All language subtitles for asaki.yumemishi

IT WAS A FAINT DREAM

ART THEATRE GROUP OF JAPAN
CHUSEI PRODUCTIONS

PRODUCED BY KINSHIRO KUZUI,
AKIRA TOJO, TOSHIHIRO OKADA

SCREENPLAY BY SHIN OOKA

MUSIC BY RYOHEI HIROSE

PERFORMED BY C.A.P. ENSEMBLE

JANET HATTA

KOTOBUKI HANANOMOTO,
MINORI TERADA, SHIN KISHIDA

In the mid-13th century
on the Asian continent,

Genghis Khan's grandson Kublai
had built up the Great Mongol Empire.

Attempting to place the Korean Peninsula
and even Japan under its influence,

he demanded that Japan
should pay tribute to him.

When a letter arrived
suggesting the use of force,

it shook the Kamakura Shogunate.

When the Imperial Court received
this letter from the Shogunate,

it turned pale
at this unprecedented major incident.

After repeated deliberation, the response
to the Mongol demand was a refusal.

Eventually,
in 1274 and a second time in 1281,

the great Mongol army
invaded the coast of Kyushu.

What's up with that lot?

The Mongol monsters
seem to be attacking Kyushu.

To repel them, they're taking all kinds
of scoundrels and sending them to Hakata.

We'd better make a run for it.

Help! Help!

Halt!

- Hey! What are you doing?
- Mind your own business!

Damn you!
Where are you taking him?

Let him go!

No! Punish her!

Yes, sir!

Hatsune!

Damn you, you murderers!
Demons!

What did you say?

You'll pay for this.

Murderers like you are destined
to burn in the demon's cauldron!

How could I kill people if I was afraid
of those stories made up by priests?

More importantly,
the crows are already after him.

- Brother!
- Walk! Keep walking!

Move!

Brother!

Brother!

Such terrible things
always happen to us.

Zenshoji, you seem
as bad at poetry as ever.

In my old age, I cannot quite follow
your lordship's wishes.

I am as weak as my poetry.

It no longer agrees with me,
and I have said so many times.

You don't compose poems,
all you do is drink.

You're a hopeless councilor of state.

Let this be the last time.
Please forgive me.

The spring sun was like pork fat
to my wrinkles.

And I fell pleasantly asleep.

Was it not the wine
that made you fall asleep?

If you want love poems,

at this old age
they will be meaningless anyway.

Behold the lively face of Saionji.

- What is it, old man?
- I'm saying that I envy you.

Secret love. Love of ages past.

Love at daybreak. Love at midday.

Faraway love. Nearby love.

Love on a journey.

It's almost as if it was precisely for you

that Lord Tameie came up
with these themes.

- By the way, Lord Tameie...
- Yes?

I heard today that you were famed
as a kemari player in your youth.

No, I wasn't that good.

No, his technique was truly splendid.

But it seems your honorable father
had an incurable illness.

Indeed.

In his later years in his Mt Ogura retreat,
he selected One Hundred Poems.

He wrote it out in classical poetic form
and had it prepared for display.

The letters were bold and shaky, so it
seems he even lost control of his hands.

But the elder lasted a long time.

He also seemed to get on rather well
with the samurai from Kanto.

Unlike us, he seems no longer
to have his eyes on practical affairs.

My dear Lord Sanjo,

that is because he took a bride
from Lord Saionji's household.

Lord Tameie's mother was
from the House of Saionji.

They are so unlike us,

who cower in the capital, fussing over
ancient formalities like frogs in a well.

The Saionjis get on well
with Kamakura.

Their wits are robust enough for that.
Is that not so?

Is that not so, Lord Tameie?

It is so, Lord Saionji.

- Lord Tameie...
- Yes?

What do you think is the secret
to improving one's poetry?

- Well, my father Lord Teika...
- Don't tell me about Lord Teika.

I want to hear your own thoughts.

Well, then, one does not necessarily
need talent or learning to write poetry.

But it is important that
it flows naturally from one's heart.

As Emperor Juntoku
and Emperor Go-Toba said...

So, you'll tell us the words of Emperor
Juntoku and Emperor Go-Toba now?

But what I think is...

What is required above all
is regular practice.

Even if one composes
a beautiful poem on one occasion,

neglecting practice will make
the next a merely mediocre work.

People will ask if somebody else
wrote the poem,

and it might make them scornful.

Practice, you say?

That is indeed necessary.

By the way, Lord Tameie, do you enjoy
the time spent composing poetry?

Well, whether it is enjoyable...

Those kind of things
are not things that I usually...

"...think about."
Is that what you mean?

Yes.

What a happy way to live one's life.

But I understand
that a wind of futility blows

through even such
an effortless way of life.

Your lordship!

The palace has just sent notice that
the enemy crossed the Tsushima Straits,

passed Hizen Province and Matsuura.

They made landfall in Hata and
brought terrible weapons called guns.

Just when the Mongol army approached
and were about to pull their ships ashore,

there was a sudden rainstorm and
countless ships sank in the breakwater.

The rest fled in panic
towards the Korean shores.

Hearing about such tenacity of purpose,
the people of the capital were overjoyed.

Is that so?
Fortune still favors this country, then.

How auspicious.

Yes.

Let us also hold a celebratory feast
here at Tominokoji.

I have not held one in my hands
for a while, but I will play the biwa.

Gather together
some accomplished dancing girls.

And on the occasion,

I might thoroughly tease Saionji for
his lack of progress in composing poetry.

I'm afraid Lord Saionji is away negotiating
with the military government in Kamakura.

Yes, that's true.

He's a good man, but a fool to be
always busying himself with things.

Yes.

With Shijo having returned home,
Tominokoji feels like a colder place.

The fleeting elegance has vanished.

I will write a letter to Shijo.

There is that matter
of the maternity belt.

It must undoubtedly be hard to give birth
with such a weak body as hers.

A message from his lordship.

He will ask a servant to bring
the maternity belt tomorrow.

He asks me to look after my health,

so that I may give birth
to a vigorous heir.

A maternity belt?

But you stopped wearing one
two months ago.

Such matters must not be mentioned,
not even in jest.

What a sinful thing it is
to deceive his lordship in this manner.

For how long can he be kept
in the dark?

This terrible falsehood will surely
come back to wreak its revenge.

The thought of it...
makes my hair stand on end.

You should not blame yourself.

It will affect your body.

Shijo, who was favored
by his lordship,

had returned to her home
to bear his second child.

But the child she was to give birth to
was not his lordship's.

Before Shijo became
his lordship's lover,

a young nobleman loved her deeply.

The child that Shijo was now
about to give birth to

was the result of her secret trysts
with the young nobleman.

Shijo's ladies-in-waiting called him
Chief Councilor of the Mist at Dawn.

It happened purely by chance.

When Shijo had lied to his lordship

and was about to give birth
to her illegitimate child,

the wife of her lover was also
in confinement for childbirth.

I think it was destined to happen.

Every night,
with breasts swelling with milk,

thinking of this lonely journey,

I must abandon this child.

I have an idea.

Everybody, you must never say
a word of this to anyone.

This goes for the monks who prayed for
an easy delivery to the ladies-in-waiting.

You must never reveal this
to anybody outside.

Understood?

Now, prepare for the celebration.

The long-awaited child has been
born to the House of Saionji.

A child? What did you say?
A child has been born?

A child was born
into the House of Saionji.

I can't.

This body belongs to his lordship.

You must not fall asleep.
You must not fall asleep!

You mustn't fall asleep!
Put strength into your hips and...

Deep breath!

Oh, a girl child.

Bring hot water.

Tell the messenger waiting by the back
to be ready to leave at any moment.

Get some warm bedding
and bring it here.

Is the baby going to the manor?

It's for the child's own sake.

As a mother, you must pursue
what is best for the child.

What will his lordship say
when he sees this child?

You cannot tell him that
such a chubby girl, born in October,

was a premature birth.

Yes...

I knew all along that
I wouldn't be able to tell him.

But I do not know what else
to say to his lordship.

It is a terrible and regrettable shame.

But rather than letting this moment's
faltering and affection become irreversible,

it would be better
to quickly part with the child.

Twenty days have already passed.

Would you like to wash off
the stains of labor

and perhaps go out in the garden?

We have notified his lordship
that the girl was stillborn.

If you keep hesitating
and looking so sad,

his lordship will notice
if he pays a visit.

Just now, a messenger has arrived
from the mansion bearing sad news.

The prince...

The prince has suddenly passed away.

The prince?

He started coughing two days ago,
and his young body kept trembling.

This morning, his eyes were blank.

Then, just before noon,
he passed away without a struggle.

Even the prince was struck down
in retribution for his mother's sins.

How it hurts.

My dear child, forgive me.

It was your mother who should've gone
to the place of darkness instead of you.

When the wind blows

Waves of flowers
wash over the rocks

And struggle across the current
of a mountain river

How good it would be to abandon
this world like Saigyo the priest.

Ever since she lost her father,
Shijo always thought about this.

His lordship's mother looks so youthful.
She doesn't look 60 years old.

She's still young.

It really was a merry celebration.

I'm completely drunk!

No wonder,

since you danced to the beautiful voice
of your lover, the general.

Even his lordship,
who is so masterful, was surprised.

In any case, what do you think
of how Lady Shijo was decked out?

Flaunting his lordship's affection
like that!

She rode with his lordship in his carriage
to visit the Empress Dowager.

People were saying,
"Here comes an imperial upstart!"

They said it so it would be heard,

but Shijo passed by,
pretending not to hear.

It's not strange

that this would make her highness jealous
and treat Shijo so harshly.

Shijo has been by my side
since she was little.

She was brought up like my own child.

She knows the depths of my heart
and can hone in on the finest details.

That's why I often make her
walk with me.

But careless people tell
her imperial highness suggestive gossip,

and so recently she's started
to treat her badly all the time.

Is that so?

Her mother was the late Sukenodai.

I believe you knew her.

Oh, she's her daughter?

I remember her.

A beautiful person.

You were certainly very fond of her
when you were young.

Speaking of which,
she resembles her mother very much.

As her father, State Councilor Masata,
has recently passed away,

I can be said to be
her surrogate father now.

Shijo, this high priest
is my younger brother.

We have different mothers, though.

My learned brother, please keep
Shijo in mind from this day onwards.

Having to deliver a letter

to Itsuki-no-Miya village
on his lordship's whim

struck me as a rather arduous task.

But once I was out of town,

my mood improved for some reason,
and it was an exhilarating feeling.

Who is in the village of Itsuki-no-Miya?

Do you not know, Mei?

It's an imperial princess
who serves at the Ise Shrine.

A person of chastity.

I met her when I was little,
so this is truly nostalgic.

I heard that they'd appeared in the capital
recently. It's a Buddhist incantation sect.

Buddhist incantation?

Whether your faith is strong or not,

just chanting the name
of the Pure Land Buddha

will guarantee your unconditional
rebirth in paradise.

I see it's different from the teachings
of the hermits on Mount Eizan.

Well, I don't know how much it differs.

Whether it's Tendai or Shingon teachings,

they're all teachings for exalted nobility
like his lordship or your ladyship.

But by doing what they do,
the Pure Land chanters teach

that even beggars and the sick
can partake equally

in the joy of the Pure Land.

You're very knowledgeable
on such matters, Mei.

Is there something wrong?

That monk looks strangely similar
to the high priest.

Maybe I'm seeing things, but he seems
to have something red in his eyes.

You're probably unaware that,
having loved you,

your face lingers in my mind.

I have only just returned
from long service at the shrine at Ise.

I am completely ignorant
of the ways of the world.

How should I reply to a poem like this?

Moreover,
though we have different mothers,

your lordship and I have the same father.

Your first response should be
as full of praise as possible.

But his lordship says that
he loves you above anybody else.

What a beautiful picture scroll.

I had much help from your father
with my preparations for going to Ise.

I also vaguely remember
the time when you were born.

I was five or six years old.

Your father was dancing with joy
after the courtiers told him.

It's now almost three years
since my father passed away.

Often, not even those kind of tidings
are heard in Ise.

You must also have played
catching crabs by sunlit coves.

There were not many occasions like that.

But we sailed to Futaminoura Beach,

as well as the islands
of Toshi, Gosen and Toru.

On Gosen Island, we picked seaweed
as offerings to the gods.

On Toru, we passed between big rocks
that hung down like a ceiling.

We watched the fish dancing about
between the twinkling waves.

There were also pleasures very different
from the games played in the capital.

And it's the realm of the poet Saigyo.

I have resolved in my heart
that I will visit it someday.

You look well, Mother.

You look fresher than usual,
and this makes me very happy.

Your lordship also seems
to be in good health, as always.

I am happy to see that.

It just so happens that today

the princess who returned to the capital
from Itsuki-no-Miya will pay a visit.

Wonderful.

I believe your lordship
has not yet met her.

Yes.

I hear that she's as lovely
as the pure river that flows at Ise.

I gave birth to both your lordship
and the new high priest.

Just the two of you,

but blood relationships weave
a mysterious thread through life.

The fact that today
your lordship will meet your sister,

born to a different mother,

may be part of that thread.

On another matter entirely,

I hear rumors that there has
been some misunderstanding

between your lordship and
your younger brother, the new emperor.

Your ears have been hurt
by trivial talk.

It's something I cannot stomach.

What is it?

It's about the Crown Prince.

The current emperor
is my younger brother.

My brother has real power
over governmental affairs,

but a promise was made that
my son would be the next emperor.

However, that promise
seems to have been broken.

I even heard rumors
that you might enter the priesthood.

Yes, I was so upset at one point
that I said as much.

As opposed to when it concerns oneself,
or when it concerns one's child,

I learnt that one can be overcome
by a hideous anger.

But it seems that Lord Tokimune changed
the outcome in your lordship's favor.

Yes.

The era is now upon us when even
internal court affairs cannot be resolved

without help from the Eastern Provinces.

Washing in pure forest water is
supposed to make a woman beautiful.

Your highness is truly
an example of that.

Someone who has spent her time
oblivious to the harsh changes in society

does not know
how to answer such a remark.

Your honorable mother must
surely be delighted by your return.

Yes.

I would like to send my thoughts
to Itsuki-no-Miya.

Shijo, please let her know.

You are too hasty.

I am supposed to show her Imperial
Highness the area around Saga tomorrow.

So at least wait until tomorrow evening.

One mustn't lose a single day to enjoy
the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

You speak only to suit yourself.

In any case, just tell her.

Cherry blossoms may be beautiful,

but the branches are weak
and the flowers easily scatter.

Once you have plucked the flower,

you quickly begin to think
of your next lover.

That does not satisfy a woman.

Whether a man or a woman,

both parties must deal
with it intelligently.

Attachment corrupts love.

It is only in singular instants of truth

that the most fragile flowers
of love bloom.

And then they scatter.

A refined mind
lets a flower fall freely.

But it does not lament forever.

I feel sorry for her Imperial Highness.

Are you not jealous, Shijo?

Did you not just say that
a refined mind does not feel jealous?

I certainly did.

I think you are the only woman
who understands my heart, Shijo.

I find your heart difficult to understand.

It's almost three years
since your father passed away.

Yes.

Who protects you
as your guardian now?

My mother's uncle Lord Zenshoji.

But as he is growing old,
he seems quite helpless of late.

I can understand that,
if it's Zenshoji.

But a woman who serves at court
needs a strong guardian.

There are also expenses to consider.

Are the charms of Fushimi to your liking?

As the poem
by Fujiwara no Shunzei says:

"When you open the door in the morning
and look out on Fushimi,

"behold the mist-shrouded River Uji."

I always wanted to greet
such a morning in Fushimi.

Thank you.

It is indeed wonderful to watch
the gentle spring rain through the mist.

While the sun hides away
in the distance.

So even a lover of politics
like Saionji

naturally speaks appropriately
in this abode of tranquility.

Or is it because you have
a new woman in the capital?

My lord, before the wine
goes to our heads,

I want you to reveal to me,
here and now, the secrets of poetic style.

Having received such hospitality,
it would be rude of me not to tell you.

So, let us sit over there,
and I shall fulfill your wish.

I also have a small favor to ask.

My child? Where is my child
and how is she?

She's growing up in sound health.

In your care?

Our daughter was brought into this world
because of our indiscretion.

I cannot help but feel concern for her!

Please, please tell me.

I beseech you!

I feel very much the same.

The girl is growing up healthily.

At least believe that.

If I said she was in my care,

that would only cause you
more heartbreak.

Therefore, I will say only
that she is healthy.

Can you not understand
how it pains my heart?

Thank you so much.

Please bring the girl up
to be healthy and pure.

They will hear us in the other room.

In any case, you are even more
beautiful than before.

I understand Lord Konoe's
long-lasting infatuation with you.

Lord Konoe?

It has been a while since
I've been this pleasantly intoxicated.

I'm suddenly overcome by sleepiness.

What an enjoyable day it has been.

Lady Shijo?

I have something to tell you.

Will you come for a moment?

Lady Shijo,
I believe you can hear me.

Lady Shijo?

Just go. I don't mind.

Your lordship.

What a fortuitous encounter.

His lordship is so compassionate.

Such beautiful skin.

I have not felt like this for so long,
Lady Shijo.

Leave it in my hands,

and I, Konoe, will be happy
to take on your guardianship.

I shall never let you want for anything.

Your lordship,
you shall reap your reward.

Hail to the Amitabha Buddha.

Hail to the Amitabha Buddha.

The evil spirits have been
exorcised now.

The evil spirits took possession
of your lordship's body for five days.

They provoked a high fever,
made you confused and made you moan.

You were terribly ill at ease.

Are you saying I was consumed
by illness for five days?

- Yes.
- I see.

And did the high priest perform
exorcism the whole time?

Yes, he put his heart and soul into it.

He hardly had time to sleep.

A man invests so much emotion
in a woman.

In my dreams,

the high priest said
he longed for you all the time.

He kept pestering me about it.

In order to cure my illness,

a priest who has no equal in this world
exorcised me at the risk of his own life.

But he was in two minds.

He couldn't suppress it.

He could not leave
with your body by his side.

Lordship, you're saying that in jest!

Why did you say something so awful?

This is no jest.

I also have no adverse feelings toward
my younger brother, the high priest.

But I am concerned for you.

If you invite a man's resentment,

that man's soul could eventually
drag yours down to hell.

Frankly, the high priest seemed
to be tormented by his feelings.

If his love sickness intensifies,
whatever his lineage or social rank,

even if he overcomes his demons
and achieves his goals,

his resentment will grow.

Don't you already know this
from reading the Tale of Genji?

This is terrible!

He will finish by tomorrow.

Once he's done,
I will journey to the capital tonight.

For the sake of the high priest,
why don't you fill his night with despair?

Lordship,
why do such a terrible thing?

More and more...

...your lordship seems to me
like the worst person in this world.

- What are you doing here?
- Please forgive me.

Just this night, please!

Don't wake his lordship!
Whether it takes me to heaven or hell,

all I want right now
is to throw my body on yours!

I beg you! I beg you!

Listen to me!
Please listen to me!

My raw desire has stained my reputation
as an outstanding monk.

I shall atone for it
by holding a service by the altar.

I shall pray for the Imperial Court
and political stability.

And I shall pray for the well being
of all living creatures.

Just look at the state of me!

Since I first saw you, every time
I see your face, I can't stop crying!

When I try to meditate,
you appear in the holy mantras.

When I burn incense,
I see you in the smoke.

Since I shaved my head
and put on my black priest's robes,

I never thought
I would feel such desire!

What evil have I done?

That woman!

Dainichi Buddha, from now on,
I will devote myself to the mantras.

Sun Goddess Amaterasu, I will pray
to countless gods of Shohachiman Shrine.

I must either abandon
all thoughts of you,

or you must fulfill this love of mine!

Tonight is the time!

Make your decision! Make up your mind!

I humbly... I humbly...
I humbly beseech you!

High priest... have mercy on me.

High priest...

Nothing else matters,
as long as I am with you.

We could live in a cottage
swept by the sea breeze,

with my body burnt by the sun.

Or we could go to the mountains.

By a babbling brook,
far from everybody.

I can put up with poverty.
Being with you is enough for me.

And then...

If only we can live
with our soon-to-be-born child.

That is good enough for me.

At peace with the three
realms of existence

and with no reason to mourn.

Is not all of creation
about to go up in flames?

Even when I put all my heart
into transcribing the Five Precepts,

my handwriting becomes like Shijo's,
all by itself.

I wrote this sutra
by copying your handwriting.

I have this foolish obsession
of being united with you again

when I am reincarnated.

Thinking about it, it is despicable.

Why do you go so far?

When I leave this world,

I want this sutra to be offered
as kindling for the funeral pyre.

I want to be wrapped around your body
forever in the rising smoke.

High priest...

Why do you say such terrible things?

On the days when I cannot see you,

I will never take off this
short-sleeved gown that we exchanged.

I pray silently for the day we are reborn
and meet again in the Pure Land.

The baby that was born to them

was secretly taken away
by a servant of the imperial palace.

This was for the child to be brought up
properly as a member of his household.

The fruit of the love between the virtuous
priest and the high-ranking noblewoman

was taken care of in secret

on the orders of the palace,
which disliked any scandal.

The last Mongol invasion ended in
shipwreck and defeat due to a huge storm.

The sacred tree of Kasuga Shrine
was brought to the capital in protest.

It was a long time before the sacred tree
was taken out of the capital again.

There was unrest in the streets.

The Shogunate planned
to repel the invasion

and conscripted the thugs
of Yamato and Yamashiro Province.

Epidemics spread far and wide.

Lordship?

What is it now?

I wonder how the high priest's child
is being brought up.

Forgive me.

On sleepless nights with my breasts swollen
with milk, I think of my unfortunate child.

- You say "unfortunate"?
- Yes.

You think the high priest's child would
be happy growing up by your side?

I mean, to have just one glance...

You seem to have caught
my half-brother's anxious nature!

The child is being raised
in a suitable home by a suitable person.

Calm yourself.

Would a child not want
to be with its parents?

Shijo!

Where you are today places
the parents and child on separate paths!

Shijo, you'd better listen.

My father abandoned me
from a young age.

And after all,
I am undoubtedly the son of that man.

When I was three,
I was crowned emperor.

At sixteen, the throne was handed
over to my ten-year-old brother.

Now I'm merely
a retired emperor by name.

The crown was taken from me
in my prime

and I've spent 20 years with no role!

The blood of a poet and musician
runs thickly in my veins,

but not that of a ruler.

Being apprehensive about this,
my father the emperor shunned me.

But look, governance now lies
in the Eastern Provinces.

Having imbibed the teachings
of Zen monks from Fusa Province

who despise the Mongols,

has Tokimune not dashed
ahead impetuously?

And meanwhile, what has the capital done?

My younger brother went to Ise
in the face of this national disaster!

And all he could do was pray.

That's right.

I never thought I'd become
like my father the emperor.

And this father completely
disregarded me!

The pestilence from the capital
shows no signs of abating.

It only seems to be spreading more.

They say it is rare for a family
not to have suffered death.

To avoid being struck by the illness,

people have shut themselves
in their houses.

There is only a scattering of people
to be seen in the capital.

The high priest must be busy at prayer.

The high priest...

It's the high priest...

The high priest...

It's the high priest...

The high priest...

Now, stop crying and tell me.
What has happened?

Three days ago, he came down
with a strong fever and collapsed.

A short while ago, he passed away.

How terrible.

He asked me to bring this to you,
Lady Shijo.

Just before he passed away,
and although he was in great pain,

he rose and put on the gown
he had exchanged with you.

He told me to leave it on him.

Soon after, he drew his last breath.

Mei...

Your ladyship has taken well
to travelling.

Mei, there are no "ladies" here now.

No matter how many times I tell you,
you have that habit of speech.

- We are nuns.
- Yes, yes.

My stomach has been bothering me
for a while.

I wonder what it could be.

And the color of your face...

This is surely because
you were walking under the midday sun.

There you see, my lady.

I told you to take a rest,

but you insisted on arriving
at Itsuku Island by sunset.

- Oh, Mei!
- My lady!

What's wrong? My lady?

My lady!

My lady!

I do apologize.
Suddenly, my body felt...

Don't mention it.

It's women's karma
to have a hard time,

so we have to help each other.

It must have been painful.

Karma?

You had the high priest's baby
inside you, but you didn't realize.

You had a miscarriage.

A nun and a high priest?

The ways of men and women
don't ever seem to change.

What unusual visitors you had today.

What? Oh, it's you.

Not long ago, you were talking
about the red-eyed monk,

but now you're sleeping
with nuns, eh?

You're so silly. They had some hardship
so I'm letting them rest a while.

So, are you not doing
any business tonight?

Wait a moment.

Still not finished?

You can wait over there.
I'll lend them that room.

Alright, then...

This red-eyed monk that
the gentleman just mentioned,

might he be a wandering priest
who dances?

So you know about him?

Yes, he has a red line
through one of his eyes.

According to him, even lowly women
like me and people with syphilis

are embraced by the Buddha
if we sincerely chant "Namu Amida Butsu".

That's what he teaches.

He doesn't use difficult words,
and he's always most grateful.

In this port alone, several
"women of pleasure" have gone with him.

I stayed behind. But I do enjoy
sleeping with men, after all!

You can't stop doing something you like
when it earns you money!

Now, get a good night's rest.

She's always so vulgar!

She's such a noble person.

Until now, I have lived my life
understanding nothing, doing nothing.

My late father said that if I was ever
at a loss, I should turn to Buddhism.

Now I feel that, for the first time,
I understand why.

When Shijo went travelling
in this manner,

the world she had inhabited until now
seemed like an illusory dream.

You're quite an accomplished painter.

She really is.

I have never seen anyone paint
scenes from the capital as well as this.

Look, it is a carriage.
It's taking shape.

- Will a person pull it?
- No, stupid. It'll be an ox.

- Look. Don't push!
- Stand back. Stand back.

Oh! It's like you said.
It's an ox, a black ox.

Sister, you should stay here with us
for a while.

- Don't you think?
- Yes!

I would love to hear more
about life in the capital.

And I would like our children
to learn how to read and write.

Did you say you were going
to Kishu next?

We plan to walk the Kumano pilgrimage.

That'll be rather hard for a nun.

Why don't you stay here for a while
and set off when you've rested?

What shall we do?

Well, it's a very kind offer,
so maybe just for two or three days.

Excellent!

Now that a beautiful noble nun
has come here from the capital,

it has improved the reputation
of this house.

We are so proud.

And the children keep asking for you
to teach them things.

Bring it out.

Here, sir.

This is by way of appreciation
for the picture you painted.

Please.

Hail to the Amitabha Buddha!
Hail to the Amitabha Buddha!

A poem by Saigyo...

The smoke from Mt Fuji floats
on the wind and vanishes into the sky

Like that smoke,
who knows where my thoughts will float?

There's no smoke today.

In the old days,
I would recite this poem

and contemplate
the transience of human life.

It would bring tears to my eyes.

Ladyship, you have become
truly resilient.

I wonder why his lordship's face appears
in my mind when I recite this poem.

Five obstacles stand
in the way of a woman.

She may be pure of heart
in her pursuit of enlightenment,

but should the lotus seat
open up to her,

she will be denied Buddhahood.

Five obstacles stand
in the way of a woman.

She may be pure of heart
in her pursuit of enlightenment,

but should the lotus seat
open up to her,

she will be denied Buddhahood.

A woman has five impurities.

It is said that she cannot reach
the Pure Land.

But even the pure lotus flower
is born from the mud.

Even a female incarnation
of the appetites of the flesh

is turned into a pure Buddha
by chanting the Lotus Sutra.

That way, my lady.

We're alright.

Now, then, sisters,
here's a fowling net. Please use it.

It's nothing special,
but it'll keep you dry.

I'm on the way home from a business trip.
I've been away for three months.

- Thank you for your kindness.
- Don't mention it.

This downpour's strong.
We might get flooded.

I think it's best if you wait
before you continue your journey.

My house is over there. It smells
a bit moldy, but you can stay for free.

It must be hard for a noblewoman.

- Ladyship...
- This way!

Mei, I realize that
you're also a woman.

I am not saying that it is vulgar.

After all, the man appeared
to be very kind.

Yes, even I did the same,
time and time again, in the capital.

But, unlike you, I never voluntarily
rushed headlong into improper conduct.

Never once have I crept
into a man's bed.

I was a pitiful woman.

Mei, I hope you live happily.

"Dear Mei,

"I write these few strokes of the brush,
madly in love with you.

"Enticed by the birdsong at dawn,

"I saw the sun rise on my own.

"I am not the least worried for you,

"and I pray for your happiness.

"From this moment,

"I must enjoy this journey on my own."

- Just look at Jirozaemon Taira.
- He's the retired general.

Look at the shogun blowing his nose!

I'm sure he's quite scary.
All these exalted people are...

- The other way round! Turn it around!
- Yes, but...

This is how the palanquin
of a trusted person should be carried!

Turn it backwards!

In today's world, you have to be
from a warrior family, not lowborn.

In today's world,
you have to be from a warrior family...

Lady Shijo, Jirozaemon's wife
is asking for a favor.

She wants to know how to sew a gown
from fabric she got as a wedding present.

She would like to learn from a person
who has come down from the capital.

Will you accept this request
from a lowly Kamakura person like me?

I will keep your identity secret
from the others.

These sleeves are wrong.

For a garment with a center like this,
the sleeves should be flat, not round.

What an arrogant nun, acting like
she was somebody in the capital!

But she's beautiful, isn't she?

I'm sure she's already caught
the eye of my husband.

When I first caught sight of you
some days ago,

I thought you were a person
of high status who had disguised herself.

Just as I thought!

Your slender arms...

Your supple nape...

Your thin blood, you don't find
in a warrior's daughter.

Do not laugh at my coarseness.

I may be coarse, but I cannot help
desiring someone like you.

Maybe...

Maybe...

Although you're a nun,
you're still a woman, so maybe...

How would this have been
if he'd been like Tokimune Hojo?

How would it have been?

Has something happened
in the lord's mansion?

Don't come near, nun.
You'll just get in the way.

I once had a small connection to him.

Please tell me what's happened.

What has happened
in his lordship's house?

Lord Tominokoji has passed away.

His lordship?

Amida Nyorai, who sheds light
through the ten quarters of the world,

gather into your radiant heaven
all who call upon your name.

In the distant past,
through my late father's connections,

I knew the lord of this manor,
the poet Saionji Nyudo.

Maybe it is because I have aged,

or maybe it's because you're dressed
as a nun, but I do not remember you.

Who were you?

I discarded my name
by the roadside long ago.

There is just one thing
I want to ask you, Lord Nyudo.

Forgive me for asking you
to think back.

You want to ask me something?

A long time ago,

you took in a baby
at this very mansion.

Do you remember, she was born
in the winter and you played with her?

Oh! It's you!

Lord Nyudo, I am but a humble nun
who has forsaken her name.

That baby girl, who grew up
in this mansion,

might she not be the very same person

as the one who has now become
a celebrated poet?

I ask because the former baby's mother
would like to know.

Please tell the mother this...

The person who has become
a highly regarded poet

was, indeed, born in this house.

The woman who was her mother
was a radiantly beautiful person.

Now that I have aged,

I shall never again
see such a beautiful dream.

Not as ugly and decrepit
as I have grown with age.

Thank you so much.

When the mother learns that
her daughter has grown up safely,

she will surely be overjoyed.

And if I may trouble you with this,

would you, as her adopted father,
present her with this picture scroll?

I have painted shoddy scrolls
for a long time.

Painting has served as my travelling
companion and my livelihood.

I desire nothing more.

The days are bright,
and I own nothing superfluous.

The only gift I can give is this.

This is a most excellent scroll.

Not even the painters in the capital
display such skill as this.

I thank you
for your undeserved kindness.

I remember seeing this monk...

...somewhere a long time ago.

Do you, sir?

Yes, there was once
an eminent person...

The high priest, who was
the brother of the deceased lord,

looked very much like this man.

But he never roamed the land
dressed in such tatters and rags.

DREAM