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| Musashi and his beloved Otsu (Episode 28) |
The followings are my recap of Musashi 2003 Taiga drama episodes. Spoilers for those who haven’t watched the (very great and totally recommended) series.
Episode 25
In which Musashi met Sannosuke (“Iori” in the novel) because he saw the boy (a young farmer boy) catching loaches. The samurai wanted some loaches for dinner but the boy didn’t give him some, despite Musashi was willing to give some money. Turned out, the loaches were for Sannosuke’s father, who died that same evening (so, I think the father died after Sannosuke caught the loaches – the boy didn't catch the loaches for his dead father). Musashi later stumbled into Sannosuke’s hut and was invited for dinner by the boy. At night, Musashi saw the boy sharpening a sword, hence he was alarmed. When asked why he was sharpening the sword at that ungodly hour, the boy asked back whether this sword would be sharp enough to cut a person in two. Surprised, Musashi asked who he wanted to cut; Sannosuke said “my dad”.
When Musashi sternly asked if the boy hated the father so much, Sannosuke said that the father died earlier that day, and he was too small to bury his father in whole. Surprised yet touched, Musashi then offered to help Sannosuke. They eventually buried the boy’s father at the backyard because Sannosuke didn’t have money for a proper temple burial, and he refused Musashi’s donation because the boy’s father had always hated to receive alms. Later, knowing that the boy would go to a friend’s house, Musashi then offered to escort the boy, but the latter rejected the offer because he hated swordsmen. Musashi was a bit annoyed, but before he walked on, he saw how a group of boys were harassing Sannosuke. Yet, before the samurai came to the rescue, Musashi saw how Sannosuke was capable of defending himself, hence with a slight smirk (that made him oh so cute), the ronin resumed his journey to Edo.
Meanwhile in Edo, Matahachi tried to help Otsu recover. At least Matahachi was able to coax Otsu into taking a shower, thanks to Sato-san. Matahachi kept taking care of Otsu although Osugi was very bitter about the fact that her son took care of a girl who ran away with her biggest enemy.
When Otsu cried at night, Matahachi had to hold her to console her (and I was for a moment worried that NHK would make Otsu falling in love with Matahachi instead if she recovered her senses). During the whole ordeal, Matahachi realised that he still loved Otsu. Yet, he also knew that Takezo loved Otsu and vice versa.
Episode 26
Musashi arrived in Edo and met Date Masamune and Yagyū Munenori. Akaneya Genzo visited Matahachi to threaten him to work with him again, but Matahachi refused to give in. He drew his rusty sword and protected Otsu. Yet, the only saving grace was Aya (!!) who came to have a verbal fight with Genzo, hence Mata-yan and Otsu were spared.
Musashi distributed paintings of Matahachi’s profile to the markets in Edo. Musashi drew those paintings himself; he’s getting good at painting!
Kojiro saw Oshino in the brothel. He then gave Oshino some money to leave Edo, for he cared for her too much to stay in the same city with her. I have to say I respect Kojiro for trying to help Oshino, and also staying with Koto at the same time. He's definitely not the Kojiro in the novel in many respect.
Episode 27
I love Matahachi more n more! And who would've thought that he'd be the one giving Musashi advice on facing his own fears (of a relationship)? Interesting.
Mata-yan came to see Musashi in the latter’s inn and took the latter to his house to see Otsu. Yet, upon seeing Musashi, Otsu reacted in such fear that Musashi and Matahachi had to get out of the house. Musashi later explained that Otsu saw the Yoshioka child murder, hence she was shocked and scared of Musashi. Mata-yan encouraged Musashi to stay at his place to help Otsu recover, while he’d stay at the inn to replace Musashi. When Musashi said he didn't know how to do that, Mata-yan rightfully said that the only thing Takezo had ever done was running away from Otsu. Had he stayed after the Yoshioka drama and slowly talked to Otsu about it, Otsu wouldn’t have lost her mind. Mata-yan then asked if Takezo was happy being the famous Miyamoto Musashi. Takezo shed tears. Mata-yan encouraged him to return to being Takezo once more, for that was the only way to save Otsu. Stunned upon hearing the truth, Takezo finally stayed at Mata-yan’s place.
However, Mata-yan was later arrested for a few days for he sold too much sardines (!!) hence the wholesellers of Edo reported him to the Tokugawa officers.
Meanwhile, Takezo tried to talk to Otsu, but the latter got so afraid that she ran away. Sato-san came to the rescue. She also told Musashi that Mata-yan was arrested. Later, after checking Mata-yan at the jail and making sure he was okay, Takezo returned to find that Sato-san had decided to shelter Otsu for a while.
Takuan Sōhō somehow learned that Musashi had stayed at Matahachi’s place. He visited Musashi and consoled his de facto student, advising him to be patient with Otsu. He should not try to change her with his love. Rather, simply just accepted her the way she was. Musashi cried upon hearing those words. Later, he decided to start with the basic: cooking childhood meals for Otsu. At first, Otsu just nibbled a meagre portion of the dishes. However, Musashi’s patience eventually paid off. One day, Otsu let him feed her just a bite of a dish, which made the samurai sob and run away from Sato-san’s house. He later walked almost in trance towards the inn where Matahachi stayed and told Mata-yan how Otsu let him feed her.
Mata-yan smiled and said that, since Musashi was once again Takezo, Otsu would surely recover soon. He then said that there were nights where Otsu cried, thus he had to hug her to comfort her. Listening to this story, Musashi was silent. Matahachi chuckled and said that, in their childhood, whenever he and Otsu disappeared, Takezo would be jealous. Whenever Takezo and Otsu disappeared, he (Matahachi) would be jealous as well. It seemed that such a feeling still existed until now.
Then, the kind Matahachi told Takezo that later, when Otsu cried again, Takezo should hug her. And then think of Mata-yan who was jealous of him, somewhere…
Takezo smiled and returned to Matahachi’s house. There, he found Sato-san and Otsu; the former told Musashi that when she asked Otsu if the girl wanted to come to Matahachi’s house, she nodded. Sato-san left Otsu with Takezo. Then, Takezo slowly approached Otsu, offering her some wild berries he picked along the way.
“Just like in Mimasaka,” he said, as he often said these days when he gave her any food.
Otsu looked at the berries and, after Musashi had a bite and stated it was sweet, let Musashi feed her. Then, she looked at him and said his childhood name.
Bewildered, Takezo realised that Otsu remembered him. In a flash, Otsu’s memories returned… and our love birds finally embraced in tears!
(Oh man, this scene! So beautiful... gimme tissue please...so happy!)
Episode 28
The sweetest 5 min of Musashi and Otsu episode so far… I just want to replay and replay…
Musashi and Otsu had lived together for a good few months (I think it would be at least three months then?). Musashi earned a living by teaching writing and reading hiragana characters to local children. Otsu was in charge of the household maintenance, but Musashi also helped a lot (he’s definitely not Munenori who could only bark orders to his poor suffering wife Rin!). Musashi loved being around children (I think it’s a combination of his longing for a happy childhood and his regret for killing Genjiro – though Musashi had shown fatherly affection to Jotaro long before he killed Genjiro), hence he often got carried away with them and neglected to discipline them. This was where Otsu would enter the scene and scolded both the students and the teacher for being noisy, while Musashi just grinned and said he couldn’t help it, because he just loved being around kids.
I’m not sure if Musashi and Otsu were married at this stage, for being a woman of decorum, Otsu wouldn’t even dream of living unmarried under the same roof with Musashi. However, the marriage was never clear, other than Musashi stated to Osugi and Uncle Gon that he lived with Otsu. It was very nice of Musashi to visit Osugi, the woman who almost blinded him. He bore no grudge towards the old woman; he even smiled when Osugi praised Matahachi to the sky. By the way, Uncle Gon said to Musashi that he (Gon) used to be afraid of him (Takezo), but not anymore. Takezo smiled in gratitude.
Still on the subject of marriage, Otsu also didn’t reveal anything about it, other than she admitted to Yagyu Hyogonosuke (who came to visit his uncle Munenori) that she lived with Musashi. This visit of Otsu’s to the Edo Yagyu mansion bore another consequences, but let me just finish the marriage topic: no, there was nothing suggesting that Musashi and Otsu got married… but everyone knew they were an item.
(Thus I created my own fanfiction about it, which can be read here. It’s also interesting to note that in classical Japan, marriage amongst commoners were more fluid than what we have now; Yoshie 2005 paper is an interesting read on this matter)
Anyway, after gushing on the five minutes of Musashi and Otsu, we apparently have to move on. Yagyu Hyogonosuke arrived in Edo to inform his uncle Munenori that Lord Yagyu Sekishusai was ill, thus please visit the lord, would you uncle? But no… the uncle said he was busy with Ieyasu and Hidetada.
Later, Musashi was invited to the Yagyu Mansion in Edo to have the second duel with none other than Inshun of Nara (!). Musashi was reluctant, but it was Hidetada who wanted the match, thus he had to consent. Thus we again see Musashi vs Inshun. Inshun said he was no longer the same man who fought Musashi back then. Very calmly, Musashi replied that he wasn’t the same man either.
Then…wow, Musashi just walked towards Inshun and incapacitated his spear moves! OMG!
Then Hidetada advised Musashi to serve the Yagyu. However, Musashi wisely declined. He said that he knew not how to teach the Way of the Sword. He only knew the way of carnage, and he shouldn’t teach carnage.
I love Musashi's reply to Hidetada's request!
Then Musashi had a proper conversation with Yagyu Hyogonosuke. Each man must have realised they both loved the same woman, but they were great men, so they were civil and friendly to each other.
But of course then other things happen. NHK cannot let Musashi and Otsu happy for a long time, can they?!
Actually, Hyogo came to Edo to inform Munenori that Sekishusai had appointed Hyogo as the torchbearer for the Yagyu Shinkage Style. Munenori couldn't care less, for he didn’t want to live in Yagyu. He wanted to flourish in Edo. Hyogo asked his uncle Munenori to come to Yagyu to visit the ill Old Lord, but Munenori said he had to accompany Hidetada, hence he couldn't come. He couldn’t even spare Rin to visit Sekishusai.
Later, a vassal of Yagyu Munenori called Kimura Sukekuro came to Musashi’s house to inform Otsu that Yagyu Sekishusai was ill. Concerned, Otsu came to see Hyogo to confirm the news. Upon Hyogo’s confirmation, Otsu was worried. Sukekuro then asked if Otsu could come instead of Yagyu Munenori to visit Munenori’s father (?!?!?!)? Hyogo said that Otsu now had Musashi, hence they couldn't just ask her to leave. Hyogo then said that they could take Musashi with them to visit the Old Lord.
At home, knowing how Otsu respected the Old Lord, Musashi encouraged Otsu to go to Yagyu. But since Munenori invited Otsu, instead of Musashi, the wise ronin didn’t feel appropriate to tag along.
Geeezzz!!! Musashi!!! You once walked uninvited to Sekishusai's mansion for a duel, and now after you're with Otsu, you're waiting for an invitation to visit the sick old man??? Now what?! Just as my poor heart got mushy... we're going in the direction of the novel again...
Otsu was understandably very reluctant to go because she wanted no more separation from Musashi, although her companion assured her it would be just a short, safe visit, for she would be accompanied by the Yagyu. Otsu was angry, thinking that Musashi wanted to get rid of her. Himself almost crying, Musashi said that that wasn’t the case.
「そんなことはない！そんなことはない、お通！」
Despite Otsu’s concern, despite Matahachi’s trepidation (good old Mata-yan) that Musashi and Otsu would be separated once more, finally, Otsu relented. One day, just before dawn, after a gut-wrenching “see you later” with Musashi, she left Edo with Hyogo and Sukekuro …
Episode 29
In which Musashi met Sannosuke again; Kojiro received a commission from Hosokawa Tadatoshi; Matahachi got back with Akemi and asked her to go to Kyoto with him (for he couldn't let her work as a bather/prostitude in the bath house); Hangawara Yajibei was arrested because his men made a complain about a murder done by the Omasa, and Munenori’s ambition to be the main fencing instructor for the Tokugawa (plus more).
Not having Otsu in Edo proved to be a torture for Musashi. Good thing that the kid Sannosuke arrived in Edo and had a fight with Musashi’s young students. Musashi later invited Sannosuke for dinner, and then to stay at his place. It always warms my heart whenever Musashi mingles with kids... I'm still reeling from his action to the kid at the Yoshioka fight, but without doubt, Musashi (here and in the novel) were actually a very good father figure, not just to Jotaro and Sannosuke, but also to kids in general.
At the end of the episode, Musashi debunked Sannosuke’s notion that the kid didn’t love his father. Musashi sensed Sannosuke’s sadness, thus he hugged the kid and felt the warm love the kid had for his deceased father. The narrator said that Musashi first learned human warmth from Otsu. The narrator also noted how Musashi wonder whether it was a man’s purpose of life to find such a warmth.
(yaaay again! I just want to forget the episode where Musashi slept with Yoshino Dayu, and the narrator’s statement warmed my heart so!)
Episode 30
Musashi took Sannosuke in and allowed him to help him painting a screen. After they finished the painting, Musashi asked the boy again whom he wanted to seek in Edo. Sannosuke finally admitted that Kojima Bizen was the person he sought; Bizen was his grandfather. Musashi returned Sannosuke to Kojima, who immediately recognised his grandson. Kojima immediately took a liking on Musashi, particularly after realising that the samurai learned his extraordinary skills from no one. Sannosuke eventually stayed with Kojima, despite the boy’s reluctance.
Kojiro departed to Buzen with Hosokawa Tadatoshi; Oshino tailed him at a distance and stayed at a separate inn, but Kojiro kept visiting her to make sure she was okay.
Matahachi and Akemi left Tokyo for the Kyoto business. Around the same time, Okoh and Gion Toji arrived at Edo (but the two couples didn’t encounter each other).
Otsu arrived in the Yagyu fief (I think it would take a month or so, for it takes 12 days between Kyoto and Tokyo via Nakasendo in the modern days). The kind Hyogonosuke said to his grandpa that Otsu couldn’t stay long, for someone was waiting for him. Otsu relayed Musashi’s message to Yagyu Sekishusai, who realised that Shinmen Takezo had thus become a great swordsman. Since his grandfather wasn’t well, Hyogo begged Otsu to stay a bit longer than planned. Kimura Sukekuro (Munenori’s vassal) would return to Edo earlier, bringing a message to Musashi that Otsu wouldn’t be detained in Yagyu for long. However, as Sukekuro left the Yagyu gate, he displayed such an evil smirk that made me so uneasy.
(someone should just ... shoot or fire Sukeroku before I do it myself! Though, by now I should now that a rotten daimyo would beget a rotten vassal!)
Meanwhile, Sannosuke took his grandfather to Musashi’s house to see the screen painting he helped Musashi painted. Seeing Sannosuke’s work, Kojima Bizen realised he was mistaken in whisking away paintbrushes from Okon (Sannosuke’s father) so that he could be a samurai, for clearly Sannosuke inherited Okon’s artistic talent. Kojima later invited Musashi for dinner; the ronin agreed. En route to Kojima’s house, they stopped at Hangawara Yajibei’s execution place where the carpenter boss was executed for doing nothing wrong. Kojima apologised for failing to rescue Yajibei, while Musashi watched the execution with such anger for such an injustice.
Meanwhile, Akaneya Genzo used Yajibei’s death to stir chaos in Edo by spreading rumours. Aya (the other ninja) fought Genzo by killing peasants using his name. Genzo recruited Okoh to help him with something (more killing, perhaps?).
Gion Toji attacked Musashi, who easily escaped the attack. Upon knowing Toji was attacking him, Musashi calmly said that his fight with Toji was over. Toji replied that it was over for Musashi, but it wasn’t over for him. Toji goaded Musashi to attack, but the latter was able to fend off Toji by… doing nothing. Rather, he just stood there without a sword and left no opening for Toji to exploit. Realising that he couldn’t win this bout, Toji left Musashi alone.
The @$$hole Kimura Sukekuro arrived in Edo and told Musashi that Otsu was detained, but he didn’t give any details. When Musashi asked if Sekishusai was too ill for Otsu to return to Edo, Kimura said that the Old Lord was healthy enough to have a sparring with Hyogo. The two-face then said that Otsu and Hyogonosuke together bid him farewell at the gate, giving the impression that Hyogo and Otsu were an item!
(but wait. What was the motive of Kimura saying those lies? Did Munenori ask him to do so??? Munenori is a pack of evilness here, but I don’t think he cared an ion about love or separating lovers. Perhaps Kimura actually liked Otsu and just wanted to hurt Musashi for being Otsu’s lover?)
Gosh, every time Musashi & Otsu got separated, I feel the pain in my heart! At least here they met more than in the novel...
Damnit! Otsu, ever heard about "writing and sending a letter"??... But I guess with a treacherous character like Sukekuro, that letter is also useless! Damnit, I wanna hug Musashi for he looked so lonely there at the end!
(and it doesn’t help that Ichikawa Ebizo’s wife (the beautiful Mao Kobayashi) died of breast cancer on 27 July 2017; I can relate to Musashi’s loneliness to that of Ebizo’s…).
Speaking of which, I prefer the novel version of Sannosuke's lineage, whereby he basically became Musashi's student despite not having any clear idea about his lineage (IIRC, he was "just" a normal farmer boy in the novel). Here Sannosuke's lineage became too tied with politics, but perhaps that's the whole purpose of changing his origin.
The travel section mentions Musashi’s first adopted son (Mikinosuke) who died at the age of 23 as a respect for his lord Tadatoki. Legend has it that Musashi knew that Mikinosuke wanted to commit suicide, but the father didn’t say anything. He just sent Mikinosuke off…
It was postulated that Jotaro was modelled after Mikinosuke so sad…
Episode 31
Sannosuke’s grandpa (Kojima Bizen) requested that Musashi applied to Hosokawa Tadaoki, but Musashi refused for he was so not interested in politics anymore. Plus, he had to wait for Otsu.
「私は、待つ人がいます。」
Otsu on the other hand was delayed because: 1) it’s difficult for her to say no, 2) because Sekishusai was indeed getting worse. Hyogo’s father and two priest uncles came to visit just before the old lord died, but Munenori didn’t come. Hyogo was very angry that his father didn’t come earlier, but his father was reluctant to come because he felt like he failed in the eyes of Sekishusai. Anyway… the Old Lord eventually died…
Musashi heard of the death of Sekishusai from Matahachi who heard it from travellers along the way from Kyoto. Musashi felt the loss of the Old Lord. Matahachi himself met Takuan Sōhō as the former and Akemi were about to leave Kyoto for Edo after doing a second-hand clothing business.
By the way, before Matahachi told him about Sekishusai’s death, Takezo was frustrated when Matahachi asked the whereabouts of Otsu. I truly feel for Takezo for keep waiting for Otsu. Damned Otsu, ever heard of a “LETTER”???
Meanwhile, Sasaki Kojiro is now in Bizen, serving Hosokawa Tadatoshi who disliked him cos Kojiro was a man who wouldn’t hold punches. The ship that carried Matahachi’s cargo sunk due to storm, hence he lost almost everything. But I have to give it to Matahachi. He overcame his love to Otsu and (despite his own loss) was annoyed that Otsu hadn’t returned to Musashi.
In Yagyu, Hyogo asked Otsu to play her flute because his grandfather loved it. When Otsu played it, one of Hyogo’s priest uncle heard it and remembered that he once met a woman at a hill across his monastery who played flute with the same tune as Otsu’s. Upon having the likelihood of meeting her mother, Otsu once again delayed her return to Edo. Eventually she (accompanied by Hyogo and one of his priest uncles) found the house of her mum, but Mum has gone, only leaving a Mother Mary and Baby Jesus statue (yes, her mum was a Christian). Otsu kept the statue with her and returned to Yagyu with Hyogo.
Hyogonosuke originally planned to return with Otsu to Yagyu first, then he escorted her back to Edo. However, when Otsu said that she was worried that Musashi wouldn't trust her anymore, Hyogo decided to send Otsu home (with a servant as an escort) directly to Edo without returning first to Yagyu.
ALAS, on the way home, Otsu was arrested by some government officials for bringing the Christian statue!
And my darling Musashi…he waited and waited for Otsu as winter gave way to spring. Jesus, can’t they just write LETTERS???
Episode 32
Okay, so someone sent a messenger to Yagyu to verify Otsu’s innocence. Good! But it took so long for the verification to arrive that it drives me (and Musashi – who knew nothing) crazy!
Meanwhile in Edo, Matahachi didn’t give up hope upon losing his fortune. He used Akemi’s five ryo to trade for wood/lumber in Kiso. Before they left to Kiso, both of them advised Musashi to wait for Otsu for she just might encounter some problems on the road (and they were right!).
To overcome the madness of waiting for Otsu after school, Musashi cleaned the house and painted and cleaned the house again and painted again. One night, as Musashi cleaned up the writing brushes, an injured Akaneya Genzo hid from Aya in Musashi’s house. Musashi prevented Aya from killing Genzo, just because it was his house (I think Musashi couldn’t care less about political feuds). Genzo told Musashi that teaching children how to write and read didn’t suit the ronin. I don't think this Gonzo, I mean Genzo thanked Musashi for saving his life at all!
Then we have a monologue of Yagyu Munenori visiting his father’s grave and rattled on about how he’d still support the dictatorship of the Tokugawa “for peace” despite it cost people’s life.
In Buzen, Sasaki Kojiro sternly warned everyone who gossiped about Oshino that no one should say anything bad about “his shadow”.
Hosokawa Tadaoki ordered Kojima Bizen (Sannosuke’s grandfather) to use any avenue to make Musashi serve the Hosokawa clan. Bizen then suggested that they asked Shinmen Munisai to ask Musashi to join the Hosokawa. Thus Kojima sent a letter to Musashi, stating that his father’s whereabouts was already found in Kyoto. Once Musashi received the news, naturally he dashed off to Kyoto, not realising that at that time Otsu was madly dashing to Tokyo to return to him. Well, okay, if Otsu was there, he’d think twice and would bring Otsu with him. But Otsu wasn’t there, so I can understand that he just wanted another thing to occupy his mind, thus he went to Kyoto. I always feel so sorry for Musashi every time someone (Matahachi, Akemi, Sannosuke, Kojima Bizen, the neighbours…) asked him whether Otsu had returned home, so yeah, understandably he just dashed off to find another thing to do!
Damnit damnit damnit!!!
Arrgghhh!!! This is so frustrating!!! I’m as frustrated as Matahachi and Akemi as they arrived back in Edo “filthy rich” yet Takezo’s house was totally empty.
Episode 33
Almost six months since she left Edo for Yagyu, Otsu arrived back at Edo only to find Musashi had left Edo without any notice. Not even Matahachi (who immediately asked why it took her so long to return home) knew where he was (and of course they didn’t think of asking the Yagyu or the Hosokawa eh?). Matahachi later asked Otsu to live at his house; Akemi agreed and also encouraged Otsu for that.
In his journey to Kyoto, Musashi saved Okiku (portrayed by Hirosue Ryoko who played with Okada Masaki in Hakugin Jack and Omoi no Nokoshi in 2014). Okiku wanted to avenge her father Hanzaemon who was murdered by a Iwai, a Toyotomi-turned-Tokugawa vassal. Musashi took the girl to Tenzen, a doctor, who turned out to be an ex-samurai who at his heart supported Okiku’s cause. Tenzen used to be an executioner for the Iwai clan (of which leader Okiku wanted to kill) until he was tired of killing. The doctor later told Musashi the real story behind Okiku’s desire to kill the Iwai clan leader.
Three days later, after Okiku was healed, Tenzen told her to go off. Yet before she was able to, some Iwai men came to the house to search for her. Musashi was able to hid Okiku before the men found her. Yet, after the Iwai men left, Okiku wanted to commit suicide. Musashi was desperate to prevent her suicide because Tenzen tried so hard to save her. Tenzen eventually admitted that he was the executioner who killed Hanzaemon (Okiku’s father). That was why he tried so hard to save Okiku. Okiku and Musashi were shocked, yet Okiku didn’t do anything to Tenzen. Later when the Iwai came back, Okiku wanted to surrender herself because she didn’t want Tenzen to be in trouble, but Musashi kept her hidden. Tenzen was able to kill all the three Iwai men before asking Musashi to take Okiku away beyond the clan border. Tenzen also asked Okiku to stay alive, not to throw her life away, despite her desire to kill her father. Okiku eventually agreed.
Beyond the border, Okiku bode farewell to Musashi. Musashi once again advised the girl not to waste her life, for there was more to life than revenge. When the girl asked for an example, surprisingly Musashi said “to love someone” as an example.
人とおもった。
Okiku smiled and said that there was someone that Musashi loved, wasn’t there? Musashi was silent, yet his silent was a confirmation. He then said that he left that girl, for he lacked the faith to wait for her longer. Okiku thus commented that was the reason Musashi looked sad at times. Again, Musashi said nothing. Yet, when Okiku said she’d love to be loved that way, Musashi said she might, if she lived. Okiku agreed to try to live on, and she’d send a message to Musashi when she found her will to live again. A few nights later, after or as Musashi passed by the Hanaore Pass, he saw the night sky burst as someone lit fireworks that adorned the night sky. It was a message from Okiku staying that she was okay, that she’d live on. Musashi smiled.
Later, Musashi arrived in Kyoto and met his dad Munisai. Munisai blatantly asked Musashi to accept the work for the Hosokawa, for thus he (the father) could receive a 200 koku commission from the clan. That wasn’t enough; Munisai even kow-towed in front of Musashi, asking his son to work for the Hosokawa. Not even Musashi’s scream and tears could stop Munisai from doing that.
Damnit, shall I just rewatch Ep 27 and 28?
Episode 34
After reluctantly accepting his father’s request to work for the Hosokawa clan, Musashi then travelled to Kokura in Buzen (Fukuoka, Kyushu). En route, he met Gonnosuke whose mother challenged Musashi to a duel. Musashi lost because Gon’s mother gave a hint of an opening, although Gonnosuke thought he lost on purpose.
I think it was faithful to the novel. In the novel, Musashi lost twice: to Gonnosuke and to Yagyu Sekishusai, although the real Miyamoto Musashi was never defeated in any duels (at least according to the Book of Five Rings and other historical accounts).
Matahachi found out that Takezo once visited the Hosokawa clan, hence Matahachi asked if Otsu wanted to visit the Hosokawa to find Takezo’s whereabouts. Yet, Otsu, driven by her guilt, refused to track down Takezo, stating that she no longer had the strength to chase after Takezo, for she no longer had a place in his heart. Hence, when Otsu found out that the wicked Osugi was going back to Mimasaka with Uncle Gon, Otsu offered to accompany them. Dang!
But wait! Mimasaka and Buzen are not in opposite directions! Mimasaka is in Okayama Prefecture in Honshu. Buzen is in Fukuoka, but it’s much closer from Mimasaka than from Edo!
Anyway, after Otsu left Edo, Akemi met Okoh by chance, because Okoh came to hid in Matahachi’s house when Okoh was chased by the Yagyu men because she helped Akaneya Genzo stole things. Okoh persuaded Akemi to join her get-rich venture (i.e. stealing), but the wise Akemi said that she wasn’t a person who’d steal to get rich. Which was true, because Akemi had always been a hard-worker like Otsu. Akemi of course refuse her mother’s “offer”, thus Okoh left heartbroken.
Matahachi had to sell his timber to the Tokogawa merchants for a very low price thus he suffered loss. He went back to zero, having to vacate the luxurious house he stayed in, but Akemi kept staying with him.
Aya captured Akaneya Genzo and thus Genzo was murdered by the Tokugawa. Munenori knew that Musashi would be hired by Hosokawa Tadaoki, who opposed Tokugawa. Munenori started to work out a way to have Hosokawa Tadatoshi (Tadaoki’s gentle son, Sasaki Kojiro’s master) ceased to be the Hosokawa leader.
Episode 35
Brokenheartedly, Musashi walked to Kokura to get the job with Hosokawa Tadaoki. Meanwhile, Kojiro duelled a Ming fighter who came to Buzen to challenge the former and impressively defeat the Ming.
The treacherous Aya reported to that two-face whats his name that Ieyasu wanted Kojiro vs Musashi and it would be the last duel of the kind. Oh, and Rin was pregnant with Munenori’s child. Amazing. Who would want to be with that sour-face?!
In Harima, Musashi saw a beautiful dye factory. The beautiful fabrics reminded him of Otsu, but he just had to move on, despite he still wondered whether Otsu had returned to Edo. At that time, Gion Toji appeared to challenge him. Although Toji had recovered his right arm (which was numb because Takezo hit him in Ichijoji Kyoto), Musashi defeated him easily. As his sword swiftly slashed forward, he killed Toji with a slash. Toji smiled and said it was better that way. Musashi looked pensive, even sad, as he watched Toji’s lifeless body fell on the ground.
In Edo, the tough Akemi picked up trash to sell it again. It so happened that she picked up trash in front of Akaneya Genzo’s house (or the house he rented), and thus met Okoh who still stayed there. Upon learning what happened to Matahachi’s business, Okoh threw away many kimono and other pretty things on the street and told Akemi to pick them because they were trash. With the money from Okoh’s “trash”, Matahachi bought a ship to transport things. He did have to obtain the permit from Tokugawa, but he said he’d think of how to do that later. Akemi quipped that it is called “getting the rope after you catch the thief”. Matahachi volleyed back, hoping that Akemi didn’t steal the pretty stuff. Akemi thus had to tell Matahachi that she got them from Okoh. When the funny couple visited Okoh, the house was already empty.
Meanwhile, Musashi came to the intersection to Mimasaka and decided to walk the Kamasaka Pass to his old village. There, he inspected the ruins of his old hut with such a nostalgic feeling before coming to the village, where he was welcomed like a famous person. Unexpectedly, he met Takuan there who had been residing in the village for three months.
Upon learning that Musashi would serve the Hosokawa, Takuan reminded Musashi that the ronin was someone who never served others, and had been eager to - as of late – live among humankind. Musashi later admitted to Takuan that he couldn’t wait for Otsu who didn't return from Yagyu. That was the real reason for him leaving Edo, not because of his father. I think he told the truth here. Had Otsu been there, Musashi might have gone to Kyoto to see Munisai, but it was because of his own curiosity, not because he was frustrated with Otsu. He also wondered what the sword truly meant, what a woman truly meant, etc. Takuan adviced him to accept his confusion and uncertainty.
I can replay again and again the conversation between Takuan and Musashi here. I'm rather jealous of Musashi for having a Takuan to talk to every now and then...I was also a bit unsettled when in Edo Musashi gave Takuan advice, because - well, in the novel at least - Takuan was always the teacher. But it seems that Edo advice was put in good use here, so that's fine then...
By the way… the kind Uncle Gonroku died en route to Mimasaka… Thus Otsu brought Osugi all the way to Mimasaka alone…
Okay, if the Ganryu Island duel is on Ep 38 or 39, then what happens to the rest of the 10 episodes then? I sure hope they don't kill off Otsu when she was young and before she lived at least 20 years of her life with Musashi. I know she's not a historical figure, but still...
Episode 36
It breaks my heart that the proud warrior that was Musashi chose to serve a lord just because his good-for-nothing father requested as such, and blatantly for money. However, perhaps that's why Musashi was a great man; he forgave his father and served him as a son would a parent…
Ieyasu decided to destroy Toyotomi upon seeing how Hideyori had grown into a proud man. At the same year, Musashi arrived in Kokura Bizen and welcomed by Hosokawa Tadaoki. Later, Musashi duelled several swordsmen including Katayama Yuki (which he defeated by using a no-mind state). Musashi then visited his father’s fencing hall where he politely rejected the requests of Munisai’s students to be their teacher.
Matahachi started to trade clear sake from Osaka to Edo. He and Akemi prayed vervently so that their new ship sailed safely from Osaka to Edo.
Yagyu Munenori told Hyogonosuke, who arrived in Edo with him, that Ieyasu wanted to destroy the Toyotomi to secure the Tokugawa rule.
Otsu and Osugi almost reached the Mimasaka Pass, but Osugi said that she’d rather go to the other world to see Uncle Gon. Otsu stubbornly refused to allow Osugi to die. She then stubbornly piggybacked Osugi despite the old lady’s refusal.
After leaving Edo, Okoh eventually arrived in Harima and found the small dye factory that Musashi also admired.The dyer told her that a samurai also once admired the fabrics.The story then led to how Musashi defeated Gion Toji. Okoh finally visited Toji’s grave and wondered if he died happy.
On the road, Musashi was stopped by Aya who told him that Akaneya Genzo died. Musashi later saw Sasaki Kojiro practicing. They then greeted each other and express to each other that they wished to challenge the other. Kojiro also said that a conspiracy was brewing, but he had nothing to do with it. He just wanted to fight Musashi the way Musashi wanted to fight him.
Kojiro: “Miyamoto Musashi!”
Musashi: “What?”
Kojiro: “I won’t die.”
Musashi: “I won’t die either.”
Then Musashi’s lips formed the slightest smile. Kojiro smiled too and nodded to acknowledge his opponent.
I really like these two samurai. I wish they weren’t opponents. In modern times, they won’t kill each other. They will just make achievements after achievements and secretly (or openly) acknowledge each other.
I also love it that Kojiro still made time to visit Oshino, and from being with her he found his peace. Unlike in the novel, in this taiga, Kojiro and Musashi were actually not mortal enemies. They were pitted against each other, although they also wanted to fight each other.
Btw, did Kojiro slash the candle in one strike but not holding the candle on his sword? Musashi slashed the candle in one strike and still was able to hold the candle on his sword. IINM, Musashi had a higher control then, for keeping a candle on his sword like that would be difficult. He had to control his cut at the right time to prevent the candle from falling.
And since writing that last paragraph, I've obtained Musashi's biography written by William Scott Wilson. There, Wilson-sensei explained that Musashi was well-known for the art of tsumeru, or the art of holding back. Thus, Shinnosuke's Musashi holding back the candle after slashing it in one strike is consistent with the real Musashi's talent!
Click here to read the summaries of the next episodes...
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