The death of the Shogun and the unjust death of Shinnosuke’s wife, Fuku. These two deaths reflect the reality of the world, and the story of Berabou enters a major turning point.

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"Zoku Hojoki" by Hisamatsu Sosaku
Drawing of the construction of the Inbanuma canal during the Tenpo period
Source: Chiba City Museum

Episode 31 of the historical drama “Berabou” depicted a chain of tragedies and two striking deaths. One was that of the 10th shogun, Tokugawa Ieharu. Ieharu was a shogun who received high expectations from his grandfather, the 8th shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, and personally studied imperial studies. He reigned under the tutelage of Tanuma Okitsugu as his chamberlain and senior councilor. This period is also known as the Tanuma era. Ikitsugu sought to shift from rice-based physiocrats to mercantilism and promote the creation of a nation centered on a monetary economy. This led to the development of a monetary economy and the flourishing of Edo culture, including kabuki and ukiyo-e. It can be said that Ikitsugu was able to thrive during this period. On the other hand, there was also a negative side to this, with rampant bribery, and Ikitsugu is often referred to as a byword for corrupt politics. This period was also hit by natural disasters, such as the Tenmei famine and the devastating flood caused by the collapse of the Tone River, which caused chaos in the city and worsened the shogunate’s finances. As a result, Okinobu is poorly regarded by the public, and even today he is often criticized as a corrupt politician. However, he is also highly praised as a pioneer of economic policy. This episode, episode 31, depicts the Tone River bursting its banks, causing great chaos in the city of Edo, and voices of resentment against Okinobu spread. Amidst this, Ieharu, who was a major supporter of Okinobu, dies. Ieharu was forced to resign from his position as senior councilor. Ieharu’s death was depicted in a way that hinted at the possibility of poisoning, and as he lay dying, he grabbed Hitotsubashi Harusada, the man suspected of being the mastermind, by the collar and declared, “Listen, heaven is watching. From now on, I will also be a part of heaven. Never forget that I am watching over you.” Another death was that of Oda Shinnosuke’s wife, Fuku.

The Flooding of the Bando Taro River, Japan’s Three Greatest Raging Rivers, Exacerbates Famine

The flooding caused by the collapse of the Bando Taro (Tone River) further strained the lives of citizens already struggling with the famine. Meanwhile, Tsutaju visited Shinnosuke and his wife, delivering rice to ensure their breast milk, a lifeline for their babies, continued to flow. This allowed his wife, Fuku, to continue breastfeeding, not only her own child but also many other babies, replacing mothers who had run out of milk due to food shortages. Fuku was a former Yoshiwara prostitute who had run away with Shinnosuke. She continued to breastfeed, like a bodhisattva, saying, “I’m used to offering myself to others.” However, she was attacked by refugees who had heard rumors that “there might be rice in that house,” and her life was unjustly taken. The perpetrator was also a struggling father with a young child. When Shinnosuke sees the culprit, he realizes that he might have done the same thing if not for the rice Tsutaju has provided. He laments, lost in anger and wondering, “Who should I be angry at?” Looking back, Fuku has always been portrayed as a “spokesperson for the common people.” This time, as well, he speaks for the common people, telling Tsutaju, a Tanuma fanatic who is trying to clear up misunderstandings about the “money lending association system” promoted by Ienari, “(Tanuma) is just pretending to think. After all, if a landlord is asked to pay money, he’ll raise the rent. The rice shop will raise the price of rice, and the oil shop will raise the price of oil. The village headman will take more rice from the mizunomi peasants. Yoshiwara will increase its share of the prostitutes. In the end, it’s people like us who are crawling on the ground who have to pay the price. I’m sorry to sound arrogant because I’m the one being looked after, but that’s the way I’ve seen the world.” How will the world change in the future, and how will the death of Ieharu and the end of Tanuma’s government affect Tsutaju? The story of Berabou has also entered a major turning point.