earth and sky, colors and dreams

Episode 5: "The Tears of Wadatoge"


Episode Synopsis: Ichiro (Nagayama Kento) and company approach the mountain pass Wadatoge, Nakasendo's most difficult path. Since theirs is a traditional procession, they have a lot more equipment and luggage than the usual journeys. Also for the first time marchers, the arduous journey has started to take its toll. Aside from the steep climb up the pass, the men will now face an even bigger crisis: someone has earlier cut the suspension bridge which they are supposed to cross. In desperation, Ichiro decides to proceed by taking a longer route that goes around and over the mountain. However, a sudden intense storm occurs, forcing the procession to a halt. Then, Sakyonodaibu (Watanabe Dai) suddenly makes a big decision... Meanwhile, back home in Mino, treasurer Shichizaemon (Ishiguro Ken) is closing in on Shogen's (Sano Shiro) scheme to take over the House. He attempts to persuade a wealthy merchant to confess about financially abetting Shogen's plot...

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Ep. 3: "The First Ordeal"


Episode Synopsis. Finally, along with the the head of Maisaka House, Sakyonodaibu (Watanabe Dai), Ichiro (Nagayama Kento) and his party of processional attendants have left their homeland of West Mino. They are passing through the post town of Magome in the Kiso mountains, when suddenly, a village girl named Suwa (Taira Yuna) jumps in front of the procession. The act of stopping a Sankin-kotai procession is a grievous offense and is punishable by death. Although Suwa herself begs to be put to death, Icihiro decides to pardon the girl. Processional forerunner Sakuma (Fujimoto Takahiro) and Ichiro's uncle Sojuro (Kajihara Zen) think that Ichiro is being too lenient with his decisions. Then the party arrives safely at their destination of the day: the post town of Tsumago. However, that night, Ichiro's assistant, Kuriyama Shingo (Nakajima Hiroki) is worried about Suwa, and leaves town without consent...

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Ep. 1: "Sankin-Kotai Becomes War"


Episode Synopsis: Onodera Ichiro (Nagayama Kento) learns of his father's death and travels from Edo to his ancestral homeland in Tanabu district, West Mino. At the Maisaka House (which his family has served for many generations), he meets the shogunal vassal, Maisaka Sakyonodaibu (Watanabe Dai), and his uncle and guardian, Shogen (Sano Shiro). They order Ichiro to take his father's place as chief attendant of the feudal procession set to leave in 5 days. Not knowing anything about such a thing, Ichiro goes around, desperately asking people to teach him the ways and protocol of the procession. These include his uncle Onodera Sojuro (Kajihara Zen) and storehouse official, Sakuma Kanjuro (Fujimoto Takahiro). However, no one is willing to teach him. Until he meets Kuucho (Kamiko Tsunehiko), the chief priest of a nearby shrine... Meanwhile, there is a woman named Kaoru (Matsuura Miyabi) who has caught a glimpse of Ichiro meditating one day, and recognizes him as the man whom she has been arranged to marry. She decides to visit him later on...
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