Original subtitles

DEFEND THE HOMES OF THOSE WHO FIGHT FOR A GREATER ASIA

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A SHOCHIKU FILM

A CABINET INFORMATION BUREAU SELECTION

THE LOYAL 47 RONIN (PART 1)

Produced by SHINTARO SHIRAI

Based on the Play by SEIKA MAYAMA

Screenplay KENICHIRO HARA, YOSHIKATA YODA

Cinematography KOHEI SUGIYAMA

Production Design HIROSHI MIZUTANI

Set Design KANETO SHINDO

Music by SHIRO FUKAI

Starring

CHOJURO KAWARASAKI KANEMON NAKAMURA

KUNITARO KAWARASAKI YOSHISABURO ARASHI

CHOEMON BANDO SUKEZO SUKETAKAYA

KIKUNOJO SEGAWA SHOTARO ICHIKAWA

ENJI ICHIKAWA KIKUNOSUKE ICHIKAWA

SHINZO YAMAZAKI SENSHO ICHIKAWA

HARANOSUKE BANDO

RYOTARO KAWANAMI JOJI KAIEDA

MITSUSABURO RAMON

KAZUTOYO MIMASU

UTAEMON ICHIKAWA

MITSUKO MIURA

SHIZUE YAMAGISHI

Directed by KENJI MIZOGUCHI

EIGHTY YEARS AFTER THE TOKUGAWA ESTABLISHED THE SHOGUNATE IN EDO,

THE SHOGUN HELD SWAY OVER MORE THAN 300 DAIMYO LORDS.

THE LAND WAS AT PEACE, THE PEOPLE WERE CONTENTED,

AND SAMURAI DISCIPLINE GRADUALLY GREW LAX.

THEN CAME MARCH 14 IN THE 14TH YEAR OF GENROKU (1701),

WITH THE FIFTH TOKUGAWA SHOGUN, TSUNAYOSHI, ON THE SEAT OF POWER.

Mr. Kajikawa, if you don't mind my asking,

for a task so weighty as conveying Lady Tokugawa's thanks

to the imperial messengers,

why didn't you consult me directly as to proper etiquette?

What could Lord Asano possibly know about it?

Yes, sir.

When you know I've been chief of protocol

for more than 40 years,

why did you ask a man like Lord Asano?

Yes, sir.

He may have been ordered to act as host to the envoys,

but he is not a man of sufficient experience

to properly conduct important government ceremonies.

Many others before have served in the same position,

but not one of them was as ignorant or as rude in manner

as Lord Asano.

Today, for the last time,

the shogun receives the envoys to present his message.

They are already here in the castle.

When the ceremonies are over,

I will let you know at once.

Kira! Know my rancor!

Let me go!

Take him inside!

Get his sword!

Let me go!

The sword! Drop the sword!

I speak in my official capacity. Release him! Mr. Kajikawa!

There is a screened area in the Palm Room.

Remove your ceremonial dress

and revert to standard attire.

Yes, sir.

Doctor! Doctor!

We've been sent

To question you about your conduct today.

We will speak according to the prescribed forms.

For what reason

did you ignore where you were and attack Lord Kira today?

My most abject apologies.

My conduct was inexcusable.

I bear not the slightest ill will toward the shogun.

A personal grudge led me to lose sight of time and place

and draw my sword.

Did you intend to kill Lord Kira?

I failed to do so by a mere inch or two.

It is a grave disappointment.

Now I can but submit to my due punishment.

What was this personal grudge?

There is no point in airing the details now.

I only regret that I failed to kill Lord Kira'

and left him with only superficial wounds.

You will no doubt laugh at my ineptitude.

I can but ask that I receive the customary punishment.

The ceremony for the imperial envoys

has been moved to the Kuroshoin Chamber.

No, I am shocked.

I've done nothing to draw Lord Asano's ire.

What's that? It's Asano!

He's coming this way! - Be still!

I really can't believe it.

Such a wild rampage.

Obviously, Lord Asano has gone quite mad.

Did you touch your own sword?

I can't believe you'd ask such a thing.

Ceremony and decorum are my office.

Not only was I on castle grounds, but today's ceremonies

were of paramount importance.

I did everything I could to avoid his sword.

That's how he got me in the back too.

How very proper of you.

I'm grateful for your kind words.

- Are they ready? - Yes.

Oh, this is wonderful!

When my lord left for the castle this morning'

he looked so terribly grim.

So I urged him to return early,

as soon as he completed his duties.

He smiled sadly and said his troubles would be over today.

He should be returning shortly.

We must give him good company and cheer him up.

I'm counting on you all.

Yahei Horibe and Gengoemon Kataoka

have arrived from the castle with a message.

What is it?

What is your message?

What is your message?

Today, in the Pine Corridor of the castle'

our lord drew his sword on Lord Kira

and wounded him.

I reported your deliberations to the senior councillors

and have just received their instructions.

Lord Kira remained mindful of the setting and is to be praised for not fighting back.

Dr. Yoshida shall provide medicines,

and Dr. Kurizaki shall treat his wound so that he may recover fully.

He may depart the castle at his convenience'

accompanied by attendants from his office.

As for Lord Asano,

earlier today, with no regard for time or place'

he drew his sword on Lord Kira to settle a private grudge - an unpardonable breach.

He is to be placed in Lord Tamura's custody

and is ordered to commit harakiri.

One moment, sir.

With regard to this order,

I respectfully request a brief deferral.

I make bold to state my views.

I readily assent to delivering Lord Asano into Lord Tamura's custody.

Beyond that, I am unable to accept this order.

I appeal for a reconsideration. - What?

As we indicated before,

Lord Asano's conduct during our official investigation

has been truly admirable.

He expresses no ill will toward the shogun

and candidly stated that he acted upon a personal grudge.

On all counts, he has responded in a manner worthy of a samurai.

Lord Asano is a daimyo of 50,000 koku.

Ordering immediate harakiri

fails to show respect for his stature.

Insignificant as I am, so long as I serve as inspector,

I am unwilling to carry out what I deem a misguided order.

A misguided order?

For Lord Asano to sacrifice his family honor

and ignore not only his own position but the nature of the occasion

may have been madness.

But Lord Kira is not without blame.

Samurai should be judged by the samurai code.

The councillors praised Lord Kira

for remembering where he was and not returning the attack,

not even placing his hand on his sword.

They considered this highly commendable.

One wonders what the world is coming to when such trivial deeds are praised.

He could only flail about in panic at the sight of a few drops of blood.

He was too cowed to draw his sword,

but it was wrong of me to think him a gutless coward.

No, Lord Kira recognised he was in the castle

And that no sword may be drawn so near the shogun's chambers.

But when all is said and done, I would have to say

that Lord Kira is a disgrace as a samurai.

Okado!

He thinks only of his family and stipend'

looking over his shoulder and considering only his own gain.

I can but conclude he has completely lost his spine as a samurai.

It appears that the council attributes today's disturbance

solely to a deranged Lord Asano erupting in violence.

As one of the appointed inspectors, I cannot readily concur.

Further inquiry is needed as to whether it was one man's madness or a feud.

There may be merit in what you say,

but this matter has already been taken to Lord Yanagisawa.

His decision has been made. It is too late to request a change.

However, your views are duly noted.

I must beg your pardon.

If this was Lord Yanagisawa's decision, then I protest all the more.

With all due respect,

Lord Yanagisawa and Lord Kira are distantly related by marriage.

Such an obvious show of favoritism

will be an affront to the daimyo without hereditary connections.

I wish to ask Lord Yanagisawa to reconsider his decision.

Desist! The shogunate does not second-guess its decisions.

All the more reason, then, that the first decision must be right.

It is our responsibility to point out the correct path.

The decision has been handed down.

It's not an inspector's place to question it.

If you insist, you will regret it.

I do insist.

My loyalty to the shogun and his rule compels me to speak.

Please announce me to Lord Yanagisawa.

I will not!

What is right or wrong is not for you to say!

Please announce me!

Please announce me! - No!

I beg you! Please announce me!

No!

- Please announce me! - No!

Lord Okado.

Middle Councillor Tsunatoyo asked me to relay his words.

In the 70 years since the Osaka Sieges ended'

the land has been at peace and the samurai have grown lax.

Your conduct today was that of a true samurai.

He wished you to know that he will not forget it.

I relayed your message.

Okado.

When I told Lord Asano's retainer, Gengoemon Kataoka'

that you had personally granted him leave to bid his master farewell'

he was deeply grateful and said he would never forget your kindness.

It was nothing.

I know how Lord Asano's retainers must feel.

Thank you for coming.

May your heart be at peace.

Kiyo.

It's time.

Kiyo.

Yes, my lady.

At this hour, at the Tamura residence'

our lord will end his life.

- Don't try to stop me! - Counselor!

Do you think following our lord in death will please him?

Lord Kira was allowed to leave the castle without chastisement.

He has the backing of Lord Uesugi. There's nothing we can do.

Never mind that.

Tomimori.

What is it?

A man has come from the Building Department.

What does it regard?

As we had been warned to expect,

as part of our lord's punishment, this residence is to be seized.

All members of the household must vacate the premises at once.

WORD OF LORD ASANO'S ATTACK

REACHED THE CLAN CASTLE IN AKO

IN THE EARLY MORNING OF MARCH 19.

- Shigeto arrows, 26 - Check.

- Otorige spear, one. - Check.

- Chutorige, 30. - Check.

Damn. Another mistake.

Why do you rush so, sir?

Do you suppose the castle will be seized immediately?

What will our lord's sentence be?

Here in Ako, we can't know what's happening.

Do you suppose Counselor Oishi expects the castle to be seized?

We can only wait for the shogun's decision.

That's exactly what I'd like to know.

We just need to do as Mr. Oishi instructs us.

Oishi's orders baffle me.

Do you think he may have lost his head?

We should be strengthening our defenses and guarding all directions.

Instead he has everyone updating records and working their abacuses.

It's unworthy of a samurai.

Is he really fit to be chief counselor?

He certainly gives us much reason for doubt.

Hey, Yasoemon.

Yes?

Who authorized you to count our silver?

I'm in charge of castle accounts.

It was Mr. Oishi's order.

I'll thank you not to imply I'm acting without permission.

Yasoemon! Wait!

Yasoemon!

After hearing the news of our lord,

how can you sit fiddling with an abacus?

Kuranosuke is not Lord Asano's only retainer.

He would not give such an order

without consulting other senior retainers.

No, he is correct. I instructed him to do it.

Thank you. How much does it come to?

I've recorded the details here.

It comes to roughly 900 kan.

900 kan?

In rice that would be 20-some thousand koku.

Well above a year's harvest for our clan.

I didn't realize there were that many silver notes circulating in this domain.

How much gold do we have on hand?

Approximately 1 ,000 ryo.

A thousand ryo.

Tell me, Yasoemon. By your estimate'

what sort of exchange rate can we get?

Oishi, we are in a crisis

in which our master's house may stand or fall.

Our first concern should not be money but ensuring order in the domain.

I disagree.

If the House of Asano is forced to leave'

exchanging notes for silver will be an urgent order of business.

Our own safety must be of secondary concern.

First we must provide for the domain's farmers and townsmen.

That is how we best serve our lord.

No, farmers and townsmen are of secondary concern.

Our first concern should be allocating shares to household members.

I cannot allow that.

The Asano clan stands on the shoulders of the four Ako counties.

The Ako counties do not stand on the Asano clan's shoulders.

The populace must bear no loss from the Asano clan's misfortune.

You are the counselor in charge of seeing to that.

Please do so with all due haste.

Your pardon, sirs.

The lookout informs me that some new messengers are arriving.

Could he tell who they are?

Soemon Hara and Sezaemon Oishi, I believe.

Soemon himself has come?

Kuranosuke!

Why is a man your age acting as runner? Sit up' Sezaemon.

This is a letter from Hikozaemon Yasui'

addressed to you and the other counselors.

So he was ordered to commit harakiri the very same day?

The shogunate's displeasure was extreme,

and the residences in Teppozu, Akasaka, and Honjo were all seized within the day.

And what became of the reception

for the imperial messengers scheduled that day?

Were they postponed due to the disturbance?

No, the ceremonies were simply moved to a different room.

Otherwise, everything proceeded according to schedule.

So all went smoothly?

I'm glad to hear it.

I'm very glad to hear it.

And what of Lord Kira?

He received no punishment.

No punishment?

Our lord may have lost his temper,

but the punishment handed down was much too cruel and one-sided.

Do you have the letter with his sentence? I would like to know the reasons given.

Here, sir.

Read it.

"Lord Asano,

owing to a grudge you held against Lord Kira'

you ignored the occasion and place to outrageously -"

Stop.

"Outrageously"?

Yes.

"To outrageously draw your sword and wound him.

It is an unpardonable offense,

and you are hereby ordered to commit harakiri."

Is that all?

Yes, sir.

Did he leave any final words or a death poem?

Yes.

"I would like to have given you some prior word'

but it was impossible,

so you will no doubt be much taken aback when you hear of this day's events."

"You will no doubt be much taken aback when you hear of this day's events."

Is that all?

Yes, sir.

"You will no doubt be much taken aback when you hear of this day's events."

"...much taken aback when you hear..."

And his death poem?

Here, sir.

"Even more than cherry blossoms scattered by the breeze

Memories of the passing spring bring unbearable regrets"

"Even more than cherry blossoms scattered by the breeze

Memories of the passing spring bring unbearable regrets"

The debate goes on.

Yesterday it was to die defending the castle.

Today it's to follow our lord and slit their bellies.

I don't see the slightest movement toward resolution.

The Ono faction wants to petition for restoration of the Asano House

under our lord's brother, Daigaku,

so they urge handing the castle over peacefully.

Hard-line loyalists like Okajima and Takebayashi

regard such talk as betrayal and I daresay would put Ono to the sword.

Your husband is the only man who can bring everybody together.

What is his thinking?

Matsunojo says he will go to the castle with father

and commit harakiri with him.

Is it true, Mother?

What are you two doing still up?

It's late. You should be in bed.

Sugi?

Where are you, Sugi?

Please see to the children.

I'm not sleepy!

Are both Father and Matsunojo going to commit harakiri?

I can't sleep when I think about that.

Children of samurai must not let such things upset them.

Your father told you that in times of crisis you must behave as if nothing is wrong.

Have you forgotten?

No. Good night, Mother.

Good night, Aunt.

Although your husband and I are cousins'

we are far apart in age and rank, and it's not really my place to say this'

but I believe all thoughtful members of the household

are eagerly awaiting his decision.

My husband is among them.

Kuranosuke tells me nothing.

I feel completely in the dark.

One thing I have noticed, though.

He seems to be fretting

over some important word he is expecting to receive.

He will probably make his decision when he receives that word.

What could it be?

I'm afraid...

I have no idea.

Junai Onodera, our representative in Kyoto'

has just arrived by swift boat.

- Junai has come? - Yes.

- By swift boat? - Yes.

When did word reach you in Kyoto?

In a message relayed from the imperial court'

on the 18th, at about 7:00 in the evening.

And what are they saying in Kyoto?

Counselor,

there is some most comforting news...

I wish to report to our lord's eternal spirit.

My first act on hearing the news was to visit the imperial messengers'

Provisional Major Councillor Yanagiwara'

Provisional Middle Councillor Takano,

and the minister of state who led the party.

On behalf of all Asano household retainers'

I offered abject apologies

for our master's grave breach of etiquette during the envoys' visit.

I knelt in their entrance foyers

and apologized profusely, with my head bowed to the floor.

But, Counselor...

almost as if they had agreed beforehand on what to say'

they all spoke of how sorry they were that Lord Kira had not been killed...

and expressed sympathy for how we must all be feeling.

I was quite overwhelmed.

So they expressed no ill will toward our lord's breach of conduct?

There is more, Counselor.

Although I fear it may be disrespectful even to mention it -

It's been rumored that the emperor himself was heard to say...

"It's a pity that Lord Asano failed in his intent."

Some say they heard this directly from the palace.

Lord Asano's recent breach of conduct

was a grave offense.

Whatever the bad blood between the two men'

his action was a discourtesy to your messengers.

You might well have deemed it an act of treason.

Instead...

we hear expressions of sympathy from within the forbidden walls...

and from noblemen of rank as well.

With these expressions...

Lord Asano is redeemed.

We need not regret the extinction of the Asano name.

We need not lament the loss of this 53,000-koku domain.

Had he been charged with treason,

Lord Asano and his descendants

would have been banished forever with nowhere to go.

His retainers and others in his household

would have been followed by the stigma of treason wherever we went.

No matter how desperately we may have wished it...

Avenging our lord's death would have been impossible.

But instead you said...

"It's a pity that Lord Asano failed in his intent."

He is redeemed by your words.

He is redeemed by your words.

When you return to Kyoto,

kneel on the white sand before the palace gate,

and even if only from afar,

offer the heartfelt thanks of Lord Asano and his household.

Will you do that for me?

I will indeed.

Yasubei! When did you arrive? We just got here.

Hello, Gengoemon. Go back to Edo.

Why?

Everyone here is spineless.

We never should have left Edo.

Surely Oishi -

- If he knew his mind, we'd be fine. - Just go back.

We're returning as well. We'll make our own plans.

No, you mustn't leave now! Stay and hear what I have to say!

But -

I understand what you say, and I agree.

But at a time like this, we must all hang together and keep our heads.

What harm is there in hearing today's deliberations?

Then you can decide.

- We've heard all we need. - Calm down.

Chuzaemon,

since you're Oishi's right-hand man, I'd like to ask this.

Why would he petition for the Asano house to be restored?

- Restored? Is it true? - Why would he?

That's what he is even now pondering.

Surely the time for pondering has passed.

What do you think we traveled all this way for?

Do you feel no bitterness for how our lord died?

Of course I do.

Then what's left to discuss?

What is to happen to this castle?

Will it be handed over to the shogunate?

I couldn't say. Today's deliberations will tell.

Do you disdain us for being from Edo and refuse to tell us?

Not at all.

The counselors remain divided and have not yet reached a decision.

While the decision waits, the shogun's army is at our borders,

and his appointed inspectors will arrive any day.

And you say they still cannot reach a decision?

I'm afraid so.

Soemon, you've been here for some time. What have you been doing?

When you preceded us here,

we thought you'd represent our views to those here at home

and assert the inadequacy of the shogunate's decision.

But now we've arrived to find -

I know, I know. But you must be patient.

It's not that simple. The people here have their own concerns.

Such as taking care of themselves.

Watch your tongue, Yasubei.

Look around you.

Everyone here has brought his short sword

as well as a cotton robe, possibly never to see his family again,

prepared to die.

The Edo men aren't the only loyalists. The men at home are loyalists too.

Do you think committing harakiri will assuage our lord's feelings?

Wouldn't it just make us a laughingstock?

That's not what I want.

Since our lord's harakiri, the Kira residence has been on alert,

with 150 men on watch every night.

Why?

When we go about town,

those who recognise us gaze at us approvingly,

expecting us to attack Kira's residence at any time.

I don't know the intentions of you here at home,

but those of us in Edo cannot rest as things are.

Nor can we. But what we do is up to Oishi.

It's not for us to question his decision.

Have faith in him and be patient.

I have no faith in him.

These last five days I've seen his views shift like sand.

I have no faith in him.

Is something wrong?

No.

In one short month, you've lost a lot of weight.

You've lost more than me.

You shouldn't worry so much.

Thanks.

Why are you being so formal?

Depending on today's final deliberations,

this may be our final farewell.

Father, Tokubei Izeki has come.

Tokubei has come?

So he's still kicking around, is he?

And he's come back.

He's shouting that if you don't make up your mind,

he'll go to the castle and appeal to our late lord's memorial tablet.

He always was a willful fellow.

Even as childhood friends, we were always butting heads.

I suppose he had other colorful things to say about me.

He said you need the pus drained from your spine to take a stand.

He brought butterbur leaves wrapped in paper,

saying they're excellent for promoting drainage.

Sounds just like him.

Father, why can't we enter the castle?

Just hold on a minute. Since I'm not allowed to enter right now,

I have to badger Kuranosuke first.

Kuranosuke!

Tokubei.

Do you still recognise me?

You turned your back on this castle once. What brings you back?

What brings me back?

How can I sit idly by with my master's house in crisis?

Go home.

The Asano house is no more.

Kuranosuke!

Are there no plans to defend the castle?

Will you meekly hand it over?

What have they been paying you 1 ,500 koku for?

You're supposed to rally the household in our lord's absence.

Will you give up the castle just because they say so?

If I have to leave, I will.

That's up to today's deliberations.

What?

There are many different views among the retainers.

I will not listen to one who was disgraced.

- Damn you! - Father!

- Are you his son? - Yes, sir.

My name is Monzaemon.

- How old are you? - Fourteen.

When did you shave your head?

On our way here, at a teahouse in Fukugawa.

I borrowed a razor and asked to be made a man.

My father has drilled into me since I was young

that I should be prepared to die for the House of Asano.

Please, sir, allow us to enter the castle.

Even after his dismissal, my father has remained loyal to the Asano house.

Please!

Brave words, but I will not hear of it.

I cannot allow you and your father to enter the castle.

Go home to Kojima

and live modest but long lives among your own affairs.

Kuranosuke!

I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to your son.

Having you come to join us with your head shaved like a man

is indeed most gratifying.

But even if we do choose to make a stand,

accepting the help of banished retainers to resist the shogun's enforcers

would be deemed a stain on our late lord's name.

It would shame the entire household.

But, Counselor -

Monzaemon,

you must understand I have good reason for what I said.

I have to enter the palace!

You may not.

I must!

You may not.

I must!

You may not!

Counselor!

Ah, Juroza and Kataoka.

So you've returned from Edo too.

Counselor, I wish to ask a question.

When our enemy Kira remains in uncertain health,

why would you petition for the house to be restored?

I wish to know your true intentions.

- My true intentions? - Yes, sir.

I take it you object to the idea of restoring the house.

But if our lord's hasty act brought his house down,

does it not do him honor for his retainers to try to rebuild it?

It does not!

You don't think so?

Our lord did not act in madness or confusion.

He knew that to draw his sword in the castle

would mean the end of the Asano house.

Yet so great was his bitterness,

he drew the sword that must not be drawn.

All that's left for his loyal retainers is to swiftly dispatch

the object of his bitterness.

Among his last words,

our lord expressed regret that his sword fell short and Kira lived,

and he wept bitter tears.

Does that mean nothing to you?

Counselor, even if our lord's brother Daigaku is given back the house

with a small fief of 10,000 koku,

how could he go out in public?

Only when Kira has been killed can he show his face.

I can't accept anything less.

Even if the shogun made Daigaku lord of all Japan, China and India,

I couldn't accept leaving our mortal enemy Kira alive.

I won't accept it.

Counselor, what are your intentions?

- I will not reveal them here. - Why not?

We have our final deliberations today.

If everyone's still arguing their different views,

I won't be able to state my final decision.

Before the meeting,

I need everyone to swear they'll follow my decision, for better or worse.

How did it go?

Everyone in the hall has given his imprint in blood.

How many men?

Fifty-one.

The fate of the Asano house is to be decided

by a mere 51 men?

Do as Kuranosuke says. Give your imprint on the pledge.

I'm still considering. Perhaps later.

- Yasubei? - Later.

Juroza?

I intend to return to Edo. I will not make this pledge.

Magodayu?

I'm still considering.

- Gengoemon? - The same.

I suppose by now Matsunojo has honorably committed harakiri

with his father Kuranosuke.

I was born the son of a samurai too.

I should have been able to join them in the castle

to die a glorious samurai's death.

Don't say that.

It's what you get for being born the son of a hot-tempered man.

Lament all you want,

but I can't be reborn a man of good sense at my age.

It was your misfortune to be born my son.

Resign yourself to your fate.

Only a day or two remain before we must hand over the castle.

We can prolong the decision no further.

With the passing days, more have chosen to go their own ways.

Of the original 300 men,

you who remain with us today, firm to the death,

number little more than 50.

Though you've all shown matchless loyalty,

I demanded pledges from you in a rather thuggish manner,

without revealing my intentions.

Under the circumstances, I needed to be doubly sure.

Having asked the impossible once,

I come before you to ask the impossible again.

First of all,

I want everyone here to leave the castle at once,

and proceed to the Onrinji Temple outside the castle grounds.

Secondly, you must not henceforth discuss

the shogunate's decision or its fairness,

and no critical words must pass your lips.

Thirdly, you must all pledge to put your futures entirely in my hands.

Though it may seem otherwise,

standing up to the shogun's officials would be taking the easy way out.

If we refuse to hand over the castle, the shogun's army will attack,

we will all fight to the death, and that will be the end of it.

But to hand over the castle as a demonstration of submission,

while also remaining faithful to our ultimate aim -

this is the path that looks easy but is in fact difficult,

a path that only true men of virtue can walk.

My intention

is for us to reject the easy way and pursue the difficult,

to climb the steepest path a man can climb.

Now I would like to know what each of you thinks.

Feel free to speak frankly.

If I may be so forward,

we may now be ronin, samurai without a master,

but we can never forget that our master's enemy still lives.

That goes without saying.

To remember that

is the same as remembering how our late lord was forced to die.

We can never forget that Kira still lives.

I will sign the pledge!

Counselor, I will sign too!

I will too.

- I will sign the pledge. - I will as well.

That makes everyone, sir. Everything is in your hands.

We trust our lives to you.

So all are in agreement...

to follow me to the end?

With this decision made, all else will await the right moment.

I want you all to leave the castle in an orderly manner.

Like our fathers before us,

we have served in this castle for many years.

From the paintings on the doors to the trees in the garden...

everything here bears special memories.

This is the last time any of us will see these things.

Quietly bid them all farewell.

Tokubei!

You fool!

Even your son!

You damn fool!

I don't mind if I was a hasty fool.

I can see I jumped to the wrong conclusion.

When I saw everyone leaving the castle,

I realized you must have another plan.

You have a secret plan, don't you?

We've been friends since we were just boys.

Tell me what it is, Kuranosuke.

Your spirit always burned brighter in the face of adversity.

There's no way you'd just quietly retreat.

I know you're up to something.

For the sake of my son, who's already gone ahead,

tell me what you're up to, Kuranosuke.

To raid Kira's residence and kill him

is to protest the favoritism shown him,

cast aspersions on the shogunate,

and expose the unfairness of its ruling before the entire land.

Hurry and tell me. Your voice is fading.

I intend to stand up to the shogunate.

Good.

Now I'll go on ahead to the next life. The rest is in your hands.

Tokubei, I will join you soon.

Don't be long.

I'll be waiting for you, Kuranosuke.

YAMASHINA VILLAGE, EAST OF KYOTO

SIX MONTHS AFTER HANDING OVER THE CASTLE

Thank you for your hospitality, ma'am.

I'm sorry he hasn't returned even after all this time.

We're grateful for the hearty meals you've provided these three days,

but having been unable to see Counselor Oishi,

we are left with no inspiring words to take back with us.

Since we came here representing the 17 retainers in Edo,

we really must find him in Gion or Shimabara

and demand an explanation before we can go home.

We should have taken things into our own hands from the start.

It was a mistake to listen to the counselor.

Well, we can decide what to do on returning to Edo.

We may not meet again. We wish you good health.

Mother, I'll take them to find Father.

Please do that.

Have you made up your mind yet?

Forgive me for being so insistent,

but your wisest course is as your father says:

to leave your husband

and return to your family in Tajima.

It's one thing for him to ignore me, your father's messenger,

but he's ignored even his fellow ronin visiting from Edo,

while he spends three days and nights cavorting in the pleasure quarters.

I think we can all see where his heart really is.

It was in the year you were born

that I entered the service of the lshizuka family.

I watched you grow up...

and when you married into this house,

I was given charge of your wedding party

as you proceeded from Tajima to Ako.

I cannot simply turn around and go home when I see you so unhappy.

I'm determined to take you back to Tajima with me.

You can take your children with you.

Surely then you can leave the Oishi family without any regrets.

So long as Kuranosuke lives,

I have no intention of leaving the Oishi family.

No matter how people may revile him and rail against him,

I will continue to trust in him and walk with him.

As his wife, there can be no other path for me.

Pursuing his own personal pleasure, he ignores his home and family...

and forgets his bonds of loyalty - that's the kind of man he is.

A wife

sees an image of her husband

that no one else ever sees.

To my eyes,

his debauchery seems halfhearted.

It's as if he's suffering to death over some secret torment

and seeks desperately to distract himself in unhappy dissipation.

He will not tell me what it is,

but I wish to make his suffering my own

and endure it with him under the same roof.

- My lady - - Please.

Let us speak no more of this.

And please convey what I've said to my father in Tajima.

Imperial Regent Konoe sent Lord Shindo to speak with Mr. Oishi

on a matter of some urgency.

Please wait here until he's free.

While some of us suffer in dire poverty,

Counselor Oishi steeps himself in endless rounds of sake.

No wonder he's lost interest in staking his life on our cause.

Well, well.

Good of you to come.

It's nice to see you.

Come, Kuranosuke.

How many times must I drag my old bones here

before you'll accede to Regent Konoe's wishes?

He's very serious about desiring your services.

You should realize that by now.

I'm much gratified,

but as I've said many times before,

I feel it would be a betrayal of my late master

to enter the service of another house

while the future of my former house remains uncertain.

I must ask you not to press me at this time.

Come, girls. Bring us sake.

Time for a party.

Leave us, ladies.

When you speak of the uncertain future of your former house,

do you refer to the request to restore the house under Daigaku Asano?

In fact, the regent spoke to me this very day

about restoring the Asano house.

He instructed me to go to Edo

to ask his son-in-law, Middle Councillor Tsunatoyo,

to take your request to the shogun.

He's sending you to Edo?

That's right.

As you're no doubt aware, Councillor Tsunatoyo is in line

to become the sixth shogun.

You need have no doubt that the house will be restored.

Especially since your house and mine are related by blood,

I don't like seeing a man of your caliber remain masterless for so long.

And it's awkward for me when you keep refusing the regent's offer,

so I'll be going to Edo to ask that the Asano house be restored.

Come.

Forget this obsession with avenging your late lord.

You can't go through life so stiff-necked.

It must be because I started drinking early at the theater.

I suddenly don't feel very well.

Listen here, Kuranosuke.

We have a deal.

If the Asano house is restored, you'll serve my master.

If you and your men dare to create a disturbance

after the councillor has spoken to the shogun,

it will be mud on the faces of both the councillor and the regent.

Don't forget that.

Don't forget. Understand?

Don't forget what I've done for you.

Counselor Oishi!

Who is it?

We heard. We heard it all.

Well, if it isn't Yasubei from Edo.

And Takebayashi too.

What we just witnessed - is that your true intention?

Do you really mean to serve Regent Konoe?

Once you've provided for yourself, will you leave the rest of us to die?

Barely a year has passed and already you've forgotten our lord's cause!

You've said enough, Takebayashi.

Have sake and women rotted you to the core?

Would you violate our pledge and deceive us all?

And you call yourself keeper of our lord's castle?

Forget it, Takebayashi.

Counselor, we came all this way to see you

representing the 17 men in Edo.

From now on, we intend to follow our own counsel.

We wish you a happy and prosperous life.

Let's go, Takebayashi. - I'm not satisfied yet!

I told you to forget it.

Father, I must beg your leave. I'm going with them to Edo.

Matsunojo!

I need to speak with you. Come closer.

The best-laid plans have a way of going awry.

Water will always drip from cupped hands.

In March of last year, as soon as I heard of the incident,

I made a solemn vow

to kill the villainous Kira

and avenge our lord's death.

Our lord lost his father while still a small child

and became head of the Asano house when he was only nine.

I too had lost my father early in life

and succeeded to my grandfather's post of counselor at the age of 18.

Over the next 20 years,

I watched him grow up and served him,

feeling as if he were my own younger brother, or even my child.

When word of his harakiri arrived last March,

it could have pained no one as much as it pained me.

To escape the castle for a chance to avenge our lord,

I hit on the pretext of petitioning the shogunate

to restore the Asano house under his brother, Daigaku.

Of course,

the shogunate had already made clear how it felt about Lord Asano,

so I assumed the petition would be summarily rejected.

But people can surprise you.

Public sympathy quickly rose up around us ronin from Ako.

Along the highways, horse handlers and ferrymen alike

sang songs praising Lord Asano and deriding Lord Kira.

That was when my real torments began.

Sometimes not even the shogunate can fight public opinion.

A short time ago, I received a letter from Juzaemon Araki,

the inspector general to whom we handed over the castle.

He spoke to the senior councillors about restoring the Asano house

and said we should wait for the decision with high hopes.

My heart sank at this roadblock to my true desire...

but having made the petition myself, I can only wait if I'm told to wait.

I've also heard

that our lord's relatives, unable to stand idle,

are making the rounds of the officials.

And now there's this.

Unaware of my true desire,

even Regent Konoe has stepped in.

The single drop of water that slipped through my fingers

has grown into a surging wave

that I'm powerless to stop.

Petitioning for restoration was the worst mistake of my life -

an ill-considered decision that cannot be undone.

Then why not attack Lord Kira without waiting for the decision?

Matsunojo,

if it were that simple, I wouldn't be suffering so.

To make such a request

and then launch a raid to kill Kira without waiting for an answer

would be to thumb our noses at the will of heaven, to trifle with fate.

It would not be a revenge

for which we could stand proud before heaven and earth.

For now, all we can do is watch the march of events...

and await the decision on Daigaku Asano's fate.

Counselor, the decision has come!

It's excellent news!

These two have come from Edo with the word we've been waiting for.

Counselor, the appeal regarding our lord's brother, Daigaku -

Wait. Let's go inside.

Just a moment.

Now, tell me your news.

Allow me to omit the usual formalities.

Our lord's brother is released

from the strict house arrest he's been under since last March.

His lands of 3,000 koku are to be confiscated,

and he's placed in the custody of the main branch of the Asano house in Hiroshima.

I see.

So Master Daigaku is to be under confinement?

He's to be in the custody of the main Asano family in Hiroshima?

I see.

All hope of restoring our master's house

is now gone.

Let us now carry out our long-cherished aim as quickly as possible.

The group in Edo eagerly awaits your arrival.

No doubt you've all thought

that my recent behavior was quite reprehensible -

indeed, unspeakably outrageous.

I will prepare to depart for Edo at once.

You will come?

Yes.

While I do not wish to rejoice

at others' misfortunes,

we can now - finally -

avenge our lord.

Counselor!

Yes.

We will now seek out our enemy Yoshinaka Kira.

Even with the 150,000-koku Uesugi house standing behind him,

we need have no fear.

I'm sorry to interrupt, but I need to speak with you.

Later, Riku.

No, please go ahead.

With your indulgence, then.

What is it?

This is very sudden,

but my father in Tajima has been outraged

by your profligate behavior and shirking of your duty to Lord Asano.

He has urged me to leave you and return to my family.

I therefore ask you

to divorce me as of today.

I see.

You wish to leave me?

You're willing to go back to Tajima?

Yes.

Matsunojo...

is the Oishi heir so he must stay,

but I wish to take Kichichiyo and Kuu with me to Tajima.

I see.

You've thought it through carefully.

Kichichiyo has a weak constitution.

Perhaps he can become a priest and pray for our souls.

I doubt he has the strength to be a samurai.

No.

Right now,

you're in no ordinary condition yourself.

Be careful of your health on your journey to Tajima.

END OF PART ONE

DEFEND THE HOMES OF THOSE WHO FIGHT FOR A GREATER ASIA

A SHOCHIKU FILM

A CABINET INFORMATION BUREAU SELECTION

THE LOYAL 47 RONIN (PART 2)

Produced by SHINTARO SHIRAI

Based on the Play by SEIKA MAYAMA

Screenplay KENICHIRO HARA, YOSHIKATA YODA

Cinematography KOHEI SUGIYAMA

Production Design HIROSHI MIZUTANI

Set Design KANETO SHINDO

Music by SHIRO FUKAI

Starring

CHOJURO KAWARASAKI KANEMON NAKAMURA

TSURUZO NAKAMURA KUNITARO KAWARASAKI

CHOEMON BANDO SUZEKO SUKETAKAYA

KIKUNOJO SEGAWA SHOTARO ICHIKAWA

ENJl ICHIKAWA KIKUNOSUKE ICHIKAWA

SHINZO YAMAZAKI SENSHO ICHIKAWA

SEIZABURO KAWAZU

KAZUTOYO MIMASU

UTAEMON ICHIKAWA

YOKO UMEMURA

MITSUKO MIURA

MIEKO TAKAMINE

Directed by KENJI MIZOGUCHI

In March of the 14th year of Genroku (1701),

inside the shogun's castle, Lord Naganori Asano of Ako, bearing a grudge,

drew his sword and wounded Chief of Protocol Yoshinaka Kira.

Lord Asano was ordered to commit harakiri and his domain was confiscated,

while Lord Kira received no chastisement whatsoever.

The news sent a shock through Lord Asano's ranks,

but Senior Counselor Kuranosuke Oishi

calmly considered their options and settled on a course of action.

Vowing to avenge Lord Asano another day, the retainers relinquished Ako Castle.

Kuranosuke's pretext for yielding up the castle

was to petition the shogunate for restoration of the Asano house.

Contrary to his true intentions, the petition gained wide support.

If the petition were to be granted,

it would erase all justification for revenge in the public eye.

As spring came a year later, Kuranosuke agonized over his predicament.

AT THE EDO RESIDENCE OF MIDDLE COUNCILLOR TSUNATOYO TOKUGAWA

Regent Konoe in Kyoto

wishes to persuade Kuranosuke to enter his service.

He has sent a messenger requesting that I approach the shogun

regarding restoration of the Asano house.

But I hear that former Asano retainers led by this same Kuranosuke

are plotting to raid Lord Kira's residence and kill him.

Indeed, I have heard the same.

If I take this request to the shogun,

the Asano house will surely be restored.

But that only makes me hesitate all the more.

The Chinese sages teach us

that filial duty begins with honoring our ancestors.

But as presumptuous as it may sound,

I believe there are times when one must step beyond the sages.

Please go on.

In my lectures to you on Japanese history,

I've tried to cover the points one must keep in mind.

We are not Chinese.

Before blindly accepting the teachings of the sages,

we must always remember that we are Japanese samurai.

Well said. That is exactly right.

In all things, the samurai spirit must come first.

Only then must one follow the sages.

If the shogun approves the restoration of the Asano house,

it will make revenge impossible.

In the eye of public opinion, justification for revenge will be gone.

What is it?

The messenger from Lord Konoe, your father-in-law,

has come to pay his respects before departing for Kyoto.

May I at least tell him that you have agreed

to approach the shogun regarding the request he brought?

Without some such -

No. I am still considering the matter.

Suke'emon.

So that's the master of this house?

I'd heard he was quite the scholar,

and I can see he's no ordinary rat - I mean, lord.

Now, Suke'emon.

At your pleading, I arranged for you to come,

even though I'm new to this house.

But today's noh performances are a very important occasion.

You must be on your best behavior.

I know.

This way?

Come forward.

You used to serve in Lord Asano's household, didn't you?

Who was the man with you in the garden?

My brother, Suke'emon Tominomori,

whom I received permission to invite for today's performances.

Your brother?

One of the ronin from Ako wished to see our noh?

Is he aware that Lord Kira will be coming for today's performance?

I'm told your name is Suke'emon Tominomori.

What was your status in the Asano house?

I was a man of no account, receiving but a pittance.

Is that right?

Did they call 200 koku a pittance

and a samurai who carried the lord's missives to other daimyo

a man of no account?

You are too far away. Come closer. Take a cup.

If you have no special business with me, I beg to be excused.

Never mind, then.

But the man from Honjo you wish to glimpse

will not be arriving for quite some time yet.

Will you still not come closer and accept a cup?

I think not.

Sake offered by grand daimyo in stiff settings

does not particularly delight the palate.

Very interesting. A man who speaks his mind.

Keep your distance if you wish, but stay and talk with me awhile.

Suke,

you're wrong to think that wretched rat Kira

will linger in the sewers of Honjo forever.

There's no telling when he could escape 245 miles away to Yonezawa.

As father of Tsunanori Uesugi, lord of the 150,000-koku Yonezawa domain,

he could retire to his son's castle and the protection of his retainers.

It wouldn't be long before he died a natural death.

You may grind your teeth and glare at Yonezawa Castle, but it will be too late.

This is your house.

You may say whatever you please.

Well, well.

Even this Oishi fellow in Yamashina must find you a handful.

I suppose you're thinking, "Say what you want. You just watch."

But from where I stand,

even Oishi, sad to say, has made one terrible blunder.

Oishi is Oishi, and we are us.

I understand Oishi has changed since last year.

The debauchery I hear of can reflect no ordinary change.

Whatever it reflects, it is taking place.

So if Kuranosuke has had a change of heart,

does that mean the rest of you will abandon your loyalty too?

I don't suppose a man of your station knows of such things,

but in the kitchen they use something called a tub,

which is held together by a hoop.

If that hoop breaks, the sides fall apart.

No one can scoop up water with one flat piece of wood.

Suke'emon,

if you and your fellow ronin have a secret purpose,

you should not think of it as purely private.

For you to achieve your aim

would be for hundreds of thousands of samurai across the land to achieve it.

I do not wish to stand in your way.

To do so would be to lose my way as a samurai.

To lend one's own samurai spirit to support another's -

that is the true and sympathetic spirit of the samurai.

Idle people may entertain all manner of idle thoughts.

Suke'emon,

I do not inquire out of passing whimsy.

We are now in the 15th year of Genroku,

and the spirit of the samurai is in sad retreat.

Even if it means begging you with bowed head,

I want to know you indeed have a plan.

I know you're determined to say nothing

and that I ask the impossible in pressing you to tell me.

Look me in the eye, Suke'emon.

As a loyal servant of this great land of ours,

I want to believe in you.

Then if I may, I'd like to ask you this.

I've heard the present shogun is a very suspicious man

who dislikes daimyo houses of good reputation.

Of the 20-some lords whose houses have been abolished,

not one had sullied his name with womanizing or other bad behavior.

Every one of them was well respected by his peers.

When my master, Lord Asano, drew his sword at the castle,

I believe you were in attendance,

and you must have known the decision handed down was unfair.

My master was ordered to commit harakiri and his lands were confiscated,

while his adversary Kira received no chastisement at all.

When you turned a blind eye to that,

was it from fearing the displeasure of the shogun,

who might deem any meddling to be a grab for power?

Suke'emon, you mustn't -

No, wait.

Let's hear the rest, Suke'emon.

On that occasion,

if you who are a direct descendant of Lord Ieyasu

had spoken but one word,

my master surely would not have had to die the way he did.

And yet...

and yet...

you preach to me and my brothers of the samurai spirit?

It is a little too convenient, and the kind of favor we can do without.

Right. An entirely understandable response.

I will press you no further.

Supposing you did have a secret scheme in the works,

you wouldn't want to admit it.

And, quite as you say, I am in no position to ask.

But that still leaves the problem of Regent Konoe's request.

He says he wishes to take Kuranosuke into his service

and wishes me to approach the shogun about restoring the Asano house.

His messenger was here again even today.

And Suke,

restoring the Asano house was originally Oishi's own request.

If it is granted,

then no matter how you may feel, revenge against Kira will be impossible.

My lord! My lord!

For you to request restoration of the Asano house on the one hand,

while pursuing revenge on the other,

is not justifiable to the world at large.

What do you intend to do about restoring the Asano house?

I'll be going to the castle tomorrow, and I intend to speak to the shogun.

I beg you, my lord!

I beg you, my lord!

Lord Kira has arrived.

Go forth to receive him.

No, Suke'emon!

Have you gone mad?

Let go!

If Lord Tsunatoyo goes to the castle tomorrow, today is our last chance!

You can't stain this house with blood now!

There must be a better way!

If I don't do it now, Kira will die a natural death!

Kiyo! You too have prior obligations to the Asano house!

Don't stop me!

I'll help you!

I'll lead you to him so you can kill him.

In tonight's noh, Lord Kira will perform

as Tomomori in Benkei on the Boat.

I'll lead you to him then.

- Insolence! - My lord! Please let me go!

Did you think I was Kira, you fool?

Where would it leave Oishi and the others if you killed Kira now?

Please let me go, or I'll be forced to take you -

What?

I don't care who you are! I will not spare -

Have you lost your head, Suke'emon?

To slice Kira up - is that all you want?

Is simply offering Kira's severed head at Lord Asano's grave

enough to avenge your master's death?

Why?

Do you not wish,

even if you ultimately fail to kill Kira,

to carry out a plan of vengeance

for which you need have no pangs of conscience or regret?

While the right hand seeks to restore the Asano house,

the left hand attempts to cut Kira down.

You are trifling with just cause and misreading public sympathies.

Don't you understand that?

Kuranosuke does.

Having impulsively asked for the Asano house to be restored...

he hides his true feelings

as he goes one day to Shimabara, the next to Gion...

to drink bitter and torturous sake.

The torments of his heart...

the sadness of his heart -

You ignorant fools haven't the first idea what he's going through.

Suke'emon,

even if Kira ultimately lives out his allotted span...

and dies a peaceful death,

if you and your fellow ronin conduct yourselves with prudence...

and with good judgment, never betraying the nobility of your cause,

then what more would you gain by taking his gray head?

Indeed, if you would seek revenge as men of virtue,

then your every step until you strike Kira must accord with duty and fidelity.

That is the path to a truly worthy revenge.

Suke'emon,

would you cast these principles aside?

Would you deprive Kuranosuke and your fellows

of dying honorably as men of virtue?

It was wrong of me.

That's the cue for Tomomori.

Counselor! The decision has come!

And it's excellent news!

These two have come from Edo with the word we've been waiting for.

Counselor, the appeal regarding our lord's brother, Daigaku -

Wait. Let's go inside.

Now, tell me your news.

Allow me to omit the usual formalities.

Our lord's brother is released

from the strict house arrest he's been under since last March.

His lands of 3,000 koku are to be confiscated,

and he's placed in the custody

of the main branch of the Asano house in Hiroshima.

I see.

So Master Daigaku is to be under confinement?

He's to be in the custody of the main Asano family in Hiroshima?

I see.

Counselor,

all the torments you have suffered until now...

can be put to rest.

No doubt

you've all thought

that my recent behavior

was quite reprehensible - indeed, unspeakably outrageous.

Although it seemed necessary at the time,

petitioning to restore the Asano house under Master Daigaku

was the worst mistake of my life -

an ill-considered decision that could not be undone.

Perish the thought, but had the house been restored under Master Daigaku...

with a small fief of some 20,000 koku,

then no matter how we might fret and gnash our teeth,

in the public perception

we would no longer have been justified

in attacking Kira's residence to avenge our lord.

Even slitting my belly before our lord's grave at Sengaku Temple

could not have adequately atoned for my error.

I was in anguish.

It has been a painful burden - until today.

Counselor...

now we can finally avenge our lord.

Yes.

We will now seek out our enemy Yoshinaka Kira.

Even with the 150,000-koku Uesugi house standing behind him,

we need have no fear.

I want you two to return to Edo at once

and inform our brothers there that I will be arriving shortly.

THE 15TH YEAR OF GENROKU (1702), DECEMBER 14

LADY ASANO'S RESIDENCE IN AKASAKA, EDO

This is the day your husband died.

Must they make such a commotion?

Even if they're of no relation,

must they be so inconsiderate?

They're young

and excited about the coming new year,

especially after the end-of-year housecleaning yesterday.

I just need to concentrate on praying for my husband's soul.

You came to Edo from Ako to serve in the Teppozu residence, didn't you?

Yes. We hope your journey went well, so near the end of the year.

Your conscientious service is much appreciated.

Is your mistress well?

Yes. She will be delighted to see you.

Godayu, please inform our lady.

Kuranosuke Oishi, former senior counselor at the castle in Ako,

has come to Edo and wishes to see her.

- Ochiai. - Yes?

As counselor in charge of household affairs,

do you think it wise?

He has come expressly to see her. I see no reason to deny him.

Please announce him. - This will not do!

Ochiai, I needn't remind you

that Lord Asano's disturbance at the castle last March

has reflected very badly

not only on Lady Asano's own family,

but on the main branch of the Asano house in Hiroshima,

and on other relatives as well,

causing them all a great deal of distress.

Some bannermen among them were even relieved of their posts.

No, no! Do not announce him!

If the former Asano retainers were to attack Lord Kira,

there's no foretelling the possible consequences for this house

owing to Lady Asano's connection.

With restoration of the house no longer a possibility,

it's beyond me why he would choose to journey here to Edo

so close to the end of the year.

What if receiving him incurs the displeasure of the shogunate?

Perhaps you make light of such things

because you served your mistress in the Asano house as well,

but as representative of her own family,

I cannot allow this visitor to be announced.

Ochiai, where is Kuranosuke?

Right in there.

Our mistress would like to see him.

I do not advise it, Lady Toda.

Our mistress is on her way.

It's so good to see you.

You're too far away. Come closer.

With me in Edo and you in the domain,

it's been a very long time since we last met.

Has it been three years?

You look well, and unchanged.

Or so I would like to say,

but in fact everything has changed.

I wish to convey to you my deepest sympathies.

It has been difficult for you as well since the incident.

You look a little haggard.

Have some sake, Kuranosuke.

You've come through the snow.

You must warm yourself.

I'm much obliged.

Have another.

Perhaps you've heard I'm fond of sake, but no, thank you.

A little snack, then,

to whet your appetite for a successful revenge.

Ouch! You strike where it hurts.

Since you've braved even the snow to come to Edo,

your purpose must be of no ordinary importance.

There is nothing quite so wretched as a samurai who's become masterless.

Only a handful manage to make a living.

The rest barely scrape by, shadows of their former selves,

hardly able to keep their wives and children alive.

They approach me with their various demands -

"Take up arms!" they cry, or "Seek vindication!"

And having once been the senior counselor

who spoke for our lord,

I could not ignore them.

I've hastened to Edo to find those hot-blooded ones

who insist now is the time to press the attack.

Rather than starve to death unnoticed,

they wish to die sensationally attempting revenge

and be on everyone's lips - a sad motivation, I'm afraid.

Kuranosuke.

It's not a woman's place to meddle...

but I've heard Lord Kira plans to retire to Yonezawa Castle

in the domain of his son, Lord Uesugi,

when the snow melts in the spring.

I have heard the same.

I believe the Kira household fears what we might do

and is considering all manner of stratagems.

Is it your intention, Counselor,

to allow Lord Kira to go peacefully into retirement?

How do you intend to reach him once he's behind castle walls?

Right now, you have only to break into his residence.

I'm afraid it's not that simple.

Things don't always work the way one wishes in this world.

How can you say such a thing?

That hardly sounds like the way of a samurai.

Lord Kira is quite advanced in years.

He could die any day!

Among our men in Edo, Yahei Horibe is 75,

and Kihei Hazama is 68.

They could be gone by tomorrow too.

We can hardly base our plans on that.

With your smooth talk you dull the resolve of even the most determined!

You betray your duty!

That's enough, Toda!

I can't bear it anymore!

That's enough.

Come what may, Kuranosuke was senior counselor of the Asano house.

You must not cast indignities upon him.

Kuranosuke.

I feel so sorry for my husband.

In a momentary fit of anger,

he brought down both himself and his house,

and left his retainers...

to face the hardships of the world without a master.

And now, for generations to come...

people will laugh at him as a reckless simpleton.

Surely not, my lady.

I still think of his final words.

"I would like to have given you some prior word, but it was impossible,

so you will no doubt be much taken aback when you hear of this day's events."

When I heard those words,

I knew immediately that they were intended

for you more than anyone else,

and they remain etched indelibly in my heart.

I cannot bear the thought

that no one will avenge the bitter wrong

for which he willingly gave up his life and his house,

and that he will be made a laughingstock for ages to come

as a careless and short-tempered man.

Even if he did bring it on himself,

I feel so terribly sad for him.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to complain to you.

I'll now bid you farewell.

My lady...

I have a request.

This is the 14th, the day our lord died.

Might I be permitted to bid him farewell

by lighting some incense at his altar?

I'm sorry, but I will not allow it.

I personally would not stand in your way,

but I do not believe Lord Asano would be so pleased

to have you pray for his soul.

Lady Toda.

I brought with me

some verses I wrote - mere trifles, really -

to while away the hours of my idle life as a ronin.

I thought perhaps our lady might find them diverting,

and I'd be most gratified if she would read them sometime.

Good-bye, Lady Toda.

Are you asleep, my lady?

My lady?

Who is it?

It's Toda.

I'm sorry to disturb you in your sleep,

but I have something I wish to tell you.

I wished to speak with you as well

and have been longing for morning to come.

Could you not sleep?

I hope you won't think it silly of me,

but I couldn't help feeling something wasn't right with Kuranosuke yesterday.

I've been awake all night wondering about it.

I can't believe he'd come here on the anniversary of my husband's death

only to sadden us with such distressing talk.

It's simply not like him.

Indeed, my lady.

As he was leaving,

he gave me this small package

and asked me to pass it on to you.

He said it contained some verses he wrote.

"Trifles" he called them, but I couldn't help wondering,

and I lay awake all night fretting about it.

Hurry up and open it.

Goodness! Some gold coins.

It appears to be an account book

for the period since he left Ako.

There are detailed entries for his expenditures

and those of other former retainers.

Could this mean -

- Lady Toda! - What is it?

Lady Toda!

What is it?

A short time ago, a man in very unusual dress

pounded on our gate,

tossed this letter inside,

and then immediately departed without giving his name.

In unusual dress?

It's signed by Chuzaemon Yoshida from Ako!

Chuzaemon? Hurry and open it!

"This morning at 3:00, 47 former Asano retainers led by Kuranosuke Oishi

broke into Lord Kira's residence in Honjo."

Forty-seven retainers led by Kuranosuke!

"As planned, one party led by Kuranosuke broke through the front gate,

while a second, led by Chikara Oishi, broke through the back.

Striking down all resistance,

the men discovered what appeared to be Kira's bedroom,

only to find the room empty, with bedclothes scattered about,

and swords still on their stand.

Since Kira was not in sight,

the bedclothes were run through, but to no avail."

Did they fail to kill him?

"After searching the entire residence three times,

a voice was heard from a storage room behind the bedchamber -

a voice was heard from a storage room behind the bedchamber.

Takebayashi and Hazama broke through the door with their spears,

and the man they dragged out matched Kira in age and description.

They demanded his name and, looking for the scar left by our lord's blade,

indeed found a six-inch gash on his back.

There could be no doubt -

There could be no doubt that it was Lord Kira."

The head.

We have brought you

the head of your enemy, Yoshinaka Kira.

On March 14th of last year,

in the Pine Corridor of the castle,

your attempt to redress a wrong ended regrettably.

Since the Asano house has favored our families for generations,

sustaining us in our lives, we could not stand idly by.

We joined in a pledge,

and from that moment until this,

with each day feeling like an eternity,

through rain and through snow,

shunned by others and scorned by the world,

some not knowing where their next meal would come from...

young and old alike keeping their ardor high,

we longed only to hasten this day.

The old and the sick,

fearing their time might come too soon,

and wishing nothing more than to die honorably in your name,

clamored for immediate action

without regard for our chances of success,

and only with difficulty was I able to restrain them.

Finally, in the middle of the night just past,

we burst into Kira's residence and took his head,

which we have now brought to you.

We have carried out your will,

so you may now release your pent-up bitterness.

In the name of all of us,

I humbly report this to you.

For the great burden you have all borne since the tragic incident,

I thank you on our lord's behalf.

In spite of your many hardships,

I am sure you now feel a great satisfaction.

From 75 down to 15, old and young alike,

you followed my orders well

and accomplished a great thing.

I would like to thank you all personally as well.

Chuzaemon.

Suke'emon.

We have completed our pilgrimage to our master's grave.

I want you two to go to the inspector general's residence

and report all that has happened since last night.

Suke'emon?

What's the matter?

I wish to remain with the group to commit harakiri.

All that is left for us now

is to commit harakiri before our master's grave.

I do not wish to be excluded from that rite.

Heaven has smiled on us, and we have succeeded in our aim.

I see no need to rush to our deaths.

How can you say such a thing?

We've persevered through hardships until this day

so that we could carry out a proud revenge

that would be deemed righteous in the eyes of the world.

It would be easy for us now to slit our bellies on the spot.

Although we acted out of loyalty, to the shogunate we are criminals.

We must respect the shogun and the law of the land.

As his loyal subjects, we must obey the law.

Our duty now

is to refrain from selfish action

and quietly await our judgment.

Isn't that how we can best show our constancy as true samurai?

Counselor, I will gladly go to the inspector general's residence!

THE 46 RONIN FROM AKO WERE PLACED IN THE CUSTODY

OF LORD HOSOKAWA OF ETCHU AND THREE OTHER DAIMYO.

THE JUDGMENT WAS LONG IN COMING,

BUT AFTER 50 DAYS,

THE RONIN WERE ORDERED TO COMMIT HARAKIRI.

ON THE NIGHT OF FEBRUARY 3, IN THE 16TH YEAR OF GENROKU (1703),

AT THE RESIDENCE OF LORD HOSOKAWA IN SHIBA...

Please, my lord. I cannot do it.

I beg you to charge someone else with the responsibility.

Den'emon, you went to Atago Shrine

to pray for their lives to be spared,

so I understand why you don't wish to be the one to tell them.

But it would be a cruel shock for them to learn of the judgment

only when the shogun's messenger brings the order tomorrow.

I beg your pardon, sire.

These flowers have just been delivered

from the home of Lady Asano in Akasaka.

The messenger asked

that they be given to the former Asano retainers

in our custody.

I'd like to know your instructions.

A gift from Lady Asano to the loyal retainers?

She must have received word of today's judgment.

She sent these flowers

to bid them a heartfelt farewell.

With a woman's touch,

she has made a most thoughtful gesture.

That's it, Den'emon.

Present these flowers to Kuranosuke and the others at once.

To receive flowers while they are awaiting judgment

will surely suggest to them their impending fate.

Do that, Den'emon.

Take them the flowers.

You say they are a gift

from Lady Asano?

Well, well.

Such magnificent blooms!

Finally we have some flowers for our funeral.

No doubt the master of this house is hinting at what we should expect.

Master Den'emon,

in return for your kindness these many days,

we'd like to entertain you with a variety show.

Excellent idea!

I intend to give the best performance of the night.

Mine will be the performance of a lifetime.

No, no, my ballads will be the highlight.

The old folks in the other room might scold us for the racket.

Let them. It'll be the last time.

Let's get set up.

Plum blossoms are known for their fragrance

Cherry blossoms for their blooms

People we cannot know by appearances

But only by their hearts

Gentlemen...

Lady Asano has most thoughtfully sent us flowers.

Let us bid her a final farewell from here.

No, let us simply thank her for the flowers.

We can't have a show without Soemon's dance.

Soemon! Soemon!

You called, sir?

- Give us your dance. - Hear! Hear!

An excellent performance, as always.

Juroza, we still need to hear your flute.

Sir.

I've just returned from the drawing room,

where I thanked Lord Hosokawa

for his generous hospitality.

Ah, very good.

Actually, I have a favor to ask.

- Then perhaps I could have a cup of tea? - Certainly.

Page, bring us some tea.

It would appear that our long wait is over.

You will finally be relieved of looking after us.

Let me express my deepest gratitude for your many kindnesses.

Everyone in the household is at a loss for words.

Please have some tea.

Thank you.

The favor I spoke of

concerns this boy.

Is he your kin?

No.

His father and I have been friends since childhood.

He is a masterless ronin at present,

eking out a meager existence.

But humbled as he is, he is still a samurai,

and he wishes his son to be one too.

If only for half a day, he'd like his boy to be near your men,

where he might learn a thing or two about true samurai spirit.

So touched was I by his wish that, even at risk of rebuke,

I dressed him up as my own boy,

hoping he might be allowed to attend to your needs this one day.

That is the favor I wish to ask.

Do you play the shamisen?

Your fingers bear the mark of strings.

In my training as a page,

I learned some accompaniment for dance.

Master Den'emon, I'm sure your intentions are good,

but I think it best that you abandon this plan.

I have no idea what may have prompted this fabrication,

but I think you've gone too far.

Please, I apologize.

She's a woman.

As you can see, she's a woman.

But there were compelling and unavoidable circumstances

that led her to dress as a man

and ask to serve as a page boy.

A woman doesn't need to learn the way of the samurai.

Perhaps there's a particular person among us whom you wished to see?

Yes.

I will not be angry with you. Tell me his name.

Who is it?

Who is it?

Jurozaemon Isogai.

Please let me see him.

I guess this is the last time we'll hear a nightingale sing.

I said this is the last time we'll hear a nightingale sing.

Oh, was a nightingale singing?

Juroza, if you're that heart-struck over her,

you should write to her.

Lament as you will, there'll be no writing from the afterlife.

I can't take that liberty on my own.

Besides, I only used her to get nearer to our enemy.

She means nothing to me now.

You need to think of her feelings.

Even if you were only using her, you did promise to marry her.

I'll thank you not to poke fun at me on the eve of our death.

Aren't you a little young to be so hard on yourself?

The shogun's messenger is on his way?

When was that?

Sometime last July.

I learned recently that Juroza was ordered

to find out as much as he could about Lord Kira's residence.

Around that time,

I remember getting a letter from him in Kyoto

saying he was studying the Kira residence.

He was worried about attracting attention if he lived alone

and felt compelled to seek out a family connection.

As Juroza put it,

if he was going to be a samurai

he intended to advance enough to have a horse and carry a spear,

and when he asked her father Mokunoshin for her hand,

he laid bare his sincere feelings for her.

Since Mokunoshin thought him a paragon to begin with,

how could he possibly object?

His dearest daughter was to marry a son-in-law he could be proud of.

Breaking out the 100 ryo he'd left untouched even in the worst of times,

and selling off a suit of armor for another 100 ryo,

he put together a fine trousseau

and hired the largest pleasure boat on the river

for a grand reception,

fancier than any of us could have imagined.

But on the appointed day,

Juroza never showed up.

The man sent to fetch him found his home empty,

and no one could say where Juroza had gone.

Stoic warrior though he was,

Mokunoshin's mortification and indignation at this betrayal

was truly beyond words.

And then he read in a newssheet

about the December 14th raid on Kira's residence

and found Juroza's name listed among the attackers.

"That's my son-in-law!" he wailed,

over and over, his eyes streaming with tears.

Sir,

as his daughter I couldn't bear to see him that way,

so I dressed like this to enter where no women are allowed.

I beg you, please let me see him.

In your desire to see Juroza,

aren't you merely being caught up in the popular sentiment?

I hear people are speaking of us as righteous warriors and men of virtue,

as if we're samurai without peer in all the land.

You're young. You were swept off your feet.

You should be bitter at his betrayal,

yet your heart still wants to believe in him.

But it's really only a momentary flight of fancy.

No matter how you look at it, Juroza heaped dirt on you and your father.

You should despise him for it.

You should despise him for the rest of your life.

You're too cruel.

You don't seem to understand a woman's heart,

nor the human heart in general.

There's one thing I really must know,

both as a woman and as a person.

I need to know Juroza's true feelings.

Was I really just used to advance his hidden plot?

Did he never love me at all?

Or did he abandon me against his will for the sake of a higher cause?

That's what I must know - how he truly feels.

Miss Mino.

I now have a favor to ask of you.

It pains me to do this,

but for the sake of all my men,

I would ask you to make yourself a sacrifice.

Juroza is a samurai, and he has prepared himself.

I don't think he'll lose his presence of mind.

But he's young.

If he sees you and speaks with you now,

he might find his resolve shaken,

and he could fall to pieces at the critical moment.

It's not so difficult to take up a cause in the name of virtue,

but to carry one's initial resolve through to the end

can be far more difficult than one has imagined.

I don't wish to test Juroza's young heart so near the end.

You're still young yourself, with your whole life ahead of you.

Spend it hating Juroza and you emerge from this unscathed.

Remember the bitterness you felt last December

when he betrayed you on your wedding day.

Carry with you the anger you felt then,

let Juroza go to his grave as a despicable liar,

and never stop hating him.

Could I ask you to do that?

Then all that matters is a samurai's good name,

nothing is more important than Juroza's final resolve,

and not only does my humiliation mean nothing,

but I'm forever doomed to wonder whether I was loved or not.

Is that what you're saying?

Den'emon.

Den'emon.

Isn't that the Otomeda girl?

I'll explain later. What is it?

Miss Mino, I can't let you see Juroza.

It was wrong of him to deceive you and your family,

but there are times when a person has no choice but to lie.

Look at yourself.

You've come here under false pretenses, dressed as a man.

For you, under the circumstances, it was a necessary lie.

Forget that you ever met Juroza. That's best for both of you.

Now I must ask you to go.

Are you saying, sir,

that if it serves a higher purpose, it doesn't matter who it may hurt?

I can't accept that.

If an expedient deception ultimately gains the truth,

then the deception does not end as a lie.

I came here under false pretenses, dressed as a man,

but if I can see Juroza just once, I will turn my deception into truth,

and I will find the truth in Juroza's deception too.

Find the truth in his deception?

I beg you, please let me see him.

Sir...

the shogun's messenger is on his way.

Please be ready.

Den'emon.

Would you please fetch Juroza?

Certainly, sir.

Juroza at your service, sir.

Come in.

Since I am under reprimand, I would prefer to stay here.

Juroza!

I believe you know Mokunoshin Otomeda's daughter, Miss Mino.

Not at all. We've never met.

Juroza!

The shogun's messenger is on his way from the castle.

Never mind that. I'm asking you about Miss Mino.

I do not know her.

The others are all waiting, Counselor.

We must prepare to meet our fate and have no time for this. Excuse me.

- Wait, Juroza. - The messenger, Counselor!

You're losing hold of yourself.

Now, Juroza,

take out your tissue pouch.

You carry in it

a fingerpick for the koto,

wrapped carefully in purple silk.

I want to see the gold crest on that pick.

Show it to me.

Juroza...

when I said you had annoyed me

and I reassigned you to a different room,

it was on account of this pick.

I know you're at a romantic age...

so I wouldn't hold it against you

that you secretly kept a koto pick in your pouch.

But I was concerned about the important test we all faced.

In gazing at your little memento

and thinking of its owner,

if you started pining to see her,

I worried that it might make you waver from your original resolve.

The slap on the wrist was intended for your own good.

Now, take it out. Show it to me.

Please, sir, do not press him further.

I am happy just to know

that Juroza has carried the pick close to his heart

to this very day.

There's no need to ask him any more than that.

You wish me not to ask and him not to say?

You'd let the question go unasked and the response unstated?

That's exactly as I would have it.

Juroza!

Tell your father I am indeed his son-in-law.

I am his son-in-law.

Good-bye, Miss Mino.

"At the time Lord Naganori Asano

was responsible for receiving the imperial messengers,

he perpetrated an outrage within the castle

and was punished for it,

whereas Lord Yoshinaka Kira received no chastisement.

Wishing to avenge their lord,

46 of Lord Asano's retainers formed a conspiracy,

broke into Lord Kira's residence with an arsenal that included firearms,

and assassinated Lord Kira.

It was an unpardonable act of lawlessness

and a direct affront to the shogun.

They are hereby ordered to commit harakiri."

Had we been given the harshest possible punishment

and been sentenced to beheading or hanging,

we would have deserved nothing less.

Your servant is profoundly grateful

that we are permitted to perform harakiri.

Stepping out of my official role, I will add a note of my own.

Lord Kira's son

has had his lands confiscated

and his house abolished,

and he is confined in the custody of Lord Suwa of Shinshu.

I thought you might like to know.

Gentlemen.

Though he must remain afar,

Lord Hosokawa wishes to pay his respects.

My master speaks:

"Despite many efforts on your behalf,

we have come to today's unfortunate verdict,

and I express my deepest regrets.

At this juncture, nothing more can be done.

As brave and righteous warriors,

may your hearts be at peace as you prepare to meet your fate."

These were my master's words.

I trust everybody heard?

For the cordial treatment

we have received since December

we are deeply, deeply grateful.

Please relay our thanks to your master.

We have provided for your final needs.

Please take all the time you need in making ready.

Your kindness in every detail...

leaves us without adequate words to thank you.

Good sirs. Mr. Oishi.

Miss Mino! Why have you done this?

It's as I said before -

so that my expedient deception

does not end as a lie.

What?

When I disguised myself as a man

and tricked my way into this house that turned my father out,

I wanted in the end to show

my unwavering fidelity.

Mino!

Juroza!

Why did you have to act in such undue haste?

When one of my fellow overseers

discreetly let Lord Hosokawa know of your coming here today,

he was deeply moved by Juroza's unwavering faith.

Having been sympathetic to the former retainers' cause from the start,

he set aside his former displeasure with your father,

restoring his house and permitting him to return to service.

I'll call a doctor. You must hold on.

No, Uncle Den'emon.

I am grateful...

but then my deception would end as a lie.

When my father hears that I took my life, I doubt he can go on living.

The Otomeda house must die out.

Only then,

only then can I fulfill what Mr. Oishi asked of me.

For the sake of the 46 loyal retainers...

my father and I gladly become the sacrifice.

We gladly become the sacrifice.

Do away with the Otomeda house.

Let the Otomeda house die.

Mino.

May your heart be at peace at the end.

I will join you shortly.

Juroza, it's time. We mustn't tarry.

- After you, sir. - No, you go ahead.

It's my duty to stay until the last moment...

to witness the final steps we must all now take.

Gengoemon Kataoka has ended his life.

Junai Onodera, please come forward.

Jurozaemon lsogai...

has ended his life.

Chuzaemon Yoshida has ended his life.

Den'emon.

It seems

they've all ended their lives without disgracing themselves.

We've carried through our original intent.

Oishi.

Kuranosuke Oishi, please come forward.

You must now excuse me.

THE END