All language subtitles for The Thirteen Assassins (1963).Eng

A TOEI Production

THE THIRTEEN ASSASSINS

Planning by
Junichiro Tamaki & Kanji Amao

Screenplay by
Kaneo Ikegami

Photography
Jubei Suzuki

Film set by
Tokumichi Igawa

Starring

Chiezo Kataoka
(Shimada)

Kotaro Satomi
(Shimada's nephew)

Ryohei Uchida
(Hanbei)

Tetsuro Tamba
(Doi)

Satomi Oka (Koen)
Junko Fuji (Kayo)

Yuriko Mishima
(Chiyo)

Kantaro Suga
(Naritsugu)

Akira Shioji
(Horii)

Ko Nishimura
(Hirayama)

Kanjuro Arashi
(Kuranaga)

Ryunosuke Tsukigata
(Makino)

Directed by Eiichi Kudo

September 5th 1844,
at dawn, in Edo castle.

A man committed seppuku,

in front of the estate
of Minister Doi.

He was a vassal
of the powerful Akashi fief,

ruled by lord Matsudaira Naritsugu.

His name was Mamiya.

He was the fief chamberlain.

Lord Matsudaira Naritsugu

was the younger brother of Ieyoshi,
the current shogun.

This scandal shocked
government officials.

No use talking about it,

but Sir Naritsugu was born
with an unsophisticated personality.

Inconsiderate to his family's status,
not only is he arrogant...

...but also has an unparalleled
love of women and sex.

I hear farmers' uprisings repeatedly
occur in his home territory of Akashi.

I also heard that last year on his way
to Edo for his annual tour of duty...

...he was involved in a scandalous incident
on Kiso Highway in Owari Castle's territory.

Just so that such an
incident wouldn't happen...

...we changed the route for his
entourage to Nakasendo Highway...

...but it seems as if
that had a reverse effect.

I met the shogun.

His Highness orders that we do everything
we can to settle this matter quietly.

Although born
from different mothers...

...it is natural that he gives special
consideration to his own younger brother.

It is the fault of the then cabinet
of senior advisors...

...who sent Sir Naritsugu as an adopted
son to the Matsudairas of Akashi.

It appears that Zusho Mamiya
committed harakiri...

...to appeal to the Central Government
to take an appropriate measure.

I understand.

His Highness is the ruling justice of
the country, noble by Heaven's will.

It's pointless to argue
over it any more.

The corpse of Zusho shall remain
on the estate

of Sir Oi-no-kami for
the initial period of mourning.

Please.

Inspector Shinzaemon

is here, according to your wish.

So Shinza is here.

I hope it wasn't inconvenient
that I asked you to come so late.

It doesn't bother me.

I've been a widow for many years,
so I have few obligations at home.

You probably heard about it.

Mamiya's seppuku.

Take a look at his letter of appeal.

It's no use reading it at this point.

I understand the cabinet has

already decided on how
to handle the matter.

By the way,

what do you think of Sir Naritsugu?

I feel he may not be worthy of

the historic Matsudaira family.

Since you understand that,
there's something I need to tell you.

I've been looking for someone
among my closest vassals

for the last three days.

And I've picked you.

Sir Doi,

my understanding is a man's life weighs
more than anything and is irreplaceable.

I know that it's irreplaceable.

Sir Naritsugu is a human being, too.

Before you tell me to do that

why not ask him to retire by an

unanimous request from
the Central Government?

That was Mamiya's plea.

But it's too late.

How come?

His Highness already appointed

Sir Naritsugu as a senior advisor

upon his departure from Edo.

You mean he would let him

take care of politics?

That's why...

...we need to figure out a way to
correct the distortion of this injustice.

Incidentally, I've invited someone

here whom I want you to meet.

Could you meet with him?

I'm Yukie Makino,

a retainer of Sir Owari Chunagon
serving at Agematsu Mansion in Kiso.

I'm Shinzaemon Shimada.

Let's hear what you have to say.

Then, let me explain
in a logical manner.

Last October,

hen Sir Naritsugu Matsudaira of Akashi

was on his annual journey
to Edo via Nakasendo Highway,

he stayed overnight
at Agematsu, Kiso.

To make sure there will be no

chance of making a mistake

samurai of the Owari family serving at
the Mansion received him with hospitality

bringing in even their wives
and daughters.

Uneme.

Yes, father?

Did you retrieve the picture scroll
we showed him for his entertainment?

I forgot. Right away.

Tell Chise to do it.

Chise.

What is it?

Chise was the wife my son had

married two months earlier.

She was a wonderful woman.

But that's what I asked
that invited the tragedy.

Who are you?

I belong to the family of
Uneme Makino at Owari Mansion.

You're too pretty to be left
alone in the mountains of Kiso.

What are you doing?

Let go of me!

Let go of me!

Please don't!

Chise!

- Trespasser!
- Hold it!

Leave me alone!

Chise!

What have you done?

Tell me.

During the same night,

Chise killed herself.

Without saying a word of any kind,

the entourage of the Akashi clan
departed the next morning.

After Naritsugu arrived in Edo,

the Owari clan made numerous
attempts to protest to him,

but received no response.

For me,

having lost my son and his wife

in tragic deaths

I feel I no longer have
any purpose to live on for.

I've considered committing
harakiri to end it all.

However, when I think about the shame my lord
Sir Owari Chunagon has been put through...

I, as a living witness,
don't feel free to do so,

thus extending this life
I no longer care for.

Please laugh at me
as a grumbling old man.

They were a better son and a better

daughter-in-law than I deserved.

What do you think, Shinza?

I feel as though
I can hear the voice

of Zusho Mamiya while sitting here.

Anyway, even as the cabinet who forms
the ruling justice of the country,

there are things we can do
and things we can't.

To betray the word
of His Highness and

find fault with his political leadership,

that's something I,
a senior advisor, cannot do.

But if we don't,
the country's politics

will behaotic and the harm
will befall on all peoples.

What do you say?

It's an honor to serve you.

Would you be willing to die?

I will do a fine job
in accomplishing the task.

At 11 pm that night,

Zusho's corpse was returned to the
Upper Mansion in the domain of Akashi.

Don't go!

Calm down!

Sir Hanbei!

I told you again and again

not to trouble Mamiya's family.

And you roped and arrested
not only his wife and

his son and bride,
but even the young grandchild.

What a disgrace!

It was hard to refuse our lord's order.

Out of the way!

What do you say?

You've served the Akashi
clan for generations!

You talk of loyalty often,
but is loyalty to obey your master...

or to worry about your own
well-being and put down your master?

Hanbei!

I got the message a minute ago...
so Doi-Oi finally bent backward.

After 3 days of indecision,

he imposed no punishment because
it was a case of temporary insanity!

That serious know-it-all face
must have looked real sour!

Excuse me, my Lord.

What is it, Hanbei?

Sir Oi-no-kami earnestly
requests you to take care

of Mamiya's family as the will
of the Central Gov't.

I heard.

I understand your rage, however,

now that the matter's been
settled peacefully...

- I beg you to please...
- Silence!

It's only one senior advisor's crazy
ramblings! We don't need to listen to him!

My Lord!

Enough!

It's been hard for you
the past three days.

Why don't you retire for the day
and get some rest?

Unfortunately,
I can't afford to do that.

I'm not satisfied.

Something bothers me.

But the matter was settled without
any punishment.

It would have been better if
there was some light punishment.

Things worked out a little
too easily for our clan.

But why?

You know very well that
he has the Shogun's favor.

Think.

How do you think
Doi-Oi's face would be saved

when he's forced to give
the special consideration?

What could a man in charge of the
country's justice of all things...

do to save face in a scandal like this?

It's a dishonor.

- Wait!
- Don't!

- No!
- Don't go!

Let go of me!

It's a little too late now.

Too late...

Even the children...

How cruel!

Everyone!

Now, it's crucial that we
prohibit members of our clan...

from talking and clean

out Sir Mamiya's house without
leaking the news outside!

Understood?

Is anyone available?

- Anyone available?
- Yes, sir.

Go gather some men at once...

send them to Sir Oi-no-kami's mansion, give
money to the gate keepers and servants...

and get a list of visitors at the
mansion during the last three days.

I was getting impatient.

- And?
- I got a list of names.

Let me see it.

Toda Shimosa-no-kami,
Gold Asset Manager...

Nagai Shinano-no-kami, Chief of Guards...
No, it's not them...

Takemoto Kageyu,
Housekeeper in Absence...

Kage Hyoemon,
messenger of the Satake Family,

Sasaki Tame Emon, messenger of
Prince Daisuke Otomo-no-shikibu...

Hyodo Gemba,
2nd Manager of Carpentry...

Nakano Tojuro,
Supporting Accounting Manager...

Okada Jurozaemon,
Manager of Labor...

Makino, retainer of the Owari family...

Makino from the Owari family...

Yukie Makino is from Agematsu,
Kiso last year...

That Makino met
with Inspector Shinzaemon Shimada.

Makino from the Owari family.
Inspector Shinzaemon.

Inspector Shinzaemon Shimada?
You know who that is?

He studied academically
at the Shohei School,

and trained in the sword at the Momonoi
dojo of the Kyoshin Meichi School.

I was often told he's excellent
in both areas.

Unlike us,

he comes from a respected family
for generations since Mikawa.

Is he truly that sharp?

He's a man worthy of entrusting
important matters of the country to.

If Sir Doi Oi-no-kami chose him,

It looks like our clan had
the worst luck of the draw.

As always, you're impressive.

How about a match?
It's been some time.

Might you not want to
conserve your energy

when you're about to take on
an important job.

What, important?

All daily duties are important
if they're important at all.

You know that, too.

I wouldn't bring it up if it was simply
about one of those daily duties.

When I saw you this morning,

I got the sense you took on
some extraordinary task.

Did you?

I guess I need to train harder.

Every month and every season, for 10 years
since I set out on the path of the sword

I have received from you more money than
an unemployed samurai like me deserves.

I accepted the money without
refusing, taking it for granted

because I held the thought that the time
would come when I could repay you

by putting my life at risk
and waited for that day.

When I see you now,
I suppose this day has come.

I consider samurai is of the spirit
of the heart and of determination.

I'm always ready to serve.

If I can't get to put it
to use for the occasion,

I'd have no choice but to regret
the 10 years that have passed.

Tell me...

So you appreciated my small
contributions that much.

Sir Sinzaemon.

Kuranaga!

If you let his will go to waste,

Kujuro Hirayama's samurai
spirit won't be rewarded.

I've brought five men I selected
from my subordinates

and took the liberty of having
them wait for you in the room.

Even though Kuranaga is Chief Inspector,
I leave all my duties to him.

He's as tough as your moral teacher.

I've heard much about you.

I'm Saheita Kuranaga.

I've had a close relationship
with Sir Shinzaemon.

Come along, Hirayama.

I'm Gunjiro Mitsuhashi,
Chief Okobito Inspector.

My subordinates,
Okachi Inspectors,

Mosuke Otake and Yasokichi Hioki.

Okobito Inspectors,
Gennai Higuchi

and Yahachi Horii.

I chose both of them
from my subordinates.

There aren't as many of them
as there seems to be.

Of 68 Okachi inspectors
and 103 Okobito inspectors,

there are too few samurai we could use.

Answer me.

All of you are aware your lives
will be in my hands, aren't you?

That goes without saying.

The chief has explained to us
that this is a secret mission.

Then let me explain.

By private order
of Sir Doi Oi-no-kami

we've been assigned to take
the life of Sir Naritsugu of Akashi.

I won't debate the logic
of the matter here.

Just know

that you'll die in this mission.

Akashi is very powerful.

It has at least 5,000 samurai.

A little more than 1,500
are serving in Edo.

In addition,
Sir Naritsugu will be traveling back

to his territory
on the 10th of next month.

Once he's in Akashi,
that's the end of it.

We have little time and few men.

It's truly a most difficult job.

People think samurai
and they think sword.

But in this day and age no samurai has
ever actually fought with a real sword.

None of us and none of them.

It's beyond anyone's imagination
what actually happens

when two men fight throwing
their lives at each other.

Well then, excuse me.

Arrest that man.

Find out his title,
full name and address.

Look sharp.

Who on earth are you?

You came out of Inspector Shinzaemon
Shimada's house.

What was the meeting about?

Why do you want to know?

Are you Akashi samurai?

I got it!

You know we're Akashi samurai,
which means you must be plotting against us.

Tell us!

Tell us if you value your life.

If you don't, I'll kill you.

Better not ask him.

Are you one of them?

Identify yourself!

Kujuro Hirayama,
an unemployed samurai.

What do you want?

Refrain yourself from making such
visible moves like you did last night.

Asakawa!

It is so quiet around here right now.

This quietness is an omen.

Senior Advisor, Sir Doi Oi-no-kami
is holding his breath,

watching for Inspector Shinzaemon
Shimada to accomplish something.

And Shinzaemon is waiting
for the right time.

What's the matter?

Genshiro Deguchi and Kakuma Senda
were found dead in the Echizen moat!

What? Deguchi and Senda?

What swordmanship!
In only one cut!

This makes it clear at last
what Shinza aims to achieve.

Do you understand, Asakawa?

I'm home!

Hello.

Hello.

No money to enjoy a nightlife.

And no money to drink.

What are you mumbling about?

What if Dad Shimada saw you like this?

My uncle?

You saw him?

Yes. At Yanagibashi just now.

I see.

It's normally a busy time
for inspectors

when many daimyo lords' annual journeys
are taking place this and subsequent months.

Whatever.

Nothing a freeloader like me
needs to be concerned about.

It might be inconvenient for him if
I showed up uninvited, don't you think?

Hey.

Hey!

Here we are.

Let me introduce to you,

a friend of mine, Keizo Sawara,
a ronin from Bushu.

You had told me about Sawara,

but who's that young man?

Sorry for the inconvenience, but
this is my only disciple, Shojiro Ogura.

I had intended to stay away
and part with him,

but I ended up not being able to.

Are your parents around?

Father passed a year ago,

Mother when I was five.

I'm in charge of the kitchen earning
a mere 5-ryo and owning 2 men.

My death won't bother anyone.

Please let me join you along
with my teacher.

What do you think, Kuranaga?

We should turn him down
under normal circumstances.

But since he wishes to join knowing
the situation, we have no choice.

Then, shall we ask for your help.

I'm honored.

Thank you very much..

I will give up my life to serve.

Sawara has an interesting proposition.

He will join us
if he gets paid 200-ryo.

200-ryo?

You mean...

Well, let me clarify
any misunderstanding.

My sympathy with your cause
has nothing to do with money.

But I'm a ronin with no kind
of relationship with you.

I don't think you should expect
me to work for no money at all.

What do you plan to use the money for?

Well...

120-ryo for loans and debts
that accumulated over the years

plus doing something nice
for my relatives.

30-ryo for the tomb of my wife who died
from the hardships I put her through.

20-ryo for my own preparation.

With the remaining 30-ryo,
I plan to experience

the kind of luxuries I never got to have
in my life, until the day I pass.

You don't seem to use as much
for yourself as I expected.

Well, pleasing those around me
ultimately satisfies

my desire to act high-handedly
with money at least once in my life.

That's interesting!

Sir Shinza, his spirit is
a bargain for 200-ryo.

Come here.

A little over a month after this.

the Akashi clan asked the
Central Governmentt to excuse

themselves and cancel
all official business.

On October 23,

it was announced that
Sir Naritsugu Matsudaira

was to depart Edo
and return to his territory

early the next morning.

Sir Kito.

What is it?

Carriers and other family
servants are making a scene.

What on earth is happening?

This isn't going to be
the usual annual journey.

We need to leave behind the ones who'd
cause us any delay and hurry on our way.

But there's a stipulated number of men
to accompany a daimyo's annual journey.

We don't need help from
anyone other than samurai.

I bet Shinza will gather quite a large number
of men if he plans to attack us on the road.

Normally, we wouldn't be able
to defend ourselves.

Then...

We will. Whatever means we need to
resort to, we will defend ourselves.

I knew something was up

but that's an enormous job.

Enormous?

Sure, it is enormous,

but there's no better
dying place for a samurai.

Battling against the
100,000-koku Akashi clan.

That's what you think.

I doubt my uncle sees it that way.

That man gets truly worried

thinking about what trouble he's in.

Despite his worries,
he smiles and takes on the job.

Takes on a job that seems impossible for
anyone to do and accomplishes it well.

And that's the really

great thing about him.

But this time,

I think he'll fail.

You mean to say you can't agree

with it and you won't help?

I'm not saying I won't help.

I mean that

I refuse to lose my life for it.

I'm an unparalleled prodigal one.

I feel more obligated to the geisha
who lets me stay

with her now than
to my status or position.

It's been long since
I practiced the sword I'd learned.

This is what I'm learning now.

I'd help out but

not with the sword.

I'll make myself available
for you any time with this one.

Koen!

See them off.

Well, forgive our humble service.

Farewell.

Uncle.

Welcome.

I heard they came even though
I'd told them it wouldn't work.

Did they give you much trouble?

Yes, a little.

Hey, uncle.

You can learn interesting
stuff at a geisha house.

Recently I studied something a little.

What kind of study?

Dogs can be owned by humans

but cats won't.

They only co-exist with humans.

It almost sounds like you're saying

you'd rather be a geisha's cat
than a samurai's dog.

I refuse to have cats
that try to please me.

Hey, pass that to me.

Can you play it?

A ton âge,

To tell you the truth,
when I was about your age

I hated being from a samurai family.

I indulged myself in all kinds
of stuff fooling around

and took this up thinking
I'd make a living out of it,

but it was much more
difficult than it seemed.

I realized it was easier for me to die
as a samurai than to learn it.

Is it right

to live indulgently?

I realized it was easier to die
as a samurai than to learn it.

Koen...

I...

think I want to live
to the fullest for once.

I'll be gone for a while.

Darling...

I don't want.

When

will you come back to me?

In less than a month if it's quick.

If I'm late...

I'll be back for the Bon festival
for the dead.

Burn the welcoming torch
and wait for me.

The next day, on October 24th,

Sir Naritsugu Matsudaira
Sahyoe-no-kami's procession...

departed from his clan's mansion in
Edo heading toward his home territory.

Well, it's Hanbei, isn't it?

It's been a long time.

- Am I interrupting you?
- No.

Come in. We're finished here.

Will you guys leave us alone?

It's okay, just leave us alone.

I knew you'd visit me one day
and I waited for you.

Glad to know you're doing well.

If the times were good,
I'd have liked to offer you some tea.

You came...

to kill me, didn't you?

You're just as persistent as
you were in the old days.

I envy you.

What an ill twist of fate.

Since the time I was put
in charge of 100

units of Okaji and
owned 5 men for 70-hyo

I envied Hatamoto samurai
from historic families.

I secretly wished that
one day I'd be like them

for I'm a human being like them.

And you had great success at it.

Then a unit of 10 Okobito men,
then a unit in charge of donations

you got promoted to positions at
an impressive pace. I had hopes for you

to become a hatamoto working
directly under the shogun.

Then, let me tell you that
among many historic families

Sir Shimada was the only samurai
I had aspired to become.

I took advantage of the offer
to accompany

Sir Naritsugu when he was adopted
by the Matsudaira family of Akashi

and managed to earn 1,000-koku.

That 1,000-koku led me
into such a situation.

I feel like blaming him
when I think about it.

Perhaps we had no other

way to live, you or I.

Being a samurai is a helpless job.

If Chief Retainer Sir Mamiya

had to kill himself,

I wish he'd done so
in front of my lord.

I feel then we could've done
something about it.

I've also thought of killing myself.

But I kept seeing the face
of his honorable father,

the former Shogun,
who took my hand

and asked me to take care of my lord
and the face of my foe Sir Shimada.

I accept it as my fate after all

and am prepared.

I know it.

Whatever will ensue
between us from now on,

I hope we'll both act manly as samurai.

That's my only wish.

Let's be proud...

I graciously accept the thought.

Now, I bid you farewell.

See you again.

Certainly.

Listen.

The enemy will probably get half of their
men to cross over first and guard their way.

Next, they'll put the lord
we're after on the boat.

We'll seize the opportunity
and attack them at full force.

In this terrain I wonder how many men
each of us can take on approximately?

Well, if we can surprise them,
I'd say 3 per man at most.

We could let some get away as they
have 4 times as many men as we do.

They're coming!

Hide!

In position!

- Shinza!
- Wait.

Look. There are two palanquins.

One of them must be a decoy.

Which one is it?

Most of them are samurai though they're
disguised as carriers and servants.

I'd say there are 100
of them altogether.

Which one shall we attack?

The group on the other shore
or on this one?

That's clever.

Hanbei is indeed capable.

The double palanquins,
the number of samurai,

all in fine formation.

Looks like we've lost this round.

Can't do that!

We've come this far
and we're not fighting?

I'll come with you
if you want to attack!

To seek life in death

is a warrior's desire.

That's where you're wrong.

We're human and so are they.

Sometimes we win,
sometimes we lose.

Once we know we're going to lose,
it's best to retreat before we get hurt.

Sir Shinza, what shall we do?

Shinrokuro is right this time.

Let's wait until the procession's
gone and retreat to Edo for now.

Retreat!?

We can't!

That's right. If we persist and follow
them, and wait for the opportunity...

their guard will be down some
time during the long journey.

That's right.
We've already given up our lives.

Don't be rash!

We haven't failed yet.

Our action is just like a
crucial move in chess.

We won't be able to do it over.

Until we're confident to take the king,
we can't make the move!

Take a good look while you can.

Next time we meet,
it'll be a life or death situation.

Looks like we managed
to avoid trouble.

Guess we can relax for now.

Our journey has just begun.

We have 141 more miles to go
before we reach Banshu Akashi.

It's too soon to be glad.

Sir Matsudaira of Akashi
on his journey,

stopped at Waraji Station
in Bushu the first night

and at Ageo Station in the
same region the second night.

By the ruling justice of the country,

you've been relieved
of your position.

Should you fall at the arrowpoint,

your responsibility weighs tremendously.

And the day of life and death
shall be determined.

Wake up.

I said wake up!

We're all gonna die anyway.

You'd better rest your body
while you can.

Have a drink.

Not for me.

At Kumagaya Station
in Bushu the third night

and at Honjoju the fourth night.

Then at Takasaki Station
in Joshu the fifth night.

Already 30 miles away from Edo.

Call everyone.

Hey, everyone, Sir wants you!

Sir wants you!

Thanks for waiting.

We've solidified our strategy,
which I'm going to tell all of you.

But before I do,

one thing I want to say is that I won't
tolerate you challenging the strategy.

Understood?

Den'emon, the diagrams please.

We've decided we'll get
Sir Naritsugu Matsudaira...

ight here.

At Ochiai Station
in the region of Mino.

Let me explain the strategy.

Kiso has Tenryo in the north and

the Owari's territory in the south.

Between Fukushima and
Agematsu flows Otaki River.

Kiso is where Sir Naritsugu
had trouble with

the Owari clan samurai last year.

So, we'll tell Sir Yukie Makino

who serves at Agematsu Camp
everything and ask for his help.

We'll ask him to use the name
of Sir Owari Chunagon

and ban Sir Naritsugu from passing through
the territory until the matter is settled.

Sir Makino saw the tragic deaths of
his son and daughter-in-law last year

and will probably join our cause.

So then, what will happen?

The entourage will stall at the Kiso
border in the Owari's territory.

Sir Naritsugu who's stubborn and self-willed
will not dare turn around and go back

but will come up with a way to
journey through any place but Owari.

The possibilities then are

to have the entourage's luggage pass

through Owari's territory
as the Akashi clan's belongings

and Sir Naritsugu himself will
take with him only samurai

and return to Miyanokoshi,
then go via Gonbei Pass

to Ina Highway.

That means he'll be traveling via

Sanshu Highway from Iida to Okazaki.

Actually,
he couldn't really do that.

You must remember,
sandwiched between Owari's Kiso

and main territory lies
the Naigi clan of Mino.

It's the territory that belongs to Sir Toyama
Mino-no-kami of the 12,000-koku Naigi clan.

When Sir Naritsugu has already sent word of his
transit to the clans along Nakasendo Highway

if he then has to change his route because
the Owari's blocks them, and retreats as if

on the run,
skipping Naigi's territory,

he'd become the laughing stock
of the country.

Having to have his own way,

and refusing to look bad to a small
daimyo lord of a mere 12,000-koku

Sir Naritsugu will definitely
travel up to Nakatsugawa.

There are two routes:

Going via Kiso Pass
on Odaira Highway,

or via Kamizaka Pass.

Either way,

he'd have to stop by Ochiai Station.

We'll stand by at Ochiai Station,

wait for the enemy
and get Sir Naritsugu.

What do you say?

We're in agreement, I'm sure?

I have a question.

What do we do if Akashi's entourage stopped
at Otaki River continues on Ina Highway

without being concerned
about appearances?

Even if we get the entourage
to divide itself up,

they may not stop in Naigi territory.

And, that determines the outcome.

If we are to fight against
Lord Akashi's entourage

with the number of men we have, then,
regardless of what measures we take

the ultimate key is to
attack all-out in one shot.

Which means,
to concentrate the lives of 12

in one final location and wait
for heaven's will to unfold in our favor.

Since we are to wait
for heaven's will,

we need to use our resources
wisely to prepare.

Kuranaga.

There's no one better suited
to talk to Yukie Makino

at Agematsu Camp in Kiso
to get his help.

- I'm counting on you.
- Alright.

I promise to get
the entourage's way blocked.

Well then.

Now,

regarding Ochiai Station.

Shinrokuro.

Will you go on ahead of us and negotiate
it with the general chief of the town?

Yes. How shall I do that?

Ochiai Station has 75 inns.

Let's say 50-ryo per house in all,

which comes up to 3750-ryo.

Can you buy up all the inns
with the money?

I got it.

We need to move quickly.

Get our horses.

We'll go down Koshu Highway.

Run as fast as we can and
we'll get ahead of the entourage.

Sir Naritsugu's entourage is

Shinano-bound via Nakasendo.

The autumn in Kiso is over at last

and it's November.

Ochiai Station in Mino.

Tell me.

This is where Tokubei Sanshuya, the general
chief of this Ochiai Station, lives isn't it?

Please excuse our humble room,
for it's deep country here.

Hey, Kayo, you cleaned the room,
didn't you?

Thank you.

Do farmers carry swords around here?

If you're talking about me,
I'm not a farmer.

- I'm a country samurai.
- Quiet, Koyata.

Sorry, he only fancies
himself a samurai.

But Dad,

it's true Koyata is a
country samurai, isn't it?

It's no business
for women and children.

Well, I was the one
who brought this up.

Forgive me.

Who on earth is that?

I heard he's a Hatamoto samurai
from Edo.

He brought with him a letter of order
by a senior advisor of the cabinet.

He said something like that.

A letter of order
by a senior advisor?

What kind of order would
that be for such country?

On November 7...

Sir Naritsugu traveled
through Fukushima,

Kiso, nearing the border
of Owari Province.

Lord!

Emergency.

What's wrong?

- Owari is blocking the border.
- What?

To refuse our transit?

At this time,
by order of Sir Owari Chunagon,

we hereby decline Sir Matsudaira
Sahyoe-no-kami

Head of Akashi Castle in Banshu,
to transit through this Owari territory.

November in the first year of Koka,
Kiso Agematsu Camp,

of the Owari clan.

How annoying to encounter such an
emergency in the middle of our journey!

What's the matter?

You fools, you let such a thing happen
without doing anything about it?

Silence!

My lord!

If Owari Chunagon is from one
of the three largest families

Naritsugu here is the son
of the former Shogun

and the brother
of the current Shogun!

I won't bow down to such a thing!

Ignore it and cross over!

I'll force my way beyond the border and
make the 610,000-koku Owari clan cry!

Cross over!

We understand your outrage, but...

If you won't,
I'll cross over all by myself!

What! My lord!

Wait!

Let's see what happens.

What for, Sir Kito?

We desperately need to go through
the Owari territory if at all possible.

My lord's usual desire
to have it his own way.

We'll see it through and find
out whether it will work or not.

Don't go.

If the worst should happen,

I'm prepared to die
in place of my lord.

I'm putting my life as
a samurai at stake.

I won't let you stop this so easily!

Who are you?

Identify yourself.

Out of my way if you want to live.

If you don't,
I'll kill you without mercy.

As you wish.

What?

It seems you don't recognize me

but I am Yukie Makino,
the father of the

Owari samurai Uneme Makino
and his wife

whom you killed
at the Kiso Agematsu

Main Camp in October of last year.

Can you successfully kill me
and pass through?

In the name of the
610,000-koku Owari clan,

I promise I will stop you.

An impudent one
who doesn't know his place!

My lord!

Oh, Hanbei!

I'll handle it.

Have a rest.

Listen to me.

We'll detour and take
Ina Highway to get to

Sanshu Highway,
then go by sea from Okazaki.

Missing the visit to just that one Naigi
clan is too trivial to worry about.

What do you think? Everyone?

If people hear that our way was blocked
by the Owari clan during our journey

and we missed all visits to the clans along
the way and we missed all visits to the clans

along the way and ran back
to our home territory,

we'd be the laughing
stock of the country.

Are you more concerned about
not being a laughing stock.

or about the life of our lord as well as
that of the 100,000-koku Akashi clan?

That's what I want to ask you.

We may or may not be laughed at,
but that'll last only for a year at most.

When we return to
the capital the following year,

he will be promoted and
become a senior advisor.

With that status, nobody will be able
to point their finger at him!

Then, where's the point
in risking his life

and 100,000-koku for missing
just one visit, one single visit?

Do you want to hold on
to life so much that

you're willing to make your lord
a laughing stock?

I've heard it said that a
samurai would choose death

to avoid becoming a
laughing stock of society.

What do you say, Hanbei?

Let me tell you something.

Why do you think
the 100,000-koku Akashi clan

has paid and fostered samurai
for generations?

Please excuse me,

but this is a time of emergency.
We cannot do without emergency measures.

Is it about the Hatamoto samurai
called Shinzaemon Shimada?

Indeed.

Silence!

You are a retainer of this 100,000-koku
family, and you're still afraid of

some scheme by a poor Hatamoto samurai
with a mere 750-koku! How embarrassing!

Shame on you!

Hanbei...

I thought you were a reliable samurai

but I see that I was wrong.

Listen!

No matter what, we will pay a visit
to each and every clan along the way

including Naigi Toyama's Mino,
without missing one!

This is a firm order!

We have other measures to take.

It won't do without a measure.

Sir Kuranaga!

- Is Sir Shinza here?
- Yes, inside here.

Take the horse, please.

I've just returned.

We were waiting for you.

I have good news for you.

Makino put his life at risk

and succeeded in stopping the Akashi
clan's entourage at Otaki River.

Sir Naritsugu took only his guards
and detoured to Ina.

- I see!
- So we predicted right!

Now we know they're going to Ochiai.

Kuranaga,
what happened to Yukie Makino?

Well, Sir Shinza...

Well,

I saw him at Agematsu Camp
the night before the incident

and told him the details of our scheme
and asked him for help

then he cried painfully
and kept saying

he regretted that his family
was to end in one generation

although he receives salaries
from the Owari.

And he bowed down his head.

The next day,
after the incident at Otaki River,

he made sure Sir Naritsugu
and his entourage left

then cut himself on the spot
and passed away.

As suspected.

I see.

The Akashi entourage
is now divided in two.

One with Sir Naritsugu himself

accompanied by 52 men

left for Ina on Kiso Highway

and crossing Gonbei Pass.

Uncle!

Shinrokuro,
thanks for your trouble.

Everything is going as planned.

This is Sir Tokubei of Sanshuya,
the general chief of the station.

I'm Shimada.
Thanks for having us.

Sorry for the big trouble.

No please, not to worry.

I'm the only one who knows everything
until after it's over.

Please leave it to me.

Then, please show them around now.

And you, Uncle?

I'll look at the inn.

You come with me.

Kuranaga...

Hirayama, you stay with me too.

That over there is Sanshuya.

This way out to Kiso.
That way to Nakatsugawa.

So Nakatsugawa in Naigi's territory
is straight down this road, right?

If they come out on this street,
our group would lose.

There's only one street.

It depends on how
we turn this ordinary

road station into a place
to finish our job.

Hey, is this Sanshuya here?

What? Sir Akashi's entourage
disappeared from Ina Highway?

I heard they passed through
Komagane yesterday afternoon.

After that, no one has seen Sir
Akashi's entourage along the highway.

Impossible!

There are at least 40 or 50 men.

Could it be they are returning to Edo?

They might take Kan Highway
without passing Iida

and come out on Sanshu Highway.

After all it's Hanbei Kito
we're dealing with here.

What shall we do?

How about sending another
man to check things out?

I don't know.

If we wander about in an
area we're not familiar with,

they might find out about us.

I understand your concern,

but if we make a desperate move,
things would fall apart.

Calm your mind and

wait for the next instruction.

Kuranaga.

November 13.

Six days have passed already

since Sir Matsudaira
disappeared from Ina Highway.

Hurry! Hurry!

What are you doing taking a break?

One minute now is worth 1,000 gold coins!
Hurry up!

What is it, Shinrokuro?

We have a problem.

It seems an outsider has learned
about what we're doing.

What?

Hey, come down.

Move it.

The girl too.

Is it this man?

He says he's a country samurai.

His name is Koyata Kiga.

He lives alone and
has no parents or siblings.

Since he learned it from
the host of the house

we could make the host keep
his daughter inside this house.

What to do about him?

He not only spies on our business
but also wants to join us.

I am appalled.

I beg you!

I'm confident of my sword skills.
My father taught me well. I beg you!

Do you want a promotion?

- Not at all!
- Then what?

What he wants is that girl.

They're passionately in love,

but her father, the station chief
doesn't give him credit at all.

So he thinks he'd get his wish if he joined
this big job and showed his bravery.

Is that how he feels

or what you think it is?

I don't know.
Probably both.

Unless you've loved
with all your heart,

you'll never understand how
a man in love feels.

It's pretty amazing how such a
man would risk his life. It's true.

Sir Shinrokuro!

They're fools,

both the woman and this man.

Fools, but if we had to kill them
just to keep them from talking.

Uncle?

No choice, I suppose.

Plus, we need more
labor with the bridge.

How about placing him there?

So we have 13 men now.

November 14.

And the following day,
November 15.

No news all day.

That large entourage and
no rumor about them at all!

Since they haven't appeared until today

it makes me think they must have taken
Sanshu Highway heading straight to Okazaki.

I agree.

- That seems like the only possibility.
- That's right.

From Komagane where they
disappeared at to this station,

it takes a day
and a half if they hurry...

two days at most.

They should have showed up
a couple of days ago or so.

If we give up now, we might
lose this valuable opportunity.

Listen.

What do you say if we abandon Ochiai
Station tonight, not even tomorrow

and cross over Kamizaka Pass
to reach Sanshu Highway?

That's right.

It's the time to make a decision!

It's too soon.

- But Hirayama...
- I said too soon!

You saw how sharp he is
at the Toda ferry landing.

With Hanbei Kito with the group,

there's a possibility they wouldn't
visit the Naigi clan's territory.

But then they went off
the highway and disappeared.

No matter how smart Hanbei is, there's
no way a group of 40 to 50 men can

travel without being noticed!

They must be staying in one place,
waiting to see our move.

They'll come out when they decide
it's the day of opportunity.

- But what if they don't?
- They will!

- But Hirayama!
- Silence!

We've put our lives in
Sir Shinzaemon's hands to begin with.

It's tacky to dispute at this point.

Hirayama...

About the watch we planted
at the tea house,

I can't really trust a construction
laborer for the job.

Can we send somebody else there?

I shall go then.

You again?

Yes. Well, you gave me too much
travel expenses the other day.

This is an extra job
for too little money.

But I don't want
to be paid too much, either.

So I want you to use me again.

Then I'll ask you.

Is that all right?

I'll go.

He's strange.

But he's able.

- Uncle.
- What?

Do you really think Akashi's
entourage will come?

I don't know.

What to do then?

The same as Kuranaga and Hirayama.

I feel like praying to God.

November 16.

The first frost of the year.

I've heard training is endless work.

but I can't even handle
this one sword.

Have you been able to
come up with a technique?

No.

But, with the sword, there's a vulnerable
moment when one pulls it out of the sheath

and with the staff,

the opponent sees an opportunity when
one pulls it out rather than when he attacks.

There are techniques to be used
for those moments.

I was pondering on this and
trying to figure these things out.

You know...

They say a man's life is unpredictable,

but not a warrior's life.

When he fights aiming
to die, he lives.

When he fights aiming to live, he dies.

I'm telling myself right now how truthful

I've been to the way of the warrior.

They're here! They're here!

Sir Shimada!

Sir Akashi's entourage is here!

What? They're here?

It seems they traveled along
Odaira Highway by night.

They should be coming down
from Tomagari Pass in a minute.

They're finally here.

November 17,
the first year of Koka.

The early hour of the Tiger (4 am).

It was said to be especially
foggy from early dawn that day.

In position.

What's going on?

Get out! Out of the way!

What's this?

Hell! Turn around!

Turn around!

The bridge!

They're shooting arrows!

Near the houses!

I presume this is the entourage of

the Head of Akashi Castle in Banshu,
Sir Matsudaira Sahyoe-no-kami!

This is done by the will of
Hatamoto Shinzaemon Shimada.

Excuse us but we'll stop your

transit with bows and arrows!

Hide from the arrows
under the houses!

Go under the houses!

Take my horse!

My lord!

Over here...

Don't abandon your horse! Don't abandon
your horse! Idiots! Get back on!

Kill them!

- Go back to the bridge and keep watch!
- The bridge?

Since there are some of the enemy's men
on the other side,

there must be a way
to get back over.

Go and look!

Otake! Isolate Sir Akashi
from the rest!

Got it!

- My lord!
- What?

We can escape from the passage here!

Good!

Everybody! Retreat! Retreat!

We'll escape from the back street!

Here!

Break down that wall!

That's a trap! My lord!

Turn back please!

Don't go!

Turn back, will you?

Get out of the way!

Out of the way!

Or I'll kill you!

Out of the way! Out of the way!

Naritsugu is under here!

Hanbei!

We won't make it this way!
Do something!

It was a mistake to have
brought you in here.

Please be patient for a little longer.

What's the matter, Hanbei?

This is the last trap
that Shinza prepared!

We're cornered in.

If we're attacked here,
there's no way to escape!

Sir Naritsugu is in the valley trap!

- Is Hanbei with him?
- Yes, seems he finally caught up.

All right! Tell everyone to get
down to the alley and fight!

If we don't block their way,
the fish will escape from the net!

Got it.

I'm curious to see
what moves Hanbei will make.

I wonder how he'll put up a fight?

My lord!

Stay here.

You, go towards those two over there.

Take down the stack of sacks.

I have a hunch there's a way
out hidden behind them.

Hurry!

Take down the sacks!

The rest of us will form a
human barrier for our lord!

Step in front!

Move it now!

If you don't do as I tell you, I won't
show mercy even if you're our men!

Hirayama!

Come at me!

Why don't you show me the true
spirit of the Akashi samurai!

Come on, hurry up!

Hurry!

Are you ready?

Stay on guard!

Let's go!

Take care of the others!

Follow me.

My Lord!

Alright.

Offense is the best defense.

Seize the opportunity,
push forward!

This way.

You're coming?

- Come!
- Alright!

Hanbei!

Hanbei!

It's you!

We can cross over the river on
Kiso Highway we took by boat.

I see! So we can cross over by boat!

Listen! Those of you who remained here
will turn back on the same road we came!

We're at the crucial point where we can make
Akashi of 100,000-koku either alive or dead!

Push forward with all your might!

Hatazawa, look after our lord!
Follow me!

Maekawa!

Pull.

What are you doing!?

Retreat!

What?

They pushed their way
back into the same alley?

Sir Mitsuhashi saw that
Sir Naritsugu went at them.

But it was few against many.

What shall we do?

This Hanbei...

He intends to send his
master back on Kiso Highway.

What can we do?

Nothing.

Hanbei was indeed smart enough
to grasp the situation.

Ishizuka!

Tell Higuchi and Horii,

the 2 men who returned from the valley trap,
to attack Kito in the main street.

Follow me!

Don't be distracted!

Is our lord here yet?

Our lord here yet!?

My lord!

Help me! If we break down this door,
we can get out!

I'll get you!

You're one of them!

I'll kill you!

Mitsuhashi! Let's go!

Mita!

Don't die!

Higuchi!

You!

Out of the way!

Hanbei!

Our lord went back that way again!

Damn! That idiot Hatazawa!

Turn back!

My lord!

Turn back!

Out of the way!

Shinrokuro!

Hanbei!

My lord!

My lord, go over there for now!

But...

Hanbei!

I was waiting for you.

Shimada Shinzaemon?

I presume you are the Head of
Akashi Castle, Sir Naritsugu Matsudaira.

Due to reasons beyond my power,
I shall take your life.

Get back, scum!

I'm the brother of the shogun.

Do you know what it means?

Be ready to die.

Get back, scum!

Don't you know
I'm the brother of the Shogun?

I can't say everything is your fault

and it isn't easy taking your life

but this is for the sake of
all people of the country

therefore I can't let you go.

Asakawa!

Hanbei!

Asakawa!

Hanbei!

Asakawa!

My lord!

Shinza, you bastard!

Prepare yourself!

Wait.

Hanbei...

you and me, one on one.

Shinza!

Why didn't you defend yourself?

Hanbei...

This is the right way.

What?

Shinza!

Hanbei...

Shinza...

Hanbei,

this is the right way.

If I didn't kill your lord,
I'd lose my pride as a samurai.

If you didn't kill me,

you'd lose your pride, too.

I see.

It's just like you, Shinza.

I lose.

I'll get you back

on the other side.

Hiroki!

End the meaningless fight.

Signal them.

The signal!

Shojiro!

Don't chase them!

Shojiro!

Sir Naritsugu Matsudaira

Sahyoe-no-kami got ill
on his journey

and upon arrival in his home territory

he passed away.

Thus it was reported to
the Central Government.

It was the end of November
in the first year of Koka (1844).

THE END