In June of 1868...
The new government advanced its army along the Oshu Road.
Tanomo advised submission, but it was not accepted.
He was dismissed as Chief Commander of Shirakawa.
In July, the Nihonmatsu clan was destroyed by the new government.
The clan alliance was on the verge of collapse.
A crisis was approaching Aizu.
Don't die!
Transport this!
On August 19, 1868...
or October on the solar calendar...
the cold weather was already creeping in.
Are we prepared? NIHONMATSU CASTLE
Act quickly! Winter is coming soon.
We must crush Aizu by that time.
Where shall we attack from?
Sit.
Yes.
As you are aware, Nihonmatsu domain was captured.
The Sendai and Yonezawa clans are pulling out.
Our castle town might turn into a battlefield.
No matter what happens, put the lord and clan first.
We won't go wrong.
Don't do anything dishonorable.
Yes.
Miss Mine is dependable.
Let's bury the extras.
All right.
We're taking that.
Yes.
What is that?
Yae's drawing.
Saburo...
YAE NO SAKURA
Episode 25: Youth Squad March to Battle
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 Saku: Fubuki Jun
Yamamoto Gonpachi: Matsushige Yutaka
Yamamoto Ura: Hasegawa Kyoko
Takagi Tokio: Kanjiya Shihori
Yamakawa Futaba: Ichikawa Mikako
Hinata Yuki: Gouriki Ayame
Matsudaira Katamori: Ayano Go
Nakano Takeko: Kuroki Meisa
Saigo Chie: Miyazaki Yoshiko
Yamakawa En: Aikyoshi Kumiko
Sagawa Kanbei: Nakamura Shido
Saito Hajime: Furuya Kenji
Kajiwara Heima: Ikeuchi Hiroyuki
Akizuki Teijiro: Kitamura Yukiya
Kurokouchi Dengoro: Musaka Naomasa
Jinbo Kuranosuke: Tsukayama Masane
Yamakawa Kenjiro: Katsuji Ryo
Yamakawa Hyoue: Yamamoto Kei
Kayano Gonbei: Yanagisawa Shingo
Tanaka Tosa: Sato Bsaku
Ooyama Yasuke: Sorimachi Takashi
Itagaki Taisuke: Kato Masaya
Saigo Kichinosuke: Kikkawa Koji
Princess Teru: Inamori Izumi
Saigo Tanomo: Nishida Toshiyuki
Executive Producer: Naito Shinsuke
Translations by MTI
Director: Sasaki Yoshiharu
How sad...How sad.
Are you all right?
I'm fine.
Medicine from Sir Shun'ei.
How do you feel?
It's affecting my eyes and legs now.
How sad that I'm useless at this critical time!
Sir...
Ready!
Begin!
They're intense!
Ms. Yae!
Are you joining us?
Switch over.
What's going on?
The women are forming a naginata (halberd) squad.
We'll be Princess Teru's shield.
If you join us, we'll be a stronger squad
We'll meet at Suwa...
I...can't join you.
Why? You won't fight?
I don't believe that.
Yae?
We were...
Ms. Yae must have her own thought.
Let's practice.
Yes.
Yae, doesn't it upset you? They told you off.
They are all brave.
They will surely fight hard to protect Princess Teru.
They are Aizu women.
But we cannot...
...defeat Satsuma-Choshu with naginata (halberds).
Yae?
Naginata...
...won't protect our castle.
If only the alliance was stronger.
I blundered.
It can't be helped.
More importantly, where will the enemy attack from?
AUGUST 20, 1868
THREE DAYS PRIOR TO ENEMY'S ARRIVAL
The enemy's forces are moving.
Are they attacking from the mountain pass (East)?
I hear they are coming from Nakayama Pass.
That may be a trap to split up our main force.
The North or South of Inawashiro?
We have too few men!
Our main force was dispatched to too many places.
We only have a few men left here.
But the western soldiers are not accustomed to the cold.
They will be useless in winter time.
If it starts to snow, we'll have the advantage.
Is the snow our ally?
Winter is around the corner.
We must hold out.
Kanbei.
I heard the enemy fears you as a demon.
Demon Kanbei, huh?
The lord has something to say to that demon.
Kanbei.
You're appointed as councilor.
What?
We sent a messenger to Okura in Nikko-guchi.
You are both promoted to councilor.
We need your young strengths to overcome this crisis.
Accept it.
This is difficult time. I'm counting on you.
Yes sir!
Tosa!
If they should cross the mountain pass...
gather everyone to the castle.
Very well.
Tanomo is to report to the castle at that time also.
Men...let us unite our strengths.
Let us protect Aizu.
Yes, sir!
To stop the enemy from entering their fief...
the Aizu clan blocked all roads leading to their town.
Excuse me!
SATSUMA MANSION, KYOTO
Sir Saigo! SATSUMA MANSION, KYOTO
When did you return from Satsuma?
Hanjiro, will you lead an army to Nikko-guchi?
We're having a hard time attacking. NAKAMURA HANJIRO
Only Aizu remains.
Aizu won't fall easily.
They'll fight to the last man.
Finish them quickly or both sides will have needless casualties.
Is the Governor-General planning to destroy Aizu entirely?
This isn't a war that started for a personal grudge.
We must find a way to settle this.
Maybe I'll have a talk with him.
Sir...Sir!
Many have died from the epidemic.
Did you give them medicine?
Yes.
But the weak ones will die.
Get a doctor.
If he can't survive in this cell, then let him out.
Yes.
Call a doctor quickly!
Yes, sir!
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much!
This man must not die.
Ura...
Yae...
BONARI PASS ON THE EASTERN BORDER
On August 21, the new government's army attacked Bonari Pass.
The enemy had finally infiltrate into Aizu.
Against an army of 3,000
the Aizu blocking force of 800 was forced to retreat to Inawashiro Castle.
Take shelter in the castle! DAY BEFORE THE ENEMY'S ARRIVAL
The enemy is approaching Inawashiro Castle (Aizu's secondary castle).
Men between the age of 15 and 60 are ordered to report.
I will follow the order.
After you equip for battle, come to the castle at once.
YAMAKAWA KENJIRO
Here. YAMAKAWA KENJIRO
You need not achieve glory
But do not get defeated for fear for your life.
Don't think about distinguishing yourself.
But don't fall behind out of fear for your life.
Yes.
I will be going now.
It's an Aizu war tradition.
These stand for victory, health, and opportunity.
We'll be praying for our victory.
Depending on the course of the war...
you may receive orders from the castle.
Don't panic and follow orders.
We will.
Father!
Please let me accompany you.
Yae!
I'm skilled with rifles!
I know about cannons and Western war tactics.
Please take me to battle!
Don't be absurd!
Going to war with a rifle is not a woman's business!
I want to protect Aizu!
I want to protect the castle and our lord!
My skills will surely be useful!
No!
Father!
You are not a samurai!
I am a samurai's daughter!
Small children fought at Nihonmatsu.
With the enemy close by, I can't just do nothing!
No!
I want to get revenge for Saburo!
I will fight them with my rifle!
Yae!
He can't take a woman without permission!
Enough! You're stalling their departure!
I'll be going.
I'll get revenge for Saburo.
Yae.
I pray for your success.
She's an idiot.
The Aizu army wanted to prevent the enemy from entering the castle-town.
So they were forced to use whatever resources available.
Tanomo went to Mt. Seaburi, Kayano went to Oodera...
and Kanbei to Kowashimizu.
They all deployed their troops to their respective destination.
Bide us time! Hurry!
INAWASHIRO CASTLE Bide us time! Hurry!
Saito!
However, at Inawashiro...
We can't stay here. We'll set the castle on fire and retreat.
We have another battle to fight in Sendai.
We still have Enomoto's navy.
We'll be waiting in Sendai.
I'm going back.
Going back? To where?
Aizu.
Don't be stupid!
Their castle-town will be attacked in 2-3 days!
The Aizu will still fight!
The Shinsengumi will fight with them.
They'll end up holing-up in their castle!
They won't receive any aid!
You'll end up dying!
Just come with me.
To abandon Aizu now...
...is not right.
Abandoning your comrades...
...goes against the samurai's code.
You...
Have you a lover in Aizu?
Yes.
But it's not a woman...
but with the foolish... and honest Aizu clan.
What is your battle strategy?
We're running out of rifles and bullets.
We still...
...have our katana (swords).
I see...
In that case...
I'll will go and fight my own battle.
Yes.
SINCERITY
INSIDE TSURUGA CASTLE
We received word from Inawashiro Castle.
They set the castle on fire and fled.
Is that true?
The enemy is moving fast... too fast.
What about Jurokkyo Bridge...
...and the order to destroy it?
Since it's a stone bridge...
it can't be easily destroyed.
If they cross the river, they'll be four miles away.
Let us march.
Lord!
I'll take command from Takizawa main camp.
That's dangerous! It's too close to Jurokkyo!
Please take command from the castle-town.
No.
This time...
I must fight with all of you.
Take care of the castle.
Tosa!
Follow me!
The retired lord is leaving for battle!
Katamori was accompanied by the youth squads.
There were no other squads left in the castle-town.
Morinosuke...
Is he a relative?
He's my younger brother.
I see.
You must be concerned.
The retired lord has left for battle.
We must be alert and protect the castle.
Let us do our best.
Yes.
Come closer.
Please tell Sir Kajiwara...
Those who returned injured will be treated by the castle women.
Yes!
Another thing...
Check if we have ample supply of salt.
I will do so right away.
That's Morinosuke...
and Teijiro.
Jäger percussion rifles.
Teijiro.
Drawn them close and then shoot.
The enemy's fire-arms can shoot farther than your jäger rifles.
Draw them close!
Everyone, listen!
I taught Teijiro about fire-arms!
Listen to him well!
Don't engage in a (long-range) shoot-out and die for naught!
We can't let them destroy the bridge!
I'll kill anyone who rests!
Hurry! Do you want to be killed?
Faster!
Move faster!
The new government's army advanced with momentum.
TAKIZAWA MAIN CAMP
Reporting! We lost Jurokkyo!
What about the bridge?
While we were destroying the bridge girder, they fired on us.
They now controlled the bridge.
I just received news of the defeat at Inawashiro.
Brother...
What's the situation at Tonokuchihara?
If we lose there, they will attack the castle-town.
We're requesting reinforcements.
Tosa!
Send half of our main force to Tonokuchihara.
We are short-handed too.
The only available reinforcements will have to be the Byako-tai (youth squads).
Byaoko-tai (Youth squads), you are ordered to the battlefront.
Yes!
This is from the retired lord.
Wear it in battle.
Yes!
You are still lads...
but you're a part of the main army.
Fight fearlessly!
Yes!
Men...I wish you success.
Yes, sir!
Get ready to march!
Yes sir!
Tosa.
Send a messenger to the castle-town.
If we lose Tonokuchihara...
prepare to hole up in the castle.
Yes sir.
Then emergency bell will ring when the enemy approaches.
You will enter the castle. The villagers must leave town.
We will do as ordered.
What is that sound?
Mother, the enemy is near.
What is this?
You've served us well.
It's just a little, but use it to make a living in the village.
We can't accept it. You need the money.
We can't use it.
There's no use for it in the castle.
Who knows when the emergency bell will sound?
Leave tonight.
If you delay, you could lose your lives.
Ms. Yae.
Go quickly.
Feel free to take things from the house.
I don't want this.
I can't leave until I see you enter the castle.
We'll help you carry your things.
We can't leave yet.
We heard a lot of disturbing stories.
When the enemy attacks...
hide to avoid getting into trouble or being raped.
All the women are prepared to die.
Don't worry. We will enter the castle.
Ms. Yae.
With the warning out...
the women and children have to protect the castle.
We'll protect Aizu together.
Women can help with the cooking, laundry and more.
Right?
So get ready quickly.
Let us help you pack tonight.
In that case...
Thank you very much.
Is that the sound of cannon fire?
No.
That was a thunder.
The Byako-tai (youth squads) that marched from Takizawa main camp...
camped at Tonokuchihara that night.
Everyone must be hungry.
I'll secure some food, so wait here.
Gizaburo, you're in charge until I return.
Yes, sir.
Sit closer together.
You'll feel warmer.
Pushing game!
Don't cry from getting pushed.
Don't cry from getting pushed!
We're like kids!
Let's chase the enemy away tomorrow!
Yeah!
We are...
...Aizu samurai.
-Bury this. -Yes.
What's the hole for?
To bury the potatoes and vegetables.
We'll dig them up later to eat.
We'll bury your favorite pumpkins, too.
Miss...
Saburo: I thought I could have the shop after you married.
Kakuma: Are you prepared?
Yes!
Bam!
I want to learn how to shoot!
Please teach me!
Yamomoto Gonpachi: No!
No means no!
Thank you...
...for everything.
AUGUST 23, 1868 - EARLY DAWN
Hey.
Hey!
The enemy is here! Get ready!
[Emergency Bell]
-Okichi! -Yes.
-After packing, please bring them over. -Yes.
Where is Yae?
She went to the shop.
Everyone is heading to the castle.
I'll check outside.
Thank you.
Mother.
That uniform...
I'm entering the castle with Saburo.
I am Saburo from now on.
Branding us as rebels...
they're coming to annihilate us.
I will never forgive them.
Yae...
I...
...will fight.
END OF EPISODE 25
I will lead the musket squad!
I'm Yamamoto Kakuma's younger sister!
I'm knowledgeable in firearms!
Don't let the enemy in!
Die after you've killed an enemy.
They burned the castle-town.
I won't watch them kill my comrades!
I will protect Aizu!