TOKUGAWA IEYASU
Episode 25: Crossing the Iga Territories
As soon as they learned that Mitsuhide killed Nobunaga
the first thought to come to the minds of lords,
merchants and farmers was the reversal to the wars.
Armed bandits began to roam the woods
and farmers began sharpening their wooden spears.
Merchants and landowners who thrived on wars
were waiting for buyers and prepared their arms.
Highwaymen and refugee-hunters exchanged information.
Every road and mountain path
was stalked by those who knew the area.
Several packs of wolves stalked Ieyasu's party...
The second night since they left Sakai...
After they ate the foods that they carried,
they were traveling without water or food.
Please wait here.
Bandits and travelers are fighting ahead of us.
If we're attacked here we'd be trapped!
It's too dark to see how many there are.
It'll be light soon so wait til' then.
You're not prepared for emergencies!
Wait, we're fighting Mitsuhide. Don't let them suspect us.
We'll wait here and see.
When they stopped walking, hunger became a harsh reality.
Some had already worn out their footwear.
Tired?
Yes...No!
The hardest time I had was at the battle of Mikatagahara.
I was hungry and cold, and the Takeda army was strong...
But I didn't give up. I fought night and day.
When I think of how bravely I returned, this is nothing.
Who laughed?
It's me, Okubo.
What's so funny about my military endeavors?
My father told me you shit on the saddle then.
Fool! That was not shit! It was miso!
But it would be admirable if a man could exert so much effort
that he defecated unknowingly.
Don't laugh. Things may even be harder this time.
Don't be defeated.
There're a lot of them. Watch it.
Who are you!
Wait, let Chaya and Kinzo handle this.
Who are you?
We serve Tarao Mitsutoshi, lord of the Koga territories.
You stole the prey that we chased this far.
What?
But we don't expect you to hand your prize over.
You can keep the gold and garments
but leave us the swords.
Travel a different route
or the Tarao brothers won't let you through alive!
We'll hand you the swords and go a different route.
We weren't after swords so we only have 4 or 5.
Get lost!
That's a clever strategy... so we're bandits, too...
This is the essence of military strategy.
Well done!
Let's go on. Hidden ordeals eagerly await us.
On the third morning, the road grew more treacherous
and they were at the limits of hunger and exhaustion.
There was no telling when bandits may attack again.
The Ieyasu party pressed on.
We passed the border between Kawauchi and Yamashiro.
Once we get into Tarao and cross the Kishu river,
Sir Kameya's men will find us some food.
Let's not talk of food. It bothers my stomach.
I'll go ahead to prepare some food.
Be careful.
Just a bit more, Matsumaru, 'til we enter Tawara.
This is only the third morning.
Man can last 3 days and 3 nights.
Let's go!
Hang in there, Matsumaru.
The party crossed the Kisu river, going on to Tahara
where food was to be prepared for them.
There's a mob of rioters!
It seems they sacked Tahara, and are heading this way.
Unless we change our course, we'll have to face them!
But there's no path. We'll have to go back.
Why don't we offer them some gold?
But it's an angry crowd.
Not only will they rob us of our gold,
but they'll strip us of our underwear!
We'd lose face if we turn back for fear of a mob!
There're at least 800.
Please decide, my lord.
800... Heihachi, I'll ask them what they want.
Bring their leader here.
They're not ready to listen to you.
Don't anyone interfere.
Even weak and good people could turn violent in a group...
This was such a group.
Traveling samurai, take off your clothes!
If you take time, the mob will attack you!
If you resist, you'd be wiped out!
Do you hold a grudge against Lord Oda or against your lord?
How dare you talk so big!
I'm asking who torments you so?
All those who treat us like dirt are enemies!
We'll behead you, too!
Strip!
Calm down and talk.
I'll listen, I intend to reward you.
Reward?
A samurai's duty is to protect the people from violence.
Don't fool us!
He's a tough one, he's talking of a reward!
How much is your rice tax?
Rice tax?
How much is it?
Seven to three.
How can we feed ourselves on three bails?
If wars begin, they'll take our 3 bails away.
Samurai tell us that wars are fought to protect us,
then why take away our last bits of rice?
Then they make us work like horses!
We've had enough!
So you sacked the lord's rice storage...
Don't tell me you attacked farmers in other territories.
What other territories?
Protect your men. Lord Oda was killed,
but we won't revert to wars.
Besides 100,000 of my men, Lord Hashiba's men are ready.
The disorder will only last 'til then.
In the warrior's place protect your men well.
Here's your reward. Give me the gold.
When the country settles down, come to me and I'll help.
I'll give you gold and a letter.
Tell me your name.
I'm Magoshiro from the Oishi village.
Next?
I'm Sekibei of Sakuradani. This is Yaroku of Shishitobi.
The following are highly commendable
for having guided me through the Tahara woods.
Therefore, I, Ieyasu will grant them this note.
This was unbelievable to Ieyasu's followers.
After having escaped a close call,
the party barely arrived at a colleague's mansion in Tahara.
Go ahead.
I would like to make you some tea.
That's not necessary.
But that's...
We must act accordingly in a crisis.
If there're leftovers, make riceballs for my men to carry.
Yes, lord.
We'll make another pot for your riceballs.
That's not necessary. I expect more trouble in the Iga lands.
Lord Nobunaga conquered the Iga territory
and even killed the Iga men who escaped elsewhere.
They hold a deep grudge against Lord Nobunaga.
If Mitsuhide should use them...
We can't treat the Iga men like we did the mob.
Once this is settled, I'll come to enjoy your tea.
Stay healthy.
We'll leave as soon as you're finished!
They stayed in Tahara for merely an hour.
Ieyasu's keen sixth sense called for the departure
which served to deter the imminent danger...
Wait!
You'd be in trouble if you proceed.
We'll take a side road and head for Marubashi in Iga.
I'll guide you.
You're a farmer! Are there more mobsters around?
I asked them to help Lord Ieyasu,
then the Iga group split in two!
In two?
I'm an Iga man named Tsuge Sannojo.
The samurai here hold a grudge against the Oda clan.
Many have sided with the Akechi.
What?
But you treated us well at the Hikuma battles.
We feel indebted to you,
and tried to convince the others, but in vain.
Thus, the group split.
200 others and I are ready to help you.
But if you continue on, you'd have to face them.
Therefore, we have come to ask that you change your course.
We'll change our course immediately.
Just as expected, you understand us; let's go!
Though it wasn't apparent during day,
the Iga men were protecting Ieyasu's party
from the left and right, front and back.
You called, my lord?
Magoshiro, was it?
Why did you ask for the Iga's aid without my asking?
Had I killed you, I'd've lost the battle.
Why is that?
Had we killed a kind man and let a cruel man rule the land,
the farmers would've suffered all their lives.
Therefore, since you're a kind man we saved you.
That's what I told the mob and they agreed.
Since the mob agreed, I thought the samurai would agree.
So you went to the Iga men?
Then this is the result. Logic is powerful, lord.
So, that's logic...
Well, Takechiyo?
It's not that you truly pitied him.
Monk Sessai!
You knew you were powerless against them
and had no chance of winning.
So, all you did was mouth off the warrior's duties.
That moved the mob and saved you from danger.
I told you many times to
listen to the voices of the people.
The only true way is to listen to your people.
You've a lot to learn.
Monk Sessai sent this man to me.
After sending Chaya and Kinzo back at Shigaraki,
Ieyasu's party arrived at Shirokohama in Ise.
A notice has been put up.
Due to the incident in Kyoto,
all ships are forbidden to sail out.
All the residents have closed their doors.
I'll ask them myself.
Stay away and wait.
Let me ask you something.
As you see we're poor, we don't have any money.
I'm not a robber.
Please send a boat out to the opposite shore in Tokoname.
That's difficult...
I know about the decree forbidding all ships to sail.
In order to prevent the country from reverting to wars,
Tokugawa Ieyasu, the lord of 3 lands,
wants to return to his territory before dawn.
You're one of his men? I give up. Kill me.
Kill you?
You'd kill me if I refuse, wouldn't you?
If I agree, my lord would kill my entire family.
This is the cruel fate of the people; so kill me.
Did you hear that?
Warriors whose duty is to protect the country,
are merely regarded as armed nuisances.
This is the people's voice!
I see... you think samurai are unjust...
I'll ask someone else.
Wait, it'll be the same. What is your name?
I'm Ieyasu himself.
I learned something from you.
When I return, I'll rethink what you said,
and I'll never move an army for personal reasons.
Wait!
I'll send my boat out.
What?
To this day I had never met a samurai who listened to me.
No matter what happens to my family,
this is your personal request; I'll send it out.
They reported that Magozo the fisherman
was captured together with his boat.
But unless Ieyasu conquered the Ise lands,
he would never see his family again...
I'll send you to Suruga where there will never be wars
I'll find a place for you so live there with your family.
Just like the Iga men,
the fishermen at Shirakohama helped Ieyasu.
This was a manifestation of their faith in Ieyasu
that he would guarantee peace in the land...
Our lord joined his hands...
He must be truly grateful.
He didn't even do that after the battle at Mikatagahara.
Once we arrive, gather your men and depart for Atsuta.
You're not leading your army?
I'll pacify the farmers in my land and go to Azuchi.
If the residents of my territory panic,
then I'll be put to shame as a lord.
Understood!
The sleepless, exhausting escape,
much like crawling one's way out of hell,
was finally coming to an end...
It was a forced march which took 4 days over 300 km.
I heard Lord Ieyasu arrived safely in Mikawa.
He's truly a lucky man.
This is due to your help. I thank you.
Raise your head. Here in Sakai,
it was just for play, but I took a poll of my colleagues
asking their choice for the next leader of our country.
I'll read it.
5 votes for Akechi Mitsuhide. 5 for Hashiba Hideyoshi.
3 for Oda Nobukatsu, 2 for Sanboshi,
2 for Nobutaka, 2 for Hosokawa Fujitaka, 2 Sen Saeki...
Wait, what about Lord Ieyasu?
He's one of the six who received one vote each.
Interpret it to mean it represents the people's voices.
I could see Akechi Mitsuhide being a leader
since he killed Oda Nobunaga, but what about Lord Hashiba?
That's just it.
The biggest reason for the victory in the Chuugoku wars
is that the merchants bought out the rice before the attack.
It wasn't just in Chuugoku but Shikoku, Kyushu, and San-in.
That Hideyoshi has a strange charm.
Every man he taps, become his recruit.
Bring this as a gift to Lord Ieyasu.
Swim against the flow and you drown.
The people of Sakai will support Hashiba Hideyoshi.
Hashiba Hideyoshi left Bitchu
and returned to his resident castle at Himeji on June 8th.
Wash!
There's lots of grime!
Excuse me.
Come in!
You called? My lord!
This is for my late lord.
I waited 'til we were prepared for war.
We were farmers...
Yes!
I was born naked, so that's what I'll do now.
How much money do I have?
800 kan in silver, 850 pieces of gold.
Distribute all my money to my men.
Thank them for serving a man like me.
I'm starting over.
Whether I live or die, I'll never come back here!
If I die, it's a token of my gratitude.
If I live, that's their pay 'til I get a bigger castle!
We'll leave as soon as you distribute the money.
Blow the conch shell, hurry!
Himeji castle was no longer Hideyoshi's concern.
There were only two paths left for him:
to kill Mitsuhide and inherit Nobunaga's task, or die in honor.
Forward!
Hideyoshi headed for Kyoto.
On June 11th, he arrived in Amagasaki,
Tonda on the 12th, and Yamazaki on the 13th.
His army ballooned out with allies along the way.
He proceeded with incredible speed.
Hideyoshi! This determines your fate!
When Nobunaga defeated Imagawa Yoshimoto at Dengakuhazam,
he abandoned everything and faced his fate. He was 27.
Hideyoshi, who bet his life on this battle, was now 47.
The people approved of
Hideyoshi's battle to avenge his lord.
Reporting! The Akechi army has retreated!
Well done, Hideyoshi!
As Mitsuhide retreated toward Sakamoto castle,
he was killed by peasants who hunted weak warriors.
13 days had passed since he assassinated Nobunaga.
Ieyasu, who advanced his army to Atsuta,
pretended to attack Azuchi but didn't budge.
I see... Mitsuhide was killed by peasants...
It was an unexpectedly pitiful end.
What did Lord Hashiba do?
He arrived in Kyoto on the 14th
and visited the site of Honnoji temple.
He lead his troops to Mi temple on the 15th.
He's quick.
I hope Mitsuhide's men, who went to Azuchi, didn't burn it.
Well...
They burned it?!
On the 15th, the red flames burned the skies,
and the 7-layered castle was destroyed...
That adds to the confusion.
None of Mitsuhide's men were capable.
But it wasn't Mitsuhide's men who burned the castle,
but Oda Nobukatsu from Kiyosu.
Oda Nobukatsu?
Even the enemy hesitated,
but his offspring burned it...
He burned the castle which symbolized his father's greatness.
They can't avoid disorder in the future...
I have no idea who would succeed Nobunaga.
We'll send our troops back and solidify the east.
Hideyoshi's messenger arrived the next morning.
Our lord, Hashiba, Lord of Chikuzen,
has taken the head of Akechi Mitsuhide the rebel,
and succeeded in avenging the late lord's death.
Matters in Kamigata are now settled.
We request that you return with your troops.
I understand. We'll withdraw immediately
and solidify the east. Please report that to him.
I shall immediately report that to my lord.
What's that attitude! Hideyoshi was Nobunaga's retainer!
You were Lord Nobunaga's ally.
Are those the words he should send to you?
When shall we disperse?
Wait!
Mitsuhide was killed.
Let's proceed to Omi and Mino and confront Hideyoshi.
Unless we show them our power before we withdraw,
we'll regret it someday.
Right, we came all the way. We can't retreat for nothing.
Do you think so?
I think it's better to retreat now.
Why is that?
By advancing to Azuchi, we risk going to war with Hideyoshi.
There's nothing to gain. We should retreat and go east.
There're many abandoned territories there.
We'll depart on the 19th. I don't serve Hideyoshi.
Now that he told me things have settled in Kamigata,
I'm not indebted to stay to help him.
I'll solidify the east.
Then we'll be powerful no matter who the ruler is. 19th, my men!
Go to Hideyoshi for me when we arrive in Okazaki.
One cannot rule the country for long by force alone.
Patience...
Hideyoshi will be occupied with the Kinki areas.
I won't let him worry about the east.
Go and congratulate Hideyoshi. It'll help us later.
I understand.
Just then, Hideyoshi had entered Gifu castle
and was meeting with Nobunaga's grandson, Sanboshi.
I'm Monkey, my young lord.
I succeeded in avenging your father and grandfather's deaths.
You're in a bad mood? I'll give you a present.
You don't like it? No?
What about this?
You don't like this either?
This is fun.
Who is the best young lord in Japan? It's Sanboshi!
Is he that good? Of course he is.
You like it?
You're a good boy. I'll protect you from now on.
You want a horse? I'll be your horse.
We've received news that Lord Ieyasu left Atsuta.
It seems he let you lead the country...
Hush!
It seems he left for Lord Sanboshi's good.
We weren't mistaken.
I, Monkey will protect Lord Sanboshi.
We got Lord Ieyasu's help this time.
Sake was served to celebrate the safe return.
It's fine that you served us sake tonight
but I can't approve of Lord Hashiba's message!
Wars may continue, Heihachiro. Don't rush into things.
Victory does not lie only in impending battle.
Do you understand?
I don't!
You'll understand someday.
I'll compete with Hideyoshi by the number of people
residing peacefully in my territory.
I'll grant my people their wish.
The more people live peacefully in my control,
the more victorious I am.
I can't believe those are your words!
The Hashiba and Shibata clans are Oda's former retainers.
But you were Lord Nobunaga's relative in Mikawa!
Never mind. As long as my territories are in control,
we can rely upon the flow of time.
That's true power. Without it we'll perish like Mitsuhide.
If they are unable to control the Kinki areas,
we'll fight under our flag of the Pure Land.
Let's prepare for that.
We'll quietly solidify our strengths.
Mitsuhide must've suffered the torments of hell
in the past 20 days.
Yet it ended in having his head displayed in Kyoto.
Remember the lesson we learned from this.
Lord Shingen taught us military strategy.
Mitsuhide taught us political strategy.
To establish peace,
it is a mistake to move one's army for personal grudges.
I understand.
Enough of my sermon, drink tonight.
I don't think Heihachiro understood it all.
What about you, Oai?
I remember the character for "military"
I believe the character truly means what you believe, lord.
Exactly.
I heard Monk Sessai's words on my way here from Sakai.
I had the bravest warriors by my side, but
it meant nothing to farmers who were angry with the wars.
The only way for me to live
was to listen to the people and give them what they want.
What is a "country"?
It doesn't belong to one, but it belongs to all.
The country belongs to its people.
The 20 days after Nobunaga's death,
determined the fates of Mitsuhide and Hideyoshi.
It was also important to Ieyasu
for it shaped the course of his life...