Original subtitles

THE CHARACTERS AND SETTINGS OF THIS STORY ARE ENTIRELY FICTIONAL.

TOEI COMPANY LTD.

I was born in 1882 in a small village in Kyushu.

When I was five, my parents sold ma.

It was their way of survival.

It was only 70 years ago.

Japan was a poor country.

FEMALE'S WAR IN SHINONOMERO GEISHA HOUSE (Shinonomero Onna no Ran)

She's a little dirty, but you can wash her.

All true.

Maybe I'm paying too much.

No, she's a bargain.

My price was only 15 yen.

It hurt my young heart.

Wrong!

I taught you!

How clumsy!

I'm sorry.

No!

Slop!

A geisha must play the samisen.

You'll be a whore.

Tsuru, wash her. She stinks.

It hurts!

I must scrub hard to clean you.

We're back.

Is this a new girl?

How dirty! Like charcoal.

You can't clean her easily.

Who's talking!

When you were sold, you were dirtier.

Tum to me!

Be patient!

Or I'll beat you!

Breasts are important. You damaged hers!

She cost 15 yen.

You must pay!

Why the look?

I can't see your ass.

Expose it.

Go ahead!

You want to see a girl's ass?

It's red, but not a monkey's!

Madam, how old is she?

Fifteen.

Time to break her cherry.

She's pretty. Naturally expensive.

Asleep?

Painful?

You can't sleep with pain.

I'm sorry.

I'm to blame.

I was so imitated...

I got mad at you.

Noisy fools! We can't sleep!

What's your name?

Shim.

Shim?

They call you Shi-chan?

I'm Tsuru.

Tsuru.

Yes, Tsuru.

I was your age when I was sold.

I'll tell you magic words to sleep.

Sing yourself to sleep.

Tsuru! Tsuru!

Damn madam!

She'll make you work like a slave. Sleep while you can.

Or you'll die young.

I, too, lost my cherry when I was 15.

1907

KUMAMOTO, KYUSHU

A pleasure quarter where men lay girls for fun

was called a kuruwa.

Tsuru had a rich patron who bought her a kuruwa.

I used the chance to quit being a geisha.

I worked for her as chief assistant.

Life in a kuruwa was different.

We slept all day and woke up at dusk.

Evening was morning to us.

My "day" started with

reporting to Tsuru the day's customers.

Mr. Oshima, the banker.

Mr. Miyagawa of Kumamoto Railway.

Ml'. Miyagawa?

The son of the late president.

He went to an American university.

He returned to succeed his father.

Kuruwa opened at six o'clock in the evening.

The first customers tonight!

There were no men in the kuruwa.

Door-women, cooks, servants...

Assistants called “ochako” kept the house.

Men had affairs freely.

Banks financed only those who had mistresses.

Politicians and businessmen

were proud to go to kuruwa and scattered money.

A stage was at the center of the hall.

High galleries surrounded the hall.

Customers chose their bedmates for the night.

Damn Fuku!

You were out of key!

What?! You were!

What?

Calm down!

YOU, too!

I was supposed to attract their attention.

"0! you!

Can't I stand on the stage?

You think only of yourself!

What?!

All the geisha were in debt.

They fought for customers.

Come on, give me a drink.

Now let the world hear my beautiful voice!

Here we go!

I run it here.

Welcome to my place.

I'm Miyagawa.

My father liked you.

I'll come here often.

Be nice to me.

Please patronize us.

We're at your service. Ourochako are ready.

Thank you!

I'm Higaki Shintaro.

I'm Miyagawa Takagi.

You'll be generously rewarded, if you hit him.

Hit whom?

Boss “do.

He's a gambler king in Kumamoto.

He came...

when my father began his railway business.

We needed many workers.

And we needed him to control them.

As a consequence, he monopolized

all the railway construction jobs.

We had lunch at ten o'clock at night.

Thieves!

You ate it?

If you want to eat, go to bed with customers!

Sakanishi wanted to redeem you.

I refused. He could take me for a night.

But not for life. If he redeemed me,

he'd lay me every night. No thanks!

But you're lucky.

I have no regular customers.

I can't clear my debt. I just sit and wait.

WhY Complain?

You wear silk, sing, drink, and get paid.

Isn't that nice?

If I were prettier, I'd be glad to work as a geisha.

O-Shizu-san.

He said he'd be waiting at lunchtime.

But...

He came last night.

I can't have a date while you work.

We'll take care of the house. Go.

Thanks. I won't be long.

Masa!

Masa...

Game!

One and two - a total of three.

Leaving so soon? Another game.

I'm broke.

Want a loan?

Not a lucky night. Some other time.

Who is he?

He takes care of my Yumura camp.

Darling...

I waited last night.

You didn't come.

I'm sorry. No chance to come.

I missed you!

So much!

Give me money.

Only a little.

Good.

Leaving?

You still have work.

I must go back, but I want to be with you.

You know we can't.

I work during the day, you at night.

Our worlds are different.

Darling...

Stop gambling.

Don't tell me what to do.

You said you'd become a contractor.

How much money would it cost?

Do you know?

I want rail road jobs.

Boss Udo controls the jobs, so I must pay him first.

How much?

500.

And I must build barracks for workers.

300 yen for them.

800 yen in all.

Without 800 yen,

I'd stay a laborer.

A hopeless day laborer.

My only chance is gambling or robbery.

800 yen is a big sum, like a dream.

Don't whimper! My parents sold me.

I wouldn't mind whoring.

Only 800 yen!

Don't say that!

My old man sold my mom.

He dug coal in a pit for five sen a day.

He had no hope.

He got drunk and hit us kids.

Gambling was his fun.

Just like me!

A cheap gigolo! A cheap gambler!

That's me!

Let's part.

Or I'll end up like my old man.

We're through!

I won't!

I never will!

Master!

Good evening.

You look shocked.

You thought me dead?

No joking.

I've been worried.

I'm not a ghost.

No place to go. Take care of me.

Why not?

I won't bother you.

Anything else?

No. Thanks.

Shizu?

She's back.

Send her in.

Yes.

I won't be long.

Help yourself.

You're chief assistant.

But you neglected your duty.

A bad example!

I'm sorry.

You met him again?

I told you to leave him.

I went to tell him that we're through.

You were right. He's bad.

I asked him to leave me.

He beat me.

He wanted money.

800 yen.

Bring him here.

I'll tell him personally.

What's wrong?

You can't.

Liar!

I'm sorry I lied.

I want 800 yen.

He needs it to become a contractor.

Are you that stupid?

He only talks! He'd lose it gambling.

He can't be a boss.

Leave him!

If you see him again,

you'll be fired!

Let her cheat you.

If you can throw away 800 yen.

You're carefree.

She's my responsibility.

If I gave her the money, he'd waste it.

It's like burning 800 yen.

A mere laborer!

He's no good.

He's younger than her. Too bad!

Can I let him cheat her?

A cheap laborer?

Shizu': man is like what I used to be.

I was a fisherman's son.

My old man died in a storm.

My brother died with him.

I sold fish.

I was poor.

I tried everything, in vain.

Then at last I succeeded in rice speculation.

You heard about me.

I failed in the silk market.

The banks took my house, my wife walked out.

I'm deep in debt. I'm homeless and hopeless.

I was rich once. It helped me.

I could have you.

I enjoyed my life.

Nothing is left for me but to die.

Just that: To die.

Don't worry.

I won't hang myself here.

My grave is with my old man's and brother's.

At the bottom of the sea.

Women's tears are my weakness.

Don't cry.

Please.

Forget about me.

I'm not crying from sorrow.

I'm vexed! Chagrined!

I forget about you? Just like that?

I'm sad to hear that.

You're a famous speculator.

One failure, and you'll die?

No second chance?

Try again and surprise the world.

To start, I need money.

How much? 10,000 yen?

Much more.

100,000?

Is 100,000 yen enough?

Borrow on this kuruwa.

I'm deep in debt.

The banks would confiscate it.

Borrow from a moneylender.

A geisha house proprietress shouldn't be soft.

I built this Shinonomero with your money.

Consider it a debt.

I've enjoyed myself. We're even.

No debt.

Leaving me?

Yes, yes, I'm on the run.

I shouldn't have come.

I just wanted to see you.

All right! Run!

Drop dead!

Try to understand.

You refused to throw 800 yen into a fire.

Now you're throwing away 100,000 yen.

Fear speculation.

If I lose, you'd lose everything.

You don't have to join me in hell.

I've lived in hell.

My parents sold me naked.

Who's afraid of being naked?

Tsuru...

Please. Try to fight again.

Try to live.

Tsuru, I'm despicable.

Somewhere in my mind I hoped you'd say that.

But...

I thought you'd say no.

I mean...

I couldn't stand being turned down.

I should have...

asked you from the start.

Kuruwa becomes quiet after two o'clock.

The and of a long day.

Shizu.

My period...

No?

No.

Get rid of it?

Abortion?

This little devil in me is killing me. Right?

If I have this baby, I'll have no job.

I must get rid of it.

It happened to me too. I got an abortion.

I wanted the child.

I have no relatives.

I'm alone.

Lonely and wonted!

Whoever its father might be. I want a child.

But that's too much for women like us.

Use the small chamber.

I'll give you the medicine.

You want to have a baby?!

You're a geisha!

I'll have this baby!

Who'd want to buy a pregnant woman?

Get rid of the baby!

The baby's gone. Be patient.

You'll feel fine.

Shizu...

My baby will be in the world beyond?

Of course.

It really exists?

Of course.

There are Buddha...

and God, too.

Why not?

If there's no world beyond, my baby will be lost.

It died without knowing pleasure.

Poor baby! How unfortunate!

Is this Boss Udo?

I'm Shizu, chief assistant.

Please come in.

Wait here, please.

Nice samisen.

"Kyushu is far from Osaka.

What price a geisha house in the country?"

I hated it before I saw it.

It's beautiful.

Boss.

I want this house no matter what.

You don't have to run a whorehouse.

If you want money, just ask me.

You don't understand.

I used to be a geisha.

People can tell what I am.

Their cold eyes accuse me.

I feel rested among geisha in a whorehouse like this.

The girls are pretty, too.

Go back to your room!

How do you do? My name is Udo.

I'm Yamaoka.

I run it here.

This is my mistress.

She was a geisha in Osaka. She knows the prices.

My name is Teruka.

I want 100,000 yen for a month.

10% interest?

As usual.

Teruka, is it worth 100,000?

Let me see the book and the bonds.

Shizu.

Yes.

Udo is a gambler boss. A shrewd moneylender.

If things go wrong, he'll strip you to the bone.

You're joking.

Is it all right?

Just about the price.

But, sir, not right now.

You're the richest gambler in all of Kyushu.

I don't let money rest in a safe.

I'll send you 10,000 today.

And 90,000 in three days.

I'll buy secretly. When the price goes up, I'll be rich.

No one shall know where I go or what I buy.

That's important. No one.

Especially Udo.

He knows I'll engage in speculation.

He won't miss a sitting duck.

If he sells more than I buy. I'll lose.

Stay inside.

Darling.

Come home soon.

I'll win. By all means!

I told you to watch him!

- I'm son-y! - I'm son-y!

Boss. I'm sorry. Yamaoka': tail lost him.

Lost?

At the station.

Maybe he knew we were following him.

He's great. He outsmarted us.

Any idea where he went?

No.

Stupid!

Dear, what'll you do?

Take this money to the Shinonomero.

90,000 yen Is a big sum.

She'll carry it herself.

Watch her.

Don't fail again.

I should take the money to him myself, but he didn't want me to.

Be sure no one knows where he is.

There's only you whom I can trust with the money.

He's staying in...

In Osaka, in Sonezaki. His hotel is the Iseya.

He calls himself Yamada.

Osaka, Sonezaki, Iseya, Yamada.

Remember?

What?

She doesn't move?

I asked a waitress. Tsuru's in the house.

The last train left, wherever she goes.

She'll go tomorrow.

No.

Yamaoka must have started his game.

He needs the money.

Somebody must be carrying it tonight!

That girl!

Dear, that girl!

Chief assistant!

Shizu.

Masa.

I got your message to come to the station.

Masa. Let's run away.

Run?

I have 90,000 yen.

How did you get it?

Tsuru asked me...

to take it to the master in Osaka.

He's engaged in speculation.

He'll used this money.

If he falls, we'll lose the Shinonomero.

Tsuru doesn't think about me.

If we lose the house, how can I live?

She meant I could be a whore again!

So you want to steal it?

Is it wrong?

I asked her to lend me 800 yen. She refused.

Then she mortgaged her house for the master!

What did I say?

A terrible thing!

If I steal this, she'll be angry and sad.

Whatsit I do?

Whatsit I do?

Greet him.

I'm Shigyo. I'm working for Mr. Yumura.

I hear you work hard.

Thank you.

Don't work for others forever.

I'll give you rail road jobs. Be independent.

Territory B-36.

Here.

It pays 120,000 yen a mile.

Split the profit fifty - fifty.

Yes.

Can you build barracks?

No.

I'll lend it. Repay me later.

Yes!

When you become a contractor, you need a wife.

You love the chief assistant?

Where did she go?

You met her at the station.

Why ask her whereabouts?

Just tell me!

Where is she?

You sold me and bought land with the money.

But you didn't invite me to my brother's wedding.

Why? You're ashamed of me. Yet you want my money!

I'm sorry.

Be son-y!

I brought some vegetables.

Who wants them?

Bad Player!

You are!

You!

Slop!

Let her alone!

Ginryu.

You're popular, but don't be arrogant.

What do you think you are?

Popularity means power.

I'm the most popular.

Who's talking!

Mr. Kanda, your customer, wears a dirty coat.

He's not rich anymore.

Customers are rags.

Squeeze their money, clear your debt, and get out.

You're going too far.

Suicide for love.

He might want you to die with him.

I'm not that stupid.

Murder!

Help!

Murder!

Slop!

Ginryu!

Wait!

Help!

Help!

Ginryu! Wait!

Ginryu!

Die with me!

Ginryu!

Mr. Handa!

I'll die. Die with me!

No, no! You don't have to die!

Don't try to stop me.

Get out!

Or I'll kill you, too.

Good.

I'm the proprietress.

I'm responsible for my servants.

Kill me.

Stupid!

We cheat each other.

If you want to die, die alone!

She was almost killed. She's upset.

It's not that.

Her mother borrowed money again.

Damn Mom! Drop dead!

She can never clear her debt this way.

This rice is no good!

Were you born to a rich family?

You ate white rice here for the first time.

You ate so much you got sick.

Did I?

Mom has never eaten such white rice.

I'll work harder and earn more.

Right! Right!

Who said, "Money comes to those who work?"

"God Poverty, drop dead!"

Then we'll all get rich.

Can you outsmart Yamaoka?

He's a veteran.

I'm no match for him, but...

I know his weakness. His money's limited.

I'll take the Shinonomero.

Agree? You promised.

It'll be yours.

READS SUTRA NAMU AMIDA BUTSU

"They knew my moves. I was outsmarted.

No way. Forgive ma".

"They knew my moves.

I was outsmarted.

No way. Forgive me...

"Forgive me".

Egoist!

I never will!

I can hear him.

"I'm Yamaoka, the speculator!

How can I live in shame?

Being fed by my mistress?"

Cut it out!

You killed yourself...

You were ashamed of bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy!

So what?

I'd feed you, even if I walked the street.

Can't a mistress feed her man?

Why mind what people say?

WhY die?

Death is the end.

Tsuru...

I'm tired.

I'm drunk.

Who cares?

To hell with men!

Shi-chan.

I don't want men.

Let's go to a land of women.

I'm mad! I'll make men miserable!

Shi-chan...

Yes.

Shi-chan... Where are you?

Here.

I remember.

The first time we met.

I was young.

I was a virgin.

You were in rags...

With a dirty face.

I washed you all over.

I was careless.

I put a scar on your body.

Forget it.

It's all past.

Without the scar,

you'd have been happier...

with a nice patron.

You have a grudge.

Since I opened this place,

I've saved money for you.

This will support you in an emergency.

Now is the time.

We'll lose this house.

But...

But...

This is yours.

Tsuru...

Tsuru.

I'll take care of the customers.

Take a rest.

What are you waiting for?

Get ready!

Closed today.

Who said that?

MG.

This is mine.

I'll run this house my way.

Tsuru runs it before the term expires.

Get out.

Get out!

I'll kick you out!

If you want to take it,

kill me first!

Give up!

You can't make 110,000 yen!

Obey me, or follow her?

It's your choice.

Let's go.

Can we go?

They'll understand.

Come on, girls!

Prepare!

Don't let Udo grab this place.

Do you know what'll happen if he goes?

Understand?

Don't fall victim to the gambler!

Three days to go.

We have many customers.

Some of them are rich. They're willing to help us.

Three days... I'll raise the money!

I'll believe Shizu.

Come on!

Come on!

Come on!

A drink to start with?

"Now let the world hear...

my beautiful voice!"

He"?! We go!

How can we fight gangsters?

We must yield to the strong.

Wag your tail at the new owner.

- Sure. - Why not?

If your master is a gangster, you'll lose your customers.

Sure. We'll have only cheap customers.

We'll be treated like cheap whores.

This will be a brothel.

What will happen to us?

What were our practices for?

We've trained to become high-class courtesans.

Let's go. No cheap whores!

You know what you're doing?

No cheap whores!

Please! Work!

Sure! I'll play the samisen.

Me, too.

They're dancing.

Should we just sit here?

Whores get VD and die alone.

So work! You can't end up like that.

Fear the gangsters. They're outrageous!

They might kill you.

I don't like it.

Let them kill me!

I'm already in hell!

Let's follow our fate!

Don't make a mistake today!

That's my line!

I'll do it!

Mr. Oshima, the banker...

and Mr. Hashizume of the mining company...

are willing to finance us.

Good.

I will, too.

Thank you.

Who?

What is it?

I believe you're Boss Udo.

You'll die.

Teruka.

- S ' Yes!

Who said to kill me?

I accept your challenge.

Dear... are you all right?

I'm fine.

I want him alive.

Tsuru, we'll be financed - 110,000 yen.

Yamaoka': last wire said...

"They knew my moves. I was outsmarted".

"They knew my moves".

I've been wondering...

He went to Osaka...

His inn there...

Only you and I knew.

You told someone where he was.

You killed him.

I don't want you here.

Get out.

I'm sorry.

Forgive me.

Tsuru...

Go!

- Tsuru... - Away!

Get out of here!

I won't see you again!

When I'm sad or angry.

I cool myself here.

No matter how difficult, we can't live elsewhere.

Outside the kuruwa,

they call us names.

They give us cold glances. It's real hell.

Shizu...

Welcome!

Come in.

I wanted to send for you.

How did you find me?

You went to Yumura?

Masa.

Tsuru kicked me out.

What did you do?

As you see.

I'm a contractor.

That was the only way.

Look. My barrack.

It's new.

Everything': brand new.

Where are you going?

No place to go?

Stay here with me.

How can I? You betrayed me!

Please many me.

No! I'm sorry for Tsuru.

- Let's live here. - No, no!

You wanted to live with me.

Brand new, huh?

Why betray me?

Why?

Why?

Not only you.

I'm to blame.

I said Osaka. My fault.

Don't you love me?

I do!

You've been kind to me.

You're the only man who...

didn't mind my scar.

Dear...

Is the sea warm?

Or cold?

If cold, I'll warm you.

Boss, here they are.

Come in.

Come over here.

You may go.

Relax.

Give him a drink.

Thanks.

Got a barrack?

Yes.

Workers, too?

Yes.

Try your best. I'll back you.

Thank you.

Shizu?

Yes.

Got married?

Yes.

She'll be a perfect wife.

Boss.

Wait here. Enjoy your drinks.

Will you talk?

Kill me quick.

If you do...

You'll talk?

Who asked you to kill me?

Heaven's voice!

Dump the body.

He failed, but more killers will come.

No idea about the enemy.

Hire thugs. Use as much money as necessary.

Hire pros.

Yes!

Aren't you drinking?

I don't drink.

Ridiculous!

Can you control your men without drinking?

Teruka, show them the deed.

Now I have the Shinonomero.

Teruka will be the madam.

You'll be her assistant.

But she'll have to help me as my wife.

I'm asking her. You refuse?

Forget it!

I'll run it by myself. Who needs help?

The women followed this woman, not you.

Not for a long time. Until Teruka runs it properly.

Assist her.

But Tsuru has taken care of Shizu since she was a kid.

She can't kick her out and serve the new madam.

That woman?

She followed her man and...

drowned herself.

Tsuru killed herself.

Suicide?

The police said so. It's true.

Don't worry about the dead.

You see?

I'll ask again.

Help Teruka as chief assistant.

No!

You killed Tsuru!

What are you doing?

Damn you!

Ass!

I'll destroy your barracks!

Who cares?

Somebody! Help!

Die!

Ass!

Drop dead!

Shizu!

Dear!

Don't die!

Don't die!

Dead!

Whatsit I do?

The deed!

The deed!

Where?

Dear!

Dear... where is it?

The deed!

It's mine! It's mine!

I have the Shinonomero!

We escaped from the police and the gangsters.

As time passed memories of the incident faded.

We could live together till death made us part.

Let me...

I watched him die.

He was a good father.

Hey, all will be well.

I'm going to world beyond.

If! meet Tsuru there,

I'll tell her live lived in hell outside the kuruwa.

I worked around here.

I laid these rails.

I can hear a train... ten miles away.

Put an ear on it.

Hear the rattling sound.

Teruka ran the Shinonomero.

She did it well, so they say.

RINO KATASE

KEI KO SAITO

YOKO MINAMINO

MARX TORXGOE MIYUKI NAKANO

MAI OI KAWA AYA KOKU MAI

HIROTARO HONDA MIYOKO AKAZA KOJI SHIMIZU

AKIRA NAKAO TOKUMA NISHIOKA

MASAHIKO TSUGAWA

TORU KAZAMA

Produced by: GORO KUSAKABE

Screenplay by: HIROO MATSUDA

Cinematography by: FUJIO MORITA

Art Direction by: NORIMICHI IGAWA

Lighting by: YOSHIAKI MASUDA

Sound Recording by: YOSHIO HORIIKE

Music by: MASARU SATO

Directed by: IKUO SEKIMOTO

Subtitled by Kofl(a Jidai-Geki Buyer's Club