In feudal times, the Shoguns and great lords had chefs.
They were samurai members of the 'bushi' warrior class.
Trading swords for kitchen knives, these men served their masters.
They were fondly mocked as 'kitchen samurai'.
"The Edo residence of the Kaga Domain"
"The Pavilion of Lady Tei Concubine to His Lordship"
Ma'am...
Ginger rice porridge.
Very good.
It warms the body. It's good for a cold.
Who taught you this, Haru?
I learned it from my late mother.
You have some, too.
The food you make is always so good.
A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING-A True Love Story
"15 years later"
"Maeda Yoshinori, 6th Lord of Kaga"
Haru, eat something.
See? You'll love this food.
May l?
In that case...
Haru!
Restrain yourself.
That's why your husband divorced you.
Let's have no more of that, Hamaji.
She's heard enough already.
You spoil her, Milady.
Married out of Lord Kaga's household and back within a year!
It shames us all.
Very fine indeed!
Well acted, Otsuki. You are much improved.
A pale imitation of the real thing, sir.
It was a fine idea of yours
to thus commemorate my late father.
An excursion by boat would have been too expensive.
I have no choice this year.
Yes. sir.
We have one more entertainment for you.
Oh? What is it?
Funaki, come forward.
Dennai Funaki, of Your Lordship's kitchen.
Soup?
Let's see.
Excellent!
This is crane?
It is 'mock crane'. Funaki made it.
'Mock crane', is it?
Everyone!
This is 'mock crane'from the kitchen samurai of Kaga.
As the name suggests, it tastes like crane but is not.
A prize to whoever can say what it is.
Well? Can anyone say?
Pheasant, perhaps?
I believe it is tofu.
I think it's venison.
Well?
Dried fish flavored with tamari soy sauce.
You figured it out, Tei?
It wasn't me.
It was Haru, my maid.
Your maid?
Interesting. Let's have her speak.
This is dried yellowtail, sliced, and boiled in sake.
The stock is kelp and sweet sake.
The soy is a light sauce from around Tatsuno.
Well?
Funaki?
Oh, excuse me.
It is as the maid says.
You appear shocked.
But I'm impressed!
She's tweaked the nose of Kaga's kitchen samurai!
A marriage proposal? For me?
Sir Dennai came to ask this morning.
Who?
The 'mock crane' chef. Remember his name.
He strongly wishes you to marry his son.
That can't be true!
Yes, it can.
His family is not wealthy...
...but they are a distinguished line of chefs to the lords of Kaga.
As head of the family, he is one of the greatest chefs in the land.
You could not wish for a better house.
But I've been married once.
We of course told him you had been sent back.
And?
He said he will lay down the law to his son.
You understand taste. He wants a bride who can cook.
He serves at the Kaga residence. His name is Yasunobu.
This year he is 23.
23?!
He's four years younger than I am!
Please give him a polite 'no'.
Haru, I think it would be best if you married and had children.
You said that last time.
I would be happy to spend my life in your service, Milady.
I ask that you grant me that.
Miss Haru...
Sir Dennai?
Excuse my intrusion.
What can I do for you?
I'm embarrassed to ask. but would you teach me something?
Me?
Yes.
This morning in the market I found a strange vegetable.
I've never seen it back in Kaga.
It oozes a sticky liquid.
It's sticky like kinjiso spinach, but it smells like parsley.
I thought you might know what it was.
It's ashita parsley.
As in 'tomorrow'?
Pick it in the evening and it puts out new leaves overnight.
And how would you use it?
It comes from Hachijojima lsland, so we don't see it often.
I've hardly ever tried to use it.
Be careful. It's hot.
From the aroma you'd never think this was that green vegetable.
Not only do you have good taste buds, but you can cook.
I wasn't wrong in wanting you to marry my son.
Sir...
Don't worry.
Lady Tei has told me you've turned me down flat.
It's a shame, though.
Where did you learn to cook?
My parents owned a restaurant called 'Hirazen'. I've always cooked.
In Asakusa?
But didn't it burn down?
Yes.
Right to the ground.
I was left with no family at all.
I was 12. I'd just started in service here.
What a tragedy!
That must have been very hard for you.
I lost my eldest son two years ago.
A good chef, and a dedicated young man.
There was plague, and he died.
Oh, dear...
So your son now...
Yasunobu, my second son.
I'm very sorry to hear it.
Very good!
I can't give up.
Miss Haru...
Yes?
I beg you to think again.
I want you to come as a bride into my family.
Please!
I was married, but the family sent me back.
They said I was impertinent, and was neither gentle nor meek.
I would suit a samurai even less.
I don't care if you're impertinent.
Or if you're not meek, or not gentle.
Yasunobu needs a wife with spirit and strength of will.
Please!
He has taken the kitchen post in place of his elder brother.
But his heart remains with the sword.
He will not learn the skills his duties require.
He will not heed his mother.
I have been here in Edo for years, so there is little I can do.
Make that incompetent into a kitchen samurai.
One worthy of the name.
I could never do that.
I know it will be hard.
Please, save my son.
And the Funaki family.
I beg you!
Sir, please!
Miss Haru!
I beg you!
"Kanazawa, Kaga Domain"
Let's have a rest.
Sadanoshin...
Yasunobu, when does your bride arrive?
Today, so they say.
Then you should be home.
Why? Mother can welcome her.
That's a bit hard-hearted.
It's 300 miles from Edo. At least 15 days' walk for a woman.
I didn't ask her to come.
You've had a long journey.
We'll have a small ceremony tonight.
Cleanse yourself in the bath before Yasunobu comes home.
Thank you.
You are not of our class. and this is your second marriage.
I intend to pay that no heed at all.
Some in Edo may treasure the first bonito of the season.
Others prefer them after they swim back close to the shore.
You have one important duty to perform for this house.
Your husband...
'Father', I mean, has told me.
I want to see a healthy grandchild as quickly as possible.
All right?
Kiku?
Is the bath ready?
Kiku?
Um...
Yasunobu?
Wait. I'll be done soon.
Miss Natsu ('summer')...
I'm Haru ('spring').
'Haru'.
I'm sure you're tired. Feel free to relax.
On the occasion of my coming to...
Forget that formal stuff.
I'm told you're a good cook.
No, I'm not very good at all.
Well, you may have impressed my father.
But my brother's dead.
I'm stuck to follow my father into the kitchen.
It's the Funaki family tradition.
And now my father has made this decision for me, too.
Since my brother died, a grandchild is all my mother wants.
Being in a new place will be hard, but do the best you can.
Missus!
I'll do this kitchen work.
No, that's why I came.
Um...
That's wonderful wasabi!
I can't let you do this!
This is salt?
Yes.
Let me do this, ma'am.
It's all right.
Kiku...
Peel these broad beans, please.
So how's the new wife. Yasunobu?
She's from the Edo residence.
She must feel different from the tea-house girls here.
Women are like taroes.
What?
Peel them and they're all the same, no matter where they're grown.
Yasunobu!
Is that any way to peel a taro?!
I'm sorry.
There's peel in this!
What happens if that gets into the Castle Keeper's stew?
Sorry. I slipped up.
'Slipped up'?!
Learn your job, will you!
Pay attention!
It's Haru.
Come in.
This is Sayo.
She's the wife of lmai Sadanoshin, the fencing master.
My name is Haru. I'm pleased to meet you.
The pleasure is mine.
She's brought a wedding gift.
A silver incense burner!
You thank her. too.
Thank you very much.
I wish you happiness.
Please come and visit.
Thank you.
But it's funny how things work out.
I never thought Yasunobu would receive a wedding gift from Sayo.
Oh. the incense burner...
It's perfect for the alcove.
As if it was made to be here.
How's that?
See?
Very good!
The fish is full of flavor, and the greens are perfect.
Right, Yasunobu?
It's Edo taste. A bit salty.
You think so?
What's this?
I mashed some broad beans and steamed them with fish paste.
Interesting.
Try it.
We haven't set the menu for the next house banquet.
We should try this.
What is the 'house banquet'?
We have them regularly.
We host our relatives, and they try our food.
They're all connoisseurs, so we learn a lot from it.
They complain about everything we give them.
Yasunobu!
At this next banquet, you need to win their approval.
You're heir to the Funaki name!
I know that.
Take in the rest of the sake once it's hot.
How is everything?
Yasunobu!
What's wrong with this fish? It's all soggy.
It doesn't go with the sake.
The tofu coating's too thin.
And you can't taste the pepper buds.
Look at this!
The bracken starch doesn't stick. It just drips off the yam!
This isn't a good year for yams.
No excuses!
It's for your benefit that we're speaking out.
We still have the second and third courses.
You'll see what we can do. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Hurry.
Tami...
Dried bonito shavings.
-Sorry? -Quickly.
Yes. ma'am.
He'll never succeed his father.
He couldn't even get work in a drinking establishment.
You don't make a chef of a man overnight.
Here you are.
Superb!
Both aroma and taste. This soup is perfect!
A truly fine broth.
The bonito restrains the smell of the sea cucumber.
It brings out the scent of the sea.
Yasunobu!
This is a dish fit to set before His Lordship.
Thank you.
Well done, everyone.
Haru, you've worked hard.
Leave the cleaning up and get some rest.
Thank you.
Could you take charge here?
Haru...
Who told you to remake my soup?
The smell of the sea cucumber seemed too strong.
I am fully able to realize when something smells too fishy!
So I added some bonito shavings.
I don't need your help.
I'm sorry.
Vixen!
I apologize.
I can't believe my own wife would interfere with my work!
Even if it is only work for women and children.
'Kitchen samurai'! What a joke!
What?
I should have told you before I fixed the soup.
But I won't sit here and let you speak of your duty that way.
What did you say?!
You think of your duty as a joke, and that shows in your food.
What would you know?!
Don't get too proud of a bowl of soup!
Would you care to match skills with this proud vixen?
What?
A competition.
If it's woman's work, you should win easily.
Of course.
Let's make a bet.
If I win, you take cooking lessons from the vixen.
What impertinence!
Fine! If I win, you are divorced.
You will leave this house.
Agreed.
Go ahead.
There.
Compare them.
How?
You cut the fish too slowly.
The flesh crumbles.
It absorbs too much soy.
The taste of the fish is lost.
I win. And a samurai is true to his word.
Don't just swish it round.
When you wash rice, listen to the sound it makes.
Milady, are you well?
It is already two months since I came to Kanazawa.
His father calls my husband Yasunobu 'incompetent'.
But he is a better chef than I thought.
He learns quickly. 'Like father. Iike son,' I suppose.
Hold still.
He calls me a 'vixen'.
But I don't mind.
I am doing my best to make him a proper 'kitchen samurai'.
A hairpin?
Please look after yourself.
I hope we can meet again.
Haru.
Hamaji?
Lady Tei...
Otsuki?
Forgive me. I have come by night to see you once more.
You mustn't!
I am ordered to return to Kaga.
I beg to see you one more time!
Lady Tei!
From head to foot, there's no part of the chicken that can't be used.
That hen doesn't lay any more, so now it will feed us.
Haru...
Yes?
You kill it.
I'll take over from there.
You've never...?
That's not true.
But I don't like it.
You can't mean that!
It's part of cooking.
There.
Catch it!
Where are you going?!
Yasunobu!
This is Denzo Otsuki.
Sir, this is Yasunobu Funaki.
A childhood friend from my dojo.
A good swordsman.
Then we should see him fight.
I can't stay now, but I hope to have the chance.
Good day.
How do you know an important man like him?
He's here in secret.
The old guard...
...is resisting Lord Maeda's attempts to reform the Domain's finances.
Lord Tosa's their leader.
Otsuki was a foot soldier. His Lordship elevated.
They don't like that.
Lots of the old retainers are against him.
So I've heard.
He is quietly gathering men who agree with him.
They will help him push through his reforms.
So he's come to you?
Rank means nothing to him.
For the Domain, he will accept any man of good will.
You should talk to him.
Yasunobu?
Your wife is here.
She says you let a chicken go, and she's been looking for you.
A chicken?
Shall I ask her in?
No, thank you.
Excuse me.
That vixen!
'Vixen'?
They say your taro stew was very well received.
They were good taroes.
It matters where they're from. Just like women, I guess.
You've been married six months.
Any sprouts from your Edo taro?
Shotaro!
You talk too much.
So Yasunobu will be examined for promotion?
Kageyama recommended him.
That's wonderful!
We have Sir Denzo to thank.
He's opened the way for young men of low rank to be elevated.
I haven't been promoted yet.
The candidates have to cook with the ingredients provided.
I'll never make it.
Don't be silly!
Try your best and don't let this chance go by.
Haru, what's this?
There wasn't enough duck, so I padded it out with wheat bran.
Forget her cooking. Concentrate on yours.
And now...begin!
The young master has returned.
Welcome home.
Where's Mother?
Your aunt in Kazuemachi asked her to go over.
Too bad.
She'd be happiest of us all.
Well?
They liked the duck with wheat bran.
You did it.
My husband says you got Yasunobu promoted.
He's as happy as he'd be for himself about Yasunobu's fine new wife.
'Fine new wife'? I'm nothing but a vixen.
But Yasunobu has a good friend in your husband.
They were boys when they first came to my father's fencing dojo.
I'm very happy about Yasunobu's promotion, too.
Thank you.
No, I thank you.
It's as if a burden has been lifted from me.
I'll leave you here.
This is a gift from me to all of you.
Thank you.
Goodbye.
She said a burden had been lifted from her?
Those were her words.
I can imagine.
You'll come to know her better as time goes on.
You should probably know the whole story.
Yasunobu started at the dojo when he was 9.
Sayo was pretty and smart.
For Yasunobu, it was love at first sight.
Good.
Thank you!
They were the same age, and they got along very well.
As an only child,
she would marry a man who would succeed her father.
Nothing was said, but we assumed they'd get married.
He was our second son. so he'd take her name.
Yasunobu threw himself into fencing.
He had to win 'first disciple' in the autumn fencing matches.
Then we expected he'd be adopted into her family as her husband.
But late that summer his brother Toshiyasu got sick.
He caught the plague and died.
So now Yasunobu had to succeed his father.
He argued, of course.
Sadanoshin was his last opponent.
He was Yasunobu's best friend.
They seemed evenly matched.
But then Yasunobu let down his guard.
Cease!
After that...
...he asked to succeed his father in his kitchen duty.
Sayo and Sadanoshin were engaged very shortly afterwards.
However, Haru,
that's all in the past now.
Anyway, Yasunobu should be home soon.
Let's all have some of this.
Kiku?
Kiku!
Milady...
It has been some time since I wrote.
Are you well?
My husband has been promoted to the post of chef.
His mother is delighted, and so am l.
It has been six months since I came as a bride.
My husband is reserved but gentle,
and Mother treats me as a daughter.
I am far happier than an orphan could expect.
Delicious!
The squash is nice this morning.
Soon it will be winter here in Kaga.
It will be my first northern winter. but I suppose I can stand it.
Please look after your health and stay well.
From Haru.
Very good!
Even your tea, Miss Haru, is superb.
She's not 'Miss Haru' any more, you know.
You're right!
I'll start again.
It's been a year, Haru.
Thank you for your years of service in Edo.
Thank you, too.
Yasunobu's promotion is due to you.
Well done.
Will you have time off? When do you report to the castle?
I'm thinking of asking for retirement.
You? Leave the kitchen?
Yasunobu is his own man now.
I'm thinking of giving him my post
and writing a book on Kaga cuisine.
It has a huge range that starts with the food of ordinary folk.
Its Chinese-influenced high cuisine rivals even that of Kyoto.
Even the 'great banquet'.
All of it.
What's the 'great banquet'?
Our domain is a thorn in the side of the Tokugawa shoguns.
They want their relatives running all the major domains.
They like to destroy any major lord who isn't related.
So when we entertain a Tokugawa we must demonstrate loyalty.
No expense can be spared.
But where can Yasunobu be?
I don't know why he's so late getting home these days.
No matter.
I'm pleased enough to see that Miss Haru is well.
Father...
It's just plain 'Haru'.
Did I say 'Miss Haru' again?
Did l?
So will there be agreement to revise the pricing for rice?
I believe so.
Farm Commissioner Takaoka has given his informal consent.
We'll have to infiltrate the comptroller's office.
And Lord Maeda himself will proclaim the new sumptuary laws.
Then His Lordship supports our ideas?
Yes.
But the older retainers will be against us even more.
They're no danger to us.
That doesn't mean their sympathizers won't try playing rough.
Wasn't there somebody following Sir Denzo just last night?
Have no fear!
My sword is not just for show.
I will defend him.
Let us all work in our posts to reform the administration of our domain!
Our movement is reaching its climax.
Let us stand united and exert all our strength!
You're still up?
Your father told me all about the 'great banquet'.
He's a great chef, isn't he.
He's just a kitchen samurai.
What do you mean? His kitchen post is...
Enough!
Put out the light.
There's trouble!
Call a doctor! It's His Lordship!
He's ill!
In 1745. Yoshinori Maeda died suddenly of chronic beriberi.
He had been the main supporter of Denzo Otsuki's reforms.
Thus began the 'Kaga Disturbance'.
The leader of the anti-reform faction demanded Otsuki's removal.
He was Naomi Maeda of Tosa.
Maeda Munetoki, the new lord, accused Otsuki of creating dissent.
He was confined to a mountain hut in the south of the domain.
The purge of would-be reformers extended to even its lowest ranks.
Tell Sayo to take very good care of herself.
Goodbye.
Take care.
These are from Haru.
Three of them?
One for the baby.
Haru...
Thank you.
Come on.
Goodbye.
Your family loses its status, and I walk free.
I'm embarrassed to be a kitchen samurai.
Don't be silly.
No one's blaming you.
It's not over.
I'm going into hiding.
But with Otsuki removed. the disturbance still went on.
Munetoki, the new lord, soon died as well.
His brother Shigehiro, still a boy. succeeded him.
But soon. at the Edo residence. came an attempt to poison him.
The Lord of Tosa suspected Yoshinori's concubine, Lady Tei.
She was in hiding under the name 'Shinnyoin', a nun.
She was arrested.
Milady a criminal?! That can't be true.
I happened to meet her procession on the road.
They say she had a maid give him poison.
Poison?!
Why?
If Lord Shigehiro died, her son would succeed him.
They also say the boy's real father is Denzo Otsuki.
It's adultery as well as conspiracy.
How about some dong quai herb? It's good for fertility.
What will happen to her?
Exile, or execution.
She's confined in the castle villa.
I caught a glimpse of her in the palanquin.
A beautiful older nun.
Killing her would be a waste.
Missus?
How about this for diarrhea?
I realize you're upset. She's been like a mother to you.
But a written request to see her could be misunderstood.
Look what happened to Sadanoshin after he joined with Otsuki...
Mother!
He's not a traitor.
I know that!
And that's all the more reason to be careful.
It's for the family's sake. All right?
Haru...
I'll get the bath ready.
I'll get you in to see her.
But how?
I know the man who's cooking her meals.
I'll talk to him.
Thank you!
Don't thank me.
I just don't like this.
Excuse me. I've brought your supper.
Come in.
Haru!
Milady!
It's beautiful!
Did you make all this?
This is all I can do for you.
I'm so happy you came!
My husband arranged it.
He must love you.
Yes.
He's a very kind man.
That's good.
I'm a dangerous criminal.
You'd have been in trouble if you'd stayed with me.
Those stories about you are lies. I'm sure of that.
You're right.
This is all cooked up by the Lord of Tosa.
There is, however, one thing that is true.
Otsuki and I loved each other.
I enjoyed His Lordship's favor, and bore His Lordship's son.
I thought I was happy enough.
There is one thing I regret.
I did not become the wife of the man I loved.
I realize you may bear some burdens.
But I envy you in your marriage.
Sweet yubeshi! It's been years.
I found them in town. They're from Noto.
You scoop out yuzu orange, mix it with flour. and steam it.
Then you hang it in the eaves all winter.
It dries in the winter wind. and warms in the winter sun.
By spring it's aged to perfection.
I hope you and your husband will be like that.
Soon after this. Denzo Otsuki took his own life.
Then Shinnyoin died as well, still confined in the villa.
Now Maeda Shigehiro came from Edo as the new Lord of Kaga.
Chef to a great banquet?!
His Lordship's investiture.
The Lord of Tosa told me.
To mark the new regime they're inviting Tokugawas.
And the great lords of the neighboring domains.
What an honor!
This is the most important event of my life.
Yasunobu, I would like you to assist me.
Me?
I will have no better chance to teach you what I know.
Be grateful.
Make sure you do well.
I don't want to do it.
What are you saying?!
I want nothing to do with a banquet for the Lord of Tosa!
Because of Sadanoshin?
Yasunobu, I understand how you feel.
But our duty is to serve the domain, and its lord.
Yes, but...
A samurai does not let personal feelings affect his duty!
I've already spoken to your supervisor.
As of tomorrow, your post will be with me, planning the menu.
Understood?
Yasunobu!
I've brought tea.
Thank you.
Yasunobu's still out?
Yes.
He's probably out somewhere getting drunk.
Haru, I'm sorry.
The late Lady Shinnyoin was like a mother to you.
I'm sure you have thoughts about this banquet.
I'm only a woman.
I know nothing of politics.
I only hope that Yasunobu will absorb even a little of his father's ability.
You're wasted on him.
You're the only who thinks that of this vixen.
'Vixen'?
You're a very pretty vixen.
Thank you.
Yasunobu.
Who are you?
You've forgotten me?
You're back...
You're all wet!
Should you be drinking so much with this banquet coming up?
I'll bring some water.
In appearance and taste, these will be fine courses.
No, this won't do.
For this banquet, it's not enough for the food to be 'fancy'.
It must say that the domain is united.
How can I put it?
It must summon the full savor of Kaga cuisine to its very heart.
I'm thinking of taking a trip with my son Yasunobu.
We'll go to Noto.
Noto?
Yes.
To find the profound tastes of its mountains and sea.
It is a land whose people are unbowed by harsh winters.
It must harbor tastes the like of which we've never known.
I believe we can find them.
There's nothing I can say to stand against your passion.
I will leave it all to you.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Until next time.
You are Yasunobu Funaki's wife?
Yes, he is my husband.
In strict confidence,
would you give him this?
Who shall I say...
Welcome home.
Where's your father?
He's gone to the kiln.
They're firing dishes. He won't be back tonight.
Can't he leave anything alone?
A letter?!
On the writing-desk.
A man came about noon and then went away.
What is it?
Nothing.
Tell me!
Don't tell Mother, understand?
Yasunobu...
What's going on?
We're killing Lord Tosa.
Today he's going out hunting.
Sadanoshin and the others are back in the town
waiting for their chance.
Sadanoshin?
He got you into it?
I asked.
You can't!
Think of your parents!
Be quiet!
Sadanoshin and Sayo's baby broke out in a fever and died.
They couldn't get to a doctor.
When I was young, other boys said I needed a cleaver. not a sword.
That hurt me. so I learned to fence.
Now I can put that to use.
You'll be safe.
I've left a note divorcing you.
I don't want you to suffer.
Lay out my clothes.
Haru!
Funaki's not here yet.
Sadanoshin, is he really coming?
Yes.
Oh. no!
Did you find her?
Is that her?
Ma'am!
You're hurt.
Leave us.
Leave us!
Do you realize what you've done?
Yes.
In that case...
...you are ready to die.
All I could think was that I wanted you to be alive.
That's all.
Sadanoshin and the others are dead!
If you...
...are still alive. I'm content.
Yasunobu?
What are you doing?!
She has humiliated me!
That I cannot forgive!
If you'd gone, you'd be dead and we'd be ruined!
She saved us!
My life and this family are not important!
Let go!
You fool!
Are you going to leave me and follow your brother?
A fine son you are!
Ma'am!
I've come from the castle.
Sir Dennai's been taken ill!
Coming back from the kiln, he suddenly clutched at his chest.
Get as much rest as you possibly can.
It's the heart, after all.
Thank you for coming.
Haru, come here.
It looks like we both tried to die and failed.
I'm too sick to do much now.
However, I still want to serve as chef for His Lordship's great banquet.
Yasunobu, I'm going to need your help.
The recent troubles have dragged down the dignity of the Kaga Domain.
Now we must think how best to serve this Domain and its true Lord.
Waving a sword, shedding blood... is that all a samurai can do?
No.
As kitchen samurai.
we must present a great banquet.
We must restore to Kaga the serenity it once had.
That is what I believe.
Haru,
will you go with Yasunobu in my place?
Your taste buds will be of use.
Haru,
do that for me.
Yubeshi.
Oranges...
Come on. I want to be at the coast by nightfall.
What was the name of the village where we found this fish sauce?
Sir?
I've brought firewood.
Sorry.
Thank you for your long journey. You must be exhausted.
Father, I heard on the way back a pardon had been given.
Yes.
Lord Shigehiro has been invested as lord.
On that occasion he reinstated the Otsuki men.
They've been released.
He's too late!
Careful!
Yes!
It's by His Lordship's grace that Sayo may return.
She's coming back?
The lmai family name is still expunged.
However, a distant kinsman, was allowed to adopt her.
It would seem she's at his residence now.
She's had nothing but bad luck, losing her child, and her husband.
But she's still young, and gifted.
She could still find a good match.
Go with my prayers for your success.
Our deepest thanks to you for coming so far to be with us.
A year ago Shigehiro Maeda, thanks to Lord Tokugawa, became 8th Lord.
And now...
Begin!
Today with this banquet we mark his entry into Kaga as its Lord.
Bamboo shoots!
Yes. sir.
We beg the continued indulgence of Lord Tokugawa and all the great lords.
Yellowtail for sashimi.
Fine.
Koi carp sashimi.
Lotus root and wasabi.
Don't scorch it.
3rd course: sea bream grilled in salt, and country-style abalone.
Abalone.
The tofu is ready.
Place setter!
Check the main room.
Get the fifth course ready!
4th course: sardines simmered in pepper, salmon nose with horse radish.
5th course: trout sashimi, grilled duck, and apricot tofu.
Petal-style fish paste.
The seventh course: parboiled sea perch.
It's the last course!
Sea bream steamed with tofu lees. A Kaga specialty.
That's certainly fine bream!
The perfect meal!
Thank you, sir.
Pheasant sashimi.
Dennai and Yasunobu Funaki reporting, sir.
I've been waiting. Come in!
Well done.
His Lordship and his guests seem eminently satisfied.
It was a very fine meal.
You honor us with your praise.
The town at sunset from here is very beautiful.
But all I can see is a scene dyed in blood.
Not long ago, a group was plotting against my life.
To restore control. we had to eliminate them all.
Many of them were young.
Some even had families.
We must have no more of that sort of thing.
I bore you with my complaints.
It is your food that summons these feelings so strongly.
The young master has returned!
Thank you for your hard work.
Thank you. You managed it very well.
Enjoy your rest.
Haru?
Yasunobu!
Where's Haru?
She's left.
Haru is gone!
What?!
I thought she'd gone to pray at the shrine.
Then I found this.
To everyone: Thank you for all you have done.
"The Grave of Shinnyoin"
As of today my role in the Funaki family is at an end.
In my place, find Yasunobu a bride suitable as a samurai wife.
A wife he truly loves.
I pray for your eternal happiness and prosperity.
Haru.
This is crazy!
This was with it.
Done for today already?
My old man's asleep on the boat!
Still hung over?
He's a mess!
Hello.
Those look good!
Bake these in the shell.
Food tastes so much better since Haru came!
Those look good.
It's been a while. I've been looking for you.
Why did you leave?
I told you in my letter.
I'm not fit for a samurai wife.
Your father only brought me in to teach you to cook.
He told me not to come back till I'd found you.
And I haven't gotten...
Mother wants a grandchild from you, and no one else.
It's true I loved Sayo.
I wanted to marry her.
But you changed my mind.
You changed me.
The one I need is you.
Please!
Spend your life with me.
Please!
Yasunobu surpassed his father, and became Head Chef of the Domain.
His family served the Lords of Kaga for six generations...
...until the end of feudal times.
Dennai and Yasunobu left many books on Kaga cooking.
These include 'The Silent Ascetic of Cuisine'.
Their menus still live in Japanese cuisine today.