That's the first episode I saw when we got the satellite thing (no
subtitles though) Here's a synopsis of Episode 9 from the Shinsengumi
War Zone site: Maybe it will help.
Synopsis
January 1863....
A little baby covered with blankets lying on the tatami. It's Isami and
Tsune's baby daughter, Tama, who was just born few months ago. Isami
leans over to Tama and gently press his cheek against the baby's cheek
for a few secs. Then, he gets up, smiling, "Father is going now...".
Tsune sees Isami off outside. Isami is going to Kobusho with Toudou
Heisuke, today is his first day to teach kendo at Kobusho.
Tsune serves breakfast for Okita, Yamanami, Nagakura and Harada. Okita
is wondering where Hijikata is, Tsune said he has left in the early
morning. "Hee....lately, he always goes out frequently, ne..." Okita
said. Harada believes it must because of a woman...
On the bridge, Hijikata sees Okoto is happily throwing little rocks to
the river. She notice Hijikata's there, then wave to him excitedly.
Hijikata just smile, then walk forward.....
Tsune ask for Mitsu and Okita Rintarou(Mitsu's husband)'s help to take
care of Tama, while she's going out to visit her parents in law(Shusuke
and Fude)'s house.
At Kobusho, suddenly Isami is told that he is no longer a Kobusho's
teacher, and it was Matsudaira Chikaranosuke's words. Isami is shocked
and ask them to confirm to Chikaranosuke once again, coz its very clear
that he was appointed to teach at Kobusho several months ago....
However, the result is still a 'no'......
Inside, Chikaranosuke is talking to Sasaki Tadasaburo. He just got the
information that Isami Kondou was born in Tama, a farmer's birth son. In
an underestimating tone, "We can't let him stay here to teach...its
going to be a farmer kenjutsu dojo, what a joke!".
Mitsu is trying to stop Tama from crying, she tried everything to stop
her cry, but none worked. She ask Yamanami to carry Tama for awhile, but
he refused, he said he's not good with babies. Harada offered Mitsu to
let him carry Tama, but Mitsu think impossible for him to stop Tama from
crying. Then, Harada showed his scar on his belly to Tama....then, Tama
amazingly stop crying and looking at the scar ^_^ (note: Tama is such a
cute baby!!^o^)
Mitsu told Rintarou to join Shieikan pupils to train under Okita's lead.
Okita start the training and teach them Tennen Rishin Ryuu's stance
position. Stick is straight to the front, with their body leans to the
left a bit, right foot and left foot forming a 90 degrees angle to the
left. However, Rintarou takes the stick along to the left. Okita tells
him, that its wrong, he should positioned his stick still straightly to
the front. Rintarou keeps doing the same mistake... Mitsu then calls
Okita to come over for a moment....
Mitsu tells Okita to carry Tama, and she stops crying, reaching on
Okita's face. "Why are you so good at that?" Mitsu asked him, referring
to Okita's nature with little kids, including babies.
Nagakura takes over the training hall. He tells the pupils the right
stance position, and he tells them according to Shindo Munen Ryuu...his
origin kenjutsu style. Nagakura criticize Rintarou's position as a bad
stance position, which is actually what Okita has taught him
earlier...its a Tennen Rishin Ryuu's stance^^;
Dissapointed, Isami is about to go back to Shieikan with Toudou, when
suddenly he meets again Sakamoto Ryoma on the street. Isami ask
Sakamoto, how's the Tosa plan going...Sakamoto said, there is no longer
Tosa clan. Recently, he has been hanging out frequently with Katsu
Kaishuu, the Shogun's direct retainer who found the Shogun's navy.
Hijikata's head is lying on Okoto's lap. He tells her how everyone at
Shieikan make a big fuss about the bakufu and all, and how he feels
peaceful now here. Okoto said, that her mother asks to bring Hijikata
over to her house sometime. Hijikata tells her, that he has already told
her from the start, he's not going to marry her. Okoto said yes to that,
however she thinks that was a long ago. They have been meeting a lot in
this one year, their relationship have to develope anyway. Hijikata
still holds his principal, "Afterall, isn't it better if our
relationship stay like this?". Okoto is really dissapointed.....they get
into a little fight, then Hijikata leaves her......
Back in Shieikan, this time, Yamanami takes over the training hall. He
teach the pupils the Itou stance position, one of them, is to move the
stick a bit. Okita, who is carrying Tama on his back, comes to the
training hall and calls over Yamanami. He said, a man named Yamaoka
Tetsutaro is looking for him. Yamanami leaves the hall....when Okita is
about to leave the hall, too...he takes a glance to Rintarou, "Wait,
wait...that's not what I taught, haven't I told you several times?! And
what is that stance?? Kakko warui jannai ka??(such a bad position..)".
Then, Rintarou gives up......^-^;;;
Sakamoto brings Isami and Toudou to Katsu's house, which has lots of
Western furnitures inside, including sofa, dining table, etc. Isami is
amazed with all the Western stuff. Sakamoto also showed Isami, the
globe...Isami do not understand. Sakamoto tells him, that its the world
and the little islands he pointed, is Japan. Isami still do not
understand ^-^;
Then, Katsu show up and serve them champagne. Isami ask them where did
Sakamoto and Katsu meet. Katsu tells Isami, their first meet is a bit
funny, there was a misunderstood. Later, Sakamoto tells Isami, that
Katsu is Sakuma Shozan's brother in law.
Tsune visits Shusuke and Fude's house, and finds Inoue Genzaburou in the
backyard, sweeping. Shusuke and Fude moved to another house several
months ago, due to Fude's unhappiness to the new people(aka guest
swordsmen), who keeps coming to Shieikan. Tsune meets Shusuke and gives
him a basket of oranges, and tells him to eat it together with Fude.
Tsune also shows Tama's hand print on a paper. Shusuke gives Tsune a
mochi cake to give it to Isami later...
In Katsu's house, Isami and Toudou are served champagne in Western
glasses. Toudou throw up the champagne, it seems he cannot stand the
hard taste. Katsu and Sakamoto are laughing at Toudou. Sakamoto ask
Isami, whether he's okay. Isami said he has once drink champagne at the
British Legation.
Sakuma Shozan comes to the house. And, Sakamoto tells him, that Isami
Kondou is here. Sakuma said, he do not know who he is. "Sensei...!! He's
one of the young lad who joined us to see the Kurofune 9 years ago!"
Sakamoto reminds him. "I dont usually remember people's face," Sakuma
said ignorantly.
Tsune is back to Shieikan and thanked Mitsu and Okita for taking care of
Tama, while she's gone. Yamanami ask whether Isami is already
home...Okita tells him, Isami is not back yet. Then, Yamanami calls
Tsune to come for a moment.
Yamanami writes a letter and tell Tsune to give the letter to Isami. The
letter contains information on the establishment of roushigumi in Kyoto,
which news he just received from the man named Yamaoka Tetsuro.
Tsune doesn't look happy with this......
Back to Sakamoto-tachi's place...Isami is telling Sakamoto how he is
appointed by Matsudaira Chikaranosuke to teach at Kobusho several months
ago, and suppose to start to teach today, but suddenly told that he is
no longer a Kobusho's teacher. Isami is really upset and ask them, if
they might know what is wrong. Katsu then, tells Isami, that
Chikaranosuke suddenly dont want him to teach at Kobusho anymore,
because of Isami's earlier status. Isami was born in a farmer's class in
Tama, not born as a samurai. Chikaranosuke holds the principal that a
farmer would never be a samurai. Isami is shocked with this, and
together with Toudou, he runs back to Kobusho.
Hijikata, who's just walking on the bridge, stopped by a group of men,
leads by Okoto's older brother. Okoto's brother thinks Hijikata just
want to play around with his sister, so he has to get what he deserved.
Okoto's brother tells his men to beat him up. Hijikata do not fight
back. Okoto comes running, and shocked to see Hijikata is being beaten,
she's about to stop them, but her brother holds her back. Then, Okoto's
brother tells his men to stop, and leave the place. And drag Okoto
along, while Okoto keep staring to her back, not saying anything...but
her face expressing sorry to Hijikata....
Isami arrive at Kobusho. And coincidentally, finds Chikaranosuke walking
exits the training hall. Isami calls him loudly, "Matsudaira-sama!!!!!",
and runs towards him, but is stopped by Chikaranosuke's men. "It's true,
that I was born in a Tama farmer family!!! But, I am, now, a Tennen
Rishin Ryuu follower, the 4th generation Shieikan's owner!!! I am now
Kondou Shuusai's son!!! I'm a samurai!! Matsudaira-sama!!!!!".
Chikaranosuke glance at him cynically, ignores him and just goes inside.
Sasaki is out and tells Chikaranosuke's men to let go Isami and Toudou.
Sasaki then, kneels before Isami. Isami tells Sasaki in a small voice,
"Sasaki-sama.....I am a samurai...". Sasaki shake his head, "You were
born as a farmer, not a samurai...".
Mitsu and Tsune are in a room, putting Tama into bed. Tsune tells Mitsu,
that Yamanami all think about is the bakufu problems. While, Tsune only
wants to lead a peaceful life together with Isami and the baby. Mitsu
suggested Tsune, to hide the letter from Isami, and not to tell him
about the letter.
Okita and Nagakura are playing (jap traditional)chess, with Toudou and
Harada watching them playing. Hijikata is back, with bruises on his
face. Okita ask him what happened. But Hijikata is not answering...
Toudou then ask Nagakura where he has been today(coz earlier, together
with Isami, Toudou found Nagakura working as labour, building a house
with other few men). However, Nagakura is not giving a straight answer.
Harada jumps in, "You're not asking about me?". "ahh...Harada-san wa?"
Toudou asked. "Me?? I'm eating such great foods today!". Okita mumbles,
"Sanosuke-san is the type that always relaxing all day, ne...". It
strucked Harada, "Sou ka? Sou desu ne...my life has always been like
that.....if I think of it, I never had meaningful incidents nor anything
that worried me in my life,". "I envy you!" Okita said.
Isami tells Tsune to sit in front of him. Isami tells her, that he has
failed to become a Kobusho teacher, it seems no matter what, he can
never do something great in his life, he hopes that Tsune feels alright
to have a husband that cannot do anything great. Tsune says, all that
matters for her, is Isami and their child leads a good life together
with her. Isami is touched with that, and tells her, that they should
take Tama someday to hanami(to see and enjoy sakura's beauty). Tsune is
really happy to hear that, she's about to leave to prepare dinner, but
she stopped and goes back to the room, "Is there anything you want for
dinner tonight?". Isami answers, "Anything would be fine..", "Please,
just say it, anything," Tsune insist. "Jaa....fuwafuwa tamago(note: a
kind of egg cooks),". "Hai!".
Tsune is holding the letter from Yamanami, and is now assured, that she
should just hide it from Isami. She keep the letter inside the cabinet
together with the mochi cake from Shusuke. Then she goes to the market
and runs back to Shieikan bringing a basket of eggs. She bumped someone
and falls.....she immediately check the eggs, then smile relieved to see
the eggs are okay.
Isami and Hijikata are in the training hall. Isami tells Hijikata that
he always admire Sakamoto and Katsura Kogoro, who always discussing and
care about the country's situation, and they are able to serve and do
something for the country. He wants that too, he really wants to be able
to serve the country, to serve the Shogun. When he was appointed as a
Kobusho teacher, he was so excited and thought that at last, he can
serve the country with this, he feels he has find his life path. But now
its all gone, his hopes are all gone, his paths are all gone...
Hijikata is not saying any words, just listening to his bestfriend's
sorrow... Isami gaze at Hijikata, "Your face really bruised badly,
na?!". "No need to talk about me...", "What happened? Got into a fight
again, huh? Coz of woman?", "I told you, dont talk about me...!".
Harada looks for Tsune in Tama's room, to ask for foods. Tsune is not in
the room, so he search around....and finds the mochi cake in the
cabinet. He excitedly takes it away, unaware that he left the cabinet
open, and the letter is halfway out of the cabinet........
Tsune is working hard, cooking for Isami....
Isami is in Tama's room now. He keeps staring at Tama. Tama lift her
hand tries to reach his father. Isami smile, then he lies besides her,
coindentally bump on the cabinet, and the letter falls off its
place...right in front of Isami....
Isami takes the letter, read it...........and.............he is
stunned......!!
He rush off to the kitchen and excitedly ask Tsune, "Tsune!! What is
this??". Tsune is shocked, she doesnt know what to say. "This
letter...?!?". Then Tsune says, "I've forgotten!!!! Sumimasen(sorry)!!".
Isami hugs Tsune happily, "Tsune, do you know?! With this......I have
found my own path!! The path I'm gonna choose!". "I'm going now!" but
Isami see the mixed eggs Tsune just made, so he hesitates. But Tsune
immediately says, "Okiotsukete(pls, becareful)!". Isami smiles, then he
runs outside............on the bridge, he jump and shouts excitedly!
--
Barbara Sheridan
http://www.barbarasheridan.net
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