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 Eight: The Russo-Japanese War Unfolds
Early summer of 1903.
After returning from China, Yoshifuru was assigned as
the general of the 1st Cavalry Brigade based in Narashino, Chiba.
He was 45 years old.
The fact that he was ordered to return to the cavalry headquarters was
a sign that the Japanese Army was gearing up for war.
Once the war unfolds,
the only person who could lead the Japanese cavalry against
the world's strongest Russian cavalry was none other than Yoshifuru.
Well done.
His proposal of cavalrymen to handle machineguns from the past war was
finally adopted just before the Russo-Japanese War.
The target is 500 enemies in front.
I have a message for you from the Department of the Army.
What is it?
This September, Russia is planning military exercises in Nikolsk of Siberia.
They're requesting the general of 1st Cavalry Brigade to attend.
An invitation from Russia.
Yes, it appears that way.
But,
I wonder why Russia wants to show their exercies now.
That's obvious.
They want to scare our army.
They want to show off.
Fire!
Let's see what the Russian cavalry can do.
They're all daughters of the nobility.
Captain Rokuro Yashiro
You know I don't belong here.
Kubota.
Oh, yes.
Don't be like that.
Isn't this nice to see?
This is called Shirinkai,
a group of distinguished ladies that gather weekly to ride bicycles.
Mr. Yashiro, I'll head back.
I'm doing this for you.
The racers are coming back!
The leader is Miss Shibata Tamaki.
The heroine of the popular novel "Evil Wind Love Zephyr" is
based on Miss Tamaki.
Sueko is among them.
Really? Is she racing?
Miss Inou, what's wrong?
Are you all right?
Sueko Inou
I'm fine.
I have business to attend.
I'd appreciate if you could help Sueko.
Akiyama, do that for me.
How embarrassing to get a leg cramp at the key moment in the race.
Let me take this for you.
Are you sure?
I was hoping to see you again.
I hope it wasn't a problem for you.
No, it's not a problem.
I'm glad.
If I didn't get to see you again,
I felt I might regret for the rest of my life.
Sueko.
Yes.
We're living in a time when a war could start any time.
I am a naval soldier.
I don't know how long I'd be stationed at a battleground.
It's possible I may not return.
I am aware of that.
I'm prepared for the worst. Don't worry about me.
Today's ladies must be independent.
That's what we are taught.
By any chance I'm left alone,
I'll become a nurse so I can raise children on my own.
Sueko.
Yes.
May I try this modern machine?
Of course.
Have you tried riding a bicycle before?
No, I haven't.
Then I'll teach you.
Keep your back straight and look straight at where you're going.
Hold the handles with both hands.
Push down the pedals slowly.
Yes, that's it.
You're doing good!
I'm going to let go.
- Is this it? - Yes.
You're good.
Oh, no!
You're very good!
This feels good.
This is fun.
Are you hurt?
That was great.
How invigorating to ride through the wind.
I'm glad you like it.
I love feeling liberated from riding.
Sueko.
Yes.
I'm thinking of taking a nap until the war starts.
A nap?
Yes.
It'd be nice if you'd accompany me.
I'm not sure what you mean.
But I'd love to accompany you to do anything.
Thank you.
This is Yoshiko, the oldest girl.
How do you do?
Here's Kenko, the second girl.
How do you do?
Mafumi Inou
And this is the first son...
Nobuyoshi!
But when he got going, he ended up crashing the bike.
Korekiyo Takahashi, Vice President The Bank of Japan
He completely embarrassed himself.
He's a genius at sea, but not so on land.
You have dirt on you.
You shut up. Go over there.
What a brat!
In July 1903, Saneyuki Akiyama got married with Sueko Inou.
The two brothers didn't believe in getting married.
But they ended up marrying late in life.
Yoshifuru was 35 years old when he was a Major.
Saneyuki was 36 and a Lieutenant Commander.
Please take care of Jun.
Yes.
Both men had a simple attitude towards marriage.
They had a peculiar notion that settling down would weaken a man's spirit.
And that thinking didn't change after they got married.
Russia expanded their military presence in the Far East at an aggressive speed.
Their appetite to advance southward was unprecedented in the imperialism world.
Their emerging industry was controlling northern Korea in addition to Manchuria.
It was crucial for Japan to keep hold of Korea.
Japan feared that if it let go of Korea, Russia would take over Japan next.
In September, Yoshifuru was invited by Russia to see the military exercise.
He passed through Vladivostok to Nikolsk, a maritime province in Siberia.
This territory was truly a Russian land,
an area of controversy after Russia occupied Manchuria.
Nikolsk, Practice Ground
To flaunt the power of the world's strongest army to threaten Japanese
was an order from the Russian emperor.
Start fire.
We will, Your Excellency.
Target is set. Use three explosives. The shooting range is 1.5km
Start.
Fire!
Are they the Cossacks?
The Russian cavalry's power was beyond imagination.
Yoshifuru felt that to defeat and enemy of this force,
Japanese army would lose one-third of their soldiers.
Official Residence of Finance Minister
While Japan was secretly preparing for the war against Russia,
Shinichiro Kurino Minister to Russia
Japan continued its negotiations.
Thank you for waiting. Minister Kurino, please come in.
The proposed entente stated Russia was free to control Manchuria,
but Russia must not invade Korea.
It was more like Manchuria and Korea exchange entente.
However...
I'm sure you have heard already.
Witte, Finance Minister
Our emperor has dismissed me
from the post of Finance Minister.
We had high hopes for you.
The Japanese government is greatly disappointed.
Governor-General Alekseev will be your contact from now on.
He's the Governor-General of the Far East based in Port Arthur.
He now has the authority for all affairs east of Lake Baikal including
the military affairs and diplomatic rights with Japan.
Port Arthur
This new assignment given to him means
my defeat to the ones aggressively pushing the Far East policy.
Alekseev Governor-General of the Far East
Bezobrazov, Advisor to the Emperor, is behind Alekseev.
This is Witte.
I will be at the Winter Palace within the hour.
- Your Excellency. - I know.
I hope this won't lead to a war.
Please make sure your government stays cautions.
Just like me, many Russians are against the war with Japan.
I understand.
Your Excellency, that's not what you told us! Who should we talk to?
Nikolsk, Siberia
I tried
living
with you.
Even though he lived with a woman he loves,
I can't leave my duty to the country...
I'll be your next opponent.
Don't. He'll break your arm.
Don't worry.
He says you can break his arm.
Don't you lose to him.
First Lieutenant Staff Officer Heilong Territory
Cavalrymen are great,
especially the Russian cavalrymen.
They were all friendly guys.
They treated Yoshifuru as their fellow cavalryman.
You have a long tradition of chivalry.
But we Japanese have the samurai spirit.
When we meet in the battleground, let's fight as brave soldiers.
This type of comradery among the soldiers lasted since the Middle Ages.
This war might have been the last time to see it.
Three months have passed since Saneyuki and Sueko got married.
- Hello. - Yes?
I'll get it.
Hello.
Nice to see you.
Welcome.
Thank you for coming.
I'm his wife, Sueko.
Nice to meet you.
I am Ritsu Masaoka.
Your husband took good care of my brother.
My husband talks about you often.
I'd like to give some of Shiki's mementos.
I'm sorry to bother you on your day off.
Thank you for your kind gesture.
Dear.
Ri-san, don't stand there and just come in.
Thank you.
This is Nobo-san's handwriting.
Please open it.
Brother asked me to buy these sandals.
He wanted to make noise walking around in these when he got better.
That's what he used to tell me often.
Wanted to make noise.
I'm sure they sound great.
I can imagine him walking.
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.
Thank you, Ri-san.
I will treasure these.
I think it's best if you wear them.
Brother would be happy, too.
Excuse me.
What is it?
No, not you.
I need Ritsu-san.
What's the matter?
I just
can't handle them.
Dojo loach?
They're slimy and gross me out.
I just can't handle them.
You're very good.
My brother was a gourmet.
I used to cook these often.
I also cooked soft shell turtles.
Turtles?
Its fresh blood was very nutritious.
Jun-san...
I mean, your husband used to bring us turtles.
Is that right?
I've heard your brother and my husband were very good friends.
Yes.
My brother wasn't a healthy kid.
So he used to get teased a lot.
Your husband used to be my brother's bodyguard.
He was known as the wildest kid in Matsuyama.
He was good in fights.
Is that so?
This is the first time I heard this.
Is everything fine?
Yes, it's fine.
Ritsu-san is teaching me cooking.
And about you.
About me?
Don't tell her any nonsense.
I'm not saying anything to her.
Men are not supposed to be in the kitchen.
Please wait over there. It shouldn't take long.
And? Please tell me more.
Okay.
When we were all kids, Saneyuki gathered all of us
for some fireworks.
It was so beautiful.
But the local policemen got mad at us.
What's the matter?
One dojo has
just escaped.
Maizuru Naval District
Japan's negotiations with Russia were reaching a dead end.
So the navy had discreetly started hiring talents in preparation for the war.
I'm very sorry.
Commander's residence
But the Commander just left for some business.
Gonbei Yamamoto was a skilled architect of the Japanese navy.
Gonbei Yamamoto Minister of the Navy
And he was one of the best in the world at what he did.
He created and built the Imperial Japanese Navy from close to nothing.
By the Russo-Japanese War, the navy he formed was immense in size.
And Japanese navy was one of the top five in size in the world.
Togo.
Heihachiro Togo was based in Maizuru.
He was the Commander-in-Chief of the Maizuru Naval District.
Heihachiro Togo, Commander-in-Chief Maizuru Naval District
What business does the Minister of the Navy has here?
I wonder...
I heard you were ill.
How are you feeling?
Just as you see.
Then you should have no trouble boarding a ship.
What do you mean?
The sea in Maizuru is calm and peaceful.
The time is near.
It'll depend on how they approach it.
The timing is the key.
Patience is crucial.
You're right.
The timing is key in fishing.
And one must not get affected by the catch.
I got it.
I got something.
Here it comes.
You caught two.
Never seen anyone catch sea bream
with two hooks on a single string.
You'll be treated to some good sashimi for dinner.
Yamamoto was brilliant at selecting talents.
He believed that the head of a large military force must possess
more than just a collection of knowledge and intelligence.
The overall character was the key for a good leader.
Yamamoto admired Togo's tenacity and decisiveness,
and most of all his obediency.
On October 3, 1903,
Russia's first counterproposal from the Governor General Alekseev arrived.
Rosen, Russian Minister in Japan
The Japanese government received it via Rosen, the Russian Minister in Japan.
Russia completely ignored the proposals from Japan and
Jurato Komura, Minister of the Foreign Affairs
requested to make northward of northern latitude, 39 degrees of Korea
as so-called a "neutral zone."
Basically Russia demanded to make north of Phyong-yang and Wonsan their territory.
"We want the northern part of Korea"
Simply put, they wanted the northern half of Korea.
Japan was terrified by this demand.
The public opinion was unanimously for war.
And that was the trend reported in most newspapers.
Department of the Army
The Japanese Army was also experiencing a significant change.
The vice-chief of the Staff Headquarters, Iyozo Tamura, died suddenly.
Gentaro Kodama became the successor.
I will take over the duty.
Gentaro Kodama Minister of Home Affairs
Aritomo Yamagata Elder Statesman
Nogi Residence Akasaka, Tokyo
Excuse me.
Kodama has accepted the vice-chief's post.
Maresuke Nogi Lieutenant General
I see.
Shizuko Nogi
He's ready to be a captain soon.
No one thought he'd take the vice-chief's position.
We should let him relax while he's here with us.
Kodama was famous as a strategist among the officers of other countries.
As soon as his new post was announced, Japan made the decision to go to war.
The news of Japan's war against Russia spread among other countries.
Department of the Navy
Why did you choose me?
Russian fleet is tough.
But we must destroy their fleet in order to protect ourselves.
If we go on war against them,
we will probably lose half of our Combined Fleet.
Arid we'll lose half of our soldiers.
Also the Commander-in-Chief
may not return to Japan alive.
What do you say?
I will accept the duty.
Good.
You'll do it for us.
You must know that we need you to follow the central command.
What do you say to that?
I am aware of that.
But I'd like to be responsible for all negotiations at the battleground.
Will you allow that?
I will bring victory.
Standing Squadron's Commander in-Chief was Sonojo Hidaka.
As a close friend of Yamamoto,
he came out to Tokyo after the Boshin War.
He and Yamamoto even dreamed about becoming sumo wrestlers.
Vice-admiral Hidaka is here.
Thanks for coming all the way from Sasebo.
I've been wanting to come to Tokyo to see you.
Gonbei you finally decided.
When do you plan on forming the Combined Fleet?
You must be excited.
Shut up, Gonbei!
Do you think I accept such a shallow reasoning?
Who's going to take the job?
It's Togo.
Togo...
Do you mean the guy who's always sick and taking time off in Maizuru?
Why do I lose my job to him?
Just kill me!
Listen to me.
You tend to have a very high pride and you only want things done your way.
You also don't want to
hear or accept what others tell you.
I know.
Togo is not as gifted as you.
Then why do you pick him?
Why?
Let me end my life here.
Calm down and listen to me.
When Japan and Russia can no longer negotiate,
the commander of the fleet must follow the orders of the Imperial Headquarters.
I'm not confident you'd do that.
If you don't like what we tell you,
you'll come up with your own ideas.
But I trust Togo to follow our orders.
But this does not affect our friendship.
However,
I can't have my personal friendship
influence an important decision for our nation.
Gonbei,
I'm at fault.
I understand your reasoning. I don't have the right to get mad at you.
I apologize.
The end of October, Saneyuki headed to the Department of the Navy.
I will enter.
Lieutenant Commander Akiyama.
I am Saneyuki Akiyama.
I am Togo.
It's been a while.
Yes, sir.
I heard you're teaching at the Naval War College.
Yes, sir.
I'm not sure if I'm experienced enough to teach.
I'm challenged all the time.
What makes a good commander.
Have you figured that out?
Well,
not yet.
I'm still searching for the answer.
I fished a lot in Maizuru.
People called me a useless old man.
I'm sure you've heard about it.
You can tell me.
I am also still searching for the answer.
We are currently reforming our fleet.
We are making you a staff officer.
We'd like you to handle the strategy and tactics.
Chief of Staff is Captain Shimamura.
Please assist Shimamura.
I pledge to complete this important mission.
We will rely on your ability for the upcoming war.
Greatly.
Yes, sir.
Togo selected Saneyuki as the strategist for the war against Russia.
Saneyuki would be responsible for one part of the Japanese navy's fate.
He was immediately assigned to Sasebo where the Standing Squadron awaited.
Narashino, Chiba
You're one tough boy.
I understand.
We'll take care of Sueko for you.
So just focus on your duty.
If you worry about your home,
your may not be able to commit to your duty.
Mother,
thank you very much.
But I'll be fine.
I'll manage the household while he's on his duty.
You're very brave.
Don't you think so, Tami?
Yes, she is.
Where are my pen and note card?
Over there.
Okay.
Kenko, can you get those for me?
Yes.
Jun.
The war with Russia is on your shoulders.
It's too big of a duty for me.
What's wrong with you?
You love fighting.
War is different from a fight. My life's on the line.
Are you stupid?
- There you go. - Thank you.
Jun.
Let me give this to you.
Keep it with you at all times.
His note said "even if this new duty, or the upcoming war,
may destroy the family do not resent your duty."
That's my resolution.
All of us here are part of the Akiyama family.
The time I spend with all of you is a treasure for me.
I have no regret with my life.
Brother.
This is unusual.
I've never heard such words from him.
What did you write?
Jun.
Can you read it for us?
It's what Brother always tells me.
It says to always stay plain and simple.
Plain and simple.
Jun I'm impressed with you.
You wrote it.
Oh, that's right. Shame on me.
Why don't we make the best tasting mixed rice with vegetables?
Yoshiko and Kenko, can you help?
Yes, mother.
- Nobuyoshi. - Yes.
Can you put these back?
Yes.
Not there. Over there.
Okay.
Sister,
I'm not good with handling fish.
We were all like that. That slimy feeling is hard to get used to.
Isn't that right?
Jun.
I made lots of your favorite roasted beans.
Take them with you.
Thank you.
Mom,
promise me to be well until I return.
I will.
I found a notebook!
You can't touch this.
This is like a bomb.
"...destroy the family... ...do not resent."
Let's drink a lot today.
Your turn.
We share the same cup like before.
Shut up and drink.
Grandma is crying.
The overdue response from Russia
finally reached Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 11, 1903.
Russia showed no willingness to compromise.
Instead, their demand was stronger than the previous one.
Your Excellency, Rosen, my opinion is the same.
I believe what your country is proposing will jeopardize
Korea's independence and maintenance of territorial integrity.
Russia expanded their military presence in the Far East at an aggressive speed.
An agent for the Emperor in the Far East, Alekseev,
submitted his strategy for a war against Japan.
Russian War Minister Kuropatkin finalized the plan for the Emperor's approval.
Russian Emperor, Nicholas II
Sasebo, Nagasaki
In December, the Combine Fleet was preparing for the mission and
arranged a farewell gathering for the soldiers and their families.
Saneyuki invited his wife, Sueko, to Sasebo.
All the inns in Sasebo are booked.
The navy officers' wives are all here.
I travelled west of Hakone for the first time in my life.
When I was crossing Kanmon Straits on the ferry,
I got a little nervous.
Glad you're here.
Yes.
I've been waiting for you.
Glad to see you.
I'm impressed you sewed this.
Obi is also perfect on me.
I'm wearing Nobo-san's sandals.
They look good.
You think so?
They're still new so they're tight.
I didn't know you're such a good seamstress.
A proof of your education to be a good wife and a wise mother.
Thank you.
Actually Ritsu helped me.
I was learning sewing from Ritsu. You didn't know that.
I made so many mistakes.
I had to re-do this kimono many times.
But my hard work paid off.
That's the flagship, Mikasa.
That's my ship.
Mikasa.
It is beautiful.
What's wrong?
By the time you return,
I'll be sure to be a decent seamstress.
Please come back to me in one piece.
Just before the war started,
Gentaro Kodama sent a secret order to Motjiro Akashi in St. Petersburg.
Motojiro Akashi, Military Attache to Russia
"Lead a revolution in Russia."
That was probably the content of his telegram.
Can I have that cigarette if you're done with it?
Thanks.
14 train cars carrying the field hospital supplies left for Port Arthur yesterday.
They also took 50 lighting equipment for working at night.
Starting in January, they'll transport war supplies seven times a day.
Don't you have more useful information?
Tons of young Polish are being sent to the frontline in Manchuria.
They probably make up 20-30% of the soldiers.
The Polish people are angry about it.
I see.
Receipt.
Japanese Legation
Here's the receipt.
It's been a while, Mr. Akashi.
You smell as usual.
Really? I don't smell anything.
Anything from the Headquarters?
All Russian ladies dislike you.
But, Mr. Kurino.
Revolution is the only way for Japan.
The corrupt Russian regime and people's anger towards the autocracy are
obviously at a very serious level as we find more.
If we fire this up, the regime will be destroyed from within.
The surrounding countries also hate this country.
You mean Poland and Finland?
Yes.
Russia has been controlling those countries for a long time.
Their hatred is our advantage.
None of the historical record on Russian Revolutions mentions Akashi's name.
But no one could deny that the revolution intensified when Akashi was around
and the destructions and riots frequented all over Russia.
January 12, 1904
January 12, 1904,
elder statesmen, Cabinet members and the officials of military were summoned
for a conference with the Emperor.
I would like to humbly tell you
my unworthy self had tried to negotiate with Russia for the last two years.
I exerted myself to the utmost for our discussion.
Hirobumi Ito, Chair of the Privy Council
But Russia is controlled by hard-liners.
They won't consider our proposals.
Not only did they delay their response, but they showed no good faith.
Their response we received on the 6th of this month clearly shows
their arrogant intent to control not only Manchuria but also half of Korea.
Unfortunately, we have passed the point of negotiation.
We feel the only resolution is to stop our talks with them and go to war.
In over two thousand years since the imperial ancestor founded the country,
we are facing the biggest crisis of our nation.
I trust Your Majesty will give careful consideration
The Emperor Meiji
and provide us with an Imperial judgment.
Russia is not trustworthy.
While they postponed their negotiation with us,
they were preparing for the war.
If we continue to delay, we will lose the timing.
Therefore, I suggest we stop our talks with them and
I ask for the Imperial judgment not to let them behave freely.
Masayoshi Matsukata, Elder Statesman
We do not have enough funds.
But there are no countries that prepare enough funding
before it goes to war.
From our past experience...
Describe the revised proposal in detail.
And tell me the probability of Russia's compromise to the revised proposal.
Minister Komura of Foreign Affairs.
The key point of our revised proposal responding to Russia's response
focuses on the five articles in Russia's counterproposal.
Japanese government has lost hope with negotiation with Russia.
The Emperor Meiji never allowed Japan to break off relations with Russia.
Hirobumi Ito was the closest elder statesman to the Emperor Meiji.
But he was most passive towards the war with Russia.
The Japanese Court had a non-military characteristic and principles.
The Emperor Meiji believed in the same principles.
However,
even if we continue to negotiate with our revised proposal,
they would not accept our proposal at this point.
If it is not going to work,
why do we need to submit the new proposal to Russia?
The timing for Japan to stop negotiating with Russia is
closely related to our war plans.
The timing must be decided based on our war plans.
The ships to transport soldiers to China will gather in Sasebo is
scheduled to be on the 20th of this month.
It would be dangerous to stop negotiations with them
before that date.
Until then, we continue to suggest peaceful relations with Russia.
We must be patient and wait for Russia to respond to our proposal
with good faith.
Demand response from Russia one more time.
If their response reflects our request in any way at all,
use that as our condition and we can contemplate further.
If that happens, we must continue our discussion with them.
We know our destiny.
Our conference is dismissed.
Yamamoto was disappointed.
Arimoto Yamagata was reminded of Ito's influence on the Imperial judgment.
Catherine Palace
The ship's passenger answered, "we are travelling around the world."
"We've already dealt with the silver foxes and we're running out of time."
"Where are we supposed to go?"
To the east.
The Russian Emperor Nicholas II was in quandary.
The revised proposal from Japan carried an air of ultimatum.
Mother, please continue.
"We ran out to time and headed to the east."
"We passed by an island,"
To the Saltan kingdom.
The duke said,
"Bon Voyage to everyone."
Empress Alexandra
It was when I was 20 years old.
The palace train derailed.
My father and we were being crushed by the roof of the dining car.
My father used his own force to lift the beam and
held it up until all of us could crawl out to safety.
He was as strong as Hercules.
I remember feeling very depressed.
Why?
Because my father was such a great figure.
And I have to be his successor.
My father was an absolute being.
I never saw him in quandary like this.
If our next child is a prince,
I hope he'll be more like you and not like your father.
The girls and I
love how gentle and quiet you are.
We love our Daddy.
I appreciate it.
Come to me.
God bless Russia with peace, tranquility, happiness and joy.
He gave the Imperial judgment.
Your Excellency, a telegram from the Emperor.
January 28, 1904,
Emperor Nicholas II sent a telegram to Governor-General Alekseev.
It contained his answer to making concession to Japan.
With your approval, we will forward this to Minister Rosen in Tokyo.
That's not necessary.
Keep it in a secure place.
It was ten days later on February 7th when Rosen received that telegram.
While the telegram from the Emperor was held by Alekseev,
the British Foreign Ministry delivered an old information to Japan about
the Russian Emperor approved the war against Japan.
Taro Katsura, Prime Minister
The army decided to stop the negotiations.
Isao Oyama visited the palace to request a decision to go on war.
Isao Oyama, Chief of the General Staff
Department of the Navy
And on February 3, 1904,
the navy was alerted that Russia's Port Arthur Fleet left in force.
Unfortunately, we don't have much details.
But one thing we know is Russia hasn't responded to
the final proposal from our country.
The worst case is that Russia's Port Arthur Fleet may cross the ocean
and attack Sasebo and Takeshiki.
I've ordered to have torpedoes set up at the key spots in the harbor.
If we do not act on the situation,
we will lose the chance of a lifetime.
The time for war is approaching.
Actually,
the time is here now.
Jun.
Your Majesty.
I humbly suggest
the time has come to request your firm decision.
Please guide us.
The Emperor Meij gave the Imperial judgment on February 4, 1904.
It was the last conference with the Emperor.
After the conference, Hirobumi Ito asked Kentaro Kaneko to see him.
Kentaro Kaneko
Kaneko helped draft a constitution with Ito.
He was known as Ito's right-hand man.
I received a call to come see you right away.
What is the matter?
We're going to war.
I want you to go to America.
To America?
You went to Harvard with President Roosevelt.
Yes.
Go to America as an ambassador at-large
and direct America's public opinion to be on our side.
And at an opportune time, ask the President to act as go-between
so we can make peace.
Please hold on.
You're the only one who can complete this mission.
Kaneko.
I'll be frank with you.
The army, the navy nor the Finance Ministry
have the confidence to defeat Russia.
America is our savior.
Russia could invade our country from the sea and land.
I think of the time when I led the Choshu soldiers
to fight against the Tokugawa Shogunate.
I will be a soldier again and stop the Russians from coming to our land
I intend to die in the battle.
Your Excellency.
Sasebo Harbor
Captain Gentaro Yamashita
He carried what the navy referred to as "sealed order" in his briefcase.
It was addressed to the Commander- in-Chief of the Combined Fleet, Togo.
It was to be opened at a designated time at a designated location.
Hayao Shimamura, Chief of Staff Combined Fleet
Heihachiro Togo, Commander-in-Chief Combined Fleet
I'm delivering the sealed order.
Thank you.
To Heihachiro Togo Commander-in-Chief, Combined Fleet
From Gonbei Yamamoto Minister of the Navy
From the Minister of the Navy. To the Commander of the Combined Fleet.
Open the important document at 5 p.m. on February 5, 1904.
That's the word.
The document was the First Ordinance.
The commanders of the Combined Fleet and the Number Three Fleet must
proceed with destroying all of Russian fleets in Asia.
The Commander of the Combined Fleet must depart immediately and
launch an attack on the Russian fleet in the Yellow Sea.
Gather all commanders and captains to the flagship.
Yes, sir.
Japan was on the verge of life or death.
The tactics of a battle on the sea
that could dictate Japan's fate were about to be put to the test.
Preview of Next Episode
We're to leave immediately
and destroy enemy's fleet.
Let's fight.
Episode Nine: The Death of Hirose
We will lose many soldiers.
I he war has started.
I'll pull off the blockade operation so you all can return alive!
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
Miho Kanno as Ritsu Masaoka
Sueko Akiyama as Satomi Ishihara
Tsurutaro Kataoka as Rokuro Yashiro
Keiko Takeshita as Sada Akiyama
Teruyuki Kagawa as Shiki Masaoka
Takako Matsu as Tami Akiyama
Kikunosuke Onoe as The Emperor Meiji
Nakao Akira as Sonojo Hidaka
Kyoko Maya as Shizuko Nogi
Akira Enomoto as Maresuke Nogi
Hideki Takahashi as Gentaro Kodama
Go Kato as Hirobumi Ito
Toshiyuki Nishida as Korekiyo Takahashi
Hiroshi Tachi as Hayao Shimamura
Masakane Yonekura as Iwao Oyama
Naoto Takeshita as Jutaro Komura
Toru Emori as Aritomo Yamagata
Koji Ishizaka as Gonbei Yamamoto
Tetsuya Watari as Heihachiro Togo
Executive Producers: Yoshihiro Kan & Yoshiki Nishimura
Producer: Satoshi Sekiguchi
Director: Mikio Sato
Translation and Subtitles by Noriko Morisaki (JVTA)