Toho Co., Ltd. Presents
A Mifune Production Production
Are you in there?
One coin won't be enough.
We may both be ronin...
...but you don't have money problems.
You go on blabbering about conquering castles and armies...
...without any evidence to back up your boasting...
...in order to pocket stipends from lhara Takatane!
I could expose your scam!
This will be the last day I have to deal with you.
I'm gonna spruce myself up...
...and get hired by Lord Takeda in Kai Province.
No hard feelings.
Wait.
Did you just say you're going to see Takeda in Kai?
That's right.
You've got connections?
Takeda's trusted vassal, Itagaki Nobukata...
...will be visiting Lord Imagawa's mansion tonight.
I'll use that opportunity to strike a bargain.
Hey! What's so funny?
You think that obtaining a position is that easy?
If I'm not hired, then so be it.
Let me give you some advice.
You're the kind of a man who lacks a likable personality...
...but whose swordsmanship is incredible.
You ought to attack Itagaki as if you're trying to kill him.
Say what?!
But... do not kill him, no matter what.
All you should do is assault him.
Itagaki is an important vassal, an aide to Takeda.
If you kill him, you'll not profit from it.
Shit. A skit?!
I do the assaulting, and you do the rescuing, right?
So that's your true intention!
If you don't want to do it, then don't.
But, it's the only way to obtain a position with Lord Takeda.
One for you... and one for me as well.
Who's there?!
Announce your name!
You've made a mistake... Announce your name!
I am Itagaki Nobukata of the Takeda Clan!
You're attacking, knowing I'm Takeda's vassal, Itagaki Nobukata?!
Who are you?! Are you seeking a legitimate duel?! Or...
I've been assaulted by a thief! I'm Itagaki Nobukata, a vassal of the Takeda Clan!
A thief? Then, I shall assist you!
Have you gone... cr... crazy?!
Where are you, my savior from the Imagawa Clan?
Where are you? Where are you, my savior from the Imagawa Clan?
I took care of that thief for you, sir!
However, I am not with the Imagawa Clan.
What? You're not a member of the Imagawa Clan?
I am... a ronin from Ushikubo in Mikawa Province...
...Yamamoto Kansuke!
"Fuurin Kazan" "Samurai Banners"
Produced by Mifune Toshiro Tanaka Tomoyuki Nishikawa Yoshio Inagaki Hiroshi
Based on the Novel by Inoue Yasushi Screenplay by Hashimoto Shinobu and Kunihiro Takeo
Photography: Yamada Kazuo Art Direction: Ueda Hiroshi Sound: Fujinawa Shoichi. Music: Sato Masaru. Asst. Director: Maru Teruo
Lighting: Sato Sachiro Mixing: Shimonaga Hisashi 2nd. Asst. Director: Tanaka Toshikazu Editing: Araki Yoshihiro
Film Effects: Doi Saburo Effects: Chiku Cho Film Development: Tokyo Laboratory Co., Ltd. Line Producer: Koga Shoichi
Set Decoration: Takatsu Film Decoration Costumes: Kyoto Costumers Makeup: Yamadaya
Special Thanks: Haramachi City, Fukushima Prefecture Somanomaoi Committee
Starring: Mifune Toshiro
Sakuma Yoshiko Nakamura Kinnosuke Ishihara Yujiro
Nakamura Katsuo Nakamura Umenosuke Tamura Masakazu Nakamura Kankuro Ogata Ken
Ozora Mayumi Harukawa Masumi Togo Haruko Sawai Keiko Kuga Yoshiko
Hirata Akihiko Tsuchiya Yoshio Kubo Akira Nakatani Ichiro Sakai Sachio Tomita Nakajiro
Sagawa Tetsuro Mukai Jun'ichiro Murata Kichijiro Yamazaki Ryunosuke Kagawa Ryosuke Shimizu Masao
Togami Jotaro Nanbara Koji Shimura Takashi Tsukigata Ryunosuke Nakamura Kanemon
Fight Choreography: Kuze Ryu Mifune Pro: Mifune Productions Nanaokai Tessen Group: Kanze Shizuo GreaterJapan Mounted Archery Society
Directed by Inagaki Hiroshi
March, Tenbun 12 (1543) Domain of Kai
The Domain of Kai...
So this is the Domain of Kai that I've dreamt of!
Pardon me...
Pardon me!
Please excuse this intrusion.
Where are you from?
I've come from Sunpu.
I can do nothing but be envious.
Huh?
From here, the view of Kai Valley... takes my breath away.
If I were the Lord of this land, I'd build a castle right here.
Ha! You've got to be a blithering idiot.
"People are the walls. People are the castle," so they say.
There are no true castles in Takeda's domain.
All the battles take place outside our borders.
Lord Takeda never allows battles to take place on his own land.
Uh-huh. That's absolutely right. I had almost forgotten that.
Ha! You'd better go back where you came from, before it gets dark.
You've come here to seek work, I bet, attracted by Takeda's mighty forces.
But you'd be of no use whatsoever!
If you don't have any other business, then head over Miharu pass...
...and be off with you!
C'mon now, Yamamoto Kansuke...
...let us drink up, and feel free to speak your mind.
Listen, Nobusato...
Don't you ever forget that this man saved your father's life!
Pour him a drink!
Forget the formalities, and loosen up!
We should let down our guard and just chat.
I don't know about others... but I won't tolerate such formality!
You can trust me to take care of you.
I appreciate that, sir.
Don't be so formal, I said!
I'll bet that you have some grand ambitions... so tell me of them!
I cannot reveal my innermost intentions...
...however, if I do serve you...
...I vow to make Lord Takeda of Kai, the mightiest Lord in the nation.
Excuse me... perhaps I've gotten a bit drunk already.
Well said! That's just wonderful!
Nobusato, don't turn your back on this man... Yamamoto Kansuke!
"Conquer Suwa?"
Yes, sir.
And you say that another chance like this won't be forthcoming?
Lord Hojo of Odawara... and Lord Imagawa of Suruga...
These two are not only related to you, they're bound to you by treaties.
So, they won't be coming after us for a while.
Lord Saito Dosan of Mino is blocked by these treacherous mountains...
...so, obviously he won't be able to move east towards us.
East, west and south...
If those three directions pose no threat... then we'll strike North...
This is our only chance to attack Suwa in Shinano.
But, Sir Nobukata...
...the Lord of Suwa was married to our Lord's younger sister, Lady Nene.
No. Now that the Lady has passed away...
...our Lord is no longer related to the Suwa.
Let us suppose that Lord Suwa thinks the same way...
...and joins hands with Lord Murakami of Northern Shinano. What then?
Nobukata... What you're saying makes good sense.
But, I can't believe you're saying it.
Excuse me, sir?
We've often debated the idea of conquering Suwa...
...but from the start, you have always been opposed to it.
Well, sir, that surely is the case...
...but I was convinced by Yamamoto Kansuke that I was wrong.
"Yamamoto Kansuke?"
He's a ronin that I recently engaged.
He has a knack for strategy...
...and so I thought that he might be of use to us.
You've traveled to many domains... learned their customs...
...and studied their defenses.
I'm also told that you are well versed in geography.
How many times have you been to Kai?
This is my first time in Kai, sir.
Compared to other domains, what is your impression of Kai?
The lands are fertile, the people are content...
...and the army is strong. What more needs be said?
Unfortunately, however, there is one thing that it lacks.
What? We lack something?!
Sir, this domain does not border on the sea.
Then, why do you seek a position here in the mountainous land of Takeda?
Even without the sea, you have one thing that I truly love...
Oh? And, what might that be?
"Fast like the wind..."
"Calm like the forest..."
"Conquering like the fire..."
"Invincible like the mountains..."
"Fuu-rin-ka-zan": The banners of your House.
Yamamoto Kansuke...
Your stipend will be 200-kan, and you'll lead 20 spearsmen and 80 soldiers.
Insufficient?
No, sir. Not at all.
Huh?
It's you. Don't tell me you got a position!
Circumstances may require that I be buried here when I die.
Why you... You think you've got it made or something?!
That's why... I wanted to once again see...
...this view of the Kai Valley.
Stop daydreaming! You're making me sick!
Lemme see, you got 5 bowls of rice, and maybe a single soldier?
Oh!
Are you Sir Yamamoto?
Yes, I am.
I am a newly-appointed troop leader, Ogiwara Yaoemon...
I've been ordered to serve under you, sir.
Sir Itagaki told me that you'd headed out to Shimoshida Peak, and so here I am.
Oh... did something happen at this house?
Not particularly.
From here the view of the mountains and rivers of Kai...
...is just so wonderful, you see.
Buhei! What do you think you're doing?! At the very least, get him some tea!
He's Spearsman Hatanaka Buhei, attached to my troop.
He may have a big mouth, but he's...
Oh! Has he done something?!
No. But that's a good thing.
Ogiwara...
Sir.
Will you let me have Buhei? As my own spearsman, that is.
Our forces will be heading off to Suwa soon.
Besides, he's the first person I met upon coming to Kai.
I'll feel better if he's around.
Sir.
Buhei, I hope that I can count on you.
Yes sir!
March, Tenbun 13 (1544) Takeda Harunobu advances on Suwa in Shinano with an army of 20,000 men.
Takeda's forces camp at Uizan plateau, near Suwa Castle.
Lord! If all you wanted to do was sight-see, why bring the army?!
What, you too?! Toramasa was just scolding me about it as well.
S... Scolding, was I?! I was only saying that, since we've come this far...
...if we don't attack at once, morale will suffer!
Lord... we await your orders...
Please order a general attack at once!
Old men are too energetic for me sometimes.
Since you're so persistent...
Nobushige, you go take the lead. I shall command the reserves.
Brother, why won't you, our commander, lead us?!
Was this just a spring outing, after all?
Our objective is merely a small lakeside castle.
Why, then, should we launch a major attack?
Kansuke! Is there something you want to say?
It seems to me that you, my Lord, are not very enthusiastic about this campaign.
Silence, Kansuke! A newcomer shouldn't talk like that!
Wait...
Kansuke, are you trying to annoy me, so that I'll order a major attack?
No. We already know the outcome of this battle.
Twenty thousand of our Takeda soldiers...
...have come here to Shinano, under the Fuurinkazan Banner.
That alone is enough.
Thus, all that remains are the negotiations.
Negotiations?! We were supposed to plan our tactics for tomorrow!
Kansuke! Attacking the Suwa was your idea!
Wait!
Kansuke! You suggest that we negotiate...
You must have something in mind.
Yes, sir...
Leading our troops forward is not the only way to win.
If we could conquer Suwa without losing a single man, then...
You mean, if Suwa could be bent to our will?
Correct, sir.
But, this negotiation...
The mission of the messenger will be very difficult.
Go, Kansuke! Bear our message to Takashima Castle.
Quiet down! Wait!
Quiet down! Quiet down!
Quiet down!
Hold it! Quiet down!
Quiet down! Hold it! Quiet down!
Quiet down!
Stand back!
Quiet down! Stand back!
Then, you're saying Lord Harunobu has no intention of attacking Suwa?
The death of Lady Nene was most tragic for both families.
It had weakened our relationship, and allowed suspicions to arise.
In addition, Lord Takato has told us that you, Lord Suwa...
...have joined hands with Lord Murakami of North Shinano...
...in order to move upon Kai.
He really said that?!
As this is a time for making peace...
...l'd like to believe that there will be no need to investigate such allegations.
As a mere messenger, I can say no more.
No, you haven't told me enough!
Sir?
Where will our borders be? Sir?
They will remain where they are. I've said that from the beginning.
Then, we agree on Datsugi being the border?
Correct, sir.
We'll not lay claim to anything to the west of it.
All right. I understand. Thank you.
Tell Lord Takeda Harunobu that I agree to attend peace negotiations.
I do hope that you will once again be brothers-in-law.
I know...
Indeed, this conflict wasn't something that I'd planned on...
...and besides, I do not have anything against Lord Harunobu personally.
I will visit him in Kofuchu soon, as a "younger brother" should.
Perhaps I'll bring along some Suwa carp as a gift... and we'll drink together.
Princess Yu, I take it?
She's my daughter by Lady Komishi.
Princess Yu, meet Yamamoto Kansuke, a messenger from my brother in Kofuchu.
I'm sorry, the Princess can be a little difficult to deal with.
Perhaps I spoiled her...
...but in this age of war, that might be a good thing!
Buhei...
Huh?
Lord Yorishige of Suwa will be visiting again.
Oh. That'll be his third time here.
Well... that's perfectly fine...
But I just don't get it...
Since March, it's been bothering me...
Huh?
I'm talking about the Princess.
When we concluded the peace...
...everyone else in their castle was happy.
But, why... why was she the only one who did not share that feeling?
If only Taro were of age...
I've heard that Lord Suwa has a most beautiful daughter.
Oh?
If Taro could marry her...
...both houses would get along so much better, I'm sure.
Yes, but there's no way to stretch a child's age or height, now is there?
Lord Suwa Yorishige visits Kofuchu in orderto strengthen ties.
Once in March... Once in April... This will be the third time.
He'll be staying in Nirasaki tonight.
By 9 o'clock tomorrow, he'll be arriving here, sir.
Ah, he's here so often... I'm all out of entertainments.
By the way, Nobushige... what do you think of the Lord of Suwa?
Just your feelings about him... as a person.
To be honest... I think he is quite fearless.
He may be a relative through marriage...
...but, this will be his third visit here, each time accompanied...
...by only a few men... and in this day and age.
The blood of prestigious Suwa runs in him... shall we say?
Amari... how about you?
Sir... I believe that he'll be an asset to you, sooner or later.
Kansuke, what about you?
I cannot... reveal my thoughts to you, except privately.
Fine. Let us go out into the garden then.
Will you consider having him slain?
Whom?!
Lord Suwa, sir.
Suddenly, the clouds burst and the rain descends...
When is it that the cherry blossoms fall?
Indeed, the downpour tears the blossoms from the trees.
What a merciful thing... that drenching is!
Spring rain... falling like tears... Cherry blossoms.
Is there anyone who feels nothing when the blossoms tumble?
I've been ordered to take your life!
W... Wait!
Yaoemon! Finish him!
Yaoemon! Finish him! Yes sir!
Why... Why did you have to be so ruthless?!
Lord Suwa is your brother-in-law! Why, then, did you do it?!
Kansuke, was this your idea? Or did he order you to do it?
It's got nothing to do with you, woman! Be still!
Everything has been taken care of, sir.
Kansuke... why did you conceive the idea of killing Yorishige?
I believe that we were both considering it, sir.
Huh?
Certainly, we'd obtained peace, but...
...it was odd for him to visit here three times since March.
As a token of formality... or because you were brothers-in-law...
...this would obligate you to visit Suwa at least once.
That would have placed your life in jeopardy.
Kansuke! So, when are we attacking Suwa?
That, my Lord, is something that you know very well.
Lord! Please order our troops out at once!
Dispatch our men immediately! We must take advantage of Lord Suwa's death!
No... It's too soon for us to attack Suwa yet.
Sir?
Sir? Sir?
Nobukata...
Yamamoto Kansuke is a terrifying man, isn't he?
I don't believe that our Lord is blindly following your advice.
But, oddly, his ideas are no different from yours.
He says that it's too soon for us to attack Suwa.
I am sure that's the case. Otherwise...
Why is it too soon for us to attack Suwa?!
Wasn't the killing of their Lord... the prelude to an immediate attack?
If we did attack them at once...
...they would oppose us with all their strength...
...and fight to the last man.
Thus, even if we won, the victory would be very costly.
I believe that it's wiser to observe their actions instead of attacking.
What if other powerful clans come to the aid of the Suwa?!
With the House of Takeda at the height of its prosperity...
...are there any nearby clans mighty enough to defy us?
Watch and see...
It'll become clear that they'll help us attack Suwa at a moment's notice.
Lending strength to the strong, and thus profiting from it... is common sense.
A great victory without losing a single soldier?
Kansuke... you really are a terrifying man.
Just today, our Lord was saying that.
The Lord did...?
Yes.
In this age of war, survival requires complex conspiracies...
...secret dealings and assassinations. They're inevitable.
Kansuke... what is it that's deep inside your heart...?
No... exactly what is it that you're planning to accomplish?!
To seize castles, and land...
Then seize more castles and more land.
At this moment, sir... that is all that Yamamoto Kansuke desires.
January, Tenbun 14 (1545). Takeda Harunobu attacks Suwa. The Suwa Army sallies from Takashima Castle to Fumonji Temple.
The First Troop, led by Sir Itagaki...
...has defeated the enemy at Fumonji, advanced past Shibusaki...
...and is heading for Takashima Castle!
Good.
He's strong!
No one can withstand the power of Sir Itagaki's troop!
Who could possibly match the swiftness of the troops he leads?!
A message to report!
The First Troop, led by Sir Itagaki, is heading for Takashima Castle.
Most of the enemy have abandoned the castle...
...and fled north, along Lake Suwa.
Good!
Good! Sir!
We can take the castle without destroying it.
But, this is rather disappointing.
The prestigious House of Suwa is no more...
...and it is sad that it was so easy!
Who are you?!
You cannot come here! You mustn't!
Aren't you Lord Suwa's daughter?
You mustn't come any closer!
Please stay out!
The Princess is about to kill herself. Do not enter until she is done!
You've had more than enough time to kill yourselves.
I will not die.
What?
I've been fleeing your soldiers... because I don't want to die.
What are you saying, Princess?!
No! No! Why must I die?!
No! I don't want to die!
If the daughter of such a prestigious house as Suwa behaves like this...
...your family will bear the shame of it forever.
Silence, Kansuke...
Are you not Yamamoto Kansuke, who came to negotiate peace last year?
I tried to forget you, but never could!
Your peace negotiations were a snare to trick and murder my father!
All of us in Suwa know this.
You're ruthless!
You're a beast who knows no remorse...
...so how dare you talk to me about shame or my behavior...
...as if you were a normal human being?!
Everyone else is choosing death.
But I, on the other hand, want to live...
...if only to see what'll happen to Suwa Castle and the Lake.
I want to witness it all with my own eyes!
That is the reason why I want to live!
Princess!
Princess! Get off me!
Get off me!
Princess! Get off me!
Princess!
Princess! Get off me!
Don't touch her!
It's a woman!
Guys, it's a woman!
Stand aside! Go away! Go away!
Clear the way!
Stand aside! Clear the way!
Stand aside!
Clear the way! Clear the way!
Stand aside! Clear the way!
Stand aside!
She is the daughter of Lord Suwa, Princess Yu!
If anybody dares to touch her...
...I, Yamamoto Kansuke, will slay him at once!
Begone!
Really, does that spoiled wench realize that she's a prisoner?!
She's making us carry enough stuff to furnish a house...
...and she's always complaining that she's tired, and making us stop!
Now she says that she wants that plum tree over there!
Buhei...
We'll be taking the plum tree with us.
Huh?!
Flowers, you see... are beautiful...
Rather, I should say... we're blessed with beautiful things in this world.
"Flowers, you see... are beautiful..."
"Rather, I should say... we're blessed with beautiful things in this world."
Hey! Over here!
What's so wrong about making Princess Yu my concubine?
Well... What's the problem?
Suwa isn't the only domain in Shinano province.
In Inadani, there's Lord Kiso Yoshimasa.
In Saku, there are Lords Oi and Banno.
Beyond that, there's Lord Murakami Yoshikiyo.
There are over ten enemies that we can count.
If we get too carried away...
...these clans will be compelled to oppose us.
That doesn't sound like the Kansuke I know.
Even if I didn't want to, you'd advise me to join with Princess Yu...
That's the Yamamoto Kansuke method!
You desire... something immense in scale and out of reach...
However... what I desire is...
...right in front of my eyes.
I haven't seen her yet...
...but I hear that Princess Yu is stunning.
In addition... I'm told she's quite strong-willed.
I want Princess Yu.
I want her, so I'll make her my concubine.
So persuade Princess Yu to become my concubine, without fail. Understood?
Without fail!
Kansuke... are you really insisting that I...
...become his concubine?!
Are you?! Say it loud and clear!
You denied yourself a tragic fate...
Are you saying that a life of shame such as this... is inevitable?
I didn't kill myself... because I wish to live in a manner of my own choosing!
Had I known that I'd become my enemy's concubine...
...I'd have killed myself back then!
Your Lord deceived and murdered my father.
To me, he can only be my enemy!
'This a world of kill or be killed...
I am not bitter that my father was not fortunate in battle.
Had your Lord not slain him, my father might have done the same to him.
But even so, I could never become the concubine of my father's enemy!
I will not! I will not!
I will not!
How long must you stay and bother me?!
I understand that you wish to live in a manner of your own choosing...
...but you are a woman, after all.
So?
I hope that you'll bear a son who will unite Suwa and Takeda.
What?! "Bear a son?!"
For you, Princess, it is your best chance for a rewarding life.
Your line will not end, as your son will carry both Suwa and Takeda blood.
Kansuke... Exactly what are you after?!
Kansuke, who is she?
She is the First Lady.
First Lady Sanjo, Takeda's wife?!
Yes, ma'am.
Nobukata...
I heard that you and Yamamoto Kansuke are harboring...
...a girl of Suwa lineage... Is that true?
I do not know what she wants of me...
...but there is no reason for me to hide.
Is she Lord Suwa's daughter, whom you captured?
So she's come all this way just to become a concubine...
...of the man who killed her father!
How sad... who could want one's lineage to fade away...?
Truly... who could want one's lineage to fade away...?
Kansuke!
Like you said...
...the blood of Suwa...
...must unite with Takeda!
"What I desire is right in front of my eyes."
"You desire... something immense in scale and out of reach..."
Takeda Harunobu invades Shinano, using Suwa as his base.
March, Tenbun 15 (1546) Takeda Harunobu attacks Toishi Castle, in Murakami's domain in Shinano.
However, aided by the rugged terrain and expecting Murakami reinforcements... ...the castle commander, Kasahara Kiyoshige, resists strongly.
I understand what you are saying...
If we surrender to you and give you our castle...
...the lives of our men will be spared.
It certainly is a merciful gesture on Lord Harunobu's part.
What shall we do?
I have some words to say to the messenger!
Please tell your most considerate Lord...
...that he should feel free to attack us whenever he pleases!
Then, you'll not surrender?
Murakami's army will be here soon.
Then we will attack... and Takeda's army will be crushed between us!
Not only you, Lord, but all of you, sirs... do not seem to have heard...
What?!
Three days ago... On March 7th...
...Murakami's army was defeated at Uedagahara...
...with the aid of our men, led by Amari Bizen and Yokota Bichunokami.
Surely you're joking.
No, this is no lie.
We Takeda lost many of our own men in the battle.
However... as Murakami's army is dispersed and in flight...
...it can no longer support Toishi Castle... Which means that...
Honored Messenger.
From what I hear, you have a strategist named Yamamoto Kansuke.
I'd like you to go back and tell your people something.
Since your attack on Suwa, we now appreciate Kansuke's tactics.
I... Kasahara Kiyoshige... haven't gotten senile enough yet...
...to fall for a snare of his devising.
"If you rely too much on cunning lies and deceptions...
"...eventually, people won't believe anything you say, even if it's true!"
If Toishi Castle is unwilling to surrender...
Shall we try to bargain once more, or besiege them and starve them out?
Well, sir, as we lost many men at Uedagahara...
...I feel that it's best for us to go back and replenish our army.
After all, we only attacked this castle as bait to entice Murakami.
So, if Murakami is unwilling to leave Kuzuo Castle...
Kansuke... well?
To leave, when Toishi Castle is in plain sight... that would be regrettable!
What're you saying...?
Our enemies already know what you've planned!
No, that is not true.
An emergency messenger from home has arrived!
Sir, I have a message to report!
Tell me.
On March 13th, around 3 am...
...Princess Yu delivered a child. A prince is born, sir!
What?
Kansuke! Princess Yu bore me a prince! It's a boy!
All right. We will withdraw, as of tomorrow.
Give the orders at once!
Yes, sir!
Yes, sir! Yes, sir!
Buhei!
Yeah?
Buhei!
Oh! Yes sir, yes sir...
Yes sir!
Buhei...
Yeah?
Have you ever thought about fate... some great destiny or love?
What?!
Princess Yu gave birth to a prince.
Now that's something joyful!
How so?
'Cause we might be allowed to get plastered in celebration!
Never mind! Go!
Buhei!
Yes sir!
Yes sir...
What's beyond that... beyond that mountain?
Ueda fief, in Shinano.
What's in Ueda?
Murakami's Kuzuo Castle. What's in Ueda?
Murakami's Kuzuo Castle.
What's beyond that?
Beyond that is Kawanakajima, and then Zenkoji Temple in Nagano.
And, beyond Zenkoji?!
I guess that'll be Echigo Province...
And, beyond Echigo?! I guess that'll be Echigo Province...
There's nothing beyond that! Just the vast, open sea!
Good. I see... I see it!
I see it now, at last!
Why the need to cancel our trip home?
Why must we attack once again?!
When we were planning our strategy before... it didn't occur to me...
...I didn't see the whole picture... I couldn't be certain.
I don't understand! Explain yourself!
The men in Toishi Castle cannot defend it without reinforcements.
However, they're doing their best, while waiting for help to arrive.
So, we know we can take Toishi Castle, by executing a full-scale attack!
No, sir, that's absolutely the worst possible idea.
What?!
We offered to negotiate with them only because...
...both sides knew we could defeat them.
Even so, they refused to accept our terms.
So, if we leave now, they will not hinder us, but we'll be...
...looked down upon as cowards. Such will be the consequences.
That is why we must not leave!
Friend and foe alike, all must consider the Takeda Forces to be powerful!
In fact, the Takeda army must become even stronger in the future.
Don't lecture me, I know that already!
But, what about the lives of men we may lose...
...in exchange for the acquisition of Toishi Castle?!
No... we won't be losing many men.
It'll take us but half a day to seize the castle.
Kansuke, that doesn't make sense! Stop playing with words!
Wait. This is how we'll take the castle...
I'll repeat once again! Listen carefully...
The army that you in the castle have waited for was...
...as you can see... obviously defeated at Uedagahara.
Here are the heads of Mochida Danjo...
...Abe Jinpachi... and thirteen other generals...
Furthermore... over twelve hundred warriors were killed...
These are the heads of those defeated by us: The Takeda Forces!
If you think that these are props of some kind...
...send a messenger here. Feel free to check as much as you'd like!
After losing the battle at Uedagahara...
...Murakami retreated inside his home, Kuzuo Castle!
You've been waiting for aid in vain... Alas, not one warrior will come!
Lord Takeda's wars are not won by intimidation or deception!
Wherever our Fuurinkazan banners go, anyone who obeys us will be spared.
But, anyone who dares to oppose us will be destroyed at once!
This is the way of the Takeda!
If you are going to surrender...
...take Lord Kasahara's flag down from that watchtower.
If it isn't down in two hours...
...we'll storm your castle, and none will be spared!
Even to the women and children, no mercy shall be shown!
This will be the fate that all of you shall meet!
A prince is born, carrying Takeda blood... and Suwa blood.
I don't know what sort of life he will lead...
...but, for now... he sleeps so peacefully.
I must say... that I appreciate your coming here.
I see that you came here without even stopping at your home first.
Yes.
A messenger told me about the battle.
Congratulations.
No, we cannot celebrate yet.
If Murakami was an average foe, he would've defended Toishi Castle.
But instead, he patiently waits for us. Murakami is no ordinary enemy.
I fear that our war with Murakami... will be long and difficult.
But... Kansuke, I'm sure that you'll soon be...
...chasing Murakami out of Shinano.
I'm counting on you...
Ma'am?
...to protect my son, I mean.
Kai and Shinano will eventually be... under Lord Takeda's rule.
I want my son to become... Lord Takeda's successor.
Kansuke...
Ma'am?
You told me to keep on living... and I did so.
You told me to come to Kai... and I came to Kai.
You told me to become the Lord's concubine... and I submitted.
Give birth to a son, you said... and I have born a son.
I've done everything you told me to do.
All aspects of my life... my body and soul...
...have become what you desired.
Isn't that right, Kansuke?
I ask you, Kansuke... Please take care of my son.
By the time he comes of age...
...the Takeda domain shall not just include Kai and Shinano.
I believe it will also extend far north, to the sea...
...and shall include many, many more domains!
Young Lord... I am so glad that you've been born...
Young Lord... I am so glad!
Young Lord, your parent is not Lord Takeda... or even Princess Yu!
Young Lord, your parent is I... Kansuke!
Young Lord, it is I... Kansuke... who's your true parent!
I'll do everything for you, Young Lord...
...so that something very great will most certainly be yours!
Kansuke will not fail you!
Since March, we haven't had to order our men out at all.
Choyo "Double-Nine" Day: Sept. 9th. A day for viewing Chrysanthemums. It's rare for us to celebrate Choyo Day as peacefully as this.
To be calm... as in "Calm like the forest..."
Since Sir Itagaki was placed in charge of Suwa, he hasn't shown up here much...
...which makes it even quieter.
No... there's still a noisy one left!
The more our Lord's strength becomes renowned throughout the world...
...the more enemies he will make.
There's no way that Murakami will remain quiet for long.
But, I doubt that lmagawa or Hojo will make a move at this time.
Then there's the "Tiger of Echigo..."
Nagao Kagetora must be dealt with most carefully...
He surely lives up to his name!
All is peaceful in our fief...
...and the rice harvest is bountiful.
I must congratulate you on this Day of Choyo.
Congratulations, sir.
Very well. I must announce one more item on this joyous occasion.
"Shi-ro:" Fourth-Son. It is about my son, Shiro, whom Princess Yu gave birth to this spring...
At the insistence of the Princess...
"Katsu-yori:" Victory-Depend. ...we've decided to rename him "Katsuyori."
It was... Yamamoto Kansuke who came up with the name.
From now on, my son will be known as Takeda Shiro-Katsuyori!
When he fights, he will "win." Also, he's a man we can "depend" on.
What's wrong?!
Hey! What's wrong?!
Uesugi Norimasa's army is on the march...
...together with detachments seconded from Musashi and Ueno...
...and they're heading for Fuefuki Pass!
How many are they? Do you know how big their forces are?
They number... about twenty-two thousand...
Deputy: An official directly subordinate to the Shogun. I never dreamed that Uesugi Norimasa, the Kanto Deputy, would show up!
These last few years, Hojo has pressured Uesugi, and he's had many setbacks.
Perhaps he has come to Kai in order to reverse his fortunes.
Uesugi Norimasa... he must've decided to stake his life!
Sir, please authorize me to... lead my men out to Fuefuki Pass!
Instead, please, allow me!
Wait! If the enemy is headed for Fuefuki...
...it'll take us too long to gather our men from the north.
Lord... I believe that Sir Itagaki would be the ideal man to defend the pass.
You mean, recall Itagaki from Suwa?
We all take for granted the strength of the men under his command.
All right! Recall Itagaki at once! Nobushige will take over Suwa!
Yes, sir.
Men! Men!
Lord... please allow me to relay your orders to Sir Itagaki.
Very well. Go!
Hey!
...before the enemy gets through Fuefuki Pass!
That's all I've come to tell you!
Oh, my... Am I exhausted!
Is that what you came all this way to tell me?
That... That is all... I have come to tell you, sir.
Kansuke, I already knew that much before you got here!
No, I don't believe that you realize the true nature of the situation!
At the beginning of a battle, your men are as strong as demons...
...but if things drag on, they begin to tire!
Nonsense!
No... In every battle I've seen you fight, it's always been like that.
Nonsense!
Kansuke... you will come with me to fight, will you not?
If you march now, and face their troops at Fuefuki Pass...
...you will not be needing me, sir.
Oh, would you shut up! I know that!
Well, then, Kansuke... rest up here.
Yes, sir. As soon as I recover, I'll catch up with you.
Behold, Kansuke!
Oh! So splendid, all in red!
Acting on Nobusato's recommendation...
...we've painted all our armor, helmets and flags red...
...so that we'll stand out to all our enemies, as well as to our allies!
Spearsmen on horses... Itagaki warriors all in red...
Their undefeatable strength... will be apparent to just about anyone!
Well then... Kansuke!
The battle began at 9 am...
As Sir Itagaki's men are always masterful at the onset of battle...
...they easily destroyed the enemy's vanguard at Fuefuki.
1,219 enemy warriors were slain.
By 11am, Sir Itagaki's men had won... a magnificent victory!
On October 7th, Lord Takeda arrived...
...leading the main army, facing 16,000 enemy troops.
But, hearing the news of Sir Itagaki's great victory...
...their confidence was boosted a hundred-fold...
...and they were able to rout the enemy... killing over 4,700!
It was a superb victory for the forces of the Takeda!
Lord Takeda and the majority of his warriors will return in three days.
Sir Itagaki and Sir Yamamoto have informed me...
...that they and their men will remain at Fuefuki, to be on the lookout.
After Murakami is... Nagao of Echigo, huh?
Yes, sir.
And, while we're at it...
...we could deal with lmagawa of Suruga as well!
We'll carve out a new, grander, Takeda fief that will stretch...
...from the northern to the southern seas.
Our century of civil war, that which began with the Onin War...
...will then come to an end.
A new Japan is about to be born.
You have giant dreams.
My... it's too big, even for a dream!
Alas, it'll be impossible... for it to be done during our Lord's lifetime...
...it is simply impossible, I'm afraid.
Two or three years for Murakami... ten for Nagao of Echigo...
...and five years for Imagawa.
So, give it fifteen or sixteen years.
By then, Prince Katsuyori will have come of age.
Lord Takeda already has three sons by his first wife.
Why should we accept Prince Katsuyori, a concubine's son, as the future Lord?
Sir, Prince Katsuyori is a son born to Princess Yu.
Princess Yu... in all the world, she is the most beautiful.
Princess Yu... the wisest, and most steadfast.
As Prince Katsuyori shares her blood...
...nobody else could possibly become the heir of Lord Takeda!
I can't support such a thing, you know that.
You see, I am a descendant...
...of Takeda Genji, like the family of Shinra Saburo before my time.
The House of Takeda had prospered...
...but the protection of our lineage matters more than prosperity!
For me... I have a family and... the lineage to protect.
I cannot selfishly try to realize my fantasies, like you want to do!
But, even so, Kansuke...
...it would be a good idea to move Prince Katsuyori...
...to Suwa as soon as possible.
You know how First Lady Sanjo can be...
...and many warriors accept orders from her directly.
If Prince Katsuyori remains in Kofuchu...
...who knows what sort of tragic fate awaits him...
...because of a dispute over family affairs?
Both Prince Katsuyori and Princess Yu...
...should be moved to Suwa as soon as possible.
Suwa used to belong to her family. Besides, I'm at Takashima Castle.
B... But... then...
Well, I've got nothing to do with whether or not Prince Katsuyori...
...becomes Lord Takeda's heir.
However...
...it is my responsibility to decide how to deal with Suwa's former rulers.
I, Itagaki Nobukata, promise to raise...
...Prince Katsuyori to be the finest warrior in Japan!
I hope you are not cold. We'll be arriving in Suwa before long.
How I miss Suwa...
The lake is frozen by now, is it not?
Yes, ma'am.
There are no large lakes in Kofuchu.
I grew up watching the lake in Suwa, so...
...each year, around this time, I get nostalgic about it.
From now on, you'll be able to see the lake in spring, in autumn...
...even when it's frozen. You can see it anytime, as often as you wish.
What?
Kansuke... whatever do you mean?
Princess, I must ask that you, and Prince Katsuyori, reside in Suwa from now on.
For the time being, you will live apart from Lord Takeda.
Yaoemon! We're going!
Living at Takashima Castle would only make the Princess...
...relive many unpleasant memories, so...
1-ri: A little less than 4 kilometers. ...we arranged for a mansion in Kosaka Kan'on Temple, about 1-ri to the south.
Thank you for all your kindness.
But, Kansuke... I'm assuming that you've...
...convinced Princess Yu to live in Suwa.
You've obtained her agreement, I hope.
As we both know, the Princess is most strong-willed.
There was no way she'd accept this, had I told her back in Kofuchu.
Then... you haven't told her any of this yet?!
Well... I sort of mentioned it, on the way here.
Now that she's here, she can't do much about it.
You're so heartless! You're like that in everything you do!
So... what was her reaction?
She is so upset with me... that she hasn't spoken to me since.
Why am I not surprised?! I wonder if we should be doing this...?
As for getting scolded by the Princess... I am used to it.
Anything wrong, sir?
The Princess?!
The Princess has fled.
Her escort Kayano must've taken responsibility by killing herself.
Yaoemon, you'll risk your life for me, will you not?
My life has been yours from the beginning.
You must not... tell anyone about this.
Leave no trace of this whatsoever. Do you understand?
Yes, sir! I shall not fail you!
I'll try to find the Princess. She couldn't have gotten too far.
Princess!
Princess! Princess!
Princess!
Princess! Princess!
It is I, Kansuke! Are you all right, Princess?
Kansuke... what are you doing here?!
Let me be blunt... I will go back, to be with Lord Takeda.
I do not wish to live in Suwa!
Wh... Why?!
Will you... let me have my way?
Whatever your heart desires, I will ensure that it becomes a reality.
In that case... you may open the door.
Yes, ma'am...
I am most glad that you are safe!
Princess!
You're not cold, are you?
Are the wounds on your feet hurting you?
Moreover... I am sure that you are hungry.
Please try to bear with me until we get back to Suwa.
Kansuke... you just don't understand, do you?
Ma'am?
Hunger pangs, or annoying pain from the wounds on my feet...
...are nothing compared to the suffering of my life.
Of course, I understand very well what you are going through.
No... you do not!
Then... if I'm allowed to say so...
...I am sorry that I never realized how hard it would be...
...for you to be away from Lord Takeda.
Kansuke, that's not all.
Ma'am?
Despite everything that is expected of me, I ache to be with Lord Takeda.
It is impossible for you to understand the reasons why.
I will tell you.
I want to take his life!
I want to take his life, with my own hands!
But, that's only natural, isn't it, Kansuke?
After all, he killed my father!
What's the matter, Kansuke?
You need not worry about anything.
Because, for the time being, I only wish to see him once more.
But when tomorrow comes, I'll want his life once again!
And, the day after tomorrow... I might only wish to see him again.
He's the fiend who killed my father... and took me for his own...
...and yet... he's the one who fathered my Katsuyori...
...he's the one who adores me.
As long as I live...
...these two feelings will be at war within me.
Kansuke... do you still think that you understand just how I feel?!
Intermission
Tenbun 17 (1548) The Takeda and Murakami armies clash at Uedagahara once again.
Attack!
This is so picturesque!
Our men will be attacking the enemy's First Troop.
The men are so strong!
When it comes to commencing an attack, he's without equal.
3-cho: About 330 meters. 3-cho to go until we face the enemy's Second Troop! Attack! Go!
He's so strong... as always.
At this rate, the fight will be over soon.
If we don't get going, we'll miss the action.
Oh!
Itagaki's men have been split into two lines?!
The enemy's Second Troop broke through our vanguard!
Sir Nobushige's Second Troop shall attack!