Yagyu Clan Conspiracy (1978) - full transcript

The Conspiracy of Yagyu Clan

A Toei Production

Screenplay by TATSUO NOCAMI

HIROO MATSUDA

KINJI FUKASAKU

Photographed by TORU NAKAJIMA

Music by TOSHIAKI TSUSHIMA

Starring

KINNOSUKE YOROZUYA

SONNY CHIBA

HIROKI MATSUKATA

TERUHIKO SAICO

REIKO OHARA

YOSHIO HARADA

ETSUKO SHIOMI

KENTARO KUDO

JIRO YABUKI

HIDEO MUROTA HIRO YUKI SANADA

MAYUMI ASANO ICHIRO NAKATANI

TETSURO TAMBA

ETSUSHI TAKAHASHI

ISAO NATSUYACI

MIKIO NARITA SANAE NAKAHARA

NOBUO KANEKO

SHINSUKE ASHIDA

ISUZU YAMADA

TOSHIRO MIFUNE

Directed by

KINJI FUKASAKU

1624: Tokugawa Shogun Hidetada

Dies at Edo Castle

Shogun Hidetada died suddenly

after only two hours of suffering.

His death seemed unnatural,

but the doctor announced he died

from food poisoning.

That night Kihei Komuro,

the taster, killed himself.

He left no notes, but it was obvious

he assumed responsibility.

Nobody doubted it.

The death sparked a serious problem

for the government.

They had not decided who would

succeed the late Shogun.

Iemitsu, Hidetada's eldest son,

was to be heir.

But unfortunately

he was ugly and stammered.

Hidetada disliked him.

On the contrary, Tadanaga,

the second son,

was bright and handsome.

He was an object of admiration.

Hidetada's wife Oeyo also wanted him

to be the next Shogun.

She influenced the relatives

and the ministers...

lord of Owari,

Doi, the Chief Chamberlain,

Sakai, the Councilor...

important men

of the government.

They eagerly backed

Tadanaga.

Meanwhile, Matsudaira Izu,

a young chamberlain,

and Lady Kasuga,

leader of the harem,

backed Iemitsu.

Furthermore, the nobles hoped

for the ruin of the government,

including the scheming

Saneeda Sanjo

and Ayamaro Karasumaru.

The temporary peace

after the long civil war in Osaka

was quickly disappearing.

The funeral heralded

turbulence in the near future.

Zojo Temple,

Shogun's Tomb

Okay, let's go!

What are you doing

at this hour of the night?

Who are you?

Go!

She's Yagyu's daughter.

The others must be...

- Father!

- Come in.

- We're back.

- You got it?

Yes, here.

What?!

Yagyu stole it?!

Yes.

Forgive me, my lord.

Fool.

Yagyu is a mere fencing coach.

What's his game?

Maybe he joined the group

who sides with Iemitsu.

- Hanzo.

- Yes, sir.

Watch the Yagyu family.

He was poisoned.

I thought so.

They killed him.

Who's "they"?

Father!

Is Jubei still

back home?

He wrote to me he was going

to see a swordsman in Ise.

He must be in Ise now.

Send for him immediately.

Yes, sir.

Prince Iemitsu is coming.

You want a secret meeting?

Did you know this?

Thieves broke into Zojo Temple

last night.

- What?

- What did they steal?

Late Shogun Hidetada's

stomach.

They probably wanted evidence

of poisoning.

Poisoning?

Yagyu!

Do you know what

you're saying?

For 10 years I've taught

fencing to Prince Iemitsu.

I love him

more than anybody else.

I think the people who poisoned

Shogun Hidetada

must have done it

because of their love for the prince.

They did it as a last resort.

Wait.

Now tell me exactly...

what happened

to the thieves?

Did they succeed?

Don't worry,

I have what they stole.

But I don't understand

why criminals who poisoned him

didn't prepare for the consequences.

What do you mean?

Even a fencing instructor like me

isn't convinced.

The death of Shogun Hidetada

was so sudden.

Chief Chamberlain Doi,

who backs Prince Tadanaga,

should suspect he was poisoned

and want to know the truth.

He was thoughtless.

He wasn't prepared

and was surprised by the news.

His negligence concerns me.

This is a critical time.

They're jeopardizing the safety

of Prince Iemitsu.

Their negligence

is unforgivable.

Chamberlain,

what do you think?

Yagyu, you're right.

I have no words to answer.

To tell the truth,

we did it.

- Izu!

- Quiet!

The prince is coming.

You want to talk with me?

Is it about

my late father?

Please listen to me calmly,

Prince.

Your father didn't die

of a disease.

He was poisoned.

What?

Kihei, the taster who killed himself

the other day...

he put arsenic in your father's food

for three days.

W-why did he do it?

Because he wanted

to work for you...

to die for you.

He did what he was told to.

W-who told him to do it?

I did.

What did you say?

I told him to shorten

Shogun Hidetada's life.

Wait!

If you really did, I'll kill you.

I'll kill you!

But you didn't.

Who are you protecting?

I'm not protecting anyone.

Fool!

Are you making fun of me?!

Tell me!

Who killed my father?

As I said, I did.

You bastard!

No. T-tell me the truth, Yagyu!

Please wait!

Please wait, Prince.

To tell the truth...

to tell the truth,

it was planned by the two of us.

What?

If they hadn't planned it, Prince,

your father would

have been killed...

by me.

You bastards.

He decided

not to choose you as heir.

My f-father did not

choose me as heir?

Your mother agreed.

They wanted Prince Tadanaga

to be heir.

We've served you

since you were a child.

We felt sorry for you.

That isn't all.

We wanted justice.

You're the eldest son

and should be heir.

We must respect that.

I have no regrets.

After you become

the Third Shogun,

I'll commit hara-kiri.

So what?

That's no excuse!

I've been unlucky.

I-I'm ugly

and I stammer.

My parents hated me,

my retainers despise me.

Only a few people like you

have supported me.

To reciprocate,

I'd hoped I'd be

the next Shogun.

But not anymore!

How can I,

now that I know you killed him?!

You should be Shogun, Prince,

no matter what.

Yagyu!

You were born

to be Shogun.

It's your destiny.

D-destiny?

If you still refuse

to assume the post,

kill the three of us

here and now.

What is a Shogun?

The leader of all samurai.

No, the leader

of the people of Japan.

Just me?

Only one man was born

to take office of Shogun,

one out of millions of people.

And that's you,

my dear prince.

Kill your parents

if they stand in your way.

Get rid of the Buddha

if he interferes.

You need determination

more than justice.

If you're unable to do it,

I have nothing more to say.

I beg you...

to execute us immediately.

Yagyu...

Yes, sir.

Izu...

- Kasuga...

- Yes, sir.

I understand.

Starting today...

I'm ready to go

to hell with you.

Yamato Province

Kurodani, Yagyu Lands

All the members

of our family are here.

Hirakuchi's eldest son Hayate

and Fuchikari's sister Mon

are here to announce

their independence.

Men hunt and fish.

Women pick vegetables.

Let us unify our hearts.

Let us have

our homeland again.

Let us have our homeland again!

Hayate, Mon,

the ceremony is over.

You're now independent

Negoro fighters.

We lost our homeland

20 years ago.

But someday

we'll put it back

in the hands of the Negoro family.

Yes.

Those weapons

prove you're Negoro.

Keep them.

Yes.

Next,

I have something to tell you.

Yagyu sent us

a secret letter.

He asks for our help

because trouble is coming.

This is our chance.

I want to help him.

What do you say?

Agreed!

Let's go.

Let's show our power!

- Agreed!

- Agreed!

Agreed!

It won't be an easy fight.

If I die,

Hirakuchi takes command.

If he dies,

then it's Fuchikari!

If all the men die,

the women must fight.

If our bones turn to ash, we'll still

get back our homeland of Negoro.

Intruders!

There's more of them!

Hayate! Mon! Get them!

Look out!

Who are you?

You both have gotten stronger.

- Jubei!

- Yeah.

I see you've been

initiated.

No wonder you're stronger.

Oh, Jubei!

Sagenta, I'm back.

My sister wrote to me.

You got my father's letter?

You'll help us?

Who do you think they are?

I'm not sure.

Ninja of Koga School.

That's right.

They were sent by Hanzo Watanabe,

Doi's retainer.

Doi?

The Chamberlain?

Sagenta, you're getting involved

in a serious struggle.

No regrets?

No regrets!

It's our last chance.

Then I won't say anything.

Let's fight together.

Yes, let's.

Mon, I missed

your vegetable porridge.

What?

My father was poisoned?!

Is it true?

I firmly believe so.

I can't believe it.

What do you think, Mother?

It's possible.

Your father wanted you

to be Shogun,

but some disagreed

so they killed him.

Who?

You know.

Matsudaira Izu

and Lady Kasuga...

Iemitsu's aides.

Right, Doi?

Yes.

I don't think

they would dare kill him.

Tadanaga,

it's kind of you

to protect your brother,

but this is about

what happened to your father.

He doesn't deserve kindness.

Mother,

I didn't want

to push my brother aside

to become the next Shogun.

Frankly, your expectations

embarrassed me.

Tadanaga...

But that's a different matter.

If he killed my father,

he must pay for it.

Prince,

I'd stake my life on it.

Please tell me what you plan

to do about it.

Understood.

I'll see my brother.

Prince Iemitsu is here.

What would you

like to discuss?

This is an important

conversation.

Will you send him away?

You mean Yagyu?

Yes.

He stays.

He's my fencing instructor.

He's one of my closest friends.

Don't tell me what to do.

What do you want to talk about?

I'm listening.

Then I'll start.

Will you have

our father's body examined?

What for?

Some doubt the cause

of his death.

Doi, is this your idea?

Yes, Prince.

Why?

You ask me why?

Don't you know?

No, so I'm asking!

They say your father

was poisoned.

Izu and Kasuga must know.

Why didn't you tell him?

Don't blame me.

I heard the rumor too,

but it's groundless.

I refused to listen.

So did I.

Such rumors must not

reach his ears.

Is it really groundless?

You can see if you examine

your father's body.

Iemitsu,

I want to know the truth

so my husband can rest in peace.

I'm asking you,

please have his body examined.

No!

Why not?

We shouldn't disturb

my father's peace for a rumor.

As heir, I refuse to have

his body examined.

But brother, if the rumor is true

he must be very angry.

We're his sons...

That's why.

We're his sons...

we shouldn't disturb him.

But brother, such rumors

can hurt your reputation.

If you show us the truth,

you can reign over us.

What,

you mean I can't

reign as I am?

I didn't mean that,

I just said...

Shut up!

It's no use talking with you.

Why run away, brother?

How should I behave?

You refuse to find the truth,

so you must be guilty too.

Only fools think like that.

Fools?

You call us fools?!

So what?

I don't want to see you anymore.

Go back to S-Suruga!

Outrageous!

Your father was right...

he has no ability

to rule the nation.

Was he involved in the murder

of my father?

He said Izu, Kasuga and Yagyu

are his closest friends.

Mother, come with me

to Suruga.

I have a big estate.

You can live in comfort there.

Then I'll fight them

and prove who is right.

Well said.

That's the prince we respect.

I'll be glad to die for you...

and for the future

of this country.

Tama River, Outskirts of Edo

Father, over there!

Just in time.

There's brother Jubei.

Jubei, it's been a long time.

Akane, no husband yet?

The Negoro clan is here to help

as you asked.

We appreciate this opportunity.

Thank you for coming so far.

I have a surprise for you...

good news.

Jubei told me about your wish

to return to your homeland.

You will be able to.

How?

Prince Iemitsu is pleased

with your help.

He'll grant your wish

if the trouble is settled.

Really?

He gave me his word.

Sagenta, congratulations.

I didn't expect it so soon.

Thank you.

I didn't do anything for you.

You taught me how to fight

as a ninja in Negoro.

Negoro is my home too.

- Let's dance, Jubei!

- Join us.

Who is that girl?

She's a new fighter.

She's called Mon.

I see.

Would you place her

under my control for a while?

What do you mean?

I've been looking

for a female fighter.

She's exactly the type I want.

Doi resigned from office

complaining he was ill.

He wanted to work for Tadanaga,

who had returned to Suruga.

Iemitsu assigned Matsudaira Izu

as Chief Chamberlain,

Yagyu as Inspector General,

and reshuffled his cabinet

to cope with Tadanaga.

Thus both princes

began to fight for the Shogunate.

But then the nobles in Kyoto

stood in their way.

We've been here five days.

We're too busy to spend

our days chattering with you.

When will His Majesty appoint

Prince Iemitsu the new Shogun?

Please answer clearly.

Regent, please respond.

All right, I'll have to see

His Majesty personally.

Set the date!

We can't.

Why not?

As I said,

the princes need

to resolve this on their own.

We can't take either side.

His Majesty can't interfere

in such frivolous matters.

You mean you refuse us?

No, no,

we didn't mean that.

His Majesty made a poem

the other day...

"Let us congratulate

your glorious future.

The voices of bamboo

will sing forever."

"Forever Bamboo" is

another name for Prince Iemitsu.

His Majesty wishes him a long life.

How benevolent.

Then why not appoint him

as Shogun?

What's funny?

Excuse me.

That was where we started

this discussion.

It's like a game, and we've gone

all the way around the board.

It's about time to pay a visit

to Daitokuji Temple.

Let us continue

this discussion tomorrow.

Who are they?

The sons of Yagyu,

Iemitsu?s fencing instructor.

The famous

Yagyu Shinkage School?

How scary!

Look at those long swords.

They must be sharp.

Brother, who is he?

Ayamaro Karasumaru,

the smartest man

in the palace.

"Smartest"?

He makes me sick.

At Sunpu Castle,

Tadanaga's estate,

Sunpu, Suruga

many masterless samurai

seeking opportunities are gathering,

bringing with them

an unusual amount of activity.

Take me with you.

Who is he?

Amano from Chosokabe.

Is he strong?

He killed three commanders

at the battle of Sekigahara.

Five at Osaka.

I heard he was killed

in action at Osaka.

Kanbei!

If it isn't Kanbei!

- You're alive?

- You too?

- Where did you come from?

- Echizen.

I can't die a beggar.

This is my last chance.

I can't sit still,

so I hurried here.

Let's go.

Hurry and tell the boss.

- What?

- Idiot, don't you have ears?

They came from Echizen too.

More men will come.

- What happens then?

- It'll explode.

The town will be overflow

with samurai and explode.

- What? What?

- What's going on?

You can't display your banners

on our land.

Take them down.

We side with Prince Tadanaga.

We're here to fight

the government.

We're ready

to die for him.

Thank you,

but we can handle it ourselves.

- What?

- Pack up and get out of here.

This is our place,

so we won't take down our banners.

Take them down

yourself.

Excuse me.

Shozaemon Bekki,

the commander of Suruga...

you'll have to fight him.

Remember how he fights.

So this is war.

This is war!

* My homeland *

* Is the land Izumo *

* I look back at my homeland *

* And it is spring in Kyoto *

* Flowers are in full bloom *

* Full bloom *

* The color... *

What did Izu and Kasuga

say to you?

They'd give us extra territory

if we agree to make Iemitsu Shogun.

How impudent.

You didn't?

They stayed two more days,

but they returned to Edo

empty-handed.

They deserved it.

Don't talk about politics here.

Not now.

It will be settled

sooner or later.

Enjoy the dance now.

How beautiful Okuni is.

* There's no moon tonight *

* The flowers of ancient times *

* Are not the same flowers *

* A single flower viewing *

* Is very melancholic. *

Wonderful, Okuni.

If you have time,

dance at my castle in Owari too.

Thank you very much,

my lord.

- Where is she?

- There.

Okuni, I've been happy

these past six months.

My only regret is

I'm not a good flute player.

Why do you say that?

War will break out.

You must leave this castle.

I won't leave.

- Okuni.

- I'm a commoner.

I can't say goodbye easily

like a samurai.

I won't bother you.

Please let me stay near you.

Try to understand...

it was peaceful

three months ago.

I never imagined

I'd fight my brother.

Now I'm bearing

the weight of millions of lives,

not only the people

on my land.

I can't back out now.

Prince.

Excuse me, sir.

Chamberlain Doi has arrived.

Keep well.

Good luck.

I've been waiting.

Iemitsu asked the Emperor

to decide who is Shogun.

I see, that's why the nobles

are here in your castle.

Yagyu and Izu thought of it.

Your report?

I've brought good news for you.

We have two helpers.

Go on.

One is Lord Date in Sendai.

He agreed to send his daughter

to marry you.

It proves his friendship.

He has power.

I'll persuade other powerful lords

such as Mori and Maeda.

Then all the local lords

will come to join us.

I'll leave for their castle

immediately.

Good. As soon as you return,

I'll declare war.

Who's the other helper?

Prince Tadanaga.

Who is he?

Genshinsai Ogasawara,

a master swordsman

as famous as Yagyu.

Genshinsai, answer me directly.

What do you wish?

Only one thing, Prince...

when you become Shogun,

I'd like you to employ me

as your fencing instructor.

What?

It's not from greed.

Kamiizumi Ise, my instructor,

established the Shinkage School.

I want to show my new Shinkage School

is successor to his.

Yagyu Shinkage School

is no match for me!

You sound promising.

Your wish is granted.

Thank you.

I promise I'll kill Yagyu

with my own hands.

Sanza, are you still here?

You were a soldier.

You must be excited.

Don't worry about me,

just join the troops.

Can I?

Who'd play the flute for you?

Who'd help you dance?

People have begun to notice your talent.

What good would that do?

All men should die!

Okuni, what were you talking about

with Prince Tadanaga?

I see.

You bid him goodbye.

None of your concern.

Wait.

I've decided.

I won't go.

I'll wait till you

forget the prince.

I'll keep playing

the flute for you.

Samon, Akane,

what is it?

My father's orders...

we'll kill Doi tonight

near the castle.

There will be 10 of us.

Will you choose

eight of your men for us?

- Yes.

- Here's one! Choose seven.

Yagyu's son?

I'm Ayamaro Karasumaru.

I will challenge you.

Don't interrupt!

Is that Yagyu Shinkage School?

Die!

Brother!

Brother!

How dare you?!

You're a girl.

Go away,

I won't kill girls.

- Samon!

- Samon!

- Attack!

- Captain!

- Over there!

- What's going on? Stop fighting!

Stop fighting! Stop fighting!

Retreat!

Retreat, retreat! Retreat!

Get out of here!

Retreat!

- Get out of here!

- Quick!

Wait, wait, wait!

Let's go, we're in a hurry.

Don't pursue them.

Wait, wait.

Noisy girl, I'll teach you a lesson.

She's good for a girl!

I'm sorry

we couldn't help you.

We'll kill Doi without fail.

You'd better go home.

- I won't.

- But...

I'm determined.

Until I kill Doi...

I won't go home.

Take this to my father

in Edo.

No, not me!

I came to fight.

I want to kill them.

Please take it.

Is that sissy noble

so strong?

I didn't know.

Maybe he's too much

for Akane to handle.

I'll go.

- Me too.

- No.

You must stay with Father.

Thank you for coming so far.

Tell Sagenta we're asking him

to redouble his efforts.

Yes, sir.

Mon, you've changed.

Hayate is surprised.

Mon, starting tomorrow

you'll work in the castle harem.

I told Lady Kasuga

about you.

Your mission

is to guard the prince.

It's an important job.

Do your best.

Yes, sir.

Yagyu,

it's been a long time.

Genshinsai?

I want a match.

Where's the dojo?

I can't fight.

Are you afraid?

I'm the Shogun's

fencing instructor.

I'm not allowed to fight.

The Shogun's instructor

is the leader of swordsmen.

You can't refuse.

All right,

I'll no longer

consider you a swordsman.

I offered you a chance

to die like a swordsman.

Jubei, you all right?

It's nothing.

I was able to cut him,

but he's better than I heard.

He's as good as I've heard.

Very strong.

It's Father.

Welcome, Genshinsai.

Please sit here.

Please.

Excuse me.

When did you get here?

I arrived this morning.

Is that so?

I'm glad to see you.

The show starts soon.

See for yourself how good

an actor Yukinojo is.

Hurry up

and bring some tea.

No, no, no,

don't bother.

I have a request to ask you.

I want to talk.

- Just us.

- I understand.

What do you want

to talk about?

Saruwaka...

please return

Yukinojo to me.

What?!

You want him to quit acting?

Genshinsai,

five years ago he dropped his sword

and became an actor.

You agreed to it,

so I made him my apprentice.

Now you suddenly want him to quit.

There must be some reason.

Please explain.

My pride as a samurai.

I have to kill my rival, Yagyu,

and I need Yukinojo's help.

I'm sorry to ask this, but please let me

quit your troupe, Master.

Can you leave behind what

you've achieved with no regrets?

I can't say

I'll have no regrets.

I won't forget

your kindness either.

But he saved my life.

I was an orphan when he found me.

I owe him my life.

Please let me

return his kindness.

Genshinsai,

you're cruel.

Yukinojo was

my only successor.

To me, he was more than a son...

he was an invaluable treasure.

Master,

thank you very much.

The prince...

is coming!

Intruder!

Attack!

You impudent bastard!

Prince! Prince!

Attack! Attack!

- You bastard!

- Prince!

You're not welcome here.

Forgive me

for not guarding you well.

Don't mind me.

Tend to her quickly.

She covered me with herself.

She saved my life.

Yagyu sent her

to protect you, Prince.

Is that so?

Yagyu,

get a doctor for her.

- Don't let her die.

- Yes, sir.

Are you all right?

Does it hurt?

- Show me the wound.

- No.

Don't.

Show me.

As I thought...

he's a quack.

Our medicine is much better.

I'll go to Suruga with Jubei.

I'll work as hard as you did.

I won't see you for a while.

Get well quickly.

Hayate...

Hayate...

I wish you could stay.

Me too,

but we must be patient

a little longer.

We'll work hard...

and we'll go back

to Negoro together.

Huh?

But...

take care of yourself.

I know.

Nobody can kill me.

Goodbye.

Minobu Road

Halt.

Everybody, be on alert!

Protect our lord!

All right.

Akane! Akane!

Akane! Akane!

- Akane!

- Akane!

Don't cry.

Don't cry!

Don't cry!