Doctor, look! Ozozo San! Ozozo San!
That's Ojizousan. (note: Japanese for "totem pole")
Ojozo San! (note: This is still incorrect)
I've encountered life and death, and once in a while,
I've encountered things that I cannot explain...
things that go against reason.
As a man of science, I place my faith in knowledge.
When I'm faced with things science cannot explain, I'm full of amazement.
I am reminded that science is still not perfect.
I think that it's important to be reminded of such things.
The mystery began with a large package.
Doctor, look at what just arrived.
Hmm... No problem, no sign of explosives.
This money is really old.
There's a letter and map together in this small package.
To Black Jack: Have you been well?
I've sent you 3,7 47,000 yen to serve as payment for your medical treatment.
If it isn't enough, I will gladly pay the rest later.
My wife's life is at stake.
We're not sure if she will last until tomorrow.
I've mailed a map along.
We're deep in the mountains. Please hurry over.
I beg you. It's an emergency. Signed, Saburo Taneda.
Please help. Please help.
I will rush to the village on the map, for I have a reason to.
Doctor, look at this.
The date this little package was sent-- it was two years ago from today.
Two years ago?
I thought it was strange that the wrapping was so worn out.
Two years ago.
Surely the post office must have lost it along the way.
Pinoko, hurry. Prepare to leave.
Huh?
That letter said that she might not survive tomorrow...
and the letter is from two years ago.
I hope this trip isn't for nothing.
Middle town slips out
Match my rhythm, follow me...?
Outta step You'll be sucked in 'fore ya even know
If you had dreams, just let go
Must let them out
Let go
'Cuz you're gonna lose out on more than anything, you're gonna...
Miss out on...
Oooh... Don't play hide and seek...
In the crowd
Suck it in, go ahead, and yell it out!
Count each tear like city lights
So you think I'm lying? What the hell you want from me?
Tears counted like city lights
I can't stand to see 'em cryin' Makes me hate more...
And my anger just grows!
Excuse me...
Which way to Yashaga Mountain's Nakazato village?
Will we come across Himezuka?
I know Nakazato, but I've never heard of Himezuka.
Nakazato is beyond that mountain.
Thank you very much.
You should be careful. Yashaga Mountain has been getting snow.
Snow...
They got it early this year.
Let's go, Pinoko.
Coming!!
We should have reached Nakazato by now,
but I see no houses, nor any markings or signs.
We've been looking for Himezuka for a while.
A temple... There's a temple nearby.
Huh? A temple.
We're saved.
If there is a temple...
then someone should be able to show the way.
I'm hungry.
Well, we'll get dinner at that temple.
I hope we can get some.
It's 8:35 PM.
Stuck on a snowy road. Probably close to Himezuka.
I guess we have no choice but to wait for someone.
Pinoko, wake up. Pinoko! Pinoko!
Excuse me...
Is there anyone home?
Excuse me?!
Who art thou?
Hast thou cometh hither to this mountain temple to soothe thy soul?
Thou art weak in spirit and lost.
Is this the house of a man named Saburo Taneda from Himezuka?
I know him very well.
Oh, she has the sleepy face of the Goddess of Mercy.
Do not worry. I will taketh good care of her.
Go for about a mile down the road.
Before long, thou shalt come to see a sacred tree.
Abumaru?
Yes.
If it doesn't go well, will thou be able to act with haste?
Of course.
He is the doctor called on by Taneda.
What do you think?
All shalt be as thou wisheth, Lady Kaoru.
Before long, thou shalt come to see a sacred tree.
I'm sorry!
I am Saburo Taneda. I've been awaiting you.
Those who live by the sword, die by the sword.
Let their souls be redeemed in heaven.
Recite the password.
Over, over the seven bridges of Koigase.
Taneda, please cross over.
This way.
Who is it? Saburo?
Sorry I'm late. It's me, Saburo.
Do you have the Yura Leaves?
Princess, today I have brought you something better than Yura leaves.
A great doctor has come to cure you.
I asked thee a question. Didst thou bring the Yura leaves?
They are out of season, because of the heavy snowfall, but I have found...
I want the Yura leaves. Hurry and fetch them.
There are only a few left in the supply. If you can please be patient...
It hurts, it hurts.
Princess...!
Stand back, good doctor.
Stop it!
The blade has been dulled as a precaution.
It cannot cut.
Her fits are intense but do not last very long.
That's right...
Four years ago, when the princess was 16, she became ill.
Mr. Rokujoji, a powerful official from Kyoto, had become smitten with her.
But our princess would not return Mr. Rokujoji's love.
Our family, while very noble, were only mere owners of a small fiefdom.
However, compared to Rokujyoji, an administrator of the emperor,
he was the one with the true power.
He was 62 years old when he decreed that she should be his wife.
She was so beautiful, such a wonderful lady faced with such a tragedy.
She could not refuse such a decree.
Seeing no other way out, on the next night,
she ate the fruit of the Gamakazura, which contains a deadly poison.
We were able to save her...
but ever since then, she has been sick with fever.
She has seizures and violent fits,
like the one you just witnessed yourself.
With each day, each month that has passed, her condition has worsened.
Her pulse is very weak and chaotic.
Yura leaves?
This is it.
It's a very strong medicine, huh?
If she chews these leaves, her condition improves.
For a while, she can be at peace...
but now only 2 leaves remain in the supply.
What kind of plant is this Gamakazura?
In the hometown of the princess, where the Koigase begins, it grows there.
It bears fruit once every thirty years.
But not many have ever seen it.
Saburo, the fireflies at Koigase are so pretty, aren't they?
The summer when I was twelve...
Saburo, are you startled by the fireflies?
What's this?
Remnants of the poison of the Gamakazura.
It looks like a serpent wrapped around her body.
I'll need to test her blood.
My instruments... they're gone.
It can't be helped.
I'll have to go on my ears and sense of touch.
Some light.
How's this?
A bit lower.
I have only come here as a messenger.
Did you find out what's wrong?
The problem is her heart.
She has a heart murmur and her heartbeat is off.
There must be a problem with her heart valve.
It's not working properly.
And that caused the mark of the serpent to appear?
I can't say that for sure,
but it might be a tumor developing along her skin.
She needs open heart surgery,
but I can't perform it without my instruments.
What will become of her?
I'm afraid that without the treatment,
it could lead to heart failure.
If left untreated, she could die anytime.
That guy, he's Abumaru--
a mere plaything of Kaoru, Rokujyoji's wife.
Come down, Abumaru! Or shall I swat you down like an insect?
A common field boy goes against a messenger. Have you no manners?
I bear a message from the wife of Rokujyoji, from the revered priestess Kaoru.
Listen carefully, for this is her last gesture of mercy.
Don't make me laugh.
If it is her gesture, then my ears will grow mold.
Tomorrow morning, the soldiers of Rokjyoji shall arrive.
If you surrender the princess, then you'll be spared.
If you do not, then we will attack your family and see to it that you're all hanged.
If she is alive, you are to bring her wearing her wedding dress.
If she's dead, then you shall bring her wearing her death make-up.
The words of a jealous wench who has lost her husband's heart to the princess.
I heard that Rokujyoji acknowledges your fighting skill.
He is convinced that, for the right price, your sword would serve him instead.
Do not underestimate me!!
Tell him that the princess is my life!
Doctor, where are you going?
I'm going to tend to the patient. I'll return soon.
I had to return to our car that was stuck on the snowy road.
I had another set of instruments and medicines in the car.
I remembered that I prepared it.
Lady Kaoru would like to have a word with you.
Pinoko!!
Doctor!!
From today forward this child shall be mine...
What!?
If I can have this cute girl, my worries are over.
Rokujyoji will lose sight of this other woman...
and take me back as his true wife.
He will forget the Princess and our family will be whole once again.
Pinoko!!
Give Pinoko back!!
No one can deny Lady Kaoru's wisdom..
Lord Rokujyoji!! We have been awaiting your arrival.
Abumaru... How's the Royal minx? Does she still resist?
Yes.
She still has not proclaimed her love?
Yes.
My hate is almost equal with the level of love I have for her.
Saburo.
I'm in pain!! I'm in pain!!
Princess, hold on!!
Give me Yura!! Get me some Yura leaves.
No!!
Princess, hold on!!
Saburo! It's all your fault...!
Why didn't you marry me?
I told you that I loved you at the Koigase River.
Princess!
If you had married me soon after,
then Rokjyoji would probably have not had a chance.
Princess, that was impossible. I was a mere subject. I was so afraid.
Do you dislike me, Saburo?!!
No, it's just....
If that was the case, we could have left the country and been together.
Forgive me, beautiful one. My respect for thee was too great!
To consider thee in such terms was unthinkable! Forgive me.
When I took the poison, I wanted to go to heaven.
I thought we could be together there forever.
Forgive me!!
Furthermore, Rokujyoji's contempt for my actions...
has led to the attack on my village...
and the murder of my parents and their most loyal subjects.
Above all else, as long as I live, he will chase me to the ends of the world.
Also, I will go to hell for the suffering I caused you all.
I know you will not be reunited with me in hell.
Princess...
Saburo!!
My final wish is for you to take my head and send it to Lord Rokujyoji.
Princess!!
Do not forget to apply my death make-up.
Princess!!
Release me, Saburo!! Do it!
We will not lose, Princess. No matter what, we will not lose.
Prepare some hot water.
And some clean towels... we'll start the operation.
Lord Rokujyoji has arrived. He has set up camp here in Yashaga.
He requests an audience with you.
Well done. You have chased down the Princess' people and decimated them.
I'm truly indebted to you.
Leave the rest to me. You can return to your path as a priestess.
No... I'll stay here until I see her head brought here.
Don't say that, Kaoru.
That beautiful princess... Why do you want her head?
It has come this far. Still that girl has denied you.
That denial has driven me.
Abumaru, we're going back.
Yes.
No, I will heed the wishes of the one who was my love.
Good, now I will put you into a deep sleep with anesthesia.
That way, I can examine the inside of your body.
I will focus on your heart since that is the cause of the problem.
I will do all I can to remove this sickness.
When you wake from this sleep, you will be cured.
Okay, you just sleep. Leave everything else to me.
Yes.
Then close your eyes.
Aren't you feeling sleepy?
No.
It's not strong enough.
Without anesthesia, this operation is impossible.
Get me a Yura leaf....
Saburo, get me a Yura leaf!
Saburo!! My final wish is for you to take my head and send it to...
Princess...
The Yura leaf had an interaction with the Ketamin I injected her with...
and the result was a perfect anesthetic effect.
I will begin with the chest incision.
Lady Kaoru!! What is it?
Her face is a pale blue!!
Don't worry... Let's hurry to the temple.
Yes.
Lady Kaoru!! What is it?
Close the door. Leave me alone!
Yes.
Koku shu zyuh gyaku daku datsu la ku yaku bin ju...
shitsu enn kyuh kyoh betsu gyaku enn.
Sou shi tou mitsu jya shin han ki fu on metsu...
mu ju koku shi kai nen ki fun kai shuu betsu...
gu bou batsu me shitsu ken chou kon setsu...
ta ju letsu koku dou katsu mou kon dai an ju...
yuu ge goku gen jo.
What is this?
Lady Kaoru!! My liege, Lady Kaoru!!
Once her incisions heal, she shouldn't experience any more pain.
Thank you!! Thank you!!
No, the one who defeated the mysterious affliction was you.
You truly saved this patient. It was you.
We're under attack!!
If those incisions open up, it'll be the end of her life.
I want to thank you for all your efforts.
Taneda!!
Whether it be hell or heaven,
I shall go together with my princess.
I shall correct my past mistakes.
Move out of my way!!
I have a report.
Saburo Taneda has broken through our forces and run into the forest.
The princess? What about the princess?
She is with Saburo.
Idiots!!
Taneda and the princess are to be stopped, no matter what!
Send the entire army to chase after them!
I regret to inform you that your wife has passed away.
Ohhh....
I, Abumaru, am here to fufill her final wish.
And what would that be?
She wishes to be reunited with you, the madman that you are.
What!!
You created all this madness.
I, Abumaru, will end it.
For her!!
Saburo, where are we going?
Wherever you want, princess! Wherever you want!!
Actually, Saburo has made up his mind.
We'll escape from our enemies to a hidden place where we can settle down.
Then I will take this princess and make her my wife!
Will you allow me?
Dreams can come true.
How many children shall we have?
Princess?
Princess!!
Saburo Taneda, we got you!!
The Princess' burned head with death make-up applied will be placed in a coffin...
with Rokujyoji's dead body and will be brought back to the capital.
Pinoko....
Hey, Pinoko!!
We got stuck on a snowy road at about 8:35.
It had only been about fifteen minutes since we'd been sleeping.
While we were sleeping, the blizzard stopped.
I remembered having a long dream, but I couldn't remember what it was about.
Are you Doctor Black Jack?
Yes. Who are you?
Oh, you've come!! I'm Taneda. I sent you the letter. Saburo Taneda.
Pinoko, wake up! We reached our destination. We're here!!
I'm hungry.
I'll show you the way. We're over this way.
How's your wife? Did we make it in time?
In your letter, you said you weren't sure she'd make it through the night.
And that package arrived two years late. I've been very worried.
You made it. It's quite okay.
But you must examine her right away.
Of course.
Hey, I'm back!
Where's your wife?
On the second floor.
Pinoko, prepare for the examination.
Right away.
Doctor Black Jack is here.
Oh... Doctor... You've come after all.
Isn't it great? It's really great.
Obviously, there was something wrong with her heart.
Using the rechargeable portable monitor...
I examined her with the electro-cardiogram.
I'm surprised you made it this long.
You have a tumor. It's called Mesothelioma.
It developed on your heart valve...
and you'll need surgery right away at a well-equipped hospital.
I will need your husband's permission.
Mr. Taneda?
That's strange... where did he go?
Mr. Taneda?!
Taneda's not here...
My husband died two years ago.
But earlier he was with us and helped us with our bags.
And he sat over there.
Thank you... Thank you, honey. You're still watching over me.
My husband died in a construction accident two years ago.
He told me that he consulted you to cure my sickness.
In order to make money, he went to Tokyo.
After one year, he had a bit of the money and he contacted you.
He died right after that in a fire caused by a gas leak in the subway.
So that's why the money was in small bills...
He earned it little by little.
We brought the money your husband sent us.
If we had gotten here too late, we were going to return the money.
I will accept this and do all I can to cure you.
Hey, where are you going?
Oh, this is my neighbor and her son.
We're going to the hospital!!
I'm going to have surgery.
That's great!
But I wish I knew before I made you breakfast.
I'll take it for lunch. I'm still growing.
You eat so much...
They have cared for me so much since my husband died.
Excuse me, we have to hurry to the hospital. I'll write you.
Doctor, a Mesothelioma operation... Is it difficult?
Yes it is.
Usually, the patient has a fifty-fifty percent chance.
Hmmm...
But... I feel this one will have a one hundred percent success rate.
My soul rusts
Don't care what my body takes...
Feeling fine
Hey baby,
Say it when you talk that love
Like you know
Forget your cold town letdowns
Oh baby...
Go on and scrape it away in the moonlight!
And I can't sleep when it's always just me
Cards dealt out like in solitaire! No!
Running with the card I should have shook
Stacked against me... all along!
Just like a black jack game... Lost!
Your yesterday's game already is lost
So what if you've been counting cards...
I'll take my loss and walk away...
From your midnite hours
Midnite hours
DVD Subtitles - Marc Landers
Translation - David Hair