We'll restore Imperial rule!
Why, this is...! DECEMBER 1867
It's like the time when we chased Choshu out. DECEMBER 1867
We'll vacate the Empire and start anew.
In December of 1867...
Aizu was forced to leave the Imperial Palace by Saigo's conspiracy.
In the meeting after Imperial rule was restored...
Why isn't Lord Yoshinobu here?
If he has any sincerity...
he should return his title and fiefs to the Court.
The Tokugawa fiefs were reduced by two millions koku.
The Tokugawa's reign was overturned in one day.
Men!
Lord Yoshinobu is leading his army to Osaka Castle.
Our Lord is accompanying him.
What? Is he planning to flee from Kyoto?
We won't let him drag our lord down!
Sir Sagawa! Please wait!
Tokugawa Yoshinobu decided to vacate Nijo Castle and head for Osaka.
We' re heading to Osaka without punishing the Satsuma rebels?
Please explain!
Withdrawing without a fight is a disgrace for a samurai!
Refrain!
It'll be taken by other as, we're fleeing from Kyoto.
It's a strategy to get Satsuma.
I have a plan in mind.
What is the plan?
I can't reveal the secret plan.
We are not convinced!
Kanbei, refrain!
Lord!
Please settle down!
Have you forgotten what happened four years ago?
If we act rashly, we'll end up like Choshu back then.
Our Lord will be branded an Imperial rebel.
We are going to Osaka.
Prepare immediately!
Yes, sir!
YAE NO SAKURA
Episode 20: Open War!
Screenplay: Yamamoto Mutsumi
Theme Music: Sakamoto Ryuichi Music: Nakajima Nobuyuki
Narrator: Kusabue Mitsuko
Kawasaki Yae: Ayase Haruka
Yamamoto Kakuma: Nishijima Hidetoshi
Kawasaki Shonosuke: Hasegawa Hiroki
Yamamoto Gonpachi: Matsushige Yutaka
Yamakawa Okura: Tamayama Tetsuji
Takagi Tokio: Kanjiya Shihori
Yamakawa Futaba: Ichikawa Mikako
Hinata Yuki: Gouriki Ayame
Jinbo Suri: Saito Takumi
Kajiwara Heima: Ikeuchi Hiroyuki
Matsudaira Katamori: Ayano Go
Nakano Takeko: Kuroki Meisa
Saigo Chie: Miyazaki Yoshiko
Sagawa Kanbei: Nakamura Shido
Saito Hajime: Furuya Kenji
Akizuki Teijiro: Kitamura Yukiya
Hirosawa Tomijiro: Okada Yoshinori
Sanjo Sanetomi: Sasai Eisuke
Okubo Ichizo: Tokushige Satoshi
Iwakura Tomomi: Kosakai Kazuki
Yamakawa Hyoue: Yamamoto Kei
Kayano Gonbei: Yanagisawa Shingo
Tanaka Tosa: Sato Bsaku
Hayashi Gonsuke: Kazama Morio
Tokugawa Yoshinobu: Koizumi Kotaro
Katsu Kaishu: Namase Katsuhisa
Yamakawa En: Aikyoshi Kumiko
Saigo Kichinosuke: Kikkawa Koji
Princess Teru: Inamori Izumi
Executive Producer: Naito Shinsuke
Translations by MTI
Director: Kato Taku
Lord!
In December of 1867...
Tokugawa Yoshinobu vacated Nijo Castle through the back gate.
Leaving through the back gate looks like fleeing to me.
We have no choice.
Leaving from the front gate with soldiers will agitate Satsuma.
Does Lord Yoshinobu really have a plan to punish Satsuma?
I don't know.
It may be his usual glib tongue.
We will head to Osaka with the Shinsengumi.
I will stay behind.
The rifles from Prussia will arrive any day now.
1,000 Dreyse needle guns?
The rifles will make us equal to Satsuma.
KYOTO - KAJIWARA RESIDENCE
Just take the bare necessities. We'll leave the rest behind.
Yes.
Torachiyo, you're a samurai's son. Stop crying.
Your father will be waiting in Edo.
News of the political change in Kyoto reached Aizu. AIZU - TSURUGA CASTLE
We may have to march to Kyoto.
It's time to prepare.
Why is Aizu being chased out of Kyoto?
Satsuma is probably behind this.
Are we finally going to war?!
SUO SHRINE
I'm done.
Many are wishing that (your husband) Sir Tanomo be reinstated (as councilor).
His confinement should be lifted soon.
Thank you very much.
Ms. Misu and Yuu... Please take these.
Thank you very much.
Yes...I'm done!
Yae, you're fast.
I'm praying for the safety of the Lord and Kakuma.
I want to get as many done as possible.
Have you heard from Sir Shuri?
No. Have you heard from Okura?
I know nothing about the chaos in Kyoto.
I wonder if my husband is safe.
We can only worry.
Of course they are safe!
Everyone, listen up.
Princess Teru is here.
I came to deliver this.
The princess sewed them herself.
Please include them with all of yours.
Yes.
I'm sorry I'm late.
Princess!
How impudent to be late!
I am very sorry!
I was at naginata (halberd) practice.
How can you practice at such an important time?!
Miss Takeko, a woman's duty is to...
Isn't that just an excuse for being late?
Definitely not.
If that's true, then compose those feelings into a poem.
Bring a brush.
Write it down on that.
Compare to the brave heart of the samurai
Not many of me are needed
No wonder you were famous in Edo.
A samurai's heart...
Why don't you all compose poems?
Let's dedicate them with the flags.
Yes.
Bring brushes.
Go to the back for brushes.
Yes.
Ms. Yae, use this.
Me?
Yae.
The guns and bows I learned from Father and Brother...
are loaded with the spirit of Aizu.
That's so typical of Yae.
Loaded with Aizu spirit?
I heard you shoot rifles.
Yes.
That's promising.
Thank you very much.
Meanwhile, Yoshinobu who was in Osaka...
was steadily regaining power.
In Kyoto, a group of rebels...
are twisting the emperor's will and making the people suffer.
Foreign diplomacy will continue to be headed by the Tokugawa.
Some rebels have been tormenting the people of Kyoto...
against the Emperor's will.
As in the past, the Tokugawa will steer Japan's government.
Your Highness, Taishogun...your future are signs as glorious as the sun is today.
KYOTO - SATSUMA MANSION
Yoshinobu met with foreign envoys.
The Tokugawa still heads foreign diplomacy.
Merely controlling the Court...
won't overturn their reign.
If we hold a council meeting with the various clans now...
all the lords will side with Yoshinobu.
People fear change.
They prefer bad over the unknown.
To wake this country up from her 260 years of sleep...
will require drastic measures.
Will we have to engage in war, after all?
To vacate the Empire...
will require bloodshed as well.
But if Yoshinobu keeps a low profile in Osaka...
we won't have a cause to wage war.
We either stir up trouble in Edo...
or spark a fire in the Tokugawa's historical land.
Siding with the Shogunate is a felony. EDO
Hand over your money to fund the Imperial army!
The Aizu mansion in Edo should be in this area.
Edo is huge, isn't it?
Out of the way!
Stop!
Watch out! This way!
Arrest them! Kill anyone who resists!
After them! Don't let them escape!
They're gone.
Thank you for helping us.
Are you from Aizu?
Yes.
I'm Aizu clansman Kajiwara Heima's wife.
Oh my! Sir Kajiwara's?
Under Saigo (of Satsuma) order,
the masterless samurai were on a rampage in Edo.
Their nest was the Satsuma mansion in Mita.
They ran into the Satsuma mansion again.
Let's go.
EDO - AIZU CLAN'S MANSION
Councilor!
Lord Katsu is waiting in the back room.
Sir Katsu?
I went to see the high officials of the Shogunate.
I'm going to ask the same of Aizu.
Is it about the group at the Satsuma mansion?
Don't allow them to provoke you.
If you fight them now...
the Tokugawa giving up reign will be for naught.
Have you seen this?
It was posted on Ikkoku Bridge.
The Shogunate wants to steal back the reign.
The Imperial army will punish the Shogunate...
by burning Edo Castle and the city.
It's a warning they'll rise and burn down Edo.
It's beyond destructive riots now.
This is war.
Aizu would like to avoid war.
But if this continues...
That is why I'm asking you!
Aizu's strength will fan the flames of war.
What if you lose?
The Tokugawa will be eradicated.
I've been burned by Yoshinobu.
But I'm a Shogunate vassal! I can't let the Tokugawa perish!
Firing up that monster Saigo was my mistake.
So you met Otei?
Yes...she's a nice person. She brought me here.
She's the daughter of a Noh actor.
Now is not the time for Noh, so she's teaching math to the kids.
Teaching math?
She's a bright woman.
When you turn ten, you'll study at Nisshinkan.
It was chaotic in Kyoto.
I left our household goods behind.
I'm sorry.
As long as you're both safe, I'm happy.
Torachiyo can walk if he holds on to something.
Councilor!
What is it?
We have a crisis!
Some Shonai soldiers were killed by masterless samurai.
What?
They're going to punish the Satsuma men.
No! That will result in war!
War in Edo?
There is war in Edo!
What?
The Shonai clan attacked Satsuma's mansion in Edo.
This news has the castle in an uproar.
Damn!
The spark was in Edo.
We must rise in arms.
Don't let them provoke you.
Listen to them.
How do you quell...
15,000 brave soldiers?!
But...!
Unless I crush Satsuma, their anger will be directed at me.
I, their lord, will get killed.
We have no choice but to fight.
Excellent.
This is a Spencer carbine.
A seven shots, breech-loading rifle.
You know about it?
I studied a bit about rifles.
I wanted to learn how to shoot from when I was a child.
I was scolded many times that it's not for a woman.
But I couldn't give up.
That training turned into Aizu spirit that fills the bullet.
What?
That poem you wrote on the flag.
I share the same feeling.
If I were a man, I would rush to Kyoto with halberd in hand.
I am vexed that I can only stay home and worry.
Still, we must polish our skills.
There may be a day when it'll come in handy.
Yes...for Aizu's sake.
You and I may use different weapons...
but we share the same feelings.
Yes, we do.
About your poem...
I'd say your resolve is great, but not your skills.
Oh my!
Miss Takeko, your Aizu accent is awful.
Kakuma...
There is another woman like me in Aizu.
On January 1, 1868...
Yoshinobu declared his intention to punish Satsuma.
The next day, the Shogunate army of 10,000 was set...
to march to Kyoto via the Toba-Fushimi main road.
There's something odd about this tactic.
There are many roads that lead to Kyoto.
Uji...Yamazaki...Tanba.
Why are we concentrating only on Toba and Fushimi?
This isn't a procession to enter Kyoto.
Will we be able to win?
It's as if he didn't consider that the enemy will resist.
He thinks a huge army will pave the way.
We can't rely on the Shogunate's tactics.
We must be prepared for the worst.
Ready!
Go!
Tosa's worries became reality.
On both main roads of Toba and Fushimi...
the Satsuma forces ambushed and block the Shogunate forces.
A verbal tug-of-war occurred.
Isn't the negotiation over?
Just shoot a bullet and wrench it open!
The first to shoot will have to answer to the Court.
We can fight back an enemy attack.
While we wait, the enemy will send more reinforcements.
How long are we going to continue this?
The Shogunate leaders never had a blade pointed at them.
So they lack the courage even to attack.
Yes.
Sir Hayashi! Sir Sagawa!
Oh, it's Saburo!
You're here!
After hearing about the restoration of Imperial rule,
we were allowed to come here.
It'll be your first battle.
Yes!
Be alert!
The enemy is in front of you!
Scared?
Not at all.
Don't bear it.
Delve on that fear now.
After the first shot, you have no time to be scared!
Fight hard as an Aizu warrior!
Yes!
Hey! Open the way!
Sir Osawa is here!
Aizu men...
We're at a critical spot against the enemy.
Leave this place to us and go to the Eastern entrance.
A samurai doesn't leave a tough situation.
Please leave it to us!
If it looks unfavorable, we'll immediately assist you.
We'll be counting on it.
We can only rely on Aizu for this war.
It's coming from the Toba direction! It's open war!
Men, get to your posts!
Ready!
Fire!
Now! Spearsmen!
Attack!
Forward!
Please send whatever rifles you have on hand.
Shall I write it for you?
No...it's in English.
One or two hundreds will do.
I need the rifles quickly.
What is that sound?
Sir!
Sir! We hear cannon shots from the Fushimi direction!
War has broken out!
Oh, no!
Where are you going?
To Osaka! To stop this war!
It's reckless to go with those bad eyes!
Outside here is filled with Satsuma soldiers!
I'll ask the lord for a cease fire.
Take care of the school.
Stop him!
He won't make it to Osaka!
Stop...the ending destination for this war is hell.
Stop!
Out of my way!
War has started.
You can't pass!
Don't get in my way....
Or I'll kill you!
Dare to resist?!
Sir!
To Osaka...
Fire!
This isn't good... they have superior firepower.
Kakuma, the new rifles haven't arrived yet?
Where's the aid from the Shogunate?
The general is gone!
The soldiers won't move without their orders!
Damn them! Are they scared?
We are not withdrawing!
Men! Don't disgrace the Aizu name, even if it means death!
Yes, sir!
Spearsmen!
Don't mind me! Fire!
Spearsmen!
That's Aizu for you. Let's join the fight.
We can't attack from the front.
Let's attack from the sides.
Alright.
Advance!
Retreat!
Sir Hayashi! We have orders to retreat!
It's dangerous! Hurry!
Sir Hayashi...!
We won.
Now, all the clans will side with us.
The time is ripe.
Then, finally...?
We'll hoist the Imperial flag.
We'll have them issue the order to punish Yoshinobu.
We'll be the Imperial army and Yoshinobu will be the rebel.
We can crush him.
Let's go.
Yes.
It's Satsuma's victory.
Now is the time to display the authority of the Court.
How could we lose?
The Shogunate army of 15,000...
...lost to Satsuma?
That's not possible.
That's impossible.
Lord!
The Hayashi force was crushed! I'll take command!
Now is not the time!
I will...
...go!
Gonsuke...!
On January 3, 1868...
what signified the start of the Boshin War...
the first battle of the war at Toba-Fushimi...
resulted in the Shogunate's pitiful defeat.
END OF EPISODE 20
I said you will only lose soldiers unnecessarily.
What about the men who already died?
As a Yamamoto man, I want to work in place of Kakuma.
If you remain, the Aizu soldiers won't stop fighting.
Shouldn't we defer once to avoid becoming rebels?
Are you a coward?
Aizu was branded as rebels.
Please protect Kakuma...
and everyone in Aizu.