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 Three: A Rumbling Nation
Constitution of the Empire of Japan! Horray! Banzai!
February 11, 1889.
Japan finally promulgated the Meiji Constitution.
The Diet hadn't opened yet.
But people had received a message that it would open in the following year.
This made young men aspire to go into politics.
Needless to say, Shiki Masaoka was one of them.
His intention of moving to Tokyo was to become a prime minister or
a member of the Diet.
Banzai! Banzai!
My wish is coming true.
Banzai!
Nobo-san, are you all right?
What's wrong?
Nobo-san?
Nobo-san...
In those days, tuberculosis was an incurable disease.
By the time a patient coughed up blood, it had reached a serious stage.
This was a shock to Shiki.
But he could view his own astonishment and grief
from a very objective perspective.
He possessed that strength.
He started to write haiku after he coughed up blood.
He wrote about 40 to 50 poems by 1 a.m.
They were all about cuckoos.
"Shiki" can be read as "Hototogisu (cuckoo)."
A cuckoo has various names in Japanese.
It's known for its moan-like cry.
Shiki associated with this bird and named himself as a cuckoo.
He ended up heading back to Matsuyama for recuperation.
I have returned.
Nobo!
Welcome back.
Nobo, how are you feeling?
You must be tired.
I have your bed ready.
Don't treat me like a sick person for just a bit of blood.
Look at me. I'm fine.
See how tough I am?
I'll take care of Brother.
You can't do that. You're married.
Don't worry.
What is that thing?
This thing's blood has so much nutrition.
I learned how to cook it from a restaurant.
What is she going to do with that?
Nobo, I have a message from Jun-san in Etajima.
From Jun-san?
What did he say?
He's coming to see you in two days.
I haven't seen him in three years.
The first time in three years!
He came back last summer and he looked quite...
He looked quite what?
He looked quite sinister to me.
Sinister?
His face was very dark and he had a stark look in his eyes.
That's why he looked sinister to you.
He's going through a strenuous training.
Being tanned is a proof of health.
Does Jun-san know that Ritsu got married again?
- Nobo-san! - Brother!
You told me you'd tell him.
You got married in January.
I got sick after that and I forgot to tell him.
So Jun-san doesn’t know about it.
I was kidding.
That was a lie. I wrote about it in a letter to him.
It's been six months but I haven't gotten any response from him.
He may be mad at you.
He may be angry.
That was a lie, too.
Damn you.
Ritsu. Shiki's younger sister, got remarried in January.
But when she heard about Shiki's illness,
she visited Shiki every other day to take care of him.
This day was known to seal a cucumber as a tradition.
It was also considered the hottest day of the year.
Everyone on the street was carrying a cucumber.
It was a tradition to take the cucumbers to the temple to fight off any illness.
Brother has been waiting for you.
That's good.
Jun-san,
I am...
I didn't expect to see you.
Actually, I am...
I know. I heard about it.
These are to keep the bad spirits away.
I forgot what today was.
It's hot.
What are you doing out there?
The uniform suits you well.
You think so?
Why don't you both go in?
How is the Naval Academy?
I feel like a weasel.
A weasel?
I have to be on my toes everyday.
Then that's perfect for you.
Have you coughed up blood since you returned home?
Actually,
my blood is kind of foamy now.
The color is lighter, too.
Apparently, the blood is from a torn windpipe from coughing too much.
Really.
So I decided to write a haiku about it.
A torn windpipe,
a steamship is in danger in a sea of blood.
I associated the windpipe and a steamship.
You're quite a man.
I have a pseudonym now.
It's Shiki.
I'm Shiki Masaoka now.
Shiki?
It's a cuckoo.
It's also a synonym for tuberculosis.
And that's your pseudonym.
That's masochistic.
Here you go.
What's this?
Peach cooked in wine.
It's my favorite. I eat it everyday.
That's quite extravagant.
It's the doctor's orders. It's good for my lungs.
I still have a healthy appetite.
Isn't it good?
Can you bring those cucumbers?
We have to flow it down the river of bury it for good luck.
But I want to eat up that luck.
She comes here every other day.
The new husband may divorce her again.
Be quiet.
Ri-san's your brother's savior.
Her husband is a geography teacher.
He's short and not that good looking.
If she gets another divorce, can you...
Brother!
Wow, don't look so angry.
I should stick to the tradition
since I coughed-up blood.
Of course.
Annoying itchy balls.
The rumor about the notorious bully's return spread among the young boys.
Jungoro is natural in water like a fish.
Of course he is. He's in the navy.
Let's join him.
The young boys admire heroes.
They went to the pond wearing their loincloths for swimming.
This pond was a swimming pool for the former Matsuyama Domain.
Hey, it's this way.
This is it? It's a wimpy pond.
Let's swim.
It's really small.
The garrison.
It was common in other regions,
the army soldiers were called garrison in Matsuyama as well.
Why don't you obey the rules?
You must wear your loincloths here.
Excuse me, Mr. Garrison. Did you hear the master?
What did you say?
Let's riot do it.
We don't know what they'd do to us.
Garrison have no manners.
God of Swimming resides in Matsuyama.
You're being disrespectful to God of Swimming.
Old man, what did you just call us?
Mr. Garrison.
You shouldn't be completely naked.
It's an awful sight.
What did you say?
Here, here. Mr. Garrison.
If Mr. Garrison is considered a soldier,
then butterflies and dragonflies would be considered birds.
Butterflies and dragonflies. Mr. Garrison.
What did you say?
Butterflies and dragonflies would be considered birds.
Who are you?
I'm Jungoro Akiyama of Matsuyama.
Who are you?
Hiroshima's Army Corps of Engineers.
Hiroshima Garrison.
This is sacred pond. Hurry up and hide you ugly stuff.
Shut up!
Don't you ever break the rule again.
Hey, you!
You humiliated us army men.
We'll report you to the police.
A fight in the pond must be settled here.
We have an incident.
That Jungoro.
That Jungoro is causing trouble again.
Saneyuki's father, Hisataka, had changed his name to Yasoku.
Yasoku
Apparently, there was an ancestor with that unique name.
He was hoping to share his good luck.
Matsuyama Police Station
The head of Akiyama family is here to settle a matter.
That's the purpose of my visit.
Why isn't your son here?
About that, he's not at our house.
That's not possible.
But he's not at our house.
Are you trying to fool me?
Such a hot day.
So hot.
Unbearably hot.
To tell you the truth, we don't know what to do with this incident.
I see.
The garrison come here everyday
to find out if we have any progress with this matter.
Is that so?
We must settle this matter.
It's causing delay with our paperwork.
You heard him, Yasoku-san.
So get your son over here.
What do you say to 50 sen?
Huh?
Is that not enough?
It's fine.
Then it's settled.
Get the paperwork.
Yes.
20...
A fine of 50 sen.
This settled the matter.
This is quite appropriate.
Apologies for the trouble.
But I ask you not to say anything to Jun.
He tends to be adamant about winning and losing.
Dad.
Why did you go to the police?
It was for my own amusement.
If I didn't do anything, you'd have stormed into the police.
The garrison is at fault.
No need to reconcile with them.
But there was no need to put the police against us.
It'd only make it harder to settle things.
I won't apologize to them ever.
Jun.
Yes?
Pick your battle and save your win for a key fight.
Haste makes waste.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Dad?
It's nice to have you home. Your stir things up.
I enjoy the excitement.
The health of old Yasoku took a wrong turn in autumn.
Saneyuki graduated from the academy in July of the following year.
He was on his maiden voyage
out in the open sea.
We got letters.
Letters.
Letters from home
Let's read them.
- Takeda. - Here.
Kusunoki.
Akiyama, this one's for you.
This is from my brother in France.
What does it say?
I don't know French.
Dad had
passed away.
Both of us couldn't be with our father at the end of his life.
His fate was up to God.
There was nothing we could do.
I'd like to make this as our father's obituary.
Following an European tradition,
this notice was sent to more than one hundred acquaintances here.
Now some Europeans know about him who lived on an island in Japan.
That gives me joy in this time of grief.
When you return from the Mediterranean, I ask you to comfort our mother.
Heroes of present and past all come from poverty.
The reason why I'm not wealthy is for my children.
If parents are well-to-do, children get spoiled.
I will feed you.
But you're on your own for the rest.
- Jun. - Yes?
Pick your battle and save your win for a key fight.
Haste makes waste. Slow and steady wins the race.
Dad?
It's nice to have you home. You stir things up.
I enjoy the excitement.
It was on December 15, 1890, when their father, Hisataka,
had gone to his rest.
Saneyuki immediately went to visit his mother in Matsuyama.
I'm home.
Jun.
Let me do that for you.
No, don't worry.
You don't have to do that.
Just sit over there.
I'm glad you came back.
You're a strong man now.
He started to get weak last year.
He was in bed often.
He wanted you to focus on your duty.
So he didn't want to disturb you with the news.
He told me so.
Take your time and talk to him.
This thing here...
is written about you in French.
Your name, as the father of Captain Yoshifuru Akiyama,
is now known among the French people.
- Mom. - Yes?
Are you going to be okay?
I will be fine.
I'll stay here and protect our family home.
That's it.
Will you come to Tokyo?
I can't leave you alone here.
I'll take care of you.
You don't have to do that.
You're a busy navy man now. You must focus on your duty.
Your father would say that.
Why don't you live with Brother?
He'll return from France by year-end.
Thank you.
I appreciate your concern.
I'll think about it
Here. They got a little burnt.
Have some.
Jun.
Thank you for coming to see me.
Seeing your face was more than enough.
It made me happy.
Your toasted beans taste the best.
Jun!
These give me farts.
This story's purpose is to depict the Russo-Japanese War
starting from a certain time period.
Russia's emperor of that time was Nicholas II.
He paid a visit to Japan once.
Otsu, Shiga Prefecture
He was still a prince then.
Salute!
It was on May 11, 1891.
Prince Nicholas visited Lake Biwa.
He was passing through Otsu after touring the lake.
A police officer on duty, Sanzo Tsuda, approached the prince's rickshaw.
He drew his sword and tried to cut the prince down twice.
He feared about Russia invading Japan.
He was deeply disturbed by the fear.
The cut wound reached his periosteum,
but his skull was untouched.
This wound ended up leaving an eternal scar on the prince.
About this time, the neighboring country China had embarked on modernization.
Miyajima in Aki
Two months after Nicholas' visit,
The Beiyang Fleet of China toured Japanese harbors on a goodwill mission.
At least that was the reason given.
Their true mission was to coerce Japan into diplomatic negotiations.
Commodore Ding Ruchang invited Japan's key personnel.
He scheduled a gathering on the battleship, Dingyuan.
Ding Ruchang Beiyang Fleet Commodore
Saneyuki, a second lieutenant cadet, got to see the battleship as well.
Excuse me.
Sorry about that.
It's my bad habit when I'm deep in thought.
I was thinking how to win over a battle against a battleship like this.
You want one?
Yes, thank you.
After the main battery demonstration,
the guests were on their way to leave the ship.
This way please.
Where to?
May I help you, sir?
Please follow me, sir.
Go back to your duty!
Ah, a secret inspection?
Excuse me.
You are Captain Togo.
Chief of Staff, Kure Naval Headquarters.
Am I correct?
Admiral Ding,
Thank you very much for your guidance earlier.
You've come at a good time.
I was just heading for your cabin, sir.
I was asked to guide him.
I brought this book with me earlier to present to you, sir.
But I forgot.
"Elements of International Law"
Thank you very much.
We Asian nations should not be scared of the great powers.
It is time that we knew their rules.
Exactly, sir.
Come over here.
They're unauthorized intruders.
Please wait.
I brought them as my escort, sir.
That's not true.
Are they your men?
Yes, sir.
Sir, I am Saneyuki Akiyama, midshipman, Cruiser Takachiho.
Petty Officer 3rd Class, Hanada.
I am Ding. Commander in Chief of Qing Beiyang Fleet.
Thank you very much, sir.
Excuse me.
May I ask one question?
What is it?
What was your opinion of the Beiyang Fleet?
What's your opinion?
China is a wealthy country.
Their equipment is state-of-the-art.
Our battleships are no match to them.
That's true.
But the Beiyang Fleet is like a dull sword.
A dull sword?
You saw them.
The sailors were gambling and slurping noodles in the hallways.
And they were hanging laundry on the sacred gun barrel.
Their ship may be strong with monstrous guns.
But I doubt they'd be able to perform to their fullest.
The ones who control the ship and fight the battle
are the people.
The people.
Thank you very much.
This man would later command and fight against Russia's Baltic Fleet.
His name was Heihachiro Togo.
Shiki was now back in Tokyo.
He was writing a series about haiku in the newspaper, "Nippon."
"Nippon" held a unique position among the Meiji newspapers.
The president of the newspaper was Katsunan Kuga.
Katsunan Kuga, president of "Nippon"
Katsunan took Shiki under his arms since Shiki's uncle was his best friend.
Katsunan acted as Shiki's guardian.
These are very well written.
Haiku turns into something new and takes on a life when you write them.
Thank you.
Please take care of this.
I'd like to discuss something with you.
What is it?
I'd like to quit the university.
What?
I apologize for my request.
What will you do?
Please hire me at this newspaper.
I want to make a career in haiku.
Why do you have to quit the university?
Well...
I tried to focus on study in my room in the quiet neighborhood.
As I sat in front of my clean desk,
all I could think of was haiku.
Haiku kept creeping out of me.
Creeping out of you.
I like that.
That's what happened.
I can't save myself from the spell of haiku.
And...
And?
I'm starting to feel rushed.
I don't have much time left.
Sensei,
I'm prepared to give my life to haiku.
I understand. I'll hire you.
Are you sure?
You can move into my house. I worry about your illness.
Thank you, but
my family is back in my homeland.
I was hoping to support them here in Tokyo.
Then bring your mother here.
I'll write to you mother.
If that's the case...
Well, actually, there's something else.
How shall I put this?
What is it?
It's difficult for me to say.
My sister insists on taking care of me.
So she left her husband and living with my mother.
Then bring your sister, too.
I'll rent my neighbor’s house.
Sensei, thank you!
Shiki's haiku and his theory on haiku made a giant leap
about the time he started at "Nippon."
Are we going the right way?
Turn right over there.
Please take a break.
Thank you.
This way.
It happened between the mid morning until midnight.
It ended up in a tie.
"Basho is lost. I now hear your reading voice close by."
That is Kuga Sensei's voice. He's my great mentor.
You're lucky.
He was worried about the low salary at "Nippon."
So he recommended to go to "Asahi" or the Diet newspaper.
But I'd never do that.
I'll work like a dog at "Nippon."
That's my man.
Glad you agree.
A man's greatness can be measured in multiple ways.
A man who contributes to his fullest with a little pay is a lot greater than
the one who gets paid more.
Hey, Ritsu, are you listening?
Yes, I am.
Mother. Ritsu.
We all have to make do with my salary of 15 yen.
I appreciate your corporation.
You must work hard so you can repay Kuga Sensei's kindness.
I know that well.
- Masaoka? - What is it?
When you are pinched for money, I'll share my materials.
What do you mean?
My novel.
It's the time of the novels.
It'll sell.
So it's your materials for money.
That's exactly right.
The storyteller of my novel is...
What's this about? What are you doing?
It's a cat.
A cat?
The world the humans live is told by the family pet, a cat,
in a humorous way.
Isn't that progressive?
Not serious enough.
Your ideas always lack in substance.
Ritsu-san, what do you think?
How would a cat speak?
Please forget about it.
At the end of 1891, Yoshifuru Akiyama returned to Japan from France.
Pull the horse towards you.
Pay attention.
Go faster. A lot faster.
And pull back.
Cavalry is the pride of our army.
The cavalry you lead has fast and precise movements.
Is that the French-trained way?
No, we're far from the level of the French cavalry.
We still need to work on how they move as a group.
Soul developed this training plan.
Gentaro Kodama Adjutant General, the Department of War
Akiyama, you're working hard.
The future of our cavalry is on your shoulders.
Don't you have plan for a marriage?
Excuse me?
What do you say?
What's the matter?
You can talk horses but you don't like talking women.
Your Excellency,
my life is perfectly fine as is.
But marriage is a different matter.
You need to find a wife.
Well...
It's easy for you to say.
I'm sure your mother is worried about you staying single.
Find a wife.
My mother is hard to please.
This year, Yoshifuru had arranged his mother to leave Matsuyama
so that Sada could live with him in Tokyo.
Shin-san.
Mr. Kodama came to visit today.
He did?
He offered to find a wife for you if you don't have anyone.
He's very kind.
That was such a pleasant surprise.
I felt very grateful for his kind words.
Shin-san.
I heard you told him that you'd be fine with anyone if I like her.
That was my way out.
So you told him.
Yes, I did.
There's someone I like.
Mother.
Please meet her on your next day off.
Mother, who is that person?
I can't tell you yet.
This place is...
You used to rent a room at this Sakuma residence.
Excuse us.
It's been a while.
Thank you for coming.
Congratulations on completing your duty in France.
Glad to see you well.
I'm also glad to see you well.
I hear you were the studious one and your brother was mischievous.
The ocean looked beautiful from Oshiroyama mountain.
And the summer citrus was delicious.
Ohi-sama.
Did you visit Matsuyama?
Yes, last summer.
Thank you for your time then. I enjoyed it very much.
I'm the one who enjoyed it.
You shared many stories of Shin-san's life in Tokyo.
I appreciated it very much.
You're still a tomboy.
You often told me that
a military man must focus on his duty and not think about marriage until 35.
Yes, that's my philosophy.
How old are you this year?
I'll be 35.
Do you still live with one rice bowl?
No.
Since my mother is with me, we have two rice bowls now.
I'm sure that's the case.
But I wouldn't mind having another rice bowl.
"Matrimonial harmony~"
"Yoshifuru and Tami got married."
"Did even the bachelorhood's last fortress fall down?!"
"We the graduate of Army War College..."
"Destroyed!"
"Boom!!"
A war was about to start.
Sino-Japanese War
It was the Sino-Japanese War.
It was the first war against a foreign country for the modernized Japan.
The three Iyo-Matsuyama men would experience it in their own ways.
We'll start with our training.
You go first.
- Start. - Yes, sir.
It was the nineteenth century.
The great powers were operating based on their own egoism.
And the world history was moving with the energy based on imperialism.
What is the Sino-Japanese War?
The geographic location of the Korean Peninsula was the cause.
Historically, maintaining a peninsula country is quite complex.
Korean Peninsula was under the suzerainty of China.
By contrast, its protection was claimed by
Russia and Japan.
What Japan feared was Korea to become a territory of another country.
When that happens,
only the Sea of Genkai would separate Japan from other principle forces.
Spring of 1894.
In the spring of 1894, a huge riot among the farmers occurred in Korea.
It was the Tonghak Upspring.
"Tonghak of Korea"
This sent at shock wave through the Korean government.
The frightening misfortune the government faced was
they could no longer maintain the security of their own country.
They decided to request China arrange a large army.
No one thought to ask Japan to help Korea.
Prime Minister's official residence
Japan's prime minister at that time was Hirobumi Ito.
Hirobumi Ito, Prime Minister
China is dispatching troops to Korea?
That's correct.
Munemitsu Mutsu Minister of Foreign Affairs
Yuan Chikai of China is putting pressure on them.
When is this taking place?
The General Staff Offices estimates it to be in a week.
Suroku Kawakami, Vice Chief of Staff
2,000 Chinese soldiers will land in southern Seoul.
We must take caution.
We must not rouse China.
We must dispatch troops to Korea.
Japan must civilize Korea.
That's what you always told us.
How many soldiers?
I believe one brigade would be appropriate.
Isn't that too many?
If we send troops, the great powers will surely get involved.
One brigade means the same level of dispatch as China.
This way, China or the great powers won't doubt us.
Your Excellency, we must dispatch the troops now.
I know that.
Mr. Kawakami, thanks for your work.
There is one thing I haven't disclosed to Mr. Ito.
My sources tell me that China plans on sending 5,000 soldiers.
5,000?
In order to confront them,
we must send a minimum of 7,000 soldiers.
7,000 as the initial dispatch.
It'd be a war.
Will we win?
If we can keep it a quick war, we can win.
Mr. Kawakami,
we just told Mr. Ito that we'll dispatch one brigade.
He would never go for sending 7,000 soldiers.
Prime Minster Ito is a pacifist to the point of being a coward.
Mr. Mutsu,
A typical brigade is 2,000 soldiers.
Do you know the number of a brigade when it's at a war strength?
If we gather cavalry, artillery and engineering, it'd make up 7,000.
After the cabinet's decision, we can approach the prime minister.
The operational power would be in our hands.
As expected from an elite who studied in Germany.
Vice Chief of Staff Kawakami.
We will dispatch troops to Korea.
Prime Minister Ito had a personal experience
with the attack of Choshu Domain by the western countries.
He was well aware of the destructive power the advance nations possessed.
Ito's political decisions never derailed from
his shrewdness, his wisdom and personal experiences.
We elect to dispatch troops to Korea.
But our sole purpose is to protect the Japanese residents in Korea.
We must not provoke the Chinese army in any way to initiate a war.
Inchon, Korean Peninsula
On June 9th, only a week after the decision to dispatch,
the Japanese army landed in Inchon, west coast of Korea.
But when the Japanese army reached Seoul, the capital,
Korean Emperor had accepted the request of Tonghak.
You mislead me.
4,000 of our soldiers are landing in Korea.
Vice Chief of Staff Kawakami,
you told me one brigade of 2,000 soldiers would be dispatched.
The Tonghak Upspring is now settled.
Mutsu,
negotiate with China and withdraw all the troops.
Your Excellency, the situation is still very unpredictable.
I don't believe China will easily accept the troop withdrawal.
But we have too many soldiers just to protect the Japanese residents.
Excuse me for interrupting,
but I can't change the troop strength.
What do you mean?
The dispatch was decided in a Cabinet meeting.
Your Excellency had passed by judgment.
Once the dispatch was decided,
the Chief of the General Staff holds the decisions on its operation.
Please leave the operational decisions on us.
We have information that China is sending additional 5,000 men.
If we decide to withdraw the troops now,
the Chinese army positioned in Asan and Phyongyan will surely destroy us.
We mustn't waste time to dispatch additional 3,000 men.
Your Excellency,
the superiority of the forces will determine the outcome.
I strongly believe additional dispatch is the safe course of action.
Soroku Kawakami was known as as the greatest asset to the army.
Munemitsu Mutsu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, was called a razor blade.
It's not false to say that these two men started this war.
Aritomo Yamagata was the army general and the chair of The Privy Council.
He visited Ito's residence.
Aritomo Yamagata Chair of The Privy Council
These men were from the lower rank samurais of Choshu.
They fought together as militia against the shogunate.
They governed Japan as veteran statesmen of the Meiji Restoration.
What a magnificent garden.
But it lacks a bit of refinement.
I'd like to see more dignity suited to this garden.
I give up.
You're known as the best landscape planner.
I'd love to get your advice.
It doubt we have that luxury at a time like this.
As you say.
There's a slight unrest out there since we dispatched troops to Korea.
The newspapers report to provoke the animosity towards China..
And now political parties are forming agreeing to those opinions.
It's a crucial time when we need the influence by an authority like you.
Mr. Ito,
a war against China is inevitable now.
Even you make such a statement.
China may be an ancient country but is a great power.
Japan is no match to them.
We can win.
Our army is well prepared.
Master Yamagata is aware of it.
Mr. Ito,
I'm sure you remember when Choshu fought against the western powers.
Of course.
We made light of the foreigners' attack at the beginning.
But we were proven wrong.
We were completely destroyed.
The insult from that defeat will never be forgotten.
I almost lost my life one time.
I'm prepared to give it all for our country this time.
If a war starts, I will personally lead the troops in Korea.
We'd like Master Yamagata to command the First Army
and lead the troops to cross Yarlung River.
This country's future depends on Prime Minster Ito's decision.
Your Excellency,
did you want to see me?
Come in.
Have a seat.
How are you feeling?
Not too well.
I can see that.
But I have no time to deal with my illness.
I hope my hectic life will chase away my illness.
That's my wish anyway.
How did you and I get to this point?
Don't you wonder?
Listen, Mutsu.
I still often dream about being yelled at by Mr. Takasugi.
Isn't that comical?
Shinsaku Takasugi of the militia.
I'm still a gofer for Mr. Takasugi in my dreams.
Mutsu.
I'm just a coward.
That's why I like to be over-prudent.
I built this country by taking cautious measures at each step.
What would happen to our country if we lose to a war against China?
Russia will take action.
They are sure to apply pressure on us.
If that happens, we're done.
Russia is too occupied with dealing with the threat from Germany.
Enough optimism.
Have you ever thought about what would happen if we lose?
Our finance will be ruined.
We'd be singled out as a prime bait for the great powers.
Our duty is to protect our country from those situations.
Don't you agree?
We must keep the damage to the minimum if we lose.
We must take all measures.
I completely agree.
Mutsu.
Make private arrangements with Russia.
Our sole purpose is to free Korea from the control of China
so that it can be an independent nation.
We don't intend to invade the country.
We must submit our proposal to China.
Let them know our intent to reform Korea in collaboration with China.
We propose Korea to be a true independent nation.
I speculate China won't accept the proposal.
I don't care.
This is to show Japan's righteousness to the world.
If China doesn't accept our proposal and use their force to start a war,
China will be in the wrong.
Let's prepare to discuss this in tomorrow's Cabinet meeting.
Yes, sir.
This meeting would decide on the dedication of war.
Yoshifuru was now a commander of the cavalry.
He was preparing for the mobilization at his residence in Meguro.
You're doing it wrong.
Those need to be packed in this box.
Put these in that box.
Yes, dear.
Tami, don't work so hard.
You must take care of yourself.
I know.
Mother, I'll leave Tami's care to you.
Please don't worry about me.
You should just focus on your duty.
She is right.
I understand.
Thanks for your help.
We're ready now.
Oh, I almost forgot.
Please get the box in the alter.
Let me get it for you.
That's the box.
What is this?
The names.
Nobuyoshi for a boy.
And Yoshi for a girl.
What do you think?
Don't you think those are good names?
I don't care which one as long as it's a healthy child.
I'll leave the house to your capable hands.
Shinzaburo.
Please come back alive.
Please promise
that you'll come back to me.
It's a promise.
The combined fleet had also departed Sasebo.
Saneyuki was on board a cruiser, Tsukushi,
which was on a surveillance duty off the west coast of Korea.
We're about to fight against Commodore Ding's Beiyang Fleet.
Don't be so nervous.
Hanada, what's your specialty?
Climbing the mast.
I'm better than any Chinese soldier.
I'm good at strategizing a fight.
If each of us handle what we're good at, we can have a breakthrough.
Sublieutenant Akiyama, are you nervous, too?
No, I'm not.
But your hands are trembling.
Petty Officer Hanada.
To be honest, I'm nervous.
Tremendously nervous.
The war was yet to be declared.
But the first smoke of cannon was fired out in the sea.
Early that morning,
Japanese fleet confronted Chinese fleet off the west coast of Korea.
A battle had begun.
And at 10 a. m. that morning,
Cruiser Namiwa on a chase duty of an enemy ship discovered a new target.
It was a large steamship.
While it displayed a British flag,
the ship was packed with Chinese officers and men.
Engage on the right.
The distance is 800.
Naniwa's captain confirmed the transport of Chinese men by this British ship.
For this reason, he ordered an attack to sink the ship.
All batteries are ready for firing.
Start shooting.
This incident was immediately reported to England via Shanghai telegram.
It had infuriated the whole nation of England.
Naniwa's caption was Heihachiro Togo.
Preview of Next Episode
Who would do it if I don't.
Commander!
I will go to Lushun if no one else would.
This is for the victory of our country.
What makes a good commander?
Episode Four: The Sino Japanese War
You need to make quick decisions.
But years of preparation is required to make a good decision.
Hanada!
Original story "Sakano Ue no Kumo" by Ryotaro Shiba
Screenwriter: Hisashi Nozawa
Music: Jo Hisashi
Theme song: "Stand Alone" by Sarah Brightman
Titles: Ryotaro Shiba
Narration: Ken Watanabe
Masahiro Motoki as Saneyuki Akiyama
Hiroshi Abe as Yoshifuru Akiyama
Teruyuki Kagawa as Tsunenori (Shiki) Masaoka
Miho Kanno as Ritsu Masaoka
Mieko Harada as Yae Masaoka
Shiro Sano as Katsunan Kuga
Yukiyoshi Ozawa as Kinnosuke Natsume (Soseki)
Koji Matoba as Gaishi Nagaoka
You Tokui as Officer Sonoda Kyotaro Yanagiya as Police Chief
Kunihiro Suda as Hanada
Takako Matsu as Tami Akiyama
Jun Kunimura as Soroku Kawakami
Ren Osugi as Munemitsu Mutsu
Hideki Takahashi as Gentaro Kodama
Shiro Ito as Hisataka Akiyama
Keiko Takeshita as Sada Akiyama
Toru Emori as Aritomo Yamagata
Go Kato as Hirobumi Ito
Tetsuya Watari a Heihachiro Togo
Executive Producer: Yoshiki Nishimura
Producer: Satoshi Sekiguchi
Director: Takeshi Shibata
Translation and Subtitles by Noriko Morisaki (JVTA)