Original subtitles

Tales of Zatoichi

A Bird Lands on lchi

Hey, Ichi.

Yes.

Sorry for repeating myself, but I'm counting on your skill.

Yes.

If I can get rid of the Yamada family, I'II be number one around here.

Cut, cut, and cut'em all up!

It's not Iike we're cutting radishes or burdocks.

-What did you say? -Nothing.

I'II be happy to cut them up.

I paid you 10 ryos.

You better do a good job!

Yo, Heita!

Yes.

Lead the way.

Ichi, come this way! This way, hurry!

I'm counting on you.

Hey!

You people scared away the birds.

Idiots!

This is a hunting ground.

Get out of here at once.

Birds and a hunting ground?

We're humans, you know!

If you keep complaining, I'II cut you up!

I got it, kill this guy first!

Hey, Ichi, your opponent is right behind you!

Boss...

You can't Iet complete strangers get involved in your fights.

You people go over there.

Who gives a damn! Kill him!

Yes.

Don't go!

You asshole!

What the hell was that all about? Who told you to withdraw?

Eh?

I thought I told you to kill them.

If we killed them, it would've struck fear into the Yamada family and then...

...we could've put an end to all this!

You couldn't even see what I was planning to do. You cowards!

Bastard!

Hey.

-Ichi. -Yes.

We paid you the money, but you cut our men's bamboo spears.

-I want you to tell me why. -I'm sorry.

I'm really sorry about that.

If you Iet innocent bystanders get involved in fights between yakuza...

Don't you think that your reputation will be tarnished?

What?

My reputation being tarnished or not is none of your business!

-Hey. -Yes?

I'm supported by a highly influential person in the domain.

Is that right? I didn't know that.

Boss, so you're saying that...

...if you have connections with a highly influential person...

...you can do anything you want?

What?

-Hey. -Yes.

How dare you talk to me Iike that after taking my money!

Teach this guy a Iesson!

Drop your weapon.

Give me your hand.

Here's your money.

You maggot.

Shit!

I came to a really bad place.

Boss.

Boss.

Huh?

Are you referring to me as the Boss?

Did someone call me?

My name is Gosuke.

I just want to ask you something.

Huh? Gosuke?

You want a massage or something?

I saw you in action this morning.

It was amazing.

I want to be just Iike you, I've been waiting here all day.

PIease take me on as your apprentice.

How silly.

You know, Gosuke...

If you become my apprentice, you're not gonna have much food to eat.

I'm used to not eating a Iot.

Well, what's your occupation?

Eh?

I'm too embarrassed to say.

There's no such thing as an embarrassing occupation. What do you do?

I'm a farmer.

What are you doing?

That was a wake up call.

What's so embarrassing about being a farmer?

Farmers serve a great purpose for the people.

In Japanese feudal society, they come right after the samurais.

What's so embarrassing about that?

Being a farmer who can't get any food...

I'm Gosuke, the fifth son in our farming household.

Girls can go on and be prostitutes or something.

But I'm useless.

That's why I want to be a great yakuza and...

Being a yakuza isn't great at all.

Yakuza are the scum of society.

Do you understand?

Go back.

Go back to your home.

AII right.

Hey, thanks for what you did earlier.

Thanks to you, I didn't have to kill anybody.

Oh, it's you from this morning.

Well thanks to you, I didn't have to get involved in a stupid fight.

Thank you very much.

Man, I'm hungry. Did you eat yet?

Huh? No.

Good. Then Iet's eat.

Yes.

-Hey, come on. Hey. -Yes.

Not you.

Good.

-Are you still frightened? -Why is the bird frightened?

Because of your presence.

It's all right now.

Yes, that's good. That's good.

Hey you, why don't you come and eat with us?

Who are you talking to?

Isn't he with you?

What?

That's good, that's good.

-Kadomasa has arrived. -Come in.

I have to thank you for your kind assistance every time...

Enough with your greetings. How was the fight?

Yes, well some ronin interfered when we were about to fight and...

Ronin?

It must be Hanpei Misawa.

He's a bird trainer.

So that ronin was a bird trainer.

And here's the thing, Kadomasa.

How many skillful ronins can you gather in a day or two?

Well, Iet's see...I'd say 4 or 5.

4 or 5...

What do you think?

It depends how good they are, but it's not enough.

I hear Hanpei Misawa is a Shinkageryu master...

...and is one of the top five fighters at Iba dojo in Edo.

-How many men do we need? -At Ieast 1 0.

AII right, Kadomasa. Go and Iook for 1 0 ronins.

I don't care how much it costs.

You want to get rid of that bird trainer, huh?

That's right.

He's just an ordinary bird trainer.

He's merely a member of the Iower ranks, but he's a close friend of the Lord.

And he has the power to talk directly to the Lord at the hunting grounds.

You see, Kadomasa...

I'm trying to sell the pheasants and sweetfish from the hunting ground...

...to merchants in Edo.

Of course we have to keep this a secret from the Lord.

That's why we need to get rid of the bird trainer Misawa.

I need to get him back for what he did.

I can name one of my people to replace him.

I see.

Let's put the pheasant aside.

Sweetfish tastes the best during this month.

If we miss out on this opportunity, it'II be devastating for us.

Now you know why I'm in such a hurry.

-You got it, Kadomasa? -Yes.

You'II be rewarded handsomely.

You know, it's funny.

Three complete strangers spending a night by the bonfire.

It's a very strange feeling.

Excuse me sir, but have you stayed for a Iong time in this area?

No, I just recently arrived here.

Well, you too?

Yes.

I stayed over at the gambling boss Kadomasa's place Iast night.

I was dragged into a meaningless fight, and that's what you saw this morning.

I see.

You must help them kill people since they offered you a place to stay for a night.

Yes.

That's a yakuza rule.

Obligation incurred through accepting hospitality. It's interesting.

And sir, where are you headed?

Yeah, I have a friend. A freeloader.

Really?

Then is your friend a bird dealer or something?

Bird dealer, huh?

That's a good one, but no, he's a close friend of mine.

His name is Matsumaru.

Matsumaru...that's a good name.

That's the name of our Lord.

That's right.

You're friends with the Lord, but you still have to work?

Yeah, I Iove what I do. But I need to make a Iiving.

Then you're just Iike us.

Poverty is the same everywhere. It's just how you deal with the problem.

I'm actually having a great time since I get along with birds and animals.

I too...

...want to feel what you feel for once.

Anybody can.

Really?

Yeah.

If you can Iose that killer instinct of yours.

What do you want to be?

Yakuza?

Morning!

Morning!

Good morning.

Hey.

PIease Iand over here.

I'm sorry.

Excuse me.

Just for a Iittle bit.

Just Iand anywhere.

Hey.

I'm begging you.

No?

You don't want to?

You don't want to Iand?

If you don't Iand, I'II turn you into a grilled bird.

I'm not trying to eat you or anything.

I just want you to Iand somewhere just for a while.

PIease. Hey, birdie.

I guess it's no use.

Killer instinct, huh...

Birdie.

I can't see at all, so...

I'm jumpy all year Iong.

But I'm not going to do anything to you birds.

It's just that I want us to be friends...

It's no good, huh...

That's it.

It's that killer instinct.

What a killer instinct...

When I sensed your footsteps approaching this way...

It was pretty frightening.

Really?

I want to see your skills.

It's not something you want to see.

Well done.

No, it's nothing.

It's a draw.

Well? Can you get those men?

Yes! I can get at Ieast 1 0.

But they charged us quite a Iot of money.

Don't worry. If this plan works out...

...we'II be earning a Iot of money dealing with wealthy merchants in Edo.

We will make a Iot every year.

That's right.

Heita, I hope you sent out some of your men to find Misawa's whereabouts.

Yes, I'm sure we'II be hearing from them soon.

Ichi.

Yes?

How many have you killed?

People only, that is.

Well, I never killed anyone intentionally.

I have never killed anyone.

Even though I'm a samurai...

But you have killed many, and you're only a masseur.

How odd.

Ichi.

I just saw a guy running over there.

Sir, thank you very much for everything.

Well, I think I should get going now.

Is someone after you, Ichi?

I have no idea.

We're going the same way anyway. Come on, Iet's go.

-Did you find him, Sanji? -Yes, I found him.

-But Zatoichi is with him! -What?

-Ichi? -Yes.

What's that bastard doing here...

Boss, should we take care of Ichi as well?

You asshole!

We don't even know if 1 0 people will be enough to kill Hanpei Misawa.

-We can't take care of them both. -Then are we gonna give up?

What should we say to the senior retainer?

What's wrong? Don't we have to do our job yet?

We're not fighting just one guy anymore.

There's another skillful fighter coming along as well.

Is he a samurai?

He's a gambler named Zatoichi.

That's ridiculous. A guy Iike that doesn't even count.

That's no good.

If two killer instincts collide with one another...

...someone is definitely going to die.

That's obvious, isn't it?

But...this is my fight.

I don't want you to get involved.

This is what I want.

Gosuke.

Can you bind these swords together?

Now everyone...

You rub it with slices of radish. It should come off in about an hour or so.

-Let's go Ichi. -Yes.

You used birdlime?

Yeah.

I don't use it on birds though.

I didn't know swords were this heavy.

-Excuse me, sir... -Yeah?

-Am I carrying these all the way? -Get rid of them.

Just get rid of them.

Asshole! You missed!

They're from the Kadomasa family.

I'm sorry to trouble you.

That bullet was directed towards me.

What?

The Kadomasa family is only after me...

I'm positive. That bullet was aimed at me.

Ichi, Iet's split right here.

We failed to take out the target since he had back up.

But I'II get more stronger men by tomorrow to hunt him down.

So please forgive me.

We have no time.

Misawa is a skillful swordfighter.

Do you think he won't realize that he was the intended target?

If he does, then he'II question why.

And if you're the only one who can answer his question...

What's gonna happen?

Misawa will come here.

He'II hold you down and make you confess everything.

Then what am I suppose to do?

You just hide and Iet the others wait for him.

FIee after one or two people get killed.

I'II ask for help from the district magistrate and have them dispatched.

If they see a Iower class samurai has barged in your place and killed your men...

...Hanpei Misawa will be held responsible.

He'II at Ieast have to commit seppuku.

-He's headed to Kadomasa's place. -I knew it.

AII right, you better head on home.

If you hang around with me any Ionger, you just might end up dead.

I'd rather die than work on a farm back home.

Hey Ichi.

Yes!

Sir, if you're going to Kadomasa's place, take me with you.

If I take you with me, it'II be another bloodbath.

I just want to ask Kadomasa something.

You can't settle anything by talking to them, so take me...

I have an idea.

Don't worry.

A fient is one of the basics of sword fighting.

Let's go.

Yes, yes.

Hey you. Come along.

You know...

-Don't worry about it. -Yes.

It's been a while, but the tatami mat feels pretty good.

Excuse me sir...

But you want me to massage your hips?

-Yeah, thanks. -AII right.

Your ass is frighteningly huge.

What the hell are you doing?

I'm just worried that the Kadomasa family will strike at any minute.

If you're so worried...

Go home.

I can't do that.

Well?

-He's getting a massage from Ichi. -Damn it.

We can't make a move Iike this.

Hey, I hear they also have one more companion.

I hear he's the son of a farmer from around here.

Son of a farmer? Who the hell is he?

His name is Gosuke, and he's the fifth son.

But he hates doing farm work, and wants to be a yakuza.

Mother!

Mother, the village head Toukichi said he saw Gosuke at Mikkaichi.

He's an ungrateful child!

How could he run away from home Iike that?

If he was going away, he should've said something to us!

He doesn't even have money or food.

Mother! No!

-Who brings a palanquin in here? -Move out of the way!

The merchants from Edo are pressing us.

If the goods arrive even a day Iate, it'II be devastating for them.

I'm very sorry.

Sometimes sorry just doesn't cut it.

I want you to take care of Misawa by today.

If you can't do it, make him kill himself.

Yes.

Well the thing is, he's staying at an inn and won't make a move at all.

But then again, if we raid the inn at this outpost...

We'II be blamed for sure.

I don't want to go down with them, you see.

I won't Iet you go down with them.

Take care of him by today.

I already made arrangements for catching sweetfish tomorrow morning.

We can't make any changes. Got it?

Yes.

Excuse me.

Yeah.

Here.

-Who's it for? -For you.

Me?

Ichi!

Don't talk so Ioud.

Take it out.

Take out what you have in your pocket.

Ichi, that's...

I can't read it anyway.

It's a Ietter, right?

Who's it from?

My mother!

I told you not to talk Ioud.

Stop watching me piss and Iook at the Ietter.

Read it.

"Gosuke, hurry up and help us."

"Kayo and I are at Kadomasa's place."

"Mother."

What a bunch of filthy animals.

Hey, this is what the yakuza does.

They're a bunch of scumbags.

And you're trying to be one of them.

Don't Iet our friend sense what you're up to.

Go upstairs and wait.

-But you can't go alone... -You idiot.

It's best if I go there alone.

If you come with me, you're gonna be caught as a hostage.

You understand?

Hey!

Yeah.

-They're still not making any moves? -No.

-Are you sure they got the Ietter? -Yes, I'm sure they did.

AII right, I don't care if it's the old Iady or the young Iady.

-Cut off one of their ears. -Yes.

I'm sorry about this. I don't want to do this.

My Boss told me to.

Just endure it.

Do it.

I said do it!

-Which one should I do? -Just pick one stupid!

Ichi! It's Ichi!

Go on, get outta here.

Where's Ichi?

Did he go?

What an idiot.

You bastard!

Kadomasa, what are you doing? He's only a masseur!

I'm really sorry! He caught us off guard.

Tanaka, we're Ieaving!

Ichi! Who do you think is in front of you?

He's Master Shimada, the senior retainer of the domain.

You're the senior retainer? How nice to meet you.

Now I got it.

You're the one who fired the gunshot at us!

Shut up, you Iout!

Kill him!

Hey Ichi.

Don't do me no favors.

I told you...

...this fight is mine.

-But you're facing these... -Just back off.

At Ieast the senior retainer and Tanaka are important to the domain.

I'II kill them if I have to.

Wait Hanpei.

You've misunderstood something.

Misunderstood...

You mean the one about you trying to sell...

...the pheasant and sweetfish to the merchants in Edo?

Be quiet you!

Senior retainer...

I'm a bird trainer.

If people from Edo come to investigate the hunting grounds...

...those birds and other animals will tell them the truth.

You asshole!

Let's see who has misunderstood.

I'm sure our Lord will tell us eventually.

I already submitted a written report 10 days ago to the Lord.

The Lord knows?

That's right.

So Iong, senior retainer.

Let's go, Ichi.

Ichi.

Hold it, Ichi!

If I Iet you go now, my reputation as a yakuza will be tarnished!

You bastard!

I don't care if your reputation holds or gets tarnished.

It's none of my business!

Ichi.

-Let's go home. -Mister.

-Gosuke. -Let's go home.

Come on.

The senior retainer committed seppuku Iast night.

I'm glad I didn't kill him.

If I did, my relations with the Lord would have been severed.

Sir...

Ichi, the birds are talking to you with joy.

What?

They're talking to me?

Then they're not afraid of me anymore.

To Be Continued...

Next Episode

Zatoichi saves a prostitute trying to hang herself and happens...

...to Iive with her.

A dark shadow crosses over their temporary union.

With Yukiyo Toake as a special guest, a story of the hot springs.

The next episode of Zatoichi. "An Unforgettable FIower"

See you next time!