Waterfall & Wings Version 1

Forbidden to enter Kamakura by Yoritomo's orders, Yoshitsune and his kerai put up at Manpuku Temple in Koshigoe (a town in the outskirts of Kamakura) as they await for more messages from Yoritomo. However, days pass and there is no word from Kamakura. The kerai are annoyed at Yoritomo's cold treatment towards their master. Benkei sits at the gate day and night in anticipation of messengers. (That stone that Benkei sat on can still be found at Manpuku Temple today.) Yoshitsune feels sad for putting his kerai through these.

At Kamakura, Yoritomo summons for Munemori and his son Kiyomune. Munemori gives snappy answers when asked about the missing sacred sword, but pleads Yoritomo to spare their lives. Yoritomo is disappointed that Munemori, despite being the head of the Heike clan, lacks the augustness and diginity of a leader. He had expected someone with the charisma like Shigehira.

Chidori and her father looks up Benkei and scolds him for neglecting to inform them of their arrival. The others help to explain that it is not their will, since they have been kept out of Kamakura by Yoritomo.

Masako plans to ask Yoritomo to allow Yoshitsune to come to Kamakura for the sake of Oohime but Tokimasa stops her.

Tokimasa: "As Yoritomo's wife, if you are to submit such a request, it will put us, the Hojo family in suspicion of treachery. I am sure you want to avoid such troubles... But what can I say, the Masako who is so fierce and ruthless like a demon, when bound with a mother's responsibilites, is just a woman afterall."

Masako however, does not give up. She plots another way to let Oohime and Yoshitsune meet. She summons Chidori and instructs her to arrange a secret meeting for her and Yoshitsune at a shrine in Kamakura.

Chidori tries to get Yoshitsune to the shrine on the pretext of taking a breather but her strange behaviour exposes her lie. She confesses to Yoshitsune and Benkei that she is under the instruction of Masako.

(Backflash)

Masako: "With the state of things now, there is no chance that Yoritomo will allow Yoshitsune into Kamakura. However, if Yoshitsune is able to help Oohime recover from her illness, things might change..."

(Chotto, Masako-baba! You are the one who is asking for help! Stop acting so up and mighty!! Gawd~~ I could smash your face!!)

Yoshitsune learns of Oohime's condition and is worried about the girl, but refuses to Masako's request as he does not want to go against his brother by entering Kamakura. Masako is furious and swears she will never forgive him.

Benkei is tired of seeing Yoshitsune put his faith blindly on Yoritomo and doing nothing but wait for his messages in Koshigoe. He feels Yoritomo does not treat Yoshitsune as his own brother at all, and instead tries to distinct himself as the "true heir of Genji from the original bloodline" while Yoshitsune is just another of his kerai. He urges Yoshitsune to ditch any sentiments he has for Yoritomo and face reality, that Yoritomo is not ready to accept him as family as Yoshitsune is willing to sacrifice for him. Yoshitsune gets angry at Benkei for asking him to disregard sentiments, as that is the very thing that holds him and his kerai together. In a moment of anger, he asks Benkei to leave. Benkei leaves in tears. The rest of the kerai are stumped.

Benkei cries his heart out at Chidori's place as Yoshitsune sits quietly in his room. Yoshitsune totally understands where Benkei is coming from as he too is upset at Yoritomo's harsh treatment. What Benkei said is probably the truth, but Yoshitsune is not ready to accept it yet.

The next morning, Chidori's father rushes to Yoshitsune's house and informs that Benkei drowned. The whole gang hurries to Chidori's house and sees a motionless Benkei. A worried Yoshitsune calls Benkei and the latter wakes up in shock. It turns out to be a trick that Chidori came up with to get the two to meet again.

Benkei: "How can you lie to Lord Yoshitsune??"

Chidori: "I wasn't really lying, you WERE drowning in tears yesterday, wasn't it?!"

The rest of the kerai are amused to find out that Benkei has been crying (like a kid. Haaa~~). Benkei begs Yoshitsune to forgive him and take him back.

Yoshitsune: "It doesn't matter whether I forgive you or not since I should be the one apologising. I am sorry to make all of you worry. I am just another human being and make mistakes too. Benkei, thank you for your advice. I acknowledge them with gratitude."

Everyone is happy that all problems between them are solved.

That night, Yoshitsune decides to write a letter to Yoritomo with Benkei's help. He reveals his sadness of being kept out of Kamakura and reassures his utmost loyalty to him. He explains the reason he took up the official rank from the imperial court, not for himself but really for Yoritomo and the Genji clan. He writes about his life as a son of Genji and how finally finding a family in Yoritomo means so much to him. He hopes Yoritomo will give him a chance to explain for himself in person and not listen to hearsay from others.

(Backflash of Yoshitsune's life is shown. From the beginning where Tokiwa is on the run with the new-born Yoshitsune and his two then-very-young brothers. Tokiwa nearly killing her children and herself when she found out about Yoshitomo's death. Tokiwa going to Heike's Kiyomori to beg for her mother's life. Kiyomori taking in Tokiwa and treating Yoshitsune as his own son. Yoshitsune playing with Shigehira and Tomomori. Tokiwa leaving Yoshitsune at Kurama Temple. Yukiie telling Yoshitsune his true identity as a Genji. Yoshitsune growing up at Kurama and hearing that he still has a brother for the first time from Kichiji. Yoshitsune meeting Kiyomori for the last time before leaving for Oushuu. Yoshitsune conducting his own genpuku ceremony. Yoshitsune's days at Oushuu under Hidehira's care. Yoshitsune leaving Oushuu and finally meeting Yoritomo for the first time. The intimate talk the two brothers had about each other's life.)

Yoshitsune addresses the letter to Hiromoto, one of Yoritomo's trusted advisors, hoping that he will intervene on his behalf. This letter is to become the famous Koshigoe Petition.

~End of Episode 39~

Kuyashii~~~ Yoshitsune's ratings which has been around 18% on average suddenly fell to 13.5% last week (Episode 40). In this part of my world, they play "thank you" messages on TV if viewership passes 10%. But for Taiga, 13.5% is very low. I don't know why!! Takki put sooo much effort into this. I am so glad that filming has wrapped up so his acting will not be affected by pressure on ratings. But then again, ratings or not, i have NO DOUBT about Takki's acting ability. He may not be the best dancer nor the best singer, but he is DEFINITELY A GREAT ACTOR. And a VERY HARDWORKING one that touches his fans. I never watch any Taiga dramas prior to this so I can't compare Yoshitsune to the rest, but to me at least, I rush home every Sunday after work when I can to catch it, even if I can only make it for the last 10 mins. Or I will stay up until 2am to catch the repeat. Heck, I think Yoshitsune totally changed my social life this year. And Loracyn's too probably. WE NEVER GO OUT ON SUNDAYS NOW. Either that or I whine a lot when I get dragged out on Sunday nights. Haa~~ Another 9 weeks of anti-socialness.

Anyway, I thought the story is really interesting! I know a lot of people gave up on the show because they can't understand what is being said. And of course, it doesn't appeal like Gokusen does. It is sad. The pace may get a little draggy at times (it's Taiga afterall), but ohhhhh YOU DUNNO HOW INTERTWINED INTO THE PLOT I AM NOW. Me, Loracyn and some of my other friends (including japanese colleagues) will just be sending smses to each other throughout the show to curse and swear at Yoritomo and all the evil people!! Gaaahh.... And we wonder week after week how we are going to survive Episode 49. Anyhoowww, Yoshitsune's ratings hasn't been super fantastic but this week is really bad. So much so that my nightmare came true. There's online report (just one) about the low ratings. Albeit from an ayashii source, not any of the major online news site, it still hurts.

That report blames Takki of course.

Oh yea, so all the responsibility for ensuring good ratings fall on the lead actor? I think Takki did the job as best as he could, as perfect as it could be done. I canNOT pick on his acting. I really can't. And I am not being bias. But I am not so sure about the other stuff like action chereography in particular. I have always beeen complaining here that they need help from Hong Kong. -__- But ohh, i dunno. Is that "stagnant way of action" in Yoshitsune typical of Taiga??? They come up with WONDERFUL JAW-DROPPING SPECIAL EFFECT FIGHT SEQUENCES in their computer games and movies yet cannot do something better for Yoshitsune???!? It never fails to perplex me. But nothing I say can change anything now. Since filming has already wrapped up. Unless the post-production people working on the last few episodes are reading this. I doubt. There aren't any major action scenes left anyway. I am just worried how it will affect our dear boy. He worked sooooo hard for this, I cannot emphasise it further. I want him to know his efforts are being appreciated!!!　

タッキーっ！これを読む可能性はほとんどゼロだと分かってます。それにしても、心から言いたいです。負けないでね！！自分を信じて！私もタッキーのことを信じてます。ずーと信じてます。遠く離れても、応援してます。見守ってあげます。タッキーを応援してる人がたくさん、たくさんいるから、こんな時に負けないで、いつものように自分らしく輝いてください。

Yoshitsune's visit to Kenreimonin was praised by Go-Shirakawa and the imperial court. However, Kagetoki crictised the act as being too amiable to the enemy. Yoshitsune replies that he does not see Kenreimonin as an enemy. To him, she stops being part of the Heike clan the moment she became a nun. Kagesue is caught in between the two. One is his father and the other is a man he respects. Eventually, he tells Yoshitsune regretfully that he might not be able to visit him anymore, in order not to upset his father.

Yoshitsune's letter reaches Kamakura. He assures Yoritomo in the letter that he owes his utmost allegiance to him. Hiromoto asks Yoritomo what actions he will take.

Yoritomo: "A reply is unnecessary. We shall wait and observe Kurou's behaviour."

(You see?? You stupid baka totally fails in the communication department!!! If you just stay high and mighty and don't bother communicating to your men, how the hell would they know what you are plotting??? Call yourself a leader. CRAP -__-)

One night, Otoku visits Yoshitsune. She is bothered by the rumours she heard about friction between Yoshitsune and Yoritomo. Worried about the dipping relationship between the two, she also informs him about the report/letter that Kagetoki sent to Yoritomo and its contents, claiming that Yoshitsune is dogmatic and rash, risking the lives of his men etc. Yoshitsune is upset to hear that. She tells Otoku about the letter he sent, but has yet to get a reply. But hearing what Kagetoki has said about him, he feels the urge more than ever to speak to Yoritomo directly, to clear up any misunderstandings. However, Kamakura is far away...

A few days later, Yukiie visits Yoshitsune. He congratulates Yoshitsune on his achievements in the battles against the Heike. He tells Yoshitsune that Yoritomo is being harsh to him because he is jealous of his achievements and the favourable attention he is getting from the imperial court. He feels unjust for him. (I dunno if that was his true feelings.) He asks Yoshitsune to join in a rebellion backed by Go-Shirakawa against Yoritomo.

Yoshitsune: "Do you know why i left Oushuu to go to Kamakura?"

Yukiie: "Isn't it because you wanted to avenge your father? To revive the Genji?"

Yoshitsune: "Because i wanted to build a country with no war!! That is the reason why I fought the Heike. I will not condone fighting within the Genji clan!"

Yukiie: "What a nice way to put it. Weren't you the one who led the battle against Yoshinaka?!"

Yoshitsune: "That battle... ... I had so much wanted to prevent it!"

Yukiie: "Even then, Yoshinaka was still..."

Yoshitsune: "That is why!! It was a terrible feeling (having to kill a fellow Genji)! That is why I will never allow Genji warriors to fight among themselves again! Never!"

(Thou i don't like Yukiie, cos to me, he is a fella who pays allegiance only to the one in current power. His loyalty is so flighty. But he hit the bull's eye saying what he did. Because of his blind loyalty to Yoritomo, Yoshitsune is made to do all the things he doesn't want to, nor believe in. From going after Yoshinaka, to fighting the Heike, ruling strictly by reason etc. As a result, Yoshitsune always end up with a heavy heart burdened by dilemmas and guilt.)

That night, Yoshitsune confides to Shizuka about his feelings. Shizuka can totally understand Yoshitsune's feelings and that gives him some consolation.

Meanwhile, Oohime's health never improved. She remains sick ever since Yoshitaka's execution and this has been Masako's constant worry. Masako hears from the maids that there have been flower offerings at Yoshitaka's memorial pagoda every month. She decides to take Oohime to the pagoda. There, she runs into Chidori and her father and learns that they are the ones who have been offering flowers to Yoshitaka monthly under Yoshitsune's request. Hearing Yoshitsune's name, Oohime mutters in a daze that she wants to see him. Masako is shocked as Oohime has not spoken a word for a very long time. Masako's father tell her it is difficult to bring Yoshitsune to Kamakura with the strained relationship between him and Yoritomo now but Masako is determined to get her way.

In Kyoto, Go-Shirakawa receives a request from Yoritomo to send Munemori and his son to Kamakura. Seeing this as a chance to meet Yoritomo and clear up any misunderstandings, Yoshitsune volunteers for the task.

Tomoyasu: "Didn't Yoritomo forbid warriors who accepted official ranks to cross over to the east?"

Go-Shirakawa: "But Kurou's name wasn't on that list, right?"

With that, Go-Shirakawa appoints Yoshitsune to be in charge of this task. Later in private, Tomoyasu wonders why Yoritomo left Yoshitsune out of the list. Go-Shirakawa reveals that it is Yoritomo's way of testing Yoshitsune. (Go-Shirakawa, being a scheming person like Yoritomo, understands Yoritomo's motive. Hence he purposely lead Yoshitsune the other way, so as to widen the rift between the 2 brothers.)

Shigehira, who has been exiled to Izu by Yoritomo, gets a visit from Taira no Yorimori. (Refresh: Yorimori is the son of Kiyomori's step-mother, who saved Yoritomo's life when he was young. Ostracised by the Heike clan, Yoritomo puts them up instead. Hope I don't get it wrong here but I think the people from Kofuku Temple in Nara is pressurising Yoritomo to hand over Shigehira. I think because Shigehira previously burnt down their sacred temple once and they want to punish him? Yoritomo actually respects Shigehira a lot and tries to protect him but is unable to. Therefore he asks Yorimori to do the "dirty job" of asking Shigehira to go on his own accord as it kinda breach the samurai code of conduct to surrender your captive to another party.) Yorimori tells Shigehira about Kofuku Temple's request and Shigehira agrees to go, even though it most probably means death. Shigehira reveals that death to him means being able to meet his family again. Yorimori cries and begs for forgiveness.

Yoritomo receives news that Yoshitsune is the one assigned to escort Munemori and his son and is on his way to Kamakura. He wavers and is unsure if he should let Yoshitsune in. Masako tells him that since his name is not on the list, she expects him to be able to reach Kamakura. Of course, she is thinking about the welfare of Oohime. However, Hiromoto warns Yoritomo against letting Yoshitsune enter Kamakura. If he allows Yoshitsune in, it will reflect that he is bias towards family (since everyone in Kamakura knows about Yoritomo's plan to test Yoshitsune) and that will be detrimental to his ruling.

At Sakawa River (current day Odawara), the warrior assigned to send Shigehira to Kofuku Temple runs into Yoshitsune. Yoshitsune decides to let Shigehira meet his brother Munemori and son. Munemori is surprised to learn that Shigehira is still alive. They have a short-lived reunion and Munemori informs Shigehira about the deaths in their clans. Shigehira implores Yoshitsune to take care of Munemori. Later that night, Yoshitsune witnesses Munemori crying to himself (about Shigehira's impending death?). Seeing the two brothers' care for each other, he thinks about his own relationship with Yoritomo.

Soon, Yoshitsune sets off again and arrives in a Koshigoe, a place just outside Kamakura. He meets Tokimasa, who is waiting for them.

Tokimasa: "I am to receive Munemori and his son."

Yoshitsune: "To receive them?"

Tokimasa: "You are to stay in Koshigoe and not step foot into Kamakura. I will bring Munemori and his son to Kamakura. This is Yoritomo's order."

Yoshitsune is shocked at his brother's treatment.

~End of Episode 38~

What a traumatic day! Oh well, not really. Here i am sitting and typing on my blog when i am supposed to be at the hairdresser cutting my hair! Today is my off day and i had planned to do so many things.

1. Visit dentist to consult about annoying wisdom tooth.
2. Eat lunch.
3. Visit hairdresser.
4. Buy shoes.

And cos i dun want to get food bits stuck in my mouth when i visit the dentist, i tot to have my lunch after that. Wrong move! -__-

*Lies on dentist chair*

Me: "My wisdom tooth is growing out again..."

Dentist: "Upper left right?" *looks at past records*

Me: "Ya, wondering should i extract it... cos food keeps getting stuck."

*checks*

Dentist: "Hmmm... no decay... it's out already. You wanna extract?"

Me: *O_O* "Huh?? Today??"

Dentist: "Ya. Better to extract. How?"

Me: *in a daze* "Okkkk......"

Anooo... and i thought it was gonna take a couple of weeks or something cos they will need me to go to another clinic to take an x-ray of my mouth (but ends up that clinic HAS its own xray facilities, thou i never get to use it), then do further examination or something. But nooo.... just like that. "Extract today ok?" Gaaaahhhhh~~~~ I wasn't prepared at all!!! But recalling Carolyn's words...

"You better get it done before we go Japan!"

*echoes JAPAN Japan japan japann....*

YOSHA! Let's get it over and done with! Takki no tame ne!!! q(>_<)p So i hear the dentist asking her assistant to get ready the PLIERS and dunno wat and dunno wat... O_o;;; Kowaaaiiii~~~ Takki!! Yuuki wo KUDASAI!! She gave me injections to numb the area first, then while waiting for the numbing to take effect, she help me polish my teeth and all. Then she applied some cream around my lips... *PSYCHO music play here... ching ching ching~* and i saw her remove the pliers from its packaging...

*SHUTS EYES*

No no, i dun wanna see anything anymore.
Ignorance is bliss.

I think she used some tool to really dislodge my tooth first. Like pushing on it very hard from side to side. So hard that the assistant helped to hold my head still (thou i din really need her help). I was worried that with so much strength, she might slip... but thank god no. I could hear like cracking/tearing sounds as the tooth got pushed. Gomen ne, tooth-chan. LOL~

Now came the pliers. My goodness, i was always curious how the dentist can extract a tooth that is soooo firmly planted in my gums and not shaky at all. Now I know. To be fair, the extraction wasn't painful at all. Not at the site of the tooth at least. The injections were nothing.

ALL THE STRESS IS AT MY LIPS!! Or the side of my mouth. She really had to tug on it to reach my wisdom tooth and oh my gawd!!! i was sooo sure she's gonna tear them! I didn't see but i think she had some sorta device to hold them open, and then she pulled at them to reach in her pliers. And once the pliers got a firm grip, she started tugging and twisting the tooth really hard!! My head was like bobbing up and down, side to side. But all the time i was thinking...

MY MOUTH IS GOING TO TEAR!!! Is that tooth coming out or not????!??!?

Only that this time, i dun hear the tooth tearing. The dentist stopped a while to i dunno, change tools? But i can sense it's a difficult delivery. LMAO~~ Seems that my tooth is putting up a hard fight. I wanted to tell her my mouth is going to tear but before i got a chance, she's back in my mouth. I think it's on purpose. They dun give patients enough time to complain about the pain if not, they will never let them finish the extraction. It's bulldoze your way through til the end! Gaaah.... SOOO STRESSFUL YO!! i was really thinking about my tearing mouth more than the tooth extraction itself. >___<;;; Like, YOU wa hurry out come out already!!! The dentist even stood up at some point cos my tooth was really not budging. I just waited for eternity as her tools rub up and down the side of my mouth... itaaai yooo~~~~ i can feel my skin being rubbed away... T-T

FINALLY, i hear some tearing sound and it's out!!! I opened my eyes to see a bloody bit.

Dentist: "Your root canal is really long! That's why so difficult."

Me: "My mouth is tearing..."

Dentist: "Ya, cos the tooth is so far behind. I must pull open it else cannot reach."

The assistant showed me the bloody carcass. Wow, it looked so fully formed. And so like those i see in posters, with 2 long "pointed legs".

Me: "Oh gross..."

The assistant took it away. I wondered if they are gonna put it in a bottle for me, or does it become biomedical waste straight away. Well, they didn't return it to me. I hope they don't sell it. The dentist asked if i need an MC and i decided to take one first. Shall decide whether to use it or not later. Exits consultation/trauma room and sees mirror. Great... i looked like i just got bashed. A small brusie on the side of my mouth. -__- The assistant gave me medicine for anti-swelling, anti-biotics and painkillers.

Asst: "Take them after meals."

Heh??? After meals? Ya right. How am i going to eat now?? And I haven eaten anything since morning!! I'm starving... Bought a plain waffle on my way home. Tot I should go home and sit for a couple of hours first before deciding if i can go hairdressers later.

AND I AM STILL STARVING NOW!! I have a waffle in front of me but i can't eat it. My teeth can't even clamp down properly with the gauze on one side. -__- Then my manager suddenly called me and asked me to go work earlier tomorrow cos there will be some sorta training how to use the uber complicated phone system in our office.

Oh yea, I think i've decided whether to use my MC or not afterall.

Maybe i can go to the hairdresser tomorrow.

After the battle at Dannoura, the Genji holds a service everyday to pray for the souls lost during the battle. Yoshitsune receives a letter of commendation from Go-Shirakawa for winning the battle. His kerai are happy for him. Yoshitsune reminds them that they still have to look for the missing sword. Tadanobu adds in, "and Emperor Antoku's whereabouts too...". Yoshitsune recalls the boy that Yoshiko tried to protect on the ship and the boy that jumped into the sea with Tokiko. Two different faces... He senses something amiss.

In Kamakura, Yoritomo and the rest are amazed that Yoshitsune managed to defeat the Heike at Dannoura in one day. They are delighted to know that two of the Three Sacred Treasures are in Yoshitsune's possession, that is, in Genji's hands. That will be like a trump card against the scheming Go-Shirakawa. They appreciate his efforts but bring up the issue of Yoshitsune accepting an official rank from Go-Shirakawa previously without Yoritomo's permission. Yoritomo decides to test Yoshitsune's intention by giving him a new assignment, to mete out punishments to other warriors like him who had accepted official ranks without permission. He hopes that Yoshitsune will realise that he himself ought to be punished too and give up his official rank willingly.

Yoshitsune returns to the capital and visits Go-Shirakawa immediately to hand over the treasures.

(Yoshitsune is in the unknown that Yoritomo wants to keep the treasures for himself so as to curb Go-Shirakawa. Since Yoritomo always pretends to be in allegiance with Go-Shirakawa, Yoshitsune thinks that by serving the latter faithfully, he is also being loyal to Yoritomo. Afterall, Yoritomo was the one who sent Yoshitsune to the capital in the first place to protect the old man... -__- All you scheming people plotting against each other and sacrificing Yoshitsune!!!! URGGHHH~~~)

After that, he finally goes back to his residence. Moe receives his homecoming and calls Shizuka along, hence acknowledging her "position/presence". Yoshitsune and Benkei break the news of Tsugunobu's death to the two ladies. Shizuka is very upset as she has known Tsugunobu for a long time. To turn the sad atmosphere around, Yoshitsune announces that he is going to award Kuma a new name, a samurai name (a great honour for a man born into the peasant class) for his loyalty to him since Ichinotani. Afterall, it is not very appropriate to be calling him "bear" all the time. He gives Kuma the name of Yoshihisa, even attaching on the character that is passed down the Genji clan (a great bestowment indeed, as Yoshitsune is like incorporating Kuma into the Genji family). From then on, Kuma will be known as Washio no Saburo Yoshihisa. Shizuka informs the rest that Utsubo is now married to someone. Yoshitsune is glad to hear that, but Kisanta is not.

Later, Yoshitsune receives a letter from Yoritomo about his new assignment. Seeing that he is not among the list to be punished, he misunderstands Yoritomo's intentions and thinks that Yoritomo has forgiven him. Even Benkei fails to see Yoritomo's real motive and thinks that Yoritomo must have place a lot of trust in Yoshitsune to give him such an assignment. (Can't really blame them. Not everyone's mind think think like Yoritomo, dark and twisted. Why can't he just be frank?? Stop giving out this kinda riddley assignments yo!!! Stupid...)

Meanwhile, Yoritomo receives a letter from Kagetoki, who has been sent to follow (and check on) Yoshitsune since Ichinotani. Kagetoki reports that although Yoshitsune had won all the battles, he made a lot of decisions without consulting the others (read Kagetoki himself -_-). He feels his rash dogmatic decisions fail to put into consideration the lives of those in the army. He questions Yoshitsune's ability to lead. Since Yoritomo trusts Kagetoki much more than Yoshitsune, he too starts to wonder if Yoshitsune is capable of being a general. Just then, Yoritomo receives news that Yoshitsune has returned the two treasures to Go-Shirakawa. He rages as that means they lost their trump card. Further, Hiromoto reports that Yoshitsune has punished the men on the list in accordance to Yoritomo's will but fails to punish himself. Yoritomo is furious.

Yoritomo: "Kurou! Why don't you understand anything??!"

(OF COS NOT!!! YOU NEVER TOLD HIM WHAT YOUR REAL INTENTIONS WERE!!! HE IS NEVER AT YOUR SIDE MOST OF THE TIME UNLIKE KAGETOKI AND THE REST, HOW WOULD HE KNOW??!?!??!? Poor Yoshitsune, there he is, trying to serve Yoritomo the best that he can, but gets caught up and blamed at in all this scheming business...MU KA TSU KU!! And you see the evil Masako giving this wry smile, the "i told you so, i told you not to trust Yoshitsune" look... *KICKS*)

Back in Kyoto, Yoshitsune's kerai informs him that they have been getting weird treatment from Kagetoki's men. Previously on friendly terms, now they do not even return greetings when they bump into each other on the streets. Just then, Kagesue (the newly-crowned Hanazawa Rui in the new drama Hana Yori Dango.. thou he does have a very yasashii look, i find him not bishie enuff. Zaizai wins in that dept..ahah, but let's wait and see how he performs..opps, major digression! XDD) pays Yoshitsune a visit. He informs Yoshitsune regretfully about the letter that his father Kagetoki received from Yoritomo a few days ago. In that letter, Yoritomo orders Kagetoki (and Noriyori) not to obey Yoshitsune anymore. Kagesue is very upset at this rift, as he respects Yoshitsune a lot.

Kagesue: "What happened between you and Yoritomo??!?"

Yoshitsune himself is at a loss of words. His kerai are angry and disappointed at Yoritomo. They cannot believe that is how Yoritomo is treating Yoshitsune after he fought so hard for him. Since his return to the capital, he has not a word of appreciation for Yoshitsune's efforts, now this...

Later with just Benkei, Yoshitsune wonders sadly why Yoritomo is angry with him. He is totally perplexed.

Yoshitsune: "Is it because he no longer needs me? For someone like me who only know how to fight (in battle), am I no longer of use to him? Now that the Heike has already been defeated and there will be no more war, am I now redundant to Yoritomo?"

Benkei: "No! My Lord, please do not think this way!"

Yoshitsune: "Then why?!!"

Shizuka, who has been listening to them all the while behind, weeps.

Yoshitsune: "All these battles that I fought, it is not for fame! All I wanted was to help my brother to build a new country. That was all I thought about. But then, why is he treating me this way?!"

Benkei is at a loss of words to console Yoshitsune. (T-T... Tono, mou kaere yo!! Yoshitsune mentions here that he does not care about the official posts accorded to him by Go-Shirakawa because he plans to return such posts to the imperial court when Yoritomo summons him back to Kamakura anyway. He has wanted to quit from these posts previously but was unable to because Go-Shirakawa wouldn't let him. And he is afraid to defy Go-Shirakawa for fear of ruining the relationship between the imperial family and his brother. But of course, it is exactly Go-Shirakawa's plan to sow discord between the brothers this way, knowing what a control freak Yoritomo is...)

A few days later, Yoshitsune visits Kurama, a place where he can find always find peace. Kakunichi finds him praying in one of the small temples and senses he is troubled. They have an intimate conversation. (I think Kakunichi tells him an anecdote here about a man who suffers because he tries to carry too many things he wants on him. Sorry for lame translation...)

Kakunichi: "Men suffer because they seek for worldly possessions. If the burden is that heavy, throw it away."

(Kakunichi is actually trying to tell Yoshitsune to throw away everything, everything as in forget about waiting for Yoritomo's benevolence. Basically, don't live for Yoritomo. Don't work for him anymore, don't work for Go-Shirakawa anymore. Don't be burdened by obligations nor the acknowlegement that will never come. The "family tie" that binds Yoshitsune to Yoritomo is too heavy a burden. In fact, it is the source of all his problems. What can I say... KAKUNICHI IS SOOO RIGHT!!!)

Yoshitsune tells Kakunichi he understands his intentions. But he has many loyal kerai under him and he cannot desert them. Kakunichi is sad that he is unable to help Yoshitsune.

(We suddenly see a barely-visible-hadaka-no-Yoshitsune splashing water on himself here!! Totally no warning! LOL~)

Yoshitsune writes a letter to Yoritomo expressing his sadness for the cold treatment.

Not long after, Kenreimonin Tokuko becomes a nun.

One day, Yoshitsune decides to pay Kenreimonin a visit.

Yoshitsune: "Benkei, accompany me to see Kenreimonin. Something has been bothering me ever since Dannoura and I want some verification."

Benkei: "Orders from Yoritomo?"

Yoshitsune: "No, I am checking this for myself."

Yoshitsune runs into "Shinno" in the garden and remembers he is the boy that Yoshiko tried to protect.

Meeting Kenreimonin, she tells Yoshitsune that her entire life has been mapped out to boost Heike's power from the moment she is born. Becoming a nun is the first time she decides something for herself and she is glad. She no longer cares about the Heike-Genji rivalry. Power means nothing to her. She threw away all these concerns together with her hair when she became a nun. Now she just wants to live the remaining of her life praying for the souls of her family that were lost. Yoshitsune admires her courage.

Yoshitsune: "Kakunichi tells me to throw away everything if they bother me so much, but I can't. Compared to me, you are much stronger."

Kenreimonin: "There is something troubling you?"

Yoshitsune: "Kiyomori had shown me much benevolence but I destroyed the Heike clan that he built. I did it because I want to help my brother, but now my brother... ... Never mind. I should not bother you with all these. This wasn't what I came for."

Kenreimonin: "Earlier you said you want to verify something. What is it?"

Yoshitsune asks her about "Shinno". He wonders why she is keeping the boy with her even though they have no blood relationship. (Shinno is supposed to be her husband's son with another concubine.) And the resemblance between the two of them is too uncanny. He suspects this "Shinno" is really Antoku. The one who died is just his replacement, the real Shinno. Kenreimonin tries to hide her fear by being hostile.

Kenreimonin: "Are you suspecting me of lying?"

Behind the walls, Sueko and Akirakeiko listens quietly in fear that Yoshitsune will expose their secret.

Yoshitsune: "If that is true..."

Kenreimonin: "If that is true, then what? Are you going to send the young Shinno to Kamakura too? If you take him away from me as well, it is as good as taking away my life."

Although she tries to be hostile, Yoshitsune detects a tint of sadness in her eyes. Seeing that, Yoshitsune softens. He assures Kenreimonin he will not take Shinno away from her. He understands how lonely it is to grow up without one's mother. (I think Shinno's real mother is already dead?? So Kenreimonin is the next best person to fill that role.)

Yoshitsune: "From now on, please live peacefully with him without anxiety. Give him all the love that you can."

Kenreimonin's eyes well up with tears.

Kenreimonin: "Yoshitsune, I am grateful."

She bows to Yoshitsune, which is something members of the royalty never do.

Yoshitsune: "Please don't do that! Please!"

Kenreimonin: "As Shinno's replacement mother, I swear to you, Genji's general. Now that there is another Emperor, Shinno will never have the chance to ascend the throne. Eventually I will send him to a temple. Separated from the world in a temple, he will not think about taking revenge and such. I will have him pray for the lost lives of the Heike clan."

(Yoshitsune already knows that "Shinno" is actually Antoku but he gives up exposing his identity because he cannot bear to see the small boy go through the same fate that he did, separated from his mother. Kenreimonin also knows that Yoshitsune already discovered their secret, that is why she swears to him that Shinno, or Antoku will never become their threat in future.)

With that, Yoshitsune takes his leave. Kenreimonin, Sueko and Akirakeiko appears at the verandah to see him off, but this time their faces are full of gratitude. Yoshiko is also there and bows to him. The rest of the ladies follow suit. Benkei is shocked and wonders why even Kenreimonin bows to them.

Leaving their house, Benkei asks Yoshitsune if he has found what he wanted and Yoshitsune replies that he is satisfied.

After that day, Yoshitsune never sees Kenreimonin nor his sister Yoshiko ever again.

~End of Episode 37~

I think tis the season for "specials". Was looking up the TV rankings for this week to see how Zubari 4hr special did and was surprised to see sooo many other "specials".

#1 Some V6 10th yr anniversary special 21.0%
#2 Zubari 4hr special 20.7%
#3 Some Nakai Masahiro (SMAP) variety special 20.4%
#4 Sasae-san (anime) 19.9%
#5 Some parody of Kouhaku Singing Competition 19.8%
#6 SMAPxSMAP special extended deluxe autumn edition 19.7%
#7 Some 3hr special variety 19.3%
#8 All-star thanksgiving (music?) festival 19.1%
#9 Another thanksgiving special program... 18.3%
#10 Another Nakai Masahiro's variety show special edition 18.1%
#10 "Haru to Natsu ~ Todokanakatta tegami" (1) 18.1%

Yoshitsune is ranked at #19 this week with a rating of 15.7%. But anyway, look at that list! Just how many "specials" are there?? Is it a Japanese thing to air all the (extra long) specials when summer turns to autumn?? And the top 3 all have Johnny's artistes in them... hohoho~ They really just dominate the industry don't they? Not just on TV but every single male celebrity poll, no matter what category, Johnny's artistes will almost definitely fill up at least 60% of the names. This JE jimusho is really.... tsuyoi.

"Haru to Natsu"~ I've been RUSHING home to watch it everyday since it started airing on Sunday... GAWD!! why do they show on consecutive days at 8pm?? So early.. and the timing is soooo urgh! I seriously have to really just throw down all my work and exit my office by 7pm no matter what to make it for the show (which results in a piling workload -__-;;;) and the repeats are at even crappier times... Saturday mornings???? Program schedule aside, the drama is quite nice. It's really touching, thou i felt it's a bit propagandish too. Kinda like reinforcing the Japanese national identity. Or rather, the Japanese "race".

The story is about two sisters who meet each other again after living separated in Japan and Brazil for 70 years. In 1934, Haru and her family emigrated from Hokkaido to Brazil. Haru’s younger sister Natsu, however, was left behind in Japan because of an eye disease. 70 years later, Haru visits Japan and locates the whereabouts of Natsu but the younger sister, who thinks she was abandoned by the family, rejects Haru. After a while, the two find out that both wrote numbers of letters to the other though the letters have been left undelivered to the addressees. Through the discovered letters, the sisters learn each other’s life; Haru lived in Brazil as a member of an immigrant-laborer family surviving various difficulties while Natsu lived in Japan through the Second World War and postwar economic growth depending on herself and managing a business. The drama portrays the separated sisters’ lives full of ups and downs as well as their family ties, asking the meaning of “homeland” and “family.”
- taken from NHK Premium Website

NHK-W is also airing a documentary at the same time about Japanese immigrants in Brazil and how they try to preserve the Japanese culture and spirit down the generations... I shall try to catch the repeat on Thurs and see if it is propagandish too... Tsubasa acts as Mori Mitsuko's grandson who follows her to Japan to look for the lost sister. Mori Mitsuko is the sister that went to Brazil so that's why Tsubasa is a Brazilian Japanese. Thou i read somewhere that the term "Brazilian Japanese" does not exist in Japan. The Japanese do not acknowledge Brazilian Japanese, nor American Japanese, nor Korean Japanese... If you are not a Japanese Japanese, then you are not a Japanese. Haa~ Am i making sense? Hard to explain... but the Japanese like to believe that they are a homogenous and pure race. Oh well, if that makes them happy.

Anyhoowww, Tsubasa in "Haru to Natsu"... ... ... ... ...

Yvie is right. It's some syndrome where we just cannot take him seriously in any drama. Me and Carolyn just burst out laughing the moment he appears. Gomen ne, Tsuba-chan~ He looks so unnaturally dark in the show!! Aiyaya... and chotto eto....fleshy ne. But he looks much better now, thank goodness. As for his performace, yappari... dancing is his forte.

*runs away from Tsuba fans*