Original subtitles

K3B calling M9.

Priority one.

The United Nations mediator due in New York

will be assassinated within hours of his arrival.

This is the first of a series of killings planned

by an organization centered in Tokyo.

Mr. Edwards, Mr. Edwards?

Mr. Edwards, Mr. Edwards!

British Embassy car and me at your service, Mr. Edwards.

Ah, yes.

Who exactly at the Embassy arranged this meeting?

Mr. Potter, MBE, the Cultural Attache.

This way, sir. -Mr. Potter.

Hello, Potter.

I thought it best we meet somewhere like here, Drake.

Ah, yes, for secrecy's sake.

Yes, of course.

Sending an Embassy car and driver,

that's model security practice too, isn't it?

Oh, yes, thank you.

We go out of our way to help you chaps, Drake.

Edwards, I'm supposed to be

a radio reporter when I'm here.

Ako Nakamura, our principle representative in Tokyo was,

to say the least of it, interrupted during a broadcast.

What do you know about that?

She died of a heart attack.

Did she?

Potter, the girl's last message was graded priority one.

Do you know what that classification means?

What else do you know?

Nothing, old boy.

She was your department, not ours.

Say, what did she report before she died?

That's my department.

Oh. Understood.

Anything else I can do to help you?

Yes, make out a report to London, a long one.

Alright, Drake. Edwards.

But perhaps this will convince you I can be

of some assistance to a lone wolf from London.

Obtained, I might tell you, not without some difficulty.

Good day to you.

Good day.

Listen, sir.

I am Tanaka, but you, I think, are not Mr. Basil Edwards,

reporter for the British Radio News.

An Embassy car would not be sent to meet such a man,

and such a man would not meet our Mr. Potter

in a gramophone store.

Indeed.

Anytime you need me, I am at your secret service.

A contact is invaluable to a reporter.

You are from friend in England?

He who may not be named.

When you see, tell him please,

affection more strong with passing years.

He told me before I left London.

Ah, London.

Lights on River of Thames, beautiful.

I know, I've seen.

Sir, may I ask is it possible for you to ask --

I know, I've seen all of London,

long years before.

Sir, this matter is very urgent.

May I ask --

London, one time, biggest city in world.

Now, Tokyo.

I know. I have seen.

Oh.

Our friend in London, he says to me,

if I wish to know anything in Tokyo, I come to you.

During tea?

Old English custom.

Very old Japanese custom also.

Now, what do you wish to know?

Sir, may I ask

have you any knowledge of this?

Found close to the body of a young lady

of courage and intelligence.

Emblem of ancient murder brotherhood.

They believe in poetry of death.

They were artists in assassination.

By ancient, do you mean disbanded?

Outlawed and destroyed when England very young.

Revived, very recently.

Ako Nakamura was on to them.

Do not know what last fatal message was,

but can tell how it was sent.

Granddaughter create flowers which speak.

Hi, excuse me, I'm looking for Ako Nakamura.

It sounds like a department store.

Oh, no, no, it's a girl, as a matter of fact.

I was given this address.

Well, it's obviously the wrong address, sir.

Mister? -Edwards, Basil Edwards.

Radio reporter here to cover the Festival of Fragrance.

Nothing to declare apart from a tape recorder,

made in Japan.

Well, Mr. Edwards, I don't know who occupied

this apartment before me, much less where she's gone.

Oh, dear, what a pity.

Oh, but wait a minute.

I might be able to help you.

Won't you come in?

Well, that's very kind of you.

Oh, by the way, I'm Rosemary Riley.

How do you do?

That's Chobo music.

I'm doing post-graduate research into Kabuki theater.

Oh, it's fascinating, isn't it?

And it's quite different to ours.

Yes, I must apologize for interrupting your studies.

Oh, that's alright.

Kabuki's been around for 400 years.

I suppose you only have a few days to trace

Ako Nakamura.

It's just a social visit.

A mutual friend asked me to say hello.

Yes, well even that's difficult

if you can't speak the language.

That's where I can help.

Maybe our porter knows where your Madame Butterfly's flown.

This could take some time.

Our porter's brain cells were not

included in the modernization of Japan.

Sorry, Mr. Edwards, but he's not even sure

where he is.

Oh, dear, what a pity.

Thanks for all your trouble.

I'll be leaving you in peace now.

Yes, thank you very much indeed.

Good-bye.

Well done, Rosemary.

You handled that like a veteran secret agent.

You know, I thought it was going

to be thrilling meeting a real, live traitor,

but, well, I don't know.

And I'm afraid I'm going to ask you to do more.

Though, what I've done for you in return seems so little.

Well, you've opened up a whole new world

for me, well I think it's so wonderful

that a man like you finds time.

Oh, not to mention, being head of military intelligence

here in Japan.

Yes, well, you flatter me inordinately.

Do you speak English?

I have come for two dozen red tulips, Japanese style.

Thank you.

Opposition established identity of woman agent K3B.

Am penetrating their organization.

Do not attempt to contact me through Potter or otherwise.

Drake.

Thank you, the tulips were perfect.

Good night.

Well, did you net Madame Butterfly?

Ms. Riley, is it not?

Mr. Edwards it is for sure.

Yes, I have a terrible head for names.

Ah, well you remembered a difficult Japanese one,

so I'm not flattered.

Well, did you find Ms. Nakamura?

Well, I'm not very tenacious about that sort of thing,

and, in any case, I'm here to do a radio program

to cover the Festival of Fragrance.

What, in the library?

But I am, I'm looking for an angle,

as they say in journalism.

I came across this marvelous book here, Japanese Insignia.

Wonderful design.

It's so fascinating that I'm hoping what I seek

is on the very last page.

But you could look at the last page now.

Very practical suggestion.

I don't think as quickly as that, which is why I probably

never made the transition from radio to television.

Well, what is the particular one you're looking for?

Oh, it's this one here.

Can you identify it?

Well, it's very old.

Kamakura period, possibly.

Oh, you sound quite an expert.

Oh, I'm not, but I know someone who is.

Mr. Sanders, he's an Englishman.

But he knows so much about Japan.

He's been here for years.

Well, I met him at a Kabuki performance.

He's been so helpful with my studies.

This man knows absolutely everything about Japanese art,

history, music, oh and especially the theater.

Nigel? -Hm?

Oh, Rosemary, my dear, what an enchanting surprise.

I want you to meet Basil Edwards from England.

He's a radio reporter.

Is he?

Oh, how nice. Delighted.

Nige! Sanders.

Yes, how do you do?

Ms. Riley tells me you know all

there is to know about Japan.

Well, I think Ms. Riley tends

to be a little over-generous,

but possibly I can be of service to you.

Look, won't you sit down? -Thank you.

This is all Greek to me.

Glad I didn't say that on the air.

It's the sort of colloquial absurdism

that gives a broadcaster nightmares.

Yes, I can well imagine, Mr. Edwards.

Tell me, are you then making a radio program about Kabuki?

Oh, no, no.

Just a little general information.

A sort of crash course is all I require.

Oh, yes, yes I see.

Mind you, I don't approve of the contemporary vulgarism

of dispensing capsules of instant knowledge,

but please ask me any questions you wish.

I hear there are no actresses in Kabuki.

You have heard quite correctly.

The Queen there is being played by a man.

How long do they rehearse?

So far, for four centuries.

I understand their plays are obsessed with violence.

Oh no, not at all, Mr. Edwards.

Rather, they are obsessed with art

and find it in every aspect of life and death,

as you will now see.

What are we going to see?

Koroshi, a murder scene.

You are about to see the poetry of death.

Well, how did that strike you?

Well, not so very strange.

The scene was rather familiar, as a matter of fact.

Oh, well not surprising.

It's the Kabuki version of Hamlet

Oh, yes, of course, yes.

If you are interested, Mr. Edwards,

I shall be delighted to escort you back stage.

Oh, that's marvelous.

I get more interested by the minute.

Yes, well, come along then, this way.

Thank you.

I'd like you to have a look at the wardrobe.

Kabuki costume is quite unique.

Each design has a special significance

in relation to the character portrayed.

These costumes are very old and valuable

and are made of the finest silk.

It's probably one of the best collections in Japan.

Now this costume here is called Sumo.

It is called sumo because of the

wide bat-like sleeves which carry the insignia

Mr. Sanders. A phone call.

Would you excuse me? -Yes, of course.

Patience, supreme virtue.

Sir, time is short.

But tea excellent for digestion.

So now, you have flower which guides.

May it lead you well and safely.

Give to number one granddaughter.

She will take.

He wasn't meant to live through it, was he?

Rosemary, my dear,

I'm extremely sorry that you've become involved

in this very sordid business.

Yes, but to trap a human being,

to kill him --

Please, Rosemary.

I sympathize with your feelings

but you must realize that Edwards is a double agent

of the most dangerous kind.

My dear, this has a built in radio bug

so that you could lead him straight to us.

Take a look around.

Isn't that proof enough for you?

Come on, I'll drive you home.

Rendezvous in an hour.

Well?

Okay.

To the memory of the charming Miss Rosemary.

I'll get you a drink.

Rosemary, I want you to stay here until you hear from me

and please on no account,

answer the door to anyone, all right?

Oh, what on earth?

Koroshi, a murder scene, starring you.

Why?

Always eliminate an innocent dupe.

Mr. Sanders is a murderer.

The girl who lived here before you was killed

in exactly the same way.

Mr. Sanders enjoys the poetry of death

both on and off stage.

But don't worry, I too can say it with flowers.

Is he following?

Like a fish on the hook.

Any second now.

Let the brotherhood renew its resolve.

We dedicate ourselves to the restoration of leadership

to those born to lead.

Leadership.

To the past and its spirit of chivalry.

Chivalry.

To death as the instrument of our policy.

That government by the people shall perish from the earth.

Fortune.

The honor is yours.

To be the executioner of the first one

is the greatest honor.

I have condemned the United Nation's mediator.

The place, New York.

The method, the Blow of Oblivion.

She was on her way to the embassy.

Never mind that.

Who warned you?

Your so-called traitor.

He is dead, and now, you die.

In my case, Mr. Sanders, the poetry of death

did not rhyme.

Tell your boys to be careful.

So far, they've only murdered girls

with gas petals.

I've no doubt you will kill me,

whatever happens, Mr. Sanders,

but I wonder if just one of your chivalrous brothers

in murder could manage it by himself?

You deal with him and don't be long.

Take one of their cars and get out.

A sandwich?

A magazine?

A Japanese phrase book?

Is there nothing I can do for you?

No, thank you, because nobody can bring a certain

young lady of courage and intelligence back to life.

Thank you.

Goodbye, Mr. Tanaka.

Goodbye, Mr. Edwards.