NHK's Saturday Drama Special
Kabukiza Theater, Tokyo (28 June 1936)
~ O a me, sceso dal trono ~ *My son, straight from the throne of glory*
~ Dell'alto Paradiso ~ *Sent to me from Heaven*
~ Guarda ben fiso, fiso ~ *Take one last and careful look*
~ Di tua madre la faccia! ...~ *At your mother's face!*
~ Che te'n resti una traccia ~ *That its memory may linger*
~ Guarda ben! ~ *One last look!*
~ Amore, addio! ~ *Farewell, beloved!*
~ Addio! Piccolo amor. ~ *Farewell! My dearest heart.*
Your drinks, sir.
The simple question is...
Why the daughter of a Samurai would marry an American?
Can you answer that for me?
Tanigawa Isaku
She was probably under a spell.
'A spell...'
She had left reality behind.
Yes.
She'd gone inside the world of the projector.
'The projector...?'
That night, she went into the world of the pictures in the projector...
CHOUCHOU-SAN ~ The Last Daughter of a Samurai ~
Part 2: "Far Away America"
Original Screenplay: Ichinikawa Shinichi
Starring: Miyazaki Aoi
Maruyama, Nagasaki (Summer, 1892)
That's the western-style restaurant, Fukuya, right? Maruyama, Nagasaki (Summer, 1892)
That's right.
These are really good pictures.
Tanigawa Isaku
Wah~! You're holding your prized telephone. You look so proud!
Next!
- Is that a naval officer? - Yes.
Obiya Soshichi (Pres. of Obiya Shipping Company)
With that white uniform, he probably is.
A Navy uniform...
Ito Chou</>
...sure looks dashing, isn't it?
Could he be an American officer?
Wah~! There you are again!
Oh, well, well...
I was taking a leak in the toilet...
...when I heard the 'Sound of Love' from 'Kiyotsune' (Noh play)...
Chief Ijichi (Umegasaki Police)
...I was curious to know where the flute music was coming from...
...And wadda ya know... it's from the the parlor of President Obiya, eh?
Haru-Chou, say hello.
He was just appointed Chief of the Umegasaki Police Station, Chief Ijichi-sama.
My name is Haru-Chou. Nice to meet you.
Well then, Chief, here you go... Go ahead, sit down.
Well, Aihachi, it's your turn...
...Show Chief-sama your famous 'dohyo iri.'* (*ceremonial entry of sumo champions in the ring) - Yes.
- Ladies, give the Chief some sake. - Here you go, Chief-sama.
You're stuck here now since you've been lured by her "Sound of Love..."
So from tonight til morning, you'll be drinking the night away.
That's not likely going to happen.
Because after this, there'll be a big manhunt ahead.
- 'Big manhunt?' - For an escaped prisoner...
...who was imprisoned for embezzlement.
He showed up here in Maruyama.
Is he by any chance... Miura Kanji?
That husband of yours has escaped... The authorities will keep an eye...
...on you all the time. If you dare try to hide him...
...you can go to prison, too, you know.
Do you know him?
Well, there's no one here in this district who hasn't heard about it.
He was the head clerk of Mitsutomo Company who used company's money to free the geisha Harukoma...
..and eloped with her. It's a modern-style "Fuin Giri" (a kabuki play) and that's the story I heard for some time.
So finally, you've located the hideout of Miura Kanji?
That's right! It was the wife who gave us the lead in behalf of Kanji.
If it's Harukoma-neesan, I think she's working now as a servant at Suigetsu-ro...
She's back to using her real name, Kinu...
..Was she waiting for her husband to come back? - This late afternoon, that Kinu...
...went to a Maruyama pawnshop, and pawned off her kimono coat...
...personal comb, and hairpin.
I'm sure she's going to meet with her husband tonight and the two will make a run for it.
Kinu (also known as 'Harukoma')
Once she slips out of Suigetsu-ro... we're going to tail her...
...til she gets to the hideout where her husband will be waiting.
Goda Hanbee (Detective)
...What do you think? - Such a sharp insight, I'm so impressed.
- What? - It'll be alright.
(Note: She is Aihachi [Matsuo Sada], the real legendary geisha of Nagasaki performing her famous 'sumo' dance)
Yoisho~! Yoisho~!
Someone's coming out. It's Kinu!
You must escape. If your husband shows up...
...you have to flee with him. ...I'll also help you out.
Chou-sama.
Yasuke
Kinu-san.
Get a boat... A boat!
Ah... Dammit~!
Dear!
This is Chou-sama...
Thank you for looking out for my wife.
Miura Kanji
It was nothing.
Where will you go from here?
We'll go up to the Hotaru Teahouse at the Ichinose Bridge then cross the Himi Pass.
- Kinu-san, it looks like your wait has paid off. - Yes.
Chou-sama, take care of yourself always.
Please push through with your original plans so that surely someday...
...your dream to go to America will finally come true.
Kinu-san, be well.
Chouchou-san!
Isaku-san. We did it.
So they're now going down the river safely.
They went happily together.
Thank God.
Isaku-san, someday, I'm going to America.
Yuri-chan's there, waiting for me, right?
America...?
But you don't have to go so far-away... How about somewhere a bit closer?
No. Going to America is a promise I made to my mother and grandma.
Ensign (2nd Lt.) Franklin
It's just like a child's box of toys...
American Consulate
The girls are from the Maruyama geisha quarter.
I feel like I've been dropped into a box of candy.
Sure.
Are you gentlemen enjoying yourself?
Madame, it's an honor. (Wife of Honorary Consul)
How long is your ship's repairs expected to take?
At least three months, Ma'am.
You must come play cards with us.
Life in the settlement can be such a bore.
Dr. Sayre (surgeon)
We won't have time to be bored.
So, how's it coming? Have you found any candidates yet?
What are you talking about?
A Nagasaki marriage.
I'm not interested.
Shall I bring you some more wine?
You speak English.
You can understand my English?
Of course.
What's your name?
Chou.
'Chou...'
It means 'butterfly.'
Ensign William Franklin, U.S. Navy.
Let the Gods know you are here.
Wonderful.
Please make a wish from your heart.
What did you wish for, Chouchou?
To go to America someday.
You want to go to America?
Yes. I have a friend waiting for me there.
A friend?
Yes.
She is my best friend.
Well, I'm relieved to hear it.
What did you wish for, Ensign?
To meet the woman I'll marry in Nagasaki.
(Note: Tanabata Festival = writing wishes and tying them on a tree during this star festival)
What did you write?
'I want to go to America.'
You know you could ask me.
It would be faster than wishing on some distant star.
Really?
But you would have to marry me.
Yes.
Alright. That's settled.
We'll file the marriage license in the morning.
And after that, we can look for a place to live.
That will be lovely.
The Milky Way...
once a year... the lovers* in heaven cross the river (*legend of two deities represented by the stars, Vega and Altair)
...and they can be together.
Will you marry me?
Yes.
"Yuri-chan, I must tell you that..."
"I'm going to marry my suitor, American naval officer..."
"...William Franklin-sama."
"Same as you, I am delighted to become..."
"...an American citizen but..."
"Being the daughter and heir of the Ito family name..."
"...I feel it is important to ask forgiveness from my ancestors."
Sir!
The bride's party has arrived!
"But no matter which country's citizen I become..."
"...I am determined to live everyday..."
"...without disgrace as the daughter of a Samurai." (New Jersey, USA)
"I will not do anything..."
"...that will humiliate my family's name. And that I will act accordingly..."
Tanigawa Yuri (sister of Isaku)
"...as a Samurai's daughter."
"Yuri-chan, you're happy about my marriage, right?"
~ Kono urafune ni ho o agete~ *Hoist the sail on this boat...*
('Takasagoya' = traditional Shinto wedding song)
~ Tsuki moro tomoni...~ *Along with the moonrise...*
She was tricked!
That marriage wasn't a real marriage...
...she's the only one who doesn't know.
I think I'll tell her the truth.
Are you still in love with Chou?
Then, be ready to support her...
...when she wakes up from her dream.
~ Nami no Awaji no shima kageya... ~ *Through the surf on the lee islands of Awaji...*
Ko (Madame of 'Sueishi' geisha house)
I know you're very concerned that I'm marrying an American but...
...I will be alright.
Please allow me to go and marry him.
I didn't say it's because he's an American but...
...is it going to be a real marriage?
Just because you signed a piece of paper - 'American-style' - doesn't mean you can believe that it's real.
This is Japan. If you become husband and wife...
...you should hold a proper wedding ceremony.
Yes. I have also invited my relatives from Fukahori to my wedding ceremony.
Oh, I see.
~ Haya ya Suminoe ni tsuki nikeri...~ *Already I reach Suminoe...*
~Haya ya Suminoe...~ *Already I reach Suminoe...*
Obayashi-sama!
Here... this is from the groom... he wants to give you his 'thanks.'
How much did you sell Chou?
Obayashi Genkuro (Chou's uncle)
'Sell?' That's ridiculous!
Mr. Jinpachi (marriage mediator)
As you can see...
...they had a proper wedding ceremony, right?
And that's what it was.
Chou is the only one who believes she has become a real wife.
Somehow, I feel sorry for her.
But even if it's temporary, it would be nice to live in a dream.
What is it?
You look like a mermaid under the ocean.
Do you want to come and live under the ocean with me?
Oh, yes... This is a completely different world.
How do you like it?
"It's delicious."
The vegetable sauce over white fish.
"This is also delicious."
"Yuri-chan..."
"My husband makes an effort to understand my poor English."
"For me, it is like school every day."
(Note: It was an old custom for a Japanese wife to walk three steps behind her husband)
It's one of a kind.
Like this.
Good.
It's a fight! A fight!
Stop pretending like you didn't say anything!
You said we look like monkeys with hats!
I never said you look like a monkey.
- What did he say in Japanese? - We can't understand! - Yes, that's right!
- Those American soldiers insulted the Japanese people by calling us 'monkeys!' - 'Monkeys?'
Here.
Take these and forget about it.
What? You think I'm some damn kid?!
Hold it!
- Who's he? - He's wearing a yutaka!
This is getting interesting.
I'm an officer of the United States Navy.
And these men are under my command.
So?
I accept responsibility for the discourtesy of my men.
Please accept my apology and forgive this breach of etiquette.
- What's he saying? - I don't know.
This is Japan. If you need to apologize, do it the Japanese way.
And what's the Japanese way?
"Dogeza."
'Dogeza?'
Get down on your knees, put your hands on the ground and put your face in the dirt!
You little bastard!
No!
- We beat the foreigners! - Serves them right!
That was a good show.
"Yuri-chan, my husband is a Samurai. His hair and eyes may have a different color from ours..."
"...but he has the spirit of a Samurai."
"I'm proud of him."
That sure was interesting, eh?
I'm sorry, sir.
Thank you, sir.
You're in Japan.
Never forget that a stupid joke could cost you your life.
Get back to the ship. You are ordered to bind over.
Yes sir.
I love her.
So you've fallen in love with a little doll.
What are you... Pygmalion?
She's not a doll.
And she's not a plaything.
She's a daughter of a Samurai and she's worthy of respect, sir.
She certainly has more class than my woman.
Chou isn't after my money.
She really loves me.
And she's doing her best to be a good wife to me.
Isn't that worse?
I would've stayed here with her in Nagasaki.
Listen to me.
When the repairs are finished, we have to go. Whether you like it or not.
By the time we leave, you'll need to come to your senses.
"Stop that."
I'm sorry.
I was seeing scary things in the night.
The full moon plays tricks.
Your flute and the full moon will raise the dead.
Are you scared?
I didn't think you are scared of anything.
I have to tell you something.
Yes?
The ship's repairs are finished.
We'll leave soon.
- When? - Probably two or three days.
It's alright... we knew this would come.
I'll come back to you.
Promise me?
I promise you.
(Note: Tsukimi = viewing of the full moon)
I need to tell you something, too.
Is it good news?
I think it is.
Then tell me.
I think...I maybe...
Are you pregnant?
I think so.
I thought you were.
It was at the Summer Festival...
...so it will be born at the end of May or June.
We will...
...wait for you.
Have a healthy baby.
And then, wait together for me to come back to you.
"Yuri-chan, if only I could become a real butterfly..."
"...I would've flown off to follow my husband's ship."
"But that will be behaving in an irresolute way."
"It doesn't matter how helpless I may feel, I am still a soldier's wife."
"I will give birth to a fine baby... and together..."
"...we will wait for my husband's return. I know that is the only choice I have."
One year later (Autumn, 1893)
Yasuke-san, is that you?
You scared me.
You thought I was a ghost?
I have shamefully come back.
I have read in the newspapers. You were caught trying to cross the sea...
...on a boat. Where's your husband?
He jumped off into the Genkai Sea and I haven't seen him since.
I'm glad you've come back.
I was imprisoned in Hakata but they have pardoned me and so I came back.
But... it looks like something awful has happened here.
When the cholera epidemic hit here...
...the whole household of Suigetsu-ro was wiped out.
In Sueishi, Madame and Koharu-san have died from it, too...
It seems this cholera has killed people so indiscriminately.
Have you seen Chou-sama?
Is she safe? Thank God!
Just to learn that alone made my trip to Nagasaki worthwhile.
Now I can leave Nagasaki without any regret.
Please tell her to stay well.
Why don't we go and see her?
Let's not. I don't want to show my shame anymore.
Chou-sama is a mother now.
What?
"Yuri-chan, how is your cold?"
"I'm worried since your letters are coming in irregularly."
"I have good news over here."
"For the first time in 18 months, Kinu-san has come back."
"So now, she's living here with me..."
"...in my home."
Until I actually see his dead body...
...I would like to believe that he is still alive somewhere.
Sooner or later, he may come back again unexpectedly...
...So until then, I will keep on waiting for him. I'm used to the wait.
Let's wait together for our husbands to come back.
Two is better because the waiting becomes more bearable than having to wait alone.
...Who took little children into His arms...
...and blessed them. What will you name this infant?
Jo Franklin.
Jo Franklin, I hereby baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
- What's the child's name? - Jo...Jo Franklin.
- Jo? - It sounds like an American name.
- Is Jo Japanese or American? - Oh, you mean his citizenship.
Well, the baby usually is a citizen of the country that he is born in...
...unless it is somehow inconvenient.
I want Jo to become an American. I will be living in America, too, someday...
...So I want him to be a real American like my husband.
What is this silly puppet prattling on about?
Madam! This is a church, please, choose your words carefully.
Gaining American citizenship for Jo will not be difficult... but for you Madam...
But... we are married. And we filed wedding papers.
What you probably filed was the application that the non-Japanese would need to submit...
...to live outside the foreign settlement.
I don't understand...
But my husband... I want to tell him about his son!
His ship should be in Shanghai right now. We will send a message with the...
...mail ship leaving for Shanghai tomorrow. Good afternoon.
I'm going to Shanghai.
Once I show Jo's face to Franklin...
...everything will be settled.
A war* may break out anytime over there even tomorrow... (*The First Sino-Japanese War)
...Are you going to bring the baby?
Just so he can see him, even for a glimpse.
Once Japan and China goes into war, the United States would take the side of Japan, right?
If that happens, your husband's battle ship may not be able to stay in Shanghai...
...and may return to Nagasaki.
My husband's ship does not move with my husband's will.
Perhaps...
...they might even return to America. That's why I have to see him before that happens.
Don't be unreasonable!
All the ships bound for Shanghai have been ordered not to leave.
Isaku-san.
If you want to go that much, I will steal my company's ship...
And we'll take that.
I'll take the sail.
But that is absurd!
But leave Jo-kun with Kinu-san.
I heard Shanghai is already a battle zone.
It's no place for a woman to bring her baby along.
Let's go, Chouchou-san.
I have to try to be a true soldier's wife.
Impatience got the better of me... I'm sorry that you have to see that.
Forgive me, Isaku-san.
Spring, 1894
'Waiting for your return'
'I wish to see you again.'
Jo, come.
I'll give you a bath now.
Welcome back... my husband.
I'm glad your prayers have been answered so quickly.
Kinu-san, I want to do everything I can to welcome him. What can we do?
Please leave it to me.
What's it been... a year and nine months?
Don't worry, she won't be waiting for you.
She's waiting... I know she's waiting.
Isaku?
How long are you going to keep lying to her?
I checked up on you at the consulate.
You already have a wife back in America, don't you?
- I want to tell Chou how sorry I am. - Please...!
...Don't hurt her pride anymore that you already had.
I wished for nothing but her happiness.
- I wanna talk to her about the child's future-- - Shut up!
This is the problem... I have to keep you from talking.
- Go back to your ship! - I don't take orders from you.
Wait! Go back to your ship!
Did you tell Chou I'm married?
Listen to me... She's the daughter of a Samurai.
If she knew that the man she loved had lied to her like this...
...she would kill herself from the shame.
How could I tell her?
What should I do?
Let her keep on waiting... As long as she's waiting...
...she still has her pride.
It's the only way.
Will you take care of her?
I just want her to be able to hold on to her pride.
Chou-sama, the war ship!
Ah... I knew it.
What is it that you knew?
That that ship was just an illusion.
My wish was so strong...
...it created a ship in the port that wasn't really there.
No wonder he never showed up.
What was I thinking...
Few days later
This is Chouchou-san.
Charming.. just as I knew you would be.
My name is Margaret Franklin... Ensign Franklin's wife.
How lovely to meet you.
My name is Chou.
The Franklins have kindly offered to adopt your baby... Isn't that wonderful?
I'm sorry I don't understand.
You said you wanted Jo to have an American citizenship.
I wrote to the Ensign to discuss it with him...
...and find out whether he had interest in claiming the child.
If it was only a dalliance on the part of my husband...
...but no love is involved... - Your charity is most admirable.
...the child has no sin in this. - Anything for the sake of friendship between the two countries.
Of course, my husband is in complete agreement.
We will raise the child as our own. I will take him back with me to America, yes?
You are a prettly little thing.
My husband wrote to me about how pretty you were...
...how like a doll... If only you were a little doll...
...we could take you back to America with little Jo.
Chou...
Don't cry. Lift your head up.
Do you really have to do this?
Jo does need parents.
But he doesn't need two mothers.
'Hagakure...' I want him to have at least this.
If someone in America asks him about his mother, he can say that his mother is from a Samurai family.
I'm sure he'll cherish it forever.
I'm not going to see him off tomorrow.
If he starts crying and chase after me, it'll cause trouble for the wife.
I hope that Kinu-san will see him off for me.
Has your son left?
Yes.
I'm glad he's too young to understand what's going on.
I'm sure you've made the right decision.
My child has gone in place of me.
Once he gets old enough, he may go and see Yuri-chan.
I received this from Pastor Davison from New Jersey.
Yuri... has passed away.
She contracted tuberculosis and so had to take a leave from school...
...and was placed in an isolation hospital.
I didn't know.
Just like you, Yuri also...
...doesn't show her complaints to other people.
Yuri-chan...
Sounds like she died about two months ago.
Her funeral and burial... they're all finished.
I'm her only relative left and I wasn't even able to place water on her mouth* before she passed away. (*a funeral ritual)
Chouchou-san, have you woken up from your dream?
What do you mean?
Come on... come back from your dream.
I don't know...
Maybe... I'm still in a dream.
A Samurai's suicide...
... is not about punishing himself nor a sign of defeat.
It is a testament of his resolve to defend and protect what must be protected as a human being.
~ O a me, sceso dal trono ~ *My son, straight from the throne of glory*
~ Dell'alto Paradiso ~ *Sent to me from Heaven*
~ Guarda ben fiso, fiso ~ *Take one last and careful look*
~ Di tua madre la faccia! ...~ *At your mother's face!*
~ Che te'n resti una traccia ~ *That its memory may linger*
~ Guarda ben! ~ *One last look!*
Japan in those days had those we called Samurai.
To live as a Samurai was to live a life of a beauty...
...to which, it meant being willing to end that life at anytime.
"A butterfly goes... In search of flowers... In the misty sea. ~Chou"
Definitely, Chouchou-san was the last real daughter of a Samurai.
I don't expect pity for the way she died...
...I want you to be proud of her.
I have much to learn from her proud spirit.
Thank you so much for telling me your story.
"Koi no shigoku wa shinobu koi to mitate soro."
You know this.
"Koi no shigoku wa shinobu koi to mitate soro."
- It's from the "Hagakure." - Yes.
"The person you are in love with should not know it..."
"True love is secret... and one's yearning must be borne silently..."
Could you do it? Love like that?
How did you get to know the 'Hagakure?' You're not Japanese.
I have a copy.
...It was my mother's - Your mother? What's her name?
"Thank you so much."
Jo...
"A butterfly goes... In search of flowers... In the misty sea."
Original screenplay: Ichinikawa Shinichi
Music: Muramatsu Takatsugu
Producers: Sano Motohiko, Taniguchi Takukei
Director: Shimizu Kazuhiko
Starring:
'Ito Chou' MIYAZAKI Aoi
'Tanigawa Isaku' ITO Atsushi
'Franklin' Ethan LANDRY
'Kinu' TOMOSAKA Rie
'Miura Kanji' KAZAMA Toru
'Ito Yae' OKUNUKI Kaoru
YAJIMA Kenichi as 'Goda Hanbee' IBU Masato as 'Chief Ijichi'
Patrick HARLAN as 'Dr. Sayre' Jay KABIRA as 'Jo Franklin'
FUJIMURA Shiho as 'Ito Miwa' MOTOMURA Kentaro as 'Mister Jinpachi'
YO Kimiko as 'Ko' HONDA Hirotaro as 'Genkuro'
DAN Jiro as 'Yasuke' TOYODA Runa as 'Yuri'
'Obiya Soshichi' and NISHIDA Toshiyuki
Translation and fine timing: earthcolors
Spot translator: danburi
Raw provider and retiming: furransu
This is an NHK production.
Thanks for watching~!