All language subtitles for Snow.on.the.Blades.2014.JAPANESE.720p.BluRay.H264.AAC-VXT

SNOW ON THE BLADES

APPEAL

Setsu.

AUTUMN, 5th YEAR OF MEIJI

13 YEARS AGO, SPRING
THE 7th YEAR OF ANSEl

I am Nakamura
Sotaro's daughter, Setsu.

Thank you for traveling such
a long distance from Hikone.

Would you show me your face?

I look forward
to our long life together.

It is nice to be with you.

Yes.

HIKONE CLAN'S OFFICIAL MANSION
IN EDO

MASTER OF THE HIKONE CLAN
TAIRO II KAMONNOKAMI NAOSUKE

This man here

is recommended for promotion
to a palanquin attendant.

I work at property management
section at the storehouse in Edo,

and I am the oldest son
of Shimura Tahei...

Shimura Kingo.

This man is an excellent fencer and
he is certified at Shingyoto style's dojo.

In these troubled times,

I think it is important
to reinforce your protection.

So I would like your approval.

And this man just got married to
Nakamura Sotaro's daughter, Setsu.

So he also would like permission to
succeed as the head of the family.

"I am glad to hear
a bush warbler singing

"and I forgot my frustration
for the spring without it".

Your name was Shimura Kingo?

Yes, sir!

Come closer.

Yes, sir!

This is a wedding gift.

Huh?

Accept it.

Yes, sir!

You came and a bush warbler
sang for the first time.

So you will protect me?

Yes, sir!
I will with my life.

I approve.

- Yes.
- Yes, sir!

You not only married
a good woman,

you were promoted to palanquin attendant
for Tairo Li Kamonnokami Naosuke-sama.

Besides, you were given
such a wonderful gift like this.

How marvelous!

Indeed, this is wonderful.

There is no better time to retire and
let my son succeed as the family head.

We can go back to Hikone
tomorrow without anxiety.

Kakuma!
It is a long way to Hikone.

I will leave my father and mother
in your care.

Yes. On the way
I will pray at Mt. Fuji

for prosperity of the Shimura family
and good luck for Kingo-sama's duty.

Good.

Hokushin Itto style's Genbukan fencing
dojo is getting ferocious, I heard.

That place is a hideaway

for the Mito clan's vassals who actively
lead the anti-foreign sentiment.

Tairo Li Kamonnokami-sama
entered into a treaty of commerce

with America without the
approval of the Imperial Court,

and arrested all those who are vocal
about their anti-foreign sentiments.

He even decapitated Yoshida Shoin.

The shogunate now stands up
against a storm of public criticism.

Thanks for waiting.

Tokugawa's world is
about to drastically change.

So we need to be more aware
of the movements of the world.

I just attend on Kamon-sama.

That's all.

You are never interested
in politics.

Shinnosuke,

I like Kamon-sama.

You like him?

The tairo is feared by
the entire country as the red devil.

You must be the only one
who can say that about him.

I don't know
how he is in the castle.

But when he is
at the official mansion,

he is a very warm, calm,
and refined man.

Refined?

He was nicknamed "Chakapon"
when he was young.

Cha... Chakapon?

He relished "Cha",
read "Waka",

and amused himself every day
by playing the drum.

Ah! Cha-Ka,

and Pon!

Whatever the politics may be,

I like the lord the way he is.

I envy you.

But Kingo,

being an attendant is an important
duty protecting the prime minister.

So always be careful.

Yes.

DAY 3 OF THE 3rd LUNAR MONTH
7th YEAR OF ANSEl

SIR

"TODAY WE ARE PLANNING
TO ATTACK THE TAIRO."

I think it is just a prank,

but there are
some ominous rumors.

I think we should cancel
today's attendance at the castle.

The 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month
is the day of the peach festival.

Everyone is required
to attend at the castle.

How can the tairo
break the rule?

Then we should increase
the number of guards and...

No, not necessary.
It is fine as usual.

But...

Everything is Heaven's will.

If Heaven tells me to die,
that's fine.

If it tells me to live,
that is fine also.

Isn't that right, Shimura?

Yes, sir!

Heaven is in charge
of human lives.

And I do not know
when my time is.

Therefore one must live his best
until that time comes.

Yes, sir!

Everyone, wear raincoats
and put covers on your swords.

Yes!

But chief,
in case of emergency...

Sakurada Gate is very close.

There will be no emergency.

But when you enter the castle,
if the attendants are all wet

it would embarrass our lord.

Yes, sir.

Who is the spear carrier
this time?

Yes!
I am the one.

It is the precious spear
given by Great Lord leyasu.

Make sure your hands don't get
too slippery with this snow.

Don't forget!

Yes, sir!

Prepare carefully!

Yes!

Lord is arriving!

Snow...

Thanks.

Depart!

Please wait.

Who are you?

Excuse me.

I have this direct appeal
to the tairo.

Please accept it.

What is it?

It is a direct appeal.

Don't be rough.

Bring the man to the guard's
station and give me the document.

It is an appeal
made by risking his own life.

Treat it with care!

Yes, sir!

Appeal document will be accepted.
But you must behave without defiance.

The spear!
The spear is taken!

It is a precious spear!
Get it back!

Wait!

li Kamonnokami Naosuke
has been killed!

Shimura!

It was your duty to protect
Kamonnokami-sama with your life,

was it not?

You are not allowed
to commit seppuku now.

Your father cut his belly and your
mother stabbed her own throat for you.

Respecting your parents ardor,
we will just suspend your stipend.

If you want to remove
the disgrace,

take the head of one of those Mito Ronin,
then offer it at the grave of the lord.

The central government investigated

and found out the names
of the five men who escaped.

With your skill,
it should not be a difficult task.

That is all.

Listen, make sure to take
a head and bring it back!

It has been
a short period of time,

but thank you
for everything.

You go back to your parental home
in Hikone.

I was ordered to find
the assassins and take their heads.

But I broke the promise of
protecting my lord with my life.

At least I must go where he is
to save face as a samurai.

I am not going home.

If it was an order from your superior,
it is the same as the lord's order.

So it is the samurai's duty
to carry it out?

I will be with you until
you accomplish your mission.

Setsu...

Please let me go!

Indeed I ran away from the
battlefield of Toba-Fushimi,

but my wife who had a baby
got ill...

Have compassion for a fellow samurai!
Please let me go!

Wrong person.

Excuse me.

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

I can't let someone
who is dressed like you in.

Come back after you shave off
your topknot.

Was there any government
order to shave off the topknot?

What?

What's going on?

Ah, well...

I'm seeking the former supreme court's
records of the Sakurada incident of 1860.

I heard that
they are kept here.

What happened?

It is about the Sakurada incident
in the 7th year of Ansei.

Sakurada incident?

The man is looking for the former Mito
clan vassals who assassinated Tairo Li.

He went back after I told him that we
don't keep the old government's records.

He was still wearing Hakama pants
with his topknot and two swords.

So he was
a former Li clan vassal.

There are no vassals now that
samurai are gone out of this world.

Is something wrong?

No.

I envy those
who wear Hakama pants.

These western clothes
are not comfortable at all.

How about for you?

You don't look
very good in them.

SUMMER,
1st YEAR OF MANNEN

6 MONTHS AFTER
THE SAKURADA INCIDENT

Thank you for waiting.

Excuse me.
Do you happen to know this man?

Do you know him?

No, I don't.

I don't need to hear
any excuses!

A Mito vassal who was hiding in Echigo,
Sakai Akinosuke was caught and beheaded.

There are four men left.

Just one head is good.

You must take it
with your own hands!

Yes, sir!

SAKAÉ Akinosuke

Now in Kyoto,

3rd YEAR OF BUNKYU
SHINSENGUMI WAS FORMED IN KYOTO, MIBU

there are rampant cries of "Revere
the Emperor and Expel the Barbarians!"

Satsuma and Choshu with the emperor's backup
engage in a melee with Tokugawa and Mito.

It is bloody warfare.

Surprisingly, among the heads
displayed at the Sanjogawara,

was that of
a Tairo Li attacker,

Tatsuki Koemon, who had been the
subject of a nationwide arrest warrant.

TATSUKI Koemon

Tatsuki Koemon, who had been the
subject of a nationwide arrest warrant.

GENBUKAN FENCING DOJO

Please! I am looking for people who
were involved in the Sakurada incident.

- Hey, you are too insistent!
- Please tell me.

Insistent fellow!
Go away!

Never come back!

Two of the Mito escapees
are already dead. Only three left.

Listen Shimura,
just one is fine.

You must somehow get the head to offer
at the grave of Kamonnokami-sama.

Please!

I beg you to allow me
to end my life, sir.

No!

The order was given
by the former councilor.

We cannot change that.

All right?

Get the head somehow!

"It has been five years
since the Sakurada incident.

"The emperor who used
to insist on exclusion

"has now given the Imperial
sanction to the treaty.

"The national consensus

"is unified in opening Japan to the world,
which Lord Naosuke-sama strove for.

"Then why did Kamonnokami-sama
have to be murdered that day...

"Since then,

"those politicians who followed the trend and
overturned their opinions were justifiable?

"That is what I have been
wondering these days.

"Kingo-sama, maybe we Hikone vassals
should have avenged like Ako vassals?"

4th YEAR OF KEIO
EDO CASTLE TAKEN OVER WITHOUT BLOODSHED

That big man on the horse
is Saigo Takamori from Satsuma.

At the Battle of Toba-Fushimi,

even Hikone was on the side
of Satsuma and Choshu

and fought against
the former shogunate.

That's hard to figure out.

Well, I heard that

several hundreds or thousands of
samurai on both sides died in battles.

YAMABE Shinzaburo

Restoration! Restoration!
It is the restoration!

1st YEAR OF MEIJI
EDO WAS RENAMED TOKYO

The world will be governed
toward a brighter direction.

So the new name of the era
is "Mei" "Ji".

The new era name
is to be "Meiji".

Restoration! Restoration!

The beginning
of the new era "Meiji" is here!

Excuse me.

Is Hasebe Sohachi-dono here?

HASEBE Sohachi

SABASHI Jubei

Big news! Big news!

The new government is abolishing
domains and setting up prefectures.

260 daimyo will disappear from this world
and all their vassals will be dismissed.

Buy the news now!
Buy it!

Abolishing domains and setting up
prefectures! It is big news!

THE SAKURADA INCIDENT

THE SAKURADA INCIDENT
OCCURRED 13 YEARS EARLIER

So you are not going
to the grave?

You always visit on the same
monthly date as the date of death.

It has been
over ten years now.

KURUMA

Thanks.

Thank you very much.

Madam,
I have taken the shop curtain in.

All right.
Thanks!

Setsu-San!

Setsu-San, sit down here.

Show me your hand.

This is a token of my appreciation for
teaching me lots of letters the other day.

What is this?

Here!

I have one too.

I went to visit
the Goddess of Mercy to pray.

There was this foreigner
who gave this to me.

You put it around your wrist
like this,

then leave it on even when
you take a bath or sleep.

And when the string breaks,
your wish will come true.

Really.

Oh, that is the Western charm?

Yes.

Lucky you, Setsu-San.

Thank you, Yuki-Chan.

So...
What is your wish, Setsu-San?

Secret.

But they do strange things
in Western countries.

Here when things break, it's bad luck
like when your sandals strap breaks.

Ouch!

That's an unnecessary thing
to say!

I got it!
I said I got it!

SABASHI Jubei

SABASHI Jubei

Every morning you wake up
to something new.

That is because
you are not being observant.

Ah!
You said it!

I don't know if this 1 sen 5 rin Daikon
radish is expensive or not.

It just does not click
with me.

It is for sure that everything is
more expensive after the restoration.

That's true.

Ah! Chiyo-Chan!
Good morning.

Good morning.

Chiyo, come here.
You are a good girl.

Uncle, good morning!

Oh, good morning.

Good morning, Nao-San.

Good morning.

You work hard every
day from early morning.

Well, I am leaving now.

Take care.
Come on, Chiyo.

Have a good day.

He and Masa-Chan would make
a nice couple. Chiyo likes him too.

Stop that!

Who would take
a divorcee like me seriously?

He is a nice looking man.

He has nice posture
with a straight back.

Really.

TOKYO YOKOHAMA
NEWSPAPER COMPANY

Everyone is busy now.

Please let me see anyone.
Please let me.

What's the matter?

Well...

I heard that there are many former
shogunate vassals working here.

I was wondering if I can see someone
who knows about the Mito clan.

Yes.

I am sorry but there is no time for
us to be involved in such old matters.

You must have heard about
the incident that

Foreign Minister Soejima helped 300 Chinese
slaves from a Peruvian ship in Yokohama.

And it is being
tried in court now.

Now Japan has to deal with all foreign
countries under international laws.

If we still discuss the old
shogunate or Mito domain,

we will never be considered
as a civilized country.

Looks and shapes may change.

But there are things
we must not discard.

Isn't that also
what civilization is about?

Excuse me.

Mr. Samurai,

I am sorry
that I could not help you.

Could you take me
to Nihonbashi?

Yes.

Thank you.

Ah...

Well, sales of kimono are
going down badly these days.

So I want you to work for
this wage from now on.

I see.
I understand.

Wait!

I finally caught you.

Shinnosuke!

I am glad that you are well.

Is Setsu-dono doing all right?

Yes.

Restoration! Restoration!

The new government is
changing things too fast.

They tell us to throw away things
that were precious yesterday.

With the law abolishing domains
and setting up prefectures,

a total of 1.8 million samurai lost their
sources of income without any warning.

I wonder
what the restoration was for?

But Kingo...

Nothing will materialize
from looking back.

Setsu is supporting you both,
isn't she?

Kingo...

Shave off your topknot
and get a job.

Isn't that your duty
to reward Setsu's hardship?

There is no Hikone clan
anywhere.

Please wait for a little bit longer.
I will manage it for sure.

Hey, how many times
have I heard you say that?

If you don't have money, you should
work as a laborer or something.

I injured my leg in a battle and
I'm having a difficult time walking.

Then you should sell
your wife to a whorehouse.

I hear that in Yoshiwara...

Hey, Kingo!

...there are many former
samurai's wives like that.

That's right.

Don't say that.
Please wait for now.

Who are you?

Here is another out-of-date
boneheaded samurai.

I know this is not
my business at all.

But isn't it a more humane way
to have some sympathy?

Samurai-San,

you can't conduct business
if you concern yourself

about something
like humane way.

If you talk about sympathy,

you should sell those two swords
to help out with his debt.

That's right!

Give me those!

What?

Don't get so worked up alone!

Do you want to fight, huh?

Wait!

What, boatman?

I am a former vassal of the Makino clan
in Echigo Nagaoka, Kataoka Genbei.

I can't tolerate your rudeness anymore.
Therefore I will be helping.

What?

A former team leader
of Mizuno clan in Yamagata,

Murata Bunshiro is also lending
a helping hand.

Excuse me,

I'm a former aide to council elders of
Odawara's Okubo clan, Inaba Shuemon.

I can't just stand and watch.

I, too, will be lending
my helping hand.

Bastards!

Do you still think
you are samurai?

Samurai's duty
is about being oneself.

It is not something
that gets lost.

I am a former fencing instructor
of Yagyu clan, Kimura Yasaburo.

Wait!

Ah!
Please help.

I am a former hatamoto,
Naito Shinnosuke.

Huh?

It is the humane way.

Would you wait
for a little longer?

Please.

Yes, that's fine.

I will wait.

Hey businessman,

samurai did not disappear.

Although we look different,
we are everywhere as you can see.

Don't forget.

Move away!
You are in our way!

Wait!

Ah!

Don't forget about this.

Thank you.

Uncle, welcome back.

Ah.
Were you a good girl?

Yes.
Let me ride on your shoulders.

All right.

- Aren't you scared?
- No.

Ah! You are home early.

Yes, I was busy from early on.

Chiyo! Nao-San must be tired.
Come on.

- See you tomorrow.
- Yes!

It's time for dinner.

Chiyo, you like uncle?

Yes.

Welcome home.

You are home so early,
what happened?

Madam gave me this for you.
And she let me go early.

I see.

Would you bring another plate?

Yes.

You eat this.

No, that is for you.

Eat.

Yes.

Let me see...

Delicious!

I saw Shinnosuke unexpectedly
in Nihonbashi.

Ah! Naito-sama?

Yes.

It's nostalgic.
Was he in good health?

He looked good
in the policeman's uniform.

Really.

What is that?

It is a Western charm.

I was told that when this string
breaks, my wish will come true.

I see.

Your wish will come true...

This is delicious too.

Naokichi-San!
It is Kihachi next door.

The publisher in Kanda
where I worked

for fifteen years was
closing the business today.

And this is all I got
as my severance pay.

Well, I knew it was coming,

but when it really happens,
it makes me feel lonely.

The woodblock printing newspaper had
its best days till about the restoration.

Well, if another war
begins somewhere...

Even if I wait for it to happen, we
can never beat the new newspapers.

Edo is someplace far away now.

Naokichi-San...

Yes.

What are you waiting for?

What have you been waiting
for over such a long time?

AKIMOTO

Your legs must hurt sitting
like that. Get more comfortable.

Use the cushion.
Why are you being so humble?

No...

I am going to get comfortable.

My knees are not in
good shape these days.

By the way, who would wear
his uniform on their day off?

We are told to dress in Western-style
except when we see our family members.

Except family members?

How could you say that?

Whose diapers
my wife had to change?

Ah!

Before the diapers, I was the one
who gave you your baths too.

Omine-sama,
it has been a while.

At any rate,
it must be difficult.

Huh?

Both of you are still showing
the samurai's face.

Ouch!

Hey!
Stay calm!

Yes.

Ah!
I am sorry.

- Hey!
- Yes?

She has not changed, has she?

To tell you the truth,

I have a favor to ask of the former
investigator for the supreme court.

Hey, why are you talking about
my old investigation duty now?

I have a friend whom I used to
compete against at the Iba dojo

by the name of Shimura Kingo.

Yes.

He used to work as an attendant
for Li Kamonnokami-sama.

He is a Hikone vassal...

His fencing skill
is exceptional.

His master Kamonnokami-sama
liked him

and he had a bright future
ahead of him.

Then the Sakurada incident...

For thirteen years after the
death of Kamonnokami-sama,

he is still looking for his enemy
to take revenge for his master.

He is still a samurai in both
appearance and in spirit.

He is still trying to maintain
the pride as a samurai

and I would like to help him
in some way.

They talk about "Civilization
and Enlightenment,"

but new year's day is the same.

I cut corners
preparing for it this year.

Ah! I cooked too many anchovies,
would you take some?

Yes, I would take some.

Can I get some too?

Would you take some too?
That would help.

Let's go.

Uncle, Happy New Year.

Oh! Happy New Year.

Chiyo, if you keep being a good girl,
there will be lots of good things this year.

Ah, Nao-San.
Happy New Year.

Happy New Year.

Well, I am leaving now.

Yes.
Chiyo, come here.

Uncle is working
even on New Year's Day.

Mine.

I checked up on things
about that man, Shimura.

After the Sakurada incident,

his father and mother in the
home domain killed themselves.

But Shimura was not
allowed to commit hara-kiri.

It is considered revenge,

but an attendant who could
not protect his master

had to live in disgrace
for thirteen years.

How about that?

He must not be the only one who
was going through such hardship.

Huh?

What will he do
when he completes his mission?

Naturally,
he will commit hara-kiri.

How about his wife?

She will probably follow him.

And you are helping him?

It's hot!

SHIMURA KINGO-SAMA

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE,
INSPECTOR AKIMOTO KAZUE

"Naito Shinnosuke-dono
told me about your situation.

"I would like you to visit me
at my house tomorrow,

"the 7th day
of the 2nd lunar month,

"since I have
some information for you".

I have just returned.

You must be tired.

No.

I was summoned by someone named
Akimoto-sama from the Ministry of Justice.

Is that right?

Now, it is snowing.

Good bye, have a nice day.

Setsu.

Yes.

Would you like to go home with me
to visit Hikone when it gets warmer?

Yes.

I am very happy.

PUBLIC NEWSPAPER
VIEWING STATION

What is it this time?

It is another new ordinance.

What does it say?

Hey, please move a little.

TOKYO YOKOHAMA NEWSPAPER
Hey, please move a little.

"Murdering a person is
the national prerogative.

"To punish the one who
murders a person is... "

What does that mean?

Uncle!

Oh, Chiyo.

You can't go out to play
in this weather today.

I am going to work now.

Huh?

You can have this.

Yes, it is sweet.

Well, I am off now.

Watch out.

You are all right.

You are not hurt.

- My candy...
- Ah, they are no good now.

Come on.

Don't cry so much.
It spoils your pretty face.

I am Shimura Kingo.

I am very sorry to trouble you
for my complicated request.

No, not at all.

Since it happened thirteen years ago,
I have forgotten lots of things.

But I investigated the former
supreme court's documents

and talked to anyone
who knew about the incident.

Thank you very much.

Of 18 assassins,

17 of them were former Mito vassals
and 1 was a former Satsuma vassal.

Hikone had 60 attendants
at that time,

but they were totally defeated
by only 18 assassins

and their master's head
was taken.

It is inevitable that
they are criticized

for their failure to carry out
their duties as samurai.

According to the records,

of the 18 men, one died
at the scene of the incident.

Later, four of them died
by disemboweling themselves.

Eight of them
surrendered to the authorities.

Four of them at the official
mansion of the Kumamoto clan

and the other four at the mansion
of Wakisaka Awajinokami-sama

by confessing
their responsibilities.

To tell you the truth,

I participated in the close
examinations of those men.

All of them were unresisting.

They all talked
without any inconsistency.

And they did not
hide anything.

It must be difficult.

Hey! Women should not interject
about matters like this.

I am sorry for troubling you.

You should say that
to your wife.

Hardship is felt the most
not by you or my husband.

Your wife must be feeling that
the most.

My goodness!

How far did I talk?

One man was killed
at the scene,

four men killed themselves,
and eight of them surrendered...

And all those who surrendered
committed seppuku.

I know that.

But why weren't they executed
by decapitation?

Execution and seppuku are as different
as heaven and earth for samurai.

We should not treat
selfless patriots carelessly.

If we trample them
and execute those men,

no one will sacrifice their
lives for the country.

Mito men were patriots.

What are you saying?!

At the time of the "Ansei Purge",
Kamonnokami-sama

cut off many patriots' heads.

Those decisions
were definitely wrong.

Are you going to cut me?

I made decisions that were
unbearable for Hikone.

If you kill one of the judges, it will
certainly be considered a vendetta.

Get warm.

Lately they are not good.

I can't sit for a long time.

It is miserable.

Being killed, killing
themselves, and surrendering...

I have heard about a total
of thirteen men.

Of those five men who escaped,
four of them have already died.

Akimoto-sama,

you must have taken the trouble of
sending a messenger to invite me

because you know
about the survivor.

Considering your enduring
for thirteen years,

I could not refuse
helping you.

Then...

But when I found the murderer,

I learned that he also

could not even use his own name
or show his face to this world.

He has also been enduring.

To endure

is to have an expectation for better
days and to put up with hardships.

Therefore that man with no expectations
for the future is merely a fugitive.

Why do you try
to protect him now?

Live single-mindedly...

When I look at that flower,
I can hear a voice saying that.

In freezing cold,
even under the snow,

just live single-mindedly.

Never die!

Shimura-dono!

The times have jumped over a fence
and things have changed.

The old system of samurai's stipend
is gone.

Disgrace will not be returned.

There is no Tokugawa
or Hikone.

So how about living your life single-mindedly
in this new world just like that camellia.

You should know that the Grand Council
of State declared a new ordinance today.

No matter what new laws
the country declares,

my determination
will not disappear.

I have no concern about
the restoration of my stipend

or clearing my disgrace.

They are just selfish interests.

Then why?

I...

I...

I liked Kamon-sama.

He was concerned about the future
of the country more than anyone,

yet when spring comes,

he loved plum blossoms and

looked forward to the song
of a bush warbler.

I liked Kamon-sama...

so very much...

About that time of the incident...
it seems like only a dream to me!

Don't talk about that!

You are a loyal person

and a lucky person...

Snow...

Thanks.

THE GRAND COUNCIL OF STATE DECLARES
THE PROHIBITION OF VENDETTAS

We should just leave
and have a drink now.

Yes, we can't work in this snow.
Let's go.

We should give up too, Naokichi.

We can't carry a customer
up a hill in this weather.

How can you read
those difficult sentences?

What does it say?

They prohibit vendettas.

Vendettas?

Starting today,
taking revenge is not allowed.

So if someone gets killed,
that's total loss to the victim?

Huh!

Well, that will not have anything
to do with farmers anyway.

Oh, the train arrived.

I should try working a little
more, so might as well.

But no hills...

Yes, where to?

I really have no destination.

So you want to see
the snowy views.

You are a stylish man
for a samurai with two swords.

The best snow scene

must be at the Sakurada Gate.

Unfortunately,

I can't go up the slope by the
Sakurada moat in this weather.

I am sorry.

I see.

To tell you the truth,

I really don't want to see the snow
scene of the Sakurada Gate again.

Would you raise your hat?

Please ride.

I will show you a snow scene.

Thanks.
Excuse me.

Excuse me for asking you
a trivial question.

Mr. Samurai, how old are you?

I am 45.

Why did you ask?

No...

May I ask your age?

Yes.

I am about the same age.

We are leaving now.

Do you have a wife
and children?

Unfortunately,
I am a single man.

What about your parents?

I lost them
because of my misfortune.

You caused them misfortune?

Yes.

I did something terribly bad
as a son when I was young.

So both my father and mother were in a
situation where they could no longer live.

To tell you the truth,

I did the same thing
to my parents.

It has been thirteen years
since I lost my parents.

I have no children, but my wife is still
going through hardship because of me.

It was good that I never had
a family till I got this old.

Because no one will be sad
whatever happens to me.

I want to ask your name.

I am Naokichi.

No.

I want to ask your name before
you started to pull a rickshaw.

I used to be Sabashi Jubei.

The letter for "Ju" is the same
as the number "ten".

It is so different
from the name "Naokichi. "

So you thought
you could fool the world?

No.

Would you listen to my
uninteresting story, Samurai-San?

Tell me.

I took the one letter from the
name of a person whom I murdered

in the rashness of youth.

"Nao... "

"Kichi... "

Why?

Afterwards,

I have realized that the things the
man was saying were quite right.

Then you admit that murdering
the man was a mistake also?

No, it was not a mistake.

But everything he was saying
was quite right.

So I just wanted to honor his insight
by borrowing one letter from his name.

Until the restoration,

I used to believe that I could
contribute to this country somehow

as long as I stay alive.

But now, I am just living.

ZAKURO ZAKA

What is this hill?

It's Pomegranate Hill.

There will be the mansion
of Arima-sama of Kurume ahead.

And further ahead, there is Buzen
Nakatsu clan's Okudaira-sama.

Oh...
You know it thoroughly.

It was in this area

where I failed to die.

We are going.

This is fine.
Stop now.

I take my hat off
to your tenacity.

Now complete your mission!

You are not going to fight?

I threw away my swords
a long time ago.

Use this.

I'll use
my 'wakizashi'.

It will be just like that day.

You fought with your wakizashi.

You remembered well.

Would you tell me your name?

I am Shimura Kingo.

At the time
of Kamon-sama's misfortune,

I was serving as an attendant
by the palanquin.

Why didn't you cut me?

Excuse me!

I am not allowing
your selfishness!

My life was supposed to end
in that snow thirteen years ago.

I can finally bury this
miserable self in this snow.

Now, please take my life.

What's the matter?

A Hikone samurai whose master's
head was taken by only 18 assassins

can't even avenge?

That day,

Kamon-sama said,

"It is an appeal
made by risking his own life.

"Treat it with care".

Do you see that, Jubei?

Even if that appeal
may take his life,

Kamon-sama was willing
to receive it contentedly.

You and the Mito vassals
risked your lives.

For that reason

I am not able
to take your life.

Because
I am Kamon-sama's vassal,

I am obeying his order.

Since that day

you have been here,
next to these hedges.

You have also been standing
by that Hikone's palanquin?

Sabashi-dono...

The times...

The times have changed.

But you don't need to give up
being a samurai.

Could you go over these hedges
with that spirit?

Could you live?

I...

will do the same.

I am sorry to bother you
at this time of night.

It is Naokichi.

Nao-San...
What's the matter?

This is for Chiyo.

Huh?

It is candy.

She will be so happy tomorrow
morning when she awakens.

See you.

Ah, Nao-San...

Why don't you come in
and have something warm?

No thanks.
I have to get up early tomorrow.

How about the three of us visiting
Yushima shrine's festival sometime?

Chiyo can ride
on my rickshaw.

Huh?

Good night.

I thought
we could walk home together.

Come, hurry.

Yes.

The Grand Council of State
declared a new ordinance today.

From now on,
vendettas are prohibited.

Oh...

My!

I made you endure hardship
for a long time.

Setsu...

Since you left this morning,

All day long I thought

I would never see you again.

I am going to visit
Kamon-sama's grave tomorrow.

You should come with me.

Yes.

NAKAÉ Kiichi

ABE Hiroshi

HIROSUE Ryoko

TAKASHIMA Masahiro,
MATOBU Sei

YOSHIDA Eisaku
DOCHIN Yoshikuni

OMI Yoichiro,
KIZAKI Yuria

TSUKAYAMA Masane,
NAMIKI Shiro

ETO Kansai, MINE Rantaro,
MIYATA Keiko

FUJI Tatsuya

NAKAMURA Kichiemon

Executive Producer:
KINOSHITA Naoya

Production: KAWASHIRO Kazumi,
OSUMI Tadashi, YONEYAMA Hisashi

KANBARA Hideaki,
Ignacio Wada, Aguilera Castro

Planning: OTAKI Shohei,
KADEKARU Risa,

KAWANO Satoshi, AKIMOTO Kazutaka,
KAl Teruhiko

Executive Producers:
YOSHIDA Masaki, YAMAMOTO Masahito,

YAMAGUCHI Tajiro, INOUE Takashi,
OKAMURA Yukihiko

Original Story by ASADA Jiro
"Goroji-dono Oshimatsu"

Screenplay by TAKAMATSU Hironobu,
IIDA Kenzaburo, HASEGAWA Yasuo

Music by HISAISHI Joe

Producers: KATO Etsuhiro,
HAGA Masamitsu,

INOUE Manabu, TAKEBE Yumiko,
TANI Hikaru, SAKURA Kanjiro

Associate Producers:
INAGAKI Ryuichiro, KOSUKEGAWA Noriko,

OKABE Ai, OKUBO Nobutaka,
NISHIKAWA Asako, MIKI Takashi

Photography by KIKUMURA Tokusho
Lighting by OSADA Tatsuya

Sound Recording by ONODERA Osamu
Art Direction by OGAWA Fumio

Set Decoration: NAKAGOMI Hideshi
Editor: ABE Hirohide

Assistant Director:
YAMADA Toshihisa

Sword Fight Choreography
by UNI Kanzo

Wardrobe: MATSUDA Kazuo,
KAJIMOTO Misako, TAKAIKE Katsuaki

Hairdresser: SOGA Tsuneo

Makeup & Hairdresser: TAKASAKI Mitsuyo
Art Direction Management: BABA Masao

Scripter: MORI Naoko Actors
Coordinator: MUROOKA Nobuaki

Stills: MAEDA Shoji
Period Consultant: OISHI Manabu

Cooperation Producers:
ENOKI Nozomi, OZAKI Makoto

Production: DESTINY
Distribution: SHOCHIKU

Directed
by WAKAMATSU Setsuro

THE END
Translation by Jiro Matsuki