Masamune Shogun (独眼竜政宗)

October, 1974...

Date Masamune's remains at Kyogamine, Sendai...

were exhumed after 338 years.

It was to rebuild Zuihoden Burila Grounds

which had been destroyed in World war II.

Masamune had died in Edo, in 1636, at the age of 70.

His tomb was made of hewn rock...

which lightly sealed out moisture.

It was built in only ten days.

In the tomb were found such articles as a long sword...

and black lacquered letter box with arrowroot crest.

These were probably cherished by Masamune.

Included in his wardrobe was the coat of armor...

which Masamune wore at 19...

...in the fateful battle of Hitotori Bridge.

Scarred by arrows and bullets...

this armor was cherished by Masamune all his life.

Preserved limestone from Matsushima oyster shells,

the remains were nearly intact.

According to forensic experts...

Masamune was 5 feet 2 inches tall,

and his blood type was B.

Masamune's skull was mallet-shaped.

His face was oval-shaped, with clear-cut features.

He was called Masamune, the One-Eyed Dragon.

Feared as the terror of the Tohoku,

admired as an enlightened ruler.

What was his world like?

What were his innermost thoughts?

MASAMUNE, THE ONE-EYED DRAGON

Episode 1: The Birth of Masamune

Screenplay: James MIKI

Original Story: YAMAOKA Sohachi

Music: IKEBE Shin'ichiro

CAST

Date Terumune: KITAOJI Kin'ya

Bontenmaru: FUJIMA Ryota

Kita: TAKESHITA Keiko

Oniniwa Sagetsu: IKARIYA Chosuke

Mogami Yoshiaki: HARADA Yoshio

Date Harumune: KANEKO Nobuo

Date Sanemoto: RYU Raita

Endo Motonobu: KOUYAMA Shigeru

Princess Yoshi: IWASHITA Shima

1st Half Subtitles: JN Productions, Inc. 1st Half Transcribed by: Avallac'h

2nd Half Subtitles, Editing/Timing: Koala Fansubs QC by: Kame Fansubs

Director: HIGUCHI Masahiro

Eiroku 8 (1565)

NAKAYAMA PASS

They have come.

Look there.

Right on time.

Motonobu!

Yes?

Scatter your men.

Have them hide.

Yes, sir.

It's a marriage, Munetoki.

They're Mogami.

They cannot be trusted.

Brother, the Date rabble have come.

Disgusting, aren't they?

This is the only time they even look at us!

Kuniyori!

I warn you...

Don't be won over by the Date.

Be prepared to strike off Terumune's head.

Yes, sir.

You, too, Oyoshi!

I am Mogami Yoshimori's eldest son, Yoshiaki.

My brother Yoshitoki and I have brought...

our sister Yoshi, to be married into your house.

I am Yoshitoki.

I am retainer, Ujiie Morimune.

Thank you for coming.

I am Date Sanemoto.

As a representative of the Date family,

I have come for Princess Yoshi.

I am retainer, Nakano Munetoki.

I am retainer, Endo Motonobu.

Oniniwa Sagetsu.

Where is Sir Terumune?

He awaits his bride at Yonezawa Castle.

How strange.

Yoshi's father is the lord of Yamagata Castle.

This marriage will seal a peace treaty...

between the Mogami and the Date.

Precisely.

Then shouldn't the bridegroom come in person?

We Date are descended from Fujiwara Yamakage.

We have our own ways.

We Mogami are descended from Minamoto Yoshiie!

If the bridegroom cannot come in person,

we will forget the treaty and return to Yamagata.

You refuse to accept a representative?

Kindness should be returned with respect!

Sir Sanemoto is Lord Terumune's uncle.

I know that!

Then don't be unreasonable.

Silence!

That's for me to say.

The bridegroom seems to think we'll ambush him.

That's a lie.

What?

We...

What's wrong?

It's a wild boar!

Get back!

Get back!

Back!

Princess Yoshi.

Princess.

Princess Yoshi.

My bow.

Princess.

Make haste!

- Princess! - Don't do it!

How's that?

Impressed?

I failed, Brother.

I forgot I'm to be married.

Open the gates!

YONEZAWA CASTLE - The bride has arrived! Open the gates!

Great Lord is here.

Princess Yoshi?

You're late.

Forgive me.

I hear you slaughtered a boar for us.

I acted shamefully.

You're a fine bride for the Date.

Most fine!

Princess Yoshi, this is Lord Terumune's father, Harumune.

I am most honored to meet you, sir.

I'm retired.

No need for formalities.

Forgive me.

I am Watari Motomune.

I am Murata Munefuyu.

My younger brothers, Terumune's guardians.

I am not worthy, but I shall count on your help.

Here he comes.

What were you doing, Terumune?

I dozed off.

Nonchalant fellow.

Come.

Your bride is more beautiful than Yang Kwei Fei.

Sagetsu says she's like Tomoe Gozen, lady warrior.

Tomoe Gozen?

This is Princess Yoshi.

I'm Terumune.

Raise your head.

Munetoki, is everything ready?

Let us hold the wedding.

Yes.

Wait, Father.

I haven't yet decided to make Princess Yoshi my wife.

What?

Something concerns me.

I would like speak to Princess Yoshi.

Ask what you will.

Motonobu, clear the room.

Yes, sir.

I would like Father and my uncles to leave also.

Sir Terumune?

I am the lord of the Date!

What will you do, Princess Yoshi?

Very well.

I will also decide whether I will become his wife.

You haven't come to kill me in sleep?

Your expression changed.

Why did you speak so?

Don't lie. Be truthful!

Why do you laugh?

How funny. The lord of the Date fears me.

Absurd!

Are you a Date or a Mogami?

What about you, my lord?

Do you like me as your wife...

...or as a hostage?

If I say "wife"...?

I shall become Date.

If "hostage?"

As you say, I will cut off your head.

Ridiculous.

I'm no boar.

Is that why you brought sword and armor?

Absolutely not! They are part of my wardrobe.

Wardrobe?

As daughter of a samurai,

I was trained to use halberd and small sword.

I also learned to lead men into battle.

Interesting.

I ask you further...

You would become Date?

Yes.

The Date and Mogami are enemies.

Though we are at peace, it is a fragile one.

What if I went to war against your family?

I would not hesitate.

Once married,