Original subtitles

A SHOCHIKU FILM

A Production by: HYOGENSHA SHOCHIKU COMPANY LTD.

In 1635, the Tokugawa Shogunate, instituted a measure of control

when they ordered all the provincial daimyo

to spend every second year in Edo.

Since then a century has passed...

The lord is departing!

GONZA THE SPEARMAN

GONZA THE SPEARMAN The lord is departing!

GONZA THE SPEARMAN

GONZA THE SPEARMAN The lord is departing!

The lord is departing!

Producers: IWASHITA Kiyoshi WAKITA Masatake MOTOMICHI Masayuki

Based on Gonza The Spearman's Illicit Love by CHIKAMATSU Monzaemon

Screenplay: TOMIOKA Taeko

Photography: MIYAGAWA Kazuo

Make way! Make way!

Music: TAKEMITSU Toru Biwa Player: TSURUTA Kinshi

Make way!

Make way!

Make way!

Lighting: SANO Takeji Sound Recording: YOSHIDA Shotaro

Editor: YAMAJI Sachiko Assistant Director: KOIBUCHI Masaru

Tea Ceremony Consultant: SUZUKI Muneyasu Period Consultant: TAKATSU Toshiharu Tea Ceremony Coach: Sekishu-ryu Sogen OZEKI Nanzan Supervision by: HAYASHI Yoshikazu

Cast

SASANO Gonza: GO Hiromi

KAWAZURA Bannojo: HINO Shohei

Oyuki: TANAKA Misako

IWAKI Chutabei: OTAKI Hideji ASAKA Ichinoshin: TSUMURA Takashi

Governess: KATO Haruko Osai's mother: MIYAKE Kuniko

Torajiro: SHIMA Eiji Okiku: MIZUSHIMA Kaori Osute: ASAKAWA Natsuki

IWAKI Jinbei: KAWARAZAKI Choichiro

Boatman: OZAWA Shoichi

Osai: IWASHITA Shima

Directed by: SHINODA Masahiro

The bout is over!

"Oh, what a handsome samurai..."

"All cannot help but look at him..."

"Look at Gonza the Spearman, he is such a dandy..."

"It's as though a picture has come to life..."

"Gonza the Spearman, such a handsome man."

Oyuki-sama!

I'm covered in sweat. Go and bring me a change of clothes.

Yes.

Gonza-sama, why do you go to such lengths to avoid me?

Well, it's Oyuki-dono.

If you hate me so much, why don't you just trample me to death with your horse.

I had to get rid of my attendant.

How can you, an honourable samurai, give yourself to telling such lies?

Whatever are you saying? Remember that you're Bannojo-dono's sister,

how could I go about flirting with you?

And you, governess. You're thoughtless to allow your mistress to come so far.

Sir, whatever are you saying?

Do you not remember the winter of last year, when I arranged a tryst for you both at my house?

Ahh... I neither forgot that, nor my promise to her.

But please take Oyuki-dono back home.

But you have not deigned to answer her letters to you.

You have not behaved honourably.

You should speak to her brother, Bannojo-sama.

And see what is to be done about arranging the marriage.

If your intentions are otherwise, then say so clearly,

and we will not bother you again.

Bannojo is a difficult man to speak with, and I must watch my words carefully.

If he were to agree, then there is the matter of a go-between.

If it were all done as so,

then I would be ready to marry Oyuki-dono on the morrow, if need be.

I love Oyuki passionately, as even my steed will testify.

Hark, listen closely to him.

Bannojo-sama is approaching.

We mustn't let him see us. Oyuki-san, quick, let us away.

Gonza, out riding too, I see.

I hope your horse's fetlock has recovered.

It doesn't heed what I say, and I feed it on chaff. It's nothing but a nag.

Are you being sarcastic?

Have you forgotten the race we had where you beat me?

It's lucky I ran into you. Now we can race again.

I wish that we could.

Unfortunately, both the horse and myself are tired.

Perhaps we can arrange it some other time.

Well said. We'll race!

Madame. A letter from Bannojo-sama.

Kawazura-sama?

The messenger said Bannojo-sama would come in person for the answer.

TO OSAI

FROM BANNOJO

Madame,

your father, Iwaki-sama has arrived.

Torajiro, your fencing's coming along well, is it?

- Yes, Grandfather. - Good.

Welcome Father, and Jinbei-dono too.

Now do be careful when you play with the boy, you might injure him.

I'm sorry.

You may mark the walls, I daresay.

He's a boy, it's natural for him to play such games.

Torajiro-dono, you are spending all your time with that fool.

I don't want to have to report that to your father when he comes back.

I want to be a strong samurai like Uncle.

What an honour.

Torajiro-dono, you're only 12 years old.

Fencing is not the only thing that distinguishes a samurai.

Besides being a warrior, your father is also a master of the tea-ceremony.

And that is why he received his recent promotion.

It's still not too late for you to study the Way of Tea.

My sister, for a samurai, the martial arts are paramount.

Jinbei-dono, there are no wars or battles in this time of peace.

A worthy samurai must find different ways to serve his lord.

I for one am opposed to what the era of peace has brought.

How can we call a man a samurai,

when he distinguishes himself by playing musical instruments!

There's nothing effeminate in the Way of Tea.

That's true.

That's not what you said when you came here as a bride.

Who was it who said..."This man, with his preoccupation with tea,

is not at all masculine." It was you, wasn't it?

Father, you talk of things from the distant past.

Torajiro, don't go running off. At least stay until Grandfather leaves.

No, we won't be staying long.

We're on our way to a meeting and just dropped in to see young Torajiro.

If that's the case, take Torajiro-dono with you and make him study.

He just wastes his time here all day.

They'll say I spoiled him during my husband's absence.

When will Father return?

Missing him already? It's not yet three months.

Grandfather, Uncle. We bid you welcome.

How is it?

Excellent.

Please get ready, or you'll be late.

The tea ceremony has its disciplines.

It's like fighting.

Except that you don't get killed.

And it helps to get you promoted in this clan.

I wish I could study it too.

No, no. You can't do that.

Let's look at the tea things.

Bannojo, you're lucky.

You're Ichinoshin's disciple and so you get to test new swords. I don't.

That reminds me.

When I was young, I once tested a new sword on an executed man.

Then, on my way home, I ate some fish.

It reminded me of the meat on that corpse.

I had to run out to throw up.

That's too bad.

Samurai nowadays leave their swords behind.

You heard that, too?

Something like that could happen to us.

This samurai was eating his meal and the ferryboat was about to go.

He got in in a hurry...

It was only after he got off the ferry that he remembered his sword.

You should have seen him run.

Another got dismissed... left his sword in a theatre.

Oyuki-dono is more beautiful than ever.

Any special reason?

Not that I know of.

It's been three months since Ichinoshin-dono left.

Time flies... It will soon be a year.

No. A year is a very long time.

Yes, for wives waiting for their husbands.

Right. Many kill themselves when the husband returns.

She's gone and committed adultery, you see.

Why didn't she try abortion?

Double suicide... It's a strange fashion.

Our lord doesn't have a successor yet?

With no son, our clan might be abolished.

And we'd be out on the streets.

There's no way we can help him like that.

You're pretty fast with women.

You'll do.

I lost again. I can't pay.

You still have your helmet and your armour.

- Not any more. - Huh?

- I sold them long ago. - What?

Who cares about these anti-gambling laws?

But a few days ago Kihei's place got raided.

Ten people got arrested.

Too bad.

Very well...

There...

This time...

Oyuki-sama, why not join us? It's not just a game.

We're betting real money.

Your luck matters. It's very interesting.

- Oyuki-sama, please. - Please...

Too bad.

Excuse me...

Kawazura-sama, what is it that brings you here today?

It's been raining so long. I just wondered how you were.

I much appreciate your kindness.

Even though my husband is gone, I still have my servants,

and I have my children to keep me company.

I wonder what you think of while watching the rain.

It's been three months since your husband Ichinoshin left for Edo.

But I'm glad he's doing well.

Osai-dono, I'm here for the answer to my letter.

I fail to understand,

surely your messenger brought it to the wrong person?

I only wrote to find out how you were doing.

I, Bannojo, am not brave enough to take Ichinoshin's wife.

But I thought I'd relieve your boredom.

Is it raining in Edo too?

I wonder what Ichinoshin is doing on a rainy day like this.

My children will soon be back.

If you have no further business here, Kawazura-sama, would you please leave now?

The world is too peaceful.

Waiting for war slows a samurai's promotion.

For a man stationed in Edo, something could go wrong at home.

This is the way things happen.

This is our reality.

Osai-dono, let me help you during your husband's absence...

I'll call someone. Bannojo-sama, you are being too familiar.

Gonza-sama.

I have something for you.

Here, look at this sash.

Three lines in a circle.

Your crest. And a chrysanthemum. My family crest.

Take it.

It's wonderful...

I'm very happy. It represents our love.

When you wear it...

You are with me, and I'm with you.

I made it so we would never be apart.

Make way!

Make way!

Make way!

From Edo! Make way! Make way!

You made it.

An heir has been born.

The clan will survive.

- So we will. - The clan will live.

Congratulations.

I had you two come to tell you this.

An heir has been born to our lord.

He will celebrate in Edo.

At the end of the month,

the family members who remain here will gather for a celebration,

at which time we will hold a grand tea ceremony.

Since my son-in-law Ichinoshin is in Edo,

one of his disciples, learned in the art, should officiate at the party.

If either of you have such qualifications would you kindly officiate?

Though it is only a tea ceremony, it does hold some possibilities for promotion.

I have yet not been officially initiated, but I do have some knowledge.

I, Kawazura Bannojo, accept this honour.

Rest assured I will do my best.

And you, Sasano-dono?

The true arcane knowledge of the tea ceremony,

ought to be transmitted only from parents to children,

but my master has taught me,

so I should make no errors.

Making no errors is not perfection.

I would like to be the one to carry out this duty.

It is not for me alone to decide.

We must also hear the opinions of Master Ichinoshin's good wife.

Should some error be made in the ceremony,

the shame would fall to our lord and master.

The tea ceremony secrets?

I must beat Gonza at this.

Ichinoshin is in Edo... Osai-dono is here alone.

Yuki, where is your governess?

I don't know.

You two are hiding something.

Now, listen to me.

In order to get you married into a good family, I have to be noted in some way.

The way to do it is to beat Sasano.

Gonza-sama?

Yes. What about it?

Yuki, recently it seems as if you've fallen for Gonza.

I don't suppose it can be helped. He's very handsome.

Gonza-sama and I are engaged,

though he has not given a definite answer.

What? My own sister...

I refuse to allow you to marry him!

Brother, why do you say I can't marry him?

Because he is absolutely unfaithful, he is not to be trusted!

Gonza-sama unfaithful? Can you prove that?

You don't understand men!

And you don't understand me!

I want my Gonza-sama.

I miss him so much...

He won't marry you.

Gonza understands nothing.

Not women, not this age we're living in.

Gonza-sama and I are engaged!

Brother, let me go!

- Brother... - Stupid!

Brother... Don't do that!

Samurai-san, do you have some time to play?

You are a samurai, aren't you? Why not just step inside for a while.

She's a samurai's daughter... from Osaka. A very beautiful woman.

That girl? That one?

Please come in.

You like that girl?

Yes. A guest has come... A guest!

Excellent. That was very good indeed.

Your father is going to be so pleased and surprised.

But it's such a long time until he comes back again.

Just look at your hairstyle. It's not done well.

Who did it for you?

The maid did, after my bath.

It doesn't become you at all.

That girl never improves.

Having it down the back like that, and look at the front!

Mother will do it for you.

This style suits you far better.

A woman's hairstyle is important.

The classics say a woman with good hair is most desirable.

There, you look better now.

Here, I will prove it to you.

Sugi! Sugi!

Yes.

Will you come here?

I hardly recognise you.

Madame dresses hair so beautifully. She looks even more beautiful.

I'm pretty myself, but men don't look twice at me.

It must be my hairdo.

If you would only help me, then all the men would come rushing.

Sugi, that's enough.

Kiku, I could never marry a girl like you to an ordinary man.

It would be such a waste.

I am always thinking,

about who would be best if you were to marry one of our own samurai.

I wish I could marry you to Sasano Gonza-sama.

He is most handsome, and the best spearman.

He is also doing very well in the discipline of the tea ceremony.

And he has such a good character.

Gonza-sama is a man among men.

But, Mother, he's old enough to be my uncle.

You're not wrong to say that.

He is 25, and you are only 15.

But remember, I am 37 and your father is 47.

His being 10 years older is a blessing.

In a few years you will accept it yourself.

I, myself, would marry Sasano Gonza-sama,

were I not already married to Ichinoshin.

I look forward to you wearing the bridal kimono,

sitting side by side with Gonza-sama.

What is your business, sir?

Is Iwaki here?

Not today, sir.

Then give this message to the madame.

I have a favour to ask him, but will explain at a later date.

In the meantime, this saké is for the madame.

Please extend my regards, and ask her to enjoy the saké.

Very well, sir.

You came at just the right time.

Please come in.

I am pleased to see that everything seems well here.

I must thank you for such kind words.

And I much appreciate your gift.

I had no opportunity to speak to you.

Please do come in.

Okiku-sama...

Okiku-sama!

There will be a party to celebrate the heir's birth.

How nice.

And I was assigned to officiate at the tea ceremony.

I should be most grateful if you could show me the family tea-scrolls.

That knowledge is supposed to be shown only to family members. It is not for outsiders.

I know that well enough.

But in this time of peace,

it seems to be the only way to distinguish myself in our lord's eyes.

Please, I beg of you!

You are serious about this.

By the way, Sasano-sama...

Excuse me, but I have long wanted you to wed my daughter.

We have long discussed this among ourselves.

It would make you my son-in-law.

And I could show you the family secrets.

This may sound like bartering.

Trading our knowledge for our daughter.

But I must ask you to treat the matters separately.

What do you say, Sasano-sama?

You do not like my daughter?

Or are you engaged to someone else?

If so, then it is out of my hands.

Do not be too hasty.

I am not engaged.

Then...

I will take your daughter Okiku-dono as my wife.

Ahh... Thank you very much!

My wish is granted.

I am more than pleased!

Now, swear your intentions upon this saké.

The scrolls are our go-between.

Sasano-sama, please swear.

Of course, we have no real go-between, so let me hear your pledge.

I quite understand your care.

Even though I'm not bearing arms,

it's as if I have been,

killed by Master Ichinoshin...

That is more than enough. I am grateful.

Today is a lucky day.

My husband will also be very happy.

Now, Sasano-sama, you are almost family, no longer a stranger.

Therefore I will show you our secrets.

Please come to the tea-ceremony room this evening.

This is very kind of you.

I will come without fail.

Come so that no-one will see you.

Excuse me!

I am the governess of Yuki-sama, sister to Kawazura Bannojo.

Would you announce me?

It's the governess of that nasty Oyuki, Bannojo-dono's sister.

I mustn't let her see me here.

Please let me out without her knowing.

Very well.

I wonder what brings her governess to my house?

Asaka-sama.

I heard. Tell her that I'm out.

And don't let her see Sasano-sama.

Come after everyone is asleep.

I will show you the scrolls.

I am very sorry, ma'am.

The madame is out on an errand.

But I'll take the message.

What is it?

Very well, then.

Oyuki-sama, whom I raised, is engaged to Sasano Gonza-sama,

and everything is in readiness for the wedding.

But there is no go-between as yet.

Why, I myself recently helped them spend a night together,

and Sasano-sama

was kind enough to give me a pair of sandals and a silver coin.

Is that so? Then you did your job well.

But what is it that brings you here?

I would like the madame here to be the go-between

for Sasano-sama and Oyuki-sama's marriage.

Please pass that message on to the madame.

If everything turns out all right, we'll pay her.

We'll also include a small amount for yourself.

My lady would never do this for money,

but I will pass the message on to her.

Mother.

Oh, are you back?

Is Torajiro-dono not with you?

The lady's father is here.

Mother, I'm back.

They've had such an exhausting playtime that they're terribly tired.

So, I brought them back.

- Is Kiku in? - Yes.

She really should be, you know.

Especially while her father is not here to keep an eye on her.

You played that hard?

No wonder your grandparents complain.

My wife says that he looks just like his father. She's right.

Torajiro, until your father Ichinoshin returns from Edo,

you'll have to take his place and look after the women in the house.

Take Torajiro-dono and Osute inside, and put them both to bed.

And make sure they don't go catching cold.

- Oh, Kakusuke... - Yes?

Why haven't you lit the lantern yet?

You expect him to see in the dark?

Yes.

And bring some refreshments for Father.

No, no. Rather than that, I'd prefer to look at the garden.

I admire Ichinoshin's taste.

This garden of his never fails to impress me.

By the way, has Sasano Gonza come to ask for a look at the scrolls?

Yes, he came on his own, and I promised to show them to him.

That's good.

Usually they're only shown to immediate family members,

but I did secure permission from Ichinoshin to show them to Gonza.

Heaven forbid he should make an error in the ceremony,

and bring disgrace upon our lord.

I feel exactly the same.

You cannot be too careful in imparting this knowledge.

Let no-one, not even in the family, hear your conversation.

Wait until after midnight, when all are asleep.

Be especially careful while Ichinoshin is in Edo.

Except for that no-good manservant of yours,

the house is only women and children.

Take care.

So Oyuki-sama is engaged to Gonza-sama, is she?

And preparations for the marriage are all set, are they?

How that governess spoke!

It makes me so angry, and jealous.

The nerve! Expecting me to be the go-between!

Who cares about our family secrets!

Oh! I'm so angry and jealous about the whole thing.

Just when I selected him for our daughter's hand.

Anybody would be angry at the injustice of it!

Who is it?

It is Sasano.

These drawings and these scrolls explain all.

Everything necessary for each individual ceremony

is written in this list.

It includes methods for each and every occasion.

This is to be used for an Imperial visit.

And here is another possible form for less illustrious occasions.

In our case, the latter ought to be applied.

These utensils are reserved for an Imperial visit.

Such an occasion calls for three scrolls and three utensils.

A jar for powdered tea.

These are probably self-explanatory.

I ask you to pay careful attention to your study of them.

Do you hear anything in there?

Only the frogs.

You do it like this!

They're all asleep.

There are only women in there, so if we have any trouble we can gag them.

Very well.

Follow me.

I'm sure I heard something.

Would there be anyone in the garden?

No-one comes here in the daytime, let alone the night.

No, the frogs suddenly stopped their croaking.

Even frogs must rest.

They're quiet again. That's odd.

I think I'll go and have a look around the garden.

With the high fences and a thorn hedge?

Who could possibly get inside?

What's the matter with you tonight?

Are you afraid of being alone with me?

Afraid that the woman you're sleeping with will rush in and find you here?

What you are saying is an insulting fabrication!

Someone's governess paraded in here and announced that you were engaged!

She came to ask me, of all people,

to be the go-between in the forthcoming marriage.

Do you still say that it is a fabrication?

I'm very, very angry.

You are the false one.

Now I see you as you really are, a man who is not to be trusted!

There were reasons...

I've been stifling this anger because I, your future mother-in-law,

ought not to be jealous.

But I can endure it no longer!

Who embroidered that sash you're wearing?

That's your crest combined with that wretched woman's, isn't it?

I have my reasons...

Of course you have, and I am jealous of them.

How dare you wear that disgusting thing when you visit my house!

Filthy thing! My hands are all dirtied.

You still want it?

You need another one? Why not use mine?

You want a sash, do you?

Here, use mine if it doesn't repel you!

It is like me... it will cling to your body!

How can I wear a woman's sash?

Ichinoshin's wife, Osai! Sasano Gonza!

These proclaim that you are adulterers!

I will tell everyone.

What do you think you are doing?

He took both sashes.

We cannot prove our innocence, there's not a chance.

Bannojo is the adulterer.

For a samurai... this is the end.

The sashes are gone.

What should we do? What?

Dead or alive, this is the end.

What a disgrace.

How can my husband in Edo face the other samurai,

if rumour has it that his wife was stolen in adultery.

They will make us out to be immoral beasts.

Low, degenerate.

I cannot live with it!

Gonza-sama...

If you must lose your life,

then make yourself an adulterer, and have my husband kill you.

What?

Shame!

I have not committed adultery.

Let him kill me as I am now.

And our deaths may prove our innocence.

If we die to save our reputations, then my husband will be disgraced.

If you refuse adultery, then call me wife... just one word, please!

I beg you.

Call me wife, please...

No.

I cannot do that.

I know your feelings, but think of my husband!

I'm sorry.

It's not within me to call the wife of another mine.

Dawn is coming.

The good luck that I've enjoyed has ended.

I will save your husband.

Just call me your wife.

You are...

My wife.

And you are... my husband.

Asaka Osai and Sasano Gonza are adulterers!

As evidence I, Bannojo, hold their sash!

Asaka Ichinoshin's wife, Osai, and Sasano Gonza are adulterers!

I have their sash as evidence!

Asaka Ichinoshin's wife, Osai and Sasano Gonza!

They are adulterers!

I, Kawazura Bannojo, have their sash as evidence!

I had planned to break into Osai's room.

I wanted the scrolls and I wanted to beat Gonza.

But, as it turns out...

Osai, the sun is rising.

Your children will wake up.

And they know nothing of this...

Forget them. Let us go.

Open the gate! Open the gate!

It's Jinbei!

- Let's go... - Open up!

Open up!

Open the gate!

I'm coming.

What's happened?

I'm here to see Gonza!

Welcome back, Father.

Master Asaka Ichinoshin!

We are here to bring back the adulteress's personal possessions and other goods!

Please open the gate and receive them!

Don't leave them there.

What shame for Osai!

Bring them in before people can see them.

My aged wife, what are you saying?

They will only bring filth to our house.

Destroy them!

Everything! Everything...

- Hurry! - Wait! Wait...

Do as you're told!

Wait!

My dear husband...

I'm stopping you because...

we'll never see Osai while we're alive.

Can we not at least keep these things of hers to remember her by?

It's been 20 years,

but they look new.

She kept them for our grandchildren.

Osai...

Osai will never return to us.

We cannot accept them.

Men, destroy them!

My elderly wife,

an even greater tragedy will fall upon us.

What shall we do?

Our daughter will die.

But we must live and endure our sorrow.

I want my mother.

Where is she?

Grandma, I miss my mother...

In all your lovely innocence,

how could she abandon you?

Father will kill her.

Grandfather, Grandmother...

please kill me instead!

Well said.

You still have your grandparents. Don't worry.

And Jinbei is here.

Don't cry.

Ichinoshin sent us our granddaughters.

Then why not Torajiro?

He, too, is our grandchild.

A courier has brought a letter from Jinbei-sama.

- A letter from Jinbei? - Yes.

They're coming!

Jinbei-sama, you must go right now.

- Get ready. - Yes.

Brother, I can walk no more!

I can go no further. I cannot walk.

Iwaki Jinbei is coming. He's a master swordsman.

But you've killed no-one.

Hurry up.

I refuse to...

I'm tired of running.

No more.

Oyuki-sama!

Ichinoshin-dono!

I accept Osai's daughters and her belongings.

Are you going on a journey?

Thank you for coming to see me. I wish you luck.

What is the matter with you?

You came back all the way from Edo. Yet Osai is still alive.

What shame!

Jinbei has gone before me to search for her.

I received a message from him. He has found where Kawazura Bannojo was.

Though old, I can still hold a sword and walk. I cannot just sit and wait!

Bannojo was the one who told everyone!

I will kill him myself!

I know how you feel, but you are old.

Bannojo might kill you.

Then I would first have to avenge...

my father-in-law.

You still call me father-in-law and would take vengeance for me?

Yes, even though Osai is an adulteress.

I would wreak vengeance on anyone who dared to kill you.

Ichinoshin-dono, how grateful I am to you, I can hardly believe it.

If she had not brought this shame upon us,

then all the family would be here.

You are keeping Torajiro?

And abandoning our family?

Ichinoshin-dono, if that is the case, then I'm very sorry.

That's not the way it is.

My lord has given me leave from my duties for an unspecified period.

I still have a desire to continue with the tea ceremony as we planned.

Therefore, I asked the tea master to accept Torajiro as a disciple.

Is that how it is? I see.

Now, with this saké, wish me luck.

I wish you all the success that you desire.

Success in killing the mother of my three children.

Success in killing my wife.

And this is duty?

What a world it is that we find ourselves in.

Jinbei, you're back! How was your mission?

Ichinoshin-dono, I'm very sorry.

I was instructed to kill them both before you arrived from Edo.

I set out immediately, sir.

Jinbei-dono, you should rest a while first.

With a woman, they can't have got far.

Yet, though I searched for them

in the nearby area, and even as far as the mountains, I could not find them.

Ichinoshin is going too!

This is fortunate. I shall accompany you, sir.

I appreciate your kindness.

But this is something I must do alone.

But why?

Gonza has many relatives. They'll try anything to hinder you.

You'll need help. Let me go with you.

Thank you.

But I cannot kill my wife with her brother's help.

I want to do all I can for you. I'm a fighting man.

You imply I know nothing apart from the tea ceremony?

No, I know as well as anyone how to remove an errant head.

Then why not kill the enemy who is right here?

The enemy right here?

You mean Kawazura Bannojo?

If you know all, kill him first.

I did find Bannojo's letter to her.

But I have this other duty first. I'll save him for later.

You said you didn't need my help, but you have many duties.

Come here!

Look.

It's Kawazura Bannojo.

Well done, Jinbei.

He deserved our anger and hatred.

He was hiding in a nearby village.

No, I beg you...

I will never interfere with your duty.

No, no! Let go, Kakusuke!

What is the matter with you?

Where are you going?

Let me go to my father!

What is this?

Where are you going?

My sisters are all women, but I'm a man.

I'm going to take revenge for my father.

Then, will you kill your own mother who bore you?

Not my mother, but I will kill Gonza.

I'll go with you, Father.

Grandfather, tell him to take me with him.

Listen well.

Your grandfather and grandmother are old and will be all alone.

Your sisters are but women, and what if Gonza comes?

You stay here and take care of him.

All right?

Continue your tea ceremony study.

Come to see your grandparents sometimes.

And kill Gonza if he comes!

If you're afraid to be left alone, I'll take you.

I'll stay.

And I'll kill Gonza if he comes.

Don't worry about me. Father, please go.

I'm happy you understand. I'll go.

Father!

Kill Gonza.

But, Mother...

But, Mother...

Please bring her home.

Bring her back.

Please Father, bring back Mother.

And she abandoned such children. What shame!

I no longer care. Kill her as you will.

Please make up another bed.

I'm terribly sorry, but we're full tonight, and there are no more beds.

I know it's stiflingly hot, but please try to make the best of it.

Everywhere I look, I see married couples.

I've never envied simple peasants before, but I do now.

They spend their lives together as a family.

It's so hot. Even just sitting here, I'm perspiring.

I must wash this kimono, too.

Thank you so much.

Feel better?

Yes.

I feel better already.

Come and look! Come and look!

We bring you a drama of real adultery!

They elope, but get killed!

A popular drama!

Come, even if it's only for one act! The best part is starting now!

Come and look! Come and look!

I feel like we're thieves, wanted by the police.

Why are you so sure that Ichinoshin-dono is bound to come to Kyoto?

I'm certain that Ichinoshin-dono will come.

He knows I have relatives here.

And it's not difficult to chase down a couple.

But we're not the only ones, there are many couples passing.

But we are the adulterers. It's written all over us, everyone can tell.

You're still using that word.

Yet, as we left, you called me your wife.

And I have already abandoned my three children.

You made me call you my wife for your husband's sake.

To be killed as an adulterer is one thing.

To be killed as a sacrifice to your husband is another.

Are you still thinking of that?

I never wanted to be married to him.

I always wanted to marry you!

Understand?

That's not true.

You only felt that way because Ichinoshin-dono was not with you.

Had he been, then I would have been just another of his disciples.

Why must men obey the past the way you do?

Gonza-dono, don't you know I love running away with you?

There are so many people here in Kyoto.

They won't notice us.

No, we'll go to Osaka.

There are even more people there.

Do you want to go on living?

You're not yet resigned to death?

We'll get married then. Then...

Married for the sake of your husband!

That's too much...

when we have come this far together.

Have you no emotions at all?

Can't you forget that samurai pride of yours?

Can't you hold me to you?

Hold me!

We'll marry before we die...

It's been seven days now.

It's hopeless to look for them here.

Let's move on to Fushimi.

The ferries for Osaka start from there. We can watch everyone that passes by.

Gonza-sama...

Gonza-sama...

Gonza-sama...

Stay here. Stay here, please.

Stay here. Why not stay here?

- Please stay here... - Please stay...

Guests!

Bring some water!

Please come in.

Five guests.

- Thank you. - Yes.

Please... Make yourselves at home.

If they go to Osaka, they'll take this ferry.

Let's separate.

The ferry is leaving!

Ferry to Osaka!

All aboard!

The ferry is leaving!

SWORDS

It's rare to see such a good sword.

Are you certain that you want to sell it?

I am not here to be judged.

I 'm here to sell.

Come on in.

What's the matter? Why are you crying?

- Stop crying now. - Please come in.

Be a good child now.

Please come in!

Stop crying now.

Please come in!

Master, Jinbei has found them! Master!

Master...

Here.

- Wait here. - Sir.

When is the earliest ferry?

This one, sir. We leave at dusk.

But it's so crowded.

It's not too crowded.

Take a look inside.

See that young couple? You can sit by them.

There's room.

No, I'd be too late, I'll take the one tomorrow.

Ferryman!

We've overlooked something very important.

There is the matter of a gift that we must buy for someone important.

Where would you go shopping for a fitting gift?

I thought perhaps we could get something up past Fujinomori town.

Up past Fujinomori?

Do you have any idea how far away that is?

It's over a league and a half.

We cannot wait for you.

That doesn't matter. I'll pay you for the trip, but we must disembark.

Sir, what is the matter?

I cannot accept payment if you do not ride with us.

You're all settled on board, please continue with your journey.

Good sir, I understand that you don't want to accept payment from us,

but we do have a duty to perform and we must leave your vessel.

Please accept the money and allow us to leave.

Well, go to your duty, if you must.

Thank you.

Be careful now, we wouldn't want the lady to injure herself again.

Now that Jinbei is here, we know Ichinoshin is here as well.

Your wish that he kill us will be fulfilled.

Osai, are you ready to die?

Yes, my life belongs to him.

We wanted to live... it was but a dream.

How sweet and lovely they look all dressed up like that.

The children that I left behind are of the same age.

But we've travelled so far away from them,

there's no way for me to find out about them.

I only know that Kiku will not be permitted to dance at this years festival.

Sasano Gonza!

I, Ichinoshin, am here for revenge. You adulterer!

I expected this.

I must now fight for the honour of a samurai.

He's gone for his sword!

It'll be a fight!

A fight!

They're going to fight!

It's a vendetta!

There's a fight! A fight!

He's going to kill him!

He only had a wooden sword!

Jinbei-dono...

Please don't kill him, it should be done by my husband.

Ichinoshin-dono is a swordsman in his own right! He needs no assistance!

Die!

If I had a sharpened bamboo pole...

I would have shown you Gonza the Spearman.

Die!

Oh, how I've missed you, my husband...

Finish me with a spear...

"All cannot help but look at him..."

"Look at Gonza the Spearman... He is such a dandy..."

"Gonza the Spearman, such a handsome man..."

Make way!

Clear the path!

Make way!

Make way!

No more strife after all that, I hope.

I'll enjoy this.

Is it to your taste?

It is an excellent preparation.

THE END