All language subtitles for Demon Pond AKA Yasha-ga-ike 1979

A SHOCHIKU PRESENTATION

Between Fukui and Gifu, there is
a pond called Demon Pond.

According to an ancient legend,
a dragon dwells at the bottom.

The time:
Summer of 1933

From the Play by
Kyoka Izumi

DEMON POND
(Yashagaike)

Tamasaburo Bando

Go Kato

Tsutomu Yamazaki

Demon Pond

Hisashi Igawa, Fujio Tokita
Hatsuo Yamaya, Dai Kanai

Koji Nanbara, Toru Abe
Yatsuko Tan'ami

Shigeru Yazaki, Jun Hamamura
Hitoshi Omae, Fudeko Tanaka

Toshie Kobayashi, Maki Takayama
Yuni Nishigami, Megumi Ishii

Juro Kara
Ryunosuke Kaneda

Kai Ato, Kazuo Sato
Masashi Furuta

Nigoshichi Shimouma
Baiken Jukkanji, Mansaku Fuwa

Bando Morikawa, Kusanosuke Oda
Tadayuki Okamoto

Shuichi Oki
Yasuo Shinohara

Norihei Miki

Directed by
Masahiro Shinoda

Prayer for Rain

Six o'clock...

That bell again!

No need to ring it.

But the Demon Pond will overflow,
otherwise. A flood.

Mere superstition!

Superstition or not,

right now,
we'll welcome a flood.

What is it?

Nothing.
A speck of dust in my eye.

Dust in your eye?

Ah, yes.

Let me remove it.

It's okay.
Could I have some water?

Water!

I'll moisten it.

- Moisten?
- Come closer.

Bring your face over here.

But that's...

Does it hurt?
It should be removed.

Alright, open the eyelid
with your fingers.

Oh dear, is it not out yet?

That's enough!
That'll do.

It doesn't hurt now.
Thank you very much.

Ah, I feel revived!

It's gone!

Water... people?

People... and a bell?

It is very hot.

Yes, it's hot.

Is that the bell I heard?

Yes.
It was struck at twilight.

This bell is struck at dawn,
dusk and late at night.

Three times every day.

Ah, besides those three, it must
not be rung at any other time.

If you're passing by,

please do not strike it
with that stick in fun.

Do not be mischievous.

I understand that, granny.

Not buying a melon.
I won't hit it.

But it's strange

like a merciful rain
during a drought.

What's the explanation?

What?
Did you say something just now?

It's very strange, granny.

This water...

Well, it gushes from a spring.

From here it flows in
a thin stream.

When the flowing water strikes
a rock, it tinkles.

- Tinkles?
- Yes.

Tinkle... tinkle...
tinkle...

It's called Harp-playing Valley.

A valley that plays the harp?

Would you like a drink?
Cold water?

The village wells have dried up.

You have only this spring water?

The real source of water is a
pond called Demon Pond.

Yes, I saw it on the map.

I wanted to see it.

The Demon Pond is actually
quite large.

They say a dragon dwells
at the bottom.

Indeed, it's an old tale.

The dragon is a water god.

In the West, it's called
a sea serpent.

It carries poison.
The villagers say that fearfully.

The rocks change colour in the water
to purple and green.

Red pebbles are seen at times.

It's very beautiful.

The villagers say the dragon's
scales have been shed.

They say it's fishy, dirty, uncanny
and that the water is poisoned.

Is that true?

I drank that water.

Dabbed my eyes with it.

Perhaps I'll undergo a
shocking transformation.

A transformation?

The villagers are suspicious

because we drink it,
and nothing has happened.

- Could I...
- Ah...

It is becoming quite dark,
isn't it?

I thought you were older...

May I...

have a cup of tea or hot water?

Of course you may.

Please take a seat
on the veranda.

Is he alone?

What kind of a person is he?

From the city, I think.

A young man?

He's carrying a map and compass.
Accustomed to travel.

See if he has a good
story to tell.

I ask you, Yuri.

Yes.

A Collection of Old Legends

Please be seated here.

Oh.

Isn't this a temple storehouse?
The main hall...

It burned down long ago.
There has been no temple here since.

But the belfry remains?

- Yes.
- Do you ring the bell?

Well, won't you drink your tea?

Thank you.

I'll drink it.

I know this wasn't a teahouse.

Moonflowers, aren't they?

About time to bloom.

I spoke about a melon.
I'm getting hungry.

Could you spare a melon?

There are some pears.

May I offer you a few?

Oh, the moonflowers have
started to bloom.

That voice...

Yamazawa

Akira, what is it?

Yamazawa... why is he here?

The way you look.
What has happened?

Ask him what the purpose
of his travel is.

I will, but tell me
what does this mean?

Another moonflower has bloomed...

In the moonlight.
True to its name!

You better go, Yuri.
He'll get suspicious.

What's he after?
Question him.

Yes.

- Have some.
- Thank you.

Can you lend me a knife?
I'll peel it.

Thoroughly chilled.

This is like carving a jewel.

Um...

I take it that you
are on a journey.

Where are you from?
Where are you bound?

Let's see, I'm a random traveller.
No place in particular.

Tastes good!

But why come to this
isolated place?

I teach at school, you see.
This is my summer vacation.

I'm on my way home now...

Back to Kyoto.

Where will you stay tonight?

Well, that's a question
you shouldn't ask.

I might ask for lodging here.

I'm just joking.

I've stayed too long.

No, I'm the one who kept you.

For going either toward
Kawachi or the pass

it has become so dark.
So inconvenient.

What should I pay you?

What?

I think I ought to leave
something.

In payment?
Why should you?

Money?
That's out of question.

Payment for the tea -
that was not expected.

Not only for the tea.
I've had all those pears, also.

My conscience won't allow it.

If that is how you feel.
Must I accept payment?

Yes.

It need not be money.

You can pay with a story -
it can be quite brief.

Please tell me a story.

A story?
What kind of story?

You have travelled a lot...

If you know an interesting or
unusual story.

As payment for earlier?
That's an unusual request.

Not at all.
It's often done when

itinerant medicine peddlers
rest here.

Ascetics, pilgrims...
Even with the villagers too.

A story is asked of each.

Then, you collect stories.
But why?

Surely you're not going
to publish a book here.

No, it's a whim.

Just idle curiosity.

Some who have told
many stories

have been given lodging here.

Yuri, why do you have
to say that?

Then, if I can tell many stories,

I can stay here?

Well, it depends...

And on the stories too.

Fine.

An interesting story...

Let's see.
Which should I begin with?

Ah, I have it.

There's one about this
Echizen Province

in which a dumpling
was transformed.

- A dumpling?
- It was hidden under the veranda.

Why did you stop?

What happened to the dumpling?

Now, the next story.

Is that one finished?

There was a collector of tales

interesting and unusual
stories from many places.

He was my friend.

Two years ago,

he left Tokyo saying
he was going north.

Nothing has been heard from
him ever since. Not a word.

You call that a story?

- Just listen.
- No thanks.

About your friend...

I don't want to hear any more.

We have been searching for him.

Knowing that he disliked
city life

we thought he was hiding
somewhere.

Please stop.

I'm no longer listening.

My friend had vanished,
left not a trace.

Some thought he was dead,

that he died on the
day he left Tokyo.

There are all kinds of theories.
Suicide...

But I firmly believe that
he's alive somewhere.

We were close friends.

Whether hiding or intent on dying,
he should have told me.

Thank you very much.

I offered a poor repast.

- I haven't finished.
- Be careful on the path.

Wait a moment.

Perhaps this is painful,
but it happens to be true!

You mustn't misunderstand.

I didn't come here
looking for that friend.

But for the past three years,
I've never stopped worrying.

No, it's much more than that.

What he left...
Our best years had come to an end.

Even now...

I seem to be shouting
for no reason.

They say too much moonlight
affects the mind.

That beautiful woman.

The drought in the village,

the water gushing from
a spring here.

Its source traced
to the Demon Pond.

Ridiculous!
There's no cause for alarm.

Delicious pears!

Nicely chilled!

Forgive me.

An apology?
He can be called back!

It wasn't a brief friendship.
He and I were like brothers.

If you talk to him face
to face, you might...

Yamazawa knew.

He was really saying that to me.

And yet... I've sent him away alone!

Not so loud. He may be listening.

If you go after him...

If you go away with him...

I'd be...

What an ungrateful wretch
I've turned out to be.

I've betrayed my friend.

No, this is how it should be.

It's for the best.

Supper will be late tonight.

Eggplant, the way you like it.

Rain?

A heavy rainfall would
help the villagers.

Yamazawa!

It's raining! It's raining!

It's raining!

Yamazawa!

Yamazawa!

Yamazawa!

Hagiwara!

Yamazawa!

- It's raining!
- The rain is coming!

- Rain! Hooray!
- It's raining!

The rain is coming!

Just a passing shower?
We're being mocked.

No more rain clouds.

Only a moment of joy!

Does that white hair
have some meaning?

You mean, this?
It's just a wig.

Indicating a recluse who has
abandoned Tokyo and learning.

Hey, what about her?

That's Yuri.
Was she rude to you?

Your wife?

Yes.

- For three years?
- Yes.

What's wrong?
There's no need to whisper.

Let me tell you before she
comes back... about Tokyo.

How are my parents?

Well, don't worry, they're well.

But they've aged because of you.

Is that so?

You sent not a word to
your anxious parents.

Leading an existence like this here.

May I ask why?

Think of it as a dream
and listen to it.

Yes, I thought it was a
real nightmare.

As I started to leave.

Just as you were saying

I came to the north in order
to collect legends.

As they say: "Many go out for wool
and come home shorn."

It seems that I have turned
into a legend myself.

A legend?
What do you mean?

A sorcerer turns a mountain
into sea.

A man becomes free or a stone.

A stone is turned into a leaf.
A leaf is changed into a frog.

You spoke of a nightmare

as if drawn into a legend.

During those three years,
I've become an actual legend.

Hey, stop talking about
such eerie things.

Your wife, is she a sorceress?

That's a cruel thing to say!

Of course not!

However, she seems
different somehow.

This land, this entire area,

this Harp Playing Valley,
it's all magical.

It's the Demon Pond and
its dragon.

- You knew about that?
- I did.

I got off at Imajo station and
walked all the way here.

It was to see that pond three
years ago that I came here.

And that led to your
present life?

That is, you met her there
and couldn't move on.

It wasn't only that.

I'm afraid I was discourteous.

Not at all.
No need to be formal.

We were just talking about you.

Didn't you sneeze?

If she sneezes, a
mosquito might fly out.

You're made up beautifully
tonight.

Are the tears all gone?

My, you're just teasing me.

The weather is getting warm.

Adding to the Summer heat.

All I can say is that I feel
envious seeing you two.

Were you born in this
very valley?

You have relatives nearby?

She's an orphan adopted by the
priest of the tutelary shrine.

Please, don't talk about me.

But, you see, Yamazawa thought
you were a sorceress earlier.

That was only a joke.

You looked so very...

Bewitching? I'm captivated.
You can't leave.

Isn't that so, Yamazaki?

I didn't say such a thing!

Never mind.
She's worried too.

She's afraid you'll
take me back to Tokyo.

Nothing like that.

I came here just to
see the Demon Pond.

Then, let's go there together.

Yuri, we have so much
to talk about tonight.

- Prepare some saké.
- Yes.

Madam.

Lend me Hagiwara for one night.

Tonight?

Talking is fine, but I'd like to
see that pond right away.

Why not tomorrow?

There's the school.

I'm afraid I can't extend
my vacation any longer.

You're going to Kyoto?

I've been there since last year.

My vacation is about over.

All right.
I'll be your guide.

We can talk on the way there.

I feel like a student again.

Yuri, take a sickle.

Yes...

- A sickle?
- Not many go there.

There might be bamboo and
vines to cut down.

Akira...

All the blades are dull.

Sharpen one of them
while we get ready.

Yes.

It's about five kilometres
on the map.

No, it's a little more than that.

The nights are short.
Dawn comes early.

By the way, aren't you hungry?

Yuri can prepare us some food.

Never mind.
Let's leave here.

It sounds like you're escaping.

I am, together with you.

What are you saying?

Not so loud!

That really looks sharp now.

Thank you.

Be careful.

Let's start out.

Take care of the house.

- Dear.
- Huh?

What is it?

Akira...

I...

I'll feel so lonely.

What's wrong?
Don't start talking like a child.

A fond farewell? Take your time.
I'll go on ahead.

You're exaggerating,
both of you.

This is not an eternal parting.

Well, I'll be going.

It's a lovely moonlit night.

Put out the fire and
lock the door.

Heave-ho! Heave-ho!

Heave-ho! Heave-ho!

Heave-ho!

The Diet Member has arrived!

He's here!

- Hurry up!
- His Excellency...

Diet Member, Kozo Anakuma.

- Hurrah!
- Hurrah!

- I've brought rice!
- Thank you very much.

Bag of rice! Bag of rice!

Thank you very much!

- Have I been some help?
- Yes, indeed.

You saved us from this drought!

Sir, please come this way!

Rice! Rice!
Polished Rice!

I don't think it will happen.
Isn't that so?

There's no need to worry.
He'll come back, won't he?

There, there.

Close your eyes and
nod in agreement.

Your mother is alone.
I have no desire to eat.

Let's put things away and wait.

The villagers mustn't
know I'm here alone.

"It's a lovely moonlit night."

"Put out the fire...
Lock the door..."

No Fishing Allowed

♪ There's no lack of goblins.
They come in many shapes

♪ A One-eyed monster
A water imp

♪ A Goblin cat, a goblin of the sea.
Then, there's that one with a egg-face ♪

What a surprise!

♪ And there's also the demon
fox Kuzu-no-Ha ♪

Silver scales, it's heavy too.
Weighs at least 30 pounds.

It's bigger than the carp
the village headman caught.

Hmm, instead of eating it

I can sell it to the assemblyman.

Listen, carp, you're
going to be sold.

Fetch a good price!

That's odd.
Dark already at this hour?

Ouch! Ouch!

It hurts! It hurts!

Ouch! Ouch!
The pain is killing me!

Saved!
My life's been saved!

Now I know how distressing a
drought can be to human beings.

I experienced it out
of the water.

Mr. Crab,
I'm glad you rescued me.

I'm grateful.

Help and be helped.

No need to thank me. You're strong
enough to leap up a waterfall.

How come you were caught
and put in here?

I tried to take a shortcut.

I entered a marah by mistake.
Then, swat!

By this villain?

Indeed!

It wasn't my fault!
It wasn't my fault!

I suppose you weren't to blame.
You are pardoned.

Now go!

See how it flies!
Like a man's head flying!

It's an eerie sight!

By the way,
where are you going now?

To my parent's home.

There's a beautiful moon
tonight again.

It will be blazing hot tomorrow.

The princess of the pond,

doesn't she have any intention
of letting it rain?

I certainly don't know.

The drought doesn't concern her.

As you're aware,

she loves the young man of
Senja Pond at Kengamine.

She thinks of him constantly.

She has no time to bother
about a drought!

Instead of agonizing so much,

why not spread her sleeves,

and fly to Kengamine?

It's a dilemma.
If the princess leaves,

a terrible flood will occur!

This valley, people, horses
will all be submerged.

What of it?

That would expand my domain.

Let the village become
a muddy marah.

Hey, have you forgotten?

There's this bell here.

There's a firm covenant.

As long as this bell is rung
three times a day,

the village is safe.
The princess is bound by it.

It's very inconvenient for her.

If the bell doesn't ring,
this could be our paradise.

Indeed, the princess may have
emerged from the pond for a stroll.

Buddha protect us!

Whew! I almost stepped on
the shadow of the bell!

Mountains and fields glitter
in the moonlight.

No sign of any moisture yet.

I must leave the marah and
move near the mountain pond.

Will you accompany me?

Yes, I'll do it with pleasure.

Let's sing as we go along.

What song?

"Turn the Mountain Into a River."

- That's good enough!
- Very well!

Oh, turn the mountain
into a river.

Yes, turn the mountain
into a river.

Men fought the water.
The village seemed doomed.

At that time, a holy man

confined the Dragon God
to that pond.

The Dragon God said:

"My freedom is lost when I pledge
to save men from drowning."

"Cast a huge bell."

"Ring it thrice each day
to awaken me

and remind me of my promise."

"I long for freedom, to move around,
to have my own way."

"To forget the pledge

in making the water of
this pond overflow."

"In gaining freedom

I care not how many men
and beasts perish."

"And yet, the pledge will be kept."

"But I must be reminded of it.
Do not neglect to ring the bell."

That's why the bell was cast.

If it isn't rung,

there will be rain,
lightning, wind.

The pond will overflow and the
village will be submerged.

The Dragon God will
reign supreme.

Is that hard to believe?

A 79-year old man
named Yatabei

tended the bell for over 50 years.
He rang it faithfully three times a day.

When I came here to
see the Demon Pond,

I stayed at his house.

He said he would guide
me at dawn.

That night, on his return
after ringing the bell,

he collapsed.

Writhing in pain

he appealed to me
in all earnestness.

For if he died, there'd be
no one to ring the bell.

Countless people would
lose their lives.

I was there alone with him.

So, to ease his suffering,
I said...

"Don't worry, old man.
I'll ring the bell!"

I shouted these words.

The old man smiled contentedly.
He died peacefully.

I'll never forget that face.

Is that why you remained there?

- I'd like to say...
- Wait.

I haven't finish my story yet.

I figured ringing the bell
once would be enough.

I went to the village to
arrange his funeral.

But no one I asked...

No one would promise
to tend the bell.

When I mentioned the
old legend

they only laughed.

I was angry.
I stalked out of the funeral site.

This is delicious!

Polished rice, ain't it?

Sure smells good!

Where have you been?

Why, nowhere.

If you don't watch him,

there's no telling
where he'll go.

Chasing women, probably.

Maybe to the belfry
looking for Yuri?

Nonsense.

They say the shrine priest
has been interested in her

ever since she became an orphan.

He's been after her.

But that woman called Yuri...

What about Yuri?

What about her?

The night's so long...

So long until the dawn.

You can't sleep either?

Someone was singing.

♪ Turn the mountain into a river ♪

The villagers would like that.

I feel sorry for them.

My, what a fine moonlit night.

Oh, turn the mountain
into a river.

Yes, turn the mountain
into a river.

Turn the mountain--

Wait. A stranger.

He's acting suspiciously.

Let's hide and watch.

Ah, I've come a long way,

and the land is parched.

This trip is tougher
than I expected.

Oh, there in the distance,

I see vapour rising above
the peak.

The Demon Pond must
be near there.

I rejoice!

Who and what are you?

I guard the marsh at the
first barrier to the pond.

Identify yourself!

We are not entirely
unrelated, I presume.

I come from sacred Mt. Hakusan
of the Hokuriku district.

The young nobleman of
the Senja Pond

has entrusted me with a letter

to the princess of
the Demon Pond.

Then, you must be that
black catfish priest.

A catfish turned into a monk?

You're both followers
of the princess?

Members of the Demon Pond family?

A fortunate encounter!
Will you be my guide?

It's an errand of importance.

We'll be happy to show the way.
She will be overjoyed.

We will gain honour too.
Let's be on our way.

Let's go, let's go.

- We're very near.
- Don't weaken now.

Come on, come on.

What's happened, Catfish?

The pond is over there.

Please bear with me.

My caudal fin may appear firm,

but I've been seized
by a sudden doubt.

What do you mean?

I've come this far, but as
I approach the pond

the letter box suddenly
seems to become heavier.

That's the reason why.

I see, I see.
Is it the heavy burden of love?

Are the thoughts of the two joined
together adding weight to the box?

No, my anxiety arises from
a foreboding I have.

Maybe the letter tells the
princess to cut me into pieces,

and enjoy me boiled like a turtle.

Who knows? That may be what's
written in the letter.

Ah, what a horrible fate!

Why do you have such anxiety?

The way the letter box
suddenly became heavy

made me remember an offence
that I'm guilty of.

It's a shameful matter,
but I'll disclose it to you.

To Sanja Pond in Kengamine,

there came riding on a bear

a mature but beautiful mountain
woman to bathe and wash her hair.

The whiteness of her naked
body reduced me to jelly.

Moving my fins,

I peeked at her
from every direction.

Then, as I looked up,

there was this young lord
looking very displeased.

Shortly afterward, I was
sent on this errand.

Having been confined to
the mud as punishment

I started out gladly,
heedlessly.

But woe is me!
The end is fast approaching.

Quite a Don Juan, isn't he?

Your anxiety can be allayed.

The crab here has scissors.

Cut it open.
Take a look.

What?

That's what I wanted to ask.

That's why I revealed my
shameful experience.

- You'll overlook my behaviour?
- Of course.

And if it's a love letter,
we'd like to read it.

Yes, yes, yes.

Away with you,
creatures of the mud!

Nurse.

How irritating that is, trying
to read a letter by moonlight.

As the incarnation of the Dragon
God, your own radiation...

How loving, gentle...

And charming.
What a delightfully sweet letter!

Nurse, I am going.

On a stroll to the foothills?

Are you returning?

- Where?
- To your abode.

What?

Back to the Demon Pond?

What are you saying?

I'm going to Kengamine.

What is there at Kengamine?

You know without asking...
to Senja Pond from where...

this lovely letter came.

There you go being wilful again.

Yonder, is that hanging bell.

Surely you must remember that

if you were to move elsewhere

a flood would submerge the village.

Thousands of human beings
would lose their lives.

It's lamentable, but that
is what would happen.

Why are you so argumentative?

Nurse, are you on the
side of human beings?

Those monkeys without tails.
What do I care about them?

They're hateful.
They're despicable.

But even if they are enemies,
a promise is a promise.

A solemn pledge cannot be broken.

Who made the pledge?

Your ancestors.

And bequeathed to you
by your parents.

That I know!

As long as the bell is rung

the village cannot be submerged.

Oh, that hateful bell!

If only it wasn't there!

But Nurse,
I will go to Kengamine.

If there were no bell,
it would mean no pledge.

Come, everyone!

Yes, Princess!

Everyone, destroy that bell!

Smash it into little pieces!

Yes, Princess!

This is Princess Shirayuki's command
and it must not be obeyed!

You are talking in delirium.

Be prudent about a deed

that will cause thousands to perish.

Why should I be concerned about
the life of human beings?

I'd sacrifice my own life for love.

Nurse, be tolerant!
Let me go there!

My heart bleeds for you,
but it must not be.

I won't say...
wait 30 or 50 years,

Just be patient.
For a little while.

That is much too long.

A loving heart can
overcome all barriers.

I am unwilling to wait.

So be it! So be it!

If you are unwilling to obey,
I myself...

Princess!

What do you intend to do?

If that bell must be destroyed

I need no help to do it.

Even if it weighs 30 tons,

I'd do it myself with
my frail arms.

But an obligation is heavier.

Rules are made arbitrarily.

Away with the fetters binding me!

The names that men have called me:
Fiend, beast, demon,

evil monster, poisonous serpent.

But nothing can block
the path of love.

Ancestors are ancestors.

They may have made this
pledge out of convenience.

Human beings often
break their promises.

Why can't I break this
promise also?

Ah, the letter of my beloved
has disarranged my thoughts.

Nurse, forgive me!

Your thoughts are
disordered indeed.

If ever the ringing of the
bell thrice a day is neglected

the pledge would be
instantly violated!

If broken in any way

divine punishment follows.

Are you prepared to face that?

Itadori, Kaeru and Kuzuryu join
to form the Great Hino River.

There's that river of Mino.

We control both of them.

Oh, mighty princess!

Such wilfulness...

Cannot be permitted!

- Forever be...
- In perfect health!

How annoying you all are!

Be faithful to your obligations
and live long.

I won't abandon love.
Never!

Move aside!

Clear the way!

I order to let me pass!

It's my problem alone, even if
I suffer divine punishment.

How blissful to dissolve in
the stream of affection.

To let my body be crushed
to pieces.

Still my spirit will
yearn for him.

Is hope as faint as a
firefly's light?

Still I'll go to Kagamine!

♪ Hush-a-bye baby

♪ Hush-a-bye... ♪

I hear someone singing.

Who is it?

It's the young woman
called Yuri.

That beautiful Yuri?

What can she be doing?

During her husband's absence,
she's singing to distract herself.

When you're separated from a
loved one, is singing of any help?

It's exactly as you have said.

Under the strain of my own
emotions, I had forgotten.

Good people would perish
along with others.

The two in that house
are to be envied.

Messenger.

Yes?

I'll write a reply for
you to take back.

- Camellia, the letter box.
- Yes, Princess.

Nurse.

I'll return to the
pond and be patient.

I'm happy to hear that.

♪ Hush-a-bye baby

♪ Hush-a-bye

♪ Where did the boy's nursemaid go?

♪ She went over the mountain... ♪

Yuri is ringing the bell...

Yuri, Yuri!

Yuri!

Already that late?

Over there is the Demon Pond!

Water always has a fascination.

So, how about it?
Do you believe in that legend now?

Well, hardly.

After all, I'm a natural scientist.

The villagers are sceptical too.

Can you tell the quality
of the water?

I'm not that expert.

Not a single leaf
floats on this pond.

Huh?

When leaves fall on the
pond in autumn

the next morning there is not
a single leaf on the surface.

This pond is in the wind's path.

It's no mystery.

I see.

You've never been able to believe
an unscientific legend.

You're the one I'm
worried about.

Hey, let's escape together.

- Escape?
- From her.

What?!

Did you bring me here
just to tell me that?

To leave Yuri?

Don't call her by that name.

- She's not human!
- Not human?

Are you saying my
wife's not human?

What is she, then?

I'm serious.
And I'm worried too.

Stop joking!

I'm sorry.
I won't say any more.

Don't you say anything
either. Just escape.

That's enough!
I won't listen to you.

There's still time.
One year from now

that she-devil will have
destroyed you.

Idiot!

Lunatic!

You!

If it'll make you feel better,
hit me again.

Sorry.

I never thought I'd pass through
life tending a bell.

But I'm still remaining here.

I've become Yatabei II,
a bell keeper for life.

I suppose so.

If while travelling alone,
I had met someone like Yuri

I might have done the same.

I'll be honest.

There must be something inside me
that really envies you.

She was there.

Yuri was standing here.

Silently watching me go.

It was after Yatabei's funeral.

I went as far as the
village bridge.

I suddenly stopped,

thinking that my summer
trip was over.

The sky and summer clouds
were reflected in the stream below.

Did you...

Do you need something?

This was...

I wondered if you had
forgotten it.

- I don't need it.
- But...

Something is written on it.

It's the legend of
the Demon Pond.

I heard it from Yatabei.

The villagers don't believe it,

so there's no use.
Throw it away.

Goodbye.

If there were a flood
and it destroyed this village.

I wouldn't care about the rest.

But she too would die!

So two, three, four and five days
became a fortnight and, then, a month.

Lengthening into three years?

That's right.

It could have been three years.
It could have been 30 years.

The disguise of the white wig

became a part of me
as time passed.

Yuri, place your hand on the
moonflower for a moment.

Yes.

Is there dew on the
flower and leaves?

My, it's so cold.

The flower is heavy with dew.

A sacrifice!

That's what we need now.

A sacrifice!

- What? A sacrifice?
- A sacrifice?

That's right!
A sacrifice!

To be offered to the
Dragon God in the Demon Pond for rain.

Of course, a sacrifice!

A sacrifice!
A human sacrifice!

Absolutely right!
A human sacrifice!

The question is, who should
be offered as the sacrifice?

In any case, it should be

the most beautiful woman
in the village.

Preferably she should
be a virgin!

No, not my daughter.

That is...
she isn't beautiful at all.

Someone else should...

No, she happens to be the
prettiest one here.

- Speak up!
- Yes...

Well, you see, that is...
Your Excellency.

Besides, our daughter
is no longer a virgin.

Isn't that so?

What?!
Who have you given yourself to?

Those village youths
who come at night!

Young women who haven't
had such visits

must be a rarity in this province.

I have it!
The most beautiful

in this vicinity is
none other than Yuri!

Yes, but Yuri is Akira's wife.

That's wrong!

What do you mean?

While she was still living
at the shrine

I tried to steal in one night.

- You!
- I didn't!

What I mean is I tried to.

When I went there, I saw
clearly with my own eyes

a long white serpent coiled
around Yuri's body.

That's nonsense!

I'm not lying!

Others must have seen it too.

Yuri isn't human.

There are scales on her back.
She's a serpent!

A snake!

Heave-ho!

Heave-ho!

You're a serpent!
A serpent!

- Serpent!
- Serpent!

How dare you intrude?

We have a right to enter!

For the village's sake.

The land is parched,
the fields scorched.

Yuri, don't act unbecomingly.

Don't be so agitated.

We come as the result
of a consultation.

The choice has fallen on you.
It's binding.

We will now proceed up
the mountainside

to offer a sacrifice to the
Dragon God of the Demon Pond.

Your life will be spared,

but you'll be tied naked to an
ox that is to be slaughtered.

The horned head and tail will
be offered to the Dragon God.

Villagers will partake
of the meal!

If this is done, rain will
fall for three days

the paddy fields and farms
will revive.

So, rise.
Stand up.

Let's be on our way!

I won't say anything,

but please wait until Akira,
my husband, returns.

Be patient with me, everyone,
until my husband returns.

- What?!
- Yuri, what is this?

Have mercy on me!
Until Akira returns!

Her husband again!

Akira, Akira!
I'm amazed!

Shinto priest, sir,
what should we do?

Take her outside.

Come!
Hey, everyone!

Is she too much for you?

What's that noise?

It's coming from the belfry.

That's odd.
A large gathering.

Oh, Akira!

Leave! What do you
think you're doing?

Wait!

Akira!

We must ask you

to leave this village!

- You don't want me here?
- Correct.

You must be aware of it.

And if you aren't,
you must be accounted as a fool.

We've had two years of
dry weather.

A drought! One drop of rain
would be worth a fortune.

Your superstition about this bell.

That, if it fails to be rung even once,
there will be a flood.

That the village will become a lake.
Fine!

We'd welcome that!

So, the bell needn't be rung any more.

That is why, that is why

you must not ring the bell.

At the same time, it is
necessary that you leave the village.

- That's right!
- That's right!

I'll be glad to go

if you don't care whether
it is rung.

I had promised.
I had an obligation.

But if you say don't ring it,
I won't.

I'll leave the village.

- Get out!
- Get out!

Yuri, let's go.

At once.

Come barefoot.

I'll carry you.

Hey, wait!
I said, wait!

- What for?
- You bastard!

You can't take any
village property!

Neither dust nor a leaf.

That woman belongs to
the village.

You can't take her with you!

No, Yuri happens to be my wife.

Be quiet!
She belongs here.

Don't be silly!

Yuri wants to go with me.
That's all.

That's how it is, gentlemen.

If I leave her here,
Yuri will die.

People must live as
they think best!

Now, let's go.

Look here, young man.

It won't do to act rashly!

Yuri not only belongs
to the village

she means life for the 8.000
people of this region.

She's our sacrifice for rain.

If you carry away
that sacrifice

you'll be depriving 8.000
people of their lives.

Leave Yuri here.

Otherwise,
we can't let you pass.

Yuri means life for the
8.000 people.

Well, what will you do?

Wait a moment.
Please wait.

Hagiwara can't answer easily.
I'll reply for him.

Yuri is the village's life,
like you said.

It was because of her that
Hagiwara tended the bell.

If you persecute the two now,
and the bell is not rung,

if a flood destroys this region
with its 8.000 people

you will have doomed yourselves!

A superstition too.
A sacrifice is superstition too.

Why can't you let them go free?

That's enough from you!

Don't blabber so much!

Who are you anyway?

I'm... I'm Akira Hagiwara's
friend.

You sound like a
Buddhist priest.

I am a priest indeed!

Also a doctor of science.

I teach botany at University.
My name is Gakuen Yamazawa.

This province has had

many Shinshu Sect believers.

Are any of that sect here?
Who will show sympathy?

You're a teacher too?

The same profession as mine.
Intercede for me!

A Shinto priest teaches, too.
Wise village headman...

Brawny wrestler...
All men of chivalry, I presume.

Forego the sacrifice for rain.

He's an impostor!

Oh, it's the Diet Member!

Excellency!

Excellency!

That guy is a fraud!

And even if he isn't,
what's a priest?

What's a scholar?

You face a food problem!

I'll assume responsibility.

- Take action!
- Yes, sir!

Strip her naked.

One woman against 8.000.

Which will weigh heavier
on the scales?

On with the sacrifice!

Bind me!

If you can't listen to reason,

tie me to the ox!

No! If it's as a substitute,
bind me.

Kill me if you want to.
I won't care.

Take me to the Demon Pond.

If it's rain you want,
I'll negotiate with the dragon!

Akira, I'll go instead!

Take me there, please!

Stop!

I'll risk my life to protect you.

Who cares about the Dragon God?

Love cannot be bartered.

Even if you're willing,

I won't let you!

Calm down.
Stop talking nonsense.

The woman too.
Isn't a bath taken naked?

Huh? What a fool!

You, listen!

Some of the warriors of old

killed their wives when
setting out for battle

so as not to think of home.

It exemplified the
national spirit.

It was the way of the Warrior!

Saving the people and saving
the village is exactly like

serving one's country!

For such a service

is putting your wife on
the back of an ox so unconscionable?

You sniveller!

I'm broadminded,

but others might brand
you as a traitor.

I, Kozo, am prepared.

For the sake of the village, the
people, I would lay down

my life at any time!

Hurrah! Hurrah!

Hurrah! Hurrah!

Then die!

Die!
Die! Die!

For the people's sake.

Die splendidly, then, I'll die
too and hand Yuri over.

Die!
You don't want to die?!

If you're afraid to die,
fight a duel!

Wait!

Stand back!

Your breath is foul.

You've been bought by
this nouveau riche.

Have you forgotten the past?

A village maiden, Shirayuki,
became a sacrifice.

She was tied naked to an ox
and taken to the pond!

Humiliated, ashamed, the girl resolved

never to return alive.

Gathering firewood, she piled
it on the back of the ox.

She set fire to the wood!

The ox raced madly down,
setting the village on fire!

Seeing the flames leaping up at
the foothills

the maiden drowned herself
in the pond.

Have you forgotten that?!

If you lay a hand on us

this village will be
enveloped in flames!

Stop talking nonsense!

The village is scorched
by drought.

That's why we're praying for rain!

Don't dilly-dally.
Take action!

This will never do!

Denkichi, come!

- Out of the way!
- Scram, you!

Dispose of them.
Kill them!

Of course!

Yamazawa, watch out!

Never saw such absurd people.

I'll take you on.

- Do it!
- Do it!

Yamazawa, escape!

Good grief! Do it!

Everyone!

I will die!

Yuri! Yuri!

Akira, my love...

Akira...

I won't...

let you die alone.

Wait for me yonder.

What time is it?

Six AM.

Bell ringing time.
I could tell by the morning star.

Yamazawa.

My intention is not to
ring the bell.

How about it?

Hmm...
Don't ring it.

Don't ring it.
Think of Yuri.

What's that? What's that?

That rumbling, what's that?

Look over there!

Above the Demon Pond!

A waterspout!

It's the curse of
the Dragon God!

A curse!
The Dragon God is rampaging!

- The bell, ring the bell!
- Save us!

Ring the bell!

I beg you, the bell...

Ring the bell!
Please, ring the bell!

A flood!

It's a wave! A big wave!

Hagiwara,
tie yourself to a pillar!

Yamazawa.

Farewell!

Hagiwara!

Nurse, I feel so happy now!

Princess.

What about the human beings?

They're turned into fish.

Some of them are swimming.

I can see a few minnows too.

The new Bell Pool can be
kept for that couple.

Come with me, everyone.

I'm leaving for Kengamine.

I can move freely now.

Yuri... Yuri!

Let's sing together, shall we?

Production: Shigemi Sugisaki,
Yukio Tomizawa, Kanji Nakagawa

Original Play:
Kyoka Izumi

Screenplay:
Haruhiko Mimura, Tsutomu Tamura

Cinematography:
Masao Kosugi, Noritaka Sakamoto

Art Direction: Kiyoshi Awazu,
Setsu Asakura, Yutaka Yokoyama

Music:
Isao Tomita

Recording: Tokio Hiramatsu
Sound: Hideo Nishizaki

Lighting: Hiroshi Iijima
Special Effects: Nobuo Yajima

Editing:
Zen Ikeda, Sachiko Yamachi

Assistant Director:
Isao Kumagai

Directed by
Masahiro Shinoda

THE END