Fukuzawa Yukichi (1991) - full transcript
Fukuzawa Yukichi opens a school for samurai, who aim to learn Dutch language, most common for overseas trading. But when he was in Yokohama he learned that English language is one way more global one. His struggle against patriarchal mindset leads his school to become one of the oldest universities in Japan.
TOEI COMPANY LTD.
FUKUZAWA YUKICHI:
THE PASSAGE TO JAPAN
Produced by:
SATO Masatada, TAKAIWA Tan
Planned by: OKADA Yusuke
SATO Masao, OKADA Yutaka
Screenplay by:
KASAHARA Kazuo, KATSURA Chiho
Photography: SENGEN Seizo
Music: HISAISHI Joe
COOPERATION KEIZAIKAI CO., LTD
CAST:
SHIBATA Kyohei
NAKAMURA Toru
MINAMINO Yoko
AIKAWA Sho
WAKAMURA Mayumi
HINO Shohei
KATSUNO Hiroshi
ENOKI Takaaki
Directed by:
SAWAI Shinichiro
Yukichi!
What did you do?
I was praying.
BUZEN (OITA PREFECTURE), NAKATSU
Don't lie!
Why did you steal the sacred stone?
Don't be naughty.
It's just a stone.
You will get divine punishment.
That's just superstition.
You will get neither favor
nor punishment.
Do you want to test it?
No.
The gods must be respected.
My father and teacher said so.
Are you afraid?
Why should you, the chief
retainer's son, be punished?
I'm not like you.
Why respect a stone?
YUKICHI, 9 YEARS OLD
I don't understand.
Yukichi, a bad fencer is a bad samurai.
Lower grade samurai like
me aren't allowed to practice.
Even so, you must excel at fencing.
How else can you defend
your lord or family?
Right?
Yes!
Come on!
YUKICHI, 14 YEARS OLD
NAGASAKI
Okudaira.
Yukichi.
- Do you like it here?
- Yes, thank you.
You kindly let me stay here,
so that I can learn Dutch.
What are you reading?
A book on building castles.
The way to build castles
is different in Holland.
It's interesting.
Guess how much it costs?
I'm so poor, it's beyond my imagination.
23 ryo.
Yukichi, education costs a lot.
It's too much for you.
YUKICHI, 21 YEARS OLD
EDO, 1858
How are you?
Fine, thank you.
My friend and I just
arrived from Osaka.
I'm Okamoto.
Fukuzawa taught me Dutch in Osaka.
Pleased to meet you.
Beautiful, isn't it?
It came from Nagasaki.
A new gun, called a rifle, with
spiral grooves on the inside.
So, you study guns, too?
Do you want to test it?
No. I'm not good at it.
You are good at Dutch.
Not as good as you.
You don't mean it.
The principal of our Dutch
school has resigned.
We need someone to replace him.
I recommended you.
Thank you.
To have a Dutch school is
fashionable these days.
If you become chief, I can
control our education system.
Toki will take care of you.
Go and see him.
He's always like that.
He doesn't look like he would
be afraid of a sacred stone.
YUKICHI, 25 YEARS OLD
He's gotten stronger.
He's here!
Welcome!
NAKATSU CLAN - DUTCH SCHOOL
I'm Matsukura Gensai.
Please come in.
Our new principal is here.
We are ready for you.
Not so fast... let them rest.
I will get some tea.
No thank you, Mrs.
That's why you should stay away.
It's not my fault.
This is my daughter.
Call me Okin.
I'm sorry.
You make a nice couple.
Gensai and me?
I mean...
Matsukura, shall we go?
It's upstairs.
Here is our new teacher
and new principal.
This way.
I'm Fukuzawa Yukichi.
I'm Okamoto Shukichi.
I'm Matsukura Gensai.
Kataoka Kojiro.
Yamada Matsunoshin.
Kurosawa Takenosuke.
Takaishi Shinnosuke.
Nice to meet you.
Let me have a look.
Grammar?
Yes.
How long have you been
studying Dutch?
About six months.
Have you ever read a Dutch book?
No, I haven't.
The grammar book, please.
This is the text we used in Osaka.
It is the basics of Dutch grammar.
It explains what Dutch is.
Have a look at it.
This book is called 'Composition'.
It explains how the Dutch
language is composed.
You must study these two books.
Copy them first.
These are Dutch books.
This one shows how to make a cannon.
This is a medical book.
I copied this book in Nagasaki.
It shows how to build castles.
Read it sometimes.
It's important to get
used to the language.
Okin!
He's good... very good.
But, a little too hasty.
That's what I like.
He's already started his lesson.
Look.
It's so voluminous.
How long did it take to copy?
I stole the book from
Okudaira to copy it.
It took about three nights.
We still have very few pupils.
I feel bad for you.
Maybe I will find you a bigger school.
No.
I came here because I like you.
I'm a farmer's son.
Education is my only
route to success.
Hello.
I run a small restaurant called
'Chidori' in front of the shrine.
Gensai and the others
are my customers.
I hope you will come, too.
This is new to me.
It's called a parasol.
I bought it in Yokohama.
The new town?
Yes.
It's for foreigners and
full of wonders.
Let me see.
Here.
YOKOHAMA - FOREIGN QUARTERS
What does it say?
I don't know.
I can't read the signs.
They are not Dutch.
Excuse me, what does it say?
What language is that?
What language is that?
They don't seem to
understand our Dutch.
I'm American.
I have spent three years in Holland.
I speak Dutch.
What language are the signs?
Mostly English.
Are there any Dutch shops?
None.
Look at this.
Here is America...
here's France, England...
And here is Holland.
Holland is so small!
I was told that Holland was the best.
No, it's not.
It's a very small country.
It's safe for Japan, that's all.
How about its medical
science or shipbuilding?
Not as good as America
or England, anymore.
America is an industrial nation.
Holland is commercial.
You can't depend on commerce alone.
"I thought my hometown was beautiful.”
Takaishi, translate that.
"I thought my hometown is beautiful.”
Not 'is'.
"I thought my hometown was beautiful.”
It's 'was'.
"I thought it was."
When referring to the
past, use the past tense.
That's the difference
between Dutch and Japanese.
Yukichi, it is lunchtime.
Don't blame yourself.
It solves nothing.
Something I was proud of
turned out to be worthless.
In Nagasaki and Osaka,
I studied Dutch day and night.
It's of no practical use.
America, England, France...
All the world is laughing at my effort!
Then, why not study English?
Without books?
How can I?
A ship is going to America.
A government ship.
My father said so.
An American fleet led by
Perry came and demanded a treaty.
The Shogunate is sending
an envoy for ratification.
Can I go with them?
Not on his ship,
but maybe on another
one, the Kanrin-maru.
I know Lord Kimura who
is going with the envoy.
He might take you.
Please recommend me.
I want to see America
and learn their language.
Help me.
With pleasure.
But the problem is Okudaira.
What will he say?
Forget it.
You can't cross the
Pacific on that small ship.
You will die.
I will stake my life on it.
Please let me go.
No.
You are important to me and the clan.
I can't let you die.
I'm prepared to leave the clan.
We execute deserters.
I have been so chagrined,
I could have died.
You can't die.
Listen, Yukichi...
Holland is inferior to America.
But Dutch is still our
trading language.
You don't have to learn English.
Your Dutch is good enough to live by.
That isn't the problem.
I want to be satisfied with my life.
The world needs English,
but I teach Dutch in a
small school in Japan.
It hurts my ears.
I can be frank with you.
Please let me go!
Your words move me.
You know how.
All right!
I will recommend you.
This is a famous sword.
My farewell gift.
Sir Okudaira...!
February 12th, 1860.
The ocean raged terribly.
The voyage was so risky,
but I wasn't afraid.
I wanted to see America,
the advanced country, so much.
March 18th.
Frank Leslie's Illustrated
News reported
about the Japanese
delegation in detail with etchings.
It introduced Japan widely
from administration
to petty crimes of theft so vividly.
It's quite different from
our simple newspapers.
March 21st.
Walt Whitman wrote about
us in his poem, 'Broadway':
"Superb-faced Manhattan!"
"Comrade, Americans, then to us at last"
the Orient comes.”
It shows their curiosity
and excitement towards Japan.
April 3rd.
We visited a sugar mill.
They explained how to make it.
Japan has no such installations,
but I already knew about
them through books.
They were surprised.
I was happy.
April 23rd.
I bought a Webster's dictionary,
with John Manjiro, the interpreter.
It won't be easy for us Japanese to use,
but it will greatly help our study.
May 1st.
I took a picture in San Francisco.
She was the photographer's daughter.
I'll be proud to show it to
envious young officers.
May 8th.
Unlike in Japan where
good lineage is everything,
America is a free country.
Effort is valued here.
Here, I realize Japan's
lineage system spoils everything.
MURDER OF GREAT
ELDER II NAOSUKE, 1860
In March, 1860,
Great Elder II Naosuke was killed by
loyalists who wanted to expel foreigners.
FUKUZAWA SCHOOL
This sign makes it look like a school.
A result of your trip abroad.
We will see the real result later.
Everyone, good morning.
Good morning, sir.
It's exciting to give you
a lesson again.
As Okamoto told you when you entered,
essentially we teach Dutch
here, but I will teach English.
It's not easy, but America and England
are the most powerful nations.
English is widely spoken.
We must learn it and look at the world.
This is an English-Dutch dictionary.
'Liberty' for example...
Does anyone know what 'liberty' means?
The dictionary says it is 'vrijheid'.
Amano.
'Vrijheid' means freedom.
That's right.
So, 'liberty' means freedom.
If you know Dutch, you can use it.
I bought this Webster's
dictionary in America.
If you don't know English,
you can't use it.
An English-Japanese dictionary
would be most convenient,
but there are none yet
that would be useful.
We will translate it little by little.
Listen...
Learning is like a battle.
You must win.
There is no other way.
If you lose, you will end up like me.
So, don't lose!
You have got to win for your parents.
Take it easy.
Drink!
- More saké!
- It's late.
The gate is always open.
Your money has a limit.
Welcome!
You look happy.
The party is nearly over.
My money has a limit.
Then, you can drink on me.
More saké!
Help me.
Good.
He buys our drinks.
What's 'free drinks' in English?
"Present”.
No, 'Gift'.
Too bad.
No one knows?
"On the house".
"On the house".
"On the house".
That's right, very good.
Here's your saké.
Is that right?
"On the house".
Thank you.
More saké!
Shinohara, you win.
Ready?
Let's give him a toast and drink on him!
Cheers!
I'm Kurosawa of the Mito clan.
My son will quit your school.
What's wrong?
The government prohibits
learning English.
This boy is my heir.
You are ruining his future.
English will surely be useful to him.
Please reconsider.
Be quiet!
Takenosuke! Come on!
Come on!
Takenosuke, what do you say?
He has no say.
Come, son!
Teacher, Mr. Okudaira
wants you immediately.
All right.
What have you done?
The Mito clan is blaming me.
Dutch isn't useful to us anymore.
Try to understand...
No excuses!
You betrayed my trust.
I am Chief Retainer.
I backed you because
of our friendship.
But you threw it away.
Am I wrong?
Yukichi...
I understand how the power
of America impressed you.
You fear Japan is helpless
against their invasion.
But you think too much
of material things...
and too little of spirit.
I forbid not the language,
but the way of thinking
behind their language.
Liberalism jeopardizes the
system of government...
and finally topples it.
I don't like it.
Your school is closed, as of today!
Go home!
Mr. Toki is here to see you, sir.
Later.
Not later. It can't wait.
Will you let me handle this matter?
It's none of your business.
You are wrong.
You asked me to take
care of him, didn't you?
I was wrong.
He is lowly, after all.
No better than a gateman.
Lowly?
You shouldn't have said that.
I'm a man of importance, and
Yukichi will be my son-in-law.
Will he marry Okin?
Yes.
So, don't send him away.
I'm old.
I don't want to live far
from my daughter.
Please let him stay, for my sake.
It's your fault, too.
You should have told Okudaira
first about teaching English.
The Mito Clan blamed
him for not restraining you.
I was thoughtless.
I will apologize to him.
Good.
About my daughter, do you agree?
Weren't you acting?
I meant it.
No!
Sir Toki, my family lineage isn't good...
Family lineage!
Okin loves you.
What's wrong?
I have a cramp in my leg.
Do you dislike her?
Hardly!
I love her.
Father!
Please don't say anything.
How was it?
Yukichi wants to talk to you.
What is it?
Nothing.
Nothing? What is it?
Well, it's this...
We can keep our school.
Oh, that.
Let's go home and have a drink.
We can keep studying English?
Father?
Sir Toki!
Sir Toki! Father!
I felt dizzy.
It's nothing. Let's drink.
Sir Toki!
1862, NAMAMUGI INCIDENT
In 1862,
men of the Satsuma clan brutally
attacked four Englishmen in Kanagawa
killing one.
This Japan Herald is
popular in Yokohama.
Every Saturday. It's a weekly.
Can we buy it there?
Translate and sell it to
advanced clans.
It will help us financially.
Anti-foreign clans want to
know foreign countries, too.
Let me help you.
I can learn English and
about world news.
It's a chance to use
practical English.
Then, shall we do it?
Yes!
I will go to Yokohama to buy one.
Thank you.
Hello, student!
Don't you recognize me?
Oh, it's you!
Come over here.
You didn't come to see me?
No. I came to buy this.
The Japan Herald? What for?
We will translate and sell it.
Can you read?
No, I learned English by ear.
Go on.
Well?
How sweet! It's like sugar.
What will you do with English?
Run a school?
No, I will work for our country.
The Shogunate government
will fall soon.
Then, our Satsuma clan
will guide Japan...
in a new age with our lord as leader.
You will be a great man.
Take it.
"English Conversation"?
Can I keep it?
Nobu...
Is that your name?
Yes.
Can I come to see you?
Me?
Can you take a day off?
Sure.
What do you do?
You can guess.
I have finished copying.
Good. Take it to our customer.
Mr. Kunitomo of the
Kumamoto clan in Hamacho.
Don't forget to collect the money.
I will be going.
Are you going to Sendai, Nakajo?
Yes, nearly finished.
What mark is this for?
Dollar, the American currency.
It looks odd among letters.
Can't we use a letter for it?
I have been thinking,
but there is no proper word.
Maybe we'd better spell it out.
No, it would take too much space.
The shorter the better.
It says in the Chinese classics,
"Share not heaven with
thy father's enemy".
Look at this.
It means 'not'.
It looks like the symbol for dollar.
Indeed.
Let's call it 'dollar'.
The readers will get used
to seeing it, too.
They look alike.
How about it?
It's an unfamiliar character.
If we say it is 'dollar', they will think so.
It looks all right.
'Father's enemy'?
All right, call the character, 'dollar'.
I'm going to rent a house.
Then, what?
Live with me.
I'm always thinking of you.
I can't study these days.
We meet here...
make love and part.
That was our promise.
I can't keep it.
Your face always lingers in my mind.
Nobu...
Live with me.
Will you marry me?
If you insist...
Unfair!
You want to live with me,
but not marry me.
It's not that...
Give me some.
Wipe it off.
Wipe it off.
Okin.
I want to talk.
Yes?
I want to quit.
Quit?
I can't keep studying.
English doesn't agree with me.
I respect Mr. Fukuzawa.
I like my friends here.
I'm happy here.
So, I'm at a loss.
My friends can translate and
help the teacher, but I can't.
Okin...
I eat a lot, but I'm useless to him.
I don't like it.
What are you saying?
You are useful.
They rely on you as
if you were their brother.
So do I.
Aren't you eating?
I'm not hungry.
This is an interesting story.
Abraham Lincoln looked
fierce when running for president.
A girl who was his fan wrote...
"I think a beard would
help you look softer."
Charmed wives will ask
their husbands to vote for you.”
Lincoln wrote in reply...
"I will start growing a beard today.”
Democracy.
If you sent such a letter
to the Shogun,
you would be executed.
I'm back.
How was it, Nakajo?
I'm going to study in America.
They gave me official permission.
Good!
What will you study?
Why do human beings exist?
I'd like to find out what we can't see.
I see... philosophy.
Nakajo...
You are my first pupil to
study abroad.
You look fine as usual.
If not, you would be in big trouble.
I received a request.
Sit down.
When I was in Nagasaki,
there was a naval cadet
named Furukawa.
He is an officer now,
teaching navigation in the navy.
He is sick.
He wants to adopt someone as his heir.
His family lineage is fine.
He wants a man who
speaks a foreign language.
I want to give him a favorable answer.
Why don't you become his heir?
Me?
It's time to work for your
country, not just your clan.
Takasugi Shinsaku of Choshu.
Saigo Kichinosuke of Satsuma.
(aka Saigo Takamori)
Sakamoto Ryoma of Tosa.
They are trying to reform the
country, not a single clan.
So will we, Okudaira and Fukuzawa.
You will succeed
Furukawa and lead the navy.
I will unite the powers in western Japan.
Let's reform this country
the way we like.
Well?
Did you accept?
I'm not the type.
I have a school to take care of.
But he is our financier.
I can't turn him down.
Maybe one of my pupils
would like his proposal...
but like human traffic...
Aren't I good enough for the proposal?
You?
My parents stopped sending money.
They want me back.
I didn't study English to till the soil.
I thought you liked studying here.
I can study anywhere.
For a farmer to become a
samurai is a great success.
- Here you go.
- Thank you.
Three orders of soba noodles!
You aren't drinking.
What's wrong?
A samurai wants to
adopt one of us as his heir.
Okamoto liked the idea.
Okamoto?
That's fine.
Fine?
A farmer becoming a samurai!
It's a great success.
What's wrong?
He prefers success to studying.
That's wrong.
It's the wrong choice.
I don't think so.
Anyone would encourage it.
He worked hard for us.
I hope you will help him.
So, it's a boy.
Congratulations!
Your family won't have to worry.
Okin...
Thank you for everything.
Okamoto...
Congratulations!
I owe it to Mr. Fukuzawa.
He's hasty and worries too much,
but you have helped him in many ways.
I have always been grateful to you.
Okamoto...
Thank you very much.
Okin...
It's time.
- Teacher.
- Goodbye.
Keep well.
Don't look sad, friends.
I'm on my way to success.
1864 - 1ST CHOSHU BATTLE
1866 - 2ND CHOSHU BATTLE
In 1864 and 1866,
the Choshu clan rebelled
against the Shogunate.
They sent an army.
The government ordered us
to send soldiers to Choshu.
As Lord of Nakatsu retainers,
it's time to work for him.
Quit your study and report
to your master in his fief.
Follow him to battle,
and do your best.
Prepare for the trip and leave today.
I will give you a drink
and money for the trip.
Obata, the leader.
Obata, take it.
Wait!
Wait, Fukuzawa!
What's the matter?
Yukichi, you are not invited.
Get out!
Sir, you asked me to
educate these students.
I'm responsible for their education.
Don't send them away on your own.
Fukuzawa, watch your tongue!
He always tries to argue.
Fukuzawa...
This is an order of the Lord.
No room for arguments.
We should work for him.
That's why.
What can these students do with guns?
They can work only with
their intelligence and education.
They are promising young men.
They mustn't die or get hurt
in a battle that in no way
helps their clan or families.
I can see that, but this
is an order of the clan!
It's your job to refuse
such an unreasonable order.
Dare you criticize me?
I won't forgive you!
All right.
I will go to Nakatsu for
my students and go to war.
I know the world.
I'm useful even in the battlefield.
Better than these five.
Please make the arrangements.
Gentlemen, if you want to
follow this order, stay here.
If you want to study, return to school.
Come back!
Traitor!
Sit down!
Stop!
You will be notified later.
Can you just let them go?
What will you say to the Lord?
Back home, some people
say your domination is unfair.
If they hear this...
Tell them the five men are sick.
Understand?
Is Mr. Shinohara in?
Yes, I will get him.
No.
Give him this.
All right.
Want a bite?
Thanks.
Shinohara has been acting strange.
He sighs all day.
Will this cheer him up?
No.
Bad news?
Too bad.
Not so bad.
It says I won't see him again.
I will be gone.
Gone, with just a note?
He will be desperate.
Give it back.
I will wait at the bridge at noon.
Tell him so.
Good. Will you see him?
Thanks.
Nobu!
What's wrong?
I went to Yokohama many times in vain.
Let's call it quits.
Stop seeing me.
What happened, Nobu?
He said you sighed all day.
The teacher?
I missed you.
You can't work for the country that way.
I don't have to...
I don't want to.
I want to live with you.
If you lose your spirit,
you will just keep falling...
Like me.
You are my hope.
No...
I can't be.
Let's go. Follow me.
It's me.
Open up.
Nobu...
Where's Father?
He's here.
Get him.
Hurry!
Sis!
Sabu!
Don't steal money from the shrine.
I don't.
Ochiyo and Omitsu,
are you helping your mother?
Good.
Here's something for you.
Get inside.
What do you want?
So, you are drunk again!
I told you!
You would sell your
daughter for a drink.
Are you happy like that?!
Nobu, he doesn't enjoy drinking.
I don't enjoy selling my body!
Listen...
This is the last you will get from me!
My American patron went back home.
No more money from him.
You won't get another drop from me.
Understand?!
Quit drinking and buy
the kids some clothes.
Now you see.
This is me.
Let's part.
Nobu...
If we work together...
Don't be ridiculous!
What can a man do?
A girl's body earns a lot.
But...
Thanks.
It was short, but it was a nice dream.
Go!
Go away!
Go away, you fool!
Sis...
Sis...
Sis!
Sometimes...
I'm so sad...
I want to cry.
Sis!
THE OCCIDENTAL, SAN FRANCISCO
1866 - 'THINGS WESTERN' PUBLISHED
A new book, 'Things Western'
was published in 1866.
Yukichi went to America as an interpreter
with the Government's
envoy to America in 1867.
1867 - THE RESTORATION
That same year,
Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu
surrendered his rule.
Yukichi!
I read your book.
Some say the Shogun
resigned because he read it.
It's selling well.
People are interested in
foreign countries.
You sent for me.
The house you are using as a school...
The government wants
it for a foreign quarter.
Is that true?
You must leave it.
But where can we go?
Will you help us somehow?
I have an idea.
There will be a war against
the united army of loyalists.
Many lords sent their families home.
So, their houses are deserted.
You can rent one.
That's fine. Please help us.
But once the war breaks out,
the city will be burned.
It's no time for school.
Why don't you come back and help me?
I need an advisor.
Advisor?
Who we will side with, the
Tokugawa Shogun or the Emperor?
It will determine the
future of our clan.
My antagonists are
secretly relishing their chance.
I can't tell which is which.
I can only trust you.
Help me.
If you want a position,
you will have it.
I'm sorry.
I don't like politics.
I want to educate people
and rebuild this country.
Rebuild this country?
Don't belittle politics.
How can education change it?
Politics is taking your schoolhouse.
Suit yourself.
SHINZENIZA, SHIBA
Lord Arima's second house.
Take a look.
How big?
About 1,400 square meters.
How many pupils?
One hundred and twenty.
It's big enough.
An auditorium...
School ground...
Cafeteria, clinic...
An ideal school.
But we will need a lot of money.
We can use material from
our present schoolhouse.
What's the price of this place?
They say 355 ryo.
355 ryo.
We are right on schedule.
They are glad to work.
No one else builds a house now.
That's true.
Nakajo!
You are back!
Nakajo, welcome home.
How was America?
Is your study over?
Nakajo...?
"The spirit of justice
rests on this holy land."
"It soars solemnly to the sky..."
"Taking the form of Mount Fuji."
"It pours as water into the ocean..."
"And circles around the islands...”
1868 - CIVIL WAR BREAKS OUT
Japan was bisected by the two forces.
THE SHOGUNATE ARMY VERSUS...
THE UNION OF LOYALISTS
Tashiro!
It's you, Shinohara!
It's been a long time.
How have you been?
Itami, Kawakami...
Murata and Matsushita
were with us, but they died.
They died?
It's war...
Nobody knows when we will die.
Try to stay alive.
Good luck.
Keio Gijuku School
was opened during the war.
'Keio Gijuku' sounds great.
What does 'Gijuku' mean?
A public school.
Not a private one like before.
Public?
That's right. 'Public'.
It's open to samurai, farmers,
anybody who wants to study.
It's a big school in
comparison to the old one.
I'd like to study here
with young people.
Those samurai are fighting crazily.
But here is The Occident, which
cherishes liberty and education.
This is Japan.
Look at that.
Young men go to war.
They think fighting is more
important than reading books.
The athletics field.
Athletics are part of our curricula.
I want my pupils to train
without swords or guns.
A horizontal bar.
"Bless this divine nation..."
Nakajo?
"The power of life shines..."
"ruling over the entire land..."
"keep watching and stay calm..."
"the fighting power will come.”
It's a poem by Fujita Toko.
He is a nationalist.
Nakajo used to love
Occidental culture.
Japan has been closed for a long time.
Somehow, he mistook it
as his own fault.
He tried to absorb culture too fast.
He was a sincere type.
Poor boy!
He's afraid we are going to poison him.
He's taken nothing but water.
Teacher...
I hope you will use this
money for your school.
What is it?
Part of the war funds given to me.
War funds?
KANEI TEMPLE, UENO
Shogi troops at Ueno were
eager to fight for the Shogun.
ZOJO TEMPLE, SHIBA
Meanwhile,
Satsuma clan loyalists
prepared to fight at Shiba.
Tashiro!
What's the matter?
They say you will attack Ueno.
Is it true?
I don't know.
Tell me. When?
Where, precisely?
Why?
You are a student.
Don't be nosy.
Tashiro, please tell me.
I want to know.
I need to.
Sir Okudaira.
Oh, Yukichi!
Push me.
This is interesting.
You are drunk.
Be careful.
Don't stop me.
Push me higher.
I feel dizzy.
It's a nice feeling.
Sir Okudaira.
Don't call me 'Sir'.
They discharged me
from the Nakatsu clan.
I'm free. I'm masterless.
Is that true?
I'm turning, turning, turning...
I can't see what's going on...
I can't see anything.
Yukichi.
Of all people, you aren't
feeling dizzy, are you?
What do you see?
What do you see
beyond this whirling world?
I can't see the future, either.
Yes, you can.
So, you succeeded.
Anyway, get inside.
Yukichi.
You are laughing at me.
You are clapping your hands
and laughing at me deep inside.
I know.
Ever since...
You stole the sacred
stone from the shrine.
You have been laughing at
me for my fear of punishment.
Damn!
Do you know why I hesitated?
If I'd stolen the stone myself,
I would have become a dangerous
man who loved foreign culture.
I stopped myself!
Right?
I had my family prestige.
I had to be Chief Retainer
after my father!
If only I had been born elsewhere.
I could have gone to study in America!
Interesting, Yukichi.
I was a dummy who had
the big name of Okudaira.
You had no name, no
position, no money...
But you had freedom.
And you rode the tide.
But I'm not beaten.
Hire me in your school.
My Dutch is still the best.
I will teach Dutch better than you.
Of course.
You will be the best
Dutch teacher in Japan.
We welcome you.
Do you really think I can teach Dutch?
I ruined the Nakatsu clan in 35 years.
Sir!
I owe what I am to you.
You made me who I am today.
Fukuzawa Yukichi!
No! I'm Fukuzawa Yukichi
I could have been even greater!
Miss Okin.
I'm sorry.
Don't be.
Don't be discouraged, Sir Okudaira.
I will take him home.
Yukichi, let's go for a walk.
Let's go.
You can't beat me, Yukichi.
I will do something you can't do.
Shinohara!
Amano.
What have you done?
Did you go to war?
I was a gunner.
I'm no good.
The cannon drove me crazy.
I deserted and walked all night.
I want to come back.
Ask Teacher Fukuzawa.
He protected us when they
were sending you to Choshu.
But you betrayed him.
I'm sorry.
I betrayed him and went to war.
But when my friends took arms
to fight the Shogunate force,
I couldn't just watch.
Then, why not fight with them?
Because I was scared.
My feet wouldn't move.
"Scared"? Shame on you!
But that's the battlefield.
He's honest.
Let him come back, in my place.
In your place?
I went to the Satsuma clan
position at Shiba yesterday.
They are going to...
attack the Ueno garrison
tomorrow morning.
They were ordered to
break through the front line.
Many friends of mine are among them.
They will die.
I want to fight with them.
Shinohara, what are you saying?
Shinohara, you'd better not.
It's so scary... Really scary!
Furukawa said...
He would fight for the
Shogun to die with his friends.
His sincerity towards
his friends is justice now.
Maybe I will be scared, too, like Amano.
I will tremble with fear...
And become immobile...
But even trembling, I wish
to be together with my friends.
My friends are going to die!
I know how you feel.
It's touching.
But don't let such emotions misjudge.
That's education.
Education to tear friendship?
It's worthless!
You criticize Teacher Fukuzawa?
It's up to you what you think...
Shinohara.
Sit down.
You think I'm a coward?
I don't side with either the
Emperor or the Shogunate.
I won't fight.
Anything I teach you is
worthless, isn't it?
I don't think so.
I can hardly tell you that
to die in battle is justice!
Should I say...
"Die with your friends
for the Emperor.”
Or...
"Join the Shogun's army
and die with your superiors.”
I can't say that.
I can't find any words to justify
sending my pupils to war.
Shinohara...
The battlefield is no
place to cry for justice.
Words are useless.
It's a bloody place of murder!
After they fight, what will remain?
Bodies, charred ruins...
and hate.
What a waste!
What a tragedy!
It's absurd!
It's stupid!
Teacher!
Teacher...
I'm going back to my hometown.
Thank you for everything.
I have nothing to give
to repay your favor...
except for my sincerity.
You have kept poisoning
us with Occidental vice.
You are ruining our imperial
nation more and more.
Your name will be ruined.
I will save your
reputation with your death!
Stay back!
Don't touch him.
Nakajo!
Nakajo!
He is sick.
Don't be violent.
You said not to touch him.
Did I do the wrong thing?
Thank you.
You saved me.
This is the kind of man I am.
Don't try to stop me.
Shinohara!
Teacher, I will go to war, too!
I will go, too.
I will be going, too.
Me, too.
Teacher, good bye!
Goodbye!
Hello.
I'm Shinohara. Is Nobu in?
She's out.
I don't know if she will be back.
I see.
Give this to her.
Tell her Shinohara went to Ueno.
KANEI TEMPLE, UENO
How many left?
Eighteen if you include Nakajo.
Eighteen?
Keio Gijuku is finished
before it opens.
Shall we open it as scheduled?
Cannons ready, sir.
Alright. Here we go!
Fire!
The battle of Ueno
began early in the morning.
Nakajo.
You must be hungry.
I made these.
They are not poisonous.
Go ahead and eat.
I ate it.
There's no poison.
Don't worry. Eat.
Obata.
Get Wayland's
'Elements of Political Economy'.
Let's study.
Let's have a lesson.
This is the reply of Keio
Gijuku to this stupid war.
Take care of them.
I will escort them safely.
Don't worry.
Be careful.
Let's go.
Goodbye, father.
Take care.
KAGA CLAN RESIDENCE, HONGO
ARMSTRONG GUNS
It's still raining.
Awful sounds, too.
Not a nice day, but...
remember Keio Gijuku's first
lesson began on such a day.
An English politician wrote a drama.
The title was 'Richelieu'.
"The pen is mightier than the sword.”
Someday, they will understand
that swords can't settle problems.
The one who speaks shall win.
The day will come.
We are not cowards.
We are not wretched.
We stay here and study
on a day like this.
It's our struggle against
that stupid sound.
Teacher!
Ueno is on fire.
It won't reach here yet.
No more watching.
Sit down.
Let's begin.
'Elements of Political Economy'
by F. Wayland.
Open your books.
"Political economy is
the science of wealth."
"It is sometimes defined as the
science of national wealth."
Don't worry, we will make it!
"Political economy is
the science of wealth."
"It is sometimes defined as the
science of national wealth."
"There will be but little
difference in meaning."
"A country or an individual,"
"the way to become rich,
is essentially the same.”
Where are the Satsuma clan troops?
Don't go! It's dangerous!
Shinohara!
Run away! Retreat!
Retreat or I will kill you!
Leave!
No! Don't die!
Shinohara!
Shinohara!
Shinohara!
Shinohara!
Who is it?!
Friend or enemy?!
It's me.
It's me, Shinohara!
I'm a student of Keio Gijuku!
My name is Shinohara Kojiro.
Please!
Please, take me back to school!
It's in Shiba.
I beg you, take me back there!
1869 - THE CIVIL WAR ENDED
The Tokugawa remnants
surrendered in Hokkaido.
The war ended after
18 months of bloodshed.
1871 - KEIO GIJUKU MOVED TO MITA
It is said, Heaven creates no
man above or under another.
When men are born from
Heaven, they are all equal.
There is no innate distinction.
They can freely use all
the things on the earth
to satisfy their daily needs
through the labors of
their bodies and minds,
without harming others.
Thus, they can pass their
days happy and content.
Nevertheless, as we widely
survey this human world,
there are the wise and ignorant,
the rich and poor...
Directed by:
SAWAI Shinichiro
THE END
FUKUZAWA YUKICHI:
THE PASSAGE TO JAPAN
Produced by:
SATO Masatada, TAKAIWA Tan
Planned by: OKADA Yusuke
SATO Masao, OKADA Yutaka
Screenplay by:
KASAHARA Kazuo, KATSURA Chiho
Photography: SENGEN Seizo
Music: HISAISHI Joe
COOPERATION KEIZAIKAI CO., LTD
CAST:
SHIBATA Kyohei
NAKAMURA Toru
MINAMINO Yoko
AIKAWA Sho
WAKAMURA Mayumi
HINO Shohei
KATSUNO Hiroshi
ENOKI Takaaki
Directed by:
SAWAI Shinichiro
Yukichi!
What did you do?
I was praying.
BUZEN (OITA PREFECTURE), NAKATSU
Don't lie!
Why did you steal the sacred stone?
Don't be naughty.
It's just a stone.
You will get divine punishment.
That's just superstition.
You will get neither favor
nor punishment.
Do you want to test it?
No.
The gods must be respected.
My father and teacher said so.
Are you afraid?
Why should you, the chief
retainer's son, be punished?
I'm not like you.
Why respect a stone?
YUKICHI, 9 YEARS OLD
I don't understand.
Yukichi, a bad fencer is a bad samurai.
Lower grade samurai like
me aren't allowed to practice.
Even so, you must excel at fencing.
How else can you defend
your lord or family?
Right?
Yes!
Come on!
YUKICHI, 14 YEARS OLD
NAGASAKI
Okudaira.
Yukichi.
- Do you like it here?
- Yes, thank you.
You kindly let me stay here,
so that I can learn Dutch.
What are you reading?
A book on building castles.
The way to build castles
is different in Holland.
It's interesting.
Guess how much it costs?
I'm so poor, it's beyond my imagination.
23 ryo.
Yukichi, education costs a lot.
It's too much for you.
YUKICHI, 21 YEARS OLD
EDO, 1858
How are you?
Fine, thank you.
My friend and I just
arrived from Osaka.
I'm Okamoto.
Fukuzawa taught me Dutch in Osaka.
Pleased to meet you.
Beautiful, isn't it?
It came from Nagasaki.
A new gun, called a rifle, with
spiral grooves on the inside.
So, you study guns, too?
Do you want to test it?
No. I'm not good at it.
You are good at Dutch.
Not as good as you.
You don't mean it.
The principal of our Dutch
school has resigned.
We need someone to replace him.
I recommended you.
Thank you.
To have a Dutch school is
fashionable these days.
If you become chief, I can
control our education system.
Toki will take care of you.
Go and see him.
He's always like that.
He doesn't look like he would
be afraid of a sacred stone.
YUKICHI, 25 YEARS OLD
He's gotten stronger.
He's here!
Welcome!
NAKATSU CLAN - DUTCH SCHOOL
I'm Matsukura Gensai.
Please come in.
Our new principal is here.
We are ready for you.
Not so fast... let them rest.
I will get some tea.
No thank you, Mrs.
That's why you should stay away.
It's not my fault.
This is my daughter.
Call me Okin.
I'm sorry.
You make a nice couple.
Gensai and me?
I mean...
Matsukura, shall we go?
It's upstairs.
Here is our new teacher
and new principal.
This way.
I'm Fukuzawa Yukichi.
I'm Okamoto Shukichi.
I'm Matsukura Gensai.
Kataoka Kojiro.
Yamada Matsunoshin.
Kurosawa Takenosuke.
Takaishi Shinnosuke.
Nice to meet you.
Let me have a look.
Grammar?
Yes.
How long have you been
studying Dutch?
About six months.
Have you ever read a Dutch book?
No, I haven't.
The grammar book, please.
This is the text we used in Osaka.
It is the basics of Dutch grammar.
It explains what Dutch is.
Have a look at it.
This book is called 'Composition'.
It explains how the Dutch
language is composed.
You must study these two books.
Copy them first.
These are Dutch books.
This one shows how to make a cannon.
This is a medical book.
I copied this book in Nagasaki.
It shows how to build castles.
Read it sometimes.
It's important to get
used to the language.
Okin!
He's good... very good.
But, a little too hasty.
That's what I like.
He's already started his lesson.
Look.
It's so voluminous.
How long did it take to copy?
I stole the book from
Okudaira to copy it.
It took about three nights.
We still have very few pupils.
I feel bad for you.
Maybe I will find you a bigger school.
No.
I came here because I like you.
I'm a farmer's son.
Education is my only
route to success.
Hello.
I run a small restaurant called
'Chidori' in front of the shrine.
Gensai and the others
are my customers.
I hope you will come, too.
This is new to me.
It's called a parasol.
I bought it in Yokohama.
The new town?
Yes.
It's for foreigners and
full of wonders.
Let me see.
Here.
YOKOHAMA - FOREIGN QUARTERS
What does it say?
I don't know.
I can't read the signs.
They are not Dutch.
Excuse me, what does it say?
What language is that?
What language is that?
They don't seem to
understand our Dutch.
I'm American.
I have spent three years in Holland.
I speak Dutch.
What language are the signs?
Mostly English.
Are there any Dutch shops?
None.
Look at this.
Here is America...
here's France, England...
And here is Holland.
Holland is so small!
I was told that Holland was the best.
No, it's not.
It's a very small country.
It's safe for Japan, that's all.
How about its medical
science or shipbuilding?
Not as good as America
or England, anymore.
America is an industrial nation.
Holland is commercial.
You can't depend on commerce alone.
"I thought my hometown was beautiful.”
Takaishi, translate that.
"I thought my hometown is beautiful.”
Not 'is'.
"I thought my hometown was beautiful.”
It's 'was'.
"I thought it was."
When referring to the
past, use the past tense.
That's the difference
between Dutch and Japanese.
Yukichi, it is lunchtime.
Don't blame yourself.
It solves nothing.
Something I was proud of
turned out to be worthless.
In Nagasaki and Osaka,
I studied Dutch day and night.
It's of no practical use.
America, England, France...
All the world is laughing at my effort!
Then, why not study English?
Without books?
How can I?
A ship is going to America.
A government ship.
My father said so.
An American fleet led by
Perry came and demanded a treaty.
The Shogunate is sending
an envoy for ratification.
Can I go with them?
Not on his ship,
but maybe on another
one, the Kanrin-maru.
I know Lord Kimura who
is going with the envoy.
He might take you.
Please recommend me.
I want to see America
and learn their language.
Help me.
With pleasure.
But the problem is Okudaira.
What will he say?
Forget it.
You can't cross the
Pacific on that small ship.
You will die.
I will stake my life on it.
Please let me go.
No.
You are important to me and the clan.
I can't let you die.
I'm prepared to leave the clan.
We execute deserters.
I have been so chagrined,
I could have died.
You can't die.
Listen, Yukichi...
Holland is inferior to America.
But Dutch is still our
trading language.
You don't have to learn English.
Your Dutch is good enough to live by.
That isn't the problem.
I want to be satisfied with my life.
The world needs English,
but I teach Dutch in a
small school in Japan.
It hurts my ears.
I can be frank with you.
Please let me go!
Your words move me.
You know how.
All right!
I will recommend you.
This is a famous sword.
My farewell gift.
Sir Okudaira...!
February 12th, 1860.
The ocean raged terribly.
The voyage was so risky,
but I wasn't afraid.
I wanted to see America,
the advanced country, so much.
March 18th.
Frank Leslie's Illustrated
News reported
about the Japanese
delegation in detail with etchings.
It introduced Japan widely
from administration
to petty crimes of theft so vividly.
It's quite different from
our simple newspapers.
March 21st.
Walt Whitman wrote about
us in his poem, 'Broadway':
"Superb-faced Manhattan!"
"Comrade, Americans, then to us at last"
the Orient comes.”
It shows their curiosity
and excitement towards Japan.
April 3rd.
We visited a sugar mill.
They explained how to make it.
Japan has no such installations,
but I already knew about
them through books.
They were surprised.
I was happy.
April 23rd.
I bought a Webster's dictionary,
with John Manjiro, the interpreter.
It won't be easy for us Japanese to use,
but it will greatly help our study.
May 1st.
I took a picture in San Francisco.
She was the photographer's daughter.
I'll be proud to show it to
envious young officers.
May 8th.
Unlike in Japan where
good lineage is everything,
America is a free country.
Effort is valued here.
Here, I realize Japan's
lineage system spoils everything.
MURDER OF GREAT
ELDER II NAOSUKE, 1860
In March, 1860,
Great Elder II Naosuke was killed by
loyalists who wanted to expel foreigners.
FUKUZAWA SCHOOL
This sign makes it look like a school.
A result of your trip abroad.
We will see the real result later.
Everyone, good morning.
Good morning, sir.
It's exciting to give you
a lesson again.
As Okamoto told you when you entered,
essentially we teach Dutch
here, but I will teach English.
It's not easy, but America and England
are the most powerful nations.
English is widely spoken.
We must learn it and look at the world.
This is an English-Dutch dictionary.
'Liberty' for example...
Does anyone know what 'liberty' means?
The dictionary says it is 'vrijheid'.
Amano.
'Vrijheid' means freedom.
That's right.
So, 'liberty' means freedom.
If you know Dutch, you can use it.
I bought this Webster's
dictionary in America.
If you don't know English,
you can't use it.
An English-Japanese dictionary
would be most convenient,
but there are none yet
that would be useful.
We will translate it little by little.
Listen...
Learning is like a battle.
You must win.
There is no other way.
If you lose, you will end up like me.
So, don't lose!
You have got to win for your parents.
Take it easy.
Drink!
- More saké!
- It's late.
The gate is always open.
Your money has a limit.
Welcome!
You look happy.
The party is nearly over.
My money has a limit.
Then, you can drink on me.
More saké!
Help me.
Good.
He buys our drinks.
What's 'free drinks' in English?
"Present”.
No, 'Gift'.
Too bad.
No one knows?
"On the house".
"On the house".
"On the house".
That's right, very good.
Here's your saké.
Is that right?
"On the house".
Thank you.
More saké!
Shinohara, you win.
Ready?
Let's give him a toast and drink on him!
Cheers!
I'm Kurosawa of the Mito clan.
My son will quit your school.
What's wrong?
The government prohibits
learning English.
This boy is my heir.
You are ruining his future.
English will surely be useful to him.
Please reconsider.
Be quiet!
Takenosuke! Come on!
Come on!
Takenosuke, what do you say?
He has no say.
Come, son!
Teacher, Mr. Okudaira
wants you immediately.
All right.
What have you done?
The Mito clan is blaming me.
Dutch isn't useful to us anymore.
Try to understand...
No excuses!
You betrayed my trust.
I am Chief Retainer.
I backed you because
of our friendship.
But you threw it away.
Am I wrong?
Yukichi...
I understand how the power
of America impressed you.
You fear Japan is helpless
against their invasion.
But you think too much
of material things...
and too little of spirit.
I forbid not the language,
but the way of thinking
behind their language.
Liberalism jeopardizes the
system of government...
and finally topples it.
I don't like it.
Your school is closed, as of today!
Go home!
Mr. Toki is here to see you, sir.
Later.
Not later. It can't wait.
Will you let me handle this matter?
It's none of your business.
You are wrong.
You asked me to take
care of him, didn't you?
I was wrong.
He is lowly, after all.
No better than a gateman.
Lowly?
You shouldn't have said that.
I'm a man of importance, and
Yukichi will be my son-in-law.
Will he marry Okin?
Yes.
So, don't send him away.
I'm old.
I don't want to live far
from my daughter.
Please let him stay, for my sake.
It's your fault, too.
You should have told Okudaira
first about teaching English.
The Mito Clan blamed
him for not restraining you.
I was thoughtless.
I will apologize to him.
Good.
About my daughter, do you agree?
Weren't you acting?
I meant it.
No!
Sir Toki, my family lineage isn't good...
Family lineage!
Okin loves you.
What's wrong?
I have a cramp in my leg.
Do you dislike her?
Hardly!
I love her.
Father!
Please don't say anything.
How was it?
Yukichi wants to talk to you.
What is it?
Nothing.
Nothing? What is it?
Well, it's this...
We can keep our school.
Oh, that.
Let's go home and have a drink.
We can keep studying English?
Father?
Sir Toki!
Sir Toki! Father!
I felt dizzy.
It's nothing. Let's drink.
Sir Toki!
1862, NAMAMUGI INCIDENT
In 1862,
men of the Satsuma clan brutally
attacked four Englishmen in Kanagawa
killing one.
This Japan Herald is
popular in Yokohama.
Every Saturday. It's a weekly.
Can we buy it there?
Translate and sell it to
advanced clans.
It will help us financially.
Anti-foreign clans want to
know foreign countries, too.
Let me help you.
I can learn English and
about world news.
It's a chance to use
practical English.
Then, shall we do it?
Yes!
I will go to Yokohama to buy one.
Thank you.
Hello, student!
Don't you recognize me?
Oh, it's you!
Come over here.
You didn't come to see me?
No. I came to buy this.
The Japan Herald? What for?
We will translate and sell it.
Can you read?
No, I learned English by ear.
Go on.
Well?
How sweet! It's like sugar.
What will you do with English?
Run a school?
No, I will work for our country.
The Shogunate government
will fall soon.
Then, our Satsuma clan
will guide Japan...
in a new age with our lord as leader.
You will be a great man.
Take it.
"English Conversation"?
Can I keep it?
Nobu...
Is that your name?
Yes.
Can I come to see you?
Me?
Can you take a day off?
Sure.
What do you do?
You can guess.
I have finished copying.
Good. Take it to our customer.
Mr. Kunitomo of the
Kumamoto clan in Hamacho.
Don't forget to collect the money.
I will be going.
Are you going to Sendai, Nakajo?
Yes, nearly finished.
What mark is this for?
Dollar, the American currency.
It looks odd among letters.
Can't we use a letter for it?
I have been thinking,
but there is no proper word.
Maybe we'd better spell it out.
No, it would take too much space.
The shorter the better.
It says in the Chinese classics,
"Share not heaven with
thy father's enemy".
Look at this.
It means 'not'.
It looks like the symbol for dollar.
Indeed.
Let's call it 'dollar'.
The readers will get used
to seeing it, too.
They look alike.
How about it?
It's an unfamiliar character.
If we say it is 'dollar', they will think so.
It looks all right.
'Father's enemy'?
All right, call the character, 'dollar'.
I'm going to rent a house.
Then, what?
Live with me.
I'm always thinking of you.
I can't study these days.
We meet here...
make love and part.
That was our promise.
I can't keep it.
Your face always lingers in my mind.
Nobu...
Live with me.
Will you marry me?
If you insist...
Unfair!
You want to live with me,
but not marry me.
It's not that...
Give me some.
Wipe it off.
Wipe it off.
Okin.
I want to talk.
Yes?
I want to quit.
Quit?
I can't keep studying.
English doesn't agree with me.
I respect Mr. Fukuzawa.
I like my friends here.
I'm happy here.
So, I'm at a loss.
My friends can translate and
help the teacher, but I can't.
Okin...
I eat a lot, but I'm useless to him.
I don't like it.
What are you saying?
You are useful.
They rely on you as
if you were their brother.
So do I.
Aren't you eating?
I'm not hungry.
This is an interesting story.
Abraham Lincoln looked
fierce when running for president.
A girl who was his fan wrote...
"I think a beard would
help you look softer."
Charmed wives will ask
their husbands to vote for you.”
Lincoln wrote in reply...
"I will start growing a beard today.”
Democracy.
If you sent such a letter
to the Shogun,
you would be executed.
I'm back.
How was it, Nakajo?
I'm going to study in America.
They gave me official permission.
Good!
What will you study?
Why do human beings exist?
I'd like to find out what we can't see.
I see... philosophy.
Nakajo...
You are my first pupil to
study abroad.
You look fine as usual.
If not, you would be in big trouble.
I received a request.
Sit down.
When I was in Nagasaki,
there was a naval cadet
named Furukawa.
He is an officer now,
teaching navigation in the navy.
He is sick.
He wants to adopt someone as his heir.
His family lineage is fine.
He wants a man who
speaks a foreign language.
I want to give him a favorable answer.
Why don't you become his heir?
Me?
It's time to work for your
country, not just your clan.
Takasugi Shinsaku of Choshu.
Saigo Kichinosuke of Satsuma.
(aka Saigo Takamori)
Sakamoto Ryoma of Tosa.
They are trying to reform the
country, not a single clan.
So will we, Okudaira and Fukuzawa.
You will succeed
Furukawa and lead the navy.
I will unite the powers in western Japan.
Let's reform this country
the way we like.
Well?
Did you accept?
I'm not the type.
I have a school to take care of.
But he is our financier.
I can't turn him down.
Maybe one of my pupils
would like his proposal...
but like human traffic...
Aren't I good enough for the proposal?
You?
My parents stopped sending money.
They want me back.
I didn't study English to till the soil.
I thought you liked studying here.
I can study anywhere.
For a farmer to become a
samurai is a great success.
- Here you go.
- Thank you.
Three orders of soba noodles!
You aren't drinking.
What's wrong?
A samurai wants to
adopt one of us as his heir.
Okamoto liked the idea.
Okamoto?
That's fine.
Fine?
A farmer becoming a samurai!
It's a great success.
What's wrong?
He prefers success to studying.
That's wrong.
It's the wrong choice.
I don't think so.
Anyone would encourage it.
He worked hard for us.
I hope you will help him.
So, it's a boy.
Congratulations!
Your family won't have to worry.
Okin...
Thank you for everything.
Okamoto...
Congratulations!
I owe it to Mr. Fukuzawa.
He's hasty and worries too much,
but you have helped him in many ways.
I have always been grateful to you.
Okamoto...
Thank you very much.
Okin...
It's time.
- Teacher.
- Goodbye.
Keep well.
Don't look sad, friends.
I'm on my way to success.
1864 - 1ST CHOSHU BATTLE
1866 - 2ND CHOSHU BATTLE
In 1864 and 1866,
the Choshu clan rebelled
against the Shogunate.
They sent an army.
The government ordered us
to send soldiers to Choshu.
As Lord of Nakatsu retainers,
it's time to work for him.
Quit your study and report
to your master in his fief.
Follow him to battle,
and do your best.
Prepare for the trip and leave today.
I will give you a drink
and money for the trip.
Obata, the leader.
Obata, take it.
Wait!
Wait, Fukuzawa!
What's the matter?
Yukichi, you are not invited.
Get out!
Sir, you asked me to
educate these students.
I'm responsible for their education.
Don't send them away on your own.
Fukuzawa, watch your tongue!
He always tries to argue.
Fukuzawa...
This is an order of the Lord.
No room for arguments.
We should work for him.
That's why.
What can these students do with guns?
They can work only with
their intelligence and education.
They are promising young men.
They mustn't die or get hurt
in a battle that in no way
helps their clan or families.
I can see that, but this
is an order of the clan!
It's your job to refuse
such an unreasonable order.
Dare you criticize me?
I won't forgive you!
All right.
I will go to Nakatsu for
my students and go to war.
I know the world.
I'm useful even in the battlefield.
Better than these five.
Please make the arrangements.
Gentlemen, if you want to
follow this order, stay here.
If you want to study, return to school.
Come back!
Traitor!
Sit down!
Stop!
You will be notified later.
Can you just let them go?
What will you say to the Lord?
Back home, some people
say your domination is unfair.
If they hear this...
Tell them the five men are sick.
Understand?
Is Mr. Shinohara in?
Yes, I will get him.
No.
Give him this.
All right.
Want a bite?
Thanks.
Shinohara has been acting strange.
He sighs all day.
Will this cheer him up?
No.
Bad news?
Too bad.
Not so bad.
It says I won't see him again.
I will be gone.
Gone, with just a note?
He will be desperate.
Give it back.
I will wait at the bridge at noon.
Tell him so.
Good. Will you see him?
Thanks.
Nobu!
What's wrong?
I went to Yokohama many times in vain.
Let's call it quits.
Stop seeing me.
What happened, Nobu?
He said you sighed all day.
The teacher?
I missed you.
You can't work for the country that way.
I don't have to...
I don't want to.
I want to live with you.
If you lose your spirit,
you will just keep falling...
Like me.
You are my hope.
No...
I can't be.
Let's go. Follow me.
It's me.
Open up.
Nobu...
Where's Father?
He's here.
Get him.
Hurry!
Sis!
Sabu!
Don't steal money from the shrine.
I don't.
Ochiyo and Omitsu,
are you helping your mother?
Good.
Here's something for you.
Get inside.
What do you want?
So, you are drunk again!
I told you!
You would sell your
daughter for a drink.
Are you happy like that?!
Nobu, he doesn't enjoy drinking.
I don't enjoy selling my body!
Listen...
This is the last you will get from me!
My American patron went back home.
No more money from him.
You won't get another drop from me.
Understand?!
Quit drinking and buy
the kids some clothes.
Now you see.
This is me.
Let's part.
Nobu...
If we work together...
Don't be ridiculous!
What can a man do?
A girl's body earns a lot.
But...
Thanks.
It was short, but it was a nice dream.
Go!
Go away!
Go away, you fool!
Sis...
Sis...
Sis!
Sometimes...
I'm so sad...
I want to cry.
Sis!
THE OCCIDENTAL, SAN FRANCISCO
1866 - 'THINGS WESTERN' PUBLISHED
A new book, 'Things Western'
was published in 1866.
Yukichi went to America as an interpreter
with the Government's
envoy to America in 1867.
1867 - THE RESTORATION
That same year,
Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu
surrendered his rule.
Yukichi!
I read your book.
Some say the Shogun
resigned because he read it.
It's selling well.
People are interested in
foreign countries.
You sent for me.
The house you are using as a school...
The government wants
it for a foreign quarter.
Is that true?
You must leave it.
But where can we go?
Will you help us somehow?
I have an idea.
There will be a war against
the united army of loyalists.
Many lords sent their families home.
So, their houses are deserted.
You can rent one.
That's fine. Please help us.
But once the war breaks out,
the city will be burned.
It's no time for school.
Why don't you come back and help me?
I need an advisor.
Advisor?
Who we will side with, the
Tokugawa Shogun or the Emperor?
It will determine the
future of our clan.
My antagonists are
secretly relishing their chance.
I can't tell which is which.
I can only trust you.
Help me.
If you want a position,
you will have it.
I'm sorry.
I don't like politics.
I want to educate people
and rebuild this country.
Rebuild this country?
Don't belittle politics.
How can education change it?
Politics is taking your schoolhouse.
Suit yourself.
SHINZENIZA, SHIBA
Lord Arima's second house.
Take a look.
How big?
About 1,400 square meters.
How many pupils?
One hundred and twenty.
It's big enough.
An auditorium...
School ground...
Cafeteria, clinic...
An ideal school.
But we will need a lot of money.
We can use material from
our present schoolhouse.
What's the price of this place?
They say 355 ryo.
355 ryo.
We are right on schedule.
They are glad to work.
No one else builds a house now.
That's true.
Nakajo!
You are back!
Nakajo, welcome home.
How was America?
Is your study over?
Nakajo...?
"The spirit of justice
rests on this holy land."
"It soars solemnly to the sky..."
"Taking the form of Mount Fuji."
"It pours as water into the ocean..."
"And circles around the islands...”
1868 - CIVIL WAR BREAKS OUT
Japan was bisected by the two forces.
THE SHOGUNATE ARMY VERSUS...
THE UNION OF LOYALISTS
Tashiro!
It's you, Shinohara!
It's been a long time.
How have you been?
Itami, Kawakami...
Murata and Matsushita
were with us, but they died.
They died?
It's war...
Nobody knows when we will die.
Try to stay alive.
Good luck.
Keio Gijuku School
was opened during the war.
'Keio Gijuku' sounds great.
What does 'Gijuku' mean?
A public school.
Not a private one like before.
Public?
That's right. 'Public'.
It's open to samurai, farmers,
anybody who wants to study.
It's a big school in
comparison to the old one.
I'd like to study here
with young people.
Those samurai are fighting crazily.
But here is The Occident, which
cherishes liberty and education.
This is Japan.
Look at that.
Young men go to war.
They think fighting is more
important than reading books.
The athletics field.
Athletics are part of our curricula.
I want my pupils to train
without swords or guns.
A horizontal bar.
"Bless this divine nation..."
Nakajo?
"The power of life shines..."
"ruling over the entire land..."
"keep watching and stay calm..."
"the fighting power will come.”
It's a poem by Fujita Toko.
He is a nationalist.
Nakajo used to love
Occidental culture.
Japan has been closed for a long time.
Somehow, he mistook it
as his own fault.
He tried to absorb culture too fast.
He was a sincere type.
Poor boy!
He's afraid we are going to poison him.
He's taken nothing but water.
Teacher...
I hope you will use this
money for your school.
What is it?
Part of the war funds given to me.
War funds?
KANEI TEMPLE, UENO
Shogi troops at Ueno were
eager to fight for the Shogun.
ZOJO TEMPLE, SHIBA
Meanwhile,
Satsuma clan loyalists
prepared to fight at Shiba.
Tashiro!
What's the matter?
They say you will attack Ueno.
Is it true?
I don't know.
Tell me. When?
Where, precisely?
Why?
You are a student.
Don't be nosy.
Tashiro, please tell me.
I want to know.
I need to.
Sir Okudaira.
Oh, Yukichi!
Push me.
This is interesting.
You are drunk.
Be careful.
Don't stop me.
Push me higher.
I feel dizzy.
It's a nice feeling.
Sir Okudaira.
Don't call me 'Sir'.
They discharged me
from the Nakatsu clan.
I'm free. I'm masterless.
Is that true?
I'm turning, turning, turning...
I can't see what's going on...
I can't see anything.
Yukichi.
Of all people, you aren't
feeling dizzy, are you?
What do you see?
What do you see
beyond this whirling world?
I can't see the future, either.
Yes, you can.
So, you succeeded.
Anyway, get inside.
Yukichi.
You are laughing at me.
You are clapping your hands
and laughing at me deep inside.
I know.
Ever since...
You stole the sacred
stone from the shrine.
You have been laughing at
me for my fear of punishment.
Damn!
Do you know why I hesitated?
If I'd stolen the stone myself,
I would have become a dangerous
man who loved foreign culture.
I stopped myself!
Right?
I had my family prestige.
I had to be Chief Retainer
after my father!
If only I had been born elsewhere.
I could have gone to study in America!
Interesting, Yukichi.
I was a dummy who had
the big name of Okudaira.
You had no name, no
position, no money...
But you had freedom.
And you rode the tide.
But I'm not beaten.
Hire me in your school.
My Dutch is still the best.
I will teach Dutch better than you.
Of course.
You will be the best
Dutch teacher in Japan.
We welcome you.
Do you really think I can teach Dutch?
I ruined the Nakatsu clan in 35 years.
Sir!
I owe what I am to you.
You made me who I am today.
Fukuzawa Yukichi!
No! I'm Fukuzawa Yukichi
I could have been even greater!
Miss Okin.
I'm sorry.
Don't be.
Don't be discouraged, Sir Okudaira.
I will take him home.
Yukichi, let's go for a walk.
Let's go.
You can't beat me, Yukichi.
I will do something you can't do.
Shinohara!
Amano.
What have you done?
Did you go to war?
I was a gunner.
I'm no good.
The cannon drove me crazy.
I deserted and walked all night.
I want to come back.
Ask Teacher Fukuzawa.
He protected us when they
were sending you to Choshu.
But you betrayed him.
I'm sorry.
I betrayed him and went to war.
But when my friends took arms
to fight the Shogunate force,
I couldn't just watch.
Then, why not fight with them?
Because I was scared.
My feet wouldn't move.
"Scared"? Shame on you!
But that's the battlefield.
He's honest.
Let him come back, in my place.
In your place?
I went to the Satsuma clan
position at Shiba yesterday.
They are going to...
attack the Ueno garrison
tomorrow morning.
They were ordered to
break through the front line.
Many friends of mine are among them.
They will die.
I want to fight with them.
Shinohara, what are you saying?
Shinohara, you'd better not.
It's so scary... Really scary!
Furukawa said...
He would fight for the
Shogun to die with his friends.
His sincerity towards
his friends is justice now.
Maybe I will be scared, too, like Amano.
I will tremble with fear...
And become immobile...
But even trembling, I wish
to be together with my friends.
My friends are going to die!
I know how you feel.
It's touching.
But don't let such emotions misjudge.
That's education.
Education to tear friendship?
It's worthless!
You criticize Teacher Fukuzawa?
It's up to you what you think...
Shinohara.
Sit down.
You think I'm a coward?
I don't side with either the
Emperor or the Shogunate.
I won't fight.
Anything I teach you is
worthless, isn't it?
I don't think so.
I can hardly tell you that
to die in battle is justice!
Should I say...
"Die with your friends
for the Emperor.”
Or...
"Join the Shogun's army
and die with your superiors.”
I can't say that.
I can't find any words to justify
sending my pupils to war.
Shinohara...
The battlefield is no
place to cry for justice.
Words are useless.
It's a bloody place of murder!
After they fight, what will remain?
Bodies, charred ruins...
and hate.
What a waste!
What a tragedy!
It's absurd!
It's stupid!
Teacher!
Teacher...
I'm going back to my hometown.
Thank you for everything.
I have nothing to give
to repay your favor...
except for my sincerity.
You have kept poisoning
us with Occidental vice.
You are ruining our imperial
nation more and more.
Your name will be ruined.
I will save your
reputation with your death!
Stay back!
Don't touch him.
Nakajo!
Nakajo!
He is sick.
Don't be violent.
You said not to touch him.
Did I do the wrong thing?
Thank you.
You saved me.
This is the kind of man I am.
Don't try to stop me.
Shinohara!
Teacher, I will go to war, too!
I will go, too.
I will be going, too.
Me, too.
Teacher, good bye!
Goodbye!
Hello.
I'm Shinohara. Is Nobu in?
She's out.
I don't know if she will be back.
I see.
Give this to her.
Tell her Shinohara went to Ueno.
KANEI TEMPLE, UENO
How many left?
Eighteen if you include Nakajo.
Eighteen?
Keio Gijuku is finished
before it opens.
Shall we open it as scheduled?
Cannons ready, sir.
Alright. Here we go!
Fire!
The battle of Ueno
began early in the morning.
Nakajo.
You must be hungry.
I made these.
They are not poisonous.
Go ahead and eat.
I ate it.
There's no poison.
Don't worry. Eat.
Obata.
Get Wayland's
'Elements of Political Economy'.
Let's study.
Let's have a lesson.
This is the reply of Keio
Gijuku to this stupid war.
Take care of them.
I will escort them safely.
Don't worry.
Be careful.
Let's go.
Goodbye, father.
Take care.
KAGA CLAN RESIDENCE, HONGO
ARMSTRONG GUNS
It's still raining.
Awful sounds, too.
Not a nice day, but...
remember Keio Gijuku's first
lesson began on such a day.
An English politician wrote a drama.
The title was 'Richelieu'.
"The pen is mightier than the sword.”
Someday, they will understand
that swords can't settle problems.
The one who speaks shall win.
The day will come.
We are not cowards.
We are not wretched.
We stay here and study
on a day like this.
It's our struggle against
that stupid sound.
Teacher!
Ueno is on fire.
It won't reach here yet.
No more watching.
Sit down.
Let's begin.
'Elements of Political Economy'
by F. Wayland.
Open your books.
"Political economy is
the science of wealth."
"It is sometimes defined as the
science of national wealth."
Don't worry, we will make it!
"Political economy is
the science of wealth."
"It is sometimes defined as the
science of national wealth."
"There will be but little
difference in meaning."
"A country or an individual,"
"the way to become rich,
is essentially the same.”
Where are the Satsuma clan troops?
Don't go! It's dangerous!
Shinohara!
Run away! Retreat!
Retreat or I will kill you!
Leave!
No! Don't die!
Shinohara!
Shinohara!
Shinohara!
Shinohara!
Who is it?!
Friend or enemy?!
It's me.
It's me, Shinohara!
I'm a student of Keio Gijuku!
My name is Shinohara Kojiro.
Please!
Please, take me back to school!
It's in Shiba.
I beg you, take me back there!
1869 - THE CIVIL WAR ENDED
The Tokugawa remnants
surrendered in Hokkaido.
The war ended after
18 months of bloodshed.
1871 - KEIO GIJUKU MOVED TO MITA
It is said, Heaven creates no
man above or under another.
When men are born from
Heaven, they are all equal.
There is no innate distinction.
They can freely use all
the things on the earth
to satisfy their daily needs
through the labors of
their bodies and minds,
without harming others.
Thus, they can pass their
days happy and content.
Nevertheless, as we widely
survey this human world,
there are the wise and ignorant,
the rich and poor...
Directed by:
SAWAI Shinichiro
THE END