A month ago.
He is?
Why have they kept that from us?
They're not agreed on who's going to succeed him.
The Castle Warden, Lord Hori, has asked the Shogun...
...for permission to adopt His Lordship's third boy, Tadaatsu...
...and seize control himself.
If that happens the clan will split, and blood will wash away blood.
I might not come through this unscathed myself.
So if you could give me an answer before I leave for Edo...
All right.
I'll answer you.
I'm very grateful to Tomoe for all she's done for my daughters...
...all the cooking and sewing and everything else.
It's like a dream come true.
However...
...having her come to my house as my wife is something else again.
She's a daughter of the Iinumas, a 400-koku family.
She doesn't know what life is like for a 50-koku petty samurai.
Are you sure you're not under-estimating her?
She's very much her own woman.
It'd be fine at the start.
But when it sunk in that 50-koku would be her life forever...
...she'd be sorry.
My late wife was.
Hers was a 150-koku family.
She never got used to the fall in status.
'Rise in the world,' she told me, 'or my family will grieve.'
She said that all the time after she got sick.
I don't want to put Tomoe through that torment.
Tomoe's not 15 or 16.
I'm sure she'd thought about what she said.
No more.
Let's forget this.
Let's try up there.
It's a girl!
What a stink!
Rise to Lord Buddha.
Eat your fill in heaven!
Let's call it a day.
From that day on, Miss Tomoe stopped coming...
...to our house.
Make way!
Stand aside!
We're turning!
The Warden has returned!
Go!
What's that?
It's the alarm!
Stop what you're doing and listen.
I have important news from Lord Hori, Castle Warden...
...who returned this morning from Edo.
The 12th head of the Unasaka Clan, Lord Tadatomo, died of measles...
...at the beginning of this month.
He was 32 years old.
He was a good and wise ruler, intelligent and tolerant...
...a true hero.
Only last spring we had the honor of meeting him...
...and having him speak to us.
Iguchi, you haven't forgotten that, I'm sure.
What a fine and gentle man he was!
Senior retainers will remain in the castle.
The rest of you are to leave and pray for the repose of His Lordship's soul.
This could mean open war!
I doubt that...
...but Lord Hori's sure to go after His Lordships reformers.
'Dispositions'?
Yes.
Which side is our Commissioner on?
The reformers, or the Hori faction?
He'll be with the mainstream.
Just like me.
While there were fearsome rumors that the Castle was preparing for war...
...it didn't seem to involve petty samurai like my father.
All right?
We wanted to ask Father why Miss Tomoe no longer came...
...but for some reason we couldn't.
This was because even in our children's hearts...
...we knew something had happened between them.
Squire Iguchi!
I'm sorry you've come for nothing. My husband isn't back from Edo.
I expect him in a day or two.
Has he written anything about what's happening in Edo?
No.
There was a letter yesterday...
...but all he talked about was what he wants to eat when he gets home.
That's good.
I'm sure you know they're handing down dispositions.
Some people have even been ordered to commit suicide.
I was worried about what might have happened to Iinuma.
I'm happy to hear he's all right.
Give him my regards when he gets home.
You came just for that?
Yes.
Good day.
It was very kind of you.
Carry on.
Where's Squire Iguchi?
He went away.
Where are you going?
Squire Iguchi may still be close by.
Why do you want to see him?
No reason in particular.
I haven't seen him for a while. I'd like to say hello.
Wait!
Tomoe...
...it is unseemly for a young woman to be seen talking...
...with some samurai on the street.
And you are a returned bride with a proposal being discussed.
You shouldn't be doing that in broad daylight with people around.
I've been meaning to tell you that for a long time now.
What's wrong with a girl talking to a samurai?
Are you questioning your elder brother's wife?
Shouldn't I?
You should not.
A young woman does not question her elders.
With 60 from last month, that comes to 550 mon.
Could I have a receipt?
You know the bath fee went up to seven mon last month.
Prices are going up everywhere.
Could you pay more for these cages?
With things as unsettled as they are...
...no one's buying insect cages.
Could you ask your boss for me?
Well, I'll ask.
I take this work as seriously as my duties.
I understand that.
If you'll excuse me.
Come on.
We're not thieves.
We're just picking up some insect cages from Squire Iguchi.
Is he doing piece-work?
Hello!
Who is it?
Commissioner Kusaka.
It's very late, I know.
I'd like you to accompany me to Lord Hori's quarters.
Yes, sir.
They said you don't need full formal dress.
Just a hakama skirt.
So you're Iguchi's girl? How old are you?
Five.
You're a sweetheart.
I'm ready.
Kayano... you all get to bed.
Let's sleep.
Seibei Iguchi, of the Castle Stores...
That'll do.
Iguchi, come over here.
We called you here this late because an awkward situation has arisen.
You know there was a revolt among our retainers in Edo?
Yes, sir.
Fortunately no word of this reached the Shogun.
His Lordship ordered Shima Hasegawa and his faction to commit suicide.
But one of Lord Hasegawa's men, Zenemon Yogo, Master of the Watch...
...says he was merely following the orders of his superior...
...asks why he should be punished, and refuses to commit suicide.
'If you want me dead, come and kill me,' he says!
And with these disgraceful words, has barricaded himself in his house.
This evening we sent our Master of Foot, Genba Hattori, against him.
Zenemon Yogo! I come by order of the clan!
But he died himself.
Yogo's a 'one-sword' fighter.
No one in the clan is his match.
We were talking about who to send against him...
...and your name came up.
Iguchi, raise your head.
You're a 'short-sword' fighter of the Toda school?
It's been years since Toda-sensei taught me.
I merely attended his dojo.
We don't have time for modesty.
We've learned that you were an instructor at his dojo.
He must be beaten inside his house. The short sword will help there.
That is another reason we have chosen you.
Kill Zenemon Yogo by twilight tomorrow.
That is an order from your clan's Senior Retainer.
Kusaka... what's this man's stipend?
50 koku.
20 koku bespoken, for a net of 30.
That must be hard, with two young daughters and an aged mother.
Bring us the head of Zenemon Yogo...
...and life will be easier.
Do you accept?
Answer him.
This is an honor.
You shut up!
Well?
By your leave...
I am ashamed to say that over many years of hardship...
...with two daughters, a sick wife and an aged mother...
...I have lost the desire to wield a sword.
A serious fight, the killing of a man...
...requires animal ferocity and calm disregard for one's own life.
I have neither of those within me now.
Perhaps in a month...
...alone with the beasts in the hills I could get them back.
But tomorrow, I am afraid, is completely impossible.
I ask that you extend the honor of this commission...
...to another man.
What complete and utter nonsense!
We are not here for foolishness from a petty samurai!
Your clan orders you to kill Yogo.
Do you understand that?
The Clan's orders are His Lordship's orders.
The very thought of refusal is an offense!
You are relieved of your post! You are expelled from the clan!
Please, Warden...
What do you say, Iguchi? Do you accept?
Of course he does!
Don't you!
May I request an evening or two...
...in which to give my answer?
You may not!!
You will answer now!
I obey.
I accept the commission...
...to kill Zenemon Yogo.
Well said!
An officer will call at the hour of the snake.
Be ready.
Withdraw.
Iguchi...
Don't worry. Who's Zenemon Yogo anyway?
You're sure to win.
I have decided exactly that.
Good.
One should, however, always prepare for the worst.
That's true. The worst can always happen.
In that event, Commissioner, this will be farewell.
Thank you for everything you've done for me.
Please convey my regards to my colleagues in Stores.
I understand. And, uh...
...I'll take responsibility for those you leave behind.
I'll see they're looked after.
That's a relief to hear.
All the best to you.
A strange noise made me open my eyes.
Looking for the sound, I saw my father sharpening his sword.
He looked so strange it was hard to believe he was my father.
I still remember clearly how he looked that night.
'The Heart Sutra:'
'The Bodhisatva clearly saw the emptiness of the five states...'
'...thus relieving misfortune and pain.'
'Form is only emptiness, emptiness only form...'
We're going.
Kayano!
'The Master said: a man cunning of word and smiling of face...'
'...is rarely benevolent. Tseng Tzu said: Each day...'
Naota, do something for me.
Yup.
You know Miss Tomoe's house in Nishikicho, don't you?
Yup.
Go there, and speak to Miss Tomoe.
Now, this is important.
You have to see Miss Tomoe herself.
And then say...
'...I'm really very sorry, but could you come right away?'
'I'll explain why when you get here.'
All right?
'I'm really very sorry...'
'...but could you come right away?'
'I'll explain why...'
Uh, 'I'll explain why...'
'I'll explain why when you get here.'
'When you get here.'
That's fine. Hurry.
Look where she laid her egg!
'Could you come...'
'I'll explain why when you get here.'
Whatever's the matter at this hour?
I'm really very sorry...
...but could you come right away?
When you get here... uh...
He'll explain why?
Squire Seibei sent you to tell me that?
All right. I'll get ready.
I didn't think you'd come.
The clan's ordered me to go and fight...
...another retainer.
I'm going out under orders, so I must be properly dressed...
...and I can't do my hair alone.
I'm in a bind, so I asked you to come.
If you can spare the time, could you help me?
When do you have to go?
The hour of the snake.
There's not much time.
Where's your kimono?
It's laid out over there.
Naota, boil some water.
Who's coming for you?
A clan officer.
Naota, go out and wait by the gate.
Sit down. I'll comb your hair.
May I ask why...
...you're going out to fight?
I can't refuse a clan order.
Petty I may be, but I'm still a samurai.
Bamboo baskets, hampers!
Your elder brother...
...asked if I would take you as my wife.
I refused.
Did you know that?
Yes, I did.
But...
But since that day...
...when I told him no...
...I've started thinking about you.
Now I think of it, ever since we were small...
...and I made dolls to give you...
...I always dreamed one day you'd come to me as my wife.
That dream stayed with me even after I got married...
...and you married Koda.
It's never faded.
I'm going out now to fight to the death.
I'm going to win, and return to this house.
At that time, if I were to ask you...
...to be my wife...
...would you accept?
A few days ago I had a proposal...
...from a retainer in Aizu.
I accepted.
I've been very rude.
I should never have asked you to come here.
No.
I'm happy you asked me.
I've been a fool.
Please forget everything I've said.
Really? A retainer from Aizu...
That sounds like an excellent arrangement.
Are they here?
Yup.
Well, I'll be going.
Thank you very much for everything.
Um...
...I'm afraid I can't wait here until you come back.
I pray with all my heart...
...that luck is with you and you come back safely.
Naota, see Miss Tomoe home when she goes.
Take care of the girls.
Mrs Iguchi...
...how are you today?
Fine, thank you.
Of which household would you be the daughter?
Me?
I am...
...Squire Seibei's childhood friend...
...Tomoe.
Sir...
Squire Iguchi?
Zenemon Yogo has closed himself in with the shutters down.
That is Genba Hattori, Master of Foot.
We should remove his corpse...
...but no one can get in.
Take care.
Zenemon Yogo is no longer human. He is a beast!
Leave to enter!
Sir Twilight...
So they sent you...
Zenemon Yogo... by order of the clan, I come for your life.
Draw your sword, please.
Have a drink?
I know you're all keyed up, but I'm going to run.
Run?
Yep.
I want you let me get away. If you please.
I didn't expect that from the clan's best one-sword man.
My orders are to kill you. I can't let you escape.
Don't be so impatient. You can kill me any time.
I'd like to talk to you.
Have a seat.
It's a nice day.
Sit down.
What's going on?
They're talking.
Even if you escaped, where would you go?
Over that mountain I'm out of the clan's domain.
There are masterless samurai everywhere.
I can lose myself in them, go to Kyoto, to Edo...
If I do that for a few years...
...the world will have changed.
The samurai's day is done.
This isn't the time for that talk.
Pick up your sword, please.
I am under orders from the clan to...
Like hell!
You're the clan's errand boy, out to claim a reward.
Have a drink. I was an errand boy, too.
I served Lord Shigemasa Toki.
Twelve years ago he was ordered to commit suicide...
...after a power struggle within his clan.
Then I wandered for seven years with my wife and daughter...
...in search of a new situation.
Seven?
With no income?
Of course not.
I did manual labor and helped peasants plant and harvest...
...to get a little rice.
Or we'd slink into a temple and beg alms there sometimes.
Three years ago the Unasaka clan made me an official retainer...
...but by then hardship had killed my wife.
I'm good with a sword, but I'm hard to get along with...
...and I can't hold my liquor.
But this time I promised myself things would be different.
I would do my duty as a true Unasaka retainer.
I worked hard to do that.
My superior was Lord Shima Hasegawa.
He liked me, and did all he could for me.
To me...
...the tasks he assigned were the tasks of the clan.
His orders were the clan's orders, and I carried them out faithfully.
What was wrong with that, Twilight?
Why do I have to cut open my stomach?
I haven't come here to answer...
...that kind of question.
I heard your wife died of consumption. Is that true?
I'm surprised you know that.
And her fever went up as night came on?
Yes.
Consumption is a hard disease. And it's catching.
My daughter died of consumption she caught from her mother.
You're not the only one who's suffered.
How old was your daughter?
Sixteen.
When she should have been a bud swelling into bloom...
...she died.
Nothing but skin and bones. A sad, sad sight.
I'm very sorry to hear that.
Her ashes.
She was a pretty girl, with pale skin.
I guess Lord Hasegawa took pity on me.
He gave me money for a funeral well above my station.
If only for that...
...I'm very much in Lord Hasegawa's debt.
What's your stipend?
50 koku.
A sick wife, and children, all on 50 koku?
That must be hard.
Doctor and medicine alone cost a ryo and 2 bu a month.
Piece work wouldn't cover that.
I borrowed from relatives, but it still wasn't enough.
Sometimes we didn't even have tomorrow's rice left.
I know how bad it feels to see the bottom of your rice chest.
You've had hard times, too.
Where I really ran into trouble was my wife's funeral.
The family's main branch wanted a funeral that wouldn't shame them.
I couldn't afford it.
I was desperate, so I finally sold my sword.
It was a fine sword I'd inherited from my father...
...but I figured the age of the sword was over.
I'm afraid this is just bamboo.
You're going to kill me with a bamboo sword?
No.
I learned short-sword from Toda-sensei.
I meant to fight with that.
Short-sword?
You mean to kill me with some kind of cheap trick?
You're not taking me seriously, are you.
Wait!
I won't have it!
I only told you that because you wanted me to let you go!
Draw!
Sir!
You're very good...
If you want to run, now's your chance.
After I kill you.
Draw!
Sir! There's still time to stop.
Calm down and think!
You haven't rested since yesterday.
You're already breathing hard.
You mock me.
Sir! Continue this and I'll cut you down.
Is that what you want?
That's fine by me.
Draw.
You've cut me, Twilight.
This is what you get for taking me lightly.
Have a seat.
Will you let me go, Twilight?
That was...
...my intention.
It's dark.
I can't see.
Hell.
Twilight...
Is it over?
He's all yours.
Careful!
He's dead!
Ito...
Go buy some tofu.
Don't lose the money.
Miss Kayano!
It's the Master!
Ito...
...I'm home.
Miss Tomoe! Father's back!
You're still here...
Thank heaven!
I was sure...
...you were dead!
Finally Miss Tomoe became our mother.
My father was happy.
But peace prevailed in our house for less than three years.
With the Meiji Restoration came civil war.
Our clan supported the former Shogun...
...and fought as rebels against the emperor's government.
During this 'Boshin War'...
...my father was shot and killed.
Tomoe took us, her step-daughters, to Edo, now 'Tokyo'...
...and supported us until we were both married.
Now she sleeps with my father beneath this stone.
In the new Meiji era, many men who had worked with my father...
...rose to positions of great authority.
I often heard them say...
...that 'Twilight Seibei was an unlucky man.'
But I do not agree.
My father had no desire to rise in the world...
...and I don't think he considered himself unlucky.
He loved his daughters...
...and the beautiful Tomoe loved him.
His life, I think, was short but full.
I am proud to have had such a father.
Directed by Yoji Yamada