The Toho Company
and Katsu Productions present:
Once again... I've gotten blood on my hands.
The money!
Ah... I've had my fill of hell.
This howling wind is cutting right through me.
I don't like the rain...
...or the wind.
The gentle breeze...
...the murmur of a babbling brook...
...the scent of plums...
Yes, I remember a dreamland like that... a village...
...2 years ago... no... has it been 3 years now?
Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo (Zatoichi to Yojimbo)
Produced by Katsu Shintaro and Nishioka Hiroyoshi
Original Story: Shimosawa Hiroshi Screenplay: Okamoto Kihachi and Yoshida Tetsuroo
Director of Photography: Miyagawa Kazuo Sound Recording: Hayashi Tsuchitaro
Music: Akira lfukube Lighting: Nakaoka Gengon Art: Nishioka Yoshinobu
Editing: Taniguchi Toshio Sound Effects: Kurajima Yo Fight Choreography: Yuasa Kentaro
Assistant Director: Nakanishi Chuzo Production Manager: Sanada Masanori Film Developing: Toyo Laboratories
Starring
Katsu Shintaro
Wakao Ayako
Takizawa Osamu
Yonekura Masakane Kishida Mori Arashi Kanjuro
Koyama Shigeru Hosokawa Toshiyuki Terada Minori Sunazuka Hideo Kusano Taigo
Tokita Fujio Kimura Gen Tanaka Hiroshi Kimura Hirohito Gomi Ryutaro
Hamada Yuji · Etsukawa Hajime Kuroki Gen · Niizeki Junjiro · Atsuta Yoko Tsuyama Pro. · Kenmutsu Kai
and Mifune Toshiro
Directed by Okamoto Kihachi
The scent of plum...
...the murmur of a babbling brook...
...the gentle breeze...
Nice!
I've arrived...
I've arrived!
This is the entrance to the village.
That must be Tome.
Such a pleasant sound!
Just like 3 years ago!
What are you hammering at... Tome?
Rake... Hoe... Sickle...?
No... that's not it.
Something longer...
...about 2-shaku and... 8-sun. 2-shaku, 8-sun: = ca. 90 cm or 35 inch.
I was right.
I wonder if that's a...
Tome!
Why are you making some- thing so dangerous?
Oh, I get it...
Even if nothing ever happens in this village...
...maybe you want one just in case.
Just in case...
I know... Maybe I could... ask you to make one for me!
It's a dull sword. You can't kill with it!
As long as you can slice daikon with it. Daikon: Japanese radishes
I'm busy now!
When you have time, you know.
I won't be using it in this village anyway.
Why... Why did you come back?
“Why...?”
To relax, of course. To ease my mind...
You won't be able to.
Well, I thought that maybe I'd visit the hot springs or...
Oh? “The hot springs,” eh?
The gentle breeze...
...the murmur of a babbling brook...
...the scent of plum...
...and the songs of nightingales.
I can bathe, immersed in all of them.
Sir?
You're tickling me!
Am I, sir?
And you get paid for this?
You don't even know the right spots!
I am sorry, sir. I lost my sight less than a year ago...
So I...
So you steal from...
...the bathers whenever you have a chance.
N...No...!
Don't be so modest.
I'll show you how to rub the right way!
The chief of this village was...
...an honourable old man... I remember...
Hyoroku was his name. Is he doing all right?
“Hyoroku?” Hyo...
Oh, the coffin maker!
“Coffin...?”
Yes, sir.
He sculpts jizo all year round. Jizo: stone Buddha statues
That frightful old man, you mean him?
No, he was a delightful fellow.
He was always cheerful, easy to get along with...
After all, he was a respected village figure.
You mean, sculpting figures, right?
He endlessly chisels away making jizo...
The village chief here is...
...Kobotoke Masagoro, a head honcho. Honcho: lit. true leader
You must be new around here.
Sir? Oh!
Conducting business without even a greeting?
“Business?” I'm not exactly...
Then how do you explain... this?!
Oh, this... my master here was just showing me the right way to rub.
Really? What perfect timing. We just got out of the bath.
Test what you've learned on us.
Will you get on with it?!
But I'm such a beginner, sirs... so I'm not sure if...
Stop mumbling and just do it!
Yes, sir.
Well, then...
...please allow me to rub you.
Did that work well?
You bastard!
Yes, sir? You bastard!
As you can see, I am an anma... Anma: blind & masseur
...people call me “Ichi the Masseur”. Zatō: lowest of the four ranks in the guild for the blind.
What?!
“Ichi the Masseur”?!
Hey! You're sure that's what he said?!
Aye, sir!
Dammit!
Sensei!
Say what?
A 100-ryo reward... for one criminal?
Sure, I'll do it.
Sir, he's this anma...
Huh?! An anma?
Yes, sir. Huh?! An anma?
Count me out!
You kill an anma, and his ghost will come back and haunt you!
That anma dislocated our shoulders!
Sensei!
Fix us with your judo or something! Sensei!
1-ryo per man.
If paid right now, then 1-bu. 1-bu: 1/4 of a ryo
Nobody's watching... am I right?
Huh...?
About your eyesight...
You really are blind, aren't you?
Yes, sir. I am blind... that part is for sure.
That's good!
This might be a hellish place...
...but there's money lying around here.
Huh?
Oh, nothing. Let's get going!
Ichi...
Get off!
“Yo...”
“Yojim...?”
Hey, blind man! Hey, you blind bastard!
I don't care if you're Zato-ichi or Zato-ni... Ichi: one / Ni: two
...just let me earn my 100-ryo!
Where are you?
Where are you hiding?
There you are, my 100-ryo!
Don't run away now.
Don't move.
If you move, it'll be painful.
I'll slice you painlessly.
But, don't come haunting me.
Don't you come haunting me!
100-ryo!
What the...?
Shit! You freak!
A... Animal!
I like it. No wonder you're worth 100-ryo!
Anytime, any day!
Oh, you will, will you? Well, me too.
I've had too much to drink tonight...
...but next time, it won't be like this!
Hey! Come with me, 'cause we're going drinking!
“Come with me?” But... as you can see I'm a...
...blind man. Shit!
Talk about a pain in the ass!
Shit!
This blind guy is dead, lying with his eyes wide open!
Don't stare at me like that! Look away!
Who killed this man?!
Are there any witnesses?!
Who did this?! Who's the perpetrator?!
By the way, fellow... you got any money on you?
Yes, sir... some.
All right. We're going in.
Sake! Sake!
Sake! Bring the whole keg!
The scent of plum...
I remember now...
Umeno... Miss Umeno, it's you, isn't it?
Do you recognize m...
...I don't think so.
You don't? But... it's only been 3 years...
That's... too long ago for me.
Well, why don't you come in, mister anma.
Your hand...
Huh?
The feel of your hand... that sure hasn't changed!
Three years ago...
...you always used to take my hand... like this...
Don't touch her!
Don't you shout, yojimbo... sir. Yojimbo: lit. Bodyguard
I don't like people who shout.
I don't like people who show up here drunk, either!
And I really hate those who don't pay their tab!
“Tab...?”
Fine, I'll pay up!
'Cause tonight, I've got 100-ryo.
Where?
Right there. Where?
It's laughing, right over there.
Stop laughing!
That guy, you see, is...
...called Zatoichi, and his head is worth 100-ryo.
Anytime you wanna take me on...
Or we can deal with that some other time.
Well, for now we're here to drink, yes?
Umeno... I remember...
...your father. What a fine man.
He's dead. All the good ones die...
The bad ones stick around.
This is no place for an anma!
Me?
But, Umeno, you're...
I'm... one of those bad ones, see.
That's right.
Bad is an under- statement...
Gamblers, officials, townsfolk...
She'll use anybody she needs to.
A guy like me is one of the worst!
Far worse than the worst...
Worse than the worst crooks!
I'm the crooked crook! What do you have to say to that?!
Well, I happen to be... a bit of a crook myself.
If you're a crook, then act like one, dammit!
Madam, we have a guest...
...Mr. Eboshiya is here...
If you'll excuse me.
Eboshiya, eh?
That asshole doesn't act like a crook either!
I hate that!
May I... help you?
Zatoichi! Come with us to our station!
Have I done something?
We're looking for a criminal!
Oh? Are there any around here?! We're looking for a criminal!
And, there's the case of an anma who was killed!
Oh, but... I've got nothing to do with...
You can talk down at our station! Come with us!
There's no reason for him to go.
I mean, Tozo...
...I won't hand him over to you.
He's the 100-ryo that I've earned...
How could I let some constable have him, just like that?!
Sir, sir... now, now...
We're in Umeno's place...
Let's be quiet in here, you know?
Thank you for the treat.
Hold it!
Sir?
You did say you had some money.
Leave it.
Yes, sir. I can... some.
Mister anma?
Mister anma, my guest wants you to give him a massage...
Anma, eh?
Don't you come haunting me after you die.
...so, you'll put my head... “on a spike, 3 feet off the ground”...?
Uh-huh. That's right.
There'll be an official coming to see you in a couple of days.
I guess that'll be the end for you.
Shit! He's drunk and passed out...
The man is totally useless!
Hey! Where are you going?! The station is this way!
Yessir, I'm very sorry, but...
...this thing about my head being 3 feet up...
...I'm really scared of heights, so...
Say what?!
Masagoro... listen to me carefully now.
Understand? I beg you.
You made me come all the way here for this?! I'm leaving!
Wait!
I have a clue as to what happened...
The guy who was murdered, Tokubei...
...well, the villagers think that he died in a fight over Umeno...
...but the truth is that you had him murdered.
If you know that much, then let me ask you this...
Where are the gold bars? Where did you hide them?!
How many times have I told you?
I don't know anything...
I knew you were going to say that.
You're gonna hand them all to my brother, Sanyemon!
How can I give him something that I don't have?
Can't you believe the words of your own father?
“Father?!” Shit! You make me laugh!
Masagoro...
What if the officers come looking for you?
If the assassin who killed Tokubei confesses...
...they won't leave you out of it.
I remember that day, ten years ago...
...when I was told not to think of us as father and son.
Who the hell was it that said so?!
Yo, anma!
Yessir?
I work for the Kobotoke... The name's Yogo.
I see, sir.
Whatcha in here for?
Well...
Stealing from people's bedrooms?
Or, from bathhouses?
W...Well, no...
I've... done something dumb...
And, you, mister?
Me? I killed a guy!
Bumped him off last night.
“Killed...?”
I bet it must've felt... nice to kill...
Sounds like you're waiting for something...
Y...Yeah... My “big brothers” should be...
...s...springing me from this joint!
I doubt that they will.
What?
They said that they can't make it tonight, but in the morning for sure...
See? What did I tell ya! Eh?
Look what my “brothers” prepared for me!
Plum...
The scent of pickled plum...
Pardon me, but... well, if I could possibly ask you for one...
Sure!
Here ya go!
It must be fate that brought us here. The more the merr...
Mister... did you just... spill something?
G... Get me outta here...
Now what in the world made you kill? Who was the unlucky victim?
One of E...Eboshiya's agents... B...But, I didn't do it!
Of the three of us, I had the smallest job!
The “big brothers” and I, three of us...
I only dumped the body in the river!
H...Help me out of here... mister anma!
Anma!
What's wrong? What's with all that shouting?
He appeared to haunt me...
What in the world is going on?
Is it all right for me to stay over here?
You're already staying over.
And I heard the first cock crow.
Then... will you lay with me?
I want to... hold you so badly.
You killed someone in your dreams...
...and now you're so frightened that you want to have me...
...by paying for me?
Yeah... but I don't have the money right now.
Put it on my tab.
Then, go and kill Masagoro.
“Masagoro?”
Yes...
That wretch, who debased... made me into the pitiful thing that I am now...
I couldn't even say what I wanted to Ichi...!
Will you kill him?! Yes or no?!
There's 100-ryo in it for me if I slay Ichi...
...but I won't pocket 1-mon if I do Masagoro. 1-mon: 1/40th of a ryo
“Hail... Amida... B...”
“...Buddha.”
Ow! “...Buddha.”
Knock it off.
You were awake?!
You're only young once, young man.
Once is more than enough!
We both know that... I'll be beheaded, nice and clean!
I'd feel a little better if I just hung myself!
Mister anma...
Mister anma, how can you stay so calm at a time like this?!
What are you, nuts?
I've not slept for one second!
I've been holding back all night...
...trying not to wet myself like you did.
I'm scared shitless, because I'm about to be beheaded!
Beheading...
I wonder when... those officers will show up?
Once they do arrive, that's it for us.
What can you do... Why don't we commit suicide together?
Huh?! With you, anma?!
No way! No!
Maybe with Umeno, I could do it...
...but, with you? No!
I don't want to, either.
That's not what I mean...
We'll eat those riceballs from last night...
I...I'll have to say “No” to that, too!
That looked very painful. That poor rat... was wringing its throat...
That's what I mean. What I'm saying is, that's what we'll do...
...the two of us, together...
Are we too late?! Open up! Now!
Open up! Open up!
Make him vomit! We can't have him die on us!
Why is it... troublesome... if I die...?
Why did you have to do such a silly thing as this?!
You're gonna be set free!
My, what a change that is! Fill me in.
W...Wh...What the...?
Oh, this was just a little skit, sir! So, what's the story?
A certain honourable personage requested it.
But, there's a condition... We can only release you at the village gate.
Yessir! How very nice of you.
Yogo! Yogo! Yogo's gone!
Why, that bastard! Don't let him get away!
Go!
Er... where are... my things?
Ichi!
That voice... It's you... Old Man Hyoroku.
That's right, Ichi!
I'm glad that you remembered this village enough to return!
So cold!
My... why are they so cold?
Old Man...
...maybe it would have been better if I had...
...forgotten about this village altogether, you know?
You're leaving, Ichi?
It seems that might be for the best.
Won't you stay a little while longer, Ichi?
In this frozen little village?
Looking back on things, it's my fault...
It's all my fault.
Two years ago... there was a devastating drought...
In villages and reserves everywhere...
...the famine was so bad that people would even hunt for rats and moles.
Our village was lucky, because we had kept some food reserves...
...so we managed to live through the winter somehow.
But a gang of starved bandits learned of the food...
...and they invaded the village like ants!
Yes, just like ants... they came crawling here!
I wanted to protect the villagers...
...so I hired the gangsters... the Kobotoke Clan.
It was like hell...
Just remembering it makes my skin crawl...
...it surely was pure hell!
Right in our village... Right here...
...a hundred and thirty starved people were...
Suffice it to say that the Kobotoke had their way with them.
Ichi... the reason why the village had become the way it is...
...is because of the curse of those dead souls!
I can't think of any other explanation.
I had no idea...
But...
...there's nothing... that I can do...
Just having you here is more than I can ask.
Everybody has lost their love of life...
They've all stopped talking to one another...
...and all the laughter, all the smiles, they've all faded away.
That's why we need someone who still remembers what we used to be.
Then...
...it was you who bribed the guards... to set me free.
No, it wasn't me.
It was Sir Eboshiya, the silk distributor.
Ichi, this is it. We're here.
Old Man... why, this is...
Uh-huh. You have a good memory.
It used to be my house, but he bought it from me.
All right now, he's waiting for us.
The boss is waiting for you on the fourth floor.
“T... The fourth floor?!”
Hey!
Huh?
So nice of you to come, Ichi.
Sir! Thank you very much!
Especially for what you've done for me!
No, no! I'm the one who should thank you!
We don't see too many good anma around here, you see.
Well! In that case...
Very well...
All right, sir.
I'm not sure if my technique will be to your liking...
...but, well...
...allow me to be at your service!
Uh-huh!
Wow!
Uh-huh! There's nothing like the real thing!
Wow! I feel like I've been reborn!
Is that so, sir?
Still, this massage has cost you a lot!
But, Ichi, there are things that are priceless.
You can visit me every day, can't you?
Sir, I'd appreciate that.
But, you know, sir, I feel...
...er, how can I put it...
...that this village has lost the warmth it once had...
...as well as its tranquillity.
You're right about that.
Yessir.
It feels like this room is...
...like heaven in comparison.
Three years ago, sir, you weren't in...
Oh, no, I wasn't here.
Uh-huh.
My late wife and I were travelling cosmetics merchants.
That explains it! See, sir? Your body...
...well, this is a body that's been through a lot! Indeed!
So, how did you end up here?
For the same reason you came back...
I couldn't forget how good it used to be in this village...
...so I settled down here two years ago.
How about it? Why don't you consider settling down here?
Zatoichi's become Eboshiya's yojimbo?
Yessir!
He's gonna cost ya! 200-ryo.
What?! “200-ryo?!”
No way! That's evil!
Yeah, I am evil.
W...Where are you off to?
I'm gonna go over there.
Sensei!
“Sensei!”
Don't worry. I'll be right back.
Get the 200-ryo together by the time I return. Not a ryo less!
Say, Ichi...
...what do you say? Won't you lend me some of your knowledge?
“Knowledge?”
Anma might have know-how, but we don't know how we know how!
Well, you'll be properly rewarded, of course.
Well, like they say...
...”there's nothing so priceless as something that's free.”
Well? You'll settle down here, won't you?
We all live... only once, you know, sir?
I see... So it was too much for me to ask.
But, you can stay at least for a couple of days, right?
Yes, sir. For a couple of days, sure. I need to relax...
...before I hit the road again.
So, 'til then... sir, if you would...
Huh?
...treat me well!
Eboshiya Yasuke! Are you in there?!
That animal!
Boss!
Kobotoke's yojimbo says he wants to talk to you, sir!
Well I don't want to talk to him. Please ask him to leave.
Yessir!
Oh, that's fine now. I feel so much better.
Yes, sir.
Ichi...
Sir? Ichi...
I have to deal with crooks like those every day.
They sure give me headaches.
I feel for you, sir.
That man who just left... Has he hurt his left leg?
How did you know?
And also...
...the person sitting right there...
...the third rib from the top... has got a crack in it.
Do I... smell something burning?
What are you doing?
What's going on?
Watch it! It's hot!
Watch out! It's hot!
Hey! Fire! Fire! We've got a fire in here!
Boss! Boss!
Don't panic, Soshichi.
Tell everyone to drop everything and get outside.
Fire! Fire! We've got a fire!
We've got a fire in here!
How about a reward?
For what?
Don't pretend you don't know.
I was the one who tipped off your guard...
...that the fake anma was a spy!
50-ryo. Or 5, if paid right now.
I have no idea what you are talking about.
But, for the time being...
...won't you please take this and leave?
Hey! Put out the fire!
Hurry up and put it out!
What if it burns the place down?!
Hey! Watch out!
A little to the left!
Left! Left!
Thank you for your kindness! Thank you!
You are one cruel man!
First you act like a tiger, then you act like a cat.
And now you're getting your jollies tormenting the handicapped!
Well, if you're so upset about it...
...chop off my legs and make ME a cripple!
Fine. One of these days.
“One of these days?”
Be specific...
I'll pocket 200-ryo by killing you...
Now, what did Eboshiya say he'd pay you to kill me?
No numbers so far.
What? You're working for free?
I don't like that.
I don't like people who interfere with my work...
...but I HATE people who think they're dispensing justice, and work for free!
I want a competitor.
Blind man! You blind bastard!
“Blind bastard?”
Well, calling me that once is fine, sir.
Say what, you blind bastard?
Twice is okay, as well.
But three times...
All right.
We'll see if we're enemies or friends.
Look over here! You blind bastard!
Blind bastard! Blind bastard!
I see...
You sure are worth 200-ryo.
Hey... you blind bastard...
Look over here.
Ichi!
Anything wrong, sir?
I...I can't see!
I can't either, but I've got no problem with it.
Oh! Don't get so cocky!
The blind killing the blind... It would leave a bad taste in your mouth!
Oh, I don't think I'd have a problem with it, sir.
Oh, come on!
Yo, you “blind bastard!” Ya gonna do it or not?!
Bro!
Boss... no, Sen... Sensei!
When the wind blows... the coffin maker makes a killing.
Seems that's really the case, eh... Old man?
Huh?
In just a little while, you see...
...you'll get an order for about 4 coffins.
Ichi... you mean...
Yes, sir...
I thought that I'd... be in the care of this village for awhile.
Ichi!
I'm worried about Umeno, who's...
...been possessed by an animal!
“An animal?!”
And... there's some- thing else...
...something I just can't understand...
What is it?
You know...
...that Eboshiya...
Boss...
By tomorrow or shortly after, Officer Wakiya will arrive.
Maybe we should use our Shogunate connection to crush the Kobotoke!
No...
Masagoro is my own son, and nothing can change that.
How can a parent cause his own son to be executed?
But, sir... We've got to do something...
Our real problem is that yojimbo.
If we can somehow eliminate that ronin, Masagoro would be...
Howdy!
Who sent you here?
The Young Master!
It's from our Young Master in Edo!
Oh!
Sensei...
D...Do you think my dad's really hiding the bars of gold?
If you don't believe it, then I'll go after it by myself.
Sensei!
“Sensei!”
But... you won't find them in his house.
Huh?
I thought that if I smoked them out, they'd reveal their secret...
...but not a soul left carrying a bar of gold...
...or even a chunk of wood.
That's why... it ain't there.
Then...
But... they exist!
They exist... somewhere!
Well? Wanna know the secret of those bars of gold?
Why, of course!
10-ryo. If paid now, 1-ryo.
Eboshiya's got a younger son, Masagoro's brother...
...who used to be studying to be a doctor in Kyoto.
Unlike the older son, this one was praiseworthy!
The Goto family, which runs the Shogunate Mint...
...liked him so much that they let him marry their daughter.
The Mint Officials, eh...?
Uh-huh. That was the start of Eboshiya's good fortune.
I mean... The Goto's have run the Mint for generations.
What if they fiddled with the gold content...
...every time gold pieces were manufactured?
If you wanna know more... 20-ryo.
If paid right now, 2-ryo.
Well, Old Man...
I'm dead broke, so...
...I'm gonna go earn myself 2- or 3-ryo.
Huh...?
I'm gonna visit Kobotoke's casino and run a little scam.
Don't be a stranger, Ichi! I know this place is a mess, but...
...if you don't mind staying here, I don't want your money.
I appreciate that, sir.
But...
...good people shouldn't be sheltering gamblers.
Besides, I am but a...
...blind bird on a pilgrimage, with no nest to call home.
Well, then...
Good sir! My good Yojimbo! Where are you off to?
To Umeno's!
Oh...? And where are you off to?
I'm gonna go earn me 3-ryo or so... at a gambling house.
“A gambling house?”
Yes... Oh, by the way...
What is it?
Could you possibly...
...lend me 2-bu or so, to get me started?
“2-bu?!”
Yessir.
I don't carry around pocket change like that!
Sorry, but I've only got big money.
I've got 3-ryo!
What a fine color...
It's called “gold!”
I shall pay you back.
But, this koban... it's not made all that well. koban: gold coin worth 1-ryo or 4-bu
It's turning sour.
All right, folks. Place your bets!
Even!
We need more people betting on odd.
Everyone all right with that?
All right! Ready to roll!
Odd!
You have it! You win! It's odd!
That's incredible!
Ah, so it was odd, after all!
Zato, good fellow...
Why don't you roll this time?
You want me to, sir? But... I'm blind, so...
...I don't know if I can do it right, sir.
Just cut the crap and roll.
Yes, sir. If I may...
All right, then...
If I may be allowed to bet against you, sir...
I said, just cut the crap and roll them!
Yes, sir! All right, please allow me to proceed...
Well, sir? Are we ready?
Here we go...
Your bet, please... sir.
Even.
You? The one and only Masagoro of Kobotoke, the Boss?
That's all you care to bet?
Uh-huh, now that's more like...
...the invincible boss that you are.
Challenge!
It's odd.
Don't come near me, you freak! Sit over there.
I just came to pay back what I owe, sir.
Thank you, you animal!
Oh? Where is Umeno?
Don't speak her name so casually.
Have you also slept with her?
No, sir...
She only took my hand in hers, and led me.
Thought so.
Who's gonna go to bed with a freak like you?
But, that was then.
You mean... she'd... even with an animal like yourself?
Uh-huh.
With anybody!
There's Masagoro...
There's Tozo, that watchman...
Tonight, she's over at Eboshiya's...
...to sleep with Yasuke.
There must be...
...a reason why she's doing what she's doing.
Umeno's hands felt... oh...
...so comfortable and warm.
Oh, I still remember that feeling...
Shut up!
She's just a damned mercenary whore!
Just in it for the money! Money! Money!
Everyone likes money.
Shut up! Shut the hell up!
Just because she borrowed 200-ryo from Yasuke...
...why does she have to sell her body?!
She's a prostitute! She's a whore!
Sir... you're the emotional type...
Shut up! Shut up!
SHUT UP!
Then... we'll go without you, sir...
I think that'd be impossible...
Especially if it's just one woman doing it.
Sometimes, things can only be achieved by women.
Until I can pay back what I owe you...
...I can't do anything that I, myself, would like to do.
Oh? Have you found someone worth risking your life for?
You must be joking!
I've heard...
...that Masagoro's yojimbo is always over at your place.
Who cares... about an animal like that?!
Oh, I wonder...
What I want to do is...
...to wipe out the worst of those yakuza.
You mean Masagoro.
In that regard, I feel for you, Umeno.
That 200-ryo was my way of apologizing to you as much as I could...
Oh, no... I gave you that money.
Even now, if there's anything I can do, I will.
Sir, your kind thoughts are more than enough.
Besides... how can I let there be...
...bloodshed between blood relatives... between father and son?!
But, you see, that relationship can go only so far.
I even asked Ichi the Masseur to stay with me...
“Ichi?!”
There's a rather well-known yakuza, nicknamed “Kuzuryu.”
He'll be arriving today or tomorrow.
“Kuzuryu?!”
Uh-huh.
It's written with the characters... “Nine... Headed... Dragon.”
My son in Edo is sending him, supposedly to protect me.
The word is that his swords- manship is unmatched!
And that... he uses a weapon that's also called “Kuzuryu.”
“Kuzuryu...”
Good evening.
I'd like to stay here, starting tonight...
Huh?! Whatdidja say?!
Well, for one thing I'm a criminal, see...
...so I thought it'd be better if I stay where the officers can watch me.
Thank you for your kindness! Yes! Thank you!
Well, then, if you'll excuse me... Oh! Thanks again.
Oh, I can find my own way, thank you!
Sensei! Sensei!
“Sensei?”
Sensei... You know how you go “whoosh” with that sword-stick of yours...?
Won't you teach me how to do it? Here, I brought one for myself.
Tome the metalsmith made it... Same as yours, right, Sensei?
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
You see, stuff like this... shouldn't be learned.
Only crippled people do that.
Your body's in one piece, ain't it?
Find yourself a real job, why don't you?
Gee!
I didn't expect to be lectured to by an anma!
But I got one! I sure got one...
I don't know if it's what you'd call a real job...
...but I'm protecting Madam Umeno!
“Umeno?”
Yeah! I do it secretly... so nobody notices.
That's why I need you to teach me!
Fine, I won't ask, then!
“...do it secretly... so nobody notices...”
Trouble! Eboshiya's ware- house is on fire!
What?!
Madam...
My!
He's just like a child when he's asleep.
Little boy, you're gonna catch a cold.
Madam... this yakuza I've never seen before... is looking for your yojimbo.
Someone you've never...?
Kuzuryu!
Umbrella: “Eboshiya” Kuzuryu!
“Kuzuryu?” Never heard of anybody like that.
Can't you see what I'm doing for you?
I don't know why, but... it was rather noisy last night.
Fires, fights, criminals returning...
...and all just before the Inspector comes.
Good morning, sir.
Oh!
Dried fish and root soup...
Fresh cooked rice.
Oh! You put pickled horseradish on it?
It won't stop raining for awhile!
Chopsticks...
Where are my chopsticks?
Ah, good.
If I may...
Very good! Yummy!
What've you been doing, since early this morning?
A...After what we did last night, we're preparing for their retaliation!
“Retaliation?!”
Sensei!
There wasn't anything in that warehouse!
Nothing in the shop... Nothing in the warehouse...
Maybe it really doesn't exist! C'mon! Sensei!
Boss! Boss!
The Inspector's coming! He's reportedly entered the pass!
“The Inspector?!” Listen...
We don't give a damn about any Inspector now!
Can't you see we're busy?!
Hold on... It's worth checking out the Inspector...
“The Inspector?!”
An officer such as he can carry...
...dispatches from Edo without restrictions.
He could easily deliver a bar or two of gold each month!
Shall we go check him out?
Listen... I don't really want you around here.
A guy with a criminal record, hanging out here like this?!
Just imagine if the Inspector saw this scene!
How could I explain it to him?!
Y'know?
Won't you please leave?
Tea please.
Is he here?!
Yeah!
Tozo... The situation has gotten worse.
The residences of the mint officer and the finance commissioner...
...were subjected to searches.
What?!
Luckily, they got off the hook due to lack of evidence...
...but now the Inspector General is on the case!
The Honourable Inspector General?!
If he finds any evidence, everyone from the finance commissioner...
...down to watchmen like you will be punished.
At best, you'll be exiled... and at worst...
...you'll be beheaded!
Leave this area at once! Understand?
Leave at once, got that?
Were you... eavesdropping?!
“At best, exiled.”
“At worst, beheaded.”
Was he talking about me?
Well, Eboshiya...
You and I will have no more dealings after today, but as for...
...our little business, it will be kept away from prying eyes, yes?
Yes, sir... Only I know.
The Inspector General himself might come here to sniff around.
You must be careful!
Where are you going, Sir Wakiya?
And that too... only I know.
Ichi, where are you going?
The s...sound of the rain has dulled my senses!
I almost walked right by you, sir!
Goodness... it's raining cats and dogs...
I was about to go visit the boss, to do my work.
Oh? Eboshiya?
Right, sir!
That man is indeed praiseworthy!
All of these jizo statuettes...
...are his way of lamenting for those poor dead souls.
On top of that, he'll be building a shrine for them.
“A shrine”, too?
And he's paying for all of it...
The way I hear it, he's saving up for it, bit by bit.
Oh? “Saving up,” eh?
The jizo I made this morning... was the 129th.
When I sculpt one more...
...the task will be accomplished. Then even I can rest in p...
Old Man...
...you aren't feeling well, are you?
Somehow, your voice sounds powerless.
No... It must be your imagination, Ichi.
Listen up! Whatever you do, don't kill the Inspector!
If you do, all our work will have been in vain!
Yessir!
There! He's here!
Wait!
Kunai... Atobe Kunai!
So you're “Kuzuryu”, the “Nine Headed Dragon”, eh?
One spy is sent after another.
And then, yet another spy is sent.
I figured you'd show up.
Your companion, Kuwabara, died, didn't he? Well?
I eliminated him.
Not personally, mind you... But I arranged it.
Why?!
Anybody who interferes with my mission will suffer the same fate.
I'm here because you've made no progress!
And now that you're here... are things as you'd expected?
Sasa... You're looking for the gold...
...instead of looking for the evidence, aren't you?
And if I am? What will you do?
I'll kill you!
You'll kill me?
Big words!
You, kill me?!
You make me laugh!
Ow!
Now, this makes me laugh!
Talk about “all for nothing!”
Thief!
What?! You saw?! Thief!
No, I heard you doing it, sir.
I wanted to find something interesting...
...so I followed the Inspector.
And my goodness, look what happened!
I, myself, have been thinking about converting myself...
...into the kind of “crooked crook” that you've been talking about, sir.
Well, I may not be able to see with my eyes, but...
...my ears, nose and mouth, are really sharp, you see.
Thank you.
I like it, Zatoichi!
Why don't you become my partner?
“Partner?”
With my swordsmanship and your keen senses...
...we can pull off some really grand jobs!
Perhaps, something concerning the bars of gold?
Huh?
Uh-huh. That's right.
You go and find out where they hid them.
And I'll eliminate anyone who gets in the way.
Well?
Wanna join me?
What if I say no, sir?
I'll kill you.
I thought so.
Well...
...for the time being, why don't I...
...join you for 100... no, 200-ryo.
200-ryo? Why so particular?
Sir, there's one thing about you that's still bothering me.
What?
The fake anma...
...he wrote the word, “Yojim...” as he was dying.
I'm not sure, but I wonder if he meant...
Are you joining me or not?!
I'm saying...
...that I'll join you, the “crooked crook”, for 200-ryo.
But...
...if you're a spy...
...then I wouldn't help you, even if that meant you'd kill me.
What if I am a spy?
Snitches...
Private Eyes...
Secret Agents...
Just hearing those words makes my skin crawl!
All right. Fine.
A crooked crook, that's what I am.
If I may ask for your opinion...
Where should we start looking?
First we'll go...
...and see Tozo the Watchman.
It's Kunai!
I wonder if it's Kuzuryu...
It could be the same guy. I wonder if it's Kuzuryu...
Atobe Kunai is a spy, and Kuzuryu is Eboshiya's...
It doesn't matter. We've got to think about our next move. What next?
Well, why don't we think about it over a cup of tea?
You know, Ichi...
...when I was living in Edo, I couldn't even go out for tea.
On an income of 10-ryo, and with five retainers to feed, you can barely eat.
When people were enjoying baked eel on skewers...
...I'd be the one sharpening the skewers for them.
Ah... Even samurai come in a wide variety...
...from top to bottom, I guess.
When you're at the bottom, you can never get married.
Is that why you go to see Umeno?
Well, even I can see...
...that Umeno thinks...
...about you.
You know, it's what they call... a blind man's intuition.
Use that damned intuition of yours to find the gold!
Good sir...
...what are your intentions towards Umeno?
Shut up!
Never mind that. What's our next move?
I've decided that... I'll stick close to Eboshiya.
What?!
You'll be with Kobotoke, and I'll be with Eboshiya.
If we light the fuse at both ends...
...and get them all fired up...
I wonder, what will be left?
Interesting!
I'm in.
Ichi...
Stop over at my place on your way back.
There's something I must tell you.
As soon as your session is over...
The sooner, the better. Understand?
Hello... Pardon me...
...but... if someone would...
...please tell the boss...
...that the anma from yesterday has returned to be at his service.
If possible, I'd like to do it on the first or second floor.
The boss is on the second floor.
Let me take you there.
What cold hands you have, sir.
Thank you. I appreciate your kindn...
I ain't doing this out of kindness.
Sir?
Zatoichi and Kuzuryu were hand in hand!
If that's true... Sensei...
...what are we to do?! Huh?
Make a run for it tonight!
N...No way!
Listen, Masagoro...
Yessir!
I'll say it yet again... Yessir!
It's money that makes the world go around.
You can make anybody do anything if you wave money in their face.
Ichi too. And even Kuzuryu.
If you don't like things the way they are, plonk down 200-ryo right here!
Make a pile!
Hey, old man!
We came out here because we heard there's work for us.
Where are they fighting?
Either side is fine, as long as we get paid!
The stronger side... which House is that?
Which side would pay us the most?
100-ryo... Ichi, think of it as a deposit.
You'll get the rest when you take care of the yojimbo...
Or rather, “upon delivery of the merchandise.”
Well, that's how we merchants like to do things.
I don't mean it in a bad way or anything!
Yes, sir!
All right, sir.
In exchange... Well, I hate to request this of you, but...
...I want you and Kuzuryu to stay here...
...at my place, starting tonight.
Yes, sir.
All right, sir...
Allow me to start your massage.
Well... I'm sorry to change the subject, sir...
...but, lately... oh, how should I say it...
...the quality of koban... their poor manufacture...
...well, people have been talking a lot about it.
How do you feel about that, sir?
Well, we merchants handle a lot of money...
...so money has a huge effect on our businesses.
Uh-huh! And, how's the quality of koban these days?
Not very good, it seems.
Uh-huh!
When the value of koban goes down, prices go up.
And, when prices go up...
...those poor souls who can barely get enough to eat...
...suffer even more. Would that be reasonable to say?
It's exactly as you say.
Ichi, you are a learned man!
Oh, not at all, sir!
I just learn by keeping my ears open, you see!
Oh, sir... there's something else I heard...
Uh-huh...
The quality of koban, the contents of them...
...can be played around with...
...by the Officer in charge of the Shogunate Mint.
Freely... to suit his taste...
Ichi-san... what're you ge...
By making such adjustments...
...60,000-ryo or so a year might be siphoned off...
What exactly are you trying to say?!
The present Shogunate Mint Officer...
...the third successor, Sir Goto Sanyemon...
...is your son, who married into the Goto family...
...or so I hear...
...and so I figure, another advance, say, 100-ryo or so...
...wouldn't be much of a problem for you, would it, sir?
Ichi... You're one vicious fellow!
No, not as much as you, sir!
No problem...
You can have another 100 as an advance!
Old Man...
Old Man Hyoroku?
Old Man?
What's wrong, Ichi?
I don't know who did it...
...but this was ruthless!
Stop giving us excuses and do something!
Who made the poor, scummy peasant girl that you were...
...into what you are now?!
The one who made...
...me into this miserable wretch... is you.
What?!
Besides, how can you expect me to have that kind of dough?
I'm not talking about you. The old man!
If you get a little creative, 200 should be damn easy, even 300 or 400...
No way!
What?!
I ain't gonna! What?!
I'm working hard, trying to pay back the 200-ryo!
You won't do it, no matter what?
Over my dead body!
Fine then! I'll kill you!
I'll kill you!
You bastard!
You think you're tough?! Damn you!
Die!
Sensei!
Boss...
...here's your money.
These 200-ryo...
...am I right that they're for the yojimbo...?
I am right, aren't I?
Uh-huh!
Then the money will come back here anyway...
I might as well give it directly to Umeno.
Ichi...
The yojimbo told me to give this to you, madam.
Delivery complete, madam.
Oh! You're the Kobotoke Clan's chief, right?
We've come to help with the fighting!
Hire us, won't ya?
We'll come in handy! Hire us, won't ya?
We'll come in handy!
We'll cut you a deal!
I've got enough help already! We'll cut you a deal!
I've got enough help already!
Oh, I wonder about that.
What?! Oh, I wonder about that.
What?!
Just about now...
...they should be fighting over at the Renge bathhouse.
Huh?!
Charge!
Sasa...
You're lying around...
Drinking... Is this what you call doing your job?
Well, sort of.
I hear that Inspector will be arriving soon.
We'll be held responsible if we don't find the evidence by then.
Well, just be patient.
I've pulled the wool over that blind guy's eyes...
...and he'll sniff out the evidence for us.
Such a small hand...
And this is what will bring an end to those two devils?
That's right, Ichi.
Those devils... I just wish they'd kill each other and die!
Yes! I hope they all go to Hell!
But, I don't want you to be taken along with them.
Perhaps you ought to make a run for it... with that “Sassy Sasa.”
Huh?
Why, please excuse the silly pun!
Sensei!
Sensei, you're so dissolute! Just look at you!
We'll just let you have that woman...
...so, please! Do the job for us!
Please! Sensei!
“Sensei!”
Shut up for a change! How many got killed?
Seven! And thirteen more were seriously wounded.
Twenty casualties in all, eh?
Yes, sir.
Can't you round up that many more from somewhere?
Give a guy 1-ryo, and he'll do whatever you say.
Oh, yes! There were ten or so young men wandering around.
Gon! Matsu! Tsue! Go find them!
Yessir!
Again?! What are you spending your money on, anyway?
I don't know how you got all that money...
...but you told Zatoichi to hand over 200-ryo to Umeno!
What did you say?
Hey! Is that for real?!
Then, no matter what I say...
...now that the money matter is solved...
Yes, sir... now I feel as free as a bird...
And? Are you going away with that yojimbo?
Well... that...
Listen, Umeno...
...please don't leave me alone.
Masagoro... my own son, may kill me.
I'll be so alone...
...if I lose you now.
But, sir, you have another...
...precious son that is the apple of your eye.
Oh! Kuzuryu! How's my father?
Sir! He is doing very well for someone his age.
And my brother?
Yes, he too is well. In fact, he is so well that perhaps tonight...
...or maybe tomorrow morning, he'll be visiting.
Sensei!
Should you really be drinking that much?! Enough already!
Why can't you shut up?
They aren't coming tonight!
Don't act so bloody depressed! You're gonna make my sake taste like piss!
You know...
...maybe I should forget all about this village...
Huh?
Uh-huh...
I was just thinking the same thing myself.
What?! Ichi was telling me the same thing!
What? Ichi thinks so too?!
Bad idea, then.
Why do you say that?!
Shit! Even though he's blind...
...that bastard made 200-ryo in a day, more than I could in a year!
Goddammit! That freak!
But... Ichi was looking after us!
Drop it! If you want to run away, then do it by yourself.
I can't run away...
No matter where I run...
...there are those who will always be after me.
Where are they, sire?
Relax, Sanyemon.
Why such a sudden need to see them?
It's because... I am being followed!
Without evidence, not even the Inspector General can convict you.
Keep calm.
Just pretend you know nothing until this all blows over.
But... the Shogunate's men will be here sooner or later.
Don't you worry...
One of their spies did manage to infiltrate us.
Also...
...there was one other soul, aside from myself, who knew the secret...
...but, as of today... No more...
So there's really nothing left to worry about, Sanyemon.
Then, tell me as well...
I mean...
...the gold belongs to me, sire.
Indeed.
It's of no use for me, as I'm not expected to live much longer.
Then why can't you tell me where you hid the gold?!
Could you really pretend ignorance if you knew of its whereabouts?
Ordinary people can't possibly do that.
That is why even I don't go anywhere near the hiding place.
And, I don't see how you'd...
Right now, you're very agitated.
I just...
I just don't want anybody else to grab...
...something that took me years to accumulate.
That is all that I'm asking!
It seems I can't stop you.
But I'll be here, prepared to leave this place for good.
Don't go killing each other when you see Ichi!
And, do be careful... That Kuzuryu...
...got his name because he uses a weapon called “Kuzuryu!”
Something still bothers me...
“Ichi... Stop over at my place on your way back.”
“There's something I must tell you.”
Oh! Kill 'em!
Things are getting interesting!
They should all die.
Something still bothers me...
Sensei, we're in trouble! What now?!
You should stay at Umeno's side.
Wait! Wait a sec...
Before you go, let's go check out Old Man Hyoroku's place.
There's something that's been bothering me...
Hey! You morons! What do you think you're doing?!
Go kill them! I'll kill YOU if you don't get out there!
Now, don't leave Umeno alone! Got that?
Ichi... What in the world are you doing here?
“Nam myo ho ren...”
Ha! Praying for the Old Man?
“Nam myo ho ren...” Ha! Praying for the Old Man?
Ichi...
That 200-ryo made a fool out of me!
You and I are no longer bound by our 200-ryo deal!
I guess you're back to supporting five retainers on 10-ryo again...
“Nam myo ho renge kyou...”
That's right!
The one that you absolutely hate!
So for today, just keep on chanting, and rubbing the jizo's head!
Blind men shouldn't go wandering around. If you do, I'll slice you into ribbons!
“Nam myo ho renge kyou...”
Sensei!
Hey!
Are you with the Kobotoke guys?
N...No... W...We were just...
...hired for 1-ryo... Be merciful with us!
“For 1-ryo?”
Listen to this. Fellows...
It ain't no lousy 1-ryo we've got here!
Wanna do what I'd call an “All-You- Can-Grab Gold Plucking?”
“Gold?!”
Well... we don't care for gold or money anymore...
...we're concerned for our own lives!
Not to worry...
It ain't some risky job where you'd be killing each other.
It's as little as...
...the stubble that grows on a bald construction worker's head.
“Construction worker?”
Sure! As little as it might be... we'll do it.
Won't we, guys?
Yeah!
As long as we're alive, this is like a jackpot!
Why, you!
Eboshiya Yasuke! Come down!
If you don't, then I'll come up and get you!
Now's your chance, Young Master.
Go and scare your father a bit, and see what happens.
He'll run to the gold. No doubt about it.
Yasuke! Where are you?!
Where are you hiding?!
Eboshiya Yasuke... I am Shogunate Secret Agent Sasa Daisaku.
Tell me where you hid the gold. Where is it? Where did you hide it?!
Oh!
You...
...my precious...
...the apple of my eye...
You're MY Sanyemon?!
You'd...
You'd kill your own father?!
H...How can...
How can I confide my secret...
...to a bastard like you?!
S...Sanyemon! W...What's the meaning of this?!
What're you just standing there for?!
There are still 128 jizo left!
W...What are we supposed to...
“What?” We'll heap it up!
Soon, two dying souls that were once two devils will arrive...
...and this place will turn into a Hell on Earth! Well? Sounds fun, don't it?!
All right! Sure sounds like fun!
I think I've had enough of this crap.
I'm about to throw up.
Kunai...
You take it from here.
The gold!
Oh! My gold!
No! It's mine!
The gold is mine!
This is my gold! Nobody...
Nobody can take it away from me!
Who are you?!
A devil?! You must be a devil!
Kunai!
Kunai! Why did you kill him?
These people were witnesses to everything.
We've got no proof now!
Sasa...
I'm no longer the Atobe Kunai that you knew!
I'm Kuzuryu!
Then... you too were... after it...
Stop!
Goddammit!
Umeno told me... not to fight you.
They are... the fellows Kuzuryu brought from Edo.
Fire it up! Get it good and red!
Yessir!
Will Umeno be...?
Freak!
How is Umeno?
Umeno will die.
I've given my all to Umeno.
If she had lived, I would've quit being a Secret Agent.
If she dies, “five retainers on 10-ryo...”
But... Umeno will die.
Prepare yourself, you blind bastard!
She's alive!
Umeno is alive!
Don't touch her!
I don't have to... because I know her touch...
Umeno... Now I realize...
...that it was well worth returning to this village.
Ichi...
You freak!
Animal!
I just don't get it.
Sir?
That freak...
Why would he risk his life, when it wasn't gonna earn him a mon?!
I just don't get it!
That's Ichi for ya.
Not the kind of person that'd...
...just go for the money.
Isn't that right, Umeno?
You too...
And, you too?
The End