Original subtitles

Shochiku Presentation

Teshigahara Productions Inc. Shochiku Eizo Co. Ltd.

An Itoh and Co. Ltd. and Hakuhodo Inc. Co-production

Dedicated to Isamu NOGUCHI and Sofu TESHIGAHARA

A film by Hiroshi TESHIGAHARA

- Koji. - Yes sir.

- Cut all the flowers in bloom. - Yes.

Welcome, my Lord.

It really woke me up.

Thank you, my liege.

Hmm... I prefer Chojiro's red bowls.

I don't like black.

I have received it.

Excellent, my Lord.

So was it... satisfactory?

Yes...

Well...

You thought I... was too stiff?

It's still boiling!

How many times have you... taught me the tea ceremony?

Since you took me as your tea master...

already five years have passed.

Five years?

~ RIKYU ~

Goa...

Malacca...

Macao...

Tanegashima...

and then Sakai.

Any dangers on the way?

Only twice... but both great perils.

Let us make a toast... to the courage of the Portuguese.

- Cheers... - Cheers.

Both the power and range... have improved most remarkably.

It's true. I'll buy them all.

Thank you.

The captain wishes to present you with this poodle and a globe...

which rotates in a stand.

No stand.

Your highness?

No stand... it doesn't need it.

Lord Tano...

The tea ceremony is ready.

However... do you really think the world is round?

I wonder...

Try to conceive of it.

But I've never seen the world.

Never seen the world?

No, no... well, I mean... it all looks flat.

I trust the globe.

Land has no end.

Only what I see before me exists.

Catholic priests insist on heaven and hell after death.

After death?

What does "after death" mean?

Hideyoshi.

Yes.

You come, too. - Yes.

On Tensho 10... (June 6th, 1582)

Akechi Mitsuhide led his forces in a rebellion against his master, Oda Nobunaga.

On losing the battle, Nobunaga committed suicide at Honno Temple.

Many cherished tea ceremony utensils were completely destroyed.

Excuse me, Sir. Where does Rikyu-san live?

- Rikyu-san? -Yes. - Just there.

- Over there? - Yes.

A European named Stefano is here. He says he wants to see you.

Oh... you are... Lord Nobunaga's page?

Yes.

Lord Nobunaga said that in this case I should come to your house.

Gisuke. - Yes.

Please... come through.

So then... Lord Nobunaga?

He said to come here...

then went back to his room.

He looked like...

when he went into his tearoom.

I took this when I left.

- I remember this. - Yes.

"Land has no end."

So he said.

A letter has come from Matsui-san.

Oh... what's your name?

Stefano.

This is Stefano.

He'll be staying with us.

I'm called Ochiyo.

It's a world globe.

Luis.

Who was it?

Who do you think it was?

Gracia... (Ieyasu's daughter)

Ieyasu.

Katsuie.

Any more?

Bear.

Badger.

Bear.

No more?

Alright... I'll take the Badger.

Too bad!

- Monkey. - What??

Hideyoshi?

I can't believe it.

I win.

Hey... where did you get this news?

The magistrate's office.

No mistake then, eh?

Wasn't Hideyoshi away attacking Takamatsu castle?

But then he came back...

and after a three day campaign he defeated and killed Mitsuhide.

Mitsuhide didn't make it then?

Wasn't strong enough.

- Looks like we'll see more trouble yet. - You can count on it.

Lord Katsuie will never let Hideyoshi get that much power.

Nobunaga had other powerful retainers...

Shibata Katsuie, Niwa and Sakuma were also there.

It'll be a real showdown.

I'll bet on the Monkey.

I don't like him!

Lord Katsuie will win out.

He's a lot better, right?

The Supreme Commander Lord Hideyoshi Toyotomi... enters.

Oh... Justo, come here.

You're a Christian.

Sit closer to the priests.

Christians have pure heart's.

I can tell... with just one look at Ukon.

You priests have come a long way to spread your religion.

That is most praiseworthy.

I'm the Supreme Commander now.

Land, gold or silver...

no more of these do I need for myself.

I shall give my responsibilities to my brother Hidenaga.

So that I may concentrate on conquering Korea and China.

Therefore...

I want you to build me a fleet.

Your country's battleships are strong. So build them strong for me.

'At the same time', yes yes... Therefore...

But neither country wants war.

Neither do I, of course.

So, I sent envoys to demand their subservience.

In the future...

I will make them all Christians.

I want to remain closely linked with you people.

Hidenaga will be at your disposal for public affairs.

For private matters... speak with Sen Rikyu here.

Let's be friends.

Closer, closer... Let the others in so they can see too.

Look! It's all gold!

Beautiful!

A golden tearoom... you'll make one!

- Ah... I'll do it! - Very good.

I did it! I made tea for the Emperor.

Well done, my liege.

You looked really golden.

Really?

Right... let's go!

Stop the bellows.

Soji is intolerable.

Damn, black bowl!

Said you had to appreciate black before you could know the spirit of tea.

Are you listening?

Yes.

He's a strange one.

Black's gloomy.

Banish Soji!

For the second time, my liege?

Second time?

Are you objecting?

I'm sorry to worry you, but...

I must stay loyal to my principles.

Makes me sound unprincipled.

Everyone trusts you, whatever you might think.

It's a good opportunity... for me to go.

Where to?

Tea masters should only be tea masters.

To see your ceremonies used by him... saddens me deeply.

For that matter... I'm no exception.

Black is venerable.

The Lord loves gold.

Nonetheless Soji...

I too see a strange beauty in the gold tearoom.

Sitting inside it...

I feel I'm in something large...

immensely vast.

I wonder why?

That's because it was you who built it.

Because men lust for gold... doesn't detract from it's purity.

You're only being subservient to his Lordship.

You always insist that the tea ceremony... epitomize simplicity and naturalness.

Why can't both be compatible?

They're complete opposites.

Your skin shows you're healthy now.

The breeze at Sakai is so refreshing.

"Beauty Stands Before Us."

You placed that there?

Yes.

It looks very nice.

Lord Hideyoshi's wife said... she would see a woman famous for her beauty.

Well... who was she referring to?

She meant you, of course.

What nonsense!

She requested that you... be her instructor in the tea-ceremony.

- I can't do that. - You should at least try.

I'm interested that more women... learn the way of tea.

So what was the Kinryumaru's cargo?

By Sogyu's request, a great amount of ammunition, so I heard.

He's a very shrewd man.

When they attack Odawara he could make a bundle.

Imai Sokyu's place

have been trying frantically to get weapons and ammunition.

There's no way.

Kamiya Sotan, Shimai Soushitsu...

all the Hakata people are looking for a chance to recuperate their losses.

I've finished Lord Shimai's letter.

You like the tea ceremony?

It's helped me see things... in a new way.

No matter how much tea you drink... your eyes won't change.

You Japanese appreciate calligraphy.

You leave empty space in your paintings.

You even find old bowls beautiful and use them.

To me it's a revelation!

This is good.

Just so-so, no?

Those two belong to Lord Ieyasu Tokugawa.

This one is junk.

It's Lord Geni Maeda's.

Never has had any taste... Geni.

Great color!

You did well.

So light...

It's beautiful.

The clay is good.

You really did it this time.

It feels so nice. This form...

fits the hands perfectly.

This is all new.

Lord Oribe is such a clever man.

A bold one too.

I had it fired in Mino.

The stone arrangement in the garden...

and the design of this bowl...

they make one's heart beat faster.

Times are changing.

I begin to realize it now more than ever.

Your world of creativity... will usher in an era of peace.

It's as though I can see it.

The doctor has arrived.

Thanks for coming.

Excuse me.

You don't need a doctor, my Lord.

Is that so?

Thanks for your efforts.

I see I must rely on your tea ceremony.

Masamune Date still refuses to come.

It could upset the other feudal Lords.

Perform a tea ceremony for him.

But, my lord...

I don't want him to join the enemy.

I don't know...

Just... do your best.

About disarmament...

there are no problems with the temples.

But as for the farmers...

I recommend a strict, regular inspection.

Make stricter inspections of blacksmiths and casters.

Very well, my liege.

And punish all corrupt officials severely.

Yes.

About Masamune Date...

I've sent him many letters urging him to join us.

Still no reply.

You're still too naive.

I shall have him beheaded.

It's come to my attention... that Soji is now staying in Odawara.

Soji is?

He is, my liege.

I believe Rikyu-dono is fully aware of it too.

They were like master and disciple.

Soji is in Odawara.

So that means...

You know very well what that means.

You'll use Rikyu?

Exactly.

And so eliminate Lord Hojo.

However, how do you get in touch with Soji?

We'll use a spy to send him a letter from Rikyu.

Aside from Masamune's matter...

the second issue is that Rikyu won't likely cooperate against Soji.

Still we should avoid unnecessary conflict.

No.

It might work for some, but Soji is too stubborn.

He won't do what we want.

Maybe Rikyu has some ideas.

If only he were a warlord.

If he were with the enemy...

he'd be a man to fear.

And with Soji, too...

Rikyu may already be communicating with him.

Rikyu wouldn't do that... he would never be duplicitous.

Anyway it's Mitsumari's idea... it's not mine.

I don't want to face Ieyasu and Hojo at Odawara while still unsure of Date.

Reconciliation first.

Tell my mother that I and Koichiro are here.

Yes, Sire.

Mother.

Today, I came with Koichiro.

Ah that's nice.

It's been too long, Mother.

I've been so busy recently...

what with all the politics, the tea ceremony...

and that Masamune Date bother, too.

I have to say Mother you're looking great.

Make sure you eat well and above all keep up your moxibustion treatments!

Brother's been neglecting his moxibustion as usual...

and now he's ill again.

- No, no... - You're being bad.

- It's nothing to do with moxibustion. - Of course it is.

Anyway, son...

I'm doing all right...

thanks to your support.

But...

I feel mighty sad for my girls.

They went and married those warlords,

just 'cause you said they had to.

I feel sorry for them... real sorry.

Remember...

you served the Emperor.

Behave like it!

What are you saying?

I was just the wife... of a poor peasant farmer...

Mother!

You served the Emperor.

I'm sure I never deserved such an honor.

You must make people believe you did.

Why?

You look nice in those clothes, don't you think?

Isn't that right, Kochiro?

Onene... let me rest here.

Politics can be so tiring, can't they.

They make me hungry.

Let me eat here.

What would you like?

Anything. Soup and dried fish'll be fine.

Only that again?

I always eat too much of everything else.

I'm so very tired.

It was embarrassing.

Mother cried again.

She's still whining about those daughters I married off.

I'm afraid she's getting senile.

Well... mustn't speak ill of your mother.

Whatever you may think...

times have changed.

She can't go see those married girls whenever she feels like it.

You've accepted change because you succeeded by changing things yourself.

But your mother's different.

Are you blaming me?

No. Not at all.

Your mother has no greed.

She's still a humble woman.

That's why people find her so charming.

Then...

are you saying I'm a picture of universal greed?

You are your mother's son. You're the picture of humility.

What a woman!

You never stop talking back.

And when I'm so tired.

The Lord will soon be here.

It pleases me...

that you're pregnant, Lady Ochacha.

We eagerly await the birth of the Lord's son and heir.

Is the Lord's wife well?

Yes. She's studying the tea-ceremony.

From time to time, Rikyu's wife, Riki meets her.

To instruct her?

She may be Rikyu-dono's wife...

but a woman instructor... that's too much.

My uncle is teaching me the tea-ceremony.

There's nothing wrong with women studying it.

But the art was developed for samurai.

Now even merchants are beginning to practice it.

I hate such a lowering of standards.

My uncle much admires Rikyu's tea ceremony.

Rikyu-dono takes advantage of the Lord's favour.

And he's collaborating with a most suspicious potter.

One who sells junk at incredibly high prices.

The Lord ordered Rikyu to hold a tea ceremony...

to persuade Date to be more compliant.

We're facing the real possibility...

that even more power might devolve to Rikyu... without his even trying.

I'd like to witness Rikyu perform a tea ceremony.

The Lord arrives!

How are you?

Feeling fine?

Yes, thank you, my Lord.

Your stomach's huge.

The baby often kicks.

The baby kicks?

There! It just kicked!

Kicked... just now?

It kicked! It kicked!

I heard that Kokei was pardoned.

That's right... thanks mostly to Lord Hidenaga's intervention.

That's great, no?

Have you seen the new main gate?

Yes. It pleases me... that it was finished so beautifully.

It's such a wonderful gift.

No, please...

This is the one place where my heart can truly find peace.

It just so happens that Hasegawa Tohaku is here now.

Oh... the painter?

I've just finished it.

In honour of your pardon and return from exile.

This is the best gift I've ever seen.

Oh... he has a rare talent.

Only he could have painted it.

Please, you're embarrassing me.

By the way, will you do us a favour?

Certainly.

The main gate is now completed.

But... it lacks a critical element.

Do you know what that is?

What do you mean?

A statue of yourself.

No. That's...

All great temple gates bear the image of their patron... it's accepted practice.

I've also heard that.

That would be going too far.

We'll have Tohaku design one and ask Ankei to carve it.

No. I'm serious.

Let's do it.

Please, for the sake of the temple.

Let us hurry on horseback to our destination.

Let us hurry on horseback to our destination.

Our hearts are soaring so high above the clouds.

I am the Lord Hideyoshi Hashiba,

Lord of Chikuzen Province...

I feel better.

Your tea is truly medicinal.

Recently...

you've had a great deal to worry about.

My brother has become... so selfish and arrogant.

Having succeeded... he finds the top of the mountain very lonely.

Masamune has become your disciple, right?

He's charmed by you.

My brother is delighted, too.

Thank you, my liege.

Delighted, but...

he still has his doubts.

Geni Maeda is speaking ill of you.

Has something bad happened?

Maybe just my expert opinion.

How's that?

It was merely a trifle...

You refused to give it?

Yes.

So that's it...

And now... Mistunari Ishida and the other magistrates

are denouncing you as a nuisance.

What a mess!

This assault on the Hojos...

now the attack on China.

Yes.

Will you find me a nice tea bowl?

Do you have any... particular preference?

Whatever you think best.

A new one...

Let's see... colourful. A red one might be nice.

As you wish, my liege.

Good.

They're very good.

Excuse me.

Could you give us a few bamboos.

Take any you like.

Yes.

Could you cut that one?

Yes.

Many warlords have pitched their camps near here.

Will they really fight?

I doubt it. The Hojo are boxed in. They're almost finished.

I wonder how Soji-sama is doing.

Will you go around back?

Master!

Soji...!?

Yes.

It's good to see you.

Me too.

Come in.

- Master... - What?

I believed I was a full-fledged tea-ceremony master.

Then I came to realize I was thinking in the wrong way.

I dwelled too much on trifles.

- Could you give me an example? - Yes.

Considering the worth of the valuable old utensils...

while using them to prepare tea... is an obstacle.

I'm ashamed.

So, you were...

still thinking about the utensils that way?

I was. - Well, well.

Maybe the endless path to the truth of tea is to see the utensils... not their value.

You are absolutely right.

Now I can return to Odawara without regrets.

Are you really going back?

I made a promise.

To whom?

Lord Genan Hojo.

I was under the impression that he had released you.

Well yes...

Soji... the way goes through the battlefield.

I know.

It's virtually impossible to get back through all that.

I must go back... no matter what!

Is Genan that important?

Yes.

You never change.

Why not enjoy the opportunity... and stay here a little longer?

Yes... I'd like that.

It's been too long since I enjoyed your tea ceremony.

We'll wait...

That's it... we'll wait for the right time...

and visit his Lordship when he's in a good mood.

Soji... I'm pleased.

It's been a long time.

Yes.

Come closer... let me take a better look at you.

Yes.

I too... am delighted to see your Lordship well.

You haven't changed a bit, eh?

Thank you, my Lord.

Listen, Soji...

I trust everyone in Odawara knows that the Hojos are finished...

even you Soji.

Yes.

You're not even on the Hojo payroll, yet you came here defying all danger.

I respect that.

Yes... Thank you, my Lord.

Therefore, I shall pardon you...

and employ you with the same salary as before.

You want more pay?

Not at all, my Lord.

Having such wealth... I've never... even considered it.

But... something prevents me at this time...

What... becoming a tea-master?

What is it... explain!

Soji!

I must keep a promise to Genan Hojo in Odawara.

Rikyu told me you've been instructing this Genan in the way of tea.

But this is my order.

You shall accept it... and work for me!

Do not refuse me!

Lord... please allow me to decline!

I must go back no matter what.

I must return to Odawara.

I cannot break a promise...

even though it's perilous to keep.

Shut up!

Is this promise more important to you than my command?

It's not that, my lord!

Indeed it is!

Because Genan's the head of the Hojo Clan...

you feel he's more important than I am!

I beseech you!

Allow me to return to Odawara!

Please!

I order his head be cut off!

Slice off his ears and nose too!

I made a terrible mistake.

Soji, forgive me.

About the image, perhaps another time...

I'm sorry for what happened.

I see now...

I'm little more than a caricature of myself.

I don't understand what he meant by that.

Master Rikyu could've saved him.

Only he was away just then.

He was waiting on a courtier.

But, why did Master Rikyu let Soji-sama go see Lord Hideyoshi alone?

Why not wait?

He thought it best that Soji not try to go back to Odawara.

But it's a fact that Soji's death makes his position more secure.

I don't believe it... How could you say such a thing?

Anyway, it's too late.

He's his Lordship's man...

doing whatever the Lord says.

I heard that Soji was executed.

Why couldn't Rikyu save him?

Soji's relatives are angry.

Is that so?

Even Hideyoshi respects Rikyu... I just can't understand it.

It's just not done!

Good, good... You did really well.

Yahei-sama (Rikyu) is here.

Welcome back.

You look like you've lost weight.

Yes... Odawara was terribly hot.

It was really hard.

That's too bad.

I thought maybe it was Soji's tragedy.

Actually... it was just a bad stomach.

I got over it quickly.

By the way...

will you go to China with Lord Hideyoshi... presuming he goes?

Of course... if he orders me to.

It seems like all Japan will move there.

They'll build tearooms, hold tea ceremonies...

They'll even have Noh dramas.

We'll have our own places in China.

Well, that's good to hear.

Indeed.

So my thinking... goes something like this:

How about a Noh drama on the invasion of China?

We could start preparations right away...

and ask his Lordship to play himself as the hero of the piece.

If only this attack proves as successful as the one on Akechi.

Well... I can see what you mean.

China is a very large country...

invading it might not be as easy as defeating the Akechi clan.

Well, I didn't mean it quite like that.

I see. You're quite right.

More water, please.

- I'm back. - Welcome home.

Your brother came to see me.

Really?

To chatter away again?

He talked about nothing but Noh drama.

At Lord Hideyoshi's wife's mansion, I heard that...

the Catholic priests... will be sent home.

I see... I feared so.

Stefano too...

It'll be hard for him to stay.

"A fine horse tied to a thatch house?" What does it mean?

How would you interpret it?

Well... thatch houses represent poverty.

But expensive tea utensils are a luxury,

so using expensive utensils... is ostentatious.

No... that's not it.

A straw-thatched teahouse is simple and undecorated...

However, more than a fine horse, the purity of heart...

of those assembled within imbues it with a fine elegance.

That's the meaning, no?

Ahh... the "fine horse" symbolizes this elegance of heart?

I think so.

The essence of a good tea ceremony isn't just a case of mental quietude.

I guess not.

This tea-ceremony has been a great adventure for my heart.

Adventure?

Will you perform the tea ceremony back home, too?

Yes.

But the tea ceremony is very difficult.

- Don't take it too seriously. - Oh...?

Just do what feels... true and natural to you.

That's the only true tea ceremony.

A farewell gift.

Thanks.

I won't see you any more.

But we'll both live on the same globe.

Yes.

"Land has no end."

"Indeed land has no end."

So it is.

Ieyasu has courted Masamune Date...

and they have now formed a closer alliance.

Do you think... he would really rebel against you?

No, but still... it's not good for us.

No...

We can not afford to have anyone... criticize the proposed invasion of China.

Doubt could translate into casualties.

Firm control and absolute order must be strictly enforced.

Just as the scales of a fish lie in perfect order...

So must lords be lords, judges judges,

treasurers treasurers and tea-masters must only be tea-masters.

The unification of a country cannot be achieved by force alone.

However, Lord Ieyasu still hesitates to join our invasion of China.

Some how we have to find a way to make him want to join us.

We have only one choice... simply tighten the screws on him.

You can't just tighten the screws.

In return he might tighten the screws on us...

One must be careful... with a man of his stature.

Koichiro... you'd better rest.

Someone... get him some help.

- Attendant? - Yes!

I have to go.

All the same...

we'd best keep a close watch on Lord Ieyasu.

He's begun a survey... of all the land in his Kanto fief.

That in itself is an act of defiance against you.

Rikyu.

What do you think... about Lord Ieyasu?

Well... I have to agree with Lord Hidenaga.

Lord Ieyasu is administering his fief in accordance...

with Lord Hideyoshi's policies.

He acts, not from personal ambition, but in accordance with the law.

I cannot agree... with what you say.

He's a man of some intelligence.

To outwit him, we should use one of Rikyu's tea ceremonies.

Rikyu...

persuade Ieyasu... to join our invasion of China.

If he's in a tearoom...

we can use something stronger than persuasion.

This was confiscated from a European who was executed.

A little green bottle of powder.

Just a spoonful...

will send anyone to a peaceful rest.

You'll need this at the tea ceremony.

Is this Lord Hideyoshi's wish?

You may think... as you like.

I am honored that you summoned me here, Lord Ishida Mitsunari.

At the December performance,

your disciple was greatly praised for his dancing.

It's evidence of your great skill, in that you trained him so well.

Thank you. He has talent.

I also enjoyed the banquet.

As I remember... you were rather drunk.

Oh no... you're embarrassing me.

By the way, what was it that you were saying that evening?

Perhaps you could confirm what I remember you saying.

Lord Rikyu said,

"An invasion of China won't be like the attack on Akechi."

Yes, well something along those lines.

How exactly did he say it?

His exact words.

How do you mean?

We were only chatting on the veranda and I...

Hiding won't do you any good.

I'm not trying to hide anything.

Then, tell me what was said.

Very well, sir.

List of Tea Utensils for Lord Ieyasu.

Green Glass Bottle

Now it's ready.

My dear, are you feeling ill?

No, not at all.

You look pale.

I'm all right.

Master.

A letter has come from Lord Hosokawa.

Lord Hosokawa?

"This morning, Geni Maeda's men arrived...

at the temple gate to inspect your wooden effigy."

We've come to inspect Sen Rikyu's statue.

Hurry up, let us see it.

Please wait while I call the head priest.

Why should we wait.

I can't let you in without a reason.

I'm the temple magistrate! Out of our way!!

Immediately unlock the gate!

Ahh... that's it.

- What's going on? - You can't enter here.

This is my temple! Withdraw.

Murakami-sama...

Don't you touch that.

I'm inspecting it.

Is anything wrong?

No... just says he'll visit us soon.

What are you doing up this late?

Please bring our very best bowl?

Yes.

Will you take it with this letter...

to Lord Hosokawa in the morning?

Can you tell why?

His lordship's mind... has gone beyond my understanding.

Tomorrow...

I believe Lord Ieyasu knows everything.

He'd help you...

you'd only have to ask him, don't you agree?

This abalone... is very good... easy to chew...

it's perfect!

Even in Edo, it's very hard to find.

Edo city is still new.

There's none of the fine things here available in Osaka and Kyoto.

They say... Edo will become more prosperous in the future...

than either Osaka or Kyoto.

Still... I have my doubts.

For some time yet, it will remain a wilderness.

Is that imported?

Yes.

It shines in an unusual way.

Ieyasu...

Lord Ieyasu... what do you think about life?

Life means that I can see tomorrow.

Is there something the matter?

Nothing.

I will have some too.

I think of every tearoom I build as the last one.

Still, I notice many unessential things.

There's no "last" to anything.

Every ending... is the beginning of something new.

Isn't that right?

Well said.

Indeed you are a man who lives for the future.

Not so much as you do.

It was excellent.

Lord Hosokawa is here to see you. He says it's urgent.

I showed him in.

I see.

You have kindly given me something I've always wanted.

Lord Ieyasu left a while ago.

I've just been sitting here since then.

Did he tell you anything special?

No, not a thing.

I expected to learn...

from today's meeting with Lord Ieyasu...

if he might be willing to help you.

I honestly think... we should now speak to Lord Maeda of Kaga.

Still at this age I'm so thoughtless... to cause you all this trouble.

I apologize for that.

Neither Oribe nor I can help you.

How I wish that Lord Hidenaga were still alive... to help.

Things will proceed as they must.

Please don't concern yourself about me.

Ieyasu attended a tea ceremony at Rikyu's house...

and then returned to his fief.

Is that so?

He went home...?

How is Rikyu doing?

I hear he has a fever and stays in bed.

The timing seems rather convenient.

What's his wooden statue like?

It looks exactly like him.

However...

what's more serious is that he criticizes the planned invasion of China.

He also says this will not be like your defeat of Akechi.

Not only is he opposed to the attack...

he even says your defeat of Akechi was an easy matter.

That's none of your business. Go.

It was right after I'd taken revenge on Akechi.

You built this tearoom in honour...

of my unification of the nation.

The country still smelled of gunpowder.

I was surprised... when I first entered this room...

because you had made everything so compact.

Thank you.

I was proud to have you as my tea instructor.

This room was where you and I could be together.

I deeply appreciate, my Lord... your kind words.

In here, there's no wall to stand between us.

Approach.

You can say anything you like...

without reserve.

You can criticize me, you can scold me... as you wish.

There is nothing I would wish to say.

I can't believe there's nothing... nothing you want to say.

There must be something you want to say.

It's honour enough...

that you should allow me to be here in your presence.

All right, all right.

You're pleased with yourself.

Many times you have shown your perfection in the tea ceremony...

and perfection in the arrangement of flowers.

Each time you did... it made me feel how powerless I am.

How can you say that, my Lord?

You never cease to be thoughtful and teach me the way.

Recently, I got a wonderful thing. I'll show you something quite good.

This piece here.

I'll put it down here.

Beautiful plum blossoms!

Will you arrange them for me?

As easily as that...

and you've changed blossoms into beauty.

In the whole world...

I've never met another man like you.

You think you're capable...

of changing the world just as easily, don't you?

You think I'm something like that branch.

Certainly not, my Lord.

Certainly not... so you say?

But that's exactly how you think.

That annoying wooden statue!

Your own image over the gate.

It was thoughtless of me.

It's too late to apologize!

Kokei says it's all his doing,

that it was just a mistake having that statue carved.

It was no mistake!

He's just trying to shield you, isn't he!?

You surmise correctly, my Lord.

Well... the statue matters little.

You put it over the gate...

it's like you and I like that.

Did Ieyasu go back to Edo?

Yes.

I'm sorry I bothered you.

I worried about it.

I was relieved to hear he went home safely.

Thanks to you, we enjoyed a calm and peaceful tea ceremony.

What did he say about our intention to invade China?

What did he say?

We didn't talk about it.

What?

Rikyu...

did you really say that an attack on China would not be easy for me?

That the battle against Akechi was all that I could manage?

What was meant... Well, maybe you're right.

But to me...

an attack on China is no more difficult than the attack on Akechi.

My revenge on Akechi was far more dangerous.

When my master Nobunaga was assassinated...

my fellow retainers could have changed sides and betrayed me.

I would have been left entirely on my own facing the mass of all their armies.

Compared with that, the attack on China...

is no greater challenge to me... Do you understand me, Rikyu?!

Do you still say it will be harder than against Akechi?

In this matter...

I will accept whatever punishment you see fit to give me.

But... the attack on China will be like no previous battle.

To start with... the enemy will be foreigners.

And your forces will fight on foreign soil.

And get there by ship, crossing stormy seas...

That's not your concern.

My Lord!

Listen to me a bit more.

All right, all right... I know you're right.

I know... it's no easy thing to conquer the world.

Let me speak honestly.

You mother is over eighty...

and your son is still only two years old.

At this stage, you should be taking care of yourself...

Enough!

I had no idea you were so concerned about my welfare.

Don't be so meddlesome.

Be modest, as an old man should be.

Because I've shown you a little favour... you've become very big headed.

You talk too much.

Allow me to tell you this at least:

Most of your Lords... are privately reluctant to invade China.

You're insolent!

Your face sickens me.

Go! Go!

This is Lord Hideyoshi's pronouncement.

His Lordship considers Lord Rikyu's recent conduct...

as insolent.

You are sentenced to immediate exile...

to remain in Sakai until further notice.

Prepare to leave at once.

As I see it... this punishment is actually quite lenient.

This won't be all... I suspect.

Enough...

we have all we need.

Riki sent me a letter.

I feel sorry for her.

Rikyu helped you greatly with his way of the tea.

So Rikyu now... is no longer needed?

If Rikyu regrets and apologizes...

will you forgive him?

There you go.

I would ask you to.

How do you want me to reply to Lady Yura?

Just extend our sincere thanks.

I understand.

So then... what words of apology should I use?

What do you mean, apology?

But... without an apology... the letter will be without meaning.

Exactly so... that's why you should just thank Lady Yura politely for her kindness.

Lord Hideyoshi's wife and his mother would intercede...

if only you would apologize... just tell Lord Hideyoshi that you're sorry.

That's what she says in the letter.

Why does everyone...

want me to be a coward?

Yura-sama's letter represents your last chance.

I beg you... please accept her kindness.

No.

I can't accept her way out.

What is it that I should apologize for? Wall hanging: "Beauty Stands Before Us."

If I write in the letter... merely...

a few apologetic words...

That won't be necessary!

But in that case...

his Lordship could do anything to you.

Doesn't that... concern you at all?

These plans of his to invade China... who honestly agrees with them?

Everyone knows in their heart except his Lordship...

that it will bring none of us any good.

It would have been better... if I'd said more.

I feel ashamed that I said it only once.

I want to stand before him and shout it out.

Riki... I've done nothing... for which I should apologize to his Lordship.

I've done nothing wrong.

Even if you don't regret it...

please offer a simple apology and save your life.

If you give up this chance... you're accepting to die.

I might still be alive, but...

I don't think I could live like that.

When you're dead... what can you accomplish then?

Just to prove a point to Hideyoshi... you're willing to accept death?

Why... why is it so difficult for you?

Your family...

or that man... which is more important...?

Riki... it's not just a question of my pride.

If I apologize...

then for the rest of my life...

I'll never be able to hold my head up.

Wouldn't that bother you?

Riki answered my letter. This is her reply.

You should have stayed out of this.

There's still some space over there.

Yes, you're right.

You say something?

No.

Have you ever seen screens like this?

Only here.

It's like a dream.

This is the first time we've been alone together in this house.

Lord Ishida has arrived.

You called for me, my Lord?

Convey my order to that bald-head... to cut his belly.

"bald-head" - slang for monk.

I mean Rikyu.

Yes...?

Isn't killing himself enough?

It's a decision that only your Lordship could have made.

It gives me great relief.

You underestimated me.

You underestimated me.

Master...

What is it?

I just started a new tearoom.

I leave it to you to finish.

Move!

Lords Oribe and Hosokawa, I wonder...

what they'll think of it.

Close it!

You're a good boy.

That's the way, that's the way...

Here we go!

On Tensho 19, February 28, 1591 Rikyu committed ritual suicide.

Directed by - Hiroshi TESHIGAHARA