Original subtitles

SHOWA 34th YEAR (1959) ART FESTIVAL PARTICIPATION WORK

TOHO FILMS 1,000th PRODUCTION COMMEMORATION

TOHO TOHO COMPANY, LTD.

THE THREE TREASURES (Nippon Tanjo-lit The Birth Of Japan)

Produced by: TANAKA Tomoyuki FUJIMOTO Sanezumi

Screenplay by: KIKUSHIMA Ryuzo YASUMI Toshio

Music by: FUKUBE Akira Photography by: YAMADA Kazuo Art Director: ITO Kisaku

Lighting by: KOJIMA Shoshichi Sound Recording by: NISHIKAWA Yoshio SHIMONAGA Hisashi Art Direction by:UEDA Hiroshi

Film Processing: TOKYO LABORATORY LTD. Production Manager: KAWAKAMI Shotaro Assistant Director: MARU Teruo Editor: TAIRA Kazuji

Lighting by: KISHIDA Kuichiro Drawing Synthesis: KOYAMA Hiroshi Art Direction by: WATANABE Akira Special Technology: Optics Photography: ARAKI Hidesaburo Photography by: ARIKAWA Sadamasa

Cast

MIFUNE Toshiro

UEHARA Misa TSUKASA Yoko KAGAWA Kyoko MIZUNO Kumi

KUBO Akira TANAKA Kinuyo TAKARADA Akira SUGIMURA Haruko OTOWA Nobuko

HIRATA Akihiko TAZAKI Jun MISHIMA Ko NAKAMURA Ganjiro SHIMURA Takashi ITO Hisaya TONO Eijiro

TAMAKI Michiyo UEDA Kichijiro MURAMATSU Keiko KOSUGI Yoshio MURATA Kakuko NOMURA Kozo NAKAKITA Chieko FUJIKI Yu

TANI Akira IZU Hajime HIDARI Bokuzen MUKAI Junichiro TAJIMA Yoshifumi YAMADA Minosuke SAWAMURA Ikio MURAKAMI Fuyuki SERA Akira

NAGASHIMA Masayoshi TSUDA Mitsuo OMURA Senkichi HIROSE Shoichi KIRINO Nadao SADA Yutaka TSUCHIYA Shiro OTOMO Shin KUZE Ryu MATSUO Fumindo TEZUKA Katsumi SAKURAI Kyoro

AKIMOTO Izumi UEMURA Koji TSUTSUMI Yasuhisa YAMAGUCHI Hiroyoshi SHIGENOBU Yasuhiro MASUDA Masao KITANO Akira SAKAMOTO Haruya KUMAGAI Jiro YAMADA Akira OGATA Rinsaku OKABE Tadashi

MITA Teruko KISHIDA Midori WAKITA Hiroyuki UENO Akemi KAWA Michiko AMAMOTO Eisei Dance Coach: SARUWAKA Kiyokata ASUKA Misako IWAMOTO Koji HIGUCHI Toshiko IEDA Yoshiko

MIKI Norihei ENOMOTO Kenichi ARISHIMA Ichiro KOBAYASHI Keiju ASASHIO Taro YANAGIYA Kingoro KATO Daisuke

HARA Setsuko TSURUTA Koji

Special Effects Director: TSUBURAYA Eiji

Directed by: INAGAKI Hiroshi

When Earth was created,

The highest place in the skies,

was named Takamagahara (the Higher Celestial Plain).

The Earth's crust had not even been formed.

Earth was still not a firm and livable place

and it floated like a giant.

The first god who was born was Ame-no-Minakanushi.

The two gods that were born next had great powers to create.

Ten more gods were born later on.

The last two gods that were born

were Izanagi, a god,

and Izanami, a goddess.

I have work for you.

The Earth is still not firm.

Make its floors sturdy and make it habitable.

And like that, both gods created their paths

and they reached the bridge that extended from the Earth to Heaven.

An island!

There are no flowers or blooming...

We will build a country.

How?

By getting married.

This will be our country.

Meet me at the other side.

And that's how the two gods got married.

And they created Oyashima (8 islands in the Sea of Japan).

Calm winds resided over Oyashima.

On its floors trees and plants grew

next to the ocean the mountains were brightly blooming.

Their marriage created other gods and goddesses.

The one governing Heaven was

Amaterasu, Goddess of the Sun, the most gorgeous of them all.

The god Tsukiyomi governed the night

and the god Susano-o, governed the ocean.

Old woman, is that all true?

It's a really old story

and my obligation is to say it over and over again so it's not forgotten.

Can you see very far, old woman?

Old stories are all full of beautiful life.

Just like those clouds,

like the calm winds that blow,

like the green fields...

It all fills eternal life.

The prince!

Here comes the prince!

The prince!

- Here comes the prince! - Here comes the prince!

You are a highly valued man, Prince Yamato.

You have great integrity, that's why all the girls like you.

I am happy.

I will marry all of them and I will have a lot of children!

Here, for you!

This prince is sincere, unlike his brother!

Who are you?

What gives you the right to insult him?

Then, you don't know it?

What? Tell me.

The prince gave us that?

That's great!

- We must tell him thank you. - Yes.

What happened?

It must be something wrong!

Let me go! Let me go!

What are you going to do to your brother?

I'm told he took a girl who is supposed to be with my father!

It's just a rumor! Don't worry!

That's what I hope! I will make sure of it!

I want to certify it with my own eyes!

Let me go!

I've caught you!

What?

Canalla!

It's none of your business!

Please, stop!

Get out of my sight!

Prince!

My brother will never return!

Okay then! Wait till the judgement of my father!

Prince Oousu will not come back. Prince Ousu strangled him.

I won't miss him at all.

We all know he is strong enough to kill.

It's really terrible!

So now the prince is the one who gets to succeed!

Ousu killed his brother?

Unbelievable.

Punish him.

Punishment will be death.

It's what he deserves for killing our heir.

I can't do that.

Our subjects are waiting!

He is my second heir.

You have two more heirs.

I have summoned you.

I know, father.

I am ready for the punishment.

I respect that.

However, that is not why I sent for you, but for you

to go to war.

Do you know of the brothers Kumaso, who live in the West.

I have to fight them?

They're a powerful enemy,

and they terrorize the land.

Will you be able to kill them?

That's what you can do!

Yes, I see.

Congratulations.

Thank your father.

I swear upon the Earth and Heaven to make your wishes come true.

= The prince is leaving!

To battle!

We will stop at the Shrine of Ise!

The parents can go there!

I have come to say good bye

and to thank father for having trust in me.

That's considerate, very considerate.

Have you told them the truth about your brother?

Why not?

I don't want them to know.

You are an honest and sincere man.

Father understands.

But in Ise, they said that you killed your brother.

I know. That girl is behind all of it.

When I saw his face I could not kill him! After all he is my brother.

I understand.

Do you believe me!

You believe me, right?

Of course I do, because I love you as if you were my own son.

You're like a mother to me.

Then go fight, son.

Yes.

My men are drunk.

- Go with them. - Yes.

Beautiful...

She's an Ise Shrine virgin.

Name?

I am Ototachibana.

I see.

You're beautiful.

Ototachibana.

Hey look at that! It's the prince!

Yes. The prince!

If I didn't see it I wouldn't believe it.

He's dancing with his men as if he was one of them.

Hey, why don't we dance?

I have found a precious jewel!

Victory is ours!

You came!

Why didn't you come!

Are you Okabi's mother?

Your mother can't say goodbye?

Do you think I am going to die?

Not really!

This woman stopped me

and I've had a hard time finding her!

The poor woman wishes to be with me.

She wishes to be with me.

That's easy!

Come, let's go!

A very happy couple.

And very competitive.

He thinks he has a great life.

I've waited so long for you.

When I come back from war, I'll ask the prince if we can get married.

Promise me you won't die.

Yes.

Why have you done that?

Is it because... you will be mine?

Ototachibana.

I beg you to tell me the truth. Will he come back alive?

It is very possible he won't.

Kumaso Takeru is unquestionably powerful.

The prince is very young and is not yet his match.

But why... Why is his father sending him to such a dangerous place?

I just can't understand it.

The emperor is not doing it of his own will.

So then, the emperor...?

He was in love with the prince's mother.

But she died after giving birth to the prince.

So then, the men next to him...

Otomo opposes the prince as successor.

He wishes one of his nephews to be heir.

The poor prince.

I feel sorry for him.

Please I beg you, detain him!

Don't think I haven't considered it.

I love the prince like he was my own son.

I can't detain him.

Now the best we can do is thank and encourage him.

Now the only thing I am left with is a prayer for their victory.

Oh, Princess Ototachibana!

It's me!

Don't come any closer!

Why not?

I couldn't sleep so I came to the river.

Not even darkness makes me forget about you.

It's a happy encounter.

I'm glad I came.

It's all right.

I wanted to see you before I left!

So please...

Be happy and pray for me!

I have used this.

Don't forget that I will always be with you.

Yes.

Please...

Please, take this too.

The prince would have liked it.

It's vulgar.

You seem worried. Is something on your mind?

The emperor has decided.

The prince will not come back alive.

Of course not. So then, the prince will die.

Go on...

Didn't Ousu kill you, your highness?

No, he forgave me and told me not to come back!

But I can't go on hiding forever!

I will apologize in front of my father for what I have done...

I can't keep on like this...

It's all right, I'll help you.

Nobody can ever know about this.

Take him away.

Kill those who resist and make the rest slaves.

Is that what the city of Kumaso is like?

I swear I will kill them!

You say they bring gifts from Kumaso?

Yes.

He wishes to be friends,

and wants to form a pact with you, so you can make plans together.

Absurd!

Is he afraid to fight?

No, he wishes just to speak to you

He mentioned something about his brother.

I don't believe it! Make him leave right away!

Is that your last word?

Yes.

I must obey father and thank him for having faith in me!

As you wish.

Is that what you were supposed to do?

Quick, bring me saké!

In a war, I harm a lot of innocent people.

A lot of them will die.

Please I'll ask you again, let me speak to him.

I am sorry.

My brother and I are very different.

He is difficult?

Okay then I understand.

If that's how you want it.

Tell the prince we will be enemies.

We will meet on the battlefield.

I will tell him.

Good.

Let's go.

The Kumaso brothers have a lot of men. Where will they come from.

It's unusual.

It's well protected, and will be hard to attack.

Either way, we know what we will get.

In war, it's kill or be killed.

What?

There's only one way out.

What is it?

Desert and return home.

Idiot!

Look.

Okabi!

My life was good before, but now that's gone.

Terrible!

And that man?

He came here to Yamato a long time ago.

It looks like Izumo.

He didn't care.

Bury him with Okabi.

She loved a man who wasn't from the same caste.

It was allowed in the past.

It's now allowed anymore.

It would be risky.

Okabi will be at risk?

- Should we call them? - Yes.

Maybe our thoughts will reach them.

Okabi!

Yakumo!

Azami!

You have bad luck.

We can't put your name on a tombstone.

I will pray for you.

For real.

Yahara!

Oh, you scared me.

Do you want to succeed?

Of course, Yakumo.

I think you already have it.

You have human ambitions.

I will do anything to become better.

But I am starting to doubt it.

Well there will be a lot of dead men.

Do you think we have a chance to win?

Prince, this will help a lot.

There should be a celebration.

What?

The Kumaso are rich and powerful

and will have a big party.

It will be very loud.

They have too much confidence.

A lot of confidence.

Prince, the Heavens are on our side.

Yes, we can attack during the party.

It's not so easy.

The party can be a trick for us.

A trick to get our attention.

Are you belittling us?

We have very few men. We can't win.

Please talk to the younger Kumaso!

No, we will win.

Prince, I doubt it.

Silence!

Your life is precious. If something happens...

I have seen a lot of men killed before.

How can you tell me to leave?

After all we are alike!

You say there are more men.

They have a strict guard.

A surprise attack is impossible!

All right. I'll go tell the prince.

Prince.

Prince.

He's not here.

Prince isn't it too dangerous?

Calm down.

Tell the others later on.

Yes.

When I kill Kumaso, I'll give you a sign.

Then it will be time to attack.

But, prince, it sounds dangerous.

We have no other choice.

It's either them or us.

Look, little brother.

Isn't it nice?

Look, it's like the whole world is here. They have come because they fear us.

Be careful.

The men of Yamato are few but strong.

You're praising our rivals.

Stop.

That's my princess!

Where are you going?

To patrol.

What a cautious guy.

You!

Take that off!

Come on!

Give me saké.

Come close.

Out!

Hey brother, you are so cautious.

Beautiful.

Where are you from?

Get closer.

Come on.

Gorgeous eyes.

Stop.

Leave him to me!

Wait...

Are you afraid of death?

It's not that.

Are you Prince Ousu of Yamato?

Yes.

What's it to you?

Prince.

You are destined to be a powerful man.

Don't waste that fate.

That's none of your business!

From here on out...

Make them call you Yamato Takeru.

What?

Why Yamato Takeru?

It means...

"the bravest... of Yamato."

I'll be happy to die at your hand.

I have to repay...

..my brothers brutality.

However...

I had hoped to speak to you.

I waited for you a few days.

After we talked...

I would have killed my brother if it was necessary.

I would have done it...

..if I had to.

Hey, Kumaso!

I ask you...

..grant me one last wish...

..Kill me...

Now.

The prince of Yamato,

now known as Yamato Takeru,

has killed the brothers Kumaso!

Do you know where the prince is?

He's there. Why?

Because I bought him a gift.

Don't stop working at it.

These wars can make me very big.

Do you want to be in it?

Now that it gives me all those things...

But I would also like to feed you.

I don't think that will be a crime.

My prince.

These girls were from Kumaso.

This one's a good cleaning girl.

And this one's a good cook.

And what?

Can I keep them?

Idiot, I won't allow it!

Yamato Takeru?

The bravest?

No, you can't use the name Yamato!

If you should use that name

it will anger me.

Kumaso Takeru gave it to me before he died.

I don't think that is an honor.

It is, because he was a good man,

so I will use that name anyway.

I won't allow it.

What?

Anyway you must leave for the East.

But why?

Evil men are there.

You must kill them.

But I just came back from war.

Those are the emperor's orders.

Is that so, father?

There is a good reason.

Why must I go?

You have killed the brothers Kumaso!

Only you can do it.

But my men and I haven't had time to rest.

Can't someone else go?

Wakatarashi?

I can't.

Father needs me to talk.

Iogi!

Can you go?

Iogi is too young!

But...

But...

Are you disobeying the emperor's orders?

Please...

Yamato Takeru means the bravest of Yamato.

Won't you honor it?

What?

Please wait.

What are you doing?

Let go of me!

Father!

Please wait!

Where are you going, father?

Please answer me!

Where are you going, father?!

Never forget the stories of the ancients,

because they are the best remedy for our world.

The sun goddess, Amaterasu would rule The Higher Celestial Plain.

She ordered all the gods to also own a piece of it. Like a sign of friendship.

That was really nice.

Then came her mischievous brother Susano-o

who always battled his sister,

and killed a pony

then threw it into their midst.

It started a big chaos

and a poor maid died trying to escape.

The sun goddess usually forgave his actions,

but this time it was very nasty

and she went into hiding in Ama-no-Iwato (heavenly rock cave).

The goddess Amaterasu

went into the cave and closed it up.

So the light was gone and then came darkness.

Not only in Heaven,

but all over the world.

Then it was always dark.

The gods didn't like it

since it could bring destruction to Earth.

Susano-o was like a destructive storm

who started everything

and his sister the sun goddess gave us light and heat.

Isn't that true?

You have a point there.

Then,

in order to find a way to talk her out of the cave

the pantheon of other gods decided to gather together,

and that's how the whole of Takamagahara met up.

Their meeting place was by the Ama no Yasugawara River.

There was no argument at all

because they were all in the same trouble

and wanted to make the best plan.

Well, well. I didn't know light was that important.

Without it we have no heat.

Everyone will die. What are we going to do?

It's not our fault.

It's all Susano-o. If we punish him

light might come back.

Good idea. Susano-o should be punished.

But that won't make the sunlight come back.

We should still punish him.

No one will forgive him.

It reminds me of when Susano-o destroyed the rice fields

and then made the palace smell terrible,

and all that just to have fun.

Damn him.

Damn him, they always forgave him.

But this time... What can we do?

Crying won't help.

Let's pick a god to do it

and then they can decide.

Yes.

Good idea.

Whatever you say we do.

Does everyone agree?

Is this your answer?

No, it's just that I am cold, let's hurry.

Of course.

Very well, then.

Someone has suggested that we punish Susano-o

and then get the goddess back.

Who agrees with me?

There are not too many raised hands.

Does anyone have another idea?

You haven't said anything, Tajikarao.

Do you have an idea?

You know that I am very strong, right?

Yes, yes, Tajikarao is strong.

But the smartest of them all is you.

So tell us your idea.

Well my idea is very simple. A festival of laughter to be precise.

A festival of laughter?

Yes, just like we all know,

laughter is the joy of life.

We surely like humor.

How do you plan on doing it?

We will all meet here and laugh.

How are we going to laugh without a reason?

I have it all planned.

Besides it being the festival of laughter.

We'll stage a good act.

Tell us what is it about.

It's about an obscene dance.

Is everyone involved?

That sounds very interesting!

Yes, but will it be enough?

Everyone must help.

Of course.

Whatever helps for the sun to come back out.

And now,

I'll reveal the solution they came up with.

First they would bring out roosters that sing at night

just as if it were sunrise.

And so the gods helped.

One god made the sacred mirror (Yata no Kagami).

Another one made a necklace of jade (Yasakani no Magatama).

And then they raised up a tree

and they attached the two sacred treasures made by the gods.

The gods took the tree and prayed.

They took the tree to the cave

and as they were giving it to the sun goddess they prayed.

The strongest god hid at the entrance

of the heavenly rock cave where the sun goddess was hiding.

The sun goddess,

was still inside the cave.

Now the Earth was in complete darkness,

so she was interested in all the laughter she heard.

Why are you having this big festival?

Aren't you in darkness?

Yes, but there is a better god now,

so we're singing and dancing for her!

What?

A better god than me?

Please don't do that again!

Is she the other goddess?

Who is the other goddess I am seeing?

Can't you tell? You're looking at yourself!

And like that,

the Earth was full of light again.

A very interesting story

isn't it?

INTERMISSION

PART 2

You are Yamato Takeru, the bravest of Yamato.

You deserve that name.

I am happy to be your aunt.

You fought the brothers Kumaso, right?

You are known for your battle in the West.

You make me very happy.

Are you crying?

I'm sad,

I can't stand this.

What is it?

My father awaits my death!

Ridiculous!

You're imagining it.

No!

When he sent me to fight Kumaso,

he only gave me a few men.

And now I just came back,

and he sends me to fight in the East!

He loves my brothers more than me.

He wants me to die!

Don't be such a baby. Act like a man.

I thought you were like Susano-o.

Who? Me?

Yes, but I guess I was wrong.

He was wild, but happy.

He laughed and cried.

His father gave all his siblings some work to do. His work was to protect the ocean.

But he only thought about his mother, Izanami.

She died during childbirth.

Amaterasu, goddess of the sun rules Takamagahara with joy,

and her brother rules the sea and storms.

Why don't you want to work?

Because I want to go where mother is!

You cannot go!

Finish your job first.

You don't understand. You don't love me!

You don't love me!

Words can't explain what he felt.

His tears took all the water from the Earth

and dried everything up.

He cried so much that it drained all the water from the oceans,

from the rivers, and also the lakes.

Stop being weak.

Prince, I understand!

What?

Whatever you say does not matter,

you're not like Susano-o.

How do you know? Can you read people's minds?

Only yours, my prince!

Do you know what sword this is?

No.

"Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Heaven."

What?

The sword that was gained from the dragon Yamata-no Orochi's tail?

My messenger just brought it.

The emperor is giving it to you.

My father?

He gives you his most valuable treasure.

This proves his feelings for you.

I understand.

I didn't know.

The men next to him fear you and want to get rid of you.

Pay them no heed.

Try to understand his position.

I will give you this.

Don't open it now.

Open it when you are in trouble.

It will protect you.

This sword...

..and this bag,

are better than a million men.

Now I will leave with joy!

I'm glad to hear that.

The sword is not to kill but to defend you.

So is the rest.

Take the sword out only when needed.

Try to solve things by talking first.

I see.

My men are tired, they will like that a lot.

Tell father, that I thank him very much.

It was such a happy moment for him...

Princess Yamato.

Why did you make up a story like that?

The emperor's love was his emotional mainstay.

But he lost that and has to go

fight in a foreign land.

Not knowing if he will live or die.

It made me feel so sorry for the prince,.

He may believe it now,

but if he finds out the truth later...

I feel so sorry for him...

Princess Ototachibana

you're not the only one who feels sorry for him.

You might think that I am such a cruel woman,

but I must tell you this...

You vowed to serve the gods.

and are forbidden from loving any man, no matter what..

If you break your vow and go against fate.

the god's anger will come upon you

and you will wind up dead.

Princess Yamato...

Don't forget that.

Look! What a fine sword!

Prince, is there any story behind it?

Yes, I will tell you.

It is related to Susano-o's misbehavior,

for which the sun goddess locked herself in the heavenly rock cave.

He was not allowed in the Higher Celestial Plane so he came here.

He came to the River Hi in Izumo and was confused.

He found some floating chopsticks.

That's how he learned that people lived by the river,

so he decided to go up the river.

Who are you?

Calm down. I am Susano-o, the brother of the sun goddess.

God, Susano-o, we did not know.

Forgive us.

I am an Earthly Deity, and my name is Ashi-nadzuchi.

This is my wife Te-nadzuchi,

and this is my daughter, Princess Kushinada.

Why were you crying? Has something happened?

Yes, you are so kind to listen...

My wife and I had eight children,

but now we are only left with this one.

Disease?

No, nothing like that.

They were sacrificed.

What? Sacrificed?

Yamata no Orochi, the eight-headed dragon.

He comes every year and kills one of my daughters.

An eight-headed dragon?

He has eight heads and eight tails.

He is very strong.

His eyes... - Stop it!

Please!

He is so big he covers eight valleys at a time.

His stomach is always full of blood.

It is time for him to come again.

It's really sad our last girl will die!

That's why we were crying! We're filled with sadness!

Princess, I will kill him for you.

Really?

Yes, I promise.

Do you trust me?

Yes!

That's good.

What do you say?

= Please help us!

Very well.

We must prepare.

I will transform you, princess.

Will it hurt?

Don't worry you will be with me.

You see you're already transformed.

Tell me, do you dislike it?

No, I don't...

That's your daughter.

He asked the elders

to bring strong saké.

It was put in eight vats

and he waited for the dragon.

- I hear it... - It's coming!

Relax, it's only the wind.

The dragon is here!

The saké was slowly released.

It was very strong.

The dragon got drunk and fell asleep.

This was

that sword.

It received the name of Murakumo and was offered to Amaterasu.

It was passed down to protect our country.

The god Susano-o married the beautiful Kushinada.

Ah, you are here, princess!

Come with me!

Let us be happy in the East!

What's wrong?

It is that... I cannot go with you.

You can't?

Why not?

Because...

Because...

Do you dislike me?

No.

Then, why?

I still have your mirror.

Why... Please tell me!

Prince...

I just cannot go with you!

Princess...

Forgive me!

Princess!

Tell me why, princess!

I'll tell you!

Because I hate you!

I won't return to Yamato.

Why, Azami?

Because marrying somebody of another caste means death.

My father comes from Izumo,

so I am inferior to you.

If they discover us...

that means death!

Is it a new law?

They dictated it after the prince left.

Many have already died.

It's the prince.

You don't have to worry.

Oh...

I pronounce you husband and wife.

Ah... Prince!

I will change that law!

Nobody can intervene between the love of a man and a woman!

Come... Let's go!

We have not even walked one day since we left Ise,

so why are my feet so heavy?

We are one day from home.

My family all have the heaviest feet.

A battle could help, but all villages are empty.

There's not the hint of anyone.

- There's no enemy to fight. - Or even someone to talk to.

The soldiers are bored.

Everybody escaped

when they learned that our prince killed the brothers Kumaso.

Do we have to go very far?

Until we find the enemy.

Look, there!

He's as irritated, as all the young soldiers.

He longs for Ototachibana.

We have to encourage him.

When a girl leaves a man,

he needs another girl.

Who is that woman?

You are in a bad mood, prince. She will console you.

What?

She is a girl of this region.

I know that it is not too good,

but she'll cheer you up, you will see soon.

Why do you give her to me? Is she perhaps yours?

Yes.

What a lucky girl you are.

He is an untouchable man, nobody can get close to him.

Let him see your face clearly.

What kind of man are you?!

You are a swine!

No, have pity!

You can leave!

Prince, there are five more girls in my situation.

Can they also leave?

Five more?

I've had it!

All of you can leave!

Thank you, prince!

He said that you were cruel!

I will tell everybody that is not true!

Thank you, prince!

Thank you!

Prince!

What do you want?

A woman has come to see you!

I am Princess Miyazu of Owari.

I have come to speak with you.

Where is Yamato Takeru?

The prince is sleeping like the dead.

What?

Then, he doesn't distrust us?

Although he has killed the brothers Kumaso, he is a gentle man.

I understand.

Even this way,

we should be on guard against any surprise.

If I were not sick,

we could have escaped.

I cause you many problems.

No.

That is not true.

I promise to protect you and our home.

He is the great man of Yamato!

Serve him roasted deer and scallops!

I am Yahara, the second greatest man of Yamato!

Remember me well!

Also bring the best saké!

Wait a moment, let me try!

Very good, yes indeed.

Second greatest man.

How is the saké?

Are you already awake?

I was very tired.

I have slept deeply.

I have brought you saké.

I see...

Very good.

Owari is beautiful and peaceful.

Your father is a good man.

Are all my men also drinking?

After a long time I feel just as if I were in Yamato.

Is there a beautiful princess waiting for you in Yamato?

No... I don't have a wife,

although there was someone whom I had hoped to marry.

Why has she not come with you?

Because she hates me.

I cannot believe it.

Neither could I.

What is her status now?

Don't ask. I've already finished with her.

You are a good man.

I had doubts about you.

I don't blame you; I am feared everywhere.

Everybody hides when I approach.

But you have received me with open arms and that makes me

very happy.

I thank you.

Tell me, princess,

do you fear me?

Show me a smiling face.

A woman's sad face saddens me, too.

Smile for me!

Don't drink this saké!

Forgive me, prince. I thought that you were an evil man

and wanted to kill you!

What?

I put poison in the saké!

Poison?

Prince... Please, kill me!

But forgive my sick father, I beg of you!

Why did you not kill me?

I can hardly believe it.

It is like in a dream.

Tell me, do you love me?

Yes.

But...

What's wrong?

I am so happy that it scares me.

Do you doubt me?

No.

You honor us, prince.

I give you both my blessing.

My clan is very fortunate.

We'll wed when I return from Azuma, land of the Ainu.

Will you wait for me?

Yes.

Congratulations, congratulations.

I am glad to see that the prince is happy again.

Our next march will be much more pleasant.

Oh...

You?!

I don't want to see her! Send her home!

She has traveled a long way...

I don't want to hear it!

Prince, why you don't speak with her?

Well then, I will meet her.

What's wrong?

We are finished.

She is very beautiful.

Is she the woman that you really love?

Why have you come?

To serve you, my prince.

To serve a man whom you hate?

No!

I have decided to marry the princess here!

That I have heard.

Return to Ise!

No!

I have come to be your servant, not your wife!

No, return!

I cannot!

These are your aunt's orders!

Leave him.

Don't marry him. I know what I say, my daughter.

If he really belongs to another woman,

the best thing is to leave him.

I won't give up!

He doesn't lie, father!

He may have loved another woman,

but he also loves me!

And I love him!

But he will only make you unhappy, my daughter.

I only have this love.

I will wait until he returns.

If he really loves me, he will return.

Until then... I will wait for him.

Hey, hey!

Hey, answer us, where is the home of Kurohiko, leader of the Ainu?

We come from Yamato.

Answer, or you'll die!

It is at the foot of Mount Fuji!

Will Yamato Takeru come?

Yes, he will come very soon.

We came before him.

What do I have to do?

You shall kill him!

How come?

It is the desire of the emperor!

I cannot believe it.

Yamato Takeru...

killed his older brother.

Really?

Do you understand now?

It's true.

After killing the brothers Kumaso,

he became very proud, taking the name Yamato Takeru.

Do you understand it now?

Now the emperor's heir is Wakatarashi.

Do you refuse?

Do you refuse the emperor's wishes?

Kurohiko, do you refuse?

Prince, don't you like our hospitality?

I have always gotten on well with the Yamato.

I don't harbor hostile feelings toward you.

Instead, I am happy that you have come.

I understand that.

The matter is...

I am so fascinated by that volcano, that it has taken away my appetite.

Oh, it is Mount Fuji

and it protects us.

How beautiful it is!

Now that I see the smoke,

it reminds me of the ugliness that remains in our hearts.

Prince,

let us enjoy some sacred dances.

The girl that you have brought from Yamato will dance for you.

The girl that I have brought?

Here she comes.

You?

You forgot that you serve in the Ise Grand Shrine?

Forgive me, I didn't know it!

I should be punished for it.

It was me who requested her to dance.

Prince!

How about hunting wild boar?

Wild boar?

I'll organize the hunt.

There! There!

Where is everybody?

Hey!

Hey!

Prince!

If you hate me, why do you follow me?

What I said about your aunt's orders... it was not true.

What?

I serve the gods and should not love a man,

however...

I cannot stop loving you, even though it causes the anger of the gods!

Ototachibana!

You love me so much?

Is that true?

Yes.

Is anybody here?

Hey!

Hey!

Prince!

Damn it!

They've betrayed me!

Princess!

Will this be our last hour?

I always thought that Yamato Takeru would die on the battle field, but not this way!

Forgive me!

If I am with you, I don't care about dying!

Oh... The bag! - Huh?

That's right!

My aunt said to open it up when I'm in trouble!

How strange, it's a flint!

Wait for me here!

Don't move!

Don't worry!

I have a plan!

Look, the sword has changed the wind!

The wind has changed!

Prince! Prince!

How could we have lost him!

Look at that fire!

Seems like a wildfire!

Hey! What is that fire?

A wildfire.

And the prince?

Where is the prince?

Poor prince.

Why do you say that?

He got lost in the reeds

and is dead.

It was an accident.

Here I am!

I am not dead!

It's a trap! Be careful!

It's still burning.

The messengers of Yamato should have seen it.

Now I can go to Yamato.

If you want I can bring you there.

If you help my business go well...

What's happening?

It is the prince!

It is the prince!

Kurohiko! Was this your idea?

Or did somebody make you do it?

Speak!

Talk!

Why do you to kill like that?

You turn your sword...

against Otomo...

and your own father!

My father?

It's a lie!

It's absurd that he wanted to kill me!

Kurohiko made a mistake

and wanted to make me suffer!

If my father wanted to kill me,

why would he have given me this sword?

You were there, too.

My father gave it to me...

Well, didn't he?

Why do you keep silent?

It wasn't my father's idea?

Tell me, was it my father's idea or my aunt's?

Speak! It was my aunt's idea?

It wasn't my father after all.

He has never loved me!

He wants me to die!

- Don't speak this way! - Silence!

I have been a fool!

I don't trust anybody any longer!

- No, he loves you! - Remain silent!

I will go far away from here!

To the ends of the Earth,

to the Moon,

or under the sea!

Just anywhere!

Prince,

please, don't say such things.

Your pain is much more painful for me

than my death.

- Ototachibana. - Yes?

Do your eyes tell me the truth?

I have disobeyed your aunt by coming after you.

That doesn't matter!

I'll never allow you to leave!

Stay with me!

You are mine! My wife!

A sad melody

reflects

the pain that there is in the hearts of people.

My poor soldiers have forgotten what the cheerful music of the sun is.

They have forgotten what laughing is,

and the real shape of our country Toyowashihara.

A beautiful morning.

Look, white birds!

They seem so happy...

Because they fly toward Heaven, where there is no sadness.

I still cannot believe it,

and I don't want to believe it.

Kurohiko said that it was my father's order to kill me.

Do you believe that?

How about returning home?

It would not be right to go to the East with doubt and hatred in the heart.

I should return to Yamato!

First, I have to speak with my father.

Once and for all, I have to know the truth!

And then?

I will live peacefully with you, in Yamato, as a plebeian.

Hey. Turn back!

Turn back? Toward where?

To Yamato!

But, wouldn't that mean disobeying the emperor's orders?

I don't care! Turn the ships!

Yes!

Reverse course!

- Reverse course! - Reverse course!

Stupendous!

Look! What are they?

They seem to be a flock of birds of passage.

What's happening?

Hasn't the sea been nice and calm till now?

This is very strange!

Row!

Don't stop rowing!

The first ship has sunk!

The third ship is in danger!

Princess, it's dangerous! Don't move!

Prince, I am the cause of this!

Princess! Don't move, it's dangerous!

Sit down!

I served the gods, but I broke the sacred vow.

For that reason the God of the Sea is angry!

What are you saying?

Don't move!

Princess!

Sacrificing my life will calm the sea.

Princess!

Prince!

Please, be happy!

Princess!

Princess!

Prince, look at the sea!

Prince, look at the sea!

Prince...

The princess...

sacrificed herself for me.

Princess!

Princess..!

Yakumo. - Yes?

- Is her name Azami? - Yes.

Are you impatient?

Yes, prince, my feet have wings.

I see.

I understand...

This is the sword that he renamed "Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi" (Grasscutter Sword).

The prince said that he was unable to forget you.

And send me his sacred sword...

..me, who tried once...

..to kill him?

What?

Is the prince returning? - Yes.

Then the emperor will discover our plot!

What will you do?

Why have you come to tell me?

Because I also want to have a career.

Have a career?

I know that you will reward me in kind.

I have worked very hard for Yamato Takeru,

but he has not repaid me.

I understand.

You can leave.

Please, favor me.

Go out and kill Yamato Takeru!

Immediately!

Listen!

Kill Yamato Takeru, as soon as you see him!

Also kill all the men who oppose us!

But...

But what?

This is betrayal!

We cannot kill our prince!

These are orders of the emperor!

Yamato Takeru has returned without permission of the emperor,

therefore he is a traitor!

But...!

Do you challenge us? Die!

Traitors must die!

Look, the mountains of Yamato!

Yamato!

How marvelous!

Yamato is the most beautiful place on Earth!

Ah.. Behind those mountains Azami waits for me!

It's the first time that we're all smiling!

Come to think of it,

it has been a long trip

from the land of the Kumaso and later towards the East.

I'm happy that you are all alive.

I cannot bear it any longer!

Prince, please, let's hurry!

I won't return to Yamato.

Prince, why do you say that?

Continue alone.

But, prince...

I know...

I know how you feel.

And will you leave without punishing Otomo?

Have you forgotten that fire that almost put an end to you?

Won't you return to kill the traitors?

Will you leave those swine unpunished?

Punishing them wouldn't solve anything, it would just cause more problems.

Violence doesn't engender understanding.

I have made a pact with many clans in the East without fighting

and I have obtained better results.

This advice was given to me by my Aunt Yamata-hime, Shrine Maiden of Ise.

and the younger Kumaso brother.

I will go see my aunt at the Shrine of Ise.

If she speaks with my father,

maybe he will understand.

Prince, I'm going with you!

Prince, me too!

Me, too!

What? Are they taking another road! Have they found out?

Very well, I'll follow them.

You do as planned! = Yes!

Hey!

Someone called.

Oh yes, the son of Otomo.

He came! Attack!

Wait! Calm down!

Prince,

I am very happy you are here.

We came to meet you.

What do you want?

I bring orders from the emperor.

What? From my father?

Be happy!

You no longer have to fight in the East.

They ordered me go to tell you.

Really?

Is that true?

Undoubtedly it is it!

The emperor awaits you!

If we hurry, we'll be there before sundown.

Bastards!

Yakumo!

Yakumo!!

Protect the prince!

Let's go!

Let's go, let's go!

Yakumo, there's only the two of us?

Yes.

Don't die!

Yakumo, you must not die!

You neither!

Yakumo,

there are now people in some parts of this country

who are being stoned to death.

This didn't happen in the old times.

Yes, prince.

This happens because they don't have your help.

I cannot die!

But you have also been stoned!

Maybe!

When I return to Yamato I will speak with my father

and with everybody else.

We will build a country,

like in the past when it was created,

where people don't distrust each other.

A country filled with strength and joy.

Since it has once been like that

why shouldn't it become like that again?

Am I not right, Yakumo?

Yes!

I refuse to die

until everybody sees this miracle!

Yakumo!

Where is... the prince?!

It's you!

It's Yakumo!

Yakumo is back! - Yakumo!

- Yaku... - Azami!

Yakumo! Yakumo... Yakumo...

Look! Such a splendid sight!

Azami, everybody, let's follow the white bird!

Let's go! Let's go quickly!

THE END

THE END Subtitles by: Merlin David