Date: 13th Day of May, 1630
Weather: Fair
The heat of day rises hourly
10 am: Hon. Heir Bennosuke
departs bearing fresh river trout
for presentation to the hon. Lord Doi
at His Lordship's mansion
No incidents worthy of note
However,
around midday
an ex-warrior, formerly in the service of the Lord of Geishu,
appeared at our gate.
HARAKIRI : SEPPUKU Synchro : Romty
Official residence of Lord Iyi
A former retainer of the Lord of Geishu?
Correct!
And my names is Hanshiro Tsugumo
Tsu as in Ohtsu
Gumo for clouds in the sky
And your errand here?
My lord's downfall came about in 1619
I have since moved to Edo
and have managed to make a meager living
while seeking employed under a new master
But in such times of peace, all was in vain
and my hopes are crushed
The years passed unrewarded
and lacking means of subsistence, life has become intolerable
Rather than live on in dire poverty and disgrace
He would die honorably by hara-kiri
He begs use of a corner of this mansion for the ritual
Such is his request
Another one?
Is there no end?
And your wish, sire?
Good! I'll see him
A former retainer of the Lord of Geishu,
I am Hanshiro Tsugumo
I respectfully beg your favors
Clan Elder of the House of Iyi, Kageyu Saito
I am indebted to you for this interview
My purpose here...
I am fully informed
Rather than to live on in dire poverty,
You prefer to die honorably
by hara-kiri
Is that not so?
Correct!
Truly a most worthy turn of mind
I am greatly impressed
You mentioned having served the former Lord of Geishu
Did You know Motome Chijiiwa?
Chijiiwa?
You don't remember?
He also served the Lord of Geishu
In its day, the Geishu Clan counted some 12,000 retainers
I regret to say...
Indeed? But that is a minor matter
Early this year... possibly the end of January...
An ex-warrior... a Motome Chijiiwa... came to this mansion
On a mission identical to yours
He also begged permission to perform hara-kiri
Are you interested in how he fared?
I am listening
A former retainer of the Lord of Geishu?
That is correct! Former retainer of the Clan
And known as Motome Chijiiwa
And... your errand?
Abolition of our Clan led me to seek humble quarters in Edo
Here I have managed to subsist
while waiting to serve a new master
But in a world of peace there is no hope
I expected this
And... what would you do?
Let me see...
A truly deplorable state...
The Sengoku Clan erred
They set the precedent
No... I don't agree
Why not?
The ex-warrior who entered the Sengoku mansion was sincere
He intended to die
And touched by his sincerity
the Clan took him in as a back-room retainer
They did not err! They did right
It is the others who copy him, who cast such shame on us
Far from wishing to die, they merely seek material aid
They are but common extortionists!
You prefer to die honorably
to die at our door
Offer him a pittance to go his way as do the other clans
No... that would never do!
Offer coins to one
and others will soon flock to our door
They will pour forth like ants to a mound of sweet sugar
Following the end of civil war, the land abounds with ex-warrior
Scrambling for food like animals!
The House of Iyi is blunt-witted
Their reputation for grit and moral fibber
Once sufficed to keep ex-warrior away
But... now?
Even pride in the martial arts is a thing of the past...
swept away by years of peaceful living
Such would be the rumors circulated throughout the land
His Lordship absent
and such harmful rumors spreading in his absence...
It must never be!
Bribery to send him packing has never crossed my mind
Without the least intention of dying
he dares pretend...
Hon. Elder!
Allow me...
Your pardon...
His Lordship's retainer... Umenosuke Kawabe
Motome Chijiiwa... ex-warrior of Geishu
And now... kindly come with me
To the bath-room
In his Lordship's absence
the hon. Elder reported your plight to our hon. Heir, Bennosuke
Our young master is deeply moved and wishes a word with you
I am allowed an interview with the hon. Heir, Bennosuke?
That is correct
However... those clothes will not do
First you must bathe
Proper dress is being prepared for you
I am in your hands
I am overwhelmed
Incredible! Am I dreaming?
Not only inconceivable... it's...
Your pardon!
Forgive the unexpected delay
You must change now
To death robes
You're shocked?
Was I not to see your hon. Heir?
He has expressed such a desire
Odd! It must be a misunderstanding
It's not!
The hon. Umenosuke Kawabe passed me the information...
Oh? Hon. Kawabe did?
I begin to understand... yes... it could be possible
Then... you know about it?
Yes, it becomes quite clear
The hon. Elder reported your plight to our hon. Heir
who was deeply moved by your courage
and wished to make you one of us
However... a samurai resolved to performing hara-kiri
must be one of unwavering will
As nothing can alter his decision,
allow him his final wish...
I would readily spare the time for a word with him
but Lord Doi requests my attendance
Extend him all courtesies of my house
and have my men witness the ritual
Let it be a proud example
Such were his words... as told to me
Well? Did you enjoy it?
A most interesting story
A tale befitting the valiant traditions of the House of Iyi
And... what are your intentions?
Oh... you are referring to this?
Exactly!
Be not concerned...
I came here with this avowed purpose in mind
Most laudable!
I commend you on your unwavering decision
Hon. Tsugumo
Perhaps I should continue my story about this Motome Chijiiwa
I am listening
Come... time is fleeting!
You must change your robes
All preparations have been completed for your hara-kiri ritual
I beg a boon!
A boon... allow me a little time!
I won't run!
I promise to return here
Just a few days!
It's too late
It's unjustified!
Was it not at your request
that we made arrangements?
I beg your forgiveness! Just a day or tow...
I will return!
A Samurai's word is sacred. It cannot be!
Our master swordsman, Hayato Yazaki Young... is eager for action!
One move... you'll be ripped open!
And there are others...
Rather than be chopped up like some dead fish
die in honor...
Come... you must change robes
Heed me, hon. Ancestors!
Forgive the unworthy ex-warrior
which defiles our sacred garden
The family honor is at stake
the future of the Tokugawa Clan and our sacred Samurai Code
I beg you be witness to my decision!
Both blades?
It's useless!
Such a blade couldn't slash a radish!
A samurai's blade is his soul!
Blade of bamboo...
And his is to die by hara-kiri?
A shameless wretch!
All is now ready
Motome Chijiiwa...
Rather than live in dishonor,
you have chosen to die by hara-kiri
A most commendable wish
An end befitting a true warrior
I am shamed to admit that even this House with its proud traditions
boasts very few men of such integrity
To witness this most unique rite
all the retainers of this house hold have been gathered here
Go your way... with heart at peace
A boon, sire!
Oh? What is it?
A day or two of grace... I implore you!
I seek not to escape! I will return
I beg you... implore you!
An odd request, indeed!
I have been informed that Edo abounds with ex-warrior who disgrace our class
by threatening to perform hara-kiri at one's gate
unless a pittance is offered them
Don't tell me... you...
No... I would never...
Yes... I'm sure you wouldn't
A man of your lofty character would be,
incapable of such disreputable action
Now... feel free to proceed!
This unworthy will be your second
Exponent of the Shindo-Munen School
Though words be unnecessary, I would explain
The rite of hara-kiri has changed with the years
Of late, this sacred ritual
has fallen into idle formalism
The victim no sooner reaches for his blade,
than he is beheaded
No disembowelment is involved
In some cases, a fan is placed on the tray
instead of a blade
Today, however, no shabby imitation
of this sacred rite will be tolerated
All will proceed in traditional form
Understand?
Like this... you will open your bowels crosswise!
Only then will I undertake to execute my duty
I act only when disembowelment is to our satisfaction
Is that clear?
Proceed!
It is your blade... and you die by it
A samurai's blade is his soul
What blade could be more appropriate?
Well... what keeps you?
Please, proceed
Strike!
Behead me!
Not yet! Slash open your bowels
Why stops? Pull your blade!
To the right!
Yes... even as a final resort...
to bite off one's own tongue...
A praiseworthy...
yet disgraceful act!
And after all... he threatened with only bearing blades of bamboo
By the way... what are your intentions?
I assume you are referring to this?
The fate of this hapless youth was exactly as I related it
Hon. Tsugumo... heed my advice and reconsider
No. No! Set your mind at ease on that score
Unlike this youthful Chijiiwa,
neither of my blades are of bamboo
I will perform the ritual
without biting off my tongue
Enough!
Hon. Tsugumo... at your insistence,
I grant you your wish
Attendant!
Hanshiro Tsugumo, ex-warrior of Geishu,
seeks to die by hara-kiri
As his dress is inappropriate, he is to be supplied with robes...
What is it?
Such considerations are unwanted
My present attire most befits a destitute ex-warrior
headed for the next world
For the considerate treatment extended me this day
I am deeply grateful
Hanshiro Tsugumo fails to find words to thank you
Now... I proceed
Incidentally, hon. Elder... who will be acting as my second?
Ichiro Shinmen has been selected
You have a preference?
Yes... I would request the services of hon. Hikokuro Omodake
His fame as a Shindo-Munen School swordsman precedes him
True! Hikokuro has won wide acclaim
Hikokuro...
Omodaka has absented himself today
He has sent in a formal request for 4 or 5 days of rest
Indeed? Then it cannot be helped
Hon. Tsugumo... as you have just heard,
Omodaka is not present
Any other choice?
Hmm... most disappointing!
I had looked forward to hon. Omodaka acting as my second
Could I not beg his special attendance?
Yes... perhaps. His fatigue was not too noticeable yesterday
It couldn't be serious
Attendant!
Go seek out Omodaka and inform him
that I wish his attendance
Go now... hurry!
I am indebted to you for your kind consideration
And now... will you await him here?
Or will you come inside?
To re-enter your mansion
may cause my determination to waver
My pending journey might become distasteful
I will wait here
Your grim determination is awe-inspiring
Hon. Elder
There is nothing to be gained from tedious waiting
Allow me to relate my life story to pass the time
Oh? The story of your life?
Yes. The life story of an impoverished ex-warrior may sound boring
but my fate here today
may be the fate of others tomorrow
Those who heed my tale
may even find
certain gems of wisdom hidden therein
Your fate today... another's tomorrow?
Yes... sounds interesting!
Heed well his final words
The words of a man heading for Eternity
This is no ordinary testament
There is much to be gained from it
Hon. Elder...
The tale you related earlier is complete with all truths and facts?
It is
The Geishu ex-warrior, Motome Chijiiwa,
was a lad of some slight acquaintance
Motome Chijiiwa...
Yes... a lad of some slight acquaintance
Motome was a handsome youth of 15
And my daughter, Miho, a child of 11
Eleven years ago...
Yet... I close my eyes
and it all comes back to me as if it were only yesterday
Another round?
Why bother?
Our duty is to rebuild
Archery will not help us
Oh, peace... wonderful peace!
By the way, the 22nd is the 7th anniversary of my wife's death
Oh? I remember the date...
but the 7th already?
Yes... and I plan a small ceremony at my residence
But not offerings...
I understand
But I can hardly believe it! Seven years?
And what is more,
a war-scarred veteran like you
bringing up that charming child all by yourself.
You... it's the other way around!
When hon. Yuki died,
I wondered how you'd manage
And yet... look at you...
a perfect kite-hawk combination!
The widowed kite puttering about bringing up his young one
Only to find his young
grown into a princely hawk!
A fine young hawk!
Nonsense!
He grows up only in body
A far cry from the noble hawks soaring overhead
You know... I always felt
I'd be of no use off the battlefield
but somehow I've managed
Had life gone on thus,
all would have been well
But not our life!
Our lives are like unto houses
built on foundations of sand
An ill wind means the end
What brought about the downfall of Milord's vast Geishu domain?
Need I go into details?
You must all be informed
Repairs on Hiroshima Castle were construed
as a threat to the Tokugawa Shogunate
In June of 1619...
Our master's domain was abolished
and 12,000 innocent retainers of his household
were suddenly deprived of means of livelihood
Jinnai!
The Hon. Hanshiro Tsugumo
Final requests to my friend of long standing:
Demise of the hon. Castle Repairs Commissioner
is expected at any moment
I precede him on this final journey
my attendance alone will suffice
I beg you to refrain
But my son,
Motome is yet a mere child of 15 years
I beg for him your future guidance
Impatient one! Could he not have waited for me?
Hanshiro... I forbid you!
You are not to join me
it is all so meaningless!
Jinnai is enough!
Be not imprudent!
Jinnai died first to forest all any attempts by you
He accompanies me on your behalf
And now, Hanshiro,
it is your duty to carry on
To take over for him...
Who else is there to look after his son, Motome?
Masakatsu now goes to meet Jinnai
Hanshiro... have you no message for your friend, Jinnai?
No message for Jinnai?
Inform Jinnai... just inform him...
The future and destiny of his son, Motome Chijiiwa
Are watched over and protected by Hanshiro... with his life!
Hon. Tsugumo
Well?
How did you fare?
Sire... he seems gravely afflicted
And what malady ails him?
His family reports that he suffers high fever and much acute pain
I begged to visit his bed-side
but he suffers such great pain
that they would not allow it
I departed upon leaving your message
Then we have no choice
This sultry weather...
it must have afflicted him
Hon. Tsugumo...
you have heard his report
I must ask you to name another as your second
Ah... most unfortunate! He seems too indisposed to attend
Then I beg the services of Hayato Yazaki
Hayato? You wish Hayato?
Inaba... has not Yazaki been absent also?
Yes, sire... he applied for leave to overcome his fatigue
Hon. Tsugumo... I regret to say that
Yazaki is also unavailable
Oh? Hon. Yazaki is also indisposed?
That is most unfortunate!
Then... as I have no choice...
I would request Umenosuke Kawabe
Hon. Elder... could hon. Kawabe also be ailing?
Could such a thing be possible?
Well, well! It seems that he also is indisposed
That all three of them should find this day unfeasible...
A strange coincidence
How odd indeed!
All is not well...
Hikokuro was most insistent
and forced Motome Chijiiwa to commit Suicide
It was Hayato Yazaki who discovered that the blade was of bamboo...
No... that was Umenosuke
After all... I warned them against it
It's no use now
Very true!
But how will you cope with him?
He is not one to die meekly
He must be plotting something
Whatever his intentions
I will force his hand and make him perform hara-kiri
If he refuses,
I will have my men cut him down without mercy
What happens within these walls
remains an unknown secret herein
The men will attack at my signal
But Hikokuro and the others bother me
I should send someone but under the circumstances,
I wish you'd go personally
Hon. Tsugumo
Though summer days be long, time is fleeting
I bid you resign yourself
But hon. Elder! There can be no ritual without a second
Yes... I have just discussed the matter with my major-dojo
The men you request are not available
So I will pick one for you
Ichiro Shinmen!
You will act as second for the Geishu ex-warrior, Tsugumo
Fulfill your duty with care
With your permission,
I named three men to serve as my second
I would still insist on one of them
Have you no ears?
All three are indisposed today!
Is that not clear enough... or can't you hear?
Oh? If such be the case,
there is nothing I can do
I fear this ritual must be postponed
Hold your tongue!
Your knavery goes too far!
First you beg a site to perform hara-kiri
Now you quibble over a second
You never intended to die!
Money was your motive!
If I were a common extortionist,
would I be placidly sitting here?
I came prepared to die
But hara-kiri alone
cannot ensure an easy trip to Hades
A second is needed to lop this off
A skilled master swordsman
What is more, I do not die a criminal
I am free to choose a second
You're a disgrace! A fraud!
Hara-kiri was not your motive...
Insolent dog!
Wait!
Restrain yourselves!
I beg a word with all present...
Pray restrain yourselves!
What now? It is too late for words
No... not yet!
I am not yet finished...
With my life story
For any more such lengthy tales, I have no ears!
Hon. Elder
Should you force my hand,
I will do battle like one possessed
Many of your innocent men will sustain injuries
Some may even die!
Would it not be wiser
for all to hear out my tale?
Then I will disembowel myself in good grace
Should hara-kiri be too good for me,
you may turn your men on me
But for now... I entreat you to hear me out to the end
You will remain true to your word?
I swear it!
On your samurai honor?
Good! But make it short
I have no ears for long, absurd tales
Stand back, men!
Now... where was I?
Oh, yes... my master's house abolished;
the death of Jinnai Chijiiwa
and I had just reached the point where he entrust me with his son
Following my master's downfall,
I left the land and came to Edo
The end of civil war created hordes of ex-warriors
In better times, a clan would gladly have employed
a distinguished ex-warrior
But in times of peace, the honored warrior is no longer in demand
He eats or fasts as Fate dictates
Yes... it shames me to recall our life
during the past 8-9 years
However... even amidst such misery,
My daughter, Miho, continued to grow
and soon it was her 18th spring...
Hon. Sire...
Should I not return by midday,
your meal is prepared
The finest delicacy loses taste when one dines alone
I will wait
Then after I receive payment, I will purchase some dried fish
Your pardon!
Busy? You're going out?
Yes... to see the whole saler
The Hon. Mikawaya?
Good luck!
Experience surpasses training! You're quite an expert now
Forgive me
For constantly requesting advances
My earrings are so meager
Your frank innocence disarms me
I had intended a few harsh words
By taking the initiative, you tie my hands
I bow to you
By the way... that proposition I put to you the other day...
Have you given it serious thought?
Yes... my mind is made up
Oh? That's gratifying!
Yes, it takes a great burden off my mind
No... your proposal regarding Miho...
I have definitely decided against it
In short, the adoption of Miho would merely be a pretext
The Sakakibara family would then make a concubine of her
Hon. Tsugumo... it's a powerful clan
To be related to them
would assure you a rewarding future
Yes... I am aware of that
However, hon. Seibei never will I sacrifice my daughter
to further my fortunes
Pride is all right
but should not a parent consider her plight?
A young... and beautiful... girl
without even a festival kimono
Day in and day out...
slaving at her father's side!
Hon. Tsugumo... do not be led a stray by these times
It's futile to fight the tide
For Miho's sake and your own...
it's all too obvious...
For Miho's sake and your own...
only because she is blessed with
such beauty is such opportunity made possible
Confucius says
Ignorance of one's mission makes not a Superior Person
Ignorance of etiquette means failure
Ignorance of words means ignorance of men
Class dismissed! - Thank you, master
Hon. Sire...
Welcome, Sire...
Have some
I took the liberty of preparing us some tea
However, Motome... I have come for some serious words with you
Honored one... why such formality?
Indeed... the days and months flow past so swiftly!
Miho is already eighteen
And looking more and more like her mother
It seems unbelievable that she could be my child
No... if she had taken after me,
such beauty would be impossible
Honored One... why are you talking this way?