Original subtitles

SHOCHIKU presents

Original Story by SEIKA MAYAMA Screenplay by KENICHIRO HARA and YOSHIKATA YODA

GENROKU CHUSHINGURA THE 47 RONIN - PART 2

Executive Producer SHINTARO SHIRAI

Photography by KOHEI SUGIYAMA

Fine Art Director HIROSHI MIZUTANI

Music by SHIRO FUKAI

Produced by KOA EIGA KK

Cast

CHOJURO KAWARAZAKI

KANEMON NAKAMURA

KUNITARO KAWARAZAKI

CHOYEMON BANDO

KIKUNOJO SEGAWA

SHOTARO ICHIKAWA

KIKUNOSUKE ICHIKAWA

SENSHO ICHIKAWA

IWAGORO ICHIKAWA

YOSHIGORO IKUSHIMA

JOJI KAIEDA

SEIZABURO KAWAZU

MAMPO MIMASU

UTAYEMON ICHIKAWA

MITSUKO MIRURA

MIYEKO TAKAMINE

Directed by KENJI MIZOGUCHI

March 1701 at Edo castle.

Lord Asano brought his sword down on Kira...

after being repeatedly insulted.

He was ordered to commit seppuku...

and his house was abolished...

while no charge was laid against Lord Kira.

The news shocked the Asano clan.

Chamberlain Oishi yielded the Ako castle...

and vowed deep in his heart to avenge his wronged Lord.

He pretended he wanted to restore the house...

in order to shield his real intention.

To his surprise, public opinion sided with him.

If Asano house could be restored...

his revenge couldn't be justified. It worried him.

Just then Lord Tsunatoyo was in Edo.

Emperor's advisor konoe wants to hire Oishi...

so he asked me to help restore Asano clan.

His messenger came here.

But former Asano vassals want to avenge their Lord...

headed by Oishi, don't they?

Even I have heard it, sire.

If I ask the shogun...

Asano house will be restored.

So I'm hesitating all the more.

Sages said...

respecting our ancestors is the first step of filial duty.

I may venture to say this...

but I think we must step over this teaching now.

Please tell me.

I lectured on Japanese history to you.

You must have seized the essence of it by now.

We're not Chinese.

Before the teaching...

we should be samurai of Japan.

Well said.

You're right.

We must act like samurai first...

then follow the teachings of the sages.

If the shogun...

permits restoration of Asano house...

there will be no revenge.

Oishi will lose his excuse for revenge.

What happened?

The messenger of Konoe is here...

paying his respects on his way back.

His master agreed to convey your words.

May I answer him about it?

Otherwise-

Enough! I've an idea of my own.

Brother. Is he the Lord?

Is he master of this place?

I heard he is a bookworm, but he is no mouse.

He is not like other masters.

Brother!

I'm new here, but since you asked me...

I gave you a chance to speak.

It's an important occasion.

Please behave yourself.

I know.

It's you?

You there.

You served the Asano clan once, didn't you?

Who is the man with you?

He insisted on seeing a Noh stage today.

He is my brother, Sukeyemon.

Your brother?

He was an Asano vassal, wasn't he?

Does he know Kira is joining the party?

Sukeyemon, you are?

What was your position in the Asano clan?

I was of no account- a man with a pittance.

No, you were not.

You represented Lord Asano sometimes.

You were not an underling.

Come closer. I'll offer you sake.

I beg you to excuse me.

Come, talk with me.

There's still time before Kira appears.

Hesitate to join me?

Frankly, yes.

I guess a drink offered by Daiymo won't be so tasty.

Interesting. You're so straightforward.

Then just talk a while.

You're wrong if you think...

the rat called Kira would stay in Edo.

He could be far away in Yonezawa any day...

where his son Lord Uesugi rules...

with his loyal men.

It could be any minute.

No use glaring at him after that.

Here in your palace...

you're in a position to say anything.

Is that so?

I can see how stubborn Oishi is, too.

Letting my words go...

and thinking what'll be done.

But I say he's making one mistake.

Oishi's Oishi, we're us.

I don't believe Oishi changed so suddenly.

Must be a good reason.

I only know his behavior is a fact.

Oishi changed.

So... will you?

You know something...

about a wooden tub?

If the hoop loosens so does the whole tub.

You can't expect to fill it again.

Sukeyemon...

if you have something hidden in mind...

don't think the ideas are yours alone.

If you avenge your Lord...

it will encourage many samurai.

I won't meddle with you.

As samurai I won't thwart your plan.

We must help each other.

It is the samurai code.

He has enough time and thinks many things.

I'm not asking you...

merely out of curiosity.

We're enjoying peace now.

No more samurai spirit.

I beg you to tell me...

your real intention.

I know you're determined not to tell...

but I'm eager to know.

Look at my eyes, Sukeyemon.

I want to believe you are all loyal samurai.

Then please tell me one thing.

I hear the shogun is a suspicious man...

and hates popular Lords.

Over 20 houses were abolished.

All with good reputations.

Ill-famed houses remain intact.

When my Lord Asano drew his sword in Edo castle...

you were also present...

and involved in the judgment.

Asano's house cut off...

and no charge on Kira.

You overlooked it.

Is it because you'd be...

suspected by the shogun if you cared?

Brother! Too much!

Wait. Sukeyemon, continue. I'll listen.

Nothing more.

If only you, a direct grandson of Ieyasu...

would have put in a word...

Lord Asano may not have died that way.

And now...

you're mentioning our knighthood.

It's only your willfulness.

Maybe you're right.

I won't ask you any more.

You must have elaborated...

a secret plan until now.

I should have known you won't tell me.

I've no right to ask you, I suppose.

Trouble is, Konoe is urging me to appeal...

to the shogun for Asano...

in the intention of...

acquiring Oishi.

Oishi has been appealing for the restoration.

If his appeal...

is received by the shogun...

you can't attack Kira, no matter how you wish.

My Lord.

You can't let it pass if Oishi's intending revenge...

while he's appealing on the other hand.

Then you would- I'm going to ask the shogun.

My Lord, I have something-

Lord Kira is arriving. Ready to receive him.

Brother.

Are you out of your mind?

Let go!

No chance after today.

We can't bloodstain the palace.

Isn't there any other way?

Let me go!

I can't let him live on!

You also owe a lot to Asano. Don't stop me.

I won't, but I have an idea. I'll help you.

Kira is on stage tonight. Mark him then.

Insolent!

Let me go.

Aiming at Kira? Fool!

Putting Oishi and others in a dilemma?

Please let me go, or I'll have to-

No matter who-

Have you gone mad?

Is it only Kira's life you want?

If you offer his head...

and Asano's anger appeased?

Why is this?

Why not do it in a big way?

That way you can hold your head high...

fail or not.

While appealing for the restoration...

aiming for Kira's death.

It will mislead the thought of the people.

Don't you understand?

Why don't you consider Oishi's feelings?

He's drinking...

his bitter sake.

After he's submitted the appeal.

Oishi must be lonely.

He must be sad.

You inexperienced men can never understand him.

Even if Kira dies...

a natural death...

it does not matter.

Just so you do your best to avenge Lord Asano.

And your action stands to reason.

killing that miserable old man is of secondary importance.

I think this way about vengeance.

It is to do your duty heart and soul for revenge.

And the result should not be criticized.

You want to be deaf to reason?

You want to work against Oishi and others?

I was wrong!

It's my turn.

Have you decided?

We brought an important message.

Wait. Come this way.

I can do it.

We don't need the formal greeting...

for such a brief meeting.

koshatei was allowed to reclaim his power...

after what happened in March last year.

He also received 300 Goku...

but before Master Asano returned...

he was ordered confined.

Koshatei is confined...

before Master Asano has returned...

he has been confined...

really...

Oishi...

It's time you should stop...

suffering.

I've led a loose life.

You must have...

wondered why.

Even though it was a lie.

To appeal the restoration of Asano...

was my misjudgment.

I should not have done so.

But if I had been given a fief...

we would have lost the reason...

to raid Kira.

However...

the people sympathized with us.

We could not have revenged Kira.

Our late Lord would not have forgiven us.

Even if I had committed seppuku in front of his grave.

We've suffered.

I've...

suffered.

Oishi.

Your intention was understood by the people.

Thank you.

All we have to do is raid Kira.

We're not afraid of anything.

Please tell my intention...

to your Lord.

Lady Asano's residence December 14, 1702

On the day of the Lord's death.

And such a fuss!

Thoughtless people they are.

They're young girls.

Happy about New Year.

They can't conceal their joy.

All I have to do is pray for his soul.

Oh, you're the maid from Ako.

I see your trip here is rather sudden.

I appreciate your care and service.

How's my lady's feelings?

She'd be happy to see you.

Will you tell our lady, Godayu?

Oishi, the former Ako chamberlain's here.

He wishes to salute Lady Asano.

Is it all right for you to handle this matter...

on your own decision?

I see no reason why I should deny him.

Please.

No.

Ochiai.

Do you not remember...

since Lord Asano's death...

relatives of Lady Asano...

have been suffering?

Even to relatives remote as her cousins...

and many others, too.

Suffering has not yet stopped.

Don't show him in.

If former Ako vassals...

attack Lord Kira...

it will cause annoy ance...

to Lady Asano's relatives.

Now the appeal's turned down.

Why should he come at a time like this?

What if seeing him affects the shogun?

I see your feelings as being of long service.

I've my stand as a vassal of this Miyoshi house.

Where's Oishi?

Here.

Our lady will see him.

Lady Toda, wait.

Our lady is here.

Nice to see you.

You're too far. Come closer.

We haven't met for so long being far apart.

Three years now?

I'm glad to see you...

as well as before.

I'd like to say so, but everything's been changed.

I deeply sympathize with you, my lady.

You must have been suffering since then, too.

There is a worn-out look about you.

Have a drink first.

You came all the way in the snow.

I'd appreciate it.

Some more?

No, although I'm a sake lover.

Please take some food then.

Take them as you do the enemy.

Your words make my sake bitter.

But I don't think you've come...

for an ordinary job at this season.

Nothing is so pitiable as a masterless samurai.

Only a few can get along.

All the rest are worn-out shadows of their past.

Can't even support their families.

These people ask me for help, saying this and that.

I was once a chamberlain...

and spokesman for my Lord.

I cannot look away, and so I am here.

Then some hot-blooded men fuss...

wanting to seize the chance to raid their target.

Rather than starve, they'd like to get revenge...

and be on the lips of the masses.

I pity them.

Oishi.

I hate to be intrusive...

but I hear rumors that come next spring...

Lord Kira will go into retirement at Yonezawa.

His son's domain.

I've heard that, too.

The Kira family is afraid of us...

and plotting many things, I suppose.

Are you letting Kira...

go into retirement?

Too late after he has run...

into his son's domain.

Unless you raid him at his Edo residence.

Things are not that simple...

I'm afraid.

Really think so?

As a true samurai?

Kira's aged, and anything can happen, even today.

We have old men among us like Horibe and Hazama.

They can't be sure of tomorrow.

Too much for me to care...

about that far.

Trying to excuse and discourage the loyal ones?

Enough, Toda.

I can't bear it any longer.

No matter what...

he is our former chamberlain.

Restrain words of dishonor.

Oishi.

I feel so sorry for our Lord now.

His spleen destroyed himself, as well as his clan.

His vassals became...

masterless.

He was a fool, trying to kill Lord Kira imprudently.

People will make a jest of him eternally.

That is-

Before he died...

he said he didn't have a chance to tell you.

But Oishi must be confused if he hears about this.

When I heard it...

I thought he counted on you alone.

And he regretted you were away from him.

I still remember his every word.

But no one wants to avenge him now.

I heard what people are saying.

They call him a careless man or a testy man.

Although he had brought himself to his death...

I feel sorry for him.

I didn't mean to complain.

I'll bid you farewell.

May I ask you a favor?

Today's the 14th.

May I offer incense to my Lord in parting?

I'm sorry, but I'm afraid not.

I do not mind, but...

I don't think our Lord would be pleased if you do.

Lady Toda.

Overcome with ennui...

I made poems.

They are unskillful ones...

but I will be happy...

if my lady...

will see them.

Farewell, Lady Toda.

Are you asleep, my lady?

Who is it?

It's Toda.

I'm sorry to interrupt your sleep, but-

Something I must tell you now.

I was feeling that I wanted to talk with you myself.

Have you not slept, then?

Matter of fact, no.

I couldn't believe Oishi yesterday.

I stayed awake wondering all night.

He came here on our Lord's death day.

But he acted as if he wanted to discourage us.

It was not like him.

I feel the same way.

As he left...

he handed me this for you to have a look...

when you feel like it.

Said they're only poems.

It has weighed on my mind until now.

Open it.

Gold!

This is the account book since Ako...

has been in Oishi's custody.

Details of use are kept...

for the former vassals of the house.

I wonder-

Lady Toda.

What?

Lady Toda.

What?

Report from the front gate.

Someone in strange garments threw in this thing...

without telling who it was.

This is from Yoshida, a former vassal at Ako.

Read it for me.

Last night, 47 men headed by Oishi...

raided Kira's residence.

Oishi and men?

They attacked in two parties:

from the front and the rear...

as they had so planned.

They raided Kira's chamber...

but his bed was empty...

and only his sword was left.

They searched everywhere, but...

Kira was nowhere in sight.

They missed him?

After searching three times...

they heard a voice from...

behind the chamber, in a shed.

Takebayashi and Hazama broke the door.

They killed the man inside who was Kira for certain.

They looked for the scar on his back...

where our Lord brought...

his sword of rage. It was there, it was Kira.

The head.

I have brought the head...

of Kira.

Our enemy, my Lord.

Since what happened...

at Pine Corridor last March...

to revenge your humiliation...

we, who owed our Lord...

in all ways of life gathered...

in determination.

How we looked forward to this day.

Through various hardships.

Humiliated, despised.

Some lacked daily meals.

Some impatient braves couldn't bear...

waiting.

Old men or sick men-

they hated to die of age or disease.

They wanted to die for loyalty.

Success was their second importance.

I suppressed them...

and finally succeeded...

in raiding Kira's place.

We brought his head here.

I hope it will satisfy your resentment now.

I report representing 47 loyal samurai.

Ever since the unhappy accident...

I feel for you all and thank you on the Lord's behalf.

You saw many hardships.

Our Lord must appreciate what you have done.

From so old and to so young...

good of you to have accomplished it with me.

Let me express my thanks to you all.

Chuza.

Suke.

Now that we've done what we should...

I want you to go to the officials.

Report all that happened since last night.

Sukeyemon.

What's wrong?

I must stay with the others.

All that is left for us is...

to commit seppuku.

I wish to stay here with my comrades.

How we have succeeded with heaven's blessing.

No hurry in dying.

What are you-

We saw many hardships...

in order to show...

true samurai spirit.

It's easy to commit seppuku now.

After all, we've violated the law.

We must respect the law.

We must obey it as good citizens.

We should calmly wait for the law's judgment.

It is the only way left for us.

This way we can take our stand as samurai, I think.

I understand. I'm glad to do my job.

Ako vassals had been kept in the custody...

of the house of Lord Hosokawa and other daimyos.

And the judgment had not been made for some time.

After 50 days sentenced to seppuku.

Time: February 3, 1703.

Place: Lord Hosokawa's mansion

No, sire. I cannot do it.

I beg you to ask someone else.

You've been visiting the Atago shrine...

praying for the life of Ako men.

I know your feelings.

But the messenger will come any day.

I don't want to surprise them.

Ex cuse me. There are some flowers...

sent from Lady Asano...

for the former vassals.

Asking your permission to present them.

What shall we do?

Flowers from Lady Asano for Ako men?

She must have heard of the judgment.

She meant to bid farewell...

with the flowers.

It's such a tender thought of Lady Asano's.

Denyemon...

take those flowers to Oishi and others.

Under the circumstances...

they'll know what is coming...

when they see it.

I see.

How sweet of her.

Hurry, Denyemon.

From our Lady Asano?

How beautiful!

A farewell gift for us?

So that we could surmise a judgment on us.

In return for your kindness toward us until now...

we will entertain you.

Splendid idea.

I'll do my best.

I'll take the first show.

No, I'm the first. I will sing.

I'm afraid we would upset captious old men.

Never mind. Our last fuss.

Everyone...

to the thoughtfulness of our lady.

Let us bid farewell.

I mean, say thanks for the flowers.

We couldn't miss Mr. Hara's dance.

Mr. Hara!

Here I am!

Dance!

How skillful!

Play your flute, Juroza.

Oishi.

I want to express our gratitude...

for your kindness...

to your Lord since we came here.

How nice.

I have a favor to ask you.

Could I have some tea?

Certainly.

Someone prepare tea.

Now all seems...

to have been settled at last.

You've been very kind all the way.

I don't know what to say.

Please have some tea.

Thank you.

What I said was about this boy.

This son of mine.

Your kin?

Not my real son.

His father and I are friends since childhood.

His father is not very well off nowadays.

But he wishes his son to become a fine samurai...

and wants him to spend even a half day with you.

To teach him...

the way of samurai.

I pity him, so I am asking you a favor.

Presuming he's my son.

I want you to let him serve you today.

Do you play samisen?

Your fingers show you do.

I learned a little while working to be a page.

I appreciate your kind care, but...

I don't think we can accept.

I don't know what is on your mind.

But you went too far.

Please, I apologize. She is a woman.

You are right.

But she was driven by the stress of circumstances.

So she disguised herself as a man...

and tried to serve you.

What a woman needs for-

I imagine there's someone she wants to be near.

I won't scold you. Say it.

Who is it?

It's Isogai.

Please let me.

It will be the last.

I mean the nightingale.

Nightingale?

If you care for the girl so much...

send her a letter.

Too late if you've gone to the grave.

I dare not.

I used her to approach the enemy.

She's nothing now.

Think of a girl's heart whom you once promised to marry.

Please stop despising me.

A stubborn youth.

The messenger was sent.

When was it?

Sometime last July.

He was on a mission of investigation...

which I learned later.

I remember he wrote to me In Kyoto about that time.

He said being single was...

disadvantageous and was looking for someone.

He said to become a respectable samurai.

He was looking for a good relation.

He was sincere in proposing to marry her.

That was how he asked her father for her.

My friend loved the man deeply, too.

Son-in-law to be proud of.

Money he had been saving...

and even sold his armor...

he loved so much.

He spent them all to prepare for the wedding.

He engaged the best houseboat on the river...

and held a big feast on it.

But no sign of the groom...

on the very day of the wedding.

He was not at home, either.

Completely missing.

The old man was so straight-minded and raged...

in so much disappointment.

He heard about the men who raided Kira last December...

and he found Isogai's name.

He cried and cried...

that it was his son-in-law to be.

I couldn't stand watching my father that way.

So I came here disguised like this.

Please permit me to see him.

Please do not...

overestimate us.

People are calling us nowadays...

as if we were the incomparable loyal samurai.

Out of the sentimentalism of a young girl-

forgetting the past-

isn't that the way you are now?

It's a fickle feeling of yours.

He is the man who betrayed you.

The man who put you to shame.

You should resent him for the rest of your life.

You don't know a woman.

It's a cruel thing to say.

I just want to know one thing as a woman...

and as a human being.

His real heart.

Was I only a tool of his plan?

Did he not love me at all?

Or did he do it for his mission?

That's the only thing I want to know.

Omino...

do me a favor.

I'm sorry, but will you sacrifice yourself?

For the sake of my men.

Isogai is prepared...

and nothing will confuse him now.

But he is young.

If he met you and heard your words...

he might fail at the most important moment.

It's not so hard for a man to rise for justice...

but keeping it up is...

much harder than one would think.

I don't want him upset at this last moment.

You're young, and you've everything before you.

Forget him and live a happy life.

Bear the bitterness you felt...

on the wedding day.

Please despise Isogai to the end.

Look down on him.

Is samurai honor so important?

You only think about his honor.

What about my lasting humiliation?

Must I live with the doubt...

that he may not have loved me?

Horiuchi...

Otomeda's daughter.

I'll explain later. Something?

Omino, I can't accept it.

Isogai is to blame for fooling you.

But there are times one is forced to.

As you have come here dressed as a man.

It may have been...

your inevitable ruse.

I suggest that you leave the matter as it is.

You'd better go.

Tell me.

You can torture people for a shift?

I feel so sad.

A lie isn't a lie if turned to the truth in the end.

My lie, to fool people in a man's disguise...

will turn to the truth if I see him.

I can change his lie into the truth, too.

Change his lie into the truth?

Please let me see Isogai.

The messenger has already left the castle.

Please be ready.

Will you please tell Isogai to come here?

Yes.

Isogai's here.

Come in.

I'd rather stay here.

Juroza!

Do you know the daughter of Otomeda?

I haven't the slightest idea.

Juroza!

The messenger is sent from the castle.

Not that. I'm asking you about Omino.

I don't know her.

They're waiting for you.

It is time now we should get ready.

Wait.

The messenger-

Don't be confused.

Take out the paper you keep in your bosom.

You must have a plectrum...

that you treasure there.

I'd like to see the crest on it.

The reason I sent you down from upstairs...

was because of the plectrum.

You are young and hungry for affection.

I've no intention of reproaching you for that.

But we have an important thing to do.

If it made you...

waver in your resolution when you looked at it.

That was why I did it for your sake.

Take it out. I want to see it.

Please spare him now. I beg you.

He kept it close to his body;

even until now. I feel so happy knowing it.

No need to ask him more than that.

You tell me not to ask?

Will you let him off without asking?

It's I who have to beg you.

Juroza!

Tell your father I'm his son-in-law.

Just tell him so.

I'll bid farewell, Omino.

Lord Asano in charge of ceremony...

resorted to an outrageous deed and was punished.

No steps were taken on Lord Kira.

Claiming the revenge for their Lord, 47 men...

headed by Oishi...

banded together and raided Kira's residence.

Their act was insolent defiance of the shogunate.

So they are sentenced to seppuku.

No matter how heavy...

the punishment may be, we deserve it.

Be it decapitation or death by hanging.

We are grateful we are ordered to seppuku.

Hear this unofficial message.

Kira's son has been deprived of his fief.

House abolished.

And he is to be confined to the house of Suwo.

For your information.

Everyone...

my Lord wishes to express his regret.

That it has come to this...

despite his efforts.

His regret is deep.

Since matters have come to pass...

I'll give you my Lord's message:

to quietly prepare yourselves as brave men.

Did you hear, men?

You've taken every possible care since we came.

We all are deeply grateful.

Please give our regards to Lord Hosokawa.

Here's something my Lord offers you.

Please take your time in preparation.

I cannot find a word...

to express our gratitude.

Chamberlain... and all you honorable men.

Omino, why did you do this?

As I told you a while ago...

I have made it the truth.

The lie for convenience's sake.

What?

The house that drove my father out.

The reason I came here in a man's disguise was that...

I intended to the end...

to show the truth this way.

Omino!

Juroza!

Too hasty.

As we told our Lord what happened today...

he was moved.

His anger toward your father has abated.

He even ordered to make him a vassal again.

I'll call a doctor.

No, no. Thank you, but no.

Then the lie will remain a lie.

If my father heard of my death, he'd die too.

Only by ending our family...

we can carry out the chamberlain's request.

For the sake of loyal samurai...

we would gladly sacrifice ourselves.

Please abolish the family of Otomeda.

I beg you to.

Omino!

Please commit seppuku with composure.

I will follow you soon.

It's time, Isogai. Don't delay.

After you.

You go first.

I have my responsibility until the last moment...

in making certain that all keep in step.

Gengoyemon Kataoka has committed seppuku.

Junai Onodera is next.

Jurozayemon Isogai has committed seppuku.

Chuzayemon Yoshida has committed seppuku.

Moriguchi.

It seems that they all died...

without being disgraceful.

We've carried out our intention.

Next...

Kuranosuke Oishi.

My turn. Excuse me.

THE END

(c) 1942 SHOCHIKU Co., Ltd.