1
00:00:13,471 --> 00:00:15,932
Forward, honored lords!

2
00:00:16,558 --> 00:00:19,686
Matsudaira Terutsuna,
the Governor of Kai province!

3
00:00:19,769 --> 00:00:22,272
- You may approach.
- Yes, sir!

4
00:00:26,693 --> 00:00:29,612
Matsudaira Terutsuna, Governor of Kai,

5
00:00:29,696 --> 00:00:33,032
wishes to thank my liege
on this, the New Year's Day.

6
00:00:36,661 --> 00:00:39,372
Doi Toshitaka, Governor of Toutomi,

7
00:00:39,914 --> 00:00:42,709
wishes to thank my liege
on this New Year's Day.

8
00:00:46,463 --> 00:00:49,090
Sakai Tadatomo, Governor of Bingo,

9
00:00:49,174 --> 00:00:51,801
wishes to thank my liege
on this New Year's Day.

10
00:00:53,553 --> 00:00:57,182
And thus,
the female feudal lords with male names

11
00:00:57,265 --> 00:00:59,726
were born during the reign of Iemitsu.

12
00:01:04,439 --> 00:01:05,565
Delightful.

13
00:01:10,945 --> 00:01:13,490
ŌTHE INNER CHAMBERS

14
00:01:19,329 --> 00:01:20,622
This is a last resort.

15
00:01:20,705 --> 00:01:22,499
Merely a provisional measure.

16
00:01:23,625 --> 00:01:27,378
It will only stay in place until
the male population increases once more.

17
00:01:27,962 --> 00:01:30,882
At that time,
men will assume their hereditary titles.

18
00:01:32,300 --> 00:01:34,385
This also applies to the shogunate.

19
00:01:34,469 --> 00:01:37,847
My role is only to occupy this seat.

20
00:01:38,431 --> 00:01:41,893
A temporary measure
to maintain the Tokugawa clan's rule.

21
00:01:42,477 --> 00:01:45,897
As such, I will act
on behalf of my late father,

22
00:01:45,980 --> 00:01:49,150
by retaining the name and title
of the third Shogun, Iemitsu.

23
00:01:51,986 --> 00:01:54,530
And you need not worry
about the matters of state.

24
00:01:55,240 --> 00:01:57,784
The shogunate has
excellent cabinet officials.

25
00:01:57,867 --> 00:02:00,203
Government duties shall continue as usual.

26
00:02:01,496 --> 00:02:06,417
My role was to be born into this world
to preserve the Tokugawa clan.

27
00:02:06,501 --> 00:02:09,128
I am little more than a human sacrifice.

28
00:02:09,212 --> 00:02:10,380
Hear my words.

29
00:02:10,463 --> 00:02:14,342
If the population of men declines,
and this land should end in ruin,

30
00:02:15,218 --> 00:02:17,929
then I shall perish
alongside this country.

31
00:02:18,012 --> 00:02:23,768
Now then, are there any who have an
objection to this? To a female shogun?

32
00:02:26,104 --> 00:02:29,691
There was no objection.
Not a single voice raised.

33
00:02:40,118 --> 00:02:44,706
Iemitsu's reign began with
the downsizing of samurai in the Ōoku.

34
00:02:47,542 --> 00:02:50,962
So you wish to dismiss
a hundred of the men?

35
00:02:51,045 --> 00:02:54,882
I would like you to make the selection,
with some guidelines. Let me see...

36
00:02:55,758 --> 00:02:59,137
Choose those who are still young,
and unskilled in martial arts.

37
00:02:59,637 --> 00:03:03,307
I have no doubt there are many who are
not cut out for duties in the Ōoku.

38
00:03:03,391 --> 00:03:05,727
This is a good chance
to rid ourselves of them.

39
00:03:05,810 --> 00:03:10,106
My lord. Then I shall see to it that they
receive sufficient severance funds...

40
00:03:10,189 --> 00:03:11,357
Do not.

41
00:03:11,441 --> 00:03:14,277
The shogunate does not
have extra funds to hand out.

42
00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:17,613
The men who are dismissed will be
taking on a new role of service.

43
00:03:19,699 --> 00:03:23,327
And it is a very, very important role
that I have in mind for them.

44
00:03:25,830 --> 00:03:28,541
Iemitsu sent the 100 men
who were dismissed

45
00:03:28,624 --> 00:03:31,627
into Yoshiwara,
a government-licensed pleasure district.

46
00:03:35,047 --> 00:03:36,632
I just can't!

47
00:03:36,716 --> 00:03:39,719
- This is-- I just can't!
- I can't do it either!

48
00:03:39,802 --> 00:03:41,387
- Where ya goin'?
- Huh?

49
00:03:41,471 --> 00:03:43,890
- Listen up!

50
00:03:43,973 --> 00:03:48,019
The only chance you'll have of
leaving this place will be in your dreams.

51
00:03:49,061 --> 00:03:52,482
Among the dismissed,
the shogunate paid generous stipends

52
00:03:52,565 --> 00:03:56,110
to those who were strong, tough,
and skilled in combat.

53
00:03:57,111 --> 00:03:58,821
They served as security guards,

54
00:03:58,905 --> 00:04:01,532
so the rest of the men
wouldn't be able to escape.

55
00:04:08,331 --> 00:04:10,291
- Such a catch!

56
00:04:10,374 --> 00:04:12,418
I am definitely getting out of here...

57
00:04:13,002 --> 00:04:15,797
I think that had better be
the last time you say that.

58
00:04:16,422 --> 00:04:20,718
In one swift stroke,
Iemitsu had revitalized Yoshiwara

59
00:04:20,801 --> 00:04:24,347
as a place where women could buy seed
from healthy, young men

60
00:04:24,430 --> 00:04:27,767
for much cheaper than the going rate
in the capital city of Edo.

61
00:04:30,394 --> 00:04:32,063
Oh, and Arikoto,

62
00:04:32,146 --> 00:04:34,440
regarding some of the protocol
in the Ōoku...

63
00:04:35,149 --> 00:04:39,487
Should there come a time where another
female shogun has to take on this role,

64
00:04:39,570 --> 00:04:42,532
I wish to make a decree
for the first man to lie with her.

65
00:04:42,615 --> 00:04:45,826
- He must be chosen from within the Ōoku.
- Yes, my lord.

66
00:04:46,577 --> 00:04:50,957
And whoever that man is,
this swain must be executed in secret.

67
00:04:52,792 --> 00:04:54,126
It would only be fair,

68
00:04:54,627 --> 00:04:58,756
as that man would be injuring the body of
the shogun, which is an act of treason!

69
00:05:00,049 --> 00:05:02,552
I could never forgive him
when it happened to me!

70
00:05:03,052 --> 00:05:04,512
I could never forgive him!

71
00:05:07,390 --> 00:05:12,562
If he were the old Arikoto,
he might've protested Iemitsu's request.

72
00:05:14,272 --> 00:05:16,274
Yes. As you wish, my lord.

73
00:05:17,858 --> 00:05:20,778
This role will be called
the "secret swain,"

74
00:05:20,861 --> 00:05:23,114
and the decree
written into the Ōoku code.

75
00:05:23,781 --> 00:05:26,242
The policies
of the female shogun

76
00:05:26,325 --> 00:05:28,995
were neither kind nor compassionate.

77
00:05:32,665 --> 00:05:36,585
The farmers of our lands are enjoying
too much luxury with their relaxed lives.

78
00:05:36,669 --> 00:05:41,716
Continue the strict ban on farmers
eating rice. Do not tolerate any hoarding!

79
00:05:42,675 --> 00:05:43,843
My liege!

80
00:05:45,928 --> 00:05:48,848
At this time,
two coincidences overlapped.

81
00:05:49,640 --> 00:05:54,228
First, the male population, which used
to be one-fifth to that of the female,

82
00:05:54,312 --> 00:05:56,814
steadily recovered to that of one-fourth.

83
00:05:57,940 --> 00:06:00,943
This effectively slowed
the declining population.

84
00:06:03,612 --> 00:06:06,991
And second,
as a result of the good weather that year,

85
00:06:07,575 --> 00:06:10,286
the harvest of rice was
robust and bountiful.

86
00:06:18,961 --> 00:06:20,921
Lady Sato. Is that it?

87
00:06:21,964 --> 00:06:26,469
It is! This comb thresher separates
grains of rice right off the stalk.

88
00:06:26,552 --> 00:06:29,013
Better than chopsticks, right, Sanpeita?

89
00:06:29,096 --> 00:06:32,266
Agricultural tools rapidly developed
to reduce the labor for women,

90
00:06:32,349 --> 00:06:36,270
as they were physically weaker,
but now have more responsibilities.

91
00:06:36,353 --> 00:06:38,606
Since we had
a great harvest this year,

92
00:06:38,689 --> 00:06:41,525
we were able to purchase
this comb thresher for the farm.

93
00:06:42,818 --> 00:06:46,322
If everyone in the village could use it,
it would lighten the workload.

94
00:06:46,405 --> 00:06:48,282
Women could breathe a little easier.

95
00:06:49,075 --> 00:06:52,787
Ever since the new shogun has
taken over and started ruling,

96
00:06:52,870 --> 00:06:55,873
It seems like the lives of farmers
have improved at last.

97
00:06:56,582 --> 00:06:59,001
The lady shogun brings us good luck,
I think!

98
00:07:00,294 --> 00:07:01,754
Everyone says so.

99
00:07:04,465 --> 00:07:05,883
I hope they're right.

100
00:07:09,637 --> 00:07:14,141
I just wish the red-face smallpox
would end so we could live normally.

101
00:07:15,142 --> 00:07:19,355
However, the male population
stabilized and held at one-fourth,

102
00:07:19,438 --> 00:07:23,067
and society was starting to settle into
a strange equilibrium.

103
00:07:24,610 --> 00:07:25,986
Around that time...

104
00:07:27,279 --> 00:07:28,614
Master Arikoto.

105
00:07:29,114 --> 00:07:30,574
Our lord has...

106
00:07:31,158 --> 00:07:35,371
Our lord has requested that
you serve her in her bedchamber tonight.

107
00:07:45,047 --> 00:07:47,132
- Arikoto!

108
00:07:50,052 --> 00:07:51,470
My-- my liege...

109
00:07:52,096 --> 00:07:55,391
Arikoto... Finally!

110
00:07:56,559 --> 00:07:57,810
At last... Arikoto!

111
00:07:59,144 --> 00:08:01,313
Ari... koto ?

112
00:08:01,897 --> 00:08:03,107
Please, my lord.

113
00:08:04,066 --> 00:08:05,859
I humbly beseech you,

114
00:08:06,610 --> 00:08:07,820
if you will allow it...

115
00:08:09,947 --> 00:08:13,075
I wish to be... excused from these duties.

116
00:08:18,455 --> 00:08:20,499
I see.

117
00:08:21,125 --> 00:08:24,128
What with this body being
sullied by so many others,

118
00:08:24,211 --> 00:08:25,671
I am undesirable.

119
00:08:25,754 --> 00:08:27,548
Not at all! No, my Lord.

120
00:08:28,591 --> 00:08:29,592
It is not so.

121
00:08:29,675 --> 00:08:32,177
The truth is, I am afraid.

122
00:08:33,178 --> 00:08:37,224
I am afraid to live my life clinging
to the feelings my lord has for me,

123
00:08:37,308 --> 00:08:39,268
which could change at any time.

124
00:08:40,394 --> 00:08:41,603
I'm frightened.

125
00:08:42,187 --> 00:08:43,814
What is this foolishness?

126
00:08:43,897 --> 00:08:46,275
Are you saying
that your trust in me has waned?

127
00:08:46,358 --> 00:08:47,818
Have I not told you,

128
00:08:47,901 --> 00:08:51,613
no matter how many children I bear
with other men, I am ever yours?

129
00:08:52,197 --> 00:08:53,532
That is why.

130
00:08:53,615 --> 00:08:56,035
My lord already knows that I cannot--

131
00:08:56,118 --> 00:08:57,786
I can never give you a child.

132
00:08:58,370 --> 00:09:01,832
Therefore, you will have to continue
lying with them.

133
00:09:01,915 --> 00:09:05,210
Lying with other men
aside from myself in this bedchamber.

134
00:09:06,211 --> 00:09:08,380
But I am just a man like any other!

135
00:09:09,548 --> 00:09:11,300
I cannot bear it!

136
00:09:11,383 --> 00:09:12,760
I cannot bear the thought

137
00:09:12,843 --> 00:09:15,846
that I do not have
both your heart and body to myself, alone!

138
00:09:16,347 --> 00:09:18,891
- You already have a child to love!

139
00:09:18,974 --> 00:09:22,353
But I-- I have only you,
and no one else in the world!

140
00:09:23,312 --> 00:09:25,147
I beseech you.

141
00:09:27,066 --> 00:09:30,069
Please release me
from these karmic shackles.

142
00:09:30,819 --> 00:09:34,656
It hurts to be kept
in this cycle of passion.

143
00:09:43,749 --> 00:09:45,250
- My lord...
- Hmm?

144
00:09:45,334 --> 00:09:49,671
I have one more request, if I may.

145
00:09:49,755 --> 00:09:51,799
A request made in earnest.

146
00:09:53,008 --> 00:09:54,301
The next day,

147
00:09:55,052 --> 00:09:59,306
all the men in the Ōoku were
assembled in the great hall by the shogun.

148
00:10:03,894 --> 00:10:06,313
Huh! That fool O-Natsu.

149
00:10:06,939 --> 00:10:08,941
He keeps acting obnoxiously smug,

150
00:10:09,024 --> 00:10:13,237
just because he thinks that it was
all his doing in impregnating our liege.

151
00:10:13,737 --> 00:10:15,781
It won't matter who actually did it.

152
00:10:15,864 --> 00:10:18,325
Our liege has the final say
in who the father is.

153
00:10:19,243 --> 00:10:20,410
That idiot!

154
00:10:20,494 --> 00:10:24,331
She will simply name the man she happens
to find most favor with at the time.

155
00:10:26,041 --> 00:10:27,417
But surely she didn't...

156
00:10:27,918 --> 00:10:29,795
She didn't summon all of us here

157
00:10:29,878 --> 00:10:33,090
just to announce
who the father of her child is, right?

158
00:10:33,173 --> 00:10:35,092
Surely it's something more than that.

159
00:10:37,135 --> 00:10:39,096
I have asked you to come here

160
00:10:39,179 --> 00:10:42,099
because I have an important announcement
that will affect everyone.

161
00:10:42,683 --> 00:10:45,686
By this time, all men
who worked in the Inner Chambers

162
00:10:45,769 --> 00:10:49,314
were aware that
the Shogun Iemitsu was indeed a woman.

163
00:10:50,357 --> 00:10:54,027
Kasuga spent many years
as the Senior Chamberlain of the Ōoku.

164
00:10:54,695 --> 00:10:57,364
Since passing,
that position has been vacant,

165
00:10:57,447 --> 00:11:01,368
and so, I will be naming
the successor to fill this position now.

166
00:11:02,369 --> 00:11:08,333
The new Senior Chamberlain will stand
above and govern all men who serve here.

167
00:11:08,417 --> 00:11:10,210
Everyone within the Ōoku.

168
00:11:10,711 --> 00:11:14,840
You must obtain his approval
in matters great and small,

169
00:11:14,923 --> 00:11:18,385
for everything that happens in
the halls of the Inner Chambers.

170
00:11:18,969 --> 00:11:20,721
I have chosen to appoint...

171
00:11:21,221 --> 00:11:23,515
Give me a break, O-Natsu!

172
00:11:24,099 --> 00:11:28,145
Has he been secretly petitioning for this
in her bedchamber every night?

173
00:11:28,228 --> 00:11:31,106
...Madenokoji Arikoto
to take on this mantle.

174
00:11:45,621 --> 00:11:50,208
I am Madenokoji Arikoto,
Senior Chamberlain of the Ōoku.

175
00:11:51,209 --> 00:11:53,920
Everyone, it's an honor to work with you.

176
00:11:55,505 --> 00:11:57,924
In the long history
of the Ōoku,

177
00:11:58,008 --> 00:12:00,302
O-Man was the only concubine
to be elevated

178
00:12:00,385 --> 00:12:04,222
to the prestigious post of Senior
Chamberlain within the Inner Chambers.

179
00:12:06,016 --> 00:12:10,145
Tokugawa Jikki, or
The Chronicles of the Tokugawa Shogunate,

180
00:12:10,228 --> 00:12:12,230
do not record Arikoto's name,

181
00:12:12,314 --> 00:12:15,442
as all concubines
were mentioned by their female names.

182
00:12:15,525 --> 00:12:20,489
However, no one questioned the legitimacy
of the fourth shogun being a woman.

183
00:12:22,699 --> 00:12:26,703
Iemitsu got pregnant with other
concubines after the two of these births,

184
00:12:27,537 --> 00:12:30,040
but they all ended in miscarriages.

185
00:12:34,669 --> 00:12:36,963
In the fourth year of the Keian era,

186
00:12:37,547 --> 00:12:39,674
the country's first female shogun,

187
00:12:39,758 --> 00:12:42,302
who played an active role
in matters of state,

188
00:12:42,386 --> 00:12:45,514
while repeatedly giving birth
and having miscarriages,

189
00:12:45,597 --> 00:12:48,266
died at the young age of 27.

190
00:12:48,350 --> 00:12:51,436
She lived as if pouring
her life into the nation.

191
00:12:53,730 --> 00:12:56,066
In accordance with her last wishes,

192
00:12:56,149 --> 00:12:58,276
her death was recorded under the name

193
00:12:58,360 --> 00:13:01,363
as that of her father
in the official documents.

194
00:13:03,657 --> 00:13:06,368
Master Arikoto!
Two of the Six Representatives,

195
00:13:06,451 --> 00:13:09,079
Kaga's Master Hotta Masamori,

196
00:13:09,162 --> 00:13:11,540
and Tsushima's Master Abe Shigetsugu,

197
00:13:11,623 --> 00:13:14,876
have decided to take their own lives
to follow our liege!

198
00:13:14,960 --> 00:13:16,628
They what?

199
00:13:19,756 --> 00:13:20,882
Masakatsu-dono!

200
00:13:27,347 --> 00:13:28,390
Inaba...

201
00:13:29,266 --> 00:13:30,475
Masakatsu-dono...

202
00:13:34,062 --> 00:13:37,899
Were you also... one of the many men
who fell in love with her?

203
00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:40,026
Nothing compares to her.

204
00:13:43,655 --> 00:13:45,574
Following Iemitsu's death,

205
00:13:45,657 --> 00:13:50,412
O-Natsu and O-Tama took their vows,
and continued their lives as monks.

206
00:13:52,455 --> 00:13:55,500
O-Natsu's Buddhist name was Junsho-in,

207
00:13:57,127 --> 00:14:01,006
and for O-Tama, he became Keisho-in.

208
00:14:02,507 --> 00:14:06,511
After all these years, it was
quite refreshing to shave my head again.

209
00:14:06,595 --> 00:14:07,679
Is that so?

210
00:14:08,263 --> 00:14:09,639
I was quite surprised.

211
00:14:09,723 --> 00:14:13,560
I was under the assumption that you would
also take your Buddhist vows again.

212
00:14:17,647 --> 00:14:19,274
It is strange, is it not?

213
00:14:20,609 --> 00:14:23,028
When I was first brought here to the Ōoku,

214
00:14:23,111 --> 00:14:26,448
all of my efforts were placed
on becoming a monk once again.

215
00:14:28,408 --> 00:14:29,534
Arikoto.

216
00:14:30,118 --> 00:14:31,453
After I am gone,

217
00:14:32,245 --> 00:14:34,789
I want you to remain
within the halls of the Ōoku.

218
00:14:36,458 --> 00:14:41,338
One day soon, my daughter Chiyo will
officially become the fourth shogun,

219
00:14:41,838 --> 00:14:45,717
and I wish for you to be here
so you may guide her as a father.

220
00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:47,927
What are you saying, my liege?

221
00:14:48,011 --> 00:14:49,429
You are far too young.

222
00:14:50,055 --> 00:14:50,096
Don't--

223
00:14:50,805 --> 00:14:51,931
Arikoto.

224
00:14:53,308 --> 00:14:54,476
My liege.

225
00:14:54,976 --> 00:14:56,186
I always loved you.

226
00:14:57,187 --> 00:15:01,066
You were the only one.
There was never anyone but you.

227
00:15:01,983 --> 00:15:04,861
Even when we no longer
had physical connection.

228
00:15:05,445 --> 00:15:07,781
Perhaps, all the more for it.

229
00:15:08,698 --> 00:15:12,410
No other concubine could ever
compare to what you gave me in life.

230
00:15:13,036 --> 00:15:14,329
You were special.

231
00:15:15,330 --> 00:15:17,123
You were my special one.

232
00:15:28,635 --> 00:15:29,678
This was...

233
00:15:32,389 --> 00:15:33,598
good enough.

234
00:15:34,099 --> 00:15:35,642
It was enough, wasn't it?

235
00:15:37,185 --> 00:15:39,020
The way things were for us?

236
00:15:45,151 --> 00:15:47,070
- Arikoto.

237
00:15:49,072 --> 00:15:50,073
Um...

238
00:15:52,075 --> 00:15:54,077
If it isn't little Lady Chiyo!

239
00:15:54,160 --> 00:15:56,121
Or, rather, my young liege.

240
00:15:56,871 --> 00:15:58,248
What is it, my liege?

241
00:15:58,748 --> 00:16:00,083
I was thinking

242
00:16:00,166 --> 00:16:03,837
I would like to go and play
sugoroku with you, Arikoto.

243
00:16:04,337 --> 00:16:06,339
Of course, I would love to.

244
00:16:07,674 --> 00:16:08,716
Allow me.

245
00:16:09,217 --> 00:16:11,219
We can go play in your chambers.

246
00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:15,849
Arikoto reigned at the top
of men in the Ōoku

247
00:16:15,932 --> 00:16:20,895
as the Senior Chamberlain, a position
he held for many a year afterwards.

248
00:16:23,690 --> 00:16:26,359
Is it true that spreading
rapeseed oil over the rice fields

249
00:16:26,443 --> 00:16:29,112
- can keep locusts from eating our crops?

250
00:16:29,195 --> 00:16:33,741
It can, but wherever could we get
the amount of money necessary to buy it?

251
00:16:34,826 --> 00:16:37,036
What if each family were to pay
in accordance

252
00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:39,247
with the size of the fields
their farm has?

253
00:16:41,875 --> 00:16:44,210
If we want to prevent
this incoming damage,

254
00:16:44,294 --> 00:16:47,505
the only want to stop it is
to spread oil over all of the fields.

255
00:16:47,589 --> 00:16:51,009
I will have my share at the ready.
What say you?

256
00:16:54,137 --> 00:16:56,639
- I will pay as well.
- Me too.

257
00:16:56,723 --> 00:16:59,559
Uh-- Hey, you two, not so fast!

258
00:17:00,059 --> 00:17:04,272
Mine, Shima, have you forgotten entirely
that your grandfathers are at home?

259
00:17:04,772 --> 00:17:07,025
You have not asked
the head of your household!

260
00:17:07,108 --> 00:17:09,110
- This is too important a decision!
- Gah!

261
00:17:09,194 --> 00:17:11,362
Koroku-san, it seems you have forgotten

262
00:17:11,446 --> 00:17:14,324
who is actually working in the fields
from dawn till dusk!

263
00:17:14,407 --> 00:17:16,951
Precisely!
Why would we be at this meeting,

264
00:17:17,035 --> 00:17:20,413
if we were we not here to represent
the heads of our households?

265
00:17:20,496 --> 00:17:22,457
- That's right!

266
00:17:27,629 --> 00:17:29,422
Hey, I'm home, everyone.

267
00:17:30,006 --> 00:17:31,591
Sato! Good evening.

268
00:17:32,258 --> 00:17:34,677
Well, I should probably be off.

269
00:17:34,761 --> 00:17:37,680
Oh. Sotaro, who are you seeing tonight?

270
00:17:38,473 --> 00:17:40,975
Oh, it's just Miyo
from Ine-san's family.

271
00:17:41,768 --> 00:17:43,686
Masa got pregnant the other day,

272
00:17:43,770 --> 00:17:45,980
so I'm off the hook with her for now.

273
00:17:46,689 --> 00:17:48,024
I was happy to hear it.

274
00:17:49,192 --> 00:17:52,820
If times were better,
you would be the head of the house,

275
00:17:52,904 --> 00:17:55,156
and you would have taken on a bride.

276
00:17:56,157 --> 00:17:57,825
I didn't want this for you.

277
00:17:59,994 --> 00:18:04,123
Aw, Sis. Sneakin' off
to a woman's bed at night is nothin' new.

278
00:18:04,207 --> 00:18:08,044
'Sides, if I didn't do this, then
the village would run short on children.

279
00:18:08,127 --> 00:18:10,171
Can't just have old maids, can we?

280
00:18:11,547 --> 00:18:14,676
If this is my job,
then I gotta say, I'm lucky.

281
00:18:16,511 --> 00:18:17,970
Oh, Sotaro...

282
00:18:18,638 --> 00:18:22,475
I mean it! You don't even let me
go out in the field to work.

283
00:18:23,101 --> 00:18:27,438
I know you're just trying to keep me safe
from catching the red-face smallpox.

284
00:18:28,648 --> 00:18:31,109
I get to sit at home and eat food all day.

285
00:18:31,192 --> 00:18:33,361
If you ask me, it's a pretty easy life.

286
00:18:35,321 --> 00:18:37,740
And if times were better...

287
00:18:38,866 --> 00:18:42,245
you could have married Sanpeita,
but instead, you gave that up

288
00:18:42,328 --> 00:18:45,373
because you felt it wouldn't be fair
to women in the village

289
00:18:45,456 --> 00:18:47,125
if you kept him all to yourself.

290
00:18:49,168 --> 00:18:50,586
I'll be heading off.

291
00:18:51,713 --> 00:18:52,630
Mmph...

292
00:18:54,716 --> 00:18:58,094
It wasn't that the status
of men and women was reversed.

293
00:18:58,761 --> 00:19:03,099
Precisely speaking, men ceased
to do anything besides father children.

294
00:19:03,725 --> 00:19:06,310
From child-rearing to farming and trade,

295
00:19:06,394 --> 00:19:11,149
all of the labor in the country was placed
on the shoulders of women everywhere.

296
00:19:12,733 --> 00:19:14,652
It's not fair!

297
00:19:14,735 --> 00:19:17,405
Big brother always gets everything!

298
00:19:17,488 --> 00:19:20,658
Nisuke is a boy, and that's how it is.
Now give him yours too!

299
00:19:21,576 --> 00:19:25,163
My daughter, O-Kiku, who will be
taking over the family business.

300
00:19:25,830 --> 00:19:28,332
I was hoping that your Nisuke over there

301
00:19:29,375 --> 00:19:33,004
might trouble himself with coming
to visit her in the evenings for a while.

302
00:19:33,963 --> 00:19:35,256
I believe that he would.

303
00:19:36,132 --> 00:19:39,302
Did you get that, Nisuke?
You will go to Izutsu-ya.

304
00:19:39,844 --> 00:19:43,014
It was rare for a family
to rent out a son or brother

305
00:19:43,097 --> 00:19:45,391
without payment at night like Sato did.

306
00:19:46,767 --> 00:19:50,229
Having one function in society
came with a price.

307
00:19:54,942 --> 00:19:57,361
Kuni... Kuni...

308
00:20:01,741 --> 00:20:03,659
In the farming villages,

309
00:20:03,743 --> 00:20:06,495
old men became nothing but dead weight.

310
00:20:10,333 --> 00:20:13,836
Kanbara Sato never recovered,
and passed away.

311
00:20:14,420 --> 00:20:16,255
She was 32 years old.

312
00:20:17,423 --> 00:20:20,051
She spent her whole life working,
never married,

313
00:20:20,134 --> 00:20:23,304
and after nursing Mother
all the way to the end of her illness,

314
00:20:23,387 --> 00:20:24,972
now she's gone too.

315
00:20:25,056 --> 00:20:26,766
This is so unfair!

316
00:20:27,433 --> 00:20:28,434
Kae...

317
00:20:30,728 --> 00:20:34,106
Sato, I promise you,
I swear I will not die!

318
00:20:34,190 --> 00:20:38,569
I will live, I will give birth to more
children, and work harder than ever...

319
00:20:40,488 --> 00:20:42,281
This world will not defeat us!

320
00:20:42,365 --> 00:20:46,410
I will live enough for both of us, and
protect the house of the Kanbara family!

321
00:20:50,164 --> 00:20:52,375
Make haste!
At the ready, everyone!

322
00:20:53,084 --> 00:20:55,753
Our liege the shogun will be
appearing before us shortly.

323
00:20:58,381 --> 00:20:59,590
Are all prepared?

324
00:21:00,174 --> 00:21:01,801
Lower your head further.

325
00:21:01,884 --> 00:21:05,096
Uh-- Yes. Apologies, Master Murase.

326
00:21:12,561 --> 00:21:15,064
The voice
of Madenokoji Arikoto,

327
00:21:15,147 --> 00:21:19,860
the Senior Chamberlain of the Ōoku,
rang throughout the Passage of the Bells.

328
00:21:20,695 --> 00:21:25,408
Bow in reverence! Our liege has arrived!

329
00:21:55,479 --> 00:22:00,776
It was the reign of the fourth
Shogun of the Tokugawa clan, Ietsuna.

330
00:22:06,031 --> 00:22:07,783
THE CHRONICLE OF THE DYING DAY

331
00:23:40,292 --> 00:23:42,711
THE CHRONICLE OF THE DYING DAY