In the 1930's, Japan invaded Manchuria,
left the League of Nations and smoldered internally
Radicals and extremists ran amuck...
assassinating leading public figures
Severe famine, the Depression, embargoes...
Fear and uncertainty gripped the people
To show His Majesty what is in our hearts
To root out corruption
to build a New Japan in His name
You agree, Ando?
I don't want to involve the troops
Don't you see?
It's for them
We'll soon be transferred to Manchuria
How can we save Japan from the mainland?
Without the support of our troops
it's an impossible task
I'll do it alone if need be
Timing is crucial
We must
United, let us create a New Japan
It's too early
If we fail, we're in open rebellion
We won't fail
General Mazaki and many others back us
Ando, we must join...
and sacrifice to bring about this reformation
Whether insanity or idiocy...
headlong we hurtle
The words have all been said
All that's left is this
Whether insanity or idiocy...
headlong we hurtle!
It's set
When?
The 26th
The 26th? This month?
Yes, February 26th
February 26th
Four Days of Snow and Blood
February 26th, 1936
Prepare to depart!
My regards to Nonaka and Ando
Certainly
Come straight back
8 men under Captain Hisashi Kohno
Attention!
We, the Ando troop will totally devote ourselves...
to the building of a New Japan
204 men under Captain Kizo Ando
Divide the ammunition and supplies equally
It's live ammunition
Do not load until ordered to
280 men under 1st Lt. Yasuhide Kurihara
Your families starve
Our comrades fight abroad while at home...
their sisters are sold for rice
Families who grow the rice...
are unable to eat it themselves
No work for the poor
They're starving, exhausted
14 men under 2nd Lt. Taro Tanaka
Listen to me, men
210 men under 1st Lt. Tadashi Sakai
H.M. Can never be at ease while the misery persists
The clique surrounding His Majesty...
keep the people's plight from Him
They conceal the nation's true condition
130 men under Lt. Noriaki Nakahashi
We shall attack the Finance Minister
Our cry Fighting Spirit Unity
170 men under Lt. Masatada Nui
In the name of His Majesty,
we will do our utmost!
Believe and follow!
500 men under Captain Shiro Nonaka
We'll attack police headquarters
Revere the Emperor!
Expel the clique!
Move out!
Maneuvers?
Stop!
We'll kill any opposition!
Kill me, then
You can't kill father
Kill me!
Father!
Who are you?
Finance Minister Korekiyo Takahashi
Identify yourself!
Divine punishment!
Just you two?
Yes
The shots frightened us
Major General
We've found him
Prime Minister, Admiral Keisuke Okada
Master!
Close it!
You're the Prime Minister?
Most certainly
Outside!
Prime Minister Okada?
No mistake
Kill him
PM's Secretary, Colonel Denzo Matsuo Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal
What is this?
Admiral Minoru Saito
Who are you? Such insolence!
Identify yourself! What regiment?
Stop!
Kill me
Please...
Take us to Count Makino
Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, Count Makino (ret.)
Is this the behavior of Imperial troops?
We're not your husband's lackeys
We're the Emperor's men!
It's not your concern, let us through
My husband is asleep. Please leave
Get away!
Inspector General of Military Education
National Police Headquarters General Jotaro Watanabe
What's the meaning of this?
Who is your commanding officer?
I demand an explanation
We have our orders We will not leave...
until we've completed our mission
That's unacceptable
We're responsible for law and order
No time to talk!
Calm down. We have laws
We will explain later
Stop!
Who are you?
We must report to the Minister immediately
Open up
Not without specific orders
If you try to stop us there will be bloodshed
If you intend to harm the Minister - never!
Open up!
No, never!
Open the gate!
Grand Chamberlain, Admiral Kantaro Suzuki
State your regiment and commanding officer
Staff sergeant Nagata, Third Regiment
Are you Grand Chamberlain Suzuki?
I am
What have you to say?
I can't speak
Who is your commander?
Shall I shoot him?
Shoot!
Stop it!
Why? Why?
For the New Japan!
No more!
Please. He won't live long
No more. I beg you
Salute. Grand Chamberlain Suzuki
What the hell is this?
Open up!
Don't point that at me! Make way!
Open up!
You can't enter
Go away!
Orders? From a noncom?
Ordered to admit no-one until the situation settles
Those refusing to obey, leave us no choice...
but to shoot
1500 men have occupied...
the Akasaka area, Prime Minister's Residence...
and Police Headquarters
War Minister's Residence and General Staff Office
To carry out the Emperor's will,
both domestic and foreign...
and for equal justice to all His subjects
We eliminated the corrupt elements
As our document states
Restore order, purge both parliament and...
commerce of corrupt elements
bring forth the New Japan as a matter of urgency
Recognition of our actions as loyal imperial forces
Convey these points to His Majesty
It's not that simple
We've fresh blood on our hands...
don't make us shed more
I understand your feelings
So very, very well
Shall we go to the palace?
Time is of the essence
Don't dither!
We too, have a responsibility here
To understand their fervor
Demonstrate our support for the New Japan
Otherwise chaos will prevail
First obtain His Majesty's approval...
that their actions do not constitute rebellion
Yes, but their conduct...
Is there any other way?
Would our combined agreement suffice?
Do we have the authority to do that?
War Minister, if it went out in your name,
wouldn't that satisfy them?
I concur
Issued in your name. All agreed?
Minister of War
Minister of War hereby proclaims
1. His Majesty has been informed of your aims
2. Your actions were for the good of the country
3. The country is currently in dire straits
4. The Combined General Staff recognize your quest
5. All else awaits His Majesty's pleasure
So you approve of our actions?
At the very least?
Exactly as it is written
Just a moment
It's not clear whether we are in fact...
rebels or patriots
Why omit it?
It's sufficient
The Emperor now knows our hearts
Ando-san. It's rumored that the Emperor is on the verge...
of proclaiming the New Japan
Without concrete actions, it's futile to speculate
We've done all we could
All we can do now is to wait and hope
Eyes left!
Attention!
Anyone catch cold?
Not a one, sir!
Guard your health!
Company Commander
HQ sent rations
Have they?
Nonaka, it's Captain Kohno
How is everything, Kohno?
I'm sorry, Nonaka
I can't join you
I failed...
It's alright
We'll talk later
We did it
Everyone's well
Heard about the Minister's proclamation?
Yes
Wish I could join you
From here on it's critical
We've done what we had to
We now await His Majesty's pleasure
Please be decisive
Thank you
I understand perfectly
It'll be alright
Don't worry
Perhaps we'll never meet again
Please see it through
Hello! Hello?
If we approve that their assassinations...
were to rid the country of despots, that means...
we survivors are of the same ilk
It appears War Minister Kawashima, General Mazaki...
and other staff officers are working to establish...
a new cabinet after PM Okada's assassination
In harness to these young rebels?
Their aim is to establish a New Japan where the...
court is ignored, commerce smashed
and sweeping land reform
If we allow this
who knows what will happen?
We need a caretaker PM immediately
The military must quash these assassins
We must heed His Majesty's appraisal
His Majesty has given approval...
for martial law to go into effect
Watch these rebels don't use it for their own ends
I'm home
Welcome dear
What's happened?
Are you all right?
Here
Good medicine
My cold's almost gone
I'll prepare dinner
Don't bother
Come here
Sit down
It's come to this
Do your best to cope
Your cold is better?
I can't stay
I'll be back on the 29th
I've the exam to take
It won't be forever
Don't worry
His Majesty has recognized our actions
When I return, it'll be in a royal carriage
That'll surprise you
Really?
My word
Royal carriage?
February 27th
Martial Law Enforcement Headquarters
General Order!
The Martial Law Administrator is ordered...
to clear the rebels positions,
and return control to the proper authorities
His Majesty so instructs
Lt. General Kohei Kashi
These orders are to be...
given to the rebel units at precisely 5 am on the 28th
If they oppose the orders?
They'll be in direct defiance of an imperial order
And will face the consequences
Sugiyama...
Has the Emperor issued an order?
He certainly has
It has just arrived
They won't bow to force
They did it for the country
Let's not use force
We must consider what to do prior to issuing the order
Excellency, if this situation continues...
and the military is unable to regain control
we'll be forced to put it in the hands of His Majesty...
to lead loyalist troops to put them down
And what of military honor?
Belly cutting won't suffice
You're no longer in control
With no right to speak of military affairs
You're in the way
If you must do something
persuade them to withdraw immediately
Otherwise, you'll be lumped with those...
who wish to overthrow the government
How dare you!
We're all patriots
The Prime Minister managed to escape
I'll announce our precept
We request General Mazaki resolve matters
Our request to His Majesty encompasses the will of...
the Joint Command and junior officers
To trouble His Majesty is no trifle to be taken lightly
But we implore you
Your deplorable actions will not compel me...
to assume the office of PM
Deplorable actions, you say?
Didn't yesterday's proclamation clearly condone...
those actions and impart our will to His Majesty?
Nothing was imparted
Going to impart was the language
Don't play games!
You clearly stated that you fully understood...
and agreed with us - no?
Martial law prevails
Unless you surrender control and withdraw...
there will be no resolution
You must submit to orders
His Majesty worries grievously
And why is that?
State it plainly
How much is this?
Forget it
In that case, thank you
Listen carefully
The blood, sweat and tears of the people...
are wrung from us by the corrupt politicians...
and court sycophants
Yes!
Exactly!
The New Japan we've long craved is here!
Today marks the start of a new era
Let us sing praise to those initiated it...
and join together to march on the residence...
of the Minister of War!
Is Captain Kohno in your ranks?
Do you know where?
He's an Air Force Academy graduate
He's at another stronghold
What do you mean?
That's all I know
I'm his brother
Take me to your leader
February 28th
What's happened?
The rations haven't arrived
I went looking for the trucks and saw them turned back
Turned back?
Yes
Whose orders?
I don't know
The whole area is surrounded
What's that?
To frighten us?
Or do they plan to attack?
If the Emperor so orders
So withdraw, now
Just a moment. Will His Majesty do so?
The proclamation backed our stand
we're part of the Martial Law forces...
Withdraw?
Or stay?
Why withdraw?
Please explain
I see
Something's wrong
What do we do?
Do we fight? Or withdraw?
If His Majesty commands, we'll be in rebellion
Rebels...
That's not possible
No use arguing before it happens
We must presage His Majesty's true disposition
If He so orders we must obey
If declared rebels, slitting our bellies should atone
If it comes to that
So...
Rebels are we?