Ep. 4: Black Teabowl Crafted by Soeki Amidst Nobunaga's Political Maneuvering
In February 1581, Nobunaga parades through Kyoto to display his military strength to the emperor. Three tea masters, Tsuda Sougyuu, Imai Soukyuu, and Senno Soueki, evaluate the attire of generals including Nobunaga, Mitsuhide, Shibata, Sasuke, and Oda Nagamasu. Nobunaga later walks with sons Nobutada, Nobukatsu, and Nobutaka, congratulating Mitsuhide. Mitsuhide requests the end of general Sakuma Nobumori's exile, but Nobunaga refuses, claiming older men are obsolete for his new order. Soeki commissions master potter Chojiro to create a black teabowl. By May, Hideyoshi and Sasuke visit Soeki, where Hideyoshi meets Soeki's daughter Ogin. Sasuke learns about tea jar value from Souji, who notes Sasuke has seen five times fewer masterpieces than him. While Sasuke mentions the Tsukumonasu, Souji states three pieces surpass it. Hideyoshi discusses his battles against the Mori with Soeki, who reveals their shared commoner origins and his desire for Hideyoshi to rule instead of Nobunaga.
Episodes
- Ep. 1 · Furuta Sasuke negotiates for the Hiragumo teakettle while Nobunaga tests his loyalty with a warship.
- Ep. 2 · Sasuke Persuades Kiyohide to Surrender Amidst Tea Bowl Controversy
- Ep. 3 · Sasuke becomes Soeki's disciple and witnesses Nobunaga's continental ambitions
- Ep. 4 · Black Teabowl Crafted by Soeki Amidst Nobunaga's Political Maneuvering
- Ep. 5 · Hideyoshi besieges Tottori Castle and tests Sasuke with tea artifacts in August 1581
- Ep. 6 · Sasuke attempts to capture Fukuyou Castle using crude pottery and deception tactics.
- Ep. 7 · Soueki and Sasuke observe Mitsuhide's desperation while Nobunaga plans his imperial ascent in January 1582.
- Ep. 8 · Tokugawa Ieyasu attends Nobunaga's banquet while Mori Terumoto targets Takamatsu castle.