Ooku: The Inner Chambers (2023) s01e09 Episode Script

[groaning]
[Murase] Honored Kasuga!
[narrator] On the tenth day
of the ninth month,
the Honored Kasuga suddenly
fell ill and became bedridden.
And? What condition is Kasuga in now?
[both trembling]
ŌOKU: THE INNER CHAMBERS
[Iemitsu panting]
It must be quite severe.
You know how advanced she is in age.
With the sheer intensity of the heat
we had this summer,
her body must have struggled to bear it.
As I am sure my liege already knows,
my mother has forsworn
taking medicine and refuses it.
[gasps]
[Iemitsu] Kasuga!
[gasps]
I apologize that my liege has
to see me in such disarray.
Uh How foolish! Why would you try
and force yourself to sit upright?
Goodness! Lie down this instant!
That pledge, the one that you made
when you wished for my father's recovery
from the red-face smallpox
I heard you are still trying to obey it.
[groans]
So unreasonable.
My father has long since passed.
There is no longer a need
for you to adhere to your pledge.
All the more reason to adhere to it.
I was never able to save your honored
father from that awful, grueling death.
The very least I can do now
is to not break the pledge
until my liege gives birth to a successor.
[wheezes]
You see? Return to your bed!
Masasuke! Masakatsu! Somebody!
[Yajima] What?
Taking care of the Honored Kasuga
is completely out of the question!
You ask me to do the impossible!
But, Yajima-dono.
You are the only woman
that serves in the Ōoku,
and the only option
to help the Honored Kasuga.
My job here is that of a wet nurse, and
a wet nurse is not a bedside attendant.
Princess Chiyo is still very young,
and I cannot let her out of my sight.
It would be impossible for me
to nurse the Honored Kasuga!
- Hmph!
- [Iemitsu] Do you even hear yourself?
If there isn't a single moment
you can let Chiyo out of your sight,
all you have to do is take Chiyo
with you to Kasuga's bedside!
I cannot believe your arrogance!
[narrator] In the end,
Yajima very reluctantly took on the task
of taking care of the Honored Kasuga,
but only as an attendant.
Mmm!
[coos]
Well, since they're here
[whimpers]
Wa water.
There isn't any water left.
Yajima Yajima!
Ugh! So useless.
Not here, once again.
- [Arikoto] I brought you your water.
- [gasps]
Oh. [gasps]
Allow me to pour a cup for you.
Oh
Arikoto-dono
[gasping shakily]
Please, do not try to sit up.
[solemn music]
- Here.
- Oh
Sorry for troubling you,
but why is it that you are the one
who has come in to help me?
Yajima-dono looked
occupied with other duties.
Hmph. No doubt that woman is sitting
with her face to the garden
and gorging herself on sweets.
- [Arikoto] Shall we?
- [gasps] Huh?
Wh what are you doing?
Taking you to the lavatory.
Speaking is not needed.
I can walk there on my own.
It will be faster
if I were to carry you there.
From what I have just witnessed,
the act of sitting up
seemed to be trouble enough.
[shudders]
I know what this is.
You behave as though you wish to help me,
while your true aim is
to injure my dignity
and make me feel ashamed,
is that not so?
[Arikoto] You are free to think
that way if you wish.
However, everyone grows old.
My time will come as well.
Eventually, I, too, will
need help in relieving myself.
I would never imagine that there
should be any kind of shame found in it.
I do not wish to offend you,
so if you insist,
Yajima-dono could
be summoned in my stead.
Ugh. You are no better than her.
She's infuriating.
She chooses not to take her medicine,
and somehow, that's my fault.
[sighs]
Hmm? What is it, O-Tama?
Do you have something you wish to say?
Oh, I didn't
With respect, and please
forgive me for saying this, my liege,
but I find it surprising that my liege
would be so worried
about the Honored Kasuga.
Hmph.
A decent point.
To say that I love her like a mother
what a bold-faced lie that would be.
But still, if it weren't for her,
my father never would have won
the battle for his succession,
and would never have been able to gain
the title of Shogun in the Tokugawa clan.
- Don't get it twisted, O-Tama.
- Hmm?
It wasn't always this way for samurai to
make their eldest child their successor.
During the period of the Warring States,
brothers would fight each other
tooth and nail
so they might be
chosen for the inheritance.
If my father had never become the shogun,
things would be very different.
He would not transition to a lord
who failed to become the shogun.
Should he not have been chosen,
his fate would have been death.
[sighs]
Actually, my father's younger brother,
Lord Tadanaga,
who lost the battle for successor,
was forced to kill himself.
I had not heard of that before.
[Iemitsu scoffs] If it were the old me,
my feelings toward it
would be cold and indifferent.
Thinking on the prospect of never having
been born because my father was dead
would have meant nothing at all.
Back then, I had never felt I wanted to be
born into this world in the first place.
Does that mean you are now glad
you came into this world?
- Uh
- I don't know.
[chuckles] If I were being
completely honest, I would have to say
I have never experienced
pure joy or happiness in my life.
Even with you.
Regardless,
I know there has to have been some kind
of reason that I was born into this world.
[shivers]
While I am alive, I want
to find out what that reason is.
And if there is a role I was brought here
to fulfill, I want to carry out that role.
That is how I feel in this moment.
[thinks] She's I think I
I am sharing a bed
with a truly phenomenal woman.
[groans]
You do not have to come to this room
every single day.
I just happen to be copying sutras,
and that's a task
that can be done anywhere.
- Hmm.
- [knocking at door]
- [Murase] Master Arikoto!
- Huh?
Please forgive the interruption, but I was
told that this is where I could find you.
What is wrong, Masasuke?
An outbreak of red-face.
It's in the castle!
- [gasps]
- It struck the servants hired for Sutezo
I mean, Master O-Raku
And Master O-Raku himself
has since caught the disease.
[narrator] This was the last red-face
smallpox epidemic of Iemitsu's reign.
[Arikoto] Even O-Raku-dono Are you sure?
But I thought that it
only affects young boys.
Those who are only 12 to 13.
16 to 17 at most!
[Kasuga] There have been some rare cases
when a grown man contracts the disease.
The late shogun, Lord Iemitsu himself,
contracted the disease
when he was 31 years old.
He succumbed to it in the end.
Seeing that Sutezo is around
20 years old, give or take
it would make sense if he caught it.
[gasps] Masasuke.
The most urgent matter is sequestering
Master O-Raku and his attendants
far away from the Ōoku.
We have to protect the men.
Especially Masters O-Tama and O-Natsu.
Agreed. But where will the sick go?
- To this room.
- Huh?
You will bring them to Kasuga-dono's
anteroom, as fast as you can.
[splutters]
And for their care, I will reside
alongside them in these quarters.
- [gasps]
- We must prepare for the worst.
Masasuke, from this moment onwards,
you cannot come anywhere near this room.
As the only woman, we will leave
Yajima-dono in charge
of bringing meals
and any other necessities.
Understood?
Bu but, sir our liege would never
allow you to stay and care for them.
You would be in danger
of contracting it as well!
Then you will lie. Tell our liege that I
have caught a bad cold and need some rest.
I have outlasted
my usefulness in the Ōoku.
There would be no inconvenience
if I were to die.
[gasps]
Well, then, Kasuga-dono.
Does this arrangement
meet with your approval?
What objection could I possibly have?
If the room of this dying old crone
could be of any service
to theTokugawa shogunate,
then I would ask that you use it
as you see fit.
[narrator] Following Arikoto's orders,
the sick men were immediately carried
to the room,
but red-face smallpox rapidly progresses.
The young boys who contracted the disease
first died two days later.
Ow ow it hurts.
[gasps] It hurts so much.
O-Raku-dono.
[shivering] Thank you so much.
That feels so good.
So cool and pleasant.
Is there anything you would like?
I know you don't have an appetite,
but you need to at least have a spoonful
of rice porridge, or you'll grow weak.
[gasps]
Yeah. [coughing]
[wheezes]
Kasuga-dono.
I am entering the room with your dinner.
Kasuga-dono!
Uh Why are you out of bed?
You shouldn't be sitting up like that.
As you can see, I am perfectly capable
of eating dinner
without your assistance this evening.
It would be a better use of your time to
stay with Master O-Raku in the anteroom.
Persimmons should be in season,
so perhaps you might go
to the trouble of getting one for him?
Huh?
He might be more willing
to eat if it was a ripe persimmon.
Oh, wow.
That tasted good.
It was really It was so good.
Uh
O-Raku-dono, please, try not to speak.
Why would you
[gentle music]
Why would you go so far out
of your way to be nice to me?
I was the one who took
your place with our liege.
You have every reason to hate me,
but you're always so kind. [sobs]
Ever since the accident paralyzed me,
no one in the Ōoku, not even our liege
No one would ever come to see me
'cept for you, Master Arikoto.
[sighs]
[gasps]
I really wish I could've seen
seen Princess Chiyo's face
one more time before I die.
[Wada] Master Arikoto.
Please allow us to help you with
anything needed so you may take some rest.
[Katsuta] What do you need? Let us help!
[Wada] Yes. Please, Master Arikoto.
I can no longer stay
indifferent to the situation.
Your face speaks for you.
I can tell that you haven't slept in days,
judging from how pale and gaunt you are!
[sighs]
Master Arikoto.
I have already lost two of my own sons to
this disease,
so I am accustomed to caring for the ill.
Sir, please allow me to be the first
among those of us to relieve you.
Thank you, Den'emon.
All of you, truly,
thank you for your kindness. But
Master O-Raku just breathed his last.
[all sigh]
[narrator] It was a short-lived life.
Barely more than 20 years.
I see so he died.
He will always be Chiyo's father.
I want him buried with proper respect.
My Lord.
[narrator] Although there was
a tinge of sympathy in Iemitsu's voice,
it was clear that she had lost all
interest in O-Raku's life a long time ago.
And as for the Honored Kasuga
How could this be?
From what I heard, she was taking the
medicine that the doctor had prescribed!
[Inaba] The Honored Kasuga.
Our liege is here for you.
I have come to the end
of my natural life.
Please, my liege.
Allow me to go, as I am in quiet peace.
Kasuga.
Mother, I
[Kasuga] Masakatsu! [splutters]
Why are you wasting your breath
talking to a corpse?
I heard there is a red-face smallpox
outbreak beyond the castle walls
like nothing we've seen in recent years.
Go see the Six Representatives immediately
and devote yourself to planning
what can be done to safeguard
the future of this country.
[narrator] From that day onward,
the Honored Kasuga
would often lapse into a comatose state.
[sighs]
Hmm?
[gasps]
- [Kasuga] Arikoto-dono.
- Hmm?
[sighs]
I ask that you not tell our liege.
[sighs] Even if I had taken this medicine,
my life would not be
prolonged by very much time.
[sighs]
I took a pledge and I wish
to honor it until the end.
I do not know what you speak of.
I have seen nothing worth reporting.
[gasps]
Now, I ask that you return to your rest.
[dramatic music]
[narrator] That year,
the population of men dropped.
There was now one man
for every five women.
This imbalance caused such upset
that cities and farming villages
were no longer able to function.
It's done! What can we do?
Are we truly doomed to perish?
My eldest and second son both
succumbed to red-face smallpox.
And with the famine still raging,
how are we supposed to deal
with these natural disasters?
Is it too late for the notice banning
the buying and selling of farmland?
Would it be pointless now to allow female
feudal lords to take over their families?
If this country is doomed to perish,
if it will fall to ruin
with every last of its citizens dead,
then we shall see it through.
For those of us in government,
is that not our duty?
[all gasp]
[thinks] Now's the time
Honored Lords! It must be now!
This is our final chance!
It's all we have!
Governor, are you saying
Yes, Sir Nobutsuna.
I would agree.
I can think of no other solution.
It is the only way!
- [Tadaaki] Quite so!
- [councilor] Hear, hear!
[Kasuga] Arikoto-dono.
I've a request.
Could you do me the favor of summoning
Masasuke to my bedside as soon as you can?
I will leave you for now.
- [Kasuga] Arikoto-dono
- [gasps]
I would ask that you stay.
Masasuke.
Have you kept them?
Have you kept the notes
about all of the goings-on
within the halls of the Ōoku
that I asked you to report to me?
I have.
Even after I'm gone,
I want you to keep taking those notes
with the same level of detail.
Uh
[gasps]
If this continues, this country
will likely fall to its ruin very soon.
And until that time,
you will bear witness.
For the Tokugawa clan, and this country.
You will chronicle it until the end.
You will name that journal
What to call it?
Let's see.
"The Chronicles of the Dying Day".
Yes, milady.
And for you, Arikoto-dono.
I am not long for this world.
I will be leaving you in charge
of care for our liege
and overseeing the Inner Chambers.
Please.
[gasps]
I I beg of you!
My lady! Rest assured, it will be done.
You need not ask.
I have already pledged that I will serve
our liege in the Ōoku to the end.
Can you hear me, my lady?
Kasuga-dono!
I pray you do
[Arikoto gasps]
[narrator] That night, with Iemitsu
and her eldest son, Inaba Masakatsu,
watching over her,
the Honored Kasuga's life
came to an end at the age of 65.
Kasuga [sobs]
[wailing]
[emotional music]
THE CHRONICLE OF THE DYING DAY
[dramatic music]
[Arikoto] Murase Masasuke.
The title for your duties
shall be known as "Chief Scribe".
With that title, you are in charge
of all written documents in the Ōoku.
Every written exchange.
Yes, sir.
And for you, Katsuta Yorihide-dono.
I have decided you are to be responsible
for all the necessary purchases,
all the Ōoku's essentials.
I shall name this role Usher of the Purse.
Hmm.
Nishina Kiyonari,
at the guard station between
the Ōoku and the outer castle,
you'll stand watch for us.
This role will be named Bearer of the Key.
Yes, sir.
I will appoint a role
to every man who serves here in the Ōoku.
Each of you, in accordance with your role,
will serve our liege through
the task you have been assigned.
[Murase] Honored Kasuga.
You had said that this country was
on the verge of falling to ruin.
[dramatic music continues]
You may approach!
Governor of Kai, Matsudaira Terutsuna,
on this eighth day of December,
wishes to express his gratitude!
[Murase] However, Honored Kasuga
[Iemitsu] Raise your head.
Uh
[thinks] A woman's voice?
Today, the shogun wishes
to make an announcement
with all the lords gathered here!
Everyone, please raise your heads!
[Murase] I think this country will not be
ruined, and instead enter into a new age.
Now behold! Our liege has arrived!
[gasps]
[narrator] It was the inauguration
of the female shogun, Iemitsu.
THE CHRONICLE OF THE DYING DAY
THE CHRONICLE OF THE DYING DAY