Special Drama
A very small country is
about to become a civilized nation.
This story is about three men from Iyo-Matuyama in Shikoku.
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 high above a hill,
they would only focus on the clouds and climb the hill.
Cloud Above The Slope
Episode Seven: The Death of Shiki
July, 1902
It was hard to believe but
Naval War College finally established a course in war tactics in July, 1902.
Naval War College
Saneyuki was chosen as the first instructor of the course.
Salute!
Eyes front!
Some senior naval officers were among the special students.
Captain Rokuro Yashiro
Yashiro was an instructor when Saneyuki attended the military academy.
As we embark on the study of war tactics today,
I'd like to make one thing clear.
Don't try to learn war tactics from me.
What you learn from me may not apply at a critical time in battle.
What's important is for you to learn to formulate your own tactics.
You must read a vast number of reference books.
Peruse countless war history books.
Only then you'll start to see the best way to fight.
Which war history have you read?
I've been studying about the Battle of Yalu River.
This world's first sea battle using the latest battleships would be
helpful for the war with Russia.
Commander Ito disbanded the fighting power, a critical error on his part.
And what have you learned?
First Lieutenant Hisatsune Iida
Objection!
First Lieutenant Nobutaro Shimomura
Commander Ito's strategy wasn't wrong.
Our navy defeated the Beiyang Fleet.
That is after the fact.
No, it's not!
I hear your opinions.
But the answer is in the actual battle.
And this is our battleground.
This is where all of you and I will formulate the tactics.
Yes, sir.
Military Simulation
Results of the sixth maneuver.
During the time Saneyuki spent studying with the U.S. Navy,
he was most impressed by the military simulation using map maneuvers.
This involved plotting the toy-like battleships on a large board.
The players were separated into two fighting parties
and practiced the tactics under the instructor's supervision.
To plot a battle, each player assumed a key responsibility such as
the commander of a squadron, the chief of staff and the captain.
By repeating this exercise, it was designed to build confidence
and maintain composure at any situation.
The seventh maneuver. Teiei. Fire the main battery.
The red team to engage an artillery battle.
Damage Chart
One hit the target.
Target Mark Chart
The ship is seriously damaged.
Serious damage on Yoshino.
Yoshino
Serious damage on Yoshino.
These students would become officers during the Russo-Japanese War
and they would keep the squadrons in perfect order under Saneyuki's watch.
Begin!
The time for the ninth maneuver is 1209.
Serious damage on Takachiho, minor on Akitsuhima, serious on Naniwa.
The time for the 26th maneuver is
1-2-4-3.
Medium damage on Hatsushima and Choda.
This is it. The exercise is finished.
Japan and China both received enormous damage.
Unfortunately, all of you failed with your responsibilities.
I couldn't keep my composure during the fast-moving situations.
Your decision were
probably based on the results of the past battles.
That is just a review of the history.
Korekiyo Takahashi, Vice President of The Bank of Japan
- Iida. - Yes, sir.
How many are on board of this ship?
Well...
Yoshino has 385 on board.
Did you think about that?
A commander is responsible for the lives of all on board.
In other words, one error by us can cause unnecessary deaths.
In an actual battle,
a commander must make serious decisions one after another.
Hanada!
It's a constant struggle.
I sometimes get struck by the fear caused by my own inability.
Ignorant commanders are murders.
All the men working under you are giving their lives to the navy.
You must not let them die in vain.
What would you do if you were the commander of the situation?
What do you need to do to make the right decisions?
I'd like to get those questions answered while working with all of you.
That's how I'd like to teach.
This is it for today.
Thank you very much.
What a job a commander has, responsible for so many lives.
Definitely not for a coward like me.
Korekiyo-sensei.
Everybody, keep up the good work.
You must be tired.
Why don't we go have some fun?
Living Picture
Heavenly Maiden and Fisherman
They're all intelligent women from the nobility.
Yoshitsune and Shizuka-Gozen
I don't belong here. I'll leave after having one drink.
I'm sorry.
Miss Sueko Inou, a daughter of the Imperial Household Agency director.
She'll be performing on the stage as a graduate.
Nice to meet you.
This is
Lieutenant Commander Saneyuki Akiyama.
The next one is Admiral Sukeyuki Ito played by Miss Sueko Inou.
That Sueko is very pretty.
Like a white plum blossom of Yushima.
Look. They're all taken by her.
You're the one who's taken by her.
Is that so?
If I were younger, I'd be the first to approach her.
Akiyama, don't you think so?
I prefer practicality over the aesthetic.
I need to get back to work.
It just got started.
Yashiro will take care of you.
Enjoy yourself. We have a restaurant reservation.
See you later.
Sensei,
Takanawa, Shiba (Tokyo)
Saneyuki's first meeting with a prospective marriage partner
arranged by Takahashi and Yashiro didn't go as planned.
Welcome home.
It was a long day for you.
Mother, Jun-san's finally home.
Welcome back.
You must be hungry.
Don't push yourself, Mom. How are you feeling?
I'm fine.
Your mother and I made your favorite, mixed rice with vegetables.
We have a lot to discuss with you before you get on another ship.
I'm expecting an official response from you today.
Is it about the usual topic?
I sense my sister-in-law's conspiracy.
Jun-san, you know I play your brother's role while he's in China.
Jun, it's time for you to settle down.
Just like me, you must find a wife before you turn 35.
I'm sure that's what your brother would say.
Wow, this looks great.
Thanks for this meal.
You can see Tami is also concerned.
I'll get you some sake.
Thank you.
Jun, this is embarrassing.
Don't worry, Mom.
There's nothing wrong with me carrying you.
It's costly if we hire someone.
If I'm a better provider, I can let you live in a house with a bath.
Don't you worry about that.
Jun.
What is it, Mom?
You must hurry and get ready to marry and have a family
while I can still teach your wife how to make the mixed rice.
I don't have long to live.
Don't be silly.
Here you go.
What is this?
A good-luck charm.
I need you to live for a long time.
Then...
What is it?
Is it possible that you have someone serious in your life?
Are you kidding me?
That's what I thought.
I can't imagine you having someone serious anyway.
I continue to attack the established poetry circle with criticism.
But they don't attack me back because they know I'm not well.
If I were healthy, they won't leave me alone for sure.
Whenever I think about it, feel fortunate to be ill.
Shiki was well aware of his approaching death.
Every time the pain attacked him, he screamed in agony.
But he didn't show any remorse about his nearing death.
Ouch!
Can you do it more gently?
I need to tie the bandage tight or it'll get lose.
This hurts.
Then ask Kyoshi to do it for you.
He's busy with the editorial meeting.
"Ritsu is a woman of reason."
"She is an inconsiderate woman with no compassion or sympathy."
"Also stubborn."
Ritsu-san,
"She treats others coldly."
"She is especially shy towards men."
"Therefore, she is not meant to be someone's spouse."
"And because of her traits she is now a caretaker of her brother"
That was Shiki's description of Ritsu in his "Notes from the sickbed."
Even though Shiki was near death, he tried to live unlike a sick person.
He kept himself busy.
He held haiku readings and his publication's editorial meetings.
He even organized farewell parties for other people.
And those were usually held in his small house.
"Ritsu is a nurse and a maid."
Ritsu.
Yes!
"She's not only a maid, but also an organizer."
"She's not only an organizer..."
Ritsu, be careful.
Yes.
"but also my secretary."
"While not perfect, she manages to write clean copies of my drafts."
Not good.
What's not good?
Full of errors.
"However serious my illness may get,"
"my only wish is for Ritsu's well being."
"I hope if Ritsu stays healthy, I continue to live."
Ritsu.
Hey, Ritsu.
What...
Not "what."
It's "yes."
Yes.
Hello.
Brother.
Brother?
What?
They brought it for you.
Just as I expected, it's such a beautiful morning glory.
Leave it there.
Katsunan Kuga, President of "Nippon!
Yes, father.
Katsunan Kuga of newspaper Nippon was Shiki's lifetime mentor.
Masaoka-sensei, how do you do?
How do you do? Thank you.
Master Katsunan, thank you for answering my request.
I wanted just the right flower to conclude my "Flower Sketch Collection."
Good morning.
When I heard your voice reading a book this morning,
it made me think of the beautiful morning glory in your garden.
I wanted to see it.
"Now that Basho is done, I hear your voice of reading."
I remember that haiku you wrote for me in the past.
"As a morning glory opens, and I hear your voice of reading" for today?
So your "Flower Sketch Collection" is nearing completion.
I can't wait for it.
Newspaper Nippon
The only income Shiki had was the nominal salary from the newspaper.
Today's manuscript for "Byosho Rokushaku (six-foot sickbed)."
We're truly grateful to him.
Masaoka risks his life to give us manuscripts for this column.
He's the key to our newspaper's survival.
Ichinen Kojima, Editor in Chief
The chief editor was Ichinen Kojima, a renowned journalist of the time.
This one marks the 100th.
Masaoka told me to prepare 100 of these envelopes.
I'm glad I had 300 made.
If he keeps writing with this vigor for another 100, then another 100,
he may live until next spring.
"My current life exists within this six-foot sickbed."
"I struggle every morning to wake up."
"But when I read my column in the paper, I feel alive again."
I guess his life is prolonged thanks to newspaper Nippon.
How's Masaoka doing?
He was able to talk with me for quite a while this morning.
Then he sketched the morning glory.
His "Flower Sketch Collection" is now complete.
That's great to hear.
But that's only when the morphine is working.
When it rains, Masaoka will be attacked by the unbearable pain.
It hurts.
Ritsu.
Mother.
This pain...
So painful.
Hurts too much.
Jun-san.
Natsume.
Somebody please help me.
Where is everybody?
Ritsu.
"I laugh when it's funny."
"I cry when it's sad."
"When the pain is unbearable, I moan or scream."
"When I moan, scream or cry as hard as I can,"
"my pain fades ever so slightly."
I'm home.
I got rained on.
Where's Ritsu?
Welcome back.
Ritsu is not home yet.
"I'm not afraid of the death."
"I'm afraid of the pain."
"I can barely endure my illness and its pain."
"How can I face the fear of failing to die?"
The flagship Retvizan, the battleships Peresvet and Petropavlovsk...
Lieutenant Takeo Hirose ended his duty as a military attache to Russia.
He returned to Japan via Vladivostok and Port Arthur.
Those make up the Russian fleet in Port Arthur.
Lieutenant Commander, Takeo Hirose
Our enemy has an enormous fleet at only a two-day distance from Sasebo.
It was mind-blowing.
Vladivostok alone has an impressive fleet.
It was a thrilling sight.
In addition,
beyond north in the Baltic Sea,
they have the Baltic Fleet, much larger than the Port Arthur fleet.
While they're still far,
they could approach the Sea of Japan.
To fight against them is our one and only
Combined Fleet.
I know he's the instructor and I'm the student.
But Akiyama ridiculed me in front of others.
"How foolish. I thought Yashiro was more knowledgeable."
"I was shocked to find you didn't know this."
That wasn't good.
You're more senior as a tactician than Akiyama.
And it's not the way for a Lieutenant Commander to talk to a Captain.
You're a man of courage.
I can see a scuffle between Akiyama and you.
I'll carry these for you.
Did that happen already?
No. But I'm a tactician after all.
I studied it all night without sleep.
And unfortunately, Akiyama is correct this time.
In the class next day, I apologized to him loudly.
Akiyama, you are right.
"Then he said point-blank, "Of course I'm right."
That's very him.
He has no charm.
No charm is necessary for planning tactics.
That's why people say,
"he's a genius with no people skills."
No woman would approach him.
Hirose, I have your seat reserved.
And for you, Instructor Akiyama.
Hey, Akiyama.
Did a pretty lady dump you?
I consider the navy as my lifetime hobby.
I plan on dying in a battle, so marriage is not on my mind.
How about you?
I have a new assignment.
I'll board Asahi.
Asahi? The one we boarded in Portsmouth for a photo?
That's right.
It's the biggest battleship in the world.
I know.
The next time we see each other, we'll be part of the fleet.
We may be in a war by then.
Tianjin, China
The Great Powers stationed occupational forces in China after the rebellion.
Japanese Settlement
Their duty was to protect the residents' safety
and each country's interests in China.
The forces were stationed in China almost permanently.
Japan had set up "Chinese Occupational Forces Guard Headquarters" in Tianjin.
The commander's position was assigned to a colonel,
Yoshifuru Akiyama.
This is such a depressing sight.
English or French settlements already have western style buildings.
The difference between them and Japan is evident.
Japan is a country at a disadvantage.
Should we at least repair the roads?
It's easier said than done.
You need money and labor for that.
Japanese must put in physical effort to survive.
Doesn't it feel good to be physical?
This is His Excellency Yuan Shikai, Governor General.
We'd like to meet the commander.
Please show us to him.
Let me take you to him.
He'll take us to the commander.
Japanese Army Headquarters
Thank you for waiting.
I'm Yoshifuru Akiyama, the commander of Japanese Occupational Forces.
It's my honor to meet you.
Yoshifuru was popular among not only the Japanese, but also the officers of
other countries and the Chinese officials.
His heroic personality put people at ease and made him more approachable
Of course Yuan Shikai was aware of Yoshifuru's reputation.
Yuan Shikai took over the position after Li Hongzhan died from an illness.
He was a man of good reputation.
I expect nothing less from Your Excellency.
Enjoy good liquor, drink a significant amount a day, likes riding,
especially in the open fields.
Are you Japanese working for the Westerners?
You were working for the British and the Russians
and took our land, our wealth and the lives of our people.
How can fellow Asians do that to us?
Do I look like such a person?
Then give us back the authority for Tianjin.
If Japan leads in this effort, the Great Powers will have to follow.
I understand.
I'll return the authority of the Japanese settlement to you.
Is that the truth?
I wish it was the truth.
We have the lowest rank within the Allied Powers.
The Great Powers won't simply let us do that.
To return the authority back to you,
we need to have the consent of the Allied Powers.
Are you humiliating His Excellency?
Father.
Lower rank.
That's true.
Your settlement is pathetic.
The commander himself has to take part in road repairs.
Go get my horse.
There was one more left
Did you know this is my favorite liquor?
I knew you'd visit one day, so I kept this one unopened for you.
Once I start drinking this, I cannot stop.
This is the legendary Chollima.
If you win over me,
I'll gift this horse to you.
I wonder he's even worthy to ride this horse.
Your Excellency
We're not at our destination yet.
What a view from here.
I wish I could train my cavalry in vast area like this.
Looks like you need more liquor.
Are you sure you're a Japanese?
I've never met a Japanese who can drink as much and good at riding.
You're also quite impressive.
Whatever happens,
I won't lose to a Japanese.
Whatever happens, I won't lose to a Chinese.
Hey, non-drinker!
Help get Commander Akiyama back on his horse
Thanks. Appreciate your help.
His Excellency! His Excellency!
Yuan Shikai's cunningness was proven by his actions at the Boxer Rebellion.
China joined hands with the Boxers and declared a war against the Great Powers.
Yuan Shikai kept his troops in Shantung until the very end.
After China and the Boxers lost, he took the lead of unhurt troops
to embark on a new management.
Move forward.
They must be your elites.
That's right.
We must reform our military system and own powerful weapons
to build a new military as equal to that of the Great Powers.
Go!
Yuan Shikai would later become the President of the Republic of China.
This man who overthrew the Qing dynasty also trusted Yoshifuru tremendously.
Negishi, Tokyo
After moving back to Tokyo, Saneyuki paid a visit to Shiki at his house.
Thank you, Jun-san.
My leg is swollen as if it is filled with water.
I can't move it at all.
Nobo-san.
Can you at least see my face?
Yes, I can.
One handsome man.
Eat as much as you can.
His appetite is great as ever.
He was in pain the last several days and couldn't eat much.
But his pain was miraculously gone this morning.
My mind has never been this clear.
I was able to view the garden in peace
for the first time since I got ill.
That's good.
There's a boy who lives in the house on the south corner.
He's starting to study his books.
When the fermented soybeans seller came, I wanted to buy some for him.
Leaves of the gourd plant sway as the autumn wind blows.
I truly felt the cool air of autumn.
And that made me want to write haiku desperately.
There's nothing special about it.
But I feel there's something important in the simple life.
To me, the world is something that is very deep.
Like your words in "Byosho Rokushaku (six-foot sickbed)."
By placing a branch of flowers by your pillow and
sketch it as accurately as possible,
you begin to see the wonders of nature.
To you, the world is a vast place.
But to me,
it's a deep place.
Are we going to war with Russia?
If that happens,
ten percent of Japanese will lose their lives.
That many?
Soldiers' lives lost at the battlegrounds
and the life lost in this tiny sickbed.
I wonder what the difference is.
There's no difference.
I guess you're right.
They're both insignificant.
They're both precious and irreplaceable.
Jun-san,
what about you becoming a monk?
You lost your man in front of you.
You said you wanted to become a monk to repay.
Do you have your answer?
Not yet.
I see.
I don't think I can be a monk.
When I'm tormented by the horrible pain in bed,
I scream and beg to die right away.
But when my pain fades, I can think clearly.
And I can write picturesque haiku one after another.
And I beg to live for a long time.
I'm one greedy bastard.
I don't know
if I can die when I feel like this.
The poet, Shiki Masaoka, that I aim to be is not what I am now.
Of course not.
What about you?
I doubt you're satisfied as being insignificant in this world.
Stop your nonsense.
I want to be a bigger person.
So I can outgrow you.
Right.
Will you be a soldier?
Or will you be a monk?
You have an issue at hand that a simple person couldn't fathom.
Look at you standing strong.
Until you find a solution for your issue,
you can't die.
Live.
Please live.
Please live your life for me.
I won't die either.
Even when I thrash around in pain and agony,
I write my haiku.
I can't stop coming up with great haiku in my head.
I'm a horrible sister to him.
Brother, you can die now.
Sometimes I say that to myself.
He's had enough.
He's had enough pain.
His life may end early, but he lived a full life.
He should be in peace.
But,
Brother does...
He tries to hang on even in so much pain.
And he eats everything I cook.
His "Flower Sketch Collection" is filled with his drawings.
And he continues to write haiku.
Yokosuka Naval District
Saneyuki was working in Yokosuka.
Shiki's condition got worse and his doctor was by his side.
He called Kyoshi and Hekigoto by his sickbed.
"Sponge gourd has bloomed"
"choked by phlegm"
"a desperate soul"
"Gallons of phlegm"
"even the gourd water couldn't clear it up"
"The gourd water"
"of the night before yesterday they didn't get it either"
"Sponge gourd has bloomed, choked by phlegm, a departed soul"
"Gallons of phlegm, even the gourd water couldn't clear it up"
"The gourd water of the night before yesterday, they didn't get it either"
Ri-san?
Ri-san.
Kyoshi.
Brother?
Brother.
Brother, where are you?
Where are you now?
Brother, please come back to us!
Is death taking you away?
Bring him to me.
I'll take care of him for you.
You know I always protect you.
I'll go tell Hekigoto.
Brother? Brother!
Who's hurting you?
I won't let anyone hurt you.
Brother!
Nobo.
You did well.
You fought a good fight.
"Shiki passed away"
"In serene light of the moon"
"Of the seventeenth night"
He's dead.
He was sick for a long time.
We lost a great literary man.
May I take a look?
"Shiki's death"
Shiki's house was small and located on a narrow alley.
So Shiki was expecting 20-30 people at his funeral.
People found out about his death in the obituary
and his funeral had 150 attendees.
Shiki liked to give instructions to others.
So it was no surprise he left instructions for his own funeral
"No need to announce my funeral."
"If too many attendees come, it would become impossible to move the casket."
"No need for a posthumous name."
"No need for at wake."
"No need for false tears in front of my casket."
"People to enjoy usual conversations at my funeral."
Thank you.
Shiki believed in the nation that was going through civilization.
He simply believed in its prospect.
He went along with the trend of the times.
He didn't ridicule the energy brought on by the trend.
And as he sensed the end of his short life,
he only worried about the amount of work he had to complete before his death.
That was his only remorse.
That's Jun-san.
He was faced with hardships more than anybody.
But his optimistic trait refused to see him as an unfortunate man.
The Meiji era was a time of optimism.
Shiki might have possessed the most suitable disposition for this era.
Grave of Tsunenori Masaoka
Two months later
Thank you for coming to the funeral.
Have things settled down?
The priest told me you were crying everyday here.
The 49th day has already passed.
That's true.
Died on September 19, 1902
What's your plan now?
We no longer have our house in Matsuyama.
So my mother and I plan on living in Negishi.
I see.
Jun-san.
I want to go to school.
To school?
Brother used to tell me women also need to be educated.
If I studied when I was younger,
I could have been a better companion to Brother.
He wrote horrible things about me.
A woman of reason. Cold-hearted. With a bad temper.
I wanted to cry over those words.
I think he went little far.
But
I know he was worried if I came home late from errands.
"Waiting for my sister's late return, crescent moon in the night sky"
I have one more.
"Mother and I"
"Wait for sister's return in the chill of night"
That one is so precious to me.
Now that Brother's gone, it's taken a load off my mind.
I feel refreshed.
Jun-san,
I plan on living my life for myself.
That's good.
Nobo-san would be pleased to hear that.
You think so?
I know so.
You should pursue your plan.
I admire you.
Lieutenant General Nogi had left the army two years ago.
He had been living as a farmer in Nasuno with his wife, Shizuko.
His former colleague, Lieutenant General Kodama, paid a visit to Nogi.
Lieutenant General, Maresuke Nogi
"I live here in Nasuno"
Gentaro Kodama, Monister of Home Affairs
"without much purpose"
"I eat"
"eggplants and pumpkins"
"and pass gas"
Nogi liked to tell people that he lived his life
as if he was a lonely scarecrow standing in a rice field.
General Nogi,
you can't just sit around and fart anymore.
We are nearing war with Russia.
Prime Minister Katsura is serious about the war.
It'll happen in the next year or two.
As the Minister of Home Affairs, I must procure funding for the war.
Such a difficult task.
Excuse me.
Japan isn't in a position financially to fight against Russia.
This money issue is making me have a nervous breakdown.
The new tax increase bill got rejected by the Diet.
Two years have passed since I moved here.
The farmers here are experiencing harder life.
Our citizen's endurance for the hardship is reaching the limit.
General.
Representative Hasegawa and the villagers are here
hoping to greet Lieutenant General Kodama.
Fine. Bring them in.
Yes.
Hey, don't be like that.
Everybody, stand up.
I am the representative, Sokicni Hasegawa.
We have two men from our village who will go into service.
I apologize for our unannounced visit.
But we'd be honored to receive an advice from the honorable General Kodama.
I see. Where are those men?
A resident of Ishibayashi in Karinomura at 7869.
I'm the second son, Ryuji, of Tomotaro Oshiba.
I'm from the same village at 8976,
Hikozo, the fourth son of Suekichi Kanno.
Appreciate your service. I wish the best for your duty.
Yes, sir.
Come on, relax a little. Join us for some sake.
Ryuji and Hikozo, don't worry.
- Masakichi. - Yes.
Come in. This way.
When we reflect back on the Meiji era,
we can't escape its inevitable despondency.
Poverty. Its culprit was the astonishingly low income level of the people.
Ryuji,
how's your grandfather feeling?
Thanks to the medicine you gave him, he can now get up and pick weeds.
That's good.
Your grandfather adores you. I hope he won't miss you too much.
True.
Hikozo, did your sister get married to the Ashikaga family?
Yes, I received a postcard from her.
She works with kind people at the spinning factory.
We're relieved.
She took care of you.
Make sure to write her from your station
Yes, sir.
We bothered these men enough. Time to go.
Thank you very much.
We hope to serve our duty as proud soldiers of Japan.
Oh, I'm fine.
In those days, shoes were unattainable luxury to many.
They wore straw sandals or even nothing.
The common food was rice, barley or millet.
Other food besides staple food were not readily available.
He was planning on returning to Tokyo today.
He should stay overnight.
I suggest you do that.
Yes.
I'll tell the rickshaw man to come tomorrow morning.
Thank you.
I've never seen Kodama like this.
He came all the way to Ishibayashi.
He really wanted to see you.
Shizuko.
It's unfortunate but
it looks like we must end our life as farmers soon.
Saneyuki was recuperating in a hospital after his fatigue caught up to him.
Are you sure these books that smell like mold is okay for you?
I know the war strategy is your hobby but you didn't have to get sick from it.
If only you had a wife at a time like this...
What do you want to say?
I don't have to do this for you.
There are women who come to see me at the hospital.
One will be here soon.
Really? Can I ask who that is?
It's Ri-san.
She'll stop by after school.
You mean the sister of Masaoka who passed away?
I see.
Then I should get going.
Send my regards to Brother.
Got it.
Jun-san, no beans for a while.
Saneyuki immersed himself in studying military strategy and tactics,
including "The traditional methods of Nojima pirate."
Are you visiting Mr. Akiyama?
He's over here.
It's been a long time.
Captain Yashiro told me you were sick, so I decided to visit.
How are you feeling?
Well,
it's not that serious so I'll be going home on Friday.
That's a good news.
Please come in.
Thank you.
I brought some peaches.
Would you like some?
What are you reading?
It's about
the Nojima naval force.
Naval force?
Our family's ancestors were in the navy.
This old book is quite eye opening.
This part is very interesting.
Old navy tactics involved the tiger team and the leopard team.
Tiger and leopard?
Yes, tiger and leopard.
Jun-san, I mean...
Where is Lieutenant Akiyama's room?
In that wing over there.
Thank you.
I believe a tiger and a leopard were considered a married couple.
The tiger is the husband and the leopard is the wife.
So a husband and a wife fight together.
Something like that.
The tiger is the main force hiding between islands.
The leopard prowls about in the enemy's water zone.
The leopard then leads the enemy towards the tiger.
The tiger surprises the enemy and destroys them.
I peeled a peach for you.
Thank you.
It's delicious.
The old navy tactics also attack the mind of people instead of the ships.
This is similar to Sun Tzu's method.
That's beyond my comprehension.
Old books contain many things that still apply today.
How about this one?
Kyoritsu Women's Vocational School
Thanks for waiting.
Ri-san.
I almost missed you.
Uniform suits you well.
I am finally a student.
I'm the oldest in my class.
It's embarrassing to be in this attire.
But I don't care since I'm happy.
Are you worried about the other day?
Yes, I am.
You came to the hospital but left without seeing me.
She was very pretty.
She must be from a good family.
Don't get me wrong. 'm not jealous.
To be honest, I'm very relieved.
You finally have someone in your life.
I didn't want to interrupt.
Ri-san.
I feel refreshed every day.
When I'm at school, I can feel my life is finally moving forward
I know I got a very-late start.
But my life is just starting.
Shame on our government's diplomacy.
Is that even diplomacy?
They're in Manchuria, soon to invade Korea, then to Japan.
They'll invade us for sure.
Japan was afraid of the war to start.
Japan's fear towards Russia was causing the negotiation to become more lenient.
The Japanese people saw that as Japan losing its hold in position
and the public opinion was starting to encourage a war.
Four months later, Saneyuki would become an officer of the Combined Fleet.
The Russo-Japanese war was to start in sixth months.
Preview of Next Episode
What a great feeling to ride through the wind.
I'm his wife, Sueko.
The war is approaching
Episode Eight: The Russo-Japanese War Unfolds
Neither the army nor the navy feel confident to defeat Russia.
I want you to be the chief of strategy and tactics.
Yes, sir.
Original Story "Sakano Ue no Kumo" by Ryotaro Shiba
Screenwriter: Hisashi Nozawa
Music: Jo Hisashi
Theme song: "Stand Alone" by Maki Mori
Titles: Ryotaro Shiba
Narration: Ken Watanabe
Starring
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
Takahiro Fujimoto as Takeo Hirose
Junkichi Orimoto as Sokichi Hasegawa
Satomi Ishihara as Sueko Inou
Tsurutaro Kataoka as Rokuro Yashiro
Takako Matsu as Tami Akiyama
Toshiyuki Nishida as Korekio Takahashi
Akira Emoto as Maresuke Nogi
Kyoko Maya as Shizu Nogi
Keiko Takeshita as Sada Akiyama
Hideki Takahashi as Gentaro Kodama
Executive Producers: Yoshihiro Kan & Yoshiki Nishimura
Producer: Satoshi Sekiguchi
Director: Mikio Sato
Translation and Subtitles by Noriko Morisaki (JVTA)