Monday, August 08, 2005
Yoshitsune #29: Mother's Last Words 母の遺言
Noriyori and the rest return to Kamakura as Yoshitsune arrives back in Kyoto. Yoritomo assigns Yoshitsune to take care of the city in his place. For some time, Yoshitsune spends peaceful but busy days fulfilling his duties such as recruiting new soldiers, settling lawsuits and hunting down Heike spies in the capital. His popularity slowly grows among the people.
Meanwhile in Kamakura, Yoritomo wonders what he should do with Yoshitsune. Everyone else seems to be impressed with Yoshitsune and thinks he should be rewarded (with an official post?) but Yoritomo is hesitant. He later reveals to Tokimasa and Masako that he is impressed by Yoshitsune but suspicious of Go-Shirakawa and the imperial court's real motive for singling him out for praises and promotion. (Well, it's because you are SOOOO paranoid of losing your power over your men, soooo adamant that you must be the ONLY ONE in control that Go-Shirakawa has a chance to play with your mind you BAKA!!!
)
Back in Kyoto, Tomoyasu tells Go-Shirakawa that Yoritomo has employed the services of Ooe no Hiromoto and Zenshin and suspects he is trying to build a new capital in Kamakura, just like Kiyomori did with Fukuhara. Go-Shirakawa receives a letter from Yoritomo recommending some of his men for promotion but the list does not include Yoshitsune's name despite his critical role which helped win the Ichinotani battle. The ex-emperor senses that Yoritomo has something against Yoshitsune and plots to make use of this to deal with the former. (i think at the end of the day, whether it be Heike or Genji, Go-Shirakawa just does not want any samurai clan to grow too powerful and climb over him. Just like how the Heike grew too influential that the ex-emperor decides to betray them in order to get rid of them.)
Kichiji informs Yoshitsune that Tokiwa has fallen ill. Shizuka suggests he go visit her but Yoshitsune is hesistant as his mother had made him promise not to see her again previously. Kichiji then offers to keep him updated about her health.
One day, Tsuneko arrives in Yashima where the main Heike clan has escaped to. Apparently she did not flee with the rest previously but remained in the capital. She informs the rest that her son Koremori had killed himself and wants to know why her son has been forced to leave Yashima. Tomomori tells her he was not forced to leave, but left quietly by himself. Apparently Koremori had been blaming himself for Heike's consecutive losses and is depressed and disappointed with life. Tomomori reminds the rest that they have not lost the battle yet. He encourages the clan to unite and fight against the Genji so that Koremori's death will not go unjustified.
June 1184. Noriyori together with the rest that Yoritomo nominated receive their official posts from the imperial court. Yoshitsune however, is not accredited with anything. Many in the capital who support Yoshitsune begin to voice out the unjust treatment.
Yoshitsune's kerai are upset over the situation too. Yoshitsune tells them he does not care about not having any official posts although this is the reason why he is facing problems conscripting people for the Genji's army. However, he is bothered by Yoritomo's aloofness and apparent non-acknowlegdement of his efforts.
The Heike ladies gather for a talk at night. Tokiko reminds them that they will not go down. They will survive with the emperor (Antoku) and restore the Heike clan to its former glory. Muneko suddenly picks on Yoshiko again and wonders if she is a Genji or Heike. Yoshiko declares herself as a Heike. Later, Tokiko reveals to Akirakeiko alone that Kiyomori's death wish of wanting Yoritomo dead is a lie. Initially, after Kiyomori passed away, the entire clan was downcast and lost without a leader. She wanted to give everyone a goal to fight for and that is why she decided to lie. However, she feels that her lie is a mistake as it had resulted in the Shigehira's capture, Koremori's death etc... Surprisingly, Akirakeiko tells her to keep the truth between the two of them. She explains, it is because of her lie that Tomomori and the rest now are so motivated to unite and win the Genji. Kiyomori might not have said the "death wish" himself, but Akirakeiko believes Tokiko simply put his thoughts into words. Tokiko is very relieved to hear that and gains back her confidence.
1184, July. The new emperor appointed by Go-Shirakawa ascends the throne in place of Antoku. However, the accession cannot be considered official without the Three Treasures.
1184, August. Go-Shirakawa summons for Yoshitsune and offers him an official post. (The actual title is lost in translation but it is a pretty high post. Something like governor.) Yoshitsune is shocked and asks if Yoritomo approves this decision.
Tomoyasu: "You are saying that O-kami (loosely translated as The Divine One, referring to Go-Shirakawa. The Japanese had this thinking back then that their Emperor is a god descended from heaven.) needs to ask Yoritomo before he can make any decisions?"
Yoshitsune: "Of course not..."
Tsubone: "O-kami is offering you this post as a reward for your good performance in keeping the capital in peace and order. He thinks you are a epitome of what a samurai should be. Anyway, Yoritomo is the one who placed you here to take care of the capital. So rewarding you is like rewarding Yoritomo."
Hearing that, Yoshitsune has no choice but accepts the post "on behalf" of Yoritomo.
Tokiwa hears about this from Naganari and is worried for his son. Yoshitsune has always been a very honest child and is not good at reading people's ulterior motives. She worries about him getting caught between Go-Shirakawa and Yoritomo.
News of this appointment soon reaches Kamakura too. Hiromoto tells Yoritomo that ever since he left Yoshitsune out of his recommendation list, many people have been requesting to the imperial court to reward Yoshitsune as he deserves. Masako is mad with the decision of course.
Masako: "We have already rewarded everyone accordingly for the Ichinotani battle, Go-Shirakawa knows that!"
Tokimasa: "Well, Go-Shirakawa claims that this post is not in reward for the battle, but for Yoshitsune's exemplary performace of keeping the capital in law and order."
Masako: "He can twist it whichever way he wants. This is obviously an act of opposition to us. If this continues, Yoshitsune will be won over by the ex-emperor. This will be our deathblow!"
Yoritomo: "Kurou, why can't you see that Go-Shirakawa's real motive?" (Because he is not evil like you! *kicks*)
Yoritomo decides to send his army (led by Noriyori) to the capital. They will now go after the Heike in Yashima. However, he leaves Yoshitsune out of this mission on purpose. Yoshitsune is shocked.
More shock as messengers from Yoritomo bring news that Yoritomo has arranged a lady called Moe to be his wife. She is actually the daughter of Yoritomo's nanny and will be arriving in a few days. Yoshitsune is very troubled as he does not want to hurt Shizuka. (YORITOMO, WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE???!!??! *PUI!* YOU ARE NOT YOSHITSUNE'S FATHER YO!!! WHAT RIGHT DO YOU HAVE TO DECIDE YOUR BROTHER'S MARRIAGE??? HE IS NOT A CHILD ANYMORE, YOU BAKA BAKA BAKAAA!!!!) Tsugunobu points out that this might have something to do with Yoshitsune's acceptance of the post from Go-Shirakawa. Yoritomo's motive is obviously to show Go-Shirakawa that Yoshitsune is still under him. (Great, now Yoshitsune becomes like a property, a toy. Grrr..) Yoshitsune realises he must accept this marriage as a pledge of allegiance to Yoritomo. Shizuka offers to leave the house but Yoshitsune and the rest refuses to let her go.
Yoshitsune: "It may be hard but I will like you to stay by my side."
Shizuka agrees finally but claims she will leave if problems arise because of her presence.
Moe arrives in a few days as expected. (And Yoshitsune shows the least of interest in her. Poor girl, she also becomes Yoritomo's pawn. YORITOMO, YOU CRAP!!
IS THIS HOW YOU REPAY YOUR NANNY'S KINDNESS AND CARE FOR YOU WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG?? BY GIVING HER DAUGHTER AWAY TO A MAN WHO DOES NOT LOVE HER??? I'M SO FUMING!!!)
One night, Tokiwa suddenly arrives at Yoshitsune's house despite her weak health.
Tokiwa: "I heard you have been greatly troubled recently. Being left out of the mission to capture the Heike, the sudden arrival of a wife from Kamakura..."
Yoshitsune: "I am sorry for making you worry."
Tokiwa: "I used to be the same, always finding myself at the mercy of things I did not expect. At that time (after Yoshitsune's father died), I only thought of protecting my children, keeping them alive. I let my heart die (to be with Kiyomori). I am worried about you now being like what I used to be, caught between things, a victim of circumstances... and especially so because you are so honest and trusting of people. But things are not always as nice as they seem. Do not get caught up in other people's plots and schemes. Be sure where to place yourself, and evaluate everything carefully. Don't just look at the surface, but underneath as well. Don't be too trusting of people, not even Yoritomo and Go-Shirakawa!"
With that, Tokiwa takes her leave. She tells Yoshitsune sternly not to bother about what happens to her anymore, and never to visit her. Yoshitsune watches in silence as his mother walks away. This is to be the last time they will ever talk to each other.
Two days later, Benkei brings news that Tokiwa is in a critical condition. Yoshitsune rushes to Naganari's house but he is too late. Tokiwa has already breathed her last. Naganari tells her she had been calling his name before she passed away. Picking up her flute, Yoshitsune thinks back of the times he had with his mother.
Yoshitsune: "Mother, for watching over me all the time, I thank you from the bottom of my heart." (SO SAD HERE!!!!
)
~End of Episode 29~
Meanwhile in Kamakura, Yoritomo wonders what he should do with Yoshitsune. Everyone else seems to be impressed with Yoshitsune and thinks he should be rewarded (with an official post?) but Yoritomo is hesitant. He later reveals to Tokimasa and Masako that he is impressed by Yoshitsune but suspicious of Go-Shirakawa and the imperial court's real motive for singling him out for praises and promotion. (Well, it's because you are SOOOO paranoid of losing your power over your men, soooo adamant that you must be the ONLY ONE in control that Go-Shirakawa has a chance to play with your mind you BAKA!!!
)Back in Kyoto, Tomoyasu tells Go-Shirakawa that Yoritomo has employed the services of Ooe no Hiromoto and Zenshin and suspects he is trying to build a new capital in Kamakura, just like Kiyomori did with Fukuhara. Go-Shirakawa receives a letter from Yoritomo recommending some of his men for promotion but the list does not include Yoshitsune's name despite his critical role which helped win the Ichinotani battle. The ex-emperor senses that Yoritomo has something against Yoshitsune and plots to make use of this to deal with the former. (i think at the end of the day, whether it be Heike or Genji, Go-Shirakawa just does not want any samurai clan to grow too powerful and climb over him. Just like how the Heike grew too influential that the ex-emperor decides to betray them in order to get rid of them.)
Kichiji informs Yoshitsune that Tokiwa has fallen ill. Shizuka suggests he go visit her but Yoshitsune is hesistant as his mother had made him promise not to see her again previously. Kichiji then offers to keep him updated about her health.
One day, Tsuneko arrives in Yashima where the main Heike clan has escaped to. Apparently she did not flee with the rest previously but remained in the capital. She informs the rest that her son Koremori had killed himself and wants to know why her son has been forced to leave Yashima. Tomomori tells her he was not forced to leave, but left quietly by himself. Apparently Koremori had been blaming himself for Heike's consecutive losses and is depressed and disappointed with life. Tomomori reminds the rest that they have not lost the battle yet. He encourages the clan to unite and fight against the Genji so that Koremori's death will not go unjustified.
June 1184. Noriyori together with the rest that Yoritomo nominated receive their official posts from the imperial court. Yoshitsune however, is not accredited with anything. Many in the capital who support Yoshitsune begin to voice out the unjust treatment.
Yoshitsune's kerai are upset over the situation too. Yoshitsune tells them he does not care about not having any official posts although this is the reason why he is facing problems conscripting people for the Genji's army. However, he is bothered by Yoritomo's aloofness and apparent non-acknowlegdement of his efforts.
The Heike ladies gather for a talk at night. Tokiko reminds them that they will not go down. They will survive with the emperor (Antoku) and restore the Heike clan to its former glory. Muneko suddenly picks on Yoshiko again and wonders if she is a Genji or Heike. Yoshiko declares herself as a Heike. Later, Tokiko reveals to Akirakeiko alone that Kiyomori's death wish of wanting Yoritomo dead is a lie. Initially, after Kiyomori passed away, the entire clan was downcast and lost without a leader. She wanted to give everyone a goal to fight for and that is why she decided to lie. However, she feels that her lie is a mistake as it had resulted in the Shigehira's capture, Koremori's death etc... Surprisingly, Akirakeiko tells her to keep the truth between the two of them. She explains, it is because of her lie that Tomomori and the rest now are so motivated to unite and win the Genji. Kiyomori might not have said the "death wish" himself, but Akirakeiko believes Tokiko simply put his thoughts into words. Tokiko is very relieved to hear that and gains back her confidence.
1184, July. The new emperor appointed by Go-Shirakawa ascends the throne in place of Antoku. However, the accession cannot be considered official without the Three Treasures.
1184, August. Go-Shirakawa summons for Yoshitsune and offers him an official post. (The actual title is lost in translation but it is a pretty high post. Something like governor.) Yoshitsune is shocked and asks if Yoritomo approves this decision.
Tomoyasu: "You are saying that O-kami (loosely translated as The Divine One, referring to Go-Shirakawa. The Japanese had this thinking back then that their Emperor is a god descended from heaven.) needs to ask Yoritomo before he can make any decisions?"
Yoshitsune: "Of course not..."
Tsubone: "O-kami is offering you this post as a reward for your good performance in keeping the capital in peace and order. He thinks you are a epitome of what a samurai should be. Anyway, Yoritomo is the one who placed you here to take care of the capital. So rewarding you is like rewarding Yoritomo."
Hearing that, Yoshitsune has no choice but accepts the post "on behalf" of Yoritomo.
Tokiwa hears about this from Naganari and is worried for his son. Yoshitsune has always been a very honest child and is not good at reading people's ulterior motives. She worries about him getting caught between Go-Shirakawa and Yoritomo.
News of this appointment soon reaches Kamakura too. Hiromoto tells Yoritomo that ever since he left Yoshitsune out of his recommendation list, many people have been requesting to the imperial court to reward Yoshitsune as he deserves. Masako is mad with the decision of course.
Masako: "We have already rewarded everyone accordingly for the Ichinotani battle, Go-Shirakawa knows that!"
Tokimasa: "Well, Go-Shirakawa claims that this post is not in reward for the battle, but for Yoshitsune's exemplary performace of keeping the capital in law and order."
Masako: "He can twist it whichever way he wants. This is obviously an act of opposition to us. If this continues, Yoshitsune will be won over by the ex-emperor. This will be our deathblow!"
Yoritomo: "Kurou, why can't you see that Go-Shirakawa's real motive?" (Because he is not evil like you! *kicks*)
Yoritomo decides to send his army (led by Noriyori) to the capital. They will now go after the Heike in Yashima. However, he leaves Yoshitsune out of this mission on purpose. Yoshitsune is shocked.
More shock as messengers from Yoritomo bring news that Yoritomo has arranged a lady called Moe to be his wife. She is actually the daughter of Yoritomo's nanny and will be arriving in a few days. Yoshitsune is very troubled as he does not want to hurt Shizuka. (YORITOMO, WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE???!!??! *PUI!* YOU ARE NOT YOSHITSUNE'S FATHER YO!!! WHAT RIGHT DO YOU HAVE TO DECIDE YOUR BROTHER'S MARRIAGE??? HE IS NOT A CHILD ANYMORE, YOU BAKA BAKA BAKAAA!!!!) Tsugunobu points out that this might have something to do with Yoshitsune's acceptance of the post from Go-Shirakawa. Yoritomo's motive is obviously to show Go-Shirakawa that Yoshitsune is still under him. (Great, now Yoshitsune becomes like a property, a toy. Grrr..) Yoshitsune realises he must accept this marriage as a pledge of allegiance to Yoritomo. Shizuka offers to leave the house but Yoshitsune and the rest refuses to let her go.
Yoshitsune: "It may be hard but I will like you to stay by my side."
Shizuka agrees finally but claims she will leave if problems arise because of her presence.
Moe arrives in a few days as expected. (And Yoshitsune shows the least of interest in her. Poor girl, she also becomes Yoritomo's pawn. YORITOMO, YOU CRAP!!
IS THIS HOW YOU REPAY YOUR NANNY'S KINDNESS AND CARE FOR YOU WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG?? BY GIVING HER DAUGHTER AWAY TO A MAN WHO DOES NOT LOVE HER??? I'M SO FUMING!!!)One night, Tokiwa suddenly arrives at Yoshitsune's house despite her weak health.
Tokiwa: "I heard you have been greatly troubled recently. Being left out of the mission to capture the Heike, the sudden arrival of a wife from Kamakura..."
Yoshitsune: "I am sorry for making you worry."
Tokiwa: "I used to be the same, always finding myself at the mercy of things I did not expect. At that time (after Yoshitsune's father died), I only thought of protecting my children, keeping them alive. I let my heart die (to be with Kiyomori). I am worried about you now being like what I used to be, caught between things, a victim of circumstances... and especially so because you are so honest and trusting of people. But things are not always as nice as they seem. Do not get caught up in other people's plots and schemes. Be sure where to place yourself, and evaluate everything carefully. Don't just look at the surface, but underneath as well. Don't be too trusting of people, not even Yoritomo and Go-Shirakawa!"
With that, Tokiwa takes her leave. She tells Yoshitsune sternly not to bother about what happens to her anymore, and never to visit her. Yoshitsune watches in silence as his mother walks away. This is to be the last time they will ever talk to each other.
Two days later, Benkei brings news that Tokiwa is in a critical condition. Yoshitsune rushes to Naganari's house but he is too late. Tokiwa has already breathed her last. Naganari tells her she had been calling his name before she passed away. Picking up her flute, Yoshitsune thinks back of the times he had with his mother.
Yoshitsune: "Mother, for watching over me all the time, I thank you from the bottom of my heart." (SO SAD HERE!!!!
)~End of Episode 29~
// posted by snuffles @ 12:13 AM 
