Fire!
Choshu aimed to regain their political power in Kyoto...
by invading the Palace with an army.
Bull's eye!
The battle ended in victory for the Aizu-Satsuma forces.
The defeated Choshu retreated to their distant home province.
But the war flames that spread left a deep scar in Kyoto.
Using this chance, the Shogunate launches a punitive expedition.
A month later...
AUGUST 1864
The rice is here!
Bring it inside!
Thank you for leading a huge army here.
We rushed here upon hearing about the battle.
We are disappointed that we didn't arrive in time.
Kanbei.
Yes!
It's been a while.
It's been seven years.
My misconduct was the cause of your wrath.
I am very pleased to see you again.
The lord has thought of a name for your troop.
It's Bessengumi.
That's a great name.
Very befitting a new troop.
As chief, you are in charge of guarding the city.
I will stake my life in protecting the city!
I'm counting on you Kanbei.
Yes, sir!
YAE NO SAKURA
Episode 13: Gun and Bride
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
Yamamoto Ura: Hasegawa Kyoko
Yamakawa Okura: Tamayama Tetsuji
Yamakawa Futaba: Ichikawa Mikako
Hinata Yuki: Gouriki Ayame
Matsudaira Katamori: Ayano Go
Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu: Koizumi Kotaro
Sagawa Kanbei: Nakamura Shido
Kajiwara Heima: Ikeuchi Hiroyuki
Jinbo Shuri: Saito Takumi
Akizuki Teijiro: Kitamura Yukiya
Hirosawa Tomijiro: Okiada Yoshinori
Jinbo Kuranosuke: Tsukayama Masane
Yamakawa Hyoue: Yamamoto Kei
Tanaka Tosa: Sato Bsaku
Sakuma Shozan: Okuda Eiji
Katsu Kaishu: Namase Katsuhisa
Saigo Chie: Miyasaki Yoshiko
Yamakawa En: Akiyoshi Kumiko
Saigo Kichinosuke: Kikkawa Koji
Saigo Tanomo: NIshida Toshiyuki
Executive Producer: Naito Shinsuke
Translations by MTI
Director: Suenaga So
Excellent!
You're really skilled!
I'm still learning, but this gun is remarkable.
Let me see it.
It is very well made.
Sir Kawasaki, did you make this alone?
I'm still working on it.
This is something else.
You can market yourself to other places with this.
What?
Kakuma asked me before I left Kyoto...
that if you wish to leave Aizu...
to help you find employment.
What?
What are you talking about?
Leaving Aizu? Kakuma wouldn't say that.
In a recent letter, in order for me to gain employment,
he suggested that Yae and I...
Well...
Kakuma was confused.
He wasn't sure if he should detain you in Aizu.
Are my skills not needed?
That's not it.
Then...?
Did you hear about Sir Shozan's death?
What did you just say?
He was killed by assassins.
After that, the Sakuma family...
...was abolished.
No...!
The Matsuhiro clan did nothing to reward him for his efforts.
In fact, they shunned him.
It's not just other clans. Even Aizu...
Sir Akizuki, Aizu is not that cold-hearted.
But Aizu is stubborn and close-minded.
That rifle is a good example.
Well, that is...
Despite his efforts...
he won't receive a status to fairly compensate him.
Would you still stay in Aizu?
This is a message to the both of you from Kakuma.
Don't hold back.
Decide for yourselves what would be best for you.
"When you try to act, the useless ones will interfere."
"Rout them and advance."
Sir Shozan...
AIZU CAMP, KYOTO
Thrust harder!
Sir Sagawa.
Oh, it's you guys.
I heard you both distinguished yourselves recently.
If it weren't for Satsuma's help, we might have lost.
We'll redeem ourselves in the Choshu punitive expedition.
I won't lose to them! I can finally be useful.
Yes.
But...it's late!
When are we punishing Choshu?
The Shogunate haven't set their policies.
Our lord advised that the Shogun lead the army, but...
That's only proper. Choshu are imperial rebels.
The Shogun should come to punish them.
Those villains targeted our lord's life!
I will never forgive them!
Men! War!
Finally!
-What is the order? -What is Aizu's post?
It's war with the foreigners.
Foreigners?!
Choshu was attacked by foreign warships.
What's become of Choshu?
BAKAN SHIMONOSEKI BATTLE
The Shimonoseki War ended in Choshu's defeat. BAKAN SHIMONOSEKI BATTLE
Britain, France, Holland, and U.S. attacked Choshu for firing on foreign ships.
After this painful defeat...
Choshu reversed their stance, from aggressive anti-alienism
to pro-alienism.
I'm almost there.
Here...is how you do it.
Oh, my.
Oh, no.
Yae, it's sewn together.
Sorry.
What's wrong?
You'd normally clean up quickly and rush home.
Even if I go home...
I don�t' know what to say to him.
You're acting strange today.
You make errors, and sew your own kimono together.
What's wrong?
Needle and scissors are a woman's spear and sword.
Don't use them in a daze.
Yes.
Where's your usual spirit?
You're not being yourself.
I'm not myself?
You're right.
It's useless to think about it.
I just have to hold the fort, no matter what!
That's it.
Yae!
Yes.
What is that?
I finally finished the new adjustments.
Let me test it out then.
No...I will shoot it today.
What?
I put a screw in the inner barrel.
It's not as good as the foreign-made ones...
but it should be more precise.
Bull's eye.
Good!
Yae.
Yes?
Let us get married.
What?
Please become my wife.
What?
That is...
Sir Akizuki said to forget about Kakuma's letter.
So the marriage is...
I don't care about the letter.
I thought about it and decided on it.
I have your father's approval.
Yae, let's get married.
No!
I can't.
Why?
Am I unreliable?
I thought I was unfit for you.
That is why I declined once.
What?
But...I made this.
I believe it's the most advanced fire-arm in all Japan.
Even if I am unemployed for life...
I can earn a living with my skills.
That is why... I can't.
We must not bind you to Aizu.
From the time Kakuma's letter came...
that's how I felt.
Yae.
Kakuma dwelled on your employment all this time.
While you never wished it.
Anytime...
anywhere...
you can leave.
I want you to be able to do what you desire.
I want to live here.
I want to live with you in Aizu.
Please become my wife.
Yes.
Has it been decided?
Yae accepted.
I'm really glad.
It's going to be busy.
When shall we set the wedding date?
We need to obtain the lord's approval first.
We should notify Kakuma right away.
I'll write to him.
Who will be the go-between?
That's a good question.
Is the Miss really getting married?
She's not marrying out.
Is it a bridegroom?
Not that either.
How shall we put this?
Let's prepare a wedding dowry.
Yes.
SEPTEMBER 11, 1864
Meanwhile, in Osaka, far away from Aizu...
a certain meeting was about to turn the wheels of history.
SENSO-JI TEMPLE, OSAKA
I'm Saigo with the Satsuma clan.
Sir Saigo!
I'm Naval Magistrate Katsu.
Make yourself comfortable.
You're part of the expedition. What do you want from me?
Sir Katsu.
It's been two months since the order was issued.
The Shogunate is delaying and wasting time.
What should we do?
Why do you ask me?
My late lord (Shimazu Nariakira) told me...
when in doubt on state matter, go to Sir Katsu.
Lord Nariakira? How nostalgic.
What do you want to do with Choshu?
They should be severely punished.
Yes.
Confiscate their fiefs.
Give half to the Court and award the remaining to the various clans.
National unity to crush Choshu?
I wouldn't advise it.
Such a war may be beneficial to the Shogunate...
but not for the country.
Should we be absorbed in a civil war right now?
What if the foreign fleets that attacked Choshu...
invade the sea of Settsu?
The weak Shogunate will be helpless.
What do you suggest then?
Don't leave it to the Shogunate.
Establish a new system to get the country ahead.
A new system?
A republican government.
There are several competent lords in Japan.
Lord Shungaku of Echizen. Lord Yodo of Tosa.
And there's Satsuma.
The various clans will deliberate and steer the country.
That's what my late lord Nariakira was striving for!
It's crucial that you put you and your clan's interest aside,
and run the country by public opinion.
Public opinion?
The Shogunate government is like an overripe persimmon.
When attacked from outside...
I understand.
I've come to my senses.
I now know what must be done for the country.
Thank you very much.
Saigo with Satsuma...
He may be scarier than I imagined.
I might have talked too much.
We're launching a full-scale assault on Choshu.
What is our strategy?
Regarding that...
We should encourage Choshu to submit.
Encourage their submission?
What are you saying?
What are you suggesting?
We've already assigned posts to the various clans.
We will dispatch the troops.
We'll surround them with an army of over 100,000.
Then persuade them to submit.
You said earlier you'd crush them and confiscate their fiefs!
That's right!
Confiscating their fiefs is appropriate!
I agree!
But in actual combat, the enemy will fight desperately.
Our allies will suffer casualties.
What?
If we dispatch troops, and don't engage in battle,
the Shogunate will lose face.
We'll display our authority with the huge army.
Winning without fighting is the best strategy of all.
It's Confucius' strategy.
Men...
Are you in agreement?
Saigo's proposal to negotiate peace...
overturned the policy of the expedition.
Choshu beheaded their three councilors to show
submission to the Shogunate.
The expedition ended without actual combat.
Damn commander!
His behavior affected them!
His behavior?
That bumpkin named Saigo!
You requested many times for the Shogun to come to Kyoto.
Do you know what the Elders in Edo think of it?
A lowly military commissioner has no say about the Shogun.
They are mocking you for it.
That isn't all.
Some think you (Katamori) and I (Yoshinobu) are using the Court's authority
to threaten the Shogunate.
Why would they think that?
The people in Edo know nothing!
They resent us for having gained the Emperor's trust.
They refer to us as Kyoto men and are suspicious of us.
We received complaints from the Edo mansion.
The Shogunate officials call us Kyoto men and abuse us.
The Shogunate government forced this Kyoto Magistrate position on our lord!
The high expenses are draining our home province.
Councilor.
I'm worried about our lord's health.
Now might be the time (for Aizu) to withdraw.
Shuri.
Yes.
What...have we been fighting for?
Yamakawa Okura Yamamoto Kakuma
This area is thriving again.
It's not the same as before.
A human's will to live is powerful.
-Hah? -Huh?
Kajiwara Heima
It looked as if he was judging a sword.
What is so funny?
If I don't examine it closely, I might get a bad deal.
Yamakawa Futaba: My husband is right.
There's depth to Kyoto dolls.
Sir Yamamoto, congratulations on your recent promotion.
Thank you.
I heard you were promoted, brother. May you have greater success.
Yes.
Brother (in law), congratulations on your becoming Junior Councilor.
Let's work hard at our posts.
Yes.
I'll prepare the drink.
How cute.
I thought the doll would serve as a consolation.
Send your wife something to make her happy.
No...I don't know what would be good.
Soon after our wedding, without knowing each other...
I came to Kyoto.
Send her a comb or lip gloss.
Those things elate all women.
Wait...I can't say all women.
Kakuma's younger sister might prefer a rifle.
A rifle over lip gloss and powder.
She's finally getting married.
Is there such a man?
It's Sir Kawasaki.
Oh, yes! Sir Kawasaki! He was right under your nose!
Once they get the Lord's approval, they're having the wedding.
I wanted them to get married out of selfish reasons, but...
they both thought about it and decided on their own.
I'm glad to hear that.
Yes.
Why are you quiet (Yamakawa Okura)?
It's nothing.
Too shocked to speak?
Big news from Aizu.
What is it?
Yae is getting married.
You're overreacting.
I'm sorry.
What's wrong?
Oh, it's nothing.
It's a good match.
Huh?
It's truly a good match.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
We received word from the castle.
Okura was promoted to manage clan etiquette.
Futaba's husband became Junior Councilor.
Congratulations.
A relief for the Yamakawas.
Tose, come and sit here.
Yes.
What does Okura's position entail?
He preserves the ties between the clan and the Shogunate.
His battle merits got him that promotion.
Aren't you glad?
Yes...
Brother is strong.
He's never lost at any games.
Kenjiro would come home losing though.
If it comes to war...
Remember his Yoshitsune leap?
He kept leaping around on the bridge!
He's like Ushiwakamaru!
He imitates the characters in the stories I read him.
He even rolled down the cliff once.
Tose, come.
Yes.
Yoshichiro climbed this tree a lot as a child.
He didn't want to lose to another child who was good at climbing.
My husband said that?
That child was a girl!
I'll tell you about him little by little.
I'll tell you about his childhood.
Mother.
He'll return next year on alternate duty.
Surprise him with the stories I tell you.
Yes.
Her wedding kimono is done.
It's beautiful. I'm sure it will match her nicely.
Having a wedding procession would be even better.
That's true.
It'd be strange if the bride left home and came right back in.
That's true.
Don't put it there again!
As always, this goes right here.
Yes.
What is it?
I wasn't expecting this!
I thought if you wedded, I'd be in control here.
Hey!
Yae!
Congratulations sister.
Thank you brother.
SAIGO MANSION
A Western training center is opening in Marutamachi, Kyoto.
That's going to cost even more money.
Yes.
No matter how frugal we are in Aizu...
we can't keep up with the expenses in Kyoto.
I realized that after I returned.
Many are discontent with the officials.
From our standpoint, they act like they own Kyoto.
Despite Yokoyama's efforts, you can't gain a position
because of our poor finances.
I'm aware of that.
Bear it for a bit more.
Sir Akizuki, I heard you're the go-between.
Yes.
Go-between?
For who?
The Yamamotos.
Is it for Yamamoto Yae?
I'm amazed that tomboy found anyone.
My husband likes Yae.
Who is her groom?
Sir Kawasaki with the Dutch school.
Kawasaki?
He's not a clansman.
He's an outstanding man. He'll soon gain employment with the clan.
But he has no house.
Where is Yae going to live?
He's a freeloader, so probably in the Yamamoto annex.
She won't get a proper send-off then.
Well...they are not a family that dwells on such things.
That will spoil the wedding.
Ah...I have a good idea.
AKIZUKI MANSION
Are you ready? AKIZUKI MANSION
Woah!
I'm shocked.
Yae, you look beautiful.
Sir Akizuki.
Thank you for sending me out as a bride from your home.
It was Sir Saigo Tannomo's idea.
Yes.
Shall we get going?
The wedding procession is departing!
Yes!
END OF EPISODE 13
If Kakuma were here, he'd be so happy.
He must be celebrating for her in Kyoto.
Am I going blind?
Neither side should win this war.
Satsuma has to maneuver it skillfully.
Once we finish with this task, let's all return to Aizu.
Our home province!