Original subtitles

TOHO CO., LTD.

A GEIEN-SHA CO., LTD. FILM

UNDER THE BLOSSOMING CHERRY TREES

Produced by ICHIRO SATO

Original Novel by ANGO SAKAGUCHI

Script by TAEKO TOMIOKA MASAHIRO SHINODA

Cinematography by TATSUO SUZUKI

Art Direction by SETSU ASAKURA AKIRA NAITO

Music by TORU TAKEMITSU SHINICHIRO IKEBE

Recording by HIDEO NISHIZAKI

TOMISABURO WAKAYAMA

SHIMA IWASHITA

HIROKO ISAYAMA, KO NISHIMURA JUN HAMAMURA, FUJIO TOKITA

Directed by MASAHIRO SHINODA

When cherries blossom,

people become cheerful, and gather to walk under the trees

drinking sake, eating dumplings,

uttering phrases like "What a sight." or "Spring is here."

But it's all a lie.

Coming out to enjoy the sight of the cherry blossoms

and celebrating under the trees dates back to the Edo era.

But a long, long time ago, the sight was considered frightening.

Imagine all the drunken people removed from the scene.

When the rumor spread that you'd go mad walking among the cherry trees,

travelers would take a longer route through different mountains.

Soon the mountain with the cherry trees was completely deserted,

surrounded by nothing but silence.

Give me everything you have.

Just do it and get lost.

Take your clothes off.

Get away from each other!

You said you wouldn't kill us.

You...

You're too beautiful to kill.

From now on, you'll be my wife.

Then you should carry me.

I can't walk a mountain road like this.

Can't you walk faster? What kind of man are you?

You should walk here. The road is too rough to carry you.

If this road can even slow down a mountain man like yourself,

how do you think a woman will manage?

Just think about it.

Okay, I'll carry you.

Not that I'm having difficulty carrying you,

but will you get off for a moment?

What for?

So I can see your face.

I don't have eyes in the back of my head.

Stand on your own feet and let me enjoy your pretty face.

No, I don't want to.

I don't want us to be in this desolate place any longer.

Aren't you a man?

If you don't hurry and take me to your house,

I won't be your wife.

If you leave me feeling lonely like this,

I'd rather bite my tongue and die.

Yes, I understand.

I'll do whatever you say.

Why are you taking such a difficult hillside path?

Why not go under those cherry trees?

We can't go there.

Why not?

If you walk under the cherry trees, you'll go mad.

I went there once before.

You hear things when there's no wind.

Cherry flowers, it's unnerving.

You're afraid of flowers?

A man who kills without hesitation?

All these mountains belong to me.

What do you mean?

Listen.

Everything you can see from here...

all the mountains, all the trees and all the valleys

and the creeks in those valleys... They're all mine.

- That bird, too? - Damn right.

Will you run and catch it for me?

I can't run with you on my back.

How frustrating.

Are you too tired to run?

You're not as tough as you look.

To think that with my standards, I married you.

Just how are we going to make a living from now on?

Give me a break.

After we cross this hillside,

I'll run faster than a deer.

But you're already out of breath.

You look pale, too.

Give me some water.

Water... now!

Who are these mountain women?

They're my...

my ex-wives.

These are your ex-wives?

Look how dirty they are.

Damn right.

I had no idea someone as pretty as you existed.

Kill them!

We don't have to kill them, you know.

Just think of them as your maids.

You killed my husband, but you can't kill your wives?

And you expect me to be your wife?

She's next.

Come on! Behind the tree!

Another one ran into the woods.

Don't you miss one!

It's okay, let her live.

She will be my maid.

I might as well kill this one, too.

Don't be silly.

I'm telling you she can live.

So, this is your house, huh?

I'm the strongest man on earth.

What the hell is this?

Do you expect me to eat this dog food every single day?

That's a feast you're having!

We don't usually eat like this!

It's a feast for someone like you, I'm sure!

But I can't eat this trash!

You took me away from a comfortable life in the capital,

and gave me nothing but the sounds of animals in return.

Aren't you ashamed of yourself?

You took me away to this deserted mountain,

but can't provide the decent food I was used to in the capital.

I miss the capital.

You have no idea what life in the capital is like, do you?

There isn't even a comb that a woman needs for her hair.

The lipstick, please.

Don't touch me with your blood soaked hands.

The Buddha is always around us

We just can't see him with our eyes

But at dawn, when humans make no sound

We can faintly see him in our dreams

Where's my water?

Hurry up.

Here's your water.

- These are important, huh? - You can't touch those.

Why do you try to touch them every day?

I just wonder.

You wonder about what?

Well...

I just wonder.

Go cut down a straight tree for me.

What's this called?

We call it a "cross-legged chair" in the capital.

What's that for?

I bet you can't find a strong man like me in the capital.

Not even wild boar tusks scare me.

Do men from the capital have tusks?

To hell with the capital.

What's on your mind?

In the capital...

do men have tusks?

There are samurai in the capital who carry bows and swords.

I can shoot down a sparrow flying over the other side of valley.

And I doubt that men in the capital have skins thick enough to stop my sword.

You really are stupid, aren't you?

The men in the capital cover themselves in armor.

Armor?

Can armor make a sword snap?

Yes, it can.

It may snap my sword,

but I'm strong enough to grapple with a bear or boar.

Oh, well. You really disappoint me.

I was swept away by your wild masculinity,

so I agreed to become your wife,

but you don't do anything to please me.

We live in the mountains, not the city.

If you're as strong and capable as you claim to be,

why don't you take me to the capital

and get me everything I want there?

The capital, huh?

That's right. Let's go to the capital.

I want you to adorn me with kimonos and the hair accessories that I like.

You're strong enough, aren't you?

Of course.

Give me three days, I'll get you all the kimonos and accessories you want.

It's been snowing for three days.

When can we head to the city?

We should have left when the leaves were falling.

You were slow to make a decision.

Oh, my. Mountain life is so boring.

We'll soon see the cherry blossoms.

The cherry blossoms?

Spring will come right after this snowstorm.

We can't leave here until we see the cherry blossoms.

Why? You're talking nonsense.

We must walk among the cherry trees.

Tell me why.

- Because the flowers will bloom. - I don't understand.

When the cherry flowers blossom,

there will be a cold wind under the trees,

making a roaring sound.

I remember now.

You told me that people went mad when they walked under the trees.

The trees have no end.

You mean you can't see the other side?

I'd love to go to the cherry trees

and hear that roaring sound you're talking about.

You'd go mad.

That sounds fun. You must take me there.

No way.

I must go there by myself.

Look at these beautiful turnips!

How about some turnips? We have great turnips.

You won't find a big turnip like this anywhere else.

Would you like one? No?

How would you like some turnips? These turnips are from a nearby farm.

Would you buy some fresh turnips?

Turnips, turnips... Please take a look at these.

Is something wrong with my turnips?

- I'm just looking at them, - That's just great.

If you just want to look, why don't you look at a picture of turnips?

- Bring me some sake. - Yes, sir.

- More sake. - Okay.

More sake!

A sake-drinking beast.

He doesn't know the value of money.

Here comes the Princess of the Sixth Avenue.

You rude bastard!

- Back off! - Go away!

I told you to back off!

Your Excellency, the Chancellor.

The princess is dying to see you.

Wait, you're not Masatsune.

Who are you?

No! Stop!

I guess it's no use pretending anymore.

Here's the man you despise: the Chancellor...

pretending to be your lover, Masatsune.

The Chancellor got what he was after.

Your looks are disgustingly innocent.

Oh, how you fooled me.

I can no longer face Masatsune.

I'll become a nun, leaving this world behind.

If you want to be a nun, go ahead.

Go to a convent, or to hell... I'll chase you wherever you go.

Come, Chancellor.

Bite the princess's cheek.

Oh, so delicious.

Now, nibble her throat.

Go ahead. Taste her eyes, too.

This is so much fun!

Come on, take a big bite! Do it!

Oh, you're home.

None of those are any good.

What I want are big, fat, disgusting heads.

Those are the heads of skinny monks, like crushed frogs.

Hey, did you move the officer's head?

He's in love with his neighbor's daughter.

I didn't do that.

It must be the maid, then. I told her not to touch these.

These are the Kitayama family.

And those are the servants to the Emperor's adviser.

Why would she move them around? She really is useless.

The Princess of Sixth Avenue

finds herself unable to hate the Chancellor.

She cries in sadness over her fate,

and becomes a nun.

The Chancellor follows her to the convent,

then violates her.

The princess wants to kill herself,

but the Chancellor sweet-talks her out of it.

This woman really frustrates me.

And for a princess, she's so heavy.

By the way, Chancellor,

you have such a noble face.

- Hello. - Hello.

Idiot, don't just stand there like a cow.

Move aside.

Get lost.

Torimaru! Torimaru!

Please, somebody help him!

I'll kill you all!

Come out of there!

Or we'll kill you this time!

Men, go get him!

Who are those guys in white kimonos?

"The Acquitted."

"The Acquitted"?

- What does that mean? - They were thieves or murderers.

They're all less than human.

Instead of imprisonment,

they were released to capture other criminals.

They're a bunch of dogs.

What is it?

I'll give up the kid if you don't charge me.

There are too many people in the capital. I can't take it anymore.

I like you guys.

You guys don't talk.

The Buddha is always around us

But at dawn, when humans make no sound

We can faintly see him in our dreams

You're in a good mood.

Life in the capital is pretty boring.

Don't you get tired of living here?

Not particularly.

Do you really like it here?

Oh, I do.

We can get good food and I can wear beautiful kimonos.

There are many people to talk to. I don't get bored here.

The more I talk to people, the more bored I get.

You get bored because you don't talk much.

I just can't handle being around so many people.

I don't even feel like talking.

Just try. You'll forget that you're bored.

Talk about what?

Anything you want to talk about.

I don't want to talk about anything.

You know something? She was upset about the heads.

She wants "fat, disgusting" heads.

Without them, she won't let you have her, will she?

Welcome, young boy.

Just suck on it.

A woman's breast tastes pretty good, too, right?

Huh?

You only know how young boys taste, but I hope you're enjoying this as well.

Suck harder.

Harder.

Let me take you to paradise.

The sun sets again. Night falls.

I cut heads off.

Day breaks.

The day passes.

The sun sets and night falls.

...always around us

We just can't see him with our eyes

But at dawn, when humans make no sound

We can faintly see him in our dreams

The Buddha is always around us

We just can't see him with our eyes

You've had enough heads, right?

No, will you get me the head of an Imperial Court dancer tonight?

I want a very pretty one.

I'll have her dance for us.

And to accompany her dance, I'll sing modern poetry.

I don't think one dancer will be enough.

We need five or six to get the party going.

I don't want to do it.

Hey, don't disappoint me now.

Every night, you've brought me countless heads.

Don't lose your nerve now.

I see.

You're a coward after all.

I'm not a coward.

Then what is it?

There's no end in sight.

You're being funny, aren't you?

Nothing in this world has an end in sight.

Am I not right?

We eat meals day after day. We sleep night after night.

That's different from cutting heads off.

Exactly how different are they from each other?

The Imperial dancers' heads, okay?

I want five of them!

Everybody! We're having a party tonight!

Come with me.

What's wrong?

Are you scared of her?

I'm not.

Then what's wrong?

I don't know.

It's just...

I can't do this with you anymore.

Do you still like living in the capital?

I do.

I can't stand it.

I don't want to live in the capital anymore.

Are you going to leave her?

I wonder if you can do that.

What were you doing?

Start preparing our meal already.

Guys.

Can I have something to eat?

What's so funny?

You're begging for food from beggars.

Thief! Thief!

He went that way!

Stop right there!

Stop!

Hold it!

What's going on?

Tell me. What crime do you think I've committed?

Just capture that man.

What is he doing?

I can't start the party without the dancers.

Don't you all agree?

Aren't you thirsty for a little sake?

Don't you want to hear me sing?

He may not come back.

He told me he was tired of living in the capital.

Also, some of the girls here are much prettier than you.

What are you saying?

He can't survive in the capital without me.

I'm not so sure about that.

He's really sick of cutting people's heads off.

This is the first time he's been gone for more than two days.

Quiet!

We know you work for the Beheader who's been terrorizing the capital.

"Work for"?

I don't work for anybody.

Are you saying that you are the Beheader?

You couldn't pull it off. You're nothing but a beggar and a thief.

Confess what you did.

Confess or not, you'll be killed anyway.

Who is your accomplice?

Give me the name and you're free.

In which case,

maybe we'll let you...

whip your friend to punish him.

Too bad.

I don't work for anybody.

The cherry blossoms.

The cherry trees on the mountain...

must be in full bloom by now.

If you want to live, put this uniform on. You'll be acquitted.

If you don't, come tomorrow morning, you'll be beheaded.

We know what you've done.

Where did you hide the gold Komainu statues you received from the rebels?

Where are they?

Here they are!

Let us go.

- Come on. - Walk.

You bastard.

Oh, I get it. I understand now.

Thank you so very much.

It's so hot. How about a dip?

We're on duty.

That's exactly why I want to swim.

Being in the office is suffocating, right?

Swim with us, Officer.

No, thank you.

If we're the only ones in the river, we'll be punished.

Will you please join us?

Let me help you.

You say we're less than human, but see?

You do exactly the same thing as us.

He's getting away.

Hurry up! Hurry up!

I gave you a second chance, releasing you from imprisonment.

You ridiculed the Police and the Judicial Chief.

You'll pay dearly for this.

Don't underestimate me.

You think I worked for the Beheader of the capital.

Some investigative eyes you've got.

You're looking at him.

I'm the Beheader of the capital.

I don't work for anyone.

I'll show you how to do it.

Where have you been?

What were you doing leaving me alone for so many days?

Am I glad to see you back.

About my request for the heads of five dancers...

I'm sorry, it was unreasonable.

Will you forgive me?

I've missed you so much.

Please understand how lonely I felt without you.

Do you want to eat?

Listen, I...

I'm going back to the mountain.

What?

Are you going to leave me?

How can you be so cruel to me?

You're going back to the mountain all by yourself?

When did you become so heartless?

Life in the capital isn't for me.

I'm here with you.

I don't want to live here.

Living here means you get to be with me.

Being with me is not enough?

You don't care about me anymore, do you?

It's boring living here.

When you were gone,

all I could think about was you and how much I missed you.

But you...

I know you like it here.

You can only live in the capital, right?

But me...

I can be at peace only in the mountains.

You really don't understand how I feel.

Can't you see? I can't live without you.

I can't live anywhere but in the mountains.

You don't get it, do you?

I'm saying that if you want to go back,

I'll come with you.

To live even a day without you...

is something I can't do.

Are you really prepared to live in the mountains?

As long as I'm with you, I can live anywhere.

There won't be any more heads in the mountains.

If I had to choose you or the heads, I'd choose you.

Do you mean that?

Of course, I'd give up the heads for you.

Let's head for the mountains right away.

Back to the mountains.

Back to the mountains.

Back to the mountains. Back to the mountains.

I'm planning to come right back.

I can't live in the mountains.

I'll bring him back to the capital in no time.

You'll wait for us.

Take care of the house until we come back.

- The Acquitted! - Kill them!

- The Acquitted are beasts! - Dogs!

Are humans meant to walk here?

I don't see any path whatsoever.

This is a shortcut.

A shortcut no one uses.

It was sunny day like today when we first met.

I was just thinking about that, too.

When I first saw your face,

I couldn't believe such a beautiful woman could exist in this world.

Will you carry me like you did that day?

I can't keep on walking these trackless wilds.

Of course.

I feel like I'm dreaming going back to the mountains with you.

What else can I do?

I'm your wife. Wherever you go, I'll be with you.

Hold on a second.

We didn't come this way, did we?

We're going to see the cherry blossoms.

Are you sure?

We'll go mad if we walk under the cherry trees in full bloom, right?

Forget about that.

I'm so happy to be going back with my sweet wife.

I'm not afraid of the cherry trees anymore.

No, this is not the demon. Where did she go?

Why are you dead?

Why?

This is my woman.

Why is my wife dead?

She's dead.

Don't touch me.

THE END