Ooku: The Inner Chambers (2023) s01e07 Episode Script

[birdsong]
Yes, sir Sutezo is my given name.
I am both humbled and honored
to have been given the opportunity
to make your acquaintances.
[all] Huh?
Arikoto-dono, are you sure
this man isn't a long-lost twin?
I cannot believe it.
Were it not for the different hairstyles,
telling the two apart
would be quite difficult.
[Sute] Yeah, sir
well, this is just who I am.
I heard that the nobleman
there has seeds that won't take root.
[both gasp]
So they thought they could
get someone who looks just like him
to climb into bed with the female shogun.
That's basically what this is about.
[laughs]
[Arikoto] Uh, hah
I should say that's a bull's-eye.
You are correct.
I offer my apologies.
My incompetence led you here.
No! No, no, no! Being here is no problem!
It it's really no trouble at all.
I get to eat as much white rice
as I want to every day,
and can even send money back to my family.
- I am truly grateful to be here, sir.
- [Katsuta growls]
[Katsuta thinks] This kid is clueless
[chuckles] I should think you are
a bit younger than I, from your looks.
Could you tell me how old you are?
Yes, sir. I turned 18 just this year.
Ah. I was also 18
when I was brought Into
the halls of the Ōoku to begin my duties.
You have just arrived, and do not know,
but the days will grow long here.
[Katsuta grumbles]
No doubt that fate has had a hand
in giving us similar faces.
You can come to me if
you have any questions,
seeing that you and I share the same fate.
Both of us will be residents of the Ōoku
for the rest of our lives.
Huh? Oh! Yes, sir. I am truly grateful.
I am grateful for any and all guidance
you would share with me.
Well, it's been a pleasure to meet you.
Good day.
[serene music]
[door opens]
[gasps]
Wow!
- That's one good-looking man.
- [Wada] Huh?
And I'm not talking about
his face or anything like that.
We don't have one,
but that koshita on his formal attire?
Mmm. We would all definitely look
much better with a koshita on our waists.
[Wada thinks] What is with this guy?
That's what he was busy looking at?
[gasps] Whoa!
[Kasuga] Sutezo!
Yes! Milady.
Straighten up your spine and sit properly!
You will do well to remember
that our liege hates talkative men.
You should take care not to prattle on
during your nightly duty.
You understand?
Milady.
Why is it that you have so many loose
strands littered all around your face?
Uh [chuckles] It was
Well, I messed up my hair a little
to make me look sexier.
Hmph.
[narrator] And at eight o'clock
that night
[gasps]
Huh. So that's how it is.
I take it you are Sutezo.
My lord. I am Sutezo, as you say.
[thinks] Is this really the shogun?
Our liege is just
a pretty little princess.
Hmm.
My liege, I swear to you,
there is nothing you should be afraid of.
I am more than capable,
so you need not wonder what to do.
Come, now. There's no need to be tense.
- [grunts]
- Huh?
Insolent fool!
- Bow before me!
- [gasps]
Don't you dare be mistaken,
you halfwit slug.
There is no point
where you will have the upper hand here.
In this bed, I am the one in control.
[whimpers]
Wow
[narrator] Sutezo was startled
by the milky white form in front of him,
as the shogun was the most beautiful woman
he had ever laid eyes on.
[somber music]
[Gyokuei] Master Arikoto.
Good morning, Master.
I have arrived with your breakfast tray.
Master Arikoto?
[gasps] Master!
Are you okay?
[gasping]
I'm sorry to say this after
you've brought it all this way
but, Gyokuei
I have no desire to eat this morning.
[gasps]
I I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking.
It was inconsiderate of me.
[Arikoto laughs]
See how proud I am?
I couldn't bring myself to slash the door,
for fear the damage would be seen.
[gasps shakily]
[narrator] From that day on,
Arikoto was banned
from entering Iemitsu's bedchambers.
The only thing
keeping Arikoto's mind intact
was dreaming of the day
he and Iemitsu would finally die together.
[somber music continues]
Two months later, the situation changed.
Iemitsu was with child.
ŌOKU: THE INNER CHAMBERS
On the third day of the eighth month,
Iemitsu gave birth to a baby girl.
- [man] Check if you have it right.
- I hope preparations are going smoothly?
- [chefs] Oh!
- Yes, all is well, sir.
By the way, we prepared ten
of the celebratory meals for our liege,
just as ordered.
But what should we do
the remainder of them?
One is for Wada-dono. He will
taste it to check for any poison.
[Wada snorts]
Mmm! This steamed salted
red snapper is really
I mean to say, this food is acceptable.
Mmm.
It is safe to consume
everything that is on this tray.
Please go ahead and
serve the meals to everyone.
- Sir.
- Arikoto-dono.
I'm curious. If only one meal
is to be checked for poison,
and one is for our liege,
would that not mean that there are
still eight meals unaccounted for?
They are for the seven housekeepers
who skillfully prepare
and deliver our meals daily,
- as well as Katsuta-dono, to enjoy.
- Huh?
Even on a day of such a joyous occasion
as this,
it is not allowed for most of the men
in the Ōoku to see our liege's face.
And while they cannot be in person,
I wished that, through a meal,
they might share in our liege's joy.
[Wada] What a kind gesture!
I'm sure they'll appreciate it.
Oh, there was one more thing.
Everyone here in the Ōoku will be served
mochi and sake later on,
courtesy of our liege.
- [all gasp]
- [man] Our liege is so thoughtful!
I would put money on the fact that
all that was Master Arikoto's doing.
When the Honored Kasuga was
running the Ōoku on her own,
we never received any gifts
or thanks for special occasions.
Even if we didn't get anything, though,
the thought of having a princess instead
of a prince is gift enough, right?
Red-face smallpox is
no danger to a little girl.
Hmm! I heard that the people
delivering goods to the Ōoku nowadays are
Well, they're either women,
or weak old men barely hanging on.
If we're talking about rumors,
I heard that even though
the princess has been born,
our liege is still completely
enamored with Master Arikoto.
Well, that's no issue, so long
as she's having children. Right?
The Honored Kasuga's mind
should be at peace for now.
[Nobutsuna] This Privy Council wishes you
a sincere congratulations
on the birth of our princess.
It is an occasion of the purest joy,
my liege.
Yes.
You all worked very hard for this day.
- Nobutsuna.
- [gasps]
I hear there is yet to be a sign of
the red-face smallpox epidemic settling.
Sadly, it has not, my Liege.
I can only assume that the peasants,
without any men to help them,
cannot pay their taxes,
and have thus made a run
for the hills so they can avoid us.
At the moment,
there aren't many who have tried to leave.
Although that was likely due
to a rich harvest this year.
However, I plan to release
an official notice to the peasants
forbidding them from living extravagantly
during this time to maintain a status quo.
[Iemitsu] Mmm.
Masakatsu mentioned that, too.
Another method could be prohibiting the
buying and selling of peasant farmland.
That way we could prevent them from
trying to sell their land and run
- [gasps]
- Mmm
Sorry, what an impertinent thing
for me to say.
My duties are to keep
quiet and bear children.
My apologies.
As a mother, it's hard not to question,
wondering what the world will be like.
The one your child will grow to inherit.
Oh of course.
[thinks] That was interesting.
She still has the sarcastic side to her,
but our liege has
There has been a great shift in our liege
for her to apologize, and
praise the efforts of her subjects.
I have never heard our liege speak
in such a kind and gentle tone
with the lot of us.
I would also mention that our liege
appears to be not only highly intelligent,
but a person of immeasurably high caliber.
It's in her blood, after all.
Even though the birth only
yielded a princess this time around,
It is a relief to know
that our liege's body is fertile
and capable enough
to bear children without issue.
Although, only having one young lord
is hardly enough to give us assurance.
We still have to consider
the red-face smallpox.
Just the other day, I lost my third son
to that horrid epidemic.
Every family is
dealing with the same issue.
I have a ten-year-old boy
and a seven-year-old boy,
but I worry that this illness may not
diminish by the time they grow up.
[sighs] If this situation continues,
there will likely be more lords
who lose their bloodlines.
It's not as though we could appoint
our daughters as our successors
like the tradesmen do
so readily these days.
[gasps]
[no dialogue]
[gasps] Huh?
- [Tadaaki] Nobutsuna-dono.
- [gasps]
- [Tadaaki] Nobutsuna-dono!
- Oh.
Is something troubling you?
No, truly, it is nothing.
[birdsong]
[Sutezo sighs]
- [baby squeaks]
- [Sutezo gasps]
- [cooing]
- How is she so cute?
I had no idea babies could be so cute.
Everything she does is so adorable!
That saying, "like a gem,"
couldn't be more accurate!
Look at her! Her round cheeks
look like squishy little pearls!
Huh?
- Stop that!
- [gasps]
You should not be prodding her like that.
- [Iemitsu] Sutezo.
- Oh?
You are the father
of little Princess Chiyo.
But as "Sute" means "to discard,"
your current name is like a bad omen.
Now, let me think.
From this day forward,
your name shall be O-Raku.
A perfect name for someone who
is always happy and at ease.
[gasps]
What is it now?
Are you unhappy that I have
given you the name of a woman?
No, no, that isn't it at all!
It's just that my liege just called
a rascal like me a glorious thing.
Referred to me as
"the little Princess Chiyo's father."
[sobs] I'm so happy,
just getting to look
at her beautiful face.
Nothing else in the world
comes close to it.
- [sobs]
- Huh?
What foolishness.
The little princess would never
have been born were it not for you.
How could I possibly give the title
of "father" to any other man here?
Thank you my liege! [sniffles]
[crying] Uh
- I
- Huh?
My my liege!
I want to say
- [Arikoto] My liege.
- Huh?
- Oh?
- It is I, Arikoto.
Arikoto!
Oh! Uh, I appreciate your time.
I'll be going.
Right.
Please, excuse me, my liege!
Ah, Sutezo-dono.
Feel free to take
all the time that you need.
Please, there is no need
for you to rush out on my account.
No, really, it's fine.
I was just about to leave anyway.
Oh, but, Master Arikoto,
from this day forward, my name is O-Raku.
I was immensely grateful to have been
given that name by our liege herself.
Huh?
- [Chiyo cooing]
- Have a look, Arikoto.
- Ahh!
- Just look at her!
She's gotten so chubby
in the blink of an eye.
Yes, seeing how adorable and
strong she is already is a delight.
Yajima, you can stand down for a while.
Milady.
[Chiyo cooing softly]
[gasps]
[wistful music]
You are the only man in my heart, Arikoto.
Yes, my liege
[sighs]
Yes, my liege.
[gasps]
[sighs]
[thinks] I'm the father to a princess
of the Tokugawa shogunate! Hah!
One of these days, I'm going to be
the top ranking official of the Ōoku.
Banzai!
[yelps]
- [leaves rustling]
- [gasps]
[Kasuga] That fool.
Tell me, how is Sutezo doing?
What condition is he in now?
Well the doctor said that
he's partially paralyzed.
It's affecting his lower body,
so he may not be able to perform
his manly duties in the future.
[gasps]
[poignant music]
[sighs]
Hey, everyone, hope you're hungry!
Your lunch has arrived!
It's time for a break.
[sighs] This kind of work takes forever
when there's hardly any men
to help us out.
- Don't worry.
- Hmm?
I can handle cutting what remains,
and will harvest it to make
sure we meet our quota.
Oh, yeah. Hey, Lady Tadzu.
Shokichi's son, Kichiji, wasn't able
to make it through the night last night.
They found him this morning.
Shokichi is getting on in age,
so this will probably be the end
of any men in that family.
[sighs]
Also, I've heard that many peasants
in the neighboring Iinuma village
are going broke or running away
in the dead of night.
If a peasant goes broke
because they can't pay taxes,
the rest of the village is expected
to cover for them somehow.
We were already short on help
from the men to begin with,
but if we have to pay even more taxes
So, Mother I've an idea.
What if we were to gather the children
at our home during the day,
so that all the women could come and work?
Sato
We could have people who aren't able
to work,
like the elderly and physically frail,
look after the children for us.
That way, the more vivacious women
aren't forced to stay at home all day.
Then they could come work in the fields!
What do you think, Mother?
I shouldn't be saying this,
but since our nagging grandmother
has already passed over to the afterlife,
there's nobody left to complain!
Sato
- [man] Lady Sato!
- [all gasp]
- [Sato] Sanpeita!
- [panting]
I'm here! Please allow me
to help you with your work!
Are you really sure it's no trouble?
Of course not. I've already completed all
the harvesting of my family's crops today.
- Say, Lady Tadzu. Look at those two
- [gasps]
[Arikoto] O-Raku-dono,
how are you feeling?
I brought you sweets as I heard
you liked them. Please, enjoy.
[unsteadily] Ah Yes, I I do.
I will I will happily eat them.
Thank you. [chuckles]
Oh [sighs]
[groans]
- Mmm.
- Could I visit you again tomorrow, O-Raku?
Uh yeah. Please, of course.
I would truly appreciate that.
[Arikoto] Masasuke.
Could you increase the number of
servants for O-Raku-dono to two?
Judging from his situation,
I believe he's going to need
around-the-clock assistance from now on.
Yes, my lord. It will be done.
[Arikoto] The faster the better.
You show him
such thoughtful kindness, sir.
I have no doubt it will be a great comfort
to that fellow's poor soul.
[sighs] Nothing I do could comfort him.
Even with his body in this shape,
he has no hope of returning to his family.
[Murase] That is the fate
of the men living in the Ōoku,
as you well know, Master Arikoto.
I would have no home to return to.
Ah
My apologies.
You're right, Masasuke.
I remember that you left your sick wife
at home, so you could work in the Ōoku.
I desperately needed money.
My wife was begging me not to go,
with tears in her eyes.
She said that she was fine
with being poor.
Come to think of it, my wife
might not even be in this world anymore.
It's something
the Honored Kasuga is capable of.
[gasps]
Regardless, I do not
regret the decision I made.
The feudal lord that I had served for
many long years has since been deposed.
If I were left masterless,
I'm sure my wife would have died
from her illness just the same.
But, whatever her fate, I no longer
have any possibility of discovering it.
[sighs]
[thinks] Coward.
[melancholy music]
My heart feels a little lighter. This
couldn't have worked out any better!
- Huh?
- None of this was my fault!
I promise I didn't plan any of this.
- Nor did I try to trip Sutezo.
- Mmm.
Of course, I don't exactly
feel great about his situation.
But knowing that the Honored Kasuga
is probably gritting her teeth in
frustration with how things turned out,
I can't help but feel
she deserved a little discomfort.
That old hag.
Hopefully, this will keep her quiet
for a while. [chuckles]
All this just goes to show you
that the best possible match for our liege
will always be you, Master Arikoto.
We will know in time.
[music fades]
[footsteps]
- [door opens]
- [Iemitsu] Arikoto!
[gasps]
Huh?
[sobs]
Arikoto!
Arikoto!
[sobbing] Arikoto!
But, my liege, what are you doing here?
[sobs] It was Kasuga.
Kasuga said I could see you.
[gasps]
[both crying]
- Lady Chie.
- Arikoto.
[whispers] Chie!
[narrator] Despite knowing
it would be short-lived,
Arikoto indulged in the time that
Kasuga had allowed him with Iemistu.
Although, the Fates seemed
to mock Arikoto.
Despite having three months, the two were
not able to conceive a child together.
[Kasuga] Mizoguchi Sakyo.
Unlike Sutezo,
he is a proper heir to a samurai family.
And from the distinguished Mizoguchis,
no less!
[Arikoto] I understand.
I will go inform our liege.
I am delighted to see
you make a wise choice.
[sighs]
Very well, then.
If they wish me
to bear a child with that man,
then I will bear a child with him.
When I think about it,
the situation would be the same
even if I were raised as a princess.
My grandmother,
Lady O-Eyo, had to marry three men.
During the Sengoku period,
she had no choice
but to give birth
to one baby after another.
That has been the lot in life
for many women.
There is no reason why
only I couldn't endure.
After everything I went through,
I thought I could never bear it,
seeing that I had already met the love
of my life, which is you, of course.
[gasps]
I didn't think I'd be able to stand it,
sleeping with another man.
But a child is
such a darling little thing.
Those feelings of loathing,
I no longer have them for her father.
[poignant music]
It was around then that I also realized
I had endured every obstacle and lived.
Even after I had given birth to her,
having a child with another man
didn't change anything.
It didn't change my feelings at all.
[wind whistling]
No matter how many men
Kasuga attempts to bring here,
there is only one man with whom I share
a deep and true bond, and that is you.
No matter how many men
I will have to bear children with,
my heart will ever and always
only belong to you.
Just you, Arikoto.
Oh
[thinks] Her eyes are so calm.
You say nothing changed.
That it is still as it was.
But you have indeed changed.
You're stronger.
And even more beautiful.
That is because you have become a mother.
I couldn't
Motherhood was something
that I couldn't give to you.
Your skin is bronzed. Tanned by the sun.
I shall name you O-Natsu.
You are to be called O-Natsu from now on.
Now, then
[Gyokuei] What did you say?
Surely you didn't mean
what you just said, right, Master?
I have asked
that you would lie with our liege.
I want you to make a child
between the two of you.
[shudders]
Please.
There is no one else that I would ask.
You need to take my place.
I ask that you give a successor
to our liege.
[Gyokuei gasps]
[snorts]
THE CHRONICLES OF THE DYING DAY
THE CHRONICLES OF THE DYING DAY