TOHO COMPANY, LTD.
This film has been modified from the original version
of Akira Kurosawa's debut film, which opened in 1943,
without consulting the director or the production staff.
1,845 feet of footage was cut in 1944,
to comply with the government's wartime entertainment policies.
As much as we'd like to show the original version,
we were not able to locate the cut footage.
Yet we strongly believe this modified version is worthy of rerelease.
We thank you for understanding the circumstances
surrounding the rerelease of this film.
April 1952, Toho Company, Ltd.
SANSHIRO SUGATA (JUDO SAGA)
Original Novel by TSUNEO TOMITA
Screenplay by AKIRA KUROSAWA
Cinematography by AKIRA MIMURA
Music by SEIICHI SUZUKI
CAST
DENJIRO OOKOUCHI
SUSUMU FUJITA
YUKIKO TODOROKI
RANKO HANAI
RYUNOSUKE TSUKIGATA
TAKASHI SHIMURA
SUGISAKU AOYAMA
KOKUTEN KODO
Directed by AKIRA KUROSAWA
This narrow road Where does it go ?
This narrow road belongs to the Tenjin God
Allow me to pass for a moment
No one must pass who has no business to pass
I have some business. Let me pass.
Having made a vow to the Tenjin God
Actually, I'm looking for a jujitsu instructor.
You have reason to be afraid on your way back
A Shimmei-style instructor lives right there.
But he's out now.
He's in an exhibition match in Asakusa.
SABURO MOMMA - SHIMMEI-STYLE JUJITSU INSTRUCTOR
We have a new pupil.
You're lucky.
You'll see quite a show tonight.
We're going to teach Yano a lesson.
Yano ?
Don't you know him ?
The judo wrestler of the Shudokan.
What's judo ?
That's a good one.
Yano calls jujitsu "judo."
He wants to make money off it. What a fraud.
The police are looking for a martial arts instructor.
We're about to make a name for ourselves in the field.
We can't allow him to steal the job with some fancy name for jujitsu.
He must be stopped.
Ambush ?
Just a match without a referee.
- Sir. - What is it ?
- He's left the shop. - Where did he go ?
He's headed this way in a rickshaw.
Let's wait under the bridge.
Let's go !
No weapons ! Let's not disgrace ourselves !
Come with us. You may learn a thing or two.
Father, where are you going ?
We won't be long.
Is something wrong, Father ?
Don't be silly.
Well...
I'm Yano of the Shudokan.
Do you know who you're attacking ?
State your names.
Be prepared for the Shimmei's final blow.
Your name ?
Kill me !
I won't kill you or even break your arm.
Just tell me your name.
What have I done to you ?
Nothing. I wanted to teach you a lesson.
Teach me a lesson ?
How foolish.
Jujitsu is on the decline because of men like you.
I won't live in shame after I'm beat by a scoundrel like you.
Kill me now !
You should have shown that spirit in your jujitsu.
What a waste.
Rickshawman !
It's over.
Sir, let me take you.
Get in.
Can you drive ?
Good.
Thank you.
It's a fight !
Come on !
I did nothing to you.
You said something. Say it again !
You scoundrel !
Don't be haughty.
What ?
Sir.
Sugata is back.
Send him in.
Sir.
Be easy on him.
Bring him in.
Well ?
You must have enjoyed fighting.
I'm sorry.
I should've been there to watch you fight.
You're strong... very strong.
Maybe even stronger than me.
But...
your judo and my judo...
are worlds apart.
Do you know why ?
Because you don't understand humanity.
Teaching judo to such a man...
is like giving a knife to a lunatic.
Sir, I understand humanity.
You don't !
You live without reason or purpose.
Where is your humanity ?
Humanity is nature's rule...
by which we live and die.
Only according to this principle can you die in peace.
It is the true essence of all life...
and of judo as well.
Sugata...
you haven't realized this.
But, sir, I am willing to die if you tell me to.
- Liar ! - No. I am !
Shut up !
You're a reckless bully.
Your words mean nothing to me.
I'm willing to die.
Die !
Sir.
Yes ?
Sugata is still in the water.
It's late. He might die. Forgive him.
He's wild and stubborn, but this is too much.
He can come out whenever he likes.
Not without your forgiveness.
He'll come out when he wants to.
Won't you forgive him ?
Idiot !
He won't die. He's thinking.
Well, proud one.
Are you comfortable ?
No answer ? You haven't figured it out.
Won't you give up ?
No !
You sound like you can go on a little longer.
But, Sanshiro...
do you know what...
you're hanging on to ?
Too full of yourself to notice ?
It's a stake !
Yes, one that keeps you alive.
Without it, you'd sink into the mud.
You're too proud to come out.
Death is near.
Shut up, monk !
Well, then, why don't you give up and come out ?
No !
How stubborn.
Suit yourself.
The moon is beautiful tonight. Enjoy the view.
Sir !
Is Mr. Yano here ?
He's out.
Are his pupils here ?
I'm one.
Are there any others ?
Just one.
I want a match.
May I ask your name ?
I practice the Ryoi style. I'm Genzaburo Higaki.
Come in.
Priest, water.
Who's next ?
Mr. Higaki.
I'm next.
No. I'll have a match with Mr. Yano's pupil.
Then you must leave.
What about him ?
I'm ready.
No. You can't.
Mr. Hgaki.
This pupil is being punished. He's not allowed to fight matches.
Please leave.
That's too bad.
Mr. Iinuma.
I'm sure Mr. Yano will allow me in this case.
Perhaps, if he were here.
- But - - No !
- I'm ready ! - No !
What's your name ?
Sanshiro Sugata.
I'm sure we'll meet again.
We can meet tomorrow if Mr. Yano allows it.
Don't rush it.
Someday jujitsu will fight judo.
What are we waiting for ?
- Don't forget. - I won't.
I don't like him. He's like a snake.
The story now turns to Sayo, a daughter of Hansuke Murai.
Higaki has learned jujitsu from Murai.
Sayo fears Higaki's dark side, his snakelike shadow.
Listen.
Higaki isn't the only enemy of the Shudokan.
Today I saw...
Police Inspector Shimada.
He wants us to take part
in their martial arts matches
as Shudokan judo wrestlers.
Mixed-style matches.
I said we would be glad to.
I believe he wants the winners
to become martial arts instructors
for the police officers.
If we win, what will happen ?
As judo wrestlers, we will have enemies everywhere.
As a matter of fact, I received this today.
It's an invitation to the opening ceremony...
of a Tenjin Shinyo-style dojo in Yotsuya.
It says:
"To celebrate the opening...
we would like to have an exhibition match...
between one of your pupils and a jujitsu instructor.
Please accept our invitation."
Can you guess which one of you was invited ?
The invitation isn't for me.
Sugata...
it's from someone you know.
I get it.
Of course they wouldn't invite you, sir.
They practice the Shimmei style.
Mr. Yano threw them in the river before.
Sugata, it'll be your match.
Sugata, you may start practicing tomorrow.
You must know, Sugata,
that Momma has improved since the last time you saw him.
JUJITSU WRESTLERS
JUDO WRESTLERS
Show us what you've got.
I'm ready.
- Come on ! - Shall we begin ?
Come on !
There goes Sanshiro
Do not bother Sanshiro
Don't get close to him Stay away from him
Don't touch Sanshiro He'll get mad
There goes Sanshiro
Do not bother Sanshiro
Don't get close to him Stay away from him
Don't touch Sanshiro He'll get mad
"Don't touch Sanshiro."
Mr. Murai will fight...
Sanshiro Sugata.
I know.
It won't be easy.
It's a fight to the death.
He killed Momma in a match.
Children sing about him in fear.
Father will win.
I'm not so sure about that.
He quit drinking and started training.
Even so, he's old.
He's in good shape for his age.
And ?
And... and -
I pray for him.
Miss Sayo, there's only one man who can beat Sugata.
It's me.
My father can.
No, he can't.
Only I can beat him...
for your father.
Miss Sayo.
My father will win !
Welcome home.
You know what, Higaki ?
My life before I quit drinking seems like a bad dream.
I'm ready to fight.
I couldn't ask for a better opponent. He's strong, very strong.
He'll be thinking of me, Hansuke Murai, as he trains,
as he hones his skills.
Sanshiro Sugata.
HOUSE FOR RENT
Young lady.
Who do you want to see ?
I'll call him for you.
Sanshiro Sugata.
Sugata ?
This is Momma's daughter.
I thought something was strange.
Sanshiro is still young.
Nonetheless, he is badly shaken by her failed attempt.
That night, Yano trains him by moonlight.
Sanshiro is like a lifeless puppet.
But as he is thrown by the instructor...
he regains his courage and understands.
Yano has taught him what life is.
Sanshiro is of sound mind once again.
Look.
How beautiful.
Do you know where such beauty cmes from ?
She's completely selfless in her prayers.
She has let go of self and united with the god of the shrine.
Nothing is more powerful than that.
Let's not disturb her.
We've seen a very rare thing.
It's good to behold.
I'll fix it.
No, don't trouble yourself.
You can't walk without it.
I'll fix it myself.
I can do it quickly.
Here. Put your foot on this.
Thank you.
It might be a little too tight.
Thank you.
Your umbrella.
Your handkerchief.
You forgot your handkerchief the other day.
- Don't worry about it. - I'll bring it to your home.
- No need. - Where do you live ?
It's really all right.
I didn't expect you to be here.
Don't worry.
Thank you for washing it.
You really helped me.
What do you pray for every day ?
For my father to win a match.
What sport does he play ?
Jujitsu.
May I ask his name ?
Hansuke Murai.
He will fight a match with a judo wrestler from the Shudokan.
Do you know who he's to fight ?
Yes.
Sanshiro Sugata.
Father told me he's young and very strong.
I'm sorry, I must be going. Excuse me.
It's me. I'm Sanshiro Sugata.
I wish your father good luck.
POLICE MARTIAL ARTS TOURNAMENT
METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
What's keeping Sugata ?
When we left he said, "Too early."
He was reading.
I'm worried.
"The spirits of heaven and earth congregate in our nation of gods.
For us they have built Mt. Fuji that towers for eternity.
For us they have brought water to flow around our islands.
For us they have created the beauty of cherry blossoms -"
Idiot ! This is an important match.
What the hell are you thinking ?
I can't do it.
I can't win.
What ?
Are you afraid of Hansuke Murai ?
No.
Someone stands between him and me.
Who ?
His daughter.
- You love her ? - No.
It's notthat.
Priest, I saw her praying selflessly for her father.
It was beautiful and I was touched.
That's the problem.
How can I overcome it ?
Stupid !
Be pure and innocent like her.
- I can't. - You can. You once were.
When ?
Sanshiro Sugata found new life there.
Have you forgotten ?
What is your life, Sanshiro ?
You're late !
Hurry !
You're a lucky man.
Why ?
Murai won't let me fight you.
We'll fight, sooner or later.
- Really ? - I promise.
Come. Let's go.
MATCH BETWEEN A TIGER AND A DRAGON
Stay calm. Be like Mr. Yano.
Demonstration match.
Mr. Hansuke Murai of the Shinto style.
Sanshiro Sugata of the Shudokan.
Call him "mister" too !
Yeah, that's not fair !
Play fair !
Thirty minutes. No judging.
Let's begin.
Shall we ?
Father will win.
Father will surely win.
I give up.
We have a winner.
Mr. Murai !
Thank you.
Mr. Sugata.
You're strong.
You're great.
I'm no match for you.
I was lucky.
Take care.
There goes Sanshiro
Do not bother Sanshiro
Don't get close to him Stay away from him
Don't touch Sanshiro He'll get mad
Mr. Sugata.
To tell you the truth...
I used all my strength in the match with you
for the first time in my life.
I did my best.
When the match was over,
my body felt broken.
It wasn't a good feeling.
I'm glad you came.
Let me thank you again.
I sent Sayo for you. Were you embarrassed ?
No. Not at all.
It was a good match.
I even felt good when you threw me.
No hard feelings.
Supper is ready.
Father, will you have the soup in bed ?
No. I'll get up. I feel good.
Delicious !
Sayo is a good cook.
"As promised, we shall fight a duel as follows:
On the night of December 26, at 8:00 on Ukyo Field.
The witness will be Mr. Iinuma of the Kito style.
It shall be fought using jujitsu skills.
Please remember that this is a fight to the death.
From Gennosuke Higaki
to Sanshiro Sugata."
A bloody sword in the right hand Reins in the left hand
Of a little boy
Riding on a horse
Don't shed tears for me
What we face tonight
Is bigger than our love
The horses are wet with the pouring rain
I can't go past
The slope of Tabaru
Wait.
My last question. Do you have to fight ?
Yes !
I thought it would come to this some day.
But a fight to the death isn't good.
I can't let either of you die.
If only you had let us fight last year.
It's too late now.
I hate to lose either of you.
Mr. Iinuma.
Laugh at us. We're young and stupid.
It's our fate.
In that case...
begin.
It can't be !
Give up.
Enough !
Not yet !
By the way...
I don't see Sugata today.
He suddenly decided to go on a trip.
A trip ? Why ?
I think he has something to think over.
That kid thinks too much.
He's worried about Higaki.
Higaki's also changed since their match.
He doesn't hate Sugata.
Then what's Sanshiro's problem ?
Mr. Yano...
tell him this:
"If you feel you're in a tight spot,
come back to look at the stake in the pond."
That won't be necessary.
Mr. Yano, he's finally become a man.
No, not in the least.
He's always like a baby.
Does it bother you that I'll be seeing you off at Yokohama ?
No.
Father insisted on my seeing you off.
It's quite all right.
What's wrong ?
Dust on my eye.
Does it hurt ?
I'll be back soon.
Take care of your father.
THE END