SANADA MARU
Written By: Mitani Koki
Music: Hattori Takayuki
Narrator: Udo Yumiko
CAST
Sanada Nobushige: Sakai Masato
Sanada Nobuyuki: Oizumi Yo
Matsu: Kimura Yoshino
Takeda Katsuyori: Hira Takehiro
Takanashi Naiki: Nakahara Takeo
Sasuke: Fujii Takashi
Hojo Ujimasa: Takashima Masanobu
Uesugi Kagekatsu: Endo Kenichi
Anayama Baisetsu: Enoki Takaaki
Oyamada Nobushige: Nukumizu Yoichi
Oda Nobunaga: Yoshida Kotaro
Tori: Kusabue Mitsuko
Kaoru: Takahata Atsuko
Tokugawa Ieyasu: Uchino Seiyo
Sanada Masayuki: Kusakari Masao
Producers: Yoshikawa Kunio Yashiki Yotaro
Translation by MTI
Director: Kimura Takafumi
Episode 1: Sailing Out
In February of 1582,
the illustrious Takeda Clan in Kai faced a huge crisis.
Nine years had passed since (Takeda) Shingen's death.
They were invaded by Oda Nobunaga.
In the mountain where the vanguard approached,
a young Takeda vassal advanced alone.
Sir Genjiro, it's too dangerous beyond this point.
But we came this far.
If we're caught by the enemy, we are goners!
So, just don't get caught.
That's the Tokugawa army.
Let's turn back.
I wonder who is the general? Is he someone noteworthy?
Sir Genjiro!
Intruders!
Excuse me.
This youth who is frantically fleeing from the Hollyhock (Tokugawa) flags...
would, 33 years later...
at the Osaka Summer Campaign,
almost corner Tokugawa Ieyasu into suicide,
and be famed as the bravest man in Japan.
Right now though, he can only flee frantically.
SANADA GENJIRO NOBUSHIGE
SUWA - UEHARA CASTLE
Meanwhile, Takeda Shingen's son, Katsuyori,
was at Uehara Castle preparing for Oda Nobunaga's invasion. TAKEDA KATSUYORI
The Uesugi in the North, the Hojo to the East,
the Oda to the West, and the Tokugawa in the South.
Surrounded on all sides by powerful clans,
the Takeda waited for a chance to recover their power.
But Katsuyori's brother-in-law, Kiso Yoshimasa,
suddenly betrayed them to the Oda.
Using this opportunity, Nobunaga advanced his army.
Sir Anayama... I thought you were in Suruga.
ANAYAMA BAISETSU
I came back to invigorate you unsettled men. ANAYAMA BAISETSU
How reassuring, Baisestsu.
Ogasawara Nobumine at Matsuo Castle
has yielded to the Oda.
What?
Ogasawara did?
What an ingrate!
Let us send an army at once to punish Ogasawara. OYAMADA NOBUSHIGE
Lord, we must act quickly... ATOBE KATSUSUKE
to stop further betrayals. ATOBE KATSUSUKE
No... we should return to Shinpu Castle for now.
Sir Anayama, what are you saying?
The Oda army is already approaching Tenryu River.
We should return to our base in Shinpu immediately,
and regroup our allies.
Are you suggesting we run from the Oda?
Your inaction is the cause!
What?!
Stop this!
Lord of Awa, what is your thought?
If I may humbly speak...
I agree with Sir Anayama. SANADA MASAYUKI
We should return to Shinpu. SANADA MASAYUKI
Are you seized with fear?
Having lost Kiso Yoshimasa, our main defense in the West,
means our fief's West side is open for attack.
If Yoshimasa allows the Oda army to surge through, SANADA NOBUYUKI
our allies will be crushed. SANADA NOBUYUKI
The best thing to do now is to retreat to Shinpu.
You must read the tide.
Now is the time to withdraw.
We must build up our power and wait.
What do we do with Kiso?
We'll punish him later.
I'll personally spearhead it.
I'll use the tactics I learned from Lord Shingen.
to take Yoshimasa's head.
Ogasawara's betrayal is hurting us.
We must take measures to prevent further betrayals.
There is no trace of the unity that the Takeda once boasted.
That just shows how great was Lord (Takeda) Shingen...
Lord of Awa, even if we are the only ones left,
let us protect our master,
and fight for the Takeda.
Absolutely.
This is do-or-die. I'm counting on you.
Certainly.
Sanada Masayuki...
In the Battle of Sekigahara (1600),
he holed up in the Shinshu Ueda Castle with a small force,
and baffled the Tokugawa army of 38,000.
He was a renowned general of the Sengoku warring era.
However, at this time, Masayuki was still a Takeda vassal.
Genzaburo, return to Shinpu first.
Very well.
More than the West,
I fear from the South.
The Tokugawa should be advancing into Suruga soon.
Yes.
I'll check the situation there.
At this time, Sanada Masayuki's family...
was living in Shinpu, Kai, the Takeda's home fief.
The Lords in the warring era, KAI SHINPU CASTLE, SANADA MANSION
to prevent betrayals by vassals, KAI SHINPU CASTLE, SANADA MANSION
would keep their families KAIS SHINPU CASTLE, SANADA MANSION
in the castle town. KAI SHINPU CASTLE, SANADA MANSION
In short, they were hostages.
Careful! They are expensive.
Handle them with care.
Handle that robe from the Konoe in Kyoto with care! KAORU
Yes.
Yes?
TORI
Say...how strong is Oda Nobunaga?
I can't say this out loud,
but he might be the strongest in Japan.
Stronger than the Takeda? MATSU
At battle of Nagashino, the Takeda cavalry was defenseless.
What will happen to the Takeda clan?
I don't know.
Will we end up like Lord Imagawa? [Slained by Shingen]
He's Lord Shingen's heir. OYAMADA SHIGEZO
He'll probably be all right. OYAMADA SHIGEZO
I'm worried.
Well, we have your father.
Brother! Sister! You're both here!
Genjiro.
Have you adjusted to your new life?
We are enjoying it here.
Right?
Matsu, you've gotten prettier.
I won't buy that flattery.
By the way, Genjiro... is the battle going to start?
Don't ask me.
Who should I ask?
Oda Nobunaga!
Don't worry.
Even if we go to battle.
this is a castle that Father had put his all into for the Lord (Takeda).
Even the Oda can't seize it.
Isn't that right, Brother?
Didn't I tell you not to worry?
I hope you're right.
Genjiro, I've been meaning to ask you this.
What is it?
For your brothers,
why is the eldest named Genzaburo and the second called Genjiro?
I was wondering about that, also.
Isn't it because the eldest tends to die young in the Sanada,
so to thwart that, they named the first boy Genzaburo.
That's what Father...
I didn't know that.
What about Genjiro?
After Genzaburo, it would normally be Genshiro.
He's the second son, so he's Genjiro.
There's no twist to that?
Father can be halfhearted.
He's not bothered by details.
That's what I like about Father.
When I went to Suruga,
I bumped into a Tokugawa scout at Abe River.
The Tokugawa army is approaching the border.
They must be waiting for the Oda in the West to act,
in a concerted attack.
To keep them in the dark on our movements,
let us kill their scouts.
What is it?
Genjiro.
Do you realize what you've done?
Who gave you permission to go to that dangerous place?
Don't act on your own!
Brother, you are the Takeda's hostage,
Whereas I'm not.
Being the second son, I can move freely.
I'm taking advantage of that.
The battle that threatens the Takeda's survival has started.
Things will get out of control if everyone just acted on their own.
I know that, but if our survival rides on this battle,
we should always be a step ahead.
That's for Father, the head of the Sanada, to think about.
We should merely follow his orders.
What's that look?
I'm sorry for acting out of line.
But...
Don't say anymore.
Everyone was focused on the Oda in the West,
so I got worried about the South.
More than the West,
I fear the South approach.
You got worried about the South?
Yes.
Father will eventually hear of this.
Father will be more furious than I.
You should apologize to him directly first.
I'll apologize with you.
Thank you, brother.
Genjiro.
This is a critical time for us.
It's finally going to start...
our war with the formidable Oda!
Yes!
TAKANASHI NAIKI
Open the gate! TAKANASHI NAIKI
The Lord has returned! TAKANASHI NAIKI
It had been a month since Sanada Masayuki saw his family.
I'm glad you are all well.
Shigemasa.
Is Matsu doing her duties as your wife?
That is...
I am an ideal wife.
Right?
That's good to hear.
Why the glum look?
I haven't been home in a while.
Kiso Yoshimasa's mother and children were taken earlier.
They were brutally crucified.
Kiso betrayed us. It couldn't be avoided.
His daughter was 17 and his heir was 13.
That's how it is with hostages.
Lord, you realize that we are hostages also, don't you?
Yes, of course.
We're safe, aren't we? You won't commit betrayal?
Stop being ridiculous.
Mother, Father wouldn't betray the Lord.
I must say, Kiso Yoshimasa really surprised me.
He's Lord Shingen's son-in-law, which makes him a Takeda relative.
What is this world coming to?
Lord Shingen must be turning in his grave.
What will become of the Takeda clan?
Stop worrying.
Will the Oda invade our domain?
Mother is ready to flee.
That's being hasty.
It's no laughing matter!
True, we're surrounded by the Oda allies on three sides.
They are waiting for Nobunaga's order to move in at once.
Listen to me.
Shinpu Castle was built with all my wits.
It's a famous castle.
Shinpu is the safest place.
Mother, didn't I tell you so?
I want to go back to our Sanada homeland (West Kozuke)
Grandmother.
I refuse to die here.
Didn't you hear Father?
This is the safest place to be.
Huh?!
You are safe here!
Huh?
Grandmother, please don't be impossible.
I'm not.
Grandmother is well aware of that.
She just wanted to whine.
Isn't that right?
Don't worry.
While I am alive, the Takeda Clan won't disappear.
The Takeda will meet with demise.
What?
I'll prolong it for as long as I can.
But there's a limit to what I can do.
Are the Oda that strong?
Yes, they are.
No comparison from the Nagashino battle.
Genjiro.
Father, I went to scout the South (Suruga) on my own.
Forgive me for acting out of line.
As a result, we are updated on the Tokugawa's moves.
Please forgive Genjiro.
Give him a report.
From what I can see, the Tokugawa army...
Never mind.
Not interested.
But...!
I've decided to abandon this castle.
What?!
This castle won't hold.
But this is a famous castle!
Who said that?
You did.
It was supposed to be one down the road.
But it's not completed yet.
The Oda will be attacking soon.
But...!
What will you do, after you abandon Shinpu?
I have a plan.
Plan?
Genzaburo, Genjiro, listen.
This is an unprecedented crisis for the Sanada.
A wrong step will lead to the Sanada's demise.
We must do whatever it takes to survive.
Keep that in mind.
We will.
Sometimes, I don't understand Father.
His ideas are too big for me to follow.
We will merely follow our leader's orders.
If we do as Father's says, we won't go wrong.
Do you think so?
Probably.
I thought I'd find you here.
Sanjuro, how did you know?
How could you leave me behind?
He can be a pain.
Where you go, I go. YAZAWA SANJURO
I'm instructed to keep my eyes on you. YAZAWA SANJURO
Sanjuro!
As one of the Sanada,
don't forget this scenery.
It'll be our last time seeing it.
Look there.
If my father (Shingen) were alive...
what... what would he have done?
Then again...
if my father were alive...
we wouldn't be in this deep predicament.
That was a foolish question.
Is this province (Kai) that my father built,
going to be ruined by me?
Rest assured.
Lord Shingen's soul is with you.
The; day that you take Nobunaga's head,
and have the Tokugawa, Hojo and Uesugi submit to you, is near.
Isn't that so, Sanada?
Lord, we are here for you.
That's true.
Unless Mount Fuji or Mount Asama erupt,
the Takeda Clan is secure.
On February 14 1582, after 48 years,
Mount Asama erupted.
Being it's a volcano, it will erupt sometimes.
Father!
I have bad news.
Lord, with Anayama Baisetsu's help,
the Tokugawa army has entered the Takeda fief.
What?!
Anayama Baisetsu had suddenly switched to the Oda side.
He had been in contact with Oda/Tokugawa for a while.
It was a carefully planned betrayal.
This is it!
Anayama Baisetsu is a chief vassal of the Takeda!
His betrayal means the enemy has information about our allies,
our army dispositions and strategies.
We are at a disadvantage.
At this point, we are forced to hole up in this castle,
and fight them from here.
No...rather than starve and wait for death,
we should die gloriously.
Let's launch a full-scale attack on the Oda.
Let's show them the Takeda honor!
Please wait.
It's not a sure defeat yet.
We have run out of luck!
That is not true.
The Takeda's pillar is now supporting the enemy.
We have another pillar.
Lord, please come to my Iwabitsu Castle.
Iwabitsu?
And abandon Kai Province? [Takeda Home for ~ 400 years]
Yes. Shinpu Castle was only built a year ago.
The defense is not solid.
It won't be wise to hole up in this castle.
Which is why we'll sally out.
That is reckless.
Are you planning to destroy the Takeda?
With our strong cavalry, we may be able to cleave a path to victory!
The path to victory can't be obtained in that manner.
Only for those who don't act in desperation,
and keep their hopes up,
will the path open up.
I have built impregnable defenses at Iwabitsu.
With my younger brother Nobutada defending Numata Castle in the East,
and my son Nobuyuki defending Toishi Castle in the West,
the path that connects Shinano and Kozuke Provinces...
will become a great stronghold.
Lord, please come to Iwabitsu (West Kozuke).
Let's build our strength for a comeback.
While I am alive,
the Takeda will not cease.
Very well.
I will go to Iwabitsu.
Iwabitsu was a mountaintop castle (yamashiro) situated Northeast
of Shinpu Castle in Agatsuma-gun, Kozuke.
It is the pivotal point of the Sanada fief.
that extends from Shinshu to Joshu.
In order to prepare for Katsuyori's arrival,
Masayuki headed to Iwabitsu first.
Genzaburo, watch over the Lord.
Very well.
I'll be waiting in Iwabitsu.
Genjiro.
Support your brother.
Yes.
Iwabitsu is indeed the best place to confront the Oda.
It's far better than here in Kai.
I have to hand it to Father.
Lord, I would advise you not to go to Iwabitsu.
What are you saying at this point?
It's dangerous in Iwabitsu.
Sanada hasn't served the Takeda for that long.
You can't fully trust him.
You think it's a trap?
There is that possibility.
Besides, there are unsavory rumors about the Sanada.
He's secretly...
connected to the Hojo.
Impossible.
They are actively writing letters to each other.
Lord, please come to my Iwadono Castle.
Iwadono?
With Sasago Pass on the West,
and cliffs to the North and South, it's a natural stronghold.
It is the best place to confront the Oda.
That is the consensus.
Lord, you are the ruler of Kai.
You can't readily abandon Lord Shingen's authority in Kai.
and hole up in the mountains of Joshu.
Even if you were to survive,
would that make your late father happy?
Brother, it's your turn.
Genjiro, enough.
Why?
Is it something we should be doing now?
We don't know when we can do this again.
Instead of playing a children's game,
let's play serious Shogi.
But it's no fun playing shogi with you.
Why?
You're too honest in your strategies.
If anything, it's boring.
You say that because you can't beat me.
The leveling strategy can't be taken lightly.
You can't use your favorite standard moves and it's deep.
Do you give up?
Seriously!
There are standard moves for the leveling strategy.
First of all... don't push it.
Who's there?!
Lord...?
I am departing tomorrow.
We will escort you.
I'm going to Iwadono Castle.
Not Iwabitsu.
Iwadono?
What do you mean?
I cannot leave Kai Province.
My father established Kai.
But...
I feel badly towards Masayuki.
I am departing tomorrow.
But you need not follow me.
Head for Iwabitsu.
You are hereby freed as a Takeda hostage.
You can do as you wish.
But...
This is to certify it.
You may come across the Oda forces along the way.
I will provide you with one hundred men.
Sorry it's not many.
I am very honored.
Didn't you have an older sister?
Yes.
Didn't she marry into Oyamada Nobushige's family?
Yes she did.
Take her with you to Iwabitsu.
But she is Oyamada's hostage.
The Sanada can't take her in.
I've decided on it.
No one can complain.
That is all.
My men will set this castle on fire tomorrow.
You should depart at once.
Yes.
I believe his words of concern for the Takeda...
were sincere.
Returning your sister to the Sanada,
is proof of that.
Thank you for your consideration.
I'm leaving.
Lord!
Genjiro!
Lord Shingen is dead!
Genjiro! Insolent!
Please reconsider.
Please come with us to Iwabitsu.
Sorry to intrude.
Lord!
We would like to give you a farewell gift.
Please take your 100 men to Iwadono with you.
You don't need them?
Yes. You are the banner of the Sanada.
Your survival will lead to the Sanada's come back.
Reducing your guards, defies our will.
Will you be safe on your own?
We are Sanada's children.
We won't be killed easily.
Please do not worry about us.
Sanada...
is a good clan.
The Lord... is a kind man.
He's kind...
...and sad.
The Lord should go to Iwabitsu.
That, again?
They can't fight off the Oda from Iwadono Castle.
It's useless to be dutiful to the late Lord (Takeda) Shingen.
Don't say anymore.
You know I'm right.
Sasuke!
He chose to protect Lord Shingen's authority...
namely, the Takeda honor.
That is one way to live.
What was Shinpu anyway?
Father spent a year to build this castle.
But it'll turn into ashes.
Did you call?
Deliver this message to my father in Iwabitsu. SAKUKE
- I will. - Sasuke, how are you?
Good. I acquired new skills.
Go quickly.
Yes, sir!
Father will be surprised.
I have good news and bad news.
The good news first.
The Lord came by earlier.
He released us as hostages.
What?
Mother, congratulations.
Did he really?
Yes, he did.
Matsu can go home with us.
Thank God!
We owe it to the Oda invasion.
What's the bad news?
We are leaving Shinpu tomorrow to meet up with Father in Iwabitsu.
Iwabitsu?
It will be just us. We may meet Oda men en route.
There may be bandits also.
There are farmers that attacked retreating warriors.
We are not fleeing warriors.
The Takeda authority has no effect now.
It will definitely not be an easy journey.
No.
Mother.
I am staying here!
You can't.
Can we leave when it's warmer?
They will be setting Shinpu Castle on fire tomorrow.
Why?
It's to prevent the Oda from capturing it.
There won't be anyone here to protect you.
I suddenly feel depressed.
Let us get ready.
Don't worry, Mother.
We'll manage somehow. You have Brother and I.
We'll be sure to protect you until we reach Father.
Please do.
It won't be long before the family is together again.
It's not that simple.
We'll pray.
Stop whispering!
You can count on us.
On March 3rd,
Takeda Katsuyori left Shinpu Castle.
heading for Iwadono Castle.
Why can't I go with you?
I don't know, but that's what the Lord ordered.
You will see him again soon.
What are you going to do?
We'll head to Iwabitsu first to meet up with Father.
We'll probably go to the Sanada homeland later.
When things settle down in Iwadono, I'll come for you.
We'll only be apart for a short while.
Brother, it's time to go.
I'll be going now.
We must get going, too.
Everyone, hurry!
Hurry!
Leave that!
We're leaving shortly!
Rush!
Mother, hurry. Everyone is waiting.
Pack them quickly.
They're late.
Word will spread quickly that the Lord has left the Castle.
The later we depart, the more dangerous it will be.
Doesn't Mother know that?
Where is Genjiro?
Past noon that day...
the Sanada family left Shinpu Castle.
From this point on, there will be enemies everywhere.
Let us hurry.
It was 90 miles from Shinpu to Iwabitsu.
It would take 3 days by foot.
Look there!
Shinpu Castle was burning.
It was supposed to be the Takeda's new resident castle.
Takeda Katsuyori had lived there for only a month.
Takashima Castle in Suwa has finally fallen.
Takashima, too?
Many more defected.
The army of 600, when departed Shinpu was reduced to 100 men.
Lord, Iwadono Castle is beyond that barrier.
It will climb steeply from here.
Lord, please take your time.
I will go ahead to prepare for your arrival.
Yes, do that.
Men, follow me.
- Shigemasa. - Yes.
Close the gate.
What?
Don't let the Lord in.
I don't understand.
Shortly behind that barrier is Iwadono Castle.
The Lord has arrived.
Open the gate!
What's the problem?
We are heading for Oyamada's Iwadono Castle.
Let us through now!
What is going on?
I cannot open the gate.
What?
My master, Oyamada Nobushige,
has decided to side with the Oda!
Has he gone mad?!
I cannot let anyone through!
Please turn back!
Where are we to go?
Shinpu is reduced to ashes!
I can't let you through.
Damn Oyamada Nobushige!
Leave it be!
Lord!
It's all right.
Please forgive me.
Where to?
I don't know.
The illustrious Takeda Clan of Kai was heading for demise.
It also signified the end of an era.
There will eventually be major movement in history.
With Kai, Shinano and Kozuke as the stage,
the daimyos vie ruthlessly as the disturbance starts in 1582.
Lord, the Oda army is approaching Uozu Castle. ECHIGO - KASUGAYAMA CASTLE
The Oda army is 40,000 (against us Uesugi) ECHIGO - KASUGAYAMA CASTLE
Their general is Shibata Katsuie, ECHIGO - KASUGAYAMA CASTLE
Sassa Narimasa and Maeda Toshiie. ECHIGO - KASUGAYAMA CASTLE
We (Uesugi) will be surrounded.
Lord, what should we do?
In To the North, succeeding the famed general Uesugi Kenshin,
of Echigo, was Uesugi Kagekatsu.
UESUGI KAGEKATSU
SAGAMI - ODAWARA CASTLE
To the East, the fourth generation of peerless hero, Hojo Soun,
was Hojo Ujimasa.
HOJO UJIMASA
Reporting!
Takeda Katsuyori has fled from Shinpu.
SURUGA BORDER - TOKUGAWA CAMP
To the South, was Tokugawa Ieaysu,
who would later become the Sanada's greatest foe.
TOKUGAWA IEYASU
OMI - AZUCHI CASTLE
Then, there is...
athe man who acquired unprecedented territory,
and rose as ruler, Oda Nobunaga.
ODA NOBUNAGA
Amidst all that, the Sanada family...
traveled close together towards Iwabitsu.
Under the Tokugawa, Sanada Genzaburo will become
Lord of the 100,000 koku Matsushiro Clan in Shinano.
Whereas...
Genjiro will later be known as Sanada Yukimura.
Brother!
Let's run.
We're going to run.
We have to run.
Let's go!
A small boat has sailed out into the vast sea
called the warring era.
The name of that boat is Sanada Maru.
It was an eventful sail off.
END OF EPISODE 1
Genjiro!
Matsu!
What are you up to?
Father is...
Silence!
Who do you think I am?
I know what the Sanada are up to.
The supreme ruler of the Eastern provinces is Hojo.
Save the weak and crush the strong.
Isn't Tokugawa here yet?
Where's Sanada?
I dare you repeat that!
Damn you!
What did you do?!
Sasuke!
It's been a while.
You came to our rescue!
Oh, Genjiro!
Sir Genjiro, I'm glad you are alive.
I am proud to be born as your son.
The Takeda's demise is something to celebrate.
But why am I not happy?
I'll do whatever it takes to ensure the Sanada's survival.
Here's the beginning of my big gamble!
Ueda city, Nagano Prefecture.
was the base of the Sanada Clan during the Sengoku Jidai Warring Era.
Surrounded on all sides by powerful forces from the Uesugi Hojo and Tokugawa
a strong castle foundation was built.
Located in this grounds in Ueda, lived
the Sanada household 400-500
♬～
In this land, was raised the famous Sanada Nobushige
during the turbulent time.
Nirasaki City, Yamanashi Prefecture (Old Kai Province).
Here Sanada constructed the last residence Castle for their overlord, the Takeda.
Shimpu Castle was the last residence of Takeda Katsunori
shortly before the invasion of the area (Kai) by Oda Nobunaga.
The demise of the house by Takeda,
threw the Sanada Clan into the rough sea of war.
Nearly 30 years later, in 1615 at Osaka Castle,
Nobushige built the Sanada Maru fort
confronting the Tokugawa Shogunate huge army in a spectacular battle.
This battle was the first (of many) which lead to praise and recognition
for the name Sanada through the World.