All language subtitles for The.Sword.of.Doom.1966-English

TOHO CO., LTD.

A TOHO-TAKARAZUKA PRODUCTION

THE SWORD OF DOOM

Executive Producers:
SANEZUMI FUJIMOTO

MASAYUKI SATO,
KANEHARU MINAMIZATO

Original Story by KAlZAN NAKZATO
Screenplay by SHlNOBU HASHlMOTO

Photography by
HlROSHl MURAl

Music by
MASARU SATO

Editor
YOSHlTAMl KUROlWA

Cast

TATSUYA NAKADAl

MlCHlYO ARATAMA
YUZO KAYAMA

YOKO NAlTO, TADAO NAKAMARU
KEl SATO, KO NlSHlMURA

TOSHlRO MlFUNE

Directed by
KlHACHl OKAMOTO

SPRlNG, 1860
THE SAKURADA GATE lNClDENT

Grandfather! Hurry, hurry!

The pass at last.

A small shrine.

Grandfather, it's downhill from here.

Yes.

An exalted saint stood
on this spot many years ago.

He prayed

that the waters falling
to the east and west would be pure.

Then he buried Buddha's image here.

The waters falling to the east
became the Tamagawa River.

Those falling to the west
became the Fuefuki River.

Flowing endlessly,

they helped the people
raise rich crops.

It's all downhill
from here on, Omatsu.

We can reach Kochi by nightfall
and find an inn.

We'll be in Edo in three days.

The view is lovely.
Let's eat our lunch here.

Hand me your water holder.

That's right. I drank it all.

On the way up,
I heard the sound of water.

I'll go find some.

Be careful.

Save us, merciful Buddha.

If this old burden that I am
could only depart for the other world,

she'd be happy
and no longer a pilgrim.

Compassionate Buddha,

please be merciful

and take me to the other world now -

Old man.

Are you a pilgrim?

Yes, I'm with my granddaughter.

Step forward.

Step forward and look to the west.

- A fine day.
- Wait.

Your face is unfamiliar.
Where is your home?

I'm Shichibei from Hikawa.
If you'll excuse me.

Grandfather!

What is it?

Grandfather!

What happened?

What a cruel thing to do!

Such an old man.

The work of an expert swordsman.

Grandfather!

- Young Master!
- What is it?

- A thief!
- What?

Disguised as a peddler!

No use going after him.

He's crossed the Daibosatsu Pass.
He's on the Koshu Highway by now.

He only stole 20 ryo.
Nothing to get upset about.

Ryunosuke, that was rash of you
with a match tomorrow.

Where did you go so early?

I took a leisurely walk
up to the pass.

Then you've made up your mind?

Let Utsugi win in tomorrow's match.

You were expelled
by lnstructor Henmi,

so it's no disgrace to lose.

If Bunnojo Utsugi loses,

he can't be the successor
to the Kogen lttoryu school of fencing.

Moreover, if Bunnojo wins...

Lord ltakura will make him
the clan fencing instructor.

So not only Bunnojo,

but all his kith and kin

have staked everything
on tomorrow's match.

You understand?

Lose to him with good grace.

Don't cling to the Kogen style.

With your skill,
you can master any style you want.

I don't fully understand
your sword form.

You draw out your opponent.

Then, in an unguarded moment,
you cruelly...

And the cruelty doesn't stop
with your sword.

It seems to have seeped
into your mind and body.

It frightens me.

A visitor to see Young Master.

No more contests today.

It's not a swordsman, but a woman.

A woman?

How do you do?

Are you Ryunosuke,
the young master of this fencing school?

Yes.

I am Hama, Utsugi's sister.

I'd heard he had a brother named Hyoma,
but as for a sister...

I am his sister Hama.

You wished to see me
about something?

It's about the match tomorrow
at Mount Mitake.

I can tell that my hus-

I mean,

my brother is very worried
about the match.

For the last few days,
he has been unable to eat or sleep.

My brother is no match for you.

You both studied at the Henmi school.

But he says your skill with the sword
is far greater than his.

I'm sorry for him
that you're to be his opponent.

I can't bear watching him.

And if he should lose

and be disgraced in the coming match,

he must renounce the Kogen School
and his position.

It would mean ruin
for the entire Utsugi family.

I came to plead with you
to be merciful

and save his honor.

Please!

It all depends on chance.

We must fight first.

Then you will not let him win?

Your concern
for your family and husband -

I mean, your brother.
I know how you feel.

But a match is another thing.

Even if I were to beg?

I, Ryunosuke Tsukue,
trust only my sword in this world.

When I fight, I have no family.

What a cruel thing to say!

You have no heart!

Hama...

a swordsman prizes his skill
like a woman prizes her chastity.

Even if it means one's family...

Even if it means
the ruin and death of one's family?

Would you surrender your chastity?

Who is it?

Excuse me.

Ryunosuke Tsukue told me to come.

He wishes to talk to me.
He said to wait.

Is that so?

But I don't see

why he has to talk
in a dirty place like this.

Please come and sit here.

I live alone, so I don't even
have tea to offer you.

It's all right.

I still have some work left to do.

Yohachi.

It's Young Master.

Yohachi, leave.

I must speak to her alone.

You're in the way.

But I've got work -

Do it later!

Leave.

Don't hurry back.

Hama.

Stand up.

I promise to let Bunnojo win.

Stand up.

Untie your sash.

Ryunosuke...

Untie it!

MOUNT MlTAKE - COMMAND MATCH

UTSUGl, KOGEN STYLE,
VS. TSUKUE, FORMERLY KOGEN STYLE

Hama.

It's too early to start preparing.

If you're this nervous already...

Take this.

LETTER OF DlVORCE

A divorce?

We're divorced.

Go back to your parents!

If this is a joke, it's not funny!
Why must l?

Enough!

Ask yourself that.

Yesterday, you said you'd go pray
at a shrine for my victory.

You had Kyusaku wait
at the edge of the village.

Then where did you go?

Hama!

What were you doing all that time

alone with Ryunosuke in that mill?

I - I -

Say no more!

You thought it smart
to go to his home!

Just when...

I'd found peace of mind by thinking,

win or lose, I'd abide by the rules.

But not now!

I'll kill him without fail,

even if we both die in the attempt!

Match!

Hijikata won?

I thought it was a draw.

No, he won.

No mistake.

Ohno's sword
may have looked like a sure win,

but it stopped short
of his opponent by two inches.

But Hijikata's sword came within
an inch of Ohno's shoulder.

No... half an inch.

Your observation is very keen.

I am Kamo Serizawa,
what's left of the Mito Tengu Group.

But that was long ago.

As time passes, our ideas change.

Our motto now is "Save the shogunate."
We're on our way to Edo.

We hope men like you will help us.

Your name?

Isami Kondo,
a country samurai from Bushu.

Bunnojo Utsugi
of the Kogen lttoryu school.

Ryunosuke Tsukue,
formerly of the same school.

Bunnojo Utsugi,

Ryunosuke Tsukue,

you both harbor no grudges?

Fight to the best of your ability.

Commence.

This is no match.

It's a duel!

A draw!

Neither side won! A draw!

Judge,

you call this match a draw?

Yes. Neither side won.

Are you too old to see?

What?

Before a draw was called,

he came at me
with an illegal tsuki thrust.

I parried and scored
a blow to the head.

See for yourself.

Ryunosuke.

Don't take this road!
It's an ambush!

Men of the Kogen school lie in wait.
Seven here, five there.

No one has grounds
for a grudge against me.

But 30 to 40 men are scattered about.

Why are you telling me?

Ryunosuke,

my brother -

I mean, my husband
Bunnojo Utsugi is dead.

Actually,

he divorced me this morning.

I have no place to go.

Please take me away with you.

Quickly!

Run away with me! Escape!

Ryunosuke!

You can't leave!

Not until we avenge Bunnojo!

You seek revenge?

Don't you know what for?

No.

What?

Utsugi died in a fair match.

No one should bear
a grudge against me.

If anyone calls me his enemy,

it should be Hyoma, Bunnojo's brother.

SPRlNG, 1 862
THE SAKASHlTA lNClDENT

RYUTARO YOSHlDA

It's only been two years,

but it's seemed longer to me.

After many twists and turns,
I've found a place in the sun.

I owe a great deal to you.
Let me thank you again.

By the way,
if things go well tonight,

I'll become
an assistant leader tomorrow.

Leader Kiyokawa promised me.

Who do we kill?

Kyosuke Kojima,
a survivor of the Sakashita incident,

and Totsuan Ohashi,
who's pulling the strings.

Ohashi's only a scholar,
so it'll be easy,

but Kojima's the Yashu clan's
best swordsman. He'll be hard to kill.

I thought of Kondo and Hijikata,

but we don't need
the aid of country clods.

Kiyokawa's place at 6:00 p. m.
Understand?

You keep taking jobs
that pay a pittance.

You become grimmer
and bloodier each time he visits.

In better times,

you'd have had a big fencing school
and we could have lived well.

You and I are outcasts,
but this child is not.

Dear, I don't care what becomes of us,

but this boy...

I wish to save lkutaro from misery.

So you hate being with me?

Never say the word
"outcast" to me again.

It's Boys' Festival,

yet I cannot even fly
carp streamers for you.

Let's at least offer
incense to Buddha.

You were born under an unlucky star.

We both suffer that way.

We'll offer Bunnojo incense in apology.

If nothing had happened
and Bunnojo and I were still together -

If I were his wife,

I would not live in misery
with a heavy heart.

Women are selfish creatures.

What?

You're to blame for everything!

If a villain like you
had never existed in this world,

Bunnojo would still be alive,

and both his family
and yours would be safe.

I would have lived
a happy life forever.

You're wrong.

This is all your fault.

You caused Bunnojo's death...

and brought about my ruin.

A woman named Hama
made it a violent match.

The tip of Bunnojo's sword
reeked of vengeful love.

My sword, too,

seemed possessed
by the spirit of an evil woman.

It all started
with a woman named Hama.

How dare you!

You're an evil woman.

No.

A devil.

I'm glad you said that!
Yes, I'm a devil!

I'll be one if you want it so much!

My son! I'm going to die!

Die with me.

What are you doing?

Live or die as you like!

TORANOSUKE SHlMADA

That's enough. Next.

I bow to you!

Excuse me!

A stranger at the entrance
requests a match.

Show him in.

Wait.

A man from another school requests
a match. Hold your practice.

I am Yoshida,
an inexperienced swordsman.

I would like lnstructor Shimada
to teach me.

We have rules concerning strangers.

First you must contend with my pupil.

Yes, I know.

I'd like a match with the man who won
with a splendid doh attack just now.

You could tell just by listening?

Very well.

He's interested in your doh attack.

My assistant instructor.

I am fortunate.

Please put them on.

No need.

Then I'll do the same.

He won with a kote attack!

Please let me try once more!

No, that's enough.

Yoshida, was it?

You use a peculiar form.
Where did you study fencing?

I studied the Ono lttoryu style
under my father.

Other than that,
there's little more to mention.

Now I would like you to teach me.

Please.

I followed the rules
and had a match with your pupil.

Now I'd like a match with you.

There's no need for that.

Besides, I'm not good at doh attacks.

I push, he retreats.
I retreat, he lowers his sword.

Seemingly off guard, yet alert.

How can I defeat his form?

I push, he retreats.
I retreat, he lowers his sword.

Perhaps only the tsuki thrust
can defeat him.

Excuse me.

You'll get wet there.
Please come inside.

But...

You can't stay out there.

It's just a shower. It'll clear up.

May I stand here a while?

I am Hyoma Utsugi,
lnstructor Shimada's pupil.

Omatsu!

What are you doing?

Coming! Excuse me.

KORYU JlPPORYU STYLE

A flower teacher?

Who were you talking to?

A friend?

No.

A passerby. I felt sorry for him.

He looked like a samurai.

You mustn't keep bad company.

You're to serve a lord.

Yes.

But...

Spoiled child.

You're attractive enough
for a lord to notice you.

Then you could live in luxury.

But I'd rather not -

You're not a child anymore!
Don't be willful!

I've looked after you two years to -

What is it?

It's Shichibei.

Uncle?

Uncle? I like that!
He hasn't come by in ages!

Have him come in.

He says he's wet.

He wants to see Omatsu
in the kitchen.

This is for you from him.

Hurry and go then.

Uncle!

Omatsu!

Sit down.

Was I away for eight months this time?

You've grown up while I was away.

I wish we could live together as family,

but I'm on the road so much
selling household goods.

It can't be helped.

You're on my mind, though,
no matter where I am.

There's something I must tell you.

We'd like to have a little chat alone.

And the rain's cleared up, so...

Have a nice chat.

Omatsu,

what is it you wanted to tell me?

Have you found a nice young man?

No, my flower teacher says
I'm to go to Lord Kamio's mansion.

Lord Kamio's mansion?

I believe she was the mistress
of the prior lord.

She hopes you'll catch
Lord Kamio's eye.

She's counting her chicks
before they're hatched.

Don't worry.

But Uncle...

She's a flower teacher,
so only women come here.

Lord Kamio's a Hatamoto,
so young Hatamoto samurai will go there.

You may meet a fine man.

Sooner or later...

you must marry.

It may be better
than just staying here.

Yes, but...

But what?

What is it?

Nothing.

If you say so,
I'll make up my mind to go.

Yes, that's best.

I'm staying in Edo a while.

If you go to serve Lord Kamio,
I'll visit you from time to time.

Please do come see me, Uncle.

Any minute now.
They're almost here.

Ohashi and Kojima left Mito Mansion.

They'll be here soon.

Any passengers left?
The boat's leaving!

Wait, boatman! We're coming!

What're they doing anyway?

Yoshida!

I'll wait on the boat.

I'm quitting early tonight!

Hurry, please!

Or I won't wait!

Wait, boatman!

Leader Ohashi!

- Kojima.
- What?

You're good with the doh attack.

Hama.

Any sake left?

Yes, a little.

Give me what's left.

Shionoyama

Sashide's shore

You know it?

It's about my village.

Shionoyama means Salt Mountain.

Sashide means
the banks of the Fuefuki River.

It's between Yahata, my hometown,
and Kusakabe.

My father loved the bamboo flute too.

He was a stubborn swordsman.

The sword was all he knew.
But strangely enough, he loved the flute.

I learned to play a little
from watching him.

He was sick when I left home.

Is he well now, or has he died?

Shall we go home to Sawai once?

We'll go by way of Koshu,
not the Ohme Highway.

From Yahata, your home village,

we'll go over the Daibosatsu Pass.

I'd be happy to go.

But what if something should happen?

No need to worry.

It was just a fencing match.

No one would hold a grudge
for that long.

Wait... Bunnojo had a brother.

He came to Edo as a boy

to enter the Otani school
in Koishikawa.

There is no Hyoma Utsugi
at that fencing school.

It made me uneasy,
so I checked on his whereabouts.

Then he must have gone home.

The others may not go home,

but from what happened,
I'm sure he will.

Hyoma Utsugi.

Let him come after me.

Instead of finding revenge,
he'll die by my sword.

Poor man.

If I killed him,
you'd feel sorry for him?

No.

I have no one to depend on but you.

You mean more to me than anyone else.

But to kill Hyoma,
who's done nothing...

That would be cruel.
I hope it never happens.

You're early.

I spent all night gambling.

There was a suspicious fellow
at your gate.

A clean-cut man of 25 or 26,
carrying fencing gear?

Is there something between you?

It's not me he's after. It's Omatsu.

But she's at Lord Kamio's place.

He peeks in twice a day
when he passes by.

He doesn't know she's gone.

A curious, stupid-looking fellow.

Is Omatsu all right?

Why?

Rumor has it

Lord Kamio's a woman-hater.

Until now.

But he's his father's son, after all.

Sooner or later,
he'll find he can't do without them.

That is, if Omatsu's near him.

I see what you mean.

I should tell the elders to transfer
the Shincho Group to Kyoto?

Yes, if you would.

What will you do in Kyoto?

Masterless samurai are up to something.
We must stop it.

Leader Kiyokawa thinks differently.

He's neither a leader
nor even a member any longer.

He plays both sides.
Don't believe him.

I'll get rid of him soon.

I'm not interested in politics.

Lord Kamio, doesn't the shogunate's
weakness concern you?

It won't fall.

If it falls, it falls. Let it.

Things will happen,
regardless of what we do.

Enjoy yourselves until then.

I'll serve some sake.
Relax a little.

The Shincho Group
takes things too seriously.

No, we have a meeting.

I see.

I'm sorry I wasn't of any help.

Just as I thought, he's a monster!

I thought he had guts!
He's rotten!

"Enjoy yourselves until then."
How dare he!

Talking like a man when he can't
even make advances to women.

Yoshida!

What is it?

I'm staying behind.
You go on ahead.

I have some business to see to.

You go on ahead.

Yohachi.

Young Master!

What are you -

I mean, why are you here?

What choice did I have?

What?

Master died.
How could I stay in Sawai?

Father?

I was an orphan as a child.

Master took me in.

I watched over his water mill.

So when he died -

When was it?

It's all your fault.

About 20 days after the match
at Mount Mitake,

Hyoma returned to Wada.

Master called the brother
of the man you killed

to his bedside!

What?

Hyoma.

With your own hands,

kill Ryunosuke as soon as possible.

If only he had never been born!

He should never have held a sword.

He allowed his obsession
with the evil sword

to corrupt and pull him down.

There is no way to save him.

The sooner he dies,

the sooner people
can live in safety once again.

But your skill with the sword
is not enough yet to -

I hear you're studying
at the Otani school,

but Otani's an old man now.

I'll write a letter
explaining everything in full.

Take it to the Shimada school
in Okachimachi.

Shimada teaches
the Jikishin Kage style.

Only he can make you
as strong as Ryunosuke.

He alone can achieve this.

Hyoma!

Join Shimada's school.

As soon as possible,

kill Ryunosuke with your own hands.

I understand.

Yohachi.

Tell Hyoma Utsugi for me

that his enemy Ryunosuke
lives behind Shiba likura.

He is now known as Ryutaro Yoshida,

and he helps
the Shincho Group for money.

If he challenges me,
I'll fight anytime.

Tell him I'm sorry,
but I'll slay him with one stroke.

No, I won't!

I hate killings! No!

I won't kill you, Omatsu.

It's a game - the bamboo game.

Bamboo?

We'll pretend you're the bamboo.

Understand?

Of course you don't.

Naturally you wouldn't understand.

Bamboo, with so many layers of covering,
can't see - like the masses.

Loyalists, shogunate supporters -

each time they flash their steel,
a layer comes off.

It's a nuisance.

But Omatsu...

the more stupid the game,
the more fun it becomes.

Here I come, bamboo!

Omatsu.

I won't be able to play
these games much longer.

The samurai class, like a heavy log,
will soon sink from its own weight.

The bamboo will grow
and become strong.

Now's the time.

First my sword will cut your sash.

And now your band!

It's a difficult thing to cut.

Here I go!

Intruder!

Omatsu, I was wrong!

Run from this monster's house!

Ryutaro Yoshida is Ryunosuke Tsukue?

Yes.

I thought his was a strange style.
That's the silent form?

Yes.

Then he knew who you were
and he came to test you?

No, it was just by chance.

I suppose so.

To defeat his form -

There's only one way.
The tsuki thrust!

Master.

Hyoma.

You haven't the slightest chance
of defeating Ryunosuke yet.

Leave your place.
Shut yourself up here.

You must not go out.

Mastery of the sword cannot be taught.
You must find it yourself.

You understand?

As you said, only the tsuki thrust
can defeat him.

Your brother probably tried it
against him too.

But if it's done poorly,

he'll turn it against you
in one final blow.

From now on, work only on how
the tsuki thrust can defeat him.

No matter when you challenge him,

Ryunosuke's not
the type of man to run away.

She's gone?

Madam.

Is Omatsu gone?

She left Lord Kamio's place
after about ten days.

So I sent her
to a merchant family as a maid.

You told me about that
when I came in early autumn.

They graciously said she was a good worker,
and she was happy there.

Then she returned suddenly
last month.

I asked her why,
but she wouldn't say.

I got angry
and treated her harshly.

Then about ten days ago,
when I got up,

she was nowhere
to be found in the house.

It made me so mad and bitter.

She's such a bother!

I asked you to look after her.

Just telling me she's gone
doesn't help -

Are you trying to blame me?

You were named her guardian.

So as her guardian, bring her back!

I'm sorry.
It was a slip of the tongue.

Don't be offended.

But where'd she go?

Have you any idea where she went?

If I knew, I'd bring her back.

She probably found a man

and went to his place.

They're at Sugiyama's home
in Marunouchi?

No mistake about it.
Saura, a friend, is there.

He told our scout Aoyama.

Who else is there?

Lord Takahashi, Yamaoka,
lshizaka, Azumi,

and Kiyokawa, the man we want.

Very well.
We'll take care of him tonight.

Otherwise we can't leave for Kyoto
with peace of mind.

Yoshida,

you can make full use
of your silent form tonight.

But let's have a drink first.
Pour one for Yoshida.

Please.

Was that a mouse?

That noise downstairs.

It's nothing.
Snow falling from the roof.

Cold night, isn't it?

Thief!

I came to thank you.

Thanks for the rude reception today!

You're -

Yes, a scoundrel who breaks laws.

Just once,
to make up for my crimes,

I saved her at Daibosatsu Pass.

But my feelings for her have deepened.

Now I feel like her real father.

I wanted money to retire.

I looked forward
to holding her children in my lap!

Where'd you hide her?

I told you everything earlier.

I see.

Very well.

In that case, I'll shame you good.

I'll strip you and tie you up,

and I'll put the two of you
out on the street.

Spare me!

I'll tell you!

I sold Omatsu to a place in Kyoto!

What's that?

Kyoto?

He brought a buyer.

She'd be easily found in Edo,
so we decided on Kyoto.

Where in Kyoto?

Shimabara!

You wench!

Sinking Omatsu
into a mire like that,

and my dreams as well!

He left Sugiyama's place?

Yes, we're lucky.

Two palanquins left the house.

Kiyokawa is in the second one.

You sure?

Saura said,
"Two palanquins will leave.

Our man will be in the second one."

- Who's in the first one?
- Lord Takahashi.

Takahashi?

The foremost lancer in Japan.

Who's afraid?
Let's kill both of them!

No, we're after Kiyokawa alone.

We'll follow them.

When they part,
we'll attack Kiyokawa.

And if they don't?

Then we'll kill them both.

Very well. It's settled.

Our leader has to see
Superintendent Nishino

about setting out for Kyoto,

so I'll give the order
to kill Kiyokawa.

Takahashi's gone his own way.

- Leader!
- Not yet!

Not here in town.
We'll chase them to Mount Ueno.

Now!

What is this? A joke?

Come out!

I am Shimada of Okachimachi.

If this is a challenge,
name the time and place!

If it's a grudge, state your reason!

We've made a mistake!

You make a mistake
and act rudely all the same?

State your names and motives,
and then apologize!

Who are you? Your name!

Kill me!

You're the leader, it seems.

Your hot-headed men
made me kill against my will!

The men lying here
were good swordsmen.

Now they've died like dogs!
How will you atone for it, you fool?

Kill me!

It's the worst mistake I ever made!
Kill me!

The sword is the soul.

Study the soul to know the sword.

Evil mind, evil sword.

The Shincho Group's going to Kyoto!

Ryunosuke may accompany them.

Master!

You're not strong enough.

But if he goes to Kyoto,
it will be hard to kill him.

At the moment,
he's lost confidence in his sword.

Don't ask me why.

Now's the time.

Remember that both of you may die,

but the tsuki thrust
may give you a slight edge.

Send him a letter of challenge.

He lives at Shiba likura.

What date?

Tomorrow, the 1 6th.

The pine grove
to the right of Zojoji Temple.

At 6:00 a. m.,
to avoid encountering others.

Hama.

Give me some sake.

It's all gone.

You've been acting strangely
since last night.

Ikutaro has a cold,
yet you went out.

What were you doing out so late
in the heavy snow?

He's fast asleep.

I hope he grows up safely.

Of course he will.

Won't you, son?

Children grow up
even without parents, they say.

Don't say that! It's unlucky!

One day.

One day, I promise.

Hama.

I'm going to Kyoto soon.

Kyoto?

With Serizawa and the Shincho Group.

What will become of us?

No! You mustn't go!

Why these sudden decisions?

Don't you ever think
of lkutaro and me?

You don't care what becomes of us.

But whose child is lkutaro, after all?

And now, when he's so sick.

What if he becomes worse and dies?

Are you saying you don't care?

Dear,

you're going to abandon us,
aren't you?

I thought it might come to this.

But it's too cruel, too brutal!

Please, do me a favor.

I can't stand the prolonged agony.

Please divorce me!

No.

We're not formally married.

I need no divorce papers.
I'm leaving!

Where will you go?

You can't tell me what to do.

It's not that.

I wanted to give you a farewell gift,
but I have none.

So a word, before we part.

Tomorrow morning at 6:00,
near Shiba Zojoji Temple,

I will kill Hyoma Utsugi.

Is this what arrived this evening?

Hyoma's challenge.

Bunnojo, now Hyoma.

I'll end up killing
both the Utsugi brothers.

Yes, do that!

That's how you are!

Kill Hyoma!

Kill everyone!

Kill everyone in the world!

Not everyone.

But my sword will get
Toranosuke Shimada

one of these days.

Hyoma will be child's play.
I'll torture him to death.

Still up?

You told Yohachi, the mill guard,
in place of his master?

Yes, to be here at 4:00 in the morning.

You can't sleep
because you're intent on winning.

Don't think about winning or surviving.

Be prepared to die.

Risk everything,
and you may have a chance.

Go lie down with a calm mind.

Ryunosuke's form
may be about to meet defeat.

What are you doing?

Madwoman!

Was that for Hyoma's sake?

No, you're wrong.

You're wrong.

What?

I wanted to kill you.

I hated you.

Ikutaro and I could be happy

if it weren't for you.

But...

but not now.

It doesn't matter.

Dear.

Ryunosuke.

Please kill me here.

Kill me here.

I will die at your hands

so that you may die at Hyoma's.

One will make recompense
for the other...

and it will make amends for your sins.

Dear.

Ryunosuke.

SPRlNG OF 1 863
THE SHlNSEN GROUP lS FORMED

You don't want to return to Edo?

No.

I don't have any relatives there.

So you insist on becoming a courtesan?

I'll be Miyuki the courtesan's sister
at Kizuya the end of this month.

It can't be helped if you've decided.

But I wouldn't have saved you
if I'd wanted you to become a courtesan.

Still...

it isn't easy for me
to raise 200 pieces of gold.

Don't, Uncle.
You've already done enough for me.

No, I haven't.

I do business in Osaka and Sakai.
I'll see what I can do.

Don't become a courtesan yet.

Excuse me, Omatsu.

A young samurai wants to see you.

- A samurai?
- Yes, a young traveler. Will you see him?

Well...

He doesn't think you'll remember him.

He said he met you in Edo.

Who is it?

I don't know.

Don't worry. Ask him in.

I must be going.

Please, Uncle, can't you stay?

You met in Edo.
You don't remember him?

No, I'm afraid I don't.

Excuse me. One rainy day, I -

I remember.

Your name's Utsugi.
You were at the Shimada school.

Please come in.

This man is like my real father.

Please.

Don't stand on formality.

So you two know each other from Edo?

No, we only met once.

Just once?

I had to come to Kyoto on business.

I was surprised
when I saw you here unexpectedly.

What is your business here?

There's someone I must see.

- I'd better go.
- No, Uncle.

I'm leaving soon.

You said you came to see someone.

Will you be staying in Kyoto long?

I don't know yet.

So you're actually searching
for this person, aren't you?

Well, yes.

That could be difficult.
Have you any idea -

Yes, but it's not much to go on.

Pardon my asking,
but is this person a samurai or -

It's rather complicated.

Omatsu, tonight's party
will be at Tsuchiya.

Men from the Shinsen Group?

Yes, the Mibu rowdies.

Omatsu!

You know the Shinsen Group?

Yes.

Assistant Leader Kondo
favors the courtesan Miyuki.

Mr. Utsugi,

does the man you're looking for have
anything to do with the Shinsen Group?

If there is anything I can do,

don't hesitate to ask.

She's saying she'll do
anything for you.

Don't hold back with friends.

Ryutaro Yoshida's supposed to be
among the group at Mibu,

but he's not there.

Ryutaro Yoshida.

His real name is Ryunosuke Tsukue.
He's from Sawai.

From Sawai?

Ryunosuke Tsukue?

Mibu men! The Shinsen Group!

We've come from Mibu!

The more you tell me,

the more a villain he seems.

A man from hell.

The world's full of villains,

but he beats them all.

Please don't worry.

Omatsu's gentle but bright.

She'll ask without rousing suspicion.

Did Omatsu send you?

Yes, I have a message.

I see. Some tea?

I'm in a hurry.

What's the message?

A guest named Yoshida
is at the party.

I see. Thank you.

When does the party end?

It's just begun. Perhaps about 1 0:00.

1 0:00?

Thank you.
- Thanks!

Now that you know he's there,
what will you do?

I'll kill him tonight.

Tonight?

If not tonight,
I'll have to find him again.

I'll follow him to a lonely spot
and then stop him.

I wonder.

What?

He's no ordinary man.

He'd notice if you followed him.

Attack when he comes out.
That's your only chance.

Yoshida.

You must show me
your silent form soon.

The Kyoto governor was so weak,
we couldn't do a thing.

But things will change soon.

We'll raise hell
and make a name for ourselves.

Girl.

You there!
Come over here.

I see you here sometimes.
What's your name?

I am Omatsu.

- Your age?
- Guess.

Between 1 8 and 20?

Just about.

Where is your home?

To the west.

- Where in the west?
- A pilgrims' amulet office.

What? An amulet office?

You!

You're one of the new girls at Kizuya?

When is your official announcement?
I'll help you out when you -

No.

I, Serizawa, Shinsen Group leader,
will make you a woman.

All right?

You may go.

I must talk to Yoshida a while.

I'm leaving. Take over.

Leader!

It's about Yoshida.

He still lives outside
and not at Mibu.

He's a bad example for the other men.

In a way, he's a member,
yet not a member.

He's not the type
to be bound to a group.

Leave him to me.

I want to speak to you
in another room.

You see, I don't know his face.

I do.

Before you carry out
your important task,

there's something I must say.

It's about Omatsu.

The poor girl has no parents.

She had a grandfather,
but the poor man was killed.

What?

I'll explain in full later.

It may sound funny for me to say it,

but she's a very nice girl.

When you're done here,
will you take her with you?

I mean, will you marry her?

It's too soon for talk like that.
I've got important work.

I know you'll win.

Shichibei's behind you.

Don't look so stern.

I travel about
peddling expensive stuff.

I meet thieves at night
or in the mountains.

That's why I carry it.

If things go wrong for you, it's bang!

That's cowardly. I'll fight fairly.

Please don't worry.

I won't need it.

You, Omatsu, and l
are avenging your brother.

We can't lose.

Kill Kondo?

As I said, that former farmer
and I differ in everything.

It makes it hard to lead the group.

With Kondo gone,
Hijikata will follow me.

The sooner the better.

No, as soon as possible.

Are we doing it tonight?

After this party.

No, he'll leave early

and go to see Oume,
his mistress, at Karasumaru.

We don't want to attract attention,

so we three will go at a suitable time.

No, there'll be one more.
Heisuke Todo.

We four will be enough.

What about that nuisance Yoshida?

Yoshida,

if you succeed,
there will be a generous reward.

I'll give you Hyoma's head.

The brother of Bunnojo Utsugi,
the man you killed at Mount Mitake.

He's been inquiring all over Mibu
as to your whereabouts.

Our men will kill him.

Reward number two is
Kondo's woman.

Her name is Miyuki.
She's a courtesan at Kizuya.

She's quite beautiful.

You must be lonely
all by yourself in Kyoto.

Did you hear us, Omatsu?

No, I felt sick, so I was resting here.

I must return to the party.

No, you don't.

Serizawa.

What are you doing?

What?

She was eavesdropping.
I'm questioning her.

No need for that.
Just kill her.

She's not worth the bother.

Then leave her to me.

You go back to the men.

I agree to what you said.

I see.

In that case -

Woman.

Who told you to come here?

No one.

The party was so noisy.
I came here for some quiet.

Please forgive me!

I didn't hear what you were saying.

Shout or run

and I'm afraid I'll have to kill you.

Stay as you are until I leave.

What is it?

Behind you.

Behind me?

The figure of a woman.

A woman?

I felt something too
and looked back,

but I saw nothing.

But I'm sure I saw her.

It's a ghost!

A ghost?

Long ago,
a courtesan named Kokonoe -

I don't know the reason -

She put on her makeup
and dressed in her best

and then stabbed herself
here with a dagger.

This room hasn't been used since.

A likely enough story,
but there are no ghosts.

I'm more afraid of the living
than the dead.

Did you see it again?

Yes.

I didn't see anything...

but I distinctly heard sounds.

Sounds?

Mountain winds.

They rise up from deep in the valleys...

blowing up the young green leaves.

Beyond, all you see

are endless mountain ranges...

that fade far away into the clouds.

I saw such a scene once somewhere.

At Daibosatsu Pass, I think.

Daibosatsu Pass?

Do you know that pass, samurai?

Very well.

But how do you know it?

I passed there once.

A difficult climb,
1 5 miles up and down.

Very strange.

Why would a Kyoto girl
climb a mountain pass?

It was as a pilgrim two years ago in May,
with my grandfather.

Ryunosuke, please kill me here!

Fool!

The sword is the soul!
Study the soul to know the sword.

Evil mind, evil sword!

Merciful Buddha...

Fool!

Serizawa!

I promise to kill Kondo!

Serizawa!

Serizawa! Where's Kondo?

Serizawa!

Kill him!

Finish him off!