A NIKKATSU PICTURE
FIGHTING ELEGY
Screenplay by KANETO SHINDO From the novel by TAKASHI SUZUKI
Photography by KENJI HAGIWARA
Art Direction by TAKEO KIMURA
Music by NAOZUMI YAMAMOTO
Cast
HIDEKI TAKAHASHI JUNKO ASANO, YUSUKE KAWAZU
CHIKAKO MIYAGI, TAKESHI KATO
ISAO TAMAGAWA JUN HAMAMURA, ASAO SANO
SEIJIRO ONDA MITSUO KATAOKA, KEISUKE NORO
HIROSHI MIDORIGAWA
Directed by SEIJUN SUZUKI
BIZEN, OKAYAMA - 1935
OKAYAMA PREFECTURE SECOND MIDDLE SCHOOL
Attention!
Bow!
Hey, Nanbu! You got a girl or something?
Well...
You're going soft! I'll toughen you up. Come tomorrow.
But tomorrow's Sunday.
Come anyway.
We'll train you good.
I can't on Sunday.
Why not?
- I have things to do. - Do 'em today.
What do you have to do?
Gotta go to church.
Church?
You a Jesus freak or something?
Is Christ more important than your fellow seniors?
Don't insult my religion!
No point in discussing this.
We'll have to rough you up a bit. Come on.
What's with the attitude these days?
I've been thinking recently you need a little lesson.
Grit your teeth.
You bastard!
Shit!
You bastard!
Please forgive me in advance.
Wait!
Hey, wait!
Wait!
Who's there?
I'm home!
I hear you pulled a funny trick by the river the other day.
What for?
The boarding house I'm at is Catholic.
And they have a daughter.
Hang on.
The cute one from Seishin Girls School?
Yes.
So you're at her place?
Lucky bastard.
I had my sights set on her too.
Tell me the rest.
Well, Michiko was -
She was to give a piano recital after mass.
I was supposed to give her flowers after she played.
Not yet!
So, you have a crush on Michiko?
Well...
I mean, no.
Don't get excited.
They say that heroes always fall in love.
Yes, I think so too!
Idiot!
You'll never be a hero getting all love-struck while still in training!
Forget your desires. Women will only get you in trouble.
I'll teach you good. What do you say?
Yes, sir.
People call me Turtle.
You may call me that as well.
"Thou shalt not commit adultery."
What's wrong?
"Looking lustfully is committing adultery..."
Have some.
Turtle, sir.
What?
Are you Catholic too?
Yeah. So what?
Isn't drinking this a sin?
Take it easy.
It's not the communion wine. I hid my own stash here.
Now take a swig. Let's swear to our brotherhood.
Wow, that's really something!
Kiroku, I will teach you the secrets of fighting.
Please!
Look into the mirror.
Never blink!
What's wrong?
There's something funny about Kiroku.
Well, he always was a funny boy.
But it's worse than usual today.
He's been staring in the mirror all day.
Maybe he's got pimples.
Punch the bag 1,000 times, morning and night.
As you progress, put beans in the bag, and later, small stones.
Walk with your weight on your heels, thrusting your feet forward.
This will give you grit.
Kiroku.
If he were this determined at school, he could become something.
I like his passion. It's so masculine.
You think it's masculine, huh?
Shouldn't we let his father know?
Just leave him. He's like a barrel rolling downhill.
He'll stop when he reaches the bottom.
Yes, men are like that.
So, you do understand, Mother.
The rest is courage and how fast you can run.
Courage comes in battle.
And you'll run when you have to.
So a loss can become a gain.
Kiroku, you must find a different group to continue your training.
Our passwords are OS and MS.
They're short for Okayama Second Middle School.
And I'm Takuan, head of the group.
Yes, sir.
You must break school rules one by one to become brave.
Got any money?
A little bit.
Good. Come with me.
Welcome. Come in.
Careful of Kappa from Kanchu, Takuan. He was talking about you.
Filthy bitch!
He said, "I'll cut him down!"
He couldn't even cut through a lump of fish paste.
What do you want?
Just bring anything.
How am I supposed to know what?
Then just bring me some broth.
This is ridiculous!
Kappa!
Stay back!
Give him more!
Father.
You can punish me.
I won't hit you. You're not a child anymore.
But Kiroku...
you're not in school to get into fights.
The principal wanted to kick you out.
But he agreed to a one-month suspension.
Now, don't get so down over this.
You're just a little too hot-blooded.
Let's go have some steak.
Kiroku.
What an easy life you have, sleeping all the time.
Why don't you study?
Shall I help you with your English while you're suspended?
Your dad's nice.
He's very sweet.
Do you enjoy fighting?
Yes.
How barbaric.
You just don't understand men!
Let me teach you the piano, Kiroku.
You need to cultivate your esthetic side.
Now you try.
Once more.
Oh, my. Your fingers are stiff as logs.
You have to relax.
You have to sit up straight.
"Michiko is a saint. She's Joan of Arc.
I wish to be her faithful servant and bow at her feet.
My blood throbs at the sight of those white hands."
It's been a lovely Easter.
I walked down this same street with Father last Easter.
This year, it's Kiroku.
And next year?
You're easily scared, aren't you?
Somebody hanged himself here the other day.
A man like you shouldn't be afraid of that.
"My blood throbs at the sight of those white hands."
OS!
MS!
Who's that, Kiroku?
She's my sister.
Your sister, huh?
Well, then, that's okay. But don't be messing with girls.
You'll stain the pride and honor of the OSMS club.
Pleased to meet you.
My name is Takuan, head of the OSMS club.
OSMS?
It's well-known in Bizen, Okayama,
as a club for young men like Kiroku
who train hard to make their bodies strong.
I'd like to treat you to a bowl of noodles.
Let's go home, Mr. Nanbu.
We can eat noodles at home.
"Mr. Nanbu," huh?
Is she really your sister?
Yes. No. I mean -
You lying to me?
She's like my sister -
No bullshit!
I thought it was strange that you'd hold hands with your sister.
What's wrong with holding -
You keep quiet, young lady.
We'll settle this at school.
Kiroku.
Stay home today.
Don't worry, Michiko.
Promise me you won't fight.
Master!
This is really important!
If I get Michiko involved in this,
I'll be in trouble with our Lord Jesus!
Well, let's deal with it before class.
Good little mace, huh?
You came early, huh? You've got guts.
Wait outside.
Boss.
Forgive me for what I did last night.
That girl - - Stop that! Be a man!
I'll keep on apologizing.
We live in the same house.
Then are you married?
This is no joke, boss.
Who's joking?
I can accept your apology, but this mace can't.
So, you won't forgive me?
No.
Well, then -
Then what?
Are you the boss of the OPQ gang?
- Turtle. - That's right.
I'm Kiroku's backup.
Well, my greetings to you! A native of Bizen-Osabuna -
Fool!
Don't think you can weasel out of this.
I hear you gave Kiroku a real hard time about last night.
That girl you saw last night is as pure as the Virgin Mary.
That may be so, but he told me she was his sister.
Shut up!
Don't you know
that at church all girls are called "sister"?
You think you're a big man? Always picking on kids!
Kiroku!
You fool!
Run!
Let's go!
Get 'em!
"Challenge from Takuan to Turtle."
Mine says the same thing.
Why be scared?
If someone challenges you, you just have to accept it.
But Master!
Get your mace ready!
Michiko? Do you know where the hand towel for the bathroom is?
I don't know.
Maybe it got blown away.
Michiko? Do you know where the bath towel is?
No, I don't.
I've got the towels. I'm going out.
Where to?
LETTER OF CHALLENGE
Hey, Kiroku!
Scout's back.
Takuan is with 20 guys at the Ikuta shrine!
Good! Stay true to your purpose!
Scout's back!
Enemy situation?
Preparing in the bamboo forest!
All right!
Hey, Turtle! I've come to help.
Good. Thanks.
Open that box.
We have dumplings.
Have some for good luck.
Michiko, I'm sorry, but I have no choice. I have to brace myself and go.
Turtle is our enemy!
Make sure you're prepared for a true offensive battle!
To the front!
The most important thing in battle is to take out the general!
Kiroku, go up the fire lookout and check on enemy movements!
I'm not here as a lookout! I came here to fight!
When I signal you, throw your mace!
Now go!
Here they come!
Fight your hardest! I'll take care of you if you go down!
Advance!
It's the cops!
The cops are coming!
Retreat!
It's the cops!
Time to run!
Get on the truck! Hurry!
It's the cops!
Hey, wait!
Hey, Kiroku!
Stop! Back up!
Hurry down, Kiroku!
Kiroku!
Father!
You're a sorry sight!
Get down here!
I'll punish you good this time!
Get down here!
Michiko!
Kiroku, when did you take up with these rowdies?
Rowdies?
That's right.
If Michiko hadn't called me about this,
you might've already been dead!
She saved your life!
All your lives!
Now get down here!
I'll beat some sense into that head of yours!
Forgive him, please.
Come on down, Kiroku, and I'll apologize for you.
Why are you dressed like that? Is this some kind of joke?
What do you mean, you fool?
It was Michiko's clever idea.
Her deceased father was the town's chief of police.
"Oh, Michiko, my sister!
How pure are your lovely eyes."
"Oh, Michiko, I will not masturbate.
I fight to vent my desires!"
The pine tree is green
The sand is white
The young girl from Omatsugasato village
Stands among the red camellias
I can't resist!
Oh Lord, I've committed a terrible sin!
I've given in to my desires many times already.
Michiko, forgive me!
Now that I'm second in command of OSMS,
I will do my best for the progress of the group,
and I ask for your support.
As it would be a shame for us true men
to be mistaken for a group of sissies,
I've written out a set of rules for the OSMS.
Firstly, jackets are to be significantly shortened,
pant seats are to be lined, and pant legs taken up as well.
Secondly, all dealings with sissies are forbidden.
And those who chase girls shall be deemed cowards!
Thirdly, all school rules are to be aggressively resisted.
A man should derive great satisfaction from rebellion.
That's quite a plan!
A masterpiece!
He's done it!
Hey, think you can train barefoot?
Where are your shoes?
Can't you answer? Fine.
Okay, Nanbu!
Forward!
March!
Hey, what's this?
An insignia?
No, it's not!
You know that army recruits found wearing insignias are put in prison!
I didn't know.
If it's not an insignia, what is it?
I don't know.
How could you not know? You made it yourself!
It's a new invention. It doesn't have a name yet.
Invention? You idiot!
Tell me the meaning of that bird.
Is it some secret code?
Or the emblem of some delinquent gang?
It's like the pheasant medal.
What did you say?
It's like the pheasant medal!
You idiot!
On your feet!
Get up.
Are you saying your insignia is akin to the imperial pheasant medal?
This is not the school uniform! These are laborers' clothes!
Soldiers put gold stars on their shoulders
and have colorful badge-like things on their collars.
I don't know why you're upset about a little bird on my back.
Shut up!
You've insulted our school and the imperial army.
Very well. We're going to the principal's office.
We're done if he talks to the principal. Apologize to him now.
I will not!
You've really done it this time, Kiroku.
You can't fight the uniform.
But he hit me with his sword, Master. Check out the bruise I got.
I just couldn't take it.
Training to fight isn't just about hitting.
It's about being hit too.
You just wait. I'll fix things for you.
Please don't, Master.
Why not?
They won't listen to you.
We're all Japanese. I'm sure we can sort it out.
Otherwise, you'll be expelled.
Even if our school can forgive him, the imperial army will not.
I'm really sorry about all this.
I'll keep a close eye on him, so if you'll forgive him this time...
Who are you, anyway? Nanbu's guardian?
Yes, like a temporary guardian.
Temporary? That's not acceptable!
You have no business here.
I'll call the MPs if you continue to waste my time.
I don't know about MPs, but if you won't understand,
I guess there's no point being here. Good-bye.
Hold it.
Mr. Yamada,
shouldn't we get his name and address while he's here?
I suppose. Those are the rules.
Wait a minute.
First you tell me I have no business here, and now this?
Write it down!
Turtle.
What the hell is that? Don't mess around!
In Okayama, this is what I'm known by.
We're not putting up with that attitude. Just where do you think you are?
Don't get so upset, sir.
Get out of here! Out!
I'll call the MPs!
It's time to go, Kiroku.
You'd better get out of Okayama for now.
I'm going to hide out in Tsuyama.
The imperial army's our enemy now.
How far should I run?
You got relatives anywhere?
I have an uncle in Aizu Wakamatsu.
Cheer up.
Don't worry about the ticket fare.
Let's go. I'll take you to the station.
I'm thinking about Michiko.
Don't be a sissy, Kiroku.
You can feel guilty about not telling your father,
but don't be sulking over a woman.
Now get in!
Master,
even in the movies,
leaving a girl is a real tough thing to do.
Take me by her place on the way to the station.
Please.
Open this door now!
Michiko.
AIZU WAKAMATSU
Aizu Middle School says they're full and can't take in new students.
Maybe Kitakata Middle School.
Anywhere is fine, Uncle.
I get it.
It's not the container, but what's inside, right?
Kitakata Middle School is two stations from here by train.
Your dad's here.
Hey, Taki!
Your uncle wanted to surprise you, but I just couldn't help but tell you.
He's in the bath now.
I heard from Michiko's mother and your uncle.
I requested an official dismissal from your school.
Otherwise, you could've been in trouble.
Anyway, what's done is done.
If you want to be a man, there's no place like Aizu,
where you can face Mount Bandai every day.
The people of Aizu are a hardy bunch,
with the blood of the White Tiger troops in them.
You may fit in here just fine.
Sorry to upset you, Father.
What are you talking about?
Cheer up!
No fancy dressing in this school like in Okayama. Got that?
Can you read this here?
No, I can't!
It means "seemly."
The lord of our town, Viscount Matsudaira,
penned it to remind soldiers and students
their conduct is always to be seemly.
Now that you're in Aizu,
you must take this to heart and act like a man of Aizu.
The principal is right.
In Aizu, we have the Aizu spirit. There is nothing like it in the world.
Now that you've been admitted
to our great school,
you must act with Aizu spirit
and give up your weak Kansai ways.
Thus you will become a fine Aizu-spirited young man!
FUKUSHIMA PREFECTURE KITAKATA MIDDLE SCHOOL
Uncle, they sell Aizu crackers and Aizu cakes at the station,
but they sell Aizu spirit here.
Aizu spirit? And how much does that cost?
You boys have a new friend who will be joining you.
He is Kiroku Nanbu, from Bizen, Okayama,
where the rice grows bountifully.
Does money grow on trees in Bizen as well, Prof?
Don't interrupt me!
An old proverb says, "Consider the stranger to be a thief."
But I think it's better to say, "Consider the stranger to be a Buddha."
It's very important
to accept someone new with an open mind.
Aizu people can be pretty closed, after all.
Consider the stranger to be a duck!
Who said "duck"?
Duck!
I know that you consider me a duck,
but duck or not, I am also your teacher!
Those who show disrespect to teachers are losers!
Duck!
Quiet!
Enough with this nonsense! It's time to begin class!
Please.
The French revolution
was the most important event in the development of free societies.
It influenced events...
He's pretty good.
Like in a circus.
He could be all right!
Why did revolution occur in France?
In order for a revolution to take place, there must be a situation in which -
Listen up!
The cylinder emitting the X rays is a glass vessel containing sodium -
Why were you expelled from Okayama?
"Sodium vessel." Everyone say that.
Sodium vessel.
Good. Now, listen.
"Fill in the correct answer."
Who was that? Come here!
You idiot!
Listen, you!
The classroom is like a castle.
You know your punishment for drawing a sword inside a castle?
Ritual suicide!
Professor Mammoth!
You're the first one to call me "Mammoth" to my face.
You're pretty brave.
They're afraid of you because you're strong. They sit and listen quietly.
But they make fun of Professor Duck because he's got no guts.
Faced with strength, they're pussycats. Faced with weakness, they're noisy pigs.
They're nothing but shitty hick cowards!
It's a real stinking way you do things around here.
You talk of Aizu spirit, but you're just a bunch of monkeys!
You're a bunch of red-ass monkeys!
Wild monkeys!
Hey, Kiroku.
Come back to class, man.
Mammoth sent me after you.
He said he likes your style.
Calling everyone a monkey is a fierce attack on the Aizu spirit.
Hey!
You only have to salute the professors.
Yes, sir.
I'm the monkey they call Hashiyada of the judo club.
Why are you walking on the edge of the road?
Why not?
Bastard!
You're in Aizu now! Speak in Aizu dialect!
Trams run down the middle of the road in Okayama.
Don't give me your big city talk!
Walk down the middle of the road here with your head held high!
That's all fine,
but what if a dog comes along?
Go between his legs.
What about a carriage?
Walk right by it.
How about a car?
Just get out of its way!
How about a bus?
What if a bus comes?
Idiot!
Then you get out of the way!
If it hits you, you're dead!
So that's Aizu spirit, huh?
What?
Confront the weak and bow to the strong?
Try saying that again!
If you say to walk down the middle,
then you should keep walking no matter what.
Bastard!
Come on!
You bastard!
They're going at it.
Looks like it's already over.
Misjudge me like that again and you'll be sorry!
Water! Water! Throw water on 'em!
"I got my fingernail torn off.
But these Aizu monkeys have taken notice of me now
and quieted down some.
Kiss this mark if you feel like it, and send it back to me."
What are you waiting for, Kiroku?
What you're waiting for is already here.
A letter from Michiko in Okayama.
"I don't feel like it."
Nanbu, how are your wounds?
Hey, let me see that!
Let me see!
That's a pretty girl!
I've been doing it a lot, you know.
Doing what? That?
Yeah. What about you?
I do it sometimes, but you have to be careful.
That's the problem.
I try to stop myself, but I can't.
I was like a genius in elementary school,
but now my grades stink and I can't remember things.
They say exercise is the way to stop doing it.
Yeah, but I do haiku instead.
Haiku?
"White bus through red leaves and brisk breeze..."
Oh, haiku poems.
My pen name is Boya.
I figured since I'm forgetful, I'd pick something simple.
Come with me. I'll introduce you to my haiku teacher.
That girl over there is Misako. She taught me haiku.
A good-looking girl, huh?
Hands off!
You got a crush on her?
She wrote this one. Read it.
"Loose hair blows in the wind like a young tree."
Pretty good, huh?
I'm no good at haiku.
Don't you understand it? You're pathetic.
It's a girl's verse.
"Loose hair
blows in the wind like a young tree."
- You from Kitakata? - What about it?
You think you Kitakata guys can strut around Aizu Wakamatsu like that?
We're from the Showa White Tigers!
Hey! Turn off that pathetic music!
Listen up!
Our members resolve to fight to the bitter end!
We don't piss around with stupid poems
or run after girls like you pathetic weaklings!
We'll put some life into you!
Hey! You finished with your speech?
You White Tigers don't scare me.
You're nothing but thugs!
- You bastard! - Let's go outside!
"Loose hair
blows in the wind like a young tree."
That's from seven or eight years ago.
I bet it is. You been having problems with men since then?
Are you from Tokyo?
Huh? Yes.
What do you do?
"I met someone today like I've never met before.
It was a bit shocking at first,
even though he was laughing.
Who could he have been?"
Hey, Nanbu!
"It's not the mountain's height, but rather its trees.
It's not a man's strength, but rather his allegiance.
Your unbridled brutality has insulted the glorious Aizu spirit.
We, the Showa White Tigers, have come to declare war on you Kitakata men.
We will settle this on Saturday at 3:00 at Sakura Field, Aizu Wakamatsu Castle."
White Tiger rice cakes, crackers, sweet jelly and candy.
White Tiger dolls and trinkets.
And now the Showa White Tiger brigade.
Well, I might as well get a taste of the local fare.
Hey, Kiroku.
What are you looking at?
I did my fight training in a place like this.
Oh, yeah? Brings back memories, huh?
Kiroku! Where are you?
I'm over here!
You promise to treat me to sake if we win?
I sure will!
Hey, you're late!
Who are you? You a spy?
The army's training at Sakura Field,
so we're changing it to Mount Koho!
Go prepare your neck and wait for us!
Hey, Sugita! You coming?
Scattering like hail stones
Taking enemy bullets
Fighting with our whole lives
Thirty-seven brave young men
At the fall of Aizu Castle
The White Tiger brigade gained its fame
So they're doing their sword dance, huh?
The stupid idiots!
Go to your Mount Limori!
Your brave ancestors are weeping in their graves!
Little boy!
Don't be thinking your city ways will work here!
Let's see you try to kill me!
Get him!
Damn!
Hey, hang in there!
Hey! Let's retreat!
Run for it!
Run!
Hey, Kiroku.
Join our group and we'll set you free.
No way!
I wouldn't join you even if you paid me!
What?
You stupid bastard!
How can we get away from here? There's no way out.
Let's apologize!
Nanbu, you apologize!
There!
Since olden times
People must succumb to death
Though we go that way as well We leave our loyalty behind
We leave our names for history
Ouch!
It's Kiroku!
Water! Water!
PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
"All the White Tigers of Aizu Middle School were seriously injured,
while the Kitakata group sustained only light injuries."
I see. Our boys won, did they?
Kiroku, you're a real fighter.
Yes! It's the Okayama spirit!
Fool! That wasn't a compliment.
Aizu Middle School wants to hush up this incident.
Principal, please give Kiroku a light punishment.
Punishment?
Punishing him never crossed my mind.
He's just like me when I was younger.
Come here, Kiroku.
Principal!
That's not seemly for a principal!
There are things we do in life that seem stupid afterwards,
but we must risk our lives doing them!
That's what it means to be a man! One must be a man above all!
Come here, Kiroku!
Please! This is not seemly for a principal! Please!
"'I am scolded as I ring the bell inside and out.'
To Misako from Kaneda, a lonely man on his sickbed."
Kaneda's not here, huh?
You're in love with someone, aren't you?
Let's see your hand.
Want something to drink?
What did it say?
It says to be good to her.
Michiko!
Please, no!
I just came to say good-bye.
Good-bye?
I'm going to join a convent.
A convent?
But why on earth?
To serve God.
Serve God?
There are other ways to serve God!
Michiko, you can't go!
What will I do?
I...
I love you, Michiko!
I want you to be my wife!
- Michiko! - It's no good!
There's something physically wrong with me!
I can't get married!
That can't be!
Your body's beautiful!
Michiko!
Don't come after me! Please!
I will go alone.
I'll die if you follow me!
I love you, Kiroku!
Please forgive me.
Move! You're in the way!
Tokyo is under martial law.
Young officers are rebelling.
A group of young officers from the First and Third Infantry Divisions,
as well as members of the Seventh Artillery Division,
have assassinated members of the ruling clique, including Korekiyo Takahashi,
and have wiped out the top staff at Army General Headquarters.
So it's war in Tokyo, is it?
What will become of Japan?
"Twenty-two young officers attack prime minister's official residence.
Prime Minister Okada killed."
This is going to be a real big fight! We've got to go!
"Leader of the rebellion: Ikki Kita"
Let's go to Tokyo, Sugita!
THE END