Original subtitles

KUNOICHI CHUSHINGURA

March 14, 1702

The only way to console the spirit of our deceased Lord...

...is to lay the head of Kira Kozukenosuke on our Lord's grave.

Thus shall we demonstrate our outrage...

...at the injustice done to us by the government.

On this day, we swear...

...one and all...

...to revenge our lord by the sword.

Gentlemen...

...we hereby pledge ourselves...

...to justice.

Edo Autumn, 1702

Tsunanori,...

...how long do you intend to keep me imprisoned here?

I haven't attended...

...a single gathering since that terrible incident.

I can't even join the autumn hunt!

I understand how you feel, father... but you must stay here...

...until we are sure the Ako Warriors are no longer a danger.

We are doing this for your safety.

I'm sick of hearing this.

Always the same excuse!

But you know, Tsunanori...

...living like this...

...is no different from being a corpse!

Father!

The Uesugi Mansion

Motome, you know why I called you here today.

My father is at his wit's end.

We can't wait any longer.

We must attack the Ako warriors before they attack us.

For 150 years, from the time of Lord Kenshin,...

...we Noto Ninja have served your family.

I assure you, we shall deal with the Ako warriors.

I'm grateful to you.

Waste no time. Go to Yonezawa...

...and relay my words to your men.

This is a copy of the written pledge signed by the Ako warriors.

This is a copy of the written pledge signed by the Ako warriors.

This is a copy of the written pledge signed by the Ako warriors.

This is a copy of the written pledge signed by the Ako warriors.

If we can rid ourselves of the leaders of the clan...

...whose names are on this list...

...then the others will disperse.

Yes, my lord.

I will go immediately to Yonezawa and plan the attack.

Yonezawa Dewa Province

We have a job to do.

Six men...

...Oishi Kuranosuke,...

...Okuno Shogen,...

...Takada Gunbei,...

...Horibe Yasubei,...

...Fuwa Kazuemon...

...and Yato Emoshichi.

Six men in all. Kill them.

Motome!

I thought you were in Edo.

I returned this morning.

But I must leave again.

I've come to say goodbye.

This may be the last time I'll see you.

Does that mean,...

I must go on a dangerous mission.

We made a vow to be together,...

...but you must forget about me.

Motome...

It is a ninja's destiny.

Please understand.

I understand.

I, too, am the daughter of a ninja. You need say no more.

I was not sure if I should come...

...but I wanted to speak with you one last time.

Farewell.

Wait!

My father gave me this in case I was ever in danger.

If your life is ever threatened...

...this bell will keep you safe.

But this is your father's...

Not now. It is yours. Remember me by it.

Oryo, I will miss you.

Farewell!

Oryo, go after him!

Oyu...

If you love him, go with him!

Oyu!

Even ninja are human.

What's wrong with falling in love?

We are ninja before we are woman.

We can't do our duty if we are in love.

We were born into a ninja clan. It is our destiny.

Then why did you give him the "bell of life"?

Because you feel for him.

You're saying that's not important?

That bell was to protect us.

And you gave it to Motome...!

I hope it doesn't end up costing us our lives.

What are you talking about?

Minister Chisaka has sent for us.

I assume you have all heard about the Ako warriors.

They are a lawless rabble...

...out to take Lord Kira's life...

...and revenge the death of their Lord.

The government should deal with these worthless trouble makers...

...but they seem to be doing nothing about it.

To make matters worse, the general population supports them.

Many people would like to see the Ako warriors avenge themselves.

It is a dangerous time for Lord Kira.

His son has secretly ordered the assassination of the Ako warriors.

He has instructed a number of skilled assassins...

...to carry out the task.

However, I believe that this will only work against us.

However, I believe that this will only work against us.

If the Ako warriors are killed,...

...suspension will fall on us, the Uesugi clan.

The government may use it as an opportunity...

The government may use it as an opportunity...

...to destroy us.

Your job is to prevent the assassination of the Ako warriors.

In order to safeguard Lord Kira's life...

...you must drain their desire for vengeance.

Your bodies will be your weapons.

Use your sexual charms to cripple the men of Ako.

Here are the names of your victims.

Edo

That's Takada.

You know what to do.

Leave him to me.

You haven't lost your touch, Horibe.

It reminds me of that fight at Takada no Baba.

You're not so bad yourself, Takada.

Thanks to you I'm a mass of bruises.

Just the thought of killing Kira doubles my strength.

Just the thought of killing Kira doubles my strength.

Takada, watch what you say.

Remember, walls have ears, and doors have eyes.

Sorry, it was careless of me.

By the way...

...I hear that...

...the Uesugi clan is out to have us killed.

...the Uesugi clan is out to have us killed.

...the Uesugi clan is out to have us killed.

...the Uesugi clan is out to have us killed.

...the Uesugi clan is out to have us killed.

...the Uesugi clan is out to have us killed.

What? The Uesugi clan?

We can waste no time.

We must be prepared to act as soon as Oishi gives the word.

Right...

Osen, I am heartbroken to have to tell you,...

...but I cannot be your husband.

Before I can marry into your family...

...there is something I must do.

The vendetta?

I understand. I will pray for your success.

Osen!

Although we are not formally wed...

...I consider myself your wife.

I don't know what to say.

I cannot consummate our marriage...

...knowing my life may end so soon.

Wait for me!

Who's there?

Takada, go ahead and make love to her.

It's natural for a man and woman.

Who are you?

Don't you know how?

Well... let me show you.

Ninja spell, Flower of Passion

Osen!

Takada, Drown in passion...

Love her... forget the vendetta.

Drown, drown...

Osen!

You damned sorceress!

My eyes are deceiving me. Somehow I must break this spell!

How's that for you, ninja!

You cannot stop the vendetta!

No mere woman can make a man break his solemn oath!

I've failed.

What have I done?

Where are you, ninja...

...ninja!

You will not have him!

So you're the ones...

...they've hired to kill the Ako warriors!

Why do you fight us, we are both ninja?

Who has ordered you to do this?

I can't tell you that.

The government?

Surely not Uesugi...?

Die!

Now you die!

Ninja spell, The Running Flame.

Omatsu!

He's a Noto Ninja!

Oryo!

Motome!

I don't want to fight my own kind, but...

I warn you not to get in my way.

Motome! You mustn't kill the Ako warriors.

If they die, the Uesugi clan will bear the blame.

You cannot put the clan in jeopardy!

I have my orders.

I repeat... ...do not get in my way or else.

Go home!

Motome!

What are we going to do?

Are you going to fight Motome?

If we quit now, Omatsu will have died in vain.

So Takada is out of the way.

A blind man is a danger to no-one but himself.

And what of Horibe?

He has gone to Kyoto to report to Oishi.

So he's gone to see Oishi.

Things should be peaceful for a while.

But we shall see what happens now.

Kyoto Winter 1702

Oishi, please stop this nonsense!

Minister!

Oh, Horibe!

How about a dance with the girls?

Oishi, Horibe did not come all the way from Edo...

...to party with you.

What, don't you like the way I sing?

Minister, please pull yourself together.

Do you realize that people are talking about you?

Of course. You can't stop people gossiping.

Perhaps it doesn't bother you...

...but Horibe brings news that...

...ninja assassins have been hired to kill us.

You must decide the day of the vendetta.

We should not talk of such boorish things in this fine establishment.

It is not boorish,...

...and we must talk!

Minister Oishi!

My dear, Fuwa.

You left the Asano Clan before our Lord's death.

You owe him nothing.

I am ashamed for not having repaid my Lord's kindness...

...during his lifetime.

Now I must show my loyalty to him after his death.

There are ways of doing that without having to die for it.

There are ways of doing that without having to die for it.

Let's go!

We cannot wait for the Minister to make a decision.

I say we go ahead with the vendetta...

...with Okuno as our leader.

I agree.

Okuno must lead us.

The others will not object.

How about it, Okuno?

It's a terrible decision.

But with Minister Oishi acting as he is, I suppose I have no choice.

Minister Okuno.

What's this?

Ninja spell, Heat Wave Hell.

You...

You are about to enter hell.

So you want revenge, do you? Vengeance is mine.

Leave him be!

Stay out of this, woman!

Ninja spell, The Sword of Hair...

Now, I will take you to places you've never been.

Okuno, are you home?

Is anyone home...?

Okuno?

Okuno, what's the matter with you?

Okuno!

Out of my way!!

Okuno is in heaven.

What?

Ninja spell, The Rainbow Bridge...

Let me take you to paradise, too.

No...no...!

This is wrong... This is wrong!

Men and Women must make love. It's our basic instinct.

Come and enjoy!

No, I can't. I have to do my part in the vendetta.

Without this, you are powerless over me!

What have you done!?

Get away from me!

Don't move! We must stop the bleeding.

No. Let it bleed.

Please let me.

I do this as a woman, not a ninja!

What?!

You have proved your loyalty. I am defeated...

...but I can't let you die.

This woman is mine!

Okuno, their second in command ...defeated so easily.

And Fuwa, too.

An excellent job.

Now, we go after Oishi.

Gion, Kyoto

Gion, Kyoto

Oryo, if we don't stop now...

...there will be no going back.

We may end up regretting it.

If things continue like this, we will end up fighting Motome.

We'll worry about that when the time comes.

What are you going to do?

We have no choice.

But...Oryo, you love Motome...!

I am a ninja. I live by ninja-laws.

It is as it should be.

That's not true.

Our next target is Oishi Kuranosuke.

It's not true.

Minister.

Please clear the room.

What now?

Please clear the room.

All right, all right.

Get out, all of you.

Minister, I know you are acting like this...

...to lull our enemies into a feeling of false security...

...but I believe you are going too far.

Please decide the day of the vendetta.

Why the sudden rush?

Okuno has disappeared...

...and Fuwa has fallen sick.

I'm sure these acts were perpetuated by enemy ninja.

We can't risk any more attacks on our men.

Please, decide on the way.

They say bad carpenters hurry the job.

They say bad carpenters hurry the job.

They say bad carpenters hurry the job.

They say bad carpenters hurry the job.

They say bad carpenters hurry the job.

When we left Ako Castle,...

...we did not follow our Lord in death...

...because it was our dream to take vengeance one day.

If you continue to play around like this,...

...we will continue the vendetta without you.

You'd go that far?

Our minds are made up...

...with or without you.

All right.

We will proceed with the vendetta,...

...in March, on the first anniversary of our Lord's death.

Do you mean it?

I am a samurai. I do not go back on my word.

Minister.

I'm drunk.

Are you all right?

Yes, fine, fine.

Just fine.

He's taking his time, isn't he?

You don't think...!

You're not Usuzumi...

Who are you?

Does it matter?

I suppose not...

We're inseparable now.

My dear Oishi...

...we shall stay like this...

...until the end of March.

I can't say I mind.

But didn't you promise to...

...have your revenge in March?

I just said that to get them off my back.

But you even signed a pact.

A so-called white lie.

The Minister. Where is Minister Oishi?

What you really want...

...is not vengeance, but to restore the Asano family name.

Am I right?

None of my men agree with me.

Do you know where Daigaku,...

...Lord Asano's younger brother is imprisoned?

No, but if Daigaku were freed, he would...

...became the new head of the Asano clan.

And then?

Then we don't need a vendetta.

Are you telling me the truth?

It's rather hard for me to lie to you in this position.

It's rather hard for me to lie to you in this position.

If what he says is true,...

...then both the Asano warriors and Lord Kira would be safe.

And our mission would be accomplished.

Minister!

Woman, who are you?

What do you think you're doing!

Get away from him!

Stop it!

It seems she's put some kind of spell on me,...

...we can't seem to separate.

It's a Ninja spell, The Passionate Connection.

Our bodies are joined as one...

...we are literally one body, one life.

And if I die,...

...then your Minister dies, too.

Are you still going to kill me?

We need Minister Oishi alive!

I know that!

The only way out of this predicament...

...is if I break the spell.

What shall we do?

We can't leave him here like this.

Horibe, where do you think you are taking us?

Leave it to me.

Let's go.

Horibe.

I am Aname, ninja assassin.

Uesugi spy...!

Ninja spell, The Body of Steel...

No blade can harm me.

Not even bullets will hurt me.

Prepare to die, Oishi!

Horibe, save the girl.

What?!

She's done nothing. She mustn't be harmed.

My dear Oishi...!

Ninja spell, The Swamp of Hell...

A body of steel is heavy in water.

Sink, all the way to hell!

Oishi...

...restore the Asano family name!

I would have preferred...

...to remain as we were until the end of March!

Okiri...

Your woman's instinct got the better of you.

Oryo, whar are we fighting for, anyway?

Is it out of loyalty?

I can't stand this anymore!

Omatsu, Osugi, and Okiri...

...they all died for something more important than duty.

You understand that, don't you?

They died for love.

I don't want to die for duty.

I want to live a s a woman.

What was that for?

Go, if you wish.

I will fulfill my duties as a ninja.

Even if it means fighting Motome?

You're a fool!

Oyu!

Motome, finish them off!

What's the matter? Kill them.

Motome, has love made you weak?

If you can't, I will.

Oryo, why did he...?

Take back your bell.

I owe you nothing more.

I don't ever want to see you again.

Motome...

Kyoto Spring, 1703

This is the pact that you signed.

It affirms our duty as samurai,...

...to avenge our Lord in March...

...on the first anniversary of his death.

Your own blood is on this pact.

I suppose it is.

It is now March.

Yato,...

...let's wait another year.

One more year...?

I intend to wait, until we know for sure...

...what is to happen to Lord Daigaku.

But, there is a chance that Kira will leave Edo...

...and escape to Yonezawa.

Besides, he is already an old man.

What if he dies before we get to him?

Then we will pursue him to hell.

Yato,...

...our lives are short.

Drink and enjoy yourself.

Hey!

Maybe I should teach you some manners.

Look at me when I'm talking to you.

You can leave, now.

We'll get you for this!

That's Yato. He's yours.

Oyu, are you listening to me?

Woman, what do you want?

What is it?

You're Yato, aren't you?

Yes.

Minister Oishi intructed me to come see you.

Minister Oishi?

Yes, I am to take care of your daily needs.

My needs... Minister Oishi asked you?

Yes.

Forget it.

I can take care of myself.

Please wait. You'll get me in trouble.

Please let me take care of you.

As you like.

Don't get in my way.

Your supper is ready.

I don't know if it will be to your liking, but please, at least try it.

It's pretty good...

It's Oyu, isn't it?

Why don't you join me?

It's more fun to eat together than alone.

I'm glad you like it.

I don't want to die for duty.

I want to live as a woman!

Oyu.

Why don't you come over here?

The moon is beautiful tonight.

It's a full moon.

They say, if you watch it all night without falling asleep,...

...your wish will come true.

I am Shobei, ninja assassin.

Ninja spell, The Magic pole...

If it's metal, it comes to me.

Now you die!

Why, you...!

Yato!

Oyu, run!

You're protecting the enemy! I'll kill you both!

You're protecting the enemy! I'll kill you both!

Die!

Yato, hang in there!

I hate to die...

...before my duty is gone!

Don't give up...

Yato...

Oyu, why did you try to save me?

I'm your enemy, aren't I?

I have no enemies nor friends.

You're the only thing that matters to me now.

Oyu...

I will do your duty for you...

What?

Even if you leave this world,...

...your shape and form shall remain here.

Ninja spell, The Heavenly Exchange...

Oyu!

Oyu!

No, not you too...!

Oyu, maybe...?

Summer, 1703

The government has issued an edict...

...concerning Lord Daigaku, the younger brother of Lord Asano.

He is to be stripped of all land and rank,...

...and he is to remain in the custody of...

...Lord Tsunanaga of Hiroshima.

With this all hope is lost for the restoration for the Asano clan.

We have no alternative.

We shall attack the Kira estate...

...and take Kira's head in vengeance for our Lord's death.

Gentleman,...

...we proceed with the vendetta!

It's time!! It's time!!

Oyu...so I was right!

But this means we are now enemies.

Edo

Lord Kira's Estate in Honjo

Oishi's coming...the Ako Clan are coming to get my head!

Oishi's coming...the Ako Clan are coming to get my head!

Tsunanori, you're my only hope.

Do something, Tsunanori!

Chisaka, are you suggesting I let my father die?

Yes.

The vendetta of the Ako clan is no longer merely a question of revenge.

It is a revolt against the government.

The people support the cause of the Ako clan.

I cannot let my father take the punishment for...

...a biased decision made by the government.

My Lord, this is a matter which should also be of...

...great concern to your father.

If the Uesugi family interferes in this affair...

...it will cause great tension between us and the government.

We cannot allow the Uesugi clan...

...to be destroyed...

...because of a band of Ako rabble.

Forget about your father...

...and think of your position as the head of the Uesugi clan.

You must ignore the attack...

...on the Kira estate!

Never. We must rid ourselves of these rebellions Ako scum.

My Lord!

Oryo, listen well.

You are to continue to protect the Ako warriors.

However, I rescind the order to prevent the vendetta.

Instead, help them in anyway you can...

...and let them complete their task.

Yes, sir.

This is a tribute to your dead companions.

Thank god!

Now, Oyu and I are no longer enemies...

...and I can fulfill the wishes of those...

...who died while trying to help the Ako warriors.

I understand what Chisaka is saying...

...but I am my father's son.

I must save his life at any cost.

Motome, what is going on with the Ako warriors?

They have gathered in Edo...

...and are dispersed in these 14 locations.

Oishi and his son, Chikara, are...

...in Nihonbashi, staying with the shopkeeper Oyamaya.

Motome, why isn't the government doing anything about this?

Whether they know about it or not,...

...they don't seem to be in any hurry to take action.

There's no way they couldn't know.

So they plan to let my father die, and not do anything about it.

Do not worry.

I will take care of the warriors myself.

You have a plan?

I, Tsukinowa Motome,...

...have the ultimate secret weapon.

Your deaths will not be in vain.

Motome, I too am a ninja.

I will fight to the death and do my duty.

Go! Gain entry through the rear.

Right away!

December 14, 1703

Minister Oishi has arrived.

Minister.

Horibe,...

We've been waiting for you.

We are prepared to leave any time you give the word.

The Ako warriors are not the only ones who cherish loyalty.

I, too will do my duty.

I, too am a ninja.

I am prepared to die to accomplish my mission.

Gentlemen, let's proceed.

Rin

Kyo

Ho

Sha

Kai

Shin

Retsu

Zai

Zen

Ninja spell, The Buddha Curtain...

The Buddha Curtain!

This spell drains 50 years from a person's life...

Motome is in great danger.

If he keeps this up, he will die for sure.

But what can I do...?

What can I do?

You do understand that, don't you?

They died for love.

I don't want to die for duty.

I want to live as a woman!

For the man I love...

Oryo, no...!

Ninja spell, Dreams of Passion and Love.

That's even more dangerous than my spell...

...once it is cast,...

...there is no returning to this world!

Oryo, don't!

Let me die!

Stop, Oryo!

My body is enclosed in the curtain.

No spell of yours is strong enough to break it.

Cast the spell off, and live on.

Oryo, I don't want you to die.

Motome, my dear Motome...!

Remove the iron curtain...

...and live.

I want you to live.

I want you to live...for my sake.

Loyalty...

...worthless loyalty!