Seibei Iguchi Hiroyuki Sanada
Tomoe Rie Miyazawa
Directed by Yoji Yamada
Not that way
No, no, no!
Thank you. You may go
After a long illness my mother died...
...when I was five
She had consumption...
...so from when I can remember I wasn't allowed near her
Thus I have almost no memory of my mother
Ito... Ito...
You poor little darling!
I am from Unasaka, in the northeast in what is now Yamagata Prefecture
Before 1868 it was the castle town of the Unasaka clan...
...a small fief of 70,000 koku of rice per year
well done, one and all
That's it for today
Sakaguchi...
I've heard there's a good drinking place in Hakkenmachi...
Oh, you mean 'Hisago'?
Feel like a drink?
A fine idea
Kawanami, will you come?
I will
Iguchi?
For a change?
Not me, thanks
we can't twist your arm?
If you'll excuse me...
Twilight's not very exciting is he
with a sick wife, two young daughters and an aged mother in his care...
...my father was unable to drink with his colleagues
He had to hurry home every evening at dusk
I was told the men he worked with...
...gave him the cruel nickname of 'Twilight Seibei'
THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI
Ito...
Father!
Up you go!
Your face is dirty
Father's back!
Welcome home
Codfish stew tonight, Kayano?
Don't drop it
I'm home, Mother How are you this evening?
Of what household are you, sir?
I am Seibei Iguchi of the Unasaka Clan, Castle Stores
I see...
She's getting worse. She doesn't even know her own son!
Kayano, I've simmered some burdock. Take some
Thank you. You're always so kind to my daughters
Naota... you can go home now
Yup
Good evening
But Yazaki, can't we do something about Twilight?
His kimono's all ripped and hardly ever takes a bath
There's this smell when you get close to him
It just won't do!
Yes, sir. we all find it very hard to stomach
we've asked around about finding him a new wife...
...but no woman would want his situation
Indeed!
He's got two young girls a senile old mother...
...and 20 of his 50 koku gone in debt
Any woman who went to him would have to take in work
Yes, he owes money all over the place
I don't know how he paid for his wife's funeral
Not even selling your sword would pay for a funeral like that
A funeral! That's something I have to worry about, too
My father's not going to last much longer
Kawanami's lucky Young parents and a pretty wife!
You'd better go easy with her It could hurt your work
Is that why you're always cat-napping on the job?
I am not!
Listen to him!
Kumi...
Welcome!
Isn't she gorgeous!
Kume...
Bed-time, Gran
Good night, Seibei
Good night
It looks like she remembered me
The Master said: To rule a land of a thousand chariots...
Kayano...
That's Confucius, isn't it? when did you start learning that?
At the end of last month The teacher says...
...from now on even girls will need book learning
That's good
When I was a boy I read Confucius over and over again
Father...
If I learn to do needlework...
...someday I can make kimonos
But what good will book learning ever do me?
Well, it probably won't ever be as useful as needlework
But you know...
...book learning gives you the power...
...to think
However the world might change if you have the power to think...
...you'll always survive somehow
That's true for boys and for girls
All right?
Yes
Keep reading, then
Tseng Tzu said: Each day in three ways...
...I ask myself...
...if I have faithfully carried out what I undertook for another...
My mother's illness had left my father deep in debt
As Grandmother lost her wits, all the housework, the gathering of fuel...
...and the field work fell to him
Left with little time to attend to himself...
...he gradually became unkempt and grimy
As his daughter, I felt terrible about this
Wipe off that dust!
They're coming!
His Lordship attends!
Kawanami! Quick!
Provisions'
Vital stores of food for when the clan must fight, or the castle...
...is besieged
Next we have the Salt Storehouse...
Here you have your beans green, soy and red...
We pay particular attention to keeping them dry
Dried giant horse-radish dried fiddleheads, miso paste...
Kusaka!
This is dried codfish...
...very important provisioning in times of war
How much have we got?
Iguchi...
Iguchi? You may answer directly
By your leave. we have 760 strips...
...by weight approximately 120 kan
How long does it keep?
Between five and ten years
This here is the oldest we have.
It was acquired six years ago
This dried cod from Kansaki is best It holds its taste for ten years
That strange smell I noticed is it you?
Clan retainers must serve as examples to the common folk
Keep yourself clean
Yes, Milord!
Carry on
Idiot!
Sir, I...
I'll speak to you later
But...
Be quiet!
Iguchi!
You damn fool!
The story spread throughout the castle
My father became a laughingstock
My Great-Uncle came from the main house in a foul humor
Hello!
Seibei!
It's Uncle...
I'm in for it now
Is anybody here? what, are you all dead?!
Coming!
Kayano, make some tea
Who is it?
Great-Uncle!
Disgraceful!
You appeared before His Lordship unbathed, smelling like dried cod
The unpleasant impression you created...
...shames the house of Iguchi
That was inexcusable
I went to Senior Retainer Terauchi and apologized for you
His Lordship is a generous man so he did not find fault
Had that been his father, though...
...this would have meant hara-kiri!
I never dreamed it would cause so much trouble
I beg your forgiveness
Kayano?
How old are you now?
I am ten years old
Are you working at your lessons?
I'm learning needlework and Confucius
A girl has no need of the classics
All you need is to write women's script
Too much book learning and you'll never be a bride
You can go
I am here today on an important matter
A marriage arrangement
You need a hard-working wife to escape the misery you are in
A village-headman acquaintance has an unmarried daughter...
...whom he agrees to marry to you
He knows you are poor, have two young daughters and a senile mother
I'm sure you realize that you are in no position to demand beauty
You need a healthy wife with big haunches to bear children
Her face is of no concern
So I'll proceed with this if you don't mind
With all due respect I must differ
How?
I am not nearly as miserable in my living as you may think
Of course, offending His Lordship by appearing unbathed before him...
...was wrong, and I vow never to repeat it
However...
...watching my daughters as they grow day by day is...
...how shall I put it?
It's like watching crops ripen or flowers grow in a field
I enjoy it very much
I'm not sure if the lady of whom you speak...
...would understand that
Who would understand such foolishness?!
You've always been like this...
...tormenting your poor father with this prattling of yours!
What has your marriage got to do with crops in a field?
Then I beg leave to speak more clearly
I ask that you not concern yourself with questions of my marriage
You defy the main branch of your family?!
You are welcome here
Kinu... are you well?
I am, thank you
May I ask of which household you come?
I'm your damn brother!
Take her away, Seibei She's a nuisance
Mother...
Most unseemly! what will the neighbors think?
Tie her to a post somewhere!
'Expect no more help from me! '...
...shouted my great-uncle as he left in high dudgeon
Can you do that?
Let me see
Here... twist it as you fit it in
Is Gran asleep?
Yes
Good
Father...
Gran was crying, you know
Uncle shouted at her
Poor Gran!
Do you like Uncle?
You don't?
I hate him
He came to talk about a new wife for me, but I said no
I don't want to take any help from him
You'd think we were buying a cow!
All she needs is to be healthy that's rude to the lady as well
Are you two lonely...
...without a mother?
I'm not lonely if you're here
Me, too
That's my girls
Do you want the toilet, Gran?
Look!
Butterbur buds! Get lots, all right?
what's that?
A child!
The poor thing! He's nothing but bones!
where'd he come from?
Matsukawa, maybe
Rise to Buddha!
As children we loved to go gathering herbs...
...by the river in early spring
But those were times of famine
The cold melt water often brought the bodies of peasants...
...dead of starvation
Aim...
Fire!
All of you, watch me
Elbows up...
Brace the right knee...
Seibei! Sorry to keep you waiting
You went to Kyoto?
Yes, with the Majordomo to talk to merchants there and in Osaka
what's Kyoto like?
I had high hopes for it but it was horrible
I've never seen the like of Miyako-oji Boulevard
Filthy masterless samurai from all over the country everywhere...
...cursing and swearing in dialects you can't understand
Then someone shouts 'Divine punishment! ' and the swords come out
The Kamo River's full of headless corpses all swollen up...
I thought it'd be geishas in Gion...
Dear me!
Prime!
Aim!
Fire!
Misfire!
wait! what's wrong?
Ow!
Fool!
I told you to wait!
They're a bit late
The Choshu clan may have been beaten once
but they'll be back with Satsuma
They'll snuff out 250 years of Shoguns like the wind does a candle
what's our clan doing?
Our leaders aren't thinking!
How would you like to go to Kyoto?
The Emperor's palace is short of guards
I'll recommend you
You'll see how things are
Someone like you shouldn't be stuck in a field here right now
I'm afraid you over-estimate me
The times are changing
when they do, I'll give up samurai status and be a farmer
That's what I'm suited for
You're a strange one
But you always were
No ambition at all
Oh, I nearly forgot...
My condolences on your bereavement
Burn a joss stick for her
You didn't have to...
I wanted to send my sister to the funeral in my place...
...but she was having some troubles of her own
I'm sorry
Miss Tomoe? what's wrong?
You know she married the son of Captain Koda...
It turns out this Toyotaro is a mean drunk.
If I'd known I'd never have agreed
A mean drunk?
He'd hit her, kick her...
She'd come running to my house to get away
I was worried one day he'd kill her...
...so I got the Castle to order them divorced
Divorced?
Just recently
So now Tomoe's back at my house
Really?
And here I thought she was the wife of a fine 1200-koku samurai
I had no idea
I made a mistake. She's gone through hell because of me
well done, one and all
That's it for today
Sakaguchi...
Sakaguchi! Feel like dropping in at 'Hisago'?
You want to see O-Kume!
Quiet!
You come too, Kawanami
Again?
Damn right!
I'll be going
Iguchi...
You should come see the girls Take your mind off things
I'm fine, thanks.
Iguchi...
Don't waste your breath
Look, Naota. The azaleas are out
Yup
Kayano, Ito, I'm home!
No one's here...
welcome home
It's been a long time
Uh... perhaps there's... um
You were out when I came by...
Have you forgotten me? I'm Iinuma's younger sister, Tomoe
Oh, Miss Tomoe!
I didn't know you
I've just seen your brother today He told me what had happened
So you know all about it, then?
Yes
Because of that I'm back living at his house
There's nothing for me to do so they have me weaving
I came here to escape
You're very welcome
Let's go inside
Your sock...
Oh, yes...
It seems your father had forgotten me!
we always played together!
welcome home
Kayano, Ito, this is Miss Tomoe we're, uh...
Childhood friends He always used to tease me
I did not!
I got a present
Me, too
Aren't they pretty!
Mother, I'm home
welcome home
Do you know this lady?
She's Miss Tomoe the Iinuma girl
See? She remembered me
That's good. And of course you remember me, don't you?
Of which household are you?
I'm your son
You are, are you?
Hello
Tane, watch the hotpot
It was as if our house was brighter from the moment Miss Tomoe arrived
I've never forgotten It was when I was five
I always wanted to do whatever the boys did
Once I was climbing a pine tree and a branch broke...
...and I got hurt
Really?
Yes! Your father happened to be there that day...
...and he carried me piggy-back all the way to the doctor!
I think he was 12 or 13
His back was this big!
Just like a grown-up's He made me feel so safe...
Do you remember, Seibei?
I remember something like that...
when I was nine my mother told me...
...I couldn't play with boys any more
I was so sad...
Being a girl's no fun, Kayano
Drip, drip drip...
...come our Chonbei's tears
Drip, drip, drip...
Let's catch his falling tears...
...and wipe them away...
wipe them away...
Let's take his tear-soaked kimono...
...and wash it clean...
wash it clean...
Let's take the kimono we've washed...
...and wring it out...
wring it out...
Let's take the kimono we've wrung out...
...and hang it to dry...
Hang it to dry...
You haven't changed at all, have you
It's as if I'm a completely different person
That's not true
You still smile just like you used to
You don't have to console me I know I've changed
People told me how radiant a bride you were...
...when you went to the Koda house
I don't want to remember
It's very late I'll leave you here
Say hello to your brother
Your beard's growing out...
It's so soft!
Iinuma! I want the truth!
That man's here!
My husband...
My ex-husband... I'd know that drunken voice anywhere
I'm going!
Your master's leaving
Hands off!
I'm not drunk!
My sandals!
Iinuma! where's Tomoe gone?
I told you, she's at her aunt's
You're lying!
Please! Keep your voice down! There are elderly people here!
To hell with her
Listen, linuma...
If I'm not good enough for Tomoe she's welcome to leave
But linuma...
...I've got a bone to pick with you
You went to His Lordship and got him to divorce us
Squire Koda, I've told you time and time again...
Shut up!
You made me a joke in front of the whole castle!
I demand satisfaction!
Squire Koda!
My sword!
Stop this, will you?!
Tomoe...
where've you been till this hour of the night?
where I go is no one's business but mine
And I'll say this, too
I am not your wife now It's 'Miss Tomoe' to you
Tomoe! Get inside!
Perhaps that's enough?
who are you?!
I am Seibei Iguchi friend to Iinuma
Perhaps I could accept your challenge in his name?
But here we are in the town
And you are drunk
Let's settle this another time when the alcohol has worn off
If you've put yourself forward this way...
...you must know how to fight
I make no such claim
Fine. we fight tomorrow
Tomorrow?
By the river behind Hannyaji Temple, at the 8th hour?
Done
Behind Hannyaji, 8th hour
See you
Seibei, he's serious!
Are you?
I had no choice
He's good with a sword
It'll work out
I'll say good night
Don't tell Tomoe about this
wait!
what if you kill him? The Clan forbids dueling
I'll think of something
Good night
Naota...
we're going
Ito!
Yu Tzu said: Harmony is the greatest beneficence of the rites
Good morning
Sit down!
I'm leaving
This is no good. I'm slow
You think you can take me?
Damn right!
Then get ready
He's afraid!
Hold it!
I said last night I'd take your place!
I should do this
You're no match for him Go over there and watch
I'm sorry I'm late, Squire Koda I will be your opponent
what's that stick?
My school of swordfighting uses this for practice
Do you mock me? Draw your sword!
A sword might kill This stick will not
It will break bones at worst
I won't take this from a samurai of your rank! I'll cut you down!
watch for the draw-and-slash!
You can still apologize
The apology is yours to make
with a real sword, you'd be dead
Do you apologize?
Or do you continue?
Splash some water on him That'll bring him to
Come on, Iinuma
You're all right?
Don't tell Miss Tomoe about this
Or anyone else, either
Those men will talk
No. A whipped dog doesn't bark
Is that soy sauce? Over here
Excuse me for interrupting. I am Zenemon Yogo, Master of the watch
I know that
Are you the 'Twilight Seibei' who thrashed Toyotaro Koda...
...and left him with a great big lump on his head?
I didn't really 'thrash' him
He asked for a match, and my sword caught him on the head
Koda is a drinking companion of mine
The other day...
...he came crying to me, asking if I would take revenge for him
That's the kind of man he is
But it seems you can fight what school are you?
Many years ago I trained under Toda-Sensei
So you're a disciple of Jinsai Toda?
I merely attended his dojo
Perhaps we could try a match one day
I'd be no match for you I'm afraid. If you'll excuse me...
I wish I wasn't getting old I can't read once the sun sets
First your teeth go then it's your eyes
And how's number three?
That went long ago!
That's it for today, everyone
I'll be going
Excuse me
Sir Twilight's gone?
Didn't you hear?
The other day 'Sir Twilight' fought the son of Captain Koda
A fight? And what happened?
wood against steel
Sir Twilight went bang! Knocked him senseless
He did?
I always thought he was strange
I never thought he was a fighter, though
Maybe we shouldn't be calling him 'Sir Twilight'
You think he knows?
Sure he does
Fumi! It's raining!
It's raining! Is the laundry in?
Yes!
welcome home
Miss Tomoe was here She left you this letter
She's got even nicer writing than the schoolmaster
Let me!
No!
I have finally learned what happened from my elder brother
I must apologize for all the trouble...
...I have caused you
I am, however, delighted
I very much want to see you and thank you in person
Today I intruded upon you and with your daughters...
...cleaned your house and did your laundry
Please do not scold your daughters for allowing me in
I would like in the future to be of what use I can.
written in haste
To: Seibei Iguchi, Esq. From: Tomoe
Tomoe started coming every second day or so
The two of us looked forward to coming home from school
we're back!
Hello!
You know what the teacher did today? He farted out loud!
She cleaned with us did laundry with us...
...and taught us to cook
On rainy days we'd practice calligraphy and sewing
And she'd tell us all kinds of stories, the like of which...
...we'd never heard before
Finished
Bring this line over
Finished!
That's good, Ito!
Hey! Stop it!
Ito! write on your own paper, all right?
No!
Don't you look nice!
How much fun it was to go off to a festival in kimonos...
...she had made us
Shoo! Go away!
Samurai then were strictly forbidden to attend the festivals...
...of the peasants and townsfolk...
...but Tomoe cared not a whit
I remember well what she said:
It was because of the peasants that we lived as samurai
why are you catching them all? we're using the same bait!
You're trying too hard The fish sense it
Your shoulders are too stiff It's like swordfighting
Aw, stop lecturing!
Show me your rod
This hook's too big!
Seibei...
...I want to talk to you
It's about Tomoe
She's had a few proposals
She's beautiful and talented There's not many like her in our clan
Any good ones?
She won't say yes and I can't pressure her
I asked her, half in jest if she'd like to marry you
You what?!
we may be old friends but that isn't funny!
She didn't take it as a joke
She said she wouldn't mind...
...and turned all red
That's enough! You're both making fun of me!
You dolt!
She was serious
Stop it
Listen...
...I've already put her through hell marrying her to Koda
If it's all right with you I'd like to make that up to her
It's a bit sudden...
I don't need an answer now but I will within two or three days
I might have to go to Edo
You've been really busy lately what's going on?
You probably haven't heard
A month ago...
...His Lordship's dead
He is?
why have they kept that from us?
They're not agreed on who's going to succeed him
The Castle warden, Lord Hori has asked the Shogun...
...for permission to adopt His Lordship's third boy, Tadaatsu...
...and seize control himself
If that happens the clan will split and blood will wash away blood
I might not come through this unscathed myself
So if you could give me an answer before I leave for Edo
All right
I'll answer you
I'm very grateful to Tomoe for all she's done for my daughters...
...all the cooking and sewing and everything else
It's like a dream come true
However...
...having her come to my house as my wife is something else again
She's a daughter of the Iinumas a 400-koku family
She doesn't know what life is like for a 50-koku petty samurai
Are you sure you're not under-estimating her?
She's very much her own woman
It'd be fine at the start
But when it sunk in that 50-koku would be her life forever...
...she'd be sorry
My late wife was
Hers was a 150-koku family
She never got used to the fall in status
Rise in the world, she told me or my family will grieve
She said that all the time after she got sick
I don't want to put Tomoe through that torment
Tomoe's not 15 or 16
I'm sure she'd thought about what she said
No more
Let's forget this
Let's try up there
It's a girl!
what a stink!
Rise to Lord Buddha
Eat your fill in heaven!
Let's call it a day
From that day forward Miss Tomoe stopped coming...
...to our house
Make way!
Stand aside!
Turning left!
The warden has returned!
Go!
what's that?!
It's the alarm!
Stop what you're doing and listen
I have important news from Lord Hori, Castle warden...
...who returned this morning from Edo
The 12th head of the Unasaka Clan Lord Tadatomo, died of measles...
...at the beginning of this month
He was 32 years old
He was a good and wise ruler intelligent and tolerant...
...a true hero
Only last spring we had the honor of meeting him...
...and having him speak to us
Iguchi, you haven't forgotten that, I'm sure
what a fine and gentle man he was!
Senior retainers will remain in the castle
The rest of you are to leave and pray for the repose of His Lordship's soul
This could mean open war!
I doubt that...
...but Lord Hori's sure to go after His Lordships reformers
Dispositions'?
Yes
which side is our Commissioner on?
The reformers or the Hori faction?
He'll be with the mainstream
Just like me
while there were fearsome rumors that the Castle was preparing for war...
...it didn't seem to involve petty samurai like my father
All right?
we wanted to ask Father why Miss Tomoe no longer came...
...but for some reason we couldn't
This was because even in our children's hearts...
...we knew something had happened between them
Squire Iguchi!
I'm sorry you've come for nothing My husband isn't back from Edo
I expect him in a day or two
Has he written anything about what's happening in Edo?
No
There was a letter yesterday...
...but all he talked about was what he wants to eat when he gets home
That's good
I'm sure you know they're handing down dispositions
Some people have even been ordered to commit suicide
I was worried about what might have happened to Iinuma
I'm happy to hear he's all right
Give him my regards when he gets home
You came just for that?
Yes
Good day
It was very kind of you
Carry on
where's Squire Iguchi?
He went away
where are you going?
Squire Iguchi may still be close by
why do you want to see him?
No reason in particular
I haven't seen him for a while I'd like to say hello
wait!
Tomoe...
...it is unseemly for a young woman to be seen talking...
...with some samurai on the street
And you are a returned bride with a proposal being discussed
You shouldn't be doing that in broad daylight with people around
I've been meaning to tell you that for a long time now
what's wrong with a girl talking to a samurai?
Are you questioning your elder brother's wife?
Shouldn't I?
You should not
A young women does not question her elders
with 60 from last month that comes to 550 mon
Could I have a receipt?
You know the bath fee went up to seven mon last month
Prices are going up everywhere
Could you pay more for these cages?
with things as unsettled as they are...
...no one's buying insect cages
Could you ask your boss for me?
well, I'll ask
I take this work as seriously as my duties
I understand that
If you'll excuse me
Come on
we're not thieves
we're just picking up some insect cages from Squire Iguchi.
Is he doing piece-work?
Hello!
who is it?
Commissioner Kusaka
It's very late, I know
I'd like you to accompany me to Lord Hori's quarters
Yes, sir
They said you don't need full formal dress
Just a hakama skirt
So you're Iguchi's girl? How old are you?
Five
You're a sweetheart
I'm ready
Kayano... you all get to bed
Let's sleep
Seibei Iguchi of the Castle Stores...
That'll do
Iguchi, come over here
we called you here this late because an awkward situation has arisen
You know there was a revolt among our retainers in Edo?
Yes, sir
Fortunately no word of this reached the Shogun
His Lordship ordered Shima Hasegawa and his faction to commit suicide
But one of Lord Hasegawa's men Zenemon Yogo, Master of the watch...
...says he was merely following the orders of his superior...
...asks why he should be punished and refuses to commit suicide
If you want me dead come and kill me,' he says!
And with these disgraceful words has barricaded himself in his house
This evening we sent our Master of Foot, Genba Hattori, against him
Zenemon Yogo! I come at the order of the clan!
But he died himself
He's a 'one-sword' fighter
No one in the clan is his match
we were talking about who to send against him...
...and your name came up
Iguchi, raise your head
You're a 'short-sword' fighter of the Toda school?
It's been years since Toda-Sensei taught me
I merely attended his dojo
we don't have time for modesty
we've learned that you were an instructor at his dojo
He must be beaten inside his house The short sword will help there
That is another reason we have chosen you
Kill Zenemon Yogo by twilight tomorrow
That is an order from the clan's Senior Retainer
Kusaka... what's this man's stipend?
50 koku
20 koku bespoken for a net of 30
That must be hard, with two young daughters and an aged mother
Bring us the head of Zenemon Yogo...
...and life will be easier
Do you accept?
Answer him
This is an honor
You shut up!
well?
By your leave...
I am ashamed to say that over many years of hardship...
...with two daughters, a sick wife and an aged mother...
...I have lost the desire to wield a sword
A serious fight the killing of a man...
...requires animal ferocity and calm disregard for one's own life
I have neither of those within me now
Perhaps in a month...
...alone with the beasts in the hills I could get them back
But tomorrow, I am afraid is completely impossible
I ask that you extend the honor of this commission...
...to another man
what complete and utter nonsense!
we are not here for foolishness from a petty samurai!
Your clan orders you to kill Yogo
Do you understand that?!
The Clan's orders are His Lordship's orders
The very thought of refusal is an offense!
You are relieved of your post! You are expelled from the clan!
Please, warden...
what do you say, Iguchi? Do you accept?
Of course he does!
Don't you!
May I request an evening or two...
...in which to give my answer?
You may not!!
You will answer now!
I obey
I accept the commission...
...to kill Zenemon Yogo
well said!
An officer will call at the hour of the snake
Have your preparations made
withdraw
Iguchi...
Don't worry. who's Zenemon Yogo anyway?
You're sure to win
I have decided exactly that
Good
One should, however always prepare for the worst
That's true. The worst can always happen
In that event, Commissioner this will be farewell
Thank you for everything you've done for me
Please convey my regards to my colleagues in Stores
I understand. And, uh...
...I'll take responsibility for those you leave behind
I'll see they are looked after
That's a relief to hear
All the best to you
A strange noise made me open my eyes
Looking for the sound, I saw my father sharpening his sword
He looked so strange it was hard to believe he was my father
I still remember clearly how he looked that night
The Heart Sutra:
The bodhisattva clearly saw the emptiness of the five states...
...thus relieving misfortune and pain
Form is only emptiness emptiness only form...
we're going
Kayano!
The Master said: A man cunning of word and smiling of face...
...is rarely benevolent Tseng Tzu said: Each day...
Naota, do something for me
Yup
You know Miss Tomoe's house in Nishikicho, don't you?
Yup
Go there, and speak to Miss Tomoe
Now, this is important
You have to see Miss Tomoe herself
And then say...
...'I'm really very sorry, but could you come right away?
I'll explain why when you get here.'
All right?
I'm really very sorry...
...but could you come right away?
I'll explain why...
Uh, I'll explain why...
I'll explain why when you get here
That's fine. Hurry
Look where she laid her egg!
Could you come...
I'll explain why when you get here
Whatever's the matter at this hour?
I'm really very sorry...
...but could you come right away?
when you get here... uh...
He'll explain why?
Squire Seibei sent you to tell me that?
All right. I'll get ready
I didn't think you'd come
The clan has ordered me to go and fight...
...another retainer
I'm going out under orders so I must be properly dressed...
...and I can't do my hair alone
I'm in a bind so I asked you to come
If you can spare the time could you help me?
when do you have to go?
The hour of the snake
There's not much time
where's your kimono?
It's laid out over there
Naota, boil some water
who's coming for you?
A clan officer
Naota, will you wait out by the gate?
Sit down. I'll comb your hair
May I ask why...
...you're going out to fight?
I can't refuse a clan order
Petty I may be but I'm still a samurai
Bamboo baskets, hampers!
Your elder brother...
...asked if I would take you as my wife
I refused
Did you know that?
Yes, I did
But...
But since that day...
...when I told him no...
...I've started thinking about you
Now I think of it ever since we were small...
...and I made dolls to give you...
...I always dreamed one day you'd come to me as my wife
That dream stayed with me even after I got married...
...and you married Koda
It's never faded
I'm going out now to fight to the death
I'm going to win and return to this house
At that time, if I were to ask you...
...to be my wife...
...would you accept?
A few days ago I had a proposal...
...from a retainer in Aizu
I accepted.
I've been very rude
I should never have asked you to come here
No
I'm happy that you asked me
I've been a fool
Please forget everything I've said
Really? A retainer from Aizu...
That sounds like
Are they here?
Yup
well, I'll be going
Thank you very much for everything
Um...
...I'm afraid I can't wait here until you come back
I pray with all my heart...
...that luck is with you and you come back safely
Naota, see Miss Tomoe home when she goes
Take care of the kids
Mrs Iguchi...
...how are you today?
Fine, thank you
Of which household would you be the daughter?
Me?
I am...
...Squire Seibei's childhood friend...
...Tomoe
Sir...
Squire Iguchi?
Zenemon Yogo has closed himself in with the shutters down
That is Genba Hattori Master of Foot
we should remove his corpse...
...but no one can get in
Take care
Zenemon Yogo is no longer human He is a beast!
Leave to enter!
Sir Twilight...
So they sent you?
Zenemon Yogo... by order of the clan, I come for your life
Draw your sword, please
Have a drink?
I know you're all keyed up but I'm going to run
Run?
Yep
I want you let me get away If you please
I didn't expect that from the clan's best one-sword man
My orders are to kill you I can't let you escape
Don't be so impatient You can kill me any time
I'd like to talk to you
Have a seat
It's a nice day
Sit down
what's going on?
They're talking
Even if you escaped where would you go?
Over that mountain and I'm out of the clan's domain
There are masterless samurai everywhere
I can lose myself in them go to Kyoto, to Edo...
If I do that for a few years...
...the world will have changed
The samurai's day is done
This isn't the time for that talk
Pick up your sword, please
I am under orders from the clan to...
Like hell!
You're the clan's errand boy out to claim a reward
Have a drink I was an errand boy, too
I served Lord Shigemasa Toki
Twelve years ago he was ordered to commit suicide...
...after a power struggle within his clan
Then I wandered for seven years with my wife and daughter...
...in search of a new situation
Seven?
with no income?
Of course not
I did manual labor and helped peasants plant and harvest...
...to get a little rice
Or we'd slink into a temple and beg alms there sometimes
Three years ago the Unasaka clan made me an official retainer...
...but by then hardship had killed my wife
I'm good with a sword but I'm hard to get along with...
...and I can't hold my liquor
But this time I promised myself it'd be different
I would do my duty as a true Unasaka retainer
I worked hard to do that
My superior was Lord Shima Hasegawa
He liked me, and did all he could for me
To me...
...the tasks he assigned were the tasks of the clan
His orders were the clan's orders and I carried them out faithfully
what was wrong with that Twilight?
why do I have to cut open my stomach?
I haven't come here to answer...
...that kind of question
I heard your wife died of consumption. Is that true?
I'm surprised you know that
And her fever went up as night came on?
Yes
Consumption is a hard disease And it's catching
My daughter died of consumption caught from her mother
You're not the only one who's suffered
How old was your daughter?
Sixteen
when she should have been a bud swelling into bloom...
...she died...
...nothing but skin and bones A sad, sad sight
I'm very sorry to hear that
Her ashes
She was a pretty girl with pale skin
I guess Lord Hasegawa took pity on me
He gave me money for a funeral well above my station
If only for that...
...I'm very much in Lord Hasegawa's debt
what's your stipend?
50 koku
A sick wife, and children all on 50 koku?
That must be hard
Doctor and medicine alone cost a ryo and 2 bu a month
Piece work wouldn't cover that
I borrowed from relatives but it still wasn't enough
Sometimes we didn't even have tomorrow's rice left
I know how bad it feels to see the bottom of your rice chest
You've had hard times, too
where I really ran into trouble was my wife's funeral
The family's main branch wanted a funeral that wouldn't shame them
I couldn't afford it
I was desperate so I finally sold my sword
It was a fine sword I'd inherited from my father...
...but I figured the age of the sword was over
I'm afraid this is just bamboo
You're going to kill me with a bamboo sword?
No
I learned short-sword from Toda-Sensei
I meant to fight with that
Short-sword?
You mean to kill me with some kind of cheap trick?
You're not taking me seriously are you
wait!
I won't have it!
I only told you that because you wanted me to let you go!
Draw!
Sir!
You're very good...
If you want to run now's your chance
After I kill you
Draw!
Sir! There's still time to stop
Calm down and think!
You haven't rested since yesterday
You're already breathing hard
You mock me
Sir! Continue this and I'll cut you down
Is that what you want?
That's fine by me
Draw
You've cut me, Twilight
This is what you get for taking me lightly
Have a seat
will you let me go Twilight?
That was...
...my intention
It's dark
I can't see
Hell
Twilight...
Is it over?
It's all yours
Careful!
He's dead!
Ito...
Go buy some tofu
Don't lose the money
Miss Kayano!
It's the Master!
Ito...
...I'm home
Miss Tomoe! Father's back!
You're still here...
Thank heaven!
I was sure...
...you were dead!
Finally Miss Tomoe became our mother
My father was happy
But peace prevailed in our house for less than three years
with the Meiji Restoration came civil war
Our clan supported the former Shogun...
...and fought as rebels against the emperor's government
During this 'Boshin war'.
...my father was shot and killed
Tomoe took us, her step-daughters to Edo, now 'Tokyo'...
...and supported us until we were both married
Now she sleeps with my father beneath this stone
In the new Meiji era, many men who had worked with my father...
...rose to positions of great authority
I often heard them say...
...that 'Twilight Seibei was an unlucky man.'
But I do not agree
My father had no desire to rise in the world...
...and I don't think he considered himself unlucky
He loved his daughters...
...and the beautiful Tomoe loved him
His life, I think was short but full
I am proud to have had such a father