Original subtitles

Toei Presents

Rikio Ishikawa, the hero of this film, was born on Aug 6th, 1924

in the eastern section of Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture.

Ishikawa's birthplace

What was Rikio Ishikawa like as a boy?

A real cry-baby. He was always bawling about something.

He'd cry for hours on end.

Maybe because he lost his mother very early on.

He was very shy back then.

I never imagined he'd end up a Yakuza godfather.

He was very smart.

He had a native intelligence.

But he used his abilities for the wrong purposes.

He was good at school. In most subjects.

Was he a headstrong boy?

He certainly was.

He was different from the others. He had a hard core to him.

He had a good head, he did.

He was always our leader back at school.

Because he was so smart

He was so headstrong.

He always wanted to be a Yakuza.

Did he say that?

Yes, since he was a boy.

The would-be Yakuza ran away from home in 1940

and went to Tokyo where he joined the Kawada mob.

In 1942 he was arrested for assault.

and was sentenced to one year in a juvenile detention center.

A rival punk made the mistake of bad-mouthing Rikio's godfather.

He was the sort of kid who really respected his godfather.

He was still learning his trade.

Then what made him turn into a mad-dog?

Times were tough, the war had just finished.

I guess it could be...

No, it wasn't the war. He was just crazy.

When I was doing time with him, he once said

He was like a balloon.

Meaning he'd keep rising higher until finally he'd burst.

GRAVEYARD OF HONOUR

Original Story : Goro Fujita Screenplay : Tatsuhiko Kamoi

Photography -Hanjiro Nakazawa

Editing -Osamu Tanaka

The Cast

Tetsuya Watari

Tatsuo Umemiya

Hajime Hana

Noboru Ando

Directed by Kinji Fukasaku

Shinjuku Station vicinity (Tokyo 1946)

Roll up! Best shoe repairs!

These sure do need fixing.

No need to. They'll be good as new.

It's good leather, so they'll last.

That's dried squid!

They'll be as good as new.

Cheap too, only 100 yen!

Cough up, asshole!

Thank you, sir.

How's business coming along?

We're getting by.

Is that him?

You know what to do.

See you later.

Who gave you permission to work here?

Who the fuck are you?

I'm free to work where I please.

And free to get shot!

The name's Ishikawa. Remember it!

What's going on?

It's the Kawada mob.

Get the hell out of there!

You blew it.

Why start a gang war over that?

The Boss heard about it.

You better go and say you're sorry.

Our guest is leaving

Now we won't have to worry about supplies.

That's right.

Clean up after him.

Animals, wearing shoes inside.

Listen, Boss...

I'm sorry about what happened.

Kawada Organization Offices

You dirty animal!

Shut up you whores!

Hey, Ishikawa.

Put on a big show, I hear.

Let's talk.

Kozaburo Imai

He's Chinese.

He runs a restaurant at Nakano station.

He has no respect for Japanese. The cocky bastard.

Makoto Sugiura

He needs to be taught a lesson. A very painful lesson.

The Asian former Japanese slave-labourers, or "3rd nationals",

were liberated by the Allied Occupation forces.

The hate they nurtured during the war.

was now erupting into violence against the Japanese.

Did you get them?

I said we would.

From my GI boyfriend.

This one's for you.

Good. This babe is my moll.

She whores out of Nakano

Hi there.

Have some rice.

Takuji Tamura

And we're ready to go!

Get your hands off me!

What's up with you?

I could be dead in a few hours. I'm a kamikaze!

I gotta enjoy it while I can.

Let me go!

One quick punch-in-the-pants. That's what you're here for.

First beat those 3rds, then maybe.

You just watch me.

Okay guys. Get ready to go.

Watch this!

I win!

That cleans me out.

Have you got any spare cash?

Let's go!

You thieving Jap bastards!

C'mon! Get the hell out of there!

Don't make a sound!

Madame! What's happening?

Just stay calm! Is everybody here?

Where's Chieko? Chieko!

Go on, answer her.

Keep your door locked.

Check the front door.

It's burning!

Here, take this. Go on, take it.

Cease firing immediately!

Dammit!

Stash this. I'll be back for it.

You're just thieves!

Shut the fuck up, you chink!

You bastards are the thieves!

You frigging 3rds suck up to the Yankees.

You lost the war, so you're bloody well 4ths, right?

Shut the fuck up!

We didn't lose to you bastards!

We lost to the goddamn Americans!

Who's the leader of you Japanese?

I am.

Me, too.

Both of you, out!

Hang the motherfuckers!

Keep your mouths shut!

Get inside!

Well, well. Sit down. Sit yourselves down.

You hungry? Take it.

The thing is, we're not happy with those 3rds, either.

Thanks to you we could arrest them.

Now they'll get 4 or 5 years for illegal gambling.

What do we do about you?

Unfortunately, we're short-handed.

Some prisoners are escaping.

Some bad lads out there.

Be quick about it. Don't let me see you again.

Thank you!

They're back.

We're all gonna escape.

For once we got a good cop.

What happened?

We made our case.

We should be released, too!

No way, asshole. You'll be here for 10 years!

We Japanese stick together!

We're taking over your territory.

We'll have your money, too.

Come on, drink up.

We served time together in Hokkaido.

Meeting up here in Tokyo, it means something.

Let's dance.

Leave us be, bitch.

Listen, brother... Just forget the Kawada mob.

Come join our gang.

You'll rise fast with us.

When we were doing time together, you always said...

You didn't want to be just a punk.

You wanted to be a boss.

You said you wanted to be the boss of bosses.

Now's your chance.

You don't owe anything to Kawada.

Start your own gang, be your own boss.

C'mon pal, you can do it!

Isn't that right?

Are you listening to me?

Yeah, I'm listening.

Come on, dance!

Who's there?

It's me.

Hi there.

Don't come in!

You'll wake the others.

Did she see this?

I won't hurt you.

This is all for you.

I'm not gonna hurt you!

No, don't!

I said I won't hurt you.

I'll be back. Can I borrow this until then?

He's a man with spirit!

A man's man, Kisaburo Nozu.

He's the man who can build a peaceful Japan.

The respected godfather of the Nozu mob.

In the first post-war election, a spirit of democracy reigned.

and all kinds of candidates emerged.

With the slogan "A light from Shunjuku"

Nozu, boss of the Shinjuku black markets,

stood for the lower house of parliament.

Welcome, sir!

Good work, men.

You've worked hard to rebuild Shinjuku.

We can't let you lose.

You're very popular. You're bound to win.

Let's drink to that!

We toast your inevitable victory!

He can't fail to win!

Welcome gentlemen. Go inside.

Those assholes still here?

They had been laying low.

You can keep what you grab.

Hey. Is she a new broad?

Yes. that man brought her in from Ikebukuro.

What the hell!

Stop it!

Sir, please stop!

What the fuck is this?

Take her back to Ikebukuro. She don't fit in Shinjuku.

Get outside, you asshole!

Who the fuck are you?!

Are you all right?

I must apologize for our young hotheads.

How is the patient?

Noboru Nemoto

I hope you will accept our godfather's condolences.

Any message to pass on?

We've no choice. Round up the men.

I did it for the gang...

For the gang?

Those Ikebukuro guys are moving in

on our Shinjuku territory.

I wanted to clean up.

You bloody fool!

That wasn't cleaning.

You smashed a hole in it.

But it's our territory. We can't let them muscle in.

You idiot!

Don't fight for trifles.

Just let'em be.

You have any idea how much a gang war costs?

You haven't got a frigging clue!

Keep out of trouble!

Listen up!

We don't make a move until they attack. Okay?

Let's go!

A Light From Shinjuku

You keep watch here.

The two gangs are facing off near the station.

A big fight, huh?

No mistake.

You fool. What have you gone and done?

A Light From Shinjuku

We tried to make a formal apology but they rejected it.

But we don't want to spoil your chances for election.

Isn't there some way...?

Our families are linked, so I can't mediate.

They'd never agree.

Isn't there someone else you could ask to mediate?

I very much doubt it.

It's just an excuse. They really want to muscle in on Shinjuku.

Yes? Hello, there.

Yes, we appreciate your vote.

I know.

Let's use the Americans.

Kawada, you have links to Colonel Parker, don't you?

Throw money his way.

Good idea. They'll have to obey any American orders.

Damn good idea.

Brilliant. Let's do it.

Fall back.

C'mon. let's go.

Ishikawa! You've cost the gang over a million yen!

Think of the gang, not yourself!

And you, eat what's bought for you!

I'm sorry...

It was me who kicked them out of our territory.

He's bloody hopeless, he is.

He thinks he's done well.

He's bloody useless!

A month later, the election was held.

Nozu lost by 5000 votes.

Place your bets.

In play!

You lost again.

It's all your fault.

Your luck's bound to change.

You reckon?

Bets please.

In play.

That politician is my guest.

Give him 3 for free.

Certainly, sir.

Here you are.

Loan me 3, will ya?

Give it a miss. Lady luck's not with you.

What? You just gave him 3 big ones.

But none for me?

It's not your place to beg from your own gang.

You're just a troublemaker!

Rikio!

Ah, Mr. Nozu...

I hear you're causing a lot of trouble lately.

Throwing dirt on your godfather's face.

You'll never be a boss if you keep that up.

Take it.

Come again.

I don't need no sermons.

That's Mr. Nozu's car!

You bring disgrace to me and our family!

Come out and take your medicine!

Don't you dare glare at me like that you asshole!

That's enough, boss. I'll talk some sense into him.

Fuck off and don't come back without your finger cut off!

Go clean him up.

Are you okay?

Stop rolling around like that.

Give me a knife, a shiv, anything!

He wants me to cut my finger off.

You can do that anytime. Just take a drink.

I told you to leave them and come in with me.

It's still not too late. Well?

Come on, drink up, man!

Kawada Mob Offices

October 28, 1946

Open up! Open up or I'll break it down.

Rikio!

I wanna see the godfather!

I've got something to say to him!

He takes all our money!

How dare you say that?

But boss, he's drunk.

You dirty bastard!

Go and cool your head you damn fool!

You ingrate!

I'll cut you to pieces!

You're a damn ingrate!

You stabbed me, you bastard!

Get him!

Boss! Boss!

Don't let him escape!

Get a doctor, quick!

Get a pillow!

Godfather!

Open up. It's me.

Come on... Please open up...

Get me some booze.

Please... bring it now...

I'm cold. I'm freezing.

I'm freezing.

It's so cold.

Help me.

Rikio gave himself up to the police.

He was sentenced to 18 months in jail.

According to the code of the Yakuza

attacking one's godfather is an unforgivable offence.

He pit himself against the entire Yakuza world.

Not only the Kawada mob, but any Yakuza gangster

would win favour by killing him.

He was fair game to anyone.

Afraid for his life, Rikio's behaviour in prison

was extremely violent.

What's going on!

As his crimes against the code continued,

he was barred from joining any Tokyo gang for a period of 10 years.

October, 1947

Fuchu Prison

I have friends in Osaka.

It might not be 10 years.

But hang in there and we'll try and get you back.

You're feverish. Is anything wrong?

I'm leaving for Osaka tonight.

I need money.

My friend runs a geisha house.

Go work there.

Well, will you?

One year later

There is little information about his year in Osaka.

Only a hospital record, showing that Rikio Ishikawa

had been treated there

for tuberculosis.

Another year has passed.

What do you think you're looking at?

That's my bed above you.

Hurry up and get in it.

Is dope that good?

You've never tried it?

Silly boy.

It's much better than sex.

Shoot me up.

You got money? It costs 200 yen.

Jerk. Including my pussy that's 400 yen.

Great. I'll do it for you.

You got any shit?

I got some.

I want all you've got!

Katsuii Ozaki

The man said to give him all the dope you've got.

Imai Gang Offices.

Place your bets.

Here.

Hey, Boss!

I've just seen Ishikawa.

Last chance. Place your bets.

I bet this.

I bet my dope, too.

Something wrong?

Look, pal. Take your jokes elsewhere.

Take yours back, too.

The bet's been made.

Just a minute.

Hey, brother.

What happened to you?

Come on. Come with me.

This is overdoing it, even by your standards.

You're banished for 10 years. It's only been a year.

Look, we'll cover for you as best we can.

But get back to Osaka before you're spotted.

If Kawada's boys find you here,

they'll want more than just a finger.

He's a different man.

He ain't deaf or dumb but he didn't say a word.

He's obviously got himself a drug habit.

That other guy is a junkie.

He looks like one.

You watch, they'll be back.

The Kawada mob will find out.

You shouldn't have got involved.

You're throwing money away.

Will you just shut up.

He's a junkie, a lost cause.

Welcome.

You go back inside.

He's been cheating at cards.

No idea what he's thinking.

Young punks don't respect the code any more.

Maybe banishment was too lenient.

Shall I take care of him?

No, just watch him.

Good evening.

Hi, babe.

What's wrong?

It's just... It's all so sudden.

I got tired of Osaka.

But is it safe for you to come back?

Come on, honey.

Well, Mr. Imai...

You let him sneak back and embarrass me.

What?

He means Rikio Ishikawa.

What were you thinking?

The thing is, we go back a long way.

He arrived unannounced. I didn't call him back.

I understand that.

But you kept that from me, and as you well know,

that is a direct transgression of the Yakuza code.

I banished him so he's really no longer my concern.

But he got 10 years and he should serve that time.

If that was the case then I'd have no quarrel with you.

I understand.

Please allow me to take care of it.

The Kawada mob know that you're back in town.

I tried to cover for you.

But now I'm a godfather myself.

We have a code.

The rules must be obeyed.

And it's not just for me. It's also for your sake, too.

Look, I'm not gonna get in your face,

if you go back to Osaka now.

If you don't like Osaka, we'll find some place else.

I know. How about a hot-spring resort town?

It'll do you good. You're falling to pieces, man.

You wanna betray me, do it.

I never said that.

Remember when we served time together, way back?

You swore to stand by me no matter what.

So that's why I'm trying to save your ass.

Since when did you become a liar?

What was that? Well you just listen to me!

You came begging and cheating at my tables.

Like a fucking tramp!

I fucking spoiled you!

Don't laugh at me!

You dare cut me?!

Grab the gun!

Imai Gang Offices

The Imai mob searched everywhere.

But there was no sign of Ishikawa or Ozaki.

October 8, 1948 -Exactly one week later

Who is it?

Where's Imai? Upstairs?

The day after Imai's murder,

the police discovered Ishikawa's hideout.

Fifty officers soon surrounded the place.

The Imai and Kawada mobs converged on the scene.

The entire area was in an uproar.

Ishikawa! This is Inspector Imada!

You're completely surrounded.

Come out quickly!

Make it easy on yourself.

Throw out the gun and come out.

That mother-fucker!

He's fucking crazy!

Quick, gimme bullets.

That's all that's left.

We're out of dope!

Throw stones at him!

No frigging dope!

Dammit!

We've got no dope left!

October 9, 1949 Rikio Ishikawa was arrested.

May 9, 1950. The verdict.

...is sentenced to 10 years hard labour.

Ozaki is sentenced to 2 years.

Plus 100 days of time already served.

The police have confiscated one pistol and 3 bullets.

This is my judgment on this 9th day of May, 1950.

Soon after receiving his 10 year sentence.

Ishikawa lodged an appeal to the high court

Chieko in spite of her ill health, worked very hard

to raise bail for Ishikawa.

Imai Gang Offices

Madame... I've come to pay my respects.

I'd rather die first!

You of all people should know that.

Thank you...

January 20, 1951

10 days before Chieko's suicide,

Ishikawa had registered her as his awful wife.

We don't know if this was her wish, or Ishikawa's.

Yoshida Gravestones

Make a stone and carve this on it

A grave for three?

Please. I'll bring the rest later. I promise.

How long are you gonna just sit there?

The boss has made a real exception for you.

Say your piece, now.

Are you trying to fuck with us?

Godfather... I caused you a lot of trouble.

I want to start my own family.

Your own family?

You've got balls!

I want you to give me some land.

That vacant block down in 2-chome.

Okay, yeah. It's yours.

And I'll need a building...

So build one for me.

It'll cost 20 million yen.

Give it to me.

Are you fucking crazy?

I'll be back.

Welcome.

Gimme the dope.

Are you crazy?

Open the box!

No, don't!

Ishikawa, stop it!

We're all in the same gang.

No need to wave that thing in his face.

You want dope, right?

He's got good shit.

Pull it out. quick.

What's so funny?

Nothing really.

Be quiet. I can't concentrate.

That's enough!

Let's go!

Even that failed to kill this veritable Jonah.

By some miracle, he managed to survive.

In August 1951 Ishikawa's appeal was rejected.

And he was returned to Fuchu Prison.

Six years later...

February 2, 1956

"What a laugh! Thirty years of frenzy!"

Ishikawa was a stereotype of the post-war gangster

and even today he lives on in legend.

Why did he write "humanity and justice" on his grave?

To this day, no one knows. Nor ever will.

The End