When the Last Sword is Drawn (2002) - full transcript

The City of Tokyo.
Winter, 1899.

brought to You by falang01

What are these?

Here, make sure you pack this.

Yes, yes...

We'll never get done!
Sure we will.

Chiaki...
pack first, then drink.

Yes, dear.

We can't take
half a bottle with us!

Ono Clinic, This clinic is closed
We are moving to a new location, Chiaki Ono, M.D.

Yes?



Coming, coming!

I realize it's late.

My grandson has a fever that won't
go down.

- Would you mind?
- Come in.

We're moving so the place is a mess.

Find an empty place and sit down.

Minoru...
There we go...

- We've got a patient!
- All right.

My wife handles the children.

Come in.

There's not much room.
You go in alone.

I don't want a needle!

Minoru!

Stop this nonsense!



There's nothing to be scared of.

I'm sorry.

It's all right.
Just leave that there.

You've got a fever.

Don't be scared.

This gentleman...

Who?

Do you know him?

No.

Let's go in.

How could I forget him?
Kanichiro Yoshimura.
The man I hated most...

and in those mad days when
the Shogun fell, my comrade in ...

'the wolves of Mibu'.

== WHEN THE LAST SWORD IS DRAWN ==

The 'Newly Chosen Unit'
or 'Shinsengumi' was formed in 1863.

Quartered in Kyoto's Mibu area...

this group of masterless samurai
was charged with keeping the peace...

as the Shogun's power ebbed.
I first saw Yoshimura ...

among a group of recruits...

selected by our Lieutenant ...

Toshizo Hijikata.

Listed swordsmen and above.

First, Kanichiro Yoshimura.

Sir!

From Morioka, Oshu Clan.

North Star
One-Sword School, Licensed.

He's the same school as you, Ito.

Never seen him.

Mr. Nagakura...

How about trying one with a real sword?

Okita!

It's all right.
They're not sharp.

Your school doesn't train
with real swords, does it?

That's right, sir.

Go easy on me.

He might miss.
Wear a protector.

I might miss, too.

You wear one as well.

I won't need it.

Very well.

Starring
Kiichi Nakai

Koichi Sato

Yui Natsukawa
Takehiro Murata

Miki Nakatani
Yuuji Miyake

Story - Jiro Asada

Screenplay
Takehiro Nakajima

Music
Joe Hisaishi

Producers
Hideshi Miyajima/Nozomu Enoki

Directed by
Yojiro Takita

He had killed.
You could see that at a glance.

Enough!

Not bad!

My humble thanks.

- Yoshimura!
- Sir?

It takes a good man ...

to fight Nagakura to a draw.

You will work with him
as an instructor in swordsmanship.

All right, Ito?

Hijikata?

Uh, you're making me...

an instructor...

for the Shinsengumi?

Well, thank you very much!

And now...

I have an announcement to make.

Tani...

Masatake...

Come forward.

Welcome.
I'll take your sword.

Sanjuro Tani's
younger brother Masatake...

will be adopted into my Kondo family.

He will henceforth be known as 'Shuhei'.

I ask you all
to give him your support.

I ask it, too.

The Tennen Sword school
now has an heir to its leader!

What are you doing?!

- Move.
- What?!

Mr. Saito...

you could have just asked.

I will now entertain!
I have a special treat for you.

Kondo wasn't a bad man,
but he was a snob.

His taste for distinguished families
and promotion of glib fools...

led to his adopting
this younger brother...

passing over Okita
the natural choice to succeed him.

Saito-sensei... have a drink.

My name is Kanichiro Yoshimura.

I'm a new man.
Just so you'll know who I am...

Saito-sensei.

What land are you from?

- 'Land'?
- Yes.

I was born in Morioka,
in Nanbu, Oshu.

It's a beautiful place.

Please...

Away to the south is Mt Hayachine...

with Mt Nansho and Mt Azumane
to the west.

In the north are
Mt Iwate and Mt Himekami.

Out of the high mountains
flows the Nakatsu River...

through the castle town into
the Kitakami below Sakuranobaba.

Ah, it's pretty as a picture!

There's nowhere like it
in all Japan!

Oh, please...
allow me.

Last night I dreamed about
my little girl.

She's the image of her mother
who was the prettiest girl in town.

It's just been so long
since I saw her...

An awful country samurai
bragging about home and family.

When I left home...

she was only five.

Even then...

she was such a sweet little thing
it took your breath away.

It had been a month then
since I'd killed a man.

My son Kaichiro...

is a fine swordsman and scholar.

I don?t just say that
because I'm his father.

He'll be a fine samurai.

I decided I'd kill this man.

Please...

Could you walk me back to my lodging?

Sorry?

I'm drunk, and it's not safe to go ...

staggering down the street alone.

Of course.

This should do.

Here?

A joke can go too far, sir.

I ask you the reason for this.

There is no reason.

You'd kill for no reason?

- I just don't like you.
- You're crazy!

Die!

I can't allow that to happen.
I won't die.

I'm not serious.

I just wanted to test you.

I ask that this be
the last time you test me.

You don't want to die?
What kind of samurai is that?

No one really wants to die.

Are you any different?

I don't care, I'm only alive
because no one will kill me.

I'm different.

I kill because I don't want to die.

For violating the rules of our troop,
Takito Seyama has been ordered...

to commit hara-kiri.

When he has cut himself open ...

you new men will remove his head.

What is his crime?

That doesn't concern you.

Do not fail.

I will obey.

Hurry it up.

No! Please! Stop!

I'm truly sorry.

Forgive me.

Payment.

Go have fun in Shimabara.

Don't you want it?

I can't accept this!

I see.

Hijikata-sensei ...

as you're aware,
the circumstances...

made the task quite difficult.

It caused a chip in the blade of my sword.

Could I perhaps ask for ...

the cost of a new sword?

That should do, Your blade
doesn't bear its maker's name.

You're too kind.

My humble thanks!

What kind of a samurai is that?

He's really something!

Where's it chipped?

My sword's as worn down as I am.

The Shinsengumi was ...

the sterile flower
of the Shoguns' end.

And here was this miser
squirreling away all he could.

We're checking to make sure
it's nothing contagious.

It'll take a bit more time.

I'm sorry.
I've come at a bad time.

Would you like a drink?

A lot of our patients
pay their bills with alcohol.

We're moving tomorrow
and we have all that left...

Oh...
I don't know what to say...

I heard you'd accept alcohol
for your fee...

If you gave me money
I'd just buy liquor with it.

You're too kind.

Anyway, have a drink.

You're too kind.

Your father?

Hm?

Oh... No.

That gentleman was my teacher.

Morioka is...

140 leagues from Edo...

at the end of the Oshu road
and not blessed like the west country.

To stand up for your own land against
the children of those rich ones...

is no easy thing.

The Morioka cherry blossom ...

splits through rock to bloom.

The Morioka magnolia blooms ...

even facing north.

So I don't want you to wait until spring
comes and it's nice and warm.

Split that rock.

Run ahead of the times.

Go wild.

Bloom.

Yoshimura-sensei was
a low-ranked samurai ...

known for his learning and swordsmanship.

Our clan made him
a teacher at its school.

Focus your mind.

Squire Chiaki!

Your body's wide open.
Keep your arms down!

Yes!

Good, Kaichiro!

His son Kaichiro was like him strong ...

and gentle.

Are you all right?

'Let's go to the peach tree'.

Mitsu...

Shizu...
I'm back.

Welcome home.

Hello, Squire Ono.

Come in.

Go on.

Mitsu...

Yoshimura-sensei had to
struggle to keep up appearances.

It was all he could do
to keep his family fed.

But to my eyes at least ...

they seemed happy.

But then, to everyone's surprise
he left the clan ...

leaving his family behind.

In those days leaving one's clan
was practically treason.

But what really shocked me
was that a man ...

who preached the virtues
of Nanbu samurai ...

and was so proud of
the beauty of his land ...

would abandon it.

Your old man's a traitor!

A disgrace!

He should die!

A real samurai apologizes
by spilling his guts!

Hara-kiri!

Stop!

I will speak.

Yoshimura-sensei ...

served my father Jiroemon Ono.

The sin of an underling
is the sin of his master.

If Kaichiro has to kill himself ...

so do I.

Is that your wish?

Come on.

Are you all right?

I'm sorry ...

you had to do that for me Squire Chiaki.

I couldn't stand to see
Kaichiro lose heart that way.

Starting with Kaichiro
the rest of the family ...

were driven from the clan's domain
to seek refuge with relatives.

Wind chimes!

Wind chimes for sale!

Well done.

Kanichiro Yoshimura!

- Sir!
- 2 ryo, 3 bu 3 shu.

Well done.

My humble thanks.

Next!

- Next!
- Tatsunosuke Nishimura!

Thank you!

2 ryo, 1 bu, 2 shu.

Hello!

Hello again!

Could you send this, please?

Certainly.

Mr. Yoshimura here's a letter for you.

My humble thanks!

I'll write you a receipt.

'Dear Father ...

I have read your letter ...

and it is wonderful
to hear that you are well.

Mother and Mitsu are in good health ...

and Keijiro is learning both
to speak and to make mischief.

I am helping in the fields ...

and continuing to practice with my sword.

Mitsu sometimes calls out
'Papa' in her sleep.

I would like to come to Kyoto ...

and serve with you as a samurai.

I will take care of our family ...

so please do not be uneasy.

- Alms!
- Alms!

Please, sir!
Alms for the poor!

For several years Morioka ...

had suffered a harsh famine.

Just as I was
getting worried about Kaichiro ...

who should I run into
after some time but the man himself.

'Dear Shizu, Kaichiro, Mitsu
and Keijiro ...

Are you well?

Kaichiro!

I'm sorry ...

Squire Chiaki!

Please!

You don't have to bow to me!

We're friends!

Forgive me!

Kaichiro!

Kaichiro!

I see ...

That's how Kanichiro's
supporting his family?

Why was Yoshimura-sensei
driven from the clan?

Surely you could have
done something, Father.

I cannot act out of personal feeling.

A man who leaves his clan
does not merit our concern.

We suffered a serious loss of face.

So the rumor ...

he's joined the Shinsengumi is true.

My father and Yoshimura-sensei
were born in the same barracks.

His father was a minor Samurai of Foot.

My father lived there with his mother.

But suddenly a gap opened up
in their relative status.

The Ono family's son
took sick and died.

My father,
the son of old Ono's concubine...

was adopted as heir...

to a 400-koku stipend.

It is with deepest gratitude
I enter the House of Ono.

Though I am of humble birth...

As a concubine's son...

he was in no position to go against
the head of the family.

He probably struggled to learn
to suppress all his own feelings.

Despite, or perhaps because of,
their change in status...

the only one he could talk to
was Yoshimura-sensei.

However...

- Leave the clan?
- Yes.

I hear of great changes taking place.

I cannot resist my nation's call...

to revere the emperor, expel
the barbarians and defend the Shogun.

Do you really expect me
to believe that?

I know it's hard on a tiny stipend
when the crops keep failing.

But Kanichiro...

don't do something stupid
like leaving the clan.

What will I do without you?

My resolve will not be shaken.

Why, Kanichiro?

Haven't we been friends
all our lives?

Please...

I'm truly sorry.

Fool!
Leaving your clan is a crime!

I won't stand for it!

So said my father.
It was only later I found out...

he'd secretly given Yoshimura-sensei
a letter of credit...

for his journey.

Why...

do you have that photograph?

If it's not your father...

That gentleman was a friend of my father...

or to be more precise,
the father of my friend.

He'd be about your age.

Would you have ever heard of
the Shinsengumi?

Well...

They were very powerful
weren't they?

They were no use in the new era.

Grandpa! I'm going home.

Be a good boy
and do as the doctor says!

If you don't do as she says
you won't get better.

Are you getting things cleaned up?

- I was just starting.
- What'll I do with you!

Now.

We are the Shinsengumi!

We have business here!

Die!

- One of your men.
- What? Who?

He died instantly.

Sanjuro Tani?
Who killed him?

I don't know.

He was found this morning
in front of Gion Shrine.

Tani?

He'd been getting above himself.

The other men didn't like it.

You're saying one of us did it?

We're investigating.

Murderer!

- Stop it!
- You did this!

I will not allow serving the Shogun
to be called murder.

What?

Shuhei!

Saito-sensei...

there's something
I'd like to ask you.

Would you mind?

A brilliantly executed cut to the chest.

The cut begins on the left.

And one more thing.

One stab from left of the spine
to the heart.

Mr. Shinohara deduces
there were two culprits.

- A two-man job...
- No.

I believe the assailant acted alone.

After the body cut
but before he fell...

he was finished off with a stab.

A deft swordsman, then.

I've always heard that...

left-handed men were quite deft.

To stab...

one turns the sword
on its side...

like this.

From the right...

the wound doesn't match.

But...

from the left hand.

Even so...

it was most skillfully done.

Simply brilliant.

But our rules...

strictly forbid private vendettas...

Saito-sensei.

And have you mentioned
these conclusions to anyone?

No.

Do you draw against me, sir?

The Shinsengumi
this death-seeking rabble...

suits me somehow.

Keep out of my way.

Well, then...

will you give me some money...

to keep my mouth closed?

Why do walk on that side?

I'm afraid of your left arm
Saito-sensei

I won't draw on you.

Does this...

mean us?

Are we...

'the wolves of Mibu'?

My humble thanks.

I don't want your thanks.

Welcome.

I'm sorry to disturb you.

Not much to look at, huh?

Please.

Well! Thank you.

I don't like beautiful women.
Women called 'beautiful' disgust me.

After all, none of us is
more than a sack of shit.

They be so pretty!

I'm truly sorry!

Your accent makes me think...

you're from Oshu.

I worked all over the north.

Then I was sold to a brothel
in Shimabara, here in Kyoto.

I see...

I didn't know that.

The boss' here doesn't like
people talking too much.

You can't talk too much
about your home town.

She's beautiful!

I'm getting married...
to a girl from near here.

You are?

Who is it?

Shizu, the girl at the summer festival
we were looking at.

Shizu?

I fell in love at first sight.

You did, eh?

I see...

Fool!

Do you mock me!
A farmer's daughter!

If a samurai family adopted her...

Make her a concubine if you like.

You can keep her until
you make a proper marriage.

That we will permit.

Please stop!

What is it, Miss? Do you need
to relieve yourself?

Hey!

You stay here!

Hey!

Kanichiro!

Shizu!

What are you doing here?

This is where I want to be!

I want to marry you!

Shizu!

- Kanichiro!
- Shizu...

Give the girl back, please.

Shizu...

will be my wife!

Jiroemon won't have her!
Go tell him that, Sasuke!

You can't do that!

From this day on...

you are my wife.

I won't let anyone
lay a finger on you!

- Shizu!
- Kanichiro!

I have received
unofficial notification from Edo.

We of the Shinsengumi are...

to be made direct retainers
of the Shogun himself!

We must look to our task.

We must preserve
the authority of the Shogun...

and his Tokugawa family!

Kondo-sensei.

You say that we are to be made
hatamoto? Is this true?

Yes.

Yoshimura...

does this displease you?

No!

No, Not at all.

Um...
may I ask a foolish question?

Will we receive payment
appropriate to this honor?

Payment?

'All personnel to rank as 'Inspector'...

You will earn 40 bags of rice'.

- Forty?
- Yes, Forty.

Thank you!

Kondo-sensei...

thank you
from the bottom of my heart!

Ito-sensei, Hijikata-sensei...

thank you very much!

Everybody...
I thank you...

with all my heart!

My humble thanks,
too Yoshimura-sensei!

Saito-sensei...

my humble thanks!

The gentleman in the middle don't move,
stay still.

Hold your breath!

One, two, three...

four, five, six, seven
eight, nine, ten.

Well done.
That's it.

Who's next for a photograph?

- Yoshimura!
- Yes?

Have a picture taken.
They'll love it back home.

No, no, thank you.

Don't worry.
We'll pay for it.

Well, if you say so...

What, only me?

- Gentlemen!
- Just you.

Kondo-sensei!
Saito-sensei!

Like this...

Stand still.
Just bear with it.

Don't move!
Hold your breath.

One, two, three...

Where are you moving to?

Manchuria.

China?
That's a long way away.

Yes.

By this time the Shinsengumi
had split into two factions.

So had Japan, as the Shogun's forces
fought the southwestern clans...

who wished the Emperor to rule.

This was a tide...

the Shinsengumi could not resist.
- Yoshimura!

Yes?

Could I ask for some of your
time tonight? It's important.

Certainly.

This is fine.
Leave us.

Our task is to guard the Court.

Our loyalty lays with the Emperor.

Under Squire Kondo...

we are no more than
the Tokugawa Shogun's dogs.

In this time of upheaval in the land
I cannot but think that is a mistake.

We thus take leave of the Shinsengumi.

I wasn't surprised.

A fox thinks for itself
while a dog simply follows.

We want you with us!

We need your swords!

We'll be appointed Imperial Guards.

We promise you twice what you get
as Shogun's hatamoto.

We're not asking you to decide now.

By leaving my clan
I have already failed one lord...

I will not betray the trust of another.

Yoshimura...
Mr. Saito...

As I see it,
the Tokugawa Shogunate is dead.

Others have left Katsura, from Choshu
and Sakamoto, from Tosa...

No!

I cannot.

Yoshimura!
Think of the future!

I was surprised, too...

that money would not sway Yoshimura.

You're not fit to be samurai!

You have an obligation!

- You're a disgrace!
- Mr. Shinohara!

Get out of Kyoto!

I decided to go with Ito...

but as an informer
for Kondo and Hijikata.

Squire Okubo, we must remove...

those who are disloyal to the Emperor.

Indeed.

Those who can't see
where the times are headed...

are in our way.

Without Kondo and Hijikata...

the Shinsengumi will collapse.

That's easy to say, Mr. Ito.

Unless...

Mr. Saito helps.

They were counting on me.

Ito was a fox, So was Okubo
of Satsuma, in the southwest.

They knew a wolf when they saw one.

I wear a family crest...

Mother often speaks in jest...

And Father da-dum da-dum...

Elder Sister makes eyes
at the guest...

and Little Sister...

is being a pest.

Be careful.

Hey 'Boss'...

It was Yoshimura's job...

to pass my messages to Hijikata.

That was ironic.

I'm sorry a woman has to do
such dangerous work.

It doesn't frighten me at all
I'm happy to do it.

Have some of these dumplings,
I love them.

- Well! So do I!
- That's good.

Thank you.

Just the thought that a woman
like me can help...

makes me feel strong inside.

When we first met in Shimabara
he came back the next day...

and bought out
my contract from the brothel.

I'm proud when he says...

I'm not much to look at.

My family all starved in the famine.

He's the only one
who's ever stood by me.

He took pity on me.

He did, eh?

- Have some.
- I'm fine, thanks.

I passed on Ito's plot to kill Kondo...

and even Ryoma Sakamoto
who was against using force...

to topple the Shogun.

Very interesting.

Kill Ito.

Of course I couldn't kill Kondo
so I killed their other target.

Welcome home.

Keep away from the Shinsengumi.

Don't see Yoshimura again.

I've got to hide out.

You get out of here, too.

Why do I have to go?

I've taken a big chance.
I'll be lucky to come out alive.

If you're with me,
they'll come after you, too.

This...

is a farewell gift.

I don't care,
I'm staying.

I don't want you getting killed!

Goodbye.

I don't want this.

Think of yourself!

I understand perfectly
what you're saying.

But I don't need anything from you.

Instead...

tonight...

make love to me.

Hold me...

please...

- What happened?
- Ryoma Sakamoto's been killed!

What?

I wasn't excited about
who had assassinated Ryoma.

Better than anyone I knew who had.

Hello?

Miss Nui?

May I come in?

Miss Nui?

Miss...

Miss Nui!

Shizu!

Shizu!

Shizu!

A samurai's wife can't kill herself...

so there's one less mouth to feed!

Let me go!

Shizu!

- Let me die!
- Shizu!

Shizu! You can't!

You can't do this!

All right...

let me die and use me for food!

I can't...

go on bringing you in trouble!

Shizu!

Father!

Don't be angry at Mother!

I'm not hungry!
I don't need to eat!

Father...

I won't...

let this happen to you again.

I owe my loyalty to you.

No one else.

As a teacher of children...

and a fencing instructor...

it's impossible for me to go...

begging for money here in Morioka.

But I know full well...

that without money none of you
will live through the winter.

Kaichiro...

Mitsu...

Though I might...

abandon my clan to earn my living...

I will never abandon you.

Shizu...

Look after the new baby when it comes.

- Kanichiro...
- No!

It has to seem like,
I left without telling you.

We can't have words of farewell!

So...

I'm going.

Kanichiro!

Father! Father!

Father...

Go home!
You mustn't see me off!

I won't.

Only just hold Mitsu one last time.

She doesn't deserve to have
the father she loves...

go without a word.

Papa...

Papa...

Papa...

Papa...

Papa...

Papa...

Mitsu...

- Mitsu...
- Papa...

- Mitsu...
- Papa...

- Mitsu...
- Papa...

Father, please don't cry.

I only wish your departure...

were a happier one.

Squire Saito returns!

Saito-sensei?

- Why?
- I don't know.

Squire Saito!

Stand aside!

I was tired of hiding out
I went back to the Shinsengumi...

though I knew perfectly well...

how bedraggled it had become.

That was all the more reason
for me to return.

My sympathies for
the unpleasant task that fell to you.

I don't need your sympathy.
Move.

Saito-sensei...

Miss Nui...

What about her?

She killed herself.

I see...

I took the liberty of arranging
a funeral at Koenji Temple.

Mind your own business.

Right then only he knew...

my innermost thoughts.

You're going to kill me?

A country samurai
who doesn't care what happens?

Doesn't anything matter
as long as you get paid?

Money-grubber!

Mercenary!

How much are they paying you
to kill me?

I'm truly sorry.

It was all...

downhill from there.

The Shogun resigned...

and political power returned
to the Emperor.

The Lord of Aizu
Commissioner of Kyoto...

was relieved of his post...

leaving us with nothing to guard.

Okita was dying of tuberculosis...

and Shinohara of the Ito faction...

had shot Kondo.

As if seeking its last stand...

the Shinsengumi joined in the fight...

against the southwestern clans.

Fighting was all we could do.

Squire Ono...

Straighten your backs!
Stick out your chests!

We are the warriors of Mibu!

Shinsengumi!

Good on you!

Shinsengumi!

Are you properly dressed?

If your clothing isn't good and
tight you will die!

Even if you fall
do not drop your sword!

Keep swinging it!

If you're out of breath
grab your opponent.

Use any means you can...

and come back alive.

They're coming!

The Shinsengumi's here!

Charge!

Fire!

Forward!

Fire!

It was ridiculess.

Swords against guns
a foregone conclusion.

The day of the sword...

was already far in the past.

==Nanbu Clan godown, Osaka.==

Reporting!

The Shogun's forces are retreating.

The southwestern army is in pursuit.

They're winning?

Yes, sir.

The Shinsengumi's no help?

'Shinsengumi'?

Nothing.

We fled with the Shogun's troops.

The other clans deserted us.

On the edge of annihilation ...

we played our final card.

You all right?

Have some food.

Go on, eat.

Eat slowly!

Saito-sensei...

I got the Aizu people
to share their supplies with us.

Please...

Have you eaten?

Uh... no.

Was that the last?

Why didn't you say?
You let me eat the last one!

I'm used to being hungry.

This'll do me fine.

You bastard!

I hate your guts!

Why should one shit-sack care
if another's full?

In a world where men hate enough
to kill each other...

why are you trying to fill my stomach!

Saito-sensei!
I can't breathe!

Yoshimura ...
get out of here.

We're going to die here ...

whether we like it or not.

But I don't want you to.

Not a man like you.

Mr. Saito.

I am...

a Nanbu samurai.

A Nanbu samurai...

lets neither wife nor child
sway him from his duty.

When Nanbu fights
I will be there first.

I'm truly grateful for
the consideration you've shown me...

but I will never
turn my back on my duty.

Yoshimura!

Saito-sensei.

My humble thanks.

He was a true samurai.

The enemy!

Hold your fire!

Stop shooting!

Swords!

Fight or die!

Cut them down!

Retreat!

Retreat!
Retreat!

Forward!

The Emperor's standard!

We are the Imperial Army!

Withdraw your soldiers!

There will be no mercy for rebels!

Are we rebels now?

Withdraw!

Withdraw!
Don't resist!

Don't resist!
Withdraw!

Hijikata-sensei!

Are we rebels?

- Hey!
- Stand your ground!

Stay here, I said!

I am Kanichiro Yoshimura ...

of the Shinsengumi!

I serve the Tokugawa Shogun!

I do not wish to raise my arm
against His Majesty the Emperor...

but my duty bids me fight!

I stand against you!

Yoshimura!

Don't die!

Yoshimura!

Yoshimura!

Don't die, Yoshimura!

Yoshimura!

Yoshimura! Yoshimura!

Yoshimura...

So you knew Yoshimura-sensei?

I assume he died at
the Battle of Toba-Fushimi...

No.

What, is he alive?

After that battle...

the war went in favor of
the southwestern clans.

My father, Jiroemon Ono...

had been sent to Osaka...

as godown manager, to steer
the clan through the crisis.

Leave to speak!
His Lordship the Shogun...

has fled Osaka Castle...

left his army and taken ship for Edo.

We know who's going to win now.
The way forward is clear!

We can either join the Emperor
and his southwestern clans...

or be destroyed with the Tokugawas!

- I agree!
- Calm down...

or the lower castes
will get excited as well.

It is important that
we remain absolutely neutral.

We must not take sides.

All we need do is dress normally
and strengthen our gate.

We aid no fleeing soldiers...

and we say nothing about
the war's outcome.

Understood?

Yoshimura-sensei picked that time
to appear before my father.

Kanichiro?

Yoshimura's here?

He's in front of the gate
badly wounded.

Yoshimura!

What should we do?

All right,
bring him into the back garden.

Yes, sir!

Why did he have to come now?

Why!

You bloody fool!
You should be ashamed.

Yoshimura!

Squire Jiroemon...

While our battle has ended...

in total defeat...

to die here
at the hands of some villain...

would be a wasted death.

If I may...

I would like to be of service
to my own land.

I would like to return there.

Now?

A true Nanbu samurai...

would go back to the Shinsengumi...

and die there like a man.

I beg you!

Yoshimura...

after what you've done...

I couldn't possibly ask the clan
to take you back!

At least...

until my wounds heal.

For the sake...

of all our years of friendship.

To all the men of all the clans!

Report all rebel soldiers
to the Imperial Army!

Conceal them...

and your clan will be suppressed!

I say again...

Report all rebel soldiers
to the Imperial Army!

Conceal them
and your clan will be suppressed!

Yoshimura...

you're a disgrace.

We will leave you alone.

Kill yourself.

This is not an entertainment!

Begone!

I'm sorry, Sasuke.

Kanichiro...

why did you fight at Toba-Fushimi?

Why didn't you join the Shogun
at Osaka Castle?

Together, you might have had
a chance.

The way you are now.

How could you escape anywhere?

It was...

out of duty I fought.

We lost,
it's true but I'm not dead yet.

While I'm still alive...

I want to go back to Morioka.

I want to see Shizu and my children.

Nanbu is my land.

I can't put you on the scales
against all of Nanbu.

If it were only me,
I would die for you.

But I can't make Nanbu...

the enemy of His Majesty
just for you!

That sword of yours won't cut any more.

I'll give you mine.

It's made by
Yamato no Kami Yasusada.

Use it to cut open your stomach
like a samurai should.

Please help him!
Father!

Sir?

A hungry man
can't meet death properly.

I'll give him some food.

I didn't realize.
I'm sorry.

I'll do it.

I didn't think about it until just now

Take him some hot water as well.

Is it snowing...

in Nanbu now, too?

Powder snow...

Oh, dear...

Now what?

Here.

This rice...

comes from Nanbu?

Nanbu rice

It's so good.

So good I drool to think of it.

Enjoy it.

Take your time and enjoy it.

Thank you.

First...

one ryo.

A kimono sash for Shizu.

This one ryo...

is for Mitsu's Doll-Festival stand.

This one's for Keijiro's baby robe.

Well, what do you know?

Here I wanted to buy Kaichiro
a sword...

but I don't have the money.

Kaichiro...

nothing could make you cry
could it.

I didn't...

deserve a son like you.

Kaichiro and Mitsu...

and Keijiro who I've never seen.

I want to...

hold you.

Shizu...

what are you doing right now?

Can you hear the words
my heart speaks...

that I never could say?

I fell...

completely in love with you.

I tried...

as hard as I could.

I did all I could.

You...

don't mind, do you?

Shizu?

It's all right if I...

kill myself?

Forgive me.

Let's go to the peach tree.

If there are any peaches we'll pick them.

Five for Uncle...

I can hear Mitsu singing...

such a sweet little voice.

Mitsu...

You were never out of my mind.

Even for a single day.

It's as if...

you're the only one I wasn't
apart from for even a minute.

So Mitsu...

even though I kill myself...

I'll always be by your side.

Now I'm going to die.

Shizu...

Kaichiro...

Mitsu...

Keijiro...

I'm not going to hell...

or to heaven.

I'm...

going to be with you...

every second.

Only with you!

I was there
when Yoshimura-sensei died.

Sir...

Take these two things to my home.

He didn't use the sword!

You didn't touch the rice...

You stubborn mule!

Kanichiro!

Kanichiro!

Eat!
Eat!

It's Nanbu rice!

From Morioka, grown with
Kitakami River water.

Eat!

Kanichiro...

because of you...

Shizu and the children eat their fill.

It's your turn now.

You dreamed of Nanbu rice.

Eat, Kanichiro!

It's good!

Kanichiro!

Kanichiro!

He was named one of
Lord Tokugawa's advance guard...

and served well.

Rather than suffer dishonor...

he asked to commit hara-kiri.

That was his choice?

Yes.

He refused a second...

and bravely, alone...
cut open his stomach.

With that sword?

No.

He wanted to give it to you.

He didn't want it stained.

He used another.

I see...

Husband...

thank you.

You worked so hard...

to support us.

Thank you.

He was a brave man.

So that's what happened.

Ordering him to do that...

must have broken your father's heart.

Suddenly, after that...

my father was like a different man.

They must never become the Imperial army!

The southwestern clans
started this war...

They are the rebels!

He had always been so cautious...

but when Akita went over
to the southwestern clans...

he led the attack on it.

I call on the samurai of Nanbu
to do their duty!

I can only think...

that he was looking for death
in battle himself.

And, sadly, he found it.

May all be well with you.

Squire Chiaki!

Kaichiro...

I'm going to Hakodate to fight.

- At the fort there?
- Yes.

You'll never come back alive
out of there!

I don't care.

That's not very smart.
Why go if you know...

you won't come back?

The duty of a Nanbu samurai
is to fight until the very last.

Don't go!
Don't go!

Mitsu...

you can't stop him.

This is far enough Squire Chiaki.

Thank you.

This is pure spring-water.
Let's drink from it...

- for luck.
- Yes!

Drink from my hands.

Now you drink from mine.

Here.

I won't take it!

When everyone else
is trying to stay alive...

you're going to die!

You're only 16!
You haven't lived yet!

Why do you have to die?

Squire Chiaki...

I can't leave the father I love...

to cross the River of Death alone.

So please...
drink.

Kaichiro...
don't die!

Kaichiro!

Chiaki...

Chiaki...

Chiaki!

Kaichiro...
don't die!

Don't die!

Brother! Don't go away!

Mitsu...
I have to.

Brother!

Brother!

Brother!

Look after her, will you?

I will go and fight for Nanbu.

Brother!
Brother!

Brother!

Brother!
Brother!

Kaichiro never came back to Morioka.

He died in the Battle of Hakodate.

Brother!

Mitsu!

I'll be your big brother now.

And then, later on...

I married Mitsu.

There!
All finished!

Well done!

Sorry to keep you waiting.
Minoru...

I don't think it's serious,
just a cold.

I've mixed some medicine
for his symptoms.

Give it to him after meals,
and see he gets lots of rest.

Make sure you take this, OK?

My humble thanks, Yoshimura-sensei.

Well...

Thank you for your help.

Take care.

Come on.

Morioka, in Nanbu.
It's a beautiful place.

Away to the south is Mt. Hayachine...

with Mt. Nansho and Mt. Azumane
to the west.

In the north are
Mt. Iwate and Mt. Himekami.

Out of the high mountains...

- Grandpa, carry me!
- No! A samurai walks!

Yes, sir.

Ah, it's pretty as a picture!

There's nowhere like it in all Japan!

May all be well with you.

Mitsu has lost so many
who are close...

that even now...

in sleep she holds
my hand and won't let go.

Words can't express how much
of a help Mitsu has been to me.

After my father died in battle...

my family were treated as rebels
and suppressed.

But perhaps that was luck...

as it made it possible for me
to marry Mitsu.

Sasuke, who has become the boss
of a gambling syndicate...

looks out for us even now.

Mitsu and I have decided
to move to China...

where we will practice medicine
in Manchuria.

We will cross the sea
and live in that empty land...

and do the best we can there.

Morioka, in Nanbu...

It's pretty as a picture!

There's nowhere like it
in all Japan!

The Morioka cherry blossom
splits through rock to bloom.

The Morioka magnolia blooms
even facing north.

So I want you to run ahead of the times.

Go wild aan bloom.

Kanichiro Yoshimura
Kiichi Nakai

Jiroemon Ono
Yuji Miyake

Shizu
Yui Natsukawa

Chiaki Ono
Takehiro Murata

Nui
Miki Nakatani

Hajime Saito
Koichi Sato

Story
Jiro Asada

Music
Joe Hisaishi