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「死にたがりと逃げ上手」 (Shinitagari to Nige Jōzu)
“Samurais Who Are Eager to Die and an Elusive Samurai”
All bets are off- anything in the previous regime can be conveniently trampled on for the profit of the new guys. Namely the barley harvest, which in spite of the guarantees under former leadership that the second harvest would not be taken, the new man in charge, Kiyohara sends his guys in to reap the village for all it’s worth. This speaks to the very real corruption both then, and throughout history, where the nobles treated the commonfolk like expendable cows they milked for every last drop. Of course, revisions were made (Sugawara no Michizane made reforms centuries earlier), but that was always met with resistance from the upper echeleons, who would then look for loopholes or just pretend the rules didn’t apply.
Kiyohara is as ignorant of reality (other than his own) as they come, and he’s ready to raise some eyebrows. That reaction from Sadamune when he meets Kiyohara was priceless. Kiyohara is someone even Sadamune can’t handle (he eventually fobs the responsibility of assisting Kiyohara off on Ichikawa, who also can’t stand the guy).
Kiyohara’s arrival in Shinano is a classic example of the ignorant nobles who knew nothing of the common folk or battle ground. A different kind of beast from Sadamune, who while cowed by Kiyohara, is no less an enemy. Sadamune is power hungry too, but sees the situation on the ground as it is and knows when to re-group and back off of Suwa (for the time being). Unlike Kiyohara who exists entirely in his own fantasy world of gold and glamor, nurtured in the cushy capital with no real cognizance or interest in the situation on the ground. Their greed runs in slightly different veins too, I think. Sadamune wants the power, the political dominance and is willing to bide his time for it. Whereas Kiyohara wants the income, he wants things his way, and he wants it now. In the end, I sense that Sadamune is the bigger threat, given that Kiyohara, despicable tyrant though he is, can’t function independently without the military prowess of Sadamune and Ichikawa.
Then, we cut to Yorishige, who gives Tokiyuki his next orders. Their task this time- prevent a member of the Suwa faction, Hoshina Yasuburo, from making a foolhardy bid for freedom. Though a Suwa retainer, Hoshina was serving the Ashikaga crew for self-preservation. Their pride trampled by Kiyohara, Hoshino and his men want to fight back though it’s a lost cause from the start due to the disparity in numbers. This does make opportune timing for Tokiyuki to recruit them to his side- if he can stop them all from rushing to their deaths.
Tokiyuki shows his budding potential as a leader in knowing his young retainers’ strengths and using them in battle formation. Given that his previous task also turned into an unforeseen skirmish, it comes as no surprise that the kids also get dragged into the battlefield on this mission too. An utterly dangerous one with little hope of success unlike last time, and one which triggers Tokiyuki’s traumas of the day the Hojo fell.
And so, we meet a whole new insane cast. I think my favorite in Hoshina’s bunch would have to be the happy peaceful face dude. The way he gets pumped up about cannibalism with that face is the perfect irony. Among the crew, Shinomiya is level headed, at least- a glimmer of hope that Tokiyuki might be able to talk sense into someone.
Tokiyuki makes an elegant point about the futility of a glorious death. There is no such thing- it will eventually be forgotten and the children left behind won’t thank you for it either. He of all people knows this best. Tokiyuki’s whole ethos of running away in pursuit of life runs very counter to the culture of the bushido, as we can see in the warrior’s expressions. However, we’ve likewise seen time and again that Tokiyuki’s way is more fun, and more kind to those who would otherwise be left behind, like the children of the village.
Thankfully, Hoshina sobers up after some sake in the face and a good scolding, though hilariously having the opposite effect on Tokiyuki, who gets drunk from the sake droplets, and proceeds to engage in some drunken butt punches (LOL). Hoshina finally recognizes this kid knows what he’s talking about and proceeds to order a retreat. All should end well, but Kiyohara may have something to say about that. Nothing’s safe or secret when the walls (ahem, Ichikawa) have ears.
All in all, a solid episode. Not as breathtaking as last week, but there were solid character moments and sets us up nicely for the next big encounter. Hard to believe this is the penultimate episode. Here’s to hoping they pull out all the stops next week (and announce a second cour).
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