Original subtitles

TOEI PRODUCTIONS

More than a thousand years ago, in the reign of the Emperor Suzaku,

there lived a doctor of astrology named Kamo no Yasunori.

He had a scroll, The Golden Crow, on the secrets of Yin and Yang.

His task was to interpret the meaning of unusual natural phenomena.

The doctor, however, had no children.

An oracle told him to adopt as his child

a girl born in the auspicious direction, in the year and on the day of the Sheep.

He gave two disciples the task of finding her.

Their names were Abe no Yasuna and Ashiya Doman.

Theirs were long, hard journeys, with no end in sight.

Finally, in a village in Izumi, in the land of Kawachi,

Yasuna found twin sisters, Sakaki and Kuzunoha.

He took with him Sakaki, the elder sister,

to be heiress to his master.

Kuzunoha grieved at being parted from her sister,

and stood weeping until she was out of sight.

Ten long years and more went by.

THE MAD FOX

PRODUCED BY HIROSHI OKAWA

SCREENPLAY BY YOSHIKATA YODA PLANNING BY JUNICHIRO TAMAKI

CINEMATOGRAPHY BY SADAJI YOSHIDA

MUSIC BY CHUJI KINOSHITA ART DIRECTION BY TAKATOSHI SUZUKI

CAST:

HASHIZO OKAWA AS ABE NO YASUNA

MICHIKO SAGA AS SAKI/KUZUNOHA/KON

JUNYA USAMI AS KAMO NO YASUNORI

CHOICHIRO KAWARAZAKI AS THE CROWN PRINCE

YOSHI KATO AS SHOJI

DIRECTED BY TOMU UCHIDA

A white rainbow!

Is this not an evil omen?

Not even the legends speak of one.

The hour of sunset has yet to come.

That strange red hue...

The greenery of the garden and the water of the pond...

...even our robes have lost their color to it.

Our very faces, too!

Mount Fuji spat flame last winter.

Its tremors have not ceased.

Preying on people's fears,

gangs of marauders sweep at will in and out of the city.

An occurrence like this will only add to the confusion.

How are things in the city, Minister?

I sent an official to investigate a short while ago.

He should be returning soon with news.

Everyone!

General Ono has returned from the wars in the east!

Look!

Has something happened in the east?

Mount Fuji's erupted again.

Ah, maybe that's what caused the white rainbow.

The earth's going to open up and swallow us!

- A rain of fire... - A white rainbow!

We're cursed!

This is an omen. Chaos will reign in the land.

What did you say, Father?

There will be great disturbance, and the realm will split in two.

Master!

Ah, Yasuna...

Of what is this strange phenomenon a sign?

There will be great disturbance, and the realm will split in two.

The realm will split?

That's all I can think.

The white light transfixes the moon.

This puzzles even Kamo no Yasunori, Master of Yin and Yang.

We must consult The Golden Crow.

Sakaki, I need the keys that you and my wife hold.

Summon my wife!

It's as I thought.

What does it say?

"Be the sun transfixed, cursed be the emperor.

"Be the moon transfixed, cursed be his heir."

So the Crown Prince is cursed?

So it seems.

What comes after that?

That I may not divulge.

- We are all your kin. - I have no doubts about you.

This scroll is so important that there are two keys to it.

I may not reveal its content to anyone, save my successor.

The townsfolk are terrified.

Does it say nothing of that?

I must go to the palace and inform the Chancellor.

Make ready.

The palace?

The Emperor faces civil war. I must hurry.

I have, by the way, two favored disciples.

You, Yasuna, have hurried here, eager to assist.

Why has Doman not come?

Lord Doman is here!

What kept you?

Astonished at today's phenomenon, I went to the palace

and saw your wife's elder brother, the Minister of Civil Affairs.

I told him that no one in the realm but you

could interpret its meaning.

You were putting in a good word for me?

That's a little harsh...

It is not!

With all due respect, I am Kamo no Yasunori, Master of Yin and Yang.

I am known to court.

I am sure this is true, but you should hurry there.

Everyone knows there is no one but me to consult on this omen.

This precious scroll, The Golden Crow,

I have always thought to bequeath it to one of you.

However, no one who disgraces me will be my successor!

Sakaki... your key.

Akuemon, bring my horse.

Akuemon...

There are bandits prowling in the night.

Be vigilant around the Forest of Tadasu.

You heard what my father said, Yasuna?

He praised you and spoke harshly to Doman.

What he said means that he will name you...

...as his successor.

Many things could happen before he does so.

I realize that.

But why are you looking so morose?

What are you brooding over?

Are you so troubled you cannot even tell me?

I do not understand what is in the Master's mind.

And why is that?

As you well know,

while the citizens of the capital are too frightened to sleep,

your father cares nothing for them, and thinks only of the Emperor.

Lord Yasuna...

Why have you not spoken of this directly to my father?

You need not answer. A gentle soul like you could never do that.

But there is no one so ardent as you about his studies.

That makes me glad.

Lady Sakaki, you are the only one in this entire world...

...who understands me.

Look at you!

Are you in love with Sakaki?

Of course not!

She's a country girl from Izumi, daughter of a village squire,

adopted only because she was born under the sign of the Sheep.

A girl of low birth like that, heiress to the master?

When I have such a handsome young man here?

Akuemon!

Open the gate!

It's the Master! Open the gate!

Open up!

What has happened?

We were attacked by bandits near Tadasu Forest.

We fought back, but the Master has been killed.

- Master! - Father!

Master!

You cowards! You were there to guard him!

Father!

Master!

I bore a message from His Majesty

summoning Kamo no Yasunori to the court.

I am astounded at his sudden demise.

I asked His Majesty what to do,

and he said, "He must have had a successor.

"Have him appear before me."

I am sorry, but he died without naming a successor.

He'd made no decision?

By your leave, please give me the task of interpreting The Golden Crow.

That would be best.

No one but Doman could interpret such a difficult text.

Just one moment...

You are the disciple Abe no Yasuna?

I am, sir.

At a time so fraught with peril,

if both of them were to go before His Majesty

and present their opinions...

A fine idea.

By your leave, as daughter of his house,

I ask that you appoint me to carry out this task.

I know something of my father's teachings.

Perhaps I could expound on them in his place.

Lady Sakaki... why did you take this role upon yourself?

It was a trap, Yasuna.

Mother is plotting to set you against Doman before His Majesty.

He is far more glib of tongue.

How could I let that happen to one so dear to me?

I tremble to think of the palace.

If anything should happen to you...

Have no fear. My father approved of our friendship.

We must guard The Golden Crow with our lives.

But if His Majesty should be displeased...

I shall have no regrets on leaving this life.

I ask only to do that with you.

- With me? - Yes.

Ten years have flown by since you took me from Izumi

and I came with you here to Kyoto.

The ties of fate that bind us must be very strong.

I feel the same way.

Should you face His Majesty's wrath,

I shall not remain in this life.

I will follow you in death.

How it gladdens my heart to hear that!

Hold me tight. Give me courage.

Hold me!

Tighter!

Hold me!

You are Sakaki?

I assume your father said something about this omen?

Yes.

What did he say?

About this he said...

"Be the sun transfixed, cursed be the emperor.

"Be the moon transfixed, cursed be his heir."

I am cursed, you say? How so?

The reason is that...

Feel free to speak.

I surmise that, as Your Highness has no heir,

the succession will be thrown into confusion.

So if I do not beget a child, then...

- What can be done? - Forgive me...

...my father died having said nothing else on the subject.

More than that I do not know.

I am displeased that you would dare

to speak words of such weight, yet offer no remedy.

Are you here only to trouble us?

With all respect, Minister, the dead cannot speak.

Surely it is too much to ask that they do?

Nonsense!

The people will be led astray if the court is not respected.

This is treason!

One moment, please.

Sakaki, was your father not in possession

of an ancient Chinese scroll entitled The Golden Crow?

Can a remedy not be found within its writings?

Yes, sir.

But the scroll can be interpreted only by my father's two disciples,

Abe no Yasuna and Ashiya Doman.

Then summon them here immediately.

I regret to say

that only my father's appointed successor may read the scroll.

I assume one of them is your father's successor.

Yes.

Before he departed this life, he said the name of Abe no Yasuna.

By your leave...

...my younger sister was wife to the late Yasunori.

I have been told that he left no written proof of his intention.

Is this true?

Yes.

Doman has told me that Yasunori said he would appoint him as successor.

No!

I can assure you he said Yasuna.

On the occasion of this omen, Doman came straight to the palace

out of loyalty to his Master.

I ask that he be named successor.

No, Yasuna had so won Yasunori's trust

that he was bestowed a name with the character "Yasu".

I must insist that Yasuna be named his successor.

We have no time to lose in this matter.

I suggest the successor be named by Imperial Command.

I ask that it be Doman.

Just one moment!

The scroll lies behind the doors of the shrine at our residence.

If a successor is named without divine guidance,

even an Imperial Command will not suffice to open it.

Then let us seek the divine will by sacred lot.

Minister Iwakura, General Ono...

I believe you both have family connections with the deceased.

Go swiftly to his residence,

and have both disciples draw lots before the shrine there.

Wait!

I am told that the lots should be drawn with the scroll itself in view.

Lord Iwakura, as always, speaks wisely.

Open the chest.

What is it?

The scroll...

- It's gone! - What? Gone?

It does not suffice merely to say it is "gone".

It could not simply vanish.

Sakaki must have arranged for someone to steal it!

Nonsense! Why would I?

You have the key!

No, Sakaki would never do such a thing.

And besides, you have the key to the shrine door.

Perhaps you stole my key to open it.

You've hidden the scroll away!

I think you both conspired to do this!

You dare accuse the descendant of an emissary to China of theft?

We must abandon the drawing of lots.

This matter is vital to the entire realm.

We must return to the palace.

Wait. This will bring shame upon the family.

The court will be suspicious.

At worst, this could destroy the family.

Search this house, and find it.

No! Sakaki is responsible for the key to the box!

- Seize her! - That's unfair!

Stop!

You can't arrest her without evidence!

Too many strange things have happened. First, Yasunori dies suddenly.

Then the scroll disappears.

I swear to you...

...I will find The Golden Crow.

Yasuna!

You still won't talk?

How can I tell you what I don't know?

Do what you will. I still don't know!

You're lying!

You stole it and gave it to Yasuna!

Father!

The Golden Crow...

Who took it? Where is it now? Tell me!

Yasuna!

Yasuna!

Your ladyship!

Yasuna... Yasuna!

I can't bear it...

Be strong, my dear!

We'll show them you're innocent!

Sakaki!

There's no reason for this, you cowards!

Your ladyship!

Sakaki!

Akuemon, that's enough.

Sakaki!

Yasuna! You'll never take this house from me.

Tomorrow I'm sending you both to the Magistrate!

Look well at her tonight. You won't see her again.

You viper!

Wait!

Your ladyship!

Yasuna...

We've tortured them to the full.

Tomorrow we'll bind them and send them to the Magistrate.

They'll both be beheaded.

May they enjoy their journey to hell!

And you, my sweet young prince, will succeed Yasunori.

Your ladyship...

Your ladyship!

Your ladyship!

Lord Yasuna...

Lord Yasuna!

It's Lady Sakaki...

Your ladyship!

Wake up!

Speak to me!

She's dead!

Why?

And this...?

What is this?

It's The Golden Crow that they were all so excited over.

The scroll!

How did you get it?

It's no fake.

My key opens the shrine doors...

...and Sakaki's opens the chest.

While she was asleep,

I took the key from its bag and made a copy.

You made a duplicate key?

How treacherous of you!

Now you shall rise in the world.

I'll never let you go.

But how will we explain...

...that we have the scroll?

Simple.

We'll say that Sakaki talked.

She told us it was hidden in her room.

And when we searched the room, there it was!

The Golden Crow...

Give it back!

Give it back!

Fire! Fire!

Fire!

I have it, I have it.

Your ladyship... I have the scroll.

Where are you? Lady Sakaki?

Lady Sakaki!

Lady Sakaki! Lady Sakaki!

There you are.

Lady Sakaki...

I have The Golden Crow.

There you are.

This is yours. You are the Master's heiress.

Lady Sakaki!

Where are you going, Lady Sakaki?

Sakaki!

Tell me... where has Sakaki gone?

If her spirit is still in this world, let me see her once more.

Or one just like her.

Yasuna!

Yasuna! Yasuna!

Yasuna!

I can't bear it!

Love, O love

Inside is only emptiness

Never...

Never fall in love

Love is like a wind

That comes to him

Rustling the sleeves of his kimono

A loving couple

Is torn asunder

Like petals of the cherry blossom

Scattered by the raging wind

He is driven mad

Love, unrequited

Like a single kimono sleeve

As time passes

His hair grows wild and disheveled

Lady Sakaki!

Is that you there?

There!

There!

There! There! There!

Glimpsed through a curtain

Of falling leaves

The image of the one he loved

So long ago

From that image

Comes a faint trace

Of her scent

"If there is another like her, tell me," he says

And wrapping himself in his kimono sleeve

He falls

Collapsing

In a heap

It's you, Ladyship!

Your ladyship!

Mother, that ruffian is chasing me!

That man?

Begone!

- Bring Lady Sakaki back to me! - Stand back!

Isn't that Lord Yasuna?

Lord Yasuna!

Oh... Lady Sakaki's mother.

And Lord Shoji of Shinoda!

Whatever brings you here?

I've come to see you and beg your forgiveness.

But to see Lady Sakaki restored fills my heart with joy.

Lady Sakaki...

Why do you shrink back so before your parents?

We're to be married, after all.

Come to me!

You're mistaken.

This is Kuzunoha, Sakaki's younger sister.

Her twin sister.

Her sister?

Her twin sister, you say?

Lord Yasuna, whatever's the matter?

We'll take him to our house.

Grief and torment must have driven him mad.

With proper care, he may return to himself.

I will explain why I have requested this audience.

In recent days, the Eastern Highway has become rife with horse thieves.

And while we have been investigating,

pirates have begun marauding to the west, in the Inland Sea.

These are difficult matters.

We have taken stern measures,

but now in the east, Taira no Masakado has risen in revolt,

and Fujiwara no Sumitomo is about to rebel in the Western Sea.

There are reports of natives rebelling in Dewa to the north as well.

I request that swift action be taken to quell these uprisings.

Are Masakado and Sumitomo in contact, I wonder?

I have no doubt.

Do we know for sure?

There is no proof, but there is one thing.

The same rumor is to be heard in both the east and west.

And that is? Speak, man!

Mount Fuji will again spout flame.

This time, the mountain will lose its shape,

and ash will rain down over the entire realm, withering the crops.

Ash will fill Lake Biwa,

water will spill across Mount Hiei, and send a deluge over Kyoto.

Utter nonsense!

Order!

And then what will happen?

The land will split into two islands, east and west.

Masakado will rule in the east, and Sumitomo in the west.

They say the white rainbow was portent of all this.

This is no laughing matter!

The entire realm must understand that these rumors are groundless.

Where is the scroll that was to resolve this?

By your leave...

One of Kamo no Yasunori's disciples, Abe no Yasuna, lost his mind,

and he stole The Golden Crow.

He took it away with him, and his whereabouts are unknown.

And why has nothing been done about it?

Find him immediately!

We are close to learning where he is, and soon...

"Soon" is not good enough. Find him immediately!

We have to get our hands on The Golden Crow by any possible means.

With it, we will rule people's hearts.

We have to find Yasuna and behead him.

And then, Doman,

the only one who can read the scroll will be you.

Are we understood?

Before she died, Sakaki said,

"Be the moon transfixed, cursed be his heir,"

meaning the Crown Prince has to have a child.

Whether it's true or not,

the Emperor and the Prince are both very worried.

Doman, when you still had the scroll in your possession,

did you see anything useful in it?

- Indeed. - You did?

What was written therein?

It was this:

"Face the sun, and beneath your chamber

"entomb the blood of a living white vixen.

"There embrace, and a child shall come."

Ah, excellent!

I shall take the Prince some fox blood.

We will do well once we've told him this.

But where do we obtain the white vixen's blood?

My lord, you need have no concern.

I was born in Shinoda, Izumi Province, where the forests teem with foxes.

One of my men has seen an old white female there.

I shall head to the palace, you go fox hunting!

Make ready!

Look, Lord Yasuna.

The farmers are dancing to celebrate a good harvest.

What a fascinating dance!

I, too, shall dance. Come, Lady Sakaki.

Not again? Her name is Kuzunoha.

Please be silent.

Lord Yasuna is always so much happier

when he mistakes me for my sister.

Lady Sakaki...

I wonder when your father will approve of our marriage.

When you are cured of your illness.

Illness?

I'm not ill!

The gods of my Master's shrine have granted my wish.

Since they have returned you, I am fine, as you can see.

They look like hunters. We'd better return home.

Why have you stopped dancing?

We can't interfere with the hunters!

- Come. - Why have they stopped?

They should dance more.

Quickly!

Make haste, Lord Yasuna.

The poor thing! It's a hunter's arrow.

Madam... be strong.

I know it was around here.

Have you seen a white fox?

What? A white fox?

Can't you fools tell a fox from a human being?

This arrow's yours.

We'll take you home.

Be strong, Madam!

Thank you very much.

This my house.

Thank you. Thank you so much...

I'll tend to your wound inside.

Please, no!

This is no place for a gentleman like you.

- Please... - We're very poor.

- Come... - No! Please!

What's all this noise?

What have you done to her?

No, no. He saved my life.

A hunter's arrow found me, and he tended to my wound.

I didn't know. Forgive me for being so rude, sir.

Kon!

Kon!

Grandmother!

What happened?

I almost lost my life.

Then the gentleman talking to your grandfather

appeared and saved my life!

- Will she be alright? - Please don't concern yourself.

Very well.

I hope she'll be fine.

This water's so clean.

- You can't drink that water! - I just meant to wash my hands.

He's so handsome.

Oh, no! He has a wife.

That's not his wife.

That's the daughter of Lord Shoji, Lady Kuzunoha.

Take good care of her, old man.

- We shall never forget your kindness. - Farewell, then.

Perhaps, sir, may I know the name of the man who saved my wife?

My name?

I am Abe no Yasuna.

Lord Yasuna?

And your father is the provincial lord. You are too kind.

Take good care of her.

The poor thing... That arrow was meant for you.

That villain Akuemon, he's found us!

I'll never forgive myself if that young man comes to harm.

Kon, go with them.

Watch over them.

If they meet any danger, come right back and tell us.

I shall.

I'll call the others together.

I hate hunting, the killing of living things.

- Do you, too, Lady Sakaki? - Yes.

You are truly a gentle person, Lord Yasuna.

But when you call me "Sakaki"...

...I pay it no mind.

Yasuna! Submit to the rope!

The rope? What is his crime?

He's a dangerous man!

He killed Yasunori's wife and stole The Golden Crow.

Seize him!

He'll have the scroll on him! Find it!

Let go of me!

Lady Sakaki!

Grandpa!

Grandpa!

Grandpa!

Yasuna!

Go!

We're safe now we've come this far.

We won't be followed.

Akuemon and his ruffians don't know these mountains.

Here you can nurse him.

Nurse him? By myself?

Of course.

I have to go back to tend to your grandmother.

But I can't do it alone.

You'll be fine. You owe Yasuna your grandmother's life.

It would seem those villains from the capital are after him.

We owe him his life for the one of ours he saved.

Tell Lord Shoji and the people in the village

that the foxes... no...

...that the gods have spirited him away.

You wait here until he recovers.

That scroll is important.

Don't bring it out, no matter what happens.

But if he finds out what I am...

He doesn't know yet.

I know... You saw Lord Shoji's daughter.

Yes. She's beautiful.

It's not a good thing to do, but if you took her form,

he would never suspect.

I become Lady Kuzunoha?

Yes, you transform yourself into her.

But when he recovers his wits, what shall I say to him?

Well, when that happens...

Tell him this: Lord Shoji wants him to stay hidden here

until his name is cleared.

Will you do that?

Do you agree?

Very well, but...

...he's so handsome. I'll be blushing all the time.

What? You blushing?

But listen, Kon...

...one thing you must remember: don't make any foolish mistakes.

Turn your back on your kind and walk a path you should not,

and you will wander forever, as an outcast and alone.

Alone?

A debt is a debt, but a foe is a foe.

We are born enemies of man.

The moment he returns to his senses, he'll abandon you.

Do you understand?

Of course I do.

But if even for a day or two,

I can be with him as a beautiful lady.

I'm so glad. I'm happy, Grandpa. Thank you.

Stop being so sweet! You bring tears to my eyes.

Now, make good our debt. Nurse him like no human ever would.

Take very good care of him.

There, now your wounds will pain you no more.

Are you awake?

Lady Sakaki!

Where are we?

"Lady Sakaki"?

No... I am Kuzunoha.

Did Lord Shoji give us this house?

Our new home!

Lady Sakaki...

I am not Sakaki.

Don't be silly!

Did I not promise you...

...that if you faced death...

...I would follow you as well?

Sakaki!

You're mistaken!

There's no mistake.

"Hold me."

Did you not say that?

Please!

Let me go!

Grandpa!

I have a vixen's heart! What will I do?

Oh, Grandpa! What will I do?

What will I do?

Thinking that the persimmon tree next door

Is heavy with fruit

I peek into the garden

And what do I see there

But a woman in full bloom

Weaving

In a wretched hovel

Absently plying her loom

What can she be weaving?

The father

Prays that his child will rise in the world

While melancholy and hardship

Are the warp and weft

Of the mother's heart

Oh, have you been left all alone?

That mother of yours!

I'll give her a talking to.

I wouldn't do such a thing, would I, my child?

He wants his father.

I just left him there to call you.

I wish we could go see his grandparents.

How happy they'd be to see such a sweet little boy.

We mustn't, we mustn't!

- Why shouldn't we? - I've told you and told you.

The other day, when I took cotton to the village,

I heard that General Ono had chased some pirates ashore at Settsu.

General Ono?

Yes. The pirates seem to have fled here to Izumi.

The soldiers are watching out for them.

Put leaving here out of your mind.

I remember!

I heard Lords Taira and Fujiwara had rebelled.

Then that white rainbow appeared.

White rainbow...

Where's The Golden Crow?

Someone's stolen it!

We have to find it and take it back to Kyoto.

It holds the secrets of the curse on the Crown Prince.

Is that the Crown Prince's scroll?

We'll go in state. Our son will give it to him.

He'll be an astrologer, too.

Let's go to Kyoto.

I have to go...

I know, we'll leave tomorrow.

Get ready!

We cannot go to the capital.

We can't?

Why not?

If we do, we'll walk into a trap.

A trap?

The autumn fields...

Are full of traps

Set to catch foxes

Each trap is baited with delicious food

But don't let it catch your eye

Eat it and you will die!

All we foxes

From the time we were small

Have learned this...

"Man is vicious and cruel"

Oh, we're out of firewood.

If you'd like some fresh air, why not go and cut some?

Alright.

You're a good man.

- Bring as much as you can. - I will.

There, there, don't cry!

That's a good boy.

Go to sleep, now.

Go to sleep, now.

There, there...

There, there...

My boy's father is a good man...

But his words just now

...pained me like a needle through my heart.

The day I give him that scroll...

...is the day we part forever.

With such a beautiful child as you,

why must I give the scroll to him?

This love feels all the more real for its passion and joy...

Though it has brought us you,

...one day his madness will end.

When he learns what I really am

What will I do then?

I will not think oft!

I will not think oft!

I will not think oft!

ls this the house?

There are no other houses here, and this is the right road.

It must be this one.

But would Yasuna really live in such a hovel such as this?

Let me go and see.

Good day!

Is there a gentleman named Yasuna here?

Eh? I don't see anyone.

He steps up to the window

And is astonished at the resemblance

Tell me, wife...

ls this indeed Kuzunoha, our daughter?

What foolishness do you speak?

Who is it, if not Kuzunoha?

Do my eyes then deceive me?

There's my daughter, at her loom.

In this wide world, it is true that people bear resemblances,

but unless Sakaki has returned from the dead...

Go and see for yourself.

What will we do with you?

Sometimes you make me wonder.

Oh, my! Lord Shoji!

Words fail me!

Is that the real Kuzunoha?

Or is that the real Kuzunoha?

Even a mother's eyes cannot tell

I am in confusion unto madness!

Well, it's Lord Shoji!

Yasuna! We've been searching and searching for you!

Searching? I don't understand.

I've been longing for the day I could come to see you.

- Is it safe now? - What do you mean?

You make no sense.

Please, greet my daughter.

Oh, I see!

You came while I was gone, had her change clothes,

and act as if you'd just brought her here.

All this is a joke on poor old Yasuna!

Imagine! My wife acting as if she'd just come to visit me!

I regret that you have not allowed us to bring our child to visit you.

Your child, Yasuna?

Is that your child?

Since the gods spirited you away,

my daughter has been sick with love for you.

My wife has been ill?

Don't be so silly!

Don't tell me you've been living with the spirit of Sakaki!

Please don't make fun of me.

Yasuna! Pull yourself together!

Yasuna! Yasuna!

Why are there two Kuzunohas? Please, tell me.

I don't know! I don't know!

Perhaps I've been dreaming.

How vexing!

How mortifying!

Years of sacrifice, to no avail

Now the truth is revealed

Mother and child are sundered

And now it is thus

That she must leave

Sakaki here...

Sakaki there...

I don't understand! I don't understand!

What's happened here?

Yasuna, calm yourself.

Open the door! Please!

- Open the door! Open it! - I cannot.

I cannot open this door.

Open it. Please open it!

The truth is that I am not human.

I am the grand-daughter of the fox whose life you saved.

To repay our debt of gratitude, I took the form of Kuzunoha...

...and while I was nursing you,

my heart led me into the sin of a love that can never be.

The grief of the realm of animals...

...exceeds that of humans by hundreds of times.

Wait! Wild beast though you may be, we still have a child!

Open the door and let us talk.

Open it, please! Open the door!

I will leave the child.

I will leave him for you to raise.

Lady Kuzunoha, I have borrowed your form...

...and in that form I have gone so far as to bear a child.

Please do not think harshly of me.

Mother is going to leave you now.

Grow up to be a fine man.

Never act in a way

That people will laugh at you

And scorn you

And say you are how you are

Because your mother was a fox

Open this door!

I cannot let you leave me this way!

My grief at leaving you is boundless,

but now I am revealed, I must never see you again.

No! You mustn't leave!

Let them scorn who will!

- I will feel no shame! - Do not torment me further.

Please... let me leave in silence.

Your mother will always be with you

And watch over you all your days

"If you love me...

"Come and visit me

"In the province of Izumi

"In the forest

"Of Shinoda

"For there Kuzunoha waits

"In sorrow"

"If you love me, come and visit me in Izumi...

"...in the forest of Shinoda, for there Kuzunoha waits in sorrow."

How very strange.

The hut has disappeared, leaving only a meadow of dried grass.

This must be the work of spirits!

A meadow...

Was our house here nothing more than a dream, then?

Lord Yasuna, have you come to your senses?

Lord Shoji!

And Lady Kuzunoha...

The Golden Crow!

My fox-wife!

Love, O love

Inside is only emptiness

Never fall in love

THE END