Tokugawa Ieyasu
Episode 48: The Summer Battle of Osaka Castle
In spite of the peace settlement of the previous year,
the masterless samurai warriors in Osaka Castle were restless again,
and became increasingly violent,
regardless of the wishes of Hideyori and his mother.
Ieyasu decided to set out from Sumpu on April 4th, 1615.
Lady Mother?
The Kuwana and Ise armies have received Ieyasu's orders to ship out.
Various Western lords have been ordered the same.
You're exaggerating the situation, Shuri.
My messengers to the Retired Shogun didn't have such news.
There're traitors within this Osaka Castle.
Traitors?
Our spy reports that Oda Yurakusai has headed for Nagoya.
Ridiculous!
Not Lord Yuraku of all people.
You believe him over me?
If you distrust others, they'd distrust you.
I'm sick of being suspicious.
But the problem is quite urgent.
Ieyasu wants Lord Hideyori transferred to Koriyama
or he'll declare war on us.
What? Move our lord?
Once Yurakusai arrives in Nagoya, he'll tell them of our situation.
We must take the offensive!
Wait.
Can't you see?
I said, wait!
Jokoin is one of my messengers.
Can you keep that a secret for just another day?
But Ono Shuri ignored Yodogimi's plea,
and held a military conference soon after.
...that Yurakusai betrayed us after all!
It's more accurate to say that he absconded.
What do you mean?
Those who have a place to escape to, are fine,
but we have nowhere to go.
What a thing to say!
We're risking our lives on saving the Toyotomi clan,
yet you claim that we're here 'cause we have no place to go?
Once you leave this castle,
the rest of the country is under the Tokugawa's control.
Therefore, those who are in this castle,
have no other place to go.
You're exactly right.
You're suggesting that those who want to leave may do so?
Exactly.
We cannot achieve true unity
unless those who have other places to go, leave us.
Only those who have no choice may stay.
So that we may risk everything to fight this war.
The time has come.
Lord Sanada is right.
There is no life for us if we move to Koriyama.
You have opened our eyes!
Now our hearts are as one.
Desperate samurai are truly courageous.
...what? Yurakusai betrayed us?
Yes.
You claim that this is the Tokugawa's plot to make me powerless?
Yes.
I hate the Tokugawa clansmen!
Now that we know that the settlement was a trick,
we must fight this war to the end.
I'll lead, so don't fear death!
Just as the Osaka retainers guessed,
Yurakusai had sought refuge at Ieyasu's side.
You feared for your life and escaped Osaka Castle,
but you're so uncaring that you left the heir and his mother.
You're prepared to bear that bad name, I suppose.
No; I absconded for I believe for the sake of my country,
we must appease this rebellion as soon as possible.
Then...there will be war after all...
But you must not take this foe lightly or you'd face a crisis.
They say a cornered rat will bite a cat...
These 'rats' have transformed themselves into a pack of wolves
who are prepared to die.
I'll be frank with you.
If you set out with the attitude you have now,
you wouldn't make it back alive, Sire.
Those words were painful for Ieyasu to hear.
If you chase two rabbits, you may not get either.
'The warrior, Tokugawa Ieyasu
'was both a strong warrior, and a compassionate lord.'
You're hesitant for want of those sweet words of praise, but
you may be eaten alive by those wolves.
You're sly as usual.
You're right.
I'm taking advantage of your patience, Sire.
When I absconded, the Lady Mother was still undecided.
But once Ono Shuri decides, she'll be influenced by him.
The same holds true for the young heir.
They may be made to believe that you are their mortal enemy.
If not, the wolves may be after them with guns and arrows.
Ieyasu immediately visited Jokoin, Yodogimi's messenger.
Listen well.
The Shogun's opinion was that
he will not forgive the men in Osaka.
Though I have tried to appease the Shogun,
the men in Osaka have done nothing to help me.
And now, Lord Hideyori and Lady Yodo are about to fight again.
But I haven't given up yet.
No matter what happens I'll save Lord Hideyori and Lady Yodo.
Consider my life and you can understand why.
I have fought numerous times,
but women and children are not my enemies.
I am driven to war, once again.
I am very angry!
Retired Shogun...
I won't let them die... not Lord Hideyori or Lady Yodo.
Retired Shogun.
Tell me what I can do! I'll do anything to help!
All we need as one man who truly values the Toyotomi clan
who will advise Lord Hideyori to leave Osaka Castle for now
and stay at Koriyama Castle
until the Shogun stops suspecting them.
Is that all?
I believe it's best to convince Ono Shuri.
Yes.
I hope you understand that
this must be done before the Shogun's army surrounds them.
Once they make a point, I'll handle the rest.
I understand how you feel.
I'd like to prepare to leave immediately.
So, you'll go for me?
Yes.
I'm counting on you.
I don't deserve that.
Then, excuse me.
Ieyasu's earnest desires were relayed to Ono Shuri
in the castle filled with the atmosphere of war.
...the Retired Shogun?
He doesn't want to involve Lord Hideyori and his mother.
He said to ask you why
you've ignored the value of the Toyotomi bloodline,
and want to go to war?
His desire to save the lives
of my lord, his mother, and his wife, is also mine.
I have come to ask you for advice.
Why ask me, when I am a new clan member?
Your job is to protect those three and the women.
It's your duty to think of their safety.
Yes, my family and followers are prepared to protect them.
I'm relieved to hear that.
I'm asking you on my life!
Lord Shuri!
The atmosphere in this castle
prevents us from settling peacefully at this point.
Just when the Toyotomi clan was about to be destroyed,
I learned of the Retired Shogun's true desires.
This must be a blessing.
Please, move our lord to the Koriyama Castle.
Then, the Retired Shogun will handle the rest.
And you believe him?
I do.
I'll fulfill my duty to him by arranging to save those three.
What do you mean?
I'll drag all the warmongers to death together with me.
What?
The Christians in this castle, the masterless samurai...
I'll carry the burden of Tall those warmongers.
I understand.
You'll grant me my wish?
I appreciate it.
NIJO CASTLE
The Shogun, Hidetada, who was ready for an all-out attack,
arrived in Nijo Castle and called a military conference.
I shall expunge the root of all rebellion,
and ensure the arrival of everlasting peace.
This will be my last war in my life.
That's expected from you as the Shogun.
Tell me your strategy for starting this war, and the dates.
My last army will arrive on the 26th.
I'll surround the Osaka Castle with that army immediately.
I'd like to finish this war by the end of the month.
I see.
But that's a bit hasty.
The enemy is a cornered rat.
Who knows what they'll do if we drive them too far.
So, we must not panic.
We'll calmly ward off the brunt of their attacks.
That might drive the enemy out of their castle.
The difference in strengths of the army trained indoors,
and the army which is used to traveling outdoors
will be apparent in a battle outside their castle.
What do you think, Masanobu?
I have no objections.
What?
Now that I'm over 70,
I have finally come to realize your deepest concern
which is your loyalty to the late Regent.
You want to give the heir and his mother
one last chance to change their minds.
You are displeased about fighting this war,
so you want to relay your true intentions to the enemy
and open fire only after you've done that.
Or this war may be considered a trap for them.
Do you have any objections, Shogun?
No.
I see.
Masazumi, let's set the formation.
Bring the diagram.
He knew that he will be accused
of ruthlessly killing the Regent's son in this war.
As a last resort, he sent Jokoin to Hideyori.
Just then...
...fortunately, his wound wasn't serious.
But rumor's hold that the attacker was his brother's follower.
I see...
there is no way out of this now...
This was just one violent...
Those violent will not let me go to the Retired Shogun.
Sire...
So, now my fate has been decided.
Isn't it funny?
This castle was but a dungeon in which to lock me up...
I'm glad you came back safely.
I'd like to speak to you in private.
No!
It seems like you were tricked by that old badger again.
Our lord is prepared for war...
Wait.
My lord, the Retired Shogun
will postpone his army's departure from the 26th to the 28th.
He asks that you use this time to move to Koriyama Castle.
Is that what he said...
Moreover...
He said he'll drive the masterless samurai out
once you move to Koriyama Castle.
That dotard...
Still trying to trick us with sweet talk...
Our lord will not be swayed in his decision!
Excuse yourself!
I am not a child.
My lord.
We are discussing our departure. Excuse yourself!
The bond between Ieyasu and Osaka Castle, was broken.
I see.
Forgive me.
I didn't want you and your sister on opposing sides...
That's alright.
I didn't chose to be born the daughter of Asai Nagamasa.
What are you saying?
My father was killed by my uncle, Nobunaga, and the Regent.
My mother died at Kitanosho Castle because of the regent.
In spite of that, I bore the Regent's son
and I'm driven to suffer today...
This must be the curse of my parent's spirits.
Sister...
A man tried to kill his own brother...
This castle is dangerous.
We don't want anybody going after Princess Sen's life.
Right, Shuri?
I'm ready to risk my life to protect you.
Lady Mother!
What's wrong, Lady Okura?
My sons have set fire to the Koriyama Castle!
I see...
Koriyama was an important castle to our lord.
Now that my sons have burned it, I'll apologize with my death!
Mother!
You must not die, Okura.
It's decided now.
Sister...
Forgive me.
I'm sorry I asked for the impossible...
I caused you and Oeyo so much trouble...
Okura and Aeba, too.
Forgive me.
Yodogimi was prepared to die.
Speech, my lord!
I am fighting this war
for I am prepared to make this castle my grave.
Burn Fushimi and Nijo Castles if needed.
Nara and Sakai are easy to take over.
Those castles and towns were built by my late father!
If we win, we'll restore them.
If we lose, they can be destroyed with us.
Fight hard!
The summer battle of Osaka Castle began.
Ono Harafusa's army of 2,000 was the vanguard.
They burned the Koriyama town
and were ready to set fire to the Nara areas.
I will not allow that!
Don't let them burn Kyoto and Nara!
Upon Ieyasu's strict orders,
Mizuno Katsunari's army set out quickly to Nara.
And 5,000 Kishu soldiers set out from Wakayama Castle.
Both armies faced Ono Harafusa's army head on.
The Western army's strategy failed,
and Ono Harafusa retreated to Osaka Castle.
Now...a conference on this war...
I believe we shouldn't ambush the enemy
since their main army has left for the Yamato area.
We should crush their vanguards first.
You're right.
If we crush the vanguards, their path of retreat will be blocked.
I'm sure they'll try to retreat from Nara to Koriyama.
How about it, Lord Sanada?
If we're going to ambush the enemy,
the battlefield will be around Domyoji.
That's 12 miles away from this castle.
The only way there is to cross the mountains.
There're only three paths for an army to travel
and Domyoji will be the central point.
This is the best place.
What do you think, Lord Shuri?
If you and Lord Goto agree, I have no objections.
We agree to set out to Domyoji.
Let's report this to our lord and ask for his approval.
Before that, let's plan our line-up.
I Goto Matabei Mototsugo, shall lead the first regiment.
I'll lead the second regiment.
How many in your regiment?
I'll take Lords Suzuki and Akashi.
You can assign the rest.
Ono Shuri was the man with the most power in Osaka Castle.
However, he saw no hope in this war.
He realized for the first time
that once the winter battle was over, Hideyori had lost control.
How is this formation?
I have no objections.
This is fine. If Lord Sanada will fight behind me,
I can die in relief.
Lord Goto!
You mustn't talk of dying.
Life or death is no concern to a great warrior such as yourself.
Only victory.
That was my mistake.
We'll win, won't we?
May 5th, 1615.
Goto Matabei, who took over Mt. Komatsu,
fought the Okuda regiment of the Eastern forces,
and fought with the Matsukura and Toda regiments.
As Matabei fought like the devil himself,
reinforcements kept arriving for the Eastern forces,
and he had nobody...
Just then, Sanada Yukimura led 3,000 men to Domyoji.
Reporting! The first regiment is fighting the enemy.
The 2nd regiment will arrive and the outcome will be decided.
My Lord Kimora wishes that you come to the battlefield
to raise the spirits of the soldiers.
Thank you for the message, but I cannot leave my castle.
My men may kill me from behind me.
Shuri told me that even Harufusa
may kill me to present my head to my enemy.
I shall protect our heir upon my life,
go tell Lord Kimura and others to fight hard.
The Kimura regiment was engaged in bitter battle
with the Toda regiment.
Meanwhile, the Sanada regiment had come to help,
and mingled with them in the confusion.
Reporting! Lord Goto Matabei has been killed!
We'll retreat.
Blow the conch shell.
Blow the conch shell!
Retreat!
Reporting! Lord Kimura has been killed!
How can we retreat at this point?
We must chase them!
Wait.
A full day has passed since we began fighting.
We must let the soldiers rest. The real war is yet to begin.
Lords Goto Matabei,
Suzuki Kaneyasu, Kimura Shigenari: dead.
It is Lord Hideyori's orders for us to retreat.
What? His orders?
But it would take some planning to retreat alive in this confusion.
Indeed.
But there's one enemy who hasn't fought us yet.
It's Matsudaira Tadateru's army.
He hasn't fought yet.
Therefore, should they fight us, we'd be in trouble.
The outcome of this war will be postponed to tomorrow.
I agree.
Gather your men immediately.
This is a death defying escape.
I shall serve as the rear guard.
My master, Date Masamune's message is thus:
The enemy may attack from behind or from the side.
Therefore, you must not chase them.
Damn!
My allies are struggling before my very eyes!
How can my father-in-law expect me to sit and watch?
I repeat!
Lord Date Masamune has been appointed
your advisor by the Retired Shogun.
This is his order!
Had Tadateru's army attacked Sanada Yukimura's regiment,
the Osaka forces would have been destroyed.
But Date Masamune did not allow that to happen.
He wanted to wait another day
for his chance to take over Osaka Castle.
YUKIMURA'S CAMP
Needless to say, victory will be decided around Tennoji.
In the last war, we fought from the castle.
But this time we can't do that, for we have no moats.
You're right.
We're defenseless.
We'll have all the lords come out to Tennoji.
We'll lure the enemy out to this area.
Exactly.
We'll set up another regiment south of Mt. Chausu
while our army is fighting face to face.
I see.
You think Ieyasu will set up camp there?
This will be the decisive point.
Ieyasu is a keen warrior,
so we must do our best.
That's encouraging.
Everyone!
Let's get Ieyasu's head tomorrow!
What was today's battle all about?
Were you asleep?
Your grand-father, Ieyasu, never took naps during battle.
Fool!
Then let me serve as your vanguard tomorrow!
No!
We can't win if the vanguard takes a nap.
Then...?
Shut up!
Had our men entered Osaka Castle today,
we would have defeated them tomorrow,
and avoided more bloodshed.
I called you to scold you.
Leave!
In fact he was scolding Tadanao in place of Masamune and Tadateru.
I'm not so lazy that all I do is scold my grand-children.
I'll set out to fight tomorrow.
Not at your age...
Quiet!
We already have a Shogun,
so I can afford to die.
Because I wasn't prepared to die, you fought half-heartedly.
War is frightening.
It reflects the commander's resolve.
I'm afraid that it would be unfilial of me
to let you fight when you're over 70.
Fool!
Talk of filiality in peace, but this is war!
You must give out the orders tomorrow.
I? Give out orders?
Right.
Think of me as dead.
I am very old.
And one more thing.
A mad lion will come after us tomorrow.
Don't take your eyes off the enemy.
Final word...
What is it?
Send another messenger to the castle under your name.
A messenger to persuade them to surrender.
Not at this point...
This is manners in fighting a war!
Think of me as dead and retreat to your camps.
Let your men rest until morning.
The summer battle of Osaka Castle...
With only a few hours before fighting resumed,
Ieyasu longed for Hideyori and his mother's surrender.