Ooku: The Inner Chambers (2023) s01e05 Episode Script

[birds cawing]
[thinks] She didn't even
get angry with me.
Most people, they attempt to accept
the fates that they cannot change
and find a way to live on.
[gasps] I am no different from them!
Was I not brought here against my will
for your pleasure?
If you think you are the only one
who suffers and feels pain,
you could not be more wrong!
[gasps]
Oh, what have I done?
I'm the one who childishly gave in
to anger and mistreated my liege.
I didn't know, didn't want to know,
that I had such dark emotions
festering inside of me.
Uh Excuse me, Master Arikoto?
[sighs]
- Gyokuei.
- Uh Yes?
You were behind the murder
of Waka-Murasaki, right?
[gasps]
Sunami-dono really had
nothing to do with it, did he? Am I wrong?
[Sunami] I do not know anything
about this, I swear!
You shall die now by my hand!
[Sunami] My liege!
I beseech you to stop, my liege!
Step aside, O-Man!
No, I cannot do that.
Out of my way!
[chuckles]
[gulps]
Our liege didn't dispose of him,
but in the end, Sunami-dono
I understand
I'm so sorry.
I am the reason why you, too,
are stuck in this hell.
Master Arikoto!
Why won't you scold me already?
I did something horrible.
I deserve punishment!
I, with my very own hands,
killed Waka-Murasaki
I am also a murderer.
[gasps]
I had suspected it was you at the time,
but I kept my mouth shut
because I did not want you to be killed.
If you are the one
that killed Waka-Murasaki,
then I am responsible
for Sunami-dono committing seppuku.
[Gyokuei shudders]
Besides, this isn't the first time
that I am responsible for a murder.
Myokei, and that courtesan
This is my third killing.
And so, Gyokuei
there is absolutely no reason
for you to feel responsible.
[gasps]
[whimpers]
This is awful! [sobs]
I may have grown up covered in mud,
but this kind of thing isn't meant
for a person like you!
It's my fault. I wish that we had
never been brought to this horrible place.
[sobbing]
Gyokuei, you
You really do have such a kind soul.
ŌOKU: THE INNER CHAMBERS
[Iemitsu, wailing] Kasuga!
There, there. Oh, you poor thing.
I hate him, I hate him!
I really hate O-Man! He seemed so kind,
but they're all the same.
Every single man in the Ōoku
looks down on me and judges me.
Well then, should I dispose of O-Man,
my liege?
[gasps]
No, you don't have to kill him.
I see.
How about we punish him
a little bit instead?
Huh?
Hmm. Good idea
We'll gather all the Grooms as well,
and have them entertain us.
Well, now, that's the spirit then.
My liege never need worry and should only
think of joyful things from here on out.
[narrator] With that,
an over-robe was presented.
[Gyokuei] What on Earth?
This is a woman's kimono!
You're saying
that Master Arikoto is to wear this
and present himself in front of our liege?
You will be required to wear makeup
and also don this hairpiece.
And then you must present yourself
before our liege.
A hairpiece
[Iemitsu] I didn't
[yells]
I didn't choose to live my life like this,
hiding away in the Ōoku,
spending my days dressed as a man!
[Arikoto sighs]
Master Arikoto, how are you
going to respond to this? It's laughable!
- [Arikoto] Of course I'll comply.
- [both gasp]
Tell our liege
that I humbly accept the kimono
and will present myself before her
in the manner in which she demands.
[cicadas chirping]
[laughing]
[grumbles]
[sighs]
[Iemitsu] What a great idea.
Don't you agree, Kasuga?
Especially Sawamura Den'emon in the back.
The look suits you.
The look suits you very well.
[Iemitsu and Kasuga laughing]
Now, dance! Do it! Dance!
- [laughing]
- [both groan]
[grumbles]
[man] Iyo!
[playing traditional music]
[laughing]
[music and laughter continue]
This is hilarious.
Keep dancing! Yes! Keep dancing!
More! More! Dance more!
[child] 17 [chuckles]
18, 19, 20.
Hey, Mama. Did you watch?
- I made it up to 20.
- [chuckling]
[girl] Were you watching?
Of course I was watching you.
Chie, darling, you are talented
at everything you do.
Huh?
[chuckles] Waka-Murasaki.
"Waka-Murasaki?"
It's the name Lady Murasaki
from The Tale of Genji used
when she was just a little girl herself.
[Chie] Hmph.
And since she looked a lot like you
when she was young, my sweet Princess,
I am sure you will grow up to be
just as beautiful as Lady Murasaki.
You think so, Toyo?
- I love you, Toyo!
- Oh! [laughs]
Oh, my sweet little Princess!
[chuckles]
- [footsteps approaching]
- Hmm?
- [Chie] Huh?
- [Toyo gasps]
[gasps] Chie, run!
- [Toyo whimpers]
- [Chie] Huh?
- [blow lands]
- [Toyo yelps]
Toyo!
[gasps]
[whimpers]
[gasps]
[whimpers]
Oh! [gasps]
- [gasps]
- The resemblance!
Excuse me saying so, but those dark brows
and that mouth,
you look just like your father.
You truly are my liege,
the Shogun Lord Iemitsu's child.
But who are you?
My mama told me that my father is
a feudal lord in a faraway distant land.
Now, let us leave this place together.
Huh?
What about Mama? Mama!
[mother shrieks]
[Chie gasps]
- Was that Mama?
- Hurry, now.
No! I heard her. It was her! Mama!
Let go of me! Let go!
I want Mama! I want Mama!
[screams] I want Mama!
[mournful music]
[Chie sobbing]
[whimpers]
[screaming]
- No! No!
- Please stop squirming. Be quiet.
- Hold her down firmly, Den'emon.
- [Chie] No! No!
- I take the title Princess Chie from you.
- [Chie] Please! No! Please!
You are going to be your father's
replacement whether you want it or not.
I don't want it! I don't want it!
Somebody, please save me!
Somebody
[panting]
Hmph. Nyah!
Serves you right anyway, Kasuga.
If I can't leave the first wing,
what's the point of dressing like this?
It's completely pointless
and it's also stupid.
- [man] Hey. Servant page.
- Huh?
My, my, my Who do you work for?
You've got quite the pretty face there.
Huh? Uh [gasps]
- [gasps]
- A girl!
Somebody!
What's a girl doing around here?
Let go of me!
Be quiet.
If anyone nearby hears you screaming,
you'll be humiliated by plenty of other
men within earshot, you understand?
[Chie sobbing]
[man] Judging by the way you're dressed,
I bet you don't want people to know
you're actually a girl under there.
- [sobs]
- [chuckles]
I never thought
I'd be banging a girl in the Ōoku.
It's been ages for me!
- [slurps]
- [Chie whimpers]
I'll be gentle if you keep it down
and don't make any noise.
[Chie screams]
- [Chie sobbing]
- Oh.
My liege, are you
Huh?
It's nothing.
I was just showing this guy a good time.
But this guy here
He was a boring and awful lover,
and he hurt me.
So I killed him! [grunts]
Oh, my liege
I'm the shogun after all, am I not?
He dared to scar the shogun's body!
So I killed him dead!
Clear and simple!
[sobs] Clear and simple
[gasps]
I am pregnant with a child? It can't be.
No, I don't want to give birth.
I don't want to give birth.
[sobs] I don't want to give birth!
Now, my liege, push with all your might!
[muffled sobbing]
I don't want to give birth
[sighs]
Kasuga. This is my daughter.
[weeping]
[gasps]
The baby won't latch onto my breast.
My liege.
What should I do, Kasuga?
The baby Kasuga!
- [Kasuga gasps]
- Suck! Suck my breast!
Why won't you suck?
[screams] Why?
[sobbing] She won't suck!
[wailing]
[laughing maniacally]
[Arikoto] Such a sad laughter she has.
I had to fall into
the same bitter world as her
to understand
what she's going through.
How could I have said such harsh words
to such a frail soul?
Her life must have knocked her down
time after time after time again.
All of her adult life,
she has been ignored as a woman.
- [Arikoto] My liege. It is I, O-Man.
- [Iemitsu laughing]
[all gasp]
Oh
Huh?
What do you think of the look, my liege?
I tried the hairpiece.
Does it look nice to you?
[scoffs]
You always ruin a party
when you show your face.
Hey, everyone, I've had enough.
- Begone. Begone now!
- [all] Yes, my lord.
[grumbles] Well, now, I can't believe it.
You can hardly tell whether
he or our liege is the woman.
- Shhh!
- [grumbles]
[growling]
Kasuga, you leave too.
I want everyone out right now!
Yes, my lord.
Especially you, O-Man.
I'm ordering you
to back down this instant!
Uh
[gasps]
Why are you still here?
I demand that you leave immediately!
[gasps]
Stay back.
[gentle, romantic music]
Back! I said stay back!
[thinks] Up until just now,
I had thought
that the reason I had been born
was because
I was fated to become a monk.
[Iemitsu] Step back!
[Arikoto] I wanted to help
as many of the people
who are suffering in this world
as I could.
I had lived my entire life
according to the belief
that I had the ability to save them.
But when I realized that the goal I had
set out for myself could not be achieved,
I became desperate.
I even tried to throw away my human soul.
How shallow of me.
Why don't you stop?
[Arikoto] Why didn't I realize it before?
There was only ever one person
that I had the ability to save.
The only person
that I truly needed to save
has been right in front of me
this whole time.
Uh [spluttering]
[Arikoto] The one person
who reaches out for me,
who struggles in unbearable pain,
is right in front of my eyes.
[Iemitsu whimpering]
Uh uh
Ari koto
No, my liege, use your name for me.
O-Man is fine.
Please address me as "O-Man."
[music swells]
[Arikoto thinks] How adorable.
There you are.
This kimono looks much better
on my liege than it does on me.
Oh
[whimpers]
[sobs]
[wailing]
[Arikoto] My one and only
My one and only liege.
[Iemitsu wailing]
[narrator] And that was how
the reluctant shogun
and the former monk fell in love,
as they grasped each other tightly.
ONE YEAR LATER
[man] Marvelous!
That was an exceptional shot, Sir Arikoto.
[chuckles] No, no.
There's no need for flattery, Kiyonari.
I humbly apologize for
being such a lazy apprentice.
I started archery as it suited me better.
I don't hurt people this way.
- I'm only aiming for a mark.
- Nonsense.
You hit the target 28 times out
of 30 arrows.
I'm amazed at your incredible improvement.
Humble indeed.
You always downplay it,
but you have a decent sense
for swordsmanship, as well.
I think you're aware of that.
No. I can no longer compete
with Gyokuei in swordsmanship.
It is possible
that he adapted to life in the Ōoku
more quickly and deftly than I did.
- [man 1 groaning]
- [Gyokuei yells]
[watchers gasp]
I I give up!
Gyokuei, please stop. I give up.
All right, break it up!
- [man 2] Incredible.
- [man 3] Did you see that?
- [all gasp]
- Who will be my next victim?
Huh? Who's next?
I could do this all day! Come on!
Who's it gonna be?
- [man 4] I'll fight you!
- [Gyokuei] All right!
Gyokuei, how is it you're taller
every time I see you?
I know, right? Isuke from the kitchen says
I'm growing faster than a bamboo shoot.
Master Arikoto.
I would like to know the date and time
you plan on giving your next lecture.
Very kind of you to ask. I would not
call it something as grand as a lecture.
We talk Hundred Schools of Thought,
Chinese poetry,
sometimes waka poems, and story tales.
We just discuss whatever we feel like.
Well sir, the time we spend listening to
your words while delving in deep thought
You don't understand
how much comfort it gives to us
who live out our depressing lives
here in the Ōoku.
Don't laugh. I'm such a softie.
Originally, we were sent here to protect
our liege at Edo Castle,
but there are no battles to prepare for,
and so our days can feel
long and drifting.
Very well, then.
How about from now on,
on days with the number five, every month,
I will hold a gathering in my room.
Thank you.
I will let everyone know the good news.
I apologize
if I have caused you any trouble.
- Uh I want to join that lecture too!
- Uh
Oh, that would make me very happy.
But I remember you saying you weren't
very fond of studying, if I recall.
Well, it's frustrating for me.
But I don't want to be inferior
to anyone in the Ōoku.
[chuckles]
[gasps]
Hey, why did you laugh just now? Why?
Master Arikoto!
[Iemitsu] Here.
I believe that we should relocate
the Dutch commercial house
to this small island right here.
Eh, Masakatsu?
Uh
Are you suggesting moving them
to Dejima island of Nagasaki, my liege?
Right. Additionally,
we will prohibit the same director
from residing in Japan
for more than a single year.
Uh, do you really think that the Dutch
will agree to such strict conditions?
They will.
Because years ago, our country banned
the arrival of Portuguese ships,
and we generously granted our
exclusive trading rights to the Dutch.
And so, to protect their interests,
interests they have
worked hard to obtain up until now,
the Dutch will have no choice
but to agree to our terms.
My liege, that's
Interesting, isn't it? [chuckles]
Our country will be placed, lock and key,
inside a birdcage, just like the Ōoku,
and it won't be visible from
the outside world for generations to come.
[narrator] By moving the Dutch
commercial house to Dejima Island,
Japan's national isolation
would be completed.
Currently, how widespread
is red-face smallpox?
Any chance
of it clearing up in the near future?
My lord. Quite the contrary, I am afraid.
People are saying it might be impossible
for a family to have a boy
come of age at all anymore.
Not only are the townspeople
and peasants affected,
but feudal lords are losing
their successors,
and many clans are
experiencing much difficulty as well.
Ah! That is good news for us.
- Uh
- Ah! You're so slow!
Many of the feudal lords
who are losing their successors
are the same lords
who are a threat to the shogunate!
We can use this chance to diminish
the power of those feudal lords
and keep our hands completely clean!
[gasps]
Even if they ever wish to adopt,
they will not be able to do so
without the approval of the shogunate.
All we need to do then
is refuse their wish.
What do you think? The Tokugawa
shogunate's power is rock solid now!
It turns out I'm better at politics
than you, Masakatsu!
Uhh [gasps]
Truly truly, your keen intelligence
is even comparable to the wits
of your late father.
Of my father?
Hearing that doesn't make me happy at all.
But, my liege!
Your late father, Lord Iemitsu,
was a truly honorable
and incredibly intelligent shogun.
If you were a boy, I am sure
things would have gone differently
What?
I have nothing to
complain about in this life.
Huh?
You and I are the same, as we are both
incredibly bored people here in the Ōoku.
Though, I do feel that all of your stories
about life outside of Edo Castle
are a good way to pass the time.
Uh Oh.
[chuckles]
[Arikoto] My liege.
- Please excuse my interruption.
- [gasps]
- It is I, Arikoto.
- Arikoto!
[Arikoto] Yes.
I have only just arrived back.
[soft, romantic music]
Arikoto. this afternoon, when I was taking
an audience with Masakatsu,
you overheard us, didn't you?
Mmph.
[sighs] Please,
don't ever grow to dislike me.
- You won't, will you?
- Huh?
Oh, it's just, I've started to understand
what you consider bad traits.
The kinds of traits you hate,
that make people unlikable.
But it seems that,
no matter how hard I try,
I still haven't been able to figure out
the right way to act for you to like me.
I couldn't stand it if
you ever disliked me.
Oh!
What would cause you
to say something like that?
There is no need
for you to worry, my liege.
I could never grow to dislike you,
no matter your actions.
Really? You mean it?
I want you to know I had Den'emon
go out and buy me this hairpiece,
because I remember
how upset you were last time.
This is all right, isn't it? Isn't it?
[chuckling] Yes, yes.
It suits you very well.
As does the rouge and powder,
and the over-robe you
were wearing this afternoon.
[gasps]
Although I am curious.
Did the Honored Kasuga happen to make
any mention of the way you were dressed?
Hmph. My father had the habit
of dressing up in a kimono as well.
He would invite actors, wear makeup,
dress in women's clothing,
and enjoy singing and dancing.
It's a well-known fact.
Even commoners are aware.
There shouldn't be any problem
with me looking this way,
going along with those rumors,
should there?
I understand my situation.
When I am dressed like this, I know better
than to venture outside of the first wing.
Kasuga did have a lot of opinions
to share when I started doing it,
but she stays quiet about it now.
I guess the issue is settled, then.
Oh? [gasps]
What what's wrong?
Your eyes seem clouded
and filled with sorrow.
Is it because of what I said?
My manner was too mean-spirited.
[chuckles] No, not at all.
How can it be that you produce
such endearing things to say?
I cannot help it.
My Kyoto dialect
overtakes me in moments with you.
Arikoto.
Seeing you fretting and worrying
about whether I would dislike you or not,
it makes me adore you
even more, Lady Chie.
I love you, Lady Chie.
[gasps]
I love you.
- I love you.
- Arikoto
The two of them seem to be
getting along quite well now.
I guess one can say that Master Arikoto
has grown into a strong, self-assured man.
In fact, many of our best men in the Ōoku
look up to Master Arikoto as a mentor now.
Moreover, our liege has changed very much.
- She no longer has temper tantrums
- That is not my concern! I do not care.
What I care about is
that it has been a year
since our liege summoned Arikoto
to her bedchamber,
but she is not yet with child.
Yes, I understand that, but
- That won't do at all!
- Uh
[gasps]
What do you think I went through
all this trouble for, anyway? Damn it!
[sighs shakily]
Huh?
THE CHRONICLE OF THE DYING DAY
THE CHRONICLE OF THE DYING DAY