Tokugawa Ieyasu
Episode 19: Battle of Nagashino
Takeda Katsuyori, who returned to the Kai province
after learning that the Nagashino Castle was captured,
was ready to make a grand military move.
Ieyasu settled the matter with the traitor, Oga Yashiro,
and asked for reinforcements from Oda Nobunaga.
He was heading toward Yoshida Castle with his son, Nobuyasu.
He knew that the Tokugawa army
couldn't defeat the Takeda army alone.
The Kofu Castle, a Takeda stronghold,
was brimming with warriors waiting for Katsuyori's orders.
The Ashikaga Shogun, Yoshiaki,
sent me a message to come to Kyoto immediately.
This isn't merely a battle to fight Ieyasu,
but is a battle for supremacy.
I'm sure the late Shingen would've been happy.
What brings you all here?
The vanguards have succeeded. You can't fall behind.
I'd like to know that you make of the power of guns.
You're saying we don't have enough?
The Oda clan is gathering numerous guns.
Guns are cumbersome, you need ammunition, wicks, etc. and,
it's useless in the rain. We'll get them while they fumble.
Many disagree with you. You must win them over first.
This could affect the morale.
Alright!
Bring me the Suwa armor set and the family flag from the warehouse.
But my lord! This is your family treasure!
Shut up! Bring it here!
I know how you feel, but this is the chance of my life!
Let me fulfill my father's dream.
I'll crush the Tokugawa army with one blow!
This set of armor was the Takeda clan treasure.
When the lord brought this armor out, it meant
that he won't listen to others
and wanted his men to sacrifice their lives for him.
When Katsuyori brought this armor out, he was telling his men not to retort.
Reporting.
Takeda Katsuyori has left the Kai Province.
He is proceeding down the Busetsu highway to Nagashino.
His army numbers 15,000.
Alright.
My lord, Okudaira Kuhachiro of Nagashino Castle
will not let the Takeda army take one step into his castle.
Therefore, he is requesting your reinforcements.
I understand.
I'm going to Okazaki.
You go first and see Okudaira Mirasaka.
Tell him to go to Lord Nobunaga and ask for reinforcements.
Yes, Lord!
Katsuyori learned of Oga Yashiro's death
when Nagashino Castle was in sight.
...so he failed.
What shall we do?
His death means nothing to my battle for supremacy.
But, entering Okazaki won't be easy for you now.
We should reconsider our plans.
Okazaki is not my problem! We'll crush Nagashino first.
My Lord!
Now that Yashiro has been exposed,
I'm sure Ieyasu has fortified Okazaki.
But we're here now. We'll attack Nagashino first,
before we attack Okazaki, that's all.
Prepare for the attack on Nagashino! Bring my map!
Nagashino Castle marked one of the exits from Shinano Province.
It was a strategic point for the Takeda's and Tokugawa's.
Okudaira Kuhachiro, Ieyasu's son-in-law, ruled this castle.
However, the castle fortress was yet to be completed.
What is he going to do if the Takeda army attacks?
I heard they have 20 - 30,000 men.
We only have 250.
This is so depressing.
Hey!
My lord!
Don't worry, we have a natural defense here.
As long as we finish our fortress,
we will never be defeated.
Just watch! I'm sure we'll win.
Just a bit more. Work hard!
My Lord!
What is it?
Reinforcements! Our lord sent us reinforcements!
But the reinforcement army sent by Ieyasu
was led by Matsudaira and numbered only 250.
Together with the men of this castle, we have 500!
If each one works as hard as 10 people, that's 5,000.
With this many men, we can give the Takeda's a bad time.
But the Takeda army is over 15,000.
500 vs 15,000? It's worth a good hard fight, isn't it?
I think you mean it's worth dying for.
Each man can fight as hard as 30 men!
The battlefield may be a bit crowded, that's all.
My father says to protect this castle with 500 men.
I'm sure he intends to fight them outside.
My father would never abandon his daughter's castle.
I can almost hear him saying that.
They say the Takeda army is the strongest army around and
the Tokugawa army, the second.
This is our chance to correct that misconception.
There is red dirt on the north of our grounds.
Let's leave behind a legacy that
the brave Tokugawa warriors ate dirt to fight the Takeda army!
Drink up!
On the morning of May 1st,
the Takeda army with 15,000 men surrounded the castle.
Kuhachiro's father, Okudaira Mirasaka,
was sent by Ieyasu to ask Nobunaga for reinforcements.
Your message!
Right away!
Our lord believed that your reinforcements would arrive
before our enemy arrived in Nagashino.
So, he and his son went to Yoshida Castle.
The enemy has launched an attack on Nagashino Castle.
Yet you have sent us no aid.
So what?
Once they take Nagashino, we can't stop them.
Mirasaka! Is your son so useless?
If he's useless, what are you? You haven't even left for war!
Please send aid immediately!
Not immediately!
Then when will you leave?
I don't know.
Then I'll stay.
Does that mean you're prepared to die?
Exactly!
How many men do you think I should send?
That's my first concern.
I'm afraid we need 7 - 8,000 men.
I see. And guns?
5 - 600 guns, I believe.
I see.
I want at least 3,500 guns.
3,500?
I'm busy gathering guns in Sencho and Sakai.
We'll win if I can stop the Takeda cavalry.
Please excuse my previous brash remarks...
I know!
It was sorry of Ieyasu to send you as an emissary.
Ogre!
Nagashino Castle, which was isolated amidst the enemy,
was thrust into bitter battle.
Here they come!
Don't shoot yet, we need the bullets.
Fire!
The enemy is advancing from the west!
They've crossed the river!
It was, after all, a battle of 500 vs 15,000.
Though Ieyasu was ready to leave immediately,
he was waiting for Nobunaga's reply.
I believe he won't come.
Don't doubt, I know he'll come.
How can you be so sure?
I won't rely on him,
If he's the type who won't come when he's needed.
If I can't rely on him, I won't be afraid of him.
Good for you, my lord!
I know Lord Nobunaga will come.
He knows enough to see beyond this battle.
If, in case he doesn't come, will we go to Nagashino alone?
Isn't it obvious?
I can't let a brave warrior like Kuhachiro die!
Kuhachiro ordered his men to kill 30 men each.
Kuhachiro's boldness angered the Takeda army,
exerting them to launch a full-scale attack.
They burned the provision storage,
forcing Kuhachiro to retreat to the main wing.
So, our provisions burned.
What we saved may last us three days.
We may last 5 days if we eat dirt.
Not 5...
Lord Nobunaga may be slow in sending his reinforcements.
Is Torii Tsunemon here?
I'm here!
Come.
Go into the river tonight.
Yes, lord.
I heard that ropes with bells are placed across the river.
So walk on the river bed.
You want me to break through enemy lines to ask for aid?
I'm sure our lord is at Okazaki.
When you see him, tell him '4 - 5 days'.
Just tell him Kuhachiro said, '4 - 5 days'.
I refuse!
But you just agreed to it.
Knowing that our defeat is imminent, I...
Shut up!
Are you mocking me?
No, I...
I said the provisions may last 4 - 5 days, but
who said anything about defeat?
I won't tolerate anyone who mocks me by talking about defeat.
I'll go.
Don't be killed no matter what happens.
I repeat! If you should die, I'll renounce you forever!
Once you pass the enemy lines, send flares up on Mt. Danje.
The Hachiman God of War, the Great Buddha...
Send me safely to the other side.
I'm off, my lord.
Lord Nobunaga will arrive here in Okazaki tomorrow.
He'll lead 20,000 men.
I'm causing him so much trouble.
He has 3,500 gunmen!
3,500 gunmen?!
I returned after seeing the gunmen gather in his castle.
Just as he said, there're 3,500 men.
Thank you. Rest well and prepare for him tomorrow.
Excuse me.
He took this war more seriously than I thought.
That means the Tokugawa vs Takeda war...
has now become the Oda vs the Takeda.
We too, must be careful in dealing with Lord Nobunaga.
It's so hard to figure him out.
Call Nobuyasu here from Yoshida Castle.
Just as Okudaira Mirasaka reported,
Nobunaga lead a regiment with so many gunmen that
one wondered where in Japan he found all those guns.
After meeting with Ieyasu at Okazaki,
Nobunaga held a military conference with the generals.
Reporting! A secret message arrived from Nagashino!
Bring him here.
Do as he says.
You came to ask for aid? Or did everyone die?
We can't expect good news from Nagashino.
This is Torii Tsunemon. He is my son's retainer.
Alright, I'll listen.
They took our provisions, the food will last 3 days.
Is that all?
I was instructed that our lord will make his own decisions,
so I should say nothing more to interfere with it.
That's all Kuhachiro said?
How did you break through the enemy lines?
I walked on the river bed.
You're a smart fellow.
Are Kuhachiro and the others alright?
They're prepared to boil dirt and eat their own flesh
and protect the castle until you instruct them.
All right.
You must be hungry. Have some rice and rest.
That's not necessary.
What?
My colleagues in the castle are barely eating.
I would like to return to the castle immediately,
and experience joy and sadness with them.
So...you're returning immediately?
I'm going soon, so return with me.
I appreciate those words!
Now that I have heard those words I'll return ever more quickly!
You...hastened my departure!
Kuhachiro has a fine retainer.
You walked on the river bed? Then fly back through the skies!
Tell them that the Tokugawa-Oda alliance will come with-in 1 day,
with an army of 40,000 to destroy the enemy!
Tell them to hang in there!
Those words are deeply imprinted in my mind!
Go!
We can't wait any longer.
Exactly.
Nagashino Castle
Look! There's the signal!
That's the signal! The reinforcements are coming!
That fool.
He could have rested at that castle.
You are determined to fight them here?
I've already decided. Don't make me repeat it.
I'm afraid that you shouldn't be so preoccupied
with such a small castle as Nagashino.
My goal is Kyoto. Are you dissatisfied?
My lord!
What is it?
We've arrested an Okudaira man who tried to sneak by us.
An Okudaira?
Right! I'm Torii Tsunemon who serves Okudaira Kuhachiro!
I didn't try to sneak by. I was returning to my castle.
But why? It'll fall in a day.
Will it really fall?
The Tokugawa-Oda army of 40,000 will come within a day!
What?
You're the one who sent the flares up this morning?
Not just this morning, but on the 15th, too!
You left the castle to request reinforcements?
I did! I met with Lord Nobunaga and Lord Ieyasu!
I admire you for having broken through the enemy lines
and returning to your castle to be with your colleagues.
But don't you want to save their lives?
That's why I was sent out!
But what if it is too late?
We're ready to burn the castle tonight and destroy them.
You've been gone, so you don't know.
They may know that you returned successfully,
but I'm sure they want to know more.
Right.
My men will take you outside of the castle.
You face them and say, 'The reinforcements won't come'.
And?
Then they'll surrender their castle, you'll save 500 lives.
Isn't this an act of mercy?
Mercy?
Right.
You can't waste 500 lives, can you?
Tsunemon!
Look!
This is Tsunemon!
Right here.
Let me speak to those in the castle!
I, Torii Tsunemon have been arrested on my way back!
But I regret nothing!
The Oda-Tokugawa lords have left with an army of 40,000!
Hang in there for 3 more days!
Protect the castle well!
As if to follow Tsunemon,
the Oda-Tokugawa armies arrived by noon on May 18th.
Ieyasu's main army set up camp at Mt. Danje.
Nobunagas's main camp was set in Mt. Gokurakuji.
They held their last military conference.
Lord Ieyasu? The Takeda will definitely fight us.
Our victory is certain.
There's something I'd like to make sure...
I'd better make sure and listen...
Katsuyori has been you longtime foe.
You may want to kill him off, but don't be short-tempered.
If you die amongst the enemy,
it would be a loss even if you win the battle.
I see.
If that should happen,
It would've been futile for me to have come all the way.
In any case, just leave this up to me.
Think of it as an outing, and watch us fight.
We asked for your aid, we can't take this as a mere outing.
We will do our best, but I'll remember what you said.
We'll start the meeting!
Ieyasu saw through Nobunaga:
He wanted to claim victory as his own through an appearance,
he had come only as Ieyasu's reinforcement.
This is precarious.
Oh? Precarious?
I, who thought of this plan, would like to explain.
Explain so Lord Ieyasu would be satisfied.
Yes.
Needless to say, we number a total of 28,000.
When we left Gifu, we each carried a log.
With this we will make a 3-layered fence.
A 3-layered fence?
Yes!
The enemy, in an effort to attack the main armies,
would advance straight into this fence.
But this is a trap to stop the Takeda Calvary.
I wonder if they'll advance toward the fence.
I've handled that.
Even if the enemy falls for this trap...
This is a military conference. Speak your mind.
This Sakai Tadatsugu is a clever strategist.
We may have a plan.
Oh? Speak, Tadatsugu.
If the Takeda army follows us to Arumigahara,
they'll be left defenseless behind them.
I'm sure that's true.
We can attack from behind and capture their fort.
I see.
Fool! What do you think of this battle!
We'll use such lowly tactics to fight the bandits!
I know your worth now, excuse yourself!
You heard him, go!
Excuse me.
In order to lure the enemy to this fence,
I'll place the Okubo brothers there as bait.
As bait...
I'd feel uncomfortable if you do too much.
How about it? I'll ask them to serve as my vanguards.
Alright, but if he struggles with them,
I'll send Shibata, Niwa, and Hashiba to chase the enemy out.
Alright.
Generals, please take your positions.
You must be busy, please leave.
I believe there is one more matter.
So, you saw through me.
Call Tadatsugu here again.
We've won this war. I'm finally convinced.
If the enemy realized our strength and retreated,
our catch would have been small.
I wanted to lure them out so there was no turning back.
I think Tadatsugu's plan is the best.
You called?
Lord Nobunaga wants to speak to you again.
Come closer, Tadatsugu.
Just as expected of Lord Ieyasu's right hand man.
I'm impressed, I'll give you 500 gunmen.
I couldn't afford to let your strategy leak, so I scolded you.
I'd like to go on that attack myself.
Go and capture their fort.
500 gunmen. Use them well.
I'll excuse myself so I can prepare.
Listen. They started to build the fence.
Doesn't that sound good?
It sure does.
May 21st, 1576,
the guns opened fire for the battle of Nagashino.
Reporting! Our general has been wounded!
What? Prepare my steed!
Nobunaga's 3,000 guns overpowered the Takeda cavalry.
Nobunaga's new guns, which with proper aim,
could kill one man per shot, were arranged in 3 layers
enabling them to fire in rapid succession.
Renowned generals were struck down by unknown gunmen.
Power and military strategy, the pride of the Takeda army...
They were thrown into utter chaos.
Nobunaga revolutionized the ideals of warfare
by showing that no matter how skilled the warrior may be,
he can be struck down by a regiment of gunmen.
With this battle, Nobunaga changed the course of history.
I wanted to get Shingen when he came to our borders
and was disappointed that I didn't have the chance.
But that Katsuyori came out in his place.
Just as I wished, I stripped him of his power.
And sent him to Shinano... isn't this funny?
It is.
This is my son-in-law, Okudaira Kuhachiro Sadamasa.
So you're Kuhachiro.
Well done.
I won't forget your good work.
So you're Lord Ieyasu's daughter...
I heard you helped your husband out.
The clan prospers only when the husband and wife cooperate.
Just as Ieyasu feared,
the battle of Nagashino brought fame to Nobunaga.
My lord. It's too much.
Lord Nobunaga talks as though that was his victory.
I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Don't be suspicious of Lord Nobunaga.
What if we didn't have his reinforcements?
Or if his clan became our enemy?
We must be constantly prepared for such things.
Exactly.
You go and tell everyone what I told you.
I will!
The ogre pouted!
Oai.
Yes?
I am greatly indebted to Lord Nobunaga.
Someday, I'll have to repay him.
Do you want to tell me something?
Yes.
I have a favor to ask...
Tell me.
You need a lot of children in the future.
I can repay Lord Nobunaga with my children?
No, but I feel someone else should be serving you...
You don't have to worry about that.
I'm not worried. My task is to bear you a child.
Oai.
But I haven't done so, and I shouldn't be serving you.
I said, you don't have to worry.
My lord.
Ieyasu, who's doing nothing but fight,
enjoyed his time spending with Oai, however...
his severe path, leading to battles for unification
of whole country with Nobunaga, is continuing.