All language subtitles for Shinsengumi.Chronicles.1963.1080p.WEBRip.x264.AAC-[YTS.MX]-eng

A DAIEI LTD. PRODUCTION

SHINSENGUMI CHRONICLES:
I WANT TO DIE A SAMURAI
(SHINSENGUMI SHIMATSUKI)

Production Designer: Tsuji Hisakazu
Based on the Original Work by: Shimozawa Kan
(Serialized in Chuokoron)
Screenplay: Hoshikawa Seiji

Cinematography: Honda Shozo
Recording Engineer: Okumura Masahiro
Lighting Engineer: Ito Tei'ichi
Art Direction: Ota Sei'ichi
Music: Saito Ichiro

Costume Designer: Ueno Yoshio
Sets: Hayashi Yonematsu
Edited by: Suganuma Kanji
Swordfight Choreography: Miyauchi Shohei
Sound Effects: Kurashima Toru
Assistant Director: Tomoeda Toshigi
Production Supervisor: Ozawa Hiroshi
Developed by: Toyo Genzojo

Cast

Ichikawa Raizo
Fujimura Shiho
Jo Kenzaburo
(Wakayama Tomisaburo)

Amachi Shigeru
Kobayashi Katsuhiko
Narita Jun'ichiro
Matsumoto Kinshiro
Tazaki Jun (Toho)
Kondo Mieko
Fujiwara Reiko

Shimada Ryuzo
Niwa Matasaburo * Nakamura Yutaka
Yajima Yotaro * Takami Kunikazu
Ishiguro Tatsuya * Mori Ikuko * Suga Fujio

Chiba Toshio * Date Saburo
Domoto Hiroshi * Terashima Yusaku
Kagawa Ryosuke * Araki Shinobu
Mizuhara Koichi * Funaki Yoichi * Arashi San'emon

Nanjo Shintaro * Hara Seishiro * Ishihara Masuo
Tamaki Kazue * Horikita Yukio
Hamada Yuji * Oki Tokio
Iwata Tadashi * Kimura Gen * Shiga Akira

Koshikawa Hajime * Obayashi Kazuo * Yabu'uchi Takeshi
Kominami Akira * Sengoku Taizo
Taniguchi Noboru
Koyanagi Keiko * Takamori Chizuko
Mitsuboshi Fumiko * Komatsu Midori * Sayama Ryuichiro

Directed by Misumi Kenji

"Though a mere merchant...

"...this man was part
of a sinister cabal,

and was a great villain
who deserved to die."

"He has therefore been justly
sentenced to death --Shinsengumi"

THIRD YEAR OF THE
BUNKYU PERIOD (1863 C.E.)

Plagued by assassinations,
the city of Kyoto...

...had become the center
of the conflict between...

...the teetering
Tokugawa Shogunate...

...and the new powers...

...that sought to replace it.

I can't understand it. I can't understand
why you want to join the Shinsengumi.

Are the Imperialists in the right...

...or is protecting the
Tokugawa right?

I do not know the answer.

But I do know that both sides
have been murdering people...

...and given that the Shinsengumi
is deeply involved in the violence...

...can we honestly say they are
a band of honorable samurai?

You know what the townsfolk are calling
the Shinsengumi, don't you?

"Miburo. Miburo." Like they're
stray dogs bearing their fangs.

["Miburo:" Short for "Ronin from Mibu,"
a derogatory reference.]

I can't accept it. I can't, I can't. I don't
want you to join that gang of killers.

Tell me. Why do you want to go
and get yourself killed?

You're wrong, Shima-san.

I saw something today...
something that made up my mind.

Whoever you are...
Help me...

You want me to ease your passage?

No...

I don't want to die!

By the looks of it, you're mortally wounded.
You're not going to make it.

You should do harakiri at once,
and end your suffering.

If you have any last bequests,
I shall convey them for you.

No! I don't want to die!
I don't want to die!

Help me. Help me.

It hurts! It hurts!

Help. Help.

Are you alright?
Pull yourself together.

Please forgive her. She did not know
you were here, Commander.

Shut up...!

How dare you ignore me?
You whore bitch!

Tayu. Tayu.

["Tayu:" A high-ranking courtesan.]

Miyuki was resting tonight,
because of a headache.

What?

So she gets a headache
as soon as she sees me, huh?

Alright then. Miyuki!

Take a good look at my face!

Serizawa-sensei.
Please forgive her.

The Commander is drunk.
Go tend your wounds.

I will apologize to him for you.

Bastard! You turn me into the bad guy
and sweet-talk the woman?

You country bumpkin!

Interesting...

So you say you're going to apologize
on behalf of the whore, are you?

Alright then. Apologize.

Get on your knees!
How about that!

Kondo-sama.

Come on.

Keep out of this.

Tayu. Tayu.

Hijikata.

You toughed it out.

That's a hard thing
for a samurai to do.

I have something for the Commander
of the Shinsengumi.

What?

I am the Commander, Serizawa Kamo.

This.

What is that?

I encountered a dying Shinsengumi member,
and he asked me to give this to you.

I don't know his name. I went to Mibu and
they told me your headquarters was here.

Was he killed by the Imperialists?

Yes, he was.

In the name of the Shinsengumi, sponsored
by Lord Aizu, I hereby command...

...that because of Sumi-ya Toku'emon,
we must lay low for seven days.

Niimi, Hirayama.
Let's go drink some more.

Hey. You there.

Thank you.

I appreciate you taking
the time to deliver this.

His name was Mori Heihachi,
one of our men.

I am Yamazaki Susumu, a ronin.

Pardon me for the late introduction.
I am Kondo Isami.

So, did Mori die a death
worthy of a samurai?

Yes. Worthy of samurai.

You might think that it's strange
for me to tell you this...

...but as the Commander
just reminded me...

...I am actually a farmer
from Tama, in Bushu Province.

I yearned to become a samurai, so
I devoted myself to the way of the sword.

But although I now find myself here,
I'm by nature awkward.

It seems that the sword
is my only real talent.

"To be a true samurai..."

"To be a true samurai..."

I was born a farmer, so I guess that
idea is particularly important to me.

Why are you telling me this?

Because you protected Mori by saying
that he died an honorable death.

He was not that kind of man.

Even cowards can die honorably.

Just as it is possible for a farmer
to die like a samurai.

You got me.
What a great comeback.

Yamazaki-kun.
All I'm trying to say...

...is that being a samurai
is not a matter of appearances.

It's all about the inner spirit
of honorable men.

He said that being a samurai
is a matter of inner spirit.

It was the first time I've seen such
clear eyes since I came to Kyoto.

I felt that I could believe
in this man, Kondo.

And my current path
leads only to ruin.

Shima-san, you are a woman,

and yet you are a doctor,
dedicated to saving lives.

Your path in life is set.

And I've got the sword.
That's all I've got.

Throw it away.
I want you to throw it away.

Are you telling me to forsake
the way of the warrior?

I can't do it.

I've lived with you for half a year,
even though we're not related.

But I have my pride.

Even a common ronin
like me has that.

Even though our only connection
is that our parents were friends...

...you have cared for me more than
my own parents would have.

But I can't go on being
dependent on you.

These days, a ronin without a
master exists in a living hell.

I've seen the consequences
more times than I can bear.

Crap! Another dine-and-dash!

Proprietor, why aren't
you going after him?

He ate for free...

...but better that than have him
swing his sword at me.

I'll bet his sword wasn't even real.

Thanks for your patronage.

Hey... I got a proposition
for you. Care to listen?

I'll vouch for your fighting skills.

You know about that gibbeted
guy at Sanjo'gawara?

The plaque said Shinsengumi,
but I'm the one who killed that merchant.

Let's work together. I was hired
by a guy from the Tosa Fief.

You'll be able to drink
sake every day.

Nowadays, no matter what you do...

Wait.

You. You're from Tosa, aren't you?

Exactly.
I'm Okamoto Kyuzo, from Tosa.

Better not tell anyone if
you don't want to wind up like him.

Did you do this?

Yamazaki, it's you.

Tani-san.

You're still a ronin?

If I join the Shinsengumi,
who knows what'll happen?

There was a man among them that maybe
I could bring myself to believe in.

And that's good enough for me.
I won't just be a ronin, like my father.

I'm going to devote all
my youthful energy to this.

To... To killing people,
is that what you mean?

So that I won't be killed.

The Shinsengumi awaits me...
me, the samurai.

SHINSENGUMI QUARTERS

Our regulations.

Deviations from the path
of bushido are prohibited!

Leaving this force is prohibited!

Unauthorized use of
group funds is prohibited!

Private settlement of disputes
between members are prohibited!

Acting from personal motives
is prohibited!

These are the inflexible regulations
of our group.

Red Banner: "MAKOTO", SINCERITY.

Those who violate these regulations
will be subject to seppuku.

Commander, it suits you well.

That Kounoike hems and haws,
then coughs up only 200 pieces of gold.

Eventually I'll have all the men
under my command wearing these.

Then we'll intimidate those
Imperialist buffoons, you'll see.

But if you're too hard on the merchants,
Kondo and Hijikata will be upset.

Let them say what they want.
The Shinsengumi belongs to me!

The only opinion that matters
to me is that of Lord Aizu...

"Serizawa Kamo, loyal patriot."

I see.

Ah... I am impressed.

Niimi.

The Imperialists are aggressively
collecting campaign funds too.

Don't hesitate. The enemy, on the pretext
of punishing dishonest merchants...

...is said to have threatened Yamato-ya
mercantile in Yoshiya-machi.

Yes. They were terrified, and
begged the Imperialists to spare them.

I hear they gave them 10,000-ryo.

You see?
So we should do the same.

Commander. We're finished.

I'm not impressed with any
of you new recruits.

Gentlemen. These days, even if
you are a farmer or a merchant...

...if you are skillful with your sword,
you can act like a samurai.

So devote yourself to your training.

Hey. Stand up.

You should go home.

I don't want to. I'm not leaving
until I become a samurai.

- Leave!
- I'm not leaving!

You brat!

I'll turn you into a cripple!

Fine, but you're not stronger than me.

Harada. That's enough.

Take off the face guard.

- Where are you from?
- Otsu.

So you're a farmer.
How old are you?

Fifteen. My name's Hikohei.

You want to become
a samurai that bad?

If you don't accept me,
I'll go join the Imperialists!

We'll take him.

Seriously?

Thank you very much. Thank you
very much. Thanks for having me.

What a tricky guy.

Thanks for having me.
Thanks for having me.

What's going on here?

If the Commander is not here,
I'm waiting until he returns.

This time I'm not budging,
even if the sun goes down.

I'll accept a message.

But...

You see?
The Commander isn't here, is he?

Hey! Hold it!

Who's that?

She's Hishi-ya's wife, from the
clothing store in Shijo Horikawa.

She's here to collect a debt.

There are some things that
frighten even Serizawa-sensei.

Gentlemen. These new comrades have
just joined us today. Welcome them.

Troop allocations will be determined
at a later time.

Tani-san, please explain to them
how we are organized.

Come on everyone, come in.
Don't hesitate. Come in, come in.

Come in and sit down.

First of all, have a look at this.

This shows the organization
of the Shinsengumi.

The person who introduced
you was Okita Soji.

He's young, but he's the
Shinsengumi's best swordsman.

He's also the captain
of the first team.

COMMANDER: SERIZAWA KAMO
SECOND IN COMMAND: KONDO ISAMI
THIRD IN COMMAND: NIIMI NISHIKI
FIRST DEPUTY-COMMANDER: YAMANAMI KEISUKE
SECOND DEPUTY-COMMANDER: HIJIKATA TOSHIZO
COMMANDER'S AIDE: OKITA SOJI

My name will be up there
eventually, you'll see.

I know it will.

Hey kid. Ever killed anyone?

I never have, but I can do it.
Also, my name is... umm.

Otsu Hikohei.
I'm not "kid."

We patrol the capital in shifts.

If you see a Choshu ronin,
you must kill him.

Find a reason to do it.

If you fight the enemy but don't defeat
them, and return here wounded...

...you will have to commit seppuku.

Do you understand, gentlemen?

I need someone to go to Yamato-ya Mercantile
in the Ichijo district of Yoshiya-machi.

Kusunoki...

Yamazaki, you go too.

For what business?

Did you hear what the
proprietor of Yamato-ya said?

"This is not a loan, I am giving it to you.
So please have mercy on me."

What are we, thuggish extortionists?

Tell that to the Commander.

Hey. Look at that.

Are you gentlemen
fief-samurai, or ronin?

Hey, it's Tominaga!

Are you Shinsengumi?

Leave this to me.

Don't interfere,
I can kill them myself.

Why did you kill them
all by yourself?

Because I wanted to commit to being
a soldier of the Shinsengumi...

...and brand myself as such.

Yeah. Come in.

What's the matter?

There's a beast in there.

I didn't know.

Niimi probably told Yamazaki to do it.
It's got to be Niimi.

I ask that you deliver
a stern warning.

It was only today that you read out
loud the group's writ of prohibitions.

That won't do.

Though Niimi and I have been
friends since our days in Mito...

...I don't involve myself
in his personal affairs.

Do you swear that
this was a personal matter?

Commander. You raped the merchant's
wife who came to collect a debt.

Do you have an explanation
regarding that incident?

You wimp!

And next comes
"you farmer bumpkin."

You don't kill with your sword.
You kill with your body. Your body!

Next.

Otsu Hikohei,
thank you for the lesson.

Attack!

Good.

That was a good strike.

Do or die, live or die...
your life is always on the line!

Yes!

Stop.

Stop sparring and return
to your seats.

Take off your masks.

In accordance with our regulations,
Niimi-san must commit seppuku!

Hijikata.

Niimi-san is one of
the 13 comrades...

...who together created
the Shinsengumi.

It is regrettable that we will have
to lose such a distinguished member.

But you must obey the regulations.
You know what this is about, don't you?

Shut up! This is presumptuous,
acting without me, the Commander.

I will now describe your crimes.

Niimi-san. You have extorted funds under
the pretext of raising funds for the group.

You have stolen much money,
and used it for your own pleasure.

Sumi-ya in Shimahara.
Yamano'o in Gion.

We have proof, and witnesses,
from both those places.

Niimi-san.

Will you do harakiri in accordance
with the Commander's regulations...

...or will you dishonor yourself,
forcing me to take your head?

Commander. You must decide.

Commander.

Seppuku.

- Okita will act as second.
- Yes sir.

No.

- Yamazaki, you do it.
- Yes.

The Noh farce has started
at Mibu-dera Temple.

Let's go watch it after this.

Yeah.

Niimi-san's execution was the first move
by Kondo and Hijikata's faction...

...to undermine the Commander
and take over the Shinsengumi.

- Serizawa-sensei.
- Huh?

We better do something fast,
or else...

...they're going to bring up
the subject of O'ume next.

Leave it up to me.
I'll get rid of Kondo.

I am going to kill Kondo.
Tonight.

Kill, kill, that's all you talk about.
What a boor you are.

I left the Hishi-ya Geisha-House
to be here, you know.

Sensei, you'll have
to treat me better.

"I'm the wife of Commander Serizawa."

I am, aren't I?

Alright, alright.

As you can see,
O'ume here is nagging me.

Commander.

Kondo is a skilled swordsman of
the Ten'nen Rishin-ryu style.

I'm too drunk to kill him tonight.

Right?

Though he is the Commander,
he is as guilty as Niimi-san.

If we compromise, all the regulations
of the group will be meaningless.

Yamazaki, I won't permit you to speak
further regarding this matter.

Is that because I am not an officer?

The Shinsengumi is a band of comrades.

However, the Commander can only
be judged by the leadership.

Yamazaki.

We take your opinion seriously.

Comrade. What that man
said is reasonable.

We must do it;
this is an opportunity.

Though Yamazaki said this was
his own personal opinion...

...it's also the opinion
of the rank-and-file.

Now is the time to purge our ranks.

I myself will inform the Commander.

No, that won't do.

You're going to become
the new Commander.

If you force him to commit seppuku,
then you take his place as Commander...

...your motives will appear
to be suspect.

Why don't you leave this part to me?

You'll let him die with the dignity
befitting our Commander, won't you?

Yes.

Seppuku with dignity, understood?

Of course. That is our way.

Serizawa!

That sure felt good.

Harada. How dare you laugh?!

Soji... sheathe your sword. Harada...
hurry up and give me that spear.

We have to dispose of the corpses.

I see them, there they are!

Quiet. Quiet.

The Commander was attacked by
brigands, and has been slain.

They couldn't have gotten too far.
Pursue them!

Do not let them get away!

Hijikata-kun.

["-kun": Friendly,
informal version of "-san".]

I really don't know what
to tell you, Kondo-san.

Who could anticipate that the Commander
would be attacked by brigands?

How will we explain this in
our report to Lord Aizu?

Why don't you just write
down what happened?

I suppose there's no other way.

I'll write that he was caught
unaware, and was killed.

And that it was a terrible shame.

I'll write it right away.

- That's cowardly.
- Watch what you say.

What you write doesn't matter.

Was this done in accordance
with our regulations?

You're still young.

My boy...
you shouldn't get so worked up.

He didn't get a chance to do seppuku.

Instead he was killed
in a cruel, cowardly way.

Why didn't you just order
me to kill him?

I could have killed him without
resorting to such a dirty tactic.

Was that deed worthy of a samurai?

I joined the Shinsengumi
because I believed in you.

But this was a travesty.

Where is the inner spirit of
honorable men that you talked about?

Do not think of you yourself
as righteous, Yamazaki.

Some things are inevitable.

I don't understand it.
No, I don't want to understand it!

Your concern is a good thing.

But don't talk to the other men about this,
because you'll only endanger yourself.

I take full responsibility
for what happened.

Don't speak of this to the others.
For the sake of your own life.

And also for my sake as well.

I found them!

Over there!

They're over there!

"Sir, we shared the sufferings
and joys of true comrades...

"...always burning with the
passion of loyal patriotism...

"...even as we looked up
to you as our guide."

"But you have fallen to the
brutal sword of assassins...

"...and we have lost a gentle friend
whose radiant heart warmed us."

"Oh, how lamentable it is."

"We remember...

"...that even in these chaotic times,
you stayed true to your ideals...

"...and so, formed the original 13 Kanto
warriors into the Shinsengumi."

"However, a mere half a year later,
we have lost our Commander...

"...which indeed strikes
our hearts with ultimate pain."

"Farewell, Commander."

"We shall unify as one to
promote your legacy...

"...and we vow to steadfastly forge ahead
in all matters pertaining to our duties."

"Farewell, the soul of
Serizawa Sensei."

"May you rest in peace."

Hijikata-sensei.

This is embarrassing.

Don't laugh at me.

After hearing Kondo-sensei's
emotion-filled voice...

...I can't hold back my own tears.

Gentlemen, while you all knew
of Serizawa-san's misdeeds...

...you never, ever, uttered any words
of judgment against him.

And even after his death,
you have beautifully mourned him.

And in the face of
your upstandingness...

...I am utterly humbled.

He was truly a genuine samurai.

Hijikata-sensei!

Hijikata-sensei!

Excuse me.

Oh.

Your company is here.

Oh.

Please, this way.

- Should I bring your meals?
- Sure, please.

Yes.

I missed you.

Something happened, didn't it?

I feel that we're...
starting to grow more and more apart.

It's almost frightening how much.

I am being urged to go to Nagasaki.

Doctor Masaki Dojun's student
returned from Holland.

The doctor advised me
to work under him...

...and immerse myself
in the new medicine.

Hey.

Do you want me to stop you?
Do you want me to tell you to stay?

Please.

You will become an
outstanding doctor. I know it.

And you will become an
outstanding samurai?

- Is that sarcasm?
- Why?

Why does it sound like
sarcasm to you?

Shima-san, I don't blame
you for hating samurai.

Just because he treated an
assassin's wounds...

...they killed your father,
a court physician.

It's a physician's duty
to save lives...

...but samurai only
think about killing.

It is human nature to kill one another.
All that changes is the method.

What happened?

Your eyes were alive and shining when
you said you were joining the Shinsengumi.

But now... they're dead.

That's ridiculous.

Excuse me.

Thank you for waiting.

You are not happy, even if you
are in the Shinsengumi.

Don't lie. I can tell.

This Kondo Isami,
he's not inspiring after all, is he?

I hear he was originally a farmer
from Tama in Bushu Province.

Of vulgar upbringing;
of vulgar mentality.

He's a man who can do nothing
but kill people in Kyoto.

You're wrong.

He is the Commander
of the Shinsengumi...

...but all he does is
casually treat people's...

lives as if they were
the lives of insects.

You're wrong! Wrong!

No. He will commit atrocious acts
without batting an eye...

...all for the sake of
his own success.

Kondo-san is not that kind of man.
He is an upstanding samurai.

He's an upstanding samurai.

Then why is there such sadness
in your eyes?

I knew it.

I knew it.

And yet you haven't changed.

You still believe in
the man called Kondo.

Who are you? Name yourself!

I am here to avenge my little brother,
whom you killed at Sanjo Gawara!

I am Yamazaki Susumu of the Shinsengumi.
I will have to kill you!

Shima-san! Shima-san!

I'm sorry, but... can you please
relax your shoulders a little?

Alright, that's fine.
Alright then...

...please do not move
until I say you can.

Please stay as you are.

One, two, three...

That bumpkin farmer,
he finally made his way up the ranks.

He's been getting a lot of support lately
because of his connection to Aizu.

I hear he's being quite extravagant
in places like Shimabara.

["Shimabara:"
An expensive entertainment district.]

He's just a country samurai
from Kanto. Mere riffraff.

We shouldn't underestimate
them, though.

They say that when they recruit,
they can't handle the flood of applicants.

I'm also told they have some
exceptionally skilled swordsmen.

They're fast becoming
a huge threat to us.

That Kondo is quite competent.

He doesn't go around
threatening merchants.

He's capturing the hearts
of the people...

...and they don't call them the
"Mibu bums" anymore.

That one guy, I think I've seen
him somewhere before.

We execute our plan either just before
or just after the Gion Festival.

[Note: The Festival is held on
the 6th day of the 6th month.]

We set fires on a windy night...

...and burn down the imperial palace.

Also the Nakagawa mansion, home
of the so-called political reformers.

We'll kill the captain of the
Kyoto Guard, Matsudaira Katamori...

...as well as the Shogunate
defense-minister, Tokugawa Keiki...

...somewhere in this area.

The other team will take advantage of the
chaos, and storm the imperial palace...

...abduct the emperor,
and convey him to Choshu Province.

In order to achieve our goal
of crushing the Tokugawa...

...regrettably, the city of Kyoto
will be engulfed in flames.

Furutaka-san.
Are the weapons ready?

I will have a sufficient supply
by the day of our attack.

And no matter what, please don't refer
to me as Furutaka Shuntaro.

I am the antique dealer,
Masuya Keiumon. Just in case.

You know, Kondo-san...

...it was my plan to have you command the
Shinsengumi, no matter what the cost.

I know that, Toshi-san.

It's as if you're the creator
of the current Shinsengumi.

So why do you refuse my offer
of a joint command?

Some people have a special quality,
of "distinction."

I'm not one of those people.

Instead, I have the pleasure
of being a creator.

It's something other people
can't understand.

All you have to do is say nothing
and keep smiling...

...and people are drawn
to you in droves.

You will eventually become
the leader of a unified nation.

You make it sound like
I'm just a figurehead.

You may be just a figurehead,
but I'm always scared of you.

Perhaps that's because
of your distinction.

Speaking of scared,
I just remembered...

...I heard they've changed the lyrics of
the parody song about the Mibu ronin...

...from "scarier than demons"
to "stronger than demons."

The world is fickle.

The Shinsengumi is creating
a change in the tides.

You could say we're rising into
the heavens like the sun.

You know, Kondo-san...

we met at the farmers' dojo of
the Ten'nen Rishin-ryu school...

...and it's already been
ten years since that day.

You were 22 then, and I was 19.

I'm impressed that
we're still alive today.

Let's drink.

Oh yea, I remember...

Toshi-san, since the time you were an
apprentice of the Edo magistrate...

...and after that, when you sold medicines,
there were always women around.

How come you never got married?

Going to the red light district's
good enough for me.

After all, who knows
what tomorrow will bring?

I know that you feel the same way,
and yet you have a mistress.

And her house has become
our "resting place."

That's so typical of you.

The presence of women
brings balance to men.

And are you properly balanced?
Huh, Kondo-san?

Well. I...

Sensei.

I get it. I see. Alright,
I'm retreating, I'm retreating.

Hey, Toshi-san...
Hijikata.

Shinonome's waiting for me too.

What's up?

Our top performer has a crush on you.
It's Kondo-sama this, Kondo-sama that.

Ridiculous. A crush on a brute
from Kanto like me?

No, it's a matter of prestige for us girls...
to spend the night with famous men.

We compete over them,
just like samurai killing each other.

You're known as the most beautiful woman
in Shimahara, and I'm a mountain chimp...

...the two of us together don't
make for a pretty picture.

I'm shy when the lamp is lit.
Please snuff it out.

Everyone, continue patrolling.

Yes sir.

Yamazaki-kun, are you off duty tonight?

- The tab.
- Yes.

Hey. Proprietor, an extra cup.

Right away.

Here. Welcome.

I heard Hijikita-san was going to make you
a corporal, and you turned it down.

Yeah. I didn't think
it was appropriate.

You're stubborn.

You shouldn't give Hijikata-san
such a hard time.

Nah. I'm happy as long
as Kondo-san's with us.

You're such a skilled sword-fighter,
so why do you get so worked up over things?

We all have to do it eventually...

...we have to surrender
ourselves to the group,

and when commanded, we must kill.

We must kill in order to survive.
Everything else is not our concern.

Your sword will get blunt
if you begin to doubt.

Maybe you're right.

But more men in the group...

...are beginning to think like I do.

Well, time for me to
get back on patrol.

Make way.

What are you looking at?

Move over, move over.

What?

What do you mean, move over?

Hold it.

I am Constable Uchida Shojiro.
Consider yourself under arrest.

Come with us to the
magistrate's office.

Insolence! I am fourth captain of the
Shinsengumi... Toudou Heisuke.

You might be Shinsengumi, but
your behavior is unpardonably lawless.

We'll have to bind you if you resist.

What?

"NISHIMACHI MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE"

- What? Toudou was arrested?
- Yes.

And Uchida Shojiro did it?

He's just a lousy constable,
how cocky of him!

Kill him! Kill him!

Wait. I have an idea.

Go and find out what time
Uchida leaves his post.

Yes sir.

Hey Yamazaki, I need your help.

Yamazaki.

Why aren't you drawing your sword?
Kill him!

Yamazaki, kill him!
Kondo-sensei ordered it!

Impossible.

He wouldn't issue commands that would
damage the Shinsengumi. I refuse.

Bastard!

Okita-san.
You're testing me, aren't you?

You piece of shit!

Get a hold of yourself!
Stop it! Stop it!

You have done an utterly
reckless thing.

We of the Aizu clan will be blamed,
because we sponsor the Shinsengumi.

And especially now,
when the Choshu...

...are seeking any opportunity
to discredit the Shinsengumi.

If this incident doesn't get cleared up,
our Lord will be faced with a dilemma.

How could you let the town constable
be killed, Kondo-san?

If things go badly, the Shinsengumi
will be commanded to disband.

It is as you say; we blundered.

The magistrate's office says
they won't back down...

...until you turn in the culprit.

The culprit is a man
named Yamazaki Susumu.

He's a ruffian who constantly
disobeys our regulations.

Turn him in, immediately.

We will.

He has become a fugitive.

He escaped, and we don't
know his whereabouts.

Then we have a problem.

Toudou Heisuke, who is now
in custody, might get off...

...by claiming he killed
because he was insulted.

But, Kondo-san. Frankly...

...don't you think your men
are getting a little uppity?

In effect, what you have done is...

...bare your fangs at the Aizu,
under whose auspices you operate.

As your friend,
I am giving you a warning.

Unless you immediately remove
this stain on your honor...

...the Shinsengumi will
assuredly cease to be.

It's life or death.

By the way, Kondo-san...

The other day, our Lord received
some intelligence... that soon...

...no, very soon, something
big is going to happen.

There is no doubt that the Imperialists
are hatching a massive conspiracy.

I wanted to tell you,
for your information.

Yes sir.

Alright.

Find the perpetrator
of Uchida's murder.

Assuredly we will.

Soji. You were with him
when it happened.

What stupidity!

I heard the conversation.

Is that right?

I will cut my belly.

What?

I am going to take responsibility.

At this point, it no longer matters
who intended to kill Uchida.

You either capture the culprit,
or bring them his head...

...or the Shinsengumi is doomed.

Stop it, stop it.

"Yamazaki Susumu has already fled."

That's what I told our Lord, so if you
slit your stomach now, I'll look bad.

Isn't that right?

Banner: "MAKOTO", SINCERITY.

You... you can escape
for real, you know.

Things will be unbearable
for you if you stay.

What then will become of Shinsengumi?

You and Shinsengumi are one.

I came here in search
for a reason to live.

I want to remain a samurai
to the very end.

Recently, there's been
a conspicuous increase

in the number of Imperialists
infiltrating the capital.

Supposedly there's a big plot
that will soon be launched.

If we can uncover their plan
and prevent it from succeeding...

...the current crisis will
no longer matter.

And if we succeed,
it would strengthen...

...the solidarity of the men,
wouldn't it?

Ladders and stepladders
for sale...

Ladders for sale...

Welcome.

Welcome. Hey, Susugi.

Yes? I'll be right there.

They say your medicines
are very efficacious.

They're in high demand here.

Yeah, well, thank you.

- This payment is for...
- Yeah.

...both the current
and prior deliveries.

Yeah.

- Is that right?
- Yeah.

Go away. Go.

Hey, is there anybody here?

What is this guy?

Get him out, get him out.

You moron!

What are you doing in here?
Get out of here.

Thank you very much.

The gall of that beggar!

What happened?

They're at Ikeda-ya
in Sanjo Kobashi.

Groups of men from Choshu and other
provinces were coming and going there.

Thanks to Yamazaki's report,
we know who they are.

"Miyabe Teizo of Higo. Matsuda Jusuke.
Yoshida Toshimaro of Choshu."

"Sugiyama Matsusuke.
Saeki Tomohiko."

"Kitazoe Yoshimaro of Tosa.
Ishikawa Junjiro."

"Otaka Matajiro of Banshu.
And so on."

That's a crew of major players.

If we can cut off their heads
with a single blow,

the morale of the Imperialists
will be shattered.

And if we fail, the consequences
for us will be severe.

We ourselves have to stop them,
no matter what the cost.

Is the name of Furutaka
Shuntaro among them?

Not in here.

We know that Furutaka is the Choshu
spymaster here in the capital.

All the important men of their
respective fiefs are there...

...but it's strange that Furutaka's
name is not among them.

I think so too. Perhaps Yamazaki
was too eager to score points with us.

Who knows how trustworthy
his report is?

Hijikata-kun. Yamazaki is risking
his life on our behalf.

He's in a position...

...to easily mislead
us if he wants to.

That's harsh.
Yamazaki is a upright fellow.

That's why he's dangerous.
An inflexibly honest man...

...once he gets confused,
will destroy anything and everything.

We should have executed him
when we had the chance.

If we put too much
faith in Yamazaki...

...and we are in error for it,
what are the consequences?

The Shinsengumi has come so far.

Our group is at a critical juncture,
we mustn't forget that.

This is absurd.

Our partners at the shipping
agency in Osaka...

...said that he was a good customer,
and asked us to treat him well.

I had no idea he was Shinsengumi.
I have failed you.

- Never mind, just go.
- Yes. My apologies.

We have been infiltrated by the Shinsengumi.
We cannot delay any further.

What about Yoiyama of Gion?

Alright. Let's do that.

Let's contact Furutaka-san and have him
gather the weapons immediately.

Listen. Our assault is scheduled for
the fifth day of the sixth month.

This'll be fun.

The city will turn topsy-turvy,
and flames will fill the night sky.

And heads are going to fly left
and right, like sparks of fire.

My achievements as an assassin are nothing
compared to a spectacle like that!

The Daibutsu of the
capital of Kyoto...

...burned up from heavenly fire.

But the Sanju-sangen-do
didn't burn down...

A splendid treatment.

Shima-san, I hear you're in
demand all over town...

...even more than Doctor Masaki.

Oh please.

Well, thank you.

The Daibutsu of the
capital of Kyoto...

...burned up from
heavenly fire.

But the Sanju-san-gen-do...

...didn't burn down.
Ariya don don don. Koriya don don don.

What are you thinking about?

Hey.

Hey.

- Did you say something?
- No. Never mind.

Sorry.

It's nice just sitting
here like this.

In a daze, without thinking
about anything.

Is that what you were thinking?

Why did you start crying?

No...

...I never thought such a happy life
would happen so suddenly.

And I'm scared.

I'm scared that my happiness
will flee from me.

I too have never been happier
than these last three days.

When I went to the Shinsengumi
to visit you...

...when I heard them say,
"Yamazaki ran away..."

I was truly glad.

You came back to me, finally.

You won't leave again, will you?

It's alright for me to be glad, right?

It's truly alright, right?

It's alright, Shima-san.

Hey. Can you call me "Shima"?

Shima.

Every day I've been waking up
in the middle of the night...

...and I think to myself,
"He's here."

Aren't I silly?

Shima.

Ah! You called me
that for real this time.

Sounds like the practice for
the Gion melody just started.

Time flies. It's already
been a whole year.

"LEDGER"

Is it alright for me to be as I am now?
To just go on like this?

"Let us part ways, for I cannot
depart from being a samurai."

"Women cannot enter the
world of the samurai."

"Please hate me."

MERCHANTS' INN: IKEDA-YA

INN: KASHIWA-YA

Gosh it's hot.

Come on in.

Sunlight comes in from the west.

There's nothing we can do.

Who is that?

His nickname is "Hitman Kyuzo."

He belongs to the Tosa Fief.

Shall we inform the Commander?

No. It's still too soon.

Hey.

Welcome.

This one is 32-mon.
But this one here's only 24-mon.

That shop over there, Masuya,
seems to be prosperous.

It's very strange.

They just keep buying,
but don't sell a thing.

Poster caption:
"THE FIRST MAN ACROSS THE UJI RIVER."

Thanks.

You're coming with me.

I did it... I finally did it!

"Circle-iron, seven, Furutaka."

Hey, this is a receipt for weapons.

So Masuya is Furutaka Shuntaro...?

Otsu, run to headquarters!

That's right. My original name
is Furutaka Shuntaro.

So what?

Shit. Talk!

Tell us your plans and the meeting
place of your accomplices.

When I'm angry...
I'm capable of anything.

If you confess, I'll let you live.

I swear I'll spare you.
So how about it?

This bastard!

The heat's unbearable.

The breeze is completely gone.

How much longer will this take?

Hammer 6-inch nails through
the top of his feet.

Stand candles on them and light them.
Let hot wax pour on his skin.

And if you still don't talk,
there are other ways.

Don't hesitate, Matsubara.
Do it.

He's not talking yet?

Commander!

Hey.

What happened?

What happened?

It's the water! Don't drink the water!
Don't drink the water!

Who was in charge of
the kitchen today?

That was me.

Harada.

He's a spy.
He poisoned the well.

Why would a spy do that when
he's in charge of the kitchen?

Think about it.

Everyone listen.
Furutaka has confessed.

We're deploying right now.

Those of you who can still stand,
get ready at once.

Okita.

Kondo-sensei!

Hijikata-kun.

He finally confessed.

They're gathering tonight at
Shikoku-ya in Sanjo Nawate.

Well, Otsu just gave me
Yamazaki's report.

According to that report,
the meeting will be at Ikeda-ya.

There's no mistake; it's going to be
at Shikoku-ya. I tortured Furutaka.

There can be no deception
in his blood-soaked confession.

So you don't believe Yamazaki, right?

Kondo-san, you're the one who believes
in him too much. He's dangerous.

You don't even believe
in yourself, do you?

Furutaka spilled his guts
to save his life.

Don't you think there's truth
in what he said?

I will still choose Ikeda-ya.

Would a samurai of Furutaka's
caliber give up the truth?

But Furutaka even confessed
the details of their plan.

Either before or after
the Gion Festival...

...they'll burn the palace and city to
the ground, and kidnap the emperor.

Our Lord learned that something was going
to happen before or after the Gion Festival.

His story matches splendidly.

Soji. How many men can we deploy?

Twenty-seven, including ourselves.

But if we are not careful,
we could fall into an enemy trap.

Be it Shikoku-ya or Ikeda-ya,
we don't have enough men.

Why don't we request reinforcements
from the Aizu?

Alright. We'll have them use
their men to block the streets.

We'll trap the enemy like rats...

...and uproot these extremists.

Yamanami-kun.

Tell the Aizu that in the hour of the dog,
we will be waiting at the Gion Kaisho.

["Gion Kaisho:" A building in Gion that was
a cultural and community meeting place.]

Yes sir.

"LAMP OF THE DEITY"

FIRST YEAR OF THE GENJI PERIOD,
5TH DAY OF THE SIXTH MONTH.

THE GION FESTIVAL, YOIYAMA PARADE.

Where are the Aizu soldiers?

It's more than an hour past
the designated time.

Maybe they won't come.

The Aizu may not want to
further provoke the Choshu.

If the Aizu were to openly deploy...

...there's bound to be a battle with
a powerful group of their enemies.

They probably are going to leave
this entirely to the Shinsengumi.

- How could they?
- Now listen.

The Shinsengumi has grown rapidly,
and is now somewhat of a burden to them.

If we get crushed,
that would be convenient for them.

And if the Choshu faction
loses, they still win.

That's probably how they figure it.

No, you are too suspicious
of our lords.

I definitely believe that
they will come.

That would be nice, wouldn't it?

With our current numbers, we can't capture
them. We're the ones in danger instead.

Kon kon chiki chin kon chiki chin...
Kon kon chiki chin kon chiki chin...

Cloth Banner: "IKEDA-YA"

It must be far past the hour
of the boar by now.

While we're dillydallying,
the enemy will have scattered.

So you've decided on Ikeda-ya
no matter what?

I want to believe Yamazaki.

He's suspicious. Furukawa confessed;
let us go to Shikoku-ya.

You take twenty men
and go to Shikoku-ya.

Will you be alright?
You'll only be six men.

Perhaps your assessment is correct.

I may be a fool...

...but I want to believe in samurai honor.
I'm going to believe in Yamazaki.

Who will come with me?

Five of you, step forward.

Alright. The rest of you gentlemen
will go with Vice-Commander Hijikata.

Our regulations are still in effect.

Don't be outwitted, and don't bring
shame upon yourselves.

Yamazaki-san,
I'm going to go and report.

You're going to the
Gion community center?

Yes.

Otsu.

Yamazaki-san.

I... I...

...want to die dressed
like a samurai.

- Proprietor, shut the door.
- Yes sir.

It's a Shinsengumi dog.
Leave him to me.

Is the proprietor in?
We have business with you.

Fall back.

- Commander.
- Yamazaki!

Yamazaki, well done.

Retreat. Everyone run!

Return to your fiefs,
and live to fight another day.

- Commander, where are our comrades?
- We're here, the six of us.

Yamazaki.

Don't let them escape!

Kill! Kill them!

Spread out!

Lookout!

Don't let them escape!

Kill them all!

Don't let any of them escape!

Suzuki! Matsubara!
Go around back.

Halt!

Halt!

There was no one at Shikoku-ya.

Furutaka was a true samurai after all.

Toshi-san.

That makes you feel good, doesn't it?

I lose. Yamazaki.

Kondo-san believed in
you without wavering.

I take my helmet off to you.

I think I have to take mine
off too, Hijikata-san.

You took yours off a long time ago!

The Aizu soldiers
are here now, Toshi-san.

Heavily armed with excuses,
no doubt.

Well done.

Lord Aizu offers praise for
your outstanding efforts today.

He intends to inform the Shogunate
of your meritorious actions...

...and also expressed his personal
recognition of your service.

And if we had all died in battle...?

No... we must gratefully receive
his words, because we're still alive.

I acknowledge. It's ten-thousand banzais
for the Shinsengumi and the Aizu Fief.

Please relay that to His Lordship.

Out of the way.

THE END