Japanese drama: What to Do, Ieyasu
Plot Summary
Matsudaira Motoyasu, the son of Matsudaira Hirotada, lord of the impoverished Mikawa Okazaki Castle, lost his parents during the turmoil of war and became a hostage at the imposing Suruga domain of the Imagawa family. Favored by Imagawa Yoshimoto, Motoyasu lived a carefree life despite his lack of freedom, received a thorough education, and even fell in love with Sena, the daughter of Imagawa retainer Sekiguchi Kazumasa. Watching him assimilate into the Imagawa household, Motoyasu's fellow Mikawa retainers, including Ishikawa Kazumasa and Torii Mototada, couldn’t help but feel distressed. One day, when Motoyasu returned to Mikawa Okazaki to pay respects to his father, he reunited with old retainers like Sakai Tadatsugu who had served his father, and learned of their dissatisfaction with the Imagawa family and their desire to restore the Matsudaira lineage. However, for Motoyasu, who admired Yoshimoto, their ambitions were a burden.

In 1560, Imagawa Yoshimoto launched an attack on Owari, the territory of the Oda family. Motoyasu bid farewell to his wife and set off to deliver military provisions to Otaka Castle, which was under attack by Oda forces. After barely escaping the fierce enemy assault and reaching Otaka Castle, he had little time to rejoice before receiving shocking news from the Battle of Okehazama. Advancing toward Otaka Castle was none other than Oda Nobunaga. Unpleasant memories of his childhood spent with Nobunaga resurfaced in Motoyasu’s mind. Surrounded by Oda forces, Motoyasu faced a critical choice: return to Suruga, where his family awaited, march to his native Mikawa, or hold firm at Otaka Castle. The decision he made at this moment marked the beginning of a life full of crisis, endurance, and heroic drama.