SHOCHIKU CO., LTD. Presents
THE 47 RONIN Part 2
Executive Producer SHINTARO SHIRAII
Original Story by SEIKA MAYAMA
Screenplay by YOSHIKATA YODA KENCHIRO HARAI
Photography by KOHEI SUGIYAMA
Fine Art Director HIROSHI MIZUTANI
Music by SHIRO FUKAI
Cast:
CHOJURO KAWARAIZAKI
KANEMON NAKAMURAI
KUNITARO KAWARAIZAKI
CHO YEMON BANDO
KIKUNOJO SEGAWA
SHOTARO ICHIKAWA
KIKUNOSUKE ICHIKAWA
SENSHO ICHIKAWA
IWAGORO ICHIKAWA
YOSHIGORO IKUSHIMA
JOJI KAIEDA
SEIZABURO KAWAZU
MAMPO MIMASU
UTAYEMON ICHIKAWA
MITSUKO MIRURAI
MIYEKO TAKAMINE
Directed by KENJI MIZOGUCHI
March 1701 at Edo castle.
Lord Asano brought his sword down on Kira...
after being repeatedly insulted.
He was ordered to commit hara-kiri...
and his house was abolished...
while no charge was laid against Lord Kira.
The news shocked the Asano clan.
Chamberlain Oishi yielded the Ako castle...
and vowed deep in his heart to avenge his wronged lord.
He pretended he wanted to restore the house...
in order to shield his real intention.
To his surprise, public opinion sided with him.
If Asano house could be restored...
his revenge couldn't be justified. It worried him.
Just then Lord Tsunatoyo was in Edo.
Emperor's advisor Konoe wants to hire Oishi...
so he asked me to help restore Asano clan.
His messenger came here.
But former Asano vassals want to avenge their lord...
headed by Oishi, don't they?
Even I have heard it, sire.
If I ask the shogun...
Asano house will be restored.
So I'm hesitating all the more.
Sages said...
respecting our ancestors is the first step of filial duty.
I may venture to say this...
but I think we must step over this teaching now.
Please tell me.
I lectured on Japanese history to you.
You must have seized the essence of it by now.
We're not Chinese.
Before the teaching...
we should be samurai of Japan.
Well said.
You're right.
We must act like samurai first...
then follow the teachings of the sages.
If the shogun...
permits restoration of Asano house...
there will be no revenge.
Oishi will lose his excuse for revenge.
What happened?
The messenger of Konoe is here...
paying his respects on his way back.
His master agreed to convey your words.
May I answer him about it?
Otherwise--
Enough! I've an idea of my own.
Brother. Is he the lord?
Is he master of this place?
I heard he is a bookworm, but he is no mouse.
He is not like other masters.
Brother!
I'm new here, but since you asked me...
I gave you a chance to speak.
It's an important occasion.
Please behave yourself.
I know.
It's you?
You there.
You served the Asano clan once, didn't you?
Who is the man with you?
He insisted on seeing a Noh stage today.
He is my brother, Sukeyemon.
Your brother?
He was an Asano vassal, wasn't he?
Does he know Kira is joining the party?
Sukeyemon, you are?
What was your position in the Asano clan?
I was of no account-- a man with a pittance.
No, you were not.
You represented Lord Asano sometimes.
You were not an underling.
Come closer. I'll offer you sake.
I beg you to excuse me.
Come, talk with me.
There's still time before Kira appears.
Hesitate to join me?
Frankly, yes.
I guess a drink offered by Daiymo won't be so tasty.
Interesting. You're so straightforward.
Then just talk a while.
You're wrong if you think...
the rat called Kira would stay in Edo.
He could be far away in Yonezawa any day...
where his son Lord Uesugi rules...
with his loyal men.
It could be any minute.
No use glaring at him after that.
Here in your palace...
you're in a position to say anything.
Is that so?
I can see how stubborn Oishi is, too.
Letting my words go...
and thinking what'll be done.
But I say he's making one mistake.
Oishi's Oishi, we're us.
I don't believe Oishi changed so suddenly.
Must be a good reason.
I only know his behavior is a fact.
Oishi changed.
So...will you?
You know something...
about a wooden tub?
If the hoop loosens so does the whole tub.
You can't expect to fill it again.
Sukeyemon...
if you have something hidden in mind...
don't think the ideas are yours alone.
If you avenge your lord...
it will encourage many samurai.
I won't meddle with you.
As samurai I won't thwart your plan.
We must help each other.
It is the samurai code.
He has enough time and thinks many things.
I'm not asking you...
merely out of curiosity.
We're enjoying peace now.
No more samurai spirit.
I beg you to tell me...
your real intention.
I know you're determined not to tell...
but I'm eager to know.
Look at my eyes, Sukeyemon.
I want to believe you are all loyal samurai.
Then please tell me one thing.
I hear the shogun is a suspicious man...
and hates popular lords.
Over 20 houses were abolished.
All with good reputations.
Ill-famed houses remain intact.
When my lord Asano drew his sword in Edo castle...
you were also present...
and involved in the judgment.
Asano's house cut off...
and no charge on Kira.
You overlooked it.
Is it because you'd be...
suspected by the shogun if you cared?
Brother! Too much!
Wait. Sukeyemon, continue. I'll listen.
Nothing more.
If only you, a direct grandson of lyeyasu...
would have put in a word...
Lord Asano may not have died that way.
And now...
you're mentioning our knighthood.
It's only your willfulness.
Maybe you're right.
I won't ask you any more.
You must have elaborated...
a secret plan until now.
I should have known you won't tell me.
I've no right to ask you, I suppose.
Trouble is, Konoe is urging me to appeal...
to the shogun for Asano...
in the intention of...
acquiring Oishi.
Oishi has been appealing for the restoration.
If his appeal...
is received by the shogun...
you can't attack Kira, no matter how you wish.
My lord.
You can't let it pass if Oishi's intending revenge...
while he's appealing on the other hand.
Then you would-- I'm going to ask the shogun.
My lord, I have something--
Lord Kira is arriving. Ready to receive him.
Brother.
Are you out of your mind?
Let go!
No chance after today.
We can't bloodstain the palace.
Isn't there any other way?
Let me go!
I can't let him live on!
You also owe a lot to Asano. Don't stop me.
I won't, but I have an idea. I'll help you.
Kira is on stage tonight. Mark him then.
Insolent!
Let me go.
Aiming at Kira? Fool!
Putting Oishi and others in a dilemma?
Please let me go, or I'll have to--
No matter who--
Have you gone mad?
Is it only Kira's life you want?
If you offer his head...
and Asano's anger appeased?
Why is this?
Why not do it in a big way?
That way you can hold your head high...
fail or not.
While appealing for the restoration...
aiming for Kira's death.
It will mislead the thought of the people.
Don't you understand?
Why don't you consider Oishi's feelings?
He's drinking...
his bitter sake.
After he's submitted the appeal.
Oishi must be lonely.
He must be sad.
You inexperienced men can never understand him.
Even if Kira dies...
a natural death...
it does not matter.
Just so you do your best to avenge Lord Asano.
And your action stands to reason.
Killing that miserable old man is of secondary importance.
I think this way about vengeance.
It is to do your duty heart and soul for revenge.
And the result should not be criticized.
You want to be deaf to reason?
You want to work against Oishi and others?
I was wrong!
It's my turn.
Have you decided?
We brought an important message.
Wait. Come this way.
I can do it.
We don't need the formal greeting...
for such a brief meeting.
Koshatei was allowed to reclaim his power...
after what happened in March last year.
He also received 300 Goku...
but before Master Asano returned...
he was ordered confined.
Koshatei is confined...
before Master Asano has returned...
he has been confined...
really...
Oishi...
It's time you should stop...
suffering.
I've led a loose life.
You must have...
wondered why.
Even though it was a lie.
To appeal the restoration of Asano...
was my misjudgment.
I should not have done so.
But if I had been given a fief...
we would have lost the reason...
to raid Kira.
However...
the people sympathized with us.
We could not have revenged Kira.
Our late lord would not have forgiven us.
Even if I had committed hari-kiri in front of his grave.
We've suffered.
I've...
suffered.
Oishi.
Your intention was understood by the people.
Thank you.
All we have to do is raid Kira.
We're not afraid of anything.
Please tell my intention...
to your lord.
Lady Asano's residence December 14, 1702
On the day of the lord's death.
And such a fuss!
Thoughtless people they are.
They're young girls.
Happy about New Year.
They can't conceal their joy.
All I have to do is pray for his soul.
Oh, you're the maid from Ako.
I see your trip here is rather sudden.
I appreciate your care and service.
How's my lady's feelings?
She'd be happy to see you.
Will you tell our lady, Godayu?
Oishi, the former Ako chamberlain's here.
He wishes to salute Lady Asano.
Is it all right for you to handle this matter...
on your own decision?
I see no reason why I should deny him.
Please.
No.
Ochiai.
Do you not remember...
since Lord Asano's death...
relatives of Lady Asano...
have been suffering?
Even to relatives remote as her cousins...
and many others, too.
Suffering has not yet stopped.
Don't show him in.
If former Ako vassals...
attack Lord Kira...
it will cause annoyance...
to Lady Asano's relatives.
Now the appeal's turned down.
Why should he come at a time like this?
What if seeing him affects the shogun?
I see your feelings as being of long service.
I've my stand as a vassal of this Miyoshi house.
Where's Oishi?
Here.
Our lady will see him.
Lady Toda, wait.
Our lady is here.
Nice to see you.
You're too far. Come closer.
We haven't met for so long being far apart.
Three years now?
I'm glad to see you...
as well as before.
I'd like to say so, but everything's been changed.
I deeply sympathize with you, my lady.
You must have been suffering since then, too.
There is a worn-out look about you.
Have a drink first.
You came all the way in the snow.
I'd appreciate it.
Some more?
No, although I'm a sake lover.
Please take some food then.
Take them as you do the enemy.
Your words make my sake bitter.
But I don't think you've come...
for an ordinary job at this season.
Nothing is so pitiable as a masterless samurai.
Only a few can get along.
All the rest are worn-out shadows of their past.
Can't even support their families.
These people ask me for help, saying this and that.
I was once a chamberlain...
and spokesman for my lord.
I cannot look away, and so I am here.
Then some hot-blooded men fuss...
wanting to seize the chance to raid their target.
Rather than starve, they'd like to get revenge...
and be on the lips of the masses.
I pity them.
Oishi.
I hate to be intrusive...
but I hear rumors that come next spring...
Lord Kira will go into retirement at Yonezawa.
His son's domain.
I've heard that, too.
The Kira family is afraid of us...
and plotting many things, I suppose.
Are you letting Kira...
go into retirement?
Too late after he has run...
into his son's domain.
Unless you raid him at his Edo residence.
Things are not that simple...
I'm afraid.
Really think so?
As a true samurai?
Kira's aged, and anything can happen, even today.
We have old men among us like Horibe and Hazama.
They can't be sure of tomorrow.
Too much for me to care...
about that far.
Trying to excuse and discourage the loyal ones?
Enough, Toda.
I can't bear it any longer.
No matter what...
he is our former chamberlain.
Restrain words of dishonor.
Oishi.
I feel so sorry for our lord now.
His spleen destroyed himself, as well as his clan.
His vassals became...
masterless.
He was a fool, trying to kill Lord Kira imprudently.
People will make a jest of him eternally.
That is--
Before he died...
he said he didn't have a chance to tell you.
But Oishi must be confused if he hears about this.
When I heard it...
I thought he counted on you alone.
And he regretted you were away from him.
I still remember his every word.
But no one wants to avenge him now.
I heard what people are saying.
They call him a careless man or a testy man.
Although he had brought himself to his death...
I feel sorry for him.
I didn't mean to complain.
I'll bid you farewell.
May I ask you a favor?
Today's the 14th.
May I offer incense to my lord in parting?
I'm sorry, but I'm afraid not.
I do not mind, but...
I don't think our lord would be pleased if you do.
Lady Toda.
Overcome with ennui...
I made poems.
They are unskillful ones...
but I will be happy...
if my lady...
will see them.
Farewell, Lady Toda.
Are you asleep, my lady?
Who is it?
It's Toda.
I'm sorry to interrupt your sleep, but--
Something I must tell you now.
I was feeling that I wanted to talk with you myself.
Have you not slept, then?
Matter of fact, no.
I couldn't believe Oishi yesterday.
I stayed awake wondering all night.
He came here on our lord's death day.
But he acted as if he wanted to discourage us.
It was not like him.
I feel the same way.
As he left...
he handed me this for you to have a look...
when you feel like it.
Said they're only poems.
It has weighed on my mind until now.
Open it.
Gold!
This is the account book since Ako...
has been in Oishi's custody.
Details of use are kept...
for the former vassals of the house.
I wonder--
Lady Toda.