Tokugawa Ieyasu
Episode 23: Road to Azuchi
Okazaki castle Tokuhime's living room
1580, February.
Tokuhime, leaving behind both princesses,
was preparing her departure from Okazaki to Kiyosu.
Five months passed after Nobuyasu's death.
Tokuhime, who still has not calmed down, was visited by Odai.
Lady.
Raise your head.
Grandmother.
Please, those two children I'm leaving behind, you must...
Don't worry about that.
You will be surely remembered by them in their heart.
Don't cry, please.
You can't cry your eyes out because of lord Nobuyasu.
But, with princesses' sweetness...
Grandmother.
Both of them will always remember her mother, isn't it so?
I, who will return to family Oda,
...could I hope for the day when I shall see them again?
You must not lose your hope.
The thing which makes girl strong for to survive
in this world full of wars...
...is to persist in her wishes until the end.
Even if she gets separated...
...she can't sever the ties with her mother she has in her heart.
Right.
Until the last moment when young lady Tokuhime left the Okazaki,
she asked for holding lord Nobuyasu's memorial and taking care...
...of both of the princesses...
...and then left it while being in tears.
When I think about the old days,
...Tokuhime's intentions were disagreeable.
After all, you have no choice...
but to make those who were weak crying and mourning.
And I, too, can only pray in front of god.
Excuse me.
Hamamatsu castle
We've received a messengers...
...from Odawara Hojo.
Good.
What? A secret agreement between Odawara Hojo and Tokugawa?
Kai, Takeda's house
With all respect, I think I have a proof that Hojo,
without knowing anything, went to war...
...together with Tokugawa.
No need to say anything more! Baisetsu!
Call all our vassals immediately and send them out!
Lord!
We must not hand Takatenjin Castle over to our enemy!
I want you to end the war council.
Return immediately to Tsuruga! You must stop Tokugawa's invasion!
Yes....
Tenshou, eighth year (1580)
Go ahead!
Spring in 8th year of Tensho.
Takeda Katsuyori progressed to Toutomi...
...in order to face Ieyasu.
Families of Tokugawa and Takeda, being enemy for long time,
fought a life-or-death battle again.
Mikawa
Toutomi
Kai
Suruga
The focus of defense and offense of both armies...
Hamamatsu castle
...was placed at Takatenjin castle in Toutomi.
Kakagawa castle Takatenjin
Futamata castle
Mitsuke
In that time, due to sudden death of Uesugi's powerful retainer,
who Katsuyori relied on,
...Takatenjin castle finally surrendered in March 1581...
...and became Tokugawa's property again.
In spite of this, Takeda's influence fell down.
In following year in second month,
...Kiso Yoshimasa switched the sides to Oda family.
It followed with Baisetsu accepting Ieyasu's recommendation to surrender.
With this, the Iron Union requested by Shingen...
...was destroyed because of retainers' disaffection.
Good.
Move!
Nobunaga and Ieyasu defeated all members of Takeda's clan...
and started their attack at Takeda's main stronghold Kofu castle.
Burn everything!
Do it thoroughly!
Shinomiya, go!
Katsuyori, after losing his castle,
took his family and went into the mountains.
In the end, they died at Tenmoku Mountain.
In March of 1582...
the noble family Takeda, descendants of Minamoto Yoshimitsu,
ceased to exist.
Tensho, 10th year (1582)
Ieyasu took Anayama Baisetsu for a meeting with Nobunaga...
...being held in Ofuteji in Kamisuwa.
Oh, lord of Hamamatsu, that was good work.
Therefore, there's more and more governing for me.
That huge Takeda's territory...
...is finally in the hand of me and lord of Hamamatsu.
I'm glad you're doing well.
- Well then, lord Oda.... - Ah, I remembered.
Kiso Yoshimasa is visiting us, so let him in.
Yes.
Lord Kiso Yoshimasa, step forward!
Kiso Yoshimasa and Anayama Baisetsu were related to Takeda family
by blood and Katsuyori relied on them.
It was irony of fate that
both of them met as the warriors of Oda and Tokugawa.
Ieyasu felt the cruelty, which he didn't until now,
towards Nobunaga for doing this purposely.
Then, as a gift for your celebration of victory...
...I'd like to present two swift horses to lord Nobunaga.
They are waiting for you outside.
I see. Thank you.
- Now, a gift for lord Kiso. - Yes.
Thank you very much. It's too great a honor.
Good. You can leave now.
- Well then, excuse me. - Yes.
Anayama Baisetsu, who's waiting here right now,
would like to present an excellent horse of chestnut color to you, my lord.
Ah, I see.
- You're Baisetsu. - Yes.
I've heard about Takeda's warrior,
by whom lord of Hamamatsu needed seven days...
...to persuade until he gave up.
The one who saved his life like that, I don't know his name.
But, since you were one of Takeda'swarriors too,
you know his name, right?
Most humbly, the one who surrendered to lord of Hamamatsu and so continue...
...living in shame was me, Baisetsu.
Oh, that was you. What a surprise!
Well then, since the meeting with warriors in charge is approaching,
we excuse us for now.
- Let's go. - Excuse me.
Lord Baisetsu.
I'm thankful for that you accompanied me here.
I was not of use to you.
There were things we could have learned from lord Shingen.
Without him, I wouldn't be able to stand here like this.
To remember everything well may be dangerous.
Baisetsu.
One day, I will get an apology from Nobunaga.
I'll build a temple at Tenmoku Mountain for lord Katsuyori's sake...
...to console the name of Minamoto.
Then, excuse me for now.
Lord.
A meeting between lord Baisetsu and Nobunaga. How did it end?
- Kazama. - Yes?
Lord Nobunaga seems to be wary
whether I'm not linked to Takeda's radical party.
I won't kill them.
With Nobukado as first, lord Nobunaga started to annihilate Takeda's family.
I'll keep everyone who surrendered to me as my followers.
Yes.
People are our way to luck.
I know at least so much.
Yes.
Nobunaga's triumphal return to Azuchi...
...happened on 21th day of April, 1582.
Those who saw the extravagance of this journey were really surprised.
Arriving at Azuchi, Nobunaga immediately invited Ieyasu
to Azuchi castle as gratitude...
for polite entertainment Ieyasu prepared during journey.
I apology for being rude,
but I'm definitely against you entering Azuchi castle.
Well, Heihachi you....
No! Lord Ishikawa, you...
have already forgotten that our young lord was killed because of Nobunaga?!
Hamamatsu castle
Accepting the invitation and going into castle...
...you'll be captured by Nobunaga in front of us!
Don't you see that it's a trap set for taking your life?!
No. Lord Nobunaga still needs power of our lord.
For subjugation Chuugoku, which still isn't finished,
...one must hold down the power of Odawara no Hojo.
And who else could do it better than our lord?
Then, our lord will only be Oda's reserve
and used as it'll be convenient for him!?
That doesn't matter for now.
Sir!
In order to seize the world, right now Nobunaga is testing me.
Therefore, I too, in order to seize the world, will go to Azuchi.
Exactly as you said.
If you reject this invitation,
lord Nobunaga will take it as we don't like getting commands.
It's the same as a strategy in battle.
With enough intelligence you won't get troubles.
Right, Kazumasa?
Yes.
Azuchi castle
Akechi Mitsuhide was the one
who got an order from Nobunaga to welcome Ieyasu.
Comparing their both personality it was like light and shadow but...
Nobunaga appointed Mitsuhide to this post because he recognized
his knowledge and skills in social intercourses.
You understand, Mitsuhide?
When Ieyasu comes, you should serve him with everything.
You should make an luxurious preparation
which will blow Ieyasu's concerns away.
Understand?
- I'll do as expected. - Good.
He, too, surprised me with receptions during our way here.
Mori Ranmaru
Don't disappoint me.
Excuse me. - What is?
So much entertainment....
I wonder, whether vassals may not feel
that Tokugawa is being in favor with all that.
Therefore, Mitsuhide,
I think I will let Ieyasu handle the progress till the end,
and for the others...
we must pretend that he is visiting Azuchi
and so justify the fact he got the Suruga country.
You can't overlook that.
Understand?
Yes.
Okazaki castle
Departing Hamamatsu on his way to Azuchi, Ieyasu...
visited his mother Odai living at outer part of Okazaki Caste.
Mother, I hope that you are doing good here.
It's good. Just, when I saw you here...
...I've remember lady Keiou-in suddenly.
Becoming like this, one can say it was thanks to grand-mother.
What do you think? Doesn't I have her appearance?
Yes.
I must say, you are the one who inherited her firmness.
So that's the reason?
Even in last war, I didn't like the cruel actions of Nobunaga
towards refugees from Takeda.
My son.
What is it?
No matter what will happen, you can't fight against Nobunaga.
I know very well that lord Nobunaga
will ask you to go to the front in Chuugoku.
- That may be possible. - If you understand that...
...then think about it when you are told to take your soldiers and go ahead.
Without being told that, Ieyasu thought about it as well.
However, there was no vassal of his who would advise him like that.
I see. That may be a good idea.
When talking about this journey to Azuchi,
somehow I remember Kawarawa Munasagyo.
Needless to say, I think that...
...lord Oda Nobunaga right now is not the same as old lord Nobunaga.
That's true.
During the triumphal return to Azuchi...
when he stopped at this castle,
...in my heart, I secretly expected that lord Nobunaga...
...would meet with daughters of lord Nobuyasu.
However, that was not the case.
He just departed like that.
The thing I'm worried about is,
aside of the fact that he didn't act as I'd hoped he would, why did...
...Nobunaga change the way of his acting?
I'm afraid that because of his wish to rule the world,
...he take off all personal feelings from his heart.
That's why you say I should not argue with lord Nobunaga?
Yes.
No.
I know that you are not someone who will start a conflict without reason.
Right now, if you oppose Nobunaga just once...
even if he realizes it was a mistake, you will later be removed from post.
I want you to remember this well...
...and always proceeding with the most caution.
Thank you.
With this, I can finally decide.
I've got a great gift from you.
So, it's time for us to bid farewell again?
I finally understood.
It is exactly as you've said.
However, mother...
...if you had been a man, you might have been formidable opponent to me.
Come on, what are you saying?
Don't make fun of woman's thoughts.
Then, I'm going to act as lord Nobunaga is expecting me to do.
Mother, take care of yourself as well.
I will.
Take care of you, my son.
Do you see this, Nobuyasu?
The two daughters of you.
You should tell your mother, lady Tsukiyama, about this as well.
I've regained all of my current reasons back.
Now, I'll move to Sunpu castle, which your mother was obsessed with.
Grandpa.
A face of father, whom he'd been separated since childhood,
was left in his memories.
And he felt that even his grandmother Keiou-in
would appear somewhere from the shadows.
- Grandpa. - Yes?
What are you thinking about?
Me?
I know this castle very well.
I thought the soil of this castle would taste salty in my mouth...
Soil of the castle?!
Right.
All the masters and vassals of this castle...
...cried the tears of joy and sadness as well, you know?
I'm going to Azuchi so that I can put the significance
of this land back as it was before.
- You understand? - Yes.
You're such clever girl, aren't you?
Daihouin, reception hall
Around that time at Azuchi,
Akechi Mitsuhide responsible for Ieyasu's reception,
putting all his power into it,
he prepared the reception hall at Daihouin.
Mitsuhide.
What does all this mean?
Is there anything you don't like?
I don't expect Imperial visit!
That's enough!
Lord!
Please, wait!
Lord! Wait please! My lord!
Tell me, is there anything you don't like?
Stop this!
I won't tell it here. Come to the castle.
Lord!
I am very sorry for causing you to scold me...
...so unexpectedly before.
Mitsuhide. It's about that.
I hope that you understood why I was so mad at you.
Excuse me for being not wise enough.
I've thought about it on may way here,
but I haven't realized what you wanted.
What? You are not wise enough?
Did you not serve me wisely?
I'm very sorry.
Please, tell me what you are not satisfied with.
Mitsuhide!
How many times did you listen to my words?
I've told not to make any mistake when entertaining Ieyasu,
but haven't you noticed that everything had its limit?
No.
I've only did your ideas...
Idiot!
If you start to flatter someone...
...in return, your intentions will be destroyed.
You being such idiot!
Excuse me, but...
it seems that the conquer of Chuugoku and Shikoku is prolonged again.
- So what? - Therefore...
we invite guests of official ranks...
to those entertainments again and again...
and so, they won't stay in their country for long time.
You mean that Ieyasu will start to rebel?
That's one possibility.
If there are some struggles in Honshu,
I think that invitations from Hojo will increase.
Hey, step back!
The reception for Ieyasu will set the meaning of triumph to everywhere.
Get back! Get back and think.
I'm sorry but...
I've given everything to fulfill the duty I was given...
...and since the time of arrival of guests is coming near...
...I, Mitsuhide, will follow the instructions in quickly...
Ranmaru! Beat Mitsuhide!
What do you say!?
Making anothe mistake, even after the explanation,
it means that you despise me!
I won't forgive it! Never!
- Ranmaru! - Yes!
Ranmaru! Why don't do anything?
Yes.
I apologize. I'm sorry.
15th of May. Ieyasu arrived in Daihouin in Azuchi.
Nobunaga ordered Akechi, whom he dismissed previously,
to prepare the entertainment.
Lord Akechi. If you ask us, this is splendid.
Thank you for your hard work.
Hearing those words...
...my heart is filled with so much happiness.
Lord will be pleased as well.
I'm very honored to be with you at this time.
Excuse me.
Take your gifts down, we'll make a little survey.
Then, lord Akechi,
I hope you will accept those gifts as token of my gratitude...
I humbly accept it.
Ah, that's remind me.
After we once return to our home,
I feel we will go to fight in Chuugoku.
Besides, I'm aware of current progress of a battle over there.
So, if there is need to send the vassals to lord Hashiba's camp...
I would gladly perform this duty.
I accept your offer.
Around that time,
Nobunaga was in difficult position with conquering Chuugoku.
Commander Hashiba Hideyoshi surrounded Takamatsu Castle...
Hashiba Hideyoshi
Kikkawa Motoharu
Kobayakawa Takakage
Takamatsu Castle Shimizu Muneharu
...and when he advised its master, Shimizu Muneharu, to surrender,
an united army of Mori, Kikkawa and Kobayakawa with 30,000 men arrived.
Takamatsu Castle Shimizu Muneharu
Not being able to attack or withdraw,
Hideyoshi asked Nobunaga for reinforcement troops.
This means I have to send Mitsuhide to Bitchu.
If we depend on Mitsuhide, it will help Hideyoshi too.
Oh, Mitsuhide?
You may leave.
I have another task for you.
I probably meet Ieyasu tomorrow.
Prepare everything, so that nothing goes wrong.
- As you wish. - Good.
Gifts from lord Tokugawa, he said they would please you, my lord.
All of them were taken inside the castle.
I see. What kind of gifts did he bring?
3000 gold, 300 saddle trees.
This is the catalog.
- What? 3000 gold and 300 saddles? - Yes.
Mitsuhide, I've understood Ieyasu's attitude.
While we will come to the aid,
he says us that he will do everything to protect the East.
Was there any other vocal message as this?
He said that when this ends...
...he too will depart to Chuugoku immediately...
...and he is able to send some of his vassals to Hashiba's camp as well.
What?
Why didn't you say that before!?
- You idiot! - I....
As expected of him.
He's going before I even mention it.
Hashiba is the commander in this battle.
Thereunder, I was told before that he was prepared to show...
...no complaints about it.
And now, he thinks he can order a departure right before my eyes?!
I see.
Ieyasu is admirable.
I'm sure that he is laughing...
...at the gold he brought here.
- Excuse me, but... - Silence!
How can you be defeated by only one finger?!
Listen.
Ieyasu, who laughs at gold,
is the same as Ieyasu who laughs at Nobunaga.
Yes.
Good.
Take 1000 pieces of that gold and bring it back to Ieyasu right now.
Then, those gifts...?
You understand now, right? The meaning of rejecting.
I apologize but that's not I could do....
Quiet! Didn't I tell you to be silent?!
Don't you realize that he did it purposely for saving your face?!
Listen! We will accept only the saddles as gift. However!
After this, lord Tokugawa is going to Kyoto
and therefore increasing his expanses.
We will accept 2000 pieces of gold! Return the rest for those expanses!
This is the message!
Listen, Mitsuhide.
Even if he's Ieyasu, he is one of my followers!
I won't forgive for taking him easy!
Yes.
Is it an order?
Risking my life, I'm saying my request.
I want you to grant my wish no matter what.
As someone who was once removed from this post,
I'm ashamed of doing this.
I ask you for support.
I understand.
If it's an order, I have to think about your position as well, lord Akechi.
Then, since it's inevitable, I'm taking back those 1000 pieces.
Were you aware of that?
I can't help it.
However, right after this, Nobunaga again discharged Mitsuhide
from his duty to perform Ieyasu's reception.
Sending troops to Chuugoku became urgent.
What about reception?!
But Mitsuhide's vassals feeling their dissatisfaction,
threw away all the ingredients for reception's meals.
Idiot!
Doing such thing is not only rude towards lord Tokugawa,
Residence of Akechi Mitsuhide
...but it is the same as boldly insulting our lord!
I'm afraid that lord will get very angry.
If this is spread outside,
I'm sure that I'll be decapitated in that moment.
Lord!
Excuse me, sir!
Righ now, lord Aoyama Yosou arrived here
as the messenger of lord Nobunaga.
I understand.
Let him in study room and ask him to wait.
Yes.
There's just one thing I can do.
To kill myself in order to apologize to lord and Tokugawa for this misery.
Let me help to stand to my honor.
Koreto Hyuganokami, lord Mitsuhide, departs right now.
There's an order from lord for you, my lord, to go to Bitchu
and see the doing of Hashiba Hideyoshi.
I'm aware of the details.
Then, be happy, lord Akechi.
With this, you may be rewarded by two countries, Izu and Iwami, my lord.
What are you saying?
I said that when you would get Izu and Iwami,
you would become ruler of whole Sanindo.
I'm thankful for this.
You understand, right?
It is really rare that our lord is so caring about the duty...
...you have to do, lord Akechi.
Now, hurry up and prepare to depart to those two countries.
I understand and will do.
From the beginning Sanindo, with Izumo and Iwami as well,
was controlled by enemy.
At that time, Mitsuhide misunderstood it...
...by thinking that getting those two lands as rewards
would mean to lose Tanba and Omi.
Azuchi castle, Nohime's living room
I've heard that Mitsuhide was very displeased because he had to change...
...his post for twice.
I know that.
He is like a little child, isn't he?
Therefore, at beginning, he would misunderstand it as a demotion.
Because I know that...
...I twice said he did it wrong.
Right now, he must have already gotten better mood...
...and is encouraged to the same achievement.
Don't worry.
My lord.
You have been always a strong person, my lord,
but recently, I've heard that your vassals are getting strong as well.
Furthermore, I can't figure out Tokugawa's movements at all.
Ah, again, you're being too worried.
Lord Tokugawa is very important to you.
Please, if you use vassals that may destroy Tokugawa's honor,
...you have to be careful.
Don't joke!
Ieyasu and Mitsuhide too, their power is the one all of us are relying on.
Everything is done for peace of united country.
You are so quick in getting angry, when I just said that.
Did anything happen?
Alright, it's good.
I'll get the reinforcements from Hashiba.
I won't ask Ieyasu.
If I don't call Nobutada from Kofu, we won't reach the peace in Chuugoku.
O-No.
My ear.
Yes.
Daihouin, reception hall
We've returned from Azuchi.
We've been waiting for you. What's the ruckus outside?
That's because Akechi Mitsuhide was appointed to another post.
Chaya Shirojiro
Since the departure to Chuugoku is rare,
he is calling his whole family to Sakamoto castle.
What?
This is going to be bad, my lord.
If we hadn't interfered before,
this order for reinforcements might have been given to us.
Ah, what.
It's just scheme of lord Nobunaga!
He may even ordered lord Akechi to attack our place.
That's right!
- Everyone, be careful. - Right!
Sir!
Ieyasu's family won't be famed for being conceited because of our posts.
Not conspicuous, being always moderate.
Make sure everything is done in moderation,
and tell that to those men, and others too.
As you say, my lord.
Well then, you may leave.
I will speak a little with Chaya.
- Yes. - Yes.
Chaya Shirojirou, Kyoto's dry-goods dealer...
...who was set up in Kyoto in advance,
...was former vassal called Matsumoto Kiyonobu.
Scouted by Takenouchi Namitarou, known once as Kuma no Wakamiya,
...he served as their spy in Kyoto and its vicinity.
Still in the great misunderstanding, Mitsuhide left Azuchi.
That night, Ieyasu's vassals secretly armored themselves...
...in order to protect Ieyasu.
Once again, Mitsuhide is heading for his residence at Sakamoto castle.
No one from them know that the fate of Ieyasu and Nobunaga...
...will greatly change in few days.