THE 47 RONIN Part 1
Executive Producer SHINTARO SHIRAI
Original Story by SEIKA MAYAMA
Screenplay by KENICHIRO HARA and YOSHIKATA YODA
Photography by KOHEl SUGIYAMA
ine Art Director HIROSHI MIZUTANI
Music by SHIRO UKAI
Produced by KOA EIGA KK
Cast
CHOJURO KAWARAZAKI
KANEMON NAKAMURA
KUNITARO KAWARAZAKI
YOSHISABURO ARASHI
KIKUNOJO SEGAWA
KIKUNOSUKE ICHIKAWA
TOKUSABURO ARASHI
RYOTARO KAWANAMI
JOJI KAIEDA
HIROSHI OUCHI
ISAMU KOSUGI
MASAO SHIMIZU
UTAEMON ICHIKAWA
MITSUKO MIRURA
UMIKO YAMAJI
Directed by KENJI MIZOGUCHI
The land is at peace under the Tokugawa shogunate.
March 14, 1701-- Tsunayoshi is the 5th shogun.
Kajikawa.
You must thank the Imperial messengers...
for Lady Tokugawa.
Why not ask me what to say?
What does Lord Asano know?
I have been Master of Ceremonies...
over 40 years.
Why did you ask...
Lord Asano?
Reception Committee member...
in name only.
I doubt he can...
carry out...
his various functions.
ormer lords carried out...
their assignments.
There was no one so ignorant...
or so rude.
This is the final day...
of the ceremonies.
The messengers have arrived.
After the shogun...
receives them...
I will tell you.
Kira, vengeance!
I am on duty here. Withdraw your hands.
A screen in the Palm Room.
Lord Asano...
take off your outer ceremonial robe.
We have been sent to question you...
About today's incident...
I speak as an official now.
You forgot where you were today...
and attacked Kira. Your reason?
I'm sorry. I have no excuse.
I bear no ill will toward the shogun.
I forgot myself over a private grudge...
and wounded Kira.
Did you intend to kill him?
My sword missed killing him.
I regret it.
Mete out my punishment.
A private grudge?
I have nothing to say.
I only regret I failed to kill Kira.
A slight wound.
Please laugh at my lack of skill.
Please punish me according to the law.
No, of course not.
I did nothing to have him bear a grudge.
That noise? Asano is coming! Be careful!
It is hard to believe. Such violence.
I can only think that Asano is mentally deranged!
Did you touch your sword?
Do you believe I did?
I am Master of Ceremonies and in the castle...
and this is an important day.
So I tried to avoid his sword as best I could.
That is why I was wounded from behind.
Very admirable of you.
Thank you for your words of praise.
My orders?
Very well done.
When my lord left...
he seemed pale...
so I asked him...
to return early.
He smiled sadly...
and said his worries...
end today.
He will return soon.
We must cheer him up.
You understand?
A word, Lady Asano.
Vassals Horibe and Kataoka...
are here.
What is it?
Today in the Pine Corridor...
our lord wounded Kozuke Kira.
Your questionings--
We reported it to the Elders in detail.
Kira, mindful of place, was lauded for not fighting.
Dr. Yoshida will give him medicine.
Dr. Kurizaki will treat his wound.
He can recuperate fully.
He can leave the castle with attendants.
Lord Asano...
to gratify a personal grudge...
he dared attack Kira in the castle.
So he will commit hara-kiri in Lord Tamura's custody.
Please wait.
Please give us time to think over your order.
I wish to express my opinion.
I agree to sending him to Lord Tamura.
But please reconsider the other point.
What?
As we have mentioned before...
Lord Asano's behavior has been of the best.
He cherished no ill will towards the shogun.
A true samurai, he admitted it was a personal grudge.
A great daimyo to be put into custody...
and to be ordered to commit hara-kiri at once is too much.
As superintendent and inquisitor...
I believe the judgment...
is unfair.
Unfair?
Lord Asano sacrificed family honor.
He was driven beyond human endurance.
Kira must have been at fault too.
Please use the samurai code in passing judgment.
The shogun praised Kira for his good behavior.
He did not even...
touch his sword.
What a world when such petty things are praised!
Wounded, all he could do was to run and fuss.
Too weak to draw his sword.
But I was wrong to call him a coward.
He was in the castle...
and near the shogun's chambers.
But a man like Kira--
We samurai would not call him our equal.
amily and fief are first with him.
Losing the samurai spirit, he only thinks of profits.
It has been decided Lord Asano became demented...
and resorted to violence.
l, Tamon, cannot easily agree to that.
It is only fair to inquire further.
You have a point in what you say.
But Lord Yanagisawa knows.
And it has been decided already.
We'll keep your request in mind though.
Please wait.
If Lord Yanagisawa decided it.
I must speak up.
In short, Lord Yanagisawa is Kira's distant kin.
It shows prejudice.
An affront to daimyo, not hereditary lords.
Request his reconsideration.
You go too far. It can't be changed.
The more reason a fair judgment the first time.
If not, try until a fair one is reached.
Administrators decide it!
You've no voice in it!
Insist and you'll regret it!
I beg you!
I say it out of Ioyalty.
Announce me to Lord Mino.
No! Your position is too low!
Please announce me!
No! No!
Please announce me!
Chamberlain.
A word from Councilor Kofu.
These are peaceful times.
The samurai are becoming lax.
But your conduct was that of a true samurai.
"I will not forget it." These are his words.
You gave him leave to bid his Lord Asano farewell.
So I told Gengoyemon Kataoka.
He said he would be forever grateful to you.
I am overwhelmed.
I feel for Lord Asano's vassals.
I'm glad you came.
Kiyo, preparations.
Kiyo.
The time our lord at Lord Tamura's mansion--
Stop it!
Would your death please our lord?
Kira was not even reprimanded.
Lord Uesugi backs him.
We can't avenge--
ool!
Tomimori.
What is it?
Magistrate's men came.
What about?
As previously stated...
the Asano Edo Mansion will be confiscated.
So Lord Asano's vassals...
must leave at once.
The Asano Clan Castle at Ako-- 427 miles from Edo.
News reaches Ako of Lord Asano's attack on Kira.
Another mistake.
Why the rush?
Confiscating the castle?
Our lord?
That courier's message was vague.
Does Chamberlain Oishi know?
Why check?
Our lord?
You tell me.
Our work is to carry out the chamberlain's orders.
orward of me, perhaps, but hasn't Oishi lost his head?
The worst possible news but he does nothing.
Instead, he's calculating.
It's beneath a samurai.
Is he a fit chamberlain?
We have many doubts too.
Yasoyemon Okajima.
Yes?
Who told you to count the castle silver?
I am in charge.
I have my orders from Chamberlain Oishi.
Yasoyemon... Yasoyemon.
How can you count money...
after hearing the bad news?
Oishi isn't Lord Asano's only vassal.
Others of high rank too.
He would not resort to such a thing.
I asked him to do it.
Thank you. How much?
The details are here.
About 900 kan, I believe.
900 kan?
It'll buy more than 20,000 koku of rice.
More than I had expected.
There was so much silver in the castle?
And how much gold?
7000 ryo.
7000 ryo?
Yasoyemon, what do you think?
Rate of exchange?
Chamberlain, the Asano clan faces a crisis.
Your important duty's to calm the people.
True.
But if we must leave...
the most pressing need is money.
Before we think of ourselves...
we must look after the people in the Asano domain.
It's our duty to our lord.
No, that is of secondary importance.
Think first of our quotas.
No.
The four Ako counties bolster us.
It is not the other way around.
The Ako farmers and shop people must bear no losses.
You're a chamberlain in charge of it. Help me.
Your pardon.
The second courier's arriving soon.
Know who he is?
Hara and Oishi, I think.
Hara came himself?
Why are you here at your age?
Edo Chamberlain Yasui's missive to you.
Hara-kiri that very day?
The shogunate showed no mercy.
Our Lord's dwellings were confiscated the same day.
The ceremonies for the Imperial messengers?
Were they postponed?
No, only a change in place.
Everything went as arranged.
It went smoothly?
I am grateful. I am very grateful...
for that.
What about Kira?
Not even reprimanded.
He wasn't?
Our Lord was hot-tempered...
but it was too cruel a punishment.
The verdict? I'd like to know the reason.
Here is it.
Read it.
"Lord Asano.
"Holding a personal grudge...
"against Kira...
"you forgot time and place, daring to--"
Wait.
"Daring to"?
Yes. "Daring to wound Kira.
"It was an unpardonable act.
"So you are ordered to commit hara-kiri."
Is that all?
Yes.
Have you our lord's last words?
Yes.
"I meant to let you know...
"but do not have the time.
"Reading this must puzzle you."
"Reading this must puzzle you"?
Is that all?
Yes.
Reading this must puzzle you.
His last poem?
Here it is.
"More frail than petals...
"scattered by the wind...
"I bid a last farewell and leave spring behind."
"More frail than petals...
"scattered by the wind...
"I bid a last farewell and leave spring behind."
Yesterday, it was to die...
holding the castle.
Today, hara-kiri for their lord--no decision's reached.
Chamberlain Ono wants...
to make Lord Daigaku the heir...
and turn over the castle...
peacefully.
Loyal men...
like vassals Okajima and Takebayashi.
They watch him as a betrayer.
How will Chamberlain Oishi unify such difference?
Brother said he's going to the castle...
to commit hara-kiri.
Is it true?
Are you still awake?
It's late. Go to bed.
Sugi, are you there?
The children.
I'm not sleepy!
Are ather and Brother following our lord?
I can't sleep.
A samurai's son must be calm.
It is most true at important times.
orget your father's words?
No. Good night, Mother.
Good night, Aunt.
Chamberlain Oishi and I...
are cousins.
It's forward of me to say this.
But all the vassals are waiting for his decision.
Ushioda, my husband, too.
He doesn't say anything.
So I don't know.
I can only say...
he seems to be torturing himself...
in waiting for some news.
I think he'll make up his mind by it.
Important news?
I don't know what it is myself.
Retainer Onodera in Kyoto...
came by sedan.
rom Kyoto?
When did you know?
Notified on the 18th...
by the shogunate.
Any gossip in Kyoto?
I've something to report to our lord's grave...
and comfort his soul.
I called on Chief Councillor...
and other lords...
and apologized to them...
for what our lord did.
Representing Asano clan...
I fell down.
And told them I represent...
all the vassals.
I apologized and apologized.
Just as you told me to...
beforehand.
They all said...
they all feel sorry...
for our lord.
We know how you feel.
I was overwhelmed.
They don't hate what our lord did?
There's more of it.
It's unbelievable but...
rumor says...
the Emperor said to those close to him...
that he is sorry...
our lord failed to kill Lord Kira.
What our lord did this time--
It is an inexcusable crime.
There was a reason, but...
our lord was rude.
He's deserved to be called a blasphemer.
But the rumor I heard--
And sympathy from nobles--
l, Kuranosuke--
I'm saved.
I don't mind other things.
Our lord's house or fief.
If he's branded as a blasphemer...
Our lord can't rest in peace forever.
Same to us.
We'll be unable to find a place to stay in Japan.
How seriously we think of revenge.
We couldn't avenge our lord.
You said you feel sorry for our lord.
I'm saved.
You return to Kyoto.
Sit down outside the palace.
And express feelings...
of gratitude.
or our lord and all of us.
You do that.
I will.
When did you come?
We came too.
Return to Edo.
Why?
They're all cowards here.
We wasted our time.
Oishi?
Coward too.
We'll avenge our lord.
On our own.
What you said makes sense.
But we must unite together.
Make up your mind...
after the meet.
No need to.
Wait.
Chuzaemon.
You're Chamberlain's right-hand man.
Why does he want to restore the House?
Is it true?
Tell us!
He's thinking it over.
No time to!
You know why we came in a hurry?
You don't feel sorry for our lord?
I do.
Decide then!
You intend to give up the castle meekly?
It's up to the meet.
I can't say it now.
We're from Edo, so you don't trust us?
It's not true.
We've two different opinions yet.
The shogunate sent its army.
They'll arrive...
the day after tomorrow.
Yet, no decision?
No.
You came here ahead of us.
What did you do?
We thought...
you'd make the shogunate's unfairness to the public.
We were glad.
And now--
I know it.
Wait awhile.
It's not that easy.
There's a reason.
or your own?
You go too far!
Look.
They've short swords.
They've families but they came here...
ready to die.
We're equally Ioyal...
not only you.
Hara-kiri won't comfort our lord.
People will laugh.
I'm vexed at it.
Lord Kira's hired 150 retainers...
to guard his house.
What for?
When we walk in Edo...
people seem to believe us to avenge our lord.
We don't know how you feel.
But we must do it.
I know.
But Chamberlain's to decide it.
Don't bother him.
Trust Chamberlain and wait.
No, I can't!
We're here.
But he changes his mind too often. I can't trust him.
What is it?
Nothing.
But you're worn out.
You too.
Don't worry too much.
You came.
Why so formal?
Depending on today's meet...
we may never see you again.
ather, Tokubei Izeki came.
He did?
Is he well?
So he came?
He's shouting at the porch...
that he'd go to the castle if you don't.
He's willful.
We've enjoyed quarrels since we were kids.
Talking ill of me?
He said you must be scared...
and need a stimulant.
He gave me medicine.
It's like him.
You can't go to the castle?
I can't very well go there without fighting with him.
Kinai.
Tokubei.
Remember my face?
You left here. Why did you come back?
Why? I can't ignore the crisis of the Asano house!
Go away. There's no Asano house now.
Not going to hold the castle?
You're a fief-thief!
You're in charge of it...
and won't fight!
I'll decide it.
After the meet ends today.
What?
I won't take orders from you!
You--
You're his heir?
Yes.
Monzaemon.
Age?
I'm 14.
Your hair?
On my way here...
I made it like an adult's.
I'll die for the Asanos.
My father taught me so.
Let us enter the castle.
ather's been Ioyal to Lord Asano until now.
Very brave of you but I won't.
I won't let you enter.
Go home...
and live your own life.
Kinai!
I'm talking to your son.
You kindly came here today.
I appreciate it indeed.
But even if we hold the castle...
I won't ask jobless samurai to help us.
You're jobless, too, since you were expelled.
It'll be a disgrace to us.
But--
Think over what I said to you carefully, Monza.
I'll go with you.
No!
I will!
No!
I will!
No!
Chamberlain!
You came from Edo too?
I'd like to ask you a question.
Lord Kira's wound's been healed.
Trying to restore the house?
Real intention?
Intention?
You don't like my plan to restore the Asano house.
Our lord's short temper caused this.
Restoring his house is Ioyalty too.
It's not Ioyalty, never!
Our lord wasn't insane!
He knew his house would be abolished.
But he couldn't bear it.
So he did it.
It's our duty...
to wreak his grudge...
against Lord Kira.
Our lord regretted...
he failed...
to kill Kira.
And he wept.
How'd you take it for?
Even if the house is restored...
we can't face people.
Only way for us is to kill Lord Kira.
I'm against your plan!
Even if all Japan were given to us...
I hate to spare Kira's life!
Tell us your intention.
I cannot, now.
What?
There are many different...
opinions among retainers.
So I can't tell mine now.
Promise me...
that you follow my decision unconditionally.
Through?
They all signed it with blood.
Number?
51 vassals.
Only 51 vassals who'll decide the fate of the house?
You sign with blood too.
or Chamberlain.
I'll do it later.
Yasubei.
Later.
Juroza.
I'll return to Edo, so I won't do it.
Magodayu.
I don't agree.
Gengo.
No.
Matsunojo, Chamberlain's son--
He's dead by now.
I'm a samurai's son too.
I wish to enter the castle...
and die like a man.
You're unlucky to be a son of this foolish father.
Even if you cry...
I can't be reborn to be wise.
You're plain unlucky. Resign to your fate.
Time to give up the castle...
is close at hand.
And many vassals have run from here.
Those who are ready to die among 300 retainers...
are only about 50 now.
You're all Ioyal men.
I didn't tell you anything...
and asked you to sign with blood.
I had to be doubly sure.
Now, I want to ask you the impossible again.
Please listen to me.
I want you to leave here.
As of now.
And go to Enrin-ji Temple.
Don't criticize the shogunate.
Close your mouth hereafter.
Please trust your lives to me.
It looks difficult but easy to hold the castle.
All we have to do is...
fight against the shogunate and die.
But give it up and avenge our lord...
It looks easy but very difficult.
It requires determination.
I intend...
to choose the latter.
It's a hard way...
to take.
How about it?
Please tell me.
A question.
Wherever we are...
we want to avenge our lord. Can we?
Of course.
As we remember our lord...
we can't forget Lord Kira is alive.
We can't let him live on.
I'll join you!
Please let me sign with blood!
Me too!
I will!
Let me sign too!
We'll follow your instructions.
We trust our lives to you.
So you'll leave everything to me?
Very well. We'll wait for the right time to come.
Leave here quietly.
But we served here for many years.
Paintings are trees.
We loved them all.
This is our last chance...
to look at them.
Bid them farewell.
You hasty man! Killing your son too! A fool!
I admit I'm a hasty man!
A fool!
But please tell me clearly I was wrong.
Since you came out alive...
You must have a plan.
I know you aim high deep in your mind.
Remember, we were childhood friends.
Tell me your real intention.
You shine all the more when you're in trouble.
I know you won't back out.
I know it.
or my son's sake too, please tell me.
The shogunate favors Lord Kira.
If we kill him...
it means we accuse its unfairness...
And criticize it...
to the public.
Hurry, or I will be unable to hear you.
I intend to resist the shogunate administration.
Good! I'll go ahead of you.
Avenge our lord for me.
I'll join you later, Tokubei.
Hurry and come.
I will be waiting for you, Kuranosuke.
Oishi's Home In Yamashina
Oishi Lives In Seclusion Here
Thank you for everything.
I'm sorry he did not come home.
Thank you for letting us eat our fill.
But we want Chamberlain to explain to our fill too.
We came here representing others.
I don't know where he is.
But we must see him before we return to Edo.
He deceived us.
It's our fault to be deceived too.
We'll talk it over.
We may never see you again. Please be strong.
Mother, I'll take them to ather.
Please do that.
Have you made up your mind?
I may be importunate...
but as your real father says...
leave this house...
and return to your own home in Tajima.
I came for you from Tajima.
Your husband didn't return for three days from Kyoto.
I know what he really is now.
I started to serve your house when you were born.
And saw you grow up.
When you married into his house...
I handled everything too.
I can't leave you as it is.
I'll follow you back to Tajima.
Please take your children.
You can feel free to leave them.
As long as he is alive...
I won't leave him.
People may criticize him.
But I trust him as his wife.
And walk the same road of his.
He's living a gay life alone.
He forgets you...
and Ioyalty.
I know him best...
as his wife.
His real self nobody else knows of.
If you ask me...
he's not rotten to the core.
There's some reason he's suffering to death.
And for that reason he's pretending to be like that.
He doesn't tell me...
but I can feel it.
And I want to share the pain with him.
Please don't ever say it again.
I want you to tell my father...
what I've just said.
He's with Majordomo Endo, the Emperor's advisor.
So wait here for a while.
While we suffer dire poverty...
he enjoys his life.
No wonder he hates to stake his life.
Well, well, I'm glad you came.
It's nice of you.
Kuranosuke.
Make up your mind.
Serve Emperor's Chief Advisor Konoe.
You should realize he's serious about you by now.
I'm overwhelmed, but as I told you many times before...
I can't face my late lord...
if I serve Advisor Konoe so soon.
Please don't press me for a while.
Girls, bring sake! We'll have a party!
Stay away, girls.
The reason you don't agree with me--
Is it restoration of the Asano house?
Advisor Konoe told me today...
he'll help you restore the Asano clan...
through Lord Tsunatoyo in Kofu.
I'll go to Edo for it.
To Edo?
Yes.
As you know, Lord Tsunatoyo will enter Edo Castle...
and become the 6th shogun.
It's easy for him to do it.
We're relatives.
So I don't want to see you being jobless.
Besides, my master wants to hire you.
That's why I'm going to Edo.
Don't ever think to avenge your late lord.
Be tactful.
I've been drinking since morning...
and I've got pain here.
If the house is restored...
you serve my master.
If you make trouble...
after we take steps...
it means trouble for all of us.
Don't forget it.
Don't forget my kindness.
Chamberlain!
Who?
I've heard everything!
Oh, Yasubei and Kazuemon? Are you here?
Tell us!
Is it true?
You'll sacrifice us and serve Konoe?
Only a year and you forgot everything?
Enough!
Rotten from sake and women!
You call yourself Chamberlain?
Don't talk!
We came here representing others.
But we'll avenge our lord on our own.
We wish you a peaceful life.
Kazuemon.
I can't stand it!
Shut up!
ather!
I'll go to Edo with them !
My son.
A talk with you. Come closer.
How well it's made, a plan is a plan.
It can never be perfect.
When it took place in March last year...
I've decided to kill Lord Kira...
and avenge my lord.
My lord's father died when he was a kid.
He became our lord at nine.
My father died young.
I became a chamberlain when I was only 18 too.
or more than 20 years since then...
I took care of him...
as my younger brother...
or son.
When he died last March...
it pained me more than anything else.
I gave up the castle to avenge him...
and I recommended his brother...
to restore the house.
Since the shogunate hates our late lord...
I knew my petition wouldn't be taken up.
But people are funny.
They like our late lord.
They even made a song for it and hate Lord Kira.
ormer vassals want to seize this chance.
But it troubles me all the more.
Even the shogunate official...
Superintendent Araki...
Submitted a petition for restoration of the house...
and he informed me of it.
I thought it meddlesome.
Yet I have to wait for his next report.
Our lord's relatives started actions too.
And now, the Emperor's advisor too.
A drop at the beginning.
But...
But it's a big stream...
even I can't stop it.
I started it all.
But it was...
a big mistake.
Why not avenge our lord soon?
I won't be suffered so if I can do it.
I submitted a petition.
If I avenge my lord in spite of it...
It's inexcusable.
People won't call it a clean revenge.
I just sit and wait the tide to change.
And wait for the orders.
I came, Kuranosuke.
Good news.
Important news from Edo.
Chamberlain.
I'll listen.
Tell me.
No greetings.
Our lord's brother was ordered...
to leave Ako.
He'll be taken in custody in Hiroshima.
I see.
Taken in custody?
Yes, in Hiroshima.
No hope for restoring the house now.
Let's avenge our lord quickly.
People in Edo want you to join them.
I pretend until now.
You must've hated me for what I've been doing.
I'll leave for Edo right now.
Will you do it?
It's bad news for the Asano house.
But...
we've reason to avenge our lord now.
Yes.
Now...
we'll kill our enemy Lord Kira.
Even if Lord Uesugi helps him...
we won't be afraid.
I've a favor to ask you.
We're busy, Riku.
No, we don't mind.
I see.
What is it?
My father sent a messenger to me.
He said it's inexcusable, forgetting your house.
And told me to leave you.
I'd like you to divorce me as of today.
You mean you want to leave me?
or my sake?
Yes.
Matsunojo's the heir, so I won't take him.
I'll take Yoshichiyo and Kura with me.
I see.
You thought that far?
Yoshichiyo's weak.
Have him become a priest and pray for us.
I mean he can't become a samurai.
No.
You're not in an ordinary condition.
Be careful on the way home.