Toho presents
A Photo-Chemical Laboratories...
...and Zenshin-za Production
HUMANITY AND PAPER BALLOONS Written by MIMURA Shintaro
Directed by YAMANAKA Sadao
Photographed by MIMURA Akira Music by OTA Tadashi
Art Director: KUBO Kazuo Artistic Supervisor: IWATA Sentaro
Cast
KAWARAZAKI Chojuro NAKAMURA Kanemon
NAKAMURA Tsuruzo BANDO Choemon
SUKETAKAYA Sukezo ICHIKAWA Emitaro
KIRITACHI Noboru YAMAGISHI Shizue
Out of the way!
Stand watch!
What's going on?
What happened?
He hanged himself
Good morning
What happened?
Kane, what happened? Who hanged himself?
Morning! It's a bad start to a day, a suicide
You can't leave now
Why not? What have I done?
I know, nobody's blaming you
Kinya, wait until we've finished investigating
That's too bad
It's a sunny day
First good weather for three days, and there's a suicide
Turn around, they won't let you leave
What are you talking about?
I can go wherever I want!
Ah... maybe I will stay in
Don't want to answer any questions...
Why are you back?
There's an investigation, I have to wait
Pity, it's a nice day
Why did he kill himself?
It rained yesterday, he could have done it then
Fool! If you were going to die...
...what would you care about the weather?
That samurai should have slit his belly
But he was old
Still, it was a disgrace to hang himself
He had no swords
He carried a long one!
Yes, made of bamboo
Couldn't cut his belly with that
Get out of here!
Noisy brats!
You take tenants without references?
No surety either?
I didn't expect this
Didn't you ask for one?
Of course I did
I asked him for one, but...
My wife is stupid!
I'm not interested in her stupidity
Your tenants are always giving us trouble
But...
Anyway, report to the office
Me?
The landlord's in for it!
Don't stand there gaping!
Your manners are deplorable!
Isn't this a moment for grief?
Why are you laughing, fool?
You're hopeless
You may be blind, but you aren't deaf
You were right next door, but you heard nothing?
I didn't know...
You should have known!
Who lives here?
Shinza, the hairdresser
The noise hasn't woken him
Shinza, wake up!
Can't you hear me?
Is he out?
No, he's there
Who is it?
Forgotten your landlord? Get up!
Is that you, sir? What's wrong?
How can you sleep through all this?
All what, sir?
Goldfish!
Shinza, you disappoint me
Didn't think you were such a coward!
You kept as quiet as a borrowed cat
You should've said something
I couldn't get a word in!
Goldfish!
Hello, Landlord -Gen. - Are you alright?
Of course... How's business?
Slow... I started late today and I've sold only five
Goldfish!
Forget the stupid goldfish!
Goldfish!
Damn it, what is a goldfish?
Have you gone mad?
I've been singing "Goldfish!" All morning
I forget what they are and who I am
Goldfish!
Move away, you noisy man
Landlord, what if I have a drink while I can't think straight?
How should I know?
I've never had the chance
Shall we hold a wake for the samurai?
A wake?
His soul will still be here tonight
Good idea!
He was your neighbor, he'll be grateful for a wake
Good, then give us five bottles
Five bottles of what?
Sake, of course
Will five be enough?
There you are
Probably not!
We'll manage... He was our neighbor, after all
Five bottles
Fool, why should I buy you sake?
It's for his soul
Have the wake without sake! That'd be better
It's the third suicide here
They say the lane is haunted
A party will liven the place up
lt'll help you get a new tenant
He's right, and for only five bottles of sake
Isn't that great?
A bad omen!
Join us, Unno-san
No, I don't drink
Shinza, I can see a halo over your head!
Don't worship me, I'm no saint on a cross!
Not on a cross, a real, live saint!
I'm glad to have you as my neighbour! Have another cup
We're out of sake for the saint
Aren't they amazing? It's a party, not a wake
Aren't they sorry for the dead man?
We should do this once a month!
It rejuvenates us
That's true
Why don't you do it next month?
Me? Do what?
Hang yourself!
We'll all be grateful
Gen! You took my fish!
That's why you sit beside me
You think I can't see? Look!
I know, it's Yoshichi
What's the point of covering a blind man's eyes, fool?
Is he really blind?
Look, a blind man smoking!
Say, Yoshichi...
Can't a blind man smoke?
Why not?
Can you tell me?
Isn't everyone enjoying themselves?
Hello, Landlord
Don't drum on the bowls, you'll bring the dead man back
Sit down here, Landlord
We're almost out of sake
What? You drunken wretches...
You're a fine man Giving us five bottles for the party
Party? What party?
I mean the wake
Actually, it's all the same
You'll pay the price for it tomorrow
Behaving like this...
Who bought this fish?
I did, at the restaurant
Whoever prepared it...
Fish isn't good when it's sliced this thin
I don't like it
Quite right!
You heard? It's sliced too thin
Order more fish and sake from the restaurant
But not so thin-sliced this time
No need to pay, it's the Landlord's order
Thank you, Landlord!
I told you! You drank too much
Give me some water
He always gets a hangover when the drinks are free
He's like a toad when he throws up... disgusting!
Good morning
Have you seen my pipe anywhere?
You've lost your pipe?
Didn't you see it last night? My silver pipe?
I didn't
Strange, I left it somewhere last night
Maybe Gen stole it! That must be it!
What are you saying? I stole your pipe?
Gen, is that you?
You're always blaming me when you lose things
Don't be angry
You were beside me, I thought you might know
I've no idea, I wasn't watching your pipe
So what's that in your mouth?
This? Well...
You can't see, can you?
No, but I can hear... There's something in your mouth
It's a toothpick
A toothpick, not your pipe
Which is Shinza's place?
Shinza? That one
Go round the back
Please, may I hide? - What's wrong?
He's gone!
Where did he go?
What's he done?
We'll cut him into pieces when we catch him!
We'll come back later
Tell him Yatagoro's men will get him
Thank you! They've gone
Goodbye
Be careful, use the front door
It's all right
Will you go out now, dear?
Yes, it's about time
Good morning
Come out, everyone, you're needed here
I've made some lots... Draw one each
What for?
No questions, just draw one
A gift? - Who knows?
You're being kind!
Let me draw one
Not for you, blind man
Why not?
What's this?
A circle... What does it mean? A gold coin?
It's cleaning duty
I've got a circle too
It reads "carry"
"Carry"...What do we have to carry, Landlord?
I got "carry" too
Carry the coffin to the temple
The coffin?
Mr Mori! Aren't you Mr Mori?
Do I know you?
Have you forgotten? I'm Matajuro Unno
Unno?
Matabei Unno's son
I remember... Mr Unno's son
It's been a long time! How's your family?
Fine, thank you...
How is your father?
He died last year
Dead? I'm sorry, I didn't know
You've been in Edo since his death?
I'm a poor man, as you see, I'm ashamed of myself
I'm living in Edo now, so visit my house some day
Thank you, sir
To tell the truth, since I heard you moved to Edo...
...I've visited your house often, but you were never in
Is that so? Sorry, I'm a busy man
Goodbye
Mr Mori... - Yes?
I have a request
My father wrote you a letter before he died
I have it here... Would you please read it?
I'm sorry, I'm busy today
I'll read it when you visit my house
Excuse me...
Mr Mori...
I shouldn't ask, but...
I look shabby, so your guards don't admit me
They won't allow me to see you
No, that cannot be true
You must be mistaken
Come tomorrow
Mr Mori, it won't take long
I can explain as we walk
But this is where I'm going
Is that so?
Then I'll wait here until you've finished
It will take some time
I don't mind waiting
Welcome
It's Mori-san...
Good day, Mr Mori
Your father?
He's waiting inside... Do come in
Mr Mori, I'll wait here
You're with someone?
Clerk, I'll wait here
Please do
Offer him a cushion
No need, thank you
I've been expecting you, Mr Mori
Thank you for being so kind
Shall we invite in your companion?
You have a companion?
Bring him in
No, he's not actually with me
He's bothering me
He's a member of your clan?
He used to be, but now he's a ronin. Masterless
We met in the road and he started pleading with me...
Can you help me get rid of him? By force, if necessary
I understand
Kyubei, ask Yatagoro to send some men
Yes, sir
We have trouble with cheats and criminals in the pawn shop too
What times we live in!
Chushichi!
Go to the herbalist at the corner
Ask them to send the usual medicine quickly
Okinu, call Chushichi
Mr Mori is here, Miss Okoma
Call him!
But Mr Mori is here...
I want Chushichi!
Yes, Miss
No samurai could marry the daughter of a merchant
It would be a disgrace
Just so
And so I'm taking Miss Okoma as my foster daughter
I understand, sir, thank you
You want me?
Chushichi, I have a problem
Mr Mori is here...
That's the problem
Come and greet him, everyone's waiting for you
What are you saying?
Your father and grandfather are there too
No!
What's wrong?
You're mean
Shall we go through?
Stop pretending! Are you making fun of me?
But Mr Mori is waiting...
You know what he's here to talk about?
Marriage
Whose?
I don't know
The groom is the son of a noble samurai
Congratulations
Chushichi, are you serious?
Fine, I'll go and tell them the truth!
No, I was joking!
What?
Clerk, what's going on?
Who are they?
I'm telling you to get out!
Go!
I'm not trying to cheat or blackmail you
I'm just waiting for Mr Mori
Tell me outside!
This is a respectable pawn shop! You're in the way!
Wait! I need to speak with Mr Mori!
Really?
You want a fight?
Shinza!
What do you want?
Damn you!
Why did you run away?
I didn't...
Isuke, what have I done?
Don't play the innocent, we have proof
Come and face the boss
I'm back
Welcome home
You're early today
What happened?
Nothing... I tripped on a stone
Be more careful
It's nothing, it doesn't hurt
I grazed my arm
Was Mr Mori there?
I met him on the way
We talked as we walked, but very briefly
He's busy, couldn't spare me much time
He wants to see me tomorrow
Otaki, can I have supper now?
Yes
Did you give him the letter?
No, I'll take it to his house tomorrow
I'll bring good news tomorrow, don't worry
He can't refuse me when he's read the letter
He didn't reach his position without help
My late father's support was crucial
He wouldn't have been promoted without it
He'll remember that, and he'll be glad to help me
The ointment is in the sewing box
I see
It does hurt a bit
Thank you for your help
Strangers come in, expecting to borrow against worthless junk
We're at your service
Our men are always ready
Thank you very much
A small token of our gratitude, for your men
You're too generous
Your master is always too kind
He should be here himself... Please accept this
It's too much
Tell him I'm grateful
Chushichi...
You can join our party tonight
At Genta's place
Thank you, sir
You like gambling, I know
You know your limits, you're a careful gambler
You're kind to say so...
But the shop keeps me very busy
Not to mention the girls! You're handsome! They like you
You're joking! - Don't deny it
I've heard people talking
I'll join you if I have time
Tell your employers how grateful I am
Give them my respects
Thank you... So I'll be leaving now
Excuse me
Shinza! You know why you're here?
Well, do you?
I don't think I need to tell you
You can't hide from us!
Look up!
That's better
You think I'm a scarecrow or something?
You held a gambling party in my territory?
Shouldn't we punish him?
Come on, Shinza!
Don't...
He's not worth the trouble
But he needs punishment. - Never mind
Shinza...
Answer me!
So you can hear and speak!
You deserve severe punishment, but...
...there's no need to punish an amateur like you
I'll forgive you
Thank you... I'm sorry...
You and your gambling party!
You're a hairdresser!
Stick to your own trade!
Shinza, are we safe? - Why?
I hear Boss Yatagoro nabbed you
What can he do to me?
This is his territory...
Gambling's illegal, anyway Don't worry
It's Jin...
Noodles!
Jin! Be quiet!
Shinza! Want some noodles?
No! Shut up!
But you have customers there
Please, master
"Master"? Who are you talking to?
You! Master Shinza
You're impossible!
All right, put out that light and bring some up
Thank you - Quiet! Put out the light!
Noodle-man!
No light?
I've sold out, I'm sorry
Sold out?
Who are those bowls for? Who ordered them?
Well... somebody...
Shinza lives here, doesn't he?
It's Shinza! He's doing it again!
I'm sorry...
Mr Mori doesn't know you
What?
You can have this letter back
Wait! Please wait...
Did Mr Mori say he didn't know me?
That makes no sense
It can't be true
I saw him yesterday, we talked for a while
He asked me to come here today
That's why I'm here
Please tell him again that it's Matabei Unno's son
Remind him we met yesterday!
Sorry about that trouble, old man
Shinza!
They wrecked my place last night
Sorry about that... I'll make it up to you