01x15 - Ashigatame no gishiki

[bunniefuu]

I sense the smell of battle.

This is what I was waiting for.

It's so different from
the stale wind of Kamakura.

The enemy is still some distance away.

OMI PROVINCE

Yoshinaka!

I'm coming for you!

The Kamakura forces are drawing near.

The commander is Yoshitsune Kuro Minamoto.

So, it's Kuro.

You must prevent them from
entering Kamakura.

We'll send soldiers to the Imperial Palace
and capture Emperor Go-Shirakawa.

Yes, sir.

As long as we have
the cloistered emperor in custody

they can't attack.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

-Please flee.
-How?

Yoshinaka has set fire to the capitol.

Damn Yoshinaka!

With Emperor Go-Shirakawa
in Yoshinaka's hands,

GO-SHIRAKAWA - YOSHINAKA KISO

the internal w*r of the Genji clan
is about to begin.

About the same time, Yoshitoki in Izu was…

We went through a lot
but Yae is now my wife.

Congratulations.

I have a favor to ask…

I won't be able to
return here for a while.

If you could look in on Yae
I'd appreciate it.

Of course. It's the least we can do.

We'll take care of Yae.

She has to produce a great Hojo heir.

This is indeed auspicious.

Although Yoritomo wants to
march immediately to vanquish Yoshinaka

the gokenin are against the move.

They were going ahead with
their plot to oust Yoritomo.

We'll attack the palace
and take Yoritomo's head.

I don't want to do
anything so heavy-handed.

We have to show we mean business.

No one will follow someone
who kills their master.

Isn't what's important to get

Bando back from the Genji?

How about we take Prince Manju

and tell Sir Yoritomo to leave
the palace as an exchange?

How do you intend to kidnap Prince Manju?

Shortly Prince Manju will have
his 500th day birthday.

On the 500th day, the baby's
first step is commemorated

and celebrated with a walking ceremony.

That's when we take him.

That's it.

How convenient.

Of course. I made it up.

Where are you going?

I'm going back to my house for the moment.

That's not where you're
going back to, is it?

We know you frequent the palace.

Grab him.

Don't k*ll him.

He is their spy.

He's a Bando samurai too.

I'm afraid you'll have to
cool your heels in the stable.

What are you asking me to do?

DAY OF THE 500 DAY CEREMONY

When we succeed,
we want you to be our leader.

We want you to be our flagbearer.

We don't want go to battle
with your father.

I need some time.

Please…

-Please.
-Please.

Excuse me.

I was aware of the 100th day
but not about the 500th…

The ceremony will be
at the Hachimangu Shrine.

It's conveniently close by.

Unless it is a special occasion

I'm not allowed to hold Manju
so it's fine with me.

He is growing bigger every day.

I pray he becomes a great Genji leader
strong in both health and character.

Recently Princess Oo has been
getting very attached to him.

Can she come to the ceremony?

Of course.

Sir Kamakura is in the private quarters
with his family.

What did you want to discuss?

It seems a large deer-hunting event
is scheduled for today

with Sir Miura and other
notable lords participating.

What of it?

It bothers me that it's
on the same day as Sir Manju's ceremony.

You're saying the deer hunt
is just an excuse?

If you say you're deer hunting,

no one will question
the gokenin congregating

with bows and arrows.

I've never heard of
this 500th day ceremony.

Isn't this a Kyoto custom?

There is no such thing.

Go right now to Hachiman Shrine and check.

I'll go see what's happening
at the Miura compound.

If I see suspicious activity
I'll admonish him.

KAMAKURA MIURA RESIDENCE

This seems too elaborate for a deer hunt.

Since we haven't done it in a while,
everyone’s very enthusiastic.

Where is this deer hunt?

I'm sorry I'm late.

Sorry to have intruded.

Sir Wada!

If you swear you'll join us,
we'll spare you.

I also had doubts about
Yoritomo's actions.

Sure, I'll help.

Back down.

I'll return to the palace

and tell them there weren't
any signs of rebellion.

Are you going to let him go?

Like me, he's a pragmatic man.

That's what they all say.

Pragmatic men are swayed by
what's best for them.

Don't worry.

If Sir Kamakura complies quietly,
there won't be any fighting.

But just in case, you might want
to wear armor underneath.

Give this message to Koshiro.

Kazusa is organizing the deer hunt
so not to worry.

I pray for your success.

The 500th day is called the first walk day

signifying the baby taking its first steps

and is commemorated with
a walking ceremony.

Where does this custom come from?

Don't babies start walking
way before their 500th day?

In fact, Prince Manju is already walking.

There are personal differences.

Mongaku is definitely hiding something.

How did the Miura seem?

Well, they didn't seem to be
in battle mode…

Is that so?

Oh, I almost forgot.

Sir Kazusa said,
"Leave the deer hunt up to me."

Sir Kazusa?

Maybe they'll invite us to some deer stew.

What was that sound?

Sir Hiki is wearing something
under his clothing.

It's chilly today.

Oh. Sir Doi wasn't there.

I hear he became ill suddenly
and went home.

Sir Doi?

My back's been k*lling me.
I can't bear it.

So you decided not to go deer hunting?

I didn't think I could ride up
and down hills on a horse.

-Sir Doi?
-Yes?

Is this gathering truly a deer hunt?

What do you mean?

Didn't you return because you had
second thoughts about rebelling?

I can't say.

Then, I will ask you if it is a revolt,
nod once for yes, twice for no.

-Hold on.
-I won't.

Is there a plot to revolt
today, yes or no?

Thank you.

Koshiro.

Slowly.

-How cute!
-Okay, good job!

The ceremony has begun
at the Hachiman-gu Shrine.

Sir Wada will time his attack
to the end of the ceremony,

and take Prince Manju.

Got it.

At the same time,

the Miura forces will head for
Enoshima and capture Zenjo.

Leave it to me.

Finally, the entire army
will surround the palace

and demand Yoritomo leave Kamakura.

This plot will fail.

Get out now.

If I betray my comrades again,
I’ll have no future.

Are you sure you want to be
under Sir Kamakura?

He depends on me.

There's a difference between
being used and depended upon.

You know best that
he doesn't believe in us.

Mongaku, Sir Doi's words…

Sir Kajiwara's disappearance…
It’s troubling.

It all points to a revolt.

Go to Hachiman-gu Shrine
to support Noriyori.

-The rest, strengthen the palace's guard.
-Yes, sir.

If the forces collide,
Kamakura will be a sea of fire.

I think it's smart to first talk.

They won't listen to reason.

If that happens, Sir Kazusa will help us.

Kazusa?

What do you mean?

Sir Kazusa is our spy.

If they ask you to join,
I want you to agree.

I didn't know.

He and I will make sure
we talk the gokenin down.

Why didn't you say so earlier?

For heaven’s sake, what's that sound?

Wha…

I, Yoshikatsu Hiki am already
prepared for battle.

Fighting is our only way out.

Now, wait.

Koshiro.

Can we really trust Kazusa?

Yes.

You must dissuade the gokenin.

If they withdraw their troops now,
I'll forget this all happened.

I swear upon my life.

We're marching to Hachiman-gu Shrine now.

Take as few men as possible
so you're not conspicuous.

Why?

If you march at full force,

they'll find out
before you reach the shrine.

He's right.

Take only our best men.

Alright.

Sir Zenjo.

Are you here?

He can’t have gone far.

Find him.

Yes, sir.

-Manju, we're finished.
-It's alright, Manju.

We're going home.

Bet that was tough, right? Right?

Do not move.

Prince. Please come with us.

You too, First Lady.

What is the meaning of this?

If you do as you're told,
you won’t get hurt.

Stay where you are.

Come closer and I'll k*ll you.

He's pretty good.

I will protect Prince Manju.

Sir Yoshitaka.

I won't forgive anyone who
draws a sword against his master.

Hold on!

Koshiro.

We know about your plot.

The guard around the palace
has been strengthened.

Sheath your swords.

Further struggle is meaningless.

When we lost at Mt. Ishibashi

and we thought it was curtains,
this is what you said.

We're not fighting for the Genji.

From now, we're going to
eliminate the Heike

upon the Bando samurai's honor.

Remember that?

Of course.

Your words persuaded
Sir Kamakura to rise again.

Were those words false?

-It was true.
-Then…

Then let's defeat the Heike,
with the united power of the gokenin.

To do that, someone has to lead.

That's why Sir Kamakura is here.
Isn't that right?

This isn't the time to k*ll our comrades.

Don't let him fool you.

We're not saying we don't
want to fight the Heike.

We're saying we won't fight Sir Kiso.

Who the Genji head is
is none of our concern.

I'm not risking my life for that.

Sir Kiso took the emperor
hostage to rule Kyoto.

First, we must rectify Sir Kiso's actions.

After that we fight the Heike.

-That's sophistry.
-No.

-I'm satisfied.
-What?

If that's the case, it can't be helped.

Hey.

You too.

I really wasn't that vested
anyway from the start.

Koshiro!

Well done.

Were you scared?

I'm really very kind.

Sister. Everything is fine now.

This is the first time you showed
how reliable you are.

Thanks for your help.

Sir Wada always disagrees with what I say.

So, I said the exact opposite
of what I was thinking.

I'll go talk to the elders now.

I'll leave the rest to you.

Now that it's come to this,
let's attack the palace.

You'll only die in vain.

Don't you get it? It's over.

So this is it, Koshiro?

How regretful.

Stop it, old man.

I instigated all this.

I'll take full responsibility
with my death.

Sir Kamakura said he'll forgive everything
if you withdraw your troops.

He knows he's where he is
because of the gokenin.

Let's let Koshiro handle the rest.

Okay people. Let's disband.

All's well that ends well.

-Yes, sir.
-Yes, sir.

Here.

Thanks for your great work.

I never dreamt there was a pact
between you and Koshiro.

It was Sir Oe's idea.

Since Sir Kazusa maneuvered
the gokenin well,

things didn't get out of hand.

Buei. I'll tell you this.

I'm listening.

You're a selfish guy.

But that's who you are.

You only have avenging
your father in mind.

Am I right?

That's how it should be.

Gokenin are disposable chess pieces.

In these turbulent times,

it's only a coward
who cloisters oneself in Bando.

You do what you have to do.

Not even the emperor can deter you.

I understand.

If the gokenin start up again,
I'll handle them.

Kazusa.

I am what I am today because of you.

I ask for you continued support.

I didn't know you were all that desperate.

I am so ashamed.

Please raise your head.

I wonder if you knew, first lady…

I lost my son at Mt. Ishibashi.

For my son's sake, I would like
to serve Sir Kamakura…

and be of use to him.

But he doesn't value us.

That's what was so frustrating.

I lost my brother in that w*r too.

I will never forget that Kamakura exists

because of those who
gave their lives and fought for it.

From now on,

please tell me what you can't
say to Sir Kamakura.

I will do everything I can.

Just you saying that, my lady,

means what we did was worth doing.

Right?

Here are the ones who
participated in the revolt.

This many…?

They all have meritorious w*r records.

I beg for a lenient decision.

The first lady also asked for leniency.

Their plan was to attack the palace.

They must be punished severely
to set an example.

I have an idea.

Promise the gokenin

you will distribute Heike territory
to them when you overthrow the Heike.

I bet they all will be eager
to join the w*r effort.

I see.

It means a gokenin knows best
what the gokenin are feeling.

That makes sense.

I'll do what Koshiro suggests.

Thank you.

However…

if none of the gokenin are punished,
it will set a bad precedent.

That's true too.

How about punishing one person
as an example?

Have someone put to death?

Wait.

It's ridiculous to choose one person
and behead him.

Please have mercy.

Then everyone will be touched
by your magnanimity.

Just one person wouldn't matter.

A revolt must never happen again.

Next time, it could become a bloodbath.

An example is necessary.

It is not.

But who?

That's for you to decide, Sir Kamakura.

There's only one person…

Sir Kazusa?

Sir Kazusa joined the plot at our request.

It's not right to make him responsible.

I believe Sir Kazusa is appropriate.

Are you serious?

You didn't…

What?

Was that your intention
from the very beginning?

You predicted it would turn out like this.

The one who's the most reliable
is to be feared the most.

You knew?

There's nothing I don't know
about Kamakura.

Hiromoto told me everything.

Hirotsune Kazusa.

I always thought something
had to be done about him.

That's when this incident came up.

You came up with the idea first?

It was you, Sir Kamakura.

It was me.

Deliberately make him join the revolt,

and make him take the responsibility.

It was a brilliant plan.

This was a major incident.

I'm saying I will spare everyone
in exchange for Kazusa's life.

I can't agree.

Then tell me who you think is suitable?

Tell me among the names
of the gokenin here, who is dispensable.

I do feel indebted to him.

That's why I said farewell
to him last night.

I thanked him in my own way.

Why don't we gather
all the gokenin at the palace

and k*ll him in front of all of them?

If we're going to make an example,
we should make the most out of it.

You must not.

Tokuro.

Arrange it at once.

You must not. No!

Sir Koshiro!

Sir Koshiro.

Kazusa said to me…

Gokenin are disposable chess pieces.

He will understand why.

-Sir Kamakura!
-Sir Koshiro!

Sir Kamakura!

Sir Kamakura… He's a terrifying person…

I knew that from the start.

I'll go see Sir Kazusa.

What good will that do?

I'll tell him to run.

That's stupid.

His death will save everyone.

Me, and you too.

But…

You know in your heart…

You know that's the only way.

-You're wrong.
-Then why are you here?

You wanted me to stop you.

You wanted an excuse not to
go save Kazusa.

In your mind, you know
Kazusa's fate is sealed.

You may not have noticed but,

you're getting to be
like Yoritomo little by little.

I say this as praise.

I trust you

but Hiromoto thinks
you joined the other side.

I'm offended.

Prove it.

DECEMBER 22

Watch where you're going.

Pardon me.

The gokenin are gathering.

They are going to receive word
from Sir Kamakura

that he will let bygones be bygones.

That's the end of it.

Too lenient!

You know what happened to my husband.

I'm sick and tired of
someone getting the blame

k*lling himself or being beheaded.

Father.

KAGESUE KAJIWARA, SON OF NOBUTOKI

Is this what you wanted?

I do have hesitations about
k*lling Kazusa.

Should he or shouldn't he die now.

I'll let the dice tell me.

How long is Buei going to keep us waiting?

I heard you were an expert at dice.

Why don't we play?

Sir Kajiwara is playing dice
with Sir Kazusa.

The dice isn't coming up
my way at the crucial time.

Don't take this, please?

You win.

Hey.

Sir Kazusa.

Excuse me.

Watch where you're walking.

Pardon me.

Sir Kajiwara. Have you gone mad?

Hirotsune Kazusa is a treacherous villain

who dared oppose the emperor
and Sir Kamakura.

He plotted to invade the palace
and do away with Sir Kamakura.

For that crime, I am hereby executing you.

Koshiro.

Koshiro.

Buei!

Buei.

Buei…

Koshiro!

If you approach, I'll k*ll you too.

I have ex*cuted
the traitor Hirotsune Kazusa.

We will eliminate his remnant soldiers

and his territory will be
distributed among you.

There are even more territories
in the west.

k*ll Yoshinaka, eliminate the Heike

make those territories you own
with your prowess.

This is indeed the beginning
of a new world.

I will not forgive anyone who opposes me.

Remember that.

Yes, My Lord!

Oh!

Master. Missus.

Riku. Riku.

Yae.

I'm going to loosen your obi.

The transfer of the Kazusa estate
is complete.

Thanks.

This was in the armor we found.

A child's writing?

Sir Kazusa was learning to read and write

prior to going to Kyoto.

I can't read it.

Things to do within the next three years.

Create rice paddies for the Myojin deity.

A small shrine too.

Organize horseback archery
ceremonies several times.

All this…

so Sir Kamakura's wish will come true and

for peace of the east.

He was a traitor.

Hold the baby.

Yoshitoki's first son was born
that same year, 1183.

He would later be known as Yasutoki Hojo.

TO BE CONTINUED

Most likely.

NEXT TIME

We have won

this w*r!

Yoshitsune Kuro will behead Yoshinaka.

That’s to win the Genji's favor
and follow them loyally.

That depends on you, Sir Koshiro.

What's wrong with a surprise attack?

Enough of your nonsense.

Those who don't understand reason,
return to Kamakura.