At 5 PM on June 3rd of the 6th year of Ka'ei (1853)...
...there appeared four black ships off the coast of Uraga.
300 years of isolation fostered the belief that Japan was a nation of gods...
...thus the foreign invasion was an enormous shock to both the upper and lower class populace.
As a result, the national sentiment of Emperor Worship and Exclusion of Foreigners suddenly surged.
However, the Tokugawa Shogunate at the time...
...had no confidence in acting upon the exclusion of foreigners...
...seeing how unprepared the nation's self defense force was.
The current Senior Advisor, Ii Naosuke, forged ahead to open up the country...
...against the public opinion and without seeking permission from the Royal Court...
...and enforced what is known as Great Imprisonment of Ansei...
...in order to suppress the Daimyo, royal representatives and samurai...
...who supported Emperor Worship and Exclusion of Foreigners.
On March 3rd of the 1st year of Man'en...
...in a heavy snow fall, Senior Advisor Ii was attacked outside of Sakurada Gate...
...by a group consisting mostly of ronin who served in Mito, and was assassinated.
The assassination was powerful enough to diminish the authority of the Shogunate...
...and put the existence of the Shogunate itself in danger.
Taken aback by the impact...
...the Shogunate tried to reinstate their authority...
...by marrying Princess Kazunomiya, the daughter of Emperor Kohmyo, to Shogun Iemochi...
...thereby strengthening their tie with the Royal Court of Kyoto, and survive the changing times.
This was the plan known as the Unification of the Royal Court and the Shogunate.
However, Kyoto pressured the Shogunate that has now lost its authority...
...to go ahead with the exclusion of foreigners.
Amidst such internal and external turmoil...
...arrived the new year of the 3rd year of Bunkyu, in the last days of the Shogunate.
ASSASSINATION
Production by YAMAUCHI Shizuo Original Story by SHIBA Ryotaro Screenplay by YAMADA Nobuo
Cast
TANBA Tetsuro
IWASHITA Shima
OKEDA Eiji KIMURA Isao HAYAKAWA Yasushi
SADA Keiji
Directed by SHINODA Masahiro
Dewa Shonai Kiyokawa Hachiro.
The above is a brave and able swordsman with recognition...
...has shown excellence in academics and swordsmanship and has served the government well.
Hence my request.
I wish to take him in so that I may use his services for future matters...
...and am enquiring as to such possibility.
January 8th, 3rd year of Bunkyu.
Signed, House Advisor Itakura Sogo-no-kami Katsushige.
Listen...
...murdering a detective would normally be considered a dreadful crime.
You'd be arrested and heavily punished.
However, as per the request made by House Advisor Sir Itakura...
...we release you with no charges as of today.
Take this to heart!
Yes.
Itakura's Residence
Humbly receiving.
What was that man's name?
Kiyokawa Hachiro.
Can we trust him?
No, we can't.
So we can't.
Yet you needed to save him even if you had to use my name.
Is he that valuable?
We desperately need him to form the ronin troop.
Or rather, we can't succeed without him.
But, Sir Matsudaira...
I hear he's the leader of the movement of Emperor Worship and Exclusion of Foreigners.
Conquer poison with poison.
I understand one can use a razor blade to do anything he wants it to if he knows how.
One could also cut his own hand if he's too confident with his skills.
In any case, it's a strange story.
Such an able man changing from Emperor Worship to siding with the Shogunate so easily.
It's strange.
Hachiro the strange.
Sakamoto.
Oh, it's you.
Why don't you rip your own picture?
Because I can't expect any parole like you could, unfortunately.
You're quick.
Who told you?
Everyone knows it now.
Some want to know what kind of trick you used to get out of it this time.
Like magic.
I'd like to know, too.
You should go now.
I might come and ask you that question some day.
Sakamoto...
...you should bathe once in a while.
You smell.
Kiyokawa Hachiro?
I've never met him but have heard the name.
What about him?
What have you heard?
Yes, I hear he's a rebel who heavily criticizes the Shogun's reign...
...and ambitiously schemes to turn over the Shogunate.
What else?
Yes, I hear he's not a samurai by birth but comes from a farming family in Dewa Shonai.
What else?
Yes, disregarding his own class...
...he once ran a school in academics and the sword in Kanda Otama-ga-Ike.
What else?
I hear he's an able swordsman who's fully certified in Hokushin Itto Style.
Sasaki, how many men have you killed in your life?
How many?
Two.
Two?
What a peaceful era.
260 years of peace and swordsmen's skills go rusty.
By the way, what would you do if you were ordered to kill a third man?
He wields in Hokushin Itto Style.
How about that?
Why kill him?
You'll be meeting him in the near future.
Yes.
But at that time you'll only be meeting him.
I'll let you know when it's time to kill him.
The time may never come.
That's all you need to know.
Yes.
I hear acrobats spread a safety net when they walk on a tight rope.
You are the net.
You may be the safety net to support the Shogunate.
I'm counting on you.
Yes.
Next!
I lose!
Hokushin Itto Style, I see.
Who are you?
Kiyokawa Hachiro.
I believe Yamaoka Tetsutaro is here.
Tell him Kiyokawa is here.
What's wrong?
Is Yamaoka not here?
Sir Kiyokawa!
Oh, long time no see.
Long time no see!
I've heard about your parole.
Congratulations.
Well, thanks.
You look youthful as always. - No, no, I'm drinking all the time...
...so I get beaten when I do work out.
Oh, you've never met Sir Kiyokawa, right?
Yes.
Let me introduce you to each other.
Mr. Sasaki is a skilled swordsman of Fushin Style.
No one can beat him in the little knife technique around here.
If times were different, we the Hatamoto samurai wouldn't be no match for him.
I'm Sasaki Tadasaburo.
Pleased to meet you.
I'm Kiyokawa.
Yamaoka, I need to talk to you.
Let's go outside.
I see. Just give me a minute.
Smells wonderful.
What style of Iai do you practice?
It's Musoshin Style.
Am I not correct?
When you held your bamboo sword, I saw you did so in that style.
Would you mind teaching me a little?
I haven't had any practice since I got back in Edo and I feel rusty.
I'd like to work a little sweat at the Official Martial Arts Arena.
Would you be agreeable to it?
It will be my pleasure to receive your teaching upon me.
But I'm old fashioned...
...and have a match wearing no mask or arm guards, just as you do in your Hokushin Itto Style.
What do you say?
Interesting.
Let's do it.
Observing the standard rule, one hit determines the match.
I lose.
Halt!
Too light.
Again.
Idiot.
Beaten in front of all your disciples.
Twice, too.
I thought teaching at the Official Martial Arts Arena was the most honorable job...
...for a government employed swordsman.
And look at this!
No wonder the Shogunate is a shaky condition.
Why didn't you kill yourself?
I guess the way of the warrior no longer exists.
I'd like to ask you a favor.
Please give me a second chance.
I beg you.
You can't kill him by sword alone.
Fortunately for you, there's still time. Learn to know what Kiyokawa Hachiro is about.
He's a strange man.
Hachiro the strange.
Talk about strange...
...it was a truly strange coincidence.
Or was it something he had planned out?
It was 8 years ago.
I was into collecting swords back then.
Old man.
Oh, hello, Sir Matsudaira.
Is it ready?
Yes, it is done.
I'll bring it out right now.
Please come this way.
Oh, Sir Matsudaira...
I heard that American named Perry or something...
...he came back in a military ship off the coast of Uraga. Is it true?
What's going to happen, I wonder?
Some rumor there'll be a war starting...
...and others say...
What's wrong?
Look at this, old man.
This is a Seven Star sword.
Seven Star sword...?
Look...
...when you put the center line to the light...
...the pattern that runs along the edge of the blade show blue dots like stars...
...and there are seven of them.
This is what they call the Exceptional Sword in the Book of Swords.
Oh! I see, you are right.
All I could figure out was it was a rare masterpiece by the first generation Kanemitsu.
Who does it belong to?
He must be a renowned sword master to be carrying an Exceptional Sword like that.
Well, I'd never seen him before.
He just wandered in here, asking me to sharpen his rusty sword.
What did he say his name was?
I believe it was... Kiyokawa Hachiro.
Kiyokawa Hachiro...
I'd love to meet him.
Old man, next time you see that gentleman, persuade him to please come and visit me.
Well, he seemed like a ronin to me.
Doesn't matter.
So fine...
...such a fine Exceptional Sword.
Well, I'm truly impressed.
Say, would you consider selling it?
I don't care however much it costs.
I regret to say I won't.
Yamaoka, that's impossible.
No one would let go of an Exceptional Sword of this quality.
Then let me ask you where you acquired it from.
I'd like to go to the store, too.
I didn't buy it from a store.
Oh, then where did you get it from?
It was just a rusty sword I picked from the collection a certain lord left behind...
...when he was in financial trouble.
What?
Do you mean to say you stole a samurai's soul with monetary power?
I'm not certain if it was stolen, as it was my father who had dealt with him.
Anyway, no matter how much financial trouble he was in...
...if he had to give away his equipment, I wouldn't consider them a samurai's soul any more.
Kiyokawa, is that your name?
Merely a son of a farmland owner, making a remark that degrades a samurai's dignity.
Take back your words.
Stop it, Inaba.
Now, what's the matter with you?
Depending on your answer, Inaba Kimiharu of Ryugo Style will accept your challenge.
I just mentioned the truth.
I don't need to take it back.
Damn you!
Inaba!
Kiyokawa is my guest.
I won't condone reckless behaviors. - But...
Mr. Kiyokawa...
...you're getting yourself into something tremendous, according to this book...
I'm aware of it.
That whoever comes to own the Seven Star Sword will rule the world.
The Book of Swords says Prince Shotoku's royal sword was another one.
However, the Book of Swords is full of nonsense.
Whether a man can get ahead and achieve success in the world...
...depends not on how sharp his sword is but how bright he is himself.
So I was taught at Shoheiko School, too. - Shoheiko?
A mere commoner like you is unfit for such place!
Today there are many high officials like you who may own numerous fine swords...
...but no one has the courage to act upon the exclusion of foreigners.
It's a sad state of affairs.
But Sir Kiyokawa...
...while everyone talks about the exclusion of foreigners so casually...
...we've seen how powerful the foreign ships are...
...and understand we're faced with the reality that our patriotic spirit alone will be powerless.
I'm not such an idealist that I think we should fight back with our patriotic spirit alone.
So you're saying...?
I have my own idea about how we should defend ourselves.
What?
Excuse me.
"The Capital Defense Plan."
Can't you all see what his true intentions are?
He's a mere ronin trying to impress us by being different and speaking eloquently...
...so that he can get a job with the Shogunate.
What's wrong?
Yes, there's an emergency related to recruiting ronin.
Tell me. - Yes.
As we speak, ronin who saw the wanted notice for unemployed samurai...
...are flooding the yard at Koishikawa Dentsu-in Temple.
That's good news.
All you have to do is to select 50 capable men out of them.
Yes, I was about to do exactly that, when Kiyokawa Hachiro, out of the blue...
What did he do?
He stepped out in front of the crowd of ronin and told them...
"We'd originally intended to hire 50 men, but looking at your faces now, we've changed our mind...
...and decided to hire all of you."
What?
That alone caused chaos.
Then, Mr. Kiyokawa went on saying that if they have any friends or acquaintances looking for a job...
...we'll hire them on the spot, too, so bring them all along.
"Notice: Unemployed Samurai Wanted.
For the Shogun family's upcoming visit to Kyoto...
...we're recruiting men as security guards widely from the general public.
Only 50 men excelling in martial arts skills shall be hired.
We will pay a salary of 50-ryo of gold coins per man.
Mr. Kiyokawa...
I hope you have no misunderstanding about the true purpose of forming the ronin troop?
It's to go to Kyoto and kill any samurai sympathetic to Emperor in the name of Tenchu...
...so that we can stabilize the Tokugawa Shogunate.
I was the one who came up with this plan designed to eradicate the movement of Emperor Worship.
I sought authorization from House Advisor Sir Itakura Suo-no-kami...
...through Mr. Matsudaira to carry it out.
And you're doubting that the one who drafted it has forgotten what it is about.
It doesn't make sense.
Mr. Kiyokawa, sure it was you who drafted the plan, but we're still the ones to carry it out.
We cannot let you make selfish, conceited decisions without consulting the Shogunate.
You are so ignorant about what Kyoto is like.
The town of Kyoto today is no longer a place where you can gaze at Kamo River flow...
...with a geisha on your lap.
It's a bloody killing field.
Ronin who used to serve the provinces of Satsuma, Choshu and Doshu...
...have joined low class ronin from neighboring provinces in shouting slogans of Emperor Worship.
Anyone who disagrees with them even slightly gets lynched mercilessly in the name of Tenchu.
The news that they cut off the head of Shimada Sakon...
...the first generation of Kujo Kampaku family who was sympathetic with the Shogunate...
...and displayed it for show on the river bank in Ponto-cho is still fresh in our memory.
There's a rumor that Kiyokawa Hachiro was the one who instigated the incident.
They talk nonsense.
Those men quit serving the provincial offices... they're starving and frustrated...
...but they can't return home, so they turn into dogs with rabies.
50 men aren't enough to stamp them out.
It would be a different story if they were 50 select, capable daimyo serving in Edo.
But these are low-life ronin who are only after money. They're as good as rodents.
There's no choice but to rely on the number.
That's why we decided to have a troop of 50 for 50-ryo per man.
How are you going to explain the commotion outside?
Come on, tell us.
Tell us.
We may not be able to let it slide depending on where this is leading.
Then, I have no choice.
"I told you we were going to hire all of you a minute ago...
...but it turns out the Shogunate doesn't have money to pay you.
Sorry but please go home," shall I tell them that?
What?
Kiyokawa has switched from sympathizing with Emperor Worship and Exclusion of Foreigners...
...to become the Shogunate's dog.
We can't let him live any longer.
Shall we kill him?
We should! We should!
The sooner, the better.
If we delay one day, others who share our sentiment will go ahead and do it first.
Hold on a minute.
I can't believe Master's that kind of a man. - Shingo!
Are you feeling afraid at this late stage?
No, sir.
I, Miyagawa Shingo, am prepared to give up my life...
...for the sake of Emperor Worship and Exclusion of Foreigners.
But I can't kill Master Kiyokawa.
Then, how are you going to explain what I've seen of him?
The sudden parole, being the leading force behind forming the ronin troop...
Everything about him smells like the Shogunate.
I don't know.
I don't know, but I believe something is on his mind that he cannot share with us.
Sakuma, it doesn't matter.
Let's decide on when we're going to do it.
Have you got a reason why you say such a thing?
If there is, let us hear it.
I don't have any reason.
No reason, it's just...
Just?
If he didn't save me, I would have been killed back then.
It was two years ago.
Stop!
Surrender!
Don't interfere!
He's a low life Emperor Worshipper!
He's too young to kill.
Let him go.
If you disagree, I'll fight you.
The Shogunate's dogs are cowards, but so is Kiyokawa.
But if he wanted to help you, why didn't he pull the sword?
I hear he's never killed a man.
He probably looked pale then.
That's not true.
He's a skilled, certified first-class master of Hokushin Itto Style.
He prefers not to take...
...any life in vain even if it's of an enemy. - That's enough.
If you don't want to do it, you don't have to.
So we're five now.
Five just won't do it.
What?
Five won't do it.
Shingo is right; Kiyokawa is skilled.
Aizawa...
...are you making light of our swordsmanship? - I'm not making light of it.
It's not that.
His sword is terrific.
That's a mad man's sword.
Plus, he loves killing.
I think it was about a year ago...
...no, it was summer.
I was eating a meal, covered in sweat.
Boss!
Boss, a monster is coming this way.
Monster? - Yes.
Who's that?
What, Kiyokawa Hachiro? - Yes.
Good.
It'll make a good souvenir for the town governor.
Hey, here's the money.
Hey, what do you think?
I don't think we can cut it.
Ishizaka?
Yeah, I don't think so, either.
It's one thing to cut a dummy...
...but there's no way you can cut off the head of a moving person in one shot.
What do you think, Master Yamaoka?
No idea. Unless I tried it.
What do you think, Master Kiyokawa?
I think he's skillful enough to accomplish that.
No way he can't.
Hey, stop talking about such gory things.
We're in public space here. - Gentlemen...
...can you move over?
It's not a wide road and you're not warriors marching in procession.
Why are you two blocking the road by walking side by side?
What?
Hold it!
We apologize.
Aren't you in a good mood?
Shut up.
Kakichi.
What?
Thanks for patrolling around my residence all the time.
Do you want to look under my hat so badly?
You gotta be kiddin'.
Let me see it if you want me to so much.
Is that really true?
I was present at the site investigating it myself, so it is no mistake.
So what kind of position was he in?
How fast was he?
"Almost directly face to face," says the record.
How about the cut neck?
Did he lift the sword up to chop down, or did he simply draw and slice?
That we don't know.
But...
Of course, you would know if you looked at the neck.
I did check the head, but it wasn't anything normal.
His smile was frozen.
Do you mind me asking why you're interested in such a thing?
Well, I'm only interested as another martial artist.
Then, there's no point in telling you about the strange incident that followed right afterwards.
What is it?
No, no, it's of no use for a martial artist.
But if you wish to learn about Kiyokawa Hachiro with a special interest, you must hear the story.
With a face like that, you're advertising your thoughts to me.
I'd like to hear it, please.
Kakichi had a favorite bonded brother named Sankichi who's an Edo native.
The word he uttered as he got upset led to an unexpected turn of event.
Damn you!
Wait, bastard!
You kill a human and run away, and you call yourself a samurai?
Don't!
Wait, ronin bastard!
Wait, murderer!
He was a human being!
He had parents, a wife and kids!
What are you gonna do about it, damn it!
Wait, Kiyokawa Hachiro!
Wait, you bastard!
That night, in the name of committing insolence...
...an order was issued to arrest Kiyokawa Hachiro and his Emperor Worshipping colleagues.
We raided them fully prepared, but...
We found them!
Where did you send Kiyokawa Hachiro to?
Hey, say it.
Say it.
Where is Kiyokawa?
Say it, say it.
If you don't, the woman's gonna die?
Do you want that?
Hey, where's Kiyokawa? Say it!
Say it.
Say it!
Wait.
Bring water.
Yes.
Untie them.
Yes.
I've got something I want you to verify.
As we suspected, they belong to Kiyokawa Hachiro. Correct?
Has anything happened to Sir Kiyokawa?
Please tell me.
We found them along with the letter at the entrance to Eitai Bridge.
We believe he committed suicide by drowning himself.
Are they truly Kiyokawa's swords?
Yes.
Liar!
You mean to say this his famous Seven Star Sword?
I'm not going to be fooled by a sham suicide!
Now tell me...
...any clue will do.
And you'll be saved from the torture of hell.
Tell me.
You bitch!
Oren, I hear you're just a mistress of Kiyokawa's.
Why are you covering for him who's not even your husband?
Answer him!
Let her hold the stones.
Put them on.
Here was a woman who sacrificed her own life for him.
I was jealous of the man called Kiyokawa Hachiro.
More than that, I began to think he can be some tremendous human being.
This is Oren's diary that we found at their house during the follow up investigation.
When I read this...
Sasaki?
Thanks for spending such a long time with me.
I shall be going.
Aren't you interested in Oren's diary?
I'm only interested in learning about Kiyokawa Hachiro.
Not about his woman.
Obviously a beginner...
In this diary is Kiyokawa Hachiro right here.
February 13th, 3rd year of Ansei.
I became a prostitute.
Come on!
Come on, you're so stubborn!
Enough already!
Come now!
What a... stubborn one... you are.
Come on, come!
What are you doing?
Fill my cup.
How clumsy!
Forgive me.
Tell me, what do you smell?
Do I smell like a farmer?
The smell of dung?
Forgive me.
Tell me.
Come on, tell me.
Forgive me.
The Tempo Reformation... was that a lie?
What House Advisor Abe Masashige said, was that a lie?
He said he'd open the gate to the public and hire anyone who excels...
...in academics and martial arts regardless of his background.
Was that just a political stunt to fool us?
Has there ever been anyone who were better than me at the school of Ato Issai or Ataka Gonsai?
Even Daimyo's sons bowed their heads to me at the reputable Shoheiko school.
So, how come they can't give me a job?
Is the Tokugawa Shogunate that lasted for 200 years so great?
What's your name?
Ofuku?
Is it Ofuku?
I see.
You're so innocent.
Call yourself Oren from this day on. Understood?
Call yourself Oren.
Call your owner. I'll buy you out.
You're a perfect woman for the farmer Hachiro.
Go tell him.
March 3rd, 1st year of Man'en.
Snow continued from the morning.
As things have now progressed this far, we need to first kill him.
That's right!
Master, when?
When shall we do it?
That's good.
Don't come in until I call you.
Yes.
We've done it!
Done it!
Listen!
Listen, everyone, we've done it!
What happened?
Samurai from Mito province got Ii Naosuke outside Sakurada Gate!
Is that true?
Yeah!
They did it?
Yeah!
Miss Oren, we're coming into a new era!
Good times are ahead of us!
May 20th, 1st year of Bunkyu.
It was a hot day.
I was practicing calligraphy as usual...
Oren!
Oren...
Oren, don't let anybody in.
Where's Master!
Has Master been back?
Yes, just now.
And is he alright?
Yes. What's the matter?
My goodness, it was such a shocking event.
I heard him say, "ei!"...
...and the next moment the head of a commoner was shooting up higher than the roof.
Head?
Well, it was the first time I saw it, but so was it for Master.
Oren!
Hurry up and bring me a change of clothes.
Yes.
Hurry up!
Bring me sake.
Yes.
Don't go.
Sit right there.
How about hot tea?
Make my bed.
It's ready in the other room.
Make it here.
I'm done for...
I'm done for.
Oren.
I'm done for!
What's the matter? What's the matter?
I killed a man.
Sir Hachiro.
Oren...
I killed a man for the first time.
Sir Hachiro!
Oren, don't ever leave my side.
Sir Hachiro. - Oren...
I can kill him.
I will kill him.
Well, I don't know, either.
But that's pretty funny.
Even Kiyokawa Hachiro's top student Ishizaka Shuzo doesn't know.
It isn't funny.
I endured the terrible torture at the Denma-cho Prison...
...because I was determined to carry on...
...with his cause of Emperor Worship and Exclusion of Foreigners, that's what carried me through.
I was ready to give up my life.
Miss Oren died because of that.
We made so much sacrifice for the cause and what on earth is he doing now?
When I was released from the prison, I was in disbelief.
Now I had to become the Shogunate's dog, running around plotting to kill our comrades.
What on earth is Master thinking?
I'm lost.
If you don't know, how am I supposed to know?
I suggest you ask Mr. Kiyokawa directly.
If I ask, he wouldn't tell me.
Master, tell me...
...what do you think of Master Kiyokawa?
Please tell me what you really think.
Don't call me Master.
How about a drink?
Kiyokawa Hachiro...
...the man whom no one understands.
A genius who instantly mastered any subject in academics and martial arts he took up.
He has excellent writing skills...
...speaks with extraordinary eloquence...
...and has exceptional memory.
Let's see, it was before I moved to Edo, so it must have been the beginning of April last year.
I left my position with Tosa Province and came to Kyoto.
I found myself in an ocean of ronin in the street.
They were clearly Emperor Worshippers.
There were so many of them that they'd changed the entire atmosphere of the city.
Then I saw something.
Wait!
I said wait!
Hello there!
It's me.
Have you forgotten?
It's Kiyokawa Hachiro.
Oh, Mr. Kiyokawa.
Do you remember me now?
It's great to see you.
The same here.
Say, how about a drink with me around here?
Well, Kyoto is suddenly full of ronin, isn't it?
Have you noticed?
I gathered them here.
You did?
That's right.
What are you going to do with them?
I'm going to start a war to defeat the Shogunate in this place.
They don't seem capable of the job, in my opinion.
Haven't you heard of what's going on in Satsuma?
I have.
Lord Shimazu Hisamitsu left his province accompanied by a big army of a thousand soldiers.
That's right.
He's just arrived at Satsuma Mansion in Osaka.
He's on his way to Edo to make a decision about reformation of the Shogunate.
I'll attack the residence of the governor of Kyoto together with the ronin, coinciding with the event.
At the same time, we'll front the royal rainbow flag of Nakagawa-no-miya...
...and persuade Lord Shimazu and get his Satsuma army to be on our side.
We'll occupy Kyoto first...
...then call to all the Emperor Worshippers around the nation and defeat the present Shogunate...
...and return the political leadership to the Royal Court.
Are you surprised?
Sakamoto...
...come over here a minute.
Everyday, more and more starving ronin arrive here hearing my plan.
They're hungry wolves.
Show them some meat and they'd risk their lives and fight bravely for me.
They're in my hands.
Sakamoto, there's nothing more exciting than being a leader and give others orders.
His plan was so grandeur that it seemed like a dream to me.
The fact that his speech was so eloquent made me feel uneasy, too.
It certainly was an interesting scheme to change the world, but as I suspected it wasn't so easy.
Shimazu Hisamitsu had no intention whatsoever of turning over the Shogunate.
Satsuma Province Governor's Mansion in Osaka
He was only interested in restoring order and seeking power.
That's why he volunteered to be the mediator between the Royal Court and the Shogunate...
...and promoted the Unification of the Royal Court and the Shogun Shogunate...
...so that he can use his position to beat other governors...
...and establish himself as the primary authority in the Shogunate.
A revolution was out of the question.
The news that the ronin who left his province...
...are rebelling against him and are about to start a riot outraged him.
Tell the men who came out of my Family hanging around Terada-ya Inn plotting a riot.
Listen...
...don't pay any mind to others, just tell the ones from our Family.
Tell them to immediately report to my mansion in Kyoto, to listen to what I have to say.
I'll talk them out of it personally.
If they don't agree to it, what shall we do?
Give them ringi.
To give ringi means to kill someone in the name of the Shogun.
He told them to kill them.
The eight searchers...
...led by Nanahara Kihachiro were select, masterful swordsmen in Satsuma's Jigen Style.
In addition, these men were comrades who had lived together...
...and shared the same philosophy with the riot plotters at Terada-ya Inn.
Which results in an awful tragedy.
Anybody around?
Yes.
Oh, welcome.
I believe Arima Shinsuke from Satsuma stays here upstairs.
Certainly.
Tell him his comrade Nanahara has risked his life to come here to meet him.
Yes.
What?
Nanahara and the guys are here?
We don't need to hear their argument. Send them away!
Arima...
Please, I beg you.
It's the Shogunate's order.
Please don't proceed with the riot.
Kihachiro...
...we've come this far.
I'm a samurai.
I can't quit even if it's the Shogunate's order.
Arima...
...will it not bother you to be killed in the name of the Shogun?
No.
Is it not possible at all for you to obey the order?
No!
In the name of the Shogun!
Damn you!
Clear the way!
Sir Aizu, be prepared.
Yeah!
Come on!
Washibuchi!
Washibuchi...
Washibuchi! - Sir Arima!
Oimoto...
Kill Oimoto!
Sir Arima!
You're a coward!
Forgive me!
Oh, Sakamoto, we're closed today.
We're very sorry.
No problem.
The cherry blossoms in bloom...
...why do you tie your horse to the tree?
If the horse moves around...
...it'll make the petals fall.
So that's what happened in Kyoto.
Master Sakamoto said...
"Kiyokawa Hachiro is nothing but a schemer.
His schemes show too much in his face.
One can't rule others with scheming alone.
He hates to share recognition for success. He wants to be the leader of schemes.
He seems to lack virtue, so to speak, and I don't quite like him." That's what he said.
"I wonder if the Terada-ya incident changed Master's personality.
Perhaps he lost his political idealism, and now he's only interested in scheming schemes.
He's adapted to the very scheme that defeated him.
The ronin troop he's forming is perhaps a mere tool for his pleasure," he said.
I disagree.
I can't agree with that.
Kiyokawa is not an evil schemer.
Has he told you anything about it?
No, nothing.
Kiyokawa isn't the type of person to show his weaknesses to others.
I believe it was after a full ten months since he'd chopped off Kakichi's head and left Edo.
I hadn't heard anything from him. It was a rainy day.
Darling, Sir Kiyokawa is here.
What, Kiyokawa is here?
Kiyokawa?
When did you get back from Kyoto?
Yamaoka, will you let me lie down?
Of course. I'll have the bath prepared for you, so why don't you change first?
No, I don't need anything.
I'm sleepy.
I see, then I'll have the bed laid out right away.
Did anything happen to you in Kyoto?
Kiyokawa!
Did you know Oren died?
Oren did?
When?
Right after you left Edo.
I had a nearby temple hold a simple burial for her.
Oren...
Kiyokawa asked to borrow a brush and paper.
He didn't come out until the night fell...
About Oren, it is a truly sad and sorrowful thing, which I am forever regretful about.
Everyone praised her as a good person, a woman with good virtues, for which she was honored.
It pleased not only her, but also me to a great degree.
I am truly sorry that she had to pass.
She was also praised widely for her cooking, so please take comfort in that.
I ask you earnestly please to deem her as my married wife...
...and pray for her morning and evening, and treat the spirit of your child well.
This I ask of you with all my heart.
I have secretly named her spirit Seirin-in Tei'ei Koka Shin-nyo.
Please deem her as my married wife...
...and once again, please treat her spirit well, I plead you sincerely.
To my dear Mother...
Leader Kiyokawa Hachiro.
Is this your idea?
Kiyokawa delivered this to me personally a few minutes ago.
Did you need me?
Bring me a brush.
Yes.
When do you depart?
Tomorrow morning at the hour of dragon, we'll gather the troop at Koishikawa Dentsu-in Temple...
...and depart.
Once you're outside Edo, he'll be just like a kite with no string attached.
If anyone starts a coup d'etat, the 234 men will turn right into a mob.
I should have listed you as a supervisor.
If you're concerned about Kiyokawa Hachiro, please not to worry.
I'll have his true identity revealed tonight. If he's okay, it's fine.
If he's not, we have a plan to get rid of him on the spot.
As you know, there are more than just a few men within the offices who wish to see me fall.
If you kill Kiyokawa, don't let anyone use that against me.
Among the Emperor Worshippers are weak fools who wish to kill Kiyokawa yet can't quite do it.
If I pour oil into the fire of their sentiment...
...I suspect they'll be rushing straight to him like wheels on fire.
A castle always has an outer moat, and an inner moat.
In a separate line.
In a separate line?
I see...
You don't want to be treated on the same level with the rodent-like low-life ronin, is that why?
Whatever you think.
I need to prepare for the departure tomorrow morning, so let me excuse myself.
Master.
Master, there's something I want to ask you about.
Master!
Aizawa, I beg you.
Please let me see Master before you attack him.
It's too late.
It might have been fine yesterday.
But now that we've seen this.
To hell with this!
A quick message from some stranger.
Do you really trust it?
That's not the case.
It only repeats what we've already investigated.
If we let Kiyokawa leave, what would happen to our comrades in Kyoto?
If you still try to stop us, I'll kill you first.
Here he comes!
Are you really going to kill our comrades in Kyoto, Master?
They're your disciples, so to speak, who responded to your call to gather in Kyoto...
...all the way from Satsuma and Choshu.
Master, please answer me!
I am not coming with you tomorrow morning.
I cannot follow your path any longer.
Master Kiyokawa! - Shingo!
Master!
It's me!
It's Miyagawa Shingo, you saved my life.
Out of the way! - Hold it!
Hold it, please!
Master, tell me your true intention!
Now...
Now's the time. I can kill him.
Please...
...show me samurai's compassion.
It's the procession of the Lord!
Everyone follow me.
Stop walking and I'll kill you.
Sir Kiyokawa!
Get off me.
Bow down, bow down!
Bow down! Bow down!
Stall and I'll kill you!
Louder, everyone!
Bow down! Bow down!
So far, with everyone in high spirits, we made it safely beyond Takasaki.
Hachiro shows no sign of suspicious activity, which is a relief.
One incident, at the inn in Shiojiri, Hachiro monopolized a suite, making everyone angry.
Yamaoka Tetsutaro barely managed to calm them down.
Other than that, nothing unusual. Please not to worry.
Is Udono doing all right?
Yes.
Please order me to kill Kiyokawa.
Sir Matsudaira!
I... I can't live any longer without killing him.
I... I...
You said Hachiro shows no sign of suspicious activity?
Yes.
He continues to walk separately from the group.
I don't think he truly killed the ronin.
It was a lie trying to protect himself!
When did I ever take Kiyokawa's words seriously?
Kyoto
The ronin troop was literally just a group of ronin until today.
You are merely a bunch of unemployed samurai making a day-to-day living.
Don't be so brutally honest!
But it'll all change tomorrow.
Tomorrow you won't be mere ronin any longer.
We've just decided something.
We want you to throw out the soiled ronin outfit as of today...
...and work directly under the Governor of Kyoto starting tomorrow.
You'll become honorable servants of the Shogunate.
Once you're a soldier of the Shogunate, you won't be permitted to act selfishly like you used to.
Confirm your loyalty to the Shogun Family and to your colleagues...
And make efforts to extirpate the movement of Emperor Worship causing trouble in this city of Kyoto.
However, today you are still ronin on making a day-to-day living...
...so you're free to do whatever you want to do.
We've arranged sake to be delivered to your individual rooms.
Help yourself to it to your heart's content and charge up for tomorrow.
Dismissed.
Master...
I should have told you this before we left Edo.
I just didn't have the courage, until today.
If it's your personal problem, tell me later.
I want you to hear it now!
I can no longer be under your...
Master!
When you hurt Shingo, I wanted to kill you.
I haven't lost yet.
But, what's going to happen to us?
Kohno.
Utsunomiya.
Ikeda.
Here I am.
And Nishi.
Yes.
Will you put your lives in my hand?
Will you?
We've been prepared to give up our lives for the Royal Court from the beginning.
But...
Will the other three of you put your lives in my hand, too?
We feel the same way Kohno does.
But what about you, Master?
Ishizaka, close those doors.
We must give up our lives in order to bring this plan to fruition.
Or rather, even if we give up our lives, success isn't guaranteed.
But this is the only path left for me.
Tomorrow the ronin troop will become an official army of the Shogunate.
Tonight is the night!
I want you to go to Gakushu-in.
Wait there for the daybreak and obtain from them the Emperor's Order.
Emperor's Order?
If you can only get through to Second Minister Hashimoto, he'll give it to you.
If they don't let you see him, then go ahead, commit harakiri at Gakushu-in's front gate...
...and show the cowardly Court officials our spirit of Emperor Worship.
Wait until the 6 o'clock bell at dawn.
At 6:30 the messenger from the Governor will arrive...
...and the ronin will receive the official letter of employment.
And you, Master?
Me?
Together with Murakami and Ishizaka...
I will gather the 200 some rodents and pigs at the main hall...
...and keep all of them from wandering outside.
In case we can't obtain the Emperor's Order by 6:30...
...we'll be accused of rebellion, and cut into tiny pieces by the pigs.
But, even if we obtain the Emperor's Order...
...we don't know whether they'll act the way you want them to.
Anyone who defies an Emperor's Order is an Emperor's enemy.
Even though they are low-life ronin, if they lift a finger at us...
...that'll make the Shogunate the Emperor's enemy.
Do you think that cowardly Udono has the courage to let the Shogunate become the Emperor's enemy?
Well, but precisely because he's a coward, there's a possibility he'd do something unexpected.
That's a possibility.
Good.
This is exciting, isn't it?
What's this? What's going on?
What happened?
Sir Kiyokawa, what on earth do you think you're doing?
I can't let you start any trouble in the middle of the night like this.
Let me talk to you alone. Let's go over there.
Everyone go back to your rooms.
I won't let you leave.
Please have a seat.
I'd like to tell you what the real purpose of the ronin troop.
It's true we've traveled to Kyoto to work for the Shogunate.
But ronin are ronin... we aren't receiving any salary from the Shogunate.
Therefore, we're free to choose whether to agree with the Shogunate.
As of today, we denounce the Shogunate...
...and solely embrace the philosophy of Emperor Worship.
What?
That's not what we've been told.
If you interfere with the Royal Court's order...
...we won't hesitate to kill you on the spot even if you're a high official with the Shogunate.
Anyone who disagrees should step forward.
Kiyokawa! If it is the Court's order, show me the evidence.
Do you have the Emperor's Order from the Royal Court?
I don't have it. - What?
I don't have it on me, but I've already received it.
That's not enough.
If you touch me, you'll make the Shogunate an Emperor's enemy.
If that's alright with you, I, Kiyokawa Hachiro, will accept your challenge.
Udono, let me, Serizawa, kill him.
As long as it's a ronin who kills him, the Shogunate has nothing to do with it.
Is that so, Udono?
If that's what you want, I'll accept your challenge.
A ronin is merely a ronin.
He's not receiving any salary from the Shogunate.
That's what you said a minute ago.
I certainly did.
But Udono, that doesn't sit well with you.
You were impatient and already told them about the order of hiring them as official security guards.
Now that you've told them, for you they are no longer ronin but official servants to the Shogunate.
At this point, if anyone attacks me...
...it won't make any difference in making the Shogunate an enemy of the Emperor.
Am I not right?
Shut up and get on your feet!
Shut up!
I'm not dealing with pigs like you.
What?
Hold it, Serizawa, hold it!
Don't kill him yet.
At 6:30 the Governor's letter of employment will arrive.
Then, I'll rip your scheme of intrigue into pieces myself.
Please open up! Please open up!
How many times do I have to repeat myself?
In order to submit a petition for the ronin troop, there are steps to follow.
Unless you follow the standard procedure, I can't let you see him. Go away.
Just this once, this once.
We beg you. We beg you.
No can do. Go away!
No matter how much we ask? - Yes, that's enough.
I'm telling you to go away, don't you hear me?
What are you doing? Are you going to stain the royal gate with your blood?
Excuse me.
Master! Master!
Here's the Emperor's Order.
My fingers! - Yes.
Emperor's Order. - Yes.
Don't you see the Emperor's Order?
You over there, bow your head!
Hey!
Notice.
Hereby the Royal Court in agreement issues the Official Order.
In times of uncertainty like this...
...if respect to the body of the nation lacks, it is deemed lack of respect to His Highness.
"...Swiftly restore order, bring peace to the Emperor Worshippers...
...help all citizens, learn well and right any wrong...
...and never to soil the body of the nation.
It is an honor to..."
Master Kiyokawa!
Kumano!
Master! Master!
Congratulations, Master!
Oh, here comes the Grand Mistress!
Shut up! Get off me! Get off me!
Bastards, what are you doing here?
I came to bid farewell.
Kiyokawa, I can't trust you.
We resign from the ronin group as of today, and will go our own way.
What?
Those who leave, will leave.
That's alright, isn't it?
Do as you like.
But Master...
I don't care.
A man should live any way he wants. What else is there?
Wait! Wait!
Who were the two men who stood behind Serizawa?
They were Kondo Isami and Hijikata Toshizo.
They seemed quite skillful.
Master, we'll receive the Emperor's Order tomorrow and return to Edo.
Master, when we return to Edo, attack Yokohama...
...and show the foreigners nesting at the consulate what a samurai's spirit is about!
That's fine.
I'm planning to go to the Kiyokawa Office of Shogunate.
Kiyokawa Office? - Yes.
Kiyokawa Office of Shogunate.
Excuse me, a samurai named Ishizaka Shuzo...
just came by downstairs and asked me to give this to you.
Ishizaka?
What's he doing?
Tell him to come up right away.
Well, he handed this to me and left quickly as if to run.
Left? - Yes.
To where?
Well, he was dressed for a trip.
Master, forgive my selfishness. I can't understand you any more.
Has he gone mad? - Master, I'll go and find him.
I'll come with you.
Don't.
What's going on with him? What does the letter say?
It's not clear.
Let me see it.
That's not necessary.
Hey, bring me the ink.
What do you think?
A nice poem, isn't it?
Let me read it.
Listen up!
The Master has just written a poem.
"Ahead of time, ahead of time again in the journey of carnage...
...I shan't go astray from my path with the Emperor."
Master, our time is finally about to begin.
That's right! Our time is about to begin!
"Ahead of time, ahead of time again, in the journey of trials...
...I shan't go astray, from my path with the Emperor."
Edo
45 cents, 62 cents, 37 cents...
Oh! Who's that!
We're the ronin troop!
We need funds and came to collect cash. Give us your money!
We're the ronin troop! Hand us your money!
Come on!
Night after night, there are troubles caused by the alleged ronin troop.
If we let them, people will start to think we the ronin troop are really responsible.
As it is, we haven't heard anything from the Royal Court.
If they hear about the scandal and think we're responsible, we may be order to disband ourselves.
If that happened, the 400 members who gathered in sympathy with your philosophy will be mistreated.
Master, are you listening to me?
Yes, I'm listening.
Master, I'm sure you know who's pulling the strings behind it.
Why don't you lead us to do anything about it?
The officers will eventually capture those men.
Do you think the Shogunate will capture their own men?
Master...
Our members have expressed desire to investigate on their own about the imposter ronin troop.
Please give us the permission. I beg you!
No matter how much we hurt them, they wouldn't tell us who told them to do this.
I hate them but they have my respect.
Master, I've been given the honorable job by draw.
I'll cut off their heads off with one swing.
Please watch me.
Hey, give me that job, please. - No!
I'll do it.
Hey, Master Kiyokawa himself will cut off the rogues' heads off.
Oh, so you're going to France soon?
No, not for a while.
I hear the women in Paris are something.
Is this for your trip?
No, this was a gift in return for my gift of a Nishijin silk weave.
By the way, have you gotten rid of that man?
Please be patient.
You seem to be struggling.
It won't be long.
I never want to see his face again.
The same here.
Who's going to do it?
Are you interested?
A man named Sasaki Tadasaburo, an ex-teacher at the Official Martial Arts Arena, has volunteered.
Even though it's the Emperor's Order, he's just a ronin.
I doubt if we'd be called the Emperor's enemies.
So, when?
It's already started.
Started?
Sasaki...
I heard you've become a ronin. How come?
I have no obligation to answer. Excuse me.
Are you trying to kill Kiyokawa?
Who sent you? Is it Matsudaira? As I suspected.
Are you going to tell him? - Would you kill me if I did?
I would. I'd kill anyone who'd rebel against the Shogunate!
Do you want to kill him for the Shogunate? But you aren't like that.
Kiyokawa is a brilliant man, one out of every hundred. Let him live a little while longer.
Are you interfering with the Shogun's order?
Shogun's order?
For us Edo daimyo, the only order comes from the Shogun Family.
It's the Shogunate's order.
But can you kill Kiyokawa, I wonder?
I will.
How?
Welcome to the Peony Room. - Please.
It isn't your first time, is it?
Come on now.
Please come in.
Your sword.
Oren!
I'm not Oren, I'm Ochie.
No, don't do that...
Aren't you Master Kiyokawa?
Master Kiyokawa...
It's me, Sasaki Tadasaburo.
Oh, it's you.
It's been a long time. You look well.
April 13th, 3rd year of Bunkyu.
Kiyokawa Hachiro, age 34.
The fragrance of sake arose thick from the soil.
Extract by Jose. El Luzu