SNOW ON THE BLADES (Zakurozaka no Adauchi)
APPEAL
Setsu.
AUTUMN, 5th YEAR OF MEIJI (1873)
13 YEARS AGO, SPRING THE 7th YEAR OF ANSEI (1850)
I am Nakamura Sotaro's daughter, Setsu.
Thank you for traveling such along distance from Hikone.
Would you show me your face?
I look fonlvard to our long life together.
It is nice to be with you.
Yes.
HIKONE CLAN'S OFFICIAL MANSION IN EDO
MASTER OF THE HIKONE CLAN TAIRO ll WONNOW/ll NAOSUKE
This man here is recommended for promotion to a palanquin attendant.
I work at property management section at the storehouse in Edo,
and I am the oldest son of Shimura Tahei...
Shimura Kingo.
This man is an excellent fencer and he is certiﬁed at Shingyoto style's dojo.
In these troubled times,
I think it is important to reinforce your protection.
So lwould like your approval.
And this man just got married to Nakamura Sotaro's daughter, Setsu.
So he also would like permission to succeed as the head ofthe family.
I am glad to hear a bush warbler singing
Iland | forgot my frustration for the spring without it. II
Your name was Shimura Kingo?
Yes, sir!
Come closer.
Yes, sir!
This is a wedding gift.
Huh?
Accept it.
Yes, sir!
You came and a bush warbler sang forthe ﬁrst time.
So you will protect me?
Yes, sir! Lwill with my life.
I approve.
- Yes. - Yes, sl'r/
You not only married a good woman,
you were promoted to palanquin attendant for Tairo li Kamonnokami Naosuke-sama.
Besides, you were given such a wonderful gift like this.
How marvelous!
Indeed, this is wonderful.
There is no bettertime to retire and let my son succeed as the family head.
We can go back to Hikone tomorrow without anxiety.
Kakuma! It is a long way to Hikone.
Lwill leave my father and mother in your care.
Yes. On the way I will pray at Mt. Fuji
for prosperity of the Shimura family and good luck for Kingo-sama's duty.
Good.
Hokushin ltto style's Genbukan fencing dojo is getting ferocious, I heard.
That place is a hideaway
forthe Mito clan's vassals who actively lead the anti-foreign sentiment.
Tairo li Kamonnokami-sama
entered into a treaty of commerce
with America without the approval ofthe lmperial Court,
and arrested all those who are vocal about their anti-foreign sentiments.
He even decapitated Yoshida Shoin.
The shogunate now stands up against a storm of public criticism.
Thanks for waiting.
Tokugawa's world is about to drastically change.
So we need to be more aware ofthe movements ofthe world.
I just attend on Kamon-sama.
That's all.
You are never interested in politics.
Shinnosuke,
I like Kamon-sama.
You like him?
The tairo (prime minister) is feared by the entire countly as the red devil.
You must be the only one who can say that about him.
I don't know how he is in the castle.
But when he is at the ofﬁcial mansion,
he is a ver warm, calm, and reﬁned man.
Reﬁned?
He was nicknamed IIChakaponll when he was young.
Cha... Chakapon?
He relished Chall (tea ceremony), read Wakai (poems),
and amused himself ever day by playing the drum.
Ah! Cha-Ka,
and Pon!
Whatever the politics may be,
I like the lord the way he is.
I envy you.
But Kingo,
being an attendant is an important duty protecting the prime minister.
So always be careful.
Yes.
DAY 3 OF THE 37d LUNAR MONTH 7th YEAR OF ANSEL (1860)
SIR
"TODAY WE ARE PLANNING TO ATTACK THE TAIRO II
I think it isjust a prank,
but there are some ominous rumors.
I think we should cancel today's attendance at the castle.
The 3rd day ofthe 3rd lunar month
is the day ofthe peach festival. Evelyone is required to attend at the castle.
How can the tairo break the rule?
Then we should increase the number of guards and...
No, not necessaly It is ﬁne as usual.
But...
Evelything is Heaven's will.
If Heaven tells me to die, that's ﬁne.
If it tells me to live, that is ﬁne also.
Isn't that right, Shimura?
Yes, sir!
Heaven is in charge of human lives.
And I do not know when my time is.
Therefore one must live his best until that time comes.
Yes, sir!
Evelyone, wear raincoats and put covers on your swords.
Yes!
But chief, in case of emergency...
Sakurada Gate is ver close.
There will be no emergency.
But when you enterthe castle, ifthe attendants are all wet
it would embarrass our lord.
Yes, sir.
Who is the spear carrier this time?
Yes! I am the one.
It is the precious spear given by Great Lord leyasu.
Make sure your hands don't get too slipper with this snow.
Don't forget!
Yes, sir!
Prepare carefully!
Yes!
Lord is arriving!
Snow...
Thanks.
Depart!
Please wait.
Who are you?
Excuse me.
I have this direct appeal to the tairo.
Please accept it.
What is it?
It is a direct appeal.
Don't be rough.
Bring the man to the guard's station and give me the document.
It is an appeal made by risking his own life.
Treat it with care!
Yes, sir!
Appeal document will be accepted. But you must behave without deﬁance.
The spear! The spear is taken!
It is a precious spear! Get it back!
Wait!
Ii Kamonnokami Naosuke has been killed!
Shimura!
It was your duty to protect Kamonnokami-sama with your life,
was it not?
You are not allowed to commit seppuku now.
Your father cut his belly and your mother stabbed her own throat for you.
Respecting your parents ardor, we will just suspend your stipend.
If you want to remove the disgrace,
take the head of one ofthose Mito ronin, then offer it at the grave ofthe lord.
The central government investigated and found out the names ofthe ﬁve men who escaped.
With your skill, it should not be a difﬁcult task.
That is all.
Listen, make sure to take a head and bring it back!
It has been a short period oftime,
but thank you for evelything.
You go back to your parental home in Hikone.
I was ordered to ﬁnd the assassins and take their heads.
But I broke the promise of protecting my lord with my life.
At least I must go where he is to save face as a samurai.
I am not going home.
If it was an order from your superior, it is the same as the lord's order.
So it is the samurai's duty to carly it out?
I will be with you until you accomplish your mission.
-Setsu...
Please let me go!
Indeed I ran away from the battleﬁeld ofToba-Fushimi,
but my wife who had a baby got ill...
Have compassion for a fellow samurai! Please let me go!
Wrong person.
Excuse me.
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
I can't let someone who is dressed like you in.
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
Come back after you shave offyourtopknot.
Was there any government orderto shave offthe topknot?
What?
What's going on?
Ah, well...
I'm seeking the former supreme court's records ofthe Sakurada incident of 1860.
I heard that they are kept here.
What happened?
It is about the Sakurada incident in the 7th year of Ansei.
Sakurada incident?
The man is looking for the former Mito clan vassals who assassinated Tairo li.
He went back after I told him that we don't keep the old government's records.
He was still wearing Hakama pants with his topknot and two swords.
So he was a former li clan vassal.
There are no vassals now that samurai are gone out ofthis world.
Is something wrong?
No.
I envy those who wear Hakama pants.
These western clothes are not comfortable at all.
How about for you?
You don't look ver good in them.
SUMMER, 13! YEAR OF MANNEN (1860)
6 MONTHS AFTER THE SAKURADA INCIDENT
Thank you for waiting.
Excuse me. Do you happen to know this man?
Do you know him?
No, I don't.
I don't need to hear any excuses!
A Mito vassal who was hiding in Echigo, Sakai Akinosuke was caught and beheaded.
There are four men left.
Just one head is good.
You must take it with your own hands!
Yes, sir!
SAKAI Akinosuke
Now in Kyoto,
3rd YEAR OF BUNKYU (1863) there are rampant cries of "Revere the Emperor and Expel the Barbarians!"
3rd YEAR OF BUNKYU (1863) SHINSENGUMI WAS FORMED IN KYOTO, MIBU there are rampant cries of "Revere the Emperor and Expel the Barbarians!"
3rd YEAR OF BUNKYU (1853) SHINSENGUMI WAS FORMED IN KYOTO, MIBU Satsuma and Choshu with the emperor's backup engage in a melee
3rd YEAR OF BUNKYU (1853) SH‘NSENGUM‘ WAS EQWEDLWYQTQ: WW.“
with Tokugawa and Mito.
It is bloody warfare.
Surprisingly, among the heads displayed at the Sanjogawara,
was that of a Tairo li attacker,
Tatsuki Koemon, who had been the subject ofa nationwide arrest warrant.
TATSUKI Koemon Tatsuki Koemon, who had been the subject ofa nationwide arrest warrant.
GENEUMN FENCING DOJO
Please! I am looking for people who were involved in the Sakurada incident.
GENEUMN FENCING DOJO - Hey, you are too insistent! - Please tel/me.
- Hey, you are too insistent! - P/ease tel/me.
Insistent fellow! Go away!
Never come back!
Two ofthe Mito escapees are already dead. Only three left.
Listen Shimura, just one is ﬁne.
You must somehow get the head to offer at the grave of Kamonnokami-sama.
Please!
I beg you to allow me to end my life, sir.
No!
The order was given by the former councilor.
We cannot change that.
All right?
Get the head somehow!
"It has been ﬁve years since the Sakurada incident.
"The emperor who used to insist on exclusion
"has now given the Imperial sanction to the treaty.
"The national consensus
"is uniﬁed in opening Japan to the world, which Lord Naosuke-sama strove for.
"Then why did Kamonnokami-sama have to be murdered that day...
"Since then,
"those politicians who followed the trend and overturned their opinions were justiﬁable?
"That is what I have been wondering these days.
"Kingo-sama, maybe we Hikone vassals should have avenged like Ako vassals?"
4th YEAR OF KEIO (1868) EDO CASTLE TAKEN OVER WITHOUT BLOODSHED
That big man on the horse is Saigo Takamori from Satsuma.
At the Battle of Toba-Fushimi,
even Hikone was on the side of Satsuma and Choshu
and fought against the former shogunate.
That's hard to ﬁgure out.
Well, I heard that
several hundreds orthousands of samurai on both sides died in battles.
YAMABE Shlnzaburo
Restoration! Restoration! It is the restoration!
13! YEAR OF MEIJI (1868) Restoration! Restoration! It is the restoration!
13! YEAR OF MEIJI (1868) EDO WAS RENAMED TOKYO Restoration! Restoration! It is the restoration!
13! YEAR OF MEIJI (1868) EDO WAS RENAMED TOKYO
The world will be governed toward a brighter direction.
So the new name ofthe era is "Mei" (bright) "Ji" (govern).
The new era name is to be "Meiji."
Restoration! Restoration!
The beginning ofthe new era "Meiji" is here!
Excuse me.
Ls Hasebe Sohachi-dono here?
HASEBE Sohachl
SABASHI Jubel
Big news! Big news!
The new government is abolishing domains and setting up prefectures.
260 daimyo will disappear from this world and all their vassals will be dismissed.
Buy the news now! Buy it!
Abolishing domains and setting up prefectures! It is big news!
THE SAKURADA INCIDENT
OCCURRED 18 YEARS EARLIER
So you are not going to the grave?
You always visit on the same monthly date as the date of death.
It has been overten years now.
"KURUMA" (Rickshaw)
Thanks.
Thank you ver much.
Madam, I have taken the shop curtain in.
All right. Thanks!
Setsu-san!
Setsu-san, sit down here.
Show me your hand.
This is a token of my appreciation for teaching me lots ofletters the other day.
What is this?
Here!
I have one too.
I went to visit the Goddess of Mercy to pray.
There was this foreigner who gave this to me.
You put it around your wrist like this,
then leave it on even when you take a bath or sleep.
And when the string breaks, your wish will come true.
Really.
Oh, that is the Western charm?
Yes.
Lucky you, Setsu-san.
Thank you, Yuki-san.
So... What is your wish, Setsu-san?
Secret.
But they do strange things in Western countries.
Here when things break, it's bad luck like when your sandals strap breaks.
Ouch!
That's an unnecessaly thing to say!
I got it! I said I got it!
SABASHI Jubel
WANTED: SABASHI Jubei
Even! morning you wake up to something new.
That is because you are not being observant.
Ah! You said it!
I don't know ifthis 1 sen 5 rin Daikon radish is expensive or not.
It just does not click with me.
It is for sure that even/thing is more expensive afterthe restoration.
That's true.
Ah! Chiyo-chan! Good morning.
Chiyo, come here. You are a good girl.
Uncle, good morning!
Oh, good morning.
Good morning, Nao-san.
Good morning.
You work hard ever day from early morning.
Well, I am leaving now.
Take care. Come on, Chiyo.
Have a good day.
He and Masa-chan would make a nice couple. Chiyo likes him too.
Stop that!
Who would take a divorcee like me seriously?
He is a nice looking man.
He has nice posture with a straight back.
Really.
TOKYO YOKOHAMA NEWSPAPER COMPANY
Evelyone is busy now.
Please let me see anyone. Please let me.
What's the matter?
-We|l...
I heard that there are many former shogunate vassals working here.
I was wondering if! can see someone who knows about the Mito clan.
Yes.
I am son? but there is no time for us to be involved in such old matters.
You must have heard about the incident that
Foreign Minister Soejima helped 300 Chinese slaves from a Peruvian ship in Yokohama.
And it is being tried in court now.
Now Japan has to deal with all foreign countries under international laws.
Ifwe still discuss the old shogunate or Mito domain,
we will never be considered as a civilized countly
Looks and shapes may change.
But there are things we must not discard.
Isn't that also what civilization is about?
Excuse me.
Mr. Samurai,
I am Son? that I could not help you.
Could you take me to Nihonbashi?
Yes.
Thank you.
-Ah...
Well, sales of kimono are going down badly these days.
So I want you to work for this wage from now on.
I see. I understand.
Wait!
Iﬁnally caught you.
Shinnosuke!
I am glad that you are well.
Ls Setsu-dono doing all right?
Yes.
Restoration! Restoration!
The new government is changing things too fast.
They tell us to throw away things that were precious yesterday.
With the law abolishing domains and setting up prefectures,
a total of1.8 million samurai lost their sources of income without any warning.
I wonder what the restoration was for?
But Kingo...
Nothing will materialize from looking back.
Setsu is supporting you both, isn't she?
Kingo...
Shave offyour topknot and get a job.
Isn't that your duty to reward Setsu's hardship?
There is no Hikone clan anywhere.
Please wait for a little bit longer. I will manage it for sure.
Hey, how many times have I heard you say that?
If you don't have money, you should work as a laborer or something.
I injured my leg in a battle and I'm having a difﬁcult time walking.
Then you should sell your wife to a whorehouse.
I hearthat in Yoshiwara...
Hey, Kingo!
..there are many former samurai's wives like that.
That's right.
Don't say that. Please wait for now.
Who are you?
Here is another out-of-date boneheaded samurai.
I know this is not my business at all.
But isn't it a more humane way to have some sympathy?
Samurai-san,
you can't conduct business if you concern yourself
about something like humane way.
If you talk about sympathy,
you should sell those two swords to help out with his debt.
That's right!
Give me those!
What?
Don't get so worked up alone!
Do you want to ﬁght, huh?
Wait!
What, boatman?
I am a former vassal ofthe Makino clan in Echigo Nagaoka, Kataoka Genbei.
I can't tolerate your rudeness anymore. Therefore I will be helping.
What?
A former team leader of Mizuno clan in Yamagata,
Murata Bunshiro is also lending a helping hand.
Excuse me,
I'm a former aide to council elders of Odawara's Okubo clan, Inaba Shuemon.
I can'tjust stand and watch.
I, too, will be lending my helping hand.
Bastards!
Do you still think you are samurai?
Samurai's duty is about being oneself.
It is not something that gets lost.
I am a former fencing instructor onagyu clan, Kimura Yasaburo.
Wait!
Ah! Please help.
I am a former hatamoto, Naito Shinnosuke.
Huh?
It is the humane way.
Would you wait for a little longer?
Please.
Yes, that's ﬁne.
Lwill wait.
Hey businessman,
samurai did not disappear.
Although we look different, we are evewwhere as you can see.
Don't forget.
Move away! You are in our way!
Wait!
-Ah!
Don't forget about this.
Thank you.
Uncle, welcome back.
Ah. Were you a good girl?
Yes. Let me ride on your shoulders.
All right.
Aren't you scared? No.
Ah! You are home early.
Yes, I was busy from early on.
Chiyo! Nao-san must be tired. Come on.
See you tomorrow. Yes/
It's time for dinner.
Chiyo, you like uncle?
Yes.
Welcome home.
You are home so early, what happened?
Madam gave me this for you. And she let me go early.
I see.
Would you bring another plate?
Yes.
You eat this.
No, that is for you.
Eat.
Yes.
Let me see...
Delicious!
I saw Shinnosuke unexpectedly in Nihonbashi.
Ah! Naito-sama?
Yes.
It's nostalgic. Was he in good health?
He looked good in the policeman's uniform.
Really.
What is that?
It is a Western charm.
I was told that when this string breaks, my wish will come true.
I see.
Your wish will come true...
This is delicious too.
Naokichi-san! It is Kihachi next door.
The publisher in Kanda where I worked
for ﬁfteen years was closing the business today.
And this is all I got as my severance pay.
Well, I knew it was coming,
but when it really happens, it makes me feel lonely.
The woodblock printing newspaper had its best days till about the restoration.
Well, if another war begins somewhere...
Even if I wait for it to happen, we can never beat the new newspapers.
Edo is someplace far away now.
Yes.
What are you waiting for?
What have you been waiting for over such a long time?
AKIMOTO
Your legs must hurt sitting like that. Get more comfortable.
Use the cushion. Why are you being so humble?
No...
I am going to get comfortable.
My knees are not in good shape these days.
By the way, who would wear his uniform on their day off?
We are told to dress in Western-style except when we see our family members.
Except family members?
How could you say that?
Whose diapers my wife had to change?
-Ah!
Before the diapers, I was the one who gave you your baths too.
Omine-sama, it has been a while.
At any rate, it must be difﬁcult.
Huh?
Both ofyou are still showing the samurai's face.
Ouch!
Hey! Stay calm!
Yes.
Ah! I am sorly
Hey! Yes?
She has not changed, has she?
To tell you the truth,
I have a favorto ask ofthe former investigator forthe supreme court.
Hey, why are you talking about my old investigation duty noVIﬂ
I have a friend whom I used to compete against at the Iba dojo
by the name of Shimura Kingo.
Yes.
He used to work as an attendant for li Kamonnokami-sama.
He is a Hikone vassal...
His fencing skill is exceptional.
His master Kamonnokami-sama liked him
and he had a bright future ahead of him.
Then the Sakurada incident...
Forthirteen years afterthe death of Kamonnokami-sama,
he is still looking for his enemy to take revenge for his master.
He is still a samurai in both appearance and in spirit.
He is still twing to maintain the pride as a samurai
and I would like to help him in some way.
They talk about "Civilization and Enlightenment,"
but new year's day is the same.
I cut corners preparing for it this year.
Ah! I cooked too many anchovies, would you take some?
Yes, I would take some.
Can I get some too?
Would you take some too? That would help.
Let's go.
Uncle, Happy New Year.
Oh! Happy New Year.
Chiyo, ifyou keep being a good girl, there will be lots of good things this year.
Ah, Nao-san. Happy New Year.
Well, I am leaving now.
Yes. Chiyo, come here.
Uncle is working even on New Year's Day.
Mine.
I checked up on things about that man, Shimura.
Afterthe Sakurada incident,
his father and mother in the home domain killed themselves.
But Shimura was not allowed to commit hara-kiri.
It is considered revenge,
but an attendant who could not protect his master
had to live in disgrace forthirteen years.
How about that?
He must not be the only one who was going through such hardship.
Huh?
What will he do when he completes his mission?
Naturally, he will commit hara-kiri.
How about his wife?
She will probably follow him.
And you are helping him?
It's hot!
TO SHIMURA KINGOFSAMA
FROM MINISTRY OF JUSTICE, INSPECTOR AKIMOTO KAZUE
"Naito Shinnosuke-dono told me about your situation.
"I would like you to visit me at my house tomorrow,
"the 7th day ofthe 2nd lunar month,
"since I have some information for you."
I have just returned.
You must be tired.
No.
I was summoned by someone named Akimoto-sama from the Ministly of Justice.
Is that right?
Now, it is snowing.
Good bye, have a nice day.
Setsu.
Yes.
Would you like to go home with me to visit Hikone when it gets warmer?
Yes.
I am ver happy.
PUBLIC NEWSPAPER VIEWING STATION
gyjs’smgés Jay
PUBLIC NEWSPAPER VIEWING STATION
What does it say?
Hey, please move a little.
TOKYO YOKOHAMA NEWSPAPER
TOKYO YOKOHAMA NEWSPAPER.
"Murdering a person is the national prerogative.
"To punish the one who murders a person is..."
What does that mean?
Uncle!
Oh, Chiyo.
You can't go out to play in this weathertoday.
I am going to work now.
Huh?
You can have this.
Yes, it is sweet.
Well, I am off now.
Watch out.
You are all right.
You are not hurt.
My candy... A/7, [hey are I70 good/70w
Come on.
Don't cw so much. It spoils your pretty face.
I am Shimura Kingo.
I am ver Son? to trouble you for my complicated request.
No, not at all.
Since it happened thirteen years ago, I have forgotten lots ofthings.
But I investigated the former supreme court's documents
and talked to anyone who knew about the incident.
Thank you ver much.
Of 18 assassins,
17 of them were former Mito vassals and 1 was a former Satsuma vassal.
Hikone had 60 attendants at that time,
but they were totally defeated by only 18 assassins
and their master's head was taken.
It is inevitable that they are criticized for their failure to carly out their duties as samurai.
According to the records,
ofthe 18 men, one died at the scene ofthe incident.
Later, four ofthem died by disemboweling themselves.
Eight ofthem surrendered to the authorities.
Four ofthem at the ofﬁcial mansion ofthe Kumamoto clan
and the other four at the mansion of Wakisaka Awajinokami-sama
by confessing their responsibilities.
To tell you the truth,
I participated in the close examinations of those men.
All ofthem were unresisting.
They all talked without any inconsistency.
And they did not hide anything.
It must be difﬁcult.
Hey! Women should not interject about matters like this.
I am SOI’W fortroubling you.
You should say that to your wife.
Hardship is felt the most not by you or my husband.
Your wife must be feeling that the most.
My goodness!
How far did I talk?
One man was killed at the scene,
four men killed themselves, and eight ofthem surrendered...
And all those who surrendered committed seppuku.
I know that.
But why weren't they executed by decapitation?
Execution and seppuku are as different as heaven and earth for samurai.
We should not treat selﬁess patriots carelessly.
If we trample them and execute those men,
no one will sacriﬁce their lives forthe countly
Mito men were patriots.
What are you saying?!
At the time ofthe "Ansei Purge," Kamonnokami-sama
cut off many patriots' heads.
Those decisions were deﬁnitely wrong.
Are you going to cut me?
I made decisions that were unbearable for Hikone.
Ifyou kill one ofthe judges, it will certainly be considered a vendetta.
Get warm.
Lately they are not good.
I can't sit for a long time.
It is miserable.
Being killed, killing themselves, and surrendering...
I have heard about a total ofthirteen men.
Ofthose ﬁve men who escaped, four ofthem have already died.
Akimoto-sama,
you must have taken the trouble of sending a messengerto invite me
because you know about the survivor.
Considering your enduring for thirteen years,
I could not refuse helping you.
-Then...
But when I found the murderer.
I learned that he also
could not even use his own name or show his face to this world.
He has also been enduring.
To endure
is to have an expectation for better days and to put up with hardships.
Therefore that man with no expectations for the future is merely a fugitive.
Why do you tn! to protect him noVIﬂ
Live single-mindedly...
When I look at that ﬁower, I can hear a voice saying that.
In freezing cold, even underthe snow,
just live single-mindedly.
Never die!
Shimura-dono!
The times have jumped over a fence and things have changed.
The old system of samurai's stipend is gone.
Disgrace will not be returned.
There is no Tokugawa or Hikone.
So how about living your life single-mindedly in this new world just like that camellia.
You should know that the Grand Council of State declared a new ordinance today.
No matter what new laws the countly declares,
my determination will not disappear.
I have no concern about the restoration of my stipend
or clearing my disgrace.
They are just selﬁsh interests.
Then why?
I liked Kamon-sama.
He was concerned about the future ofthe countly more than anyone,
yet when spring comes,
he loved plum blossoms and
looked fonll/ard to the song ofa bush warbler.
I liked Kamon-sama...
so ver much...
About that time ofthe incident... it seems like only a dream to me!
Don't talk about that!
You are a loyal person
and a lucky person...
Snow”
Than/(s.
THE GRAND COUNCIL OF STATE DECLARES THE PROHIBITION OF VENDETTAS
We should just leave and have a drink now.
Yes, we can't work in this snow. Let's go.
We should give up too, Naokichi.
We can't carly a customer up a hill in this weather.
How can you read those difﬁcult sentences?
What does it say?
They prohibit vendettas.
Vendettas?
Starting today, taking revenge is not allowed.
So if someone gets killed, that's total loss to the victim?
Huh!
Well, that will not have anything to do with farmers anyway.
Oh, the train arrived.
I should tn! working a little more, so might as well.
But no hills...
Yes, where to?
I really have no destination.
So you want to see the snowy views.
You are a stylish man for a samurai with two swords.
The best snow scene
must be at the Sakurada Gate.
Unfortunately,
I can't go up the slope by the Sakurada moat in this weather.
I am sorly
I see.
To tell you the truth,
I really don't want to see the snow scene ofthe Sakurada Gate again.
Would you raise your hat?
Please ride.
I will show you a snow scene.
Thanks. Excuse me.
Excuse me for asking you a trivia! Question.
Mr. Samurai, how old are you?
-|am 45.
Why did you ask?
No...
May I ask your age?
Yes.
I am about the same age.
We are leaving now.
Do you have a wife and children?
Unfortunately, I am a single man.
What about your parents?
I lost them because of my misfortune.
You caused them misfortune?
Yes.
I did something terribly bad as a son when I was young.
So both my father and mother were in a situation where they could no longer live.
To tell you the truth,
I did the same thing to my parents.
It has been thirteen years since I lost my parents.
I have no children, but my wife is still going through hardship because of me.
It was good that I never had a family till I got this old.
Because no one will be sad whatever happens to me.
I want to ask your name.
I am Naokichi.
No.
I want to ask your name before you started to pull a rickshaw.
I used to be Sabashi Jubei.
The letter for "Ju" is the same as the number "ten."
It is so different from the name "Naokichi."
So you thought you could fool the world?
No.
Would you listen to my uninteresting stow, Samurai-san?
Tell me.
I took the one letter from the name ofa person whom I murdered
in the rashness of youth.
"Nao..."
"Kichi..."
Why?
Aftenll/ards,
I have realized that the things the man was saying were quite right.
Then you admit that murdering the man was a mistake also?
No, it was not a mistake.
But everthing he was saying was quite right.
So ljust wanted to honor his insight by borrowing one letter from his name.
Until the restoration,
I used to believe that I could contribute to this countly somehow
as long as I stay alive.
But now, I am just living.
ZAKURO ZAM (Pomegranate HIII)
What is this hill?
It's Pomegranate Hill.
There will be the mansion of Arima-sama of Kurume ahead.
And further ahead, there is Buzen Nakatsu clan's Okudaira-sama.
Oh... You know it thoroughly.
It was in this area
where I failed to die.
We are going.
This is ﬁne. Stop now.
I take my hat off to your tenacity.
Now complete your mission!
You are not going to ﬁght?
I threw away my swords a long time ago.
Use this.
I'll use my 'wakizashi' (shorter sword).
It will be just like that day.
You fought with your wakizashi.
You remembered well.
Would you tell me your name?
I am Shimura Kingo.
At the time of Kamon-sama's misfortune,
I was serving as an attendant by the palanquin.
Why didn't you cut me?
Excuse me!
I am not allowing your selﬁshness!
My life was supposed to end in that snow thirteen years ago.
I can ﬁnally bun! this miserable selfin this snow.
Now, please take my life.
What's the matter?
A Hikone samurai whose master's head was taken by only 18 assassins
can't even avenge?
That day,
Kamon-sama said,
"It is an appeal made by risking his own life.
"Treat it with care."
Do you see that, Jubei?
Even ifthat appeal may take his life,
Kamon-sama was willing to receive it contentedly.
You and the Mito vassals risked your lives.
Forthat reason
I am not able to take your life.
Because I am Kamon-sama's vassal,
I am obeying his order.
Since that day
you have been here, next to these hedges.
You have also been standing by that Hikone's palanquin?
Sabashi-dono...
The times...
The times have changed.
But you don't need to give up being a samurai.
Could you go overthese hedges with that spirit?
Could you live?
Will do the same.
I am Son? to bother you at this time of night.
It is Naokichi.
Nao-san... What's the matter?
This is for Chiyo.
Huh?
It is candy.
She will be so happy tomorrow morning when she awakens.
See you.
Ah, Nao-san...
Why don't you come in and have something warm?
No thanks. I have to get up early tomorrow.
How about the three of us visiting Yushima shrine's festival sometime?
Chiyo can ride on my rickshaw.
Huh?
Good night.
I thought we could walk home together.
Come, hurly
Yes.
The Grand Council of State declared a new ordinance today.
From now on, vendettas are prohibited.
-Oh...
My!
I made you endure hardship for a long time.
Setsu...
Since you left this morning,
All day long I thought
I would never see you again.
I am going to visit Kamon-sama's grave tomorrow.
You should come with me.
Yes.
NAKAI Kiichi
ABE Hiroshi
HIROSUE Ryoko
TAKASHIMA Masahiro MATOBU Sei
YOSHIDA Eisaku DOCHIN Yoshikuni OMI Yoichiro KIZAKI Yuria
TSUKAYAMA Masane NAMIKI Shiro ETO Kansai MINE Rantaro MIYATA Keiko
FUJI Tatsuya
NAKAMURA Kichiemon
Executive Producer KINOSHITA Naoya Production KAWASHIRO Kazumi OSUII/II TadaShl YONEYAII/IA HISaShl MNBARA Hideakl Ignaclo Wada Agullera CaSiro
Plannlng OTAKI Shohel MDEKARU RISa KAWANO SaloShl AKIMOTO Kazulaka KAI Teruhlko ExecullVe ProducerS YOSHIDA MaSakl YAMAMOTO MaSahllo YAMAGUCHI Tajlro INOUE TakaShl OKAMURA Yuklhlko
Original Stow by ASADA Jiio "Goiojirdono OShlmalSu" (Chunknmn Shinshz Publishing/Shinchn Eunkn Publishing) Screenplay by TAMMATSU Hlionobu IIDA Kenzabuio/HASEGAWA YaSuo Music by Joe HISAISHI
ProduceiS NATO EISuhlio HAGA MaSamllSu INOUE Manabu TAKEBE Yumiko TANI Hikaiu SAKURA Kanjiio ASSoclale ProduceiS INAGAKI RVulchlio KOSUKEGAWA Noilko OMBE AI OKUBO Nobulaka NISHIKAWA ASako MIKI TakaShl
Photography by KIKUMURA TokuSho Lighting by OSADA Tatsuya Sound Recording by ONODERA OSamu Art Direction by OGAWA FUmlO Set Decoration NAKAGOII/II HideShl Editor ABE Hybbide ASSISlanl Director YAMADA ToShlhlSa Production Manager TAKEOKA Minoiu
Sword Fight Choreography by UNI Kanzo
Wardrobe MATSUDA Kazuo KAJIMOTO MISako TAMIKE KalSuakl HalrdreSSer SOGA TSuneo Makeup & HalrdreSSer TAKASAKI MIISuyo Halr TANAKE Mineko Makeup NEMOTO Kae Art Direction Management BABA MaSao
Scrlpler MORI Naoko ActorS Coordinator MUROOKA Nobuakl CaStlng Coordinator HIBI Keiko StlllS MAEDA Shojl Title LetterS by AMMATSU HikoZo Period ConSultant OISHI Manabu Cooperation ProducerS ENOKI Nozornl OZAKI Makoto
Production: DESTINY Distribution: SHOCHIKU
Directed by: WAKAMATSU Setsuro
THE END TranSlatlon by Jiro MatSukl SuthtleS by Merlln DaVid Authoring by John Galnfort