Daiei Motion Picture Company presents
Sansho the Bailiff
Produced by Masaichi Nagata
Based on a story by Ogai Mori
Screenplay by Fuji Yahiro Yoshikata Yoda
Director of Photography: Kazuo Miyagawa
Art Direction: Kisaku Ito
Music: Fumio Hayasaka
Cast
Tamaki: Kinuyo Tanaka
Zushio: Yoshiaki Hanayagi
Anju: Kyoko Kagawa
Sansho the Bailiff: Eitaro Shindo
Taro: Akitake Kono
Zushio as a boy: Masahiko Kato
Anju as a child: Keiko Enami
Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi
This tale is set...
...during the late Heian period...
...an era when mankind...
...had not yet awakened as human beings.
It has been retold by the people for centuries...
...and it is treasured today...
...as one of the world's great folk tales, full of grief...
Zushio, be careful.
Okay.
Mother.
What is it?
How did Father end up in a faraway place like Tsukushi?
Father is a great man, isn't he?
Certainly.
He is a righteous and fine man.
That's what I thought!
Father!
Zushio-sama!
Zushio!
Don't be violent! Step back, all of you!
We didn't come here to fight.
We're here to appeal.
Then, please, calm down!
Are you the general?
Master, please come out! We're all here for you!
- What are you going to do? - We'll have master's transfer cancelled!
The transfer is just a pretense. It means exile!
What kind of nonsense is that?
He is being punished because of us! We can't just stand by and watch!
Let's all go to the general's office and appeal!
Wait! I know you care for our master.
But what you want to do will only make his situation more difficult!
Be sensible and listen to us.
For 13 years, famine has caused suffering for all of you.
You need every working hand you have.
That was why our master opposed the general's demand...
...for more men to fight his war and the increase of taxes on rice.
His attempt to help you was overruled.
If you do this now, you too will be punished!
That's right! If you riot, he will be blamed!
He will be accused of rebellion!
So, please, return to your homes!
You're too lenient on them! This is a riot!
Kill them all!
What are you saying? I do not approve of that!
Keep out of this. You are no longer governor.
How dare you speak that way!
Zushio-sama.
Your food is ready.
I am sorry to have caused you trouble, Uncle.
You've involved the whole family. Your wife and children are in pain.
The peasants are in pain as well.
Nonsense!
You cannot compare us to peasants!
You fool!
Tamaki. Take the children to your parents' home in Iwashiro.
Yes.
Tell them I am sorry...
...for disappointing them after they put their trust in me.
Zushio, I wonder if you'll become a stubborn man like me.
You may be too young to understand, but hear me out anyway.
Without mercy, man is like a beast.
Yes.
Even if you are hard on yourself, be merciful to others.
Men are created equal.
Everyone is entitled to their happiness.
This is the goddess of mercy, Kwannon. A family treasure.
Think of this as my principle.
Keep it in remembrance of me. Always keep it with you. Understand?
Yes.
Now repeat what I've just told you.
"A man is not a human being without mercy.
Even if you are hard on yourself, be merciful to others."
"Men are created equal.
Everyone is entitled to their happiness."
- Do you remember your father's face? - Yes, Mother.
- And his teachings also? - Yes.
Zushio, it is time to say goodbye to your father.
Anju, become a lovely lady.
- Look after your sister. - Yes, Father.
We are not parting forever.
Be hopeful and brave.
Yes.
I never dreamed I would have to leave this place.
- Governor! - Master!
Come, we must hurry. We have to find a place to stay.
Zushio, Anju...
...we are taking the same road your father took.
Father.
My lady! My lady!
There are no lodgings available in this area.
Why is that?
There have been bandits and slave dealers posing as travelers recently.
They have been killing and kidnapping women and children...
...so the governor has prohibited sheltering travelers.
Bandits and slave dealers?
- We are in trouble. - What shall we do?
We have no choice other than to find a place to camp.
Camp, my lady?
We must build a shelter before it gets too dark.
Zushio, Anju, you must help too.
- Yes. - Yes.
Here.
Mother, shall I go get more?
Yes, more thatch and soft grass would be nice.
- Come, Anju. - Yes.
Brother, we should get this branch.
You can't break it by yourself, Anju.
Mother is calling us.
- It's the sound of the waves. - No, listen carefully.
Anju, come back quickly!
Zushio!
Anju!
You two must be hungry. This will help.
- What was that? - Wolves, my lady.
Do not worry. They will not come near the fire.
Don't worry, dear. It'll be all right.
I'm sorry we don't have any warm food.
I will try to go get some porridge from a house nearby.
And some bedding for sleeping.
I'll be right back.
Thank you.
Who's there?
What on earth are you doing here?
We are travelers.
We could not find any lodging.
I'm very sorry to hear that.
The cold night is harmful to children.
Come to my place. I can give you warm porridge.
I appreciate your kindness, but I would not want to intrude.
Just come quietly.
Even if the authorities find out, I'm sure they'll allow one night.
- Come, quickly. - Thank you...
...but there is one more person with us.
Another person?
Is this person a man or a woman?
She is a woman. Our servant.
Then it's all right.
I can't have a man staying with a priestess.
I was able to get straw mats, but could not get any food, my lady.
It's all right. This priestess here...
...has graciously offered to lodge us secretly for the night.
- Really? - Now, then, let's go.
Thank you so much. I am so happy. Thank you so much.
I can never thank you enough for your kindness.
It is nothing. I do not live my life only to serve the gods.
No, really. Even family cannot help us.
It is a cold world.
So you stayed at your brother's in Iwashiro for six years?
Yes.
Marriage will break apart even siblings, I guess.
With their stomachs full, the children have selfishly fallen asleep.
And what are your plans for travel?
It is impossible to walk. Why don't you go by boat?
There are hard roads ahead.
Also, there are many bandits lurking around the mountains.
Is going by boat safe?
Certainly. I know reliable boatmen.
- I will ask them for you. - Thank you.
I made all the arrangements while you were asleep.
- How can we ever thank you? - It was nothing.
Thank you. Here they are. Please take care of them.
Thank you for accepting them.
Come this way.
Here you are.
Please get on the boat.
I'll never forget your kindness.
Zushio, Anju, say goodbye.
- Thank you very much. - Farewell.
Farewell. I'll be praying for your safe voyage.
Thank you very much.
Now, lady. You go first.
Anju-sama. Zushio-sama. Go ahead and get in.
Get back, I'll help the children.
The children will ride separately. We can't all fit in one boat.
That won't do. I need the children with me.
- Please! - Shut up!
Mother!
Priestess, are you sure they are reliable?
You'll be taken to the right place!
- Mother! - Mother!
I'll give you all the money. Please go back.
Please, go back. Please!
Mother!
Go back, please!
Please, I beg you! Please!
- Mother! - Mother!
Please! Go back! Please!
Ubatake!
Those kids over there.
These kids? They're too young!
- They're smart and will be useful. - How much?
Four and a half silver for one. Eight silver for both.
They look weak.
I don't want any sick ones. No, thanks.
Hey! Wait a minute! Hey!
Stop all that sobbing!
Your mother's already been sold to Sado. Crying won't get you anywhere!
That's enough! If you want to keep crying, you'll get no food.
Please, buy them. I need to get rid of them.
Go to Tango. Try Sansho the Bailiff.
- Sansho the Bailiff? - He's the richest man there.
- He'll buy them from you. - I see.
You'll have a better chance than here.
Hurry up!
Hey! Don't stand around!
The kids are here.
Bow to the master.
You paid seven silvers for these weaklings?
What can they do here?
They're too weak to do rough work. Maybe they can sweep the yard.
No, I spent enough on them. They need to work as hard as others.
What are your names?
- They won't say, master. - Why not?
Stubborn kids, eh? Take them away.
Have no mercy on them!
Walk! Walk!
Kinpei!
Kinpei.
- Brother! - Anju!
You come this way!
Brother!
Anju!
Where do you think you're going? That way. Get going.
Here. A newcomer. Teach her some work.
- She should be playing with dolls! - What?
- Are you serious? - Shut up and get to work!
This is unbelievable. Namiji.
- Here, try holding this. - Yes.
- Can you walk? - Yes.
Damn that heartless demon!
I don't know who sold you, but you poor thing!
Get up. Come on.
Brother!
This way!
Wait!
Get back here!
Forgive me! Please! I beg you!
I wasn't trying to escape! I really wasn't!
Those kids reminded me of mine back home.
I just went to the third gate.
Fool! That's as bad as trying to escape!
Forgive me! Please, forgive me!
- What are you going to do? - Give her what's due, of course.
That's Namiji.
Are they going to kill her?
Of course not. If they kill us, they have one less worker.
Then she will be confined?
You don't know what happens? Look! This is what happens!
Forgive me!
I won't do it again!
Please forgive me! I won't do it again!
She's apologizing. You don't have to punish her!
They need to be taught a lesson. Here, you do it, Taro.
You spineless coward!
Don't look.
Eat your supper and start your night work!
Hurry up and eat!
Get in here.
Where did you two come from?
Come here. Tell me.
There's no need to be afraid.
Do you have parents?
They sold you?
Father would never sell us!
"Father," you say? You're no peasant's kids.
Why were you sold? Tell me everything.
Here, have some rice cake.
It's roasted well.
A messenger from the minister is coming, and Taro decides to disappear!
Hey, Kichiji!
Where's Taro? Go find him!
A guest will be here soon. Get the women ready!
And bring some sake!
Even children as young as you are sold and bought...
...treated like animals, and nobody questions it.
What a horrible world!
Tell me your father's words again.
"A man is not a human being without mercy.
Even if you are hard on yourself, be merciful to others."
I want to get you back to your parents, but Sado is far.
Tsukushi is even farther than that.
It is not a distance that children can travel on their own.
Wait until you grow up! Whatever happens, you must endure it.
I now see why you keep your names secret...
...but you will need something. I will give you names.
For you, Mutsu-Waka, after your birthplace.
You will be Shinobu, "to endure through anything."
- Understood? - Yes.
Taro-sama!
There you are.
A messenger from the minister is about to arrive.
You are needed back in the hall.
- Tell my father you couldn't find me. - He is an important guest from Kyoto!
Come. Let's go.
Such a sudden visit. I thought you had come to scold us.
Nonsense. What for? We only have to thank you.
You collect taxes promptly...
...and provide more tributes every year. It is a great help to us.
I am honored, sir.
You're the most trusted man among all the bailiffs.
The minister insisted that I visit and study the methods you use...
...in the handling of your people.
Please, I do not deserve such praise.
I am only doing my duty in managing his lordship's manor.
It is seldom done these days.
The minister appreciates your work so much...
...he is thinking of inviting you to Kyoto as a reward.
- Is that true, sir? - Yes.
I cannot believe it. I appreciate his kindness.
Kichiji, bring the chest!
This is a humble token of my gratitude, sir.
This is impressive. Thank you.
This is my son, Taro. Show your gratitude.
You are lucky to have such a father. Be a dutiful son.
Girls, begin your dance!
Are you asleep?
Take care of yourselves.
Open the gate.
- Where to so late? - It's none of your business.
AFTER TEN YEARS, THE YOUNG CHILDREN...
...HAVE DEVELOPED INTO STURDY YOUNG ADULTS...
...IN SPITE OF THEIR LONG HARDSHIP AND MISERY.
THE WINTER FINDS ZUSHIO...
...ALIAS MUTSU, 23 YEARS OLD. ANJU, KNOWN AS SHINOBU, IS 18.
Brother, wake up.
- What? - The alarm.
That way! He ran that way!
This way! This way!
Come back here, you!
- Over there! - Get him!
Why, you!
Catch him!
Get him! Get him!
Let me go! Please!
I've been working patiently for 50 years!
Let me go.
I'm already 70. My days are numbered!
Let me die a free man! I don't want to die here!
Mutsu, you handle this.
- Who did the branding? - It was Mutsu-Waka.
How cruel of him!
He'll die a miserable death.
Mutsu is a bad one. Must be the son of a bandit.
Don't worry, you're not to blame for anything.
- Teach this newcomer. - Pleased to meet you.
Take care of her.
Look. Like this.
Try it.
- What's your name? - Kohagi.
- How old are you? - Sixteen.
- Are you a peasant's daughter? - Yes.
- Where were you sold from? - Sado.
Sado?
Do you happen to know a woman named Tamaki?
No.
She was sold 10 years ago. She was 35 or 36 then.
She must be 45 or 46 by now.
I'm sorry. Sado is a big island.
Are you in pain again, Namiji-san?
I feel as though a heavy stone is in my stomach.
You're getting worse.
I can't rest unless I die.
We're not human beings.
Why does the rest of the world turn its back on us?
What are you saying? You're talking like a newcomer.
I have to get back to work. You too.
Zushiom how I long for you! Isn't life torture?
Anjum how I long for you! Isn't life torture?
So miserable as I am sold away
Boatmanm quietly row away
Hey, what song are you singing?
What is it called?
It goes, "Zushio, how I long for you. Anju, how I long for you."
Who taught you that?
It became a popular song in Sado.
Who first sang such a sad song?
A courtesan, they say.
- A courtesan? - Yes, named Nakagimi.
Do you think she's still alive?
I don't know.
"Zushio, how I long for you. Isn't life torture?
Anju, how I long for you. Isn't life torture?" Is that right?
- Sing it again. - Yes.
Zushiom how I long for you!
Isn't life torture?
Anjum how I long for you!
Isn't life torture?
It's Mother!
Isn't life torture?
Wait! Please, wait!
Take me too! Please, take me!
This is all the money I have!
Row off, quickly! Please!
Nakagimi! Not again. We're going back!
She's impossible!
Cut her tendon so she can't run away!
Please, I won't do it again! Please have mercy on me!
Shut up!
Please forgive me!
Remember, girls. Runaways are punished like this!
Too bad, Nakagimi-san. We can't see the mainland today.
Zushio.
Anju.
Zushiom how I long for you!
Isn't life torture?
Anju, stop it! Stop singing.
It's the first news about Mother we've heard.
Don't you care?
Don't you think of Father and Mother anymore?
Don't you want to see them again?
What's the use of wanting?
If we escape, we'll find a way.
How? We don't have any money. How will we look for them?
Just look at us. It's better not to meet them like this.
So we'll go to Kyoto and become somebodies.
Become somebodies? Stop dreaming.
Despite our births, we're servants now. Slaves!
Who'd bother with us?
You'll be sold to a brothel. I'll become a thief.
Or we'll both be beggars.
You already have the heart of a bandit!
A soul lower than that of a beggar!
How can you brand an old man's forehead like that?
How can you be so brutal?
Did you forget Father's words?
Don't you feel shame before the goddess of mercy?
Brother!
How could you?
It does me no good!
It's better to be loyal to the bailiff and get on his good side.
You have changed.
Mutsu, Namiji isn't going to make it. Go dump her in the mountains.
Namiji is like our sister.
Please let her die here.
- Take her, Mutsu. - Yes.
Don't take her, brother.
She's still alive. Don't give her to wild birds.
It's the bailiff's orders.
Another dead one?
This one's still alive.
- Take them. - Yes, sir.
Open the gate.
Not you!
When you're reincarnated, be born to a good family!
Be born to a rich family!
Hey, hurry up.
I tied this to the Buddha, so hold it tight.
And this is the goddess of mercy, Kwannon.
You'll be born fortunate in your next life.
Ready?
That's too ruthless. Please let me protect her from the frost.
Make it quick.
Brother, help me.