-Move forward! -Stand!
1861-1865 AMERICAN CIVIL WAR
-Ready -Fire now.
Union's "Napoleon" Light 12-Pounders
In 1861, a civil war broke out in the United States of America.
Four score and seven years ago,
our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation,
conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition
that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war... GETTYSBURG - LARGEST NUMBER OF CASUALTIES
This war introduced the unlimited use of the latest technology in weaponry.
The war between the (American) States resulted in 620,000 casualties.
Union's British 1853 Enfield
Union Cavalry's Spencer Carbine
YAMAMOTO YAE IS SWALLOWED IN THE WORLD'S TORRENTS
The civil war left deep scars.
But the people who rose and found light beyond the agony...
would advance toward building a new country.
...that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain
...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom
...and that government of the people, by the people,
...for the people,... shall not perish from the earth.
1865 Boston ...for the people,... shall not perish from the earth.
1865 Boston Weapons used in the American Civil War found their way to Japan.
Starting with the arrival of the Black Ships...
these weapons would play a major role in ending the Tokugawa Bakufu (Shogunate).
1868 - AIZU DOMAIN
Seige of Aizu-Wakamatsu/Tsuruga Castle (Oct 1868) Boshin War
The main gate is before us!
Advance ahead!
Imperial Army's Armstrong 12 pounders
Fire!
Has the main force returned?
Is the Lord safe? Where is the Lord?
Lord!
Where is the Lord?
The Lord's safe?
Is he safe?
Lord Katamori...
I'm so glad you are alive.
Fire!
Imperial 12-Pounders Mountain Howitzer
Bull's-eye.
We got the Satsuma general!
Imperial Army's British Snyder-Enfield Rifles
Fire!
Aim your shots well!
Will do!
Yamamoto Yae with Spencer Carbine
They won't capture this castle.
No...means no!
YAE'S SAKURA
EPISODE 1: NO MEANS NO
Screenplay: YAMAMOTO MUTSUMI
Theme Music: Sakamoto Ryuichi Music: Nakajima Nobuyuki
Narrator: Kusabue Mitsuko
Yamamoto Yae: Ayase Haruka
Yamamoto Kakuma: Nishijima Hidetoshi
Kawasaki Shonosuke: Hasegawa Hiroki
Yamamoto Saku: Fubuki Jun
Yamamoto Gonpachi: Matsushige Yutaka
Matsudaira Katamori: Ayano Go
Tanaka Tosa: Sato Bsaku
Hayshi Gonsuke: KIazama Morio
Sagawa Kanbei: Nakamura Shido
Yoshida Torajiro: Oguri Shun
Ii Naosuke: Enoki Takaaki
Tokugawa Nariaki: Ibuki Goro
Yamakawa Hyoue: Yamamoto Kei
Yamakawa En: Akiyoshi Kumiko
Matsudaira Katataka: Nakamura Umenosuke
Katsu Rintaro: Namase Katsuhisa
Itagaki Taisuke: Kato Masaya
Niijima Jo: Odagiri Joe
Ooyama Yasuke: Sorimachi Takashi
Sakuma Shozan: Okuda Eiji
Saigo Tanomo: Nishida Toshiyuki
Executive Producer: Naito Shinsuke
Translations by MTI
Director: Kato Taku
Summer of 1851....
This story goes back 17 years before the Battle of Aizu.
The 230,000 koku Matsudaira clan in Aizu
is a Tokugawa family clan with the hollyhock crest.
Yae!
Yae...!
Okichi, where is Yae?
You can't find her? I dressed her earlier.
Little Miss went sightseeing.
Sightseeing?
YAMAMOTO YAE
Aren't you scared?
Yae!
Look!
Yae?
The procession is here!
Be careful.
I'll inform everyone.
Wait for me!
Where's Yae?
She'll return soon.
Okichi!
Get ready as usual.
Mother!
Here she comes.
The young lord's procession is approaching.
Let's go to greet him.
Turn around.
I knew it! There is a rip!
Okichi...
It's the young lord's first time home. We must not be late.
Yes.
Oh, Master Saburo. Please come here.
Did you hurt yourself?
Are you alright?
I'm all right.
Don't look up.
Yes.
That's Brother!
Face down!
What a fine lord!
MATSUADAIRA KATAMORI
I can only see the horse's legs!
YAMAMOTO KAKUMA
Father, please examine it.
Bull's-eye. Excellent.
Unbelievable!
This is a good fire-arm.
Take another shot.
Yes.
Yae! How long does it take to bring the beans?
Oh...
Hey.
It was a beautiful procession.
He's like a handsome character in a play.
Mother, do you watch plays?
There used to be a lot of traveling troupes before.
Hey! Don't compare the young lord to an actor.
Forgive me.
He was adopted from Mino's Takasu family five years ago
and has matured finely.
I agree.
Brother, what is that called?
What?
What you were shooting earlier?
It's a Gewehr.
Gewehr?
Hey!
A Dutch rifle. I managed to obtain one.
Oh!
The bullet power is stronger than the matchlock musket (Teppu).
There was a clean hole in the target.
The gun is exceptional but so is my skill.
He's bragging.
It's a Takashima School gun.
The one used at the Tokumaru-ga-hara military drill?
Father!
I want to shoot a rifle like Brother!
Oh, my! Don't be silly!
Why would you shoot a fire-arm?
Girls should practice the naginata (halberd).
Me too!
You need to practice shooting fire-arms!
But fire-arms are powerful.
They are. Though some people speak ill of them.
They don't understand a thing.
Is it the strongest?
As artillery instructors,
we live close to the castle even though we are low in rank.
Then I prefer a fire-arm! I want to become strong!
A fire-arm is big and heavy. A woman can't handle it.
I'll grow big and strong!
No means no!
Seconds.
Grandma Takagi has bad eyes.
How inconvenient for her.
How old is she?
I don't know.
The steel's length?
6.06 cm.
And the flint?
5 cm.
And the apron?
3.33 cm.
15 mm...
The Lord in Edo wants the young lord to learn
all aspects of our home province.
Men, you are not to withhold anything.
Make the arrangements.
I will state our family precepts.
Pardon me!
Family Precepts.
Article 1, Righteousness of a Lord.
Dedication to loyalty.
Lead, not by example of other clans.
Loyalty to the Shogun is the top priority.
Do not follow the actions of other clans.
If you harbor disloyalty,
you will not be considered my descendant.
Everyone must abide.
The precepts established by Lord Hoshina Masayuki
were Aizu Clan's absolute policies.
NISSHINKAN SAMURAI SCHOOL
Confucius says,
If a gentleman is not solemn, he will lose his dignity...
lack determination to build his education...
he musts be faithful,
to not be friends...
The sons of vassals are admitted at age 10.
They trained at literary and military arts.
I lose.
The match is over.
This is an etiquette... unique to Aizu.
They must overcome the rough training to be strong...
Or they cannot protect the shogunate family.
Lord Hoshina Masayuki was deified after his death.
The Aizu Matsudaira family...
makes loyalty to the Tokugawa Shogunate our top priority. MATSUDAIRA KATATAKA
Despite what happens...
we will dedicate our lives to the shogun.
You must follow our clan precepts for life.
Never disobey them.
I won't.
Do not disobey your elders.
Bow to your elders.
You must not lie.
Do not act cowardly.
The children first enter school at age six to learn the rules.
Do not eat on the streets.
Do not exchange word with a woman outside.
The laws of a samurai...
No means no.
Since they play with each other daily...
their bonds are strong for life.
Isn't that right, Tanomo?
Yes.
As a child, we played...
with stilts, stones, winter snow, kites...
You played a lot of games.
Thank heavens.
Parents do not tell their children not to fight.
But if they run and hide they get severe scolding.
Do not act cowardly?
Yes.
Child's play is part of the training.
You're so slow!
Yae!
Wait for me!
Two months after Lord Katamori arrived...
Proceed!
Wait for me!
Oh Yae! Is the young teacher in?
Yes.
Thanks! Let's go!
Young teacher!
More are coming.
Yae!
Everyone's excited about the upcoming bird hunt.
The bird hunt is a military training practice for the clan.
Pull your arm tightly to your side for a steady hold.
Take aim...
and gently squeeze the trigger.
Impressive.
The young lord is the leader this year.
Show off your skills.
We will!
Who's first?
I will go first.
I will!
My brother will surely shine the most.
A signal rocket was fired from Takizawa Pass before dawn...
to signify the start of the event.
SAGAWA KANBEI
Yae...Yae!
Excuse me.
Yae!
Take a look!
Young Lord, this is your army.
Advance!
Brother! Brother!
Fire!
Father! Father!
Hey!
Ready!
Fire!
Again!
Ready!
Aim!
Fire!
"Teppo" (old matchlock arquebus)
[The Akabeko red cow symbol of the Aizu region]
I want a dumpling!
No!
Samurai children do not eat on the streets.
Stop, Yae!
Behave!
Learn from them.
Yamakawa Family Yoshichiro Futaba Tose En
Yae!
They have no manners. I'm embarrassed.
Yoshichiro! Let's go to the front!
Let's watch up close who will get the first bird.
Mother, may I go?
Don't get in the way.
I won't.
Let's go!
Mother, I'm going to the front, too!
Alright... but don't go far.
I won't!
Yae!
The bird hunt mock battle came after marching exercises.
The flock of pheasants represent enemy troops.
Killing the first bird meant getting the first head in battle.
I will present the first pheasant to the young lord.
Kanbei, don't talk big and fall behind.
Will Saigo take the first bird again?
I think Sagawa's eldest son will.
What about Kakuma? He has potential.
No, he's a gunner.
Without a fire-arm, he has no chance.
Don't lose, Kakuma.
Don't step up front! You'll get in the way!
Yae!
Up in the tree, I won't be in the way.
It started!
She's like a monkey.
Don't lose to a girl!
I won't!
I won't lose at tree climbing!
She's falling!
He'll be thrown off!
I got it!
What's going on?
What came falling down?
We're in trouble.
Let's run.
What surprise you?
Sandals...
Who's behind this?
Who?!
It was I!
You?!
Come.
Sit there.
This is a battlefield!
How dare you throw your sandals!
That's not it...
What?!
I was in the tree and lost my footing...
You were watching from the tree?
Insolent!
Yes!
Yae!
Brother!
She's my sister.
Please forgive her!
I have the first bird!
Sagawa Kanbei, excellent.
You're a samurai's daughter.
Why do you do such a thing?!
Please forgive her!
I'm sorry!
Sir!
What is it?
We were also on the tree.
It was our mistake to climb up the tree.
We are sorry.
Sir Tanomo!
Hold on.
I'm sorry you had to see this.
Stop scolding them.
No, I'm not done yet.
This is a practice battle.
I cannot forgive them.
They were racing to climb higher than each other.
Isn't that the children's version of a battle?
Well...
She came forward like a samurai.
She didn't act cowardly.
However...
No means no.
If I pardon these insolent ones without punishment...
there will be no order.
Excuse me.
Hear all!
You shall all receive a slap.
Slap?
That's fine.
I threw her in the storehouse. Don't give her any food.
I'm sorry it happened when I was there.
I was terrified.
If anything happened to the Yamamoto family,
I couldn't face our ancestors as the son-in-law.
Our lives were spared by the merciful young lord.
Yes.
Hey...
Don't tell Father.
Have you learned your lesson?
If it weren't for the young lord's intervention...
it would have been serious.
What's wrong?
Is the fear sinking in now?
That's not it.
He said I'm like a samurai.
I'm like a samurai...
That I'm not a coward.
I want to be of use to him.
I want to become strong...
and return my debt to the young lord someday.
Brother, I want to learn how to shoot a fire-arm.
All right...
I understand.
Do not disobey your elders.
Bow to your elders.
You must not lie.
Yae!
I'm here!
Do not eat on the streets.
Do not exchange words with a woman outside.
No means no.
What a beautiful view.
It's harvest season for the 230,000-koku Aizu domain.
230,000-koku...
Do you think I can shoulder it?
What are you saying?
I came from the Mino Takasu family at age 12.
I have no Aizu blood flowing in me.
Can I become a wise ruler for this domain?
It may be difficult to do it alone.
That is why your vassals will help you.
We will loyally serve you...
and polish our military skills.
If by chance, our lord should make an error...
we will stake our lives to remonstrate you.
That is what we have done for generations.
We will continue to do so.
Your vassals will support you.
My Lord, please show more confidence.
No means no.
Yes!
No means no.
JANUARY 1852
How's this?
Run faster!
Where did those two go?
I told them to wait in front.
Yae!
Brother!
Are you with Nisshinkan?
Oh my...
After flying it...
I realize a kite is contrary to philosophical thinking.
He's the type that has to try things out.
I'm surprised.
It looks exactly like the one in Nagasaki.
Why does Aizu have a Chinese kite?
Did you beat a boy again and win that kite?
Yes, I'm good at flying kites.
You were great.
Are they our guests?
They're here to observe the Nisshinkan Samurai School.
I'm Yoshida Torajiro from Choshu.
He's Miyabe Teizo from Higo.
Shall we go?
Nisshinkan is impressive. The Meirin Hall in Hagi...
Please excuse me.
Yae...thank you.
We've been traveling all over the country.
Hey, it's cold. Close the door quickly.
Yes.
Aizu sake is delicious.
It lives up to its reputation.
Have you come to observe the northern defense?
Yes.
We heard about foreign ships appearing in Ou.
After here, we are going to Echigo, Sado and Tsugaru.
Tsugaru? That's reckless.
It's starting to snow deeper.
I'm not going to miss my chance.
I need to verify with my own eyes quickly.
Going to a snowy region is insane.
When taking resolute action...
you have to be insane.
We saw the preparations at Edo Bay as well.
They were inadequate.
Unmanned fortresses, insufficient bullets...
It's turned out to be as Sakuma Shozan feared.
That's right...
They lack preparation against the foreigners.
Lacking?
I can't speak for the others, but Aizu defends Kazusa.
Aizu will fight desperately in time of need.
We will not lose so easily.
You must not know...
The sea near Edo is like an unbolt gate.
As it is, they will be easily defeated by the foreign ships.
Let's drink to the snowy scenery.
Sounds good.
We need to adapt to snow.
It's freezing!
Join us.
Yes.
Choshu clansman, Yoshida Torajiro (Shoin)...
his prediction came true the following June.
Commodore Perry led the U.S. fleet and arrived at Uraga.
He demanded that Japan open her doors.
The shogunate was pressed to respond within a year.
FALL 1853 - EDO
Go to Edo?
Due to the chaos from the Black Ships...
the shogunate built a new fortress in Shinagawa.
Aizu was ordered to manage it.
All right.
We will send a promising man to Edo to learn Western gunnery.
I recommended you.
Sir Hayashi!
For our lord and Aizu's sake...
learn it well.
Yes, sir.
Excuse me!
SAKUMA SHOZAN'S MANSION, EDO Excuse me!
Do we eat this?
Is it good?
The Westerners are big because they eat this.
Is that a boar?
It's a pig.
Yes, a pig.
Who are you?
Pardon me.
I want to study here.
Is the enclosure done?
Will this do?
Look good.
You must be Sir Shozan.
He wants to study here.
I want to learn Western gunnery.
I refuse.
Is the school full?
How can you enter the back entrance to apply?
No one answered the front door!
I came to Edo under clan order to study!
You're a pest!
Please take me in!
Answer this.
If you fire a 32 lbs cannon ball at 10 degree oblique angle,
what is the impact and trajectory?
You fail if you can't do such a simple calculation.
Give me another chance.
Excuse me.
Sir Shozan...
It's time for your lecture.
Do you have any knowledge in western science?
No.
You're useless.
To study Western gunnery, you need to read Dutch books,
learn how the weapons work and then shoot them.
Shonsuke has grasped the necessary grammar for it.
Please make an exception for me.
Let me ask you this.
What do you think is the best coastal defense?
Building forts along the country's shore...
and equipped them with modern cannons.
Wrong!
Japan is surrounded by the sea.
You can't keep them out by building fortifications.
Fool.
Then let me hear your thoughts. What is the best defense?"
The Black Ships.
What?
Repel those who come by sea in the sea.
Japan should build her own black ships and form a navy.
Is Japan capable of that?
Don't ask worthless things.
Hey, do you know what this is?
Te-re-ga-ra-fu.
It's a telegraph.
He made it by referencing a Dutch encyclopedia.
I'm the only one in Japan who has made one.
By knowing their mechanism and technology...
there's no way we can't make what the Westerners make.
That includes the Black Ships.
Bonaparte...
Bonaparte?
Napoleon Bonaparte.
Not only did he understand the law of column formation,
he applied new technology and revolutionized war.
We should use him as our role model and educate ourselves
in Western arithmetic, science, military, and medicine.
And those who want to shoot cannons can go elsewhere.
It's time for your lecture.
I get it.
That's what we lack.
More than the number and skill of shooting cannons...
but the knowledge base...
or knowledge of foreigners...
Sir Shozan, I was mistaken.
I'll be back to ask for your teaching.
Where are you going?
My lecture is about to start.
What?
You are accepted.
You're from Aizu!
What you said in Aizu was all true.
I came to study about what we lack.
Good!
Do you know each other?
I'm Katsu, a shogunate vassal.
I'm Aizu clansman, Yamamoto Kakuma.
I'm Kawasaki Shonosuke with the Tajima Izushi clan.
How did you persuade that perverse man?
Perry's fleet will be here next spring.
We must prepare at once...
but we have foolish men shouting anti-alienism.
They are truly a problem.
Anti-alienism is to protect Japan from foreign enemies.
Is that foolish?
It's foolish to not know your enemies.
Can you fight with your eyes and ears closed?
True anti-alienism...
is to resist the foreigners using their technology.
Resist the foreigners using their technology?
We must build a Western-style navy.
And start Western training for our infantry.
We must reformat the samurai system.
China who lost in the Opium War...
is currently prey to the Western great powers.
To avoid the same fate, Western technology and Eastern morals
must be merged to change Japan.
Yes!
The world is revolving.
We cannot turn back.
I'll lecture on gunnery now.
This is a 16 lbs cannon.
It's easy to produce these bronze cannons...
but their ranges are limited.
If we want to produce long range cannons,
like the Western navy, we must incorporate...
The world is revolving.
Hey! What are you doing?
Oh! I was almost done.
These aren't books for you to read.
When will you get it?
You allowed Saburo to read books about fire-arms.
He needs to be prepped for gunnery.
I want to learn about fire-arms.
It's not something for girls.
Brother and you use fire-arms. And soon, Saburo will too.
I want to use a fire-arm too.
No!
Father...
Yae!
What are you doing?
Go and help in the kitchen!
Yes.
She is such a problem.
How do you read this?
I don't understand it.
If the Westerners can grasp this, so can I.
Kakuma, I borrowed this book from Sir Shozan's study
Oh, thanks.
You're finished copying it?
You're up until late every night. How diligent!
I'm behind the others.
I can't be sleeping idly.
Is education the key to your advancement?
That's not it.
I want to bring back all the knowledge I can to Aizu.
That's all.
In January 1854...
In Edo Bay, where forts and defenses were up...
Perry's fleet reappeared.
What are you saying?
We cannot open the country.
A discussion is not necessary. Just expel the foreigners!
Lord Kamon, what do you have to say?
II NAOSUKE (Lord KAMON)
Rather than vainly stirring up trouble,
we should enter into friendly relations and adapt accordingly.
What?
Any other opinions?
I have one.
I think it's reckless to wage war right now.
My clan is in charge of the Shinagawa fort.
Thus, I have inspected the place many times.
We are inferior in firepower.
If attacked by a large army...
We will be helpless.
We are in agreement to open the country.
In that case...
You are young but bold.
I am impressed.
I merely stated the facts.
Such cowardly behavior from hereditary shogunate vassals.
It was decided by consensus.
Lord Katamori.
Yes.
Is the hollyhock crest of the Aizu clan...
a bit too heavy for you?
Kakuma, slow down.
I can't wait. Catch up later.
YOKOHAMA VILLAGE, MUSASHI
Please let me through.
You can't enter!
They look like floating castles!
They’re 20 times the size of our ships.
What's inside these ships?
You cannot enter!
Stay out!
How monstrous!
Is that what the Aizu have to fight at Shinagawa fort?
It's not just Aizu... but a countrywide war.
I want to board it.
What?
It's a mass of Western technology.
I'm going to board that ship.
I'll see everything in it.
The position to hold it is...
...like this.
Bam!
Bull's-eye!
What are you doing there?
END OF EPISODE 1
Yae!
I want to learn gunnery.
I want to shoot a fire-arm.
How will you board the ship? You'll be killed if caught.
Aizu is strong...
but we can't fight an enemy we don't understand.
You're abandoning Aizu, for the sake of Aizu?
The shogunate are big fools.
They made a criminal of the most useful man they have.
Japan is in the world scene.
When embarking on something...
the useless ones always try to interfere.
Beat them...and advance.
She wasn't taught anything.
She has a gift for it.
You're a samurai's daughter.
Once you start, you can't give up part way.
Are you prepared?
Yes!