This is me, three hundred years ago.
My name was Heishiro Inukai. It's a good name.
Three centuries ago Japan was ruled by the samurai.
The Tokugawa Shogunate had united the country,
and it was a time of peace.
I was born the son of a samurai.
At age 21, I met two "ronin", or masterless samurai.
Those encounters changed my life,
and ensured that I remember them to this very day.
Mr. Kazamatsuri, I hope you realize the great honor.
This sword was given to our lord 80 years ago by Tokugawa.
It is a clan treasure used in formal ceremonies.
Guardian of the sword?
If only it were that simple.
Just remember, it's very unusual for
a newcomer such as you attain such an important post.
Do not presume to impose on our lord's good graces.
To be frank,
a newcomer should behave accordingly.
Make sure you fulfill your duty.
Heishiro, a man's mind should be composed at all times.
Haste makes waste. Understand?
I arranged for you to work at the castle with me.
Yet you start a fight with some no-account samurai.
He switched sandals with me!
No excuse!
You've studied fencing, but you've yet to master the samurai spirit.
Why not keep a bird?
It will help you to control your short temper.
Birds belong in the wild.
You don't get it.
These birds are perfectly happy in cages.
Aren't you, dear?
Checkmate, father.
What?
Councilor.
What is it?
A messenger to see you.
I'll be right there.
Before you go up to the castle cut your hair. Look proper.
Yes, father.
So, let's call it a draw.
What are you doing?
How unfair!
Just like a child.
What is the problem?
My father was chief councilor to the Nagashima clan,
responsible for all clan affairs.
A problem had arisen.
A samurai, Kazamatsuri, had killed an aide to our lord,
and stolen the precious sword bestowed on us by the Shogun.
We were granted the sword and the domain 80 years ago.
Only we can tell the genuine one from a fake.
What are you suggesting?
Send men after Kazamatsuri.
In the meantime, have a duplicate made.
A fake? Why not just get the real sword back?
We must consider many things.
The young lord's attainment ceremony approaches.
Without the sword, there will be hell to pay.
It could even lead to disbandment of the clan.
We must pretend that it was not stolen.
Damn!
Kazamatsuri came into our employ in a very dramatic fashion.
I seek vengeance for my son.
On guard!
What'll we do, boys?
Good looking woman.
It'd be a waste to kill her.
Kill the old man and then enjoy her!
You beasts!
Prepare to die!
Father!
Hey you, I killed her husband, the old man's son.
You wanna protect these poor unfortunates?
What's so funny?
You're a dead man!
Finish him off.
Father...
Gladly, good sir!
No! Please don't!
Begin.
Our lord wanted to observe Kazamatsuri's swordsmanship.
Kazamatsuri!
The barbaric urge to watch gladiators battling
has not changed since the Roman era.
Impressed, our lord hired Kazamatsuri as a retainer.
I disagree with your methods, father.
I'll find him and kill him. Farewell.
Stop!
I have already sent men after him.
You think he'll get away so you ordered up a fake.
Not so loud.
I know I can do it.
While you were away in Edo, he has improved greatly.
I have confidence in my swordsmanship.
I'm eager to match my sword against his.
Heishiro!
Idiot son.
Kagemaru!
Where are you this time?
You rang, sir.
Enough of this dropping from the ceiling!
Yes, sir, but old ninja habits are hard to break.
Isn't there anyone else? A bit younger, perhaps?
Yes, I'm always training disciples for just such an occasion.
Would you like to see them, sir?
Yes, that boy may attempt something stupid.
I'd like to have all the angles covered.
Heishiro!
Wait.
Don't try to stop me!
If you go alone, he'll kill you.
Think about it, first.
I'm no coward like you!
Come back!
I'll kill him.
No, I'll kill him.
I'll use my lance.
Go back!
Back home? Which way...!
These two have been my best friends since childhood.
Our clansmen dubbed us "The Three Stooges".
Well! I'm nowhere near as stupid as they are.
Stop following me!
This is Tadasuke Kurosawa.
How dare you run ahead of me!
This is Shintaro Suzuki.
You just watch me!
This way, sir.
Any of them catch your eye?
There are so many...
The sea goes on forever!
We often used to come here as boys.
I'm hungry.
Me, too.
Pick that up!
Litterbug!
Falcon!
Red Shadow!
You approve, sir?
I feel good.
Listen. Did you know that...
Tadasuke is betrothed to Mr. Mukai's daughter.
Is that true, Tadasuke?
That's wonderful.
She's beautiful.
I heard you played around in Edo. How were the women?
Don't be stupid. I've no time for women.
You've never had a woman?
You're still a virgin?
Damn!
Don't get so upset! I haven't, either.
Me, neither.
But you soon will.
What the hell...!
That's the clan treasure!
So what?
You finally showed your true colors.
I've had my suspicions about you.
You're planning to steal it!
I'm merely having a look.
A likely story!
You're a lying thief!
Alright Kazamatsuri, you asked for it!
How did it come to this?
Stop splashing me.
That feels better.
Thank you.
What do you know about Kazamatsuri?
You never know what he's thinking.
They say he's unsociable and conceited.
As a newcomer he was treated distantly.
I saw him just once.
He's got this really scary face.
Like this?
No, not even close.
That bad?
But why did he steal the sword?
See. No one can figure him out.
I've got a wanted poster.
Why didn't you say so earlier?
He's a mean one, alright.
He's 190cm tall.
He's gigantic!
He looks tough, too.
So what! He's no match for me.
Throw it.
That'll teach you!
Look!
That's Kazamatsuri!
Really? Now we've got him!
Tadasuke, you stay here.
Why me?
You have a fiance to consider.
He's right.
Don't you worry about me.
Tadasuke, don't!
Halt!
-Kazamatsuri! -On guard!
I am Heishiro Inukai of the Nagashima Clan.
I am Tadasuke Kurosawa.
Shintaro Suzuki!
He's so scared he's wetting himself!
Don't underestimate us.
Make your move!
Scared, are you?
-Answer me! -Fight!
That's a long leak!
On guard!
We can't wait!
A disgrace to the samurai. Shame on you!
The clan hired you and in return you stole.
Shame on you!
Are you listening?
Shintaro! Be strong!
Damn!
Heishiro!
Tadasuke!
Enough! Sheathe your sword.
Please, enough. No more killing, I beg you.
I must insist.
I beg you, sir!
I had no choice.
Yes, I know. But no more.
I'm sorry. It bet it hurt.
I'm really sorry.
You in the shadows, come forth.
I'm going to need some help here.
Honorable Heishiro!
I understand your problem
but this is going too far. Killing solves nothing.
Please nurse him well.
I'll go back to the domain and make a report.
Farewell.
And don't come back!
But...
Next time he'll kill you for sure.
And your friend here, too.
Swear that you'll never come back.
Brooms!
Basketware!
Hello, Nao. Got time for a cup of tea?
Sir, how would you like to have some fun?
First, a spot of gambling to win some money,
then a whorehouse for some real fun.
What do you say? Good idea, sir?
Mr. Samurai!
Fools!
What the hell are you doing?
The game's starting!
Boss, stop writhing, you're making me miss the spot.
Please stay still.
Sakichi, Ma'am!
Enter.
Another samurai has joined Magobei.
Is that so?
I reckon he's preparing an army to attack us.
Magobei doesn't have the balls to come at us alone.
Only an idiot would recruit that band of incompetents.
But Ma'am, we need more men.
Don't be hasty and end up with dregs.
Leave everything to me.
A superb body.
What!?
Turn on your side, please Ma'am.
Put some power into it!
Yes, power, certainly...
Good. Yes, that's the spot.
Here?
Not there, you pervert!
But it's such a lovely body.
Ma'am, we've got some ronin out of control.
How interesting. I'll go take a look.
He'll lose these cheating hands!
What!
Let's see you try!
You just watch it!
Gentlemen, I think that's quite enough.
Don't tell me a woman runs this show!
That's all very interesting,
but you run a crooked house, lady.
Any trouble here and we feed you to the crows.
Any man. Be he samurai or lord!
Well, well!
In here, Mr. Samurai.
We'll leave it at this for today.
Please.
Be seated.
Let's begin.
I'll take over here.
We're honored, Ma'am.
Yes, why not.
Wonderful!
Then place your bets.
Into play!
Place your bets.
Odds or evens.
The betting is closed.
In play!
Luck wasn't with you today, was it?
Please come again.
Sir, you're welcome to stay as long as you like.
He's awake.
How do you feel?
I'm Hanbei Mizoguchi. We met on the road.
What about my two friends?
The one called Suzuki is fine.
We had no room. Another family took him in.
His injuries were slight and he's gone home.
Good. Shintaro was saved.
Don't. Your wound will open again.
Are you hungry?
No appetite means you must stay in bed.
You're not ready to get up.
My daughter, Koharu.
You've been unconscious for two days.
You were in great pain that first night. We were worried.
I'm in your debt.
Are you sure you won't eat something?
I'll make some gruel.
Those were the hardest days of that life.
I was so ashamed, I just wanted to curl up and die.
Open your mouth, please.
That's good.
Father, your tea is getting cold.
Delicious!
Delicious.
Ready, fight!
Give him hell!
Well done!
Super!
What a woman!
Here you are, sir. Let me refill your cup.
All the samurai I've known were totally useless.
I've never met a swordsman of your caliber.
You're ever so strong, sir.
Let's take a bath.
Sir, you really shouldn't joke so.
I was asking him.
Heishiro, don't go.
I'll go kill him!
No, you mustn't.
See!
You must get well first.
Don't stop me. I must avenge Tadasuke's death.
Please don't.
Damn it.
You can't do anything until you're well.
If you fight him now, he'll only beat you again.
Enough Koharu!
I'm sorry.
But you agree with me, don't you father?
Regardless, stay in bed for now.
Perhaps I can be of some assistance.
I appreciate it.
But you must not kill Kazamatsuri.
There must be no more killing.
There are other means to recover the sword.
No! He dies!
Stubborn!!
Look at that!
It's so huge!
Sir. Do you like the sea?
Yes, I do.
Good.
Me, I love the sea.
Can I ask you something?
What?
How many men have you killed?
Please tell me, sir.
Gosuke, how many women have you slept with?
How many?
I've lost count.
Me, too.
Cool!
Cool! Cool!
Gosuke.
Take it off.
We'd better get going.
But sir!
Wait for me.
Don't touch that!
You'll break out in a rash.
From just brushing against it?
That stinks!
It's an herb.
It makes an excellent medicine.
Is that so? You're so knowledgeable.
I shouldn't be wasting time like this.
All this talk of killing and revenge
is not helping you to recover.
Look at the beautiful clouds.
Be careful. It's slippery.
I slipped first.
But it was fun.
Was it?
This is a lovely place.
In autumn we get wild grapes.
Are you alright?
Yes.
I wonder what caused that?
But it really is delicious.
We had so much fun up on the mountain today.
We rolled around together, like this.
Please let me explain.
We went there to pick herbs together.
Koharu slipped first.
l, worried she may get hurt, extended my hand.
As a result we both fell.
If I got hurt out there it wouldn't really matter.
But if Koharu did, you'd think ill of me.
Why are you both looking at me like that?
We escaped with just a mud-bath, that's all.
So that's all it was?
We got totally covered in mud.
I'm relieved no one was hurt.
Would you care for a drink?
No, thank you. I don't drink.
Even a whiff of it floors me for days.
If you say so...
Please do.
Did I tell you about his nosebleed?
Excuse me.
Kagemaru!
You rang, sir?
How is my son?
According to the report,
he's sufficiently recovered to gather herbs with a maiden.
A young girl?
Silly boy! Whatever is he thinking?
Enough about him. Where is the sword?
Still with Kazamatsuri.
Look.