Episode 1A [Shown in Two Parts] (3/28/00 & 4/4/00)
Toyotomi Hideyoshi had appointed five ministers to rule over Japan until his son Hideyori matured. Now, two years after Hideyoshi's death, two factions vie for power--one headed by Ishida Mitsunari who supports Hideyoshi's son Hideyori; the other led by the cunning Tokugawa Ieyasu. Mitsunari accuses Ieyasu of usurping Hideyori's power and vows to fight him. As tensions rise, both sides go on the march. Mitsunari and his army of 100,000 men arrive at Sekigahara at daybreak to face Ieyasu's forces in one of the most important battles in Japanese history.
Episode 1B [Conclusion] (4/4/00)
Toyotomi Hideyoshi had appointed five ministers to rule over Japan until his son Hideyori matured. Now, two years after Hideyoshi's death, two factions vie for power--one headed by Ishida Mitsunari who supports Hideyoshi's son Hideyori; the other led by the cunning Tokugawa Ieyasu. Mitsunari accuses Ieyasu of usurping Hideyori's power and vows to fight him. As tensions rise, both sides go on the march. Mitsunari and his army of 100,000 men arrive at Sekigahara at daybreak to face Ieyasu's forces in one of the most important battles in Japanese history.
Episode 2 (4/11/00)
Toyotomi Hideyoshi dies in the year 1598 and two men begin their quest for power. One is Hideyoshi's chief strategist, Ishida Mitsunari. The other is Tokugawa Ieyasu, who served as a councillor under Hideyoshi. Ieyasu dispatches his thrid son Hidetada to Edo to raise an army. Mitsunari moves to forge an alliance with Mori Terumoto and other daimyo. And he wins their agreement to act against Ieyasu should he try to seize power.
Episode 3 (4/18/00)
Maeda Toshiie secretly visits the Tokugawa mansion in Fushimi and swears his allegiance to Ieyasu. The Council of Five, led by Mitsunari, decides to eliminate Ieyasu. Plans are made to ambush Ieyasu on his way to visit the ailing Toshiie, but the assassination attempt is foiled. Then, Mitsunari is attacked by Kato Kiyomasa and seven others. And he flees and seeks refuge, of all places, in the Ieyasu mansion.
Episode 4 (4/25/00)
On September 9, all vassals of the late Toyotomi Hideyoshi are expected to pay their respects at Osaka Castle. But Ieyasu refuses to enter the castle. He has learned of an assassination plot inside Osaka Castle, and files a petition demanding an investigation. As a condition to participate in the ceremonies at Osaka Castle, Ieyasu asks for his army to be sent from Fushimi. But already, Ishida is laying his plans against his rival.
Episode 5 (5/2/00)
Mitsunari plots to create a disturbance that would force Ieyasu into battle, which would give him time to install Hideyori as the lord of Osaka Castle. For this, he solicits the help of Uesugi Kagekatsu of Aizu and Mori Terumoto of Hiroshima. In March, troubling news reaches Ieyasu's ears...Uesugi Kagekatsu has built a new castle and is amassing arms. And on June 16, Ieyasu leaves Osaka Castle.
Episode 6 (5/9/00)
Ieyasu reaches Fushimi Castle where he spends the night. Before his departure, he cryptically tells Torii Mototada to protect the castle against Mitsunari. After Fushimi, Ieyasu stops at Otsu Castle and orders Kyogoku Takatsugu to pretend to be Mitsunari's ally. At that time, Mitsunari is meeting with Otani Yoshitsugu of Echizen, planning a strategy to trap Ieyasu in Edo from both the east and west.
Episode 7 (5/16/00)
On July 12, 1600, Mitsunari enters Osaka Castle with plans to occupy all of Kyoto and Osaka. And with the support of other daimyo, he appoints Mori Terumoto as his commanding general. On the 17th, Terumoto ousts Ieyasu's man from the castle. Then Terumoto and Mitsunari begin their ascent on Fushimi. On the 21st, Ieyasu and his massive army leave Edo for Aizu to subjugate Uesugi Kagekatsu.
Episode 8 (5/23/00)
Ieyasu arrives in Koyama on the 24th with one nagging doubt--the betrayal of men who had been life-long Toyotomi vassals. In order to prevent such a thing, he asks Kuroda Nagamasa to convince Fukushima Masanori, a strong Toyotomi supporter to remain with Ieyasu. Although he has no love for Mitsunari, Masanori is torn by his loyalty to the Toyotomi Clan. On August 1, Fushimi Castle falls and the pendulum of power swings towards Mitsunari.
Episode 9 (5/30/00)
Ieyasu heads for Edo, leaving Hidetada in charge in Koyama. On August 10, Mitsunari opens strategy meetings with his generals Konishi Yukinaga, Shimazu Masahiro, and Shima Sakon at Ogaki Castle. On the 14th, the 50,000-men-strong East Advance Army reaches Kiyosu Castle in Owari, barely seven leagues away from Ogaki Castle. But Ieyasu remains in Edo. On the 21st, Gifu Castle falls to the East Army. And finally, on the 24th, Hidetada gets the orders to march. His legion, the strongest in the Tokugawa army, heads west on the Nakayama Road.
Episode 10 (6/6/00)
After taking Gifu Castle, the East Advance Army heads towards Ogaki Castle to subdue Ishida Mitsunari. On September 1, Ieyasu leaves Edo Castle to lead the East Army. Mitsunari seeks the military aid of Kobayakawa Hideaki, the nephew of the late Hideyoshi. But Kobayakawa, already in collusion with Ieyasu, feigns illness and declines to help. Meanwhile, Hidetada, who has been ordered to join up with his father, is stuck in the seige of Ueda Castle.
Episode 11 (6/13/00)
The East and West armies stand off at Kuise River. Ieyasu's generals are divided over the best strategy. Some advocate attacking Ogaki Castle immediately, while others urge Ieyasu to push on to Osaka Castle first. Instead, Ieyasu tricks the West into believing that he will attack Sawayama Castle and leads them on to Sekigahara. Irate over Hidetada's delay, Ieyasu names his fourth son, Tadayoshi, to lead the advance army into battle.
Episode 12 (6/20/00)
The battle of Sekigahara begins with both sides fighting fiercely. But Hosokawa Tadaaki and Kuroda Nagamasa gain the advantage and begin attacking Mitsunari's main force. Mitsunari makes his escape hoping to return to Sawayama Castle for one last stand. But already, the castle is surrounded and there is little hope for victory. At Sawayama Castle, Masatsugu commits harakiri. Rather than be taken hostage, Mitsunari's wife, Orin, follows her father-in-law in death.
Episode 13 (6/27/00)
Mitsunari takes refuge in a cave in the mountains. In the aftermath of the battle, Ieyasu begins the process of rewarding his allies and punishing his enemies. Mori Terumoto decides to submit to Ieyasu rather than risk losing his entire fief. Hidetada and his army finally arrive, but too late. And Ieyasu, angry at his son for missing the battle, refuses to see him. On September 21, six days after the battle, Mitsunari is captured and taken to Otsu Castle where he lashes out at Ieyasu and ex-Toyotomi vassals for their disloyalty against Hideyoshi. On October 1, Mitsunari and his men are paraded through town, then executed.
Episode 14 (7/4/00)
Emerging victorious at Sekigahara, Ieyasu begins to lay the foundation of his dynasty. First, he has the boundaries of the provinces redrawn. Once complete, he sends the daimyo to their new fiefs. Ieyasu has other ideas. One is to return the rank of kampaku to the imperial court. And in December, this rank that had remained vacant for five years is given to Kujo Kanetaka. This sudden move enrages Yodogimi.
Episode 15 (7/11/00)
In February, Yodo invites Ieyasu and Hidetada to Osaka Castle. At the reception, she questions Ieyasu about the kampaku title given Kujo Kanetaka, but Ieyasu denies any involvement in the matter. In March, another incident further angers Yodo. Hideyori is given a title by the imperial court which is also bestowed upon Hidetada. In Edo, Hidetada learns that Shino is with child. In order to keep it a secret from Ogo, Hidetada sends Shino to the Okubo mansion.
Episode 16 (7/18/00)
In October 1601, Ieyasu takes over the operations of the silver mines in Fushimi, as well as the shogunate-licensed trading ships, thereby strengthening his hold on political power. And he tells Hidetada of his plans to centralize the power base in Edo. At year's end, Ieyasu issues his first order to the various daimyo from Edo.
Episode 17 (7/25/00)
At the end of 1602, Ohatsu (Ogo's sister) visits Ieyasu. She urges a betrothal between Princess Sen and Hideyori as a means of preventing furter disharmony between Yodogimi and the Tokugawa. Ieyasu agrees. But as the year 1603 opens, Yodo learns that the imperial court has granted Ieyasu the supreme rank of sei-i-tai shogun.
Episode 18 (8/1/00)
On September 21, 1603 Ieyasu's fifth son dies from a sudden illness. Ieyasu urgently summons Hideyasu and Tadayoshi to Edo. They learn that an imperial messenger is on his way to present the rank of Supreme General to Hidetada. It signifies the recognition of the shogunate by the imperial family. And Hideyasu and Tadayoshi swear to work together to support Hidetada.
Episode 19 (8/8/00)
On July 17, 1604 Hidetada's first son, Takechiyo, is born and Ieyasu is overjoyed. In April the following year, Ieyasu steps down and Hidetada takes over as the second Tokugawa shogun. At the official ceremony marking the changeover, Ieyasu counsels his son that a man who rules over others must harden his heart. That he must be prepared to abandon wife and child if necessary.
Episode 20 (8/15/00)
In 1606 Ieyasu meets with Date Masamune to whom he confides his concern for Hidetada. Ieyasu fears that as long as Hidetada continues to defer to his father, he will never become a leader. So he announces his plan to retire to Sunpu and asks Masamune to help Hidetada should the Toyotomi raise their army again. Meanwhile, Ofuku is given full charge in raising Takechiyo, which enrages his birth mother, Ogo.
Episode 21 (8/22/00)
On New Year's Day in 1607, Ieyasu's fifth daughter is born. But the celebration is cut short when Ieyasu is struck by a heart attack. From his bed, he tells Hidetada that Hideyori must be watched with utmost caution. Furthermore, he tells Hidetada to engineer the marriage of Princess Ichi to the imperial crown prince. The far-sighted Ieyasu already has plans for a Tokugawa empress.
Episode 22 (8/29/00)
Ieyasu, now retired, still retains much power from his base in Sunpu. Messengers from Korea arrive to pay their respects to the emperor. But Ieyasu has Hidetada intercede to have them recognize the shogunate as the supreme power of Japan. At year's end, the main wing of Sunpu castle is destroyed by fire. Ieyasu orders daimyo from the neighboring fiefs to help with reconstruction.
Episode 23 (9/5/00)
In April 1608, the Kyoto Shoshidai (shogunate representative to the Imperial Court) rushes to Sunpu Castle to report misconduct by the imperial nobles. Ieyasu orders that a new kanpaku be named to investigate. Uncovering the scandalous behavior of the nobles and court ladies, newly appointed kanpaku Kujo Tadanaga takes his report to Emperor Go-Yozei.
Episode 24 (9/12/00)
Ieyasu sends an envoy to the court to push for Emperor Go-Yozei's abdication. And he tells Hidetada of his plans to wed Princess Ichi (Hidetada's daughter) to the new emperor. The daimyo of the western and northern fiefs are ordered to assist in the construction of Nagoya Castle. The Toyotomi Clan is also ordered to participate, but Katagiri Katsumoto scoffs at the idea, declaring that the Toyotomi are not Tokugawa vassals.
Episode 25 (9/19/00)
Daimyo begin voicing their objections to being ordered to assist in the construction of Nagoya Castle. In March, Ieyasu enters Nijo Castle in Kyoto and asks Hideyori to come to meet him. Protected by nearly 10,000 soldiers, Hideyori arrives on the 28th.
Episode 26 (9/26/00)
The struggle for power between the Honda family and Okubo Tadachika escalates. At the year's end, word reaches Ieyasu that Tadachika is involved in a secret plot.
Episode 27 (10/3/00)
In July 1614, Ieyasu criticizes a special memorial service held by the Toyotomi Clan at the Hokoji Temple. He also accuses them of stirring up insurgent ronin who have been gathering in Osaka. He demands Hideyori either give up part of his domain or send Lady Yodo as a hostage.
Episode 28 (10/10/00)
In autumn of 1614, scores of former samurai who lost their positions after the Battle of Sekigahara descend upon Osaka. Hidetada arrives on November 11 with an army of 100,000 men. And on the 26th, in Imafuku, gunshots mark the start of the Osaka Winter Campaign.
Episode 29 (10/17/00)
On December 18 Ieyasu declares that as long as the Ninomaru and Sannomaru Compounds are destroyed, the taking of Lady Yodo as hostage and the confiscation of Toyotomi lands are unnecessary. However, in March of the following year, Ieyasu receives word that a rebellion is brewing once again. On May 6 the Osaka Summer Campaign begins at Domeiji Temple.
Episode 30 (10/24/00)
Beseiged in their castle, Lady Yodo and Hideyori must now decide on their fate. On May 7 Osaka Castle is engulfed in flames. The following morning, Lady Yodo and Hideyori hide themselves in a storehouse in the Yamasatomaru Compound. They then set the structure afire and perish in the flames.
Episode 31 (10/31/00)
With the end of the Summer Campaign, the Tokugawa Clan cement their hold on power. After conducting a hearing, Ieyasu disinherits Tadaaki for slaying the personal aide of the shogun. On November 11 Ieyasu is visited by Takechiyo's wetnurse, Lady Fuku. She informs him that rumors abound within the shogunate that Takechiyo will be the next to be disinherited.
Episode 32 (11/7/00)
On January 21, 1616, Ieyasu falls ill from food poisoning. From his bedside, he strongly urges Tadanaga to arrange an imperial marriage for Princess Kazu. Furthermore, he tells his son that if a need arises, the shogunate heir must be selected from the Owari or Sunpu Clans. On April 17, he asks Tadanaga to play the tsuzumi. Listening to the beating of the hand drum, Ieyasu, age 75, breathes his last.
Episode 33 (11/14/00)
Plans proceed with the construction of the Toyotomi memorial, enraging Honda Masazumi who declares that it goes against Ieyasu's last wishes. Furthermore, Tadateru angers Hidetada with his misconduct and is banished to Ise. On April 17, 1617, a procession carries Ieyasu's coffin to Tosho Shrine in Nikko where a magnificent memorial is held and he is laid to final rest.
Episode 34 (11/21/00)
In July, Lady Ogo's messenger, Shokoin, makes a surprise visit to the mansion where Hidetada's illegitimate son has been in isolation. When word of this reaches Hidetada, he entrusts Doi Toshimasa with the task of settling matters. On November 8, Yukimatsu becomes the adopted son of Lord Hoshina Masamitsu of Shinano and goes into hiding with his birth mother, Lady Oshizu.
Episode 35 (11/28/00)
In November 1617, a scandal erupts in the Inner Chambers of Edo Castle. Lady Ogo's maid is with child--the result, it is rumored, of Takechiyo's escapades into the Chambers. Lady Fuku vehemently denies the allegations when Ogo confronts her. But later, Fuku meets with Aoyama Tadatoshi who agrees to step in as the father of the child. And relations between Takechiyo and Lady Ogo grow even more strained.
Episode 36 (12/5/00)
In July 1619, Hidetada, accompanied by daimyo, pays a visit to the Imperial Palace. Konoe Nobuhiro, the Emperor's younger brother, has secret discussions with Todo takatora regarding Princess Kazu's marriage. In 1620, the emperor's mother, Lady Shinjotomon'in, who was vehemently against the marriage, passes away. The final obstacle for the imperial alliance is gone and the pendulum of power swings in the direction of the Tokugawa.
Episode 37 (12/12/00)
In 1621, Hidetada gets news of trouble in Echizen. Matsudaira Tadanao, the husband of his daughter Princess Katsu, had tried to take a vassal's mother as a concubine. When the vassal objected, an outraged Tadanao slew both mother and son. Deeply mortified, Hidetada immediately orders Tadanao back to Edo, but Tadanao refuses to leave Echizen.
Episode 38 (12/19/00)
On April 17, Hidetada heads for Nikko to preside over the 7th memorial service for his father, Ieyasu. But on the way, he is cautioned about staying at the mansion of Honda Masazumi who will be his host in Nikko.
Episode 39 (12/26/00)
In November 1622, Hidetada announces that he will relinquish the title of shogun in favor of Iemitsu and retain only the title of kampaku. Furthermore, he orders Kujo Tadayoshi to proceed quickly with the arrangements for the marriage of Iemitsu and Princess Takako.
Episode 40 (1/2/01)
In 1622, Shogun Iemitsu weds the Princess Takako. At the end of the following year, Iemitsu confides to Ofuku his plans for an undertaking which neither Ieyasu nor Hidetada were able to accomplish--forcing the Emperor to come to Edo to call upon the Shogun.
Episode 41 (1/9/01)
In 1625, Iemitsu becomes seriously ill. When Hidetada visits him, Iemitsu asks his father about an heir should he die. Hidetada tells him of the existence of another brother named Yukimatsu. Iemitsu asks his father for the return of Yukimatsu to Edo Castle.
Episode 42 (1/16/01)
It is February 1626. Tenkai urges Iemitsu to come to Kyoto to Nijo Castle. To ensure that Iemitsu is not slighted, Hidetada sends Date Masamune to visit the nobles.
Episode 43 (1/23/01)
In September 1626, in a major coup for the Tokugawa shogunate, Emperor Gomizunoo visits Nijo Castle. But the joy comes to a quick end when Hidetada receives word from Edo that Ogo has collapsed. Unable to leave Kyoto just yet, Hidetada sends Tadanaga to Ogo's side.
Episode 44 (1/30/01)
Masako, Iemitsu's sister who had married Emperor Gomizunoo, gives birth to a child on November 13, 1626. The following April, Hidetada gets word that the Emperor has decided to abdicate in favor of his child. Hidetada orders that a protest be filed against the Emperor's abdication to an infant who is but four months old.
Episode 45 (2/6/01)
When the emperor decides to name a princess the imperial heir, Hidetada sends a message to the court that he will refuse to recognize a female sovereign. In September, Masako gives birth to another imperial prince. But the joy is short-lived for the infant dies ten days later. In 1629, Iemitsu grants Ofuku a higher rank--one that allows her to act as his representative.
Episode 46 (2/13/01)
On November 8, 1629, the emperor informs Masako that he is abdicating. Masako rushes word to Edo which throws the shogunate into an uproar, but Hidetada orders his men to ignore this development. The following year, an imperial announcement is made regarding the coronation, but again, Hidetada chooses to ignore it.
Episode 47 (2/20/01)
In 1631, Iemitsu puts a stop to Hidetada's plans to visit Edo Castle. Wanting to settle things with the Court himself, Hidetada asks the Mito Clan and his sister Princess Sen to intervene. This angers Iemitsu, who promptly sends his father into retirement in Kai. In June, Hidetada becomes bedridden with a long illness.
Episode 48 (2/27/01)
The new year arrives in 1632, but the ceremony during which Hidetada greets the various daimyo is cancelled. Instead, Hidetada gathers his younger brothers and men together, and beseeches them to support Iemitsu, warning them that in-fighting will do no good. Hidetada dies on January 24 at the age of 54.
Episode 49 (3/6/01) Final Episode (8:00-9:10pm)
Tadanaga, who is under disciplinary confinement, builds a memorial shrine for the late Hidetada without first seeking Iemitsu's permission. Angered, Iemitsu confiscates his brother's fief and sends him into exile. In December 1632, Iemitsu is shocked and saddened when Tadanaga takes his own life at Takasaki Castle.
