TOKUGAWA IEYASU
Episode 12: The Crossroads of Life
The powerful Imagawa clan was destroyed
and Ieyasu was pressured head on by Takeda Shingen.
Shingen had started a battle with the Hojo clan
and was unable to attack Ieyasu.
Meanwhile, at Hamamatsu Castle, Oda Nobunaga's messenger arrived.
It was Kinoshita Tokichiro, renamed Hideyoshi.
Kyoto will be bustling this spring.
My lord, Oda Nobunaga is building a mansion for the Shogun
at the site of Nijo Mansion.
How about coming to Kyoto to see the cherry blossoms?
How pleasant that would be.
Yes, it would be a good omen for imminent peace.
But wouldn't the winds of Echizen be an obstruction?
I'm struck with awe at your keen instinct.
Therefore, my lord insists on your accompanying him.
The two heroes can meet secret in Kyoto.
As soon as the snows melt, we can attack Asakura.
That's ridiculous. How can they meet secretly in Kyoto
with an army big enough to attack Asakura?
I have an idea.
My lord has always loved sumo wrestling.
So, to celebrate the advent of peace,
we'll have exhibition sumo matches in the Kinki areas.
Then, skilled swordsmen would swarm around us.
We'll make sure the word sets out beforehand.
We'll transport our provisions under the guise of prizes.
The lords can follow around as spectators.
I see.
We can take our pick of capable swordsmen.
The newly hired samurai would fight to be heroes,
and the lords would work hard,
so they'd compare favorably to the newly hired men.
Thus, victory will be assured.
Now, I have completely exposed my plans to you.
I would like you to help my lord conquer the country.
I gladly accept your invitation to
the flower-viewing and the sumo wrestling matches.
April, 1570.
After reaching Kyoto, they were suspicious of Yoshiaki, the shogun,
and the Oda-Tokugawa allies headed for Echizen
to attack the Asakura territory.
Asai Nagamasa's Odani Castle where Nobunaga's sister Oichi resided,
received news of the united attack against them.
Did my brother do something in Kyoto?
Unite the country.
Whoever obstructs him would be kicked aside...
People like Asakura...
and my own father...
The Asakura's are pressuring me
to break my alliance with Lord Nobunaga.
Because of his father who disliked Nobunaga,
Nagamasa was caught between his wife and his father.
When he learned of that attack, he prepared to obey his father.
I hear this is the Oda's main army!
Exactly!
I have come as Lord's Asai's messenger from the Odani castle.
I'm Onogi Tosa! I request audience with Lord Nobunaga.
Send him in.
The Asai's betrayed me.
Stop the attack, tell the lord of Hamamatsu.
Yes, sir!
Sire!
You're Onogi Tosa?
You don't have to tell me.
You came to return our agreement, hand it over!
First, a few words.
This is the end of the alliance between the two clans.
With the return of the pledge, he'll shoot an arrow.
Lord! What's going on?
Stop shaking, Tosa.
Go back and tell Asai Nagamasa that
Nobunaga's sense of obligation is different from his.
His is like that of a snake.
I'll return our pledge.
I got it.
Motonobu! Give this messenger some water.
Lord!
The Asai's betrayed me.
What're you going to do?
We have lured the enemy out in front of us.
If we retreat, it'll be their chance to attack.
The, the Asai's would attack us on our path of retreat!
The Asai's have switched sides to the Asakura!
What are we to do!
Sit in a circle.
As you heard, we have an unexpected enemy behind us.
If a man of my stature were to be destroyed by the Asakura,
me descendants would be ashamed of me.
My fate lies in the hands of Destiny!
With one blow, we'll attack the Asakura in Ichijigatani.
Then, we'll turn around and attack the Asai!
If luck is not with me, I shall choose death.
We'll crush Ichijigatani with one blow!
That's the only way.
A moment, please.
Are you opposed to my plan?
It's not like you to be so rash.
Go on.
What's not like me!
Why would the Asai take the trouble to return the pledge?
What do you make of it?
It indicates their insolent emphasis on obligations!
Then take note of that uprightness.
Tell me what you think.
I'll accept it straightforwardly.
The Asakura isn't your only enemy.
If you are detained here in battle, Kyoto and Gifu would be in danger.
Under the guise of an attack, retreat immediately.
I doubt if the Asai's have cut our path or retreat yet.
What?
A man of integrity tales time to prepare for sudden battle.
There is a way out for us
for they felt apologetic enough to return the pledge first.
I shall serve as your rear guard and retreat to Kyoto
after the deal with the Asakura.
What do you think of his opinion?
Just as he says, we should retreat.
And you?
I'm against it!
If you're afraid of the Asakura, your orders won't be obeyed in the future!
You?
I agree with Kinoshita!
Your decision, please!
The messenger has returned to Odani castle!
They might've just left their castle, we can still leave.
Good!
We'll come again.
What's shameful about decision to attack later?
I am entrusted with Kyoto!
I agree! I can't leave him alone as the rear guard. I'll stay!
Can you do it?
Don't worry. I have a resourceful mind!
You said it, Monkey!
I'll see you in Kyoto, Lord of Hamamatsu.
Take care.
We're leaving immediately!
Princess No was invited by the Shogun Yoshiaki
to a tea ceremony at the Nijo mansion.
Shogun!
I dislike Nobunaga.
I'm not the only one.
Residence of Mt. Hiei and the Hogan-ji men agree.
I wrote to the Takeda clan in Kai
to take Nobunaga's territories while he's gone.
What a thing to do!
It's too late now.
Nobunaga is now being beaten by the Asai father and son.
What!
Don't panic, Nobunaga may be dead by now.
I am fully prepared so please leave.
Sir Kinoshita?
I shall successfully defeat the Asakura.
I appreciate that.
At ease now, at ease!
I am impressed with your kind intentions...
but I can't accept, please leave.
You think that I'll be in your way?
It will be a difficult battle.
I don't know if I'll come out alive, so please leave.
That's unusual.
I'm merely a footsoldier's son so I take my life lightly.
At a crisis, I can throw my life away, but
you're from a good family, don't take your life lightly.
I only have 700 men to fight their large army.
Even if I lose, I won't regret it at all.
But you have a big future ahead of you.
If anything should happen to you,
my lord would be laughed at
and I'd be scolded at the gates of Hell.
Just do as I say for now.
Sir Kinoshita...
I'll leave first as you say.
Once we're safe, you can feel relieved, stay alive now.
I appreciate it.
See you in Kyoto.
Welcome back.
Sir Fukutomi should be on duty at the meeting place today.
Tell him to come see me.
You returned suddenly so I didn't greet you properly.
My lord ordered me to stay out of his affairs,
but today, I shall disobey him.
The Asai's have switched sides to the Asakura clan.
I hope you're prepared for this.
Is this true?
I'm asking if you're ready, answer me please.
I am ready to send out reinforcements.
Not reinforcements, we must increase our guard here
and attack the Odani castle immediately.
All our trusted lords are with my lord.
I shall give orders now, understand?
Then, we're prepared to stay and fight the Asai?
That wouldn't help our lord.
We'll make it look like we're attacking the Echizen province.
Agreed!
Hurry, every minute counts!
With Princess No's orders spies were released immediately
with the news that the Gifu army set out for Odani castle.
Because of this, Nobunaga returned safely with his army.
As Ieyasu guessed correctly, the Asai's were not prepared
to attack in the path of retreat.
Ieyasu returned safely to Hamamatsu castle.
Sena, who was mortified that Ieyasu didn't stop to see her in Okazaki,
passed the forbidden barrier out of loneliness...
Yashiro.
Forgive me, but it's neither your fault not mine.
It's all my lord's fault!
Isn't that right?
I'm his legal wife, yet he passed me by
and returned to be with Oman...
It's too cruel.
I was reproaching my lord, yet I lost control and...
My Lady!
Let me use your garden.
What're you going to do in this rain?
Commit seppuku!
What'll happen to me?
Don't worry.
Once I die, nobody would know of our misconduct.
You're going to die for me?
Yes, you were calling out his name.
- No! - Please listen.
You don't hate our lord, but you love him dearly.
In my arms, you called out his name...
But...
You were so pitiable, that I have committed a crime...
Yashiro...
I don't deserve that.
Allow me to die.
No!
Yashiro...
You said you'd die for my sake, but
instead, please live for my sake.
There's nobody else that I can trust.
My Lady!
who came to deliver her allowance.
Nobody visited Sena, and she was lonely and hurt.
The only one who listened to her was Oga Yashiro,
Oga Yashiro... his faithful service was recognized,
and Ieyasu promoted him from being a footsoldier to bookkeeper...
Now that he became intimate with his lord wife,
everything else seemed trivial.
About a month later, Ieyasu left Hamamatsu again.
for the second attack on the Asai-Asakura armies.
He stopped by at Okazaki to see his son, Nobuyasu.
Nobuyasu.
You will be the general in charge during my absence.
Carry out this important task with the help of the Elders.
Father, please allow me to fight my first battle.
You disagree with me final decision,
but I am worried about the aftermath.
Some of the Elders think this was is for Nobunaga's sake.
But I can't sit back and watch.
You entered Kyoto this spring and saw Nobunaga's power.
Some say that you are now afraid of him.
Shut up! Do you think my father is like that?
It's alright, he wants you to hear this, too.
Let me state my thoughts.
I'll listen.
I'm not afraid of Lord Nobunaga.
But the power that he has shown me cannot be ignored.
Knowing his temper, he will bring about peace.
But what'll happen to our clan then?
When I returned as the lord of this Okazaki castle at age 19,
I vowed to my men that I'll never serve another lord.
Whether or not I will serve another man
will depend upon my willpower and my attitude.
If I intend to rely on another man's power,
then I'll soon fall to become his retainer.
Just as I expected! I'll rely your decision to everyone!
Sakuza!
I'm counting on you!
Reporting!
Lady Tsukiyama is not feeling well. She cannot come to greet you.
I see.
Mother seems to have caught a cold.
Tell her to take care.
You father is going to show his strength to Lord Nobunaga.
In my absence, you must do justice to my name.
Ieyasu, who re-entered Omi, confronted Nobunaga again.
We have come all the way from Mikawa province.
We'd like the honor of attacking the Asakura's main army.
I don't want to put you through that.
I hesitate.
"Hesitate"? That's strange.
You were generous enough to come to my aid.
Yet if I let you attack them and if you're destroyed,
I'll be laughed at for my ignorance of samurai custom.
I can't believe those are your words.
I don't fight wars I regret dying for.
I don't lead my valuable men into such battles.
You think this war will be decisive?
Exactly.
Lord of Hamamatsu.
What if I said I'll take care of this with my own hands?
I'll return immediately.
Lord of Hamamatsu.
That isn't very friendly.
They may say we had a disagreement.
It's just the opposite.
They'll say you were so confident you didn't need my help.
You're trying to show me how strong you are?
Exactly! Otherwise, I'd be no help to you.
You're strong-willed.
You're the only one who made me change my mind.
You can serve as our vanguard.
I appreciate that.
It feels good!
You may leave immediately.
I'll set up my camp in Nishikozaka.
This battle will show our worth to the country!
Face for it!
Attack!
Forward!
Block their path to retreat!
This battle of Anegawa River
Ieyasu did his utmost to show Nobunaga his real strength.
It was not just an attack on the Asai-Asakura armies.
This was a man-to-man fight in a different hidden battle...
It ended in victory for Ieyasu and Nobunaga.
October, 1571
What? Hojo Ujiyasu of Odawara died?
Three days ago.
The Takeda clan in Kai will make a move.
Ujiyasu's heir, Ujimasa, is married to Takeda Shingen's girl.
It's clear he'll form an alliance with the Takeda.
That Shingen...
The power that he used to fight the Hojos
can now be used to attack the Totomi territories.
The problem is when will Ieyasu face the Takeda army?
Report this to the Oda and Tokugawa clans immediately.
I don't think his strategy will bear fruit, but
but Nobunaga has burned Nt. Hiei and is quelling the religious riots.
If Takeda's army enters Ieyasu's territory, Nobunaga can't aid Ieyasu.
Keep watch on the Takeda.
TAKEDA SHINGEN'S MANSION IN KOFU
Just as Namitaro predicted, by the end of summer, 1573
Shingen had conquered the lands between Shikoku and Omi
and was prepared to enter Kyoto?
Katsuyori?
How's Nobunaga?
He is busy preparing the lands between Kawachi and Echizen.
The time is ripe...
let the Tokugawa clan know.
You want him to surrender?
He's not one to surrender, but knows when an opportunity arises.
Yes, but the alliance between the Oda and Tokugawa clans
may be stronger than we suspect.
That's why we must let them know.
When men realize the strength of their enemy,
they may be intimidated or may become more careful.
Tell me when the Kaga spy comes.
Father!
Does Kenshin in Echigo worry you so?
This is my once-in-a-lifetime battle for supremacy.
This determines my life of 52 years.
There is no room for mistakes.
That's the reason why Ieyasu bothers me.
I'd like to try a different strategy against him.
Prepare for Kenshin first.
I, Dr. Genkei, have come as you summoned me.
Thanks, is that the girl?
This is Ayame, my adopted daughter.
Have you made good contacts in Okazaki?
Yes, an accountant named Oga Yashiro.
It would help to keep his name in mind.
Oga Yashiro... I'll remember.
He'll become our ally eventually.
He is trusted by Lady Tsukiyama, Lord Ieyasu, and the young heir.
He is climbing the ranks.
Oga hired me to cure the Lady's stiff shoulder and back.
I'm one of their favorites.
I'm sure I can handle the matter with Ayame.
Are you prepared to serve Nobuyasu?
Their weakness lies in the fact that
Lady Tsukiyama id jealous of Nobuyasu and Toku.
You're a wedge we're thrusting between the Oda-Tokugawa clans.
Yes!
Genkei...
My father is worried about the Uesugi clan, but
I feel Totomi and Mikawa may be our problems first.
We can carry out our wish only if we can conspire with Okazaki.
Make sure you carry this out.
I agree!
Sena's betrayal of Ieyasu and her illicit love
were perfect targets for Katsuyori.
Yashiro.
Please don't leave me.
My lady...
I can't think of anything else... only you.
My lady...
Ieyasu left Hamamatsu castle again for a hunt.
In fact, he was deeply concerned about Shingen's arrival.
What's so funny?
What're you doing!
Your face, it's pointed, like a rabbit's face.
You think I'm afraid of Shingen?
Would you make such a face if you're not?
Fool!
Do you have the confidence to defeat their grand army?
What confidence? I'll attack if there's a break,
and retreat when they chase me, I just fight.
How brave of you... what if you're stuck?
I'll die.
Aren't you afraid?
I don't know, I've never died before.
So, you never have.
I don't know why I was born, either, so I don't think of it.
You don't know about birth, either.
Fool! I don't want my men to die uselessly.
That's why I'm thinking about this.
You're ready to fight?
Shut up!
Once Shingen leaves Kofu castle, in 10 days,
this place will be swarming with 30,000 enemy soldiers.
Our lord must be thinking whether to fight or surrender.
He didn't submit to the Imagawa or the Oda clans.
He torn apart inside.
I'd like him to feign ignorance.
What?
If he lets them go, Shingen would just pass us by.
We wouldn't have to sacrifice our men, but...
I want to step aside and let a strong current through.
It's unlike you to be so weak-kneed.
You always thinks before acting, listen to me first.
After the rough currents subside,
we'll be able to construct dikes to hold them in.
With the attack by the Takeda clan pending ominously,
the resident of the Hamamatsu castle were deeply troubled.
Is Fate controlled by man?
I'm afraid that there's fate which is controlled by man
and men who are controlled by fate.
If we thought that Fate was absolute,
that would be a way of giving up on life.
Was that how you felt when you began serving me?
Yes.
No matter what the others say,
I believe you and believe in serving you, my lord.
All we can do is believe in ourselves?
Yes.
Forgive me.
No, that's good.
Whether they break through our lines or not...
I must act in accordance with my beliefs.
Sir Honda Sakuzaemon is here!
You called?
Sakuza!
I can't take this!
If I let them pass without resistance, I'd be put to shame!
How brave! What's this all about?
Takeda Shingen's army!
Any objection?
Will you listen?
Speak up if you object, but I'll decide!
I appreciate those words.
There's nothing more to say.
We'll all die at the place you choose.
Why do you talk of death?
Leave matters of life and death to the gods
and just do what we must.
I hope you don't seek danger before the Oda's help arrive.
I won't let one man from their army through!
I've decided!
..,so Ieyasu has asked the Oda's for reinforcements...
But Nobunaga is surrounded by enemies, too. He can't send aid.
What's your move?
I can't move.
Ieyasu's army, which would face the Takeda army head-on,
is at most 5-6,000... they'd be crushed and wars would escalate.
Takeda can't rule the country?
He'll be fully prepared and will gain dominance, but
how much longer will he live?
You've been to Kai, I guess.
Once Shingen is dead, Katsuyori can't rule.
When Ieyasu and Nobunaga are defeated, history will change.
To fight or to surrender... it's a difficult decision.
Many will die again.
I shall pray for Ieyasu's victory.
Takeda Shingen, at age 52, had reached the peak of maturity.
He was now a monster in the age of wars.
This monster left Kofu with his grand army on October 3rd, 1573.
Ieyasu stood at the crossroads of his life facing this monster.