Original subtitles

A SHOCHIKU PRODUCTION

At 5 o'clock on July 8, 1853...

...four American warships arrived at Uraga Port

The three hundred year policy of seclusion...

...that had fostered a belief of Japan as a Divine Land...

...faced a crisis as a result of this invasion

Consequently...

...anti-foreign sentiments developed, fanned by advocates of Imperialism

Shogun's Edo government, however, had no confidence in fighting...

...lacking the military power of the Americans

The Premier, li Naosuke, decided to open the country...

...without consulting the Emperor

To suppress his antagonists...

...he imprisoned and executed anti-foreign and Imperialist leaders

On March 3, 1860...

...on his way to his office, on a public street in Edo...

...Premier li was assassinated by a band of Imperialist ronin

The assassination disgraced the Shogunate...

...and shook its foundations

Alarmed, the Shogunate hatched a plan...

...arranging marriage between...

...Emperor Komei's sister, Princess Kazu, and Shogun lemochi

Through this unification with the Royal Court...

...the Shogunate hoped to survive the crisis

However, the Kyoto royalty demanded...

...the Shogunate to expel the foreigners from Japan

In this double-edged turmoil...

...the Shogunate entered the 3rd year of Bunkyu, or 1863

ASSASSINATION

Production by YAMAUCHI Shizuo Original Story by SHIBA Ryotaro

Screenplay by YAMADA Nobuo

Photography by KOSUGI Masao

Music by TAKEMITSU Toru

Fencing Supervision by HOTTATatsuo

Sword-Fighting Ensemble by YUASA Kentaro

Cast

TAMBATetsuro

IWASHITA Shima

OKEDA Eiji KIMURA Isao

HAYAKAWATamotsu

OZAWA Eitaro SUGA Fujio

KIDOKORO Hideo

SHIMIZU Gen YAMAJI Yoshindo

AO YAMA Hiroshi

SADA Keiji (Specially featured)

Directed by SHINODA Masahiro

Kiyokawa Hachiro, from Shonai, Dewa Province...

...is a man of ability...

...with civil and military virtues, and a devoted loyal patriot

In these turbulent times, he may prove useful

Therefore, with your permission...

...I am anxious to shelter him

January 8, 3rd year of Bunkyu

Suo Itakura, Prime Minister

Listen

Murdering a policeman is a grave offence

Ordinarily, you would be punished

However, the Premier has requested your acquittal

Behave yourself!

PREMIER ITAKURA'S RESIDENCE

What was that man's name?

Kiyokawa Hachiro

Is he trustworthy?

No, sir

No, eh? Yet you used my name to save him, didn't you?

We need him to organize the Free Samurai Army

Only he could mobilize the ronin, sir

But, Matsudaira...

...I've heard he's the leader of the Emperor Worship movement

Poison quells poison

A razor in a skilled hand works wonders, sir

You may cut your own finger, if you're not careful

It's a strange tale

What kind of man swings so easily from Emperor to Shogun?

Very strange

Mysterious Hachiro, eh?

Sakamoto!

Oh, it's you

Why don't you rip your own picture down?

Because I haven't been amnestied like you

You're quick. Who told you?

Everyone knows

People want to know what trick you pulled this time

Trick, eh?

I'd like to know, too

You'd better disappear

I might ask you some day

Sakamoto

You should bathe once in a while

You stink

WANTED: KIYOKAWA HACHIRO FORTHE MURDER OF A POLICEMAN

Kiyokawa Hachiro?

I've heard of him but never met him

What have you heard?

That he criticizes the Shogunate...

...with a view toward overthrowing it

What else?

That he was born to a farmer's family...

...he's not a samurai by birth

And?

In disregard of his status, he ran a school...

...for academics and fencing in Edo

And?

That he's an accomplished Itto School swordsman

Sasaki, how many men have you killed?

How many?

- Two - Two?

What a peaceful era

Three centuries of peace and a swordsman's skills dull

Suppose, I tell you to kill again?

He's skilled in Hokushi Itto style. Well?

Why kill him, sir?

You'll be meeting him in the near future

You shan't kill him then

I'll let you know when

The time may never come

Just keep it in mind

Acrobats use a net when they walk on the tightrope

You are the net

Perhaps the net that will save the Shogunate

Do your stuff

An Itto School man, eh?

Who are you?

Kiyokawa Hachiro

Yamaoka Tetsutaro must be here

Tell him it's Kiyokawa

What is it? Isn't he here?

Kiyokawa!

- How are you? - How have you been?

I heard about your pardon. Congratulations

Thank you

- You look youthful as always - No, I drink all the time now

I get tired so soon

You haven't met Kiyokawa before?

I'll introduce you

Prof. Sasaki, of Fushin School, and the best at this academy

In war, Guardsmen like us would be no match for him

Sasaki Tadasaburo. Pleased to meet you

Kiyokawa

Yamaoka, I want to talk with you

Wait here a moment, then

An exquisite smell

What style of fencing do you practice?

It's Musoshin School - if I'm correct?

I could see that style in your posture

Mind teaching me a little? I'm out of practice lately

A bout in the Academy Hall will refresh me

Do you mind?

It would be a pleasure to receive your teaching

Only...

...my style is old-fashioned

I don't use protectors like you Itto School folks do

What do you say?

Interesting... very good

Standard rules apply, one hit determines the match

- You win - Halt!

Too light. Once more

Idiot

Beaten in front of all your pupils...

...and twice, by a common ronin, too

I thought teaching at the Academy was a high honour...

Until today

No wonder the Shogunate is rocking

Why don't you commit seppuku

The samurai's way no longer exists

I beg a favour, sir

Give me a second chance. Please, sir!

You can't kill him by sword alone

Study what kind of man he is

While there's still time

He's a mysterious man

Mysterious Hachiro, huh?

It reminds me of a strange incident

Or was that something he also had planned out?

It was 8 years ago...

I was collecting swords back then

Old man?

Why, Lord Matsudaira

- Is it ready? - Yes. It's done, sir

I'll fetch it right now

Lord Matsudaira...

I heard that American named Perry...

...came to Uraga again...

...with warships a few days ago. That right?

What's going to happen now?

Some say a war will break out very soon

Others say...

What's wrong?

This is a Seven-Star sword

A Seven-Star sword...?

Look

Hold the centre line to the light...

...you'll see blue dots of uneven tempering

Seven of them

A very auspicious sign

Oh! I see

I had it down as a rare masterpiece...

...by the first Kanemitsu of Bizen, sir

Who does it belong to?

Must be a renowned man to possess it

I'd never seen him before

He wandered in, asking me to polish his rusty sword

What's his name?

His name was... Kiyokawa Hachiro

Kiyokawa Hachiro...?

I must see him

Ask him to come and see me, will you please?

But Mr Kiyokawa seemed like a ronin to me, sir

Doesn't matter

Superb

Such an auspicious sword

A privilege to have seen it

Can you, by any chance, part with it?

Name any price

I can't afford to do so

Yamaoka, don't be unreasonable

He wouldn't part with such a treasure

Where did you acquire this from?

I'd like to go there, too

I didn't buy it from a store

Where did you get it from?

It was found among the forfeited property of a lord

What?

You robbed a samurai of his spirit with money?

I don't know. It was in my father's day

He mortgaged it. So it can't be called his spirit

Kiyokawa - that your name?

A mere son of a farmer, insulting a samurai's dignity!

- Take it back! - Come on

Well, what's the matter with you?

If you don't take it back now...

...I will have tokill you!

I told the truth so I see no reason to take it back

- Damn you! - Inaba!

Kiyokawa is my guest. Don't be rude

Kiyokawa...

According to this sword book, you're set for a tremendous life

I'm aware of it

The owner of a Seven-Star sword will rule a nation

The Book of Swords says Prince Shotoku, of old, had such a sword

However, the Book of Swords isn't reliable

It isn't the sword that makes a man...

...it's his calibre. I was taught at Shoheiko...

Shoheiko? A mere commoner is unfit for the place

Many noblemen own numerous fine swords...

...but none has the courage to destroy the foreign barbarians

Very deplorable

Look, Kiyokawa...

Many speak casually of the expulsion of foreigners

We've seen how powerful the foreign ships are

We can't fight them alone with our patriotic spirit

I'm not such a dreamer to ignore armament

So you're saying...?

I have a plan of my own

"Plan for the Fortification of Japan"

Can't you see through his scheme?

A mere ronin trying to impress us to gain a job with the Shogunate

What's the matter?

There's an emergency with the ronin recruitment, sir

Go ahead

Ronin who have seen the wanted notice...

...are flooding the yard

Good news

We can select fifty of the most able ones

I was going to do, sir, when...

...Kiyokawa Hachiro...

What?

Kiyokawa told the crowd...

"We intended to hire fifty men, but we've changed our mind

"We've decided to hire all of you"

This led to chaos

Then Kiyokawa told them...

...that he'd hire anyone else they could bring, too

"Unemployed Samurai Wanted"

"Talented ronin invited as guards...

"...for the Shogun family's visit to Kyoto

"Fifty men excelling in martial arts will be hired...

"...with an allowance of fifty gold ryo for each man"

I'm afraid you misunderstood the aim of organizing this troop

To go to Kyoto and wipe out the Imperialist samurai...

...so that the Shogunate may be stabilized

A scheme I planned to eradicate the Emperor Worshippers...

...which was submitted to the Cabinet through you...

...and which was fully approved

How could I have forgotten what the plan was about?

Kiyokawa, you may have drafted the plan, but we carry it out

I shan't tolerate your arrogance

You don't know Kyoto at all

You can no longer gaze at the river with a geisha on your lap

It's a killing field

Deserters from Satsuma, Choshu and Doshu have joined with lower class ronin...

...to shout slogans of Emperor Worship

Those who oppose them are mercilessly lynched

Only recently was Shimada Sakon beheaded...

...for his Shogunate sympathies

An incident some say you instigated

A stupid joke

Hunger is staring those deserters in their faces

They can't return home and are desperate

Can fifty men stop them? No, sir

A party of Shogun's Guards may, yes

But these are mercenary sewer rats

We need scores of them

It was decided we hire fifty at fifty gold each

Don't you hear the clamour outside?

Answer me!

Hurry up! This is serious!

Very well, then

I'll tell them the Shogunate is broke

"They can't pay you"

Kiyokawa has switched sides...

...from Emperor Worship to a Shogunate dog

Shall we kill him?

The sooner the better

For others may forestall us

Just a minute

I can't believe he's that kind of man...

Shingo, are you getting cold feet?

No, sir...

I'm ready to lay down my life for the Imperial cause

But I can't kill Kiyokawa

Then how do you explain what I've seen of him

His pardon. Helping this Free Samurai Army...

Kiyokawa stinks of the Shogunate!

I'm a simple man...

...but I believe he is holding some lofty ideal that...

Never mind him. Fix the date

If there is reason behind what you say...

...let us hear it

I haven't any

No reason, it's just...

Just...?

I'd have been killed, if he hadn't saved me

It was two years ago...

Stop! Don't resist!

Surrender!

Don't interfere!

He's an Emperor Worshipper!

He's too young to kill. Let him go

If you object...

Spineless cowards. Kiyokawa was just as yellow

If he wanted to help, why not draw his sword?

I've heard, Kiyokawa has never killed a man

His face must have been pallid at that time

Never! He's an expert in Itto School fencing

He prefers not to take any life in vain

You may back out, if you wish

So, now we are five

Five just won't do

Five isn't enough

Shingo is right - Kiyokawa is skilled

Aizawa!

- You making light of our skills? - No, I'm not

It's not that...

Kiyokawa's sword is fierce

That's a madman's sword

Besides, he's fond of killing

It was almost a year ago...

It was Summer. I was eating a meal... sweating

Boss!

A big shot is coming down the alley

A big shot? Who?

Kiyokawa?

Great! The Magistrate will be pleased

- What do you think? - Impossible, I'd say

I think so, too

It's impossible to cut the head off a moving person in one shot

- Yamoka? - I don't know. Maybe not

- What about you? - I think he can. Why not?

Careful. This is a public road

Make way for me, gents

Why must you walk two abreast through such an alley

Stop!

I apologize

- Happy, now? -Never you mind

Kakichi...

Thanks for hounding me all the time

Must you look under my hat?

Whatever. Why not let me, then?

Is that really true?

Yes. I was present at the investigation

What position was he in? How far away?

Almost face-to-face, says the record

And the cut... did he lift the sword or slice?

Was it instantaneous?

I don't know

The head was telltale, yes

I examined it myself

It was very unusual...

His smile was frozen

Why are you so curious?

I want to know for my guidance as a martial artist

Then its strange aftermath won't interest you?

What was that?

It has little to do with martial arts

If you're particularly interested in Kiyokawa, however...

...I should tell you about it, just the same

Your face betrays your wish to know

By all means

Kakichi had a young, spirited chap under him called Sankichi

A few words spoken in anger, started something

Damn it!

Wait, bastard!

You kill and run from us, samurai?

Don't!

Wait, ronin bastard! Murderer!

He was a human being. With a wife and children

Wait, Kiyokawa Hachiro!

Stay there, bastard!

That night, an order was issued...

...for the arrest of Kiyokawa and his fellow lmperialists

We first encircled his house

We found them!

Where did Kiyokawa go?

Speak up

Speak!

Speak. Where is Kiyokawa?

Look at her. Speak, or she'll be dead

Don't you mind?

Where is Kiyokawa?

Stop!

Fetch water

Untie her

I want you to examine some things

Kiyokawa's after all, eh?

What's happened to him?

Please tell me!

MY LAST WILLAND TESTAMENT

We found them with the letter by Eitai Bridge

He may have committed suicide

Are they truly Kiyokawa's swords?

Liar!

Could this be his Seven-Star sword?

I won't be deceived by this trick

Come on, speak!

Tell me something

Then, you'll be relieved from this torture

Come on

Oren, you're only his mistress

- Why must you cover for him? - Answer him!

Use the stones

Put them on

A woman willingly sacrificed her own life

I felt jealous of Kiyokawa Hachiro

Then I shivered in awe, feeling his inestimable size as a man

Here\s Oren's diary I found when I searched the house

Reading this, I...

Sasaki?

Thanks fro sparing time. I'll leave...

Doesn't Oren's diary interest you?

I only want to know about Kiyokawa, not his woman

A beginner, I'm afraid...

Kiyokawa is right here in this diary

February 13, 3rd year of Ansei

I was sold to a brothel

Come on

Come on, you're so stubborn!

Enough!

What a stubborn one... you are

What are you doing?

Pour for me

Clumsy!

Forgive me

What do I smell of? Do I smell like a farmer?

- Like dung? - Let go

- Speak up! - Forgive me

The Tempo Reformation... was that a lie?

Did Premier Abe tell a dirty lie?

He said able men would be promoted regardless of class?

Was that just some stunt to fool us?

Was there a single student brighter than I?

At Shoheiko lords' sons bowed their heads to me

Yet why am I still jobless?

Is this centuries old Shogunate so fine?

What's your name?

What? Ofuku? Is it Ofuku?

You're so innocent

Call yourself Oren from now on

Yes, Oren

Call your owner. I'll redeem you

You're perfect for Hachiro the farmer

Go get him

March 3rd, 1st year of Man'en

Snow since dawn

Events have progressed, we need to kill him

That's right!

...but, Master, when?

Don't come in until I call you

Yes. We've done it!

Listen, everyone, we've done it!

What happened?

Mito men assassinated Premier li outside Sakurada Gate!

- Is that true? - They did it?

Miss Oren, we're entering a new era!

May 20th, 1st year of Bunkyu

A very warm day

While I was practicing calligraphy...

Oren!

Oren, don't let anybody in

Master! Has he been back?

- Yes, just now - Is he alright?

Yes. What's the matter?

It was such a shock!

I heard him shout and the next moment his head was off

Head?

I was alarmed, and so was he

Oren! Bring my clothes

Hurry!

Bring me sake

Don't go

Sit down

Shall I make tea?

Make my bed

It's ready in the other room

Make it here

Blood splashed...

Blood splashed, Oren

What's the matter?

- I killed a man - Hachiro!

Oren, I killed a man for the first time

Hachiro!

Oren, don't leave my side

Don't leave my side!

I can...

...kill him

I will kill him

Well, I don't know, either

But it is pretty funny

Even you, Kiyokawa's top student, doesn't know

I'm serious

When I was being tortured...

...I could endure it

Kioykawa's cause, "Worship the Emperor, Expel the Foreigners"...

...carried me through

I was ready to die for the cause

Poor Oren died for it

Now what is Kiyokawa doing?

When I was kicked out of prison I was shocked

Why must he join with the Shogunate and plot to kill his friends?

What's his real motive?

I couldn't say...

If you don't know, how should I know?

I suggest you ask Kiyokawa directly

If I asked, he wouldn't tell me

Master, tell me...

...what do you think of Kiyokawa?

Don't call me "Master"

Have a drink

Kiyokawa Hachiro...

None can understand him

A man who mastered any subject he took up

Who can write, too

Who speaks with matchless eloquence, and has a marvellous memory

Before coming to Edo, it must be April, last year...

...I left Tosa and moved to Kyoto

I found myself in a sea of ronin

All clearly Emperor Worshippers

There were so many that the city's atmosphere had changed

Just then...

Hey!

It's me

Remember me?

- Kiyokawa Hachiro - Oh, Kiyokawa!

You remember now?

- It's great to see you! - You, too!

How about a drink?

Well, Kyoto is suddenly full of ronin

Have you noticed?

I gathered them here

You did?

But - what for?

I'm going to start a war to defeat the Shogunate

They don't seem capable

Have you heard about the Satsuma Clan?

Yes, I have

Lord Shimazu left Satsuma with a thousand-man army

That's right

He's at the Satsuma Clan House in Osaka now...

...on his way to Edo to decide on Shogunate reform

I'm organizing the ronin to attack the Kyoto governor

At the same time we'll rally under Prince Nakagawa...

...and persuade Shimazu and the Satsuma army to join us

As soon as we occupy Kyoto...

...we'll overthrow the Shogunate and restore Imperial rule

Surprised?

Sakamoto

Come over here

Everyday, more starving ronin gather here

They're hungry wolves

Show them meat and they'd risk their lives for it, and for me

Sakamoto, they're under my command

I couldn't help but consider his plan fantastic...

...since it was so ambitious

Kiyokawa's smooth eloquence made me feel uneasy

It was really an elaborate plan, but-

It was optimistic

Lord Shimazu had no wish to overthrow the Shogunate

All he wanted was order by means of his influence

So he wished to arbitrate between Emperor and Shogunate...

...to form an Edo-Kyoto Alliance

He only wanted power in the Edo Government

No, he never wanted revolution

Learning deserters from his Clan...

...were about to revolt he was outraged

Tell my men at Teradaya Inn planning to revolt!

Listen... pay no attention to the others

Just tell my men...

...to come back to the Clan House...

...and listen to my orders!

What if they don't listen?

He said to kill the disobediant, in the name of the Shogun

Shimazu's punitive party of eight crack swordsmen...

...had lived with the rioters, and shared their beliefs

And so a terrible tragedy occurred

Anyone around?

Evening, sir

Arima of the Satsuma Clan must be here

Tell him Narahara came on a matter of life or death

What? Nanahara is here?

Send them away

Arima...

Please. I beg you. It's the Shogun's order

Don't proceed with the riot

Kihachiro... we've come this far

I'm a samurai!

Nothing will stop me!

Arima...

Don't you mind being executed as a rebel?

Must you disobey Lord Shimazu?

Sir Aizu, be prepared

Hashiguchi!

Arima!

Stab him through me!

Stab him through me!

Oimoto!

Arima... forgive me!

Oh, Sakamoto, we're closed today

We're sorry

Tell me why...

...must you tie...

...your colt to a tree?

Should the colt want to go free...

...the petals will fall

Such a thing happened in Kyoto?

Master Sakamoto says, "Kiyokawa is a schemer...

"Too many schemes

"And schemes don't win people's hearts

"He always wants to be the central figure

"But he lacks virtue, and I don't quite like him

"The Teradaya incident may have changed him

"He lost his political ideals

"Now he's only interested in scheming

"Scheming for scheming's sake

"It may be the same with this Free Samurai Army," he says

I disagree with that

I don't think he's that ruthless

I can't think he's so ruthless

Did he speak with you about it?

No, he didn't

Kiyokawa isn't a man who reveals his weakness to others

It was...

...ten months after he beheaded Kakichi and left Edo

I hadn't heard anything from him. One rainy day...

Darling, Mr Kiyokawa is here

What? Kiyokawa?

Kiyokawa?

When did you get back from Kyoto?

Yamaoka, will you let me sleep here?

Of course. I'll have a bath ready for you

Please don't bother

I'm sleepy

Very well. I'll have a bed made up

Anything happen in Kyoto?

Kiyokawa!

Did you know Oren died?

Oren?

When?

Soon after you left Edo

I had a temple perform a simple burial

Kiyokawa asked me for a brush and paper

He didn't come out of his room

As for Oren...

I'm deeply sorry to have let her die like that

Everybody who knew her thought highly of her

A meek and truly faithful housekeeper

I was pleased with her, and she was happy with me

I am sorry that she is gone

It was fortunate that she was liked by all...

...who knew her in life

Please regard her as my real wedded wife...

...and pray for the repose of her soul...

...as one of your own children

I shall appreciate it

I have secretly given her spirit a Buddhist name

So let me again ask you to treat her as my wife...

...and say prayers for her, as you do for the other deceased

To my dear mother

FREE SAMURAI ARMY MEMBERS -234

"Commander - Kiyokawa Hachiro"

Your idea?

No, sir. He just brought it to me himself

- Yes, my lord? - Bring me a writing brush

What time?

Tomorrow morning at eight. We'll depart from Denzuin Temple

After that, they may get out of control

If someone should start it...

I'm afraid those 234 men may go berserk

I should have made you an overseer

As for Kiyokawa, sir, you need not worry

I'll test him thoroughly tonight

Unless I'm satisfied...

...I will kill him without fail on the spot

As you well know...

...there are many who wish to overthrow me

Don't give them an excuse, if you have to kill Kiyokawa

Among those Imperialists...

...there are many who would take his life but dare not do it

With some instigation from me...

...they will go mad like wild oxen

A castle has outer moats...

...and inner moats to be doubly secure

KIYOKAWA HACHIRO

KIYOKAWA HACHIRO

- Out of the ranks - Out of the ranks?

I see. You don't like it among the sewer rats, eh?

Maybe

Excuse me. I have to prepare for the departure

Master!

Master, we need to talk!

Master!

Aizawa, I beg you. Let me speak to him

Too late

Since I have...

...proof! - That's junk

Must you believe some rushed anonymous letter?

Not this!

It confirmed our suspicions

He's going to Kyoto to suppress our allies

If you oppose me, I'll...!

He's coming!

Are you going to kill our friends in Kyoto, Master?

These disciples who deserted their clans to fight for you?

Master, answer me!

Consider my enlistment cancelled

I can't follow you now!

- Kiyokawa! - Shingo!

Master, it's me!

It's Miyagawa Shingo - you saved my life!

Move aside!

Master, show me the way!

Now... I can kill him now

Show me compassion

Lord Toyama's party!

Follow me

Don't ever stop!

Get off me!

Bow down! Bow down!

Bow down! Bow down!

Walk or I'll kill you

Louder, everyone!

Bow down! Bow down!

In high spirits our party passed Takasaki without mishap

Hachiro behaved well, to my relief

Except perhaps...

...when we stopped at Shiojiri

The men became restless as he occupied the best room

But Yamaoka appeased them, after great difficulties

Please be relieved he is quiet at other times

Is Udono in good health?

Yes

Command me to kill Kiyokawa at once, sir!

Matsudaira!

I won't be able to breathe in peace until I kill him

You say Hachiro has done nothing suspicious?

Yes, sir. He always stays outside the ranks

I don't think he killed those ronin!

It was all make-believe!

When have I ever taken Kiyokawa's word seriously?

KYOTO

So far, the Free Samurai Army has been a ragtag group of ronin

You've been mercenaries, scratching for pay

What of it?

But starting tomorrow...

...you'll cease to be ronin

It's just been decided

We want you to throw off your dirty ronin clothes...

...to join the Military Commissioner's force...

...as honorable Shogunate warriors

As regulars, you will have to behave

You will pledge your loyalty to Lord Shogun and each other...

...and fight the Emperor Worshippers who infest this city

But then, you are still ronin until tomorrow

So you can do as you please until then

You'll find sake in each of your rooms

Drink hearty with high spirits

Dismissed

Master

I should have told you before we left Edo

But I couldn't, until today

Tell me later

Listen, I beg you. I'm leaving for good!

I wanted to avenge Shingo's death

I'm not beat yet

I'm not beat yet

What's going to happen to us

Kono

Utsunomiya

- Ikeda - I'm here

And Nishi

Will you die for me?

Will you?

We've been ready to die for the Emperor from the start. But...

You three, too?

- Ready as Kono! - But why, Master?

Ishizaka, close the door

We can't succeed unless we fight desperately

And we may not even win then

But I've no alternative

We've got to do it before they become an official Shogunate force

Tonight you'll go to the Detached Palace and get an Order from the Emperor

The Emperor!

Get through to Councillor Hashimoto and he will give it to you

If you're blocked, disembowel yourselves to show them our spirit

Wait until the 6 o'clock bell at dawn

Thirty minutes later, the Commissioner's men...

...will bring the ronins' letter of employment

And you, Master?

Me?

I'll gather 200 of these rats and pigs in the Main Hall...

...and keep them there

If we can't obtain the Emperor's Order by 6:30...

...we'll be accused of rebellion, and cut into tiny pieces

Even if we get an Order, will the ronin act as you wish?

Will they oppose the Emperor, then?

Anyone who defies the Order will become an enemy of the Emperor

Will Udono have the guts to reveal the Shogun is the Emperor's enemy?

Yes, a coward may attempt something desperate

It is to be expected

Interesting. This is exciting, no?

What's this? What's going on?

What's happening?

Kiyokawa, what on earth does this mean?

You've got to behave yourself!

Come with me and talk

Back to your rooms!

No-one move!

Sit down

Let me explain to you in full

We came to Kyoto as a Shogunate troop

Still we're ronin, not its hirelings

So we're free to choose our own way

We are going to denounce the Shogun, and embrace the Throne!

We didn't agree to this!

I'll kill an enemy of the Emperor , whoever he may be

Any objections?

Kiyokawa! Where is this Imperial Order?

I want to see evidence of it

I don't have it here

- I've been granted one - Not enough!

Touch me and you'll make the Shogunate the Emperor's enemy

Udono, let me kill him!

As yet a ronin, this won't involve the Shogunate

You think so, Udono?

I'll accept the challenge

We're still ronin...

...not Shogunate hirelings yet!

You just said so yourself!

Yes, I did

But Udono was impatient

In his haste, he told the ronin about their employment

Since you told them, they're no longer free men

Anyone who attacks me would do so in the name of the Shogun

Get to your feet!

Shut up! I'm not dealing with pigs like you

Serizawa, wait

Until 6:30

We'll get the employment letter

Then I'll tear apart your scheme myself

Open up! Open up!

Must I repeat myself?

Any petition for the ronin troop must follow procedure

You can't seek an interview like that!

- Please, this once! - We beg you!

No. Go away

- You reject our appeal? - Go away

I'm telling you, go away!

You're going to stain the Royal Gate with your blood?

Master!

The Emperor's Order!

My fingers

The Order!

Don't you see the Emperor's Order?

Bow your head!

Listen: "Foreign invaders are rampant of late...

"...endangering our national safety

"His Majesty is anxious to remedy this chaos...

"...in order to maintain the sacred tradition of our country

"You shall exert yourselves to the utmost...

"...to relieve His Majesty of his worries...

"...to save his nation from harm...

"...to stop the foreign invasion power...

"...and protect the Divine Land, His Majesty graciously wishes"

Kiyokawa!

Master! Congratulations!

Here comes the Grand Mistress!

- What do you want? - To say goodbye

Kiyokawa, I can't trust you!

We resign from the ronin group, and go our way

They can leave

If they wish

Do as you please

- But, Master... - I don't care

A man should live any way he wants. What else is there?

Who was with Serizawa then?

Kondo Isami and Hijikata Toshizo

They looked strong

By the Emperor's Order we're leaving for Edo tomorrow

We'll raid Yokohama and show the foreign invaders what we can do!

Very well

I'm planning to form the Kiyokawa Shogunate

Kiyokawa Shogunate?

Yes, that's right

A samurai called Ishizaka Shuzo just came...

...and asked to give you this

What's he doing?

Let him in

But he left in a hurry after giving it to me

He left? Which way?

He was dressed for a trip

"Forgive my selfishness, I can't understand you anymore"

He's crazy! I'll stop him now

Don't

What happened? What does it say?

It's not clear

- Let me... - Don't bother

Bring me an ink slab

Well? How do you like this?

Let me read it

Quiet!

Listen to our leader's poem

"Leading the van I'll be, till I die in glee,

"So straight is the path to the Imperial plea"

This is the dawn of our era! Yes, our era!

Leading the van I'll be,

Till I die in glee,

So straight is the path...

...to the lmperial plea

EDO

- Who's that? - The ronin troop!

We need funds. Hand your money over!

Come on. Give me your money, now!

Robbery after robbery by impostors

People will start blaming us

Besides, we hear nothing from Kyoto

If such a rumour reached them, they might order us to disband

What would become of these 400 youths who idolize you?

Master, are you listening?

Yes, I'm listening

You ought to know who's controlling these criminals

Why don't you put up a fight?

The Magistrate's men will catch them soon

They're going to catch their own men?

Listen, our men are anxious to find these impostors

Give them your permission

He wouldn't tell me who hired him

Very close-mouthed

Master, I've drawn this honorable job

I'll cut off their heads with a single stroke

I'll do that job, please

I'll do it

Master, will personally behead them!

Yes? To France shortly, sir?

It's not for months yet

I'm anxious to see those Parisienne girls

And is this uniform for the journey?

It was a present for sending them silks

By the way, you've finished him?

Not yet

How come?

It won't be long

I'd hate to see him again

So would I, sir

Who'll do it?

Interested, sir?

Ex-professor Sasaki of the Academy has volunteered, sir

He's still a ronin, even if he did obtain an Imperial Order

I hope his death will not involve us, my lord

And, when?

It's already begun, sir

Already?

Sasaki

I heard you resigned. Why?

Sorry. Excuse me

Trying to kill Kiyokawa? Whose order?

Matsudaira? Higher up?

- Want to stop me? - I would

I'd kill anyone who helps a rebel

You'd kill him for the Shogunate? That's not you

Kiyokawa is a rare genius. Let him be

It's an order

Order? We only take orders from high up

It is

But can you kill Kiyokawa?

I will

How?

Welcome to The Peony Room

You've been once before. Come along

Please come in

Your sword

- Oren! - I'm not Oren, I'm Okei

No, don't do that...

Aren't you Master Kiyokawa?

Kiyokawa, sir...

It's me, Sasaki Tadasaburo

It's you

Good evening. You look well

April 13, 3rd year of Bunkyu

Kiyokawa Hachiro - 34 years of age

The smell of sake rose thick from the ground

THE END