Bushido (1963) - full transcript

After a salary-man's fiancée attempts suicide, he remembers his gruesome family history, which sees his ancestors sacrificing themselves for the sake of their cruel lords, and realizes that he's about to repeat their mistakes.

TOEI COMPANY, LTD

Hello, this is Iigura.

Oh, Auntie.

What? Kyoko?

It was sleeping pills.

I heard some noise so I went inside.

I found this next to the pillows.

Now that our love is broken,
I have no reason to live.

This is farewell.

Goodbye. Kyoko.

Have I driven her to death?



No, it can't be.

I love her.

But she says our love is broken.

We've gotten disconnected somewhere.

What went wrong?

As I questioned myself...

a forgotten memory
suddenly came back to me.

I was a student when I went home
to Shinshu for my mother's funeral.

Here at Bodai Temple...

I found my ancestors' diaries
among the old family documents...

that mother had entrusted
with the temple.

They were full of such
horrible and cruel stories...

that it was hard to believe it was
the history of my own family.

CRUEL TALES OF BUSHIDO
Bushido Zankoku Monogatari



NAKAMURA Kinnosuke

OKA Satomi KISHIDA Kyoko
WATANABE Misako MITA Yoshiko

EHARA Shinjiro TONO Eijiro
YANAGI Eijiro KIMURA Isao

MORI Masayuki
ARIMA Ineko

Directed by
IMAI Tadashi

The record begins when my ancestor
Iigura Jiroza'emon Hidekiyo...

jobless after the clan he served lost
in the Battle of Sekigahara and fell...

was united with Hori Shikibu-no-shoho,
a small daimyo of Shinshu Yazaki.

"On the 5th of May of the
15th year of Keicho (1610)...

'I, Iigura Jiroza'emon Hidekiyo...

'offer my service to Sir
Hori Shikubu-no-shoho...

'and humbly receive acceptance
in this letter of pledge."

You are now officially a
member of the Yazaki clan.

Never forget the generosity of our
lord who recognized your skills...

and has taken you in.

You and all your future
generations to come...

must give the very best of
yourselves and serve my lord...

with devotion and loyalty,
to perform your duty.

27 years later, in the 14th
year of Kan'ei (1637)...

they join the army in the
uprising in Shimabara.

The following year, on the 21st
of January of the 15th year...

A raid! Shimabara sneak attack!

Alert! Alert!

Don't let them get away!

Damn peasants!

Look, the fire spread to the Kuroda camp!

We must put it out at all cost!

Go!

You had been ordered
to be extremely alert.

As expected, with their
food supplies cut off...

they fought in desperation, just as
a cornered mouse would fight a cat.

What were you listening to?

It is an absolute shame that you let
them burn down your camp so easily.

On top of that, you let the fire
spread to Sir Kuroda's camp as well.

How are you going to take
responsibility for your negligence?

Go back and give it a good thought.

Cold, isn't it.

Those men at the top putting their
heads together and getting nowhere.

The clan is on the verge of being
extinct. It's understandable.

If the clan falls, we're affected too.

In that case, there's only one way out.

We should attack Hara Castle tonight.

How much strength would starving
and exhausted peasants have left?

If we break into the castle,
our mistake would be...

Fine, if we succeed.

But if we fail...

We'd be persecuted for acting out of
order, and only add to our shame.

Then, do you have another idea?

No.

Wake up! Edo daimyo
Sir Asai Kahei is here!

Reporting that Edo daimyo
Sir Asai Kahei is here.

Is the soldier named Iikura
Jiroza'emon with your clan for certain?

What? Yes, he is indeed with my clan.

He had cut open his stomach...

and was found dead outside this
morning, carrying this letter on him.

Read it well.

The case for which my lord
Shikibu-no-shoho was reprimanded...

is entirely and solely my fault.

I regret miscalculating the status
of the battle and caused trouble...

and hereby make an apology with my life.

I earnestly plead that...

you relieve my lord
Shikibu-no-shoho of the accusation.

Shogun's Order!

Your negligence is an unforgivable crime.

However, Lord Matsudaira Izu-no-kami
was deeply moved by this man's spirit...

and ordered us to be lenient with you.

Be grateful.

Yes, sir!

My lord.

Treat his surviving family generously.

Yes, sir.

Evidently, Jiroza'emon gave
up his own life in order...

to help his master out
of a difficult position.

However, was it because he wanted
to repay the kindness of his master...

who had saved him from
a hard life as ronin?

Or did he sacrifice his short life
that remained as an old man...

so that his son Saji'emon

This I cannot tell from his diary.

Three years after the uprising...

Saji'emon was recruited
as a personal attendant...

and writes in his diary how proud
he was to serve his lord so closely.

I saw his sincere devotion
spilling over in his plain writing.

However...

It is ready.

I don't want it.

I'm concerned it could be
detrimental to your health.

Please have just one bite.

I see my lord doesn't want to eat.

It must be because
you aren't feeling well.

No need to worry.

Do you have a fever?

I'll call your doctor right away.

I said not to worry.

You will feel better once
you see your doctor.

I'll get him.

Enough!

Please forgive me!

Saji'emon, take a break and
wait for his temper to calm.

I was being careless. I beg
you to please forgive me!

We will contact you.

Dismissed!

In his diary...

he writes that his lord didn't
like the way he served.

He was grounded...

and the 70 koku increase in
salary due to his father's loyalty...

was taken away.

I lost the salary that your
grandpa had earned for us.

I'm afraid you're going to have
to live with a sense of shame.

Don't resent me for being a bad father.

Yasu?

Yes.

Listen, Kyu'nosuke...

Your father is a very loyal samurai.

Grow up fast and be a
samurai just like your father.

Yasu, don't hold a
grudge against our lord.

I know.

He was ill and irritable.

It's already been a month.

I hope he's feeling better.

Sir, our lord is now in a critical condition.

What?

I, Tagawa Genzaburo, have a request.

You have treated me with special care.

Please allow me to die with you.

Please allow me too.

Everyone, our lord has fallen critically ill.

With Buddha and God protecting him,
we don't have to expect the worst.

But pray for him earnestly.

I suppose, if our lord does go...

many of his followers will
go with him as always.

How come, grandpa?

It's called the samurai's loyalty.

When his predecessor passed...

40 or so of his followers
killed themselves by seppuku.

It was quite honorable.

Don't stop me.

My lord treated me with special care.

I must ask for his permission to
die with him while he's still alive...

or I'll be a laughing stock.

I understand how you feel.

But if you go out while being grounded...

we may be reprimanded
for further misconduct.

Please change your mind.

Sir!

Our lord has passed away.

I'm too late.

September 27th, Secretary Sir Kitazawa
Yaza'emon kills himself to accompany
his lord in Myoho Temple's main hall.

September 29th, Personal Attendant
Sir Tagawa Genzaburo kills himself.

September 30th, Attendant Sir
Yokoi Tada'noshin kills himself.

What, Sir Ichioka died too?

Yes. Also, Horse Attendant Sir
Maebashi at Jigan Temple's graveyard.

Sir Terada Take'noshin just killed
himself in Sogen Temple's main hall.

Sir Terada too?

Thank you.

Sir?

Sir!

Compose yourself, Yasu.

You're the wife of a samurai.
You should understand.

I should have followed him
before my colleagues did.

Tell Gohei I want him to assist me.

Gohei, get ready.

He died a fine death.

For the next 30 some years,
nothing significant happened.

It was now the Genroku era.

From here on, I have to use a little
imagination in order to tell the story.

The reason being, while the
writing remains plain and simple...

the context becomes
weirder and weirder...

and just conveying the facts will
never fill in the space between them.

The diary by Kyutaro Tomoyuki,
the only son of Kyu-nosuke...

begins when he is studying in Edo.

Tanba-no-kami
Munemasa, lord of Tanba...

happened to be in Edo serving
his term at Edo Castle.

Lady Hagi from the Lower
Mansion is here to greet you.

On this happy occasion of
His Highness's birthday...

I offer my best wishes.

I am also glad that my lady is feeling well.

Is she being sarcastic?

I lost my lord's love and
she says I'm feeling well?

She's in the same boat.

My lord hasn't been to her lately.

How lonely she must feel.

Thank you for coming.

Sir Iikura!

Reporting.

Students from the Shoheizaka
School of Academy...

are here to wish you well.

Invite them in.

I permit you to look up.

Tell me, do you enjoy studying?

Yes.

What are you studying now?

We finished the Footnotes to
the Ancient Chinese History...

and just started the
Book of Chinese Verses.

What is your name?

My name is Iikura Kyutaro.

Oh, please be careful, please
hold on to my shoulder.

No, I'm fine, I'm fine.

Well, it's not safe.

Drinking too much
could affect your health.

All that is required of a lord
is to drink and pass the days.

The administration likes that, and
you won't lose your livelihood either.

Which one of you is Iikura Kyutaro?

Yes, I am.

His Highness summons you.

What, His Highness?
- Go at once.

Yes, sir.

Well, here he is.

Now.

Yes.

How insensitive my lord is.

He always tells me to groom
his pretty boys like this one.

Her Highness!

I know I'm whining.

It has been three years since
my lord withdrew his love.

I thought I stopped keeping my hopes up.

Do you mean I'm about to be...?

When ready, you'll enter his bedroom.

His bedroom?

I've brought the one you summoned.

You can go now.

Yes.

Come over here.

Go to his side.

Go on.

Hagi, burn some musk.

Kyutaro, right?

Don't be formal.

Come over here and
massage my shoulders.

What's the matter with you?
I'm telling you to come here.

Yes...

How fair your hand is.

Well, I shall excuse myself.

What are you doing to me?

Please... please let me go.

Please let me go.

You're so cute.

Please don't!

What's wrong?

Are you not glad you have
His Highness's patronage?

You have now become his
personal page, the envy of all.

And that makes you so sad?

Please excuse me.

The entry for that day in the
diary has just one line: loyalty.

Academic studies and serving
me this way are both ways...

to show loyalty to me.

If both acts lead to loyalty,
isn't this way more fun?

May 20th - Service requested.
Night shift. Received a silk jacket.

Listen, Kyutaro, I adore you.
Never have feelings for a woman.

May 24th - Night shift.
Received a kimono top.

Kyutaro, I'll give you new underwear.

May 26th - Night shift.
Received underwear.

You can relax now.

How masterful!

Can you understand my art?

Yes, I think it even beats Ukiyoe artists.

I said you can relax.

Oh, please be careful.

I am fine. I just felt a little dizzy.

You look pale.

You do not have to worry
about me. I'm good.

Now, come let us look at his work.

My, what have you done!

This picture carries too much
of your carnal thoughts.

Please forgive me! Please forgive me!

Such evil thought never crossed my mind!

You cannot lie to me.

The way you looked at her. It
was not at all a normal look.

You may deceive others but not me.

I told you time and time again
not to have feelings for a woman.

It is regrettable. I never did such a thing.

You keep lying to me!

Kyutaro, did it hurt? I'm sorry.

I am humbled.

I won't doubt you any more.

So never do anything to
trample on my heart again.

Promise me never to have
feelings for a woman...

as long as my bite mark remains.

My lord, it is me, Kyutaro.

My lady?

Yes. His Highness told me to come here.

I am here also because he told me to.

Do not stay out there, come inside.

Yes.

What is the matter?

Lady Hagi, Kyutaro, His Highness
has an urgent business...

and is on his way to the Upper Mansion.

He says for you to wait until his return.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

He's always so capricious.

Lady, I will come back later.

Wait, Kyutaro, please stay.

I feel lonely by myself.

You know, Kyutaro, I
grew up in downtown Edo.

I do not know anything
about your land, Shinshu.

I hear you have much snow.

Yes.

What kind of games did you play?

Yes, we couldn't wait for the spring...

so we would shovel the snow
and spin tops on the dirt.

I can almost picture you as a child.

Your family back home must be very
happy that you have been recruited.

What's the matter?

It's nothing.

No need to be formal. You can tell me.

My lady, how could my lord...

not cherish such a beautiful lady as you?

I do not understand.

Do you truly think so?

Kyutaro, I appreciate what you just said.

My lady...

Oh, I should have noticed. I will do it.

What is that mark?

Well, it's nothing.

Kyutaro, look.

A bite mark just like yours.

Right on the breast, a woman's soul.

My lady...

You and I both, how unfortunate we are.

My lady...

I have always adored you.

Kyutaro!

Do you want to kill yourself in apology?

That's fine by me.

I will let you kill me and die with you.

My lady.

You should not die.

That was a rare feast for my eyes.

Kyutaro! You trampled on my heart.

I said not to die.

You can live in hell for
the rest of your life...

to experience the consequences
of breaking a promise.

Expect to hear from me shortly.

Take him to jail.

Kyutaro... Kyutaro?

Let me see your face, just a glance.

Kyutaro!

Iikura Kyutaro, we will
commence the cutting now.

Cutting?

You won't be a man any longer.

Submit to it.

What are you doing?
- Quiet!

Now, do it.

Kyutaro...

I beg for your mercy.
Please do not let me live.

No. I forbid you to kill yourself.

Live on until your time comes.

Hagi, I'll give you to Kyutaro.

I hope you two will live happily ever after.

How grateful I am, how grateful.

I had never dreamed we would have...

Lady Hagi, who was His Highness's
mistress, into the Iikura family.

Kyutaro, you had better cherish
her or heaven will punish you.

Well, let me prepare red rice
for the special occasion tonight.

I have to invite relatives
for celebration tomorrow.

How grateful, how grateful...

What's the matter?

It moved.

It's your baby.

My baby?

I never imagined we would have a baby.

Lady Hagi, when the baby is born...

we will raise it to be a fine person
so that our names will be cleared.

Sir Kyutaro...

Kyutaro died at the young age of 25.

Their child Masa-no-shin
took over the family throne.

The era was now Tenmei.

During that period...

many natural disasters occurred all
over the nation, almost mysteriously.

In July of the 3rd year of Tenmei
(1783 ), Mt. Asama erupted.

Farmers suffered from high taxes.

The head of Iigura family
at that time was Shuzo.

His lord was
Hori-Shikibu-no-sho Yasutaka.

We are about to begin the annual
sword tournament to offer to the gods.

His Highness is looking forward
to this event very keenly.

Everyone is expected to exhibit the
fruits of your hard work of daily training.

Noda Kazuma wins.

That's it.

I heard that you have mastered
something called the Sword of Darkness.

This is a perfect occasion
to show it to His Highness.

I feel humble, but I shall if he requests.

Iikura Shuzo shall now exhibit
the Sword of Darkness technique.

With both eyes covered, in true
darkness, he shall cut the sign board.

If he cuts both sides into
exactly the same shape...

please bestow upon him
your acknowledgment.

Indeed they seem to be
in exact same shapes.

Impressive! Let me reward you.

Come up.

Father and Brother Noda, congratulations.

Come here and sit by me.

Sir, I congratulate you on
your accomplishment today.

No, that's enough.

It's not such a big deal to be
congratulated by all of you.

Sir Kazuma, congratulations to you, too.

Thank you kindly.

I owe it all to my master.

Well...

Sato, pour Sake for Sir Kazuma.

Say, Maki...

I was thinking we should hold
their wedding in March next year.

Indeed.

If it is agreeable with Sir
Kazuma, I certainly hope so.

Oh no, I have no objection.

It tastes bitter.

They say vegetables stopped growing
since the ashes from Mt. Asama fell.

You may not like it, but
please bear with me.

By the way it's been about
three months now...

that we haven't had a drop of rain.

It must be difficult for the farmers.

What? The farmers made a direct plea?

Yes.

Two days ago, they waited at the gate...

for Sir Yamashiro-no-kami, the
son of Senior Advisor Tanuma.

They made a direct plea, and he
accepted it, and them into his property.

What, he let the farmers inside?

Yes. That is not all.

That night, Sir Tanuma's messenger
came to our clan's mansion in Edo.

He delivered a secret
code by Sir Tanuma...

to mean that we failed to rule our
territory and our clan to be dissolved.

Impressive.

You have made a leaping progress.

Next.

My lord, we have an emergency.

Don't interrupt me.

I believe bribery is the only way out.

As you know, the clan's
finances are in crisis.

I hear Sir Tanuma makes all decisions
according to the level of bribery...

but we don't have that kind of money.

But if we don't do anything, and the
Shogunate hears it from Sir Tanuma...

the family will surely be dissolved.

Senior Advisor...

What an honor to have you Senior
Advisor to visit my humble home.

Please.

I have an order from His Highness.

He says to send your
daughter Sato to Edo...

as an offering from our clan
to Sir Tanuma Okitomo.

Humbly receive the order with gratitude.

It is the highest promotion
a woman can hope for...

to be a mistress of Sir Tanuma's who
is the most powerful official today.

It also benefits the clan and is
an honor for the Iikura family.

You have no objections, I assume.

Shuzo, what is the matter?

It is your lord's order.

It is a great fortune. I accept happily.

Maki?

Sir...

About Sato, I would like to speak to you.

She's my daughter.

I'll do whatever I want.

Don't you feel pity for our young girl?

I won't allow you to interfere.

Maki...

Let her do whatever she wishes
until the day she departs for Edo.

KYOTO DOLL

KYOTO DOLL
Is that the gift from Shinshu?

KYOTO DOLL
Yes.

Yes.

Too clever a trick for a country daimyo.

All right, I like it.

Are you from the Shinshu Yazaki Clan?

Yes.

Hori Yasuza'emon, the
representative in Edo...

and Iikura Shuzo, the clan's local member.

My lord was extremely pleased
with the gift of the Kyoto Doll.

We're obliged.

He says it looks as if it is alive.

It is a great honor.

Therefore, he says you can bring
the five farmers back home.

They committed a serious
crime of making a direct plea.

However, if we punish them
heavily and stir resentment...

in other farmers, we may invite
unfortunate consequences.

Please consider a lenient sentence.

Kondo, what do you think?

Since you asked...

I believe that rather than being lenient
we should punish them in public...

to ensure nothing like
this would ever happen.

What do you suggest?

I suggest that we set
up the execution site...

in Yazaki Woods and cut them with a saw.

With a saw?

I like it. Make preparations at once.

Please have mercy!
- Save their lives!

Please, we beg you!
- Please! Please!

Do it!

Please!
- Stop it!

Shurai!

Jihei!

Stop it!
- Stop it now!

Quiet! How dare you talk to the lord!

Quiet! Quiet!

We shall commence execution.

Cold blooded!
- You're demons!

Damn them.
- Cowards!

Quiet!

Anyone who yells despite
our order will be made...

to execute the men with his own hand.

Understood?

Stop it!

Is this the way a lord should treat those...

who served him for generations?

Come!

I'll kill you!

Really, you saved us.

So many vegetables.

My husband will be so
pleased to see these.

Mother, I cannot carry any more.

Little sir, I will carry it for you.

That's all right.

You're a boy, you can't be weak.

Here, just a little while
longer. Hang in there.

Mother, how come our neighbor
farmers don't share them with us?

Because they don't harvest
much due to the famine.

But the other families are buying them.

Farmers misunderstand your
father, so they don't sell them to us.

But you cannot tell this to your father.

Why, I think it's our lord.

Look up.

Whose wife are you?

Yes, I am Iikura Shuzo's wife.

She's a beautiful woman.

Naturally, she is the mother of the
girl who enchanted Sir Tanuma.

You always laugh at me
for liking young women.

You cannot taste the real flavor
of a woman until she passes 30.

Listen, Kondo...

I want to order her to sleep with me.

Well, you seem really interested.

Bring her to the castle at once.

His Highness is deeply
impressed by your dutifulness.

He recognizes the contribution your
intelligent wife must be making...

and wishes to personally
offer her a cup of tea.

What a great honor, we are grateful.

However, she is not
prepared to go right now.

She can come tomorrow...

No, that's quite all right.

My lord has even sent a carriage for her.

If she doesn't come, we
may get us into trouble.

Well, Madam.

We shouldn't refuse his special invitation.

Be careful and behave well.

Yes.

I will go and get ready.
Please wait a while.

Are you going to the castle, mother?

I wish I could come with you.

She's late.

I wonder what happened to mother?

You should go to bed now.

Oh, it's mother!

Sir, Senior Advisor is here.

What, Senior Advisor?

Good evening.

What is it at this late hour?

Maki...

What happened to you?

Maki...

Maki...

Senior Advisor, what on earth happened?

Please tell me why. Please!

Go to his bedroom.

What did you say?

Go to his bedroom.

What are you talking about?

I'm Iikura Shuzo's wife.

It is his orders. Change
your clothes at once.

My daughter Sato is in Edo,
receiving Sir Tanuma's patronage.

Why do I have to serve as well?

You cannot disobey His Highness's order.

Hurry and get ready.

Here you are.

I was called here suddenly
and I had to hurry...

so I did not prepare myself properly.

Would you mind me
borrowing a perfumed sachet?

Is she not ready?

Yes, we'll bring her here immediately.

Shuzo! What are you doing?

I wish to reason with my lord.

Hold back.

His Highness is quite upset,
saying he will ground you...

due to the crime your wife Maki
polluting the mansion with blood.

Ground me?

Listen, patience is all you need.

It's important to kill yourself.

Master, here you are.

I appreciate your kindness as always.

Master, it is regrettable.

You served him so well and he fired you.

Our lord is beyond cruel.

Kazuma...

Watch your mouth.

In the past two months I was able
to review the first half of my life.

How loyally I served my lord
during those peaceful days.

I am sorry about what
happened with you.

Sir Tanuma Yamashiro-no-kami
now leaving!

I, Sano Masakoto, killed
Tanuma Yamashiro-no-kami...

for the sake of restoring
the Shogun's Order.

Listen, Sato...

I hate to bring this up when
you just got back home...

but Sir Kondo sent a message.

He says for you to serve at the castle.

And did you agree to it?

If I do, my lord may release
you from grounding.

Ryujiro won't have to feel
ashamed any more either.

I will gladly...

I don't want to! I don't
want to serve the lord!

He forced me to leave Sir
Kazuma and let Mother die.

Rather than serving someone like him...

I would, with my own hand...

Sato!

Master. Master?

Sir Kazuma!

Sato.

I didn't want to see you ever again.

Sir Iikura!

Sir Iikura!

Sir Iikura! Sir Iikura!

Coming.

Officers on patrol. Open up.

We are searching your house.

It is not even allowed to visit
a man under punishment.

And look at this...

How dare you have an
illegitimate affair! Get up!

Please wait.
- Sir Iikura!

You're being grounded.

Come with me.

Get up!

Hey, are you trying to resist?

You still don't understand
what I'm telling you?

His Highness wishes to
make you his mistress...

to reward you for serving
loyally for the clan.

Accept it.

It will clear your parents' names.

Understood?

You can keep asking me but
my answer will be the same.

What a stubborn one.

Be prepared for what
punishment may follow...

if you refuse His Highness's request.

Ryujiro...

You're young but you're smart.

Listen well to what I'm about to tell you.

Yes.

Father is going to reason with my lord.

I intend to tell him to
retire for the clan's sake.

But it means disobeying him and I
am prepared for the consequences.

Consider me dead.

What are you crying for?

You can't cry over such a small thing...

if you were to act like a samurai's son.

I'm not crying.

After I'm gone, grow up to be a fine man...

and serve the clan well.

A samurai is a samurai
because he serves a lord.

Know that you don't exist as an individual.

The life of a samurai is not his
own but belongs to his lord.

Know that his highest honor...

is to have a place to die
for the sake of the lord.

Know that loyalty begins with...

killing yourself in order to serve your lord.

Father has nothing more to say.

Shut up already!

How dare you come to lecture
me when you're grounded?

Know your place.

Normally you would be paraded
around town and hung.

But I'll have you perform...

the Sword of the Darkness to
execute some criminals today.

You'll be hung if you miss.

There are two criminals sitting about
1-ken away from the top your legs.

Understood?

Take off the blindfold.

Sato...

Kazuma...

Sato...

Sato... Kazuma...

Had I only known it was you...

I would've never killed you
if my arms were cut off.

This is beyond...

cruelty!

You dare to stare at me.

You said even if your arms were cut off.

All right, as you wish.

Don't defend yourself!

That is your reward.
You can keep the sword.

I humbly receive it with gratitude.

May the clan prosper.

The life of a samurai is not his
own but belongs to his lord.

Know that his highest honor...

is to have a place to die
for the sake of the lord.

Know that loyalty begins with...

killing yourself in order to serve your lord.

The life of a samurai is not his
own but belongs to his lord...

Lord Yasutaka died 7
years after the incident.

As young Jujiro who was
left behind grew up...

Iigura family's bloodline
just barely continued.

The era was now Meiji.

Shingo was the head of the family.

The diary begins in...

March in the 4th year of Meiji
(1875) with an entry that reads...

"I leave Shinshu for Tokyo
with fresh hopes in my heart."

Excuse me, excuse me.

Hey, get back, you!

I'm just going around
the corner. Let me pass.

Wait at the back of the line
until the general's limo passes.

This man is ill. He needs to rest at once.

Not allowed. His car is about to pass.

I don't see it yet. Let me pass.

Do you mean to disobey? I'll
arrest you if you don't obey me.

Get back!

Get back! Get back!

I'm sorry. Please be
patient just a little while.

The sick man in the
rickshaw is Hori Takafumi...

the last chief of the Yazaki clan.

Iikura...

I cleaned the room for you.

Thanks.

I'm sorry I had to rush you out.

Not at all.

So, that's the former chief of the clan.

Yeah.

He doesn't look like he
has any brain damage.

It's sad all the more for that.

Listen, you know the
bar exam is coming up.

It's fine to take care of your clan's chief...

but don't neglect to prepare
for your own exam.

Thanks.

Having said that, I probably needn't
worry about smart man like you.

Well...

Well, just keep my
well-meaning advice in mind.

Well, see you.

You must be tired.

Let me take you.

Here, sir.

Here.

Be careful.

This is it.

I'm home!

Hello, dear.

Please come in. Please come inside.

Shingo is a curious man.

Why act like an ex-samurai now?

What's wrong with
taking care of one's lord?

You go by the lord of the old Toda
Clan every month yourself, brother.

Sure, I do.

But why take care of
someone with no inheritance.

That's why I like him.

Brother, you're saying such things
because you don't know anything.

I hear he doesn't have any children.

And his evil younger brother who's
after the family inheritance...

forcibly locked him up in a cell.

While living in a cell,
he truly became mad.

He was put in an insane
asylum somewhere...

and doesn't have anyone taking
care of him, not even his wife.

So Shingo took pity on him.

Here you are.

When I can't look after you,
O'Fuji downstairs will take over.

Ring this.

Why did you bring me here?

As I've said many times,
I felt sorry for you.

Now that you're under my care,
you have nothing to worry about.

I'm thirsty.

Yes!

O'Fuji, sorry to bother you
but my lord is asking for tea.

I feel relieved at last.

You did a lot.

You'll be happy to hear that the
former clan members in Tokyo...

are also angry about what
happened and they agree to start...

the movement to return my lord
to the throne once he gets better.

I see.

He wasn't born with this illness.

He's in a different environment now,
so if I serve him with my heart...

I'm sure he'll get better.

We'll just have to hold on.

Mr. Iikura.

Yes.

We have a customer. Can you go?

Yes, I'm coming.

I'll go pull the rickshaw for
a minute. Give him the tea.

O'Fuji, please, take good care of my lord.

I'm Fuji from downstairs.

Yes.

What do you need?

Not you.

You want Fuji? She's retired for the night.

Yes.

Does anything hurt?

I'm thirsty.

I just gave you some tea.
Please go to sleep now.

Another cup!

Yes.

O'Fuji, sorry to bother
you but I need more tea.

Yes.

What are you doing at this hour?

There was a riot by the farmers in Niigata.

I was summoned to control them.

Are you going to be gone for long?

If it worsens, it'll spread
to Nagano and Yamanashi.

I don't know when I can come home.

That's hard work.

Listen, Shingo...

If you truly want my sister to be happy...

I want you to reconsider something.

You look so serious. What is it?

No one can dispute that you're an
intelligent and honorable man.

It's just...

I don't know how to explain it well...

I understand.

You're talking about my lord, aren't you?

You want to say, why serve
a former clan's chief now...

one doesn't have to be stuck in the
position of a lower-class samurai...

one can climb the social ladder
if one wants in this day and age.

Right?

There's more.

Loyalty to the emperor
is our new way of life.

Isn't that what you want to tell me?

That's right. That's right, Shingo.

You don't have to tell me.
I know these things well.

But seeing how pitiful he is, I want
to take care of him until the end.

He's the chief of the clan my ancestors
have served for generations.

Of course I'm thinking
about O'Fuji. I really am!

Once I pass the upcoming
exam, I can find a job.

I will never let her down.

Now that you've assured
me so much, I feel relieved.

Well, please look after
business while I'm gone.

Oh, the tea has gone cold now.

I'll make a new pot.

You'll do fine. I'm sure you'll pass.

I hope so, but I couldn't
study as much as I wanted to.

Now you'll find a fine job for yourself.

I'll see you later.

I'll make a nice dinner and wait for you.

Listen, don't be so disappointed.

Study more and take it again next year.

I'm glad for you.

You don't have to worry about
me any more. Let's part here.

I'm home!

O'Fuji, I didn't pass.

Please stop crying.

I promise I'll pass next year.

Don't light it!

What happened?

O'Fuji?

I'm home.

I'm thirsty.

Tea.

Tea!

My lord did this to you...

Didn't he?

My lord was alone for a long time.

He must have been
missing a woman's touch.

It's my fault that I didn't realized it.

Shingo, please forgive me.

There's nothing to forgive.

My feelings for you have not changed.

The best medicine for him is rest.

Thank you.
- Take care.

Fuji... Get Fuji.

Please go to sleep now.

Fuji!

Fuji is my wife to be.

I cannot.

Fuji...

Fuji!

Fuji!

Fuji!

O'Fuji, please go up.

You're the only person who
can console the poor lord.

Please.

Shingo...

Please.

What kind of man would...

My lord! My lord!

My lord!

This man Shingo was my grandfather.

With a new lord at the top...

he served in the Sino-Japanese War...

and died in the 27th year of Meiji (1894).

This is my brother Osamu's diary.

Here he recorded how he felt about
dying over the Pacific Ocean...

as a Mitate member,
without a trace of doubt...

and with even a sense of pride.

Tune up complete. All good.

All right. Line up!

The third Mitate unit of
the Kamikaze squad...

shall initiate an attack at the
enemy unit passing through...

50 miles east of Ishigaki Island.

You shall now receive a ritual
cup of sake from the emperor.

Humbly receive it.

You saw your mother, right?

Good.

How's your jock itch?

Yes, sir, I'm cured of it.

You went to the toilet, right?

Yes, sir, I did.

Did you see your dad?

Good.

Your mom?
- She was too late.

A lover?

No.

I wish you a successful mission.

2nd Lt. Ooyama Seiji, departing!

2nd Lt. Fukazawa Ryota, departing!

2nd Lt. Nakajima Kunio, departing!

2nd Lt. Imamura Mikio, departing!

2nd Lt. Iigura Osamu, departing!

Turn right! On the double, go!

I had almost forgotten about this long
history as stories from the long dead.

However, as the one who was
born from this long history...

I was repeating the same horrible
history without realizing it.

I loved Kyoko and was
going to marry her.

But one month ago...

Oh, that's news.

So, did you set the date?

Yes, one day that is convenient for
you toward the end of next month.

Next month is good for me.

I gladly accept the role especially for you.

Thank you.

So, who's your match?

Well, she's a typist at
Asuka Constructions.

We met in college.

Oh? Asuka Constructions.

How ironic that the
company is our competitor.

But she's a mere typist.

I guess a marriage is a separate matter.

By the way, about the
new bid for Shinshu dam...

I wonder what is Asuka
Constructions' budget.

Well...

Any clue at all?

I hear they're working
hard toward getting it.

So is our company.

Is there any way you can get
some information about them?

We're desperate to find it
out, even if it's one word.

But she's no more than a typist.

Oh, no, no, that's not what I meant.

I simply expressed a wish for Budget
Dept. that I oversee, that's all.

Me too, I wish I could steal
it if there were a way.

But you see, she's just a typist...

and she may be holding
the key unexpectedly.

Well, I'm just kidding.

I accept your request to be the
ritual matchmaker. Tell her so too.

Well, thank you.

Somehow his laughter evoked
awkwardness inside me that stayed.

Hey.

Sorry I'm late.

Chief agreed to be our matchmaker.

Is that right?

We need to set a date.

Today I told Executive Kihara that I'll
leave the job at the end of the month.

And you know...

He said he wants me to
continue working for him.

You see my job is a little different
from that of a regular typist.

I handle all the important documents.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Would you mind me
working for a while longer?

I was hoping you'd be a homemaker.

But do what you want.

Yeah? Kihara'll be happy to hear it.

Did you tell him you're marrying me?

I told him you're an
average office worker.

Oh, you...

He persistently asks me what you're like.

He thinks I'm his daughter.

Can't fix him.

You'd better not tell him
who I am for a while.

Why's that?

Not that it matters but our
companies are competitors.

I suppose.

Have they given you any papers
about the Shinshu Dam yet?

No, they haven't yet.

I wonder what budget they're looking at.

I don't know anything about the business.

But how ironic we're competing
with your company for the bid.

But it doesn't have anything to do with us.

It doesn't work like that for a man.

He must work for the company
for the rest of his life.

You're right. Your company
is important to you.

Kyoko...

When the budget comes around to you,
will you take a look at the numbers?

I want to use them as reference.

That would mean betrayal...

to Mr. Kihara who have taken
care of me all this time.

We must come up with
a budget for ourselves.

If we don't win the bid...

it would mean we didn't do a
good job and we're at fault.

But...

I know how difficult it is for you.

But would you please
help me? All right, Kyoko?

I'm sorry, it's my fault.

I'd love to do everything for you but...
- It's okay.

We'll do the best we can.

But...

If you don't win the bid...

It'd be better than acting like a coward.

Let's go.

PROPOSED BUDGET FOR
THE SHINSHU DAM PROJECT

It's an important document.
Careful with mistakes.

What's the matter? You look pale.

Oh, it's nothing.

Well, I shall leave it to you.

I bought some fruit.

Want some?

You look busy.

I haven't finish my work.

What fruit did you get?

Kyoko!

Did you copy it all?

I'm still shaking.

Will it help you?

Kyoko!

Kyoko!

Banzai! Banzai! Banzai!

Everyone...

To the prosperity of the company
and to congratulate your efforts...

let's give another toast.

Cheers!

Congratulations!

The president was happy.

Your position as the next
Section Manager is guaranteed.

I'm happy too. Keep up the good work.

Yes.

By the way, I have something
I'd like to ask of you.

Yes?

You said your fiancé is
like a daughter to Kihara.

Yes. What about it?

He will be attending your wedding, right?

Yes. He was best friends
with her late father.

I've given it much thought.

It's a sensitive time right now.
Can you postpone your wedding?

What?

What I mean is that I want you
to wait until the dust settles.

But...

I do plan to be your matchmaker.

But with Mr. Kihara present
at the wedding, y'know...

don't you think it'd be awkward?

Everything went a little too smoothly.

Of course we could just act
like we have nothing to hide.

But when something like this happens...

people tend to get suspicious and talk.

It's a sensitive time for the company...

and I believe we need to be careful.

This goes for the two of you too.

I understand how you might feel...

but will you do it for the company?

I personally ask you too.

I'll do whatever but Kyoko...

What difference do a
couple of years make?

Your future is guaranteed.

You'd better decide if your long
life ahead isn't more important.

Until the dust settles? When will that be?

When... the dam is complete.

If the company and your
chief are the problem...

we don't have to invite anyone.

We can have a wedding by ourselves.

We can't do that.

Chief has agreed to be the matchmaker.

An office worker needs to
have a formal ceremony.

What about me? What
shall I tell everyone?

How would I explain to them the reason...

why we're postponing it for 2 or 3 years?

Is your status with the company and
life as an office worker that important?

They're more important to
you than I am, aren't they?

Don't be ridiculous.

Of course you're more
important than anything else.

But our life and future wouldn't
be secure if not for the company.

We can achieve happiness
because of the company.

It's a lie.

Come clean. You didn't want me.

Just someone who works
at Asuka Constructions.

Kyoko...

You didn't really want to marry me.

You decided to propose me because
you wanted to know the budget.

No, that's not true.

You used me!

Kyoko...

then...

Why did you show me the budget?

Wasn't it because you also
thought it was for the best for us?

That's right.

You're right.

I guess...

We can't do anything for
ourselves on our own.

Kyoko!

"We can't do anything for
ourselves on our own."

...Kyoko said.

The cruel history of the Iigura Family...

I read my ancestors' diaries and
swore I wouldn't live like they did.

Yet without knowing it, I
repeated the mistakes they made.

Kyoko!

Kyoko!

I was wrong.

Let's get married, even
if it's just the two of us.

Okay?