Original subtitles

A Toho/Ninjin Club Production

Screenplay by Shuji Terayama

Photographed by Kozo Okazaki

Music by Masaru Sato

Starring

Tatsuya Nakadai

Shima lwashita

Tetsuro Tamba

Directed by Masahiro Shinoda

See for yourself.

Hell is here on earth.

The wheel of fortune is ever in motion.

Osen looks like a monster.

The sins of her mad mother are now visible on her.

Sins can't pass unexposed.

Children have to pay for things their parents did.

Seeing is believing.

Buy my masks.

A variety of masks.

This one.

Death's?

Wear it.

Good?

Very.

You look exactly like Death.

They're gone.

What happened to the pictures of actors?

Stolen?

An inspector took them away.

Our play didn't feature loyalty or filial piety.

He forced us to change the play.

What a story!

Business has dropped off.

Lord Mizuno is a stupid reformer.

He's done us wrong.

Wait.

Pay before you enter.

I'm here to see the boss of the troupe.

The boss? See him and what?

Ask him to employ me as an actor.

My stage name will be...

...Naowaka Kataoka. How do you like it?

People will see pictures of me in costume.

Old man.

Then, I'll help you get a role on the stage.

The shadow of death is on your face.

That's a bad joke.

If you don't believe it, forget it.

Wait.

Who on earth are you?

Naojiro, the fortuneteller.

Fortuneteller? Can you tell my fortune?

Of course.

You'll fall in love with a lad in the near future.

He's a loafer now, but later, will rise to fame.

He's good-looking, too.

I don't know anybody by that description.

Want to know who?

The man is here.

Me.

No kidding!

My future was doomed.

You changed it.

You're a good actor.

Tell me your name.

Geisha Michitose in Yoshiwara.

Death!

Death is in your face.

I'll get rid of it for you.

Where do you live?

A kite!

A big kite!

He's making it.

A coffin.

He's disturbing us again.

Somebody's dying.

It can be...

...Okuma, Naojiro's mother.

By the way, Ushimatsu is back.

Ushimatsu?

The Ushimatsu?

He's stupid.

He shouldn't have come back.

His wife, Ohan, hanged herself.

His son, Cho, is missing.

Poor man!

He came back...

To see...

Only collectors.

But Ushimatsu is responsible for all that.

He suddenly hated to work,

and left home a year ago.

His wife had to make a living herself.

She asked Gotomaiichi to take care of her.

But, to her surprise, he was a sadist.

He tortured her in a shameless way.

At last her son saw it.

So she hanged herself.

You refuse to pay your rent?

I could send you to jail.

Your sinful wife troubled me a lot.

I fed your son.

She died leaving...

A big debt.

Say something.

My son...

Where's my son, Cho?

I sold him.

I made him pay off your debt.

Sold?!

It was a troupe of traveling actors.

They'll be back after the holiday season.

How could you be so cruel!

You killed my wife...

and sold my son.

That's not the proper attitude.

Who paid for her funeral?

I wasted my money.

It's ungrateful of you to blame us.

I'll kill you!

Hell!

It's hell.

Go to bed, Mother.

No. It's coming to a climax.

Why don't you peep?

I'm not interested in fights.

Who?

The coffin-maker. I've repaired it.

A nice bathtub.

Give my wife back!

You escaped.

I play as a thief.

Actors and customers like plays.

Without them, we'd have no joy in life.

Young man.

You're not an ordinary actor.

As you see, I'm just a humble actor.

Liar!

You're plotting.

Your play was about a riot.

Who are you?

I studied at Osaka.

Oshio's school?

A rioter.

Forget politics.

Do not hasten to reform.

"Sleep on the lap of a beauty."

Lord Mizuno, the chairman of the Council of Elders!

Tea, my lord.

Kochiyama.

Is reformation prevailing in the city?

I banned fireworks, plays that violate morals...

...private prostitution and pictures of actors.

It's not easy to rid the world of evil luxury.

Indeed.

It's never easy to reform the country.

But I can do it.

I honor filial piety and loyalty.

To govern is to give orders.

My lord.

Yes?

Only chance can change the world.

How's the tea?

Just average.

Look at this.

The picture is criticism against me.

People of low class are angry.

They're about to attack a lord.

Then, the man in bed is you?

Yes.

But wait and see.

I'll let people realize what reformation is.

I never thought you'd come this often.

I'm glad. But you're broke.

My mother left money.

Your mother? When did she die?

Forget about the money.

Money changed hands.

Michitose. I'm intending to become an actor.

No kidding.

I know...

I'm not very handsome, but people like my face.

It'd bring me success.

Great actors aren't handsome, either.

Your future as an actor will be shattered.

Why?

Even Ebizo was expelled; his pictures are banned.

Showhouses will be destroyed.

Naojiro.

Is your mother dead?

That's none of your concern.

She's alive.

She'd be saying her prayers now.

Your turn, sir.

You're a good player.

Late!

Too late!

Don't be hasty. Night is still young.

Who's keeping her?

That punk again? Naojiro?

Never mind who.

You're the only man she loves.

Young men have nothing but passion.

They push their luck beyond reason.

They should've gone to school.

They love wine and girls.

They spend days bathing and gambling.

No wonder Lord Mizuno is worried.

At this rate, foreign nations will someday conquer us.

It's heaven!

Hurry, Naojiro.

Oh, no!

I haven't seen the climax.

I haven't much time.

Damn it!

He's coming! He's through!

Young man.

You come very often.

Naojiro.

What are you doing here?

I kill time.

Do you know how?

This is not a place for young men like you.

You could have fun at less expense.

You want to be an actor?

Don't chase dreams.

Go to school instead.

When I say a play...

I don't mean an ordinary play.

I don't mean anything so cheap and commonplace like kabuki.

Then, what kind?

Don't talk like a preacher.

I tell your future by your face.

I think I'll make a living that way.

It's Death!

Death is in your face!

Death?

Yes.

The shadow of death is on your forehead.

You're under the star of murder and treason!

Be careful.

Where is the shadow?

Worried?

Tell me.

Then, shut your eyes.

Sit down there, Moritaya.

On your calves.

Now, stretch your arms forward.

Relax.

I'll get rid of Death.

Put your hands down on the floor.

Raise your hips.

See how you look!

Let Michitose see you.

A greedy merchant acting like a dog! What a show!

Stay where you are!

I'll kill him!

No!

I'll give you a better one.

The mask of Death might become irremovable.

Give it back!

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Leaving?

My wife is waiting for my return.

Leaving while you're ahead?

I've been lucky.

Now I can buy Sunday clothes for my children.

Thank you.

You kill beautifully.

You killed him with a single stroke.

I'll be going.

Alone?

For a drink.

Kanekoichi.

I want you to kill another man.

Who?

He's just a punk.

Not like the politician you tried to kill before.

It's an easy job for you.

I'll give you what you want.

Note this.

When you kill him, be merciless.

I can't stand living in the same city with him.

He disgusts me.

What's his name?

Boss. You have a guest.

Who?

He has some questions.

Later!

The boss is too busy to see you.

Come tomorrow.

Will you help me?

I heard a boy named Cho was here.

He's seven, this tall...

Maybe taller now. He somersaults.

I remember! Somersault Cho!

Yes!

Where is he?

Tell me.

He's my son.

I haven't many children. He's my only child.

I wish I could tell you.

He seldom spoke.

We lived together, but he never talked to us.

Nobody knows where he came from or where he went.

Listen! Dutiful children will be awarded!

So will chaste women and loyal servants!

Go somewhere else!

No violence!

Cho!

We must hurry.

But...

It's too heavy.

You're useless.

Mozuichi.

Are you sure this chest contains valuable clothes?

Of course.

It's a hard job to steal garments.

"We decided..."

"To steal a chest from a pawnshop."

"Get it shined till it reflects..."

"Your eyes."

Fueichi, play the flute.

For recreation.

What's wrong?

Chasers?

Looks like murder. I smell of blood.

Blood?

On a night like this, there's a murder somewhere.

The dew has wet my flute.

We'll hear a shriek.

That?

How can you tell?

He usually passes here at this hour of night.

Look.

I'm sure the string is part of Naojiro's clothes.

Not him!

Bearers!

Something shone just now.

Kochiyama!

Oh, a shooting star!

You kill anybody?

If it pays.

I heard you tried to kill Lord Atobe this summer.

He's an enemy to Mizuno.

To kill him assists Mizuno's reformation.

Didn't you know?

Atobe is one of the governmental people.

To us, they're both enemies.

But if Atobe is alive, Mizuno will perish.

Have you thought of it?

If Mizuno falls, Toyama or Mizuno will replace him.

What's the difference?

Toyama is different from Mizuno.

No.

Damn authorities!

You're young.

Toyama only lusts for power.

But Mizuno has an ideal.

Consider.

Mizuno forbade luxurious food, clothes, dolls...

gardens, gambling, lotteries, mixed bathing...

kabuki plays, fireworks...

All kinds of amusement!

He wants us to be diligent.

Maybe it's to get over the present depression.

Or the gulf between rich and poor will grow wider.

But the policy to fill the gulf fails...

to please people. Why?

Because...

Mizuno is trying to reform by force.

It's despotism.

He says, "Don't do that! Do this!"

Who likes that?

But, without the reformation, we'd live in the dark.

Famine and riots would capture the city.

Come, darkness!

Let them!

Fireworks, plays, gambling...

Let them have their way.

It's then that authority is toppled.

Kill the right man, not me.

Or Edo City will be dull.

How noisy! Damn that coffin-maker!

Don't let it bother you.

My son, don't be discouraged.

Acting isn't the only job.

I heard you were refused by the troupe.

I wasn't refused. / refused it.

Is that so?

I don't want to act in that dirty playhouse.

I'll play outside the stage.

I don't follow you. Just don't worry me.

I know.

People are talking against you.

I'm so worried I can't sleep.

Have you seen the official report on filial piety?

The government awarded dutiful children.

Be good to me and get an award.

Your father will be pleased.

Stop complaining. Roast the fish!

Don't preach!

Lately I've been to Yoshiwara.

The geisha house?

I wasn't sure I could do it well.

I worried too much. All I had to do was try.

You were cheated. Geisha are sweet liars.

They charge you a lot?

The money?

Gambling.

I fobbed and won.

Eat this.

You should've bought me socks with the money.

I have no socks.

Gen next door bought his mother a kimono.

She was glad.

Let him be an example.

How nice!

Who knows it was a coffin?

Take a bath after me.

I...

Go on.

I think I'll marry Michitose.

Michitose? Who is she?

A geisha in Yoshiwara.

A bird?

Forget about it. Are you serious?

No. I was joking.

Don't surprise me. I'm suffering from heart disease.

Will you wash me?

Don't hasten to get married.

First of all, whoever she is,

it's stupid of you to trust geisha.

They're for sale, not for marriage.

I won't forgive you.

If you marry her, I'll spank you.

You're mine!

Shut up, old bitch!

Naojiro! Spare me!

Buy my masks!

A variety of masks.

A devil mask.

Devil!

Sorry. Devil masks are all sold out.

Kidnapper!

It's my boy!

He was too shocked to scream.

How could he kidnap my innocent boy?

Nobody's following us.

I'll go home.

Fool! Don't cry!

I'll buy you anything you want.

A drum? A flute?

Don't be scared.

Think me your father.

You want to eat?

What's your name?

Tonbi.

I see. I'll call you Tonbi.

What do you want?

A mask.

A mask of Death.

Death?

Death!

All right. I'll buy it.

Cho!

Tonbi.

Damn it!

So my wife hanged herself.

My son, Cho, is missing.

That's how I came to live alone.

Kidnapper!

He kidnapped me!

Kidnapper!

Kidnapper!

Ushimatsu!

Kidnapper!

Kidnapper!

Naojiro deserted his mother.

There he is.

There are many dutiful sons.

Naojiro is the world's worst son.

He's lonely.

He's crying.

Hello, Joshuya.

You look worried.

Nothing.

Don't give me that.

I'm not a commoner.

I serve the Shogunate General.

Let's tell him.

Maybe he can help us.

Well...

I sent my daughter, Namiji, to Lord Matsue as a maid.

He wanted her in bed,

but she refused.

He confined her in a room to make her obey.

Matsue is a notorious Bluebeard.

He even refused my visit. I can't see her.

Money can't solve this problem.

The trouble will harm not only Namiji but our shop too.

My master is at a loss.

I brought him here so he'd forget the problem awhile.

I see. Give me 200 ryo.

And I'll settle it.

How can you extort money from us?

Such a large sum!

So you begrudge money and leave the girl to die?

Suit yourself.

I eat poor meals, so I can't think up good ideas.

Right?

I'm not interested.

What?

I have all that money can buy.

My interest is in what money can't buy.

The river, the pips of dice and Michitose's heart.

Wait.

If I pay, you'll bring her back?

That's right.

I'll outwit those who are arrogant with power.

It's a deal.

All right.

I'll see you later. Tell me in detail then.

You know it's extortion.

I can't help it. There's no other way.

Kochiyama is a notorious outlaw. A bura/kan.

So I hired him.

Goodness can't beat vice.

Only bura/kan can beat the evil.

I'll be out!

Hello.

Wait!

Is this man your enemy?

Come, come. Sit down.

Yes?

I heard the story about Matsue. Let me join you.

For money?

Partly yes.

I'm hungry for excitement.

But this is a big job.

Maybe for your life.

I tremble with joy. I'm looking for a chance to die.

I want to play outside the theaters.

Matsue's mansion will make a wonderful setting.

I see.

That's Michitose!

Is she on the run?

I see.

Can I join you?

Of course.

What's the matter? Who is she?

Naojiro's mother.

Who are you?

His friend.

She was almost drowned.

I saved her.

What happened to her?

She's all right now.

You leaving?

Ushimatsu...

Is going...

To die.

You saved me?

As if by presentiment,

autumn fireflies invited me to the riverside

when I heard a splash.

Who could be cruel enough to have done this?

My son.

My son.

He deserted me.

It's my own fault,

for I raised him into a man who deserts his mother.

I wish I were dead.

It's not that I don't want my son to get married.

But he's blindly in love with a wicked woman.

Lately, he treated me as a nuisance.

What did you do?

I wished we'd live together a little longer.

That's not an unreasonable wish.

Mine is a similar case.

Your case?

My lover lives with his mother.

She's against our marriage.

I said I'd be dutiful to her, but...

She wants us to part with each other.

It's Naojiro, my worthless son.

I'll surprise him.

Michitose.

Moritaya!

I never thought I'd find you here.

It's an interesting place to hide.

Buddha must have guided me here.

I missed you!

Michitose? Then, this girl is...

I heard a voice. Is somebody here?

No.

No? I imagined it.

It's been a long time.

You acted unfriendly, so I stopped coming.

I've been away from you.

I couldn't stand the loneliness in my heart.

Then, I saw you in the street.

Moritaya.

No, no. Let me talk.

To tell the truth, I'm going to redeem you.

Your proprietress agreed.

You're joking.

No. I'm serious.

Give me time to think.

You like Naojiro?

You could never be happy with that loafer.

He's a confirmed liar.

He's broke and heartless.

A philanderer!

Cold and empty-headed.

He lives alone with his greedy mother.

She's selfish and mean.

I still love Naojiro.

Only money can make women happy.

I know.

Love me!

No!

Get out!

I'm Okuma, Naojiro's mother.

Let go of me!

Who are you?

As you see, a guide to hell.

Let go of me. I'll go to hell by myself.

No, no. I'll take you when it's time.

Can't I even die?

That's right.

It's you!

I'm Kanekoichi.

You chose death. There's a job for a man like you.

Job?

Yes.

What? Who?

As you see, devils.

What are you plotting?

It's a secret; these people are outcasts of the times.

Mizuno persecutes them in the name of reformation.

Prostitutes, actors...

...gamblers, hairdressers who wear gold hair ornaments...

I used to be a popular waitress.

No home, no parents.

Love stories are prohibited.

Moneylending, too.

He hawks reformation and bans everything.

My patience has a limit.

What are you gathered here for?

We drink and make merry.

Even if Mizuno forbids...

We'll do what we like. Live this way, or bust!

So we discussed and...

Decided revolt.

Revolt?

Yes. We'll burn the watch-houses...

and make Mizuno call for grave reflection.

Now that we drank here, you belong to our gang.

Help us topple the government.

You died once. The rest of your life is extra.

Damn Mizuno! He arrested girl entertainers...

and starved their parents.

We've got to live! We've got to!

Burn the guardhouses!

Shoot fireworks into the sky!

Show our inflexible spirit!

Fireworks!

Shoot fireworks!

Yes!

Decorate the dark sky of Edo with fireworks!

Who's there?

It's me.

Mother!

I've brought your bride.

That's a lie! I must be dreaming.

Give me water.

It's true.

Look. This is Michitose, your love.

You came back from hell bringing Michitose?

I dreamed of it every morning.

It's not a dream. It's real.

Michitose told me everything.

Let's forget the past and live happily.

Three of us together.

Water!

Certainly.

Here you are.

Let me!

He's asleep.

Babies who sleep well grow fast.

Breakfast is ready.

No! Let him sleep.

Oh, no! I'm late.

I'm going to act.

At the theater?

No! On a bigger stage! There will be hundreds of actors.

What's your role?

A samurai.

Shinnojo Sakurai. Very handsome, very fresh.

A friend of justice! I'm excited.

Where to?

Lord Matsue's mansion.

He wants a chambermaid to be his mistress.

Refused, he bullies her.

Going alone?

No. I'm smart.

I always play a hero.

Wait!

Let me join you.

He's gone again.

Namiji vomited blood.

Those who have talent suffer.

Her beauty caused her trouble.

The lord's lust has no end.

He confined Namiji in Lady lwasaki's room.

Like a bird in a cage.

Oh, the bird in the cage!

Don't stimulate the lord.

I know I can't get away.

I refused him. I'm ready to die.

You're ready to die?

I could kill you here or in bed.

Certainly not.

Don't try to stop me!

Murder of a chaste girl will incur great blame.

People will talk.

Don't defend me, sir.

I have no hope in life.

It's not only for your life...

...but for this house.

Don't worry. This is my house.

I've always wanted to cut virgin skin.

Kazuma, strip the girl.

I'll kill you first!

Wait, my lord.

What's the matter, Daizen?

It's unjust of you to punish him without a crime.

Why does Kazuma resist you?

I'll determine his guilt.

His guilt...

What?

My guilt?

You sinned with Namiji.

I understand. That's why you protect her.

That's a lie!

Shut up!

If you're loyal to the lord, you should persuade her.

But you help her get away. Why?

People have complaints about this reformation.

They have a grudge.

Any scandal would wreck Lord Mizuno's reformation.

We should behave ourselves for the great cause.

No more talk.

If you're innocent,

prove you have no intimacy with Namiji.

Prove it!

You can't do it.

You, too?

I've seen them in each other's embrace.

She's...

Jealous!

What a lie!

She's shameless!

Here's an eyewitness. Will you still deny the fact?

Or will you give up...

And be punished with death?

I'll kill you. Get out of there!

My lord!

What's the matter?

The High Priest has sent us his envoy.

The High Priest?

His envoy? Without a herald?

You're lucky.

You saved my life.

Thank you ever so much.

More trouble.

What do you mean?

The High Priest is blaming our lord.

The lord will be confined and his fief taken away.

You're most welcome.

Your visit was unexpected.

We retainers...

And other attendants...

Are here to welcome you.

The High Priest has sent me on a secret mission.

I'm Priest Dokai.

Thank you for your reception.

You saw him?

Yes. The priest is handsome.

Never mind the priest.

The samurai standing by the sedan is like an actor.

He's as handsome as in a picture.

What? Lord Matsue is ill and unable to see me?

Exactly.

What does he think the High Priest is?

A priest of the highest rank...

...has sent me here on a secret mission.

Even if he's ill, it's impolite of him to send his retainers

to know why I'm here.

I'll go back.

Wait.

I'm the chief retainer here.

My master is ill and unable to see you.

So he wants me to represent him.

Why can't I ask what your mission is?

As an ancient saint said, no use preaching to swine.

Wait!

Anything else?

The High Priest has sent you to me unexpectedly.

I'm late welcoming you because of my illness.

Forgive me.

So you're Lord Matsue?

No matter what your mission is, thank you.

Your retainers told me you were ill.

But you do look fine.

Joshuya told the High Priest about his worries.

The Priest sympathized with him.

He wanted me to persuade you...

and take his daughter named Namiji.

I wondered if it was a serious problem.

But it's about a chambermaid.

Her father shouldn't have worried the High Priest.

Don't say it's trifle.

I'm sorry.

I disagree.

It's the Priest's wish.

This is a private matter.

I have my way.

Are you refusing?

You heard me!

I was intending to settle the matter peacefully...

for the sake of your honor.

If you disagree, I'll tell the authorities...

about your misbehavior.

What if Lord Mizuno hears...

you confined an innocent girl because of lust?

He's a straight reformer.

What, then, will happen to your traditional family?

I'll lose face, too.

I can't go back without carrying out my mission.

I'll tell Lord Mizuno on my way home.

I can't assure you of the survival of your clan.

Well...

Or give back the girl.

What's your choice, Lord Matsue?

You have received the girl.

I have.

The Priest's envoy?

He's taking a rest.

He wants you to take the girl home immediately

and please her mother.

Certainly.

Wait, Naojiro!

Stop here.

How do you like riding in a sedan?

How about making love here?

I'm joking. Take care.

Goodbye.

What? The Lord's compliments?

I appreciate it.

I'll accept it with thanks.

It must be money.

I can tell the amount without seeing it.

It's fifty ryo.

This is the best treat.

Reverend Dokai is leaving!

What's wrong?

I think I know him.

I remember!

He's Soshun Kochiyama, the tea-server.

What?

The mole on his left cheek identifies him.

He cheated me!

He sides with outlaws.

We can't let a buraikan like him fool us.

My lord!

It's a shame!

Get him!

The Priest's envoy!

I mean Soshun Kochiyama. Wait!

Who are you?

Daizen.

I don't know you or the name you called.

It must be a case of mistaken identity.

You're wrong.

No matter what you say, there's proof.

The mole on your left cheek.

That identifies you for sure.

So you know me, Daizen.

You're...

Fake!

I disguised myself.

I'm Soshun Kochiyama.

Arrest him!

What's this? Be quiet!

They say a bad man can be good sometimes.

The tears of a father moved my heart.

I wrote a play about the rescue of his daughter.

This bald head helped me look like a priest.

So did this fancy robe.

My challenge of power ended in a farce.

The name of the high-ranking priest...

seemed to have greatly shaken Lord Matsue.

The play would be followed by a revolt...

by the poor people of the lower classes.

But you wrecked it, Daizen.

The mole on my cheek is irremovable.

You recognized me.

Now it's going to be a fight.

Get him!

It's too late for you to get away, Kochiyama.

You can't escape now that your trick was exposed.

I'll kill you and gain fame.

You can't.

I'm a direct retainer of the Shogunate General.

I'm free outside your house.

A mere lord can't kill me.

What?

Don't you know you haven't any right to kill me?

Kanekoichi! Let's go.

Goodbye!

Goodbye, Kanekoichi!

Is it heavy?

It'll wake up the whole city. Be careful.

I want a drink.

It's not a party.

I need a shot to encourage myself.

You can't kill with the sword.

Burn the guardhouses!

Slaughter all officials!

Prostitutes, hunt customers! Actors, play!

This is the beginning of an endless festival.

Mizuno resigned!

Mizuno resigned!

What's the matter?

The world's changed, Lord Mizuno.

Your day is done.

You're too rash. What's come over you?

The world hasn't changed.

I must reform it greatly.

The world has changed.

Not in your way.

Fireworks are in the sky.

Listen! Don't you hear the sound?

There are no fireworks.

The sound is different.

It's target practice to cope with foreign invaders.

It can't be fireworks.

Because I banned fireworks.

Fool!

You think a riot can overthrow power?

Power will never perish. It'll be replaced by another.

Let me do it.

Death is dead, too.

But I'll survive.

Naojiro!

At this rate, we'll never be man and wife.

Michitose.

What are you doing, Naojiro?

Fool!

Goodbye.

I'll be going.

Where will you desert me?

Not in the river. The water must be cold.

Wherever you desert me I'll be back again.

Then I'll desert you again.

Your sash is inside out.

Really?

Oh, fireworks!

How beautiful!

Has somebody changed the world?