Original subtitles

TOHO CORPORATION

TOHO-EIGA PRESENTS

Almost in the very center of the Sea of Japan...

is a small island, about 4 km in diameter.

It's called Gokumon island. ("Hell's Gate Island").

There's a story behind this dreadful name.

Since the days of Fujiwara Sumitomo, pirates from Iyo have controlled the area.

As the island protects from the North,

it was called "Northern Gate" (Hokumon-to). But was later changed to "Hell's Gate".

According to one theory... in the times of the shogunate,

the sovereign of the island had been exiled there for his crimes.

Or maybe, it was just the terrible local accent.

After the Meiji Revolution, criminals were sent there.

In any case, the inhabitants of Gokumon island...

are all undoubtedly descended from pirates or convicts.

HELL'S GATE ISLAND

Produced by KON ICHIKAWA OSAMU TANAKA

Based on the novel by SEISHI YOKOMIZO

Screenplay KON ICHIKAWA (as Kurishitei)

Camera KIYOSHI HASEGAWA Costume design SHINOBU MURAKI Sound FUMIO YANOGUCHI Lighting KOJIRO SATO

Music SHIN'ICHI TANABE

Editing MICHIKO IKEDA CHIZUKO OSADA

- Cast -

KOJI ISHIZAKA

YOKO TSUKASA

REIKO OHARA

MITSUKO KUSABUE KIWAKO TAICHI

YUKO ASANO RYOKO SAKAGUCHI

TAKESHI KATO HIDEJI OTAKI TATSUO MATSUMURA

Director KON ICHIKAWA

Shōwa 21 (1946)

KASAOKA, OKAYAMA PREFECTURE

Excuse me, could you help me?

Yes?

Which way is the Hell's Gate Island ferry?

From here... straight ahead.

Ah... I keep going straight, eh?

Not exactly. Carry on toward the seashore...

Yes...

When you see the sea, turn right by the store.

Ah... I see. Thank you very much.

Not at all.

There you go.

Thank you.

Not at all.

Hey... higher.

Easy does it.

They requisitioned it during the war.

Luckily, they're returning it.

I thought it'd been melted down for bullets.

But here it is... demobilized eh?

He helped the war cripple... Another off the train?

He's very proper...

Such human kindness is rare these days.

He's friends with Hitoshi-kun, natural son of the Kito family.

War buddies it seems.

Kito himself should get back in the next couple of days.

Sanae-san will be so happy!

No wonder. Her brother's coming home alive...

That's why they've been sheltering that cripple...

and taking care of him... showering him with gifts.

Excuse me, is this the ferry to Hell's Gate Island?

And you... you have business on the island?

Yes... Are you all islanders then?

Yes.

Are you by chance... Reverend Ryonen?

Yes, my name is Ryonen. And you...?

Mr. Chimata Kito... wrote this.

Mr. Chimata Kito himself?

"I dream of my native land..."

"I don't want to die in this place."

"I can bear it no more..."

"I must go home."

"No matter what it takes, I must."

This is Chimata's handwriting... there's no doubt.

This is Chimata-san's last letter.

Chimata is dead?

Yes... right after being demobilized.

But... what happened to him?

Chimata-san contracted malaria during the war.

He died of it on his way home.

He wrote this on his deathbed.

My friend Amamiya-san was there.

Chimata-san gave him this letter...

saying it should be given to Reverend Ryonen of Hell's Gate island.

Unfortunately, Amamiya-san fell ill and couldn't come himself.

I've come in his place.

To think Hitoshi-kun returned home alive...

yet this happened to Chimata-san...

What an irony of fate!

If the heir is dead, then the natural son inherits...

That's how it must be.

Reverend! Respected elder! Koan-sensei!

We've finished... The bell's loaded.

- Kindaichi-san... have a look. - Yes.

There... that's Hell's Gate Island.

KITO FAMILY ESTATE

Let me introduce you... Chimata's sister, Sanae-san.

I'm Kindaichi.

Reverend told me you'd come far.

Welcome to our forgotten little island.

Thank you very much.

Not at all...

Thanks... for having me.

Miss belongs to the old family line.

She lost her parents young and came to live here.

She feels safe here.

Last year when the head of the fishermen's union died...

it left only women in the house.

These photographs are...?

On the right... Chimata-san. The other's my brother Hitoshi.

I heard Chimata-san's dead... Takezo just told me!

Have you come to break the news to us?

Yes, I have. Why are you here?

This is Tomoe... from the natural line of the family.

It's not exactly right to refer to us the natural line.

In fact, we are the main line of the family.

According to law, our eldest male heads the fishermen's union.

The second and third sons of the main line are still too young.

Do you understand what I'm taking about?

Well... not exactly.

Really?

I can tell you're not from around here, are you?

Islanders grasp things quickly.

Who is that?

I don't know. Weird, he's in a kimono.

Let me have a look...

Now, now... girls!

- Behave like decent young women! - Oh... they heard us!

Come here and greet your guest.

Kindaichi-san...

These are... Chimata's younger sisters.

From the right... Tsukiyo, Yukie, Hanako.

They're each a year apart. The eldest is 19.

Dressed in those kimonos... you all look so pretty!

Thanks a lot!

I chose the sashes myself.

Aunt Tomoe, what about fishing?

I promised to take you in the morning...

but, unfortunately I can't.

- I'll find a fishermen. - No, I will...

Neither of you will. I'll find one.

They still behave like little children.

By the way, Reverend... Did you get your bell back?

Yes, we did. It's known locally as "Tengu's Nose".

Ah... Goblin's Nose is it?

(Tengu: Buddhism = demon or goblin Old Shinto = protective being)

Welcome.

This is Ms. Katsuno.

She's served this house for a very long time.

Well, now I've introduced you to her... you've met everyone.

Reverend...

in your introductions... you forgot the family's founder, Mr. Yosamatsu.

Do you want to get out?

Uncle!

It's Sanae... remember me?

Try to calm down then.

Reverend intended for you...

to stay in the Kito house.

Since only women live there...

he's giving you his Shoin pavilion.

And where is Reverend himself?

He had urgent business with the village elder.

If you need anything, ring the bell on the table.

Are these haiku...? (Haiku = Short, terse poem)

The handwriting's unintelligible.

Barbershop pole

Come in!

Hello. It's sweltering!

Can I get a cup of tea?

Aren't you going to get a haircut?

No.

Officer!

What?

You always...

come here...

and never get a haircut.

This is a barbershop you know.

Ahh... I know.

Are you growing that beard to stay warm? Afraid of catching cold?

Oshichi-chan...

A warship was attacked recently...

and the police followed the pirates here.

They were arrested this morning, but one jumped into the sea and escaped.

He was armed.

He might have reached the island... so be careful.

We received a call... from the prefecture.

Pirates don't exist anymore. They belong to a bygone age.

The Sea of Japan is a hotbed of pirates.

Always has been.

By the way, where's your father?

He's asleep.

Come in!

Please.

Have a seat.

It's sweltering, isn't it?

It says "Closed for cleaning" on the door.

But you're in a hurry, so I'll serve you.

But... how do you... want this cut?

But I haven't come to get a haircut.

What...!?!

I wanted to ask you the way.

If so, why not say so right away?

I'm sorry.

How can I get to the younger house of the Kito family?

Sir... you're not from around here, eh?

I just arrived at the Kito main house.

So you're the one who brought the news of Chimata-san's death.

Yes.

I'm the local police officer.

I see.

When do you plan on leaving the island?

I really can't say just yet.

I recommend you leave soon.

Why?

We don't like strangers here.

And, besides, the news you brought...

has seriously upset the locals.

How so?

It's terrible, isn't it?

The Kito family doesn't just lead our island.

There isn't a fishermen's union on any of the islands... even close to ours.

And here you come... saying its head is dead.

His grandfather Kaemon... Hideoshi's equal in fortitude...

waited for his son to come home...

till the moment he breathed his last breath.

The three younger sisters...

do you think they might be in any danger?

Have you seen them? They're weird, aren't they?

But... not really weird...

Chimata-san's mother died...

And their mother was the master's second wife. So they've different mothers.

But they say, Sanae-san's elder brother Hitoshi is going to return home soon.

But he belongs to the side line of the family.

So those three girls are the only surviving heirs to the main line.

Well... the younger house of Kito has the advantage now.

Weren't you... going to visit the younger house?

Yes.

What for?

Well... which ever house...

Their mistress Tomoe-san is a very attractive woman.

I've seen her.

You think she might...

If the main house falls, it will be because of Yodogimi.

Yodogimi?

Nickname... for the master's second wife.

Since master Gihei-san is quiet, she controls everything.

But there is some other young man. Their foster-son, maybe?

He's not a real son.

Not real?

This young man who lives in the house, his name is Shozo Ukai.

He came to the island as a soldier during the war.

When the war ended, he didn't leave, but stayed in the Kito younger house.

He's there to manipulate...Tsukiyo, Yukie and Hanako... the three daughters.

He's aiming to ruin the Kito main house.

This is Tomoe-san's secret plan.

This Ukai's a really weird guy.

He's a man, but his face is so white, as if covered with make-up.

He's quiet and acts very aristocratic.

Always dressed in a kimono, like an actor.

- Oshichi-chan... - Leave me alone.

I get so scared when he pops up, like a ghost.

Oshichi-chan... you have a client.

A client?

Ukai-san... welcome.

It was you?

It was you who stole Ukai-san's letter?

I looked earlier, but didn't find anything.

If you're lying, Enma, the dark lord, will tear your tongue out.

My tongue's still here.

Where have you been?

Everyone's getting ready for your brother's memorial night.

Where's... Hana-chan?

I don't know... that dummy!

She's always running around... never know where?

Exactly.

Wasn't she with you?

No.

Hanako's nowhere to be found.

Has anyone seen her?

I haven't seen her all evening.

What about the other two?

- Tsukiyo and Yukie are at home. - Ms. Katsuno ordered...

a thorough search of the house...

but she wasn't found.

It can't be helped...

We must begin the memorial service.

- Ryotaku, prepare everything. - Right.

Oh... Where's Sanae-san?

Seems the madman's agitated so she's seeing to him.

- Hey, Takezo. - It's all very sad.

You're the most experienced fisherman in the Kito younger house.

Just by watching a flag in the wind...

you can tell the direction of the current and where the fish are.

You ensure a successful catch.

Hey, doctor....

You're the natural successor as head.

Stop talking nonsense.

Kindaichi-san, don't think I don't trust you...

But there's no official document yet.

What if it turns out that Chimata-san's still alive?

Are you certain he's dead?

Koan, stop harassing him.

You've had enough to drink.

People drink to forget themselves.

Yes.

There's nothing to do.

It's all absurd.

That was Sanae-san's voice.

I'll... go take a look.

What happened?

I'm sorry if I scared anyone.

Just now... Tama frightened me.

Tama?

Katsuo-san's pet cat.

Thankfully he's finally calmed down.

- It must be hard for you. - No.

Do you have any idea where Hanako-san might've gone?

Has this happened before?

Yes. Sometimes she wanders off.

Even so, I'm still worried.

For Hana-chan...?

Yes... actually for all Chimata-san's sisters.

Do you know anything about it?

Just what I read in Chimata-san's letter... the one he sent Reverend.

Actually, I didn't come here just to deliver Chimata-san's letter.

What?

In a separate letter, Chimata-san expressed concern.

He was worried for his three younger sisters.

Then... who are you?

A private detective.

If I'd... announced it right away, people might've reacted.

- It could have caused problems. - What are you here to investigate?

My friend Amamiya...

was told a terrible story by Chimata-san.

Why did Chimata-san decide to tell him...

when he was on his deathbed?

Amamiya felt it was his death wish.

Moved by it... he asked me to investigate.

Just in case... I've been sent to do whatever I can...

to avoid a tragedy.

So what was it... that Chimata-san...

felt he had to tell Amamiya-san?

I don't want to die.

Amamiya...

I... don't want to die.

If I don't make it back... my three little sisters will be killed.

Only...

only my situation is hopeless.

A... Amamiya...!

Do it for me... go to Hell's Gate Island!

To Hell's Gate Island...

It's getting very late... Hanako's still not back.

It's starting to get strange.

Oh... Kindaichi-san... Sanae-san okay?

Yeah... nothing serious.

Then... I think we can leave Sanae and Katsuno...

and start a search for the missing girl.

Takezo and Ryotaku, take the Kito younger house.

- Right... Ryotaku-san, let's go. - Coming.

I'll go look in the village.

And I'll look in the temple.

Although... it's unlikely... she'd be in the temple this late.

And me... Isn't there something I can do to help?

If it's not too much trouble, could you take Dr. Koan home?

Oh... Kindaichi-san?

Where's Dr. Koan?

I just took him home.

That must've been hard.

No. What about you... Did you find Hanako-san?

No... she wasn't there.

Was Ukai-kun home?

Yes... they said he'd gone to bed.

The mistress was very short with us.

Look... that must be Reverend.

What's that... Do you think he wants us to come?

Uh... Reverend's signalling us.

Village elder, you were knocking so hard...

I thought it must be the runaway pirate

but you say it's Hana-chan?

If it's about the girl...

we'll search every nook and cranny

of the main house in the morning.

Aren't you taking this rather lightly?

What's this...?

It's a small shrine.

Shrine?

Ryotaku!

Ryotaku!

Hey!

Here, come quickly!

Something awful!

It's terrible!

Reverend... What's happened?

Kindaichi-san... over there.

Over there!

Amidha Shakamuni... Amidha Shakamuni (Buddha)... Amen...

This is insane. Nothing to do.

Takezo-san, notify the police immediately.

Then go to the main house... tell Sanae-san.

Right.

Kindaichi-san...

We should call the village elder and Dr. Koan.

- Yes. - Ryotaku... do it.

Right.

Reverend, look over here... the lock's been broken.

What?

Kindaichi-san...

Look.

Someone's been waiting here.

And very recently.

TERRIBLE NIGHT

TERRIBLE NIGHT PASSED

MISTY MORNING

MISTY MORNING CAME

No way.

It's Basho's signature.

Two poems by Basho...

and one other poem... by Kikaku.

I should read them.

The annotation "Gokumon"... means they must be copies.

Someone copied these poems and then annotated them "Gokumon".

Kindaichi-san...

Are you going to bed or getting up?

Something in-between.

Yes, yes...

For working all night... thanks.

You had to do the hard work, Shimizu-san... examining the body in the rain.

Has an investigator from the prefecture arrived?

I doubt he'll arrive soon... not in this dense fog.

By the way...

I wanted to ask you a bit more about how the body was found.

So could you come to the police station with me?

Is it necessary?

I've been on the island for five years now.

Basically, this whole island is one big family.

It's makes it difficult to do my job. Come in.

For example, someone makes a charge about some stolen money...

No sooner do you catch the criminal...

than the victim drops the charges...

saying nothing was stolen. So I have to close the case.

Shimizu-san, what are you doing?

You're under arrest on suspicion of the murder of Hanako.

What?

- So this is a prison cell? - Exactly.

But this is a violation of my rights!

I suspected you yesterday... when we met in the barbershop.

You're no detective...

just a tramp who discovered the secrets of the Kito family.

Then you murdered the youngest daughter.

I didn't find out any secrets.

Oshichi-san and you told me everything yourselves.

Last night someone was hiding in the kitchen next to the crime scene.

There were footprints.

Exactly, it was I who found those footprints.

And it was I who showed you when you arrived.

You falsified all of it... to put me off the scent.

I think you made those footprints yourself.

But I don't have any army boots.

So they're army boots?

- Look and you'll see! - Do you smoke?

No, I don't.

What do you say now?

And the tub of rice, you think I left that, too?

I'll find out.

But I didn't eat there.

No one says you did.

You asked a woman to bring you food and cigarettes.

Anyway, I'll find out the truth soon enough.

Officer sir! Shimizu-san!

Let me go. You're making a mistake!

This is unbelievable. Come back! Believe me?

Local officer... Shimizu.

You weren't seasick, I hope?

I'm the prefecture investigator, Bando.

This is the prefecture's chief inspector, Todoroki.

As I reported yesterday by phone...

The victim is Hanako Kito, 17 years old.

Local doctor, Koan Murase inspected the body.

Cause of death, cerebral haemorrhage, due to a blow to the head.

Time of death - between 7 and 8 p.m.

The body is in the Kito main house. Will you conduct the postmortem now?

Or, if you'd rather, would you like to have dinner first?

Where's he going?

Oh... seasick. I didn't realize.

Who did it?

Who could have killed Hana-chan so cruelly?

That's what these gentlemen are here to find out.

We would like to set up a base of operations in your...

What's the point of that?

This isn't Tokyo or Osaka here!

The sea surrounds us. There's no way to escape.

The killer is one of us. It can't be an outsider.

Sanae-san....

In any case, we need you to cooperate.

These cigarette butts were found...

not far from the crime scene.

Do you have any idea where they came from?

When we interrogated Reverend, he told us...

that you roll cigarettes daily...

for your uncle, Yosamatsu-san.

Is that true?

Yes.

You use pages of an English dictionary... to roll the tobacco?

Yes.

These are the cigarette butts.

Therefore, cigarettes rolled by you...

were found at the crime scene.

But yesterday... my uncle...

Was locked up in his cell?

Yes. He went to bed... at 7 as usual.

Sanae-san, what are you doing?

There are so many guests in the house, everyone is busy.

It's so nice.

Katsuno is hiding something from us.

Why can't we wear a nice kimono? It's absurd.

Get them out...

Please, leave.

We have to discuss how to catch...

the person who killed Hana-chan.

No!

Katsuno-san...!

Don't let the girls in here again.

I'm sorry, it was my mistake.

Those two...

Oh, it's you.

Those two are the victim's sisters.

Unbelievable...

Their younger sister's murdered...

and they behave like this?

Here's water.

Should we interrogate them?

What for? It's pointless.

Poor Sanae-san will never forget this.

Has there been any news?

No.

- Rheumatism bothering you again? - Yes.

Official notification of Chimata-san's death...

it just came.

In the end it seems Kindaichi was telling the truth.

From what I heard...

they've arrested him?

It must be a mistake.

He didn't do it.

Was it you who discovered this letter on Hanako's body?

Yes.

Did you read it?

No.

It says:

"I'll be waiting in the courtyard of the Senkoji temple at 7 tonight."

"There will be no one there at that time."

"So no one will disturb us."

Recepient - "Tsukiyo-sama" Sender - "A person of your acquaintance"

How old-fashioned... "A person of your acquaintance".

This "person of your acquaintance", who do you think that could be?

Reverend, the elder, the doctor with the funny beard, Katsuno, or...

Takezo.

Exactly.

According to Takezo's testimony...

the "person" was Shozo Ukai from the younger house.

I also think so.

- But... - But what?

Don't enter without knocking!

I'm Tomoe from the younger house.

Tomoe?

Please...

It's not your turn. Wait outside.

Hana-chan was killed, and yet...

you haven't bothered to interview us from her family?

Are you... Ukai?

Did you meet Hanako in the Senkoji temple last night?

You talked to her on the phone, didn't you?

Me... with Hana-chan? No, I didn't.

Did you write this letter to Ms. Tsukiyo?

- Yes. - Did Hana-chan have it?

This is weird.

I remember this letter very well.

Ukai-san...

Tell us everything as it happened. Conceal nothing.

Ukai-san wrote it but I dictated it.

Why shouldn't he?

Ukai-san and Tsukiyo-san love each other.

But everyone frowns upon it, and they're kept apart.

I feel sorry for them.

I thought I should help them realize their love.

It doesn't concern anyone else.

It's their private business.

Do you... still need me?

You can go.

So you two... were exchanging letters?

In the valley, there's a big tree called the "Pillar of Love".

Next to it, there's a small shrine.

We left letters for each other in the tree.

"Pillar of Love"?

In reality, it's called the "Pillar of the Sky".

But Tsukiyo-chan called it "Pillar of Love". Maybe she misheard.

Um.... I see.

So Hanako found out and stole the letter.

And went to Senkoji temple instead of Tsukiyo.

So you went there too.

Yes. I waited for Tsukiyo-san, but she never came.

Of course, she didn't.

But a little later... Hana-chan came.

And then?

Then I left the temple unnoticed and went home.

It's true.

Inspector...

do you really think he could have killed Hana-chan?

We've established that Ukai was the last one to see Hanako alive.

What nonsense...

He had no reason to kill Hana-chan...

Besides, he doesn't have the courage to do something like that.

Thanks for your kindness. Without it, I wouldn't have had any breakfast.

I learnt about what happened to you...

when my husband came home.

I immediately decided to come and apologize.

You're such a kind and open-hearted person.

I hope you can forgive us.

When will he come?

He's rather quiet...

Yes... usually.

But when he sees his three daughters, he goes mad...

Yet in front of Sanae, he's as meek as a lamb.

Reverend told me all about it.

Don't you want to interrogate the tramp I was telling you about?

What tramp?

He was behaving suspiciously, so I arrested him.

I can't do everything at the same time.

What is it?

Boss, there's a footprint.

An army boot footprint, like the one at the temple kitchen.

A footprint... but then why only one?

It seems any others were swept away.

And this one was left accidentally.

I see.

Right... I've got it. Yosamatsu and Sanae are the criminals.

The fact that the footprint was found here and at the kitchen, proves my theory.

Yosamatsu escaped, went to the temple, and killed Hanako.

Then he had some smokes and ate there.

Sanae has the key to the cage. Only she could have let him out.

But what's the motive?

Isn't it obvious? Enmity.

Subjected to the humiliation of his daughters...

Yosamatsu finally lost it and took revenge.

So you are discarding the version of Tomoe and Ukai's participation?

This Tomoe has her eye on the Kito main house.

- Partition of property? - Yes.

It's quite likely.

Welcome back!

Have the police finished their investigation?

Strange things...

go on in this world.

Why?

Indeed it's beyond... man's normal understanding.

It's terrible... completely unbelievable.

You didn't tell me Hana-chan came.

- Last night? - Of course.

She did.

Hana-chan is also pretty.

But... Hana-chan and Tsukiyo-san are quite different.

You wanted a noblewoman.

Long before demobilization they decided...

Hitoshi from the younger house would marry one of the girls.

Do you see how I feel?

But Aunt, I...

What do you mean "but"? I'm totally against.

I'm sorry.

What now?

Alright?

Okay... we'll talk later.

Ryotaku...

I've been... asked to teach the Doctrine in the Main Temple.

Someone... will have to take charge... and conduct ceremonies here.

I intend to hand over those responsibilities to you.

To me...? The temple...?

But Reverend...

I don't have the knowledge or experience for it.

Please, don't leave this temple to me... I beg you.

Yes.

What?

Yes.

It's the main house... They're asking if you've seen Yukie-san.

Who's asking?

Sanae-san.

Are you sure Yukie-chan was here when Tomoe-san came?

Yes.

So much worry because of these girls. Well... I'm sure she'll show up.

Katsuno-san...

You said Tomoe-san went to the younger house after that.

Yes.

Then Yukie-chan... did she go with her?

Then... this Tsukiyo, where is she?

She should be in her room.

- I'll go look. - Of course.

That's it.

What?

Have they found Yukie?

They went to the younger house to look for her.

I have a bad feeling. Come.

Excuse me.

Hana-chan was killed. And now Yukie-chan too.

Really... What did you say?

It's impossible.

It's you... Shimizu-san.

You... were unfair to arrest me.

Kindaichi-san...

you haven't left here, right?

Leave here? Are you kidding?

Didn't you lock me in here?

Kindaichi-san...

I think... I owe you an apology.

It was a terrible mistake.

But then... who are you really?

I'm a private detective.

Shimizu-san, what happened this time?

That's just it... it's happened again.

At the Goblin's Nose...

Yukie... Yukie...

Yukie... Yukie...

Hey... come away!

Reverend, enough.

Kindaichi-san, look...

It's Yukie's kimono.

You think that Yukie-san is under the bell?

Who are you?

It's Kindaichi-san.

Kindaichi?

He's a private detective.

What is a private detective doing here?

He's investigating in accordance with Chimata-san's will.

Are you going to leave Yukie-chan under the bell?

Get her out of there.

Detective Bando went to the village for help.

Everyone please wait... just as I have to wait.

Shimizu-san, who found her?

I and Reverend.

We started looking for Yukie-san.

On our way to the younger house...

I saw the bell... but there was nothing unusual about it.

As Yukie-san wasn't in the younger house...

we carried on looking...

then we heard a man scream from where the Goblin's Nose was.

We started walking down the path... to the area where the bell was.

Then we heard another scream.

We ran down and saw Dr. Koan...

lying next to the "Pillar of the Sky", holding his left arm.

Reverend and I ran to him.

As we were dragging the doctor to the road...

by chance...

I noticed the sleeve of Yukie's kimono coming from under the bell.

Are you sure there was no sleeve when you passed the first time?

I got a good look of it. I made no mistake.

But there was no more than 20 minutes in between.

During that time the criminal had to kill Yukie...

and put her under this heavy bell.

Is that possible?

But he had to have done it.

Reverend and you can be excluded.

First of all, we have to examine the alibis of all those involved.

You...

You were the closest to the crime scene.

What were you doing in the valley?

I thought if Hanako ran away from home yesterday...

to get Ukai-kun's letter...

from the "Pillar of the Sky" tree...

Then Yukie could've come for the same reason.

And the face of your attacker? You saw absolutely nothing to identify him?

How? He attacked me from behind.

The only thing I noticed was a demobilized soldier's uniform.

Hey... look over here by the bell.

There is a hole in the ground.

It's about 30 cm wide.

There's about 45 cm to this stone pedestal.

Inspector...

This bell looks too heavy to lift.

But I think it's possible.

What you're saying... it's nonsense.

If we draw an imaginary line from the hole over this stone...

it leads to the trunk of this pine.

If we divide the distance to the stone...

into the distance to the tree, it's about... 5 times.

If we take a pole of this length

and use it as a lever,

the force applied to the bell will be multiplied five times.

Will this pole do?

Takezo-san...

It's just right. Where did you find it?

Over there, in the grass.

Poles like this one are used to attach ships to the pier.

I wonder who brought it up here.

Probably, the criminal.

This hole by the edge of the bell...

If the criminal had slid this pole under the bell...

he could have surely tilted the bell.

Takezo-san...

Could you put the pole in this hole...

and using the stone, try to lift the bell.

Stay back.

(Matsuo Basho) "Cruel fate..."

(Matsuo Basho) "a grasshopper under a soldier's helmet."

(Buddhist chant) Amusha kamuni mutsu...

Amusha kamuni mutsu...

Just like Musume Dojoji's play...

Except it was the other way round there.

Reverend Anchin was hiding under the bell and Kiyo-hime, his lover...

tried to get inside.

Everyone knows that Osayo-san,

Yukie-chan's mother, was an actress.

Therefore, it must have been her lover who got inside the bell.

It seems to refer to Yosamatsu-san from the main house.

She was his second wife, no?

As they say, "The sins of the parents..."

Enough!

Why bring up old matters... we should be praying to Buddha?

But someone came up with this terrible performance!

It's insane!

You're mad... you have all gone mad!

She was murdered.

I'm requesting a criminologist from the prefectural office.

Ah... ah... what?

There is a runaway pirate hiding on the island?

No one knows where he is?

What did you say?

You suspect he... a demobilized soldier?

Soldier's uniform?

What happened to that pirate in a soldier's uniform?

Quiet!

The doctor said he was attacked around here... somewhere here.

Yes.

The soldier would've come from down there.

- Let's go down. - Come on.

Watch your step... please be careful.

Why do I have to have this amateur around?

Let's go.

Inspector!

Shimizu-san!

I found a campfire.

Look.

This fire's not that old.

Dr. Koan must've been telling the truth.

There's a bundle here.

But this is...

the Kito coat of arms.

Boss!

There are army boot prints here.

Very well...

Right... it's clear!

The pirate is our killer.

Our suspicions against Yosamatsu, Sanae, Tomoe and Ukai were erroneous.

This is what happened... The pirate was in hiding... in this very spot.

He was stealing food from the temple and the main house to satisfy his hunger.

- Bando! - Yes.

We'll search the mountain in the morning.

Request armed police from the prefectural department.

- Yes... - But...

Why would a pirate kill Kito's daughters?

When he crept into the kitchen...

he saw Hanako in the courtyard.

In the second case, he bumped into Yukie while he was hiding in the valley.

All the evidence points to it.

So the pirate killed Hanako-san and then hanged her upside down.

And put Yukie-san under the bell. Do you really think so?

Try to imagine... if you can...

a young man, just returned from the front line...

finds his country in ruins. Can you...

understand how he felt? Drive him crazy, no?

How terrible...

Go to bed.

Your moaning only makes me feel worse.

You are choosing kimonos...

for Hanako-san and Yukie-san...

I want to cover the caskets during the service.

It's what both girls loved the most.

Finally... both girls will be buried together.

Tomoe-san said many terrible things.

Ah... about Osayo-san?

No one on the island has anything good to say about her.

And still, her death was horrible.

Osayo-san was who she was...

But why were her daughters... Hana-chan and Yukie-chan, killed?

And so far Tsukiyo-chan wasn't?

You think...

Tsukiyo-san might be in danger the same as her sisters?

This is a dancer outfit that my mother used to put on during the prayer.

Does it suit me?

Tsukiyo-chan, don't leave the house!

Why live... if I can't leave the house?

Let's take off that costume.

No.

Why not?

- Take it off... - No!

I'm going to... pray for the killer to be killed.

With all of my heart...

Let Yukie-chan and Hana-chan's killer be punished.

My prayer will be heard... you'll see!

THE FUNERAL

THE FUNERAL TOOK PLACE

THE FUNERAL TOOK PLACE THE NEXT DAY

After attacking doctor Koan...

the criminal ran to Mount Suribati... this much is clear.

We'll search around the air defense post later.

First we'll the comb gun sites.

Combing these bunkers will be extremely difficult.

Since the criminal is armed...

if he fires... you can fire back.

But it's important not to wound him mortally.

Who's protecting Tsukiyo in the Kito main house?

I asked Shimizu, the police officer, to do that.

He'll be okay, eh?

Who are you?

My name is Kindaichi.

Well... Tomoe-san is?

She's not back from the funeral yet.

Are you Tomoe-san's father?

What impudence!

I'm her husband.

I'm sorry.

So you must be Gihei-san?

Yes. And you must be the detective from the capital?

Yes.

So why do you need Tomoe?

Actually, I wanted to learn more...

about Sanae-san and Yukie-san's mother.

About Osayo?

I can tell you everything about her myself.

That woman was the first mistake the main house made.

On Shikoku, there was a female kabuki troupe, headed by Nakamura Ran-no-jo.

This Ran-no-jo was Osayo herself.

In Dojoji's plays Goban Tadanobu and Kuju Leaf she acted changing costumes.

She performed on our island a couple times too.

Old Kaemon of the Kito main house was an avid theatre-goer.

A warehouse for nets was converted into a theatre.

It's still there, only it's abandoned now.

Are you in a hurry by chance?

No.

So this Osayo-san became Yosamatsu-san's second wife.

Is that all thanks... to Kaemon-san's love of theatre?

Not at all! It's just that Yosamatsu's wife...

Chimata's mother, had died shortly before.

And he fell for Osayo at first sight.

Kaemon-san was absolutely furious.

But why?

Some unknown, nameless actress...

to be made mistress of the most noble family on the island.

In general, marriages with strangers are frowned upon here.

Idiot!

Yosamatsu...

One grandson, Chimata, is enough for me.

But Osayo can also...

Father...

Let me have Osayo as my wife.

I beg you.

You are heir to the Kito main house.

If you are lonely... you can buy any actress or whore you want.

Making her your wife is simply inconceivable.

Here... drink this.

I will resign in 2 or 3 years.

Do you want your younger brother Yoshiyume to be appointed head...

after me?

There's one more reason why Kaemon-san didn't like Osayo.

It's the priest of the Senkoji temple.

Reverend?

Kaemon-san always shared Reverend's views.

The priest...

was fighting against pagan shaman Shoten, who was Osayo's relative.

Reverend thought him to be an enemy of Buddhism.

And Osayo-san...

before she became an actress, was she also a shaman?

Seems so.

The temple and the fishermen's union claimed their right to the island.

Osayo wasn't going to submit to them...

not being a timid woman.

Hanako's hair got entangled.

When I remember that...

I feel sorrow.

She grabs the bell by the top...

And with a prayer takes it up to the sky.

Golden words of Buddha's teaching...

Descend from Hanako's lips in the sky.

Isn't it wondrous?

Idiot!

This side!.. Close it... Close this end!

What a noise! Get her out of here!

Move it!

What's wrong with you?

She's your daughter!

She's your child too.

Poor thing, why does she have to live in a dirty place like this?

Why don't you take her to your big house?

Besides, the second child is on its way.

Father will never consent to that.

Of course, now your younger brother Yoshiyume-san is his favorite son...

It's about time to deal with him.

He is a dummy.

If he tries to skipper a boat... he'll sink it.

His body would never be found.

Of course it won't.

What? What are you talking about?

What if... he would be killed?

And his body would never be found?

Is that possible?

A two-year-old fell ill on one of the islands, but they didn't have a doctor.

So they prayed and it got well. Did you hear about that?

Yes, I did.

There were rumors.

What are you doing?

Someone might come in.

Don't worry.

Well...

If one were to pray to the lord of darkness.

A scary thing.

And ask for a person's life to be taken away...

For the thread of life to break off...

That's what I was thinking.

This is what's left of the theatre.

Thank you for bringing me here.

What...? I wanted to have another look... myself.

The stage used to be over there.

There's even some stage scenery and props left.

It's filthy in here.

The dressing room used to be here.

And this is where...

the couple used to live.

She's pregnant again?

I won't let her give birth here.

Get out!

Osayo is in her last month. Where else can we go?

Don't be so cruel.

You'd better ask a midwife.

I'm sure she won't give birth for another 20 days.

A midwife might say the same.

But... I know for sure... I'm going to give birth today.

Do you feel that in your belly?

If you give birth today, count yourself lucky.

Yosamatsu, you're an idiot.

Oh lords Ikoma, Kavachi and Deva!

And also lord Hara! I'm calling upon you.

Yosamatsu-san.

Call a midwife.

Are you giving birth?

She's faking it!

I'm having labor pains!

I'm going to give birth...

Osayo had the third girl in the main house and stayed there after that.

Having let Osayo in his house...

Kaemon-san made his biggest mistake.

Osayo was not only an actress, but also a shaman.

There is a strange pavilion in the courtyard of the main house.

Yosamatsu built it for Osayo to recite her incantations.

I haven't been there yet.

On the island, it's called "Lonely House".

A woman and a man hating each other living under the same roof...

so it was for a very long time.

But pagan incantations can lead to trouble.

Osayo eventually went mad.

The cage, where Yosamatsu now lives, was originally built for Osayo.

So Osayo-san died there?

Is that when Yosamatsu-san went insane?

He was like that for 7 or 8 years.

Then the war broke out.

His grandsons Chimata and Hitoshi were drafted into the army.

Soon after that Kaemon-san passed away.

The islanders... started talking about the younger's house victory.

The younger house of Kito is my house.

Tomoe is young and inexperienced...

and makes a fuss about things. I'm not like that.

If I die, there will be desolation everywhere.

Like in this theatre.

Don't come in!

It's me, Ukai.

No one is allowed today!

I'm not everyone. I'm worried about you.

I'm reciting an incantation.

It won't work with others present.

Leave!

Don't be like that. I love you!

Leave!

So, the funeral went as planned.

Yes.

Where is Reverend?

He's suffering from rheumatism.

He asked me to apologize for him.

He's in the temple, I presume?

Where else would he be?

I meant he's not so bad.

Maybe we can help him?

No, he doesn't need anything.

Katsuo-san, they say Tsukiyo-san is preparing for an incantation.

Yes.

When I hear the sound of little bells, peace and bliss come over me.

Let's drink!

It's you... Ukai-san.

It's good... that you came here.

Did you do what you intended?

Yes.

Did it work out?

Yes.

Then I probably should go.

Hello, detective.

Busy as usual, eh?

You shouldn't go around alone.

The pirate still hasn't been caught.

That's exactly what father said.

Oshichi-san, you're a native islander, aren't you?

Yes, but my father wasn't local.

What is this?

I found it here... someone must have dropped it.

Can I take a look?

Could you lend it to me for a bit?

Take it.

- Thank you. - Why do you need it?

I'm not sure yet.

Can I... help you in your investigation?

Oh no.

A boat sailed in... Sailed out again... Island summer's gone.

Whose haiku is that?

I created it... now. Do you write haiku?

No, no.

I don't like haiku either.

But you're very good at it.

Everyone writes haiku here. Father's so crazy about it...

He never works... just writes haiku.

His pseudonym is "Sanmon". (Third Gate)

Third Gate?

It's in the form of Kaemon-san's pseudonym.

He was his teacher and his pseudonym was "Gokumon".

Hang on a second...

Hell's Gate? (Gokumon)

What are you doing?

Stay here!

Kindaichi-san!

He's over there!

Bando.

Call the police!

We have to surround him.

Lord Ikoma and lord Kavachi. I beg both of you to help!

Accept my offering!

Fool!

Damn!

Sanae-san!

Hey you... a woman shouldn't be here. Leave.

Sanae-san... you know this man, don't you?

He's your brother Hitoshi, isn't he?

No, it's not my brother.

Incredible.

There's no gun wound.

Sanae-san learnt that...

before his death Chimata-san had said,

"If I die, my sisters will die too."

This is what Kindaichi-san said.

We don't know... if it's true or not.

But two girls are already dead.

Only Tsukiyo-san is left.

That's true.

Chimata's thoughts about heirs...

Don't you think he was delirious, Dr. Koan?

What's wrong?

I can't hear the little bells anymore.

Come in.

Did you get the criminal?

We got his body.

What? He's dead?

It's all rather strange.

We thought he was hit by a bullet.

But it turns out he died from a blow to the head.

We examined the surroundings...

but we didn't find any rock or stone against which he could have hit his head.

I don't understand.

You... don't?

And Tsukiyo-san?

She seems to be alright. Do you hear the little bells?

How is your rheumatism?

It's fine. I was just cleaning up the backyard a bit.

I heard they caught the criminal.

It created a lot of fuss.

It was so foggy yesterday.

After talking to the police... you left right away, didn't you?

Yes, I had to go to Ryotaku.

Katsu-san, why do you ask?

I made cold noodles.

I wanted to offer you some, but couldn't find you.

Really... that was nice of you.

The police found out...

that Yukie-san was still alive under the bell.

Maybe she went under herself, then?

But they said she was strangled.

The mail boat's come.

Reverend, what do you think of all this?

It's not clear.

But... it will be.

Excuse me...

Yosamatsu disappeared.

Look, here's the lock.

Don't touch it.

It was me...

who brought uncle food.

Inspector, we have to check on Tsukiyo in the shrine.

Tsukiyo-san?

But the little bells... are still ringing.

It's still better to make sure.

But... how?

Tsukiyo.

She was strangled.

What the...?

So all along the ringing... was just the cat.

Look.

The body is covered with flowers.

These are hagi flowers.

Part of an invocation?

Artificial, aren't they?

And quite old ones too.

Therefore, there's no way the dead pirate could be our killer.

Damn, we have to start all over again.

Hitoshi from the younger house should be home soon.

Yes.

You must be looking forward to it.

After all... it's an important event for the whole of the younger house.

Now with Chimata dead...

It seems Kaemon-san was very fond of Chimata.

He was a man of extremes.

He hid from strangers as if in a shell, but kept a firm grip on the house.

But... he was different with you.

What?

I saw you working for him... in the Kito main house.

You served him with good faith and fidelity.

If you hadn't helped me then, Reverend...

I would have frozen to death.

Thirty years have passed.

Yes.

By the way, are you here on business?

I heard you weren't feeling well, so I came to check on you.

What happened?

Tsukiyo-san's...

been killed!

Sanae-san...

We have to find uncle Yosamatsu as soon as possible.

It was you who let him out.

Who... are you trying to cover for?

The evening of Chimata-san's memorial...

we heard you scream.

You screamed because you saw the soldier in the garden.

You took him for Hitoshi-san, didn't you?

Yes.

After he ran...

you saw his footprints.

It was you, brought him food and supplies, wasn't it?

I was taking them for my brother.

When no one was in the kitchen, I wrapped everything in a bundle.

Earlier on the mountain, you were frightened.

Yes.

But the soldier turned out to be just a pirate.

The police realized that he couldn't be our killer.

He had no connection to the case.

But he accidentally saw the criminal.

And apparently that's why he was killed.

So you...

were covering for the killer all along.

Isn't that so?

I have never been off the island.

It seems incredible.

I know nothing of the war or life outside... our little island.

Kindaichi-san, do you envy me?

He could be anywhere.

But in fact he can't go very far...

He can never escape from this place.

I want you to find him.

Me?

I'm joking.

We have to find Yosamatsu-san as soon as possible.

Five... Seven... Five...

That's it... it's a haiku! (5-7-5 = traditional haiku format)

No.

It's gone.

Ryotaku-san.

Where is the screen with haiku verses, which was in the guest room?

Reverend thought it was in the way and he put it somewhere else.

Reverend?

Yes, Reverend...

and Kaemon from the Kito main house often took part in haiku soirées.

The village elder and Koan-san as well.

And me, of course.

Oh ho... which means the haiku verses...

signed "Gokumon" like those on the screen and the one in the temple...

were written by Kaemon-san.

Yes.

Yes, I think those verses were written by Kaemon-san.

But the handwriting was so difficult that I couldn't read them.

You're an educated man, no...? Still you couldn't read them.

I'm home.

Oshichi, we have a guest.

Hello.

And mum is out there working!

The gentleman came to ask about poetry.

Someone had to help to him.

Since you're here now, come give this man a haircut.

You're so lazy.

Mum, let me help you.

Go ahead.

Thank goodness.

Listen to how tasteful this verse is:

Without you Drops of dew Have taste of loneliness.

It's worthy of Basho.

Such an unforgettable tinge of tenderness.

And here are my verses:

Among rough waves At the bottom of the Sea of Japan The Milky Way lies.

Can you feel it?

It's not his. Basho wrote:

Among rough waves Leading to Sado island The Milky Way lies.

It's copied.

The woman is old and so are her tastes.

Do you know what ki-dai is?

Let me explain...

There are special ki-dai words for spring, summer, autumn and winter.

- What about that screen? - Oh... that's right.

There were two haiku by Basho... and one by Kikaku.

Basho's first haiku was: Cruel fate... A grasshopper under a soldier's helmet.

CRUEL FATE...

CRUEL FATE... A GRASSHOPPER...

CRUEL FATE... A GRASSHOPPER... UNDER A SOLDIER'S HELMET

I see!

Mr. Seijuro, was there a verse about hagi flowers?

Yes, Basho's second haiku was:

In my hut Courtesans in bed Moonlit hagi flowers.

IN MY HUT

IN MY HUT COURTESANS IN BED

IN MY HUT COURTESANS IN BED MOONLIT HAGI FLOWERS

But islanders say, in "Lonely Hut", referring to incantations.

Olden dancers were courtesans.

Master... what's the third haiku by Kikaku?

It's something like:

The nightingale Sang his first song Upside down.

There's a riddle in these haiku.

Dad, the bell has disappeared.

The fisherman who just came for a haircut told me.

Goblin's Nose is gone.

But... what exactly did he say?

Yesterday after fishing, they were returning to the island.

They were coming around the point in their boat.

They were running parallel to the shore.

There were tree covered rocks above them.

Just then... something moved in the woods...

They realized it was Goblin's Nose.

Then the bell stopped.

And how far is it between...

where the bell was before and where it is now?

Ah... about 220 meters.

Could there be two bells on the island?

In the Senkoji temple, there's another bell.

Takezo-san... would you mind?

Of course.

What are you looking for?

I now understand... the solution to a mystery.

I found it!

Like you said...

There was a heavy stone tied to the rope.

I cut it off.

Thank you very much.

Ah... it's a bell!

Yes, a bell...

but it's made of papier-maché...

and hinged in two parts.

Osayo-san used it in Dojoji's play.

This is the screen you wanted to see.

Yes.

But...

these are scribbles, not characters. They're impossible to read.

Kindaichi-kun...

are you sure these haiku are connected to the murders?

Yes.

That night by Hanako-san's body, you said something...

I didn't understand at the time.

You meant that you wouldn't be able to save Yukie-san and Tsukiyo-san.

That night...

I said,

"This is insane, nothing to do!"

"Kichigai ja shikata ga nai"

At the time I thought...

you said that because you considered mad Yosamatsu-san to be the killer.

But, in reality, the "ki" syllable in your words didn't mean "insane"...

ki-dai is a season word.

Hanako-san's body was hanged from an old plum tree.

Reverend, it was you...

The blood of Hanako-san is on your hands.

"The nightingale Sang his first song Upside down."

However, it said spring... and now it's summer.

The ki-dai or season word was wrong.

"Wrong season, nothing to do!" That's what you were really saying.

You're trying to say that for some reason, I killed Hanako.

There's a small shrine to a local god near by.

I examined it and found blood stains on the floor.

In the temple courtyard... we couldn't find any blood.

Exactly.

On Chimata-san's memorial night you noticed Hanako near the temple.

She was waiting for Ukai-kun who was to meet her by the small shrine.

You were going to the Kito main house with Ryotaku-san.

The following is what Ryotaku-san told me:

Reverend was descending the stone staircase...

when he said he'd forgotten his handkerchief and asked me to get it.

Leaving the stairs for the temple, I saw nothing.

Unable to find his handkerchief, I returned.

Reverend was waiting at the bottom.

He apologized saying he'd found it in his pocket.

That's when Reverend did it...

But... walking from the main house, you, Ryotaku and Takezo saw the Reverend...

waving his lantern in the distance.

- I heard that too. - At that very moment Reverend had...

just dragged Hanako-san's body out of the shrine.

In the pitch darkness...

we saw only a lantern... and assumed that's all he was carrying.

Reverend was counting on just that.

It was Reverend who hanged Hanako-san's body from the old plum tree.

And then he called for help.

Why would I... kill an heir to the Kito main house?

Fair enough.

This wasn't your decision. You didn't want to do it.

What are you trying to say?

Whose decision then?

Kaemon Kito's decision.

What a crazy idea!

Kaemon is dead, he couldn't order a murder?

Kaemon-san hated Osayo-san intensely.

He intended to entrust the Kito main house to Chimata-san.

If Chimata-san's should die, he wanted Hitoshi to become the heir.

But Osayo-san's three daughters stood in the way.

That's why they had to die.

Kaemon-san chose Reverend to ensure it, writing the three haiku for him.

Nonsense... your accusations are baseless.

It's madness.

Hell's Gate Island's crazy... everyone's gone mad.

Everything matches.

There were three conditions.

What three conditions?

We learnt that Chimata was dead and Hitoshi was alive... on the same day.

And... the bell also returned that day.

What does the bell... have to do with it?

Reverend decided that the helmet in Basho's poem would be Goblin's Nose.

He needed the bell to enact that haiku.

I respected Kaemon's determination.

He died, and I felt I had to fulfill his will if I could.

If even one of the three conditions hadn't come to pass...

the three girls wouldn't have had to die.

So... the killer of both Yukie and Tsukiyo... was you?

- No, he wasn't. - What!?

Only... Reverend's plan required a random person to commit the murder.

Who?

The pirate.

When Reverend was hanging Hanako-san's body...

he saw the pirate hiding in the kitchen.

So that's it...

That's why he got there before us and killed the pirate.

So he couldn't talk.

That man wasn't... included... in my plan.

But then... Yukie and Tsukiyo...

who killed them?

Are you looking for this?

You used it to strangle Tsukiyo...

before anyone became alarmed. - You...!

The police...

think uncle Yosamatsu's the killer.

So it's alright.

The murder can be put on uncle.

No one will punish a madman.

That's why you let him out of the cage yesterday?

Sanae-san...

Are you trying to protect me?

Why?

Mother...

What're you talking about? How can I be your mother?

Two years ago, before going to war, brother told me.

I don't know what he told you...

- You are my mother. - No!

And this... was where you saved it in your dresser.

Brother found this bundle.

The umbilical cord...

All those years you lived with us and concealed being our mother.

How could you bear that burden?

But I can't forgive father...

My grandfather Kaemon was also my father.

He fathered Hitoshi... and also me.

I was rejected by the family, like a black sheep.

There were no children in Yoshiyume's family.

- I'm a weak woman. - No you aren't.

Men are like that.

Even Osayo-san... deserves sympathy.

She was an outsider like I was.

Outsiders can't survive here.

There was nothing I could do.

Lords Ikoma, Kavachi and Deva...

I'm calling upon you.

Grant your favour on Princess Osayo.

Gather from all the directions, accept my offering...

You're insane.

She was a strong woman...

It was Reverend who dragged Yukie-san's body under the bell.

He intentionally let her sleeve stick out.

Then he covered it all with a larger papier-maché bell.

A papier-maché bell from where?

The old theatre, I suspect.

He had placed it next to Goblin's Nose bell in advance.

The fishermen thought the bell was moving.

In reality, they saw the other bell.

Who was dragging it?

Reverend...

I presume Dr. Koan and the village elder helped you.

When you went to look for Yukie-san, you took Shimizu with you.

You did it so assiduously that no one...

could ever suspect you, and your alibi... would be confirmed by Shimizu-san.

As if by accident, Dr. Koan showed up...

and screamed when he saw the pirate.

Shimizu-san ran down.

Reverend...

used it to run in the opposite direction.

There, everything had been set up to remove the paper bell.

A large stone tied to the bell pulled it... into the sea.

The bell sank into the sea.

Reverend recited the haiku over Yukie-san, murdered by an unknown person.

Indeed... while I was running down...

I heard a sound like something falling into the sea.

Still... after all this you continue to insist that Reverend didn't kill Yukie?

But Officer, Yukie was strangled.

Reverend has no strength in his rheumatic hand.

You can't strangle someone with one hand.

Indeed, at the time Yukie died...

Reverend was in the main house... so has to be excluded.

What about Katsuno-san?

Katsuno...? One of the maids?

She went out... with Tomoe-san to the younger house.

No, she didn't.

Did you go to the younger house with Tomoe-san that night?

Who?

Me?

With Katsuno?

Not a chance.

I'm sorry, but...

I was with Ukai, you know.

Ukai, pack your things.

You have to leave in the morning...

to go back to your native Tajima.

At the gate, Katsuno couldn't stop apologizing...

for not having protected Hanako.

It was a real disappointment for me.

What to do...?

such a shame that all three girls have died...

and Hitoshi has come back...

now all my dreams are ruined, no?

Are you saying... that Katsuno is our killer?

I'd like to know more about Katsuno-san.

What's the connection between Kaemon-san and Katsuno-san?

Well...

he was the master... and she a maid.

Was that all?

What else... do you want?

It's obvious Katsuno-san is hiding the truth.

I think Katsuno-san killed Yukie-san.

But why would a maid do that?

Katsuno?

Reverend, you know, don't you?

Chimata...

how did he know his three sisters would be murdered?

A dream...

I had a dream.

In my dream Tsukiyo, Yukie and Hanako were murdered.

They were murdered in such a beautiful manner.

My hands are weak.

And I will never be able to do it.

If Chimata dies...

and Hitoshi lives...

Hitoshi must inherit the house of Kito.

And... Osayo's daughters...

have to be murdered...

in the manner... of these poems.

That's... my dying wish.

No one knows...

that I heard those terrible words.

So then... Chimata-san knew of it when he left.

Didn't he, mother?

So if Chimata-san had returned home...

none of this would have happened.

So I hoped... Once he returned, the danger would pass.

I see...

But my prayers weren't heard and Chimata-san died.

And that meant, that Reverend...

had to fulfill Kaemon's dying wish.

Reverend is the kind of man, who...

once he's made a promise, will keep it no matter what.

I decided... to be his willing helper.

I believe... that you, mother... in that terrible time...

trusted Reverend more than anyone else.

And Reverend was kind to you.

Sanae-san, it's terrible, forgive me!

Yukie-san and Tsukiyo-san's murderer... was me.

Don't say that!

Sanae...

I wanted...

to protect you... Mother...

but I couldn't.

I should... never have let Katsuno get involved.

So Yukie... and Tsukiyo were killed...

by Katsuno?

You have to forgive the village elder and Dr. Koan.

They were both... completely opposed to my plan.

Reverend...

your determination to fulfill Kaemon-san's dying wish...

is for me... the typical character of an islander.

Standing by Kaemon-san's deathbed...

I thought how pathetic this strong man had become.

In a man's last helpless moments... one has to sympathize.

But, Kindaichi-san. What you said...

about the character of the islanders and their determination...

is the reason Osayo and Katsuno were so unhappy.

Inspector.

Can I ask you for some time?

What for?

I have to instruct Ryotaku.

I have to entrust the temple to him and teach him the Buddhist ceremonies.

Actually, it's against regulations. But... how much time?

Reverend.

Hitoshi-kun is dead.

We just received the official notification.

What? It's impossible!

That demobilized soldier who pretended to be a cripple.

If Chimata dies...

and Hitoshi lives, he must inherit the house of Kito.

With Hitoshi dead... everything's for nought.

All I tried to gain... plunging into hell... is useless.

Elder, sir... what about the main house?

I sent Dr. Koan there.

Elder, sir... you and Dr. Koan are murder suspects.

Kindaichi-san...

excuse me... go to the Kito main house.

You have to save Katsuno and Sanae.

Sanae and Hitoshi...

are Kaemon-san and Katsuno's children.

So that's it?

Wait!

I have to confess.

Mother! Wait! Calm down.

I must confess to murder.

Don't go. Don't... Don't...

Mother!

I was wrong.

When I heard of Chimata-san's death...

I thought it was a chance for Hitoshi.

Parents are often irrational for their child.

I wanted to see Hitoshi so much...

I...

I...

It's Kindaichi.

Yes.

Hasn't Dr. Koan come?

No.

- Why? - Nothing.

Reverend confessed to the murder of Hanako-san

and revealed the secret of the poems on the screen.

Although, I'd already figured that out.

Forgive me.

Kindaichi-san, it wasn't Reverend, it was me...

Yes, we established that...

You did, eh...?

I just wanted to do everything...

before Hitoshi returned home.

So Katsuno-san...

is your mother, isn't she?

Reverend told me.

It's a terrible thing for a mother.

I've only suffered these last two years.

But mother... has suffered all these years.

Reverend always said...

the Kito house helped me survive.

However...

I often remember my childhood.

In a lot of ways I was lucky.

I was born... in a poor peasant house.

My father died early.

We had to leave our native land.

My sick mother and I started to roam Shikoku.

We left Awa to visit Shikoku's 88 famous temples.

Tosa, Iyo, Sanuki went by...

We covered almost 1,200 km.

I thought...

everything... everything was over.

I thought I could forget everything.

What a shame...

If only mother had told me earlier...

There was no way I could...

Kaemon-san would have cursed and banished me.

I'm so thirsty...

I'll bring you something cold to drink.

The Kito house feels so empty now.

Tell Reverend...

that I'm a strong person. I'll be fine.

I'm leaving the island... I won't be able to.

Although, there are many beautiful places here.

Koan-san...

You got here first?

So I guess you've told them... about everything.

Told what?

Official notification of Hitoshi's death arrived.

Completely silent.

Is there no one here?

Weird, isn't it?

Shall we go upstairs?

Oh, Kindaichi-kun.

Where is Katsuno?

She disappeared all of a sudden.

How's that?

You can't rely on a private detective.

Find her immediately.

Yes.

You... didn't help Katsuno escape, did you?

No, certainly not...

What?

They've stopped chanting.

It's clear...

we did everything... that we could have possibly done.

Kaemon-san may be satisfied...

and then maybe not.

I told Sanae... that I'm her mother.

I'm not very happy about it.

THE DAY OF DEPARTURE KOSUKE KINDAICHI

Thank you very much, Inspector. THE DAY OF DEPARTURE KOSUKE KINDAICHI

THE DAY OF DEPARTURE KOSUKE KINDAICHI

We are very grateful to you.

Not at all.

Sanae-san isn't here for some reason.

We already said goodbye at the Kito main house.

Hey... let's go.

Kindaichi-san, where will you go now?

Well...

You don't even know yourself?

You're a strange one...

Ukai-kun, are you unemployed now?

Looks like you're not very smart... although you've got a good heart.

Oh, I forgot...

Could you give this to Ryotaku-san?

I'm so sorry...

I owe him for the room: 1 yen a day... that's 5 yen.

It's not necessary.

Don't worry, I'll be compensated for my expenses.

Mr. Amamiya promised to pay me for my work.

That's it...

Right... I've got it!

Got what?

I misunderstood everything.

THE END