Original subtitles

A DAIEI CO. LTD. PRODUCTION

Ah, it went wide.

THE FIRST FEATURE BY KATSU PRODUCTIONS

Better than the last one.

Produced by MASAICHI NAGATA

Original Story by KAN SHIMOZAWA

Screenplay by TAKEHIRO NAKAJIMA KOJI MATSUMOTO, KIYOTAKA SARUWAKA

Cinematography by KAZUO MIYAGAWA

Original Music by SEI IKENO

Art Direction by YOSHINOBU NISHIOKA

Edited by KANJI SUGANUMA

I'm sorry.

Don't tell me you can't shoot. Now, show me.

You must be good, with all the comments you made.

No, I was just -

Don't make excuses now.

Now, shoot.

Starring:

Excuse me, miss, could you change the targets?

I prefer the smallest target.

SHINTARO KATSU

RENTARO MIKUNI KO NISHIMURA, YUKO HAMADA

KENJIRO ISHIYAMA TOSHIYUKI HOSOKAWA, TAKUYA FUJIOKA

MIZUHO SUZUKI, TATSUO ENDO KAYO MIKIMOTO, TATSUO MATSUSHITA

Directed by SATSUO YAMAMOTO

The smallest target is in place as you requested.

Thanks.

And can you tap on it

three times?

All right.

One. Two.

Three.

He hit it!

Bull's eye!

ZATOICHI THE OUTLAW

Here you go.

Old woman, I'd like to buy a towel, too.

I have some print towels and some plain ones.

A print towel will be nice.

The print towels are 16 mon each, a bit more expensive than the plain ones.

Here's a print towel.

Old woman, how much is this plain one?

What?

Oh, I made a mistake.

Here you go. It's 16 mon.

Old woman, you must have bad eyesight too.

You should take care of it before it gets worse.

Good-bye.

Bastard!

You're awfully strong.

You didn't even use your sword.

I don't own a sword.

I take it that you are a samurai.

Why don't you carry a sword?

A blind man carries a cane sword these days.

Why shouldn't there be a swordless samurai?

I might kill somebody if I carried a sword.

I don't care to defile the land with blood.

"Defile the land with blood"?

Hoy, hoy

The wise teacher of my village

Advised us all:

Keep your hands away from other men's wives

Keep away from drinking and gambling

It will be your ruin to dabble in them

Be happy, my wife

Beginning today

I'll quit drinking and gambling

As well as fighting and whoring

Instead I'll work and make the fields fertile

No gambling.

No whoring or fighting.

It seems I've wound up in a peculiar village.

Theater performances, gatherings, festivals

are all prohibited, it says.

Mr. Suga, this way please.

- Hello? - Don't pester me!

Hello?

You're still here? Go home!

A rude welcome.

Just go home. I'm really busy getting ready for the festival.

But we left the beans out to dry. Come home to help me take them in.

I simply don't have time to help you.

Why can't you get it, Sis?

Oshino.

You came to see Nisaburo, not Sada, didn't you?

Don't tease me.

- Your face gives it away. - You're mean, Rokusuke!

Excuse me.

- Who the hell are you? - We don't need a masseur.

- I'm in the same business as you. - A blind yakuza?

Hey! The boss is going out.

Be safe.

Excuse me.

Who the hell are you?

I'm a traveling yakuza. Please accept my introduction.

I'm busy right now. Somebody, receive him.

Take care, sir.

I'll receive your introduction.

Greetings!

With the public announcement of the ban on festivals and gatherings,

we can't put on any gaming for the planned festival.

Don't worry.

I know how to get on his good side.

I'm counting on you.

But that ronin Shusui Ohara

is a real nuisance.

He preaches to the peasants against drinking and gambling.

Soon, I'll be put out of business.

In fact, not only myself,

but you must find him a nuisance as well.

That's why you should leave it to me.

Your fixed game makes the peasants borrow money against their fields,

and that helps my business.

Why, it's harsh of you to accuse me of running a fixed game.

Boss.

I brought him.

It is very kind of you to come. Please have a seat.

Welcome, sir.

It's a humble place, but please make yourself comfortable.

Serve him.

Let me pour you some sake.

Mr. Suga, thank you for agreeing to see us promptly.

Please enjoy.

The thing is,

as you know, the crops are poor this year.

So the peasants were really looking forward to the festival to cheer things up.

"For a priest, one fart can ruin 100 days of sermons."

- "One fault"? - No, "One fart."

It's not the peasants but you two who are looking forward to the festival.

Well, I am awed by your perceptiveness.

In a year of poor crops, people take to gambling.

Since the crops have been poor for two years in a row,

your money chest must be quite full, Yamagen.

Not at all, sir.

I'm in the soy sauce trade.

When the crops are poor, the shortage of soy beans hurts my business.

Nonsense.

The peasants gamble away their crops before they even harvest them.

And then the soy sauce brewer buys them at a bargain.

What a rich scheme.

You see through everything, sir.

By the way, that ronin Shusui Ohara

is spreading a peculiar song among the peasants.

I hear he's replanting the rice fields too.

Replanting the rice fields?

Rice seedlings

need to absorb a lot of sunlight and air.

Fusajiro, you probably think the more seedlings you plant,

the more rice you'll harvest.

But that's a big mistake.

The rice plants won't be able to breathe and will die.

But it's impossible to plant each seedling neatly spaced

all by yourself.

That's why we have to help each other when we plant seedlings.

And when you plant 20 days earlier than we normally do,

we won't have to worry even if a typhoon strikes

because the rice plants will already be ripening.

Last year, only we got good crops because we planted this way,

and you were jealous of us.

Let me give you one more piece of advice.

Make the ridges between the rice fields three times thicker.

But that would make the fields so much smaller.

Stingy fool!

Cold water seeps through narrow ridges, and the rice doesn't grow well.

You end up with a poorer crop.

Now, place your bets.

Odd.

You're betting on odd? Anybody on even?

Any bets on even?

Only a single bet against the house. Showdown!

I'm sorry, can I pass on this one?

All right, since you traveled three miles to come here.

It's odd. Too bad you passed.

Damn!

All in on odd.

The bet is placed. Showdown!

Three and three. Even.

Damn!

You lost again.

Win or lose, it's all matter of chance.

Let's play!

Could I borrow some chips?

You've already borrowed quite a lot.

Can you pay for them?

Hey.

Passing through.

Please come with us.

- But I still want to play. - It's okay. Come with us.

I want to play.

Where are you taking me?

This way.

You fool!

What's this?

The game was fixed, wasn't it?

You cheated!

Cheating is part of our game.

We'll shake you down good for all you lost tonight!

Bastards!

Why, you're Matashichi.

You peasants from Kiyotaki Village are all half-wits.

No wonder your wife deserted you.

Damn! You took my rice and my beans!

I've got nothing left!

Hey, visitor over there.

You've just been sitting there.

What are you, a stone statue? How about a game?

Or are you just checking on the place?

Well, I came to play,

but I'm bothered by the way your dice are rolling.

I've noticed your dice land on three rather often.

Sometimes one face comes up more often than others.

And that makes the game interesting.

Indeed, it's as you say.

Gambling is about taking chances on winning or losing.

There's no fun in it if you know what the outcome will be.

What?

I was just talking to myself.

Well, then, let me join in and play.

You know, when I play,

I don't like placing small bets.

Here's 20 ryo.

All right. The dice are in play.

Odd.

Odd, against the house. Showdown!

Just a moment.

How many dice are under the cup?

Two, of course.

Is that right? You're not mistaken?

Of course not.

If you are mistaken, then I win the game, don't I?

Please go ahead. - Showdown!

One and one. Even!

Well.

It seems I won the game.

You blind bastard!

Come outside!

Welcome home.

- He calls himself Ichi? - Yes, that's what he said.

Then it must be Zatoichi.

Come outside, blind bastard!

We gave you a break 'cause you're blind.

If you're a yakuza, you know the rules of gambling houses.

Do you keep to any rules at this place?

Insolent bastard!

Don't let him take you in!

What are you doing?

He's an important guest! Treat him well!

I apologize for this.

The boss sent me to show you in.

This man is called Zatoichi, and he's in the same business as us.

Pleased to meet you.

I hear you're skilled in quick sword-drawing.

Interesting. A blind man skilled in quick sword-drawing, eh?

As you guessed, I'm not very good at it.

Boss.

I'm impressed that your men are all full of force and spirit.

The dice man there.

I nearly lost my 20 ryo earlier because of you.

That's a mean thing to say.

As they say, the game and luck have minds of their own.

Now, don't be so glum.

I'm not holding any grudges about what happened.

I'm the honest sort,

so whatever's on my mind just comes out of my mouth.

- Why, you! - Quiet!

Sada, pour sake for Ichi.

Yes, Boss. Have some sake.

Oh, thanks.

- Is that a moth? - Yes, the pesky thing.

Sada, kill it quickly.

Yes, ma'am.

Sada, let me do it.

If it had been born a butterfly, it would have been loved.

Just like the moth, there are many folks who are disliked in this world.

I hate those folks who do no good for the world.

And those who I hate...

I can't rest until I've killed them.

Step right up. Come inside for a game.

Enjoy.

Nisaburo, where are you going?

I have an errand.

Step right up.

Come inside for a game.

- Are you going to visit the shrine? - On, no, I'm not religious.

I've never prayed to any god or Buddha.

I only pray to the sun.

Step right up. Watch the show.

It's a festival.

Festivals are for the sighted.

There's nothing more wretched than living as a gambler's wife.

Mother suffered greatly.

When my father died, all he left behind were dice.

Your father was a fine yakuza.

What is a fine yakuza?

While his family went hungry, he kept on playing games.

You call such a man a fine yakuza?

Listen, Nisaburo. I beg you, quit the life of the yakuza.

Straighten up and settle down with me. Please, Nisaburo.

Why are you saying that now?

You mean you won't quit?

So, you won't.

I'll never become your wife unless you quit your way of life.

Oshino.

I hate you.

I really hate you.

Wait. Oshino, don't go!

You don't get to die in your bed when you live as a yakuza.

If you really love Oshino, you should straighten up.

None of your business!

- Ichi. - Good morning.

Morning.

It's a small thing, but can you do me a favor?

What is it?

An easy errand.

I could send my men, but that might cause needless offense.

But since you're an uninvolved guest, you might even settle everything nicely.

I'd really like you to do this errand for me.

Where am I to go?

I'd like you to deliver a letter to Asagoro in Kiyotaki Village.

Well, I owe you for your hospitality. I'd be happy to run an errand.

You'll do it? Thanks.

But make sure that you receive a reply to my letter.

Thank you for taking the trouble to deliver this letter.

I've read the letter and understand its message.

Could you wait while I prepare my reply?

I see. All right.

You have no men with you here?

They're usually not around.

Coming.

- I'm going out. - All right.

Where are his escorts?

They're waiting at the front.

Tell them the visitor will take back my reply,

and politely ask them to leave.

Yes.

This is Ichi. He's an important guest.

See to it that he's properly attended to while I'm gone.

Take good care of him.

Well, Ichi, I'll be going out for a while.

I intend to return as soon as I can.

It may be tedious for you, but please await my return.

I will.

Idiots! What if that blind bastard runs off?

- I'm sorry. - What is this?

Asagoro's wife gave it to us.

Give it to me!

You half-wits! You let yourselves be sent away for that?

Useless shits!

Forgive me!

Please forgive us.

You little shits!

Forgive me!

Tetsu, give them a break now.

Boss, I'll talk to them.

Please forgive them this time.

You'd better fix your mistake. Understand?

I wonder how Asagoro will respond.

I put on a farce to provoke Asagoro, so he'll take the bait.

If it doesn't work out, it'll still be child's play for us.

But it will be a problem if Ichi goes over to Asagoro's side.

Well, I'm sorry to keep you waiting so long.

I'm much obliged to you for putting me up last night.

I had hoped to return last night, but it was an emergency,

I'm embarrassed to say.

Well, then, please confirm receiving my reply.

Your reply is money?

Two bundles of gold coins: 50 ryo.

It's to pay off Matashichi's debt of 30 ryo and Sokichi's 20 ryo.

I have a question, if you don't mind.

Why are you paying off gambling debts

racked up by peasants who are not even your men?

They're valuable clients who play at my gambling house.

The crops have been poor for two years in a row,

so the peasants are having a hard time.

Knowing their situation,

I close my place once every three sessions.

So then they go to Tomizo's game.

That reminds me of a song I heard when I arrived at this village.

It was about quitting drinking, gambling and every other vice.

As Mr. Ohara says,

honest folk should keep their gambling within bounds.

But some of them lose their heads with gambling.

And as in this case, they gamble away their fields

and are even detained at Tomizo's.

They're really hopeless.

He was trying to provoke you into going to war with him.

I was sent on a fool's errand.

Please forgive me.

Oh, no, you're not at fault.

If I can avoid bloodshed and settle things

by paying merely 50 ryo, then it's a real bargain.

We yakuza make our living on the dark side of society.

It's only on occasions like this that we get to help honest folks.

I consider it the blessing of being a yakuza.

I confirm receiving 50 ryo.

So now, I'm cleared of my obligation to you for your hospitality.

Don't be so stiff and formal.

Today, I feel more cheerful than I have in a while.

I came back reassured that the way of the yakuza hasn't died out.

Boss Asagoro is a fine man.

He's admirable.

I was truly impressed with him.

By the way, I promised him to bring back those peasants

whose debts he paid off with the money.

You don't object to that, do you?

I've already said this, but never forget what Boss Asagoro did for you.

We won't.

Bastards, how could you attack innocent peasants?

Hey, make up for your blunder.

Do it!

What's wrong? You scared?

I'm not scared!

Ichi...

Sadamatsu?

Oh, no!

Sada!

Nisaburo! Be strong!

- Oshino, Sada is - - Nisaburo!

Look at Sada!

Sadamatsu!

Sadamatsu!

Who killed Sadamatsu?

They attacked us first.

I'm not lying! It's the truth!

Murderer!

Murderer!

You don't care because you're blind!

You can't see the bright red color of his blood!

You can't see the grief on my face for losing my only brother at your hand!

That's how you can kill people without concern!

You madman! Devil!

Madman! Bastard!

I hear Boss Asagoro sent her a large consolation gift.

Money?

I'm very sorry.

I was careless,

and he lost his life as a result.

Don't blame yourself.

A sword can't help people in the end.

You're the man I met before.

A sword can be put to good use in the right hands.

That's right.

He's blind, but he's an amazing swordsman.

I saw him at work.

You should have lost an arm to his sword.

It might have reformed you a little.

That's right.

Mama, what do you prefer?

Should I become a cripple or give up gambling?

I won't hear such foolish talk!

Mr. Samurai, what do you do?

He's a down-and-out ronin.

Don't be rude! He's our teacher.

What sort of teacher is he?

He makes us break our long-held rules

and gives us unwanted advice to do this and that!

That's enough!

You're such a quarrelsome old woman. That's why Matashichi's wife left him.

She didn't leave him.

I kicked her out.

My son got hooked on gambling

because she was a bad wife!

You just twist things around.

Twisted ridges on your fields show your twisted mind, Mr. Ohara said.

What!

Please stop!

Is the moon out tonight?

It's beautiful.

I wish you could see it.

I don't want to see it.

I've been blind for as long as I can remember.

Not seeing is easier for me.

How many people have you killed?

You've lost count?

If I hadn't killed, I would have been killed.

Besides, I believe I only killed bad men.

The families of those men you believed bad and killed

must be blaming you and crying with grief.

Ever since I was a little kid,

I vowed I wouldn't be scorned by sighted people, so -

So you learned the art of quick sword-drawing?

I can understand that.

But even if you've achieved supernatural skill,

you're still a blind man.

I'm still a blind man.

You don't hesitate to say harsh things.

And yet, to a blind man, a sighted child may be born.

A sighted child?

Man's true worth is in continuing life

from parents to children and on to grandchildren.

You put it so well.

You carry a cane sword and always keep your senses alert.

Do you ever relax and fall into a deep sleep, even for a moment?

In short, a sword doesn't give you peace.

Please don't say anymore.

Each person is born with - How should I put it?

A karma of his own, or something like it.

I'm afraid I've lost the sense of what mine is.

I've traveled far and wide and met many bosses.

But until tonight, I've never met the boss of a clan of peasants.

I see. You have a clever way of putting it.

Well, then, please send my regards to the peasants.

Ma'am, where's the boss?

He went to clear away the game at the festival grounds.

How are things at Asagoro's?

He's going all out to gather men.

Although you've taken the trouble to come all this way,

there's a limit to my patience.

I won't stand this blatant insult!

He's provoking you to do exactly that.

You're playing right into his hands.

But Ichi -

If you go to war, win or lose, you'll be forced to sell your lands,

since he has the regional inspector on his side.

Please think of the peasants who will have no protection without you.

Still, I have my own pride to protect.

I understand, but please let me work things out.

The other day when I met you, I realized the way of the yakuza isn't dead.

I've come to have great admiration for you.

Ichi, you think too highly of me.

No. Unlike the sighted, the blind regard a person's heart.

Boss Asagoro, could I ask you

to put your hand on my palm?

My hand?

Like this?

Thank you.

The peasants in this area are fortunate to have you and Mr. Ohara.

Please take care of them.

I, Asagoro, promise to do that.

Good.

I'll go now.

Toki, bring me all the money in the house.

Ichi, wait a moment. Run for about a year -

Asagoro.

Come back when the regional inspector's search is over.

What is this?

It's just a token of my gratitude.

Boss Asagoro, thank you.

Clear away everything before the war starts.

Tetsu!

Today's take is in the money box?

Good, I'll take it home.

It's heavy. We made a good take today.

That's all right. The weight of money doesn't bother me.

The rain is coming.

Thunder and priests are two things I don't care for.

It's Ichi!

"Better not do it

For it's futile"

I say those words

But immediately afterwards

Swallowing tears

I wield a back-handed strike

Feeling the sunset

Feeling the sunset

Ah, I see women coming.

Married women this time?

I think they're young women.

MASSAGES

- Young ladies. - Won't you play with us?

One is plump, and the other is thin.

Is that right?

They're gone.

I see another one.

It's a man.

A man? Forget it.

Another one. A good-looking woman!

Hey, there! We've been waiting for you.

It's an old broad.

With a really wide mouth.

Shut your mouth! I was born with it!

All women age and become old broads.

Why, you're like whores at a brothel, displaying your ugly faces in the window.

If you keep up the smart talk, I'll suck you up into my big mouth!

That was scary.

She really had some mouth. Forget that one.

But she was a bit attractive.

Too bad you guys can't see.

Excuse me, is the next door neighbor a singing teacher of sorts?

Yeah, she teaches short love songs.

I hear she used to be a geisha in Edo.

She's in the prime of womanhood.

I'm her favorite masseur.

Our boss has a crush on her and takes lessons,

belting it out with his hoarse voice.

I can hear she has a fine voice.

She has a fine voice, but she's also a shapely woman.

She has full and bouncy breasts.

And her hips and thighs feel just wonderful.

The perks of being a masseur.

"Ma'am, let me give you an abdominal massage today.

It's complimentary, since you're a good client."

"Oh, really? Thanks, Sanji.

You're very skilled, and after your massages,

my bowels work well."

"Thank you. I'm very glad to hear that."

And so I give her a massage

below her navel and -

It really gets me going!

I smashed a stuffed sweet mochi.

...two, three. There's one missing!

Somebody took my mochi! Thief!

Jinsuke, the new guy took it!

Why, you!

Hey, give me my mochi back!

It wasn't me. I didn't take any mochi.

Don't lie! Give it back!

Give it back!

Damn you! You're new! You can't treat me like this!

Take this, you bastard!

Damn you!

I'll teach you!

Hey, stop it!

Stop it, I said!

Stop this nonsense, all of you!

You barely make any money for me. Hone your skills if you have time to kill.

Listen, Jinsuke and Kyusaku, make your calls to Sankairo.

Sanji and Sankichi to Tachibanaya.

Get going quickly.

Ichi, I thought you'd be coming, so I came looking.

Thank you, I appreciate it.

It rains and rains

And I trip and fall

Rolling in my fall and falling afoul

Stop! Enough!

I've had enough of your dancing.

Forgive me.

- Drink up, mister. - I've brought the masseur.

Thank you for calling me.

What have we here? A blind entertainer?

So, what do you perform?

I came to give massages, sir.

I see. Massage, eh?

I love that trick. You squeeze your fingers like this, isn't that right?

You know it too, don't you?

No.

No. I don't know it either. I've never seen a massage dance.

You must be teasing me. I'm no dancer.

You don't have to be so coy.

A blind man of the highest rank sings and plays the shamisen.

You're a blind man, if without rank.

You can at least play the shamisen, can't you?

If you refuse, I'll make you drink a half gallon of sake.

You're being unreasonable, sir.

Then, play the shamisen.

It's all for tonight's entertainment.

Don't be so stingy with your tricks!

Hey, somebody lend him a shamisen.

Be quick about it.

Masseur, come in.

Oh, my. I don't know what to do.

Here's a shamisen.

Here's a plectrum.

Well, then, I'll pick on the strings just for a laugh.

You play rather well, masseur.

Here's a tip for you.

Hey, don't you want the tip? I'll give you gold coins.

Here you go.

It's not enough for you?

Masseur, pick up the coins, now.

How about this?

And this? One more? Pick up the coins!

Pick up the coins, down on all fours.

Mister, I've become blind.

All right, then pick up the gold coins.

I'm a pitiful blind woman myself.

- All right. - I'm blind too.

All of you, go ahead and pick up the coins.

It's miserable to be blind.

Come on! Here's more!

No need to hold back.

Hey, masseur! You're defying me. Well, then, get this!

Mr. Rich Man, I believe you've gone far enough with your joke.

- Someone's coming! - Who?

I don't know.

- Oyuki! - Hello.

Hello.

Ichi, I came to get you.

Thank you for your trouble.

I'm mending a torn seam.

Let me help you with that.

Don't touch me!

You can't even see her, horny bastard!

You're so kind.

Ichi, you're good at sewing, too.

You're very friendly with him.

I'm fond of Ichi.

- Excuse me. - Hey, Ichi!

Pervert! Maniac!

I'm used to walking on my own. No need to lead me.

My hands are cold, aren't they?

It's said that people with cold hands have a warm heart.

Ichi, the boss wants to see you right away.

But I'm on my way to -

He told me to go in your place.

Let's go, Oyuki. Lead me with your pretty hands.

No!

Boss, you wanted to see me?

Come in and sit there.

All right.

Is it about raising my salary, by any chance?

Well, it depends, but I might give you a big raise.

Thank you very much.

There's a job as a bodyguard.

A bodyguard?

A bodyguard at a gambling house.

My protector Boss Yajuro asked me to find a bodyguard

skilled in sword fighting.

But, Boss, I'm not the right man.

Just hearing about sword fighting makes me tremble.

Tremble, you say?

You tremble with excitement?

Actually, I was informed by someone

that a quick sword-drawing expert and criminal called Zatoichi

has been laying low here in the town of Kiryu.

And this Zatoichi supposedly looks exactly like you.

People don't call me boss for nothing.

I'm not going to snitch on a man who came to me seeking shelter.

Now, about the bodyguard job.

I think rather than giving massages, you'll be better off -

I'm sorry.

Hearing the story you just told me,

it sounds as if you think I'm this Zatoichi.

- I'm called Ichi, but I'm not Zatoichi. - What?

Quick sword-drawing is quite beyond me.

The only kinds of blades I've ever held are razors and cooking knives.

I have no other gift besides giving massages.

You can't fool me with all your pretending.

If I inform on you, you'll be hunted down.

But no matter what you say, I'm a just a masseur.

All right, so you insist that you're just a masseur?

Yes, I insist that I am.

You stubborn bastard!

Hey, guys!

I know you don't get along with him.

You have my permission. Hit him!

This is great!

I didn't like this blind bastard from the start!

You look down on me even though I can see!

Ouch!

Guys, don't just sit there. Hit him!

Right, you guys, hit him too. Hit him!

That's good! Punch him!

Who told you I was Zatoichi?

Shut up!

How about it? Are you angry now?

If you are, cut me with your quick sword-drawing!

Good evening.

Why are you here? Ichi always makes calls here.

Ichi isn't around anymore.

Is that right? Don't lie!

I'm not lying, it's the truth.

Boss kicked him out because he found out he's a criminal.

Why, you're -

You recognize me?

Damn you!

Do what you like with me!

Damn it! Kill me!

Kill me!

Kill me!

Kill me!

Damn it!

Ichi, why don't you go visit Higata?

Asagoro must have you enshrined in his house altar.

What do you mean by that?

You really are blind.

And you have no foresight.

Now, Asagoro controls the entire fief of Higata.

He set up authorized gambling houses everywhere and bleeds the peasants dry!

Asagoro isn't that sort of man.

He won't stray from the way of the yakuza.

Besides, he would never hurt the peasants.

The way of the yakuza? That's a laugh!

Asagoro is playing both sides.

Double duties?

That's right.

He didn't wait even six months after you left

to accept a constable's hook from Suga, the regional inspector.

And Oshino was sacrificed for that.

What about Oshino?

Suga made her his mistress.

Tomizo's clan was torn apart.

Tetsu and Mankichi bowed to Asagoro and became his men!

You get the picture now, don't you?

I can't believe it.

The Boss Asagoro I knew was -

Believe what you like!

I didn't succeed today.

But I won't give up until I've killed you!

Pay your bill, please.

May I enter, sir?

Enter.

Excuse me.

Asagoro, this is Sir Hyogo Saito, the head inspector.

I'm Asago -

I am called Asagoro, sir.

I dedicate my life to performing my duties. I'm honored to make your acquaintance.

What is your opinion of Shusui Ohara?

He gathers greedy peasants and lectures nonsense

feeding them lines about growing rice to increase yield and second crops.

To put it simply, he's an annoying bastard.

Isn't he a Christian?

Oh, no. He preaches that the sun is the god of Japan.

He says the sun goddess Amaterasu

is the supreme deity of the universe.

He preaches about the sun goddess Amaterasu?

Who was Ohara's lord?

He was a retainer of the Owari clan. He then served the Kujo family in Kyoto.

The Kujo family in Kyoto?

He might be an imperialist.

An imperialist?

Imperialists imprudently plot to overthrow the shogunate,

disregarding their obligation of 300 years.

If Ohara is an imperialist

and concocting a plan to incite the peasants for his cause,

it may be an opportunity for you to distinguish yourself, Suga.

Or it may bring about your end by seppuku.

Asagoro, it will be no different for you.

Yes, sir.

Drink this sake.

You won't?

No!

Forgive me, sir.

I will not.

Does it burn?

Does it?

What is that look?

Do you hate me so much?

Is it so distasteful to sleep with me?

All right, then. I'll have you sleep with many men every night.

See how much better you like that.

There will be games tonight!

No, thanks. I gave up gambling long ago.

Just who do you think makes it possible for you to farm without trouble?

It's all thanks to Boss Asagoro!

And you dare refuse to play at his game?

We'll see about that!

What do you say now?

No! Stop it!

How could you do this? Stop it!

You're saying we should let them do as they like?

Mr. Ohara, we can't stand it anymore!

Teach us how to use the sword.

I'm disappointed with Boss Asagoro. He's the worst crook there is!

They're beasts in human form.

Beasts can't laugh or cry. They're miserable beings.

No matter how they bark or bite, ignore them.

While they swagger and get their way,

work to make your numbers larger.

A daimyo called Motonari Mori taught his sons this:

It is easy to break the shaft of a single arrow,

but when you put three arrows together, it is not so easy to break them.

Just as the arrows,

when all of you are united as one, those yakuza will be nothing but a fart.

- Nothing but a fart. - Is that true?

It is.

They're greedy shits who don't know the importance of rice.

Oh, they're farts and shits.

How fitting!

- Don't hang back. Come on! - I'm coming.

Don't pull me!

Hello.

I'd like to join in and hear your lecture.

I'm glad you came. Come in and sit down.

Since we have no fields anymore,

we don't really have any business coming here.

If you want to join us, promise me you'll make a clean break from gambling.

Yes, I've really had enough of gambling.

Make sure you keep away from it, Matashichi.

Well, today I'd like to talk to you about the cooperative system.

Shusui Ohara, you are under arrest on suspicion of treason.

We won't let you take Mr. Ohara!

Arrest him!

Where are you taking him?

Mr. Ohara!

Calm down!

There's no need to worry.

I have done nothing wrong.

Everybody, work together and keep your chin up.

Walk!

We'll have good crops this year, too.

Walk!

Mr. Ohara!

Excuse me!

Mister, come in and enjoy yourself. Our girls are all very good-looking.

But I'm a blind man.

No problem. Our girls don't discriminate against any client.

All do their best to give pleasure.

Please come inside. You'll find out soon enough.

This way.

I'm sorry, but I'm in a bit of hurry on my way to Kiyotaki Village.

But it's after dark.

It makes no difference to a blind man whether it's dark or light.

Still, I'd advise against it.

There's a sheer cliff on the way.

You might fall and hurt yourself.

Maybe it'll be safer to spend the night here.

I will be your guest, after all.

Thank you. Welcome.

Excuse me.

I brought you a good girl.

She's still rather new at this.

Come on, go inside. Hurry up.

Have a good time.

Miss.

Why don't you come over here and sit down?

Ichi!

You know my name?

Who are you?

Can't you tell?

Don't you remember my voice?

But you can't be Oshino.

What if I am? What does it matter to you?

Are you really Oshino?

How did you end up here?

You dare to ask me?

It's all your fault.

I'm ruined because of you!

It's not only me.

All the people in the village are ruined too!

What Nisaburo told me was true.

You saw Nisaburo?

He's alive?

I met him in Kiryu.

Doesn't he know that you're working here?

I gave up on him a long time ago.

It's over with him.

A person's worth is not in external things.

It's what's in the heart that matters.

Oshino.

Don't do anything rash.

It's Nisaburo, isn't it?

I've been waiting for you.

Oshino has been sold to a brothel in Choshi.

What!

Now, hurry up and go see her.

You are stubborn.

Just admit your guilt. Then you'll be spared a lot of pain.

We know of your plot to incite the peasants to rise up.

I know nothing of such a plot.

It's you who plots to entrap me as a criminal.

Hold your tongue!

You advocate imperial rule and conspire against the shogunate.

And you use ignorant peasants as pawns to that end!

The peasants are a precious resource of our nation.

If they do not thrive, our nation will fall.

I only thought for the good of the peasants and in turn for the nation of Japan.

Neither imperial rule nor the shogunate concern me.

You care for neither?

You were once a samurai on the payroll of a lord under the shogunate.

Your irreverence to the shogunate betrays your intent.

If you refuse to admit your guilt, then I will make you.

Admit it!

Admit it! Confess you guilt!

Damn you!

Confess!

Damn you!

Have you lost your voice?

Why won't you sleep with me?

Oshino, I promise I'll find the money to get you out of here, so -

You're becoming tiresome.

Why do you keep harping on about such fantasies.

I'm bought and sold by men.

I'm a whore who sleeps with any kind of man.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Come on, make love to me. Just do it!

Oshino, please.

Listen to me.

I don't want to.

If you won't sleep with me, then leave.

You're wasting my time.

Oshino, don't you understand what I'm saying?

I'm no good anymore.

Oshino!

Hello.

Hello!

Mr. Ohara, you aren't home?

Zenpachi.

Zenpachi!

Isn't he home?

Let me have a drink of water.

I beg you. I have to talk to her.

But she doesn't want to see you. It'll be better for you to leave.

Be reasonable. You're in a cheerful quarter.

I'm not leaving until I see her!

You're a real pest!

I'm begging you. Bring Oshino here.

Shut up!

Leave before I throw salt at you.

Damn it!

You gonna fight us?

She ran away!

She's gone?

Fusajiro! Fusajiro!

What is it? It's late.

It's Zenpachi. He hanged himself.

What!

Hello! Hello!

Everybody, we can't let Zenpachi die for nothing.

We're going to rescue Mr. Ohara by ourselves.

Let's do it!

Hey! Everybody!

Ichi is back!

He came back?

Where is he?

I don't know.

But I'm positive it was Ichi I saw.

- You sure? - Yeah.

- Hey, let's split up and look for him. - Let's do that.

Oshino!

Oshino!

Oshino...

It's troubling that he's back.

Well, it didn't go well in Kiryu...

but I'll take care of him this time.

I let you have your constable's hook. I expect nothing less.

You can rest assured. It's just one...

blind fellow we're dealing with.

Boss.

What is it?

Ichi has come to see you.

He showed up?

So, he turned up at last.

He says he wants to make a request to you directly.

Well, it's to our benefit. He saved us the trouble of looking for him.

I'll take my leave now.

Did you call for me, sir?

Yes, send a messenger to Togane and ask Boss Kansuke to come.

- Boss Kansuke? - That's right.

Yes, sir. I'll carry out your bidding.

It looks like Asagoro's days are numbered.

It's best to prepare a replacement as soon as possible.

Ichi, it's very good to see you.

If you had let me know in advance, I'd have sent my men for you.

Well, Boss Asagoro,

it has been a long time.

You are now a man of great stature.

You're teasing me. I'm still a country gambler.

Hey!

Bring sake quickly. - Yes, sir.

Ah, your house has been completely rebuilt.

The new tatami mats feel very nice.

It seems you now have a great many underlings.

It's all thanks to you, Ichi.

I haven't heard from you at all, so I was -

You were concerned for me?

Why, you're very kind to be so concerned for the likes of me.

Don't be so formal.

Finding you so pleased to see me, I'm glad that I came back.

Unlike you, I'm still a wanderer, no different than before.

I'm ashamed.

It's good that you haven't changed.

This is nothing special, but have a drink.

Thank you. I haven't had sake for a year.

Why, your hands are trembling.

Your shoulders must be tight.

Leave it to me.

I'll massage your shoulders.

I sense old, dirty blood built up here.

That hurts!

It's terrible how people are spreading nasty rumors.

Rumors about what?

Well, please don't get angry.

They say that Mr. Ohara was thrown into jail.

There's no way such a silly rumor can be true.

Since Boss Asagoro is there to protect folks,

I don't believe there's any truth to the rumor.

But the grief of being blind

is that I couldn't be sure of it until I talked you.

And are you sure now?

Well, now that's -

Boss Asagoro.

Can place your hand on my palm?

Like this?

I can't lie to you, Ichi.

My hand must feel different.

There's no way I can hide it.

I couldn't refuse a firm request from the regional inspector,

and I now hold a constable's hook.

What? You're running errands for the regional inspector?

You must be joking.

Ichi, forgive me.

I swallowed my pride for the good of the village and the peasants.

But I was shortsighted.

When I realized my mistake,

I had no choice but to arrest Mr. Ohara with my own hands.

Listen, Ichi - - This can't be true.

Mr. Ohara is no criminal like me.

I feel the same way as you.

But I could not go against the regional inspector's strict orders.

Until Mr. Ohara is transported to Edo to be sentenced for treason,

he's being held in a cell at the headman's house.

Ichi, listen to me.

My hands are tied, and I'm powerless to help Mr. Ohara.

You can laugh at my stupidity -

Fools!

You're not to harm him!

I owe him an apology.

Ichi,

this is a duplicate key for the cell.

Stay back!

Forgive me for not being able to take you to the cell.

Oh, I almost forgot.

This is the money you gave me before.

I thought of it as you and held on to it like a treasure.

Hey, you! See him off.

I'll tie the sandal straps for you.

Aren't you Tetsu who used to be with Tomizo?

Yes, I now work for Boss Asagoro.

It feels like rain is coming.

Tetsu, can I borrow a sedge hat if you have one?

Here you go.

You became an underling of a good boss.

You're lucky.

Damn!

He's hit!

Tetsu, see if he's dead!

Ichi's quick sword-drawing was no match for a gun.

Scarecrow, you saved my life.

You bastard!

Villain!

The boss is back!

Isn't anybody home?

I've come back from hell.

I have a score to settle with you.

What! What score to settle?

You should know.

You sent someone all the way to Kiryu

to blow my cover.

You even tried to have me killed.

How are you going to make amends for all your betrayals?

Have mercy.

Bastard.

Stay back!

Stay back!

Stay back!

Ichi! I'm unarmed!

I did what I did to survive! I had no other choice!

Stay back!

Ichi, you cut me down even though I was unarmed.

Hey, guys! I found Ichi!

Ichi!

They're transporting Mr. Ohara to Edo in a bamboo cage!

If we take byroads, we might catch up with them.

We'll carry Ichi to meet them!

Let's go!

Hurry!

IWAI VILLAGE RESIDENT SHUSUI OHARA

Are you all right?

Come on!

There are those bastards! Let's go!

Cut them down!

Go, Ichi!

Go around and get behind them!

Get around to their back!

Bastards! Die!

Bastards! Die!

Ichi! Stay back!

Or I kill Ohara!

Mr. Ohara!

Ichi, you spilled blood on the land after all.

But the land you speak of

needs you, doesn't it?

Take care and be well, always.

Ichi!

Ichi!

Thank you!

Ichi!

THE END