TAIGA DRAMA
Sanada Maru
Written By: MITANI Koki
Music By: HATTORI Takayuki
Narrator: UDO Yumiko
CAST
Sanada Nobushige: SAKAI Masato
Sanada Nobuyuki: OIZUMI Yo
Kiri: NAGASAWA Masami
Haru: MATSUOKA Mayu
Sasuke: FUJII Takashi
Toyotomi Hideyori: NAKAGAWA Taishi
Takanashi Naiki: NAKAHARA Takeo
Katagiri Katsumomo: KOBAYASHI Takashi
Ohno Harunaga: IMAI Tomohiko
Chacha: TAKEUCHI Yuko
Tokugawa Ieyasu: UCHINO Seiyo
Translations by MTI
Director: DOI Shohei
Episode 40: Yukimura
Even after Masayuki's death, Nobushige was not pardoned.
Though he invented the Sanada-himo (strap),
the harsh conditions in Kudoyama continued.
At such a time, a man appeared before him.
You must be Sanada Nobushige.
You are...?
I am former vassal to Ukita Hideie,
Akashi Teruzumi.
I've come to get you.
Explain.
Please come with me to Osaka.
What for?
War will break out shortly.
Please lead the army as a Toyotomi general.
Who's the enemy?
Tokugawa Ieyasu.
I decline.
Why?
I'm under confinement.
Excuse me.
I'd like you to meet someone.
KOZUKE - NUMATA CASTLE
It's getting dangerous in Osaka.
What did Lord Hidetada say?
He wants me to go to Edo.
Is there going to be war?
I hope not.
Lord?
It slipped out of my hand.
Get ready to depart immediately.
Yes, sir.
Saemon-no-Suke, it's been a long time.
Sir Katagiri.
Is it that bad between the Toyotomi and Tokugawa?
War is inevitable.
The Toyotomi position has weakened,
but I thought they still held power equal to the Tokugawa.
He seems clueless.
News of current state of affairs doesn't get here.
Let me brief you.
Before you do that...
I don't plan to leave.
I came all the way here.
I'd appreciate it if you'd at least hear me out.
Sit down.
After what happened to Ishida and Otani at Sekigahara,
many key vassals of Toyotomi, including Kato, died.
Katsumoto.
It's grown again.
Yes.
Now, it's only I who's left serving Lord Hideyori.
I can imagine the hardship.
It started with the consecration ceremony for the Buddha statue.
The Great Buddha Hall that the Taiko started
suffered a setback due to the earthquake.
But Lord Hideyori started it again five years ago.
I can't wait.
The construction is going smoothly this time.
This year is the Taiko's 17th anniversary.
Lord Hideyori wanted to time it with the consecration ceremony.
I'm amazed Lord Ieyasu gave his consent.
It was his idea to rebuild the Great Buddha Hall.
It is the duty of the living to pray for the repose of the dead.
Feel free to repair temples in Kyoto and Osaka,
including Hoko-ji.
Yes, sir.
I get it now.
Ieyasu's motive was to have Lord Hideyori
use the gold and silver stashed in Osaka Castle.
In hindsight, that was it.
Then...
Let me see that.
We asked priest Seikan to do the inscription on the bell.
This is splendid.
Let's proceed with this.
Lord Hideyori approved it immediately.
However...
Ieyasu found a problem with it.
A problem?
He said it lacked dignity.
He said to use a priest possessing literary talent.
But if I recall correctly, isn't Seikan...
He's an elder at Nanzen-ji.
He's well-versed in Chinese poetry and the classics.
In short, he was looking for faults with it.
How rude!
I'm very sorry, but please make another effort.
In these times, things won't move smoothly
if we don't show deference to Ieyasu.
Please!
It's splendid.
The previous one wasn't bad,
but this is a work of fulfillment.
I'm sorry for the trouble.
Did you notice?
What is it?
I incorporated a novel idea.
What is it?
In the word "kokka-anko."
It means national peace and prosperity.
Take a close look at it.
The characters for Ieyasu are hidden in it.
How clever.
Furthermore, this word "kunshin-horaku."
It means abundance and joy for all.
But another meaning,
could be joy under Toyotomi rule.
That is brilliant.
This will surely please both Lords Hideyori and Ieyasu.
After securing Ieyasu's approval,
I ordered the inscription to be done on the bell.
Two months later, the bell was completed magnificently.
Then again, right before the consecration ceremony.
What's going on?
Lord Ieyasu said to postpone the consecration ceremony.
We can't postpone it.
What is the problem?
He said the inscription includes a curse on him.
Curse?
The word "kokka-anko."
He said to sever his name, Ie-yasu, is ominous.
Wasn't that the novelty of it?
Yes, it is, but...
Why, only now?
We showed him the draft.
OHNA HARUNAGA
He should've complained then.
Complaining after the fact,
is a pretext.
He's not a reasonable man.
Does Ieyasu want the bell to be re-done?
That is correct.
But the memorial service is next month.
Can't he be persuaded?
Sir Katagiri?
He doesn't understand the play on words.
In China, splitting a person's name meant to cast a curse.
Well...
that's what they say.
Did you know that?
But that's their problem.
Can you do it over?
Absolutely not!
I was at a complete loss.
So I decided to confide in Her Ladyship.
Her Ladyship?
Lady Chacha.
Is she doing well?
She is a key person at Osaka Castle.
She is dignified.
The consecration ceremony is Hideyori's earnest wish.
As his mother, I want his wish to be realized.
Go and see Ieyasu in Sunpu.
If you talk to him directly, I'm sure he'll understand.
Can you not persuade even a single person like Ieyasu?
SURUGA - SUNPU CASTLE
Unforgivable!
Seikan meant it as a celebration.
Celebration?
This is a curse!
What about the "kunshin- horaku" for Toyotomi?
That would be a curse on the Toyotomi.
The characters for Toyotomi are reversed.
It must be a reversed curse.
Reversed curse?
By reversing the characters,
you turn a curse into a blessing.
Isn't that it?
Why is it an issue only after the bell is done?
Because we trusted you.
After seeing the draft,
great lord Ieyasu merely expressed his thoughts.
After that, he trusted you and left it in your hands.
But you betrayed his trust!
This is a huge insult to the Tokugawa by the Toyotomi!
Unforgivable!
Please let me see Lord Ieyasu!
I wanted to see Lord Ieyasu to clear the misunderstanding.
But a month futilely passed.
On the way back from Sunpu...
OMI - TSUCHIYAMA
Were you in Sunpu, too?
You were taking too long to return,
so after discussing it with Her Ladyship,
it was decided that I'd speak with Lord Ieyasu.
Don't take selfish actions.
It's because you're unreliable!
That's why I had to come out.
Lady Okura.
I haven't seen you in a while.
Lord Ieyasu, I am pleased to see you are doing well.
You were able to see him?
Don't tell me you haven't.
What were you doing in Sunpu for a month?
Lord Ieyasu said...
it's because the uneducated Katagiri Katsumoto
had obeyed a country priest.
It's not a big deal.
That's not what I was told.
Huh?
I have from Honda Masazumi
the three conditions required to resolve the matter.
He didn't tell me that.
Lord Hideyori must leave Osaka Castle,
and move to Ise or Yamato.
Her Ladyship must be sent to Kanto as a hostage.
Like other daimyos,
Lord Hideyori must take up residence in Edo.
Impossible!
Or it'll be seen as a betrayal that warrants destruction.
Lord Ieyasu wouldn't say that!
Honda clearly stated, that it is Lord Ieyasu's will.
To be honest,
Honda didn't go that far.
What do you mean?
They wanted us to prove we have no treacherous thoughts.
As for the three conditions?
Those were my ideas on the way back.
Why did you lie?
Lady Okura upset me with her attitude.
But the lie worsened the situation.
Will you explain, Katagiri?
When I verified it with Sir Honda,
he knew nothing about the three conditions.
It's nothing like you said!
Katagiri.
Why did it come to this?
Fearing it would lead to war,
it was a plan to quell Lord Ieyasu's anger.
Those were the three conditions that came to mind.
They were your ideas?
Having Hideyori change provinces,
sending me to Kanto as a hostage,
and having Hideyori report to Edo like other daimyos.
Yes.
Impossible.
Lord Ieyasu said not to worry.
That's odd.
Perhaps this is a trap.
Aren't you the one who uses artifice?
What are you saying?
By lying that it's an order from Tokugawa,
you planned to make our lord accept the terms,
and gain employment with the Tokugawa.
You think I'd do that?
It's suspicious that you were in Sunpu for a month.
During that time,
were you persuaded by Honda Masazumi?
Ridiculous!
Now, now.
I know Katsumoto well.
He wouldn't do such a thing.
He lacks the courage and wisdom to devise such a plot.
Please don't take it wrong.
Forget it.
If what Okura says is true, then all is well.
But we still have to get the bell re-done.
We must postpone the ceremony.
It looks that way.
Katagiri, you must take responsibility for this.
Yes.
It seemed as if things would be resolved.
However...
Ohno Harunaga and others who saw me as a traitor,
plotted my assassination.
Stop.
Yes, sir.
It was painful to leave Lord Hideyori.
But if my being there,
will be cause for disunity in the Toyotomi clan,
there is only one answer.
I...
left Osaka Castle.
But that action of mine,
worsened the situation.
It got worse?
It was seen as Lord Hideyori dismissed me.
By ousting the intermediary with the Tokugawa,
they saw it as the Toyotomi were severing ties with them.
It cannot be helped.
We are invading Osaka.
Yes, sir.
The Tokugawa...
...is invading us.
I...
on my own...
had sparked a war.
Perhaps, Ieyasu had anticipated this.
Lord Hideyori sent letters to the Toyotomi loyalists
to seek their alliance.
Ronin are gathering at Osaka Castle to fight the Tokugawa.
Akashi is one of them.
After the Battle of Sekigahara, Sir Ukita was captured,
and exiled to Hachijo Island.
I've been wandering the country for over a decade.
Saemon-no-Suke.
I can't go back to Osaka.
Your loyalty to the Taiko runs very deep.
Please help Lord Hideyori.
Enter Osaka Castle and lead the army.
Defeat the Tokugawa!
Sir Katagiri, unfortunately...
it's as I said from the beginning.
I cannot help you.
Why?
For three reasons.
For one, I have never led a huge army in battle.
Also, I'm in confinement.
And I don't like battles.
Please!
I'm happy to have met you after all these years.
Please consider me dead.
Excuse me.
Saemon-no-Suke!
Were you still up?
Who were you meeting with?
He looked like Sir Ukita's vassal.
Was his name Akashi?
I spotted him many times at Lady Gracia's.
There will soon be war.
Tokugawa will be attacking Osaka Castle.
It'll be a major war.
I was asked to aid the Toyotomi.
I anticipated this.
Are you going?
I declined.
I want to go, but right now...
I have more important thing.
Go already.
I'm surprised.
About what?
I thought you were going to stop me.
Why would I?
Lady Yodo will be there.
Didn't you say she brings misfortune upon people?
But you want to go.
So you should go.
Isn't there someone who wants you there?
Aren't there people seeking your help?
In that case...
What can I do?
You won't know unless you try.
I've never led a huge army in battle.
Lord Sanada Masayuki.
He fought the Tokugawa twice and won both times.
You have his bloodline.
No one will follow me.
You are his son.
You must have talent for it.
Following your lead is a guaranteed win.
No one will doubt that.
No one can tell you have little battle experience.
The rest is... bluffing it.
Do you want to end your life here?
Is that what you want?
Why were you born?
I'm happy with my life here.
I didn't ask about that.
That doesn't concern me.
The important thing is someone needs you.
What have you been doing until now?
In Chiisagata, you were at your father's beck and call.
In Osaka, you were at the Taiko's beck and call.
I wasn't at their beck and call.
I thought things over, and did my best.
What did you accomplish?
Did you leave any mark of your existence?
You never found the vandal of Juraku-tei.
You had a debate over Numata Castle,
but the Hojo ended up taking it.
You snuck into Odawara Castle to persuade Ujimasa,
but he surrendered the castle not because of you.
Kanbei, who went later deserves the credit for it.
In reality, you haven't accomplished anything.
You haven't been useful.
You haven't helped anyone.
Be quiet.
Where's the Genjiro I loved?
The reckless, bold, rascal, bright, cheerful,
gutsy and shining Genjiro.
What happened to you?
The person I followed to Osaka with burning passion.
What happened to that Genjiro I knew?
You're annoying.
I already know that.
Don't think you're doing something good.
Don't be arrogant.
What you've just told me, I already know.
I won't say anything anymore.
Kiri!
But...
rather than pondering it on my own...
it's better to hear it from you.
It sinks in deeper.
Thanks.
I am Regent Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Let's build a new era together.
This is delicious!
I have something good for you.
Look.
I don't want to die.
Please take care of Hideyori.
You're my type.
I'll tell you something strange.
You and I...
are bonded by a strange fate.
Even if we are apart,
you'll return someday.
And we will...
die on the same day.
Well launch a surprise attack on the Tokugawa mansion,
and take Ieyasu's head.
Those who disregard justice...
will not be forgiven.
I will live, die, and dance for the Regent!
I wanted to have a war that would divide the country.
Rout the enemy with a huge army.
If I were to describe it in a single word,
it would be fate.
I, Luzon Sukezaemon,
am the guardian deity for the weak.
Why?
Why must I...
be banished from Fushimi?
Why do you resort to such tricks?
Why aren't you open?
I'm sorry!
You are...
...too kind.
I'll say this much. Don't be like me.
Genjiro.
I want to say something considerate,
but I'm preoccupied with Iwabitsu Castle.
This is the beginning of a big gamble!
A castle isn't impregnable because of its size.
The bigger it is, the harder it will be to defend.
The Toyotomi and the Tokugawa will clash for sure someday.
When that happens, escape from here...
and side with the Toyotomi.
What I'm about to tell you...
is the only way to defeat the Tokugawa.
It's a strategy I devised over ten years.
Sir Genjiro!
It's important to reduce the number of deaths.
That's what I think.
I can see the fire in the back of your eyes.
Take the path that you think is right.
That is the path on which to proceed.
How you die will reflect how you lived.
Live true to yourself.
Everyone is born with a destiny.
There's no early or late.
You either realize what your fate is or not.
I'll be watching.
Please help me.
Certainly.
Please cut these out by the characters.
By each character?
Then roll them up and put them in this jar.
Daisuke, come.
Yes.
Look at how big the taro has grown.
Yes, it has.
Let's harvest them all later.
It'll taste delicious, boiled.
All of them?
Yes, all.
Shouldn't we leave some for later?
No need to.
I've decided to take a new name.
Yes.
I'll decide on a name from now.
Yes.
I know what one of the characters will be.
I'll take this "yuki" character that my brother discarded.
It's the same character in my father's name.
It's a hereditary character in the Sanada family.
Now... for the other character.
I'll have you choose it.
Me?
Close your eyes and pull a character from this jar.
Each character has deep meaning to me.
But should you decide on something so important
in this manner?
Because it's important, I'm doing it this way.
I'm leaving it to the gods.
Go on, Daisuke.
Have you picked one?
I can't decide.
Any one will do.
I chose one.
Was this included, too?
The "mura" (village) for Kudoyama Village.
Shall I choose another?
No.
Interesting.
Sanada Saemon-no-Suke Yukimura.
A fine name.
That day, Nobushige changed his name to Sanada Yukimura.
He'll later be known as the strongest man in Japan.
It is the birth of the last famed general of the warring era.
I'm escaping from here and entering Osaka Castle.
Let it be a war that won't tarnish my father's name.
They're just a scratch army.
They're unorganized. They can't defeat us.
The baby Sakubei raised...
Lady Chacha.
So we meet again, Genjiro.