Original subtitles

TOEI PRESENTS

13 ASSASSINS

PLANNING BY J. TAMAKI, K. AMAO SCREENPLAY BY KANEO IKEGAMI

CINEMATOGRAPHY BY JUHEI SUZUKI ART DIRECTION BY NORIMICHI IGAWA

COSTUMES BY GO MIKAMI NARRATION BY TAKAYUKI AKUTAGAWA

STARRING:

CHIEZO KATAOKA

KOTARO SATOMI, RYOHEI UCHIDA, TETSURO TANBA

SATOMI OKA, YURIKO MISHIMA, JUNKO FUJI

CHOICHIRO KAWARASAKI, MICHITARO MIZUSHIMA, KUNIO KAGA

SEISHIRO SAWAMURA, KUSUO ABE, SHINGO YAMAZAKI

KOSHIRO HARADA, SHUNJI KASUGA, USHIO AKASHI

EIJIRO KATAOKA, RYUJI KITA, RYOSUKE KAGAWA

KANJURO ARASHI, KO NISHIMURA, RYUNOSUKE TSUKIGATA

DIRECTED BY EIICHI KUDO

It was in the early morning of September 5th, in the year 1844,

outside Babasaki Gate of Edo Castle,

in front of the estate of senior advisor Lord Doi,

that chief retainer Zusho Mamiya,

a subject of Lord Naritsugu Matsudaira of Akashi Domain,

committed harakiri.

TO THE AUTHORITIES

As Lord Naritsugu Matsudaira was the younger brother

of the incumbent Shogun,

this scandal shocked government officials.

Needless to say...

...Lord Naritsugu was born with an unrefined personality.

He is inconsiderate of his family's status and arrogant,

and has an unparalleled sexual mania.

I hear that farmers' uprisings repeatedly occur in his domain of Akashi.

I also heard that last year, on his way to Edo for his annual tour of duty,

he was involved in a scandalous incident on the Kiso Road in the Owari Domain.

In order to avoid such an incident,

we changed the route for his entourage to the Nakasendo Road,

but it seems as if that had the reverse effect.

The Shogun orders that we do everything we can to settle this matter quietly.

Though born of different mothers,

it is only natural that he gives special consideration to his own brother.

It is the fault of the cabinet of senior advisors

who sent Lord Naritsugu as an adopted son to the Matsudairas of Akashi.

It appears that Zusho Mamiya committed harakiri

to appeal to the Central Government to take appropriate measures.

I realize that.

The Shogun is the nation's ruling justice, appointed by heaven's will.

It is pointless to argue over it any further.

The corpse of Zusho shall remain

on the estate of Lord Doi for the initial period of mourning.

I hereby report

that the Government Inspector Lord Shimada is here at your summons.

So, Shimada is here.

I hope it didn't cause any inconvenience to summon you so late.

I've been a widower for many years, so I have few obligations at home.

So, I take it you've heard about the incident?

Do you want to read his letter of appeal?

It's no use reading it at this point.

I understand the cabinet has decided how to handle the matter.

Incidentally... what do you think of Lord Naritsugu?

Well...

I feel he may not be worthy of the historic Matsudaira family name.

Since you understand that, there's something I must tell you.

Choose a number of samurai from the hatamoto class in the next three days.

Select the ones you have set your mind on.

Sir...

My understanding is a man's life weighs more than anything and is irreplaceable.

Lord Naritsugu is a human being, too.

Before you order me to do anything,

why not ask him to retire by unanimous request from the Government?

That was Mamiya's plea, at the cost of his own life.

But that's not possible.

How so?

The Shogun has already appointed Lord Naritsugu...

...as a senior advisor upon his departure from Edo.

You mean... he would let him enter into the world of politics?

That's why...

...we must figure out a way to correct the distortion of this injustice.

Incidentally, I've invited someone here who I want you to meet.

- Are you willing to meet? - Yes, sir.

I am Yukie Makino, a retainer of Lord Owari, serving at Agematsu Mansion in Kiso.

I am Shinzaemon Shimada.

- Let's hear what you have to say. - Yes, sir.

Then, I shall try to explain it all in a logical manner.

Last October, when Lord Naritsugu Matsudaira of Akashi

was on his annual journey to Edo via the Nakasendo Road,

he stayed overnight at Agematsu in Kiso, Owari Domain.

To make sure nothing untoward would happen,

samurai of the Owari Clan serving at the Mansion received him with hospitality,

even bringing along their wives and daughters.

- Uneme... - Yes, Father?

Did you retrieve the scroll painting we showed him for his entertainment?

I forgot. I'll fetch it right away.

- Tell Chise to do it. - Yes, sir.

- Chise! - What is it?

Chise was the young woman my son had married only two months earlier.

I thought it was too trivial a matter for my son,

so I ordered her to do it, and that invited the tragedy.

Where are you from?

I belong to the family of Uneme Makino, a resident of Owari Mansion.

You're far too pretty to be left alone in the mountains of Kiso.

Please, no! Please let me go!

Please let me go! Please don't! Please don't!

Please don't! Please let go of me!

Please don't!

Chise! Chise!

- Trespasser! Halt! - Hold it there!

Chise...

What have you done, Chise?

What have you done?

What have you done, Chise?

That same night, Chise took her own life.

Without saying a word of any kind,

the entourage of the Akashi clan departed.

After Naritsugu arrived in Edo,

the Owari clan made numerous attempts at protest,

but received not a single response.

For me, having lost my son and his wife in such tragic deaths,

I feel I no longer have any reason to live.

I've considered committing harakiri to end it all.

But when I think about the shame my liege Lord Owari Chunagon has been put through,

as a living witness, I don't feel free to die,

so I must extend this life that I no longer care for.

As a grumbling old man, I must be a laughing stock!

They were a better son and a better daughter-in-law than I deserved.

What do you think, Shinza?

Just sitting here, I feel as though I can hear the voice of Zusho Mamiya.

Anyway, even for the cabinet, who forms the ruling justice of the country,

there are things we can do, and things we can't.

To betray the word of the Shogun,

and find fault with his political leadership...

...that's something, as a senior advisor, I cannot do.

But if we do nothing, the country's politics will be chaotic,

and harm will befall the people.

What do you say?

It's a good place for a samurai to die.

Would you be willing to die?

I will do my utmost to accomplish the task.

That night at eleven, the Hour of the Boar,

Zusho's corpse was returned to the Upper Mansion in the domain of Akashi.

- Lord Kito! - Lord Hanbei! Lord Hanbei!

- Lord Kito! - Lord Hanbei!

- Lord Hanbei! - Lord Kito!

Lord Hanbei...

You're a useless bunch!

I told you again and again not to trouble the Mamiya family.

And you arrested not only his wife, son and bride, but even his young grandchild.

What a disgrace!

Sir, it was hard to refuse our lord's order.

Out of my way!

What do you say? You've served the Akashi clan for generations!

You often talk of loyalty, but does loyalty mean obeying your master,

or worrying about your own well-being and putting down your master?

Oh, Hanbei...

Yes, sir.

I heard a moment ago that Lord Doi has finally bent backwards.

After three days of indecision,

he imposed no punishment as it was a case of temporary insanity!

That know-it-all face of his must have looked so sour!

Excuse me, my Lord.

What is it, Hanbei?

Lord Doi earnestly requests that you take care of Mamiya's family,

as is the will of the Central Government.

So I heard.

I understand your rage, however, the matter has now been settled peacefully.

- I beg of you... - Silence!

It's just the crazy ramblings of one senior advisor! I won't listen to him!

- Lord... - Enough!

The past three days have been hard on you.

Why don't you retire for the day and get some rest?

Unfortunately, I can't afford to do that.

Something bothers me.

But the matter has been settled without any punishment, so at this point...

It would have been better if there'd been some light punishment.

Things have worked out a little too easily for our clan.

But we were granted special consideration...

Exactly.

How do you think Lord Doi would save face

if he's forced to give special consideration?

What could a man in charge of the country's justice do

to save face in a scandal like this?

- Please wait! - Hold back, sir!

- Hold back, sir! - Wait, sir!

Let go!

It's too late now.

I see... Too late.

Even an infant...

What cruelty.

Everyone!

Now, it's crucial that we prohibit our clan members from talking,

and clean out Lord Mamiya's house without the news leaking outside!

- One of you, come here now! - Yes, sir.

Gather some men at once,

send them to Lord Doi's mansion, give money to the gate keepers and servants,

and get a list of visitors to the mansion during the last three days!

- I've been waiting. So? - Sir.

We handed money to every servant and managed to find out this...

Show me.

Toda, Gold Asset Manager, Nagai, Chief of Guards... No, not them.

Takemoto, Housekeeper, Kage, messenger for the Satake clan,

Sasaki, messenger for Prince Daisuke Otomo,

Hyodo, Manager of Carpentry, Nakano, Accounts Manager,

Okada, Manager of Labor, Makino, retainer of the Owari clan...

Makino from the Owari clan...

Yukie Makino visited from Agematsu last year.

That Makino met with Inspector Shinzaemon Shimada.

MAKINO, OWARI DOMAIN, TO MEET INSPECTOR SHIMADA

- You know who this Inspector Shimada is? - Yes.

He studied at the Shohei School,

and trained in swordsmanship at the Kyoshin Meichi School.

It was often remarked that he excelled in both disciplines.

Unlike us, he comes from a family respected for generations.

Is he truly that accomplished?

He's a man worthy of entrusting important matters of the country to.

If Lord Doi has chosen him...

...it looks like our clan has had the worst luck of the draw.

Impressive, as always.

How about a bout? It's been a while.

You might want to conserve your energy before embarking on an important task.

"Important"?

All daily duties are important, if they're important at all.

You know that as well as I do.

I wouldn't bring it up if it was simply about a daily duty.

When I saw you this morning, I sensed you'd taken on some extraordinary task.

Is that so?

I guess I need to train harder.

Every season, for 10 years since I set out on the Path of the Sword,

I have received from you more money than an unemployed samurai like me deserves.

I accepted your money without refusal, taking it for granted...

...because I held onto the thought that the time would come

when I could repay you by putting my life at risk, and I have waited for that day.

A sincere heart and the spirit of determination epitomizes the samurai.

If I can't put those traits to use on this occasion,

then I would deeply regret the ten years that have passed.

So, you have appreciated my small contribution that much.

Lord Shinzaemon...

Oh, Kuranaga!

If you let Hirayama's will go to waste,

his samurai spirit will go unrewarded.

I have brought five men selected from my subordinates,

and they are waiting for you in the next room.

Good.

Kuranaga is a Chief Inspector, I shall leave all my duties to him.

He's as tough as your ethics teacher.

I have heard a great deal about you, sir.

My name is Saheita Kuranaga. I've had a close relationship with Lord Shinzaemon.

Please consider me as family.

Walk with me, Hirayama.

My name is Chief Inspector Gunjiro Mitsuhashi.

My subordinate inspectors, Mosuke Otake and Yasokichi Hioki.

And Inspectors Gennai Higuchi and Yahachi Horii.

I chose them both from among my subordinates.

There aren't as many of them as one would think.

Of the 68 senior inspectors and 103 junior inspectors,

there are too few samurai we could use.

All of you must be aware that your lives are in my hands.

That goes without saying, sir.

The chief has described this as a highly secret mission.

Let me explain.

By the private order of Lord Doi,

we have been assigned to take the life of Lord Naritsugu of Akashi.

I won't debate the logic of the matter here,

however, your lives shall remain at my disposal.

Akashi Domain is worth 100,000 bushels of rice.

It probably has at least 5,000 samurai, with a little more than 1,500 serving in Edo.

Lord Naritsugu will be traveling back to his territory on the 10th of next month.

Once he arrives back in Akashi, he will be beyond our reach.

We have little time and few men. A most difficult mission.

When people think of samurai, they think of swordsmanship.

But in this day and age, few samurai have even fought with real swords.

None of us have, nor any of them.

It's beyond anyone's imagination what actually happens

when two men fight, throwing their lives at each other.

I bid you farewell, then.

Arrest that man. Find out his title, name and address.

- Look sharp. - Yes, sir.

Who the hell are you?

You came out of Inspector Shimada's house. What was the meeting about?

Why do you want to know? Are you Akashi samurai?

I see. You know we're Akashi samurai, which means you must be plotting against us.

Tell us!

Tell us if you value your life. Otherwise, I'll kill you!

Better not to ask him.

Are you one of them? Identify yourself!

Kujuro Hirayama, an unemployed samurai.

Lord Kito...

You must refrain from making such overt moves like you did last night.

Asakawa...

It's very quiet around here right now.

This quietness is an omen.

Lord Doi is holding his breath, watching...

...for Inspector Shimada to do something.

And Shimada is silently waiting, doing nothing, until the time is right.

What is it?

Deguchi and Senda were found dead in the Echizen moat!

- What? Deguchi and Senda? - Yes, sir!

What skilled swordsmanship. Slain with only one cut!

This makes it clear at last what Shinza is aiming to achieve.

Do you understand, Asakawa?

I'm home!

- I'm back. - Welcome home.

No money to enjoy the nightlife.

No saké to enjoy a little drink.

What are you mumbling about?

What if Inspector Shimada saw you like this?

- What? You saw him? - Yes. At Yanagi Bridge just now.

Oh...

That's unusual.

It's normally a busy time for inspectors,

when many lords are making their annual journeys back home.

Whatever. Nothing a freeloader like me needs to be concerned about.

It might prove inconvenient for him if I showed up uninvited, don't you think?

Hey.

- Hey! - What?

Stop it! You have a filthy mind!

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Let me introduce you to a friend of mine, Keizo Sawara, a ronin from Bushu Province.

You told me about Sawara, but who's that young fellow?

Sorry for the inconvenience, but this is my only disciple, Shojiro Ogura.

I'd intended to keep him out of this matter, but I was unable to, unfortunately.

Are your parents still alive?

My father passed a year ago, and my mother when I was five.

I oversee the kitchen, and own two vassals.

I am man that is expendable.

Please, let me join you, along with my teacher.

What do you think, Kuranaga?

We'd turn him down under normal circumstances.

But since he wishes to join, knowing the circumstances,

we have no choice.

Then shall we ask for your help.

Thank you so much, sir.

I shall offer up my life in service.

Sawara has an interesting proposition.

He said he will join us if he gets paid 200-ryo.

A payment of 200-ryo? So, you mean...

Let me clarify any misunderstanding.

My sympathy with your cause has nothing to do with money.

But I'm a ronin with no kind of relationship with you.

I don't think you should expect me to work for no payment.

And what do you plan to use the money for?

Well, sir...

...120-ryo for loans and debts that have accumulated over the years,

plus buying something nice for my relatives.

Then, 30-ryo for a tomb for my wife who died from the hardships I put her through.

And 20-ryo for my own preparations.

With the remaining 30-ryo,

I plan to experience the kind of luxuries I never had in life.

You won't spend as much on yourself as I expected.

Well, pleasing those around me ultimately satisfies my desire

to act high-handedly with money at least once in my life.

How interesting! Lord Shinza, his spirit is a bargain for 200-ryo.

- Sawara... - Yes, sir?

I humbly accept.

A little over a month later,

the Akashi clan beseeched the Government

to excuse themselves and cancel all their official business.

Then, on October 23rd,

it was announced that Lord Naritsugu Matsudaira was to depart Edo

and return to his home domain early the very next morning.

- Lord Kito. - What is it?

The couriers and other family servants are making a scene.

What on earth is happening?

This isn't going to be the usual annual journey.

We shall leave behind anyone causing delay, and hurry on our way.

But there's a stipulated number of men to accompany a lord's procession.

We require assistance from no one other than samurai.

Shinza will gather a large number of men if he plans to attack us on the road.

Normally, we'd be unable to defend ourselves.

But?

We will. With whatever means necessary, we shall defend ourselves.

I knew something was up.

- But that's a challenging job. - Challenging?

There's no doubt it's challenging,

but there's no better place to die for a samurai,

battling against the wealthy Akashi clan.

That's what you might think.

I doubt my uncle sees it that way.

He gets deeply worried, thinking about what trouble he's getting into.

But, despite all his fretting, he just smiles and takes on the job.

He takes on jobs that seem impossible, and achieves success.

And that's the really great thing about him.

However... I think this task is impossible.

You mean to say, you don't agree with it and you won't help?

I'm not saying I won't help.

But I refuse to lose my life for it.

I'm like a prodigal son, a man of extremes.

I feel more obligated to the geisha I carouse with, than to any status I have.

It's been a long time since I practiced any swordsmanship.

This is what I practice now.

I'll help you out, but not with the sword.

I'll make myself available any time with this.

Tae, see them out.

Forgive our humble hospitality.

Farewell, gentlemen.

Your uncle...

Uncle, welcome.

They came, even though I'd told them it was futile.

- Did they give you much trouble? - A little.

So, Uncle...

You can learn a lot of interesting things at a geisha house.

I learnt something recently.

And what was that?

Dogs may be owned by humans, but cats, absolutely not.

They only co-exist with humans.

Sounds like you're saying you'd rather be a geisha's cat than a samurai's dog!

I refuse to keep cats that just try to please me.

Hey, pass me that.

What? Can you play it?

To tell you the truth, when I was about your age,

I hated being from a samurai family, and indulged in all sorts of foolery.

I thought I'd make a living playing this,

but it was a lot more difficult than it seemed.

I realized it was easier for me to die as a samurai, than to learn to play.

Is it right to live a life of indulgence?

I realized it was easier for me to die as a samurai, than to learn to play.

Well...

...for once...

...I think I want to live to the fullest.

I'll be gone for a while.

Do I not... please you?

When will you come back to me?

In less than a month, if I'm quick.

If I'm late...

...it'll be for the festival of the dead, so burn a torch for me.

The next day, October 24th,

Lord Naritsugu Matsudaira's procession departed from his clan's mansion in Edo,

and headed for his home domain.

Ah, Hanbei. It's been a long time.

- Am I interrupting you? - No, we're finished here.

- Will you all leave us alone? - What?

It's fine. Leave us alone.

I expected you'd visit me one day. I've been waiting.

I'm glad to know you're doing well.

If times were better, I'd offer you tea.

You came here...

...to kill me, didn't you?

You're just as persistent as you were in the old days.

I envy you.

It's an ill twist of fate, when you consider it.

Since the time I was put in charge of 100 men and owned five vassals,

I always envied the high-ranking samurai from the historic families.

I secretly wished that one day I'd be like them,

for I'm a human being just like them.

But you've had great success, have you not?

You were promoted to higher posts at an impressive pace.

I had hopes for you becoming a hatamoto working directly under the Shogun.

Let me tell you, among many historic samurai families,

Lord Shimada was the only one I aspired to become.

I took advantage of the offer to accompany Lord Naritsugu

when he was adopted by the Matsudaira family of Akashi.

And that has led me here to this situation.

I feel like blaming him when I think about it.

Perhaps we had no other way to live, you or I.

Being a samurai is a thankless task.

If Chief Retainer Lord Mamiya had to commit harakiri,

I wish he'd done so in front of my lord.

I feel we could've done something about it then.

I've also thought of committing harakiri myself.

But I kept seeing the face of the former Shogun,

who asked me to protect his son Naritsugu,

and the face of my foe Lord Shimada,

and I decided against it.

I have accepted it as my fate, and I am prepared.

Whatever may ensue between us now,

I hope we will both act with honor as samurai.

That is my only wish.

With honor...

I graciously accept your wish.

Now, I bid you farewell.

- Till next time. - Absolutely.

TODA FERRY CROSSING

So, listen.

The enemy will probably get half their men to cross over first and guard their way.

Then, they'll put their lord on the boat, and that's when we attack them full force.

In this terrain, I wonder how many men each of us can take on.

Well, if we can surprise them, I'd say three men at most.

Some will get away, as they outnumber us four to one.

- They're approaching! - Take cover.

Take positions!

- Lord Shinza? - Wait!

Look, there are two palanquins.

One of them must be a decoy. But which one is it?

Most of them are samurai, though they're disguised as servants.

I'd say a hundred altogether.

Which do we attack, the group on the other shore or this one?

Just as expected, Hanbei's a clever fellow.

The double palanquins, the number of samurai, all in fine formation...

- Looks like we've lost this round. - Surely not!

- We've come this far, let's fight! - I'll join you if you want to attack!

To seek life in death is a warrior's desire.

That's where you're wrong.

We're only human, and so are they. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose.

Once we know we've lost, it's best to retreat uninjured.

Lord Shinza, what shall we do?

Shinrokuro is right this time.

Let's wait until the procession's gone, and then retreat to Edo for now.

- Retreat? - We can't!

That's right, if we persist and follow them, and wait for an opportunity,

their guard will drop sometime during the long journey.

That's right. We've already given up our lives.

Don't be so rash! We haven't failed yet.

Our action is like a crucial move in chess. There'll be no replay.

Until we're confident we can take them down,

we can't make our move.

Take a good look while you can.

Next time we meet, it'll be a life-or-death situation.

Looks like we managed to avoid trouble. We can relax for now.

Our journey has just begun.

We have 141 more miles to go before we reach the Akashi Domain.

It's far too soon to relax.

Lord Matsudaira of Akashi stopped on his journey

at Warabi Station in Bushu Province for the first night,

and for the second night, at Ageo Station in the same region.

"By the ruling justice of the country, you have been relieved of your position.

"Should you fall at the arrowpoint, your responsibility weighs tremendously.

"And the day of life and death shall be determined."

TO SHINZAEMON SHIMADA FROM LORD DOI

Wake up.

I said wake up!

Leave me be.

We're all going to die anyway. Better to rest your body while you can.

- Have a drink. - Not for me.

I see.

The third night: Kumagaya Station in Bushu Province.

The fourth night: Honjo Station.

The fifth night: Takasaki Station in Joshu Province.

They were already 30 miles away from Edo.

- Assemble everyone. - Yes, sir!

Everyone, assemble out here! Assemble! Come on!

Thank you for waiting.

We've solidified our strategy, which I shall explain now.

But before I do, one thing I want to say,

I won't tolerate you challenging the strategy, understood?

Den'emon, the plans, please.

We have decided to strike Lord Naritsugu right here,

at Ochiai Station in the province of Mino.

Let me explain our strategy.

The Kiso region has Tenryo to the north, and Owari territory to the south.

Between Fukushima and Agematsu flows the Otaki River.

Agematsu is where Lord Naritsugu had trouble with the Owari clan last year.

So, we'll reveal everything to Lord Makino of Agematsu, and request his help.

We'll ask him to invoke the name of Lord Owari Chunagon,

and ban Lord Naritsugu from passing through the territory until the matter is settled.

Lord Makino witnessed the tragic deaths of his son and daughter-in-law last year,

and will probably join our cause.

And then, what will happen?

The entourage will stall at the Kiso border in Owari territory.

The stubborn and egotistical Lord Naritsugu will not dare turn around and go back,

so he'll come up with a way to journey through any place but Owari.

Then, the possibilities are...

...to have the entourage's luggage pass through Owari's territory

as the Akashi clan's belongings,

and Lord Naritsugu himself will take with him only samurai

and return to Miyanokoshi via Gonbei Pass... to Ina Highway.

That means he'll be traveling via Sanshu Highway from Iida to Okazaki.

Actually, he couldn't really do that.

You must remember, sandwiched between Kiso and the main territory

lies the Naegi Clan of Mino.

That territory belongs to Lord Toyama Mino-no-kami of the wealthy Naegi Clan.

When Lord Naritsugu has already sent word of his route

to the clans along the Nakasendo Road,

if he then has to change route and retreat because the Owari Clan is blocking them,

he'd be the laughing stock of the country.

He'll have his own way, and save face, so Naritsugu will travel up to Nakatsugawa.

There are two routes.

Going via the Kiso Pass on Odaira Highway, or via the Kamizaka Pass.

Either way, he'd have to stop by Ochiai Station.

We'll stand by at Ochiai Station,

wait for the enemy and strike at Lord Naritsugu.

What do you say?

- Are we in agreement? - No, we aren't.

What do we do if Akashi's entourage, stopped at the Otaki River,

just continues on Ina Highway, without being concerned about appearances?

Even if we get the entourage to split up, they may not stop in Naegi territory.

And that determines the outcome.

If we are to fight against Lord Naritsugu's entourage with the number of men we have,

regardless of what measures we take,

the ultimate aim is an all-out attack in one shot.

Which means we concentrate the lives of 12 in one final location,

and wait for heaven's will to unfold.

Since we are to wait for heaven's will, we must use our resources to prepare.

- Kuranaga. - Yes.

No one's better suited to talk to Makino at Agematsu to solicit his help.

- I'm counting on you, you hear? - Certainly, sir.

I promise to block the entourage's path. Farewell.

Now, regarding Ochiai Station...

- Shinrokuro. - Yes.

You go on ahead of us and negotiate with the headman of the town.

Yes. And what means do we have?

Ochiai Station has 75 inns.

Let's say 50-ryo per house in all, which comes up to 3,750-ryo.

Can you buy up all the vacancies with that?

Understood, sir.

We need to move swiftly. Get the horses ready.

We'll take the Koshu Highway.

Run as fast as we can and we'll get ahead of the entourage!

Lord Naritsugu's entourage is bound for Shinano via the Nakasendo Road.

Fall is over at last in Kiso, and it is now November.

Ochiai Station in Mino Province.

Hey!

This is where Tokubei Sanshuya, chief of Ochiai Station, lives, isn't it?

SANSHUYA

Please excuse our humble rooms, it's deep countryside around here.

Kayo, you cleaned the room, didn't you?

Yes.

- I won't be any trouble. - This way, please.

Oh? Do farmers carry swords in these parts?

If you're talking about me, I'm no farmer.

- I'm a country samurai. - Quiet, Koyata.

Sorry, he fancies himself a samurai.

But, Father, it's true. Koyata is a country samurai, isn't he?

That's no business for women and children!

Well, I was the one who brought it up. Forgive me.

Please.

Who on earth's that?

I heard he's a high-ranking samurai from Edo.

He brought a letter by order of a senior cabinet advisor. That's what he said.

A letter by order of a senior cabinet advisor?

What kind of order could that be?

On November 7th,

Lord Naritsugu traveled through Fukushima, approaching the border of Owari Province.

- Lord! There's an emergency! - What is it?

The Owari Clan is denying us transit through their domain.

What? Denying us transit?

"By order of Lord Owari Chunagon,

"we hereby deny Lord Matsudaira, Head of Akashi Castle in Banshu,

"to transit through Owari Clan territory.

"November, 1844, Agematsu in Kiso. The Owari Clan."

How annoying to encounter such an emergency in the middle of our journey!

What's the matter?

You fools! You let such a thing happen without doing anything about it?

- Silence! - My lord...

Owari Chunagon may be from one of the three grandest families,

but I am the son of the former Shogun and the brother of the current Shogun!

- I won't bow down to such a thing! - My lord!

Ignore it and cross over!

I'll force my way beyond the borders and make the Owari clan weep! Cross over!

- We understand your outrage, sir, but... - Silence!

Well, then, I shall cross over by myself!

No, my lord! My lord!

Wait!

Let's see what happens.

What for, Lord Kito?

We desperately need to go through the Owari domain, if possible.

But with my lord's usual desire to have it his own way,

we'll see whether it works.

Don't move!

If the worst should happen, I'm prepared to die in place of my lord.

I'll place my life as a samurai at stake. I won't let you stop this so easily!

Who are you? Give me your name.

Out of my way, if you wish to live. Otherwise, I'll slay you without mercy!

- As you wish. - What?

It seems you don't recognize me.

I am Yukie Makino, father of the Owari samurai Uneme Makino and his wife,

whom you killed in Agematsu in October of last year.

You think you can cut me down and pass through?

In the name of the distinguished Owari Clan, I promise I will block your path.

An impudent fool who doesn't know his place!

- My lord! - Oh, Hanbei...

Let us take that route for now.

My lord!

We'll detour, take Ina Highway to get to Sanshu Highway,

then by sea from Okazaki.

Missing out a visit to the Naegi Clan is too trivial to worry about.

What do you think? Everyone?

If people hear that our procession was blocked by the Owari Clan,

and we missed all visits to the clans along the way and ran home,

we'd be the laughing stock of the country!

Are you more concerned about not being a laughing stock,

or about the life of our lord and the honor of the Akashi clan?

That's what I want to ask you.

We may be laughed at, but that'll last only a year at most.

When we return to the capital next year, he will be made a senior advisor,

and nobody will dare point a finger at him!

Where's the point in risking his life, and the life of his clan for a single visit?

You want to hold on to life so much,

that you're willing to make your lord a laughing stock?

I've heard it said that a samurai would choose death

to avoid becoming a laughing stock.

What do you say, Hanbei?

Let me tell you something.

Why do you think the wealthy Akashi clan has fostered samurai for generations?

Please excuse me, but this is a time of emergency,

requiring emergency measures.

Is it about the high-ranking samurai called Shinzaemon Shimada?

- Indeed. - Silence!

Akashi is wealthy, but you are a retainer of this wealthy family, too,

and yet you're afraid of some scheme by a poor samurai?

How embarrassing! Shame on you!

Hanbei...

I thought you were a reliable retainer.

But I see that I was wrong.

Listen, no matter what,

we will visit each and every clan along the route,

including Naegi Toyama in Mino!

- These are my orders! - Yes, sir.

We have other measures to take. It won't do without a strategy.

Lord Kuranaga!

- Is Lord Shinza here? - Yes, inside.

Take my horse, please.

- I have just returned. - Ah, Kuranaga, thanks for your effort.

More importantly, I have good news for you.

Makino risked his life,

and succeeded in stopping the Akashi clan's entourage at Otaki River.

Lord Naritsugu took only his guards and detoured to the town of Ina.

- I see... - So we predicted right.

Now we know they're going to Ochiai.

Kuranaga, what happened to Yukie Makino?

Well, Lord Shinza...

...I met with him at Agematsu the night before the incident,

and told him the details of our scheme and asked him for help.

He wept in pain, and kept saying

that he regretted that his family was to end in one generation,

although he receives a stipend from the Owari.

He bowed his head low, and the next day, after the incident at Otaki River,

he made sure Lord Naritsugu and his entourage had left,

then committed harakiri on the spot and passed away.

As we suspected.

I see...

The Akashi entourage is now divided in two.

One with Lord Naritsugu himself, accompanied by 52 men,

left for Ina on Kiso Highway, crossing Gonbei Pass.

- Uncle! - Shinrokuro, thanks for your trouble.

Everything is going as planned.

This is Tokubei of Sanshuya, the chief of the station.

I am Shimada. Thanks for having us.

- Sorry for causing you trouble. - No, please, not to worry.

I know everything that's being planned, until after it's all over.

Please leave arrangements to me.

- Then, please show them around. - Yes, sir.

- And you, Uncle? - I'll check the inn. You come with me.

And Kuranaga! Hirayama, you stay with me, too!

SANSHUYA

That over there is Sanshuya.

This is the way to Kiso. That way to Nakatsugawa.

So, Nakatsugawa in Naegi's territory is straight down this road?

If they came out onto this street, our group would lose.

There's only one street.

It depends on how we turn this run-of-the-mill road station

into a death trap for the enemy.

- Hey, is Sanshuya here? - Yes, sir.

What? Lord Naritsugu's entourage has vanished from Ina Highway?

They passed through Komagane yesterday afternoon.

After that, no one has seen any sign of them along the highway.

That's impossible! There are at least 40 or 50 men.

Could they be returning to Edo?

I see.

They might take Kan Highway without passing Iida, and come out on Sanshu Highway.

It's Hanbei Kito we're dealing with here, after all.

How about sending another man to surveil the situation?

I don't know...

If we wander about an area we're not familiar with, we may be found out.

I understand your concern, but if we make any desperate moves, things will fall apart.

Calm your minds and wait for the next instruction.

- Kuranaga... - Yes.

November 13th.

Six days have passed

since Lord Naritsugu's procession vanished from Ina Highway.

Hurry! Hurry!

What are you doing taking a break?

One minute is worth 1,000 gold coins! Hurry up!

Uncle...

- What is it, Shinrokuro? - We have a problem.

It seems an outsider has learned of our plans.

What?

Hey, come down.

Move it.

- Is this the man? - Yes.

He says he's a country samurai.

His name is Koyata Kiga. He lives alone, no parents or siblings.

Since he heard the news from the host of the house,

we could make him confine his daughter indoors.

What do we do about him?

Not only does he spy on our business, he also wants to join us!

I am appalled.

I beg you! I'm confident of my sword skills. My father taught me well. I beg you!

- Are you seeking promotion? - Not at all.

- Then, what? - Well...

He's after the daughter's hand.

They're passionately in love,

but her father doesn't give him any credit at all.

So, he thinks he'll get his wish if he joins this big job and shows his courage.

Is that how he really feels... or is that just your theory?

I don't know... probably both.

Unless you've fallen in love with all your heart,

you'll never understand how a man in love feels.

It's amazing how such a man could risk his life. It's true.

Lord Shinrokuro...

They're fools... both the woman and this man.

Fools, but if we had to kill them to keep them from talking...

Uncle?

We have no choice, I suppose.

We need more labor on the bridge. How about placing him there?

So, now we have 13 men.

November 14th.

And the following day, November 15th, no news all day.

An entourage that large, and no news at all?

As they still haven't appeared,

it makes me think they must've taken Sanshu Highway heading straight to Okazaki.

I agree.

- That seems like the only possibility. - Right.

From Komagane, where they vanished, to this station,

it takes a day and a half if they hurry, two days at most.

They should've showed up a couple of days ago.

If we give up now, we might lose this valuable opportunity.

What do you say, we abandon Ochiai Station not tomorrow but tonight,

and cross over Kamizaka Pass to reach Sanshu Highway?

- Right, now's the time to make a decision. - It's too soon.

- But, Hirayama... - It's too soon, I said!

You saw how sharp he was at the Toda Crossing.

With Hanbei in charge, it was possible they wouldn't visit the Naegi clan's domain.

But then, they went off the highway and disappeared.

No matter how smart Hanbei is, there's no way a group of 50 men

could travel without being noticed!

They must be staying in one place, waiting for our move.

They'll appear when they decide it's the day of opportunity.

- But what if they don't? - They will!

- But, Hirayama... - Silence!

We've placed our lives in the hands of Lord Shinzaemon.

- It's unseemly to argue amongst ourselves. - Hirayama...

About the lookout we planted at the tea house,

I can't really trust a laborer for the job.

Is there somebody else we can send?

I shall go, then, sir.

- You again? - Yes.

You gave me too much in travel expenses the other day.

This is an extra job for too little money, but I don't want to be overpaid, either.

So, I want you to use me again.

Then I shall ask you.

- Is that all right? - Then, excuse me.

He's an odd fellow.

But he's able.

- Uncle? - What is it?

Do you really think the Akashi entourage will come this way?

I don't know.

What do we do, then?

The same as Kuranaga and Hirayama.

I feel like praying to the gods.

November 16th. The first frost of the year.

I've heard that training is endless work,

but I can't even handle this one sword.

Have you been able to come up with a technique?

No.

But, with the sword, there's a vulnerable moment when one draws it from the scabbard.

And the enemy sees a chance when one draws a spear, rather than when one attacks.

These are the techniques I've been studying

to be used in those moments.

- Hirayama... - Yes?

They say a man's life is unpredictable, but not a warrior's life.

When he fights with the aim to die, he lives.

When he fights with the aim to live, he dies.

I'm telling myself now...

...how truthful I've been to the Way of the Warrior.

Hey! They're here! They're here!

Lord Shimada!

- The Akashi entourage is here! - What? They're here?

It seems they traveled along Odaira Highway by night.

They should be coming down from Tomagari Pass any minute.

Everyone's on horseback, and there are 53 of them.

Finally, they're here.

November 17th, 1844.

Four in the morning, the Hour of the Tiger.

It was said to be especially foggy from early dawn that day.

- In positions. - Yes, sir.

- How much longer to Nakatsugawa? - Well, sir...

I said, how much longer!

What's going on? Move! Out of my way!

- What is this? - Damn it! Turn around!

Turn around!

Damn it!

Move under the eaves! Hide from the arrows! Move back!

I presume this is the entourage of Lord Matsudaira of Akashi Castle in Banshu!

This is done by order of Lord Shinzaemon Shimada.

Understand that we shall stop your transit with our arrows!

Hide from the arrows under the eaves! Get under the eaves!

Take my horse!

My lord, over here!

Don't abandon your horses! Don't abandon your horses! Idiots! Remount!

Kill them!

- Go back to the bridge and keep watch! - The bridge?

The enemy's men are on the other side, so there must be a way back over.

Go and look!

Otake, isolate Lord Naritsugu from his men!

Understood!

My lord!

- Lord Shirakawa! - What is it?

We have an escape route!

Good!

Everybody! Retreat! Retreat! Down the back street!

This way, my lord.

- Damn it! Break down that wall! - Yes, sir!

My lord, that's a trap!

Turn back, please, my lord! Turn back!

Turn back! Turn back!

Out of the way! Move!

Move aside! Or I won't have mercy even if you're on my side!

Hey, Naritsugu is under here!

My lord!

My lord!

Out of the way! Out of the way!

Out of the way!

My lord!

Turn back! Turn back now!

Hanbei, we won't make it this way! Do something!

It was a mistake to bring you in here. Be patient for a little longer.

- My lord! - What's wrong, Hanbei?

This is the last trap that Shinza has prepared!

We're cornered in. If we're attacked here, there's no escape!

Lord Naritsugu is trapped in the alley!

- Is Hanbei with him? - Yes, seems he finally caught up.

Right, tell everyone to head to the alley and fight!

If we don't block their way, the fish will escape the net!

Understood!

I'm curious to see what move Hanbei will make.

I wonder how he'll put up a fight...

My lord!

Make towards those two over there.

Remove that mountain of bales. There has to be a way out behind them.

Quickly!

Take down the bales!

The rest of us will form a barrier for our lord! Step to the front!

Move it now!

Do as I tell you, or I won't show mercy even if you're our men!

Lord Hirayama!

Come at me!

Show me the true spirit of the Akashi samurai!

Come on, hurry up! Hurry!

- Shojiro! - Yes!

- Stay on guard! - Yes!

Retreat!

Kill him!

Shojiro! Let's go!

- Coming through! - Right!

Attack is the best defense. Seize the opportunity, push forward!

Sawara! I'm going through!

Right, push through!

Lord Kito!

Lord Kito! Lord Kito!

Lord Kito!

- Niwa! - Lord Kito!

We can cross the river over Kiso Highway by boat.

Really? We can cross by boat?

Listen! Those of you here will turn back on the same road we came!

This is the crucial point for the life or death of Akashi Domain!

- Push forward with all your might! - Yes, sir!

Hatazawa, protect our lord! Follow me!

What are you doing? Take our lord! Go!

What? They pushed their way back into the same alley?

Yes, sir. Mitsuhashi saw Lord Naritsugu going with them.

But it was too few against many.

Blocking this alleyway seems the best he can do.

Lord Shinza?

Hanbei intends to send his master back on Kiso Highway.

- He's not willing to fight? - No.

Hanbei was indeed smart enough to grasp the situation.

Ishizuka!

Tell Higuchi and Horii who were in the alley to attack Kito on the main street.

Follow me!

Don't be distracted!

Is our lord here yet? Is our lord here?

My lord!

Help me! If we break down this door, we can get out!

- I'll kill you! - So, you're one of them!

I'll kill you!

Mitsuhashi! Let's go!

Lord Mitsuhashi!

Lord Mitsuhashi!

Lord Mitsuhashi!

Damn it!

Higuchi!

You lowlife! Out of the way!

Lord Kito! Our lord went back that way again!

Damn that idiot Hatazawa!

Move aside!

My lord!

Turn back!

Out of the way!

Oh, Lord Shinrokuro, quickly!

Hanbei!

My lord!

My lord!

My lord, over there, now!

Hanbei!

My lord!

I have been waiting for you.

You are Shinzaemon Shimada?

I presume you are the Head of Akashi Castle, Lord Naritsugu Matsudaira.

Due to reasons beyond my power, I shall take your life.

Get back, you lowlife!

An attack on me is like an attack on the Shogun!

You still wish to confront me?

Renounce all and prepare yourself.

Get back, lowlife! Don't you know I am the brother of the Shogun?

I can't say it is entirely your fault...

...and it is no easy task to take your life...

...but this is for the sake of the country.

Therefore, I cannot let you go.

Hanbei!

Hanbei!

Asakura!

Hanbei!

Asakura!

My lord!

My lord!

Shinza, you bastard... Prepare yourself!

Wait.

Hanbei...

You and me, one-on-one.

Shinza!

Why didn't you defend yourself?

Why did you let my sword through?

Hanbei...

- This is the right way. - What?

Shinza!

Hanbei...

Shinza!

Hanbei, this is the right way.

If I hadn't killed your lord, I'd have lost my pride as a samurai.

If you hadn't killed me, you'd have lost your pride, too.

I see...

That's typical of you, Shinza.

I lost.

I'll get you back when we meet on the other side.

- Hiraki... - Yes, sir!

End this meaningless fight.

Signal them.

Lord!

We've done it!

Shojiro, leave them!

Shojiro!

Lord Naritsugu Matsudaira fell ill on his journey from the capital,

and passed from this world upon arrival in his home domain.

Thus it was reported to the Central Government.

It was the end of November, 1844.

THE END