Original subtitles

Seibei Iguchi Hiroyuki Sanada

Tomoe Rie Miyazawa

Directed by Yoji Yamada

Not that way

No, no, no!

Thank you. You may go

After a long illness my mother died...

...when I was five

She had consumption...

...so from when I can remember I wasn't allowed near her

Thus I have almost no memory of my mother

Ito... Ito...

You poor little darling!

I am from Unasaka, in the northeast in what is now Yamagata Prefecture

Before 1868 it was the castle town of the Unasaka clan...

...a small fief of 70,000 koku of rice per year

well done, one and all

That's it for today

Sakaguchi...

I've heard there's a good drinking place in Hakkenmachi...

Oh, you mean 'Hisago'?

Feel like a drink?

A fine idea

Kawanami, will you come?

I will

Iguchi?

For a change?

Not me, thanks

we can't twist your arm?

If you'll excuse me...

Twilight's not very exciting is he

with a sick wife, two young daughters and an aged mother in his care...

...my father was unable to drink with his colleagues

He had to hurry home every evening at dusk

I was told the men he worked with...

...gave him the cruel nickname of 'Twilight Seibei'

THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI

Ito...

Father!

Up you go!

Your face is dirty

Father's back!

Welcome home

Codfish stew tonight, Kayano?

Don't drop it

I'm home, Mother How are you this evening?

Of what household are you, sir?

I am Seibei Iguchi of the Unasaka Clan, Castle Stores

I see...

She's getting worse. She doesn't even know her own son!

Kayano, I've simmered some burdock. Take some

Thank you. You're always so kind to my daughters

Naota... you can go home now

Yup

Good evening

But Yazaki, can't we do something about Twilight?

His kimono's all ripped and hardly ever takes a bath

There's this smell when you get close to him

It just won't do!

Yes, sir. we all find it very hard to stomach

we've asked around about finding him a new wife...

...but no woman would want his situation

Indeed!

He's got two young girls a senile old mother...

...and 20 of his 50 koku gone in debt

Any woman who went to him would have to take in work

Yes, he owes money all over the place

I don't know how he paid for his wife's funeral

Not even selling your sword would pay for a funeral like that

A funeral! That's something I have to worry about, too

My father's not going to last much longer

Kawanami's lucky Young parents and a pretty wife!

You'd better go easy with her It could hurt your work

Is that why you're always cat-napping on the job?

I am not!

Listen to him!

Kumi...

Welcome!

Isn't she gorgeous!

Kume...

Bed-time, Gran

Good night, Seibei

Good night

It looks like she remembered me

The Master said: To rule a land of a thousand chariots...

Kayano...

That's Confucius, isn't it? when did you start learning that?

At the end of last month The teacher says...

...from now on even girls will need book learning

That's good

When I was a boy I read Confucius over and over again

Father...

If I learn to do needlework...

...someday I can make kimonos

But what good will book learning ever do me?

Well, it probably won't ever be as useful as needlework

But you know...

...book learning gives you the power...

...to think

However the world might change if you have the power to think...

...you'll always survive somehow

That's true for boys and for girls

All right?

Yes

Keep reading, then

Tseng Tzu said: Each day in three ways...

...I ask myself...

...if I have faithfully carried out what I undertook for another...

My mother's illness had left my father deep in debt

As Grandmother lost her wits, all the housework, the gathering of fuel...

...and the field work fell to him

Left with little time to attend to himself...

...he gradually became unkempt and grimy

As his daughter, I felt terrible about this

Wipe off that dust!

They're coming!

His Lordship attends!

Kawanami! Quick!

Provisions'

Vital stores of food for when the clan must fight, or the castle...

...is besieged

Next we have the Salt Storehouse...

Here you have your beans green, soy and red...

We pay particular attention to keeping them dry

Dried giant horse-radish dried fiddleheads, miso paste...

Kusaka!

This is dried codfish...

...very important provisioning in times of war

How much have we got?

Iguchi...

Iguchi? You may answer directly

By your leave. we have 760 strips...

...by weight approximately 120 kan

How long does it keep?

Between five and ten years

This here is the oldest we have.

It was acquired six years ago

This dried cod from Kansaki is best It holds its taste for ten years

That strange smell I noticed is it you?

Clan retainers must serve as examples to the common folk

Keep yourself clean

Yes, Milord!

Carry on

Idiot!

Sir, I...

I'll speak to you later

But...

Be quiet!

Iguchi!

You damn fool!

The story spread throughout the castle

My father became a laughingstock

My Great-Uncle came from the main house in a foul humor

Hello!

Hello!

Seibei!

It's Uncle...

I'm in for it now

Is anybody here? what, are you all dead?!

Coming!

Kayano, make some tea

Who is it?

Great-Uncle!

Disgraceful!

You appeared before His Lordship unbathed, smelling like dried cod

The unpleasant impression you created...

...shames the house of Iguchi

That was inexcusable

I went to Senior Retainer Terauchi and apologized for you

His Lordship is a generous man so he did not find fault

Had that been his father, though...

...this would have meant hara-kiri!

I never dreamed it would cause so much trouble

I beg your forgiveness

Kayano?

How old are you now?

I am ten years old

Are you working at your lessons?

I'm learning needlework and Confucius

A girl has no need of the classics

All you need is to write women's script

Too much book learning and you'll never be a bride

You can go

I am here today on an important matter

A marriage arrangement

You need a hard-working wife to escape the misery you are in

A village-headman acquaintance has an unmarried daughter...

...whom he agrees to marry to you

He knows you are poor, have two young daughters and a senile mother

I'm sure you realize that you are in no position to demand beauty

You need a healthy wife with big haunches to bear children

Her face is of no concern

So I'll proceed with this if you don't mind

With all due respect I must differ

How?

I am not nearly as miserable in my living as you may think

Of course, offending His Lordship by appearing unbathed before him...

...was wrong, and I vow never to repeat it

However...

...watching my daughters as they grow day by day is...

...how shall I put it?

It's like watching crops ripen or flowers grow in a field

I enjoy it very much

I'm not sure if the lady of whom you speak...

...would understand that

Who would understand such foolishness?!

You've always been like this...

...tormenting your poor father with this prattling of yours!

What has your marriage got to do with crops in a field?

Then I beg leave to speak more clearly

I ask that you not concern yourself with questions of my marriage

You defy the main branch of your family?!

You are welcome here

Kinu... are you well?

I am, thank you

May I ask of which household you come?

I'm your damn brother!

Take her away, Seibei She's a nuisance

Mother...

Most unseemly! what will the neighbors think?

Tie her to a post somewhere!

'Expect no more help from me! '...

...shouted my great-uncle as he left in high dudgeon

Can you do that?

Let me see

Here... twist it as you fit it in

Is Gran asleep?

Yes

Good

Father...

Gran was crying, you know

Uncle shouted at her

Poor Gran!

Do you like Uncle?

You don't?

I hate him

He came to talk about a new wife for me, but I said no

I don't want to take any help from him

You'd think we were buying a cow!

All she needs is to be healthy that's rude to the lady as well

Are you two lonely...

...without a mother?

I'm not lonely if you're here

Me, too

That's my girls

Do you want the toilet, Gran?

Look!

Butterbur buds! Get lots, all right?

what's that?

A child!

The poor thing! He's nothing but bones!

where'd he come from?

Matsukawa, maybe

Rise to Buddha!

As children we loved to go gathering herbs...

...by the river in early spring

But those were times of famine

The cold melt water often brought the bodies of peasants...

...dead of starvation

Aim...

Fire!

All of you, watch me

Elbows up...

Brace the right knee...

Seibei! Sorry to keep you waiting

You went to Kyoto?

Yes, with the Majordomo to talk to merchants there and in Osaka

what's Kyoto like?

I had high hopes for it but it was horrible

I've never seen the like of Miyako-oji Boulevard

Filthy masterless samurai from all over the country everywhere...

...cursing and swearing in dialects you can't understand

Then someone shouts 'Divine punishment! ' and the swords come out

The Kamo River's full of headless corpses all swollen up...

I thought it'd be geishas in Gion...

Dear me!

Prime!

Aim!

Fire!

Misfire!

wait! what's wrong?

Ow!

Fool!

I told you to wait!

They're a bit late

The Choshu clan may have been beaten once

but they'll be back with Satsuma

They'll snuff out 250 years of Shoguns like the wind does a candle

what's our clan doing?

Our leaders aren't thinking!

How would you like to go to Kyoto?

The Emperor's palace is short of guards

I'll recommend you

You'll see how things are

Someone like you shouldn't be stuck in a field here right now

I'm afraid you over-estimate me

The times are changing

when they do, I'll give up samurai status and be a farmer

That's what I'm suited for

You're a strange one

But you always were

No ambition at all

Oh, I nearly forgot...

My condolences on your bereavement

Burn a joss stick for her

You didn't have to...

I wanted to send my sister to the funeral in my place...

...but she was having some troubles of her own

I'm sorry

Miss Tomoe? what's wrong?

You know she married the son of Captain Koda...

It turns out this Toyotaro is a mean drunk.

If I'd known I'd never have agreed

A mean drunk?

He'd hit her, kick her...

She'd come running to my house to get away

I was worried one day he'd kill her...

...so I got the Castle to order them divorced

Divorced?

Just recently

So now Tomoe's back at my house

Really?

And here I thought she was the wife of a fine 1200-koku samurai

I had no idea

I made a mistake. She's gone through hell because of me

well done, one and all

That's it for today

Sakaguchi...

Sakaguchi! Feel like dropping in at 'Hisago'?

You want to see O-Kume!

Quiet!

You come too, Kawanami

Again?

Damn right!

I'll be going

Iguchi...

You should come see the girls Take your mind off things

I'm fine, thanks.

Iguchi...

Don't waste your breath

Look, Naota. The azaleas are out

Yup

Kayano, Ito, I'm home!

No one's here...

welcome home

It's been a long time

Uh... perhaps there's... um

You were out when I came by...

Have you forgotten me? I'm Iinuma's younger sister, Tomoe

Oh, Miss Tomoe!

I didn't know you

I've just seen your brother today He told me what had happened

So you know all about it, then?

Yes

Because of that I'm back living at his house

There's nothing for me to do so they have me weaving

I came here to escape

You're very welcome

Let's go inside

Your sock...

Oh, yes...

It seems your father had forgotten me!

we always played together!

welcome home

Kayano, Ito, this is Miss Tomoe we're, uh...

Childhood friends He always used to tease me

I did not!

I got a present

Me, too

Aren't they pretty!

Mother, I'm home

welcome home

Do you know this lady?

She's Miss Tomoe the Iinuma girl

See? She remembered me

That's good. And of course you remember me, don't you?

Of which household are you?

I'm your son

You are, are you?

Hello

Tane, watch the hotpot

It was as if our house was brighter from the moment Miss Tomoe arrived

I've never forgotten It was when I was five

I always wanted to do whatever the boys did

Once I was climbing a pine tree and a branch broke...

...and I got hurt

Really?

Yes! Your father happened to be there that day...

...and he carried me piggy-back all the way to the doctor!

I think he was 12 or 13

His back was this big!

Just like a grown-up's He made me feel so safe...

Do you remember, Seibei?

I remember something like that...

when I was nine my mother told me...

...I couldn't play with boys any more

I was so sad...

Being a girl's no fun, Kayano

Drip, drip drip...

...come our Chonbei's tears

Drip, drip, drip...

Let's catch his falling tears...

...and wipe them away...

wipe them away...

Let's take his tear-soaked kimono...

...and wash it clean...

wash it clean...

Let's take the kimono we've washed...

...and wring it out...

wring it out...

Let's take the kimono we've wrung out...

...and hang it to dry...

Hang it to dry...

You haven't changed at all, have you

It's as if I'm a completely different person

That's not true

You still smile just like you used to

You don't have to console me I know I've changed

People told me how radiant a bride you were...

...when you went to the Koda house

I don't want to remember

It's very late I'll leave you here

Say hello to your brother

Your beard's growing out...

It's so soft!

Iinuma! I want the truth!

That man's here!

My husband...

My ex-husband... I'd know that drunken voice anywhere

I'm going!

Your master's leaving

Hands off!

I'm not drunk!

My sandals!

Iinuma! where's Tomoe gone?

I told you, she's at her aunt's

You're lying!

Please! Keep your voice down! There are elderly people here!

To hell with her

Listen, linuma...

If I'm not good enough for Tomoe she's welcome to leave

But linuma...

...I've got a bone to pick with you

You went to His Lordship and got him to divorce us

Squire Koda, I've told you time and time again...

Shut up!

You made me a joke in front of the whole castle!

I demand satisfaction!

Squire Koda!

My sword!

Stop this, will you?!

Tomoe...

where've you been till this hour of the night?

where I go is no one's business but mine

And I'll say this, too

I am not your wife now It's 'Miss Tomoe' to you

Tomoe! Get inside!

Perhaps that's enough?

who are you?!

I am Seibei Iguchi friend to Iinuma

Perhaps I could accept your challenge in his name?

But here we are in the town

And you are drunk

Let's settle this another time when the alcohol has worn off

If you've put yourself forward this way...

...you must know how to fight

I make no such claim

Fine. we fight tomorrow

Tomorrow?

By the river behind Hannyaji Temple, at the 8th hour?

Done

Behind Hannyaji, 8th hour

See you

Seibei, he's serious!

Are you?

I had no choice

He's good with a sword

It'll work out

I'll say good night

Don't tell Tomoe about this

wait!

what if you kill him? The Clan forbids dueling

I'll think of something

Good night

Naota...

we're going

Ito!

Yu Tzu said: Harmony is the greatest beneficence of the rites

Good morning

Sit down!

I'm leaving

This is no good. I'm slow

You think you can take me?

Damn right!

Then get ready

He's afraid!

Hold it!

I said last night I'd take your place!

I should do this

You're no match for him Go over there and watch

I'm sorry I'm late, Squire Koda I will be your opponent

what's that stick?

My school of swordfighting uses this for practice

Do you mock me? Draw your sword!

A sword might kill This stick will not

It will break bones at worst

I won't take this from a samurai of your rank! I'll cut you down!

watch for the draw-and-slash!

You can still apologize

The apology is yours to make

with a real sword, you'd be dead

Do you apologize?

Or do you continue?

Splash some water on him That'll bring him to

Come on, Iinuma

You're all right?

Don't tell Miss Tomoe about this

Or anyone else, either

Those men will talk

No. A whipped dog doesn't bark

Is that soy sauce? Over here

Excuse me for interrupting. I am Zenemon Yogo, Master of the watch

I know that

Are you the 'Twilight Seibei' who thrashed Toyotaro Koda...

...and left him with a great big lump on his head?

I didn't really 'thrash' him

He asked for a match, and my sword caught him on the head

Koda is a drinking companion of mine

The other day...

...he came crying to me, asking if I would take revenge for him

That's the kind of man he is

But it seems you can fight what school are you?

Many years ago I trained under Toda-Sensei

So you're a disciple of Jinsai Toda?

I merely attended his dojo

Perhaps we could try a match one day

I'd be no match for you I'm afraid. If you'll excuse me...

I wish I wasn't getting old I can't read once the sun sets

First your teeth go then it's your eyes

And how's number three?

That went long ago!

That's it for today, everyone

I'll be going

Excuse me

Sir Twilight's gone?

Didn't you hear?

The other day 'Sir Twilight' fought the son of Captain Koda

A fight? And what happened?

wood against steel

Sir Twilight went bang! Knocked him senseless

He did?

I always thought he was strange

I never thought he was a fighter, though

Maybe we shouldn't be calling him 'Sir Twilight'

You think he knows?

Sure he does

Fumi! It's raining!

It's raining! Is the laundry in?

Yes!

welcome home

Miss Tomoe was here She left you this letter

She's got even nicer writing than the schoolmaster

Let me!

No!

I have finally learned what happened from my elder brother

I must apologize for all the trouble...

...I have caused you

I am, however, delighted

I very much want to see you and thank you in person

Today I intruded upon you and with your daughters...

...cleaned your house and did your laundry

Please do not scold your daughters for allowing me in

I would like in the future to be of what use I can.

written in haste

To: Seibei Iguchi, Esq. From: Tomoe

Tomoe started coming every second day or so

The two of us looked forward to coming home from school

we're back!

Hello!

You know what the teacher did today? He farted out loud!

She cleaned with us did laundry with us...

...and taught us to cook

On rainy days we'd practice calligraphy and sewing

And she'd tell us all kinds of stories, the like of which...

...we'd never heard before

Finished

Bring this line over

Finished!

That's good, Ito!

Hey! Stop it!

Ito! write on your own paper, all right?

No!

Don't you look nice!

How much fun it was to go off to a festival in kimonos...

...she had made us

Shoo! Go away!

Samurai then were strictly forbidden to attend the festivals...

...of the peasants and townsfolk...

...but Tomoe cared not a whit

I remember well what she said:

It was because of the peasants that we lived as samurai

why are you catching them all? we're using the same bait!

You're trying too hard The fish sense it

Your shoulders are too stiff It's like swordfighting

Aw, stop lecturing!

Show me your rod

This hook's too big!

Seibei...

...I want to talk to you

It's about Tomoe

She's had a few proposals

She's beautiful and talented There's not many like her in our clan

Any good ones?

She won't say yes and I can't pressure her

I asked her, half in jest if she'd like to marry you

You what?!

we may be old friends but that isn't funny!

She didn't take it as a joke

She said she wouldn't mind...

...and turned all red

That's enough! You're both making fun of me!

You dolt!

She was serious

Stop it

Listen...

...I've already put her through hell marrying her to Koda

If it's all right with you I'd like to make that up to her

It's a bit sudden...

I don't need an answer now but I will within two or three days

I might have to go to Edo

You've been really busy lately what's going on?

You probably haven't heard

A month ago...

...His Lordship's dead

He is?

why have they kept that from us?

They're not agreed on who's going to succeed him

The Castle warden, Lord Hori has asked the Shogun...

...for permission to adopt His Lordship's third boy, Tadaatsu...

...and seize control himself

If that happens the clan will split and blood will wash away blood

I might not come through this unscathed myself

So if you could give me an answer before I leave for Edo

All right

I'll answer you

I'm very grateful to Tomoe for all she's done for my daughters...

...all the cooking and sewing and everything else

It's like a dream come true

However...

...having her come to my house as my wife is something else again

She's a daughter of the Iinumas a 400-koku family

She doesn't know what life is like for a 50-koku petty samurai

Are you sure you're not under-estimating her?

She's very much her own woman

It'd be fine at the start

But when it sunk in that 50-koku would be her life forever...

...she'd be sorry

My late wife was

Hers was a 150-koku family

She never got used to the fall in status

Rise in the world, she told me or my family will grieve

She said that all the time after she got sick

I don't want to put Tomoe through that torment

Tomoe's not 15 or 16

I'm sure she'd thought about what she said

No more

Let's forget this

Let's try up there

It's a girl!

what a stink!

Rise to Lord Buddha

Eat your fill in heaven!

Let's call it a day

From that day forward Miss Tomoe stopped coming...

...to our house

Make way!

Stand aside!

Turning left!

The warden has returned!

Go!

what's that?!

It's the alarm!

Stop what you're doing and listen

I have important news from Lord Hori, Castle warden...

...who returned this morning from Edo

The 12th head of the Unasaka Clan Lord Tadatomo, died of measles...

...at the beginning of this month

He was 32 years old

He was a good and wise ruler intelligent and tolerant...

...a true hero

Only last spring we had the honor of meeting him...

...and having him speak to us

Iguchi, you haven't forgotten that, I'm sure

what a fine and gentle man he was!

Senior retainers will remain in the castle

The rest of you are to leave and pray for the repose of His Lordship's soul

This could mean open war!

I doubt that...

...but Lord Hori's sure to go after His Lordships reformers

Dispositions'?

Yes

which side is our Commissioner on?

The reformers or the Hori faction?

He'll be with the mainstream

Just like me

while there were fearsome rumors that the Castle was preparing for war...

...it didn't seem to involve petty samurai like my father

All right?

we wanted to ask Father why Miss Tomoe no longer came...

...but for some reason we couldn't

This was because even in our children's hearts...

...we knew something had happened between them

Squire Iguchi!

I'm sorry you've come for nothing My husband isn't back from Edo

I expect him in a day or two

Has he written anything about what's happening in Edo?

No

There was a letter yesterday...

...but all he talked about was what he wants to eat when he gets home

That's good

I'm sure you know they're handing down dispositions

Some people have even been ordered to commit suicide

I was worried about what might have happened to Iinuma

I'm happy to hear he's all right

Give him my regards when he gets home

You came just for that?

Yes

Good day

It was very kind of you

Carry on

where's Squire Iguchi?

He went away

where are you going?

Squire Iguchi may still be close by

why do you want to see him?

No reason in particular

I haven't seen him for a while I'd like to say hello

wait!

Tomoe...

...it is unseemly for a young woman to be seen talking...

...with some samurai on the street

And you are a returned bride with a proposal being discussed

You shouldn't be doing that in broad daylight with people around

I've been meaning to tell you that for a long time now

what's wrong with a girl talking to a samurai?

Are you questioning your elder brother's wife?

Shouldn't I?

You should not

A young women does not question her elders

with 60 from last month that comes to 550 mon

Could I have a receipt?

You know the bath fee went up to seven mon last month

Prices are going up everywhere

Could you pay more for these cages?

with things as unsettled as they are...

...no one's buying insect cages

Could you ask your boss for me?

well, I'll ask

I take this work as seriously as my duties

I understand that

If you'll excuse me

Come on

we're not thieves

we're just picking up some insect cages from Squire Iguchi.

Is he doing piece-work?

Hello!

Hello!

who is it?

Commissioner Kusaka

It's very late, I know

I'd like you to accompany me to Lord Hori's quarters

Yes, sir

They said you don't need full formal dress

Just a hakama skirt

So you're Iguchi's girl? How old are you?

Five

You're a sweetheart

I'm ready

Kayano... you all get to bed

Let's sleep

Seibei Iguchi of the Castle Stores...

That'll do

Iguchi, come over here

we called you here this late because an awkward situation has arisen

You know there was a revolt among our retainers in Edo?

Yes, sir

Fortunately no word of this reached the Shogun

His Lordship ordered Shima Hasegawa and his faction to commit suicide

But one of Lord Hasegawa's men Zenemon Yogo, Master of the watch...

...says he was merely following the orders of his superior...

...asks why he should be punished and refuses to commit suicide

If you want me dead come and kill me,' he says!

And with these disgraceful words has barricaded himself in his house

This evening we sent our Master of Foot, Genba Hattori, against him

Zenemon Yogo! I come at the order of the clan!

But he died himself

He's a 'one-sword' fighter

No one in the clan is his match

we were talking about who to send against him...

...and your name came up

Iguchi, raise your head

You're a 'short-sword' fighter of the Toda school?

It's been years since Toda-Sensei taught me

I merely attended his dojo

we don't have time for modesty

we've learned that you were an instructor at his dojo

He must be beaten inside his house The short sword will help there

That is another reason we have chosen you

Kill Zenemon Yogo by twilight tomorrow

That is an order from the clan's Senior Retainer

Kusaka... what's this man's stipend?

50 koku

20 koku bespoken for a net of 30

That must be hard, with two young daughters and an aged mother

Bring us the head of Zenemon Yogo...

...and life will be easier

Do you accept?

Answer him

This is an honor

You shut up!

well?

By your leave...

I am ashamed to say that over many years of hardship...

...with two daughters, a sick wife and an aged mother...

...I have lost the desire to wield a sword

A serious fight the killing of a man...

...requires animal ferocity and calm disregard for one's own life

I have neither of those within me now

Perhaps in a month...

...alone with the beasts in the hills I could get them back

But tomorrow, I am afraid is completely impossible

I ask that you extend the honor of this commission...

...to another man

what complete and utter nonsense!

we are not here for foolishness from a petty samurai!

Your clan orders you to kill Yogo

Do you understand that?!

The Clan's orders are His Lordship's orders

The very thought of refusal is an offense!

You are relieved of your post! You are expelled from the clan!

Please, warden...

what do you say, Iguchi? Do you accept?

Of course he does!

Don't you!

May I request an evening or two...

...in which to give my answer?

You may not!!

You will answer now!

I obey

I accept the commission...

...to kill Zenemon Yogo

well said!

An officer will call at the hour of the snake

Have your preparations made

withdraw

Iguchi...

Don't worry. who's Zenemon Yogo anyway?

You're sure to win

I have decided exactly that

Good

One should, however always prepare for the worst

That's true. The worst can always happen

In that event, Commissioner this will be farewell

Thank you for everything you've done for me

Please convey my regards to my colleagues in Stores

I understand. And, uh...

...I'll take responsibility for those you leave behind

I'll see they are looked after

That's a relief to hear

All the best to you

A strange noise made me open my eyes

Looking for the sound, I saw my father sharpening his sword

He looked so strange it was hard to believe he was my father

I still remember clearly how he looked that night

The Heart Sutra:

The bodhisattva clearly saw the emptiness of the five states...

...thus relieving misfortune and pain

Form is only emptiness emptiness only form...

we're going

Kayano!

The Master said: A man cunning of word and smiling of face...

...is rarely benevolent Tseng Tzu said: Each day...

Naota, do something for me

Yup

You know Miss Tomoe's house in Nishikicho, don't you?

Yup

Go there, and speak to Miss Tomoe

Now, this is important

You have to see Miss Tomoe herself

And then say...

...'I'm really very sorry, but could you come right away?

I'll explain why when you get here.'

All right?

I'm really very sorry...

...but could you come right away?

I'll explain why...

Uh, I'll explain why...

I'll explain why when you get here

when you get here

That's fine. Hurry

Look where she laid her egg!

Could you come...

I'll explain why when you get here

Whatever's the matter at this hour?

I'm really very sorry...

...but could you come right away?

when you get here... uh...

He'll explain why?

Squire Seibei sent you to tell me that?

All right. I'll get ready

I didn't think you'd come

The clan has ordered me to go and fight...

...another retainer

I'm going out under orders so I must be properly dressed...

...and I can't do my hair alone

I'm in a bind so I asked you to come

If you can spare the time could you help me?

when do you have to go?

The hour of the snake

There's not much time

where's your kimono?

It's laid out over there

Naota, boil some water

who's coming for you?

A clan officer

Naota, will you wait out by the gate?

Sit down. I'll comb your hair

May I ask why...

...you're going out to fight?

I can't refuse a clan order

Petty I may be but I'm still a samurai

Bamboo baskets, hampers!

Bamboo baskets, hampers!

Your elder brother...

...asked if I would take you as my wife

I refused

Did you know that?

Yes, I did

But...

But since that day...

...when I told him no...

...I've started thinking about you

Now I think of it ever since we were small...

...and I made dolls to give you...

...I always dreamed one day you'd come to me as my wife

That dream stayed with me even after I got married...

...and you married Koda

It's never faded

I'm going out now to fight to the death

I'm going to win and return to this house

At that time, if I were to ask you...

...to be my wife...

...would you accept?

A few days ago I had a proposal...

...from a retainer in Aizu

I accepted.

I've been very rude

I should never have asked you to come here

No

I'm happy that you asked me

I've been a fool

Please forget everything I've said

Really? A retainer from Aizu...

That sounds like

Are they here?

Yup

well, I'll be going

Thank you very much for everything

Um...

...I'm afraid I can't wait here until you come back

I pray with all my heart...

...that luck is with you and you come back safely

Naota, see Miss Tomoe home when she goes

Take care of the kids

Mrs Iguchi...

...how are you today?

Fine, thank you

Of which household would you be the daughter?

Me?

I am...

...Squire Seibei's childhood friend...

...Tomoe

Sir...

Squire Iguchi?

Zenemon Yogo has closed himself in with the shutters down

That is Genba Hattori Master of Foot

we should remove his corpse...

...but no one can get in

Take care

Zenemon Yogo is no longer human He is a beast!

Leave to enter!

Sir Twilight...

So they sent you?

Zenemon Yogo... by order of the clan, I come for your life

Draw your sword, please

Have a drink?

I know you're all keyed up but I'm going to run

Run?

Yep

I want you let me get away If you please

I didn't expect that from the clan's best one-sword man

My orders are to kill you I can't let you escape

Don't be so impatient You can kill me any time

I'd like to talk to you

Have a seat

It's a nice day

Sit down

what's going on?

They're talking

Even if you escaped where would you go?

Over that mountain and I'm out of the clan's domain

There are masterless samurai everywhere

I can lose myself in them go to Kyoto, to Edo...

If I do that for a few years...

...the world will have changed

The samurai's day is done

This isn't the time for that talk

Pick up your sword, please

I am under orders from the clan to...

Like hell!

You're the clan's errand boy out to claim a reward

Have a drink I was an errand boy, too

I served Lord Shigemasa Toki

Twelve years ago he was ordered to commit suicide...

...after a power struggle within his clan

Then I wandered for seven years with my wife and daughter...

...in search of a new situation

Seven?

with no income?

Of course not

I did manual labor and helped peasants plant and harvest...

...to get a little rice

Or we'd slink into a temple and beg alms there sometimes

Three years ago the Unasaka clan made me an official retainer...

...but by then hardship had killed my wife

I'm good with a sword but I'm hard to get along with...

...and I can't hold my liquor

But this time I promised myself it'd be different

I would do my duty as a true Unasaka retainer

I worked hard to do that

My superior was Lord Shima Hasegawa

He liked me, and did all he could for me

To me...

...the tasks he assigned were the tasks of the clan

His orders were the clan's orders and I carried them out faithfully

what was wrong with that Twilight?

why do I have to cut open my stomach?

I haven't come here to answer...

...that kind of question

I heard your wife died of consumption. Is that true?

I'm surprised you know that

And her fever went up as night came on?

Yes

Consumption is a hard disease And it's catching

My daughter died of consumption caught from her mother

You're not the only one who's suffered

How old was your daughter?

Sixteen

when she should have been a bud swelling into bloom...

...she died...

...nothing but skin and bones A sad, sad sight

I'm very sorry to hear that

Her ashes

She was a pretty girl with pale skin

I guess Lord Hasegawa took pity on me

He gave me money for a funeral well above my station

If only for that...

...I'm very much in Lord Hasegawa's debt

what's your stipend?

50 koku

A sick wife, and children all on 50 koku?

That must be hard

Doctor and medicine alone cost a ryo and 2 bu a month

Piece work wouldn't cover that

I borrowed from relatives but it still wasn't enough

Sometimes we didn't even have tomorrow's rice left

I know how bad it feels to see the bottom of your rice chest

You've had hard times, too

where I really ran into trouble was my wife's funeral

The family's main branch wanted a funeral that wouldn't shame them

I couldn't afford it

I was desperate so I finally sold my sword

It was a fine sword I'd inherited from my father...

...but I figured the age of the sword was over

I'm afraid this is just bamboo

You're going to kill me with a bamboo sword?

No

I learned short-sword from Toda-Sensei

I meant to fight with that

Short-sword?

You mean to kill me with some kind of cheap trick?

You're not taking me seriously are you

wait!

I won't have it!

I only told you that because you wanted me to let you go!

Draw!

Sir!

You're very good...

If you want to run now's your chance

After I kill you

Draw!

Sir! There's still time to stop

Calm down and think!

You haven't rested since yesterday

You're already breathing hard

You mock me

Sir! Continue this and I'll cut you down

Is that what you want?

That's fine by me

Draw

You've cut me, Twilight

This is what you get for taking me lightly

Have a seat

will you let me go Twilight?

That was...

...my intention

It's dark

I can't see

Hell

Twilight...

Is it over?

It's all yours

Careful!

He's dead!

Ito...

Go buy some tofu

Don't lose the money

Miss Kayano!

It's the Master!

Ito...

...I'm home

Miss Tomoe! Father's back!

You're still here...

Thank heaven!

I was sure...

...you were dead!

Finally Miss Tomoe became our mother

My father was happy

But peace prevailed in our house for less than three years

with the Meiji Restoration came civil war

Our clan supported the former Shogun...

...and fought as rebels against the emperor's government

During this 'Boshin war'.

...my father was shot and killed

Tomoe took us, her step-daughters to Edo, now 'Tokyo'...

...and supported us until we were both married

Now she sleeps with my father beneath this stone

In the new Meiji era, many men who had worked with my father...

...rose to positions of great authority

I often heard them say...

...that 'Twilight Seibei was an unlucky man.'

But I do not agree

My father had no desire to rise in the world...

...and I don't think he considered himself unlucky

He loved his daughters...

...and the beautiful Tomoe loved him

His life, I think was short but full

I am proud to have had such a father