Add
Private Notes
In the early summer of 1568, Ichi marries into the Azai family, the ruler of northern Omi Province, under Nobunaga's command who plots to advance to Kyoto. Despite the political marriage, Ichi is attracted to Azai Nagamasa, the heir of the Azai family, and later gives birth to baby girls, Chacha and Hatsu. But Nobunaga and the Azai family declare an all-out war. Amid the prolonged battle between the two, Gou is born as the youngest of the three sisters to Ichi and Nagamasa. Soon after her birth, Nagamasa is defeated by Nobunaga and dies.
In the spring of 1579, Ichi and her daughters, who left northern Omi, live a quiet life at Ichi's brother Nobukane's castle in Ise. One day, they receive an invitation to the Azuchi Castle from Nobunaga. Gou, who has no memory of her father, is fascinated by Nobunaga's presence, but learns for the first time that he was the one responsible for the destruction of the Azai family. Late at night, Gou comes face to face with Nobunaga to revenge for her father's death.
In the fall of 1579, Gou, who now regards Nobunaga with favor, is shocked at the fact that Nobunaga ordered Tokugawa Ieyasu to take the lives of his own wife and son("Lady Tsukiyama Incident"). To learn Nobunaga's real intention of the ruthless command, Gou leaves for Azuchi where she meets Sen no Soueki, a tea master, and One, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Nobunaga's aide. Nobunaga takes Gou to Chikubu Island, Nagamasa's favorite place, and tells her his secret.
In the spring of 1581, Gou is invited to a pomp military parade led by Nobunaga in Kyoto where she encounters Akechi Mitsuhide, who serves Nobunaga, and his daughter, Tama. Impressed by the spectacular parade, Gou goes to see Nobunaga alone at Honno-ji, but becomes angry at his arrogance and leaves. In 1582, Nobunaga is in the final stage in the unification of the country, while Akechi nourishes anxiety.
Gou regrets her decision to not to see Nobunaga again but in May 1582 she is invited to Kyoto by Ieyasu who is arranging a meeting with Nobunaga. Meanwhile, Mitsuhide's territory is confiscated by Nobunaga and at the same time is ordered to fight against the Mori clan under Hideyoshi. On June 2, Mitsuhide revolts against Nobunaga and advances his troops to Honno-ji.
In June 1582, Gou flees Kyoto with Ieyasu to escape Mitsuhide's attack. They manage to arrive in Ise, but Gou is soon captured after Ieyasu's departure to Mikawa. Mitsuhide, who plots to seize control over the country, is left holding on his own. Gou is taken as a hostage to the Azuchi Castle where she meets Mitsuhide and asks him why he took Nobunaga's life.
After the death of Nobunaga and heir Nobutada, Shibata Katsuie, the chief retainer of the Oda clan, summons Oda's retainers to the Kiyosu Castle to determine the new successor. At the castle, Gou sees a little boy accompanied by Hideyoshi's mother Naka. At the meeting, Hideyoshi declares that Sanboshi, the little boy who is the son and heir of Nobutada, is the most eligible successor, brushing off Katsuie's assertion to make Nobutaka, Nobunaga's third son, the successor. On that night, Ichi decides to marry Katsuie in order to thwart Hideyoshi's ambition.
In the fall of 1582, Gou moves to the Kitanosho Castle, Katsuie's home, with her sisters and mother Ichi. Chacha and Hatsu are unable to accept Katsuie as their new father, while Gou feels awkward about having a father for the first time. Feeling frustrated, Gou runs off on a horse, but is caught in a storm. Although Gou safely returns to the castle on the following morning, Katsuie sternly rebukes her. Meanwhile, Hideyoshi starts preparing for the war against Katsuie.
In the winter of 1582, Gou and her sisters develop a close relationship with Katsuie, while Hideyoshi holds a large-scale funeral ceremony for Nobunaga in Kyoto ignoring Katsuie and Ichi who burst in anger. Learning Hideyoshi's maneuver to bring down Katsuie, Gou and her sisters implore Katsuie not to enter war with Hideyoshi, but Katsuie decides to fight against him.
In the winter of 1583, Katsuie is defeated by Hideyoshi after a month-long battle in Omi and flees to the Kitanosho Castle where he urges Ichi and her daughters to leave the castle in order to evade Hideyoshi's attack. Ichi, however, says that she will stay with Katsuie till the end which shocks her daughters. Later, Ishida Mitsunari, Hideyoshi's aide, gathers the three sisters as hostages to the Azuchi Castle.
In April 1583, Gou and her sisters are introduced through One to Kyogoku Tatsuko, Hideyoshi's concubine, at the Azuchi Castle. Although Tatsuko's husband was killed by Hideyoshi, Tatsuko claims that Hideyoshi is a kind person. The three sisters are horrified by Tatsuko's comments. Meanwhile, Nobutaka commits suicide manipulated by Hideyoshi; Nobukatsu, Nobunaga's second son, approaches Ieyasu to launch a war against Hideyoshi. At the Azuchi Castle, Hideyoshi is captivated by Chacha's beauty.
In the early summer morning of 1583, Chacha finds that her and her sisters' rooms are filled with gorgeous kimono sent by Hideyoshi who has already taken away all the three sisters' kimono and the sisters have nothing to wear. Despite Chacha and Gou's anger, Hideyoshi continues to provide them luxury but Chacha flatly refuses to receive anything from Hideyoshi. While the three sisters are protesting against Hideyoshi by not eating, they are invited by Sen no Souseki to his tea room.
In the fall of 1583, Hideyoshi arranges a marriage between Gou and Saji Kazunari, the lord of the Ono Castle in Owari who serves under Nobukatsu, while Nobukatsu and Ieyasu prepare for war against Hideyoshi. Hideyoshi plots to break the liaison between Nobukatsu and Kazunari through Gou's marriage. Chacha insists that she will take the place of Gou to marry Kazunari but Hideyoshi asserts that the marriage is under Nobunaga's will.
In February 1584, soon after the wedding ceremony between Gou and Kazunari, Gou finds out that Kazunari is secretly preparing for war against Hideyoshi with Nobukatsu and Ieyasu. The war finally breaks out and Hideyoshi, who is struggling with the fierce battle against Ieyasu, maneuvers to cajole Nobukatsu into making peace with Hideyoshi. Although the war ends, Gou learns that Chacha is sick and leaves for Osaka Castle where she finds that Hideyoshi has broken up Gou's marriage.
In December 1584, Gou vows revenge on Hideyoshi, who suddenly broke off Gou's marriage. With her foster mother, Yoshi, Gou questions those people close to Hideyoshi to find his weaknesses, but comes up empty. Feeling frustrated, Gou goes to see Hideyoshi in order to expose his true nature on her own.
In the early summer of 1585, Hideyoshi declares his intention to become a shogun in hopes to attract Chacha and seeks help from Ashikaga Yoshiaki, the 15th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate but rejects Hideyoshi's request. Hideyoshi next approaches the Konoe family, one of the five prominent families in the Imperial Court. Back in Osaka, Gou and her sisters reunite with Tama who was released from confinement after the Honno-ji incident. Tama tells the sisters that her anguish was eased by Christian teachings. Hideyoshi, who finally becomes the chief advisor to the Emperor, comes to see Chacha.
It is July 1585, Hideyoshi is frustrated that Ieyasu is unwilling to personally congratulate Hideyoshi's promotion in spite of his repeated requests. Hideyoshi seeks Gou's advice but she reproaches him for his sneaky tactics. Hideyoshi then forces his sister Asahi to divorce her current husband and sends her off to Ieyasu to be his wife. Nevertheless Ieyasu has no intention of visiting Hideyoshi; Hideyoshi decides to send his mother to Ieyasu.
Early 1587, Hideyoshi, as the chief minister of the Imperial Court, orders his retainers to advance his troops to Kyushu. Gou is impressed by Hideyoshi's adopted son, Hidekatsu, who can voice his own views indifferent to pleasing Hideyoshi. Meanwhile, Hatsu falls in love at first sight to a handsome man, but is shocked to learn that the man is Tatsuko's brother, Kyogoku Takatsugu known to be disreputable. Hideyoshi finally expresses his love to Chacha.
In the summer of 1587, Hatsu's feeling for Takatsugu enhances, but Tatsuko advises that she will never be able to marry for love as Hideyoshi plots to gain power by arranging political marriages for all three sisters. Hatsu urges Chacha to persuade Hideyoshi in letting her marry Takatsugu, but Gou strongly opposes. Feeling sorry for Hatsu, Chacha asks Hideyoshi to approve the marriage of Hatsu and Takatsugu in return for accepting Hideyoshi's feelings toward Chacha.
In the fall of 1587, Gou speaks of her concerns over Chacha to Sen no Soueki, who is renamed Sen no Rikyu, but is upset as he points out that Chacha is gradually attracted to Hideyoshi. Hideyoshi, however, feels rejected by Chacha and moves to Jurakutei of Kyoto to put her behind. He also arranges Chacha's marriage to a prestigious noble family, but Chacha's feelings for Hideyoshi grows. One night, Chacha and Hideyoshi are alone.
In the fall of 1588, Gou avoids Chacha after learning that Chacha has bonded with Hideyoshi; Gou will not hear out Hatsu who comes to reconcile Gou with Chacha. Chacha, who is pregnant with Hideyoshi's child, tells Gou and Hatsu that she feels her parents have forgiven her for loving Hideyoshi now that she has conceived a baby, but Gou hardens her attitude toward Chacha. Kita no Mandokoro, formerly named One, is deeply hurt by Chacha's pregnancy, and makes a visit to Gou and Chacha.
Early 1589, Chacha asks Hideyoshi to fulfill her wish if she bears an heir to the Toyotomi family. Chacha, who is renamed Yodo, gives birth to a boy whom Hideyoshi names Tsurumaru and dotes on. Gou feels desolate learning the deep bond between Yodo and Hideyoshi. In Sumpu, Ieyasu preparing war against the Hojo family tells his third son, Takechiyo, to join the war for the first time.
Gou for the first time meets Tokugawa Hidetada, formally named Takechiyo, who later is to become her husband; they end up in a quarrel because of Hidetada's cold and sarcastic personality. Meanwhile, distrust between Rikyu and Hideyoshi deepens by Mitsunari's plot to remove Rikyu. Hideyoshi finally defeats the Hojo family seizing control over the country; however, Rikyu, disgusted at Hideyoshi's over-inflated ego, is unwilling to obey.
Gou speaks of her concerns over Rikyu to Hidekatsu after learning that Rikyu openly criticized Hideyoshi's vaulting arrogance and declared his intention to quit. Knowing Gou's secret crush on Hidekatsu, Hidetada teases Gou and says goodbye as he leaves Osaka with Ieyasu. While Hideyoshi is deeply depressed by the death of his beloved brother, Hidenaga, Mitsunari advises Hideyoshi to condemn Rikyu to death.
Gou urges Rikyu to ask for Hideyoshi's pardon, but Rikyu, accepting his fate, commits seppuku. Hidekatsu holds Gou, who collapses into tears, tight in his arms to comfort her. After Rikyu's death, Tsurumaru dies of illness at the age of three which devastates Hideyoshi and Yodo. Grieving Hideyoshi orders feudal lords across the country to send their troops to Korea, and succeeds his title, Emperor's chief advisor, onto his nephew and adopted son, Hidetsugu. Hideyoshi also arranges a marriage between Gou and Hidekatsu.
In 1952, Gou moves to Jurakutei, after marrying Hidekatsu, where she spends happy days with her beloved husband. In the spring, Hidekatsu is to lead his troops into Korea following Hideyoshi; Gou sends him off holding back her anxiety. After Hidekatsu left for Korea, Gou finds out her pregnancy. In July, Hideyoshi's mother passes away. While Gou is in her final month of pregnancy, she receives news from Korea.
Gou gives birth to a girl, but is unable to hold her daughter overwhelmed by grief of losing Hidekatsu. Even Hatsu's strenuous efforts cannot ease Gou's deep sorrow and pain. Meanwhile, Gou receives Hidekatsu's belongings along with a letter written to Gou. Learning Hidekatsu's feeling of regret for not being able to leave anything for Gou, Gou holds her daughter Sada in her arms realizing that he has left Sada for her. In August 1953, Yodo gives birth to a boy who is named Hiroi by Hideyoshi.
Hideyoshi, who wants to make Hiroi his successor, plots together with Mitsunari to remove Hidetsugu. Despite Gou's efforts to save Hidetsugu, he is shunted off to Mt. Koya where he is forced to commit seppuku. Hideyoshi also annihilates Hidetsugu's entire family by burning Jurakutei down. While Gou bursts in anger at Hideyoshi's ruthless behavior, Hideyoshi orders Gou to marry Hidetada.
Gou, who is refusing to marry Hidetada under Hideyoshi's order, receives a visit from Ieyasu. Moved by Ieyasu's words, Gou decides to marry into the Tokugawa family under the condition of bringing Sada with her. Yodo, however, insists on leaving Sada behind which again changes Gou's mind to marry. Learning that Yodo is concerned about what is best for Sada, Gou is determined to entrust Sada with Yodo and to never see her daughter again. In September 1595, Gou marries Hidetada.
After marrying into the Tokugawa family, Gou spends days missing Hidekatsu and Sada because of the strained relationship with Hidetada. Ten months after her marriage in the summer of 1596, Gou, who is determined to divorce Hidetada, writes a letter to Yodo. The same day midnight while Gou is asleep, a fire breaks out and she fails to escape. Enveloped with flames and smokes, Gou prepares for death...
Gou decides to remain as Hidetada's wife after he risked his life to save her from the fire. In May 1597, Gou gives birth to a baby girl, Sen. In the spring of 1598, Hideyoshi falls ill and attempts to persuade those close to him to accept Hideyori (formally named Hiroi) as his successor by summoning them to his sickbed. Gou is worried about Hideyoshi, but hesitates to visit him because of her ill feelings toward him. However, Hideyoshi's condition worsens day-by-day.
While Gou is deeply saddened by Hideyoshi's death, a rumor spreads that Mitsunari is plotting to kill Ieyasu. Ieyasu orders Hidetada and Gou to immediately flee to Edo. Gou says goodbye to people around her and heads for Edo where she meets Hidetada's foster mother, Oba no Tsubone, who persistently tells Gou to bear an heir to the Tokugawa family.
Gou, who is pregnant with Hidetada's second child and annoyed by Oba no Tsubone's continuous nagging for a baby boy, unwillingly makes declaration to deliver a boy. Meanwhile back in Kyoto, the power struggle between Ieyasu and Mitsunari continues. Although Gou is concerned over the possibility of war between the Tokugawa family and the Toyotomi family, there is nothing she can do to change the situation being close to her due date. Gou gives birth to a girl again.
Gou, who is concerned over the worsening relations between Ieyasu and Mitsunari, urges Ieyasu not to enter war with the Toyotomi family. Ieyasu, however, pretends ignorance by saying that the war is against the Uesugi family, and appoints Hidetada as the commander-in-chief. Although uncertain, Hidetada accepts his fate and prepares his troops for battle. In Osaka, Mitsunari rises up against Ieyasu, and takes the wives and children of those feudal lords who took side with Ieyasu as hostages. Tama, who was baptized and renamed as Gracia, is also regarded with hostility.
While Gou prays for Hidetada's safe return from the war, Ieyasu, who learned of Mitsunari's move, halts his attack on the Uesugi family and moves his whole army eastward. On the way, Hidetada launches an attack against Sanada Yukimura, however experiences a hard battle. In Otsu, Takatsugu leaves the forces led by Mitsunari, being caught between the Toyotomi family and the Tokugawa family. Together with his wife, Hatsu, Takatsugu takes refuge in a castle and manages to survive Mitsunari's attack. On September 15, 1600, the battle between Ieyasu and Mitsunari finally breaks out in Sekigahara, but Hidetada has yet to reach the battlefield.
Following Ieyasu's victory in the Battle of Sekigahara, Mitsunari is captured and then executed. Gou, who is pregnant with Hidetada's third child, falls sick after learning that a servant gave birth to Hidetada's child, a baby boy. Hidetada after returning to Edo apologizes to Gou, however Gou asks for divorce if her coming baby is again a girl. And sure enough Gou gives birth to a girl again…
In February 1603, Ieyasu is granted the title of Shogun, and Yodo and Ono Harunaga (a retainer of the Toyotomi family) tighten their security. As Hidetada tells Gou of the marriage that is being arranged between Sen and Hideyori, she becomes upset. Hidetada however, convinces Gou that he regards the marriage as a pledge for peace. Gou accepts the marriage under the condition of letting her attend Sen's wedding ceremony. Even though being pregnant with Hidetada's fourth child, Gou accompanies Sen to the Osaka Castle where she reunites with Yodo and Hatsu.
In July 1604, Gou gives birth to Hidetada's fifth child, the long-awaited baby boy. While Hidetada and Gou are in a celebratory mood, Oba no Tsubone brings a woman named Fuku, who is chosen as the baby's foster mother by Ieyasu. The baby, who is named Takechiyo, is immediately taken away from Gou and completely guarded by Fuku. Gou gets frustrated for not being able to take care of her own son.
Gou gives birth to a baby boy, Kunimatsu. To counter Fuku who is in charge of raising Takechiyo, Gou declares her intention of breastfeeding Kunimatsu and dotes on him. In 1611, Ieyasu, who has passed his Shogun title on to Hidetada, urges Hideyori to come to Kyoto to congratulate Hidetada's succession. Although Yodo bursts in anger at Ieyasu, Hideyori, who is now 19 years old, decides on his own to meet Ieyasu in Kyoto. On March 28, Ieyasu and Hideyori finally confront at the Nijo Castle in Kyoto.
At the Edo Castle, a dispute continues between Gou who wants to make Kunimatsu the Tokugawa's successor, and Fuku who insists that Takechiyo is the most eligible successor. While the dispute is heating up, Oba no Tsubone falls ill. Sensing her life is approaching to an end, Oba no Tsubone advises Hidetada to talk things over with Ieyasu, and tells Gou never to forsake her own offspring no matter what happens.
Sensing Ieyasu's move to overthrow the Toyotomi family, Hidetada sends a letter to Hideyori to ask him to work together for the sake of building a peaceful nation. Meanwhile, Ieyasu raises a protest against the Toyotomi family saying that they put a malediction against the Tokugawa family on the hanging bell cast at the Hoko Castle. Despite Toyotomi's denial, Ieyasu unreasonably demands Toyotomi to either surrender the Osaka Castle or to send Hideyori or Yodo to Edo as a hostage. As Toyotomi refuses Ieyasu's demand, Ieyasu orders feudal lords to advance their troops to Osaka.
In November 1614, a battle between Tokugawa and Toyotomi--the Siege of Osaka--breaks out, and the Osaka Castle comes under siege by the Tokugawa army. Yodo takes a resolute stance on fighting against Tokugawa until the end, but is forced to make peace with Tokugawa due to Ieyasu's clever scheme. Ieyasu, however, continues maneuvering to bring Toyotomi down, and Toyotomi again faces a predicament. Hidetada sneaks into the Osaka Castle in order to urge Hideyori to surrender.
Hastu, who is renamed as Jokoin after becoming a priest, heads for Sunpu to prevent armed conflict between Tokugawa and Toyotomi, however, even her desperate efforts cannot change Ieyasu's mind. Hidetada asks Jokoin to hand Gou's letter to Yodo. As Yodo refuses Gou's offer to live with her in Edo, the Siege of Osaka finally enters a second phase--the Summer Campaign.
Gou falls ill after learning about the death of Yodo. Fuku, who saw Gou scolding Takechiyo for causing a commotion over Tokugawa's victory, tells Gou that it was Hidetada who ordered to kill Yodo. Hidetada, who was questioned by Gou after returning to Edo, sheds into tears and vows to Gou that no more blood will be shed for the sake of building a peaceful nation. Meanwhile, Jokoin tries to intercede with Gou for Takechiyo, which however, triggers a new problem.
Learning of Ieyasu's illness, Gou tells Hidetada to go to see Ieyasu in Sunpu. Hidetada and Ieyasu reunite after a long interval; the two however, are unable to communicate smoothly. Not hearing back from Hidetada, Gou also heads for Sunpu. While helping Ieyasu pick medicinal herbs, Gou reveals to him her true feelings that she has had since she married into the Tokugawa family. Although Ieyasu's condition seems to be getting better, he falls ill again. Sensing his life approaching to an end, Ieyasu for the first time expresses to Hidetada his own thoughts and feelings.
Around the same time Hidetada declared his intention to make Takechiyo his successor, it becomes known that Hidetada has an illegitimate child. Gou bursts in anger for being betrayed by Hidetada again, however, she realizes that she was being close-minded after seeing the child, named Koumatsu, play innocently with Takechiyo and Kunimatsu. Gou hopes to raise all of Hidetada's children together without prejudice, which eventually leads to the establishment of "Ooku," an inner palace in the Edo Castle where the wife and concubines of the reigning Tokugawa shogun live together as a family.
