A SHINTOHO-KOI COPRODUCTION
THE LIFE OF OHARU
Produced by HIDEO KOI
Screenplay by KENJI MIZOGUCHI and YOSHIKATA YODA
Based on a Novel by SAIKAKU IHARA Story Editor ISAMU YOSHII
Cinematography by YOSHIMI HIRANO
Lighting by KO FUJIBAYASHI Sound by MASAKAZU KAMIYA
Musical Director ICHIRO SAITO Production Design HIROSHI MIZUTANI
First Assistant Director RYOHEI ARAI
Assistant Director SEIICHIRO UCHIKAWA
Starring
KINUYO TANAKA
HISAKO YAMANE TOSHIRO MIFUNE
JUKICHI UNO, ICHIRO SUGAI EITARO SHINDO, AKIRA OOIZUMI
MASAO SHIMIZU, DAISUKE KATO TORANOSUKE OGAWA, EIJIRO YANAGI
YURIKO HAMADA HARUYO ICHIKAWA, KOMAKO HARA
KIKUE MOURI SADAKO SAWAMURA
TOSHIAKI KONOE KINNOSUKE TAKAMATSU
BENKEI SHIGANOYA UNPEI YOKOYAMA
TSUKIE MATSUURA
Directed by KENJI MIZOGUCHI
This way, mister.
Let me go home
You know what it means to come to this side of the gate
- I'm going home - Come inside, quick
Oharu?
You couldn't find a customer either?
A woman of 50 can't make herself look 20
If you feel that way, imagine how the rest of us feel
An old man took me to an inn for pilgrims
I was glad to get some business,
so I went along
Some pilgrims were gathered He held a candle up to my face
A candle?
Then he said to the young men there
"Look how she tries to hide her age!
Would you sleep with a woman like this?"
I think he was giving them a lesson in karmic retribution
You're off to a bad start tonight
Look, the old man's making a fire again
Let's warm up before heading home
Old man, let us get warm
You used to serve in the imperial court
Did you ever think you'd end up like this?
How did you fall so far?
Please don't ask about my past
Hey!
Making fires again!
I guess it's all right, but be very careful
We will
Don't worry so much or you'll go —
Oh, I guess it's too late to go bald
Where are you going in such finery?
To make an offering at the temple on behalf of my master
That's good of you
You should see the sights too, since you so rarely get out
I'd be scolded if I did that
Not at all Just pretend you didn't know any better
You're going home early, Lord Kikunokoji
I almost forgot
Nishinotoin is anxious for your reply to his poem
He can't keep anything a secret, can he?
It seems his poem was rather forward
What did it say?
I don't know
Please excuse me
Wait! Please wait!
Please wait!
My name is Katsunosuke
Lord Kikunokoji begs your indulgence to discuss a certain matter
Might I ask you to call at the house of his friend in Teramachi?
I'm sorry, but I've been sent to the temple on an errand
Then perhaps on your way home
We would be deeply grateful for just a moment of your time
Lady Oharu
Did you read the letter I sent the other day?
Of course not
Who would read a letter from a lowly retainer?
I burned it without reading a word
I have no talent for composing verse
I lack the wit even to tell jokes well
But my heart is true
You can look down upon my low rank,
but not upon my sincerity
The nobility makes sport of sincerity, turning it into mere wordplay
If that's how they define elegance, then I —
You'll never know the meaning of elegance
You can't understand the tastes of the nobility
Well, then
does any nobleman love you as truly as I do?
Has any asked to marry you and give you a happy home?
Please leave
I say this because I want to see you happy
I don't need your concern
If you truly dislike me as a person,
I'll leave you alone
Yes, I do!
But if it's my low rank you disdain,
then I'll never give up
Go away
Lady Oharu, a human being — no, a woman
can only be happy if she marries for love
Rank and money don't mean happiness
I asked you to leave I didn't come here to listen to you
I'll wait alone for Lord Kikunokoji
I said leave
My lord isn't coming
Please wait!
I'm sorry
I simply had to see you
Ever since you came to the court,
every glimpse of you has torn at my heart
Please at least consider what I've said
I did read your letter
But no matter what you say,
we can never be together
Why not?
Neither the court nor my father would ever allow it
Then we'll run away
We'll make a home of our own
I'll do my utmost
I'd gladly do anything to protect you
Lady Oharu!
Madam, we have guests
Welcome
The imperial magistrate sent us
We understand that prostitutes use this house
That's absurd! Who said such a thing?
I'll see for myself
Who are you?
I'm just passing through
Aren't you a retainer?
Yes
I belong to the Todo clan of Iga province
My name is Inosuke I serve Lord Senuemon Yasui
You dress like a noblewoman
Where are you from, whore?
How dare you! I'm not a prostitute
I'm the daughter of Shinzaemon Okui,
a samurai serving Chion-in Temple
Take her
I'm taking you to the magistrate
Go!
Oharu Okui, while serving in the imperial court,
you violated protocol
by associating with a personage of low birth
As punishment for this illicit liaison, you are sentenced as follows:
You are hereby banished from the city of Kyoto,
never to return
Your parents, for failing to provide proper guidance,
are hereby also sentenced to exile
This judgment is effective today,
the 7th of November, 1686
Katsufusa Itakura, Magistrate of Temples and Shrines
Stop!
Relatives may go no further Bid them farewell here
It's your fault we must live out here in the middle of nowhere
You've single-handedly destroyed this noble family's honor
You're a horrible child
Why is it wrong for a man and woman to fall in love?
Why is it immoral?
What?
You slept with a man without our consent
If that isn't immoral, what is? Stop talking nonsense!
So what if we differ in rank?
How can it be wrong if we truly love one another?
Silence!
Do you have any last words?
Yes
Please give Lady Oharu the following message
Very well
Proceed
"Please find a good man
and make a happy home
But be sure to marry
only for true love"
Is that all?
Anything else?
I hope the day will come
when people can love freely, regardless of rank or class
Oharu!
It was a messenger from the magistrate
He brought Katsunosuke's will
But you mustn't tell Father
Oharu, stop! What are you doing?
Let me go!
Stop!
Wait, Oharu!
Leave me alone!
I'm going to join Katsunosuke!
Stop!
You mustn't!
Let me go!
This isn't the end of the world!
If you kill yourself, that's the end!
- An express messenger has come - From where?
- Lord Matsudaira in Edo - Matsudaira? Oh, goodness!
What is it?
A messenger from Lord Matsudaira
Show him into the drawing room at once
I'll change into something else
Are you all right?
Oh, my!
Give him a hand
Now leave us alone
Thank you for your trouble
It must be a matter of grave importance
To tell you the truth,
I seek a concubine for Lord Matsudaira
- A concubine? - That's right
You rushed here from Edo to find a concubine?
This is no laughing matter!
Lady Matsudaira's illness has left her barren
The clan will be ruined if the lord has no heir
There can be no greater calamity
The retainers, sick with worry,
quickly found some suitable young women,
but they were all country girls
and not to the lord's liking
Give me that
The retainers were at a loss
and decided that since Kyoto is famous for its women,
there must be one here that he would like
They ordered me to rush here and find her
Is that so?
I was worried His Lordship was seeking a large loan
Your mission seems a rather simple one
I'm afraid it isn't so simple
He has some very specific requirements
Look at that!
To put it simply,
he wants a girl like that
I see
First of all,
"She should be between 15 and 18
Her face should be fashionably round
Her eyes must be round too
Thick eyebrows,
with enough space between the eyes
A small mouth, with a full set of even white teeth
Long ears with narrow rims
and detached, translucent lobes
A natural, unaltered hairline A long neck without wisps of hair
Long, slender fingers with diaphanous nails"
That's a tall order
- There's more - More?
"Feet smaller than eight inches, with nice arches
She must have a long, willowy torso,
a firm waist, but not too muscular, a plump bottom,
a pleasant demeanor,
a fine figure in whatever she wears,
noble in birth, meek in personality,
and without a single mole on her body"
Slender fingers
Let me see your face Her mouth is too big
How old are you? - Twenty-five
Oh, you're the leftovers
I'm her father, sir
No, her ears are too small
Her face isn't round enough - What about her?
She just might be it! Let me see the picture
Let's check
Her face is too long
Her face is round
Kahei, she may be the one
No, she has a mole
Her eyes are too slanted
Her nose is crooked
Her nose is flat
She has a mole
Her hairline is uneven - What about this one?
She looks promising!
She might be the one Turn her that way
Your foot size? - Ten inches
What a pity!
Let's see here
No, her chin is too pointed
No, her forehead is too broad
- Please look at my girl - She looks sickly
This one's ears are wrong
What about her?
Her chin isn't right
Even in Kyoto,
nobody could assemble as many beauties
as I have here today
There's nothing more I can do
Won't you choose one of them?
Are none of them suitable?
If the point is to produce an heir,
any girl should do, as long as she's healthy
"Thick eyebrows,
enough space between the eyes,
a small mouth, with a full set of even white teeth"
You have it memorized
I'll drop dead before I find such a woman
I sympathize
but why send a man your age on such a mission?
I'll tell you why:
A younger man might try something
But me? I couldn't do anything even if I tried
I see
What's that?
A blind man from Edo teaches singing and dancing
to the daughters of good families
Really?
The girls are popular among the samurai
and serve at their parties
Is that right?
The town
Is laid out in a grid
Just like a Go board
Facing
Each other
Your hand
Clasped in mine
All is well
Let us lie in each other's arms
Her!
Come here a minute
Let's have a good look at her
Face the other way
Turn her again
Do you have any moles on your body?
- Moles? - Do you?
No
- None at all? - I don't think so
Kahei, the search is over! I'll buy her!
Yes, indeed
The messenger from Edo is awaiting your reply
I'll rush back and tell him you consent
What a relief
If she bears him an heir,
it will bring even greater happiness
to you than to her
And to me as well, as her new godfather
Thank you very much
If you please
Thank you for everything
We must be thankful Things are looking up
I never expected anything like this to happen
Oharu, you've redeemed yourself
All is forgiven
Who would imagine mere dancing lessons could lead to this?
We certainly had no idea!
You'll get 100 ryo for clothing,
and an allowance too
What's wrong? Aren't you happy?
I'm to be a concubine, am I not?
What of it?
He's a daimyo with a stipend of 30,000 koku.
You were at the imperial court, so surely you understand
If a lord favors you, you'll be given high rank
Indeed!
You've been chosen to bear the heir to the line
You'll be a high-ranking lady-in-waiting
That's right
I must ask the court not to reveal her secret
before Lord Matsudaira begins his inquiries
- And the temple too - Yes I'll go now
Then we'll decide what to buy and what to take to Edo
Come, Oharu
- I don't want to go - What?
Going to a complete stranger just to bear his child!
It won't be just any child
He'll be heir to a 30,000-koku domain!
Katsunosuke would never approve
You idiot! Still going on about him!
I've accepted the offer!
You can't back out!
She's in excellent physical condition
She is capable of bearing a child
Lady Kasai
instruct her in our etiquette
and take her to Lady Matsudaira
Yes, my lord
The messenger has returned from Kyoto
with the girl chosen to be the concubine
Already?
She's waiting outside
Will you receive her?
Please endure this for the sake of the clan
Her name is Oharu Okui
Show your face
Won't you pay homage to Her Ladyship?
You may go now
Princess Morning Glory answered the nobleman
She plucked the flowers and offered them
Come sit here
For a long time
She stares pensively at the flower in her hand
Does it remind you of Kyoto?
You didn't expect to see Bunraku plays here in Edo, did you?
No, I didn't
Can this be real
It is her fate
To wither
In the shade
Day and night
She stares at the deutzia blossoms
They fill her heart
Can you eat the food here in Edo?
If you don't like anything, just say so
By good fortune
She is given
To the imperial palace
What a lucky flower
How enviable
How fortunate you are
Reluctantly
She offers
The flower in her hand
But this flower is only the go-between
In fact, your face is the flower
That captured my heart
She has given birth to an heir
Inform the head maid
Auspicious news: An heir has been born!
A boy! Auspicious indeed!
We must inform His Lordship at once
A lovely baby He looks just like you
Is that so?
Is His Lordship pleased?
He's delighted
I was so unhappy
when I was first brought here
But now that I've given birth —
No, you must say you were "allowed to give birth"
Now that I've been allowed to give birth,
I feel for the first time that this is my home
His Lordship must be —
Oh, pardon me
Nothing could be more auspicious for the clan
You have done well
Where are you taking my — I mean, the infant heir?
I'm going to nurse him
Nurse him?
But I can nurse him myself
Thank you
I'll make a tidy profit with this satin
You're worried about payment, aren't you?
Relax
I have Lord Matsudaira's 30,000 koku backing me up
My master's very strict about these things
You mean Kahei?
Listen, my daughter just gave birth
to the heir to the clan
You look surprised He'll inherit those 30,000 koku.
Heir to the clan?
Word arrived the day before yesterday
Money is no object
Bring me the finest you have, and lots of it
Congratulations
Look
It seems your worries are over
Shall I bring out the habutae silk?
- Don't be hasty - Bring out everything
I'm opening a shop on Muromachi Avenue
I want it to rival Sasaya's store, so show me everything
What's happened to the concubine?
His Lordship's love for her has grown since she gave birth
What's wrong with that?
It's just that
he seems to grow weaker by the day
The doctor says
if she continues to share his bed,
it may shorten his life
We can't let that happen
The heir has been born She's of no further use
Isn't that right, Isobe?
For the sake of the clan, send her home
- But — - Do it
She was dismissed?
Are you sure?
I don't know what to say
When she gave birth,
I was filled with happiness and pride
I'm very sorry
So now you're back
After you bore the lord an heir,
you should have withheld your affections a bit
Anyway, too late now
How much did they give you?
Three hundred ryo would be a great help
Just five ryo?
I thought you'd be rich
I bought a huge amount of fabric
Now I'm deep in debt
For our sake,
work in Shimabara as a courtesan
I'll buy your freedom when I sell the fabric
You mean you'd actually sell your own daughter?
There's no other choice
After everything she's been through —
and now this!
Welcome
I've always wanted
to live it up in Shimabara at least once before I die
I've risen every day at dawn
and worked hard until the stars came out in the sky
It must be 20 years
that I've been saving my money
I think I've finally saved enough,
so I've come all the way from Echigo
Unfortunately
we're full at the moment - Are you turning me away?
You're all as pretty as a picture!
Pardon me, sir,
but this is a particularly expensive establishment
Do you have a letter of introduction?
All righty
If it's money you want here's what I got
Enough to fill a five-quart container Is that enough?
More than enough!
Welcome, sir I'm the owner here
Is that so? So you'll let me stay?
Prepare our largest room
and lay out our finest food
Call for Shizuhata
Hurry!
Thank you for honoring us with your presence
See that my men have a good time too
They've come a long way
Your packhorse drivers? As you wish, sir
Hey, welcome them inside!
I have some sake on my horse
Sir, we serve the very best sake
Thank you
Shizuhata
our finest courtesan
All right, let's liven things up a bit!
Hey, why aren't you picking them up?
Here
Hey! Where are your manners?
It's he who has no manners
I'm not a beggar
Wait!
Stop! Come back here!
Just a minute
What do you think your job is?
Think you're too good to be here?
You're not here for your own enjoyment
Constantly carrying on about your pedigree!
For all I know, you could be a ragpicker's daughter
How dare you suggest such a thing!
You're bought and paid for
You're no different from a fish on a chopping board
We can serve you up any way we like
He offered you money What's wrong with that?
Fine, then
Never come back here again
What will your master say to that?
If I dismiss you,
no one in these parts will hire you as a courtesan
Now get out
It was all my fault
I'm sorry Please forgive me
I'll try to do better from now on
But please don't tell my master
It's too late now Get out
Master, the big spender is calling for her
I'll give him someone better
No, he says he likes this one
He's never known a girl who refused money
He wants to buy her and take her home
Buy her?
You heard her
He wants to buy you and take you to Echigo
Please put on a happy face and serve him
Let's go
He's buying your freedom
Be nice to him, please
Will you really buy my freedom
and take me to Echigo?
Yes, I'll take care of you
Actually, I came to Kyoto to find a wife
I won't go back without one
Will you join me?
If your feelings are genuine,
I'll serve you faithfully
Why are you laughing?
Money
Money!
As long as I have money,
I can have anything in the world
People see money and their eyes gleam
They crawl on all fours
Even a haughty woman like you smiles and sidles up to me
You think I'm greedy, but I'm not
I want to be with you because —
Because everyone has a price, and this is yours
Thanks to this money,
your fortune has turned
Lord Money!
Almighty Money!
You fraud!
No wonder you spend so freely!
He's a counterfeiter!
Your money is bogus!
You'll be beheaded!
Come quietly!
Don't resist!
Fool!
You're under arrest!
Please
try to smile
I'm begging you
You're our daughter again
You don't know how I've waited
for the day you'd return to us from Shimabara
We won't cause you any more suffering
Please forgive us and smile
Welcome
My sad fate
Is pitiful indeed
Where did you learn that song?
It's so beautiful
You must be an accomplished singer
I'm so ashamed
Back when there were pleasure quarters in Rokujo,
I was a courtesan named Katsuragi
Take care of yourself
Thank you
Here you are
My pillow is soaked
With tears
I'm glad you came
You were once Lord Matsudaira's concubine
I'm hesitant to ask for your help
Please don't feel that way
Try to think of me as your sister
We'll treat you well while you're here
and find you a good husband
I'm very grateful
My wife has few relatives,
so please be a good friend to her
May I have a word with her?
I must ask you something right away
Will you hear me out?
What is it?
Please write a solemn oath
never to reveal my secret to anyone
Why would I ever reveal your secret?
Please, just do it
Thank you very much
Now, how may I serve you?
There's only one thing I'll ever ask you to do:
Will you please dress and style my hair?
I expected you to ask much more
Then you'll do it? I'm so glad
The woman I had doing it
suddenly became indisposed
I'm not very good at it,
but I can try
The thing is, my hair's so
Your hair is beautiful
No, it's not
Come with me
I was seriously ill last year
This is what it did to my hair
I made this wig
while recuperating at my parents' home
I've tried to keep it a secret
I'm terrified that my husband will find out
He'd be revolted
Please don't tell him
I promise I won't
Having your hair dressed?
Very nicely done
Oharu's quite good
She did it for you?
Dear
what would you say to adopting Oharu
and finding her a nice husband?
Certainly
Perhaps a man from your store?
No, there's nobody good enough here
Pardon me
What is it?
Shall I send the bill to the customer?
Ask Jihei He knows
What are you looking at?
I'll do that
Now what?
What about the turmeric salesman's bill?
Don't ask me Ask Jihei
You're getting on my nerves
Fine I'll go to the shop myself
What are you staring at?
Bunkichi, stop staring and hurry up!
- Welcome - Good day
Oh, you're here
What a rare treat Please come in
- Sorry I haven't been in touch - Not at all
Bring some tea - Please don't bother
Looks like business is booming - I wouldn't go that far
Oharu, please make some tea for our guest
Shall I take it in for you?
No, thank you
May I observe you?
You're making me nervous
You do it so well
Stop that Get away from me
I just can't make any money these days
- I hear you do - Nonsense
People like to talk
Thank you
It's you!
I didn't know you were here
Won't you wait a moment?
Wait!
You know her?
What's she doing here?
I'm taking care of her
You make it sound so noble
What on earth do you mean?
Don't play innocent You bought her, right?
Bought her?
She's a Shimabara courtesan
Shimabara?
Shimabara, as in the pleasure quarter?
Where else?
So when Hishiya told you, that was the first you'd heard of it?
Yes
You knew before, didn't you?
That's why you took her in
Don't be absurd
You sent her to Lord Matsudaira
You must have known
I didn't know I was shocked
You saw her at Shimabara, didn't you?
What are you talking about?
I've never even been to Shimabara
You think I'd waste good money in a place like that?
I'm so tight I step carefully so I don't damage my sandals!
You're lying!
Stop this!
Excuse me.
What is it?
- A letter from the money exchange - I see
Be careful!
Watch what you're doing!
Cut your hair
Your hair — cut it!
Why?
You plan to use your beautiful hair
to steal my husband away!
I heard all about it
I know all about your past
You lied to me
I apologize But I swear I never —
Cut it Cut it!
Cut it! Go on!
That's not enough Cut off more!
Please don't, madam!
Cut it!
If you don't cut it, I will!
I'll cut it off Just watch me
Good morning
Oharu, where did my wife go?
To the cemetery
I see
Oharu
you're a naughty girl I heard all about your past
I'm sorry
I'm not scolding you
I'll bet you had some fun times, eh?
One would never guess just looking at your face
But you really liked doing those dirty things, didn't you?
That's how you twisted Lord Matsudaira
around your little finger
I did no such thing
It's all right
I understand completely
You can relax and be yourself around me
I can enjoy a top courtesan
and not even have to pay for it
Calm down!
Remember this smell
All right?
What's wrong?
My hair!
Where are you going?
Oharu!
It was you! You did this to my hair!
It's nothing
Go back to bed
She's just mumbling in her sleep
Here you are
- More? - No, thank you
Don't worry
It's too soon to despair
If one god forsakes you, another will save you
Yakichi here works in the fan shop He's singled you out
His boss is going to help him
set up his own shop
He's asking for your hand in marriage
I think I'll excuse myself now
What about your proposal?
Perhaps you could discuss that with Oharu
Look how naive he is
I hear he's devoted to his work
He's never once been to the pleasure quarters
You couldn't hope
for a happier life than as his wife
I'm hardly worthy of such a man
After all, my past
He knows all about you
We told him everything Didn't hide a single detail
He said,
"I don't mind
I want to make that poor, unlucky girl happy"
He's in love with you
- Going out so early? - Yes I won't be long
You were up late last night working on the books
Yes, it was nearly dawn when I finished
I'm quite sleepy
Why don't you rest for a while?
I have to deliver these today
Really?
I'll buy a sash for you on the way home
How nice! Thank you!
Wait a minute
Face this way
Perfect
Hurry back
Excuse me.
Welcome
I'd like a dancing fan for my daughter
Certainly
It's very hot today
These are some of our best
I see
You have a lovely shop
Thank you
You should marry soon and run a shop like this
Running an honest business is a good life, isn't it?
Your husband has accomplished much
at such a young age
He's just an honest, hardworking man
I envy you
You're so pretty
You two make an ideal couple
Any children?
Not yet
Is that so?
- Madam! - What is it?
Awful news!
It's your husband!
What's happened?
He was probably killed by a robber
He died clutching this sash
Yakichi!
A handsome youth at morn
is by dusk a heap of bones
All is truly impermanent in this world
What do you plan to do now?
My late husband's uncle
sold the shop
Where does that leave you?
I'm going back to my parents
Did he leave you anything to remember him by?
No, nothing
Nothing?
I don't need anything
I want to become a nun and serve Buddha
A nun?
Please show me the way!
Bunkichi?
Hey, where's Bunkichi?
Here I am.
Look at this
Who's this charge account for?
An acquaintance of mine
I've told you repeatedly: We don't extend credit
This is unacceptable Go collect the money tomorrow
Can't it wait a month?
No If it's too awkward for you,
I'll go myself
Where is he?
You refuse to tell me?
You won't tell me?
Excuse me
Jihei!
It's been such a long time
You're incorrigible,
luring poor Bunkichi to a place like this
What do you mean?
He heard I was here
and kindly brought me some fabric
Fine I'm here to collect for what he gave you on credit
If you don't have the money, return the fabric
I already made it into a kimono
Already?
In that case, I'll take the kimono
Jihei, you and I aren't strangers
How can you be so cold? Here you go
Cold?
I'm not Bunkichi
I can't be seduced by a whore like you,
so pay up
What did you call me?
Fine, I'll return it
Is that the kimono you made?
And the sash too
No need to undress
Here's the kimono
Now hurry up and leave
This is going to take longer than I thought
Take this money
and get yourself some tea and cake
Drink as much tea as you can, okay?
Understand?
Oharu, you must be very tired
Please leave!
I don't want to see your face Leave at once!
I'm not the kind of woman you think
He was trying to rape me
Please believe me, sister I beg of you!
I really believed you wanted to become a nun
You were just making a fool of me
Did you really think you could get away with it?
What kind of person are you?
Get out!
Oharu
What's the matter?
I've been driven out of the temple
What? You too?
I was dismissed too
You were?
Oharu, come with me I know I can make you happy
What?
Don't worry about money
When I left, I stole 50 ryo in gold
What? Bunkichi!
They all think I ran off with you anyway
No! I won't go with a thief like you
I can't! No!
Would you like some?
It's very good
Wait a moment
How about an egg?
I'm at a loss
May I have one of these?
Oharu, these are good!
- Bunkichi! - Jihei!
He's the thief! Catch him!
Stop! Come back!
Jihei!
Stop!
Please let him go!
Out of the way!
- Oharu! - You wench!
Go off somewhere and die, you rotten whore!
Oharu!
This fleeting world
Is full of pain
And I, oh I
Am a thing of pity
This life
So full of regrets
Will vanish
Like the morning dew
What's the matter?
What's wrong?
Come along with us and take a rest
Yes, let's go
Come along
I'll carry it for you
I'll get that too
She hasn't eaten in three days,
and she's chilled to the bone
Help yourself to the food
Your hair's turned really gray
Yes, it has
Here we are, covered with wrinkles
yet we try to coo like young maidens:
"Hey there, handsome!"
What nerve we have!
You wanna earn some money too?
It'll take your mind off things
I'm too old for that, unlike you
Listen to her, acting all innocent!
It's a pitiful life we lead,
but nobody's going to help us out
Ain't that the truth!
It would be easier just to die, but we can't even do that
Drink the sake while we have it It'll lift your spirits
We've fallen this far
Might as well do what we want
I can get you some clothes
What do you say?
Come on
Whatever we do, the world's not about to change
That's right!
Old man, we've got a newcomer
Bring her something to wear
Are you the newcomer?
You could probably make good money
I'll rent you a kimono and undergarments
for three bu a night
A sash and socks will be one bu.
Footwear will be five mon.
This is so gaudy
What's wrong with it?
You can't make money if they don't notice you
I expect payment soon,
so hurry up and get to work
If you're done here, go away
Nasty old man
Come on I'll help you get dressed
Hey, mister, wait a minute
Why don't we have some fun?
Old hag! Are you crazy?
Hey, handsome!
Come on, let's have some fun
Go away!
- I'll give you your money's worth! - I said no!
Madam, would you come with me for a moment?
Certainly
Come in
Sit down over there
Cold, isn't it?
Shall I sing you a song?
Is there something wrong?
Your silence makes me uneasy
Don't worry about it
You can just sit there
Please drop the fake voice
I'd really prefer it
if you spoke in your natural voice
Come this way
Everybody take a good long look
You see that?
You still want to sleep with women now?
You all want happiness in the next world
That's why you're on the Thirty-three Temple Pilgrimage
However
if you'd rather steep yourself in the impermanence of earthly life,
then follow the example
of this goblin cat in human form
Thank you for coming That will be all
Now please go
When you return to your homes,
you can tell everyone how you met a real goblin cat
Thanks a lot
What are you doing?
Looking at a statue of an arhat
It looks like him
Like who?
Think of men you know
and try to find their faces among the statues
You'll find quite a few
She's right!
They all have such funny faces!
Oharu, what's wrong?
Look, it's your mother
I think she's waking up
I'm so glad to see you
Why have you come?
Someone told her they saw you around here
She's been looking for you
I'm glad to know you're safe
How is Father?
He passed away
He worried about you to the very end
But don't cry
You'll find happiness again
Me? Happiness?
It's true
You won't have to suffer anymore
You'll live in a big manor
A messenger came from the Matsudaira palace
He said Lord Matsudaira passed away
The young lord has succeeded him
My son?
He's Lord Matsudaira now
The messenger said
the young lord wants his mother to live with him in the palace
You mean I'll get to see my son?
I can live with him?
Thank goodness
He's grown into a good young man
I'd like Shinozaki and Tashiro to deliver a stern rebuke
Have you forgotten your debt of gratitude
to our late lord?
Who do you take us for?
The family line runs from Tsunemoto Genji,
grandson of Emperor Seiwa, through the Nitta clan
The lords of our clan are direct descendants
of the great Ieyasu Tokugawa
The late lord was fourth in line
His son Yoshitaka is fifth
You were the late lord's concubine,
but you reduced yourself to a courtesan
and finally a prostitute
Do you have any excuse? Are you not ashamed?
If word of your vulgar behavior were to get out,
it would besmirch the clan's name,
and the shogunate's punishment would be severe
We cannot allow you to come and go as you please
You are sentenced to lifetime confinement
You must spend day and night repenting for your sins
and beseeching the spirit of our late lord for forgiveness
Now
in an exceptional display of mercy,
His Lordship will grant you a brief viewing
so that you may bid him farewell
Keep your distance! This is a serious affront!
Please allow me to approach him
He's my child I gave birth to him
Remember our orders!
I'm going after her!
You there!
Isn't she ready yet?
- Any minute, sir - What's taking so long?
What is it?
We've lost her
How can that be? Spread out and find her
Inform the others!
Spread out and look for her!
The woman has disappeared!
Disappeared?
Find her at once!
Sentient beings are innumerable
I vow to save them
Delusions are inexhaustible
I vow to extinguish them
The teachings of the dharma are immeasurable
I vow to master them
Buddhahood is incomparable
I vow to attain it
Buddhahood is incomparable
I vow to attain it
THE END