Original subtitles

TOHO EIGA PRODUCTION

Somewhere on the mountain-tops and in the Gobi valley...

1932

The red Moyuru flower, the flower of mountains...

And the green-colored banks...

AMAGI

Sing quiet songs for the town beauties...

And the crescent is rising above the Mount Yoshida...

The stars, fallen in the early summer...

turn into dew in the grass...

And I am so hopeful.

We came to Izu to collect ancient legends...

And, along with the legends, we found a real beauty.

The person we have to thank for that is the famous Minamoto no Yoritomo.

Thank you very much for giving us shelter for the week.

Not at all.

You too, Kotoe...

are welcome in Kyoto anytime.

And one more thing...

Give our regards to Kamio, our teacher.

She went to work in Shimoda early in the morning...

that's why she couldn't come to say goodbye to you.

I understand.

The bus is departing.

3 MONTHS LATER

Kotoe...

calm down and listen to me.

We can convince your mother. She will come for you, no doubt.

If your mother is against the marriage...

you will write her a letter, saying that you're pregnant.

Then I...

How will I say it to her?

Don't give her my address, please.

If I write a letter at all...

wouldn't it be better to write to Hayami?

Why hide it from her?

Doesn't Hayami...

know about it?

She does... I told Hayami everything.

Why hasn't she come with you then?

Well... maybe...

Excuse me... Kamio...

Someone is asking for you.

I'll be back in a minute.

I can't forget my first night here...

when you were sitting here, touching the strings of the yueqin guitar.

I have been meaning to tell you, let's get it over with quietly.

I have presented my late grandmother's ring to you.

It would be better if you gave it back.

That's what your mother wants?

I'll return your present!

You've left the two of them together?

Yes, they are talking in the Chinese room.

It's my fault I didn't notice this relationship.

Forgive me.

You have nothing to apologize for.

This girl from the Daidoji family...

Kotoe!

Kotoe! Kotoe!

What happened?

You're saying Hitoshi...

wanted to pick fern on the mountain and fell off?

Tell me... his mother...

why hasn't she come?

The thing is...

Kano, the lawyer, has come to settle the business.

And why were you so alarmed that you've come here?

When I was in Kyoto and received a telegram from you...

I couldn't believe it.

What about Kotoe?

1936

In spring, I was finally able to finish university...

and received a position in a timber company in Kyoto.

Since I have a source of income now...

I've decided to...

Kotoe is your only daughter.

I understand that you're reluctant to marry her off.

But if you accept me as your son-in-law...

I'll do everything to make Kotoe happy.

Please, allow us to get married.

Tomoko is 3-years-old.

1952

Tomoko!

Who are you?

I am that man, from yesterday.

It was you who did it?

No, it wasn't me.

When I came, Yusa was already dead.

My name is Rentaro Tamon.

You shouldn't stay here...

go downstairs.

No, get your hands off me!

Sir, I've come to help you get dressed.

Is that you, Tsutayo? Why is the clock tower striking?

How uncanny...

It hasn't struck since the war started, has it?

Damn! Someone is coming.

I'm afraid someone might see us here.

I have to be off.

But I'll come to you again.

Who is it?

It's Yusa.

Tomoko is here.

Get out of here!

Tomoko! What happened?

Are you alright?

QUEEN BEE

Produced by Kazuo Baba, Osamu Tanaka

Based on the novel by Seishi Yokomizo, Kadokawa Publishing Company

Written by Shin'ya Hidaka, Kon Ichikawa, Chiho Katsura

Cinematography by Kiyoshi Hasegawa Sound by Fumio Yanoguchi Lighting by Kojiro Sato

Music by Shin'ichi Tanabe

Edited by Nobuo Ogawa, Chizuko Osada

Assistant director Shûe Matsubayashi

Cast:

Kôji Ishizaka

Keiko Kishi

Yôko Tsukasa

Mieko Takamine

Kie Nakai, Masaya Oki

Mitsuko Kusabue, Ryôko Sakaguchi, Midori Hagio

Takeshi Katô, Hideji Ôtaki, Shigeru Kôyama, Akiji Kobayashi

Tsuyoshi Sasaki, Katsuhiko Sasaki, Hiroyuki Takano, Nobuyuki Ishida

Tokiki Fujio, Reizei Kimihiro, Toru Takeuchi, Hanaue Akira and Kayoko Shiraishi

Norihei Miki, Junzaburô Ban

Tatsuya Nakadai

Directed by Kon Ichikawa

Excuse me...

Can you tell me how to find the house of Daidoji in the Gekkin village?

Daidoji, you say...

The chief of police has just rushed there for some reason.

What?

If you go over that hill...

and go towards Funabara, you'll come across a wide road.

Take that road to the left.

Excuse me, and where are you going?

I'm going there as well.

Could you take me...

to the house of Daidoji on your cart?

I'm in a hurry.

The road is very bad...

It doesn't matter.

I can get a flat tire...

It doesn't matter.

I should give the man a lift, shouldn't I..?

What?

You're a man, aren't you?

Then get in.

Thank you very much.

Hold on!

I shouldn't have taken you...

Yes, I understand.

I'll keep an eye on the crime site.

Alright.

There was a call from the Shuzenji police department.

A representative from the prefecture police department will be here soon.

Meanwhile, I'd like to specify...

Everyone, except Tomoko and Kamio...

came to the Gekkin village from Kyoto yesterday. Is that correct?

Yes.

You've come for Tomoko?

Yes.

Tomoko is going to be 19...

so we were going to take her to Kyoto.

In fact, it's Tomoko's birthday today.

What about the house?

We wanted to lock it for some time, and give the servants a vacation.

Will you let me take Tomoko to her room?

She is very tired.

Of course, of course.

Who are these two gentlemen to you?

We've come to seek marriage.

To ask Tomoko's hand.

What about the deceased, Yusa?

Him as well.

Among the three of us...

Tomoko was supposed to choose one.

We have all come to ask Daidoji together.

I see, one of the three could have become the husband.

So you're competitors.

It could have been the motive.

There is... a man from the police.

So fast...

Who are you?

My name is Kosuke Kindaichi.

Are you from the prefecture department?

No, I'm a private detective.

Detective?

A private detective? So you're not a police investigator?

Tomoko, how are you feeling?

She needs to calm down.

Why did you go to the tower so early in the morning?

Did anyone call you there?

Yusa?

"Tomoko!"

"Come to the tower tomorrow at 6:30."

"You'll learn the secret of your birth."

"Not a single word to anyone!"

Where did you get this?

When I returned to my room yesterday after supper...

I found it on the table.

And what did you think?

Yamamoto, the policeman, just said that...

a man named Rentaro Tamon went to the tower. Is that true?

Yes.

You didn't know him, did you?

Then I'd better...

hand it over to the police officer.

Tomoko...

was perturbed by the letter.

I understand her very well.

Still, it was stupid.

But being ignorant is so hard.

Hard?

Yes.

Until recently, shes lived without a father, and only now she has come to live with you.

I haven't noticed any changes in her life in connection with my presence.

I'll be glad if both Tsutayo and you come to see us often.

What is so hard about it?

What should we do with the Chinese room?

I'm very worried.

It has always been locked. Maybe we should unlock it now?

I don't know why I didn't do it before.

And Tomoko, what does she think?

You're always asking me to answer instead of her.

Tomoko would like...

to know how her father died.

What connection is there to the locked room?

That horror which happened upstairs...

I can't get it out of my head.

Sorry to interrupt...

That man named Kindaichi says he has something important to tell you.

These things belonged to Minamoto no Yoritomo!

And you...?

I'm the host's son.

We arrived from Kyoto yesterday.

And where is the master himself?

He is in the living room.

You have a dressing table here?

I keep different small things here...

And this is mother's lipstick...

I keep it here too.

My name is Kindaichi.

I'm Daidoji.

And this is our teacher Hideko Kamio.

Fumihiko! Go to your mother.

What did you want to tell me?

I've come here on the request...

of Kano, the lawyer from Kyoto, who you know very well.

Kano?

It seems he wasn't worried without reason.

Something terrible has indeed happened.

He asked me to show policeman Yamamoto one letter.

Who could have written this?

From this letter, it follows that...

what has happened is the consequence of what happened here 19 years ago.

Excuse me, can I...

It's not handwritten...

it's assembled from letters cut out of newspapers.

- I'll read it if you don't mind. - Of course.

"Beware!"

"Tomoko must not be taken away from the Gekkin village."

"If the girl leaves, there will be blood."

"The tragedy, which happened 19 years ago, is making itself known again."

"I hope you won't commit this mistake."

"You don't want more murders, do you?"

"The devil, by whom this girl's mother is possessed, has already killed one man."

"Her mother's blood is running through this girl's veins."

"The men, who are wooing Tomoko, are in danger."

"She is a queen bee."

Yes, it really is very strange.

The thing is, I have another cut-up letter.

I received it to my address in Kyoto.

Here it is.

Another one?

Excuse me, can I...

Look... it's exactly the same.

Kindaichi...

did the letter, which you showed us, come to the lawyer Kano's address?

No, it didn't.

But I don't know the name of the man who received it.

Lawyer Kano had to give his word that he will keep it secret.

But why didn't he take the letter straight to the police?

He thought it might have been some kind of joke.

Still, he should have taken it to the police.

"The key to the Chinese room is near the grave..."

Here Tomoko is asked to come to the clock tower.

This letter is also made from cut-ups.

All three letters were written in the same way.

The girl who found the body was Tomoko, wasn't it?

That's right.

The deceased is Saburo Yusa, a student from the Kyoto University.

Tomoko and the man named Rentaro Tamon were at the crime site, right?

No. When I...

came to the tower, there wasn't anyone there.

Why did Yusa go to the clock tower?

Apparently, Rentaro Tamon lured him there.

When Tomoko...

saw that man at the crime site, she was very scared.

Maybe she just imagined it?

It's strange that the murderer didn't leave the crime site.

Rentaro Tamon was there.

A piece of a tennis racket...

was found at the crime site.

You are mistaken!

Of course, yesterday he gave himself free rein because of what Yusa had done...

but still...

it's not a reason to kill.

It's a trap, set by the perpetrator, to shift the suspicion.

But that means the murderer had been at the tennis court.

He knew what had happened...

This situation was discussed at the dinner.

So everyone knew about it, even those who hadn't been at the court.

Rentaro Tamon also knew about it.

Tomoko was very upset because of the argument between Yusa and Komai.

Just as she was running from the court...

a man came towards her. He saw everything.

Who was it?

I didn't see him.

In the evening, Tomoko told me...

that when she had first met this Rentaro...

he asked her, 'Are you Tomoko Daidoji?'

He offered her to become friends.

Someone told me...

that I should make friends with Tomoko Daidoji.

He explained to me how to get here.

You're so pretty!

Tomoko only looked at him, but didn't say anything.

Then Rentaro obediently left.

When he was leaving, he mentioned Yusa's name.

I think they had come together.

So Rentaro and Yusa knew each other?

No, when I asked Yusa about him, he said he didn't know him.

Really?

Next to father's grave...

Where is Tomoko?

I have no clue.

But it's not surprising.

Maybe she received one more letter?

Maybe we should look in the outhouse?

I have already sent Fumihiko to check in the backyard.

What happened? Why another murder?

I have no idea.

It's so disagreeable...

Who could have known that moving to Kyoto would lead to such terrible consequences...

Have you packed everything already?

I don't have much to pack.

I have packed all the furniture.

I'm sorry...

Yes.

Poor late Mrs. Kotoe.

It has been 15 years since she left her house in Kyoto.

Finally, Tomoko can receive the inheritance.

Hideko.

This morning I...

What?

No, nothing...

Maybe I misunderstood...

Who are you? What are you doing here?

I am Todoroki from the Shizuoka prefecture police department.

I see... I apologize.

We've been waiting for you. I'm the local policeman, Yamamoto.

How do I stop them?... Make them stop.

I just touched them and they started striking.

Let me stop them!

And who are you?

This is Kindaichi, a private detective.

Unbelievable!

Ah! Chief...

And who is this?

This is inspector Kogure from the first department. What happened?

Chief, for one minute...

There's a ladder in the back.

One can use it to get down.

Yes, this clock does have a mystery.

What?

Where have you been?

I went to mum's grave.

And to father's grave as well.

Why did you go alone? We were all so worried.

Forgive me.

I think, Tomoko, you shouldn't go to Kyoto.

What?

Detective Kindaichi said...

that the letter contained threats.

Your father received the same one.

This letter...

mentioned you.

Me?

"If she goes to Kyoto"

"the thing that happened in the morning will happen again."

But...

who made the decision that I should go to Kyoto as soon as I'm 19?

I heard from your father that it was your late mother's wish.

Hand me the clew.

Alright.

Kamio, but you yourself didn't hear my mother say it, did you?

Sorry to interrupt. Chief of police wants to see you.

Tomoko, your father is asking for you.

The letters were taken from an advert in a newspaper.

We can say...

that all the letters are of the same font.

The way the author used scissors is also identical.

We can conclude from that that all the letters were written by the same person.

Kindaichi said the same thing.

Kindaichi? Ah, that private detective.

Everyone can understand that.

But why so complicated?

It's very simple. He didn't want his handwriting to be recognized.

In other words...

it was someone, whose handwriting you know very well.

Are you trying to say that the perpetrator is our family's close friend?

Are you Tomoko Daidoji?

Yes.

Do you recognize this?

"Tomorrow at six o'clock at the tower."

"To Yusa from Tomoko."

Another cut-up letter?

Where is it from?

We found it in Yusa's pocket.

Did you send him the letter?

No.

He was called there by the same person who wrote all the other letters.

Which means that...

Are you trying to say that Tomoko is the murderer?

It definitely makes the suspicion fall on her.

But, judging from the letters, Yusa's murder...

has to do with the tragedy which happened 19 years ago.

But this letter can be fake.

Daidoji...

You had maintained a relationship with Yusa for a long time, hadn't you?

Not at all.

No?

Strange...

What about Akanezaki and Komai?

The same.

Assuming...

all this has to do with the events from 19 years ago...

But what is Rentaro Tamon's role?

Exactly!

Sorry.

Rentaro on your behalf invited Yusa to come at 6 and killed him.

He knew you would come.

Examination of the body is finished.

The cause of death is a blow on the forehead with a blunt object.

The forensic expert thinks that he was hit from the front.

If it is so, it means they saw each other.

I see!

Now it all makes sense.

Everything points to the man named Rentaro Tamon... Hey you!

Yusa and Rentaro Tamon had to have known each other.

But, it seems, we don't have any evidence of that yet.

How? You haven't checked this fact yet?

You think it's necessary?

Of course!

Kindaichi...

I'm sorry I've come here without your permission.

It really is a strange building.

It was built in the Chinese style.

The ancestors of the Daidoji family brought it here in the middle of the Edo period.

Or, to be exact, their Chinese partners brought it in parts illegally.

And then assembled it here.

Why is there a big lock on the door?

It's a secret chamber.

A secret chamber?

Kindaichi, I wanted to ask you...

You really don't know the person who received the letter?

I really don't.

Maybe this person is connected to the things that happened 19 years ago?

I think so too.

Kamio, were you at Hitoshi's death site?

Yes.

I was there together with policeman Yamamoto.

With Yamamoto?

I see...

Didn't you think it was strange?

No.

Lawyer Kano noticed...

that there was no ring on his finger.

This ring...

had been kept in Kotoe's chest of drawers.

I looked for it afterwards, but couldn't find it.

I told Kano about it...

It's strange, since Hitoshi had never been into collecting plants.

Why did he decide to pick fern in such a dangerous place?

Lawyer Kano also thinks it's suspicious.

I remember he was into photography.

It really is strange...

The day before his death he came to that place...

And made a picture of a rare species of bat.

He asked me to develop the picture in the studio.

The picture of the bat?

I saw a wedge and thought it was a wing, but it turns out it's an animal.

So it all happened because of a bat?

Yes.

I saw the pictures he made the day before his death...

But there weren't any bats there.

It really is strange.

Do you still have those pictures?

I didn't keep them.

Your society of history-lovers...

studies various sights and antiquities.

Last summer you came to Daidoji's house to collect legends about Yoritomo.

Is that correct?

Yes.

What kind of people belong to your society?

These are students and office employees. Seven or eight people in total.

Three of you have a soft spot for Tomoko, right?

Yes, it's right.

Inspector...

I have to be in Kyoto tonight.

Have you received letters with threats as well?

But it wasn't just threats!

Yes, Yusa was eventually murdered.

I wanted to ask you...

I wouldn't want to interfere in the investigation, but...

can I take the letter to return it to the client?

No.

What?

I have to send it, together with the three others,

to have them checked for fingerprints.

I need your fingerprints as well.

- Are you alright? - Yes.

Yamamoto, Kamio told me...

that you were present at the Hitoshi's murder site 19 years ago.

Yes, I was there.

But no investigation was conducted.

There was no investigation?

No.

You thought it was not a crime...

but simply an accident?

Yes.

And you didn't even check the post-mortem?

No. The chief said,

'There must be no investigation...'

What kind of policeman are you?

Yes... I'm sorry.

Inspector, there is some strange man there...

I didn't let him in. Instead, I left him in the closet in the hall.

Hey you... who are you?

I have business cards in my briefcase.

Researcher of spirits and paranormal phenomena...

Ryuuma Kujuku.

Kyoto.

It's pronounced Tsukumo, not Kujuku...

Listen to me, Tsukumo...

We are busy conducting an investigation here, so don't get in our way.

You are the one who's in my way!

I have a meeting with spirits inaccessible to the man's five senses today.

With spirits?

Great, I've lost the connection.

Brother!

When did you come? What do you need here?

I was called by the inhabitants of aether.

Of aether?

Exactly. By the spirit of the man who was murdered here.

The perpetrator is still in this house.

The police know everything without your help.

Stop talking nonsense.

How is my friend Daidoji doing? He needs my help.

Wait.

The man named Rentaro Tamon...

is swarthy, with a symmetrical face, rather masculine.

Height: 175 cm Age: 27-28

No, I can't make it to the station. I'll meet you at the bus-stop.

Understood.

This daredevil came to the crime site two days before the murder.

Kindaichi said the same thing.

Kindaichi? Ah, that private detective...

Where is he now?

I haven't seen him in a while...

How irresponsible. Those private detectives...

Riding?

Tomoko went riding?

Are you Kindaichi?

Yes.

I am Tomoko Daidoji.

Pleased to meet you.

Strange things are happening.

Are you going home?

No. Do you happen to know...

if there's some kind of hotel around here?

About 4 km from here...

there is a small inn.

When I saw you leaving, I decided to catch up with you.

Me?

The police think Rentaro Tamon is responsible for today's murder.

Judging from the circumstances...

it's entirely possible.

But I keep thinking about the connection between the letters and the murder...

That man who tried to prevent you from going to Kyoto, is he the murderer?

I think Tomoko shouldn't go to Kyoto.

It's either a madman or a very devoted man...

I doubt a murderer feels such love to you.

Kindaichi, you think Kamio is the murderer?

I didn't say that.

She sacrificed her whole life.

We were like mother and daughter.

But killing a person...

I understand what the motive was.

The Daidoji family belongs to an old lineage.

They say, to Yoritomo's lineage...

But I have nothing to do with it...

Tsutayo and Fumihiko have left for Kyoto?

Yes.

Akanezaki and Komai were allowed to return home.

And they left together.

Do you receive any strange letters with threats?

Yes.

It seems like in the Daidoji house...

the fire which was long thought out has been rekindled.

You don't have to worry.

I won't tell anyone.

There's no use remembering the past.

Kotoe killed your friend.

What are you talking about?!

You're angry... I shouldn't have said that.

I will only say what you want.

I'm asking you to be silent, but not because I think you're right.

I just don't want to upset Tomoko.

ZEN'YA INN

We also have the Pine room.

Which room is this?

The White Chrysanthemum room.

White Chrysanthemum, you say...?

Are you here for one night?

I wanted to ask you something.

Did you have a guest last night?

There was such a fuss yesterday, it was impossible to sleep.

Yesterday we had one guest.

Who was it?

I don't talk about guests...

I talk about working in the inn.

Write your name and address here.

Is the bath ready?

Stop harassing me. I said, I'll do it later...

Alright.

What does it say here?

You scared me!

This is yesterday's visitor's name.

RENTARO TAMON

Good evening!

Evening!

Kindaichi, is it you? What brings you here?

Yamamoto!

Like I thought, Rentaro Tamon and Yusa knew each other.

Really? Do come in.

This Rentaro...

stayed in the Zen'ya Inn.

And Yusa came to him last night.

Anyone saw them?

The maid.

It's Aki. She is a clever girl.

It happened yesterday, around ten o'clock.

Why did Yusa come there?

They argued about something for a long time.

Did Aki hear what they talked about?

Yes.

It's not nice to eavesdrop...

So what was it about?

It seems they were arguing about the primacy.

The primacy?

Yusa had constant problems with women because of his temper.

And Rentaro often got into fights and was arrested.

They were both rogues.

Hey...

Is this your spouse?

No, it's my younger sister.

She lives with me.

After my wife died, she took over the house.

Let me offer you some tea.

Yamamoto, the tragedy that happened 19 years ago...

Is it true that your superiors ordered you not to conduct an investigation?

Yes, inspector Todoroki scolded me for that.

Could you tell me more about this case?

At that time, it wasn't common to question your superior's orders.

But sometime later I heard...

that it was a direct order from a civil servant from the Emperor's office.

Hang on... a civil servant from the Emperor's office?

Yes, those were difficult times.

Kindaichi, what are you thinking about?

Would you like to stay the night?

My sister has prepared a bed for you.

No. I'm sorry for the trouble.

A night in a hotel costs a lot these days.

I have money.

So being a detective is a profitable business?

- Thank you for the treatment. - We were glad to have you.

I met Tomoko today.

A pretty girl...

In their family, the beauty of O-Moto goes down from generation to generation.

Like the smell of a white camellia in the morning sun,

the charm of the old days reaches us.

The Daidoji family are the descendants of Minamoto no Yoritomo, aren't they?

They say, to Yoritomo's lineage...

But I have nothing to do with it...

General Minamoto no Yoritomo lived near the Shuzenji temple.

He befriended Tae, a woodcutter's daughter from the Daidoji family.

Tae, ignorant of who her friend was, had an affair with him and got pregnant.

When she learnt about her beloved's high position, she was shocked and scared.

On the 13th day of the first Moon month of 1199 Minamoto no Yoritomo passed away.

The cause of his death is thought to be...

the curse of her brother Yoshitsune's revengeful spirit.

The legend goes that Masako, the girl's mother, was a smart woman.

She was afraid that the curse might affect the Daidoji family.

She took Tae and hid her in the Gekkin village.

Here, in the village, at midnight Tae gave birth to a girl.

Tae was hiding from the everyday life...

From this girl, who was named O-Moto...

descends, according to the legend, the lineage of the Daidoji family.

The destinies of the two people...

Kotoe and Hitoshi Kusakabe are so similar.

What?

Hitoshi, in love with Kotoe, died in mysterious circumstances.

You have a point there.

Today's murder is also similar to that old story.

Yusa, in love with Tomoko, was murdered.

True!

Mysterious death befalls all the men in love with women from the Daidoji house.

The history repeats itself?

This thought sends chills down my spine...

I heard from Tomoko...

that Kotoe died when Tomoko was only five.

Yes.

Did she die of a disease?

I don't really know.

There were two of them... Go spread the futon.

Little Kotoe was adopted by Mr. Hitoshi's friend...

named Ginzo.

Kotoe was taken away from the Gekkin village.

Kindaichi...

The two never got married.

I remember mum...

was always lonely and sad.

I don't remember her laughing or smiling.

And who is Tsutayo, Ginzo's wife?

Actually, no.

Tsutayo is a woman of old-fashioned views.

I think I'm starting to understand.

Are you?

Teacher Kamio...

has been living in the house for over 20 years?

Yes, that's correct.

She lives in that village in the mountains and teaches the Daidoji family's children.

She raised Kotoe as well.

What did she do before she came to live in the Daidoji house?

I think she worked in a prestigious school for girls in Shizuoka.

At that time she fell in love...

but her parents were against the marriage, so she ran away.

Yes, she has been through a lot in her life.

Who could call Tomoko 'a queen bee'?

'A queen bee' is someone who continues the lineage.

Working bees protect her. And then working bees get killed one by one.

So the nobler you are, the bigger the threat.

Brother, everything is ready.

Don't interrupt!

Don't you see, I have a guest.

Stupid woman!

She studied in pre-school together with Tsutayo.

Blood?

Is that blood?

It arrived the next morning after we came to Kyoto...

Yes, Fumihiko found it in the mailbox.

I was surprised when I saw that there was no stamp on the envelope.

I see. I'll hand it over to the police to avoid problems.

Are there any free seats?

No.

Let's look in another car.

Alright.

Excuse me.

You're here too? Where are you going?

To Kyoto.

What? You're also going to Kyoto?

And inspector?

Another letter with a threat...

was received by the Daidoji family in Kyoto.

KYOTO

I'm sorry I kept you waiting.

At your service.

I'm sorry for such an early visit.

Have you just arrived?

Yes, there wasn't an inch of room on the train.

This is Mr. Kurosawa, investigator from the jurisdictional department.

Nice to meet you.

Let's not waste time. Where is the letter?

Yes.

Here it is.

"If Tomoko goes to Kyoto..."

"there will be more blood."

No stamp, no address...

It was thrown directly into the mailbox.

It was written by the same person?

Of course!

You think so?

Rentaro Tamon, who you know very well, did this.

Apparently, Rentaro Tamon arrived in Kyoto yesterday.

We are looking for him right now.

Is Tomoko alright?

What?

What happened?

I'm so sorry.

What... what is it?

It was in Fumihiko's room...

in the trash bin.

Ma'am, so this letter was written by your son?

Yes.

I started interrogating him, and he confessed...

he wanted Tomoko to notice him.

He fell in love with his beautiful sister.

And what? Did he confess to writing the other letters as well?

No, he said he wrote only this one.

He saw those letters in Izu...

and tried to imitate them.

Imitate? What childishness!

Forgive us.

It was my fault. I didn't notice.

Tsutayo!

Alright...

It was clear from the very beginning that a child can't think of something like this.

There was no other way...

but I had to meet you.

The day before it happened Yusa boasted that you invited him on a date.

That's why I came to the tower to make sure he wasn't lying.

It meant you rejected me.

But the perpetrator fooled you, and me, and Yusa...

The police think you're the murderer.

I came to make sure that you believe me...

Thank you for not making a fuss.

These two, Akanezaki and Komai are bastards, exactly like Yusa.

If they try to hurt you, I'll make them pay.

This is Kano.

Come in.

Long time no see...

How are you doing?

Have you caught a cold?

Yes.

Yesterday, when we were talking on the phone, I was coughing non-stop.

I'm sorry.

Yesterday I couldn't...

express my deepest condolences to your family.

Kindaichi here also wanted to ask you some questions.

That's why I asked to arrange a meeting for us.

Forgive me for my impudence.

I am Higashikoji.

What did you want to ask me about?

It's about the Shizuoka library.

The library?

I wanted to learn more...

about the kind of person Hitoshi Kusakabe was.

From the policeman who examined his body...

I heard the words 'the Emperor's office'.

The Emperor's office?

I went to the library to study the newspapers of that time.

The accident...

happened on December 20th, 1932.

It turns out, he belonged...

to a noble family.

On December 21st, the same year...

news appeared about Hitoshi,

prince Higashikoji's second son's sudden death of pneumonia.

Hitoshi Kusakabe was my son.

So Tomoko Daidoji is your granddaughter?

However, neither Tomoko, nor Kamio know about it.

Why did you keep it secret?

It was all...

for Tomoko's sake.

The man who wrote these letters, apparently, knew the secret...

That's why he wrote them.

I think so too.

In that case...

do you suspect someone in particular?

What nonsense! Who asks that?

I have an idea.

You think it's Ginzo Daidoji?

When Tomoko was conceived 19 years ago...

the late Hitoshi didn't have a close friend.

However, the same letter...

was sent to the Ginzo Daidoji's house as well.

I couldn't understand it.

Then who is it?

So far, we know that...

two or three murders have been committed because of Tomoko.

No, because of me...

It's because of the hatred towards the Higashikoji family.

You tried to prevent Tomoko's departure for Kyoto.

But she still left.

Is it because of all those letters?

I don't think Kotoe wanted Tomoko...

to move to Kyoto when she turned 19.

It was you who wanted it...

And someone else...

Mrs. Takako is the daughter of the governor of Noto.

She became a part of prince Higashikoji's family as a daughter-in-law.

The prince died 10 years ago.

His elder son Hitoakira died during the war.

You know what happened to Hitoshi's second son.

The lady is alone now.

And the elder son, Hitoakira...

wasn't married?

No.

So for the Higashikoji family...

Tomoko is the only one who can continue the lineage.

Exactly.

So what's on your mind?

I think only about Tomoko's happiness.

A lot has happened at once recently.

You're afraid Tomoko might lose it?

No.

It's not only about Tomoko.

Here's an invitation for tomorrow's ceremony of admiration of maple trees.

What do you and Higashikoji have in mind?

You see...

I met her...

and we agreed that Tomoko has to return to Kyoto.

Ginzo and late Hitoshi were school friends.

He was a frequent guest in the Higashikoji house.

Since Daidoji became a foster-father, he has started going there even more often.

He decided to start a new business and came to seek the prince's advice.

And the prince supported him.

Exactly.

That's how he started his business.

All thanks to the long-time patronage of the Higashikoji family.

In the difficult post-war years...

the Higashikoji family was obviously in dire need too.

It was decided to sell a part of the property.

Ginzo took an active part in that.

For remuneration?

No, of course not...

You're mistaken, he just wanted a bigger profit.

Strange...

Higashikoji has been conducting the admiration of maple trees for 18 years.

This year the ceremony was cancelled, and suddenly this invitation arrives.

As if someone wanted to lure Tomoko in Kyoto...

I have received one too. Strange indeed.

You too?

Yes.

What about Akanezaki and Komai?

Them as well.

So you have accepted the invitation?

I didn't want to...

But since Tomoko's presence is obligatory, I'll have to go with her.

I wonder how Tomoko...

feels about those gentlemen.

Well, she doesn't feel anything special.

I think she quite likes them.

Of course...

they are as young as she is, after all.

So you have nothing to worry about regarding tomorrow.

I don't think anything unexpected might happen.

I'll notify the police, just in case.

Ginzo suspected this might have been a murder?

That theory wasn't confirmed.

He just slipped and fell off the cliff.

Although, for some reason, he had almost no injuries.

That means he didn't die from falling off the cliff.

He was killed somewhere else and then moved there.

So you have nothing else left to say.

They will be notified...

and will take appropriate measures.

I'm very grateful...

that you have all gathered here today, in this marvellous place.

At this annual meeting during the maple tree season...

I want everyone to find peace.

This ceremony has been conducted for 18 years. I was thinking of cancelling it this year...

But then I understood that I have to bring consolation to people's hearts.

If I achieve this goal, I will be very happy.

For a start, you will taste tea from the new harvest...

In addition, you'll get the chance to admire the beauty of autumn foliage.

For this opportunity...

to carry on the tradition of our meetings...

I have to thank Ginzo Daidoji.

I invite everyone to take their seats.

Are you Tomoko?

I met you in Amagi.

Akanezaki and Komai have come as well.

The letter says...

that a murder might be committed during this meeting.

That means Rentaro Tamon might show up here.

We shouldn't worry too much.

Tomoko! Tomoko!

Rentaro Tamon is there!

What? Rentaro?

During the autopsy, a big dose of cyanide...

was found in Akanezaki's stomach.

Poison was also found on the whisk which Tomoko used to stir tea.

You think the perpetrator might have replaced the whisk?

Don't you think that Tomoko is the perpetrator?

How dare you assume that?!

We have to take all versions into account.

The whisk, which was used in the murder...

is an ordinary object, sold everywhere.

I talked to Tomoko...

This whisk...

Was brought to the ceremony by Akanezaki himself.

The whisk could have been replaced without anyone noticing it.

It was easiest to do that for Hideko Kamio.

She wasn't the only one around.

There were a lot of different people there.

I went past Tomoko a few times as well.

But Hideko Kamio had a clear motive, so she inspires suspicion.

After all, she was...

firmly against Tomoko going to Kyoto.

That means...

she didn't want to give Tomoko...

into Yusa's and Akanezaki's hands.

However...

However what...?

But the suspect, Rentaro Tamon, also appeared at the crime site?

I have already ordered to arrest him.

But the circumstances of yesterday's murder demonstrate that he couldn't have done it.

What? You again?

I've come to see Kamio...

Have the police established who Rentaro Tamon is?

On the whole, yes...

He comes from a noble family, who worked for the governor of Noto.

After feudal ownership was abolished, he worked in the prefecture office.

His father serves in the ministry of foreign affairs.

Rentaro himself, while a student, signed up for the kamikaze squad.

Just before his operation flight, capitulation was announced.

He has been arrested a few times for assault.

He works as a bartender. Residence is unknown.

That's all we've been able to find out.

He seems to be a person with a strong character.

I'm not intruding, am I?

Thank you for responding to my request.

How is Tomoko feeling?

She is okay, thank you.

Oh! You have the pictures?

Yes, Kotoe put them in the album herself.

That's all Tomoko has as a remembrance.

Will you show me?

Here, take a look.

It's not here.

No bats anywhere.

Yes, I also tried to find it, but couldn't.

What bat are you talking about?

They say, there was a picture of a bird or animal's wing.

I know about it.

I'm sorry.

What are you looking for?

It concerns the tragedy of 19 years ago.

What do pictures have to do with it?

You're still rummaging in those trifles?

And this is a picture of vagrant actors?

Yes.

Inspector!

There is a man who looks like Rentaro Tamon.

Let's go have a look.

Daidoji, we'll be in touch.

This is the Arashi Sanchô troupe.

In those days, they used to give performances in the Gekkin village once a year.

They spread out straw mats, put up a tent and gave performances there.

Can I borrow this album from you?

I'd like to enlarge the pictures.

You're welcome.

Maybe, I will find out something unexpected as a result.

The secret of the locked room?

Yes, I want to find out about it very much.

Will you tell me?

What? A revengeful spirit?

Yes, I'll come.

What?

It's you?

Auntie, it's your car after all. Do get in.

Why did you send me the letter?

What letter?

Don't pretend you didn't know anything.

Even if you start writing with your left hand,

I'll recognize your handwriting straight away.

At your request, I went to the Gekkin village...

and met Tomoko.

I don't completely understand your plan.

But I really did like Tomoko.

She's a nice girl, isn't she?

Yes.

But now I'm suspected of murder.

Yes, that concerns me a lot.

Don't worry, it will be alright.

No need to worry about such trifles.

For the first time after coming back from the war, I have a reason to live.

Ah, hello...

Are you leaving already?

Just a pulled muscle. Do come in.

I don't understand why you were attacked...

Yes, I'm puzzled as well.

If a passer-by hadn't come to my rescue...

I would be dead now.

You think he wanted to kill you?

When he pushed me off...

I understood that he didn't have such an intention.

It was an impulse...

Did he want money?

No.

Then what did he want?

That album...

What?

I looked around the whole slope, but didn't find it.

He did it to get hold of the album.

You're talking about those pictures?

Exactly.

In any case...

it's my fault, because I was imprudent.

Not at all. It was me who was the reason of your troubles.

Please, forgive me.

Forgive my tactless question...

Kamio, why aren't you married?

Why are you asking...?

I don't think this question surprised you.

Do you want me to show you a picture of the person I loved?

I'd like that very much.

Who is it?

Kotoe.

It's a little bit unexpected.

I'm sorry.

What is it?

I write knitting patterns like this.

I thought it was some kind of code.

It is my code.

Not long ago...

I invented it to write a sequence of stitches when knitting.

The time will come when you will learn how to decipher it.

What?

I'll be going. Take care.

Wait... I wanted to ask you...

about Ginzo Daidoji.

I don't know him that well.

Don't you?

He doesn't like talking about himself.

Except...

He likes talking about the sea...

but very vaguely...

What? About the sea?

Hideko Kamio still hasn't come?

No.

Since yesterday?

Yes.

When she was leaving, she said...

she was going to see Kindaichi.

And you don't know how to contact her?

The thing is...

What now?

Tomoko hasn't returned home yet either.

What? She left together with Hideko Kamio?

No. Tomoko was still at home in the morning.

Ah! Welcome!

You've decide to keep the promise you gave during the admiration of maple trees?

You've come to learn your father's secret.

But not Ginzo Daidoji's...

but the one who died...

in the Gekkin village 19 years ago.

Yes.

I can reveal it to you...

but won't you regret it afterwards?

I want to know the truth.

That day 19 years ago was very cold...

Kamio came to me for help.

When I learnt that a terrible thing had happened, I followed her.

Your father was in the Chinese room, he was lying on the table in a puddle of blood.

His skull was crushed like a ripe pomegranate.

Who... who killed him?

It's unbelievable, but...

it was your mother.

It's not true! You're lying!

I'm sorry but it's true.

That day...

he had told her that he wanted to leave her.

At that time, your mother was already pregnant with you.

They were left alone and locked in that room...

so that they could discuss everything face to face.

Having heard your father's cruel words...

your mother grabbed the yueqin guitar...

and hit your father on the head with all her might.

Your mother killed him.

In order to conceal this fact and protect your mother...

we threw the dead body off the cliff.

Everyone decided that...

your father had fallen off the cliff.

We waited till night came...

then Kamio and I carried the body to the cliff.

I want you...

It's useless. It's a secret room...

Help!

Fumihiko!

Are you sure that Tomoko went to my brother alone?

Why didn't you tell me about it before?

I overheard my sister talking on the phone in the corridor.

And she saw me.

She made me promise I won't tell anyone.

Inspector!

What?

Inspector!

What is it? Where are they?

Let me go!

It hurts!

I have nothing to do with it!

Tomoko is in danger.

There has to be a room there!

I can't find the door...

Is this the Daidoji house? Ginzo, is that you?

What, Tomoko?

Terrible!

Where are you going?

Understood. I'll be there as soon as possible.

I followed Tomoko.

No one believes me, but I've been trying to protect Tomoko all along.

I waited for her to leave, but no one showed up.

When I came in, worried, I didn't find anyone.

And then I heard a scream coming from behind the wall.

It was undoubtedly Tomoko's voice!

I can't have imagined it.

Ah! What next?

I went around the room.

But I couldn't find the door.

Daidoji, how is Tomoko?

She is somewhere behind this wall.

If something happens to Tomoko...

my wife and my late friend won't forgive me.

Tomoko is my life! Tomoko!... Tomoko!

Daidoji, your moaning is useless.

No! Let me go.

It hurts!

This wall is a puzzle.

Let me try.

Looks like a secret room.

Tomoko!

She is alive...

Tomoko... Tomoko... Tomoko!

In those letters it said that blood will be shed three times.

Tomoko.

I'll come out in a minute.

Officer, if you are here to play chess, the master of the house is not in.

What are you talking about?

I'm on duty.

In fact, we're looking for Hideko Kamio...

from the Daidoji house...

She arrived yesterday evening...

Shall I call her?

Wait!

Can I make a call?

Please, Kyoto, third ward 4186, Higashiyama police department.

I think I understand...

why Hideko went to Izu...

I contacted Yamamoto, the local policeman...

and sent detective Kogure to learn the details on site.

He says Hideko Kamio has been there for two days.

She stayed in the Zen'ya Inn the night Tsukumo was murdered.

Excuse me.

That means, she had enough time to get from Kyoto...

But why did Kamio leave?

I don't understand it...

She escaped.

You're trying to say she killed Tsukumo?

I didn't say that.

But, in order to establish the perpetrator's motive...

we have to compare all the details.

This way, we'll be able to unravel a lot of mysteries.

That's why we need you to be present personally.

You learnt where the key from the Chinese room was...

from the note, in which your mother's lipstick was wrapped.

Is that correct?

Yes.

There is some mystery in this lipstick...

What about Kindaichi?

He suddenly disappeared...

I've always said that private detectives are irresponsible people.

THE CITY OF SHIMODA IN IZU

Mum! It's different here!

Can you play faster? Come on!

Listen! Listen everyone!

Great news!

Huge discounts on all the products and alcohol!

Everyone's invited for the opening of the new store!

Hey! You've got a customer!

Actually, I was walking past your house...

and I saw lanterns, covered with Kantei hieroglyphs.

I understood that people here know a lot about kabuki,

so I decided to ask a couple questions.

It's a paper lanterns store, and I paint them myself.

For example, Arashi Sanchô... "Arashi", as in "downpour"...

"San", as in "three", "chô" as in "dawn". Everything together is the actor's name.

I heard he lives in Shimoda, and now I'm looking for him.

It's a vagrant actors troupe.

Really? Do you know them?

They were quite famous.

They also gave performances in Amagi in the Gekkin village.

Yes, once a year.

Do you know where they are now?

And who are you?

I'm a private detective.

You are a detective?

A detective wears a hunter's hat, pulled over his eyes.

He also wears a kimono from dark-blue cotton.

There's a rope in his hands, a scroll in his pocket.

He stands in the light of a gas lamp.

I was very popular in the role of a detective, terror of all thieves.

That's what a detective should look like.

Ah... So you are also an actor?

Of course. I am Arashi Sanchô.

So you're the one I'm looking for?

Looks like it.

No kidding?

What business do you have?

Do you recall how many people were there in your troupe in 1932?

Ah, it was the heyday of my troupe, there were 12 of us then.

12 people.

Not 13?

Seriously, there were exactly a dozen!

I was proud of that... This is Otomi, my wife.

What is it about?

Welcome.

1932 was the year when the Three Human Bombs blew themselves up.

Yes, a play based on this event was very popular.

Our brigade is storming the city of Byokotin. Cold morning of February 22th, at 5 AM...

I said it to remember how many people were there in the troupe that year.

I served in the tea house in Shuzenji at the time.

And the troupe in Izu was gathered on the plant which produced bento.

Remember, you hired one curious guy?

Yes, it was during a performance in the Gekkin village.

A young guy came to us and asked to hire him for only one performance.

I don't understand why I agreed.

It was a guy about 21-22 years old?

Tall, with a penetrating glance?

Yes.

Otomi, we have to go.

I'm coming.

Wait...

Eyes look more expressive like this.

Yes, like a sad fish. Will do!

Alright, I'll be going...

Goodbye!

Fate played a nasty trick on these cheap bento.

Right after the war...

strip-shows took all the audience from theatres, and the troupe broke up.

Given such a sad state of affairs, I went to work in a tea house.

This is where I met Otomi.

She opened a sandwich store.

And I started selling paper lanterns.

Tell me, there, in the Gekkin village...

was a bat mentioned in that performance?

A bat, you say...

Yes, in the play called Yowa Nasake Ukina-no Yokogushi...

Yosaburo Kirare's friend had a bat.

Really?

It was smart of me to remember...

And...

did this bat fly?

It couldn't fly.

Why didn't you tell me anything?

Why did you go to Tsukumo's house?

The police told me everything.

I had to find out my father's secret...

whatever it takes.

Have you been to the secret chamber?

Yes, there is the yueqin guitar there.

Is that mother's guitar?

She used to often play that guitar in that room.

I was told it was there that mother killed father.

Tsukumo told you that, didn't he?

He lied to you.

You're standing at the exact place where the murder was committed.

This time...

Ah, Kindaichi...

Where have you been?

To the Noto peninsula.

Noto?

Yes, to the fisherman village not far from the city of Wajima.

I went to see Rui Hayami.

My step-mother?

You have changed your last name three times.

Semba, Hayami and then Daidoji.

I checked in the family registration book.

Rui is my mother's younger sister.

Are you investigating many other cases on top of the main one?

A tragedy happened in your family, which led to its breakup.

You mean my father getting into prison?

Father got sick and died in prison.

My mother and I returned to Noto.

Soon after that mum died also.

I became an orphan, and Rui adopted me.

In order to get into high school...

you went to Kyoto again.

It was a great opportunity to become Hitoshi's school friend.

It could have been a mere accident.

His mother was Mrs. Higashikoji...

who is also a descendant of the governor of Noto.

It looks like you've studied everything that connects me to Noto very well.

I have.

In order to understand all these letters I studied your life

and the Higashikoji family inside out.

That's how I got the idea to go to Noto...

But what does it have to do with the murder?

I don't know yet...

You again?

Why have you come here?

Well...

I'd like to take a look into the secret chamber.

What? You have already been there?

No, I didn't say that.

And you?

I've been to the Chinese room.

When?

I didn't know then that Kotoe had forbidden to unlock the room.

Yes... there are still bloodstains there.

A lot of them.

It proves Tsukumo's words, who told Tomoko...

that Hitoshi Higashikoji was murdered.

However, there's not enough blood to assume that his body was dragged.

I knew at once that these letters were cut up from discount adverts.

It's obvious that they were written by someone from your circle.

I don't think it was a madman.

Why did you escape Izu so unexpectedly?

I didn't escape.

But I would like to know the reason.

I have nothing to say.

Nothing?

Do you understand that it only reinforces suspicions against you?

According to the confession that Tsukumo made to Tomoko...

Tsukumo and you dragged Hitoshi's dead body.

In this way, you managed to conceal the fact that Kotoe murdered Hitoshi.

You were afraid that Tsukumo would reveal your secret.

And you killed him.

It was you who did it!

Kamio is not like that.

Tomoko.

The reason behind it is your morbid love to Kotoe and her daughter Tomoko.

You couldn't let anyone take them from you.

Who is it?

Sorry to interrupt.

Kindaichi has revealed a circumstance, vital to the investigation.

And is asking everyone to come.

Where and what could he have revealed?

It's over there... in the Chinese room.

And how did he get in there?

What?

Idiot!

The Chinese room is a crucially important place for the investigation!

No one must be let inside!

I'm sorry.

I apologize for having to call you all here.

First of all, I'd like to ask you, Kamio.

The ring, which Hitoshi had given Kotoe...

You said it had been kept in the chest of drawers, in Kotoe's room.

Yes.

You were looking for it for a long time afterwards, but couldn't find?

Yes.

Excuse me, could you shake this guitar a little bit?

There seems to be something inside.

Turn it upside down...

Do you recognize it?

Without any doubt, it's the exact same ring that Hitoshi gave Kotoe.

The ring, which should have been kept in Kotoe's room...

ended up here for some reason.

You think it has some connection to the murder?

Yes.

When Kotoe and Hitoshi were left alone in this room...

you talked to the head of the Daidoji family...

It's true.

After that...

Kotoe, for some reason, leaves and goes to his room...

and then returns here with a ring in his hand.

Otherwise, the ring couldn't have ended up here.

And yet...

If it's true...

then Hitoshi was alone...

in the room for some time?

Yes. It means the room wasn't locked...

And that, in turn, means that when Kotoe left, someone could have got in.

In that case...

the murderer knew that Hitoshi was in the room alone.

Really?

Now everything is clear!

It was you!

Am I late?

No, I had to meet you as soon as possible...

and I called you immediately on the phone.

It's about Hitoshi's murder investigation.

We found the lost ring.

Where?

Please...

In fact, this ring...

is the key to the mystery you're trying to unravel.

Kotoe, with the ring in her hand...

returned to the Chinese room.

At that time, this room had the status of a secret chamber.

The rule was to lock the door as soon as someone came in.

Kotoe did the same.

But she applied more effort.

Kotoe was agitated, and she closed the door with all her strength.

You think she was agitated at that moment?

It's unclear...

On the contrary.

Everything is clear.

19 years ago Hitoshi came here...

to tell Kotoe that I was against their marriage.

He had to bring back the ring, which belonged to the family.

I ordered Hitoshi to do that.

This demand, apparently, shocked Kotoe.

Having heard Kotoe's scream from Tetsuya's room...

Kamio rushed to the rescue, but the door was locked.

It's impossible to prove now.

The only witness, Tetsuya Daidoji, died 15 years ago.

The maid, who had come to call Kamio, was a witness.

She said...

Kamio, the master is calling you.

When I talked to you in Kyoto...

you told me that, undoubtedly...

Kamio went to Mr. Tetsuya's room.

Yes.

It means someone had entered the room before Kamio returned?

Yes.

This person killed Hitoshi and later started sending all these letters.

The same person killed Yusa and Akanezaki.

It was you.

Daidoji, why don't you say it's not true?

There's no need.

The day Hitoshi was killed in the Chinese room, I was in Kyoto.

I found out about what had happened from a telegram.

No, you were in Izu.

It's ridiculous.

It was you who attacked me to get hold of the album Hideko had given to me.

By doing that, you made a big mistake.

What are you talking about?

In that album...

there was a photo, which you, Daidoji, had never seen before.

In that picture, Hitoshi captured the Arashi Sanchô troupe.

It was picture of a vagrant actors troupe.

From Kyoto, I went to Noto and met Arashi Sanchô in Shimoda.

Someone who has killed one person...

in order to remove an obstacle on his way...

easily chooses murder next time as well.

It's terrible.

That's how one murder leads to another.

Inspector.

The knives, which were used in Tsukumo's murder...

they were thrown from the ceiling, weren't they?

Yes, the angle points to the fact that they were thrown from the ceiling.

Those were sharp blades, used when praying at the altar.

But I don't understand...

how they could have fallen from the ceiling.

You were involved in planning and constructing the building.

That's how you knew...

how to open this complicated puzzle of woodblocks.

In that case...

if he knew, why didn't he open it at once?

Todoroki, but Daidoji pushed you against the wall.

This idea suddenly came to his mind.

In order to open it, one had to push a woodblock.

He used your body for that.

Kindaichi...

but I don't have a motive...

Your goal is the Higashikoji house...

What do you mean?

Ma'am...

do you remember Semba, the stableman who used to serve in your house?

Semba?

Yes, I remember him.

It was one of the locals, but very responsible...

Daidoji is Semba's son.

Is it...

really true?

Yes.

I've been to Noto.

And talked to Rui, Daidoji's step-mother.

I heard from my elder sister many times...

that her husband, that is my brother-in-law, Itizo...

Well, I was told...

that his master Higashikoji was once riding a horse and ran over a girl.

My brother-in-law took the blame...

and went to prison.

The master allocated only a small sum of money as a compensation.

And pretended nothing had happened.

My sister always told me,...

'Of course, they were noble people...

but they acted dishonestly.'

My brother-in-law died in that prison.

Soon after that, my sister died also.

But even after her death...

her soul did not rest in peace.

I think...

If I meet father in the other world...

I'll tell him that he did a great thing for his master.

That's what my father was like.

Higashikoji's name has burnt my heart since I was a child.

Fascinated by the legend of Yoritomo...

I, together with Hitoshi, arrived in the Gekkin village and was smitten with Kotoe.

But, unfortunately, she fell in love with Hitoshi...

Higashikoji's family took away my father and mother.

Hitoshi added fuel to the fire.

You were angry with the master...

But why did you have to kill Hitoshi?

Hayami...

Help me!

Help me calm Kotoe down.

She just needs to wait a little.

You won't be able to make Kotoe happy!

I saw Hitoshi's blood spill...

and I swore to eliminate the whole Higashikoji family.

That's why...

That's why Tomoko...

It's not true!

I'm the murderer!

Teacher!

Hideko!

I told the truth!

No, it's not true.

What have you done!

I'm the murderer!

Tomoko, Tsutayo, forgive me...

Kamio!

You've taken up knitting?

Yes, but it doesn't work out well.

What are you trying to knit?

It looks somewhat messy...

Maybe you could teach me?

Me? I can't knit at all.

Does a detective have to be able to knit?

Of course...

And sew as well?

Yes, I can do that.

I'm so mad.

The newspaper talks about Kamio...

as if teacher became enamoured

and, filled with diabolic cruelty, committed murder after murder.

I couldn't imagine she was such a terrible person.

How can a woman...

just shoot a person?

I understood!

When I saw this symbol, I understood that it can't be knit.

And it can't be knit because it's a cipher...

A cipher?

I have to read it.

It's not a knitting pattern.

Here... and here... and here as well...

I see...

A-KA-I-KE I-TO-NO-TA-MA...

RED CLEW...

What does it mean?

I have asked everyone to gather.

Because I have something I need to show you.

Kindaichi...

Isn't the investigation over?

It is, of course...

But I wanted you to know something.

What exactly?

But there is one condition...

You all have to keep it secret...

Secret from Tomoko?

If she finds out...

she won't be able to take it.

Are these Kamio's and your father's graves?

Yes.

In connection with our upcoming wedding...

aunt Higashikoji expresses her regret...

that Daidoji couldn't formally introduce us.

Terrible consequences brought us together.

I apologize on behalf of my aunt.

However, my arrival today has nothing to do with her.

I have arrived on my own volition.

Hideko Kamio left a death note for me.

Where did you find it?

Inside a clew.

FOR KOSUKE KINDAICHI

Please, read it.

"Mr. Kosuke Kindaichi..."

"You have managed to prove Kotoe's innocence."

"The Chinese room is not only a secret chamber."

"The time has come to explain who had to enter this room."

"Until recently, I held out hope in my heart"

"but the last bastion has now been destroyed."

"And the time is now."

"I have made up my mind."

Hideko was ready for anything.

When was this letter written?

Her brush moved over the paper in such a chaotic way.

"Everything that happened..."

"is a consequence of my recklessness."

"When 19 years ago Hitoshi and Ginzo came to the Gekkin village..."

"Hitoshi and Kotoe had an affair."

"I basically pushed them myself."

"If you ask me what made me do such a reprehensible thing..."

"it's because I was in love with Ginzo."

I helped Kotoe fall in love with another man...

because I thought I might get a chance to marry Ginzo.

But Ginzo's love to Kotoe...

turned out too strong...

I understood it after what happened to Hitoshi.

The day came when Ginzo married Kotoe.

Because of my unfortunate love...

all these terrible things happened.

Ah, Tsutayo...

You know about what happened, don't you?

Yes.

I have a big request.

I'm going to Kyoto and I ask you to take care of the master instead of me.

Alright.

It's very important!

Mistress...

I'll repay you for your trust...

It's a pleasure for me...

How so?

For many years...

I have enjoyed the protection of this house.

But because of my brother's recklessness I became a geisha...

You have done a lot of good for me.

No. I have nothing but selfishness in me.

Don't say that.

They didn't know anything...

neither Kotoe, nor Tsutayo...

about me and Ginzo. I hope they forgive me.

Kotoe loved Hitoshi so much...

I knew I couldn't kill him.

But Ginzo's passion for Kotoe was so strong...

that it aroused my suspicion.

It was unclear to me why Ginzo couldn't see Hitoshi's feelings.

I didn't share my doubts because I was in love.

And then Yusa's murder on the tower happened.

It was me who informed Hideko about what had happened to Yusa.

Immediately after it happened?

Yes.

That morning I had brought a robe to my master while he was in the bathroom...

But he wasn't there...

And then he appeared there again.

So he had left the bathroom...

When you told Kamio...

about this story with the bathroom...

how did she react?

She had this look on her face...

like she couldn't believe it.

And then immediately she turned sad.

She said that it had to remain between the two of us.

I looked into Ginzo's face...

and tried to dissipate my doubts.

I realized that his love to Kotoe...

was passed on to Tomoko.

He couldn't give Tomoko away.

On the day of admiration of maple trees...

Ginzo confessed to it.

I have tried to kill Tomoko several times.

But I couldn't.

Kotoe always protected her.

Tomoko is so much like Kotoe...

Why did it all turn out like that?

Do you want to know?

Actually...

I don't want to know anything.

I have long known...

about your feelings to me.

I like you too.

But now it doesn't matter.

When you gaze into the distance...

what do you imagine?

The sea.

Deep sea.

Like in your motherland?

You said you didn't want to know anything.

For over 20 years, Hideko...

carried this photo in the medallion on her neck.

The medallion was also inside the clew.

Who in the world decided that Tomoko...

had to move to Kyoto when she turned 19?

Kamio could never understand it.

It was me who suggested it.

Daidoji agreed with me.

Tomoko has to inherit the Higashikoji family's property.

And I haven't changed my mind.

In the death note, it says that...

during the admiration of maple trees, Kamio...

witnessed Daidoji give Akanezaki a tea whisk.

Kamio's suspicions against Daidoji...

are supported by this photo.

It was also inside the clew.

But it's the vagrant actors troupe!

Yes. 19 years ago, there was the Arashi Sanchô troupe.

Daidoji himself was among its actors.

Kamio put this picture in the album before giving it to me.

First, she enlarged the picture.

And only then she showed me the album.

She decided to entrust me with Daidoji's further destiny.

It was in this picture that Hitoshi saw a bat.

In the eyes of the actors, Daidoji is an independent person.

In the eyes of the village residents, he is a part of the troupe.

On the whole...

We can say that Daidoji was undecided.

Kamio returned to Izu...

because she wanted to believe what she saw in the photo.

In the Zen'ya Inn?

Yes.

The Arashi Sanchô troupe stayed in the Zen'ya Inn for the night.

According to the old logbooks, there were 12 people in the troupe.

The day Hitoshi was murdered, 13 people checked in.

Until the last moment, Kamio...

prayed to god and hoped that Daidoji wasn't a murderer.

In any case...

she wasn't a murderer herself.

I have made up my mind...

I'll use that gun...

which Ginzo hid after coming back from the war.

I have a final request...

I don't want aspersions to be cast on the Daidoji family.

For the sake of Tomoko's future.

Let everyone think I'm the murderer.

I beg you, Kindaichi.

Forget everything you have learnt.

Don't let Tomoko think she's a daughter of a cruel murderer.

It was all my fault.

Hideko Kamio.

I want to say...

I did it all myself.

Neither Ginzo, nor Hideko are guilty.

It was me who ruined Hitoshi and Kotoe's marriage...

because I thought they were from different social layers.

If I had consented then...

none of this would have happened.

Did you hear everything?

Yes.

Tomoko...

I...

have to apologize for my father.

Until this day...

I couldn't imagine what kind of person he was.

You have to understand...

Your father is Hitoshi Higashikoji.

No.

No, my father is Ginzo Daidoji.

No one loved me and my mother...

more than my father.

Now I understand it.

Tomoko is Daidoji's daughter.

That's why she has to stay in the Gekkin village.

I support her decision.

I'm sorry.

I also think you made the right decision.

Both Hideko...

and the master...

would have been glad to hear that.

Ah! It's you?

Where are you going?

Another murder.

You're not that good at knitting!

I'm only learning.

Hideko Kamio used to knit very well.

This time I was wrong.

About who the murderer was?

No, you weren't wrong.

- What are you talking about? - No, nothing.

Kindaichi, see you next time.

Yes.

THE END