"My brother, Tsukahara ShinEmon had a strange experience when he was a child." "Some day, you'll risk your life... for the sake of the "Sword of Kashima"." "I will grant you a character from my name." "Tsukahara ShinEmon Takamoto, will be your name." "I wish to improve my skills by fighting with strong swordsmen." "Spread the name of the "Sword of Kashima"." "I will be back." "With the Sword of Kashima." "Brother." "I'm going to fight in the name of the Kashima deity." "I must not lose." "After defeating Maki Genki at the Odawara castle, my brother headed to the capital to continue with his travel training." "In the name of the Kashima Deity, I must not lose." "Tsukahara Bokuden" "(Episode 2." "Match in the Shogun's presence.)" "Timer, Subtitles and Translation by Danburi Editor and QC by \( -o _ o-)" "My brother travelled from Odawara to Kuwana by sea, then he took the mountain path of Suzuka and reached the Capital at the early summer of Eisho 5 non (1508 AD)." "So this is the main road to the capital." "If only I can have a match with a well known swordsman there." "Then I can spread the name of the "Sword of Kashima" to the world." "Yes." "I can't wait for it, Samon!" "Yes." "Not good, I guess food is more important than the match..." "I guess we'll find something to eat in town." "How beautiful... the people of this town..." "Not good." "The way we look, we look like country bumpkins." "I don't care." "We are here to compete on the skills, not the clothes." "However, people do judge by how they look even an old saying goes "30% talent, 70% looks"." "Oi, woman, show your face!" "Hey!" "Hit the Jackpot!" "You ruffians, I won't allow such insolence!" "Leave!" "If you don't, I'll kill you!" "You Brat!" "Do you want MORE?" "!" "They have no guts..." "Are you alright?" "Yes, I am fine, thank you." "They even left their swords behind so they shouldn't come back any more." "Is everyone alright?" "Give me something to stop the bleeding." "Okano-sama, those gentleman..." "I wonder who they are?" "Almost 40 years has past since the great war of Oonin." "The size of Kyoto city is approx." "23.5km long and approx. 15.5km wide." "Pockets of war is seen everywhere." "Tofu anyone?" "!" "Fire wood anyone?" "!" "Although it may be devastated by war, it's still a capital city." "It's much more lively than Odawara." "Well, what should we do now...?" "So many people and houses.." "Where should I go first...?" "Just as I thought." "That's why you should've taken up Sozui-sama's offer." "By the way, do you know anyone at the capital?" "I don't know anyone." "Then, I'll write a referral letter for you." "If you don't know anyone, you may have difficulties." "Bring my writing tools." "Please don't concern yourself." "I would like to open my own path." "The journey is more interesting when you don't know what to expect." "Yes." "Coming to the capital without any plans is like sailing a ship without knowing the tides." "Would you like to put up a sign "Wanted: sword match opponent"?" "Young master, what's wrong?" "No, it's nothing." "Hitachi no Kuni, Kashima." "Meanwhile, at our house of Yoshikawa in Kashima," "A letter has arrived from Samon." "ShinEmon is on the way to the capital." "I wonder if he's arrived by now." "I must send him a letter congratulating him for a "job well done at Odawara"." "The news of the "match at Odawara" has spread and those wishing to learn the "Sword of Kashima" are increasing everyday," "I'm getting really busy now." "Along with the "Sword of Kashima", the desire to spread the divine virtues, is off to a great start." "I wonder what is master thinking?" "The Capital is in ruins due to the constant wars..." "It's in the poem too..." "No one knows, evening lark in the field of capital, soars to the sky but my tear falls..." "That poem is a little old.." "It's no different even now." "I hope he won't need to stay in the capital for long..." "Brother is on a journey to raise the reputation of Kashima." "I doubt he'll be able to return so soon." "I know that..." "But, still I want to see his face as soon as possible." "Yes." "The Retainer of Oouchi-sama?" "The person you saved on the road to Kiyomizu temple." "Her name is Kano-dono and she's the daughter of Hiraga Tango no Kami sama;" "The chief retainer in charge of the Oouchi family's palace in the capital." "Ruffians, I won't allow such insolence!" "That lady?" "But it's strange.." "How did they find us?" "Please come to the palace with me." "Oouchi family Capital Palace." "The Oouchi family has land in Chugoku, the northern kyushu areas and is a very powerful provincial governor." "Oh, I'm glad you are here." "So you are Tsukahara-dono?" "(Chief retainer Hiraga Tango no kami) Ha!" "Thank you for saving my daughter." "Sorry to bring you here, but I wanted to thank you." "Thank you very much." "I was saved, thanks to you." "Um.." "No need..." "She was attacked on the way to visit the temple." "I can't believe the bandits are showing up in day light!" "Such frightful times." "Um, I would like to ask you a question." "How did you know where to find us?" "There was another attendant who came a little later." "I ordered him to follow you." "So that's why I felt like someone was following me." "You noticed?" "I couldn't see him but felt the presence.." "The one that followed you was a Shinobi (Ninja) serving this family." "To have sensed his presence... you are truly a master of the "Sword of Kashima"." "So you already know I'm from Kashima?" "Yes." "It's time to prepare for a meal." "Certainly." "Let's start with Sake." "Please stay for a while." "I want to show my appreciation to my daughter's savior." "It was nothing much." "They were just foot soldiers with no sword skills." "I'm sure they were no match for Tsukahara-dono." "How about this?" "What... is this?" "These are the best of the retainers." "Will you accept this treat?" "Then, this was the reason you invited us?" "Wait Samon." "I see." "It does look like I can sink my teeth into." "I gladly accept." "Young master." "They are all practitioners of Kyohachi-ryu." "Which branches off to Kurama-ryu, Gikei-ryu, all competing to dominate the capital." "I've heard of those styles." "If you are ready, please start." "Ready." "I give up." "Next!" "I am Ootaka Sangoro." "Ready." "I'm grateful for the match." "I am Kumada lori with Gikei-ryu." "Here I come!" "That's fast." "Not just fast." "I give up." "The Match is over!" "Well well, you are quite skilled." "I'm impressed." "I can do another match anytime, if you wish to." "However, today's setup may be a little rough..." "You're not an assassin, hiding behind the shrubs.." "You have a right to be angry." "But to test the skills and courage, this is the best way." "Test?" "Actually, this house is... looking for a strong swordsman." "We are looking for swordsmen who can win the match in the "Shogun's presence"."" "Match in the "Shogun's presence"?" "It's a match to be presented to Shogun Ashikaga Yoshitaka-sama." "You know that Kanrei (Shogun deputy) Hosokawa Masamoto-sama has been killed last year." "Masamoto-sama did not have an heir." "So he adopted 3 sons." "That was a huge mistake." "Fighting broke out over the inheritance, and Masamoto-sama was assasinated." "The capital became a battle ground." "In the middle of the fight, one of the adopted sons, Hosokawa Takakuni-sama has joined forces with my lord, Oouchi Yoshioki-sama." "The deposed Shogun, Yoshitada-sama has taken shelter at the Suou, where our lord governs." "Yoshitada-sama will soon be back to the capital to return to the Shogun position." "Takakuni-sama will be the Kanrei and" "Our lord will be Kanrei-dai (A rank below Shogun's deputy)." "At the celebration banquets, we are going to have an art of war competition." "So you are telling me to compete in this match in the "Shogun's presence"?" "A Match where many swordsmen are sponsored by the feudal lords." "The Oouchi clan must not lose." "How about it?" "Tsukahara-dono." "Stay here for a while and compete in the match in the "Shogun's presence" for us?" "A Match to determine the best in the art of war." "How about it?" "Best in the world." "Father, you're ever a tactician." "You said you just wanted to thank him for saving me, but you really wanted to test him." "No no, I wanted to thank him." "The opportunity to test his skills was just there." "Really?" "Kano, I leave it to you to take care of Tsukahara-dono." "The way he's dressed is not looking good." "We need to make him look a little more sophisticated... or it won't look good to the lord." "Yes." "Rokuro-Jiro?" "He noticed you were following him." "I'm ashamed of my lowly skills." "No, he's just not an ordinary person." "You informed me of this Tsukahara person in Odawara but..." "His skills is much more than I imagined." "I heard from a traveling priest." "The two of them defeated a gang of mountain bandits all at once." "Ohh..." "So we've became acquainted unexpectedly." "I thought the "Sword of Kashima" was just an ordinary sword style but this could be a godsend." "Kyohachi-ryu style seems to have more moves compared to the Sword of Kashima." "No, it may seem to be wasted moves but.." "It may prove to be useful in battle." "Hey." "Hey, Samon!" "Ahhh, I've made a mistake on the letter.." "Why are you in such a hurry?" "About the match in the Shogun's presence, I want to inform Kashima as soon as possible." "Match in the Shogun's presence..." "It must have many famous swordsmen coming from all over." "Yes." "If I win," "The Sword of Kashima will be famous." "Of course it will!" "The best in the world!" "Best in the world." "The best in the world!" "Great, Samon, Let's go outside and practice!" "Yes!" "With unforseen circumstances, my brother ShinEmon and his companion became a guest of the Oouchi clan." "Mahiro." "Yes." "This is for ShinEmon." "It's a talisman for good health." "Is something going to happen to my brother?" "No, it's just for added protection." "Put it in the letter and send it." "Yes." "A Hot day." "As Gion-san (festival) gets closer, it'll get hotter." "So busy, so busy." "Now, arrange for the liquors and..." "Gokaro (Chief retainer), Iseya has brought the lacquer wares." "I see, confirm the numbers and receive them." "Ha!" "The day for Lord Yoshioki-sama's arrival to the capital is drawing near, so Hiraga-sama who's resposible for the Palace in the capital is busy preparing for the lord's arrival." "Gokaro!" "Inspect the items and accept it." "Ha!" "I'll inform Tomoe-ya as such." "What?" "Tomoe-ya?" "No no, I'll do it." "No, only I can handle this." "Ha!" "I found some rare items, so I brought it to you." "Raden screen, Celadon vase, Raden curio" "It's all items from Kara (China or Korea)." "How exquisite." "I'm sure your lord will be pleased with these items." "Nice selections." "Like the great Tomoe-ya's tastes" "Thank you very much." "Tomoe-ya has a store in Kyushu Hakata, which handles exotic items called Karamono." "Oh Tsukahara-dono, are you done with your practice?" "Well done, in such heat." "Oh, many rare items..." "They are for the lord." "He's accompanied by nearly 10 thousand troops and is returning to the capital for the first time in 14 years." "There's a lot to prepare." "Truly, only Tango-sama would be able to manage such preparations." "You can come in and have a look." "He's our guest, master swordsman Tsukahara-dono." "And?" "Yamazaki." "Yamazaki-dono." "I am Mitsu from Tomoe-ya." "I wonder which will be more suited." "It's hard to decide." "Tsukahara-dono, which do you like better?" "These are vases.. so.." "One that will not leak will be better...?" "That's true." "These will not leak, will they?" "Omitsu-sama, anything the matter?" "Tsukahara-san is an amusing person." "That's true." "Oh yes, I heard he's from Hitachi no Kuni." "That's why he wasn't familiar with the Karamono wares." "But what he said is very true." "A Vase that doesn't leak is better." "This is very unexpected." "Omitsu-sama, you approve of him?" "But, not the swordsman." "They waste their life too easily." "It's such a hot day..." "Ashikaga Yoshitada-sama has arrived to the capital with Oouchi-sama and the troops, on the eve of" "Gion Matsuri. (Festival Day)" "(Kanrei Hosokawa Takakuni)" "(Kanrei-dai Oouchi Yoshioki)" "Is there anyone?" "Ha!" "Call Tsukahara-dono here!" "Tsukahara-dono!" "Tsukahara-dono, are you here?" "The Match has been decided to be held in a weeks time." "The time and place will be 10 in the morning at the Kiyomizu temple court yard." "Understood." "Is this match in tournament style?" "Actually.. there's only 1 match." "Tsukahara-dono and the opponent, a one to one match." "Wasn't this supposed to be a match for many swordsmen to gather and compete?" "However, Kanrei-sama has mentioned that the" "Oono Hidetaka in my sponsorship is a skilled swordsman with no competition in the world." "The results of this competition is as good as decided." "This in front of Kubo-sama (The Shogun)." "Really..." "And when my lord heard that," "THE Best living swordsman is sojourned in my house." "That's his response." "So, one side claimed to be no competition and the other is claimed to be the best in the world." "Oouchi family and Hosokawa family, a one on one fight." "This Oono Hidetaka, what kind of swordsman is he?" "His sword style is Kurama-ryu." "I heard he had 20 matches and he's won every match with just a single strike." "And what is the weapon to be used?" "Kanrei-sama, insists to use real swords in this match." "What do you think?" "Real sword..." "I accept." "No competition..." "Sounds like a worthy opponent." "Then it's decided!" "As expected, Tsukahara-dono." "Good conviction." "This match, you'll win for us, won't you?" "Yes!" "Most definitely." "However, as the day of the match draws near," "Samon." "Ha." "2 days left." "Yes." "It's finally the chance we hoped for." "Once I win, Kashima's reputation will spread throughout the country." "Most certainly." "It's really hot." "Summer in the capital continues to heat up." "I wish I can hear the ocean waves of Kashima..." "It's strange, My body feels heavy for some reason." "Am I wavering?" "Tsukahara-sama!" "By orders of my father," "I'm here to deliver the outfit for the match." "Thank you very much." "This match..." "I heard you're going to fight with a real sword...?" "Yes, it's been decided as such." "Then it's a matter of life and death, isn't it?" "That's how a sword match normally is." "You must risk your life from the start." "Use all of your trained skills, and with all your might, defeat the opponent." "To master the art of sword, you must risk your life." "It's just a strength contest." "It's just a strength contest in front of the Shogun." "Why must you risk your life?" "It's none of your concern!" "If you'll excuse me." "But" "It's no fun dying." "Kano!" "Mother..." "Father..." "What's wrong with her!" "I'm risking my life for this match.." "Making it sound like it's child's play or something!" "I guess it is a strength contest..." "What am I doing?" "What's this?" "Kano-dono." "What's the name of this dance?" "It's Furyu." "Furyu dance." "Furyu." "It's a dance to pray for no epidemics or disasters." "A Prayer dance." "My hometown in Kashima also has many different festivals." "In the spring festival, everyone sings and dance, just like this." "How nostalgic." "Me?" "You come too." "Young master!" "What are you doing?" "Oh, Samon." "You're late." "So I came to look for you." "This towns folks dance are fun." "You try it too." "No thank you!" "Well, Samon." "Yes." "I think I was trying too hard somehow." "Huh?" "I will win." "I must win." "It's been on my mind ever since the Match was decided," "However, it's just made me obstinate." "An obstinate soul will bind the body." "Young master." "Just freely, if I can fight with my own style, that's all I need." "Samon-sama, this way." "Samon!" "C'mon!" "You're doing fine." "Like this?" "This is fun!" "Kiyomizu Temple" "Raise your head." "So, he is the "No competition"." "I see, he does look strong." "He had 20 matches so far" "(Kurama-ryu Oono Hidetaka) and never been injured." "And the one sponsored by Kanrei-dai is still very young." "He may be young, but he's one of the best in the eastern countries." "Who will win?" "I'm looking forward to it." "Both of you!" "Then, begin the match!" "Tsukahara ShinEmon Takamoto, with the "Sword of Kashima"," "It's an honor to have a match with you!" "Oono Hidetaka with Kurama-ryu" "Prepare yourself!" "He is trying to enchant him with the Kyohachi-ryu style." "Not moving." "Like a rock." "What should I do to move a rock?" "Look out!" "So heavy!" "This man's sword, feels like it's going to crush me." "Young master!" "Don't be deceived by the tactics." "Think of the wind... the sky... the earth." "Just keep the mind free." "It's Kashima." "He's fighting with the Sword of Kashima." "They look like they're dancing." "Is he... dead...?" "I guess he really wasn't the "no competition", after all." "It was a splendid win." "So how was it?" "The "no competition" skill?" "Yes." "His stance was like a rock, and his strike was heavy, he was a really strong opponent." "The skills that you used, what's the name?" "There's no name for that skill." "I just kept my mind free and swung my arm." "Just like the town folk's Furyu dance." "Furyu you say?" "Yes." "Hmmm... interesting." "Tsukahara!" "You have done a wonderful job!" "Ha!" ""Yoshino River"" "Excuse me." ""Flower"" "You're in a very good mood." "My honor has been saved for recommending Tsukahara-dono." "What's wrong?" "Aren't you happy?" "I am happy." "However, the side that lost in front of the audience must hold a strong grudge." "Kano." "Some day, someone may come to settle the grudge." "I'm worried." "Don't worry." "He's not some fool to become so egotistic with just one win." "He's already practicing again." "Well." "Really, same as usual." "However, Kano-sama's concern will soon become a reality and my brother will be caught in a disturbance that shakes the capital." "To go after the Kubo-sama's life, how daring..." "This is a matter of great consequence to Oouchi clan." "Will you kill the assassin for us?" "ShinEmon will be tested by the deity many times." "Are you going to keep fighting?" "If that is my destiny." "Please promise me that you will not die." "Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture." "Odawara city in the Kanagawa prefecture." "Odawara castle was ruled by Ise Sozui, later known as Hojyo Soun and was located at Mt." "Hachiman, west of the current castle tower." "In 1454AD Due to the Kyotoku war, the entire Kanto region entered the age of civil wars." "Odawara castle had the most fortified castle walls." "Nirayama castle in Izu was the" "Sozui's base castle throughout his life." "He governed the teritories from here even after he caputured Odawara castle." "Sozui who established the foundation of 5 generations for 100 years of the Hojyo clan," "With a peaceful world in his mind, he ran through the age of civil war era."