Original subtitles

Toho Film Co., Ltd.

For Fujisawa Shuhei

A Film by Kurotsuchi Mitsuo

Produced by Mataki Tateo

Semishigure (The Samurai I Loved)

It's going to be another scorcher.

Good morning.

Ouch!

Ouch! Fuku.

Fuku.

Did it bite you?

Let me see.

Don't cry.

It was just a garden snake. Don't worry.

They're not dangerous, like adders.

The children of samurai mustn't cry over trifles.

That should take care of it.

When you get home, tell them a snake bit you. Just in case.

Starting to feel a little worn out.

Are you feeling unwell?

No, I mean this vest.

What do you say...

How about we get a new one?

How about we get a new one? Um... we can't afford it.

Looks like it might rain.

Looks like it might rain. Looks very sunny to me.

“-Sempai:“ Someone senior/older in a group. Yada-sempai.

Let's call it a day.

Let's call it a day. My apologies.

MY apologies.

It's nothing to apologize about. My apologies.

You just got me.

You just got me. No...

You just got me. No... Don't be so humble, you've improved since the last time.

Bunshiro, how old are you now?

Bunshiro, how old are you now? I'm fifteen.

Fifteen, huh...

I'd better keep an eye on you in the future.

We older students mustn’t letdown our guard.

That's enough!

How many times must I tell you?

Look, the strike is simultaneous. You mustn't avoid it.

We want you to get hit; that's how you learn. Learn with your body.

Yonosuke, are you listening?

Yes.

Until you get hit and accept the pain, you'll never improve!

Yonosuke. Cheer up.

Let's go.

Bunshiro. Who is that pretty lady?

Dunno...

That's Yada's wife.

Yada's?

Let's go. This is embarrassing.

What's with him? He's the one who was staring at her.

Bunshiro. Aren't you starving?

Don't talk about it.

I can't stand talking about it.

I've got money. Want to get a bite to eat?

Yonosuke. Cheer up.

You're hungry and exhausted too, aren't you?

'Up-

'up-

Come on, just say it.

Come on, just say it. I'm going to quit the dojo.

I'm going to quit the dojo.

What? I'm going to quit the dojo.

There's a chance...

...that I might be going to Edo.

Hey.

Hey. HEY-

Hey. Hey. You're going to Edo?

Yonosuke, Edo will be good for you.

Yonosuke, you're no swordsman.

Ippei...

I think so too. Right?

You should focus on academics. With your brains, Yonosuke, you'll do well in Edo.

But...

What?

We won't see each other again.

Huh?

We won't be able to hang out any more.

This isn't good. We shouldn't feel sorry for ourselves.

Listen, Yonosuke. Edo is awesome.

It's not a hick town like ours. It's a place a man can live out his dreams.

You won't be feeling sad once you get there.

Ippei, you seem to know everything. Have you ever been to Edo?

Don't ask stupid questions. Of course I haven't.

Hey Bunshiro. I got Yonosuke to laugh.

Good.

Bunshiro, help!

Too much trouble. Just jump in. It's cold and refreshing.

Jump in! Jump in!

Jump in! Jump in! Bunshiro!

Good morning.

Good morning. Oh. Good morning.

Oh. Good morning.

Thank you... for the other day. Oh. Good morning.

Were you all right?

Were you all right? Yes. Thanks to you.

Yes. Thanks to you.

Good. Yes. Thanks to you.

Good.

You're always so helpful. I know it's an imposition, but I really appreciate it.

Bunshiro, spend this wisely.

Yes.

Yes. Off you go.

Yes. Off you go. I'll be going.

Bunshiro, they're beating up Yonosuke.

Who?

Who? Yamane and his crowd. They're jealous Yonosuke's going to Edo.

Yonosuke!

Yonosuke! Yonosuke!

Yonosuke!

Bunshiro. Yonosuke!

How could you be so low. It's unconscionable!

Bastard!

I'm sorry.

Let's go back.

I've got urgent business, and will be home late. Tell Toyo.

Yes.

Yes. Let's go.

It's flooding.

Where's Father?

Where's Father? He isn't back yet.

Bunshiro...

I will go. I will take his place.

Sorry to bother you so late. It's Bunshiro. Sorry to bother you so late. It's Bunshiro.

Bunshiro.

Sir Jinbei. Take me with you.

Watch your step!

Watch your step! Yes!

Don't let up! Run! Run!

Right! Right!

Hurry! Don't slow down! Faster!

Okay, let's get to it! The dike's broken here!

We'll do it the usual way, and leave some of it intact.

Stan taking it down from the outside.

Why are you so quiet? Can't you hear me?

Please wait.

Please wait. Sukesa!

What is it now?

What is it now? We have an emergency request.

We have an emergency request.

Make it fast. We have an emergency request.

Make it fast.

Make it fast. Please shift the breaching point upstream to the “duck's neck.“

That's silly, half the fief is flooded! We've got no time!

No. You must.

Why? Why the change?

If we breach the dike at this spot, the plowed rice fields of Kanai village will be destroyed.

But if we do it at the duck's neck, only wilderness will get flooded.

Even if the water gets outside the plains...

...there won't be a landslide, and the rice fields will be saved.

If we breach it here, how extensive will the damage be?

1 chobu = 24.5 acres (just less than 1 hectare) About 10 chobu.

But we won't make it in time.

No, we can make it in time.

3-Cho = 358 yards It's only 3-Cho to the duck's neck.

Please reconsider.

If the fields are destroyed, there will be no work for the seasonal laborers at Kanai.

Please reconsider.

Yes. You're right. Well said!

Everyone listen! We'll breach the dike at the duck's neck.

Hurry!

To the duck's neck. Hurry! Go. Go quickly.

Alright, up on the dike! Up on the dike! Hurry!

We're doing it, the water's going to break through.

Up on the dike! This way! Hurry! Hurry!

You alright?

Father.

How far has the New Year come'? To this side of Kirikiri Mountain!

What gifts did you get'? Herring, combu sea weed, karaimo potatoes...

...and skewered dried persimmons as a decoration. They tried to make us eat...

Are you alright?

Are you alright? Yes. Happy New Year.

Yes. Happy New Year.

Happy New Year. Yes. Happy New Year.

I'm back.

I'm back. Welcome home.

I saw Fuku at the gate. Why was she here?

She came to borrow rice.

Koyanagi Masu is a woman who knows no shame.

“Lend us miso, lend us soy-sauce, lend us money...“ But they never pay us back.

I feel sorry for Fuku.

It must've been tough, coming here to borrow rice, right after New Year's.

Awww...

Hungry?

You're a sharp one.

Do you ever think about anything else?

What else is there?

Mother!

Mother! Bunshiro.

I was just saying that Sir Sukezaemon may well be here tomorrow.

What's all this about?

He heard that your father was accused of something, and has been arrested.

What's he accused of?

I heard something terrible.

There has been disagreement in the fief about who should succeed our Lord.

His Lordship's heir?

Sir Sukezaemon... well... seems to have been involved.

It can't be.

Um... was my father the only one the investigators arrested?

“Fushin-gumi:” A group responsible for civil engineering projects like the dikes. No. At least three other members of the Fushin-gumi were also detained.

I don't know how many others were arrested...

...but I heard they're getting sent to Ryuko-ji Temple tonight.

So that's the situation.

So Sir Sukezaemon probably won't be coming home tonight.

It must be some kind of mistake.

Haven't you learned yet?

Do not go near Bunshiro again.

I feel sorry for them, but you must never approach the neighbors, ever again.

lam the son of Maki Sukezaemon.

Alright.

Enter!

Now... we shall allow you to visit the prisoners.

In order to maintain proper decorum, each prisoner will be allowed only one visitor.

I won't restrict what you can say... or cannot say, for that matter.

But I suggest you be concise, as the time you will have will be limited.

Also, you must neither shout nor speak angrily.

If I may please make an inquiry.

lam the father of Sekiguchi Shinsaku.

What crime did my son commit that requires he be sentenced to cut open his belly?

If you know this, I would like to know it.

The sentences will be formally pronounced tomorrow morning.

Each household shall receive a personal explanation.

Elderly one, the answer to your question will be given at that time.

At present, we cannot say whether or not the sentence is seppuku.

But that is...

However, you should bear in mind that the sentence may indeed be seppuku.

Everything alright at home?

Yes...

This predicament... it must have been quite a shock to you.

I have caused you concern.

Father...

Hmm?

What has happened? Please tell me.

About this matter...

...you will eventually learn of it.

However, I did not do anything I am ashamed of.

I did not act out of personal desire.

I did what I did... because it was the right thing to do.

But because of that, our family will be considered traitors.

It's obvious that you will suffer because of it.

However, Bunshiro, you must not be ashamed of your father.

Keep your feelings deep in your heart.

Yes.

Sir Yada Sakunojo was talking about you.

He said that of all the young men at the dojo, you're the most talented.

Persevere.

Maki Sukezaemon. Time is up.

Take care of Toyo.

Are we hungry?

So you got to talk, just the two of you?

That's right.

Did he tell you anything?

Do you want to cry?

If you need to cry, cry to your head's content.

I don't mind.

There were things that I wanted to say.

But while I was with him, I couldn't think of them.

That's how it is.

People are regretful by nature.

I should have told my father that I admired him...

...to not worry about my mother...

I should've told him those things.

He nurtured me, and helped me become who I am now.

I should have thanked him for that.

I should've told him.

How dare they make us retrieve the dead in broad daylight.

Is the fief ignorant of the proper way to attend to the dead?

This should be done at dawn or dusk.

The fief should have chosen the proper, discreet time.

Maki Bunshiro?

Yes.

Ippei, watch your step.

Ippei, watch your step. Yeah.

We're here.

We're here. Here?

This is the pits.

I mean, how can the fief force someone to live in a ramshackle hut like this?

It's too much.

“Manju:” Rice cakes with sweet-bean filling. Have some. These manju are really good.

I've come to understand a little about what happened.

Recently, there's been a disagreement about the succession. You're aware of that, right?

Yeah.

There are two factions in the fief.

Your dad just happened to be on the side that lost.

He had no choice; he was just obeying orders.

But they made him slit his stomach anyway.

It's too much.

Which side was my father on?

That of the Chief Retainer, Sir Yokoyama Matasuke.

Want to know who the leader of the other faction was?

Well...?

Who was it?

This isn't about avenging your dad, so don't start getting ideas.

Who was it?

Sir Satomura Sana“.

The Deputy Chief Retainer?

The Chief Retainer... now.

I see.

So he's the one that sentenced my father to hara-kiri.

Satomura Sana“...

Fuku. What has you so upset?

Bunshiro...

Bunshiro... Bunshiro? What about Bunshiro?

Bunshiro? What about Bunshiro?

Is he here? Bunshiro? What about Bunshiro?

Is he here?

Is he here? No, he's not. He went to the dojo today.

Fuku?

Wait! Hey!

I'm back.

Did you see Fuku?

Fuku?

Fuku? Fuku of Koyanagi.

She just left. Didn't you see her out there?

She was here?

She was here? She has to go to Edo, all of a sudden. So she came to say goodbye.

To Edo?

To Edo? She said she's leaving tomorrow.

She said she's going to be a maid at our Lord's Edo mansion.

Hey.

You're looking well, aren't you, Bunshiro?

Kind of odd, though.

The son of a traitor has been allowed to live.

The fief is too lenient.

Think about what your dad did. Your family should be abolished.

It's only right that the son should also slit his stomach.

Get out of my way. I'm in a hurry.

Get out of my way. I'm in a hurry. Where do you think you're going?!

Fuku...

Fuku...

Hey, Fuku. What are you doing? Don't dawdle.

Maki Bunshiro.

Inukai Hyoma.

Bow.

Begin.

A hit! Bout over!

The sword of Inukai Hyoma is the sword of madness.

So you mustn't let its madness fool you.

Attack me.

Don't worry. Use your wooden sword, and attack me.

(As we recall old Nariyasu's poem of the beautiful “Kakitsubata” irises...)

...the flowers of “Ayame” irises are very, very similar to “Kakitsubata" irises.

What cries on the branches?

It is the call of the Cicada.

The white flowers of...

You must see with your mind's eye.

Bunshiro.

Bunshiro. Mother.

Sack“.

Sachi. Yes?

A summons arrived for you.

A summons?

For you to go to the Lord's mansion...

It's from Sir Satomura.

Satomura? Chief Retainer Satomura?

What could this be about?

According to what you said...

...Sir Satomura was responsible for Sukezaemon's hara-kiri.

It's him... what does he want of you, now?

I have brought Maki Bunshiro.

Let him enter.

Let him enter. Yes sir.

Come closer.

Yes sir.

Closer.

lam Maki Bunshiro. I have come in response to your summons.

Rise.

So this is Sukezaemon's son.

He's grown up to have an impressive physique.

Children grow quickly...

...unlike pathetic geezers like ourselves.

I am Satomura.

And this is Chief Inspector Ogata Kumaki.

I called you here today because I have news for you.

The Chief Inspector is here to act as a witness.

Now, let me give it to you.

“Maki Bunshiro: your family's stipend is restored...

“wand you are hereby made a district magistrate.“

ls something the matter?

The abolishment of your family...

...and perhaps, a sentence of hara-kiri? ls that what you were expecting?

Are you dissatisfied?

N... No.

I am grateful.

Is that you, Bunshiro?

You are Bunshiro, aren't you?

Well look how impressive you've become. I was wondering who that was.

It has been a long time.

Have you come to see Sir Koyanagi?

Have you come to see Sir Koyanagi? Yes. I've been made a Field Inspector...

...and I'll be living in the village again. I just dropped by to say hello.

Oh, how unfortunate...

The Koyanagi's are not here anymore.

Sir Koyanagi has risen to a position of considerable eminence.

You remember Fuku?

Did you know she went to Edo?

Yes. I heard that.

Fuku caught the eye of the Lord.

So there is no limit to how high Sir Koyanagi can rise.

The paddies in this area... they're starting to get viscous.

The rice crop will be good this year.

Yes.

Your village-inspection job... have you gotten the hang of it yet?

Yes. Thankfully.

By the way, you look a lot like your father.

Aoki... you knew my father?

He was my sempai at the dojo.

He was always good to me.

...go chase it away. Fm too scared to chase it away!

...go chase it away. Fm too scared to chase it away!

Shall I give you a crow's feather? Too dark and scary! How about a sparrow's feather?

Welcome back.

Welcome back. I've just returned.

I've just returned.

We have a guest. An unusual guest. I've just returned.

Took you long enough.

Oh. It's just Ippei.

Oh. It's just Ippei. What's that supposed to mean?

What's that supposed to mean?

She said we had an unusual guest. What's that supposed to mean?

Yonosuke?

Hey there.

When? When did you come back?

Yesterday. I just got back home yesterday.

You mean, you're done studying in Edo, and are home to stay?

Thankfully. That's how it is.

Really. I'm glad. You did it. That's amazing.

Nah.

There's something even more amazing, Bunshiro.

What?

What? Yonosuke has returned, and is an assistant professor at Sanseikan!

You're kidding.

You're kidding. Isn't that amazing?

Isn't that amazing?

That's enough, Ippei. Isn't that amazing?

That's enough, Ippei.

But you've grown a lot too since I last saw you.

My height grew, but that's about all.

No, no, I'm talking about growing as a man. I can tell just by looking at your face.

This guy's become good at flattery in Edo too.

True. Crybaby Yonosuke knows how to flatter now.

I'm busted.

Hey, here you go, Sir Hosono...

Cherry blossoms are blooming, spring is here...

Fm sleeping in with you, that kind of spring is here...

Snow is melting from the mountains, hooray hooray...

Bunshiro. You come to this place often?

No, it's my first time. In fact, it's the first time I've ever been to a place like this.

Aw, come on, that's a shame.

Did you, in Edo?

Don't ask stupid questions.

Where shall we go now? That way is Akebono-ro, Kakuhei, Daikoku-ya.

And that way is Wakamatsu-ya, Tsubaki-ya, Hitachi-ya.

You say such dreamy things, I'll take you seriously if you're not careful.

Do so.

Do so. Lies, lies, lies, lies.

Not so.

Hey. Bunshiro.

Are you showing cowardice in the face of the “enemy?“

We're finally getting our original stipend.

Going to a whorehouse might not be a good idea.

I'm going home too.

You're both pathetic.

Forget it. I'm going alone.

Don't do it. Aren't you getting married soon? Behave yourself.

If a man says he's going, he's got to go.

By the way, our Lord has a new concubine, Lady Ofuku.

I heard she was a childhood friend of yours.

Yeah.

Were you two attracted to each other?

New we“... hey.

Now wai... hey. Ippei told me.

Ippei told me.

Ippei said that? How irresponsible! Ippei told me.

I can't believe he'd lay such a line of crap on you.

I see. Then you won't be interested in recent news about her.

What do you mean?

Nothing. Just thought I'd share some Edo gossip. If you're interested, that is.

Is it good news? Or is it bad?

Well...

It's bad news.

I heard Lady Ofuku had a miscarriage.

She was going to have the Lord's baby, but...

Hey. What's the matter?

Bunshiro.

Was she... unwell... or something?

No.

It's not that kind of thing, it seems.

Do you know who Lady Ofune is?

No.

Lady Ofune is one of the Lord's concubines.

She has considerable political clout. In the last clash between the factions...

...she was pulling strings behind the scenes, in alliance with Sir Satomura Sanai.

She wants her son, Matsunojo, to become the heir.

As for Lady Ofuku's miscarriage...

...rumor has it that Lady Ofune ensured that it would happen.

In other words, she wants to ensure that our Lord has no more children.

Any son other than Matsunojo would be a complication.

Yonosuke.

Let's go carousing.

What kind of carousing? Booze? Women?

Anything.

Please.

Tonight...

...I just want to get completely drunk.

I understand. I'll completely keep you company.

Are you scared?

This is your first time, isn't it?

Stop. You're tickling me!

What's the matter?

What's the matter? I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

What's wrong? I'm sorry.

What's wrong?

What's wrong? I'm sorry.

Let's go take a look a little further upstream.

Let's go take a look a little further upstream. Yes.

Chief Retainer.

Chief Retainer. Your name is Aoki Magozo, right?

Yes sir.

Well then, so long.

Aoki... who is that man?

Sir Yokoyama Matasuke.

Your father worked under him.

This is the son of Maki Sukezaemon.

You are welcome here. My name is Tojiro.

lam Maki Bunshiro.

I heard you worked to obtain clemency for my father. lam indebted to you.

No, please don't mention it.

Your father saved 10 hectares of Kanai Village's fields from the flood.

I only did what was right.

Sixteen.

Sixteen. Check.

Twenty.

Yonosuke... how much longer do we have to walk?

Lady Ofuku has returned to her hometown. Did you know?

She was smuggled out in utmost secrecy before Satomura found out.

Do you know of the Keyaki Mansion?

That's one of the Lord's mansions, located at Kanai Village.

Lady Ofuku is hiding out at the mansion.

Also...

What?

Lady Ofuku is said to be pregnant.

Our Lord's...

...Child.

What business brings you here?

I am the Field Inspector for the surrounding villages. There is no cause for concern.

Are you aware of the nature of this place?

Indeed. It is our Lord's villa.

I understand you are inquiring about matters pertaining to its interior.

Please do not worry about that either.

I was merely overwhelmed by the splendor that is Keyaki.

Hold on.

I would appreciate it if you would not tell others about what you saw today.

About the three of you?

About the three of you? About everything.

I understand.

It is just a formality, but I must ask... what is your post and name?

lam Field Inspector Maki Bunshiro.

What is the matter?

Nothing.

Such a good tan. You're looking healthy.

Perhaps the task of visiting villages agrees with you.

I shall receive your tea.

Note: This license would allow Maki to teach swordsmanship. Oh yes... Maki, I hear you're receiving a license from Ishiguri Yazaemon's dojo.

Yes.

That's impressive.

By the way, changing the subject, our Lord has a concubine called Lady Ofuku.

Did you know that?

I am aware of it.

Well, this Lady Ofuku returned to her home village...

...and gave birth to our Lord's baby at Keyaki Mansion. Did you know that?

Indeed. This tiny child is the seed of calamity.

Lady Ofune's son Matsunojo is our Lord's current heir.

At present, the fief has no worries about the future.

However, there are those in positions of power in the fief who...

...having heard of the birth of our Lord's new son...

...would use Lady Ofuku's child to undermine the foundations of our hard-earned stability.

The recent spate of assassinations are the result of their maneuvering.

Now, I am about to tell you something that cannot be repeated to another living soul.

Yes.

Go to Keyaki Mansion, obtain the baby, and bring him here.

Maki.

Yes.

You owe me a debt, do you not?

Who was it that reached out to save you, and arranged to restore your stipend?

You haven't forgotten... have you?

It's a trap.

You said it, Ippei. It sounds fishy.

Bunshiro. Can't you refuse?

How can I? They've got me right where they want me.

If he refuses, they'll threaten to abolish his family.

They've got me in a box, alright.

There's no way out.

But if you do it, it'll cost you your life.

I'm going to do it. But I'm not going to get ensnared either.

What are you going to do?

After I get Lady Ofuku's baby, I'll take him to Yokoyama's mansion.

Then I'm going to tell him everything I know.

I don't think I have any other options.

Yeah. It's brilliant.

Bunshiro... are you going to do this by yourself?

I'll go with you.

I appreciate the offer, but you've got a wife and children.

I'll go, then. I have no attachments.

You guys... thank you.

Your willingness alone is sufficient for me.

Bunshiro. Where are you going?

To a village meeting, just for a while.

This late at night?

Yes.

Please be careful. These are turbulent times.

Yes.

Mother.

What is it?

lam going, and shall return.

Ippei.

Are we hungry?

You...

If we die, the two of us will die together.

Make that three of us.

Yonosuke.

Yonosuke. To battle!

I'm sorry. I tried to stop him, but he just wouldn't listen.

Yonosuke... this is perilous work.

I'll just be a hindrance as always, won't I?

Yonosuke... I'm proud of you.

You've done enough already.

We'll do the rest.

Excuse us!

Excuse us! Excuse us!

Excuse us! Excuse us! Excuse us!

Excuse us! Excuse us! Excuse us! Excuse us!

Sorry to bother you so late! We have urgent business! Please open up!

Excuse us!

Hey, Bunshiro...

Visitors are not permitted. What is this urgent business you speak of?

Please tell Lady Ofuku that Maki Bunshiro is here to see her, and that it's urgent.

Have you proof that you are Maki Bunshiro?

Last year, about this time, I met you here at this mansion.

I identified myself to you then as “Field Inspector Maki Bunshiro.”

Perhaps you remember me?

Sir Maki...

Come, draw near.

Sir Bunshiro... please rise.

It has been a long time.

Yes, Lady Ofuku...

I hope you have been well.

To see you in the bloom of health makes me glad.

Let us not remain in the domain of strict formality.

Your mother... how is she doing?

She has aged somewhat, but remains in good health.

I'm so glad.

Sir Owada...

Yes.

It has been a long time.

Yes.

Your family... how are they doing?

I got married last year. We have one child.

Um... two, actually.

How wonderful.

How about you, Sir Bunshiro?

Any children?

None, as yet.

“As yet?"

I am ashamed to admit it, but circumstances have not permitted me to take a wife.

Now, Sir Maki...

Let's hear about this urgent business.

What I am about to say is rather odd. Please do not be alarmed.

I have come here, Lady Ofuku, to receive your son.

What?

Boga“...

What should we do?

Under normal circumstances...

...I would summarily refuse, and tell him to take his delusions elsewhere.

But our Lord has told me to be wary of Satomura.

So, does our Lord also suspect him?

Indeed. That is why we are guarding this mansion.

Sir Isogai, please be wary. Many intruders are assaulting the mansion.

These two are probably with them. Sir Isogai, we mustn't be fooled.

We are on Lady Ofuku's side. This is no time for you to suspect us.

Isogai. It is as Sir Bunshiro says.

What shall we do?

What shall we do? At the new fields of Kanai Village lies the house of Tojiro.

Tojiro?

Tojiro? He will provide a refuge.

Please take Lady Ofuku and her child there. We will catch up with you.

Do you have a secret way out?

We'll hold off the intruders.

Kitamura! Funayama!

Kitamura! Funayama! Yes sir!

How many enemies do we face?

How many enemies do we face? Probably several dozen.

I must borrow your swords, as many as you can gather.

Bunshiro...

Have you ever killed anyone before?

Nope.

Bunshiro.

Here they come.

Where is the concubine?

Where is the concubine? Concubine? What are you talking about?

Concubine? What are you talking about?

I'm talking about Lady Ofuku. Concubine? What are you talking about?

There's nobody like that here in this mansion.

Maki Bunshiro!

Don't play dumb. Will you defy the Chief Retainer's command?

Ah... the fact that you know that reveals your true identity.

Ippei, be careful. These are men of the Satomura faction.

It's all so pathetic, though, that Chief Retainer Satomura...

...planned from the very start to simply slaughter everyone.

Bunshiro... forgive me.

Hang in there.

Please be careful.

Michi...

Michi... Yes.

I killed him...

I've killed someone.

Ippei. Are you alright?

Ippei. Are you alright? And you, are you alright?

Don't panic. There are only two of them.

And here's one more.

Retreat! Retreat!

Sir Tojiro.

Don't worry. Everyone's fine. They're in the back room. Please come in.

I sincerely apologize for all this trouble.

Think nothing of it. Please have yourselves a wash, and then change your clothes.

We can provide a few items.

We can provide a few items. But first...

The question is whether we can safely get to Yokoyama's estate.

That's just it. We have to assume the roads will be thoroughly blocked.

This isn't going to be easy.

If need be, we'll have to cut our way through them.

No, that would be too difficult.

There will be more than just five or ten guards.

Please... Sir Maki, please sit.

Much obliged.

Much obliged. And we have just five men.

No, four men.

I cannot allow Owada here to get any more involved.

Bunshiro... look, you must not worry about me.

I'm going with you.

Your spirit makes me most grateful.

But it's no good.

You've done enough.

Also, with women and a baby to protect, fighting our way through... it won't work.

Oh my... we are trapped.

You need to avoid the roads, right?

That's correct.

Why don't you go by boat?

Boat?

Boat? Yes. Here in Kanai Village, we have a boatman by the name of Gonroku.

He uses a small boat to ferry vegetables down the Goken River to the capital of the fief.

Do you ever travel at night?

Yes. Several times, in emergencies, I've taken sick people to the town.

But it's no problem, I go up and down this river year in and year out.

I can travel on this river blindfolded.

I see.

Sir... I think you'd better put out the lantern now.

Look... over there.

What's in the package?

Duck.

I saw something move over there. Over there, under the cherry blossom tree.

Who are you? What are you up to?!

Oh no, I'm innocent. I'm an assistant professor at Sanseikan, Shimazaki Yonosuke.

Never mind me. I just saw a pretty lady with a baby, and a samurai, right over there.

What? That's them! Hurry!

Gonroku, now!

Gonroku, now! Y... Yes.

No, those aren't people. I can't see them.

No, no, they might be hiding.

Yonosuke...

Soldiers! I made a mistake! They're over there!

This is going nowhere. I'll go check.

Me too.

Oh. Maki...

Are you going back home?

Yes.

That would be best. I'll take over now, leave it to me.

I am grateful for your assistance.

However, refrain from rash action. Understood?

Yes.

You have done a great deed.

But wait, there's more to the story.

Where are you going?

I have business with the Chief Retainer.

Hold it!

Hey, it's Maki.

It's Maki Bunshiro.

I did not kill him.

Treat his wound.

You thought of me only as a pawn.

People have died for nothing.

You let loose your fire, and I was forced to stamp out the sparks.

Your ambitions, Chief Retainer, and those of your cronies, have caused many deaths!

You are mistaken.

They died for the sake of the fief.

Be silent!

I have grown weary of such rhetoric.

You, Chief Retainer, do not understand what it feels like to know you are going to die.

Knowing that you are going to die...

Knowing that you are going to die...

Knowing that you are going to die...

That is what it feels like.

Please excuse my insolence.

Allow me to write you a short letter.

My son Chiyomaru, to my great relief, has been adopted...

...as the heir of a family with whom we have a close relationship.

On the occasion of the one-year anniversary of our Lord's passing...

...and to sever myself from earthly thoughts and considerations...

...I will enter Byakuren-in this autumn...

...and be ordained as a nun.

And yet, though I know that it is an attachment to my current life...

...I want to see you before I go.

Today, I will be visiting Minoura.

If I could see you again, it would give me unsurpassed joy.

I do not ask this of you if it is difficult.

So that I might express my foremost wish, I am sending you this letter.

Fuku.

To Sir Bunshiro.

It has been a long time.

Bunshiro.

I feared that you might not come. I almost lost hope.

Lady Ofuku.

'Fuku.

Today, I am just 'Fuku.

So many things have happened.

So many things have happened.

You wrote that you will go to Byakuren-in?

Yes.

This autumn, I shall shave my head.

And when that happens...

Bunshiro.

Bunshiro... do you have children?

Two...

And...?

The first is a boy; the second a girl.

So each of us has become a parent.

Indeed.

Could there have been a path in which your children would have been my children...

...and my children would have been your children?

Could there have been a way?

The fact that it did not happen... is my greatest regret in life.

The day before I had to leave for Edo, I went to your house.

Do you remember that?

I remember.

I did not want to go to Edo.

At that time, I wanted to ask your mother...

...if I could be betrothed to you.

I went to her.

But...

I just couldn't bring myself to ask her.

I walked back home, crying down a dark road. I will never forget that.

My finger... do you remember that?

The snake... that bit me.

I remember it well.

Even if I tried to forget it, to utterly erase it from my memory...

...I would be unable to do so.

Bunshiro.

Fuku.

Fuku...

Ichikawa Somegoro

Kimura Yoshino

Imada Koji

Fukawa Ryo

Ishida Takuya Satsugawa Emi Hisano Masahiro lwabuchi Yukihiro

Daichi Yasuo Ogata Kama Ogura Hisafiro Nemoto Rksuko

Yamashita Tetsuo Riju Go Yaijma Ken-ichi Hara Sachi-e

Yamada Meigoro Maro Akaji Sato Jiro Fuji Takako

Ebisu Yoshikazu Watanabe Eriko Nakamura Matazo Shinsui Sansho

Tanaka Yoji Fuwa Mansaku Tamura Ryo Mitani Noboru

Otaki Hideji

Nakamura Yuko Nishi Rintaro Yabuki Ren Takasugi Yuji Kobayashi Futoki Natsusaka Yuki Tanaka Teruhiko Taniguchi Koichi

Takeshima Yasunari Odajima Takashi Okayama Kazuyuki Matsuhara Makoto Oshima Mitsuyuki Yamaji Kenji Yamamoto Tetsuya

Moriwaki Eriko Fukuzumi Mio Okamoto Yuka Motai Yoko Yamamoto Eiko Morita Yumi-e Sakamoto Makiko

Sasami Nami Kon-ya Mieko Ashina Sei Takahashi Ken Okano Yukihiro Ukana Ken-ichi

Miki Yuho Shin-ya Yuji Kobayashi Iori Fuiino Shiyaka Fuiita Hitoshi

Kawai Fujihiko Kurotsuchi Yoshizo Murase Yoshitsugi

Emma Akita

Kato Takeshi

Harada Mieko

Ogata Ken

Producer: Mataki Tateo Production Executives: Mori Ryuichi Shimatani Yoshinari Hayakawa Hiroshi Executive Producer: Toya Nobuyuki

Producers: Nakazawa Toshiaki Ujo Masa-aki Associate Producers: Tanaka Wataru Shibata Issei

Cooperating Producers: Seda Kazuhiko Aoki Maki Line Producer: Yoshida Koji Planning Coordination: Shigaki Shoichiro Mangyoku Kunio

Based on the Original Work by: Fujisawa Shuhei (Published in Bungei Shunju) Screenplay: Kurotsuchi Mitsuo Screenplay Assistant: Shigaki Teruko

Title Lettering: Koizumi Junsaku Music: Iwashiro Taro Art Director: Sakuragi Akira

Cinematography: Kugimiya Shinji (J.S.C.) Lighting Engineer: Yoshikado Sosuke Recording Engineer: Hashimoto Yasuo

Editor: Okuda Hiroshi Scripter: Ishiyama Kumiko Costumes: Hayashida Haruo

Assistant Director: Mori Hiroshi Production Assistants: Tsubo Hajime Horikawa Nobuyuki

Image Song "Kazaguruma" Performed by: Hitoto Yo (Columbia Music Entertainment)

A Sedic International I Kayseven Corporation Film

Directed by: Kurotsuchi Mitsuo