Despite the surrender of Edo Castle, former vassals of the shogunate (shōgi-tai) rise in rebellion against the new government. ŌMURA Masujirō who is in charge of the government army defeat them but some domains of Eastern Japan take up arms against the government but the soldiers, provisions and money are not enough to beat such domains. Masujirō asks Kichinosuke to beg SHIMAZU Hisamitsu send soldiers and donate war funds. So he returns home with his brothers, Shingo and Kohei. At home, Shingo says that the word "battle" sounds nice but it's the scramble for others' lives in fact.
"Shingo, you say as if our brother did something bad,"
says Kichijiro who manages the household but Kichinosuke agrees with Shingo.
Kichinosuke (Ryōhei Suzuki) asks Shimazu Hisamitsu (Munataka Aoki) to help the New government army
As Kichinosuke achieves fame, some people who introduce themselves as his relatives or old friends visit the family often. Kichijirō gives then some money as he cannot leave such people. And if he ignores them, it will reflect dishonour upon his brother. Though being a younger brother, Kichinosuke regards him as if he were his elder brother. That night, Ito packs the goods in a basket that is sent to Amami Oshima and asks her husband whether he will educate Kikujirō in Satsuma or not. Then Kichinosuke goes to the ⅽastle and asks SHIMAZU Hisamitsu to send soldiers and money to the government, emphasising it's for the honour of Satsuma. And Kichijiro who works in the castle sees his brother who encourages the soldiers.
Kichinosuke (left) appreciates his brother Kichijirō (Gōta Watabe) who manages the household
Kichijirō returns home and goes to the filed for crop work. And he takes a hoe and a stick used for the practice of swordsmanship. Shingo who also practices swordsmanship sees him and asks him why he has it. Then Kichijirō crosses sticks with him but is beaten. Shingo tells him that it's not like him to do such a thing. He shows him his scar and asks him whether he is ready to be wounded like this and to be deaf in one year like him or not. However, Kichijirō is eager to fight against the enemy as samurai. When Kichinosuke returns home one day, KAWAGUCHI Seppō tells him that a termagant visits him. He finds Koto in the house and she advises her brother to appreciate the pains his family members take. She says that Kichijirō must have trouble by managing the household so Kichinosuke asks him what he wants.
Kichijirō wants to join the army and fight against the enemy as samurai
Kichijirō tells Kichinosuke that he wants to join the army. Though Shingo says it's so hard for him, he insists that he want to live as samurai. His wife Sono agrees with him because it's the first time that he declares what he really wants to do in their married life. Kichinosuke tells him that modern weapons kill many people unlike them in the past. But Kichijirō is determined and joins the army of the new government. He, Shingo and Kohei depart for Echigo (current Niigata) and Kumakichi who knows him from his childhood is reluctant to part from him. A few days later, MURATA Shinpachi visits Kichinosuke and says the soldiers in Echigo are demoralised. It's because of the Gatling Gun purchased by KAWAI Tsuginosuke, chief vassal of Nagaoka domain and his soldiers are elite. Shinpachi appeals to him to go to Echigo to break down the morale of the enemies in Ōu (current Tohoku region).
Kichinosuke visits the headquarter in kashiwazaki and meet Kichijirō (centre) but he is dying
Kichinosuke arrives at Matsugasaki, one of the headquarters of the New government army. Many troops of the army ask him to send relief forces to them. At that moment, Shingo rushes into the headquarter and tells his brother that Kichijirō was wounded. He asks Kichinosuke to meet him but he cannot treat his brother specially and continues war council. After the fall of Nagaoka, he goes to the headquarter in Kashiwazaki and thanks the soldiers includes those who are wounded for their troubles. Then he meets Kichijirō who is dying and nursed by Shingo and Kohei. But he sits up and tells Kichinosuke who supports his body to take care of his health that were his last words. After that the Boshin War ends with the falls of Aizu, Shonai (*) and Hakodate.
Kichinosuke tells Ōkubo Ichizō (Eita, right) that he will return to Satsuma
The gengō (era name) is changed from Keio to Meiji and the Emperor enters Tokyo Castle, former Edo Castle and later Imperial Palace. Kichinosuke meets ŌKUBO Ichizō there and thanks him for the transfer of the capital. And Ichizō appreciates his efforts in the Boshin War. The real reason of transferring the capital is separating the Emperor from aristocrats. Though Ichizo expects Kichinosuke to join the government, he says he will return to Satsuma to bear the responsibility of destroying many things and killing many people however Ichizō feels it unreasonable. Kichinosuke gives him a small bag and leaves. Ichizō finds a piece of old paper on which the letters of cangoxina is written. He has mixed feeling about him and laughs at it.
Sono (Yuki Kashiwagi) feels sad when she learns the death of Kichijirō, her husband
Kichinosuke returns home with Shingo and Kohei. Then he gives Sono Kichijiro's hair saying "Sorry, I killed him". It makes her sob. That evening Ito shows the cash-book of Kichijirō and the coins in the vase hidden under the floor. Kichijirō cut down the living expenses and set aside money for a rainy day, especially when Kichinosuke decides to do something. But it was kept secret from Kichinosuke. He weeps at the cash-book recorded in detail and reaises Kichijirō had hard time for his brothers. That night he draws his dagger and cuts his topknot (**) and has his hair trimmed by Ito.
Kichinosuke cuts his topknot with his dagger
(*) The battle against Shonai domain ended peacefully and the people of the domain respected Kichinosuke though he was their enemy.
(**) Some of samurais in the past cut their topknot when they determined something or cleared his scandal up.
The images are from the official website of "Segodon".
