All language subtitles for Zakurozaka no adauchi 柘榴坂の仇討 Snow on the blades (2014) V.O.S.English

SNOW ON THE BLADES
(Zakurozaka no Adauchi)

APPEAL

- Setsu.

AUTUMN, 5th YEAR OF MEIJI (1873)

13 YEARS AGO, SPRING
THE 7th YEAR OF ANSEI (1850)

- I am Nakamura Sotaro's daughter, Setsu.

- Thank you for traveling such
along distance from Hikone.

Would you show me your face?

I look fonIvard to our long life together.

It is nice to be with you.

- Yes.

HlKONE CLAN'S OFFlClAL MANSlON lN EDO

MASTER OF THE HlKONE CLAN
TAlRO ll WONNOW/ll NAOSUKE

- This man here

is recommended for promotion
to a palanquin attendant.

- I work at property management
section at the storehouse in Edo,

and I am the oldest son of Shimura Tahei...

Shimura Kingo.

- This man is an excellent fencer and
he is certified at Shingyoto style's dojo.

In these troubled times,

I think it is important to
reinforce your protection.

So lwould like your approval.

And this man just got married to
Nakamura Sotaro's daughter, Setsu.

So he also would like permission to
succeed as the head ofthe family.

- IIl am glad to hear a bush warbler singing

IIand | forgot my frustration
for the spring without it.II

Your name was Shimura Kingo?

- Yes, sir!

- Come closer.

- Yes, sir!

- This is a wedding gift.

- Huh?

- Accept it.

- Yes, sir!

- You came and a bush warbler
sang forthe first time.

So you will protect me?

- Yes, sir!
lwill with my life.

- I approve.

- Yes.
- Yes, sl'r/

- You not only married a good woman,

you were promoted to palanquin attendant
for Tairo li Kamonnokami Naosuke-sama.

Besides, you were given
such a wonderful gift like this.

How marvelous!

- Indeed, this is wonderful.

- There is no bettertime to retire and
let my son succeed as the family head.

We can go back to Hikone
tomorrow without anxiety.

- Kakuma! It is a long way to Hikone.

lwill leave my father and mother in your care.

- Yes. On the way I will pray at Mt. Fuji

for prosperity of the Shimura family
and good luck for Kingo-sama's duty.

- Good.

- Hokushin ltto style's Genbukan fencing
dojo is getting ferocious, I heard.

That place is a hideaway

forthe Mito clan's vassals who actively
lead the anti-foreign sentiment.

Tairo li Kamonnokami-sama

entered into a treaty of commerce

with America without the
approval ofthe lmperial Court,

and arrested all those who are vocal
about their anti-foreign sentiments.

He even decapitated Yoshida Shoin.

The shogunate now stands up
against a storm of public criticism.

- Thanks for waiting.

- Tokugawa's world is
about to drastically change.

So we need to be more aware
ofthe movements ofthe world.

- ljust attend on Kamon-sama.

That's all.

- You are never interested in politics.

- Shinnosuke,

I like Kamon-sama.

- You like him?

The tairo (prime minister) is feared by
the entire countly as the red devil.

You must be the only one
who can say that about him.

- I don't know how he is in the castle.

But when he is at the official mansion,

he is a ver warm, calm, and refined man.

- Refined?

- He was nicknamed IIChakaponII
when he was young.

- Cha... Chakapon?

- He relished IIChaII (tea ceremony),
read IIWakaII (poems),

and amused himself ever
day by playing the drum.

- Ah! Cha-Ka,

and Pon!

- Whatever the politics may be,

I like the lord the way he is.

- I envy you.

But Kingo,

being an attendant is an important
duty protecting the prime minister.

So always be careful.

- Yes.

DAY 3 OF THE 37d LUNAR MONTH
7th YEAR OF ANSEl (1860)

SIR

"TODAY WE ARE PLANNING
TO ATTACK THE TAIRO.II

"TODAY WE ARE PLANNING
TO ATTACK THE TAIRO."
- I think it isjust a prank,

but there are some ominous rumors.

I think we should cancel
today's attendance at the castle.

- The 3rd day ofthe 3rd lunar month

is the day ofthe peach festival.
Evelyone is required to attend at the castle.

How can the tairo break the rule?

- Then we should increase
the number of guards and...

- No, not necessaly
It is fine as usual.

-But...

- Evelything is Heaven's will.

If Heaven tells me to die, that's fine.

If it tells me to live, that is fine also.

Isn't that right, Shimura?

- Yes, sir!

- Heaven is in charge of human lives.

And I do not know when my time is.

Therefore one must live his
best until that time comes.

- Yes, sir!

- Evelyone, wear raincoats and
put covers on your swords.

= Yes!

- But chief, in case of emergency...

- Sakurada Gate is ver close.

There will be no emergency.

But when you enterthe castle,
ifthe attendants are all wet

it would embarrass our lord.

- Yes, sir.

- Who is the spear carrier this time?

- Yes!
I am the one.

- It is the precious spear
given by Great Lord Ieyasu.

Make sure your hands don't
get too slipper with this snow.

Don't forget!

- Yes, sir!

- Prepare carefully!

= Yes!

- Lord is arriving!

- Snow...

Thanks.

- Depart!

- Please wait.

- Who are you?

- Excuse me.

I have this direct appeal to the tairo.

Please accept it.

- What is it?

- It is a direct appeal.

- Don't be rough.

Bring the man to the guard's
station and give me the document.

It is an appeal made by risking his own life.

Treat it with care!

- Yes, sir!

Appeal document will be accepted.
But you must behave without defiance.

- The spear!
The spear is taken!

- It is a precious spear!
Get it back!

- Wait!

- Ii Kamonnokami Naosuke has been killed!

- Shimura!

It was your duty to protect
Kamonnokami-sama with your life,

was it not?

You are not allowed to commit seppuku now.

Your father cut his belly and your
mother stabbed her own throat for you.

Respecting your parents ardor,
we will just suspend your stipend.

If you want to remove the disgrace,

take the head of one ofthose Mito ronin,
then offer it at the grave ofthe lord.

The central government investigated and found
out the names ofthe five men who escaped.

With your skill, it should not be a difficult task.

That is all.

Listen, make sure to take
a head and bring it back!

- It has been a short period oftime,

but thank you for evelything.

You go back to your parental home in Hikone.

I was ordered to find the
assassins and take their heads.

But I broke the promise of
protecting my lord with my life.

At least I must go where he
is to save face as a samurai.

- I am not going home.

If it was an order from your superior,
it is the same as the lord's order.

So it is the samurai's duty to carly it out?

I will be with you until you
accomplish your mission.

-Setsu...

- Please let me go!

Indeed I ran away from the
battlefield ofToba-Fushimi,

but my wife who had a baby got ill...

Have compassion for a
fellow samurai! Please let me go!

- Wrong person.

Excuse me.

MINISTRY
OF JUSTICE

MINISTRY
OF JUSTICE
- I can't let someone who
is dressed like you in.

MINISTRY
OF JUSTICE

MINISTRY
OF JUSTICE
Come back after you shave offyourtopknot.

MINISTRY
OF JUSTICE

MINISTRY
OF JUSTICE
- Was there any government
orderto shave offthe topknot?

MINISTRY
OF JUSTICE

MINISTRY
OF JUSTICE
- What?

MINISTRY
OF JUSTICE
- What's going on?

MINISTRY
OF JUSTICE

MINISTRY
OF JUSTICE
- Ah, well...

MINISTRY
OF JUSTICE

- I'm seeking the former supreme court's
records ofthe Sakurada incident of 1860.

I heard that they are kept here.

- What happened?

- It is about the Sakurada incident
in the 7th year of Ansei.

- Sakurada incident?

- The man is looking for the former Mito
clan vassals who assassinated Tairo Ii.

He went back after I told him that we
don't keep the old government's records.

He was still wearing Hakama pants
with his topknot and two swords.

- So he was a former Ii clan vassal.

- There are no vassals now that
samurai are gone out ofthis world.

Is something wrong?

- No.

I envy those who wear Hakama pants.

These western clothes
are not comfortable at all.

How about for you?

You don't look ver good in them.

SUMMER, 13! YEAR OF MANNEN (1860)

SUMMER, 13! YEAR OF MANNEN (1860)
6 MONTHS AFTER THE SAKURADA INCIDENT

- Thank you for waiting.

- Excuse me.
Do you happen to know this man?

- Do you know him?

- No, I don't.

- I don't need to hear any excuses!

A Mito vassal who was hiding in Echigo,
Sakai Akinosuke was caught and beheaded.

There are four men left.

Just one head is good.

You must take it with your own hands!

- Yes, sir!

SAKAI Akinosuke

- Now in Kyoto,

3rd YEAR OF BUNKYU (1863)
there are rampant cries of "Revere the
Emperor and Expel the Barbarians!"

3rd YEAR OF BUNKYU (1863)
SHINSENGUMI WAS FORMED IN KYOTO, MIBU
there are rampant cries of "Revere the
Emperor and Expel the Barbarians!"

3rd YEAR OF BUNKYU (1853)
SHINSENGUMI WAS FORMED IN KYOTO, MIBU
Satsuma and Choshu with the emperor's
backup engage in a melee

3rd YEAR OF BUNKYU (1853)
SH‘NSENGUM‘ WAS EQWEDLWYQTQ: WW.“

with Tokugawa and Mito.

It is bloody warfare.

Surprisingly, among the heads
displayed at the Sanjogawara,

was that of a Tairo Ii attacker,

Tatsuki Koemon, who had been the
subject ofa nationwide arrest warrant.

TATSUKI Koemon
Tatsuki Koemon, who had been the
subject ofa nationwide arrest warrant.

Tatsuki Koemon, who had been the
subject ofa nationwide arrest warrant.

GENEUMN
FENCING
DOJO

GENEUMN
FENCING
DOJO
- Please! I am looking for people who
were involved in the Sakurada incident.

GENEUMN
FENCING
DOJO
- Hey, you are too insistent!
- Please tel/me.

- Hey, you are too insistent!
- P/ease tel/me.

- Insistent fellow!
Go away!

- Never come back!

- Two ofthe Mito escapees are already dead.
Only three left.

Listen Shimura, just one is fine.

You must somehow get the head to offer
at the grave of Kamonnokami-sama.

- Please!

I beg you to allow me to end my life, sir.

- No!

The order was given by the former councilor.

We cannot change that.

All right?

Get the head somehow!

- "It has been five years since
the Sakurada incident.

"The emperor who used to
insist on exclusion

"has now given the Imperial
sanction to the treaty.

"The national consensus

"is unified in opening Japan to the world,
which Lord Naosuke-sama strove for.

"Then why did Kamonnokami-sama
have to be murdered that day...

"Since then,

"those politicians who followed the trend and
overturned their opinions were justifiable?

"That is what I have been
wondering these days.

"Kingo-sama, maybe we Hikone vassals
should have avenged like Ako vassals?"

4th YEAR OF KEIO (1868)
EDO CASTLE TAKEN OVER WITHOUT BLOODSHED

- That big man on the horse is
Saigo Takamori from Satsuma.

- At the Battle of Toba-Fushimi,

even Hikone was on the
side of Satsuma and Choshu

and fought against the former shogunate.

That's hard to figure out.

- Well, I heard that

several hundreds orthousands of
samurai on both sides died in battles.

YAMABE Shlnzaburo

- Restoration! Restoration!
It is the restoration!

13! YEAR OF MEIJI (1868)
- Restoration! Restoration!
It is the restoration!

13! YEAR OF MEIJI (1868)
EDO WAS RENAMED TOKYO
- Restoration! Restoration!
It is the restoration!

13! YEAR OF MEIJI (1868)
EDO WAS RENAMED TOKYO

13! YEAR OF MEIJI (1868)
EDO WAS RENAMED TOKYO
The world will be governed
toward a brighter direction.

So the new name ofthe era
is "Mei" (bright) "Ji" (govern).

The new era name is to be "Meiji."

Restoration! Restoration!

The beginning ofthe
new era "Meiji" is here!

- Excuse me.

ls Hasebe Sohachi-dono here?

HASEBE Sohachl

SABASHI JubeI

- Big news! Big news!

The new government is abolishing
domains and setting up prefectures.

260 daimyo will disappear from this world
and all their vassals will be dismissed.

Buy the news now!
Buy it!

Abolishing domains and setting
up prefectures! It is big news!

THE SAKURADA INCIDENT

THE SAKURADA INCIDENT
OCCURRED 18 YEARS EARLIER

- So you are not going to the grave?

You always visit on the same
monthly date as the date of death.

It has been overten years now.

"KURUMA"
(Rickshaw)

- Thanks.

- Thank you ver much.

- Madam, I have taken the shop curtain in.

- All right.
Thanks!

- Setsu-san!

Setsu-san, sit down here.

Show me your hand.

This is a token of my appreciation for
teaching me lots ofletters the other day.

- What is this?

- Here!

I have one too.

I went to visit the Goddess of Mercy to pray.

There was this foreigner
who gave this to me.

You put it around your wrist like this,

then leave it on even when
you take a bath or sleep.

And when the string breaks,
your wish will come true.

- Really.

- Oh, that is the Western charm?

- Yes.

- Lucky you, Setsu-san.

- Thank you, Yuki-san.

- So...
What is your wish, Setsu-san?

- Secret.

- But they do strange things
in Western countries.

Here when things break, it's bad luck
like when your sandals strap breaks.

Ouch!

- That's an unnecessaly thing to say!

- I got it!
I said I got it!

SABASHI JubeI

WANTED:
SABASHI Jubei

- Even! morning you wake
up to something new.

- That is because you
are not being observant.

- Ah!
You said it!

I don't know ifthis 1 sen 5 rin Daikon
radish is expensive or not.

It just does not click with me.

- It is for sure that even/thing is
more expensive afterthe restoration.

- That's true.

- Ah! Chiyo-chan!
Good morning.

- Good morning.

- Chiyo, come here.
You are a good girl.

- Uncle, good morning!

- Oh, good morning.

- Good morning, Nao-san.

- Good morning.

- You work hard ever
day from early morning.

- Well, I am leaving now.

- Take care.
Come on, Chiyo.

- Have a good day.

- He and Masa-chan would make
a nice couple. Chiyo likes him too.

- Stop that!

Who would take a
divorcee like me seriously?

- He is a nice looking man.

He has nice posture with a straight back.

- Really.

TOKYO YOKOHAMA
NEWSPAPER COMPANY

- Evelyone is busy now.

- Please let me see anyone.
Please let me.

- What's the matter?

-We|l...

- I heard that there are many former
shogunate vassals working here.

I was wondering if! can see someone
who knows about the Mito clan.

- Yes.

- I am son? but there is no time for
us to be involved in such old matters.

You must have heard about the incident that

Foreign Minister Soejima helped 300 Chinese
slaves from a Peruvian ship in Yokohama.

And it is being tried in court now.

Now Japan has to deal with all foreign
countries under international laws.

Ifwe still discuss the old
shogunate or Mito domain,

we will never be considered
as a civilized countly

- Looks and shapes may change.

But there are things we must not discard.

Isn't that also what civilization is about?

Excuse me.

- Mr. Samurai,

I am Son? that I could not help you.

- Could you take me to Nihonbashi?

- Yes.

- Thank you.

-Ah...

- Well, sales of kimono are
going down badly these days.

So I want you to work for
this wage from now on.

- I see.
I understand.

- Wait!

Ifinally caught you.

- Shinnosuke!

- I am glad that you are well.

ls Setsu-dono doing all right?

- Yes.

- Restoration! Restoration!

The new government is
changing things too fast.

They tell us to throw away things
that were precious yesterday.

With the law abolishing domains
and setting up prefectures,

a total of1.8 million samurai lost their
sources of income without any warning.

I wonder what the restoration was for?

But Kingo...

Nothing will materialize from looking back.

Setsu is supporting you both, isn't she?

Kingo...

Shave offyour
topknot and get a job.

Isn't that your duty to
reward Setsu's hardship?

There is no Hikone clan anywhere.

- Please wait for a little bit longer.
I will manage it for sure.

- Hey, how many times have
I heard you say that?

Ifyou don't have money, you should
work as a laborer or something.

- I injured my leg in a battle and
I'm having a difficult time walking.

- Then you should sell
your wife to a whorehouse.

- I hearthat in Yoshiwara...

- Hey, Kingo!

- ..there are many former
samurai's wives like that.

- That's right.

- Don't say that.
Please wait for now.

- Who are you?

Here is another out-of-date
boneheaded samurai.

- I know this is not my business at all.

But isn't it a more humane
way to have some sympathy?

- Samurai-san,

you can't conduct business
if you concern yourself

about something like humane way.

If you talk about sympathy,

you should sell those two swords
to help out with his debt.

- That's right!

Give me those!

What?

- Don't get so worked up alone!

Do you want to fight, huh?

- Wait!

- What, boatman?

- I am a former vassal ofthe Makino clan
in Echigo Nagaoka, Kataoka Genbei.

I can't tolerate your rudeness anymore.
Therefore I will be helping.

- What?

- A former team leader of
Mizuno clan in Yamagata,

Murata Bunshiro is also
lending a helping hand.

- Excuse me,

I'm a former aide to council elders of
Odawara's Okubo clan, Inaba Shuemon.

I can'tjust stand and watch.

I, too, will be lending my helping hand.

- Bastards!

Do you still think you are samurai?

- Samurai's duty is about being oneself.

It is not something that gets lost.

I am a former fencing instructor
onagyu clan, Kimura Yasaburo.

- Wait!

- Ah!
Please help.

- I am a former hatamoto, Naito Shinnosuke.

- Huh?

- It is the humane way.

Would you wait for a little longer?

Please.

- Yes, that's fine.

lwill wait.

- Hey businessman,

samurai did not disappear.

Although we look different, we
are evewwhere as you can see.

Don't forget.

- Move away!
You are in our way!

- Wait!

-Ah!

Don't forget about this.

- Thank you.

- Uncle, welcome back.

- Ah.
Were you a good girl?

- Yes.
Let me ride on your shoulders.

- All right.

Aren't you scared?
- No.

- Ah! You are home early.

- Yes, I was busy from early on.

- Chiyo! Nao-san must be tired.
Come on.

- See you tomorrow.
- Yes/

- It's time for dinner.

Chiyo, you like uncle?

- Yes.

- Welcome home.

- You are home so early, what happened?

- Madam gave me this for you.
And she let me go early.

- I see.

Would you bring another plate?

- Yes.

- You eat this.

- No, that is for you.

- Eat.

- Yes.

- Let me see...

Delicious!

I saw Shinnosuke
unexpectedly in Nihonbashi.

- Ah! Naito-sama?

- Yes.

- It's nostalgic.
Was he in good health?

- He looked good in the policeman's uniform.

- Really.

- What is that?

- It is a Western charm.

I was told that when this string
breaks, my wish will come true.

- I see.

Your wish will come true...

This is delicious too.

- Naokichi-san!
It is Kihachi next door.

The publisher in Kanda where I worked

for fifteen years was
closing the business today.

And this is all I got as my severance pay.

Well, I knew it was coming,

but when it really happens,
it makes me feel lonely.

The woodblock printing newspaper had
its best days till about the restoration.

Well, if another war begins somewhere...

Even if I wait for it to happen, we
can never beat the new newspapers.

Edo is someplace far away now.

- Yes.

- What are you waiting for?

What have you been waiting
for over such a long time?

AKIMOTO

- Your legs must hurt sitting like that.
Get more comfortable.

Use the cushion.
Why are you being so humble?

- No...

- I am going to get comfortable.

My knees are not in
good shape these days.

By the way, who would wear
his uniform on their day off?

- We are told to dress in Western-style
except when we see our family members.

- Except family members?

How could you say that?

Whose diapers my wife had to change?

-Ah!

- Before the diapers, I was the one
who gave you your baths too.

- Omine-sama, it has been a while.

- At any rate, it must be difficult.

- Huh?

- Both ofyou are still
showing the samurai's face.

- Ouch!

- Hey!
Stay calm!

- Yes.

Ah!
I am sorly

- Hey!
- Yes?

- She has not changed, has she?

- To tell you the truth,

I have a favorto ask ofthe former
investigator forthe supreme court.

- Hey, why are you talking about
my old investigation duty noVIfl

- I have a friend whom I used to
compete against at the Iba dojo

by the name of Shimura Kingo.

- Yes.

- He used to work as an attendant
for Ii Kamonnokami-sama.

- He is a Hikone vassal...

- His fencing skill is exceptional.

His master Kamonnokami-sama liked him

and he had a bright future ahead of him.

- Then the Sakurada incident...

- Forthirteen years afterthe
death of Kamonnokami-sama,

he is still looking for his enemy
to take revenge for his master.

He is still a samurai in both
appearance and in spirit.

He is still twing to maintain
the pride as a samurai

and I would like to help him in some way.

- They talk about "Civilization
and Enlightenment,"

but new year's day is the same.

- I cut corners preparing for it this year.

- Ah! I cooked too many anchovies,
would you take some?

- Yes, I would take some.

- Can I get some too?

- Would you take some too?
That would help.

- Let's go.

- Uncle, Happy New Year.

- Oh! Happy New Year.

Chiyo, ifyou keep being a good girl,
there will be lots of good things this year.

- Ah, Nao-san.
Happy New Year.

- Happy New Year.

Well, I am leaving now.

- Yes.
Chiyo, come here.

Uncle is working even on New Year's Day.

- Mine.

I checked up on things
about that man, Shimura.

Afterthe Sakurada incident,

his father and mother in the
home domain killed themselves.

But Shimura was not
allowed to commit hara-kiri.

It is considered revenge,

but an attendant who could
not protect his master

had to live in disgrace forthirteen years.

How about that?

- He must not be the only one who
was going through such hardship.

- Huh?

- What will he do when he completes his mission?

- Naturally, he will commit hara-kiri.

- How about his wife?

- She will probably follow him.

- And you are helping him?

- It's hot!

TO SHIMURA KINGOFSAMA

FROM MINISTRY OF JUSTICE,
INSPECTOR AKIMOTO KAZUE

- "Naito Shinnosuke-dono
told me about your situation.

"I would like you to visit
me at my house tomorrow,

"the 7th day ofthe 2nd lunar month,

"since I have some information for you."

- I have just returned.

- You must be tired.

- No.

- I was summoned by someone named
Akimoto-sama from the Ministly of Justice.

- Is that right?

- Now, it is snowing.

- Good bye, have a nice day.

- Setsu.

- Yes.

- Would you like to go home with me
to visit Hikone when it gets warmer?

- Yes.

I am ver happy.

PUBLIC NEWSPAPER
VIEWING STATION

gyjs’smgés Jay

PUBLIC NEWSPAPER
VIEWING STATION

PUBLIC NEWSPAPER
VIEWING STATION

- What does it say?

- Hey, please move a little.

TOKYO YOKOHAMA NEWSPAPER

TOKYO YOKOHAMA NEWSPAPER.

- "Murdering a person is
the national prerogative.

"To punish the one who
murders a person is..."

- What does that mean?

- Uncle!

- Oh, Chiyo.

You can't go out to play
in this weathertoday.

I am going to work now.

Huh?

- You can have this.

- Yes, it is sweet.

Well, I am off now.

Watch out.

- You are all right.

You are not hurt.

- My candy...
-A/7, [hey are I70 good/70w

Come on.

Don't cw so much.
It spoils your pretty face.

- I am Shimura Kingo.

I am ver Son? to trouble you
for my complicated request.

- No, not at all.

Since it happened thirteen years
ago, I have forgotten lots ofthings.

But I investigated the former
supreme court's documents

and talked to anyone who
knew about the incident.

- Thank you ver much.

- Of 18 assassins,

17 of them were former Mito vassals
and 1 was a former Satsuma vassal.

Hikone had 60 attendants at that time,

but they were totally
defeated by only 18 assassins

and their master's head was taken.

It is inevitable that they are criticized for their
failure to carly out their duties as samurai.

According to the records,

ofthe 18 men, one died
at the scene ofthe incident.

Later, four ofthem died by
disemboweling themselves.

Eight ofthem surrendered to the authorities.

Four ofthem at the official
mansion ofthe Kumamoto clan

and the other four at the mansion
of Wakisaka Awajinokami-sama

by confessing their responsibilities.

To tell you the truth,

I participated in the close
examinations of those men.

All ofthem were unresisting.

They all talked without any inconsistency.

And they did not hide anything.

- It must be difficult.

- Hey! Women should not
interject about matters like this.

- I am SOI’W fortroubling you.

- You should say that to your wife.

Hardship is felt the most
not by you or my husband.

Your wife must be feeling that the most.

- My goodness!

How far did I talk?

- One man was killed at the scene,

four men killed themselves,
and eight ofthem surrendered...

- And all those who surrendered
committed seppuku.

- I know that.

But why weren't they
executed by decapitation?

Execution and seppuku are as different
as heaven and earth for samurai.

- We should not treat
selfiess patriots carelessly.

If we trample them
and execute those men,

no one will sacrifice their
lives forthe countly

Mito men were patriots.

- What are you saying?!

- At the time ofthe "Ansei Purge,"
Kamonnokami-sama

cut off many patriots' heads.

Those decisions were definitely wrong.

Are you going to cut me?

I made decisions that were
unbearable for Hikone.

Ifyou kill one ofthe judges, it will
certainly be considered a vendetta.

Get warm.

Lately they are not good.

I can't sit for a long time.

It is miserable.

- Being killed, killing
themselves, and surrendering...

I have heard about a total ofthirteen men.

Ofthose five men who escaped,
four ofthem have already died.

Akimoto-sama,

you must have taken the trouble of
sending a messengerto invite me

because you know about the survivor.

- Considering your enduring for thirteen years,

I could not refuse helping you.

-Then...

- But when I found the murderer.

I learned that he also

could not even use his own name
or show his face to this world.

He has also been enduring.

- To endure

is to have an expectation for better
days and to put up with hardships.

Therefore that man with no expectations
for the future is merely a fugitive.

Why do you tn! to protect him noVIfl

- Live single-mindedly...

When I look at that fiower,
I can hear a voice saying that.

In freezing cold, even underthe snow,

just live single-mindedly.

Never die!

Shimura-dono!

The times have jumped over a
fence and things have changed.

The old system of samurai's stipend is gone.

Disgrace will not be returned.

There is no Tokugawa or Hikone.

So how about living your life single-mindedly
in this new world just like that camellia.

You should know that the Grand Council
of State declared a new ordinance today.

- No matter what new
laws the countly declares,

my determination will not disappear.

I have no concern about the
restoration of my stipend

or clearing my disgrace.

They are just selfish interests.

- Then why?

I liked Kamon-sama.

He was concerned about the future
ofthe countly more than anyone,

yet when spring comes,

he loved plum blossoms and

looked fonII/ard to the
song ofa bush warbler.

I liked Kamon-sama...

so ver much...

About that time ofthe incident...
it seems like only a dream to me!

- Don't talk about that!

You are a loyal person

and a lucky person...

- Snow”

Than/(s.

THE GRAND COUNCIL OF STATE DECLARES
THE PROHIBITION OF VENDETTAS

- We should just leave and have a drink now.

- Yes, we can't work in this snow.
Let's go.

- We should give up too, Naokichi.

We can't carly a customer
up a hill in this weather.

How can you read those difficult sentences?

What does it say?

- They prohibit vendettas.

- Vendettas?

- Starting today, taking revenge is not allowed.

- So if someone gets killed,
that's total loss to the victim?

Huh!

Well, that will not have anything
to do with farmers anyway.

Oh, the train arrived.

I should tn! working a little
more, so might as well.

But no hills...

- Yes, where to?

- I really have no destination.

- So you want to see the snowy views.

You are a stylish man for
a samurai with two swords.

- The best snow scene

must be at the Sakurada Gate.

- Unfortunately,

I can't go up the slope by the
Sakurada moat in this weather.

I am sorly

- I see.

To tell you the truth,

I really don't want to see the snow
scene ofthe Sakurada Gate again.

Would you raise your hat?

- Please ride.

I will show you a snow scene.

- Thanks.
Excuse me.

- Excuse me for asking you a trivia! question.

Mr. Samurai, how old are you?

-|am 45.

Why did you ask?

No...

May I ask your age?

- Yes.

I am about the same age.

We are leaving now.

- Do you have a wife and children?

- Unfortunately, I am a single man.

- What about your parents?

- I lost them because of my misfortune.

- You caused them misfortune?

- Yes.

I did something terribly bad
as a son when I was young.

So both my father and mother were in a
situation where they could no longer live.

- To tell you the truth,

I did the same thing to my parents.

It has been thirteen years
since I lost my parents.

I have no children, but my wife is still
going through hardship because of me.

- It was good that I never
had a family till I got this old.

Because no one will be sad
whatever happens to me.

- I want to ask your name.

- I am Naokichi.

- No.

I want to ask your name before
you started to pull a rickshaw.

- I used to be Sabashi Jubei.

The letter for "Ju" is the
same as the number "ten."

- It is so different from the name "Naokichi."

So you thought you could fool the world?

- No.

Would you listen to my
uninteresting stow, Samurai-san?

- Tell me.

- I took the one letter from the
name ofa person whom I murdered

in the rashness of youth.

- "Nao..."

"Kichi..."

Why?

- AftenII/ards,

I have realized that the things the
man was saying were quite right.

- Then you admit that murdering
the man was a mistake also?

- No, it was not a mistake.

But everthing he was
saying was quite right.

So ljust wanted to honor his insight
by borrowing one letter from his name.

Until the restoration,

I used to believe that I could
contribute to this countly somehow

as long as I stay alive.

But now, I am just living.

ZAKURO ZAM
(Pomegranate HIII)

- What is this hill?

- It's Pomegranate Hill.

There will be the mansion of
Arima-sama of Kurume ahead.

And further ahead, there is Buzen
Nakatsu clan's Okudaira-sama.

- Oh...
You know it thoroughly.

- It was in this area

where I failed to die.

We are going.

- This is fine.
Stop now.

- I take my hat off to your tenacity.

Now complete your mission!

- You are not going to fight?

- I threw away my swords a long time ago.

- Use this.

I'll use my 'wakizashi' (shorter sword).

- It will be just like that day.

You fought with your wakizashi.

- You remembered well.

- Would you tell me your name?

- I am Shimura Kingo.

At the time of Kamon-sama's misfortune,

I was serving as an
attendant by the palanquin.

- Why didn't you cut me?

Excuse me!

- I am not allowing your selfishness!

- My life was supposed to end
in that snow thirteen years ago.

I can finally bun! this
miserable selfin this snow.

Now, please take my life.

What's the matter?

A Hikone samurai whose master's
head was taken by only 18 assassins

can't even avenge?

- That day,

Kamon-sama said,

"It is an appeal made by risking his own life.

"Treat it with care."

Do you see that, Jubei?

Even ifthat appeal may take his life,

Kamon-sama was willing
to receive it contentedly.

You and the Mito vassals risked your lives.

Forthat reason

I am not able to take your life.

Because I am Kamon-sama's vassal,

I am obeying his order.

Since that day

you have been here,
next to these hedges.

- You have also been standing
by that Hikone's palanquin?

- Sabashi-dono...

The times...

The times have changed.

But you don't need to
give up being a samurai.

Could you go overthese
hedges with that spirit?

Could you live?

will do the same.

- I am Son? to bother
you at this time of night.

It is Naokichi.

- Nao-san...
What's the matter?

- This is for Chiyo.

- Huh?

- It is candy.

- She will be so happy tomorrow
morning when she awakens.

- See you.

- Ah, Nao-san...

Why don't you come in
and have something warm?

- No thanks.
I have to get up early tomorrow.

How about the three of us visiting
Yushima shrine's festival sometime?

Chiyo can ride on my rickshaw.

- Huh?

- Good night.

- I thought we could walk home together.

Come, hurly

- Yes.

- The Grand Council of State
declared a new ordinance today.

From now on, vendettas are prohibited.

-Oh...

My!

- I made you endure hardship for a long time.

Setsu...

- Since you left this morning,

All day long I thought

I would never see you again.

- I am going to visit
Kamon-sama's grave tomorrow.

You should come with me.

- Yes.

NAKAI Kiichi

ABE Hiroshi

HIROSUE Ryoko

TAKASHIMA Masahiro
MATOBU Sei

YOSHIDA Eisaku
DOCHIN Yoshikuni
OMI Yoichiro
KIZAKI Yuria

TSUKAYAMA Masane
NAMIKI Shiro
ETO Kansai
MINE Rantaro
MIYATA Keiko

FUJI Tatsuya

NAKAMURA Kichiemon

ExeculIVe Producer KINOSHITA Naoya
ProduclIon KAWASHIRO KazumI
OSUII/II TadaShI
YONEYAII/IA HISaShI
MNBARA HIdeakI
IgnacIo Wada AguIIera CaSIro

PIannIng OTAKI ShoheI

Original Stow by ASADA Jiio
"Goiojirdono OShImalSu"

ProduceiS NATO EISuhIio
HAGA MaSamIlSu

Photography by KIKUMURA TokuSho
Lighting by OSADA Tatsuya

Sword Fight Choreography by UNI Kanzo

Sword Fight Choreography by UNI Kanzo
Wardrobe MATSUDA Kazuo
KAJIMOTO MISako
TAMIKE KalSuakI
HaIrdreSSer SOGA TSuneo
Makeup & HaIrdreSSer TAKASAKI MIISuyo
HaIr TANAKE MIneko
Makeup NEMOTO Kae
Art Direction Management BABA MaSao

ScrIpler MORI Naoko

Production: DESTINY
Distribution: SHOCHIKU

Directed by: WAKAMATSU Setsuro

THE END
TranSIatIon by JIro MatSukI
SuthtIeS by MerIIn DaVId
Authoring by John GaInfort