The Phoenix
The land of Wah was in crisis.
After being defeated in foreign wars, Emperor Tenji...
...worried about the future of Wah...
...hoped to reform his kingdom by means of a new religion, Buddhism.
However, the pace of this Buddhist reformation was too quick...
...and signs of strain were soon evident throughout all areas of society.
Out of the way!
Move, or you'll get hurt!
How dare you speak to him in such a manner?
Don't you see he is Daikage Azumi-no-Muraji Saruta?
Leave it be!
Y- Yes, sir! Leave it be!
Since the defeat, things have changed here.
The Sun Chapter 2
Meanwhile, Harima received the surname Inugami, and became mayor of Kotoh.
Looks like we can expect a good harvest this year.
I was worried when we had that storm the other day.
Tell me about it.
I just hope the nice weather continues.
Mayor Inugami! I just hope nice weather continues.
Come quick! The shrine...
The sacred woods...
What?
Now move!
But Officer, please...
Shut up! Move! I said move!
Oh, Mayor!
What?
Would you care to explain what is going on?
Inugami, now that you're here, please explain to your people.
By the order of the governor that...
...stone over there is to be the cornerstone for the new temple.
I have clearly told you that that is not going to happen.
This stone is the dwelling place of our god...
I cannot let you take it, even for your temple.
I must ask you to leave.
Do you expect us to believe a story like that?
Mayor Inugami!
Lord General!
The villagers told me I could find you here.
Long time no see.
You're right. It's been four years, hasn't it?
I haven't seen you since you left for your post in Dazaifu.
We're leaving!
How have you been? How is Obaba?
Mayor Inugami, don't think you can continue to defy the governor like this.
Inugami, what is going on?
Nothing.
Looks like you've got things running well around here.
All this is because of you, Saruta.
Don't be so humble.
I just did what Obaba said and recommended you for mayor of this village.
Everyone here has a smile on their face.
And it's all because of your hard work.
What's the matter?
No, nothing.
All this temple-building has hit this area hard.
Saruta!
It's not only here, but men all over this land are being commandeered.
That's not all...
The Government is now requesting us to give up our shrine for the new temple!
The villagers have worshipped there for generations.
They have no right to take it away.
Even if it's for the reformation, how can they?
So those men I saw were...
Inugami, this whole reformation is just a distraction.
What do you mean?
Great changes are in the making.
You may not know this, but the Emperor lies ill in Ohtsu-kyou right now.
The reins of government have been entrusted to a small handful of men.
A handful of men?
That's right. A handful of men?
They are trying to use these events to...
...create a government based on Buddhist doctrine.
In order to do this, the ancient gods must be overthrown.
Do you understand, Inugami?
B-But then...
But what about the people who have worshiped the...
...ancient gods all their lives?
I understand how you feel.
Inugami, not everyone in the Imperial Court agrees with the situation.
The younger brother of the Emperor, Lord Oh-ama-no-miko...
...who is the prince of Tohgu, sympathizes with the people's suffering.
I had no idea...
So, we must endure for a little while.
Inugami, you must not do anything rash.
I understand.
Take care.
You too, Saruta.
Damn that Saruta...
And what was his name again?
Inugami is his name.
Oh right, so he has left to visit Inu, hasn't he?
He and his villagers resist the reformation at every turn.
I think we should make an example of him.
Looks like it's going to rain.
Dogface!
You're just in time!
I'm about to prepare some medicine.
Come help me.
Wait, Obaba!
Obaba, I was about to...
Here, take this.
Good. The pain should stop in half an hour.
Now...
Dogface, what are you doing there?
Will you get the medicine on the shelf? That one at the bottom.
Obaba, how many times do I have to tell you?
My name is Inugami...
What's wrong with Dogface? Now get me some water.
Obaba, Saruta paid a visit yesterday.
So I heard.
And what did that boil nose want?
He returned from Tsukushi five days ago.
Tsukushi? Where is that?
It's a land across from the shore of Tsushima.
He was on guard duty at the castle there.
They were just getting him out of the capital, eh?
Obaba...
You better watch your back too.
Why?
If you keep resisting the governor...
...you will be banished to somewhere far away like him.
What's the matter?
Nothing...
Mayor!
What's the matter?
Well, the governor is here.
What?
The governor?
I am greatly honored by your visit.
Well, what brings you here today?
What brings me here?
You should know why I am here today.
You want fifty people from here for the construction of a temple?
Is there a problem?
We have already sent quite a few people from this village already this summer.
Why more?
Don't you get it?
It's because of your stubbornness.
Mayor Inugami!
We've got a problem! The sacred woods is...
...our shrine!
What are you doing with our holy stone?
Oh, I almost forgot, there is one more thing I need too.
Hey, hurry up!
What a pain...
It's a m-m-monster!
Get out of here!
What's going on?
Are you still going to oppose the order of the Emperor?
Hey.
Yes, sir.
Damn dog!
P-Please, help me! He's going to kill me!
In the capital, Emperor Tenji lies sick in bed.
Knowing that his time is near...
...he was concerned with who would succeed him when he passes.
Tenji wished his son, Ohtomo-no-miko, to be the heir to the throne of the Emperor.
However, many in the palace felt that Oh-ama-no-miko...
...was more suited to be king.
Be careful, the Emperor is...
I know.
Brother, it is me, Oh-ama.
How are you feeling?
Oh-ama...
It seems like it is almost time for me to go.
Don't be so pessimistic. It's not like you.
I can tell.
Oh-ama, I will put everything into your hands.
I want you to be my successor when I'm gone, and...
What are you saying?
Ohtomo-no-miko is your heir.
But Ohtomo is still young and inexperienced.
That's not true, he has proved himself worthy as prime minister.
There is no reason he wouldn't make an excellent king.
If you think his young age is an issue, then name her Highness as regent.
So you are not interested in becoming a king?
I'm sorry to disappoint you...
...however, I am not capable of running a kingdom.
With your permission...
...I wish to move to a monastery and study the teaching of the Buddha.
Oh-ama, is that what you really want?
No, you can't be serious.
Do you doubt me?
Then I have no choice.
Forgive my rudeness.
I will go to a temple, shave my head, and become a monk.
Oh-ama, you are so determined...
M-My lord, what happened?
What happened in there? My lord?
How could this be...
I've decided to become a monk and pray for the Emperor.
Pray to Buddha.
Are you sure about this?
You are putting wings on a tiger and setting it free.
This will come back to us someday.
Quiet, Hatayasu!
Oh-ama proved his sincerity.
Please forgive me. I have said too much...
That's enough. You're excused.
Yes, sir.
He has gotten old.
Do you have any idea what you have done?
Say Dogface, it's not too late. If you go to the court, and...
No, it's too late.
They may have shot at me first, but still I attacked the governor.
But where are you going?
To Ohtsu.
The capital?
What are you going to do in the capital?
Saruta said that there are people who don't approve of the current government.
Perhaps I could talk to them and ask them to help.
What do you mean by that?
Dogface, are you thinking...
Dogface!
Whoa!
What kind of cowards ambush a man like this!
Who are you?
Shut up, you insolent dog.
We serve at Goen Temple.
We came to eliminate you in the name of Buddha!
Prepare to die!
Inugami, this way!
We won't let you get away!
We need to get to the sacred grove...
This is the end of you!
Say goodbye!
What is this dog?
Wait! You!
Pest! I'll cut you into pieces!
What's this fog?
It's getting thicker!
This is the shield of Uzuna.
Lucky dog, you'll live another day.
Inugami!
Inugami! I will bring Obaba right now!
Just hang on!
You are... I knew it...
You're from the Ku tribe...
I knew it was you. I felt it.
Inugami, I will save you no matter what.
You are...
You are from that time...
That time...
What was it called... Right, it's the Ku tribe...
What is it?
W-What's this?
This is Dogface's shirt!
Dogface!
Dogface! Hang on!
Dogface!
Hurry! Hurry up!
Come on, take him to the medicine house quickly!
Dogface...
Don't you give up.
It's just a scratch...
Listen, Dogface...
I told you that I came along with you so my future would be a better one.
But that's not the whole truth...
I've come to think of you as my own child.
Please Dogface, you've got to pull through!
Inugami, please don't die!
There is no need to worry. He will continue to live forever.
It is his destiny.
The Phoenix!
Less than two months later, Emperor Tenji perished.
Someone whispers
In a faint voice
To the sparking stars
A promise I once heard
Ah, when the scars of the soul hurt
They long for their mother
Fading intermittently
I can hear the prayers in the voice
I am not alone in the darkness
It’s alright
The will to love is eternal
Next Episode
The face of a dog changed the man's fate.
He found love because of it, yet it is itself affected by that love.
I don't want you to die.
If you do, I...
...Mariomo...
...Inugami...
Their love blossoms in the midst of the country's turmoil.