TAIGA DRAMA
We must avoid a war at all costs.
After governing Japan for 265 years,
the Tokugawa returned political power to the Imperial Court.
Their fate lay in the hands of Yoshinobu.
15th SHOGUN - TOKYGAWA YOSHINBU
The order to restore Imperial rule...
RESTORATION OF IMPERIAL RULE
JIKAN-NOCHI
as well as return their court ranking and fiefs...
Yoshinobu had his hopes on the Court until the very end.
IMPERIAL COURT
I'll request to the Court to punish Satsuma.
However, after Emperor Komei's death,
KEIŌ ERA, 2nd YEAR. DECEMBER 25
EMPEROR KOMEI DIES
the anti-Tokugawa faction in the Court gradually gained power.
NARRATOR: NAMERIKAWA KAZUO (ANNOUNCER)
We'll have to overthrow the Tokugawa family.
The Satsuma forces had the Imperial standard to fall on.
NISHIKI NO MIHATA (IMPERIAL STANDARD)
We'll be punishing them as an Imperial enemy.
They had plotted to hoist this flag in battle
IMPERIAL ENEMY (CHOTEKI)
to brand Yoshinobu as an Imperial enemy.
If Satsuma should attack, I shall fight them until the end,
as the Tokugawa bride.
What is Tenshoin's fate?
PRINCESS ATSU
EPISODE 46: RESCUING YOSHINOBU
WRITTEN BY: MIYAO TOMIKO
SCREENPLAY BY: TABUCHI KUMIKO
MUSIC BY: YOSHIMATA RYO
NARRATOR: NARAOKA TOMOKO
DIRECTOR: OKADA KEN
KEIŌ ERA, 4TH YEAR. NEW YEARS, 1868
The turbulent year of 1868 had opened quietly...
It is a lonely New Year's.
It was a sad and painful year last year.
I hope this year turns out well.
I doubt it.
With Satsuma instigating war...
and the Tokugawa family unstable...
all hell could break loose.
I'm worried as to how Yoshinobu will react.
What kind of person is Yoshinobu?
Yoshinobu?
Lady Honjuin loathes him.
I hear good and bad things about him.
He's hard to grasp.
Hard to grasp?
I do not like him, too.
Is that right?
Sadly, there is no one else to entrust the Tokugawa family to.
Wasn't the Tokugawa family cornered because of him?
I wouldn't say it is all his fault.
He should be returning to Edo. You should meet him yourself.
All that we can do now is pray that war does not break out.
We can only hope that Yoshinobu feels the same way as we do.
As for Yoshinobu...
OSAKA CASTLE
TO MY SUPERIOR
I am entrusting this with you.
It's a letter to the Court requesting to punish Satsuma.
Depart for Kyoto immediately.
Sir!
We are going to Kyoto!
Relay to the troops that we are going to war from now!
Yes, Sir!
When Satsuma-Choshu see our army, they will be intimidated.
As for the Satsuma men...
We must not let Yoshinobu enter Kyoto.
SATSUMA CLAN MANSION, KYOTO
If he forces his way in, he'll be an Imperial rebel instantly.
We, Satsuma forces, will split up into guarding here and here.
We shall confront the Tokugawa.
Which means, we are fully prepared.
Reporting!
The Tokugawa, Aizu, and Kuwana forces have left Osaka Castle.
They number about 15,000.
So it's finally starting...
It is time for a decisive battle!
Our army number 5,000. Will we be able to hold out?
Don't let them scare you.
The number of soldiers does not control the outcome.
He's right.
The one with the just cause will win!
You must not overthrow the Shogunate.
It is time to go to battle.
Then on January 3rd...
If we want to change Japan, we'll have to overthrow the Tokugawa family.
TOBA INLET, KYOTO
We must avoid war at all costs.
Do you think you can crush the Shogunate?
It's not a matter of whether you can do it or not...
We must to do it.
Otherwise, this country will never change.
Sir Komatsu, we'll be going to war, after all.
I am going to war.
SATSUMA
In Satsuma, where news of this had not yet arrived...
After Ryoma died...
as if they were waiting for it...
war is looming in the air in Kyoto.
Why do men like to engage in war?
Not only Ryoma's body, but his will is dead, too.
How can we prevent war?
That's what Sakamoto always had in mind.
I can't step on his feelings.
Darn... if only my legs would move freely...
Reporting. Imaizumi Tadayuki is here on urgent business.
How did Princess Atsu reply?
That she won't be returning to Satsuma.
As a Tokugawa member, and the Senior Ladyship that supports the
Shogunate family, she has made her decision to live there.
What did your mother say?
Even before her response came, she knew this would happen.
She probably won't return to Satsuma.
She just smiled when she read the letter.
I see.
Yes.
Live as a Tokugawa member...
That's true... That's the kind of person she is.
I'm worried about her, though.
I just hope the Tokugawa and Satsuma don't go to war...
The war will start.
We have to be prepared for it.
Just as I feared.
I must go to Kyoto at all costs.
A war will break out?
Or should I say, it has already started.
What do you mean?
The Tokugawa has shot a cannon at Satsuma's ship in retribution
for ravaging the city of Edo with fires and thefts.
Of all things...
News of it was sent to Kyoto and Osaka immediately.
It wouldn't be strange if war has already started.
How could they...?
So it has finally started.
The Satsuma-Choshu forces instigated a war against the Tokugawa,
who had an overwhelming advantage in numbers.
This was the start of the Battle of Toba-Fushimi.
BATTLE OF TOBA-FUSHIMI
Now is the time!
Hoist the Imperial standard!
NISHIKI NO MIHATA (IMPERIAL STANDARD)
This is Imperial standard from the Imperial Court!
Those who oppose us, are opposing this Imperial standard!
Which means, they are Imperial rebels!
Upon seeing the Imperial standard the Tokugawa army fell apart.
The Imperial standard?
We've been tricked.
We never thought Satsuma would go that far...
Am I an Imperial enemy now?
IMPERIAL ENEMY (CHOTEKI)
That night...
Isn't His Excellency around?
I don't see him anywhere.
Emergency!
What is it?
His Excellency has fled by boat.
His Excellency fled?
Yoshinobu, who slipped out of Osaka Castle,
headed for Edo with just a few personal attendants.
KATSU RESIDENCE, EDO
What? Sir Yoshinobu returned to Edo?
Yes, Sir.
BEACH PALACE
Your Excellency...
Thank you for coming early in the morning.
The Satsuma-Choshu clans will get their troops together
and head to Edo soon, without fail...
Your vassals think you have returned to Edo to strategize.
Edo is the mainstay of the Tokugawa head family.
This is the only place you would strike the final battle from.
That, of course, is my intent.
However, that would reduce the city of Edo to ashes.
Tens of thousands of people will lose their lives.
We will have to prevent that, won't we?
It cannot be prevented.
Your Excellency, you are lying, aren't you?
Lying?
If you were planning to have a decisive battle in Edo,
you would have tried to stop the enemy at Kyoto and Osaka.
Why didn't you make contrivances?
That is because...
It is as you say.
I have no plan in mind.
How could you flee after just one defeat?
What have you done?
Katsu... I... am from the Mito-Tokugawa family.
Yes...
I've revered the Imperial Court more than the Shogunate...
and have loyally followed my ancestors' teachings of revering
the Emperor at all costs.
I don't understand why they would make me their enemy...
Will you help me out?
You are the only one I can rely on now.
I am not the one you should be relying on.
Then who should I rely on?
Lady Tenshoin.
Tenshoin?
Why don't you meet her?
Why should I? Are you telling me to have her save my life
since she is from Satsuma?
Satsuma is the one who set me up as an Imperial enemy.
She's from the lowly branch family!
Don't think of anything...
Just meet with her.
Katsu!
That is all that I can say.
Sir Yoshinobu had returned.
Upon receiving the news, at the Ooku...
I never thought he would flee back here...
The soldiers that were left behind abandoned Osaka Castle.
We had lost all our allies, almost instantly.
How could he do that?
Will the Satsuma-Choshu forces pursue His Excellency to Edo?
I'm sure it will come down to that.
What are we to do from now?
He must be a very proud man.
What are you talking about?
His Excellency.
So he couldn't bear being branded an Imperial enemy.
A proud man, huh...?
Please excuse me!
I heard Yoshinobu has returned to Edo!
It hasn't even been ten days since the war started.
He's won already? Truly impressive of him!
It's no wonder he is praised for his wisdom.
I thought you disliked him.
I am a largehearted woman.
Oh my, Lady Honjuin...
Mother.
We must welcome him to the Ooku as soon as possible.
Mother!
What is it?
Takiyama.
Please lend me your ears.
Ears? Like this?
What?!
Lady Honjuin! What is the matter?!
Lady Honjuin!
Mother, I heard Yoshinobu has returned to Edo.
He fled back here.
The Tokugawa head family has become an Imperial enemy.
Imperial enemy?
Is that true?
As much as I don't want to believe it...
Please excuse me.
What is it?
His Excellency would like to see you, Lady Tenshoin.
He wants to see me?
Kill Yoshinobu!
Kill him and offer his head to the Imperial Court!
Then the Tokugawa head family and the Ooku can survive.
He is the lord here.
That is why he must be killed!
If we offer his head, the Imperial Court won't crush the Tokugawa.
With his head, we can protect the Tokugawa head family.
Don't hesitate. Offer his head immediately!
Mother...
I cannot forgive him, too.
What do you plan to do?
I am not ready to meet him yet.
I don't blame you.
I am angry at him, too.
You have every right to be.
If his life would save the Tokugawa family...
Then what must be done must be done.
I'll meet him.
Huh?
The first step is meeting him.
Lady Tenshoin, I am...
- You can forget the greetings.
Will you explain what happened?
I tried to avoid war by returning the court ranking and fiefs, but...
I got tricked by Satsuma and was carelessly drawn into war
and have lost as a result.
That is the entire story of it.
Why did you abandon your troops and flee to Edo?
It was not my intention to flee.
Then why?
If I didn't disappear from Osaka, the hot-blooded soldiers
from both sides would have fought until the last one perished.
Are you saying you left Osaka to stop the war?
Yes, indeed.
Our real enemies are the foreign countries.
In order to protect Japan from them, we must avoid domestic wars.
That is why I...
- For what purpose...
For what purpose, did you want to see me?
That is...
Did Katsu Awa-no-kami tell you to see me?
So it's him, after all. He told you to...
I should've known... You wouldn't think of it.
You are taking me lightly.
That is not true at all.
For I am a woman, and an upstart.
What are you getting at?
However, I am the Senior Ladyship in the Ooku now.
I cannot let the Tokugawa family be crushed for this!
If I can save the Tokugawa head family, I will gladly give my head.
You would offer your head?
Are you saying that you are prepared to die?
If that will get the Tokugawa family forgiven...
You can stop the white lies.
White lies?
Is offering my head considered a white lie?
Yes, it is.
So the last shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, would have died bravely...
However, what will remain after that,
won't be the true image of the Tokugawa family.
We'll just be a miserable shell that survived by sacrificing its lord!
Then what should I do?
Do I live shamefully as an Imperial enemy?
Yes, you will live.
As an amends to those who believed and followed you
and were betrayed.
So you're telling me to live in shame...
Yes, live in shame...
You have one more thing to do.
One more thing?
Please excuse me for a while.
What is it?
Come inside.
Who is he?
His Excellency.
Meanwhile, in Kyoto...
You want an order?
Yes... I want the order to attack Edo Castle.
THE IMPERIAL PALACE, EDO
That was my intent from the beginning.
However, as it is a punitive action taken by the Court...
Imperial Prince Arisugawa Taruhito would have to be
the Chief Commander of the Army.
You'll be his military advisor. Is that all right?
Yes, that is fine with me.
It's ironic, isn't it?
You will be cornering Lady Tenshoin from your own homeland.
And Imperial Prince Taruhito, who will head the army,
is the former fiancée of Princess Kazunomiya.
Is that right?
History can be merciless...
That's not merciless.
It's more merciless to be killed by a complete stranger.
Are you telling me to retire and confine myself in deference?
To avoid war and clear the name of the Tokugawa head family...
you will have to plead for forgiveness.
There will be many who will tempt you to fight Satsuma-Choshu.
Do not lend an ear to them. Just defer to the Imperial Court
and confine yourself. Do you understand?
Yes.
However, the enemy won't let you off with just that.
I'm thinking of writing a petition.
Requesting that they spare his life.
Princess, I would like your support on this, too.
My help?
You are the only one who can appeal to the Imperial Court.
Mother, if that is your wish...
Thank you.
Please appeal to them.
Why do you go that far for me?
You are family to me.
Family?
We are family members under the Tokugawa name.
Which means, I must stake my life to protect you.
You are an intelligent man.
You must know what is down the road for you.
That you will be pursued as an Imperial enemy.
And that more battles and bloodshed await.
No, I...
Those who stand at the top are alone.
The bitterness and pain of that loneliness...
can only be understood by those who've experienced it.
Just managing the thousand people in the Ooku
sometimes brings fear to me.
Which means, the Shogun of the country has it much harder.
As far as I know, the ones who understood that were the
late Shogun Iemochi, and my late husband, Shogun Iesada.
They both shouldered the burden as Shogun, and died young.
Please live long for their sakes.
I understand the pains you have gone through until now.
No...
Please raise your heads.
Meanwhile, Tatewaki was trying to depart to Kyoto,
while bearing the pain in his leg.
KOMATSU RESIDENCE, SATSUMA
Dear.
Don't worry.
Chika.
Yes?
I'm glad to have married you.
Please do not forget that.
Don't say such ominous things.
When Sakamoto was alive...
we would talk about what kind of country to build...
I am going to Kyoto to carry out our ideals.
I am not going there to die.
Please wait for me.
Yes.
I'm going now.
As for Lady Tenshoin in Edo...
After talking to Yoshinobu and the Princess, I have to decided
to leave the future of the Tokugawa head family in your hands.
Yes, my Lady.
I'm forcing a big task on you, aren't I?
Not at all. I am a direct vassal to the Tokugawa.
It is a great joy to be of use to the Tokugawa head family.
I heard you like to exaggerate, but I'll believe those words.
I am happy to hear that.
How is Yoshinobu doing?
He is enduring it very well.
He's confined himself to a small room and is maintaining silence.
I see.
Do you think Satsuma will invade Edo?
If I were Saigo, I would give the final blow to the Tokugawa.
How do you plan to confront the Satsuma-Choshu armies?
Not that I don't have a plan...
Are you planning to attack from our side?
No. I would not attack or defend.
I'm thinking of winning without engaging in combat.
Winning without a fight? How?
Even if it's you, I cannot divulge the details.
No strategy can sometimes be the best strategy.
All right.
I leave our lives in your hands.
Do your best at it.
Very well.
I'm counting on you!
Lady Tenshoin could painfully feel the unprecedented crisis
impending upon Edo Castle and the Ooku.
EPISODE 46: RESCUING YOSHINOBU END
NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW
His name is Saigo Kichinosuke.
Saigo?
There's no way to move him.
What's happened to Saigo?
It's for the Tokugawa's sake...
I'm counting on you.
This is the only way...
Please allow me to see Saigo Kichinosuke!
You are...
Did Heaven order you to overthrow the Tokugawa?
EPISODE 47: OOKU'S MESSENGER
Why are you making Lady Tenshoin suffer?
KYOTO PREFECTURE - KYOTO / YAWATA
ATSUHIME'S JOURNEY
THE BATTLE OF TOBA-FUSHIMI
Fushimi-ku in Kyoto City...
KAMOGAWA RIVER
Along Tote Highway, at the lower Kamo-gawa River, where it flows north
and south of the city, is where the Battle of Toba-Fushimi was fought.
JYONANGU PALACE
The Satsuma-Choshu armies had the latest cannons for it.
The Tokugawa army was over- whelmingly greater in number,
MYOKYO-JI TEMPLE
but was still defeated by the Satsuma-Choshu forces.
LARGE ARTILLERY SHELLS HIT THE PILLAR IN THE MAIN HALL
MYOKYO-JI TEMPLE COLLECTION
At Myokyo-ji Temple, you can see the shell-marks from the battle,
evidencing the fierceness of the battle.
THE HOLE WHERE THE LARGE SHELL PENETRATED
YAWATA CITY
OTOKOYAMA
Later, the Tokugawa army advanced to Iwashimizu Hachimangu,
to engage in a decisive battle.
IWASHIMIZU HACHIMAN SHRINE
However, they were defeated again, and retreated to Osaka.
NARRATOR: NAITOU HIROKO (ANNAUNCER)
The Battle of Toba-Fushimi that began the Boshin war...
ended in the Tokugawa's complete defeat in just a matter of four days.
MUSIC BY YOSHIMATA RYO AND GEN ITTETSU