01x43 - Shikaku to shikaku

[bunniefuu]

Kogyo, the only living son
of Yori-ie has returned from Kyoto.

Excuse me.

Tomorrow you will go to the palace

to pay respects to Sir Kamakura
and the Former Lady Wife.

Okay. What about that other matter?

You are the only male who

Sir Kamakura said was like a son to him.

There is no one else
to succeed to the Sir Kamakura position.

I swear I will become Sir Kamakura.

That's why I've returned.

I will make sure you get your wish.

Sanetomo has no heir.

Expectations about his succession
ran rampant.

Who is the most worthy
to become Sir Kamakura?

It's been a long time.

How long has it been
since you were last here?

Six years.

You've become a fine young man.

I'm sure Sir Kamakura will be pleased.

True to Sir Yoritomo's bloodline,

the young prince is smart
and an expert swordsman.

I trained between prayers.

I'm a bad priest.

How promising.

I want to see the former lady wife.

She's waiting for you over there.

That fearless attitude
reminds me of Sir Yori-ie.

He's smarter than Sir Yori-ie.

He inherited that well-defined
nose from Sir Yoritomo.

Plus, he won't cause any trouble
with women… he's a priest.

He has all the good attributes
of the Genji.

Koshiro.

About Sir Kamakura's successor…

Yes, about that…

He has yet to produce an heir,

yet he won't take a mistress.

Then it has to be the young prince.

Come with me.

Kogyo.

My task now is to watch over
my son and grandson.

That's my only reason for living.

You arranged for me
to enter the priesthood,

and thanks to you I've trained
both body and soul.

Eventually, I plan to become
a great Sir Kamakura

that my grandfather
and father would have approved of.

Now hold on. What are you talking about?

As I said, the next Sir Kamakura
will come from Kyoto.

What about the young prince?

Sir Yori-ie jeopardized Kamakura's peace,

and Sir Kogyo is his child.

He should not succeed…
that is Sir Kamakura's opinion.

That's not right.

I don't think that's right either.

Sooner or later, Kamakura
will be taken over by the west.

You haven't told Kogyo?

What did he say?

He intends to become Sir Kamakura.

Why didn't you explain it to him properly?

In the first place,

there's no reason I have to tell him.

Kogyo intends to return to secular life.

You know that can't happen.

It just means he's that determined.

Where is he now?

He's seeing Sir Kamakura.

I hope he doesn't tell Kogyo.

Sir Kamakura is a smart man.

He wouldn't say anything rash.

I've decided to adopt a son from Kyoto.

I plan to have him succeed me.

I will become the retired shogun,

you will become the head priest
of Tsurugaoka Shrine,

and be a good advisor
to the new Sir Kamakura.

He's just saying there is
some talk about that.

You shouldn't talk about
something that's not decided.

By talking about it,

Sir Kamakura is making it so
that people won't back down.

I'm counting on you. Kogyo?

Yes, sir.

This wasn't the deal.

It's just Sir Kamakura talking.

I'm going back to Kyoto.

Regardless, you will confine yourself

for 1,000 days in prayer, as scheduled.

During that time, I will…

Can you bring him around?

Leave it to me.

Thousand Day Seclusion.

One severs all contact
with the outside world

secludes oneself in the shrine
and offer prayers to the gods.

The only one who can enter
is a young page.

What does the Emperor Emeritus say?

We should hear about
the new Sir Kamakura soon.

I know of no better news.

Congratulations.

Summon everyone now.

I want to tell them myself. Hurry.

Yes, sir.

Isn't there any way to stop this?

I'm thinking.

He may be from Kyoto,

but it could be the son
of a poor noble who’s a nobody.

Then what?

If this was the emperor's child,
I'd go along with it.

That's exactly right,
if we were to adopt him.

They mustn't look down on Sir Kamakura.

In any case, I intend to
decline this offer.

I want you both to back me up.

Leave it to me.

The young prince intends to succeed.

Don't forget that.

So the successor is Sir Kogyo or my son.

Not your son.

Tokimoto also has the lineage.

If you're talking bloodlines,
Sir Kogyo is first in line.

Bloodline?

Talk about a cursed line.

Your line is no better.

Was this the right thing to do?

You should keep doing what
you think it right, Former Lady Wife.

I do so rely on you.

I came to Kamakura
at Sir Yoritomo's behest.

Since then, although there
have been generational changes

the person I serve is only one person.

It is you, Former Lady Wife.

Me?

I, Hiromoto Oe,

will never be able to see your face
again with my own eyes,

but my heart's eye sees you most clearly.

Sir Oe?

Yes?

That's too weighty.

Pardon me.

If Sir Kamakura adopts a son from Kyoto,

there will no longer be
useless conflicts between the gokenin.

I think that is good.

I'm sorry I'm late.

How is your back?

Don't overdo it.

I can't rest in my mansion

when you're talking about
such an important matter.

Is this everyone?

Everyone you summoned.

This reminds me of when that
personage succeeded Sir Yoritomo.

At that time, the 13 elders gathered too.

Now it's 12.

So we're one short. Too bad.

Let's begin.

Now then. Sir Kamakura has
something to say to you all.

Kogyo…

People. This is the previous
Sir Kamakura's child, Sir Kogyo.

He does look like him.

I heard this was an important meeting
to decide the future of Kamakura.

May I please join?

You may.

What about your thousand-day seclusion?

I snuck out after 100 days.

Tomorrow, I'll start again from day one.

You can't just leave the Hachiman Shrine.

I am the head priest.

What's wrong with that?

I will go tell them.

Please begin.

-Let's wait until Goro returns.
-We'll start now.

Then, I'll start…

No, I will.

About adopting a son from Kyoto
that you’ve been pursuing…

May I say something before you start?

You’re interrupting Sir Kamakura…

This is important.

If we decide such important matters
among a selected few,

eventually the gokenin will get angry.

Because it is important,
I want to make the decision.

From the era of the previous Sir Kamakura,

the custom is to decide important
things by discussion.

However, agreement was never
reached by consensus

since the previous Sir Kamakura's time.

Previous Sir Kamakura…

Why don't you say Sir Yori-ie?

Is there a reason for that?

We didn't mean anything by it.

Don't you think we elders should
take the time

to consider this with care?

Although Sir Kamakura does not
have a child, there is Sir Kogyo.

Also, my child.

-I'm disappointed.
-Of course, you are.

But we're already in discussion.

I'm sorry but this is already decided.

Some time ago, I already asked
the Emperor Emeritus

to look for someone suitable.

We have his reply.

From the Emperor Emeritus?

His Majesty said he's agreeable
to send one of his princes.

They are the Emperor Emeritus' sons.

What?

There could be nothing better.

We are indeed blessed.

Does that mean he's a relative
of the lady wife?

Prince Yorihito's mother
is my older sister.

Yoshitoki.

I doubt any gokenin would object to that?

If it really happens,
nothing could be better.

Yoshimura.

I believe the gokenin would be glad.

Then I want to go to Kyoto
as soon as possible to seal the deal.

I wonder if that's wise.

I think it's etiquette for me to go
talk to the Emperor Emeritus.

Please don't underestimate
the significance of you going to Kyoto.

We need time to prepare.

Don't make it a big deal.

We don't want the people in Kyoto
to make light of you.

I want to settle this as soon as possible.

Then I will go.

You?

If a woman goes,
it doesn't need to be so grandiose.

It will be part of my pilgrimage
to Mt. Kumano

and I'll finalized the arrangement.

But…

I think that is a good idea.

If she goes, they will have
his majesty's guardian

Kaneko Fujiwara meet with her.

I think as two women,
they will have a lot to talk about.

Then it's decided.

-I will accompany you.
-No, thank you.

Please leave it in your mother's hands.

If nothing changes, the young prince
will never become Sir Kamakura.

If it is the Emperor Emeritus' child,
we'll have to resign ourselves.

No. I won't give up.

This is the last chance for us Miura
to rise up to the top.

I have to do something.

IMPERIAL PALACE, KYOTO

I'm sorry I made you come with me.

I felt a bit uneasy by myself.

I don't like people living in Kyoto.

They put on such airs.

They look down on us who are from Bando.

There are those who don't.

I'm not looking forward to this.

Now that you mention it,

you learned kickball so you wouldn't
be embarrassed when in Kyoto?

Yes…

I hope you have a chance
to show your skills.

Even though she is the shogun's mother,

originally, she's just a country girl
from Izu.

Don't let her get the better of you.

I know that.

I'm going to take her down a peg or two.

After you do, you come to terms.

That's the best way to
win the negotiations.

Lady Kaneko is the person
who brought Prince Yorihito up.

She must be overjoyed
for him to become Sir Kamakura.

Use that as an advantage.

That's the best way
to win the negotiation.

Lady Kanako, second rank.

Thank you for going out
of your way to find an heir

for my son Sanetomo.

I know this isn't much…
it's dried octopus.

Please try some.

Oh?

Is it Bando custom
to gift something that isn't much?

Sometimes, it's good to taste
something that isn't much.

It will make you realize how good
your regular meals are.

Lady Masako.

Thank you for coming
from Bando so far away.

I came from Kamakura
at the ends of the earth.

Let's move on the main topic.

We are grateful that you will
choose one of the princes

to come to Kamakura.

In truth, we're having a hard time.

The Emperor Emeritus and Sir Kamakura

have a bond through
their love of waka poetry.

I'm very grateful.

Although his majesty wants
to help Sir Kamakura,

I am not enthusiastic about

sending a precious prince to
a place as turbulent as Kamakura.

Kamakura has finally settled down.

Finally… isn't it?

Among the princes, the only ones
who haven't entered the priesthood

are princes Masanori and Yorihito.

That's right.

Particularly, Prince Yorihito is

the one you brought up
with tender loving care.

I think of Sir Yorihito like my own child.

If he goes to Kamakura
I will be very worried.

Come to think of it, the emperor
is Sir Yorihito's older brother.

That's correct.

I think I heard that
the emperor's wife is with child.

What's your point?

That means Sir Yorihito
won't be the next emperor…

what a waste.

Then if he can become
Sir Kamakura instead,

we will be overjoyed.

If that happens, you Lady Kaneko

would become
a most important person for us.

Kamakura would bestow
the utmost respect on you.

Oh, my.

What is Kaneko doing?

She's in the midst of negotiations
with Lady Masako.

I hear Masako doesn't want
to talk with me.

She said she was too unworthy
to meet you, the Emperor Emeritus.

I despise such obsequiousness.

I heard something interesting.

Tokifusa Hojo who accompanied
Lady Masako to Kyoto…

is Yoshitoki's younger brother.

Why don't you see him instead?

Why should I?

He is rumored to be
the best kickball player in Kamakura.

What?

Sorry about that. Kick it back to me?

You're good.

For a Kyotoite who only worry about style,

you're very good.

For a crude eastern warrior,
you have talent.

Say you.

Are you hurt?

I'm fine. Let him go.

Who are you?

This is the Emperor Emeritus.

Please forgive my rudeness.

You name is Tokyusa?

I am Tokyusa.

Let's play again sometime…

Tokyusa.

Bishop Jien.

The plan to send my beloved prince
to Kamakura…

help to expedite and agree to it.

Yes, Your Majesty.

There are those in Kyoto
who say bad things about you…

they say you’re a wicked woman…

And that you must look like an ogre.

But I told them…

Lady Masako must have had
a good reason in her position.

You don't look like an ogre.

Rather, you resemble
the Todaiji Buddha statue.

Thank you.

Lady Masako.

Do you drink?

Just socially.

Then how about we drink
as a gesture of goodwill?

-Please.
-Bring it.

It is agreed that Prince Yorihito

will be the heir to succeed Sanetomo.

I must tell my lady wife right way.

As guardian for the prince,

Sir Sanetomo is appointed sadaisho.

SIR SANETOMO

It’s higher than Sir Yoritomo's position
as general of the right guard.

Congratulations.

This is so auspicious.

And as your mother,

the former lady wife is given
the rank of junior third rank.

Third rank!

It's proof how much the Emperor Emeritus
thinks of Sir Kamakura.

My aunt, a junior third rank?

I should recommend Taro
for some imperial rank as well.

How about the lord of Sanuki,

a position that was held by
Sir Michizane Sugawara.

I think that's good.

I am unworthy.

My son is still inexperienced.

He's too young to be
a provisional governor.

No, I want him to be one.

I hope the Emperor Emeritus will approve.

If I put in a good word, I'm sure he will.

Sir Hojo.

So much good news.

When Prince Yorihito becomes Sir Kamakura,

I, Nakaakira Minamoto will support
him as de facto chief advisor

and lead governance here.

You say that as if it's decided.

If there is someone more suited

to unite Kamakura and the imperial court,
I'd like to know who.

Why don't you go back to Izu
and enjoy a leisurely retirement?

That's something I've always wished to do.

If that happens,
maybe I should become the regent.

Lord of Sanuki? That's a big deal.

You didn't decline, did you?

I'm not that keen.

If you decline, I'll take it.

Oh. Father.

Something wrong?

Did you screw up again?

Please forgive me about Chigusa.

I was sincere.

I didn't know she was that…

I need to talk to Taro. Leave us.

I'll come to the point.

I want you to decline
the lord of Sanuki position.

May I ask why?

You think ill of me.

-Hold on…
-I know.

Yet, I have a high opinion of you.

Eventually you'll become the regent.

You can become what I aspired to
but couldn't.

When that happens,
that man will surely stand in your way.

You must not let
Nakaakira Minamoto have his way.

So be wary of him from now on.

Don't be in his debt.

Rest assured.

I was about to
decline the position anyway.

So we agree.

I'm leaving.

I've decided to accept
having the prince as shogun.

In other words, the prince will be
a hostage for our purposes.

A hostage?

Wait.

What is it that you aspired to
but couldn't achieve?

-Welcome back.
-Welcome back.

This is the best time
to view cherry blossoms.

You all should go too.

Here. Put them in water
and put it in my room.

Yes, Ma'am.

Mrs. Mii?

You look so animated today.

I wonder why.

I didn't know I would be this relaxed
when Sister was away.

I'm surprised myself.

-I think I'll go rest.
-Take your time.

You must be the regent's wife.

I am…

Cherry blossoms…

The cherry blossoms
at Yofuku temple were magnificent.

This must be peak cherry blossom season
on Mt. Arashi in Kyoto.

You lived there for a long time…

Just between you and me,

I'm still not used to being in Bando.

Yes, me too.

You were born there too?

I was born in Totomi.

But, how do I say…

living in the east has never suited me.

I think I served the emperor
in a former life.

Your demeanor… bespeaks of elegance.

Don't flatter me.

I'd like to hear more about Kyoto.

Of course. Whenever you like.

See you.

I've brought my father.

Sit.

Excuse me.

I thought you were not supposed
to see anyone for 1,000 days.

I'll start from day one again tomorrow.

I hear the adoption is proceeding
with Prince Yorihito?

You're well informed.

My ambition to become Sir Kamakura
has been nipped in the bud.

Is that what this means?

Is it?

I am bitterly disappointed.

Go.

Why did I return?

If you became Sir Kamakura
you would have met with disaster.

It was better this way.

What do you mean?

Didn't your mother tell you anything?

What are you talking about?

The sequence of events that led
to your father's death.

I was told Father died of illness
without fulfilling his ambition.

I see…

What do you mean?

What actually happened?

Tell me.

Your mother Tsutsuji lied to you
so you could live a peaceful life.

I'm not in a position
to go against her wishes.

Why did Mother lie to me?

I can't tell you.

Yoshitoki Hojo is my best friend.

We have worked together for a long time.

I won't betray my friend.

So Yoshitoki is involved?

I can say no more.

Your father was m*rder*d…

by the Hojo.

I remember…

When I was little,
an old woman I didn't know came

and intoned something like a spell.

Don't forgive the Hojo.

She said don't forgive the Hojo.

The Hojo k*lled Sir Yori-ie
and his family.

Your older brother,
who by rights was the successor

was also k*lled by Yoshitoki
at the age of six.

You mustn't forgive the Hojo.

And…

Sanetomo who was hoisted
to the shogun position by the Hojo

is not the true Sir Kamakura.

I won't forgive.

April 29th. Masako returns to Kamakura.

Junior third rank.

Thank you for making
such a long trip for me.

Junior third rank.

First, let me congratulate you.

I'd like to relinquish
the Sir Kamakura position

to the prince as soon as possible

and experience what even
my father did not.

There is something you must do
before that.

First, we'll hold a ceremony
to congratulate your new court rank.

After that the ceremonial wearing
of noble clothes.

Both ceremonies will be conducted
with pomp and circumstance

at the Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine.

July 8th. The noshi-hajime
ceremony was held.

NOSHI-HAJIME

It is a ceremony where Sanetomo,
now a general of the left guard

worships at the shrine
in noble clothes for the first time.

They have no idea of

the tragedy that will occur

six months later at the same place.

TO BE CONTINUED

We, the Genji, will take back Kamakura.

The offending regent will disappear.

We'll rise at once.

Please humor me.

I know everything.

I'm sorry.

Kogyo.

Stop, Sanetomo!

-It's…
-It can't be…

From here on in,
there'll be continuous conflicts.