Original subtitles

Long ago, in Heian times...

when man and demon still existed together...

devils rampaged through the capital at night...

and the high-born fell prey to one strange spirit...

after another.

To ward off the curse of one evil spirit...

the Minister Fujiwara no Yasumaro...

conducted rites to seal it away.

Lady Himiko!

Himiko!

This isn't proper!

I don't care.

No!

You'd think she was a man!

How Lord Yasumaro's head must be aching!

And tonight's banquet is meant to seal off the capital from a demon!

Even a man-eating demon wouldn't go near her.

It would take a strange man to fall in love with her.

Executive Producer: Banjiro Uemura

The Heian capital...

There the light mingled with the dark.

In the shadows of the light cast by the nobles' feasts...

the dark was filled with the cries of the common folk...

poverty and misrule.

For release from the suffering of this world...

they turned to the next, appealing to Buddha, and their native Gods.

Genkaku!

Genkaku!

Please!

Save my daughter!

Genkaku!

Thank you!

Genkaku!

Kyoko Fukada

Yuko Kotegawa

Kiichi Nakai

Directed by Yojiro Takita

Why do we stop?

There's trouble coming.

THE YIN-YANG MASTER II

Now that is a good move!

Seimei...

Am I interrupting?

No. We were just enjoying ourselves.

No trouble at all.

A monk?

Milord Hiromasa...

Who are you?

You make a fine monk!

Seimei!

Hiromasa!

The demon again. This time it was Lord Inbe Sadayuki.

He's the fourth!

He was a gentleman who served the Gods.

Prayers are of no use!

His leg was bitten off.

First Lord Tamatsukuri's shoulder, then Fujiwara no Tanetsugu's nose.

The third was the mouth, and now a leg.

The demon appeared after that strange sign in the sky.

Some say that a great evil is about to befall the capital.

Don't concern yourself with omens in the sky.

Both demons and strife are born of the human heart gone astray.

How does a heart produce demons?

Well...

think, for example, of a man who can't sleep for love of a woman.

But he has no idea of what's in her heart.

Eventually a demon who wants to devour her inhabits his heart.

And?

The man doesn't want the demon to appear...

so he plays his flute to ease his heart.

So if I don't play, I become a demon?!

From the sky to my love-life? Don't change the subject!

"Change the subject!"

There's a man the people are calling a God!

He cures the wounded and the sick where they stand.

People worship him as if he were a God.

What's wrong with that?

Gods are also born from the human heart gone astray.

That shows how badly the people want them.

Is that it?

Anyway, I assume you've come to ask something...

Yes. The Minister of the Right wants to see you.

Lord Yasumaro?

About his daughter, Lady Himiko.

Whom you love...

Have you heard about her?

No.

She's not like other princesses.

She's very strong-willed.

It's whispered even the demons fear her.

Even the demons?

Very interesting...

She walks at night and doesn't remember?

Yes.

If you call out to her, she takes no notice.

If in the morning you ask her about the night hefore...

she remembers nothing of walking anywhere.

When did this begin?

The night of commotion over the sign in the sky.

And I find myself thinking things that horrify me.

Horrify you?

For instance...

That this is connected...

to the demon afflicting the city?

Seimei...

do you think she may be possessed?

You have nothing to worry about.

You're sure?

Yes.

You are Abe no Seimei?

Yes.

So it's true... you are a bit like a white fox.

Then perhaps...

I could compare you to a demon.

M to a demon?

Milord Hiromasa says you're a tomboy...

that even the demons fear.

Well!

Seimei!

Milord Hiromasa...

men rarely see women or demons for what they are.

Why have you come to see my father, Lord Seimei?

Because I'm a demon?

Here, here! You're just being silly!

We should make haste, Milord. We might meet a demon.

Yes.

Milord!

I am Minamoto no Hiromasa. That was a beautiful melody.

I thank you.

Minamoto no Hiromasa...

it is I who must thank you.

And you are?

Susa.

Susa... what was that melody?

An old song handed down in the village where I was born.

I see.

Play it once more.

I will.

I sense great danger.

Danger?

That is a treasure of the capital, the sword Ame no Murakumo.

It came from one of the eight tails...

of the dragon Yamata no Orochi, slain by the God Susa-no-o.

Yes...

Seimei... why do you say the sword is dangerous?

Sire...

What happened?

Nothing, Your Majesty.

All remains as it was.

I see...

Now that I think of it...

has that sword not cried out once before?

Yes. In the reign of the previous Mikado.

The chronicles say it was 18 years ago.

Yet the capital remained in peace.

Yes, Sire.

Seimei...

your task is to exorcise this demon.

Sire.

Seimei...

Hm?

Seimei?

Don't interrupt!

Interrupt?

The big guy's given me a job, so i'm studying.

Don't call His Majesty that!

Here I've come to encourage you!

To do what?

Nothing.

What are you studying?

The sword, Ame no Murakumo.

It didn't do anything.

That's why I'm studying.

That eight-tailed dragon story is just a fable, isn't it?

Why do you say that?

It's about Gods.

Have you ever seen a God?

No.

So you don't know if it's a fable or not.

I guess not.

Leave that alone.

Why?

There are things in it you shouldn't know.

That just makes me want to read it all the more.

Well, I warned you.

You wish me to exorcise a demon?

Yes.

That doesn't interest me.

You could take the place of Abe no Seimei.

Abe no Seimei?

He is said to be the capital's greatest yin-yang master...

but he has failed dismally.

He made a show of sensing something in the sword of Ame no Murakumo.

But nothing happened, and he lost face before the Mikado.

He is also of questionable birth.

And he is to exorcise the demon?

Yes.

If you were to do that before Seimei does...

the Mikado would remember.

And it would greatly encourage those of us allied with you.

I can just see the look on the faces of the Fujiwara clan!

Come to the palace, Genkaku.

There is much to enjoy in the society of the genteel.

The society of the genteel, you say?

Seimei, what's this?

It says here that our land of Yamato destroyed that of Izumo.

Yes.

But it is said that it would not have been strange at all...

had Izumo conquered our land.

Seimei, that is a lie I will not accept.

Izumo and Yamato should never have fought.

Then what would have become of that sword?

That "treasure of the capital" was the sacred sword of Izumo.

Did not Yamato...

steal it?

Seimei!

I warned you!

I saw nothing.

That's best.

Pay no heed to old tales.

Those who come after...

can never know what is true and what is not.

"The sacred cave"...

kill the demon!

This is the arrow.

Do you sense something once again, Seimei?

Great danger!

Seimei...

have this.

An talisman from Genkaku to protect you.

Show more respect.

Milord Seimei, did you see anything?

What might he have seen?

From what you say...

something neither of you ever would.

I have no wish to exorcise demons.

It is not from demons the common people suffer.

As one who lives outside the capital, and who loves the people...

perhaps like me you hate those gentility has made dull.

I neither love or hate.

With the passing of time, all becomes phantasm.

When its time to perish comes, it dies.

"When its time to perish comes, it dies"...

Then I will have no more to do with exorcising demons.

You probably know this one for what it is.

This one is not a true demon.

Oh?

Not a true demon?

You were lying by the gate.

But you're all right. Your wound is healed.

Was it you who healed my wound?

Since I was small, whenever I find an injured bird or animal...

I do this.

And for some strange reason, the injury is healed.

Like birds and animals, you must have an unsoiled heart.

Trust in me, or your wound might come back.

I trust in you.

I do.

My name is Himiko.

I am Susa.

Susa...

Yes.

Milady...

Minamoto no Hiromasa is here.

Hiromasa?

Hiromasa...

Yes?

Are you here with a lovely melody to play on your flute?

Yes. One a friend has just taught me.

It's a beautiful melody. I wanted to play it for you.

I'd love to hear it. Would you mind if this lad listened as well?

Not at all!

Susa!

He's the friend who taught me. He plays the biwa beautifully.

He does?

Yes.

I know! Susa!

Yes?

Will you play that tune with me for Lady Himiko?

Sir!

Yes, please!

Minagiku...

Bring a biwa.

Milady?

Please... keep playing.

It's as if I'd known it for years...

Susa!

Susa?

Don't come near me! Stay back!

Susa?!

Susa, are you...

Susa!

Sir...

Is he ready to speak at last?

About the demon afflicting the capital...

Yes?

I think perhaps...

it is connected to that sign in the heavens.

Why?

Something like this happened when the sword last cried out.

18 years ago we attacked a village of the Izumo people...

and killed them all.

The people of Izumo had the craft of working iron and gold.

Because of that...

we couldn't help but fear that one day they would rebel...

against the Court.

It was a terrible, brutal deed.

That was the day...

the sky darkened...

and I first encountered Himiko.

"Encountered"?

She is not my real daughter.

She is an Izumo girl.

An Izumo girl?

But she remembers nothing of Izumo.

Seimei...

Ame no Murakumo is an Izumo sword.

The demon that appeared after that sign in the heavens...

must be connected to Izumo.

Seimei...

what will happen to Himiko?

What if it turns out the demon is my daughter?

I am sure it will not turn out that way.

Seimei... who's going to be devoured next?

I don't know.

You mean there are things even you don't know?

But when this demon devours it follows Izumo divination.

What?!

What do you mean?

These eight signs signify a great deal.

Tell me again where the demon has bitten its victims.

I see...

Shoulder, nose, mouth...

leg, eye...

ear...

It all fits!

Yes. Then there's...

this sword.

Ame no Murakumo...

In the lore of Izumo, the sword was said to...

seal in the eight human desires.

"The eight desires"?

Yes.

Lust for fine food, lust for violence...

lust for rest, lust for satisfaction...

sexual desire, defilement, lust for joy and lust for ease.

All desires that destroy the human soul.

These are...

the eight heads of the dragon Yumata no Orochi.

That is the power this sword wields.

Seimei, what does all this mean?

When the demon has attacked eight people...

the seal on the sword will break, and something will happen.

But what?

Hmm?

Seimei...

Is this that sword, too?

I guess so.

I get it!

This Izumo story is a lie.

Susa-no-o didn't get this sword untill after his sister...

came out of the cave.

So he can't have had the sword before that.

You can read it many different ways.

"Many different ways."

Hiromasa!

You amaze me!

Why?

You're incredible!

I am?

Look at this!

All the demon's victims...

trace their ancestry to six of these eight Gods outside the cave!

So there are two left...

The God of Strength...

and the Sun Goddess.

Tajikarao...

What?

I wish a lock of hair.

My hair?!

Yes.

Ow!

Why, you...!

Will that bring the demon?

Yes.

If divination controls it, divination we will use.

It always attacks on the left, so its next target will be...

the left arm.

Don't worry, Mitsumushi. I'll protect you.

Thank you.

Father!

No more!

Stop crying.

I never wanted to become a demon!

It is not a demon you will become.

You will be a God.

Susa!

Is that you?!

Stay back!

No, Susa!

It's me, Hiromasa!

Seimei!

You violated a charmed space!

"Violated a charmed space"...

I'm sorry.

But your flute saved me.

Did you know him?

Yes.

We play music together.

I see...

Susa?

Susa?

Susa!

No!

You must not come near me!

Why?

Flee!

Quickly! Flee this city!

Why would I flee from you?

Susa...

Himiko! Who's there?

Is someone there?!

Run!

Lady Himiko...

Go!

Himiko! Who's there?!

He was fighting not to bite into you.

He still has a soul.

Seimei, please...

Return him to human form.

This "Susa" seems to be very well-liked.

Lady Himiko!

Lord Hiromasa...

could you please leave the two of us alone?

What?!

That's the only way I'll get him away from you.

You know this demon, don't you.

Yes.

Amemiko...

Milord?

I can only think...

I've awakened something I shouldn't have.

Seimei...

Susa bears the same mark.

We must be linked somehow.

Do you know something about me that I don't?

Must you know?

Perhaps I can save Susa!

Let's go.

I think we have to.

I will not let you die. There is something you must do.

No!

I don't want to devour her!

"Her"?

I see...

So you've met her...

You've met Amemiko...

So have I.

The time has come!

Eat!

The seventh meat!

Then only that of Amaterasu remains!

No!

This is the village in which you were born.

Amemiko...

Amemiko...

"Amemiko"...

That's what they called me here.

What are you doing?

This person has no tongue to speak.

So I'm going to make one.

What is your name?

Why have you appeared before us?

My name is Tsukuyomi...

mother of Amemiko.

Mother?

Are you my mother?

Mother!

Amemiko...

You must flee.

You must not stay.

Your brother is doomed to a wretched fate.

You must flee!

My brother...

He is a raging, impetuous God...

who will kill you.

A raging God?

Father!

The day our village fell...

he made a pledge to the Gods...

to vent grief and hatred such as was never known.

The son of his Izumo blood would he reborn as the God. Susa-no-o...

to he the new king of this land...

and to destroy the realm of Yumato.

His unbounded hatred for Yumato...

awoke the spirit of Susa-no-o, long sealed away.

The God. Heard his prayer...

and on the baby's shoulder he placed the guardian sign...

of Yumata no Orochi, the eight-headed dragon.

Yes, O wild God!

Susa-no-o will be reborn!

My arm!

It hurts!

But the God. Had a cruel fate in store for us.

He cut two signs...

and carved them into the baby and his elder sister.

As a final blood sacrifice...

the God. Demanded Amemiko.

O God...

do you wish my daughter as well?

Those two marks mean...

through you both Susa-no-o and Amaterasu are reborn.

Then why would Susa have to kill me?

Only Amaterasu, the Sun Godde ss, compels obedience from Susa-no-o.

While you are here...

Susa cannot rampage.

Amemiko...

you must flee!

You must leave...

and never come back!

Quickly!

O God!

May this child become the great king of Izumo!

Stop!

This is for Izumo!

That child should never have been born!

You would kill a God's child?

Forgive me!

This is for Izumo!

Live, Amemiko!

Live till the day comes...

when we meet again.

Mother...

I have to save that boy.

Amemiko!

Yes.

You will save him, Amemiko.

Isn't it ironic, Seimei...

that you should conduct Amemiko here.

Father!

Genkaku... hasn't this gone far enough?

Why must you sacrifice your own child to the Gods?

You wouldn't understand.

What dies...

dies.

Now it is Yamato's turn.

With the passing of time, all becomes phantasm.

You understand nothing of how we think.

Nor do I.

Tsukuyomi...

Stop all this fighting.

Go back to what you were.

Please...

Mother!

There is no one who can stop me!

Now, Amemiko...

come to your father.

We're going to your brother!

No.

You mustn't!

Amemiko, daughter of Izumo...

Save your brother, if you can.

Don't try to stop us.

The fate of the capital is none of your concern.

Open your eyes, Genkaku.

Do you really think to rule a God?

Be silent, Seimei.

This is the land...

of Izumo!

Lord Hiromasa!

Hiromasa!

Huh?

Susa!

Susa!

Susa!

Why did you not flee?

I couldn't abandon the only kin...

I have in this world.

Sister...

Don't be afraid.

I'll never leave you alone.

No, there is nothing to fear.

Amemiko...

you will become one with your brother, and together...

we will create a new Izumo!

I know nothing of Izumo...

nor of you.

Amemiko...

Susa...

come live with me.

That will not be, Susa.

Devour her! Devour Amaterasu!

No!

Not my sister!

Susa!

Susa!

It is your fate to devour Amaterasu!

Suffer no more.

Susa...

come with me.

Susa!

Now!

Come, Susa!

We're going to build a new capital!

What happened, Mitsumushi?

Mitsumushi!

Genkaku!

Genkaku!

What's going on here?!

What are you doing?!

I forbid you to pass!

As you wish.

Go, Susa.

"Susa"?

The boy that Himiko helped?

"Himiko"?

I see!

You're the man...

who raised my daughter Amemiko for me.

Your daughter?

Save us, Genkaku!

We're your friends!

Friends?

You are men of the capital.

The genteel!

Seimei...

is a God truly so cruel as to do this?

Susa!

Take our sword!

Grasp the sword of Izumo!

Now, destroy the capital...

and the land of Yamato!

Sire!

Kanemichi!

What is the meaning of this?!

Has he become the raging God?

Seimei!

Amaterasu!

Amaterasu!

What's that?

Ame no Miyashiro.

A shrine?

The shrine to the cave of Ama no Iwato.

Does that cave...

really exist?

Not in this world.

And...

there is an old curse that says...

one who passes through its gate...

may never return to this world.

Feast your eyes...

on the destruction of Yamato's capital!

What are you doing?

Reviving Amaterasu.

Amaterasu?

Opening the cave.

But...

to do that is to die!

Seimei...

I'll go, too.

No.

You must not.

Seimei!

This is the realm of the Gods. I don't know what will happen.

I cannot let you die.

Nor I you.

Must I stand silent While you risk your life?!

Where you go, Hiromasa stands with you.

With you there, death itself holds no fear.

Let's go, Seimei.

All right. Let's go.

Mitsumushi...

Yes.

May Lady Himiko guard you.

To bring the Sun Goddess from her cave, the Trickster Goddess must dance.

Play, Hiromasa.

Susa!

Abe no Seimei!

You!

Where are we?

Keep playing!

Stop, Hiromasa!

Stop playing!

Seimei...

you dare summon Amaterasu?!

This shall not be!

Seimei!

Susa...

Susa...

Amaterasu!

Susa...

my dear brother...

No, Susa! Stay here!

Susa...

No, Susa!

We shall never again be parted.

Susa...

Susa...

No, Amemiko!

Dearest father...

neither Susa nor I bear hatred toward you.

Amemiko...

You are the great king of Izumo.

Tsukuyomi...

Seimei...

Seimei!

This is a dream!

It's a dream!

So wake up!

It is no dream.

Genkaku!

Stop!

Have no fear.

Now Seimei is as if dead.

And I have no hatred left to bury a sword in him.

Now it is up to him.

Genkaku!

You mustn't die.

You must live...

for Lady Himiko and Susa.

Mitsumushi...

Seimei!

Seimei!

Seimei!

Genkaku...

Seimei...

was what we saw a dream, or a vision?

Beats me.

You wouldn't open your eyes.

That terrified me.

I thought you'd gone away.

I'm right here!

Who's going to drink with me if I don't have you?

Yeah.

And it'd be a bore...

not to see you always losing your heart...

to some princess.

Seimei!

Then I'll become a demon!

Good.

The world of men is so dull without demons.

I'll exorcise you.

Cut that out!