That was wonderful music.
Thank you.
Tell us all the latest news from town.
The Takatsume gang in town...
Some wild ronin called Kazamatsuri joined them.
Kazamatsuri, you say?
You must have heard. He chopped up those gamblers.
Heishiro, you mustn't!
Please don't.
It's not wise.
Try another way. Ask him to give it back.
Ridiculous.
Talk to the man. He'll understand.
He's no man! I'll kill him.
Yes! But get him when he's drunk.
Persuade him to turn over a new leaf.
Totally unbelievable.
You mustn't! He'll kill you first!
What?!
I'll go talk to him. You wait here.
Never!
Some hot sake, please.
That's hot!
Good.
Excuse me.
What?
Is Mr. Kazamatsuri here?
Kazamatsuri?
You're a friend?
I wouldn't say friend, but...
My name is Hanbei Mizoguchi.
I'm the petty samurai he attacked out on the road.
He'll remember me.
Attacked by Kazamatsuri, you say?
Then he's after revenge, idiot!
Get out!
I'm sorry for any imposition.
Persistent little bugger!
Out you go!
Mr. Kazamatsuri! Are you there?
Out with you!
Arm yourselves!
The swords!
I didn't mean to...
I merely wish to see Mr. Kazamatsuri.
So sorry. Let me pull it out.
Terribly sorry.
Are you alright?
You scoundrel!
Be careful. You'll hurt yourself.
That's quite enough.
Get him!
Swords can be very dangerous. Be careful.
I'll come back when Mr. Kazamatsuri's not indisposed.
Who on earth was that?
Begging your pardon.
We have a favor to ask.
You two again?
We are to escort Heishiro back to the domain.
In that case, I'm happy to help.
But on one condition.
You carry him. He stinks.
How could you?!
He's suffering so!
I had no choice.
I made him throw up, so he just needs sleep.
By the way...
I've been thinking of enlarging my business for a while now.
You could be a great help.
And I'd be much happier with a larger territory.
Don't you agree?
So skillful, but hidden away in the boondocks. Why?
Because I'm a member of the underworld.
Totally different from those solid citizens.
Hanbei Mizoguchi, a master swordsman, indeed.
Why do you hide yourself away?
An era of peace? Damned Shogunate!
How do you feel now?
I thought I'd die.
You poor thing.
I went to see Kazamatsuri.
What!?
Why didn't you tell me earlier?
So many ruffians there, I never even got to talk.
But I did meet a good ally.
Falcon!
Why are you here?
I swapped a fake for this, the real sword.
Your father has suffered a heart attack.
What? Father is ill?
You must return immediately.
First I must kill Kazamatsuri.
So you say, but it was you who almost died.
-I won't fail again! -You will!
What?
No time to argue, sir.
We'll watch Kazamatsuri while you're away.
I can't go back empty-handed.
Nothing will be gained if you lose your life.
Your friend will have died in vain.
Your duty is to take the sword back.
You don't understand!
You can kill him any time.
No, killing is...
Father, shut up. You're complicating matters.
Excuse us.
Falcon!
On horseback you could be home in three days.
I'll get a horse in town.
Mr. Mizoguchi!
Get ready to travel.
You have but one father.
Forgive me.
We really have no choice.
Sorry you must spend your savings on me.
We weren't talking about money.
Good luck.
I'll find you a good horse.
You should be getting ready.
I'll make lunch in a little while.
How long have you lived like this?
Since I was this big.
Doesn't your father wish to work as an official?
He's not the kind of man to push himself forward.
Indeed.
Various lords have tried to recruit him.
Actually, he was once hired as a martial arts instructor.
But being too modest can sometimes be offensive.
Yes, I quite agree.
He hasn't elaborated, but he's always felt awkward with others.
I really don't want him to be employed by some lord.
But if he receives a stipend from a lord and master,
he must draw his sword for the lord's sake.
I don't want him to fight.
I think he feels the same.
You don't resemble each other, but
you both have gentle hearts.
Actually I'm not his real daughter, you know.
I was an orphan. He adopted me and raised me here.
I see.
Blood relationships are of no importance to me.
I regard him as my real father.
Help me peel these.
Pull this bit off, like this.
That's it.
"Shinkage Fencing School Grand Hall"
Excuse me.
May I help you?
I have heard of Master Kajii's reputation.
I'd appreciate a match with him.
It is customary to have a match with a disciple first.
Yes, I know.
Sorry about this, Koharu.
Begin!
Ready?
Yes.
I yield.
Next!
I yield.
Next!
Since your master appears to be indisposed,
I'll accept a small sum instead.
It may seem rude to ask...
... but why did he adopt you in the first place?
Well... you see...
He's back!
Take good care.
I'll be back soon.
God speed.
Father!
Good weather, isn't it?
I was relieved to hear you're going to the whorehouse.
We were worried that you might be one of them.
I don't want a woman.
You two go and have some fun.
Really truly? Thank you so much.
I'll just watch.
Watch?
Sir!
Right.
A touch more.
Just a touch, I said!
Look, the Pony Express.
So fast...
... in the saddle.
He's coming back.
It's councilor Inukai's lad.
How is my father?
Something wrong with him?
I heard he had a heart attack.
No way! He's full of beans.
Only yesterday he cussed me out something fierce.
What?!
They tricked me!
Take this to him!
The ancestral sword! But sir...
Speedy!
They tricked me!
Let us begin! Come on, everyone.
Alright then, lads. Who'll be first?
You? Good.
Ready?
You win.
Here you go.
Who's next? You want to try?
C'mon, let's go.
Hanbei Mizoguchi?
Let's have a duel.
It's a penny a try.
I meant a real match.
Why so eager to cross swords with me?
It's perfectly natural for a master swordsman to fight.
I admit you're better. Isn't that enough?
Will you return the sword to that young noble?
You mean Inukai?
He's the stupid son of an hereditary councilor.
Such an idiot can succeed to important positions.
That's the way of the world.
If he raises a hand to me again,
I'll chop the damn thing off.
If you agree to a match with me, I'll return the sword.
Father.
Let's make some plum brandy and sell it.
So many plums this year.
He's back.
Falcon deceived me. The rat!
He must have had good reason to.
Kazamatsuri had reason to take the sword, too.
Ridiculous!
He killed father's attendant and stole it.
Plus he killed Tadasuke.
If you try to stop me, I'll never forgive you.
How about another helping?
Mr. Inukai.
I think I know how to beat Kazamatsuri.
Don't get too close. Throw stones.
Ridiculous.
With swords, you've no chance against him.
A surprise attack would never work.
I threw stones at him and saved your life.
Y... yes, but...
You remember, don't you?
Don't denigrate stones!
I won't.
Throw them at him like rain.
Then hit him with a big stick. That's it.
No need to kill him.
I understand! Thank you.
Good!
All set.
Watch me.
I get it.
Close. Lower!
What are you doing?
Off your knees!
Stretch that arm.
Tuck in your chin.
Aim higher.
Father.
He's hopeless.
That you, Okatsu?
How did you know?
The wind brought your scent to me.
I'm pleased that you recognize my smell.
This sword must be very dear to you.
It's nothing but an ornament. Take it if you want.
I don't want a sword.
Master.
You deserve more than a mere samurai's life.
Why not quit your rank...
and help me to take over this area?
You'll wear fine clothes.
As many women as you like.
A life of luxury awaits you.
Don't make a sound.
Kazamatsuri is too much for you to handle.
He's a criminal who spits on the Shogunate.
What did he do?
In that brocade sheath is a treasured gift from the Shogun.
If you do as I say, you will live.
The reward is 1,000 in gold.
Is this a trick?
Mix this into his drink.
Good shot!
You're doing very well.
No, I need more practice.
Let me help you.
No need to. I can do it myself...
But I want to help you.
Let me take this.
It's too heavy for you.
Are you alright?
Another nosebleed. Practicing too hard, perhaps?
Too much can hurt you.
Aren't you respectful today? How unusual.
What are you making?
Pepper balls.
Pepper balls?
To fling into his eyes.
Ninja weapons.
That's brilliant!
Good with rice balls, too.
Aren't you the early-bird?
How about a wake-up dram?
Okatsu.
Will you marry me?
I'm very flattered.
I was serious.
That's not very nice.
But really... It's all so sudden.
A woman needs time to think things over.
I'm a woman who's killed all manner of men.
Even trumped up little samurai like you!
No stray dog is going to give me any cheek.
How did it come to this?
What was that?
Madam!
What happened?
Oh no...
Stones, stones. A sword is no way to win.
I graduated from a fencing school.
How proud you must be.
I've heard you once taught at a fencing school.
For all outward appearances.
Too much modesty brings others' hatred.
You're a skilled swordsman.
Yet you stop me from killing Kazamatsuri.
Killing is wrong.
That's what swords are for.
Don't you wear yours when you go to town?
For what other possible reason?
I'm ashamed to say...
I still cling to the hope of being employed as an official.
But let me make one thing clear!
Martial arts are not about killing!
I don't understand.
Why do you stop me from killing a wicked man like him?
I killed a man once.
He was Koharu's father.
Koharu's real father was named Ryunosuke Kuzumi.
Fifteen years ago
the fief I belonged to had a border dispute
with a neighboring clan.
I was a guard there,
under orders to kill anyone crossing the border.
Kuzumi had a similar duty for his clan.
In the river, which was claimed by both clans,
I met Kuzumi and we crossed swords.
The first time I killed a man.
I was overwhelmed by guilt.
One thing...
What?
Grant me a favor.
Kuzumi had a young daughter.
A widower, his last words were of regret for his daughter.
l, a single man at the time, left the fief and adopted her.
But not from sympathy or guilt.
I decided to rectify the sin I had committed,
by raising the child of the man I had killed.
As she grew up, I realized a truth...
One must cherish life and live it to its end.
That is a man's duty.
As a young man I was very conceited.
Proud of my fencing skills and afraid of nothing.
I would have likely ended up like Kazamatsuri.
The human spirit contains both good and evil.
Even those who seem evil have some good in them.
Even Kazamatsuri may change.
Only the gods should take a person's life.
I've said too much.
Does Koharu know that you killed her father?
Yes, I told her.
Tell Mizoguchi to fight me if he wants to get Koharu back.
Falcon!
Kazamatsuri has got Koharu!
What!
Prepare to die Kazamatsuri!
You take care of Koharu.
Yes!
No! Don't get too close.
Hanbei Mizoguchi,
I see though your mask hiding anger and thirst for revenge.
It is as plain as day to me.
You'll wear that mask till your dying day.
But you will cross swords with me this day!
I accept the challenge.
Draw your blade!
Your father will surely win.
You will be my wife.
Mizoguchi will be my father.
It's all decided!
Sir!
Falcon, protect her.
Don't die! I'll never forgive you.
Mr. Mizoguchi.
Stay back. Don't get too close!
Hanbei Mizoguchi...
It was an honor to have fought you.
And that was how Kazamatsuri went out of my life.
No trace of anger, no resentment, did he let show on his face.
As I prayed for him, I felt something greater...
... watching over me from above.
When a man abandons ego and obstinacy, he can accept the gods
and learn how to truly love.
It took me a long time to realize that essential truth.
The most important thing is to give your all until the very last.
Kagemaru!
You rang, sir.
Falcon!
You rang, sir.
We just felt like calling you.
I shaved my pate and became an official.
I married Koharu, who softened both father's temper and mine.
How does that feel?
Terrible.
Right, my pretty?
Red Shadow quit the ninja and became a maid to Koharu.
Mizoguchi became clan secretary and sheathed his sword forever.
Hard at it, eh?
Oh yes, about the sword...
There's no sign of his body.
Probably swept down river.
He couldn't have survived.
What shall we do?
What?
The sword in the river is the real one.
What!
The sheath was over there.
Then the sword must be directly below!
Here it is!
Here?
Yes, here.
Can you swim?
We'll soon find out.
Go!