KURODA (KODERA) KANBE
OTATSU
OTATSU'S FATHER, IBUKI ZEN'EMON
Otatsu, the young lord is here!
Sir Kanbe!
Please stop by later!
For delicious rice cakes!
Father!
You can see all of Himeji from here.
Over there is Gochaku.
That's Akamatsu's Tatsuno.
Our Himeji is in the middle.
Our duty is to protect Gochaku from Akamatsu. KURODA (KODERA) MOTOTAKA
Yes.
Lord Kodera of Gochaku wants you as an attendant.
I know that.
Do you understand what it means?
Although we received the Kodera surname, we are still outsiders.
The Lord doesn't trust us entirely.
I'll be a hostage.
I am prepared.
Don't jump to conclusion. Listen to the end.
That's your bad habit.
Listen.
The Gochaku vassals have strong hereditary ties.
For us outsiders to survive, we must work harder.
Yes.
A warning. Don't be self-assertive.
The nail that sticks out gets hammered.
I'll keep that in mind.
GUNSHI (STRATEGIST) KANBE
Episode 2: Unforgettable First Love
Written by: Maekawa Yoichi
Music: Kanno Yugo
Narration: Fujimura Shiho
CAST
Kuroda Kanbe: Okada Jun'ichi
Mankichi (young Kanbe): Wakayama Kirato
Mori Kohe: Shiomi Sansei
Takenaka Hanbe: Tanihara Shosuke
Okon: Takaoka Saki
Kushihashi Sakyonosuke: Masuoka Toru
Ibuki Zen'emon: Bito Isao
Shibata Katsuie: Kondo Yoshimasa
Dota Gozen: Otani Naoko
Kuriyama Zensuke: Hamada Gaku
Mori Buhe: Nagai Masaru
Kushihashi Sakyonoshin: Kaneko Nobuaki
Otatsu: Minamisawa Nao
Oda Nobunaga: Eguchi Yosuke
Kuroda Shigetaka: Ryu Raita
Kodera Masamoto: Kataoka Tsurutaro
Kinoshita Tokichiro: Takenaka Naoto
Kuroda (Kodera) Mototaka: Shibata Kyohei
Translations by MTI
Executive Producer: Nakamura Takashi
Directed by: Tanaka Kenji
GOCHAKU CASTLE - 1561
I am Mototaka's son, Kanbe Yoshitaka.
LORD KODERA: You look sharp like your father.
Isn't that right, Sakyonosuke?
Yes, sir.
I'm Kushihashi Sakyonosuke.
I met you when you were a toddler.
You've grown up well.
I'm incompetence, so please give me guidance.
You needn't worry.
His son, Sakyonoshin, is also my attendant.
Sakyonoshin, train him well.
Yes, sir.
MORI BUHE
Kanbe!
I've heard a lot about you.
Your family sold eye medicine.
You're the third generation head of the Kuroda family.
Yes.
Most of the Gochaku key vassals are relatives.
My father, Sakyonosuke, is the lord's cousin.
Tanabe here is of the Kodera lineage.
You are the only outsider.
Work hard at your job.
What was that all about?
Don't let it bother you.
Every day at this hour...
Light this lantern first.
Yes.
It's the Lady.
KODERA MASAMOTO'S WIFE, OKON
You're new. KODERA MASAMOTO'S WIFE, OKON
My name is Kanbe. I am honored to meet you.
Work hard.
I lose.
You're good, Kanbe.
Thank you very much.
Mototaka wouldn't beat me though.
Don't bite the hand that feeds you.
I am only joking.
Let's play another game.
Yes.
Did you summon me?
Yes.
I have business to tend to.
Keep Okon company.
Yes, sir.
Okon, I'm leaving now.
Please be careful.
Please be careful!
How happy he looks.
Do you know where the lord went?
No.
To his concubine.
He should honestly say so.
He prefers younger women.
I'm aware of it.
He is being considerate.
The fireflies look beautiful only when they are young.
At a closer look, it's just a dirty insect.
Well...
Aren't you Mototaka's son?
Yes.
In short, a hostage.
Yes.
I am also a hostage.
I married the Lord as proof of my father's loyalty.
It was the same for my mother.
Was?
She died of illness.
Fireflies live twenty days, cicadas for three.
Life is short.
How strange.
that dirty insect...
looks so beautiful from afar.
TATSUNO CASTLE - 1562
The following year...
Lord Akamatsu Masahide of Tatsuno invaded Kodera territory.
It's finally time!
I promise my father I would not disgrace the Kuroda name.
I'm ready, Buhe!
Let's go!
This was Kanbe's first battle.
Otatsu!
Here they come.
KANBE'S GRANDFATHER, KURODA SHIGETAKA
Sir Kanbe!
Mototaka, where is the enemy? KODERA CAMP
The enemy's van, of about 200, is 2.5 miles West by the mountain.
Led by Ishikawa Gengo.
Ishikawa, huh?
That traitor!
Lord, please let me be the van!
Refrain, Sakyonoshin!
Your duty is to be near the Lord and protect him!
Please make an exception!
I'll take the enemy's head for sure this time!
Please!
Refrain!
Let him!
Sakyonoshin! I admire your spirit!
Fight bravely!
Your son is promising!
Let us teach that Akamatsu a lesson!
Off to battle!
Watch, Kanbe.
I'll show you how it is in battle.
Kanbe.
Fulfill your duties well.
Certainly.
Shoot!
Attack!
Sakyonoshin!
What's going on?
I believe we have the edge.
Lord! This was my playground as a child!
I'll be the lookout!
All right Go!
You're trembling.
You, too.
It's from excitement.
Sakyonoshin!
Ishikawa Gengo, prepare to die!
Withdraw!
Attack!
Withdraw!
After them!
They're being lured forward.
It's a trap!
If half advances and half retreats, they're luring us.
Buhe, warn the Lord!
Hurry!
They're here!
Shoot!
Retreat!
After them!
Retreat!
Damn!
Father!
This is a trap!
Sakyonoshin is pursuing them without realizing it!
What?
That fool!
We must save him!
Wait! A careless move could get us killed, too!
But we can't abandon him!
I know of a secret path!
Secret path?
Lead the way!
Sakyonoshin!
Is that Kanbe?
Kanbe! Stay back!
Attack!
Kanbe!
Stay by me!
Retreat!
The enemy is fleeing!
It's our victory!
I did it. I distinguished myself.
Fool!
If it weren't for Kanbe, you would be dead now!
Mind your own business.
Lowly eye medicine dealer.
Kanbe.
Let's go.
Yes.
You did very well for your first battle.
But I was useless in actual combat.
Without Uncle's help, I would be dead now.
With experience, you'll be as strong as your uncle.
I couldn't come close.
Don't be weak-kneed.
As the heir to Himeji Castle,
you have to distinguish yourself.
What does a woman know about battles!?
It's not just me.
Everyone in Himeji wanted you to distinguish yourself.
Who wanted him to come home safely even without...
distinguishing himself?
I don't know.
I miss this view!
You haven't returned to Himeji for a while.
Are the conditions harsh as an attendant?
I'm serving close to the Lord. It's not harsh.
I am proud of my work.
For the young Lord of Himeji to work in Gochaku...
means you're a hostage.
It's the fate of a samurai.
But there are all kinds of hostage situations.
My late mother was a hostage.
But she wasn't unhappy.
Father was kind to her, and everyone loved her.
Though it was a short life,
I'm sure she was happy.
I agree.
I didn't expect it to rain!
It's like that time.
What?
Remember that time?
Please make me your wife.
I'll make you my wife.
Forgive me.
Are you cold?
Caught a cold?
You returned soaking wet. Where did you go?
The beach.
Beach?
Why there?
I just wanted to see the coast of Himeji.
I'll be going, Grandfather.
Come by again.
I will.
Who are you?
Darn!
Please forgive my rudeness.
I'm Zensuke from Kuriyama Village.
Why did you attack me?
I heard you were a wise man...
but without military skill, so I tested you.
Please make me your vassal.
The Kuroda look for talent, not status, when hiring.
I may be of humble origin,
but I'll surely prove useful.
Young Lord, I am worth a hundred men.
What an interesting man.
Make him your vassal.
I can't.
I don't have the means.
Don't think short term.
Don't lose the chance. It may never come again.
Please!
Return to your village.
No...I'm not giving up yet.
You're worth a hundred men?
Don't make me laugh!
I just started. It's only natural that I'm weak!
Just wait! I'll become stronger than you!
Stop talking big.
NEAR MINO BORDER
After unifying Owari province, NEAR MINO BORDER
Oda Nobunaga started his invasion of Mino.
by attacking Saito Tatsuoki's Inabayama Castle.
However...
Lord!
Your life is in danger. Please withdraw.
Let's retreat for now.
Retreat!
Lord!
Lord, you're alive!
Gonroku, are you that surprised I'm alive?
What are you suggesting? SHIBATA GONROKU KATSUIE
Never mind!
We'll regroup and attack again!
If I want to go to Kyoto and take command,
I can't be struggling with Mino!
Nobunaga fell into their trap.
The Saito army employed the Ten Sided strategy.
The entire army lies in ambush.
When the enemy invades,
their escape route is cut off and a full attack is carried out.
Protect the Lord!
There's Oda Nobunaga!
Brother, how do you feel?
NOBUNAGA'S BROTHER, ODA NOBUYUKI
Oda Nobunaga!
Nobuyuki! NOBUNAGA'S MOTHER, DOTA GOZEN
How could you!?
You're a demon!
Nobuyuki...
Do you want me to die?
But I can�t' afford to die here!
Lord!
Lord, you're alive!
Saru (monkey)?
Lord, the enemy has retreated.
What did you do?
Please look there.
These men live along Kiso River.
They prepared all the torches and flags up there
to make it looks like the castle were being attacked.
I was afraid I may be too late...
I'm happy to see you alive!
Saru.
Are you that happy that I'm alive?
I live for you!
I lost this time.
But I will get Mino province!
Retreat.
What's wrong, Tokichiro?
The Saito army has a brilliant strategist.
Strategist?
INABAYAMA CASTLE
You got fooled by the torches and flags? INABAYAMA CASTLE
The enemy is smart.
Damn them!
We almost had Nobunaga! LORD SAITO TATSUOKI OF INABAYAMA CASTLE
We'll get him for sure the next time.
Yes, do that.
This man will guide Kanbe into becoming a strategist.
His name is Tankenaka Hanbe.
In Harima province...
Kodera and Akamatsu made peace through Mototaka.
However, Akamatsu was secretly plotting an attack...
on the Uragami clan's Murotsu Castle.
A messenger arrived at Gochaku Castle one day...
with a request to form an alliance with Uragami
Lord, this is our golden opportunity to gain an edge.
That would be ideal.
That's true.
Wait...Don't decide in haste, is that so Mototaka?
Exactly. Allying with Uragami will only anger the Akamatsu.
Mototaka, when did you become weak-kneed?
Now is the time! We can't be sitting idle!
In these times, a truce means nothing.
If I may humbly speak...
Allying with Uragami means war with Akamatsu.
Kanbe!
Let him speak.
Go on.
Yes.
The Uragami fief, Murotsu, faces the sea,
and is a strategic sea route.
If we ally with Uragami,
Akamatsu will feel cornered and attack us.
Novice! What do you know?
If we dally out of cowardice, Akamatsu will take all of Harima province!
But that would...!
Refrain!
Lord, what is your decision?
You all have valid points.
The decision is...
very difficult to make.
A month later...
Kodera Masamoto decided to ally with Uragami.
The two families would be bonded through marriage.
What's happening with the marriage with Uragami?
A princess from the Kodera relatives...
will be chosen as the bride.
Just like me.
That is the fate of a samurai daughter.
Kanbe, do you have a woman you love?
What?
If so, don't let her go.
Or you'll regret it for life.
Sir Kanbe.
Otatsu... what are you doing?
Cleaning.
Do you have time?
Yes.
Did you hear?
Hear what?
Oh, Young Lord.
Otatsu.
Yes.
I talked with your father last night.
Otatsu will be marrying into the Uragami family.
Otatsu?!
She'll be adopted by Lord Mototaka.
Then get married.
Hearing that Gochaku has no princess of suitable age...
I asked from my side, to be of service.
I think that would be best for Otatsu, too.
If...
Even if Otatsu were to marry you...
she wouldn't be fit for you.
You are of different status.
Otatsu will feel small.
What did Otatsu say to it?
She readily agreed to my request.
Are you...
...sure?
Yes.
I'll be helping the Kuroda family that I'm indebted to.
You said even a hostage could find happiness.
I vow to become happy.
The Uragami and Kodera are forming an alliance.
It's a matter of perspective.
We won't be restrained now.
We can demonstrate the Akamatsu power.
But we've failed before.
We must plan well.
Who said anything about attacking Kodera?
NEW YEAR'S 1564
Target Murotsu Castle! TATSUNO CASTLE
Their guard is down with the wedding!
We'll crush the Uragami!
MUROTSU CASTLE
Young Lord!
The Akamatsu army is heading for Murotsu!
A flower's life is short.
So is a human life.
It was an era in which only the strong survived.
The people prayed for the wars to end.
END OF EPISODE 2
We should raise an army to crush Akamatsu.
There aren't many men who live by duty.
Attack!
Kanbe!
Tokichiro?
Takenaka Hanbe?
Claim rule!
Don't waste your life!
You're a disgrace!
Sir Kanbe is my...