Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril (1972) - full transcript
Fourth film in the Lone Wolf and Cub series. Ogami is hired to kill a tattooed female assassin. Gunbei Yagyu, an enemy samurai, happens upon Ogami's son, and sees his chance for revenge.
TOHO CO., LTD.
A KATSU PRODUCTIONS FILM
Deserter YUKI,
by order of our lord we'll kill you.
Prepare to die.
Come on -
Please.
Kill YUKI.
500 ryo for an assassination.
LONE WOLF AND CUB
BABY CART IN PERIL
Produced by TOMISABURO WAKAYAMA
HISAHARU MATSUBARA
Screenplay by
KAZUO KOIKE
Based on the Manga by KAZUO KOIKE
GOSEKI KOJIMA
Cinematography by
KAZUO MIYAGAWA
Production Design by
SHIGENORI SHIMOISHIZAKA
Lighting by
GENKEN NAKAOKA
Sound by
TSUCHITARO HAYASHI
Edited by
TOSHIO TANIGUCHI
Music by
HIDEAKI SAKURAI
Starring
TOMISABURO WAKAYAMA
YOICHI HAYASHI
MICHI AZUMA
AKIHIRO TOMIKAWA
ASAO KOIKE
TANAKA HIROSHI
TATSUO ENDO
ASAO UCHIDA
SHIN KISHIDA
SO YAMAMURA
Directed by
BUICHI SAITO
When tattooing people,
you use your left thumb like this
and hold the skin down tight.
You put in ink as you make cuts.
We call this pricking sound
tohibiki or "distant echo."
It's a sweet sound for pros.
Others say it gives them
chills and goose bumps.
Talk about chills, though.
Because of the ink in the tattoo,
you feel twice as cold in winter.
You need to wear cotton-padded clothes.
Lt doesn't mean, though,
it cools you down in summer.
Carrying a tattoo
means a lifetime of patience.
What a fine woman she was.
I've never inked such skin
before or since.
When we tattoo artists say "a fine woman,"
it's all about her skin.
She had such a fine figure, though,
men would want to jump on her.
She must have had an exceptionally
beautiful face, too.
Was she hiding her face?
Yes.
She stood straight up right where you are.
She didn't care what it was.
Something surprising.
She wanted tattoos
to knock the wind out of people.
It could be something
so horrible and grotesque
that it would make your heart stop.
or
it could be something to drive men
insane with lust.
She asked me not to hold back.
She wanted something
on both her front and back.
on her back, I tattooed
the Mountain Hag Devil, Yamanba
and on her chest,
the baby Kintaro fondling her.
Anyone would scream when I work
from her breasts to her belly.
The pain runs from the tip of the toes
to the core of the head.
A sharp, stabbing pain.
However,
she was a staggeringly strong woman.
She didn't even moan, not once.
Then I noticed something.
At first, I thought she was a dancer.
But, no.
She had clearly been trained
with the sword.
I hear daimyo lords take on besshiki-me
or "sword mistresses."
Based on her looks and her shape,
I had a feeling she was one
of those sword mistresses.
Maybe that was why
she didn't show her face.
Anyway, she must've been
from a samurai family.
Yet she now had two tattoos,
a monster on her back
and a fondling baby on her front,
to carry for the rest of her life.
TATTOO BY UNO
I wonder what the idea was.
For me, Unokichi the Tattoo Artist,
it's the masterpiece of a lifetime.
But I've been worried, even to this day,
it might bring bad luck.
Who could you be?
Could you be the God of Luck?
Who, who, who comes next?
Dark in complexion and short in height
-He he he
-Ha ha ha
Who could you be?
Could you be the God of Wealth?
Who comes after that?
A long head and ample cheeks
He he he
Who could you be?
Could you be the God of Happy Long Life?
Who comes after that?
Could you be the round-bellied
God of Prosperity?
Who comes after that?
The one with a runny nose?
Who could you be?
Could you be the God of Longevity?
Happy day, sir.
Go home now, boys.
The show is over. Go home.
Daigoro?
Daigoro.
Are you two beauties
the Goddesses of Fortune?
-Look.
-Huh?
Oops.
Come on, son, we're going home.
The fun is over.
Go home. It'll get dark.
Scary monsters are coming. Go home.
COLD NIGHT PRAYER
Papa!
Pitter patter, the rain is falling
Ln a sad and cold rain
His young heart is freezing
Waiting for his papa who's not coming home
His papa is an assassin, they say
His father often spent a night
in an old temple.
The boy knew this very well.
He also knew,
after completing an assassination mission,
his father would invariably sit
before the Buddha.
Why did his father head for an old temple?
To talk with the child's mother
in the nether world?
To soothe his heart in the unblemished air?
The boy didn't know why.
Yet he searched for his father
on the ancient temple grounds.
Those eyes...
When a swordsman puts himself
between life and death
and becomes one with nothingness,
he attains "Death Life Eyes."
The eyes belong only to those who have
survived death and carnage multiple times.
No way a little child can have such eyes.
Have my eyes been failing me?
Be careful which way the wind blows!
Okay!
-We'll have good rice fields next year.
-Surely.
-Setting fire!
-Fire!
Don't get surrounded by fire!
He'll be surrounded by fire.
I can't just watch it.
Yet what a rare chance
to test his "Death Life Eyes"?
Lt appears my eyes were not failing me.
He's surrounded by fire,
yet he doesn't call for help or scream.
Young as he is, he has accepted
he can't escape, and he remains calm.
How terrifying his resolve is!
What a strange child I met.
-Nice fire, wasn't it?
-Finally it's over.
-Well done.
-We'll have a great year.
Everybody, come here!
What's wrong?
It's a child!
He was caught in the fire.
He needs treatment.
Stop.
That child?
He got caught in the fire
and dug himself into the mud.
He must be treated.
He dug himself into the mud to survive?
Yes, what a lucky child.
He knew he could save himself.
That's why he didn't call for help
and wasn't even afraid.
Put him down.
What are you doing?
Why do you point your sword
at an innocent child?
It's his eyes.
His eyes belong only to those
who have killed hundreds of men
and withstood the splatter of their blood.
His Death Life Eyes.
It's incomprehensible.
Lt can't be true.
His eyes betray no fear
when confronted with a sword.
Anyone who pursues swordsmanship
strives to attain
such a spiritual state
regarding life and death.
His Death Life Eyes.
What are you doing?
I must test him.
-Test him?
-I'll kill him.
How can you?
Step aside, or I'll kill you too.
Suio-ryu Horse-Slayer!
Could you be Ogami's child?
Papa!
Itto Ogami.
Papa!
You're Gunbei Yagyu, aren't you?
I suspected you were alive.
I defeated you.
My Yagyu New Kage-ryu swordsmanship
thoroughly defeated your Suio-ryu.
Yet you were appointed
Shogunate Executioner.
At that time...
The Tokugawa Shogunate took
an iron-fisted approach
in controlling the daimyo lords
with their Han domains within Japan.
Any sign of disagreement could cost a lord
his title and his family land.
The Kogi Kaishakunin,
the Shogunate Executioner,
was tasked to be the condemned lords'
second in their seppuku self-execution
and their final decapitator.
The Shogunate granted the Executioner
the right to wear the Hollyhock Crest.
Thus it was demonstrated to the public
that it was the Shogunate
that was performing the decapitation.
Fool!
Get me Gunbei.
Every second counts.
The fate of the Yagyu clan
hangs in the balance.
Idiot!
The post of the Shogunate Executioner
will go to Itto Ogami.
How can that happen?
The tip of your sword dared
to point at the Shogun.
What were you thinking?
I hear Itto risked his life to block it.
Lt may have appeared so,
but Itto had no skills to parry my sword.
He just happened to be there.
Stupid!
Lt may have happened by chance,
but it still means Itto surrendered his life
to protect the Shogun from your sword.
Gunbei, get up.
Gunbei.
I'll let you live only because
I value your skills as a swordsman.
As of today, however, it'll be known
you've committed hara-kiri
in penance for today's offense.
Understand?
Change your appearance.
Leave for the north immediately.
Summon Goroza the Kurokuwa face maker.
Yes, sir.
I am here, waiting for you.
Goroza.
Because you see Gunbei all the time,
I assume you can copy his face.
Please wait a moment.
Good.
It's all for the Yagyu clan.
Will you die for us?
Yes, sir.
Commit hara-kiri.
I, Retsudo, will be your second
and decapitate you.
Pardon.
Forgive me.
The Yagyu sword, for all appearances,
came in second to Itto Ogami.
Henceforth, Ogami will be
the Shogunate Executioner.
He will wear robes
with the Hollyhock Crest
and send shivers down the backs
of the daimyo lords
in 60 states and more across the nation.
And his fame as a swordsman will rise.
Compare that with us.
The Yagyu clan will be made an example of
and criticized on every occasion.
I shall take Goroza's head here
and present it to the Shogun
and say falsely that it is Gunbei's,
thus avoiding punishment for a while.
Yet the root of the disaster
will linger for generations.
Damn Itto Ogami!
We need a scheme to make it appear
that he aims to destroy the Shogunate
in order to eradicate his family name.
The position of Shogunate Executioner
must be regained by us.
Had I stabbed you to death at that time,
I wouldn't have lost my two brothers.
I shall have my revenge
after so many years.
Itto Ogami.
The Yagyu clan has taken the position
of the Executioner.
Everything will be over
once I kill the hunted dog that you are.
Can you defeat me, Itto?
Kill me.
Why don't you?
You died once before.
It's no use killing a dead man.
I address the Merciful Buddha.
My son and I stand at the threshold
of the downward path
through the Six Realms and Four Lives.
When we meet parents, we kill them.
When we meet Buddha, we kill them.
Papa.
There was a certain social class
at this time.
They were street performers and were
considered to be outsiders and outcasts.
They were called "Gomune."
Songstresses, street dancers,
traveling actors,
street comedians, roadside minstrels
and street preachers were among them.
They belonged under the command
of Jindayu Gomune,
and their special network reached
into all corners of the nation.
Who the heck are you?
I wish to meet Master Jindayu Gomune.
I'm Itto Ogami.
This is my son, Daigoro.
We won't let no hired assassin get O-YUKI.
Kill him.
Let's get him.
I mean you no harm.
Papa.
What's with the kid? He creeps me out.
Why don't you be quiet?
You're being rude to our guests.
I don't know who you are,
but I'm Jindayu Gomune.
I am Itto Ogami.
I've come with a few questions.
Come this way.
But, boss -
Show him the way.
Do you intend to find O-YUKI and kill her?
An assassin would have no other purpose.
Hunted by such a skilled swordsman
as you are...
What a poor girl.
Did Owari Domain hire you?
What a foolish question to ask of one
who lives the way of the assassin.
Forgive me.
Yes, O-YUKI was a Gomune woman.
She practiced short swords from childhood.
She made an art of her skills
and performed on the street.
o-Yuki's skills with the short swords
caught the eye of the Lord of Owari
who was traveling incognito.
The Lord of Owari had
a great passion for martial arts.
O-YUKI was hired as a sword mistress
and taught the short sword
to the women serving the domain.
This is as much as I can tell you
as head of Gomune.
But as to what happened
to O-YUKI afterwards
and why she got herself tattooed
to pursue the path of slaughter,
that is none of my concern.
I only hear rumors,
and I've never confirmed them.
On the other hand, even if I knew,
it's not my place to talk.
You're right.
She's not a Gomune woman anymore.
On the Kiso Highway, near Akasaka, I hear,
there is a hot spring resort
called Tsuta-no-YU.
Those who wish to succeed on a quest
visit this place and pray
at the Water Flower Shrine
and purify themselves in the water
for seven days and seven nights,
or so they say.
Since you are on a quest,
you might as well visit there.
Many thanks.
Excuse me.
Master Ogami.
O-YUKI is my daughter.
TSUTA-YA INN
Tsuta-no-YU is at the top of that hill.
But it's such a lonely place.
No one goes up there much now.
What a laugh.
You dare challenge me to a duel?
Shut up! I won't stop until I discover
the truth about your murderous illusion.
What are you looking at?
Stare at the flames and you will lose.
Don't look at the flames.
Be enchanted and you will lose.
Don't get drawn into my illusion.
Look at my eyes.
Don't look at the flames.
Look at my eyes and fight.
My eyes. Look at them.
Look at my eyes.
My eyes. Look at them.
Look at my eyes.
What a beauty.
You don't need to be a sword mistress.
There's only one reason for a woman
to be passionate about martial arts.
It's because she's too ugly
to get married.
You woke up too late!
You can bite off your tongue
when I'm done.
Daigoro.
He never knew his mother.
Please forgive him.
Please, I beg you.
Kill o-YUKI.
Excuse me, sir,
but Tsuta-no-YU here is visited
by those who have an earnest wish
to purify themselves and to pray
at the Water Flower Shrine.
Do you have such a wish, too?
Lt must be an assassin's wish.
Deserter YUKI,
by order of our lord we'll kill you.
Prepare to die.
I heard you were after me.
I have also heard your name -
the assassin Lone Wolf and Cub.
You cut off the top-knots
of the Owari vassals.
I want to ask you why.
I am a deserter from the Owari Domain.
Naturally, the Lord of Owari is furious
and sends men to execute me.
If I cut off their top-knots
and send them back,
in time,
the object of my vendetta, Enki Kozuka,
will be sent after me.
That is why.
Then I shall ask you this.
Those who lose their top-knots
have their families abolished.
Some family members have swallowed
their hatred and committed suicide.
How do you answer their bitterness?
You've involved others in your quest
to fulfill your wish.
Now they too have wishes.
I met your father - Master Jindayu Gomune.
As we parted,
he revealed to me
that you are his daughter.
My own father -
My own father...
wishes for...
my death, as well?
Sometimes I wonder
how lucky it would be
for a child to have a parent...
who'd wish for his death.
O-YUKI.
Enki Kozuka.
At last, you're here.
You appear to have grown
even more beautiful.
A Gomune woman looks better
dressed for the part.
You have help?
I don't need help to defeat
a sorcerer like you.
Come on!
It's different from the last time.
This time, you must die.
What are you looking at?
I told you. Don't look at the flames.
My eyes.
Look at my eyes.
My eyes.
Look at my eyes.
My eyes. Look at my eyes.
I'm not showing my skin...
as I die.
I'm glad.
I won't let your body be exposed
to anybody's eyes ever again.
For you to take the trouble
to bring her home -
I don't know how to thank you.
Let me ask you.
Her end was not unsightly, was it?
Lt was a magnificent end.
Excuse me.
Just a moment.
You did her a service
by watching over her death.
Would you stay with us
and honor her memory?
Consider it fate.
I wish you to tell me
about her last moments.
You say he killed both Enki and O-YUKI?
My men witnessed it with their own eyes.
Lt turns out the rumor was true.
Lt seems he means to defy,
not only the Shogunate,
but you as well, Lord of Owari.
Not only has he arrogantly
entered Owari Territory,
but he has been staying with the lowly
and despised Gomune community.
Lt is proof of his intentions.
If you leave him alone,
you will be the laughingstock
of the whole nation.
Unforgivable.
Damn!
-Boss!
-Master!
The Owari samurai are coming.
Come out!
Come out, all of you!
What's going on?
Who are you? We won't let you pass!
Shoot them.
They're here, boss.
Out of the way!
What the -
Are you Jindayu Gomune?
Yes.
What is all this commotion?
What is it?
We have a report
the former Executioner and assassin
Lone Wolf and Cub is in this village.
Turn him over immediately.
Otherwise, we have orders
to burn down the village
and kill all of you Gomune members.
I refuse.
What?
Do you want us to burn everything
and kill you all?
Lt was about time to leave.
You mustn't go, Master Ogami.
Master Jindayu,
I came here of my own free will.
Let me go of my own free will.
You mustn't.
Do you intend to defy the Owari Domain?
Master Ogami is a guest of Jindayu Gomune.
Imagine if the Lord of Owari
had invited a guest.
What would you do if we demanded
the guest be handed over to us?
Fool!
You're but a lowly and despised Gomune.
Know your place.
A word for you then.
Your lord's tribute is 61 9,000 koku.
He has about 4,000 vassals.
Compare that with the Gomune members
under my command.
They number 200,000 in more than
60 states across the nation.
I am not comparing
our numbers or strength.
I am talking about respect
as human beings.
The Lord of Owari is human,
but we are human as well.
We all eat and shit.
There's no difference.
It's only natural for humans
to value honor and extend courtesy.
You use your force
and demand we hand over our guest,
but we can't give him up.
We have our pride as Gomune.
Insolence!
Are you mad?
Boss!
Bastards!
Don't fight!
You mustn't fight.
Master Jindayu.
Master Ogami.
Take my head
and bring it to the Lord of Owari.
And then...
tell him
I, her parent, asked you to kill O-YUKI.
O-YUKI deserted the domain
and dishonored him.
So, for the Lord of Owari,
her parent had her taken care of.
Then her parent died
as an apology to him.
Master Jindayu.
The heart of a parent.
The heart of a child, it must be.
O-YUKI is -
O-YUKI is saying,
"Hurry and come over."
She is calling me.
Boss!
Damn it!
Damn.
-Boss.
-Damn.
I'll have an audience
with the Lord of Owari.
Lead the way.
Lower your head. Show respect.
A word for the Lord of Owari.
I didn't come as a prisoner.
I came of my own accord.
What?
Lt appears all this trouble started
with Enki Kozuka's misconduct.
O-YUKI suffered a shame worse than death
at Enki's hands, and so she deserted.
She killed Enki with her own hands
and avenged herself for her honor.
I have presented myself here
to inform you of this account.
Are you out of your mind?
To whom are you telling such a tale?
Jindayu Gomune has no association
with the Owari Domain.
It's unforgivable you had him killed.
Insolence!
I'm Yoshinao Tokugawa.
Where do you think you are?
My son and I live
on the Demon Way in Hell.
The Tokugawas, the Owaris and even
the Shogun's crest do not concern us.
Kill him. Kill that idiot.
Daigoro.
Your life is mine.
Don't move.
If you dare to move an inch,
the life of the Lord of Owari
and his domain will be lost in an instant.
ls that what you want?
Let me tell your Battle Minister this -
my son and I shall hold the Lord of Owari
until we have safely left this castle.
Please stand up.
Please lead the way.
-Damn!
-Don't interfere.
You mustn't interfere.
Don't interfere.
Master Ogami, please wait a moment.
Wait a moment, please.
Please take me with you.
I humbly refuse.
Then please spare our lord.
Please don't worry.
I'll return him safely.
Hurry, my lord!
Lord of Owari!
Please lie down.
Stop!
-My lord!
-Don't fire!
Daigoro, listen carefully.
I'm entering the Demon Way in Hell.
If I don't return, you die here too.
Understand?
-Attack!
-Yes, sir!
Retsudo, here I come!
Come on.
Itto Ogami,
this blade comes from the Yagyu Clan!
You dare...
Papa.
Daigoro.
Pull the sword out of my back.
Impressive how you lived though it,
Itto Ogami.
Survive, no matter what happens.
Neither Yagyus or Kurokuwas
shall defeat you.
I shall.
Live until the day I send you to hell.
THE END
A KATSU PRODUCTIONS FILM
Deserter YUKI,
by order of our lord we'll kill you.
Prepare to die.
Come on -
Please.
Kill YUKI.
500 ryo for an assassination.
LONE WOLF AND CUB
BABY CART IN PERIL
Produced by TOMISABURO WAKAYAMA
HISAHARU MATSUBARA
Screenplay by
KAZUO KOIKE
Based on the Manga by KAZUO KOIKE
GOSEKI KOJIMA
Cinematography by
KAZUO MIYAGAWA
Production Design by
SHIGENORI SHIMOISHIZAKA
Lighting by
GENKEN NAKAOKA
Sound by
TSUCHITARO HAYASHI
Edited by
TOSHIO TANIGUCHI
Music by
HIDEAKI SAKURAI
Starring
TOMISABURO WAKAYAMA
YOICHI HAYASHI
MICHI AZUMA
AKIHIRO TOMIKAWA
ASAO KOIKE
TANAKA HIROSHI
TATSUO ENDO
ASAO UCHIDA
SHIN KISHIDA
SO YAMAMURA
Directed by
BUICHI SAITO
When tattooing people,
you use your left thumb like this
and hold the skin down tight.
You put in ink as you make cuts.
We call this pricking sound
tohibiki or "distant echo."
It's a sweet sound for pros.
Others say it gives them
chills and goose bumps.
Talk about chills, though.
Because of the ink in the tattoo,
you feel twice as cold in winter.
You need to wear cotton-padded clothes.
Lt doesn't mean, though,
it cools you down in summer.
Carrying a tattoo
means a lifetime of patience.
What a fine woman she was.
I've never inked such skin
before or since.
When we tattoo artists say "a fine woman,"
it's all about her skin.
She had such a fine figure, though,
men would want to jump on her.
She must have had an exceptionally
beautiful face, too.
Was she hiding her face?
Yes.
She stood straight up right where you are.
She didn't care what it was.
Something surprising.
She wanted tattoos
to knock the wind out of people.
It could be something
so horrible and grotesque
that it would make your heart stop.
or
it could be something to drive men
insane with lust.
She asked me not to hold back.
She wanted something
on both her front and back.
on her back, I tattooed
the Mountain Hag Devil, Yamanba
and on her chest,
the baby Kintaro fondling her.
Anyone would scream when I work
from her breasts to her belly.
The pain runs from the tip of the toes
to the core of the head.
A sharp, stabbing pain.
However,
she was a staggeringly strong woman.
She didn't even moan, not once.
Then I noticed something.
At first, I thought she was a dancer.
But, no.
She had clearly been trained
with the sword.
I hear daimyo lords take on besshiki-me
or "sword mistresses."
Based on her looks and her shape,
I had a feeling she was one
of those sword mistresses.
Maybe that was why
she didn't show her face.
Anyway, she must've been
from a samurai family.
Yet she now had two tattoos,
a monster on her back
and a fondling baby on her front,
to carry for the rest of her life.
TATTOO BY UNO
I wonder what the idea was.
For me, Unokichi the Tattoo Artist,
it's the masterpiece of a lifetime.
But I've been worried, even to this day,
it might bring bad luck.
Who could you be?
Could you be the God of Luck?
Who, who, who comes next?
Dark in complexion and short in height
-He he he
-Ha ha ha
Who could you be?
Could you be the God of Wealth?
Who comes after that?
A long head and ample cheeks
He he he
Who could you be?
Could you be the God of Happy Long Life?
Who comes after that?
Could you be the round-bellied
God of Prosperity?
Who comes after that?
The one with a runny nose?
Who could you be?
Could you be the God of Longevity?
Happy day, sir.
Go home now, boys.
The show is over. Go home.
Daigoro?
Daigoro.
Are you two beauties
the Goddesses of Fortune?
-Look.
-Huh?
Oops.
Come on, son, we're going home.
The fun is over.
Go home. It'll get dark.
Scary monsters are coming. Go home.
COLD NIGHT PRAYER
Papa!
Pitter patter, the rain is falling
Ln a sad and cold rain
His young heart is freezing
Waiting for his papa who's not coming home
His papa is an assassin, they say
His father often spent a night
in an old temple.
The boy knew this very well.
He also knew,
after completing an assassination mission,
his father would invariably sit
before the Buddha.
Why did his father head for an old temple?
To talk with the child's mother
in the nether world?
To soothe his heart in the unblemished air?
The boy didn't know why.
Yet he searched for his father
on the ancient temple grounds.
Those eyes...
When a swordsman puts himself
between life and death
and becomes one with nothingness,
he attains "Death Life Eyes."
The eyes belong only to those who have
survived death and carnage multiple times.
No way a little child can have such eyes.
Have my eyes been failing me?
Be careful which way the wind blows!
Okay!
-We'll have good rice fields next year.
-Surely.
-Setting fire!
-Fire!
Don't get surrounded by fire!
He'll be surrounded by fire.
I can't just watch it.
Yet what a rare chance
to test his "Death Life Eyes"?
Lt appears my eyes were not failing me.
He's surrounded by fire,
yet he doesn't call for help or scream.
Young as he is, he has accepted
he can't escape, and he remains calm.
How terrifying his resolve is!
What a strange child I met.
-Nice fire, wasn't it?
-Finally it's over.
-Well done.
-We'll have a great year.
Everybody, come here!
What's wrong?
It's a child!
He was caught in the fire.
He needs treatment.
Stop.
That child?
He got caught in the fire
and dug himself into the mud.
He must be treated.
He dug himself into the mud to survive?
Yes, what a lucky child.
He knew he could save himself.
That's why he didn't call for help
and wasn't even afraid.
Put him down.
What are you doing?
Why do you point your sword
at an innocent child?
It's his eyes.
His eyes belong only to those
who have killed hundreds of men
and withstood the splatter of their blood.
His Death Life Eyes.
It's incomprehensible.
Lt can't be true.
His eyes betray no fear
when confronted with a sword.
Anyone who pursues swordsmanship
strives to attain
such a spiritual state
regarding life and death.
His Death Life Eyes.
What are you doing?
I must test him.
-Test him?
-I'll kill him.
How can you?
Step aside, or I'll kill you too.
Suio-ryu Horse-Slayer!
Could you be Ogami's child?
Papa!
Itto Ogami.
Papa!
You're Gunbei Yagyu, aren't you?
I suspected you were alive.
I defeated you.
My Yagyu New Kage-ryu swordsmanship
thoroughly defeated your Suio-ryu.
Yet you were appointed
Shogunate Executioner.
At that time...
The Tokugawa Shogunate took
an iron-fisted approach
in controlling the daimyo lords
with their Han domains within Japan.
Any sign of disagreement could cost a lord
his title and his family land.
The Kogi Kaishakunin,
the Shogunate Executioner,
was tasked to be the condemned lords'
second in their seppuku self-execution
and their final decapitator.
The Shogunate granted the Executioner
the right to wear the Hollyhock Crest.
Thus it was demonstrated to the public
that it was the Shogunate
that was performing the decapitation.
Fool!
Get me Gunbei.
Every second counts.
The fate of the Yagyu clan
hangs in the balance.
Idiot!
The post of the Shogunate Executioner
will go to Itto Ogami.
How can that happen?
The tip of your sword dared
to point at the Shogun.
What were you thinking?
I hear Itto risked his life to block it.
Lt may have appeared so,
but Itto had no skills to parry my sword.
He just happened to be there.
Stupid!
Lt may have happened by chance,
but it still means Itto surrendered his life
to protect the Shogun from your sword.
Gunbei, get up.
Gunbei.
I'll let you live only because
I value your skills as a swordsman.
As of today, however, it'll be known
you've committed hara-kiri
in penance for today's offense.
Understand?
Change your appearance.
Leave for the north immediately.
Summon Goroza the Kurokuwa face maker.
Yes, sir.
I am here, waiting for you.
Goroza.
Because you see Gunbei all the time,
I assume you can copy his face.
Please wait a moment.
Good.
It's all for the Yagyu clan.
Will you die for us?
Yes, sir.
Commit hara-kiri.
I, Retsudo, will be your second
and decapitate you.
Pardon.
Forgive me.
The Yagyu sword, for all appearances,
came in second to Itto Ogami.
Henceforth, Ogami will be
the Shogunate Executioner.
He will wear robes
with the Hollyhock Crest
and send shivers down the backs
of the daimyo lords
in 60 states and more across the nation.
And his fame as a swordsman will rise.
Compare that with us.
The Yagyu clan will be made an example of
and criticized on every occasion.
I shall take Goroza's head here
and present it to the Shogun
and say falsely that it is Gunbei's,
thus avoiding punishment for a while.
Yet the root of the disaster
will linger for generations.
Damn Itto Ogami!
We need a scheme to make it appear
that he aims to destroy the Shogunate
in order to eradicate his family name.
The position of Shogunate Executioner
must be regained by us.
Had I stabbed you to death at that time,
I wouldn't have lost my two brothers.
I shall have my revenge
after so many years.
Itto Ogami.
The Yagyu clan has taken the position
of the Executioner.
Everything will be over
once I kill the hunted dog that you are.
Can you defeat me, Itto?
Kill me.
Why don't you?
You died once before.
It's no use killing a dead man.
I address the Merciful Buddha.
My son and I stand at the threshold
of the downward path
through the Six Realms and Four Lives.
When we meet parents, we kill them.
When we meet Buddha, we kill them.
Papa.
There was a certain social class
at this time.
They were street performers and were
considered to be outsiders and outcasts.
They were called "Gomune."
Songstresses, street dancers,
traveling actors,
street comedians, roadside minstrels
and street preachers were among them.
They belonged under the command
of Jindayu Gomune,
and their special network reached
into all corners of the nation.
Who the heck are you?
I wish to meet Master Jindayu Gomune.
I'm Itto Ogami.
This is my son, Daigoro.
We won't let no hired assassin get O-YUKI.
Kill him.
Let's get him.
I mean you no harm.
Papa.
What's with the kid? He creeps me out.
Why don't you be quiet?
You're being rude to our guests.
I don't know who you are,
but I'm Jindayu Gomune.
I am Itto Ogami.
I've come with a few questions.
Come this way.
But, boss -
Show him the way.
Do you intend to find O-YUKI and kill her?
An assassin would have no other purpose.
Hunted by such a skilled swordsman
as you are...
What a poor girl.
Did Owari Domain hire you?
What a foolish question to ask of one
who lives the way of the assassin.
Forgive me.
Yes, O-YUKI was a Gomune woman.
She practiced short swords from childhood.
She made an art of her skills
and performed on the street.
o-Yuki's skills with the short swords
caught the eye of the Lord of Owari
who was traveling incognito.
The Lord of Owari had
a great passion for martial arts.
O-YUKI was hired as a sword mistress
and taught the short sword
to the women serving the domain.
This is as much as I can tell you
as head of Gomune.
But as to what happened
to O-YUKI afterwards
and why she got herself tattooed
to pursue the path of slaughter,
that is none of my concern.
I only hear rumors,
and I've never confirmed them.
On the other hand, even if I knew,
it's not my place to talk.
You're right.
She's not a Gomune woman anymore.
On the Kiso Highway, near Akasaka, I hear,
there is a hot spring resort
called Tsuta-no-YU.
Those who wish to succeed on a quest
visit this place and pray
at the Water Flower Shrine
and purify themselves in the water
for seven days and seven nights,
or so they say.
Since you are on a quest,
you might as well visit there.
Many thanks.
Excuse me.
Master Ogami.
O-YUKI is my daughter.
TSUTA-YA INN
Tsuta-no-YU is at the top of that hill.
But it's such a lonely place.
No one goes up there much now.
What a laugh.
You dare challenge me to a duel?
Shut up! I won't stop until I discover
the truth about your murderous illusion.
What are you looking at?
Stare at the flames and you will lose.
Don't look at the flames.
Be enchanted and you will lose.
Don't get drawn into my illusion.
Look at my eyes.
Don't look at the flames.
Look at my eyes and fight.
My eyes. Look at them.
Look at my eyes.
My eyes. Look at them.
Look at my eyes.
What a beauty.
You don't need to be a sword mistress.
There's only one reason for a woman
to be passionate about martial arts.
It's because she's too ugly
to get married.
You woke up too late!
You can bite off your tongue
when I'm done.
Daigoro.
He never knew his mother.
Please forgive him.
Please, I beg you.
Kill o-YUKI.
Excuse me, sir,
but Tsuta-no-YU here is visited
by those who have an earnest wish
to purify themselves and to pray
at the Water Flower Shrine.
Do you have such a wish, too?
Lt must be an assassin's wish.
Deserter YUKI,
by order of our lord we'll kill you.
Prepare to die.
I heard you were after me.
I have also heard your name -
the assassin Lone Wolf and Cub.
You cut off the top-knots
of the Owari vassals.
I want to ask you why.
I am a deserter from the Owari Domain.
Naturally, the Lord of Owari is furious
and sends men to execute me.
If I cut off their top-knots
and send them back,
in time,
the object of my vendetta, Enki Kozuka,
will be sent after me.
That is why.
Then I shall ask you this.
Those who lose their top-knots
have their families abolished.
Some family members have swallowed
their hatred and committed suicide.
How do you answer their bitterness?
You've involved others in your quest
to fulfill your wish.
Now they too have wishes.
I met your father - Master Jindayu Gomune.
As we parted,
he revealed to me
that you are his daughter.
My own father -
My own father...
wishes for...
my death, as well?
Sometimes I wonder
how lucky it would be
for a child to have a parent...
who'd wish for his death.
O-YUKI.
Enki Kozuka.
At last, you're here.
You appear to have grown
even more beautiful.
A Gomune woman looks better
dressed for the part.
You have help?
I don't need help to defeat
a sorcerer like you.
Come on!
It's different from the last time.
This time, you must die.
What are you looking at?
I told you. Don't look at the flames.
My eyes.
Look at my eyes.
My eyes.
Look at my eyes.
My eyes. Look at my eyes.
I'm not showing my skin...
as I die.
I'm glad.
I won't let your body be exposed
to anybody's eyes ever again.
For you to take the trouble
to bring her home -
I don't know how to thank you.
Let me ask you.
Her end was not unsightly, was it?
Lt was a magnificent end.
Excuse me.
Just a moment.
You did her a service
by watching over her death.
Would you stay with us
and honor her memory?
Consider it fate.
I wish you to tell me
about her last moments.
You say he killed both Enki and O-YUKI?
My men witnessed it with their own eyes.
Lt turns out the rumor was true.
Lt seems he means to defy,
not only the Shogunate,
but you as well, Lord of Owari.
Not only has he arrogantly
entered Owari Territory,
but he has been staying with the lowly
and despised Gomune community.
Lt is proof of his intentions.
If you leave him alone,
you will be the laughingstock
of the whole nation.
Unforgivable.
Damn!
-Boss!
-Master!
The Owari samurai are coming.
Come out!
Come out, all of you!
What's going on?
Who are you? We won't let you pass!
Shoot them.
They're here, boss.
Out of the way!
What the -
Are you Jindayu Gomune?
Yes.
What is all this commotion?
What is it?
We have a report
the former Executioner and assassin
Lone Wolf and Cub is in this village.
Turn him over immediately.
Otherwise, we have orders
to burn down the village
and kill all of you Gomune members.
I refuse.
What?
Do you want us to burn everything
and kill you all?
Lt was about time to leave.
You mustn't go, Master Ogami.
Master Jindayu,
I came here of my own free will.
Let me go of my own free will.
You mustn't.
Do you intend to defy the Owari Domain?
Master Ogami is a guest of Jindayu Gomune.
Imagine if the Lord of Owari
had invited a guest.
What would you do if we demanded
the guest be handed over to us?
Fool!
You're but a lowly and despised Gomune.
Know your place.
A word for you then.
Your lord's tribute is 61 9,000 koku.
He has about 4,000 vassals.
Compare that with the Gomune members
under my command.
They number 200,000 in more than
60 states across the nation.
I am not comparing
our numbers or strength.
I am talking about respect
as human beings.
The Lord of Owari is human,
but we are human as well.
We all eat and shit.
There's no difference.
It's only natural for humans
to value honor and extend courtesy.
You use your force
and demand we hand over our guest,
but we can't give him up.
We have our pride as Gomune.
Insolence!
Are you mad?
Boss!
Bastards!
Don't fight!
You mustn't fight.
Master Jindayu.
Master Ogami.
Take my head
and bring it to the Lord of Owari.
And then...
tell him
I, her parent, asked you to kill O-YUKI.
O-YUKI deserted the domain
and dishonored him.
So, for the Lord of Owari,
her parent had her taken care of.
Then her parent died
as an apology to him.
Master Jindayu.
The heart of a parent.
The heart of a child, it must be.
O-YUKI is -
O-YUKI is saying,
"Hurry and come over."
She is calling me.
Boss!
Damn it!
Damn.
-Boss.
-Damn.
I'll have an audience
with the Lord of Owari.
Lead the way.
Lower your head. Show respect.
A word for the Lord of Owari.
I didn't come as a prisoner.
I came of my own accord.
What?
Lt appears all this trouble started
with Enki Kozuka's misconduct.
O-YUKI suffered a shame worse than death
at Enki's hands, and so she deserted.
She killed Enki with her own hands
and avenged herself for her honor.
I have presented myself here
to inform you of this account.
Are you out of your mind?
To whom are you telling such a tale?
Jindayu Gomune has no association
with the Owari Domain.
It's unforgivable you had him killed.
Insolence!
I'm Yoshinao Tokugawa.
Where do you think you are?
My son and I live
on the Demon Way in Hell.
The Tokugawas, the Owaris and even
the Shogun's crest do not concern us.
Kill him. Kill that idiot.
Daigoro.
Your life is mine.
Don't move.
If you dare to move an inch,
the life of the Lord of Owari
and his domain will be lost in an instant.
ls that what you want?
Let me tell your Battle Minister this -
my son and I shall hold the Lord of Owari
until we have safely left this castle.
Please stand up.
Please lead the way.
-Damn!
-Don't interfere.
You mustn't interfere.
Don't interfere.
Master Ogami, please wait a moment.
Wait a moment, please.
Please take me with you.
I humbly refuse.
Then please spare our lord.
Please don't worry.
I'll return him safely.
Hurry, my lord!
Lord of Owari!
Please lie down.
Stop!
-My lord!
-Don't fire!
Daigoro, listen carefully.
I'm entering the Demon Way in Hell.
If I don't return, you die here too.
Understand?
-Attack!
-Yes, sir!
Retsudo, here I come!
Come on.
Itto Ogami,
this blade comes from the Yagyu Clan!
You dare...
Papa.
Daigoro.
Pull the sword out of my back.
Impressive how you lived though it,
Itto Ogami.
Survive, no matter what happens.
Neither Yagyus or Kurokuwas
shall defeat you.
I shall.
Live until the day I send you to hell.
THE END