Original subtitles

Tales of Zatoichi

The Sumo Wrestler Who Found His Home

A senior pupil dropped the Stablemaster's money.

So we said that I spent it, and I was kicked out.

Then why didn't you tell the truth?

I owed my senior, so I couldn't say no.

You've got some good qualities.

That's unusual in this day and age.

But that's no reason for you to die.

Yeah, well I have no money...

I'm hungry...

...and I figured I'd be better off dead than suffering.

What about your parents?

I don't know where they are. I'm an orphan.

The people who raised me live in Numata on Joshu, but they're poor farmers.

If I go home I'll just add to their burden.

Good things can happen just by being alive.

You have to have hope.

Yes! I feel better now that I've eaten.

-Can I have some more? -Are you sure you should eat more?

I could eat 1 6 bowls! More please!

Yes!

What have I taken on?

How far are you planning on following me?

Well, I'll follow you anywhere.

Having someone like you around isn't good for my wallet.

So I'll be on my way. Goodbye then!

But you fed me so much.

I'll carry you.

Please, get on. Please.

Okay then.

Wow, you're pretty heavy.

If I had known, I would have eaten more.

Place your bets!

-Even! -Anyone betting on odd?

-Odd! -Even!

Where is that old man from the other side of the river?

That stubborn old man...

The profits from the annual sumo ceremony are no joke.

Your body is like a sumo wrestler's, Boss.

In my day...

...I got to the third rank in Edo.

Really?

Even now, in this neck of the woods, there's no one...

...who'd want to go up against me.

No wonder you have this strong body.

I see business is going well for you.

It's a bumper year for silkworms, so everyone's wallets are full.

Do you have a woman throwing the dice?

How do you know?

The dice sound sexy.

You've got some experience, haven't you?

Oh, I do love to gamble.

-You can play a while if you'd like. -I will then, later.

Hello, are you here to gamble? Please, this way.

-And you too, sir, please... -Uh, l...

How is the gambling business?

Everyone's bets are small even though their wallets are full.

And the merchants are getting stingier.

I'm finished.

That felt great. Why don't you get a massage, too?

-Oh, I guess I will, then. -Oh, sure.

It's been a while since I massaged a lady.

You idiot!

Where are you massaging! Massage her shoulders!

Right, sorry!

Place your bets!

Here you go, sir.

I can eat this?

Please, don't be shy, eat to your heart's content.

By the way, sir, how many chips shall I bring you?

Chips? I've never eaten those.

You're funny. Well, how about I bring you twenty to start.

It's 1 00-mon per chip, so it's 2-bu for 20.

Uh, I'd like to collect payment for your chips.

I can't eat those! I want sushi!

You shouldn't kid like that, sir. This is a gambling hall.

Whether it's 1-bu or 2-bu, you have to pay.

I don't have any money!

See for yourself!

Sir, this sumo wrestler is with you, isn't he?

No, I don't know who he is.

You came in here without having any money!

-You're the one who told me to come in. -You're eating sushi for free then!

-You told me to eat, so I did! -You've eaten enough for three!

Don't be so violent!

You bastard! Hey guys, lend me a hand!

You, low rank sumo wrestler!

This is Akamatsu family gambling hall! You won't get away with this!

-What's going on? -lchi.

This bastard came in without money and ate sushi for free!

I just did what he told me to.

-Stop kidding around! -I'm not kidding around.

You can't eat sushi without paying at a gambling hall.

-But l... -Excuse us.

Look, you can't come and do that.

Take this and get one of those chips.

Here.

What, that's it?

Even if you only get one chip, you're still a client.

-Give him a chip. -Thank you.

Okay, let's gamble. Excuse us.

If I close my eyes, it's even.

If my nose moves, it's odd. Got it?

Thank you for waiting. Please, continue the game.

Let's begin.

Listen closely to the sound of the dice.

Place your bets now!

Anyone betting on odd?

Even!

Okay, here we go!

2-6, Even!

Even!

Odd!

What? The masseur?

Yes, with a kid...they keep winning.

At this rate, we are going to lose all our money!

Fine, you roll the dice.

Cup.

Masseur.

Yes, sir.

-lt looks like you're doing well. -Yes.

Thank you very much.

Get the cash box.

We'll accept any bet you place.

Please. We'll accept any bet you place.

If you move both your eyes and your nose, I don't know how to bet.

-lf you don't know, then stop. -But, there's so much.

Please, sir, place your bet.

The day's about to break, and...

...I won't be in good shape when morning comes, we'd like to call it a night.

Hang on a second, day or night makes no difference to a blind masseur.

Or is it that you don't like the way I roll the dice?

Well, when the sound of the dice in the cup changes...

...it throws me off a bit.

That's a funny thing to say. It's like you're saying I'm cheating.

You! Are you accusing us?

Did something just fall?

Dice.

Oh, we must give that back to the lady.

It's a tool of her trade.

You!

I thought I saw a flash, and then, it was back in its sheath.

Even I was shocked.

I'll give you this money, so you go home.

I don't want the money. You won it.

Go ahead, take it.

Okay, then just one.

Thanks a lot.

Oh, you're a good kid, but don't be so shy.

Fine, then we'll split it.

Now take that and go home.

Okay?

I have a favor to ask you.

A favor? What?

I...I would like to be your apprentice.

You want to be a masseur?

No. I want to be a gambler.

I heard that my real father was a gambler.

Ichi, look.

This is my real father's name... he's called Nihei.

What? He's asleep.

So this is where you've been. How dare you accuse us!

Please be quiet. He just fell asleep.

If he's asleep, then let's wake him up!

Ichi.

Go home.

If you don't go home, I'll kill you too.

They've all been killed.

Who are you?

A wandering ronin, Yajuro Soma.

You saw what happened?

He can't be killed with yakuza street fighting techniques.

I'll kill him for you.

But I'm not cheap.

You're hired.

Hey! The boat is leaving!

The boat is leaving!

Hello, there.

Welcome.

Is this Boss Nihei Haraichi's place?

That's right.

What would you like?

What kind of soba would you like?

Soba.

...a soba noodle shop.

-One cold soba, please. -Got it. One cold soba.

-Here you go. -Thanks a lot.

Life takes us in different directions...

Rumor has it one word and 200-300 people would come running...

...but I had no idea he ran a soba shop.

Is it strange for a former gambling boss to run a soba shop?

Huh, er, uh...

-Did you come looking for me? -Yes.

Well, I'd heard about you from all sorts of people...

...and I've always wanted to meet you so, here I am...

I'm called lchi.

I see.

Thanks for coming.

Thanks for the food.

What do I owe you?

That's 10 mon.

I see.

-ls there a problem? -No.

I'll pay.

Thank you very much.

Oh, mister, I charged you for the soba...

...but once you stay at my place, I won't charge you a mon.

Please, stay a while.

Thanks a lot.

I've stayed with many yakuza families...

...but never at a home such as this.

When I was a gambler, I'd heard a lot of stories about you, lchi.

But to have you seek me out after I've washed my hands of that life...

...I guess it's good for both of us.

Fate is a strange thing.

Boss, I'd like to ask you something.

Do you just have one daughter? Have you ever had a son?

Why are you asking me this?

Please, listen without getting mad.

While I was on the road, I met a young man.

According to him, he was abandoned as a baby.

And in his amulet pouch there is a piece of paper...

...that says his father's name is Nihei.

That's your name too, so I thought...

My eyes are getting bad these days.

Boss, let me do that.

You?

I thought you were blind, but you've got great eyes.

It's intuition.

About the boy you mentioned.

1 8 years ago, we were traveling through Numata in Joshu with our infant...

...with no money and no food.

On top of that, my wife was sick. We were starving to death.

I thought if some kind people could take our child...

I turned my heart to stone and left him on Tenguiwa Rock at Myorakuji Temple.

Good evening.

Yes.

Father, may l...

Coming.

Good bye.

Ichi, I hate to be rude, but I have to go out.

-Why don't you take a bath? -Thank you very much.

-Mr. Ichi, let me wash that. -No, I can't let you do that.

If I make our guest do that, my father will scold me.

Really? Are you sure? Thank you.

Well, what can I say...

There's no one as highly regarded as your father. Really.

I had no idea he was running a soba shop.

I was shocked.

When he charged me for my noodles earlier, that shocked me too.

He's very strict about getting paid for his soba.

And that's what's so great about him.

It's a nice warm winter this year, isn't it?

Do you smell something?

-Mr. Ichi, fire! -ls there a fire?

Mr. Ichi, your kimono!

Hot! Hot!

Restaurant Chidori

Hey, Pops!

It's been a while!

Come, come!

I heard you wanted to talk to me about a guest of mine.

I'm a hard working soba shop owner now.

There's no one at my place who you'd be after.

I see.

Give the man a seat.

Pops, your eyes are getting bad.

A guy we're after has been staying at your place.

Well, it's a soba shop, so all kinds of people come.

A traveling masseur is staying at your place. My guys saw it.

I want you to hand him over to me.

You should know, as a head of a family, I can't just hand over a guest...

...who is staying at my house, no matter who he may be.

You may be getting older, but you're still something else.

You make an honest living now, but you still...

...hold on to the yakuza ways.

Well, I'll talk to you on that level then.

I want an answer about that sumo ceremony I asked you about tonight.

We've been in charge of the event for years.

Pay me 50 ryo or 1 00 ryo, but I can't hand over that position to you.

Stablemaster lsokaze, it's been a while.

You were a Matsugamine, right?

Yes. I was a junior class sumo wrestler...

..but I'm pretty well known around here as Matsugoro Akaiwa now.

I came to welcome you.

If you're well known, it doesn't matter what business you're in.

Where are the other sumo wrestlers?

-They're coming with our luggage. -Oh, I see.

Well, I have some business to discuss with you...

...so perhaps you could stop by for a bit.

Matsugoro, I appreciate your kindness, but...

...we've been invited here by Boss Nihei Haraichi.

We have to go say hello.

Oh, you don't need to worry about that.

The Haraichi Boss has some business he has to tend to...

-...so I've come in his place. -Please, please.

The other wrestlers can come too, please.

They are late.

Sumo wrestlers are laid back, they're taking their time.

But they should be here already.

Here he is.

That's a sumo wrestler, no doubt, but what's he doing alone?

Uh, you...did you come from Edo?

Originally, yes.

But then I went to Numata in Joshu.

Then I turned back and now I'm taking the Nakasendo to Usui.

Did you come across the lsokaze Beya wrestlers?

Isokaze Beya wrestlers?

Is the Stablemaster here?

Are you a sumo wrestler from lsokaze Beya?

I used to be.

But I'm not a sumo wrestler anymore.

And now you're on your way home?

No, I'm looking for someone.

Who?

A masseur who is a master of laido named lchi.

Excuse me.

Come on, keep betting.

Okay! Two-bu on even!

That's it?

Why not place a bet as big as your body?

-One ryo on even! -Me too!

Please give me the number I want.

Here we go!

2-6. Even.

-Welcome home. -Thank you.

-Did the sumo wrestlers arrive? -Just one.

Ichi!

It's me, it's me! Ichi, I missed you!

Didn't you go home?

I did and I left them all the money you gave me.

Why didn't you stay and live with your parents?

I wanted to see you. I won't ask you to teach me gambling.

I won't say I want to be a yakuza anymore. I just want to be with you.

I will do anything, please.

Good evening.

Stablemaster.

Boss, how are you?

Hello, please come in.

No, this is fine.

Where are the others?

We made a stop along the way.

I'm so embarrassed I don't know what to say to you...

The young ones did something stupid and...I'm so sorry.

What happened?

Well, you see... could you come with me to Chidori?

I see...

I understand.

Let's go. But hang on a second...

-Daihachi! I mean, Mr. Daihachi! -Yes.

Stablemaster!

Hey, it's you, Tenguiwa!

Stablemaster.

I... I'm sorry I spent your money.

I heard the story from Araiwa. I got the money right back.

I've been looking all over for you.

So that money, he didn't lose it?

-lt seems that Araiwa left it in a shop. -I see.

Thank goodness.

I didn't need to wander around, starving.

Pops, looks like I'm going to be organizing the sumo event this year.

I told you no.

But you had to go meddling. You have dirty ways.

That's an accusation.

As you know, I used to be a wrestler.

What's dirty about serving a drink to the Stablemaster who used to help me?

If what you say is true, then I have nothing to say.

I will take care of the wrestlers.

Fine, go ahead, take them if you want.

But first you have to pay the 1 50 ryo they owe in gambling losses.

-You see, the young ones... -Stablemaster, you stay out of this.

This is between me and pops.

Gambling debts need to be paid no matter what.

You should know this well, Pops.

-I'll take care of it when I get back to Edo. -Please don't say anything.

I'll pay you the money.

But I need you to wait until after the sumo event.

You're not getting it, Pops.

You can't do the sumo event unless you pay the money.

And I'm holding onto their ceremonial aprons, too.

Why don't we do this then, Pops?

Let's make an exchange, the 150 ryo for the masseur.

How is that?

No.

Think about it overnight.

Not only am I a burden to you...

...now you've taken in a gluttonous eater. I'm so sorry.

Oh, don't worry about it. Stay as long as you like.

Thank you. Your shoulders are tight, Boss...

-Daihachi. -Yes!

I don't have the strength to do these shoulders...it's in your hands.

Yes!

The Stablemaster used to complement me on my massages.

-Let me help. -Thank you.

-What do I do? -Sprinkle some of that flour here...

Sorry about that.

Daihachi, where did you say you were from?

Numata in Joshu.

Forgive me if I am being rude, but what's your animal sign?

The boar.

I hear your wrestling name is Tenguiwa. Is there a reason?

Yes, when I was a baby, I was left at a temple called Myorakuji.

And that's why Stablemaster lsokaze named me Tenguiwa.

How's this?

-You're very strong. -Yes.

He said he would forget about the 1 50 ryo in exchange for me?

Yes.

But I didn't mean to tell you that.

Why do you think this happened to begin with?

It's because you ate sushi without paying for it.

Yes.

Where are you going?

Bathroom.

Hey, uh...You!

Wait a minute. Calm down, calm down.

You bastard!

Come out! Come out!

Boss.

I've come to settle the 150 ryo debt that the sumo wrestlers owe you.

This is good.

Okay, then let's have you pay it back then.

-I don't have any money. -What?

In exchange for my body, the head of Zatoichi has to be worth 500 or 600 ryo.

Boss, I'd like to ask for a duel in exchange.

With you?

Let me take care of the duel.

This is a one shot deal.

Who ever cuts this coin first wins.

Masseur, if you lose, your life is mine.

And if I win, I get to take the ceremonial aprons and the wrestlers.

Of course, a man does not go back on his word.

This is fun.

Hey Boss, why don't you let me toss that coin?

Sure, fine, go ahead. Here.

Are you ready?

Go!

I win the match.

I'm sorry I acted so selfishly. Please, don't be mad.

How can I be mad....

You are a guest in our house, but I made you go through that.

No, the real reason behind this is all because...

I ate their sushi without paying for it.

I'm sorry.

Please, lchi, let's have breakfast.

Yes!

No matter what happens, don't let him go outside.

It's a promise between men.

Don't you come out either!

Kill him!

Go! He's alone! Don't be cowards!

You can't go outside! It's a promise between men! No! No! No!

You idiots! Don't run away!

Kill him! Kill him!

You!

Sir! Sir!

There's no choice. I can't count on anyone! Fine, I'll kill him myself!

Ichi!

Ichi!

Ichi!

Daihachi.

Ichi will come back if you stay at my place.

But l...

Daihachi.

Will you become my son?

Come to think of it...

...you have the same name as my real father.

To Be Continued...

Next Episode

Tales of Zatoichi

The five yakuza relentlessly pursue lchi.

And now a fearsome gunman has joined them.

Along Kisoji mountain pass, a grave danger awaits the wounded Zatoichi.

Tune in for the next episode, "The Whirlwind of Kisoji Mountain"

See you next time!