Original subtitles

"Under the isolationist policy of the Tokugawa shogunate,"

"a long era of peace prevailed giving rise to a unique artisan culture."

"In particular, books illustrated with vivid woodblock prints"

"gained tremendous popularity amongst the commonfolk of Edo."

"But once Tokugawa's power wavered,"

"the government declared this form of entertainment morally corrupt"

"and strictly regulated the creative expression of publishers and artists."

Move it! Out of our way!

Move it! Out of our way!

Out of our way! Clear out!

Move it!

This is a raid!

Out of our way!

Master! Master!

Master!

Unhand me!

Master!

Please! Stop!

Juzaburo Tsutaya, owner of Koshodo Bookstore.

You disobeyed repeated orders to halt production

of contraband materials.

You continued to print subversive books and corrupt public morals.

This is inexcusable.

Go!

Move it!

Hurry!

Get rid of it.

All of it!

(Chapter 1)

Even in this sad state, his paintings are still provocative.

Utamaro is a genius.

Yes.

I should be grateful.

The protruding nail gets hammered down.

In other words, they've confirmed that I'm head and shoulders above the others.

Edo's top painters and writers.

I've cultivated them all.

How amusing.

It's like a shower of blessings.

All of Edo will be watching to see what I do next.

It's the ideal moment to plant new seeds.

Master Tsutaya has arrived!

Yes, sir!

Welcome! Welcome!

Welcome!

Master Tsutaya is here!

Brother!

You look busy.

I'm managing.

You're finally coming into your own.

It's like I'm looking at my old man.

Cut it out.

I'm nowhere near that. I was just trying to stop a brawl.

Every night is a festival around here.

The night is still young.

Thank you. Please come again.

I'll be back tomorrow.

These country bumpkins.

Samurais, merchants... they're all men.

In here, their leashes come off.

There's a courtesan in Nishikiya named Asayuki.

I hear she has beautiful eyes.

I'll call the girl over from Kyoto if that's what you want.

No, thank you.

Why not? It's a good opportunity.

I don't like painters, that's all.

Just tell me.

They have no manners.

Why, one of them made me stand on my feet all night long.

He sounds like a man of passion.

"Are you kidding? More like an ill-mannered monkey."

"He said he couldn't get the lines right and climbed right on top of me."

"It must've been an exquisite painting."

"Of course. I was the model."

"But I'll never do it again."

Pose for a wild monkey like that.

I know who it is!

Shunro. Shunro Katsukawa.

Katsukawa?

We've commissioned a few ourselves.

"Wild monkey" huh? She has a way with words.

And..

Found it.

Here it is.

He has talent, but he only paints what he wants to paint.

And once he gets started, he won't quit until he's satisfied. A real pain.

I have no idea where he is now.

Not at the Katsukawa school?

He was excommunicated long ago.

Excommunicated?

"When it comes to his art, he sees no reason."

"He painted in the Yamato and Kano-styles while he was still at Katsukawa."

"He even punched out a senior disciple. That was the last straw."

"Punched out? Why?"

"Who knows?"

Why, you're...

from the bookshop.

I came to look at your paintings..

You were gone so long, I let myself in

What do you want?

I came to see if you were alive. Sakichi was wondering.

Are you eating?

What's it to you?

I sell a painting or two to survive.

Your paintings?

Make any money?

A little.

Why don't you come draw for me?

I'll make you great.

What's wrong?

No thanks.

You came all this way for nothing, I'm not cut out to take orders.

I see.

You punched out a senior disciple.

Sakichi has a big mouth.

Yeah.

What for?

He drew on my painting.

He ruined it.

I see.

Sorry to bother you, then.

It's been a while.

Here to see the master?

He's in the geisha quarters.

This way.

Look what the cat dragged in.

You know him?

He's a painter I picked up.

A monkey, you mean.

Ah, so this is the infamous Shunro Katsukawa.

Not a Katsukawa anymore.

Don't just stand there. Have a seat.

Master Utamaro is going to paint the most beautiful flower in Yoshiwara.

I don't mind if you watch, but since you're here...

How about a drink?

Don't drink.

Good for you.

He doesn't even drink. He'll make you loads of money.

Just sit down. The fish is good. You should have some.

Don't like fancy food.

Did you hear that? Is he really a painter?

It seems so.

He's more like an ascetic monk.

No wonder.

Your women have no sex appeal.

Right, Tsutaya?

I'm not saying you're not talented.

I'd say...

you're only good at reproducing what is right in front of you.

It's just veneer. It's not alive.

Running away?

You're not the only one.

Painters are a dime a dozen.

Sorry, but can you shut that?

Now, Mistress Asayuki...

Sit with your back facing me.

How'd it go last night?

Does Utamaro always paint there?

Yeah. He eats, sleeps and paints at that brothel.

We pick up the tab for everything. It's quite a sum.

Then why pay it?

It was the master's idea.

To surround him with women to make him paint.

We're going broke, thanks to him.

On top of that, the government took most of our money.

And Master Tsutaya doesn't even read my novels.

So? You gonna paint for him?

No.

Oh, yeah.

Return this to him, will you?

He left it at my house, but I can't take it.

Keep it.

I have no reason to.

Then paint for him.

You scared?

Don't be stupid.

You're not going to draw for him?

What's this about?

What?

Look carefully. I'm better than Utamaro!

What is this, a contest?

Why do you paint?

What do you mean?

Exactly what I said. Why do you paint?

How should I know?

I came from a poor family.

So why become a painter?

As a painter, I thought I could work my way to the top.

Painting has nothing to do with class. If you're good, you can make it...

Then stop.

Stop painting.

If you're hung up on such a stupid reason.

What did you say?

Dammit.

You bastard!

Brother! Sorry!

Excuse me. Brother!

I want to show you something.

Who painted these?

A customer of mine.

He's still young, but he knows how to have a good time.

He just paints these for fun.

For fun?

He only paints kabuki actors. He watches kabuki and paints them for fun.

Pretty good, eh?

Can I meet him?

Sure! Think they'll sell?

This isn't all. I heard he has others!

I'll buy them. All of them!

Brother!

Something's missing.

Missing?

I want the paintings to be etched in everyone's minds.

Mica.

Print them with mica!

It'll eat away all our profits!

Printing with mica? Shocking.

For an unknown, no less.

Everyone in Edo will know his name now.

Hey.

You came all this way. Didn't you come to see me?

His name is Toshusai Sharaku.

It was love at first sight.

Do you want to meet him?

This way.

Here he is.

Have a seat, Master.

This is Master Sharaku. No one can replicate his paintings.

A true genius.

I can't believe such a young man drew those paintings.

It's quite unbelievable.

You're a wry businessman.

No, this is all Genjiro's doing.

He's the one who discovered Sharaku.

But you're the one who made his debut spectacular. Like fireworks.

Well, well. Everyone's here.

Master Utamaro...

Nice work.

Your paintings, I mean.

I was shocked.

I didn't know it was possible.

Mistress Asayuki!

Congratulations.

I have one question for you.

Do you actually see the kabuki actors like that?

Like what?

I wish I could take out my eyes and show you.

Simply reproducing what I see is boring.

So you like to exaggerate?

Oh, no. My paintings reflect

the spirit of the actors.

Do you understand?

Who do you think I am, punk?

Sorry to offend you.

I told you I don't drink.

I know.

I wanted you to raise your head.

It makes me want to puke.

You call that a painting?

Is that what you're looking for?

Yes.

You must be kidding me!

That's not what I call a painter!

The faces and hands aren't even in proportion!

Look at those faces! They all look like clowns!

Sharaku isn't a painter like you.

He's not affiliated with any school. He has no master.

Then how can he paint?

I only paint for fun.

Before I knew it, I was holding a brush and painting to amuse myself.

Are you joking?

How can you paint for fun?

Calm down!

I just...

paint how I feel.

Does that offend you?

Come on. Keep the party going.

Are you home?

What are you doing out in the cold?

I've been calling you. The doctor is here.

Oh...

Master!

Looks like the journey did you some good.

I got tired of waiting for you.

I'm sick. I don't have much longer.

I just painted what I felt like painting.

If you don't want them, just say so.

Waves, eh?

I like it.

This is quite unexpected.

Such wild waves.

I've never seen anything like it.

Yet...

it's the epitome of a wave.

It's good.

I want you to paint one for me.

I knew you had it in you.

Something only you could paint.

Just like Mt. Fuji here. There's no other like it.

That's the beauty of it.

"Hokusai" huh?

I like the name, too.

I got it from the "Polar Star."

The only star that never moves.

Open it up.

In the scheme of things,

Edo is smaller than a grain of rice.

Funny, eh?

Whenever I look at this map, I get pleasantly drunk.

I want to forget everything and travel the world.

What lies beyond the ocean?

Good food, good drink and good women.

Paintings, too. Like you've never seen before.

I'll set up shop in a foreign land.

To sell the paintings of the artists I've discovered and cultivated.

And prove to the world that my instincts were dead on.

It doesn't take fancy words to appraise a painting.

A good painting is a good painting, no matter who looks at it.

Right?

Hokusai...

Paintings

can change the world.

I can't waste my time daydreaming here.

I'll bring some sake.

I feel like drinking today.

Chapter 2

Master?

Where are you going?

Please be careful.

How's the writing going?

Don't you have something to say first?

My painting is done.

Here.

You took so long.

You're not my only client.

You look awful. Why don't you get some rest?

I could say the same to you.

You're scribbling at your desk all day, every day.

How's your wife, Koto?

I told you before, take some time to...

Hey, wait a minute!

Here?

I had a vision. I have to capture it.

But still... Shut up for a moment!

Suit yourself.

You're up.

Yeah...

Breakfast will be ready soon.

This one's no good.

Do it over.

The painting overpowers the story.

What do you mean?

Your painting is too bold.

It's telling a story I haven't even written.

But that's what I saw.

Where did you see it?

Here. In my mind.

Your story made me see it here.

But if you paint whatever you want, my story won't make any sense.

The illustrations will spark the readers' imaginations.

I just paint as I please.

So you won't do it over?

No.

Then, I'll show you.

The readers want my stories.

The stories you bring are boring. They don't conjure anything.

Not a single one.

This one's different!

Read it, Master!

OK, here you go.

His name is Ryutei Tanehiko.

A ghost story?

You'll lose track of time.

Did you say something?

No.

You're so engrossed in the novel.

I made some tea. Why don't you take a break?

Ryutei Tanehiko...

Jinbei can't rid himself of the image of the catwoman.

It tortures him until he eventually grows ill.

His body and soul are sucked dry

and he dies soon thereafter.

This is probably the curse of the cat.

The people are overcome with a terrible sense of dread.

Master!

Master Utamaro has been arrested!

What happened?

He painted a picture that was banned.

But that's old news.

He's always pushing the boundaries.

If we always played by their rules,

we'd never create anything of value!

He's being scapegoated.

He was too flagrant.

"The protruding nail gets hammered down,"

as Master Tsutaya used to say.

So where's Utamaro now?

In a cell. He's handcuffed to 50 days.

You'll have to excuse me.

We may be next!

Master!

Excuse us.

Is it such a crime to paint pictures that people enjoy?

That's exactly what the government despises.

They want us to shut up and work.

Don't laugh or get mad or even cry.

Emotions make for unruly commoners.

Hey!

Where are you going?

Nowhere.

I'm going home.

I have work to finish.

You're going to paint on a day like today?

That's exactly why I'll paint.

I'm with child.

Aren't you pleased?

Sorry.

I wonder if a child born into this world can ever be happy.

Please smile.

You'll drive away happiness looking like that!

This child inside me is just waiting to be born.

We must welcome this child with joy!

Did you hear it?

The baby's voice?

Can I touch it?

Oei, Oei.

Oei.

Look, it's your father.

It's your father!

Oei, Oei.

It's your father.

Chapter 3

"Memorial Tablet"

Miss Oei.

Tanehiko, you're early.

I was up all night writing. I couldn't wait for Master Hokusai to read it.

You must be tired.

How has he been?

I don't know.

Since Mom died, the stubborn old man has grown even more stubborn.

He's like a stone statue.

All he does is paint, day and night.

I see...

You're a nice diversion. Please stay awhile and talk to him.

Good morning, Master Hokusai.

Morning.

It's grown quite chilly.

Yeah.

I brought these.

She'll like them.

Good morning.

Good morning.

I'm opening the blinds.

"The world today is filled with confusion and chaos."

This is due to the corruption of public morals

encouraged by hedonistic literature and illustrations.

These unethical "picture books" are even read by women and children.

Unforgivable corruption.

As samurai, we are duty bound

to uphold dignity and put an end to these disturbing trends.

You don't have much freedom, do you Tanehiko?

You were born a samurai but it shackles you as well.

Let them say what they want. It's no use losing your temper.

But nothing ever changes

in this world.

"Paintings can change the world."

A man said that to me once.

Wise words.

Shall we start, Master Hokusai?

Master.

Welcome home. Welcome home.

Where have you been? The publisher already left.

He brought over some finished prints.

Father! Father!

Master! Master!

Water! Bring me water!

Master! Master, can you hear me?

He had a stroke.

He survived it, but his drawing hand is paralyzed.

He may never hold a brush again.

They say he's lucky to be alive

but I could never say that to him.

Where is he?

Sleeping.

If only Mom were here.

We'll be going, then.

Excuse us.

Father, your medicine. Get up.

I'll help you.

Can you hold it?

Have one more.

"I've caused you so much trouble."

"How pitiful."

I'm who I am today because of you, Master Hokusai.

I always looked forward to illustrating your books.

It was fun.

Illustrating them made me feel young again.

I felt the same way, thanks to you.

You felt young again too?

Is that funny?

You can't

fool time.

"When you're 70, you're 70."

Oei scolded me.

I want to travel for a while.

In your condition?

Yeah.

Dying in a strange land doesn't sound so bad.

Master...

I'm joking.

I'm not ready to die. No way in hell.

My body is weak, I can't deny it.

But there must be things

I can only see now.

I haven't given up the fight

with this world.

I know I can't stop you.

You're right.

I won't see you off.

Stop talking and get back to work.

Where will you stay?

I'll find an inn along the way.

And if you can't?

I'll sleep by the roadside.

You're impossible.

"Imposter Murasaki and Country Bumpkin Genji." Tanehiko's novel.

The young people love it. The publisher can't print enough of them.

That's good.

Tanehiko is a samurai, unlike us.

There's no reason why a samurai can't write a book.

He'd be punished even more severely. Because he's a samurai.

Then why don't you go stop him?

You think you can?

You think I'd stop painting because I feared punishment?

You and Tanehiko are from different classes.

A man with a passion for writing happens to be born a samurai.

Aren't you worried for him?

He put everything he had to say straight onto the page.

That's why it moves the reader.

That's every writer's dream.

He can't stop himself.

Aren't you the same way?

Thank you. Welcome.

I was first! I was before you!

Chapter 4

Choshichi.

Take this to Miss Oei.

Yes.

Master.

Here.

Thank you.

Lord Takaya, do you know a man named Ryutei Tanehiko?

Do you?

No...

I suppose not.

A man of your high morality would never fraternize with a dissident like him.

Remember who you are.

A samurai must not involve himself in such vulgarity.

Ryutei Tanehiko does not exist.

Not now, not ever.

Understand?

Lord Takaya!

Yes.

Come on! Eat up!

Isn't this great? The best!

Have some radish. Thanks.

Master.

Thank you for everything.

I'm sad to leave this place, but please take care.

You too, Kozan.

Yes.

I've gotten used to living in Edo.

I wonder if I can adjust to country life in Obuse.

Come back any time.

Thank you.

I know it's far, but please come to visit me.

There are only mountains, but the food and air taste better there.

150 miles, eh?

I don't know if I can make it.

Write me once in a while.

I will.

Thank you for everything you've done for me.

Kisaburo, sing us that song.

"Asama... "

"Shinano Oiwake"? That's the one.

"The burning fields of Asama Negoshi... "

It's cold today.

You going to quit writing?

I'm torn.

Master,

could you throw it all away for your art?

Miss Oei, your disciples, everything?

A meaningless question. I'm sorry.

Someday,

we'll live in a world where no one can tell us what to do.

I hope I live to see that day.

Me, too.

I...

only do what I can do.

Tanehiko!

What is the meaning of this?

I'm asking you a question.

Kick Tanehiko Ryutei out immediately.

What do you mean?

I'm telling you to kick out the parasite living in your home.

You were housing a thug that offended the shogunate with his trashy novels.

He caused you so much trouble, you kicked him out.

And that's the end of it.

A moment.

I cannot do such a thing.

Hikoshiro Takaya!

You are a samurai, are you not?

Do you know what this means for the House of Takaya?

Do you mean to destroy your name?

Put your family out on the street?

If you kick him out now, I'll forget everything.

Rid yourself!

Of your foolish disposition!

That's all I have to say.

Please wait.

I...

will not.

I will not

stop writing.

I am...

Ryutei Tanehiko.

I cannot rid myself of that.

Father!

My husband

took his own life.

He died like an honorable samurai.

Madam Katsu.

Tanehiko...

Father.

You're going to paint on a day like today?

That's exactly why I'll paint.

Father.

This painting...

If the government sees it,

you will be punished as well.

Oei.

I know what kind of man Tanehiko was.

He would never commit suicide. They shut him up!

Before he could say what he wanted to say!

Father...

Let's leave Edo.

Please.

Just once, will you listen to me?

Father!

Master? Master Hokusai!

Nothing ever changes.

I've been alive for almost 90 years

but I see the same things over and over.

Things will change.

Someday they will...

I'll hold onto this until then.

Thanks.

Kozan.

Yes?

I have a favor to ask.

I want to paint.

I see words in my eyes.

Words?

Yes, words.

I want...

to leave them here.

Yuya Yagira Min Tanaka

Eita Nagayama

Hiroshi Tamaki

Hiroshi Abe

Directed by Hajime Hashimoto