Original subtitles

"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

"In the Edo period of Japan, punishments were very cruel.

"Today, the main object of punishment is re-education.

"The judicial cruelty that existed at that time is unimaginable to us.

"But we should not forget that dark age.

"A historian warns, if judicial cruelty is not diminished,

"we can turn wild and cruel again."

SHOGUN'S JOYS OF TORTURE

PRODUCED BY SHIGERU OKADA & KANJI AMAO

SCREENPLAY BY TERUO ISHII & MISAO ARAI

CINEMATOGRAPHY BY MOTOYA WASHIO EDITED BY TADAO KANDA

ART DIRECTION BY TAKATOSHI SUZUKI MUSIC BY MASAO YAGI

CAST:

TERUO YOSHIDA

MASUMI TACHIBANA, MIKI OBANA, YUKIE KAGAWA

TAMAKI SAWA, YUKO NAMPU, REIKO MIKASA, NAOMI SHIRAISHI

MIE HANABUSA, KEIKO KOJIMA, TSUYAKO MIMATSU

AKEMI FUJI, SONOMI OKA, TAMAMI SAKURA, REIKO NAMIKI

ANN DOMINO, ANITA MOORE, HONEY LANE, LISA RAWLING

AKINORI SAWA, SEIJI MORI, KOJIRO KAWANAMI, GORO NANIWA

GANNOSUKE ASHIYA, KICHIJIRO UEDA, TORU YURI

TOMOO KOIKE, SHINICHIRO HAYASHI, FUMIO WATANABE

Stop! Stop!

Help me! Help me!

DIRECTED BY TERUO ISHII

If that hadn't happened that day,

our fate would have been so different, dear brother.

That day...

Is Mitsu there?

- Hey! - Something terrible has happened.

Mitsu, something terrible's happened.

Hey, hurry up!

Shinzo, my brother. What's the matter? Hold on!

A log fell on him.

This rarely happens. He was just unlucky.

Shinzo, hold on. Be strong.

Brother...

Don't worry, Mitsu. It's nothing.

I'll be alright in a few days.

Are you alright, brother?

I'm sorry for you, Mitsu.

- I'll run for a doctor. - Oh... don't bother.

I've sent for the famous doctor from Bancho.

Really? From Bancho?

Well, we can't afford him usually.

Thank you so much. I'm much obliged.

You ought to know that such a doctor is beyond our means.

What do you mean?

You should appreciate that the master of the kimono shop is helping you.

That man?

You should be really grateful to the master.

He will save your brother's life.

Anyway, both of you owe your lives to the master now.

Thanks to you, Doctor, he can walk around the room now.

I advise you to rest. And that means no working.

But, Doctor, I have to earn a living.

Don't worry about that now, Shinzo.

This is to cover the doctor's fees for this month.

- That can wait. - I'd rather you take it now.

Well, in that case...

Take care.

Thank you, Doctor.

The master's not offering his money for fun, right?

Why don't you give him a favorable reply?

I'll repay him soon, Gonzo. Just forget about my sister.

So you mean he's no good?

Mitsu is too young.

Besides, she is not cut out to be a mistress.

Don't be so stubborn, Shinzo!

It's the only way you can repay him.

You don't have to talk like that, Gonzo.

Yes, I do, otherwise he doesn't understand.

Even a dog doesn't forget the one who feeds him.

The master saved your life. Shouldn't you at least listen to him?

Let's discuss it later, Gonzo.

Let him take a rest, please.

Then come to the Hisago Inn tonight and we can talk, okay?

She won't go. Get out!

Alright, we'll leave!

Master, let's go.

Don't worry about me, brother. It's okay, so calm down.

Mitsu, I'll get the money somehow.

So don't go to them.

- Alright? - I'll do as you say.

So stop talking about it and rest.

Shall I give you a massage?

I'm supposed to act as your father, but now I've ended up like this.

Forgive me.

Don't be silly. I'm happy being with you.

Our neighbors are very kind too.

They'll help me find a job.

Mitsu, I want you to stay with me forever.

The doctor says he can't work for a few months.

My odd jobs won't earn me enough to help heal him.

Stop singing now, Gonzo.

Mitsu... if you want him to heal,

you must obey the master.

Don't make us wait forever.

Isn't this a lucky break for you?

You have Shinzo's life in your hands.

And you already owe the master so much.

You'll never pay it back in full, no matter how hard you work!

- Don't be afraid, Mitsu. - No, I have to leave!

- You know how I feel about you. - Stop!

Well, if you despise me so much,

then pay me back everything you owe me.

I will work and repay you.

Oh, dear, you always say that.

No matter how hard you work, after ten years you still won't have paid me back.

- Let me go. - I can't wait that long.

People say that you and Shinzo get on very well together.

Let me go!

Don't you care if he dies?

Well? Don't you?

Listen, you can rely on my help.

Come on, come on.

I will make you happy. Come on, be mine.

Come on, come on.

Come on, I will make you happy!

Is that you, Mitsu?

Sorry, I went to deliver some goods.

It couldn't wait.

Come here.

What is it?

Come here, I said!

Mitsu...

You went to the Hisago Inn, didn't you?

Well?

I see. Just as I feared.

- Please stop, brother! - Let go!

I'm going to kill those bastards Gonzo and Minosuke!

Think of the consequences, brother!

I don't care.

I must avenge you, my poor sister.

Stop! Please, stop!

I'm fine, brother.

You must lie down.

I'm sorry I was foolish.

All I wanted was for you to get better.

Mitsu...

What are you doing?

Brother, what's going on?

Mitsu, don't say anything. Mitsu!

You mustn't do that. Let me go.

Mitsu... I won't give you to anyone.

Even if it's incestuous, I can't let you go.

I'm so proud of you as my sister.

Don't!

I've never thought of marrying or having kids.

I have thoughts only for you.

I've always regretted that we're brother and sister.

Deep in my heart, I blamed our parents.

Mitsu, I'm such an immoral man.

You can laugh at me and curse me...

but I can't live without you!

I can't let you be just my sister any longer.

I have always loved you, Mitsu.

Brother...

Brother!

Doctor, about your fee...

Never mind about that. Medicine is expensive, regardless.

Anything from me looks effective.

I once healed someone with soot.

I will charge my rich patients more in order to cover your costs.

- Thank you, Doctor. - Take care.

Oh... I was speaking confidentially. Don't tell anyone.

Hey, Mitsu.

I told you, I'm going.

What, you stupid woman?

You want me to collect your debt?

My brother will kill himself if I go to that man again.

He always keeps a knife under his bed.

Then you'll find out what he's going to do!

- Won't she agree? - You must go to her now, Master.

- Eh? To her house? - Yes!

Don't be so weak, Master. Women won't fall into arms of the weak.

A woman simply cannot resist her first man.

I know that. I don't need your advice.

There's no time to waste.

It's the only way, believe me.

But her sick brother's in the way.

Him? He's weak and unable to move.

Ask for her in front of his very eyes.

Then he won't be able to refuse you anything.

Mitsu...

- Mitsu! - Yes?

I'm glad you're still here.

What do you mean, brother?

In my dream, you ran away from me.

I'm happy to be with you like this...

...as a woman.

Mitsu...

Do you really mean that?

You are a pitiful woman.

I have brought shame upon you.

Brother, say no more about that.

I can't withstand anything as long as we love each other.

Mitsu...

I've asked you to come to me again and again, and you never have.

And now I understand why.

Now, then, young lady...

What are you doing? Please stop!

- Brother! - Stop struggling. It's alright.

- Someone help! - Don't cry out. It's alright, my dear.

Be quiet!

I know what a shameful thing you were doing.

I can keep it secret for you, see, Mitsu?

If I report you two to the authorities,

you know you'll be executed as punishment.

Mitsu...

I'm home!

We made some money today, and I've bought your favorite food.

I'll cook it right now, so please eat plenty.

Mitsu...

Brother!

Brother!

Don't touch it, or you'll bleed even more.

I'm dying.

Let me die quickly.

Why did you do this?

I wanted to put an end to our shameful life.

Even though it was shameful, you've made me so happy.

How could I live on, all alone?

How could I?

End my pain quickly. Hurry, please.

How could I do such a thing?

His eyes...

The same stare as when Minosuke raped me here.

Mitsu...

No! Don't stare at me like that!

Brother!

Forgive me.

I wish you happiness.

Brother...

I love you.

I've always loved you.

Don't die, Shinzo.

How can I live without you, dear brother?

I upset you by sleeping with someone else.

That's why you did this to yourself.

I was foolish.

Please, brother... forgive me.

Don't die, dear brother!

Brother!

Dear brother...

Mitsu... what have you done?

He died because of you! It's your fault!

Help!

Please, someone! Someone, help!

Let me go!

Help me!

My brother...

I'll never know why I pulled the blade from Shinzo then.

Was it because of his stare?

Or because I wanted to bring an end to his pain quickly?

I've been investigating your case involving your murdered brother and Minosuke.

And I've heard something interesting.

Mitsu...

You were having an incestuous relationship with your brother.

Confess!

Minosuke has already testified. It won't do you any good to deny it!

Harder!

She's a stubborn one!

One moment, please.

That's enough, sir. She may die if you continue.

No! String her up!

Water!

I won't talk, even if I die.

I won't ever confess!

I don't care about myself, but I won't shame my already dead brother!

Look at me.

How he resembles my brother. And his voice too.

I understand how you've suffered from such severe questioning.

We find extenuating circumstances in your involvement in Shinzo's death.

You will only be exiled.

But the charge that Minosuke brought forth,

that you had sexual liaisons with your brother Shinzo...

This is a serious charge, punishable by death if it's true.

What do you say to the charge?

Minosuke has confessed

that he had your brother injured in order to get you,

and that he raped you in front of him.

If you deny Minosuke's charge,

you will be exempt from death and exiled.

We would never force someone to confess something she didn't do.

So tell us.

I have endured such hellish torture

in order to save my brother's honor.

But this judge is fair and merciful,

and I want to tell him everything.

Rather than live hopelessly in exile,

I would go to Shinzo's side in paradise.

It's all the truth, your honor.

What are you saying?

You must be confused and exhausted.

- Deny it and you will not die. - I am telling the truth.

I took advantage of Shinzo's illness,

to lure him into an incestuous relationship.

I understand that punishment is meant to prevent crime, sir.

But I see no need for such a prolonged execution.

You may be right, but it's the law.

Incest is a serious crime,

but I doubt if it deserves such a cruel punishment.

I am coming to your side, dear brother.

We will be happy together forever. No need to mind others.

My dear brother.

Brother!

"Mitsu, Kuromon Town, Edo. Eighteen years of age.

"Put to death by crucifixion and drowning."

"The case of the beheading of the abbess of Juko Temple in 1666."

JUKO TEMPLE

The head nunnery has sent us

our new abbess, Mother Reiho,

as well as Rintoku, her servant.

Her orders are to be obeyed.

Those statues mark the boundary of the adjoining temple.

- A boundary? - Yes...

There is a silent understanding

that the priests and nuns do not visit each other.

- Who is he? - He is Shunkai, a priest of the temple.

He's returning home from our side of the boundary.

Is this what you call a silent understanding?

What are you thinking of, Abbess Reiho?

Nothing at all.

You're lying.

I can tell what is on your mind, Abbess.

Don't ask me, then.

How can you talk to me like that?

I won't allow it!

Stop it.

You wicked woman!

Forgive me, Rintoku.

Well, swear not to be disloyal to me.

Ever again.

I haven't been disloyal.

I've recognized the change in you,

since you saw that priest Shunkai this afternoon.

I know very well what you think

and what you want.

Confess now!

I won't ever have an affair again. Forgive me.

And hold and love me.

Forgive me.

Reiho...

Reiho!

- Myoshin! - Look, dear. There's so much.

This is my excuse to come here.

Stand up, Myoshin. Let me see your beauty again.

No, I am embarrassed.

Why should you be?

It's just the two of us here.

Oh, Myoshin!

So beautiful!

Oh, Shunkai...

Oh, Myoshin!

Let's part ways here.

Are you the priest named Shunkai?

You must be the new abbess. I heard about your arrival.

From Myoshin?

I saw what you did with her just now.

You must know the punishment for this.

I beg of you, punish me and forgive her!

For mercy's sake!

If you show me your sincere penitence, I might do.

Am I forgiven?

You must purify yourself of shameful desire.

- Yes. - You must pray under the waterfall.

Take off everything, just like when you were born.

Begin your prayers!

Shunkai!

- Can you forget desire? - Yes, your highness.

Please forgive Myoshin.

Even at the sight of a naked woman?

Or being touched by a woman?

You only desire low-ranked women, women such as Myoshin?

So that's what a man feels like.

That was the first time I've had a man.

Now, you have committed the same crime as we have, Abbess.

You mean...

you made love to me only to escape punishment?

I did it for Myoshin.

You love her that much?

Please don't. I beg you. No! No!

- Put the loaches in. - Yes.

No! No! No!

No!

Stop being so stubborn and wasting our time. Just apologize now!

This will finish you.

Give him up and you'll be forgiven.

Give up now, or we'll torture your private parts.

Will you forget him?

- No, I won't. - What?

Whatever torture I may suffer,

I can't forget him... Forgive me.

So you think you're allowed to have sex with men while being a nun?

You will get what you deserve.

Rintoku, teach her a lesson.

Make her suffer.

Give her red pepper.

No! No...

Forgive me. No!

Please don't.

Ready?

Your breasts, your backside, your skin... they've all known the touch of a man!

- Forgive me! - You can deceive others but not me.

You tortured her because of jealousy.

You slept with Shunkai, didn't you?

Reiho...

Listen, Rintoku...

...he broke my heart.

I hate him.

I must take my revenge on him.

Open the door! Let me see Abbess Reiho!

Open up!

- What is it? - Let go of me!

Shunkai, what are you doing here?

Let me talk to Abbess Reiho. She knows why I am here!

Only if you agree to be put in bonds, Shunkai.

- Shunkai... - Myoshin!

Let me go! Free me!

Hold your tongue!

Abbess, free her at least.

Give her up.

Or she will lose her womanhood in front of you.

Torture me instead! I won't give in.

Dearest Shunkai...

Stop! Don't do it!

Will you give her up?

How about you?

No... never.

Stop! Please stop!

You must go straight to the authorities.

We can't overlook her behavior any longer.

But they'll close down our nunnery...

Life is more important.

- She'll carry on if we don't stop her. - Very well.

Myoshin...

Myoshin! Myoshin!

Shunkai...

We're all alone now.

My dear Shunkai...

I did all this only because I wanted to make you mine.

I tortured you so you might understand my love.

Say something, Shunkai!

Get away from me!

It was my mistake to think that you had a shred of humanity in you.

Stay away from me!

Go to hell!

Myoshin...

Myoshin!

Dearest Shunkai...

Now, finally... you are mine.

Shunkai, don't ever leave me again.

You can't even talk back...

You're just my servant.

I won't ever let you go!

You belong only to me now.

SHOGUNAL AUTHORITIES

- Open up! - Open up!

- Open up! - Arrest her!

Stay back. Move back now!

You fools.

Don't you realize you're trying to arrest me, Princess Fukakusa?

Back away! Back away from me!

Take her!

- So you intend to take me? - Absolutely!

What fools.

Reiho...

Reiho!

Lord Nanbara...

Aren't we going too far, executing the dead and the insane?

What are you saying?

These women are the epitome of evil.

They deserve to be crucified.

But punishment is a double-edged sword.

I'm afraid that such severe punishment may harm the peace.

You may begin!

- Now! - Yes, sir!

Stab them!

Stab them deeper!

Such a woman's mind is terrifying.

Were they ready to receive such brutal punishment

when they desired the men they loved?

"The five nuns from Juko Temple, Reiho, Rintoku, Kyokei, Sonei, Shuchi,

"were all crucified."

"The murder case of the famous tattoo artist Horicho in 1671."

Don't move. I'm at a crucial stage.

Sorry. It's unusually painful today.

Well...

You've been patient till the very end.

Eh? Is it finished now, Horicho?

This tattoo will make you a famous geisha in Yanagibashi.

Would you like to see it?

I've been tattooed by the best artist in Edo.

I am a lucky woman.

Nobody has ever created a tattoo like this.

I'm looking forward to what people will say about it.

That's quite a novelty.

And Kimicho's skin looks so beautiful, too.

It's the best tattoo in Edo.

Indeed.

It's to the artist's credit.

You truly are the best tattoo artist in Edo, Horicho.

Kimicho, show us more of the tattoo.

Beautiful.

What fools!

To be amazed by something that only deceives children!

Wait one moment!

What part of my tattoo only deceives children?

I won't let anyone damage my reputation.

I demand an explanation, sir.

Very well. Let me tell you.

This woman's face...

It's simply a product of your imagination.

You've given it an ugly expression.

Listen, Horicho.

The expression of real agony is not so unattractive.

It shows a kind of joy...

...a kind of pleasure...

...a strange kind of ecstasy.

I felt ashamed.

I am the best tattoo artist in Edo.

But what makes him so confident?

Damn it. Damn it!

Welcome!

Horicho, a lovely woman's just come in.

The pawn broker's wife.

You can really see the best of her. Go on.

That's her, the fifth from the left.

How about her? She's a rare beauty indeed.

No...

She may be fine looking, but she's no good for tattooing.

Well, I'll be massaging every woman,

so you can give me this sign if you think the woman's good,

and this sign if she's bad.

Till later.

Burn some more wood and warm it up.

Ouch! Oh, apologies...

- Right! - Have you finished?

Yes!

So? Nobody takes your fancy?

The kind of skin I prefer is very rare.

Everyone's talking in Yanagibashi about that geisha Kimicho.

What are they saying?

They're saying you're the finest tattoo artist,

and that you've portrayed hell so realistically...

That's no good, I want better skin.

For a tattoo artist... a virgin's skin,

lustrous and smooth.

Neither too hard nor too soft.

She must have a slim waist,

but tits and ass like this.

Ah, I can't describe it.

Amazing skin...

The woman of my dreams.

I want to ink her.

I want to ink my greatest tattoo on her.

I've found the skin.

I must have it.

And so far, I've always got what I want.

- So long. - Goodbye.

What? My mother's been injured, you say?

I'm just the messenger. I don't know the details.

Anyway, I'll take you there.

What was my mother doing here?

I've never seen such skin.

Such skin, and such a figure...

Sorry, but you'll have to asleep for a while.

What do you want, Horicho?

Lord Nanbara...

you kindly pointed out my error the other day.

It was quite alarming for me.

Would you tell me more about the expression of agony?

You have to see true agony once.

Your tattoos don't even compare with it.

- You mean, I can't imagine it? - Never.

I see it all the time when I'm on duty.

All the time, you say?

I have a request, sir.

I want to create the best work of my life.

Could you arrange for me to see a criminal being tortured?

Very well.

I will show you the most cruel torture.

Come to Nagasaki.

Nagasaki?

- Does that make you afraid already? - No, sir.

I would even go to hell for the work I want to achieve.

- Please take me. - Very well.

Don't forget what you just said.

NAGASAKI - 16 LEAGUES

After I'd tattooed her private parts,

she became a compliant and obedient.

Horicho...

I can't return home with this tattooed body.

Sorry.

Just think of it as though you were bitten by a mad dog.

No, you don't have to apologize. I'm happy to be with you now.

Horicho, do whatever you want on me.

I appreciate your feelings.

But until the work is finished,

I can't treat you as a woman.

NAGASAKI MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE

Christianity is banned here.

You pretended to have been shipwrecked,

and then entered our country to propagate Christianity.

The Shogunate assigned me here to question you severely.

First, I will torture you.

Give her more pain!

Lord Nanbara, they've gone far enough.

Torture them more!

You look exhausted.

You must've been concentrating on your work.

Yes...

It will be the pinnacle of my life's work.

When will you be finished?

Well, I've nearly finished the main part of it.

It's almost complete? Can I see it tonight?

I have almost finished... but I'm not satisfied.

What? You mean you've failed?

No, sir.

I think I've tattooed most of it with perfection.

However... something is lacking.

Just something...

But I have found what it is,

and I have come to ask you for one more favor.

Ask me.

I portrayed the women in agony...

...but not the ogres torturing them.

And?

And so...

...I am asking you to show me

your facial expression when you torture the women.

You want me to pose as an ogre from hell?

Yes.

Nobody else could do it except you, my lord...

How amusing.

It would amuse me to feature in your greatest tattoo.

Then tomorrow I shall tattoo your facial expression

in the scene on my woman's skin.

"In the scene"?

How very interesting.

Our purpose here is to torture these people,

so do your best to portray that.

I shall. I hope you'll do your best, too, sir.

Ready?

Stupid bitch!

Hold it...

Right, lift her out!

Well, Horicho, are you satisfied?

Not quite yet, sir.

- You're calling for more torture? - Yes...

Your expression doesn't correspond with the women's in the tattoo.

What? Very well, I'll show you.

One moment, my lord!

- Let me show you what to do. - What?

May I borrow your short sword, sir?

- Everybody out! - Right, out.

This looks like it might be interesting.

Horicho, have you gone mad?

No, I haven't, sir.

Torturers must feel the pain they inflict on the tortured.

I don't know what hell is like,

but in this world,

you can't torture other people for amusement!

Feel that pain!

Suffer!

Suffer more!

An ogre's face wouldn't look like that!

There...

That's the expression.

That's the face!

Finished.

I'll never tattoo a better work than this.

Hana! Well done!

- Take the prisoners back to their cells! - Yes, sir!

Horicho, who did this?

I did... sir.

That bastard deserved a death like that.

I'll talk to you later. You're under arrest!

Don't dare touch her!

This woman belongs to me. And her tattoo is mine!

Surrender!

Bastards!

Come on, you bastards!

You're all bastards!

Stay back!

I won't let anyone touch her tattoo.

Let's get out, Hana!

Watch out!

Ah, it's no good.

Come back!

Get back here!

This tattoo is mine!

And mine only!

I won't give her up! Not to anyone!

Hold on!

But Horicho... Horicho!

Horicho!

Hana!

Are you alright?

Nanbara found pleasure in torturing human beings.

And he died after prolonged agony.

Maybe it was the punishment system that created him.

I doubt if anyone has the right to punish another human being.

THE END