It's been 13 years since the Meiji Restoration.
The government is still controlled by a handful
of Satsuma-Choshu men.
Exactly!
Hoist the flag for free civil rights!
Open the National Diet!
It is time to proceed with elected legislators!
Itagaki Taisuke lighted the fire for free civil rights and pushed
for public opinions to be reflected in politics spread.
Let's do it!
These are all petitions to open the Diet.
If we don't control the civil rights group fast,
it'll be troublesome.
We'll control the public debate with a rally.
We must stabilize the national finance first.
The Satsuma Rebellion was costly.
To ease the burden on the national level...
We have to burden the regions.
The regions, huh?
Bad news!
The prefectural office is increasing taxes.
A tax increase?
Yes.
They can't do that without the council's approval.
That's right.
In May of 1880, the battle to protect the local autonomy
and freedom had started in Kyoto.
A place to shop for wives?
They're mocking the girls' school.
Who wrote that?
Probably someone from the boy's school.
How infuriating.
We can't overlook it.
Let's catch the culprit and punish him.
Men and women are equal human beings.
We live in a free civil rights world.
That's right.
I didn't come to Kyoto for bridal training.
That's right.
Marriage is disgusting.
I agree!
What?
What's wrong?
It's nothing.
YAE NO SAKURA
Episode 41: Kakuma's Daughter
Screenplay: Yamamoto Mutsumi
Theme Music: Sakamoto Ryuichi Music: Nakajima Nobuyuki
Narrator: Kusabue Mitsuko
Niijima Yae: Ayase Haruka
Yamamoto Kakuma: Nishijima Hidetoshi
Niijima Jo: Odagiri Joe
Yamamoto Tokie: Tanimura Mitsuki
Tokutomi Iichiro: Nakamura Aoi
Yamamoto Mine: Mine Azusa
Yamamoto Ura: Hasegawa Kyoko
Itagaki Taisuke: Kato Masaya
Iwakura Tomomi: Kosakai Kazuki
Makimura Masanao: Takashima Masahiro
Yamamoto Saku: Fubuki Jun
Executive Producer: Naito Shinsuke
Translations by MTI
Director: Nakano Ryohei
Ah...It's really vexing.
Are you all planning to remain single?
Yes.
Education is more intriguing than marriage.
Our grades aren't inferior to the men's.
That's right.
There is no discrimination of the sexes in education.
The boys' school may become a place to look for husbands.
Ms. Yae, you are strong.
You are cool.
Oh...I almost forgot.
We received a letter from Mr. Ise.
From my brother?
I acknowledge receipt of your letter.
I am happy to be in contact with the Kyoto's people.
It's been half a year since I came to Imabari.
I stand in town daily preaching the Bible.
Western civilization is supported by Christianity.
Knowing the Bible will open Japan's culture.
Forget the boring talk! Show us some tricks!
Under God's love, everyone is free and equal!
If you will believe...
Stop the preaching!
Why?
Why?!
How dare you preach here!?
Unhand me!
I'm preaching the truth!
Stop it!
Why?
It was mistaken for a free civil rights public debate.
Hey...he sends his regards to...Mine.
I will cherish the thoughtful socks that you gave me.
Socks?
What?
It was a contribution for his preaching.
That's why I knit them!
Tea!
I'll make tea.
The prefecture's budget...
must passed through the committee first.
You can't increase taxes at your free will.
As Governor, I'm collecting the shortage of funds.
Even the governor can't freely grab personal wealth.
Shut up!
Please report the details on how you plan to spend it.
Just follow the orders of the Governor!
We represent the people.
We are not your subordinates.
So you're biting the hand that feeds you.
You're just rebels.
What?
How dare you!?
Makimura continued to ignore the committee.
Kakuma appealed to the central government on his tyranny.
However...
Did the government reply on Mr. Makimura?
No. They acknowledge Mr. Makimura's actions.
What's going to happen to Kyoto's autonomy?
Autonomy?
Mother, when did you learn about that?
I need to know such things to be a housemistress.
You never cease to amaze me.
Mine, I want to help too.
Don't get in my way.
I want to help!
No!
I want to help!
Kakuma, I'd like to talk to you about Mine.
What is it?
Mine is an adult.
Yes.
You should start thinking about a groom for her.
Groom? Is she of that age already?
That's a typical father for you.
She's graduating from the girls' school next year.
I'm sorry for not being attentive.
That's not true.
That's a job for the elderly.
Mine is the heiress to the Yamamoto family.
Yes.
I have the pot on the stove. I'll go check on it.
I want Mine to take a nice groom...
to succeed the family.
Don't forget how Ura felt when she let Mine go.
I won't.
Wow...it's big.
Hey, give that back.
Is that Father's?
No. It's for someone who is doing work for God.
Who is that?
Just go to the other side.
Yes.
Mother, Mine won't play with me.
Hisae, will you taste this?
Yes.
Here.
Without settling the tax increase problem...
the meeting ended.
Makimura cleverly used that to his advantage.
They are proceeding with the tax increase.
He waited until the committee met.
That isn't all. The Governor has a spy on every member.
He's watching our moves.
They followed us here.
We'll be steamrolled by the Governor.
No...there's still a way.
Let's get a stronger ally.
Yae!
Yes?
Yae, look here.
Newspaper?
My hands are tied. I'll look at it later.
Look. It says the notice from Governor Makimura...
...is something he issued at his free will.
The committee strongly opposed to it.
There's more here.
It says the Governor is acting unlawfully.
Just as you'd expect from Kakuma.
It's a strategy to gain the public as allies.
Kakuma isn't losing.
Damn Yamamoto Kakuma!
How far must you defy me?!
This was present in my letter.
Mine, are you corresponding with my brother?
Are you marrying him?
It's nothing like that.
Marriage huh?
I can't marry him.
Who is it?
What are you doing in front of our house?
Someone! Help!
Let me go!
Be quiet!
Fool!
Stay away from her!
Tell your employer...
Stop snooping around!
Get lost!
Father!
Are you all right?
Yes.
What happened?
That was Makimura's spy.
He must have been watching for any news reporters.
Was he planning to attack you?
Makimura will be in trouble if it ever hits the news.
I doubt he'll be reckless.
If anything happens, just scream like what you did.
Is that clear?
Yes.
Here.
It's nothing.
TOKYO - NEWSPAPER FIRM
Tokutomi Iichiro who left Doshisha School...
was aiming to become a news reporter in Tokyo.
It's an article impeaching Governor Makimura.
This one, too.
They were elected and represent the people!
In Kyoto, they are ignoring the people and increasing taxes!
This kind of injustice can't be allowed.
Absolutely not!
This is the power of the newspaper.
The power of speech.
The chaos in Kyoto is now the government's problem.
The regional tax increase was your idea.
You handled it wrong!
Don't fan the civil rights movement.
Or they will attempt to overthrow the government!
I'll quell them immediately.
Makimura...
Mr. Makimura...
There's a vacancy on the advisory board.
Advisory board?
That's for retirees.
Mr. Kido left Kyoto to me.
How long do you think you can use Mr. Kido's name?
Please control them.
If the Governor gets steamrolled by the committee,
the government will lose face.
In October, to resolve the tax increase problem...
an emergency meeting was held.
The tax increase notice issued in May...
will be cancelled.
We won!
The Governor gave in to us!
That's right!
This is great!
You did it, Chair.
On a separate matter...
I have a bill for you to vote on.
Due to a budget shortage, the Kyoto Prefecture...
will collect additional taxes.
Please approve of this bill.
You just retracted that!
Indeed I did!
I'm passing this as a new bill.
Please have your debate.
You came up with a good strategy.
Even if the committee objects,
the Governor has the right to enforce the bill.
Exactly.
The committee's debate is a mere formality.
Sir, it's your defeat.
If the conflict continues...
the newspapers will write up all kinds of stories.
I may have lost this battle...
but I can raise the question of who is in the right.
Not like the Boshin War.
Damn you!
Are you going to embarrass me more?
Mr. Makimura, isn't it about time...
...that you withdrew?
What?
If the newspapers write up any more things...
it will tarnish your name.
How dare you tell me to resign?!
I am...
resigning as of today.
I lost the battle and so I will leave.
You won and upheld the governor's honor.
We took our stabs...
and end this with both of us wounded?
You're a strategist after all.
Then...
I have something to say.
I will lift the order that prohibit public debates.
If I get the reputation as an insightful governor,
we can dodge the newspaper's attack.
That's a brilliant idea.
These past ten years...
I thought I was using you.
But...
you were...
using me instead.
Without your abilities...
Kyoto would not have revived.
I have great admiration for you.
The following January, 1881...
after allowing the holding of public debates,
Makimura left Kyoto.
It brought an end to the long- lasting Makimura administration.
During May of 1881...
a public debate contest was being held at Doshisha School.
The Kumamoto band who were scattered in various
regions for preaching had gathered back in Kyoto.
Everyone, take a break. I baked ginger cookies.
It brings back memories. Thank you.
Kakuma, why are you here?
I'm worried about the public debate contest tomorrow.
The arrangements are made.
The question is, will there be an audience?
If we have more speakers, that would be embarrassing.
Doshisha's abilities will be tested tomorrow.
Let's do our best.
Yes.
How's the missionary work coming along?
I'm fortunate to be in your hometown in Annaka.
Kanamori and Ise must have it hard.
The people are nice in Okayama, so I have it easy.
What about you?
What started with seven has now increased to one hundred.
You've accomplished that much in just two years?
I'm impressed.
I'm thinking of building an assembly hall that fits 500 people.
500? That's huge.
But I can't manage such a huge church by myself.
Well...
I need a good partner like Mr. Niijima.
I was planning to propose after the hall was built.
But since Mr. and Mrs. Niijima are here today...
as well as her father...
I would...
like to ask for Miss. Mine's hand in marriage.
Mine, will you marry me?
Did you promise to marry him?
No.
Tokie told me you received a letter from him once.
We've been writing to each other.
But that was unexpected.
How do you feel about him?
He's a good lad.
I think he's a good suitor.
Father, do you approve?
Huh?
As his family's heir, he cannot marry into the Yamamoto family.
I'm Yamamoto Kakuma's daughter.
I cannot tarnish your name.
I must get a bridegroom and succeed the family.
That's what I've been told since I was a child.
You don't need me anymore because you have Hisae.
Are you throwing me out next?
Mine!
Father is selfish.
If I didn't have to succeed the family...
I didn't have to part with my mother.
No...
you've got it wrong.
Ura didn't let you go for the sake of the family.
She decided on it based on what she thought was best for you.
But...
I wanted the three of us to live together.
Just once, I wanted us to be together.
The family got separated because of the war that time.
What's done is done.
You can't change the past.
But you can change the future.
Make your own decisions from now.
What my brother wants is your happiness.
THE NEXT DAY
Following God's teachings will lead to personal happiness...
then to societal improvement...
and happiness to all.
If you don't agree to it...
you can't expect progress in our country's culture.
Mine isn't here.
No.
Ise Tokio will preach on the love for God and your neighbors next.
The most important thing I learned from Mr. Niijima...
at Doshisha School is love.
Mine...
When I speak of love, I may sound weak.
But who in this world can be hostile to love?
I'm going to Imabari with Ise.
I see.
You made your decision.
Yes.
That's good.
Stick with him all the way.
Don't ever leave him.
I won't.
But...if you really are in trouble...
then call for me.
I'll come to rescue you.
Yes.
Like God, you must forgive others...
and love them.
Then in July...
Have a safe trip.
Be careful.
Rice balls and your favorite pickled vegetables.
Please take care of my father.
I will.
Grandmother...
Aunty...
Goodbye.
Take care.
Mine!
Ura...
Mine will surely be happy.
Meanwhile, Japan was moving towards an open Diet.
Highly paid national properties sold at dirt cheap prices.
This kind of injustice cannot be allowed.
I agree.
The corruptions that occurred within the government...
triggered fierce attacks from the public.
That upset Okuma Shigenobu of the enlightened group.
If a few merchants unfairly profit...
we'll be accused of tyranny favoring Satsuma and Choshu.
This government can't gain the people's trust!
Because of this...
There was heightened interest in an open Diet.
We need to proceed with an open Diet to quell the public.
But we can't do something radical as Okuma stresses.
That goes without saying.
Holding an election next year, then an open Diet in two years...
is just too reckless.
Okuma is critical of Satsuma and Choshu...
and the public is cheering him on.
Having an election now will mean we lose control.
We must act quickly.
Let's...
remove Okuma.
Will it go smoothly? The civil rights group won't stand for it.
We'll do a clean sweep.
We'll eliminate Okuma's group and officialize the open Diet.
But we'll give ourselves ten years to act on it.
Will that put us on the rebound?
Yes.
Then let's get the Imperial decision.
Let's resolve it in that manner again.
On October 12, 1881...
Okuma was dismissed from the government.
Japan cant' rise in the world!
On this day, an Imperial edict was issued stating...
the open Diet will start in 1890.
An open Diet?
It's turning into a country where the people voice is heard.
We have a lot to do in nine years.
We must act quickly.
Yae, I'm going to turn Doshisha into a college.
College?
The people will be steering the country.
We must develop many people with national conscience.
Yes.
To do that, we need a college.
A private college, unswayed by national power,
that will develop autonomy for freedom.
A private college?
The establishment of the first private college in Japan...
was the start of a new battle.
END OF EPISODE 41
For the preaching trip this summer
I'm thinking of Aizu.
Will you come with me?
It's good to see you.
We're in Aizu!
This is where you were raised.
Miss Yae?
Did you see Ura?
Do you know where she is?
The hometown doesn't only hold nostalgic memories.
There may be pain associated with it.
All the precious things are here.