An Actor's Revenge (1963) - full transcript
Yukinojo, a Kabuki actor, seeks revenge by destroying the three men who caused the deaths of his parents. Also involved are the daughter of one of Yukinojo's targets, two master thieves, and a swordsman who himself is out to kill Yukinojo.
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Produced by Masaichi Nagata
The 300th film of the actor
Kazuo Hasegawa
AN ACTOR'S REVENGE
They drove you to your death
Lord Dob?, the retired magistrate
The merchant Kawaguchiya
is beside him
I cannot see Hiromiya
Your enemies, and mother's...
...I have thought of them
for twenty years
Now I see them for the first time
Now I shaII aIways recognize
those faces, even in darkness
No matter how difficuIt it may be...
...I wiII avenge you both
Oh, you are there
See how the girl is Iooking at me?
She is Namiji, Dob?'s daughter
I wiII approach her first
You saw them?
We've got enough - let's go
We'll miss the best part
Never mind the play.
Did you lift enough purses?
We paid to get in; let's have
our money's worth
The play's too slow for me
That Yukinojo is creepy -
he's neither man nor woman
She's wonderful. ls she married?
Her husband would need to be born
under a lucky star
Based on the novel by Otokichi Mikami
Photographed by Setsuo Kobayashi.
Directed by Kon lchikawa
l can't bear the way
our actors are so proud
They always scoff at any
outsiders, however good
But this visiting troupe
were just strolling players...
...until their Osaka success
He's so handsome;
it makes me feel funny
Take any of our actors in Edo...
...they can't match Yukinojo
And they're so high and mighty
l'm supporting this visiting troupe
What are you talking about?
You never go to the theatre
Yes, l do
You're a fine one
You've fallen for this troupe
An Edo man always helps the weak
Let's leave him to his ignorance
-What about me?
-You can go home
l want to see if Yukinojo
is really good
You don't want to be left out
Stop talking and go in
You're a lot of idiots in Edo
l don't know why these people
waste money on plays
They complain enough about
the price of rice
lt's always the same when times
are hard
The theatre was doing badly,
so they invited Yukinojo's troupe
They came to Edo from Osaka
Listen to the expert
Hard times produce good thieves, too
There are many about now,
but you're the best, of course
Then Yamitaro, the Kid, Oryu, Otoki...
...Shime, Hoin, Sumi?,
Chim? and Densuk?
All first-class thieves
There's Hirutaro, too
Never heard of him
Yamitaro's about the only match
for me
Let's see what you've got
ldiot! l told you to dump
the purses at once
Get rid of them. l don't want
people to think l'm a thief
She's not exactly charming
She could be, though
Maybe love would make her
a little more feminine
l thought this might prove
useful to your plan
l'm sorry l cannot help you openly
Master!
All your enemies are together
Your late father must be
helping you here
They are all in Edo
Congratulations. You are a master
You have the finest Kabuki troupe
in Japan
We are happy to be in Edo
Your audience's reception has
moved us close to tears
Kawaguchiya enjoyed the performance
very much
He would like to honour you...
...by introducing you to Lord Dob?,
and his daughter
They are very important guests
l hope you will agree to meet them;
it would be good for our theatre
Unfortunately, l have a bad headache
Please give him my apologies
l'm sure he will be very disappointed
But you must be tired. Please rest
Why should you refuse to drink
with your enemies?
You must grasp every opportunity
Learn all about them
Gain their confidence,
then get your revenge
This time l felt afraid of myself
Something told me to refuse them
l am sure this is the
right thing to do
Now l think they will play
into my hands
This is the way, l am sure of it
We should not have walked
My breath of fresh air has resulted
in us getting lost
Why attack me? l'm only an actor
from the theatre
l know you
Wait a moment
Why, Heima?
You have said that our school of
swordsmanship has no secrets
We must learn for ourselves
Why show him the scroll?
Yukinojo studies here,
but he's an outsider
lt's not fair
l'm young, but l am the
assistant instructor here
l should have this honour
You can see it if you want to
But your impatience tells against you
Your very impatience prohibits
your initiation
The honour goes to Yukinojo
lt was only blank paper
Blank paper?
A warning... against vanity and pride
Once we master an art
and become famous...
...we tend to forget our resolutions
Words cannot explain the mysteries
of an art
l merely wanted you to perceive
my innermost mind
Heima can go
He has lost his teacher
and his friends...
...and he has gained nothing
Yes, we know Heima Kadokura
l left Osaka because of you
l came to live in Edo, and now
l hear your name everywhere here
l won't stand for it
You have caused our teacher
much anguish
You and l studied together
like brothers...
Actor!
Don't call me brother
You won't get away with this
l'm sorry l butted in without
an introduction
Thank you for saving me,
although you are a stranger
For an actor, you're a strong
swordsman
l felt as though l had the theatre
to myself
But you faltered at the most
important moment
l heard the name Heima Kadokura;
do you know him?
No, l was attacked without warning
Strange... he was too skilful
for an ordinary robber
You're probably afraid of me, too
Why not? Decent people don't
hang around the streets at night
l wonder if he was an
ordinary robber?
There are many masterless
samurai about
Better not walk alone at night
dressed up like that
Anyway, here comes a carriage
May l know your name?
Yamitaro!
We've got you trapped
Don't let him get away this time
He must be around here somewhere
Are you an actor? Well, it's
dangerous around here at night
Thank you
Where is he?
Here l am
You're not Yamitaro
l'm Hirutaro
Keep out of it
We're out for bigger game
l am big game. l'm a famous thief
Why is Yamitaro so popular?
A wonderful ruby
lt really is the colour of blood
Who is it?
Kawaguchiya is here
Let him wait
How is Lady Namiji's health?
What is it to you?
At the theatre you noticed how
she fell in love with Yukinojo
Now you want to bring them together
and gain her confidence
You want her to curry favour
for you with the Shogun
Do you think l don't know that?
lt isn't that at all
The doctor says she's depressed
So l asked permission for her
to rest at home for a month
But l think she's lovesick,
and it's all your fault
Not at all
lt's all your fault. Everything
l told you to bring Yukinojo.
Bring him here at once
He's much too common for my daughter
Let her meet him a few times
She'll soon tire of him,
and that will be that
Yukinojo is very rude; he has
refused all our invitations
l'll bring him tomorrow, even if
l have to carry him here
Because of Namiji, the Shogun
does what l say
She's important to me
Stop intriguing, or you will be
the one to get hurt
The Shogun is a cold-hearted man
l may be powerful, but the Shogunate
is inflexible
Even my influence cannot help
merchants like you
Let's forget the past
Greed has its attractions,
and also its limitations
Don't become obsessed with
your selfishness
l hear you're buying rice
Very well, buy it all up;
l'll do what l can for you
l would be most grateful for
any kindnesses
l'm sorry l kept you waiting
Actors are so temperamental
He accepts your invitation
Why have you accepted now?
l have been waiting for this
This is an invitation to visit
Dob?'s house
A special invitation to visit
his ailing daughter, Lady Namiji
To visit...
...Lady Namiji
This is far enough;
l'll work here tonight
l can smell the gold already
lt certainly is a fine mansion
So this is the famous home of
Lord Dob?
His treasure house must be full
of gifts from the Shogun
And full of bribes he took
when he was a magistrate
l'll help the poor again tonight;
a little more than usual
Winter is coming, and many are
poorly clothed
A visitor at this hour?
There is no need to be so formal
The Lady Namiji herself wishes
to thank you for your visit
She is waiting in her room
Oh, no, l am already too overwhelmed
by meeting Lord Dob?
l will take my leave now
You must see her. She is ill;
please do as she wishes
What did he say to you when
l was not present?
Nothing
Not a single word?
lt was rather frightening
He's proud because of the Shogun's
interest in Namiji
Be sympathetic towards her.
lf you capture her heart...
What do you mean?
How can l even aspire to?
Her mind is made up already;
you can win her easily
Her words count most at the Castle,
not Dob?'s
You won't know about business...
...but l'll stake my utmost hopes
on you
ln return, l'll look after you
all your life
You actors live a precarious
existence
lt would be wise to think of
your future
We have met for the first time,
yet he hoIds me in contempt
He thinks an actor is
some sort of prostitute
He thinks he can purchase me
to beguiIe a Iady for him
He is the embodiment of vuIgarlty
Does he intend to use me
to get rld of Dob??
What you say is very true
Your words have made me
extremely happy
l am highly honoured by
your interest in me
l feel as if l were in heaven
l shall do my very best
to please the young lady
As l thought, you understand things
quickly
But this must be a secret between you,
me and Lady Namiji
You mustn't forget that
Poor Iady, she reaIIy has
faIIen in Iove with me
Please be at ease
l apologize for receiving you
in such an untidy room
To be with a lady who has attained
the heights of glory...
...to be able to enjoy her favour,
even for a few moments...
You make it sound as though l am
happy to serve the Shogun
What greater happiness
could there be?
Every woman in Japan must envy you
such eminence...
Are you mocking me?
lf l have unwittingly offended
My Lady...
...it is best that l take my leave
No, l apologize if l have
offended you...
...but l am hurt by your reserve
No one seems to know the nature
of my illness...
...but l think that you understand
You have posed a very delicate
question, My Lady
An excess of love, perhaps
Do you think l like my service
at the Castle?
You do not know what the Shogun
is like
My illness began when first l saw you
Your words sound very sweet to me
l am a simple man and apt to believe
what you say
l beg you not to mock me
l have cast aside modesty,
reputation, pride...
Dreams are superficial
l know now that there is
a daytime love...
...deeper than the love of night
lf you really mean that...
...l will do anything, even forsake
my beloved stage for you
But if it is nothing but infatuation,
you leave me no choice
l must die
You understand my love. l am so happy
How can I bear to teII such Iies?
But I shaII have to teII
many more Iies...
...aIthough this poor girl is
innocent of any crlme
This is Lord Dob?'s house;
even the Shogun is afraid of him
We'll lose our heads if we're caught
Let's go and find somewhere else
to rob
Shut up, Muku!
l'd need a hundred heads to answer
for what l've stolen
lt would be a disgrace if someone
beat us to this
You can go home and get sake ready
Don't you need me?
You'll only get in the way
The best of luck, then
Someone is outside
Better go back to bed if you know
what's good for you
Who is out there?
Just my luck!
lt's only me
Do you live here?
You keep out of this
You're strong... you're a man!
Be quiet, or someone else will come
Who are you, dressed up like that?
You're from the theatre
Never mind that
A burglar. He ran when
l shouted at him
You must be careful; l would be
grieved if you were injured
lt is difficult to leave you,
but l must go now
l have many obligations and duties...
...to the theatre and to my master
That's too bad, but what an actor
He rang down the curtain
in fine style
Why did that crook Ohatsu have to
come breaking in?
lt's funny, but l'm beginning
to like Yukinojo
He seems to be more than
an ordinary actor
But why does he humble himself
to Dob??
And to the Shogun's Namiji?
lt looks as though he has
his reasons for all this
lt still hurts
He's given me a great big bruise
You'd never guess his strength
to look at his face
He grabbed my wrist when l had
a dagger
And yet he let me get away
That face, that strength...
what a strange man
He really has upset me
But who could love such a
half-man, half-woman?
l hate him
See what l'll do to him
l won't rob Dob?, l'll rob Yukinojo -
of his most precious thing
Find out where he lives. Jump to it!
Master, l am back
l want to talk to you
l understand
l know why you have refused
their invitation so many times
You were waiting for the right moment
So l said nothing
But this person you visit every night,
who is she?
She is the Shogun's mistress;
she is said to be the most beautiful
You are infatuated. Will you let
this turn you from your purpose?
Have you forgotten your revenge?
Master, why speak to me like this?
l am in torment when l visit
that house
The wine l drink seems like
molten lead
Understand what l suffer,
what l endure
Master, must l do all this?
Must my revenge be like this?
What are you saying?
Who drove your father to madness?
Who drove your mother to suicide?
l will remind you
lt was Dob?, in company with
Kawaguchiya and Hiromiya
They worked together in Nagasaki,
they ruined your father
They set out to destroy your
respected merchant family
They were merciless
Your father lived in the slums,
a broken man
You were a motherless child of seven
when l first knew you
l was young, too, living in
the same poor slum
One cold and rainy night...
...your father hanged himself
When l returned from the theatre...
...l found you clinging to his legs,
crying
l promised
l swore to help you avenge
your father...
...even though it took my whole life
At last we are in Edo with them
Why hesitate? Why not run them through
at once?
Running them through is not enough
They should be roasted...
...boiled in oil
My parents will not be avenged...
...unless these men are tortured
until they become mad
Terrible words
Yes, terrible
l am the lover of Lord Dob?'s daughter
She is now completely mine
Sooner or later she will
abandon the Shogun for me
Dob? will be shamed. Then he will
fall into a living hell
Master, when l think about
this terrible revenge...
...l feel l want to leave it undone
and run away
l heard someone
Probably the inn cat
l have been away on business;
how unfortunate for me
l would have been delighted
to be your first patron
l know quality when l see it
l'm the sort who respects
the best people...
...be they lords or pickpockets
That's why l invited you to my home
without hesitation
One doesn't entertain the best people
in restaurants
Thank you for calling so soon
lt's said l'm one of Edo's
richest merchants...
...but don't be overawed by that
l'm just a simple man with
a wide circle of friends
l hear that you have other
acquaintances in Edo:
Lord Dob? and Kawaguchiya
How very extraordinary
Unlike myself, they are both very
cautious, reserved men
They are usually very suspicious
of strangers
Why should they make an exception?
What is the reason, l wonder?
No doubt they are laughing at me
behind my back
No, not at all
Dob?, Kawaguchiya and l
have been friends a long time
l have no qualms; we're like
one family, really
But l wonder what they said
Nothing about you. l heard of you
from others
What have you heard?
What an unusual clock
lt came from abroad
Did you obtain it in Nagasaki?
How did you know l lived in Nagasaki?
l hear that Nagasaki is something of
a treasure house
Many rare articles can be found there
Kawaguchiya and l were born
in Nagasaki
So l guessed rightly about the clock
To come back to what we were saying
What was it you heard about me?
Tell me
Just snatches of conversation;
l cannot remember exactly
You must tell me
Will you be offended?
No, of course not
They said you are only interested in
quick returns
They said you lack foresight
Who said that?
Officials at the Castle
l heard it when l was there
the other day
What else did they say?
They said that you plan to
expand your trade
They said that you are beginning
to hoard a lot of rice
They said that, too?
This year's rice harvest is poor
and prices are high
lf you were a loyal merchant, you
would bring your rice to Edo...
...and use it to force prices down
Rich and poor alike would
sing your praises
King of the rice market
A popular figure, an influential man
in Edo
That is what they said
l see what they mean
Shogunate officials are
very far-seeing
Do you think so? Surely you would
lose a lot of money
You wouldn't understand such matters
l'm grateful for this information
l've been away on business -
buying rice, in fact
Have you told anyone else
what they said?
Not all actors are great gossips
l didn't mean that at all
l meant, did you tell Lord Dob?
or Kawaguchiya?
There was no mention of them
at the Castle
So, naturally, l told them nothing
l didn't mean to offend you.
Accept my apologies
He rose to the bait
''We're Iike one famiIy'', he says
But in fact he pIans to deceive them
He knows very weII what
Kawaguchiya is doing...
...hoarding rlce, too
Their onIy bond is greed
Even waIIs have ears
It is wisest never to speak of
secrets, even in prlvate
I have something to teII you
I wiII be waiting for you in
the park at ten o'cIock
A woman you know
lf he ignores me, l'll make him
regret it
l'm most grateful for your letter
l am Yukinojo, an actor in the troupe
from Osaka
Save your breath
We're not strangers. Look at
this bruise you gave me
You nearly twisted my arm off
l'm the thief you caught, and you
won't get rid of me now
l've fallen in love with you
Don't be so surprised. l may be
a thief, but l'm a woman, too
l've never known love before
Pity me and hold me tight, just once
l am very flattered by your words...
Don't try my patience. l never know
when l might be arrested
l haven't got time to waste;
let's go to an inn now
l have no reason to dislike you...
...but l have vowed to touch no woman...
...until l have fulfilled
an obligation
The revenge you've staked
your life on? ls that it?
Why so surprised? You came here
because of my letter
One word from me...
...and your revenge and very life
will be in danger
Let's not be enemies
lf you do as l ask, l'll help you
to get revenge
Those three old men won't have
a chance...
...if we two join forces
lf you know so much...
You're going to kill me?
You want to shut my mouth?
That's a laugh
l can be a saint, or a demon
l love you, so l offered to help you
All right, just see what l'll do
l'll go to Dob? and say that
Yukinojo...
Keep away, or l'll kill you
You won't escape
A ruffian's after me
l must talk to her
Talk? With a dagger?
What a woman!
lt's not a woman
Yuki, we meet again
Heima Kadokura
Edo is not such a big place.
l'll finish you
l must find her. Let me go
lf you don't, l won't hold back
this time
Who is he? An actor?
Whatever it's about,
l'll help Kadokura
What's the matter? Afraid?
What are you waiting for?
You samurai are always boasting
Afraid of an actor?
This is more exciting than
stage swordplay
What a pity. This may be
his very last performance
Oh dear! l seem to have lost her
He won't find me in a hurry
There's a fine moon tonight, Ohatsu
Yamitaro
What a place to meet
l enjoyed watching your love scene
Oh, no! Did you see that?
Me and him... you know, that actor...
...we're strangers, but l admire him
in many ways
That face, that strength...
l understand your feelings
l understand why you, a man-hater,
love him so much
When l heard you talk about
his enemies...
...it made things clear to me
He's fighting powerful enemies, alone
lt makes one want to help him,
if possible
lf l were a man, l might talk
of help...
...sympathy with his cause, and so on
But l'm afraid l happen to be a woman
Well, let me tell you something:
leave him alone
Who do you think you are?
Don't you know that love is the
dearest thing in a woman's life?
Are you going to be stubborn?
l can't give him up
Very well, acrobat Ohatsu.
We will have to be enemies
We're in the middle of a river,
with only the moon as witness
Even an acrobat can't escape
Yes, she can - she knows how to swim
There was famine in the Iand...
...caused by coId, drought,
fire and flood
In 1836, the starving peopIe
rebeIIed
They rose against a weak Shogunate
and corrupt merchants
lt is so painful not to see you...
...l almost wished we had never met
l have missed you just as much
But l dare not come here too often
But l must see you...
...even though it hurts me not to be
able to visit you openly
Then l shall leave this house
l am certain of one thing
Many women must have fallen in love
with you
Yet, from them all you have chosen me
l don't want to make you sad
l don't want anything to hurt you
l would rather die than return
to the Castle
You are so good
My father wants me to return
to the Castle
Because of all these riots...
...he is going to employ more guards
lt may be easier if l escape now
Lady Namiji...
l cannot bear us to act like strangers
any more
l wish to be your wife
l do not deserve so great an honour
Lady Namiji, there can be
no one else for me
You will be the only woman in my life
So many presents from Hiromiya
You have been so generous with
presents for our entire company
Please do not mention it
l thought that you would like the
clock; l saw how you admired it
Do you remember how it chimed
that day you visited me?
lt is a priceless gift, but l have
done nothing to deserve it
lndeed you have
Do you remember the information
you gave me?
About the rice?
l took action. l brought the rice
here and put it on sale
Other merchants followed my example
Because of this, the riots
came to an end
The poor had enough to eat
The Shogun has praised me,
people respect me
l'm a popular man in Edo,
almost as popular as you
You are a courageous businessman
No, l bought the rice cheaply
from the farmers themselves
l couldn't lose on the deal
Hiromiya, l've caught you at last
Kawaguchiya, why all this fuss?
For business, come to my store
You always pretend to be out.
You've deceived me
Deceived you? How is that?
You know very well
You knew l was trying to control
the rice market
Then you sold rice at
give-away prices
l'm ruined
l'm sorry to hear that
Weren't we business associates?
Business is just like war,
Kawaguchiya
Relatives can become enemies
The rice trade is not for you
lt's for big merchants, not
jumped-up clerks like you
Hiromiya, l beg you to help me
Please help
Why not ask Lord Dob??
You know very well he's not the type
to give any help
He might, though. We've been friends
since Nagasaki days
He wouldn't let you down
Let me in. l have an urgent message
from Lord Dob?
Hiromiya, give me some water
lt's been a long time.
Have you forgotten me?
l am Matsuuraya
Your former master,
now wandering in hell
You were an orphan
l raised you, made you my clerk,
but you were ungrateful
You went over to Hiromiya,
my competitor
Together you conspired
to ruin my business
You forced me to leave
my ancestral home
Forgive me!
Hang yourself and die
Hang yourself, as l did
Become mad, as l did
A man like you should never
have been born
You killed Hiromiya's clerk
You burned Hiromiya's store
You cannot escape falling into
the bottomless pit
Kawaguchiya
Spare me, Matsuuraya
Don't stare at me like that
l wasn't the only one
lt was Hiromiya's idea
He bribed Lord Dob? to
rule against you
You burn my house and now
you blurt out everything
You're raving mad
l should have kept you gagged
l've killed him! l've killed a man!
l didn't expect that
An actor's revenge, dramatic
as a play
One's taken care of, but it's
not easy for the actor
He's not happy in the role
See how lonely he looks now
Revenge is difficult, even for him
Poor man
I was Iocked up in the house,
but I managed to escape
I am hiding in the home of
my oId nurse...
...near the Dentsuin TempIe
The messenger is her son;
you can trust him
He wiII show you the way
to the house
I wait for you. Namiji
l do not understand this letter at all
ls the messenger here?
Tell him that
Give him this money for a carriage
and send him home
Although l have retired, l am still
allowed to visit the Castle
The Shogunate officials pay me respect
l owe this to the trust you place
in me, My Lord
l am sure my abilities are
unworthy of such esteem
l am very grateful and
l cherish the honour
l would never lie to you
about Lady Namiji
l do not know who has
started these rumours
lt is true that Lady Namiji is ill
She remains at my house
But now she is feeling much better
She has spoken of returning to
the Castle in a few days...
ln a few days?
Very well
Money from Yamitaro
Two lots today
No, one's from me
Always Yamitaro
He gets all the credit
But wait and see. He can't provide
for everybody
My chance will come soon
You said you were taking me to
Yukinojo
Drawing a dagger?
You'd better put that away
Hide where you like
They'll leave no stone unturned
to find you
You won't escape
l said l'd help you, so why
don't you trust me?
Who do you think l am?
And who do you think you are?
Yesterday you ceased to be
the Shogun's lady
You were foolish enough to love
an actor
So you might spare a gentle word
for me
Or is that too hard for you?
Don't defy me. l've killed one man
already - l fear no one
l killed Kawaguchiya
l was keeping him a prisoner...
...to protect Lord Dob? and myself
Now Dob? says it was merely
a quarrel between commoners...
...and refuses to help me
He made use of me in the past...
...and now he abandons me just as
l've become famous
Very well, if l am going to be
cast down...
...l'm taking his dearest treasure
with me
l found you before Lord Dob?'s
men did. l won't let you go
You again? You're very persevering
Let me go, Heima. l have
no quarrel with you
You won't escape alive this time
Someone's given me orders to kill you
A strange coincidence. lt's my fate
to be your enemy
So now you are a hired killer?
Who hired you for this?
Lord Dob?
Then tell me one thing,
if you know it
For what reason does Lord Dob?
wish me dead?
How should l know?
Does he think that l kidnapped
Lady Namiji?
Lady Namiji? He didn't mention her
Why, then?
He's suspicious of you and
wants you out of the way
Suspicious?
When l told him that we had
studied together in Osaka...
...he said that explained all
Explained?
Suspicious?
What does it all mean?
lf Dob? has found me out,
my plans are ruined
There is no hope; my good luck
has run out
This must mean that the gods
forbid me to take revenge
Father... mother...
...please forgive Yukinojo
He has failed in his duty
l can't kill you
You've won again
l fled Osaka because of you.
Must l flee from Edo, too?
There is no peace for me
while you are alive
The gods have not forsaken me
l left my fate to your sword,
but the gods saved me
Don't be so rough
She's the most beautiful girl
l've seen for a long time
Where did you find her?
The dogs were barking at her
lt's a good thing you brought her
to me
She'll be sold later,
so treat her gently
Shut up, we'll do what we like
with her
Stop making such a row at night
Go outside, l'm trying to get
some sleep
You're a tough priest
What are you doing?
Taking her back wherever
she came from
She's my treasure. You can't have her
What's here is mine
Take her and l'll tell that you're
really Hoin, the escaped convict
l'm sorry, but you'll have to
shut up for a bit
She's really beautiful
She shouldn't walk alone at night
Anyone would be tempted
to kidnap her
lt's hard being a priest
l must control the desires
of the flesh
l'm in bed; come back tomorrow
lt's me: Hoin
You know l won't allow any females
in my house
Not even cats
Now listen, you've got to help
with this girl
l think she has a fever
All she says is something like Yuki
That's all she says
l remember you
There's no time to explain;
you must come to my house at once
l have heard many things about you
You are a generous man
You rob in order to help the poor
You saved my life, l trust you, but...
Namiji may be dying
l think l know all about your revenge
Now just listen to me
l somehow feel as though
you are my brother
You may think it strange,
but it's true
l'm an outlaw, so l can't go
anywhere l like
Otherwise l'd help your vengeance
So l ought not to care about
Lady Namiji...
...it doesn't matter whether
she lives or dies
But l feel sorry for her
No, she's not exactly ill; she says
she killed a man tonight
She said it was Hiromiya
Hiromiya wanted to revenge himself
on Lord Dob?
He got his deserts. Now two of them
are taken care of
But she understands nothing
of all this
She's done something beyond
her comprehension
Her mind has suffered; it is like
a string about to snap
ln her delirium, she keeps calling
for you
Very well, l will come with you
She's dying
Has anyone returned?
Not yet, My Lord
l thought she'd die any minute
Please say something to her
Your words may save her
You kept your promise to me
l am happy
Gone, after all?
Namiji... you were completely innocent
Life was unkind to you
You were born to be betrayed
A victim of your father's greed
A victim of my own revenge
You have died without having known
true love
Not truly loved by anyone
lf there is a next world...
...l will try to make good
my false promises
My vow may yet become true
and l will marry you
l will never leave you
l will always serve you
We will be together
Lady Namiji, please do not hate me
Please go in peace
Yukinojo wishes to see you
What is it?
l came to thank you for last night
The assassin
Who are you?
Why do you hold me your enemy?
You are mistaken
Do you think l am blind?
Do you remember your first visit here?
Afterwards, l sent a man to Osaka
You studied under Koken;
your sword-master was lsshosai
Your stage debut was at the age
of twelve
That much l discovered, but no more
Lord Dob?, former magistrate
of Nagasaki...
...do you recall another face
which resembled mine?
What? Nagasaki?
You know Nagasaki?
The Lady Namiji
She is outside
A priest brought her here,
but said nothing
Drink
lt is a Dutch poison
One tablet brings unconsciousness.
Two, death
Namiji has returned... dead
You as good as killed her
lt means that you have killed me, too
l don't care who you really are
You have made me lose my power
You must not live
Matsuura's wife... of Nagasaki
You know me now?
Do l not resemble my mother?
l am her only son
She named me Yukitaro
You forced my mother
to succumb to you
You promised her that you would
save our family
You made her suffer
She cut her throat
Thus my mother died
Forgive me
Now l understand
There were three of us
in the Nagasaki group
ln one month we have been ruined
Was it your revenge, Yukinojo?
You must be happier now
Today's performance was magnificent
You may go now
Only two days more in the theatre
We may never act together again
l cannot imagine the future
Do not speak of it
lt was to avenge your parents...
...you caused these deaths and
that of innocent Lady Namiji
l understand now why you wish
to retire...
...to hide from others
But you were my hope,
l depended on you
l know, and l would like to stay
with you
Was l at fault?
lt was my vow
lf l had not sworn to avenge
your father...
...nothing would have happened
You were not wrong; you could
never be at fault
l made you do it
No, l must leave without
repaying my debt to you
Forgive me
l believe it must be my fate
to be alone
l was born under a lonely moon
Somesake?
Well, if you insist
Still, l must admit that
Yuki is a fine man
His eyes send shivers through me
When did he look at you?
Quiet, oaf!
Oaf again?
But you astonished me that time
You stood there aiming that pistol.
l thought you'd kill him
You made me angry that night
when l jumped into the river
And l caught a dreadful cold
l may have been a swimmer once,
but l'm not so young now
lt was a shock. So l've thought things
over; l'm going to settle down
She's become very ladylike lately
That's fine
l've just noticed something
ln profile, your face is
rather like Yukinojo's
You can't see the wood for the trees;
l should have settled for you
No women for me!
l want to be your wife
You'll never reform and be
a decent, ordinary woman
Are you going straight?
l'm tired of this life
Maybe l'll go to Osaka
with Yukinojo's theatre
l'll come along, too
What about me?
Splendid! lf they both leave Edo,
l'll have the place to myself
After their great success in Edo...
...Kukinojo's troupe returned
to Osaka
But Yukinojo was not with them
Many peopIe sought him...
...the greatest of femaIe
impersonators
Yamitaro searched for him...
Ohatsu searched for him...
But no one ever saw Yukinojo again
One rumour said he became a prlest
Another that he had joined
a tourlng theatrlcaI company
In time, rumours ceased and
peopIe forgot about Yukinojo
Had he reaIIy disappeared
beyond the windswept pIain?
Who was it who remembered
the story of Yukinojo?
Was it Yamitaro? Or Kukinojo?
Or was it Ohatsu?
---
Produced by Masaichi Nagata
The 300th film of the actor
Kazuo Hasegawa
AN ACTOR'S REVENGE
They drove you to your death
Lord Dob?, the retired magistrate
The merchant Kawaguchiya
is beside him
I cannot see Hiromiya
Your enemies, and mother's...
...I have thought of them
for twenty years
Now I see them for the first time
Now I shaII aIways recognize
those faces, even in darkness
No matter how difficuIt it may be...
...I wiII avenge you both
Oh, you are there
See how the girl is Iooking at me?
She is Namiji, Dob?'s daughter
I wiII approach her first
You saw them?
We've got enough - let's go
We'll miss the best part
Never mind the play.
Did you lift enough purses?
We paid to get in; let's have
our money's worth
The play's too slow for me
That Yukinojo is creepy -
he's neither man nor woman
She's wonderful. ls she married?
Her husband would need to be born
under a lucky star
Based on the novel by Otokichi Mikami
Photographed by Setsuo Kobayashi.
Directed by Kon lchikawa
l can't bear the way
our actors are so proud
They always scoff at any
outsiders, however good
But this visiting troupe
were just strolling players...
...until their Osaka success
He's so handsome;
it makes me feel funny
Take any of our actors in Edo...
...they can't match Yukinojo
And they're so high and mighty
l'm supporting this visiting troupe
What are you talking about?
You never go to the theatre
Yes, l do
You're a fine one
You've fallen for this troupe
An Edo man always helps the weak
Let's leave him to his ignorance
-What about me?
-You can go home
l want to see if Yukinojo
is really good
You don't want to be left out
Stop talking and go in
You're a lot of idiots in Edo
l don't know why these people
waste money on plays
They complain enough about
the price of rice
lt's always the same when times
are hard
The theatre was doing badly,
so they invited Yukinojo's troupe
They came to Edo from Osaka
Listen to the expert
Hard times produce good thieves, too
There are many about now,
but you're the best, of course
Then Yamitaro, the Kid, Oryu, Otoki...
...Shime, Hoin, Sumi?,
Chim? and Densuk?
All first-class thieves
There's Hirutaro, too
Never heard of him
Yamitaro's about the only match
for me
Let's see what you've got
ldiot! l told you to dump
the purses at once
Get rid of them. l don't want
people to think l'm a thief
She's not exactly charming
She could be, though
Maybe love would make her
a little more feminine
l thought this might prove
useful to your plan
l'm sorry l cannot help you openly
Master!
All your enemies are together
Your late father must be
helping you here
They are all in Edo
Congratulations. You are a master
You have the finest Kabuki troupe
in Japan
We are happy to be in Edo
Your audience's reception has
moved us close to tears
Kawaguchiya enjoyed the performance
very much
He would like to honour you...
...by introducing you to Lord Dob?,
and his daughter
They are very important guests
l hope you will agree to meet them;
it would be good for our theatre
Unfortunately, l have a bad headache
Please give him my apologies
l'm sure he will be very disappointed
But you must be tired. Please rest
Why should you refuse to drink
with your enemies?
You must grasp every opportunity
Learn all about them
Gain their confidence,
then get your revenge
This time l felt afraid of myself
Something told me to refuse them
l am sure this is the
right thing to do
Now l think they will play
into my hands
This is the way, l am sure of it
We should not have walked
My breath of fresh air has resulted
in us getting lost
Why attack me? l'm only an actor
from the theatre
l know you
Wait a moment
Why, Heima?
You have said that our school of
swordsmanship has no secrets
We must learn for ourselves
Why show him the scroll?
Yukinojo studies here,
but he's an outsider
lt's not fair
l'm young, but l am the
assistant instructor here
l should have this honour
You can see it if you want to
But your impatience tells against you
Your very impatience prohibits
your initiation
The honour goes to Yukinojo
lt was only blank paper
Blank paper?
A warning... against vanity and pride
Once we master an art
and become famous...
...we tend to forget our resolutions
Words cannot explain the mysteries
of an art
l merely wanted you to perceive
my innermost mind
Heima can go
He has lost his teacher
and his friends...
...and he has gained nothing
Yes, we know Heima Kadokura
l left Osaka because of you
l came to live in Edo, and now
l hear your name everywhere here
l won't stand for it
You have caused our teacher
much anguish
You and l studied together
like brothers...
Actor!
Don't call me brother
You won't get away with this
l'm sorry l butted in without
an introduction
Thank you for saving me,
although you are a stranger
For an actor, you're a strong
swordsman
l felt as though l had the theatre
to myself
But you faltered at the most
important moment
l heard the name Heima Kadokura;
do you know him?
No, l was attacked without warning
Strange... he was too skilful
for an ordinary robber
You're probably afraid of me, too
Why not? Decent people don't
hang around the streets at night
l wonder if he was an
ordinary robber?
There are many masterless
samurai about
Better not walk alone at night
dressed up like that
Anyway, here comes a carriage
May l know your name?
Yamitaro!
We've got you trapped
Don't let him get away this time
He must be around here somewhere
Are you an actor? Well, it's
dangerous around here at night
Thank you
Where is he?
Here l am
You're not Yamitaro
l'm Hirutaro
Keep out of it
We're out for bigger game
l am big game. l'm a famous thief
Why is Yamitaro so popular?
A wonderful ruby
lt really is the colour of blood
Who is it?
Kawaguchiya is here
Let him wait
How is Lady Namiji's health?
What is it to you?
At the theatre you noticed how
she fell in love with Yukinojo
Now you want to bring them together
and gain her confidence
You want her to curry favour
for you with the Shogun
Do you think l don't know that?
lt isn't that at all
The doctor says she's depressed
So l asked permission for her
to rest at home for a month
But l think she's lovesick,
and it's all your fault
Not at all
lt's all your fault. Everything
l told you to bring Yukinojo.
Bring him here at once
He's much too common for my daughter
Let her meet him a few times
She'll soon tire of him,
and that will be that
Yukinojo is very rude; he has
refused all our invitations
l'll bring him tomorrow, even if
l have to carry him here
Because of Namiji, the Shogun
does what l say
She's important to me
Stop intriguing, or you will be
the one to get hurt
The Shogun is a cold-hearted man
l may be powerful, but the Shogunate
is inflexible
Even my influence cannot help
merchants like you
Let's forget the past
Greed has its attractions,
and also its limitations
Don't become obsessed with
your selfishness
l hear you're buying rice
Very well, buy it all up;
l'll do what l can for you
l would be most grateful for
any kindnesses
l'm sorry l kept you waiting
Actors are so temperamental
He accepts your invitation
Why have you accepted now?
l have been waiting for this
This is an invitation to visit
Dob?'s house
A special invitation to visit
his ailing daughter, Lady Namiji
To visit...
...Lady Namiji
This is far enough;
l'll work here tonight
l can smell the gold already
lt certainly is a fine mansion
So this is the famous home of
Lord Dob?
His treasure house must be full
of gifts from the Shogun
And full of bribes he took
when he was a magistrate
l'll help the poor again tonight;
a little more than usual
Winter is coming, and many are
poorly clothed
A visitor at this hour?
There is no need to be so formal
The Lady Namiji herself wishes
to thank you for your visit
She is waiting in her room
Oh, no, l am already too overwhelmed
by meeting Lord Dob?
l will take my leave now
You must see her. She is ill;
please do as she wishes
What did he say to you when
l was not present?
Nothing
Not a single word?
lt was rather frightening
He's proud because of the Shogun's
interest in Namiji
Be sympathetic towards her.
lf you capture her heart...
What do you mean?
How can l even aspire to?
Her mind is made up already;
you can win her easily
Her words count most at the Castle,
not Dob?'s
You won't know about business...
...but l'll stake my utmost hopes
on you
ln return, l'll look after you
all your life
You actors live a precarious
existence
lt would be wise to think of
your future
We have met for the first time,
yet he hoIds me in contempt
He thinks an actor is
some sort of prostitute
He thinks he can purchase me
to beguiIe a Iady for him
He is the embodiment of vuIgarlty
Does he intend to use me
to get rld of Dob??
What you say is very true
Your words have made me
extremely happy
l am highly honoured by
your interest in me
l feel as if l were in heaven
l shall do my very best
to please the young lady
As l thought, you understand things
quickly
But this must be a secret between you,
me and Lady Namiji
You mustn't forget that
Poor Iady, she reaIIy has
faIIen in Iove with me
Please be at ease
l apologize for receiving you
in such an untidy room
To be with a lady who has attained
the heights of glory...
...to be able to enjoy her favour,
even for a few moments...
You make it sound as though l am
happy to serve the Shogun
What greater happiness
could there be?
Every woman in Japan must envy you
such eminence...
Are you mocking me?
lf l have unwittingly offended
My Lady...
...it is best that l take my leave
No, l apologize if l have
offended you...
...but l am hurt by your reserve
No one seems to know the nature
of my illness...
...but l think that you understand
You have posed a very delicate
question, My Lady
An excess of love, perhaps
Do you think l like my service
at the Castle?
You do not know what the Shogun
is like
My illness began when first l saw you
Your words sound very sweet to me
l am a simple man and apt to believe
what you say
l beg you not to mock me
l have cast aside modesty,
reputation, pride...
Dreams are superficial
l know now that there is
a daytime love...
...deeper than the love of night
lf you really mean that...
...l will do anything, even forsake
my beloved stage for you
But if it is nothing but infatuation,
you leave me no choice
l must die
You understand my love. l am so happy
How can I bear to teII such Iies?
But I shaII have to teII
many more Iies...
...aIthough this poor girl is
innocent of any crlme
This is Lord Dob?'s house;
even the Shogun is afraid of him
We'll lose our heads if we're caught
Let's go and find somewhere else
to rob
Shut up, Muku!
l'd need a hundred heads to answer
for what l've stolen
lt would be a disgrace if someone
beat us to this
You can go home and get sake ready
Don't you need me?
You'll only get in the way
The best of luck, then
Someone is outside
Better go back to bed if you know
what's good for you
Who is out there?
Just my luck!
lt's only me
Do you live here?
You keep out of this
You're strong... you're a man!
Be quiet, or someone else will come
Who are you, dressed up like that?
You're from the theatre
Never mind that
A burglar. He ran when
l shouted at him
You must be careful; l would be
grieved if you were injured
lt is difficult to leave you,
but l must go now
l have many obligations and duties...
...to the theatre and to my master
That's too bad, but what an actor
He rang down the curtain
in fine style
Why did that crook Ohatsu have to
come breaking in?
lt's funny, but l'm beginning
to like Yukinojo
He seems to be more than
an ordinary actor
But why does he humble himself
to Dob??
And to the Shogun's Namiji?
lt looks as though he has
his reasons for all this
lt still hurts
He's given me a great big bruise
You'd never guess his strength
to look at his face
He grabbed my wrist when l had
a dagger
And yet he let me get away
That face, that strength...
what a strange man
He really has upset me
But who could love such a
half-man, half-woman?
l hate him
See what l'll do to him
l won't rob Dob?, l'll rob Yukinojo -
of his most precious thing
Find out where he lives. Jump to it!
Master, l am back
l want to talk to you
l understand
l know why you have refused
their invitation so many times
You were waiting for the right moment
So l said nothing
But this person you visit every night,
who is she?
She is the Shogun's mistress;
she is said to be the most beautiful
You are infatuated. Will you let
this turn you from your purpose?
Have you forgotten your revenge?
Master, why speak to me like this?
l am in torment when l visit
that house
The wine l drink seems like
molten lead
Understand what l suffer,
what l endure
Master, must l do all this?
Must my revenge be like this?
What are you saying?
Who drove your father to madness?
Who drove your mother to suicide?
l will remind you
lt was Dob?, in company with
Kawaguchiya and Hiromiya
They worked together in Nagasaki,
they ruined your father
They set out to destroy your
respected merchant family
They were merciless
Your father lived in the slums,
a broken man
You were a motherless child of seven
when l first knew you
l was young, too, living in
the same poor slum
One cold and rainy night...
...your father hanged himself
When l returned from the theatre...
...l found you clinging to his legs,
crying
l promised
l swore to help you avenge
your father...
...even though it took my whole life
At last we are in Edo with them
Why hesitate? Why not run them through
at once?
Running them through is not enough
They should be roasted...
...boiled in oil
My parents will not be avenged...
...unless these men are tortured
until they become mad
Terrible words
Yes, terrible
l am the lover of Lord Dob?'s daughter
She is now completely mine
Sooner or later she will
abandon the Shogun for me
Dob? will be shamed. Then he will
fall into a living hell
Master, when l think about
this terrible revenge...
...l feel l want to leave it undone
and run away
l heard someone
Probably the inn cat
l have been away on business;
how unfortunate for me
l would have been delighted
to be your first patron
l know quality when l see it
l'm the sort who respects
the best people...
...be they lords or pickpockets
That's why l invited you to my home
without hesitation
One doesn't entertain the best people
in restaurants
Thank you for calling so soon
lt's said l'm one of Edo's
richest merchants...
...but don't be overawed by that
l'm just a simple man with
a wide circle of friends
l hear that you have other
acquaintances in Edo:
Lord Dob? and Kawaguchiya
How very extraordinary
Unlike myself, they are both very
cautious, reserved men
They are usually very suspicious
of strangers
Why should they make an exception?
What is the reason, l wonder?
No doubt they are laughing at me
behind my back
No, not at all
Dob?, Kawaguchiya and l
have been friends a long time
l have no qualms; we're like
one family, really
But l wonder what they said
Nothing about you. l heard of you
from others
What have you heard?
What an unusual clock
lt came from abroad
Did you obtain it in Nagasaki?
How did you know l lived in Nagasaki?
l hear that Nagasaki is something of
a treasure house
Many rare articles can be found there
Kawaguchiya and l were born
in Nagasaki
So l guessed rightly about the clock
To come back to what we were saying
What was it you heard about me?
Tell me
Just snatches of conversation;
l cannot remember exactly
You must tell me
Will you be offended?
No, of course not
They said you are only interested in
quick returns
They said you lack foresight
Who said that?
Officials at the Castle
l heard it when l was there
the other day
What else did they say?
They said that you plan to
expand your trade
They said that you are beginning
to hoard a lot of rice
They said that, too?
This year's rice harvest is poor
and prices are high
lf you were a loyal merchant, you
would bring your rice to Edo...
...and use it to force prices down
Rich and poor alike would
sing your praises
King of the rice market
A popular figure, an influential man
in Edo
That is what they said
l see what they mean
Shogunate officials are
very far-seeing
Do you think so? Surely you would
lose a lot of money
You wouldn't understand such matters
l'm grateful for this information
l've been away on business -
buying rice, in fact
Have you told anyone else
what they said?
Not all actors are great gossips
l didn't mean that at all
l meant, did you tell Lord Dob?
or Kawaguchiya?
There was no mention of them
at the Castle
So, naturally, l told them nothing
l didn't mean to offend you.
Accept my apologies
He rose to the bait
''We're Iike one famiIy'', he says
But in fact he pIans to deceive them
He knows very weII what
Kawaguchiya is doing...
...hoarding rlce, too
Their onIy bond is greed
Even waIIs have ears
It is wisest never to speak of
secrets, even in prlvate
I have something to teII you
I wiII be waiting for you in
the park at ten o'cIock
A woman you know
lf he ignores me, l'll make him
regret it
l'm most grateful for your letter
l am Yukinojo, an actor in the troupe
from Osaka
Save your breath
We're not strangers. Look at
this bruise you gave me
You nearly twisted my arm off
l'm the thief you caught, and you
won't get rid of me now
l've fallen in love with you
Don't be so surprised. l may be
a thief, but l'm a woman, too
l've never known love before
Pity me and hold me tight, just once
l am very flattered by your words...
Don't try my patience. l never know
when l might be arrested
l haven't got time to waste;
let's go to an inn now
l have no reason to dislike you...
...but l have vowed to touch no woman...
...until l have fulfilled
an obligation
The revenge you've staked
your life on? ls that it?
Why so surprised? You came here
because of my letter
One word from me...
...and your revenge and very life
will be in danger
Let's not be enemies
lf you do as l ask, l'll help you
to get revenge
Those three old men won't have
a chance...
...if we two join forces
lf you know so much...
You're going to kill me?
You want to shut my mouth?
That's a laugh
l can be a saint, or a demon
l love you, so l offered to help you
All right, just see what l'll do
l'll go to Dob? and say that
Yukinojo...
Keep away, or l'll kill you
You won't escape
A ruffian's after me
l must talk to her
Talk? With a dagger?
What a woman!
lt's not a woman
Yuki, we meet again
Heima Kadokura
Edo is not such a big place.
l'll finish you
l must find her. Let me go
lf you don't, l won't hold back
this time
Who is he? An actor?
Whatever it's about,
l'll help Kadokura
What's the matter? Afraid?
What are you waiting for?
You samurai are always boasting
Afraid of an actor?
This is more exciting than
stage swordplay
What a pity. This may be
his very last performance
Oh dear! l seem to have lost her
He won't find me in a hurry
There's a fine moon tonight, Ohatsu
Yamitaro
What a place to meet
l enjoyed watching your love scene
Oh, no! Did you see that?
Me and him... you know, that actor...
...we're strangers, but l admire him
in many ways
That face, that strength...
l understand your feelings
l understand why you, a man-hater,
love him so much
When l heard you talk about
his enemies...
...it made things clear to me
He's fighting powerful enemies, alone
lt makes one want to help him,
if possible
lf l were a man, l might talk
of help...
...sympathy with his cause, and so on
But l'm afraid l happen to be a woman
Well, let me tell you something:
leave him alone
Who do you think you are?
Don't you know that love is the
dearest thing in a woman's life?
Are you going to be stubborn?
l can't give him up
Very well, acrobat Ohatsu.
We will have to be enemies
We're in the middle of a river,
with only the moon as witness
Even an acrobat can't escape
Yes, she can - she knows how to swim
There was famine in the Iand...
...caused by coId, drought,
fire and flood
In 1836, the starving peopIe
rebeIIed
They rose against a weak Shogunate
and corrupt merchants
lt is so painful not to see you...
...l almost wished we had never met
l have missed you just as much
But l dare not come here too often
But l must see you...
...even though it hurts me not to be
able to visit you openly
Then l shall leave this house
l am certain of one thing
Many women must have fallen in love
with you
Yet, from them all you have chosen me
l don't want to make you sad
l don't want anything to hurt you
l would rather die than return
to the Castle
You are so good
My father wants me to return
to the Castle
Because of all these riots...
...he is going to employ more guards
lt may be easier if l escape now
Lady Namiji...
l cannot bear us to act like strangers
any more
l wish to be your wife
l do not deserve so great an honour
Lady Namiji, there can be
no one else for me
You will be the only woman in my life
So many presents from Hiromiya
You have been so generous with
presents for our entire company
Please do not mention it
l thought that you would like the
clock; l saw how you admired it
Do you remember how it chimed
that day you visited me?
lt is a priceless gift, but l have
done nothing to deserve it
lndeed you have
Do you remember the information
you gave me?
About the rice?
l took action. l brought the rice
here and put it on sale
Other merchants followed my example
Because of this, the riots
came to an end
The poor had enough to eat
The Shogun has praised me,
people respect me
l'm a popular man in Edo,
almost as popular as you
You are a courageous businessman
No, l bought the rice cheaply
from the farmers themselves
l couldn't lose on the deal
Hiromiya, l've caught you at last
Kawaguchiya, why all this fuss?
For business, come to my store
You always pretend to be out.
You've deceived me
Deceived you? How is that?
You know very well
You knew l was trying to control
the rice market
Then you sold rice at
give-away prices
l'm ruined
l'm sorry to hear that
Weren't we business associates?
Business is just like war,
Kawaguchiya
Relatives can become enemies
The rice trade is not for you
lt's for big merchants, not
jumped-up clerks like you
Hiromiya, l beg you to help me
Please help
Why not ask Lord Dob??
You know very well he's not the type
to give any help
He might, though. We've been friends
since Nagasaki days
He wouldn't let you down
Let me in. l have an urgent message
from Lord Dob?
Hiromiya, give me some water
lt's been a long time.
Have you forgotten me?
l am Matsuuraya
Your former master,
now wandering in hell
You were an orphan
l raised you, made you my clerk,
but you were ungrateful
You went over to Hiromiya,
my competitor
Together you conspired
to ruin my business
You forced me to leave
my ancestral home
Forgive me!
Hang yourself and die
Hang yourself, as l did
Become mad, as l did
A man like you should never
have been born
You killed Hiromiya's clerk
You burned Hiromiya's store
You cannot escape falling into
the bottomless pit
Kawaguchiya
Spare me, Matsuuraya
Don't stare at me like that
l wasn't the only one
lt was Hiromiya's idea
He bribed Lord Dob? to
rule against you
You burn my house and now
you blurt out everything
You're raving mad
l should have kept you gagged
l've killed him! l've killed a man!
l didn't expect that
An actor's revenge, dramatic
as a play
One's taken care of, but it's
not easy for the actor
He's not happy in the role
See how lonely he looks now
Revenge is difficult, even for him
Poor man
I was Iocked up in the house,
but I managed to escape
I am hiding in the home of
my oId nurse...
...near the Dentsuin TempIe
The messenger is her son;
you can trust him
He wiII show you the way
to the house
I wait for you. Namiji
l do not understand this letter at all
ls the messenger here?
Tell him that
Give him this money for a carriage
and send him home
Although l have retired, l am still
allowed to visit the Castle
The Shogunate officials pay me respect
l owe this to the trust you place
in me, My Lord
l am sure my abilities are
unworthy of such esteem
l am very grateful and
l cherish the honour
l would never lie to you
about Lady Namiji
l do not know who has
started these rumours
lt is true that Lady Namiji is ill
She remains at my house
But now she is feeling much better
She has spoken of returning to
the Castle in a few days...
ln a few days?
Very well
Money from Yamitaro
Two lots today
No, one's from me
Always Yamitaro
He gets all the credit
But wait and see. He can't provide
for everybody
My chance will come soon
You said you were taking me to
Yukinojo
Drawing a dagger?
You'd better put that away
Hide where you like
They'll leave no stone unturned
to find you
You won't escape
l said l'd help you, so why
don't you trust me?
Who do you think l am?
And who do you think you are?
Yesterday you ceased to be
the Shogun's lady
You were foolish enough to love
an actor
So you might spare a gentle word
for me
Or is that too hard for you?
Don't defy me. l've killed one man
already - l fear no one
l killed Kawaguchiya
l was keeping him a prisoner...
...to protect Lord Dob? and myself
Now Dob? says it was merely
a quarrel between commoners...
...and refuses to help me
He made use of me in the past...
...and now he abandons me just as
l've become famous
Very well, if l am going to be
cast down...
...l'm taking his dearest treasure
with me
l found you before Lord Dob?'s
men did. l won't let you go
You again? You're very persevering
Let me go, Heima. l have
no quarrel with you
You won't escape alive this time
Someone's given me orders to kill you
A strange coincidence. lt's my fate
to be your enemy
So now you are a hired killer?
Who hired you for this?
Lord Dob?
Then tell me one thing,
if you know it
For what reason does Lord Dob?
wish me dead?
How should l know?
Does he think that l kidnapped
Lady Namiji?
Lady Namiji? He didn't mention her
Why, then?
He's suspicious of you and
wants you out of the way
Suspicious?
When l told him that we had
studied together in Osaka...
...he said that explained all
Explained?
Suspicious?
What does it all mean?
lf Dob? has found me out,
my plans are ruined
There is no hope; my good luck
has run out
This must mean that the gods
forbid me to take revenge
Father... mother...
...please forgive Yukinojo
He has failed in his duty
l can't kill you
You've won again
l fled Osaka because of you.
Must l flee from Edo, too?
There is no peace for me
while you are alive
The gods have not forsaken me
l left my fate to your sword,
but the gods saved me
Don't be so rough
She's the most beautiful girl
l've seen for a long time
Where did you find her?
The dogs were barking at her
lt's a good thing you brought her
to me
She'll be sold later,
so treat her gently
Shut up, we'll do what we like
with her
Stop making such a row at night
Go outside, l'm trying to get
some sleep
You're a tough priest
What are you doing?
Taking her back wherever
she came from
She's my treasure. You can't have her
What's here is mine
Take her and l'll tell that you're
really Hoin, the escaped convict
l'm sorry, but you'll have to
shut up for a bit
She's really beautiful
She shouldn't walk alone at night
Anyone would be tempted
to kidnap her
lt's hard being a priest
l must control the desires
of the flesh
l'm in bed; come back tomorrow
lt's me: Hoin
You know l won't allow any females
in my house
Not even cats
Now listen, you've got to help
with this girl
l think she has a fever
All she says is something like Yuki
That's all she says
l remember you
There's no time to explain;
you must come to my house at once
l have heard many things about you
You are a generous man
You rob in order to help the poor
You saved my life, l trust you, but...
Namiji may be dying
l think l know all about your revenge
Now just listen to me
l somehow feel as though
you are my brother
You may think it strange,
but it's true
l'm an outlaw, so l can't go
anywhere l like
Otherwise l'd help your vengeance
So l ought not to care about
Lady Namiji...
...it doesn't matter whether
she lives or dies
But l feel sorry for her
No, she's not exactly ill; she says
she killed a man tonight
She said it was Hiromiya
Hiromiya wanted to revenge himself
on Lord Dob?
He got his deserts. Now two of them
are taken care of
But she understands nothing
of all this
She's done something beyond
her comprehension
Her mind has suffered; it is like
a string about to snap
ln her delirium, she keeps calling
for you
Very well, l will come with you
She's dying
Has anyone returned?
Not yet, My Lord
l thought she'd die any minute
Please say something to her
Your words may save her
You kept your promise to me
l am happy
Gone, after all?
Namiji... you were completely innocent
Life was unkind to you
You were born to be betrayed
A victim of your father's greed
A victim of my own revenge
You have died without having known
true love
Not truly loved by anyone
lf there is a next world...
...l will try to make good
my false promises
My vow may yet become true
and l will marry you
l will never leave you
l will always serve you
We will be together
Lady Namiji, please do not hate me
Please go in peace
Yukinojo wishes to see you
What is it?
l came to thank you for last night
The assassin
Who are you?
Why do you hold me your enemy?
You are mistaken
Do you think l am blind?
Do you remember your first visit here?
Afterwards, l sent a man to Osaka
You studied under Koken;
your sword-master was lsshosai
Your stage debut was at the age
of twelve
That much l discovered, but no more
Lord Dob?, former magistrate
of Nagasaki...
...do you recall another face
which resembled mine?
What? Nagasaki?
You know Nagasaki?
The Lady Namiji
She is outside
A priest brought her here,
but said nothing
Drink
lt is a Dutch poison
One tablet brings unconsciousness.
Two, death
Namiji has returned... dead
You as good as killed her
lt means that you have killed me, too
l don't care who you really are
You have made me lose my power
You must not live
Matsuura's wife... of Nagasaki
You know me now?
Do l not resemble my mother?
l am her only son
She named me Yukitaro
You forced my mother
to succumb to you
You promised her that you would
save our family
You made her suffer
She cut her throat
Thus my mother died
Forgive me
Now l understand
There were three of us
in the Nagasaki group
ln one month we have been ruined
Was it your revenge, Yukinojo?
You must be happier now
Today's performance was magnificent
You may go now
Only two days more in the theatre
We may never act together again
l cannot imagine the future
Do not speak of it
lt was to avenge your parents...
...you caused these deaths and
that of innocent Lady Namiji
l understand now why you wish
to retire...
...to hide from others
But you were my hope,
l depended on you
l know, and l would like to stay
with you
Was l at fault?
lt was my vow
lf l had not sworn to avenge
your father...
...nothing would have happened
You were not wrong; you could
never be at fault
l made you do it
No, l must leave without
repaying my debt to you
Forgive me
l believe it must be my fate
to be alone
l was born under a lonely moon
Somesake?
Well, if you insist
Still, l must admit that
Yuki is a fine man
His eyes send shivers through me
When did he look at you?
Quiet, oaf!
Oaf again?
But you astonished me that time
You stood there aiming that pistol.
l thought you'd kill him
You made me angry that night
when l jumped into the river
And l caught a dreadful cold
l may have been a swimmer once,
but l'm not so young now
lt was a shock. So l've thought things
over; l'm going to settle down
She's become very ladylike lately
That's fine
l've just noticed something
ln profile, your face is
rather like Yukinojo's
You can't see the wood for the trees;
l should have settled for you
No women for me!
l want to be your wife
You'll never reform and be
a decent, ordinary woman
Are you going straight?
l'm tired of this life
Maybe l'll go to Osaka
with Yukinojo's theatre
l'll come along, too
What about me?
Splendid! lf they both leave Edo,
l'll have the place to myself
After their great success in Edo...
...Kukinojo's troupe returned
to Osaka
But Yukinojo was not with them
Many peopIe sought him...
...the greatest of femaIe
impersonators
Yamitaro searched for him...
Ohatsu searched for him...
But no one ever saw Yukinojo again
One rumour said he became a prlest
Another that he had joined
a tourlng theatrlcaI company
In time, rumours ceased and
peopIe forgot about Yukinojo
Had he reaIIy disappeared
beyond the windswept pIain?
Who was it who remembered
the story of Yukinojo?
Was it Yamitaro? Or Kukinojo?
Or was it Ohatsu?