I like drinking better
How did you like her dance? Pay some compliments
It was flawless. I find no chink to attack
Swordsmanship again!
How about a drink? -Please, please
I'm very weak. -In fencing?
Probably. -Does drink hinder your training?
"Drinks hinder training. They weaken mentality
They check one's advance in life"
Such sayings are all nonsense
May I help you?
May I ask his name, please?
His name, eh? Will "Mr. Weak" do?
I was willing to fight, but you foolishly did that
And smeared our School's name
I don't like it. -We'll find Musashi
Your brother came back
Denshichiro, welcome home. -Welcome... nothing
What about our ruined name?
I'm the Master of our House. I take no orders from you
Master of the House! Weakling! -Denshichiro! Your language!
Stop, Denshichiro!
He wasn't fit to succeed this House
I'll fix Musashi myself!
I tell you, we haven't a guest named Musashi here
You may search the house
Strange
You see, they come repeatedly. I'm so annoyed
I sympathize with you. And where is he?
Koetsu, my son, took him to the Ohgiya
Of the Geisha quarters? -If he should hide himself awhile...
the affair may subside. So I persuaded my son
in order to avoid useless trouble. -It's kind of you
I thank you on behalf of Musashi
Master Koetsu must be here. -Master Koetsu?
With a husky young samurai
Mr. Weak? -No, Mr. Strong
We call him Mr. Weak because he can't drink. -Really?
Then, deliver this to this strong Mr. Weak
Deliver it directly to Mr. Weak in person
At the Rengein Temple yard, at nine tonight. Denshichiro Yoshioka
Thanks. -Be sure to come back
I certainly will
If you don't, Lady Yoshino will scold me
I'll come back. So keep this a secret
No seconds. People may talk. Stay away
He came!
Musashi!
Denshichiro?
I was away on knight-errantry
As my brother's proxy, I'll punish you!
With wooden sword or steel?
The snow is falling deep
Monk Horen's hut's out of sight
What is he doing asleep?
He's reading sutras all night
Eating snow to keep his might
My, you're back. -I came back just now
You've been here the while? It must have been cold
Master Koetsu still in?
If he isn't, I want to leave. -You mustn't leave...
without seeing Lady Yoshino. It's impolite
What shall I do? -She is impatient
Enjoying the snow scenes?
Your hand is freezing
A blood stain!
It's a petal of a peony, dear
What happened?
You didn't change your expression. What composure!
How did you get it? Tell me
Musashi. Are you afraid of me?
You can hardly call yourself a mighty samurai
if you can't conquer a courtesan
Come. Hold me tightly in your arms
You're craving for self-control
For you lack affection
Human affection
Are you offended? -No, you're a woman
Because I'm a woman?
Do you slight a woman?
Or is it because you pity a woman as a weak being?
Musashi
Or do you despise my statement
because I'm only a courtesan?
I can read your mind very easily
as clear as a reflection in a mirror
If only he hadn't been so rash
Are you going to have a duel with Musashi? -I have to
If you please, I'll second you. -No thank you
I admire your spirit, if I may say so
But then, don't duel with him. I'm saying this as your friend
Too bad your house should be marked by him
That vicious sword!
You'll need tact
Akemi
I'm sorry I've confined you here
Do you curse me?
But I'm not such a bad man
I hold you so dear
Akemi. Give me just one kind word
Then I can fight in high spirits
Fight? With Musashi? -I must win
I think I can. But I need your blessing
You won't have it
You seduced me. -I'll make up for my wrong
I'll pray for Musashi to win
I want to see you fall in a pool of blood before him!
I curse you!
Got the money? -200 gold
We can live for years
What about Akemi? -Don't worry. A girl can always live
Idiot! -How dare you?
What happened, young man? -Brace up
Why, you're Matahachi! My son!
Mother!
It was all through Takezo that you came to this
We must get him, by hook or by crook
Don't worry. I'll be famous by and by
Mother, have a look at this. -What is this?
The diploma from Chujo School. -For fencing?
I studied with ltoh
I was enthusiastic, wanting to send for you...
as soon as I open my own Hall
Why does it say "To Kojiro Sasaki"? -I changed my name
I couldn't say, "I'm a Hoiden gone broke"
I know. If you've become so good, we'll get Musashi
Buddha be praised
Halt!
Not him
Has he escaped? -He's still lying low at Yoshino's
A coward! We'll stay here until he comes
What? They're calling me a coward? -Yes, but you are not
Where's Yoshino? -She's engaged at a party
"Despite my wish to share with you a moment of love
you depart so quickly to my great sorrow, lone and sad"
Must you go? -I wanted to see her before I go
But please give her my best regards
When will you come next? -Well...
Go tell him goodbye
If I see him, I must stop him
But I want him to be a true samurai
How I've suffered!
This is the one and only heartfelt love I've ever had
One moment
Don't make fools of yourselves
Not here. This isn't a mere brawl
If you must fight, fight like samurai. Not here!
You'll stand guarantee for Musashi? -Well, I might
You might? -Won't he escape?
He would if he could, like any man. -You'll let him escape?
No, I won't. It all depends on his own choice
Let me introduce myself
I'm Kojiro Sasaki, hailing from lwakuni Province
You must have heard us. Your terms?
Nothing. I have no intention of hiding myself
I'll take their terms
Very manly of you
All right? -Very well
Listen. Seijuro Yoshioka will come
seconded by a few of his men
tomorrow morning at five to the Ichijoji Temple
Very good. -If any of you violate this promise
he'll be laughed at. -We'll post placards to announce it
All right? -Good. I'll be there on time
"I hereby accept your challenge and promise to have a match with you
at the lone pine tree of the Ichijoji Temple
at 5 A.M., February 19th.
Should you fail to appear, the public will laugh at you
Should I fail to appear, Heaven will punish me
Seizaburo Yoshioka to Musashi Miyamoto, Esq."
Otsu! Otsu!
Having Priest Takuan do your hair? -She's become Lord Buddha's disciple
What does it mean?
I become a nun. -And shave off your hair like him?
Oh, don't. I like you better as you are
Are you surely ready?
Are you sure? -It's you who're erring
I can't help it. It's so pretty and ample
When my hair is shaven off, all my worries will be gone, too
Will you hurry? -Very well. I'll do it
Otsu, hurry over to the Ichijoji Temple
Master duels with Yoshioka!
Musashi? -Sure. Let's go
Is it true? -It's true
I saw placards announcing it
Please, Takuan
Postpone this until tomorrow
I must see him, even a glimpse of him
Then I'll become a nun
You are destined to go the Way of Darkness, I'm afraid
Why stop me? Such audacity! -Wait, Seijuro
Where? When?
It was promised in my name. I must go!
I mustn't be a coward!
Here he comes!
Halt! Stop!
Wait! Calm down!
I'm Sasaki. I'm the witness
Why tilt spears at me like that? Why so frightened?
What have you come here for? -To encourage Seijuro
Mind your business. -Where are you, Seijuro?
I'm Kojiro Sasaki!
I want you to withdraw from here
Withdraw? But I'm the witness
Who asked you to be one? Musashi?
Then you're not one. Neither party has asked you
A meddler!
You call me a meddler
I see. Now I see your intention
You're hiding Seijuro himself...
to stage an ambush
The famed House of Yoshioka is falling
Poor Musashi. He'll die in a treacherous attack
Fooled by her son, Osugi believes Musashi eloped with Otsu
Remember, son. You must kill Otsu first, and then Musashi
Let me help you, Otsu
Let me go, Matahachi!
Mother wants me to kill you. But I don't want to
Wait, Otsu!
Let's elope
Matahachi. I'm no longer engaged to you!
You married Oko!
Has Matahachi done what he should?
There's a deep gap between our hearts which cannot be crossed
Then, you mean you care for Takezo?
Yes, I do. I love him
You slut! I must kill you!
Wait!
Who are you? -Who are you? A bandit?
If not, what is your name? -Why hesitate?
Show him your Chujo School swordsmanship!
What? Chujo School?
Yes. I have the supreme diploma signed by Master ltoh
Go away. -One moment. May I ask your name again?
Kojiro Sasaki. I'm Kojiro Sasaki. Surprised?
Yes, I am. I've never been so surprised in my life
Let me ask you, then, Mr. Kojiro Sasaki. Who am l?
How should I know? Who? -Let me introduce myself
I am Kojiro Sasaki, the real one
Don't move!
"I respect deiteis, I do not rely upon them"
Takezo! Takezo!
I'm so glad! At last I meet you!
Oh, hello. Is your mother all right?
That's not important
Don't go to the duel! Run away with me!
Don't be silly
I must fight like a samurai. Good luck
Don't go. Seijuro isn't coming
They're scheming foul play. The eighty of them!
So you must dodge them. Run away with me!
You're bound to be killed if you go! Please! Don't go!
Thank you for warning me
But if I run away, they'll call me a coward
Road to the Ichijoji Temple
Here he comes! Musashi comes!
I came as I promised
Why doesn't he show up? Come!
Come and fight! The cowards!
To the pine tree! Hurry!
Oh save him! -It's too late
He's alone. He was too reckless
The only way to live is to run
Don't. He might get confused
Into the paddies, eh?
Good. He might yet be saved
Surround him! Trap him!
He ran away. He's becoming clever
Let's go home. The razor's waiting for us
Takuan
I've decided not to become a nun
I'll run after him, if it's the last thing I do
I'm Seijuro
My men stopped me. Sorry for my delay
Is that right? -I am Yoshioka. I am not a coward
I'm glad! I've been longing to meet you
I'll defeat you
You are too strong
It's brutal force
Swordsmanship is chivalry
You lack affection
That's the Master!
It's just like a dream
It is
It's never been as peaceful as this for years
Let's see Matahachi one day
We'll see him and his mama and discuss things
A quiet talk often works. Let's do so
Before that, let me ask you. -What is it?
Are you really through with him?
I am
Why? Please!
Why? -No. Don't
You mustn't
Takezo!
"I have renounced the love of women"
Good luck, Musashi
Develop yourself
If you do, I'll do myself, too
THE END