.
They had no money for food or a place to stay.
So they exchanged funny stories to entertain themselves.
Don't stop.
Hello, young man.
Let's drink.
No money. No money.
Masaoka got caught!
We're completely penniless.
Are you all right?
You blockhead!
Don't ever come back!
How hideous.
Let's get going.
I can smell the sea.
The ocean is beyond this hill.
Let's go!
Nobo-san.
Just one more effort.
I have no more effort left.
I'm paying for my sedentary life.
This was an audacious effort.
It may be audacious but we must venture out while we're still young.
What we have are time and boredom.
And we're full of vigor.
But that vigor is controlled by the wisdom.
I'm referring to your case.
Nobo-san, I've been feeling strange these days.
Strange?
By being audacious, I'm hoping to get a clear picture of what I want to do.
- But... - But what?
Well...
If I graduate from the university, what would that give me?
I don't feel I'm challenged enough.
I'm afraid to be a further financial burden for my brother.
What do I truly want to do?
I have a clear picture of what I want to do in my life.
Really? What is it?
It's Haiku.
You know, Haiku.
Ready?
"Lying down, enjoy a book on spring grass."
"Open the window, what faces me is the mountain across the way."
How are my poems?
Don't they make you happy?
Then you should pursue Haiku.
But I shouldn't become a Haiku poet.
When I left my hometown, I told my family I'd be a prime minster.
You sure did.
Yes, I did.
Are you all right? Stay strong, Masaoka.
Here's another poem.
"Black smoke, trailing after a departing steamship."
Hurry!
That was a lame poem.
This is beautiful.
They want to be the greatest in Japan.
That was the ambition of the young elites of this emerging civilized nation.
Brother, you always stick to your own way.
You stay on track.
I wander around to find something concrete in life to no avail.
How can I be more like you?
Jun,
nothing is concrete in this world.
I only try to stay plain and simple.
What's on your mind?
I think...
I should quit the preparatory school.
So that I can go into the military.
I want to enter the Naval Academy.
Tell me the reason in a concise manner.
I fear of becoming a second-rate scholar if I continue at the preparatory school.
My study is second-rate.
And so is my patience.
Second-rate...
Yes.
It appears that I'm quite shrewd.
Also,
I don't want to be your burden any longer.
I told you not to worry about money.
That's not it.
I want to be independent.
I want to be self-sufficient.
Brother,
I want to venture out to the world's seas.
There's a huge world out there beyond the ocean.
I want to see it with my own eyes.
I want to feel it in my heart.
That's my true desire.
Jun.
Yes?
Do you know that our ancestors were in the Iyo Navy?
They were charging the Inland Sea almost one thousand years ago.
Be the first naval officer from the Iyo-Matsuyama region.
Brother...
Thank you.
To go in the navy meant
leaving the easy and comfortable life at the preparatory school.
Saneyuki thought about Shiki.
He couldn't hold his tears.
You're working hard.
Of course.
English comes out naturally these days.
I'm confident I won't fail again.
I'm glad to hear that.
Ever since we started studying together, my grades have improved drastically.
I don't say this often, but I truly appreciate your friendship.
I'll repay you by passing you.
Sounds good.
Competition begins.
The one who falls asleep loses.
I accept your challenge.
I won't lose.
Let's do it.
I have something to tell you.
I haven't been able to say this to you.
But...
Nobo-san...
The first Saturday of that month was a rainy day.
Jun-san,
let's eat some chestnuts.
Mr. Tsunenori Masaoka.
What is this?
I'm withdrawing from the preparatory school due to a personal reason.
My desire is now to establish myself in the navy.
This means I will be breaking my promise with my brother.
My future spent out on the ocean means I will not see my brother.
Take care of yourself
I won this time.
Why?
Look at me. I didn't fall asleep.
But there's a clear evidence.
Oops.
On your face, too.
When did I...
Oh my God!
Damn it!
"My friend who braves battles, you're on your own voyage."
"Let the wind blow for you."
"Let the sea swell for you."
Go for it.
Jun-san.
October, 1886.
Saneyuki entered the Naval Academy in Tsukiji.
55 young men started in this term.
Saneyuki's entrance exam results were the 14th out of the 55 men.
Enter.
Pay attention.
Make sure to wash off the grimes of the common world.
Yes, sir.
Get up!
What confused the students the most was the western style clothing.
This style of clothing was new to all.
Some experienced embarrassment by struggling with the buttons.
Sit.
Another thing that surprised them was
the curry rice served at lunch.
Most of them didn't even know the name of the dish.
A huge gap between the ordinary life and the Naval Academy life was apparent.
It can be said that this large section of Tsukiji was
considered as a foreign land in terms of lifestyle.
The power of the British Empire was
controlled by the power of its navy.
The person who drilled this statement in student's heads was a British instructor,
Archibald Lucius Douglas, a lieutenant commander.
Great Britain was small in its size.
But its large naval and merchant fleet controlled the world.
Japan must model after the British.
A possible statement by Douglas.
Raise-the oar.
One, two three, four.
One, two, three, four.
Let's put Iyo Navy's spirit in us.
Yoy-yoy-yoy-ya-sa. Yoy-ya-sa. Yoy-ya-sa.
One, two, three, four.
Yoy-yoy-yoy-ya-sa. Yoy-ya-sa...
They're passing us.
They're beating us.
Yoy-yoy-yoy-ya-sa.
One two, three, four.
Yoy-yoy-yoy-ya-sa. Yoy-ya-sa. Yoy-ya-sa.
Raise the oar!
Who the hell is that guy?
He was one year senior of Saneyuki.
His name was Takeo Hirose.
Takeo Hirose
He was quite eccentric and was a devotee of judo.
He continued to practice even after he was appointed.
He was a student of Jigoro Kano, the father of judo.
I'm paying you back for our loss.
Come again.
Hirose believed in celibacy.
He loved to say he had too many brides.
His brides were the navy and judo.
And his love for Chinese poems.
"Travel for one thousand miles"
"Settled back in the honorable homeland"
"When I long for my own home"
"My stomach turns"
Saneyuki eventually developed friendship with this man.
He even shared a living quarter with him for a while.
Army Staff Headquarters
Akiyama is going to France?
Not to Germany of Instructor Meckel, but to France?
Right.
Matsuyama's lord is going to Ecole speciale milittaire de Sait-Cyr.
Akiyama was selected to accompany him.
But what would they gain from France who lost to Germany?
He'd be among the promising elites of the army if he stays.
He'd die in vain in France for his hometown lord.
Instructor Meckel would say this.
Akiyama Troop.
Destroyed.
- Hello. - Hey.
Japanese army's system was to follow the German system at that time.
The elites of the army were being sent to Germany to study.
What would happen if one took on the French side in those times?
Hisamatsu Residence Former Matsuyama Domain Lord
Susumu Fujino, Hisamatsu family's steward
Thank you for coming.
Master Sadakoto has made quite a progress with his study.
Starting next year, he will enter Ecole speciale milittaire de Sait-Cyr.
Shin-san, I have a sincere request for you.
Yes.
May I ask you to accompany the young master?
What do you say?
If you stay on your current course, you'll surely become an army general.
You could lead the future of this country.
I am well aware of your prospect.
If you travel to France with the young master,
you will derail from your path of advancement.
I realize the career risk you face.
I hereby humbly request your cooperation.
I will bow down to you.
I'm well aware
that Matsuyama Domain or the lord don't hold the same position anymore.
It's different now.
But Shin-san,
Master Sadakoto is still an important master for me.
He's an invaluable person.
I must protect him with my own life.
Now that I've aged, I no longer have the confidence to protect him.
But if you decline my request,
I must accompany him to France.
I know you have a busy schedule.
I apologize for troubling you.
Master Fujino.
This honor is more than I deserve.
This will make my father proud.
I would be honored to accompany Master Sadakoto to France.
As soon as he said this, Yoshifuru gave up on his advancement.
On July 25, 1887, he left Yokohama to head for France.
One year later
Watch your head.
While Saneyuki was still attending, the Naval Academy moved its location
Edajima, Hiroshima
to Edajima in Hiroshima Prefecture.
Raise the large sail.
It happened in the third year after Saneyuki started.
What was favorable to Saneyuki was
it got him closer to Matsuyama.
Shortly after the move, the students had the summer off.
Iyo-Matsuyama
Good Heavens!
The notorious Jungoro is coming back!
I'm sorry.
Moron!
Are you the Jungoro of the fireworks incident?
I apologize for the trouble I caused.
Well, yes.
You look so distinguished.
Welcome back.
Hey, Mr. Jungoro Akiyama has returned.
The rumor about the return of Akiyama's Jun-san spread quickly among the boys.
The young boys admire heroes.
The rumor about his visit was treated as a folklore among the local boys.
Yoy-yoy-yoy-ya-sa.
Yoy-ya-sa.
Yoy-yoy-yoy-ya-sa.
Yoy-ya-sa. Yoy-ya-sa.
Why didn't you greet each other?
We didn't want to create attention out in the public.
Right, Jun?
Jun,
why did you select the navy?
The blood of Iyo navy is flowing inside of me.
Oh, I see. The blood of Iyo navy.
I won the cutter race at the academy.
Thanks to the Iyo navy cheer.
Jun!
I hope you don't fight anymore.
I'm preparing myself for the fights with other countries.
I need to preserve my energy.
I'm impressed.
We were worried about your behavior.
How's everyone doing?
How about Nobo-san's family?
What about Ri-san?
I know her husband's in Tokyo. Is she in Tokyo, too?
About Ri-san...
What happened?
She got divorced last year.
She's living with her mother now.
After the wedding, she stayed here to take care of his parents.
But she never got to live with her husband in Tokyo.
Her marriage didn't last two years.
I see.
How did that happen to her?
We don't know.
Maybe they didn't see eye to eye with a military man's family.
So nice of you to visit.
I brought a watermelon, Ri-san's favorite.
Thank you.
Ritsu should be back soon. Please come in.
I have to catch my boat so I'll be fine here.
I'll make some tea.
Thank you.
You're now a fine young man.
I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you.
That was nothing.
Thanks to you, Nobo can now take care of himself.
Is Nobo doing well in Tokyo?
Actually, I haven't seen him since I left the school.
It's been a year already.
But I hear rumors about him.
He's doing well with his fellow literature fans.
Speaking of...
he sent me a poem the other day.
It's his handwriting.
"Flowers in a tea room"
"A statue of Rikyu sits in the alcove"
"Lines of ants seen after the early summer rain"
He told us he wanted to become a prime minister.
But he's more interested in Haiku.
He chose the path of Haiku.
Is Ri-san doing well?
Yes.
She's quite a seamstress now.
This kimono was made by her.
That's nice.
Ritsu will be very excited to see you.
She should be back by now.
I'm back.
You just missed him.
Jun-san just left.
He's leaving for Hiroshima from Mitsuhama.
You can catch him if you leave now.
I'll be right back.
Ri-san.
You haven't changed at all.
Actually, I've changed a lot.
So did you.
You mean this?
Your white uniform is so radiant.
Don't be silly.
I hope you don't get in fights anymore.
Of course I don't.
I'm now a student of the Naval Academy.
The one who couldn't get enough fights was actually me.
I went to Tokyo once without telling anyone.
Really?
I never lived with my husband after I got married.
So I decided to be with him.
But he got really angry with me.
He said a wife was to stay home and take care of the parents.
So I told him how I felt.
I didn't marry the Tsuneyoshi family.
I married Tadamichi.
Then he said
he didn't want me anymore because I was too selfish.
That's what he told me.
Jun-san.
You used to say this often.
One must be self-sufficient.
Yeah.
I wanted to leave my family in Matsuyama
to start my own family.
So I can be independent.
You're still a tomboy and strong-willed as ever.
But,
that's your advantage.
A woman can also become independent.
I believe that.
For sure.
I'll be back again.
I'm not far anymore.
Jun-san.
Become a good navy man.
Ri-san, you stay well.
You, too.
Take care of yourself.
Jun, hope this finds you well.
A year has passed since I moved to France.
I saved up money and finally bought my own horse.
I need to hire a horsekeeper and the feed costs quite a penny.
But I'm used to being poor.
I'm doing fine, living a happy life.
No need to worry.
Looking good, Matsukaze.
My horse used to only understand French.
But now he learned some Iyo dialect.
That gave me such pleasure.
Jun,
I discovered the French horsemanship is far superior than that of Germany.
Instead of the stiff riding style favored in Germany,
it's more efficient to ride with the rhythm of a horse like the French do.
That's what I discovered while riding my horse here.
Our army's prejudice against the French over the Germans became very clear.
I want to adopt the French horsemanship when I return to Japan.
So I can build a worldly cavalry in our country.
In January of 1890,
Yoshifuru received a new order from Japan while he was still in Paris.
The Japanese government decided to sponsor his study in France.
Basically, Japan was to rely on this captain who was barely 30 years old
to study and learn all about establishing a superior cavalry.
Yoshifuru Akiyama was prepared to take on this order all on his own.
Yoshifuru's case wasn't unique.
This was what Japan did in many other categories.
The early to mid-Meiji era was
certainly an interesting time for a small country like Japan.
Preview of Next Episode
Haste makes waste.
Slow and steady wins the race.
What would happen to Japan if we lose to the war against China?
Episode Three: A Rumbling Nation
This country's future depends on Prime Minister Ito's decision.
Please come back alive.
Original story "Sakano Ue no Kumo" By Ryotaro Shiba
Screenwriter: Hisashi Nozawa
Music: Jo Hisaishi
Theme song: "Stand Alone" by Sarah Brightman
Titles: Ryotaro Shiba
Narration: Ken Watanabe
Masahiro Notoki as Saneyuki Akiyama
Hiroshi Abe as Yoshifuru Akiyama
Teruyuki Kagawa as Tsunenori (Shiki) Masaoka
Miho Kanno as Ritsu Masaoka
Mieko Harada as Yae Masaoka
Yukioshi Ozawa as Kinnosuke Shiobara (Soseki Natsume)
Koji Matoba as Gaishi Nagaoka
Takahiro Fujimoto as Takeo Hirose
Daijiro Tsutsumi as Shogo Uguchi Atsushi Miyauchi as Shigeta Fujii
Takako Matsu as Tami Sakuma
Jun Takarada as Susumu Fujino
Shiro Ito as Hisataka Akiyama
Keiko Takeshita as Sada Akiyama
Hideki Takahashi as Gentaro Kodama
Executive Producer: Yoshiki Nishimura
Producer: Satoshi Sekiguchi
Director: Takeshi Shibata
Translation and Subtitles by Noriko Morisaki (JVTA)