The 14th Century is definitely the sweet spot this season. No Ashikaga this episode, but there’s more in common between summer’s two best series than one might have expected. This one takes place four decades earlier of course and is nominally themed on politics and military affairs. But this is Matsui Yuusei – and this is one of the most visually inventive anime adaptations in years. The arts are important in this story and have been since its beginning, and both series have a love of surrealism that suffuses them to the core.
As we know, Sadamune has grown increasingly suspicious of “Chojumaru”, and with good reason. Sadamune is a bit grotesque with those eyes and certainly a villain, but he’s absolutely no fool. He sends his lackey Shinzaburo to exchange gifts with Suwa Shrine – the dance must be performed at all costs, and decorum done its due. Sadamune’s gambit is to demand that Tokiyuki accompany Suwa’s gifts back to the governor’s residence, placing the burden on Suwa to refuse without an obvious reason and give something away. Ayako is the one who flips the script, offering to accompany him. And by refusing her, Shinzaburo would be the one giving something away.
Ayako may be 9 but she sure doesn’t look it (as Shinzaburo will point out later). Her hero is Tomoe Gouzen, the legendary (and perhaps fictional – historians are not unanimous) onna-musha (female samurai) who was said to have fought alongside Minamoto no Yoshinaka. That’s how it went in Tale of the Heike anyway, but it’s entirely possible that’s why people think she existed. In any event the goal is clear for Ayako – support her lord in any way she can. Up to and including providing him “many children”, which comes as rather a shock to Tokiyuki.
Chojumaru and Sadamune have had many face-offs already, starting with the dog-shooting contest. I don’t think it would be an exaggeration to say that a mutual respect exists between them. For Tokiyuki that manifests partly as fear of course – this man has the means to end him if he discovers his true identity. But yes, there is respect too – and that respect ensures Tokiyuki never forgets to be cautious. Suwa trains him as well as he can, but preparation can only do so much. In the end Tokiyuki – still a tiny boy in spite of all he’s seen and experienced – must face this bug-eyed demon head-on and not wilt under his gaze.
One of the great virtues of The Elusive Samurai – both as manga and anime – is its ability to capture the tension in moments like these. This is a battle, make no mistake, even if no shots are fired or swords drawn. As Ayako waits outside Sadamune grills Chojumaru, starting by scolding him over his posture. Tokiyuki has good answers every time Sadamune tries to trap him, and his cover story of being the son of a guard captain has been well-fabricated by Suwa-san. Verbal arrows are thick in the air, but with his usual firm resolve Tokiyuki refuses to waver. It might even be opined that these two formidable opponents are enjoying this exchange on some level, even with the stakes being as high as they are.
Having failed to catch the boy out himself, Sadamune calls in Shinzaburo to play the role of a former Kamakura guard who recognizes him as a Houjou. But Shinzaburo is not the opponent Sadamune is, and the lad bests him rather easily. It’s then time for the Shimano Governor’s true trump card – Ishikawa, who Suwa tried so desperately to keep away from this meeting. Ayako has been warned – if Ishikawa arrives, the two children must extract themselves as quickly as possible. Between Sadamune’s eyes and Ishikawa’s ears, the two men have an infallible lie detector and the essential question can be asked straight out.
Ayako saves the day though – with Dengaku, the ancient rice-planting dances that were the longtime rival of Sarugaku before Zeami (yes, another connection) eventually folded the two into modern Noh. Not only does she entrance the Shimano mouth-breathers, Tokiyuki himself is drawn into her spell – thus rendering his heartbeat unusable for lie-detection. Sadamune cedes the field to the enemy for the day, with grudging respect – the lad has passed every test, and to simply kill him would be both a grievous provocation to Suwa and an injustice. Shinzaburo has no such qualms – much to his eventual discomfort, thanks to Ayako. It’s only because the Young Lord is as kind – and clear-headed – as he is determined and smart that Shinzaburo lives to annoy another day.
