I promised Ryoan that I'd protect you.
- Father! Mother! - Manjiro!
I promise you. I will never unsheathe my sword.
Please reexamine her! Her life is at risk.
I can't do it...
This is a duel between the Ranpoi and Kanpoi.
You devils!
Miss Oseki...
The Tree in the Sunlight
EPISODE 4 An Encounter with Foreigners
ANSEI 2 (1855) OCTOBER 5
Miss Oseki...
Did something happen?
Sensei...
My sensei, Sir Fujita Touko has... died.
The house collapsed from the earthquake and he was caught underneath it.
I had just seen him and talked with him.
There was a large cherry tree in his yard...
...but it was uprooted.
I hope the shogunate won't collapse as the cherry tree did.
What?
Sorry for saying such a strange thing.
I just wanted someone to listen.
Goodbye.
Sir Ibuya!
You said you broke our promise...
What happened?
I killed a person.
I won't make excuses...
I'm sorry.
OSAKA, TEKIJUKU (SCHOOL OF DUTCH STUDIES)
Meanwhile in Osaka...
Mr. Harada, what are those filthy things over there?
- Are they patients? - They are students of Tekijuku.
You'll soon end up like them too.
What?!
I've had too much to drink.
This is Mr. Tezuka who will be entering the Tekijuku.
HARADA RAIZO
I'm Tezuka Ryoan. Nice to meet you.
I belong to the Nakatsu domain. I'm Fuku...
FUKUZAWA YUKICHI
He's Fukuzawa Yukichi.
Sensei, I've brought Mr. Tezuka here.
Come in.
It is an honor to meet you.
I am Tezuka Ryoan, the son of Hitachifuchu domain's physician, Tezuka Ryosen.
Enough with the formalities.
Tezuka, please raise your head.
I'm Ogata Koan.
Welcome.
I've been informed about you.
I hear you performed an autopsy this morning.
Yes, although I was only an assistant.
The magistrate's office sometimes makes an exception for us.
Tezuka, what was the purpose of the autopsy?
What?
You said your pride as a doctor was on the line.
Here at the Tekijuku, we are equipping young men to become scholars of western studies.
It is for the way and the people.
It isn't to serve our own interests or to protect our pride.
Do you understand?
Yes.
If you understand, the Tekijuku will welcome you anytime.
Thank you very much.
This is the students' room.
Everyone, I'll introduce a new member.
This is Tezuka Ryoan who's come from Edo.
I'm Tezuka. Please be good to me
- Let me see your sword. - What?
Why not? I just want to see!
- What are you doing?! - Will you lend this to me?
I'm from a family of farmers. I always wanted to walk around with a sword.
- Let me borrow it too! I pawned mine. - You can redeem it.
- I wouldn't be struggling if I could! - No, I'm first!
- Then let's wrestle for it! - Bring it on!
- Stop it, you two! - Excuse me...
Excuse me!
Please stop!
I'm not lending it to anyone!
You're all such strange people.
This is the Doeff room.
Doeff?
A dictionary called the Doeff-Halma is kept here.
It is a Dutch-Japanese dictionary compiled by Dutch commissioner, Doeff.
A precious thing like that is...
For that reason, this room is always full of students.
There's only one copy, and everyone wants to look at it.
It's the only way to understand Dutch.
What's this smell?
- It stinks. What are you all doing? - We're making ammonia.
- Ammonia? - We're dissolving a horse hoof.
Horse hoof?
It's supposed to create ammonia.
Hey! What are you doing!
Hot! It stinks!
Several days later an unexpected incident awaited Manjiro.
I'm back.
Manjiro, get ready right away.
We're going to go see the chief retainer.
What's going on?
You've been summoned to attend the castle.
You will go with the chief retainer and meet Sir Abe, a member of the council of elders.
Ibuya Senzaburo, it's been a long time.
Yes.
You look well, Chief Retainer.
Now Manjiro.
You must be wondering what this is about.
Yes.
During the earthquake, you led the townspeople to Shibahama and protected them from the fire.
What's more, you saved them from a group of hoodlums.
The news reached the councilman.
HITACHIFUCHU CHIEF RETAINER: SAEKI JINSHICHIRO
He wants to meet you.
We are very pleased with you.
I will accompany you and you will be granted an audience with Sir Abe.
Your father, Seizaburo, was a brave and loyal samurai.
But he was also very stubborn.
That's not enough to be successful nowadays.
You must be quick at seizing an opportunity, and take advantage of the trend of times.
The samurai spirit my father instilled in me is...
Your father is old fashioned. He's tactless.
He's earnest to a fault. That's why he wasn't promoted.
The way of the samurai is out-of-date.
Especially within the castle.
In that case, I'd rather quit being a samurai!
What are you saying?
Do as I say.
I'm saying this so you can meet Sir Abe and get a high position.
Honor to your name is honor to the Hitachifuchu domain.
ABE MASAHIRO
Saeki, thank you for coming.
Sir Abe, you seem well.
Raise your head.
- So did you bring him? - Yes. He is here.
Ibuya, is it? Come nearer.
Ibuya, you have his permission. Come here.
Thank you very much.
I heard about you.
What school of Kenjutsu (swordsmanship) do you belong to?
I received training in the Hokushin Itto-ryu for 3 days.
- 3 days? Why is that? - Well...
I killed a senior pupil in a duel.
Is that why you quit the dojo?
Were you afraid of the consequences?
I ran away because I might kill someone again.
By the way, what are your thoughts on the recent national crisis?
What?
About the black ships trespassing against our country.
Don't hold back.
Tell me how you think we should deal with the foreign countries.
The retainers are rumoring that...
I'm not asking about your domain's stance. What is your personal opinion?
If you encounter a foreigner, would you kill him?
- No, I will not. - Why not?
Killing him will start a war with his country.
You do dislike wars?
No. As a samurai, I will go to war for my lord any day.
However, this country will go to ruin if women and children are killed too.
Then do you support opening the ports for foreign trade?
I...
I believe that the shogunate's internal affairs should be reformed first.
We must rebuild so that the foreign countries will not take us lightly.
The current state of the shogunate can be likened to a rotting tree.
Within the castle, there are bribes going around...!
What are you saying! You insolent! Do you know where you are?
Begone.
Yes, sir!
I'm very sorry.
No, he is an interesting man.
I like him.
- Tezuka! - Yes.
Returning in the morning again? What did you come to Osaka for?
Are you serious about becoming a doctor?
I'm very sorry.
Did you hear? There was a big earthquake in Edo.
What?
FURUTE, VACCINATION CENTER
The vaccination center in Osaka was located in Furute, not far from the Tekijuku.
JOTOKAN
It won't hurt at all.
Abracadabra.
- See? It's all done. - Thank you.
Next patient please.
- Excuse me. Sorry. - You must wait your turn.
No, it's not for me.
There's something I'd like to inform you about.
What is it?
I'm a gardener and I saw a patient with smallpox.
A smallpox patient? Isn't it a mistake?
No, it was at the Inaya mansion in Honmachi. The master has boils all over his face.
He has a high fever too.
My name is Ogata Koan.
I was told that the master has a serious illness.
- I'd like to examine him. - Please hold on.
It's here.
Welcome.
- I am Zeemon, the head of the house. - I am Ogata Koan.
I understand you are ill. Please do not exert yourself.
It's not serious.
Did you recently travel somewhere far?
Yes, I went to Kyushu.
I stayed at a hot spring in Beppu.
There's been an outbreak of smallpox in Kyushu.
Mr. Inaya, that must be where you contracted it.
Dr. Ogata, I decided to meet you because you are a renowned doctor.
It doesn't mean I plan on having you examine me.
I am a patient of Dr. Hanamura, a Kanpoi.
Mr. Inaya, you can't fool me.
You have smallpox.
It is dangerous to ignore it.
I'd like to vaccinate everyone at your shop.
What? You mean infect them with cowpox? I won't allow that.
- Please leave! - Please listen to me.
You're trying to keep your smallpox a secret, but people will find out eventually.
Your customers will stop coming and it'll ruin your business.
Is there anyone at the shop who's taken time off?
Yes, Oyu is sick and has gone home.
What does she do here?
She cleans and does laundry for the master.
Mr. Tezuka, will you visit her home?
Yes.
It's definitely the beginning of an eruption. Miss Oyu, try to remember carefully.
Who came in contact with you or your garments from 10 days ago?
Heita.
Heita?
When was it?
- Last night. - Last night?
Don't tell me...
Where's Heita's home?
This is terrible!
Is Heita there?
Who are you?
You saw a woman named Oyu last night, didn't you?
What about it?
- Oyu has smallpox. - What?
You could've contracted it.
- Who are you? - My name is Ryoan. I'm a doctor.
I've come from the vaccination center in Furute.
You said Oyu has smallpox? You make me laugh. It's just a cold.
No! In a few days, she'll have boils all over her body.
In a week's time you'll have a fever and then it'll be too late.
Come to the Jotokan with me. If you get vaccinated, you can prevent it.
That's enough!
I'll take you even by force.
No way I'm going!
Wait!
You'll contract it! Not only that, the disease will spread all over Osaka!
Hundreds, even thousands might contract smallpox!
Be quiet!
Once you drink that you're coming with me.
You're persistent!
- Get vaccinated. - Shut up!
Get vaccinated!
What's with him?!
Come with me.
Damn you!
- You're sure I won't turn into a cow? - Don't worry, you won't.
Next please.
Oh.
Mr. Tezuka...
- What happened? - He's an infectious carrier.
Please vaccinate him.
- When did he get infected? - Last night.
He's fine.
What do you mean...?
Look closely under his eye and cheek.
- These are scars from smallpox. - What?
When did you have smallpox?
Last year. What will happen to me?
There's nothing to worry about. You can't get smallpox twice.
What?
Why didn't you say you've had smallpox?!
You never asked!
This is so stupid!
You're the one who needs to be treated.
Sensei...
Ouch, that stings.
What an ordeal.
You're going to succeed your father, aren't you?
Yeah.
I want to spread vaccinations in Edo.
That's a dream my father and I share.
My dream is to go abroad.
Do you plan to stow away or something?
I wouldn't do anything stingy like that.
I'll have the government pay for it, and I'll see the world.
Fukuzawa is talking big again. Don't take him seriously.
You are all learning Dutch studies, but what can you really do when push comes to shove?
What?
If you return to your domains, you'll have to obey your lords who despise foreigners.
Not me though.
I'm learning Dutch studies in order to do what I like.
I'm free.
Free, huh?
That's right. It's no longer the time when we should be bound within Japan.
We must set our eyes to the world.
SHIMODA
Ansei 3 July 21, the American consul general, Townsend Harris, and his interpreter Henry Heusken...
GYOKUSEN TEMPLE
...arrived at Shimoda.
TOWNSEND HARRIS
HENRY HEUSKEN
What? Shimoda?
Yes, I was ordered to go to the magistrate's office in Shimoda.
I do not know why yet.
The American consul general is in Shimoda right now.
Does that mean you'll attack him?
It might end up that way...
Well done, Manjiro.
Don't worry about anything else. Fight to your heart's content.
Yes.
- Please be careful. - Yes.
- Manjiro. - Yes.
I am proud to have you as a son.
I shall be going.
ZENPUKU TEMPLE
Sir Ibuya.
Your attire...
I've come to say farewell.
Where are you going?
To Shimoda.
Shimoda...?
- Miss Oseki. - Yes?
I...
I am not...
I will have to kill again.
I am not the right man for you.
As a samurai, there are times when I must risk my life for my lord.
- What are you going to do? - Ryoan is a suitable man for you.
He can be irresponsible at times, but deep down he is a kind man.
He will surely be a fine doctor when he returns.
Well...
Goodbye.
Sir Ibuya...
Please wait, Sir Ibuya!
I am Inoue, magistrate of Shimoda.
Thanks for coming a long ways.
Are you Ibuya Manjiro recommended by Sir Abe?
Yes, sir.
I order you to be a bodyguard to the American delegates.
What?
It is your duty to protect Mr. Townsend Harris, the American consul general.
Protect an American?
Not kill him?
Who said that?
To guard a foreigner... that's too terrible!
- I have pride as a samurai. - So what if you're a samurai?
It Is also a samurai s duty to protect foreign delegates.
What's more, this is Sir Abe's strict orders.
These men will be your bodyguards.
He is Ibuya Manjiro, a sword master from Edo.
MORIYAMA TAKICHIRO
Ibuya, take his hand. It is their way of greeting.
Why must I take his hand?
It is a western practice. Come on.
I can't take the hand of an unknown man. How filthy!
Ibuya, do it.
How can you stand it?
We've come all the way here and we have to guard foreigners for the next few months.
Sir Ibuya, it's all how you look at it.
By guarding them, we're protecting the people of Shimoda from foreigners.
In other words, we've confined the foreigners to this temple and are keeping an eye on them.
This is an unspoken order from the magistrate.
I see. It's to protect the people.
That I can accept.
I won't forgive them if they behave outrageously.
I'll kill them at once.
Manjiro!
So overfamiliar...
Huh? What is he saying?
I think he's asking you to show him your sword.
Show him?
Are you joking? This is a samurai's spirit.
I said no!
I won't let you foreigners touch a Japanese sword!
Don't touch it! Insolent!
If you keep up your persistence, I'll kill you.
What's with him?
Are all foreigners like that?
They have a different mindset, that's for sure.
I have to stay with a man like him...?
It's going to be hard going.
ANSEI 4 (1857) FEBRUARY
Harris was frustrated.
He had hoped to go to Edo and to personally deliver the President's letter to the shogun.
However, the anti-foreign faction of the shogunate strongly opposed.
Negotiations of a commerce treaty were dragged out.
What's more, he objected to the safeguards of Manjiro and the others.
- What? He went out alone? - Yes, when we took our eyes off him.
He must've gone on a walk. I'm sure he'll return shortly.
USHIKUBO TOUBE
Heusken!
Sheathe your sword!
Manjiro!
Ibuya Manjiro...
A familiar face.
I'll kill you too if you try to get in my way.
Heusken, run!
Sir Ibuya!
We'll settle this another day.
Are you hurt?
I'm alright.
Who is he?
What frightening swordsmanship.
I'm coming in.
Manjiro!
I found this!
Is she your mother?
What's this...?
America?
Where's Japan?
Japan.
You're kidding, right?
It's this small?
You fool!
I told you to intimidate the Americans. Why did you try to kill him?!
Not only that, you crossed swords with the guard too.
I'm very sorry.
I was trying to intimidate him, but I became serious.
Take this and begone!
Please excuse me.
Why did you order such violence?
To make them think that Japan is a frightening country.
If they realize that scoundrels are rampant, they'll refrain from going out.
We must make them admit that safeguarding is necessary.
You mean surveillance?
We can't let them have their way.
Sora (sky).
Sora?
Hatake (field).
Hatake.
Nanohana (rape blossom).
Nanohana.
Arigato is thank you.
How about Konichiwa (hello)?
Ryoan, have you ever seen a globe?
For the first time, I've learned how small a country Japan is.
The world is vast.
America is twenty times bigger than Japan.
Its vastness wasn't the only thing that took me by surprise.
In America, they have a vehicle that runs on steam.
It is not a vessel. It is a vehicle that carries many passengers and runs on ground.
How easy it would be to travel if we had something like that in Japan.
Right now I feel as if the haze has cleared.
I wonder if an obstinate anti-foreign sentiment is really the right thing.
Doctor.
Thank you for waiting.
- I'm leaving. - Why?
I've reformed.
I didn't come to Osaka to have a good time. I've come for my studies.
I have no time to waste here.
It's already late.
Whether you leave now or wait till morning, it's the same.
You're right about that.
I'll reform starting tomorrow.
It's nothing special, but please eat.
This looks delicious. Thank you.
Does Ryoan write to you?
It seems like he's studying earnestly.
Knowing him, I can't tell if it's true though.
- This is delicious! - Thank you.
How's Manjiro doing?
It seems he's flurried about being a foreigner's bodyguard.
I thought he was going to attack the black ships.
However, it can't be helped if it's the councilman's orders.
So he has the councilman's favor. You must be eager about his future.
No, like me, Manjiro is clumsy.
I pray everyday that he will fulfill his duties without incident.
Yes, I pray everyday too...
...that Ryoan wouldn't come to grief with a woman.
Like you, Doctor.
We both have much to worry about.
That's what it means to be a parent.
Dr. Ryosen, we both can't die just yet.
Ryoan...
In order to protect this small country, we must set our eyes beyond this ocean.
We must first adopt new knowledge and techniques to strengthen this country.
Could this be what Touko sensei meant by becoming a backing of a collapsing tree.
Sir Ibuya!
What's the matter?
I have bad news.
Your father has died.
What?!