01x27 - Kamakuradono to 13 nin

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TAIGA DRAMA

JANUARY, 1199
TENTH YEAR OF THE KENKYU ERA

According to the notice from Kamakura,

Yoritomo became ill
at the end of last year,

entered the priesthood
on the 11th of this month,

and died on the 13th.

That is too sudden.

Was he assassinated?

Well no… There’s no one in Kamakura now

who benefits from his death.

An accident?

And something they needed to hide.

Yoritomo is the head of the samurai.

Conduct unbecoming a samurai…

Did he fall off his horse?

Would a man of Yoritomo's stature
fall off his horse?

When was Yoritomo last in Kyoto?

RETIRED EMPEROR GOTOBA

It was four years ago.

Ah… He was drinking a lot of water then.

Speaking of a water drinking disease…

Mido Regent Michinaga Fujiwara.

He would get dizzy
if he didn't have enough water.

So that’s what it was.

You see everything.

Who's succeeding him?

They are asking that Yori-ie succeeds.

Yoritomo's successor… A very heavy burden.

I’ll be going.

This is your first task as Sir Kamakura.

Do your best.

Just do what you believe,
don't worry about restrictions.

It there's a problem,
we elders will take care of it.

That's reassuring.

There's something I wanted to give you.

When he was going to battle,
Sir Yoritomo swore to the skull

"I'm betting my life on you."

Whose skull is it?

Sir Yoritomo's father Sir Yoshitomo.

Grandfather's skull is enshrined
in Shochojuin Shrine.

That's right. This is an outright fake.

However…

Everything began with this skull.

I'm betting my life on you.

A fake moved people's heart.

You should keep this from now on.

This should be handed down
to all future Sir Kamakura.

It is the sign of the one
who leads the people.

Power succession came quite suddenly.

The huge void left by
the death of Yoritomo.

Will the young Yori-ie be able
to fill the void?

Sir Kamakura would like to say a word.

I want to take over

what my father Yoritomo accomplished

and what he wanted
to accomplish but could not.

What's more I want to do it better.

I want you all to help him.

We intend to serve you with our lives.

From now on, when you need
Sir Kamakura's approval

please go through me.

Hold on.

I will take on that task.

Oh, no.

When you consider the relationship

between Hiki and Sir Kamakura,
I am most suited…

-That's not…
-Please stop, both of you.

Sir Kamakura has something to say.

Men.

From now on, you don't need to hold back.

If you have a complaint,
I will hear it directly.

Sir Kamakura…

I have no intention of giving
special treatment to Hiki or Hojo.

I haven't told mother yet.

I don't want her to interfere.

I won't select people
because of their clan affiliation.

No matter whom,

I intend to appoint those with ability.

Hold on.

It's not that we want to clip your wings…

That… is how I want to rule.

For me, your granddad, won't
you give the Hojo special treatment?

Sir Kamakura has spoken.

Was that okay?

You did splendidly.

Do not trust them.

Sir Yoritomo never trusted
the gokenin until the very end.

Except me.

I'll remember that.

Oh, for heaven's sake, why?

I feel betrayed by Sir Kamakura.

He didn't make Setsu
his legal wife either.

One thing after another.

Let him have his way for a while.

He'll learn the hard way

he can't get along in Kamakura
by disregarding the Hiki.

Sir Kamakura has matured
unbeknownst to us.

How carefree you are.

This has great consequences.

We thought the Hiki and Sir Kamakura
were in the same boat

but we've discovered they're not.

You're right.

How can we not rejoice?

This is getting interesting.

It seems Sir Kamakura trusts
Sir Kajiwara the most.

He’s his own man.

I think that's fine.

Taro. Sir Kamakura asked me
to recruit young and able men.

I want you to be one.

Yes, Father.

-Goro. You too.
-What?

I think I'm too old…

I am Taro's uncle after all.

As the eldest, I want you to
keep an eye on Sir Kamakura

so he doesn't run amok.

I want you to report back his movements.

Wouldn't I stick out?

Since you have a baby face,
you'll be fine.

Baby face…?

I'll do it.

Oh, how cute!

It seems Sir Kamakura is really g*n h*.

That's a good thing.

I still believe…

that Sir Yoritomo's true successor is you.

We promised not to talk about it.

If you become Sir Kamakura

and our son reaches maturity…

Don't speak of this again.

IMPERIAL PALACE, KYOTO

Kyoto was in the throes of
a serious incident..

What?

A plot was discovered to assassinate

Emperor Emeritus Gotoba's
guardian, Michichika Tsuchimikado

Unforgivable.

Arrest them at once.

Yes, My Lord!

Those arrested were gokenin
with connections

to noble Takayoshi Ichijo.

Wasn't Sir Takayoshi…?

Sir Yoritomo had intended him
to marry Princess Oo.

He may have feared Sir Michichika
would persecute him

after Sir Yoritomo's death.

The arrested gokenin are waiting
for your help, Sir Kamakura.

We should protect them.

For once, we agree.

Let's demonstrate Sir Kamakura's majesty.

The Emperor Emeritus orders
Kamakura to punish them.

From the Emperor Emeritus?

We don’t want to antagonize
Lord Michichika.

All the more since there is
an order from the Emperor Emeritus.

The answer is clear.

Chikayoshi. Go to Kyoto.

Go punish the insolent gokenin.

Are you sure?

This is no time to have
a dispute with the imperial court.

You are absolutely correct.

Mongaku's name is listed
among the arrested.

-What about him?
-Mongaku?

He's the monk that persuaded
Sir Yoritomo to rise.

If you punish me, Mongaku,
without permission,

it will trigger a dispute
between Kyoto and Kamakura.

Hand me over to Kamakura at once.

Who cares?

We shouldn't get involved any further.

Tell the Emperor Emeritus
he can punish Mongaku.

As you wish.

Shichiro Yuuki is an expert biwa player.

He is highly regarded in Kyoto.

He's a good teacher so I'm sure
you'll like him, Sister-in-law.

Thank you for taking me on.

I'll leave you to it then.

Alright.

I'm sorry you had to be bothered with me.

I loved the biwa playing I heard
at a banquet and got the biwa,

but it's very difficult to play.

-May I begin?
-Please do.

Consort to the Chinese Emperor,
Yang Guifei was a biwa expert.

Peerless beauty…

ASAMITSU YUKI

…and biwa go hand in hand.

Shall we begin?

Thank you all for coming.

I need young men whom
I can rule together with.

Those who aren't interested,

or are interested but have no ability

will be asked to leave.

Remember that.

Yes, My Lord.

Taro. I'm counting on you.

Yes, sir.

Yasunobu. Let's begin.

Yes, My Lord.

The basic foundation of government
is adjudicating disputes.

Write that down.

Yes, My Lord.

When disputes arise between gokenin,

we listen to both sides and decide
which side is right.

The majority of our work will be
settling land disputes.

In exchange for us protecting their land,

they take up arms to protect Sir Kamakura

in case of emergencies.

There will be times when
we go to Kyoto to negotiate.

When that happens,

knowing kick ball will come in handy.

Most important is your expression.

Like a flower looking at the Sun,

kick quietly, gently…

Now, let's try.

Remember this man?

Next.

He's the former retired
Emperor Go-Shirakawa's close aide,

-Tomoyasu Taira.
-Next.

He had drifted to Kamakura

and was now teaching kick ball
at the palace.

Do you like kick ball?

Not particularly.

Me, neither.

What we should practice is
archery and horsemanship.

Well, let’s see how it goes.

Are you ready?

Then… begin.

Lightly, now.

A light touch.

Like you are floating on air.

Step lightly, now.

Oh, oh.

That's enough.

You're good.

I got the hang of it.

Hey.

Thank you.

Continue.

-Everyone, keep going.
-Yes.

There's so much here.

Now that you've succeeded,

there are many who seek the opinion of

the new Sir Kamakura.

Let them know that

you have inherited Sir Yoritomo's
virtuous spirit

by making wise judgement
on all these cases.

I was asked by Sir Kamakura
to be the head of samurai affairs.

And this man snatched it from me.

Sir Yoritomo ordered me to
take the head of samurai position.

I was told it was just for a day
so I agreed.

You've been in that position
for years now.

You made it up.

Sir Kamakura. Please understand.

After the Mt. Ishibashi battle,

-Sir Kamakura told me…
-Hold on.

The name Sir Kamakura keeps coming up

and it's getting confusing.

Sir Kamakura is Sir Yori-ie.

Could you say Sir Yoritomo
for the former Sir Kamakura?

That's such a hassle.

Sir Yoritomo said to me personally,

"Yoshimori Wada does not have the ability

to do the job of head of samurai affairs."

"That's why I'm asking you to
do the task for him."

Liar!

I'm not lying.

There are many gokenin
who do not trust this guy.

They are urging me…

that I become the head again.

Should we take a break?

Yes.

This is what Sir Yoritomo would have done.

There should be a record of

when Sir Kajiwara was named
head of samurai affairs.

If we…

Sir Kamakura?

How is life as Lady Wife?

I haven't gotten used to it yet.

Don't forget that although those
around you obey you,

it's not you, but Sir Kamakura
they're honoring.

TSUTSUJI, YORIIE'S LEGAL WIFE

It's easy to forget that so be careful.

Okay.

I didn't know you were here.

She's giving me pointers.

Are you done for the day?

I'm fed up with all
the frivolous disputes.

It's important for the people concerned.

You should listen to
what they have to say.

Sir Kamakura. I've looked
all over for you.

Oh, you're here too, Mother.
What were you talking about?

Is something wrong?

Ichiman walked. All by himself.

That's great news.

Once they're walking,
you have to worry about injuries.

You must always keep your eyes on him.

I finally realized
when I had my own child.

The more trouble children are
the more lovable they are.

That is so.

Did you know?

A child's face changes day to day.

Today he resembles Sir Kamakura…

another day he looks like Grandpa Hiki…

Our child, with Genji bloodline

will be very handsome
with a well-defined nose.

Wait until you have a child to brag.

Sir Kamakura?

Sir Kamakura… Wait for me.

Sir Kamakura.

Since he has no experience,

Sir Kamakura is at a loss as to
how to handle things.

I'd like to help but…

I don't know if I should.

I…

I've watched him since he was very young.

The more he is troubled
the harder it is for him to ask for help.

He never asked for help

when he couldn't come down
after climbing a tree.

But I think he really wants help.

Everything he does is compared
to what Sir Yoritomo did.

I understand how he feels.

I was compared with Yae too.

Perhaps Sir Kamakura is waiting?

How about this?

Regarding litigations,

we let the bureaucrats discuss it
initially as before.

Have them narrow down
the judgement options

then ask Sir Kamakura to weigh in.

It's true, it is too hard
for Sir Kamakura at present.

Form a five-man committee
with the four bureaucrats and yourself,

and take care of the litigations
for the time being.

Can you act as the intermediary

between the bureaucrats and Sir Kamakura?

That seems to be for the best.

Let me talk to Sir Kamakura.

Thank you.

So, until the new government
is up and running smoothly,

I want you to work under this framework.

It takes experience to make a judgement

after listening to the opposing parties.

A committee of five.

We come up with the judgement

and we only tell Sir Kamakura the result.

That would make for
the least chance for errors.

We mustn't discourage Sir Kamakura's zeal.

Please go with this framework.

Are you telling me not to
be involved in governance anymore?

That's not what I'm saying.

Isn't settling litigation the basic
foundation of governance?

That is why we want to do it
very carefully.

We are merely the intermediaries.

We will ask you to make
the final judgement.

You think that is the best way?

Yes, I do.

Alright.

That's a great idea.

But if Kajiwara's on the committee,
why isn't a Hiki?

Include me and make it a committee of six.

If not, you will not get
cooperation from me, ever.

A committee of six?

He wants to maintain
his prominence, that fool.

If that'll make this work,
I'm not against it.

In that case, include me too.

-Father…
-That goes without saying.

If Kajiwara and the Hiki are on,
the Hojo must be there too.

A committee of seven.

What nonsense.

You mustn't let
the Hojo get the upper hand.

From now on,
the Hiki will control governance.

Let's get a Hiki ally onto the committee.

Why me?

Your wife is a Hiki.

But I was going to spend
the rest of my life,

praying for the soul of
the departed Sir Yoritomo.

Helping us is a way of supporting
the new Sir Kamakura,

which is the best way
to remember Sir Yoritomo.

Am I up to the task?

Sure, sure. You just side with me
when the opinion's divided.

Otherwise, you can just eat mochi
and snore all you like.

Damn Hiki.

He has no shame.

That's why, Sir Miura…

We need your help.

I don't like complicated situations.

All you are is a body to even the numbers.

He wants equal or more allies than Hiki.

All you want is for him to be there?

Of course.

That's uncomfortable too.

Jiro. Please?

So how many does that make?

Excluding the bureaucrats,

two for Hojo, two for Hiki…

Shall we add another for our side?

Heiroku. Why don't you join?

Two from Miura would not sit well
with the others.

So instead of me, how about him?

I'm not good at difficult things.

I want you to know now.

We all know that.

We want your forcefulness.

I will lend a hand.

That makes it a committee of ten.

A nice round number.

Hojo, three Hiki, two…

On numbers we have the upper hand.

We're not home free yet.

Shall we get another?

I think it's enough.

-How about Jiro Hatakeyama?
-Not him.

The more the better.

I'll summon him.

I refuse.

You…

Sir Hiki has already warned me.

There will be consequences
if I join the Hojo side.

How cowardly.

It can't be helped.

There's no one in Musashi
that can stand up to the Hiki.

Of course, I will support you,
my father-in-law.

Can I help in another way?

No, thank you.

I'm disappointed in you.

So who else is there?

Grandpa Sasaki?

He's dead.

How about Grandpa Chiba?

He will die soon.

No grandpas, please.

We have more numbers than Hiki.

Isn't this enough?

Really!

What is Father thinking?

In the worst-case scenario,

he may ask all the gokenin in Kamakura.

I don't think that was your intention.

Thanks for letting me know.

The current Kamakura is
at the brink of collapse,

having lost a major pillar
that was Sir Kamakura.

Someone has to become the new pillar.

That must be Sir Kamakura.

Do you really think he is capable of that?

Oh, Sir Hatta. Thanks for coming.

I heard.

To join you is to make enemies.

Are you going to make it worth my while?

However, don't think I'm now your ally.

Don't be so cold.

I won't join hands with you.

I go my own way.

Unbeknownst to me,
it became a committee of 12.

So you heard…

IT IS NOW 12, NOT 13

Four for Hojo.

Three for Hiki.

Four bureaucrats and I make 12.

Going by numbers, it looks like
Hojo has the advantage.

So Hiki is trying to get
the bureaucrats on his side.

Wow!

Keep bringing the sake.

This isn't what it's about.

I apologize.

This shouldn't be a vehicle
for stupid internal disputes.

I will not let them add more members.

Sir Doi.

Nobody asked me.

It's better if you don't get involved.

I think so too. But…

If possible, I would have liked
to have an offer to refuse.

You've always been the peacemaker.

I think they were respecting you.

To tell you the truth,

I want to be of use to Sir Kamakura

one more time before I die.

I must hurry…

Koshiro…

A total of 12.

These people will support
Sir Kamakura going forward.

Your name is on this.

I was summoned by Sir Hojo just now.

Er… I am from Musashi too

why did Sir Hiki warn

Sir Hatakeyama off but not me?

Perhaps he saw how obstinate you can be

and thought it was useless, Sir Adachi.

Obstinate?

I get that a lot.

If Sir Kamakura is satisfied with this
I'm fine too.

But I have one request.

I'm listening.

There's one more person
I want you to include.

Not me.

Twelve, thirteen, what's the difference?

If I'm included,
Sir Kamakura will be offended.

Yori-ie is still very young.

He'll run from anything unpleasant.

As his uncle, I want you by his side.

You are the 13th member.

Koshiro.

You're practicing hard… It's late.

The men seem to be all stirred up…

Don't underestimate Sir Kamakura.

I have my own men
who are my eyes and ears.

I heard from Heizo it was five,

how many now?

A little more than ten.

Thirteen.

-Am I so helpless?
-That's not it.

I think I'm doing the best I can.

Don’t you like what I’m doing?

I'm trying to find a way that will
make it easier for you.

You're not in, are you?

If at least you could be
on my side, just in case…

It's the former Lady Wife’s idea.

You said I should do as I wished.

I won't trust anything
a Hojo says anymore.

This is how I supported your father.

Sir Yoritomo wasn't Sir Kamakura
from the beginning.

Please, put your trust in us gokenin.

Let's create Sir Kamakura's

new Kamakura together.

Thirteen… It's grown a lot.

Perhaps it was all for the best.

If power is concentrated in a few,

untoward things will happen.

Sir Yoritomo was
always worried about that.

Never mind. I understand.

Hiromoto Oe,

Yasunobe Miyoshi,

Chikayoshi Nakahara,

Yukimasa Nikaido,

Tokimasa Hojo,

Yoshizumi Miura,

Yoshimori Wada,

Tomoto Adachi,

Yoshikazu Hiki,

Morinaga Adachi,

Tomoie Hatta,

Kagetoki Kajiwara.

Also Yoshitoki Ema.

Thirteen in all.

From now on,

these 13 will receive
and adjudicate all litigations.

Heizo.

This is not what you told me.

There are more members
than we initially anticipated.

Never mind.

It's better that power is not
concentrated on one person.

Right, Koshiro?

Yes.

However, I'm not fooled.

You may have thought you talked me around.

Koshiro, I have never trusted any of you.

Sir Kamakura.

My father never trusted
the gokenin to the very end.

The same goes for me.

Heizo.

I'm disappointed.

There are people I want
to introduce to you.

Come in.

Yataro Ogasawara. Saburo Hiki.

Yashiro Hiki. Goro Nakano.

Taro Ema.

Goro Hojo.

I chose them.

They will work for me at my command.

They are the only ones I trust.

From now on,

they and I will govern my way.

Of course, we will strive together
with you all.

Let's create a new Kamakura together.

There were two Hiki men.

Hojo too.

What's going to happen…

to Kamakura?

Sir Yoritomo died too early.

Now then, let's get back to work.

TO BE CONTINUED

I can't overlook it.

Let's bring Kajiwara down.

My role is to protect Kamakura.

We will begin to adjudicate
the litigations.

Step outside.

I don't want anyone who does not
swear allegiance to me.

It's immoral.

Too many.

Settle this peacefully.

I have nothing to be ashamed of.