Original subtitles

TOEI COMPANY, LTD.

On a certain day in 1630,

in the seventh year of Third Shogun lemitsu's reign

a horrifying incident happened in the inner palace.

Lady Ofune, nineteen, had been selected to bed lemitsu that night.

Come here! Quick.

Your Excellency, what's wrong?

Monster!

A monster!

NINJA'S MARK: THE SECRET OF THE FYLFOT (Shinobi no Manji)

Planning by: AMAO Kanji, MATSUDAIRA Norimichi Original Story by: YAMADA Futaro Hochi Shinbun Serialization, Kodansha publication Screenplay by: SAJlI Susumu, ONO Ryunosuke

Photography by: SUZUKI Jubei Lighting by: NAKAYAMA Haruo Sound Recording by: NOZU Hiro Art Direction by: ANMEMORI Yoshimitsu Music by: IBE Harumi Editor: HORIIKE Kozo

Assistant Director: HONDA Tatsuo Continuity: TANAKA Misae Set Design: KONDO Koichi Set Decoration: SHIBATA Chojin Makeup: TORII Seiichi Hair: SHIRATORI Satoko Wardrobe: IWASAKO Tamotsu Fight Choreography: UENO Ryuzo Production Manager: TAWARAZAKA Takahiro

Cast:

NATSUYAGI Isao SAKURAMACHI Hiroko

YAMAMOTO Rinichi ENDO Tatsuo USHIO Kenji SUGA Kantaro KOMATSU Hosel YAMASHIRO Shingo

MISHIMA Yuriko KUWABARA Yukiko KIRITACHI Harumi MAYAMA Tomoko MARI Annu MARI Akemi

NAKAMURA Kinji KAWANMURA Mitsukazu HORI Masao SEKINE Eijiro KUMAGAI Takeshi SHIGA Masaru OGAWA Mariko MIURA Yoshiko AWAJI Daisuke OMAE Hitoshi

SOGANOYA Meicho HANAYAGI Kogiku OKI Minoru

Directed by SUZUKI Noribumi

Toma.

Oh, this is a strange place to meet

a shogunate martial arts instructor.

I have important business with you.

It's a national crisis.

A national crisis?

But what does a national crisis

have to do with me?

I've been cast out of the Yagyu school.

How about a drink? - Toma.

This is serious.

In a peaceful world, there are no worthy opponents.

Now it's brains over brawn, money over strength,

but | have neither brains nor money...

I am penniless.

That's my crisis.

Could you lend me some money?

It must be fate that | encountered my old master Sir Tajima

when I've overstayed and can't pay.

Toma, the time to show your prowess has come.

This comes straight from the Chief Minister.

You mean the old man Lord Oi?

That's right.

A strange thing happened in the Ooku (Inner Palace) at Edo Castle.

Thanks for coming, Shiinoha Toma.

I believe you know the details,

but this is the only lead.

I'll inspect it.

All the scales have been removed...

while the carp was alive.

Chief Minister...

This symbol?

Tajima and | came up with nothing.

It's most curious.

We want you to solve it.

I believe ninja guard the inner palace.

That's right.

The Koga, Iga, and Negoro ninja groups alternate

and we investigated them all.

I also hear that the girls who are

taken into the inner palace are all beauties.

How do you know?

The Yoshiwara prostitutes' rumors.

Even renowned courtesans are desperate to receive the summons.

Listen well, Shiinoha.

This is all for His Excellency.

For the prosperity of the Tokugawa clan.

His Excellency is almost thirty.

Yet he has not sired an heir.

When we think of that,

I, Kasuga, and the 3.000 women can't sit still.

That's why the chief minister and Lady Kasuga

have given you the prestigious task of protecting the inner palace.

No matter how accomplished the ninja is,

your anti-ninja martial arts...

What is this anti-ninja art?

I imbue my sword with spirit

by forgoing all contact with women.

I seal all my distracting thoughts into a virgin

and close all of the virgin's six senses.

Until | break the spell she must sleep.

These are the most able of the Koga, Iga, and Negoro.

I've instructed them to help you in guarding the inner palace.

Identify yourself.

Ashida Shobei, Iga.

Yamane Jinpachiro, Iga.

Uzura Daigoro, Negoro

Mushikago Ujin, Negoro.

Why hide your identity?

I was testing you.

Ninja pride themselves in not showing their faces

to an unknown and untested person.

Rubbish.

Dodo Senjuro, Koga.

Discard your stupid pride.

Come out, Dodo Senjuro.

Dodo, I'm not going to fall for your trick.

I'm sorry.

As a suckerfish dwells on a shark,

| dwell on a woman's skin.

A strange man. -lam.

| am Shiinoha Toma.

Starting today, | am a shogunate covert agent.

You'll work with me to stop the villains.

Oh, it's you Sir.

On a cold night like this, patrolling isn't easy.

ujin...

Show me what you have there.

Oh, no.

I don't care to be questioned here.

That was close. Are you serious?

You have a live carp.

What?

I don't.

Your intent to kill me is weak.

You can sense that?

Yes, I'm really sensitive.

| can sense other's intent to kill...

even when I'm asleep.

1 call it "Sword in the Dark".

| see.

Then what do you call using a carp and

transferring the scales to a woman?

Ninja art of Shiny Skin.

Ujin, the carp speaks.

I put a reed into the carp's gills.

When it runs out of water, it calls for help.

Art of Crying for Mother.

Give up and tell all.

Who asked you and for what purpose to do this?

Excellent!

You're better than your reputation.

I've improved on the Yagyu killing style.

The sword senses a ninja and kills,

reversing his attack.

Look, Sir Shiinoha.

A fylfot on the Tokugawa crest.

Ninja art of Homing Onto Desire.

Ninja art of Homing Onto Desire?

That's right.

While struggling with Ujin,

Obumi made him the focus of her sexual desire,

and as a pigeon, returns to its nest no matter where he is,

she'll follow him until she dies.

I feel him.

1 feel Ujin.

My desire is strong.

He is near.

Take me! Take me, Sir Toma!

Obumi!

Tell me.

Is Ujin here?

Obumi!

Obumi!

Stop it, Fuji!

Fuji is the dog's name?

Yes.

Can | ask you something?

What?

Who lives in that residence?

Who could it be?

You don't know?

| do but...

Why don't you guess?

What?

I really want to know.

What's the matter?

Cramps...

Sir Samurai...

Here.

Better?

Thank you.

Just a bit...

The sword is warning me.

This ninja art?

My secret art is...

Red spider lily? - That's right.

You lit my desire.

When I'm aroused my breath changes.

It paralyzes creatures then destroys them.

You're a breath away.

A pitiful woman.

Pitiful?

Princess, you got him?

How about the other one?

Ujin captured her.

He's still alive.

What? Still alive?

Wait!

Let's take him back.

However, a man who won't die with your art...

No, you mustn't!

I have to ask him something.

Sir Toma.

Sir Toma?

I let my guard down.

Is this inside that residence?

| don't know.

I lost consciousness outside the gate...

And when | came to, | was here.

Stop pretending to be unconscious.

I have a soft spot for pretty women.

Your name?

Shiinoha Toma. And you?

Kageroi.

Kageroi? That's a pretty name.

What's your aim in upsetting the inner palace every night?

You're wreaking much havoc.

You just answer my questions.

| can't do that.

Tell me who you are.

You're shogunate covert agents.

Who asked you to check us out?

Chief Minister Dol Oi-no-kami.

What?

The chief minister knows about you.

Stop your useless resistance. - Liar!

I don't lie.

I'm going to ask this woman if you're telling the truth.

Does it hurt?

Poor thing.

Obumi!

Get out of here!!

Close your eyes!

Don't look at her! Look away!

How did you find this residence?

Answer me.

Ninja art of Homing Onto Desire.

I cast it on Ujin.

Did you come by orders of Lord Doi?

No.

The chief minister doesn't know.

So | breathed that, too?

Poor thing.

There's no need to fee pity.

You die at the height of enrapture.

There's no better happiness than that.

No, I'm not talking about Obumi.

I'm talking about you.

Me? You pity me?

Tell me what you mean.

No man can win against me.

You can't fall in love.

That's why | pity you.

Love?

You're a woman.

You may meet a man who you desire.

What happens then?

Love is just a distraction.

There's no use denying it.

You'll kill the man you love.

You can't fall in love. You're imperfect!

Imperfect?

That's not true!

ujin. - Yes?

That woman cast a spell on you and followed you.

What? Chief? - You slipped up!

Take lkada tonight and sneak into the inner palace.

Ikada.

Couple your art of Body Swap with Ujin's Body of Desire

and use it on His Excellency.

That will surely make him impotent.

His Excellency must not have an heir.

Lady Okuni...

Listen well to the reason | chose you.

His Excellency has gone off women

due to certain incidents.

But | have persuaded him to come tonight.

Make sure you please him.

Yes.

But you're a virgin, you do not know how.

So just make sure you

do exactly what His Excellency wants.

Since you're so beautiful,

His Excellency will surely favor you

and perhaps give you an heir.

It's Lady Okuni. I'm sure of it.

Okuru.

There's a sachet my mother gave me in the box.

Please fetch it.

Yes, My Lady.

Okuru?

Okuru!

Okuru!

IGA NINJA ART BODY SWAP

Iga Ninja Art, Body Swap.

What a great assignment.

Oh, all right. Right away.

You're even more beautiful!

Ujin. Stop staring.

My ninja art only lasts one night.

Meaning, a man's seed

can live inside a woman for only a night.

We have to finish everything by this time tomorrow.

Quickly, do your Body of Desire spell.

It's my turn now.

I cover you with my saliva with special powers.

Then you will be aroused

when touched anywhere on your body.

What wonderful breasts she has.

NEGORO NINJA ART BODY OF DESIRE

Well?

How does the secret Negoro spell feel?

It's so weird.

Just the feel of silk makes me dizzy.

No man can resist you.

Don't slip up.

While I'm gone...

Don't ever leave my empty body alone.

She could melt a man's soul.

You are truly beautiful!

Beautiful!

Hey!

Hey, who was here? Where did he go?

I don't know!

The sachet...

Where is Milady?

She's half asleep.

Wait, Sir Dodo.

Scent of a man... - What?

Two of them.

What's this?

It needs a man's strength to break this.

Who's this?

He's cold. He's dead.

But why is he here?

Kinusa!

How dare you!

Vixen!

I'll kill you with my Koga double sword.

Die by Koga Eagle Feathers!

I got it.

You're a man possessing this woman.

You finally noticed.

I am lkada Oriemon.

You're too late, Koga ninja!

I've stolen all of His Excellency's seeds.

His Excellency is now impotent.

He can never sire an heir!

What?

Prepare the red decayed leaves.

Koga ninja art, Red Decayed Leaves.

KOGA NINJA ART RED DECAYED LEAVES

Okuni is dead.

So you're back.

When the woman dies, you return immediately.

However... - What?

The Koga uses a powerful art.

How did it go?

It went well.

lemitsu is now a walking dead.

Hurry! They found your empty shell.

What will you do with that man?

In Christian countries in the west,

they enjoy pitting man against beast.

I'm thinking of having him fight Fuji.

No!

I captured this man.

But it is the chief minister's wish.

I am not his retainer.

No, Princess, you mustn't!

Poor man...

Please save him.

You made a mistake, Fuji.

I am your master.

Your master.

Your enemy is over there.

The man in front of you.

That's him. Go!

Leave us.

Does it hurt?

What's it to you?

You've become kind, Kageroi.

This medicine works well.

The roots of the red spider lily...

Chameleon plant...

Mugwort...

It's medicine from western lands.

The red spider lily is poisonous.

The same as your breath.

Poison diluted becomes medicine.

Then there may be salvation for you yet...

As a woman.

Don't be brazen.

No man can ever win over me.

Not even you, who defeated Fuji.

That's right. I'd lose to you.

Do you know why?

Because you're weak. - No.

It's because | love you.

Even though I'm a shogunate covert agent,

I've become a captive of your charms.

I won't try to escape anymore.

You said | was a pitiful woman.

You can't fool me.

Do it yourself.

The Tokugawa crest and the fylfot symbol.

Chief!

What's happening inside Edo Castle?

It's like a hornet's nest,

doctors are being called.

The three main houses, Kishu, Owari and Mito of the Tokugawa clan

have come to Edo hearing the rumors.

They're gathering all the ministers for a meeting.

They may make lemitsu resign.

Chief...

When are you going to kill the government spy?

Not yet.

He's a good looking man.

Chief...

| betrayed my comrades and left my clan for you.

Yet you cast me aside for another man...

It's too much.

I'm not interested in him.

You're lying!

I can see you want him. - Shut up!

What's wrong with me falling for another man?

Yes. | do love that man.

When | see him, my blood boils.

Kageroi. Please believe me.

Can't you believe me?

True love means trusting each other.

Not doubting the other no matter what.

That ninja lkada. He called you princess.

Let me tell you what | think.

Kageroi is just your pseudonym.

In fact you are the daughter of Takayama Ukon,

whose territory was confiscated by Toyotomi.

At that time, | heard that

Sir Ukon used the fylfot as his insignia in the battlefields.

Those who gather under the fylfot symbol now

wish to restore the house and clan.

But what does that have to do with

robbing His Excellency of his ability to create an heir?

That's what | don't get.

It looks like I've hit the mark.

A dangerous man. - Wait.

I have more to say.

There's someone who's assisting the Takayama restoration efforts.

But that person is using you.

No!

That man secretly took me in

when | was destitute.

He asked an Osaka merchant

to send lkada and | to the Philippines.

There | learned the western ninja art from a European.

So that one day,

I may repay his kindness and restore my family.

| see.

Now that | know all this, you can't possibly let me live.

Or will you trust me?

I don't think | can let you live.

All right. Kill me.

That was my purpose in telling you.

If you can't trust me, I'd rather die.

If...

If | trust you, what do you want me to do?

Do you want me to let you go?

No.

Tattoo me in the same place as yours.

You knew that, too?

There was a tattoo on the ninja that | killed in the inner palace.

One more thing.

Could you just undo the hand restraints?

It hurts too much.

I trust you.

Toma?

Toma.

Toma!

Hey, wake up!

Where's Toma? - Oh, Chief!

Find him!

“Kageroi, | appreciate your feelings for me...

“But love is part of the art.”

Chief Councilor of Suruga,

Lord Tokugawa Tadanaga, is on the premises!

Oi, how is Brother?

The doctor says he'll make a full recovery very shortly.

Brother was never robust even as a child.

Oi, you have your hands full.

Thank you. - |1 hear he's impotent.

That's not...

Qi?

Do you know what that illness does?

Well that's...

If you have it, you'll never beget a child.

Isn't that right, Lord Kishu?

I hear it makes a person a vegetable.

That's not good, Oi.

If His Excellency can't produce an heir

it may bring disturbance throughout the country.

Lord Owari...

Then we need to choose the next heir.

We need a person

who aids His Excellency in his duties as an heir.

I think there is no one else but the chief councilor.

Urgent shogunate business. Excuse me.

I know about the Tokugawa crest and the fylfot symbol.

Tell me.

The Tokugawa crest, our only clue,

is only used by the three branch families

and his brother Lord Tadanaga.

No!

Don't say anything so blasphemous.

Lord Suruga the chief councilor can't possibly...

Seven years ago, when the former shogun passed away,

I hear the castle was split in two

as to which of them would inherit the position.

Do you have proof?

| saw it with my own eyes.

The residence of the suspicious ninja is in Surugadai.

It's back to back with the chief councilor's residence.

I can't believe it.

But...

Oi, we've been talking...

But we think it best if Lord Tadanaga...

His Excellency is coming!

What?

His Excellency has arrived!

Brother, how do you feel?

Restrain yourself!

You may not call me Brother!

There must be decorum even between those who are close.

Chief Councilor, you are my only brother.

If something happens to me,

you are the person who will be in charge of the shogunate for a while.

Governing the country is a difficult endeavor.

Mistakes are made.

But rectifying that immediately is the mark of a true ruler.

For instance, | hear some may use

ninja to bring chaos to the country.

But there may be pitiful women...

No, people.

Teach and persuade them with care

and have them repent.

It is also important to have underlings who you can trust.

Bad retainers will destroy you!

I hear your woman is beautiful.

You, Your Excellency, have a harem of

three thousand beautiful women.

I envy you.

Yes, since Kasuga keeps throwing them at me,

I get no rest.

We await news of a healthy heir.

Then I'll give you good news.

One of the women in the harem is with child.

Is that true?

Yes, it's certain.

Then | pray for the safe birth of the heir.

I thank you all for your concern.

I am appreciative.

Damn Tadanaga! I won't forgive him!

How could he do this? I won't forgive him!

Put him under house arrest.

| order he be confined to Takasaki Castle.

Yes, Your Excellency! Immediately!

Your Excellency, please have just a little of these.

Build up your strength so you may sire an heir very soon.

When Tadanaga reaches Takasaki Castle...

Have him commit seppuku immediately.

This is heart wrenching.

|1 feel his despair.

Isn't there something we can do?

Chief Minister...

When the common people do not feel well,

they go to restore their health

in the Hakone hot springs.

The women in the inner palace also say the Hakone hot springs are beneficial.

Let's make arrangements for His Excellency.

Toma, with your skills,

we were able to avoid a major crisis.

I commend you. - Not at all.

It was because His Excellency was strong.

The art of hypnosis can only work on a person with a pure heart.

You gave false information about a pregnancy of one of the women.

What do you intend to do about this?

That was out of desperation.

Then why don't | make it true.

What?

We'll make the women pregnant.

There was an Iga ninja who could make women pregnant just by touching.

Blasphemy!

It has to be with His Excellency's seed,

or he couldn't be considered an heir.

And how do you tell?

You inspect the baby's placenta.

The placenta?

If it's a Tokugawa family heir,

when the placenta is purified with salt water,

the Tokugawa crest will appear magically.

If that crest is not there,

it will not be considered His Excellency's heir.

Yes, befitting a house with an honorable origin.

Then if it is the heir of his brother,

will it also show the Tokugawa crest?

Of course.

These two are sisters Oso and Osai of the Koga ninja clan.

Using their ninja art,

they will procure the seed of Lord Tadanaga.

And what is that ninja art, female ninja?

We'll use the Koga ninja art Love Messenger,

and using our spell, lead him to paradise.

| see. Love Messenger.

Once they are successful in bringing back his seed,

the ladies in the inner palace will become pregnant.

It's for the continuation of the Tokugawa rule.

You must bring back his seed.

Chief Councilor of Suruga.

It is His Excellency's orders to procure your seed.

Please excuse our rudeness.

KOGA NINJA ART LOVE MESSENGER

Emergency, my lord.

Lord Tadanaga is to be sent to Takasaki Castle

where he will be forced to commit seppuku.

What?!

My lord, we have to go to our final plan.

Listen!

It is common knowledge that the two brothers fought over the last succession.

So if His Excellency meets an untimely death,

the people will suspect our lord.

Since | know this will happen,

I, Lord Tosa, have not killed him until now.

However... - All right. Go ahead.

Do it!

Kill my brother!

His Excellency will go to Hakone.

Kageroi, proceed immediately to Hakone.

Yes, sir!

I grant the restoration of the Takayama family

and the Takatsuki territory worth 25,000 koku.

However, only if you are successful.

Do not worry. | will not fail.

Behead them! - Hold on!

Shiinoha Toma is their chief.

I will make them tell me his whereabouts.

But they are ninja after all.

They will not talk.

I will use my art, Body Swap, to take over her body.

No, it will only make her lkada.

No, I'll take over both of them at once.

So you'll have two lkadas.

That's not interesting.

I'll split myself 70-30.

Meaning, I'll make one 70 percent me, the other 30 percent.

Since the women will retain 30 percent and 70 percent

of their own feeling,

I will order and the woman remaining will respond.

This is 30 percent.

I'll take care of the 70 percent next.

Let's go.

Where?

To Toma.

We'll kill both him and Dodo Senjuro.

You can't!

You can't betray him!

Get out of my way!

No, we should go.

That's right.

Traitor!

Give me the sword! I can't let Osai live!

I am seven parts Oriemon!

And | am three parts Oriemon.

Prepare yourself.

I guess | am stronger inside myself.

I'm going to Toma and Dodo Senjuro.

I will kill both of them!

I have returned.

Oso.

How did it go?

Yes, we have procured his seed.

All right.

And where is Osai?

Is she dead?

Yes. The guards caught us.

She died saving me...

A posse may be after us. Let's leave immediately.

Posse?

I hope you didn't bring them here.

Why would 1? Please hurry.

You're good, Shiinoha Toma.

You saw through the trick.

But you're cornered now.

Dodo!

Go after lkada's empty body.

He's vulnerable now.

I can't kill you just yet.

Sir Shiinoha.

I have important news.

His Excellency's life is in danger.

What?

Is it Kageroi?

Yes.

Shut up!

I can't forgive myself.

Oso, you did well.

The woman is dead.

Ikada!

HAKONE

Here you are.

His Excellency was waiting for you.

After you massaged him,

he's gotten much better.

Tend to him tonight respectfully.

It feels so good...

Woman...

What is your name?

My name is Yunoka.

Yunoka?

A good name.

You'll be rewarded handsomely.

He's fully recovered.

He's even healthier than he used to be.

Your Excellency! That's wonderful news.

The hot springs really does work.

No. It's all due to the bath attendant.

Each time she massaged my body...

| felt restored.

Listen, Kasuga...

I'll bed this woman Yunoka tonight.

Ikada was killed by Toma's people?

Yes.

lkada...

It's all my fault.

Forgive me.

| should have killed Toma then.

Chief, let's run.

We have to hurry, else Toma comes to get us.

Let's run and live together peacefully somewhere.

Chief!

Tonight, | will bed His Excellency.

ujin.

Put the Body of Desire spell on me.

If | do that, I'll die.

So you won't do it?

Next, the abdomen...

Then the chest...

Breasts...

Chief.

1, Ujin...

I am the luckiest man in the world

to die in your arms.

I permit it.

Come here.

I was waiting for you, Kageroi.

Toma!

There's something about you tonight

that melts a man s heart.

I'm sorry but you'll have to die.

Shut up!

You tricked and betrayed me.

You deserve to die!

Your sword will rot, Toma.

There's nothing more dangerous than a woman scorned.

Horrible man!

You're a monster, you have no heart!

You're right.

Right now | only live for my ninja art.

My distraction and my love

I've sealed inside a certain virgin.

A woman who looks very much like you.

So if | am a monster who's only living by my ninja art...

Then to bear a love grudge is your mistake.

If you want a true heart and live for love,

then you should get rid of that terrible spell.

The poison is not in your body.

It's in your heart.

I, too, only live for my art.

If you cast aside your art,

I will become just a man and live with you.

Lies!

Are those the words of a man who lives for his art?

My sword is already rotten.

Without my sword, | am just a man.

As a man, | am truly in love with you.

Say no more.

For the sake of my late father...

You will hate people to their deaths?

You will throw away your happiness?

I do not trust you!

I'll kill you.

Toma...

You win.

My love.

I'll marry you in another life.

Two years later...

lemitsu's first heir was born.

During his lifetime he had five sons and a daughter.

THE END

Subtitled and Mastered by ICHIBAN Special Thanks to Shodan, Katana & CK