LEGEND OF EIGHT SAMURAI
Lord Motofuji, I now present to you...
the heads of the Satomi Clan leaders.
One is missing!
The most important head is not here!
Where is Hideyoshi's only daughter, Princess Shizu?
- She was not in the castle! - What?
One of the maids said the Princess escaped!
So go find her!
Men have already been sent in pursuit.
Since we control the whole area...
she can't remain in hiding for very long.
Here is the liquid.
Now, please proceed.
We have returned, Motofuji...
to the castle where you were born and raised, a hundred years ago.
Eternal Spirit...
at last I have returned with Motofuji.
Eternal Spirit, observe!
We have slain the Satomi Clan. All except Princess Shizu.
But very soon, we shall present her head to you.
I'm back.
- Get anything? - Yes.
But only this: one tattered kimono.
It'll have to do.
Princess, we'll return to this later.
First, you must eat.
Many days of mountainous terrain are still ahead.
You must eat to maintain your strength.
Princess!
No matter what, we must deliver you to your uncle's castle safely.
This is no time to be obstinate.
I'm not being obstinate!
I'm thinking of how to avenge my father and mother.
And you'll need strength for that, too.
Please!
Without knowing what kind of meat it is,
I refuse to eat it.
Will you eat it if I tell you what it is?
I will.
It's a snake I caught out back.
Now...
keep your word.
OK, I'll eat it.
It's delicious.
- Kohagi, here! - Thank you.
Kohagi is more princess-like than I am, isn't she?
Yes... no, no.
Why not dress her like me?
That won't do.
Come, we must hurry!
Horses! I hear hoofbeats!
Princess! Quickly!
Princess!
Kohagi!
Kohagi! Princess!
Run, Princess, hurry!
Ji!
Ji! Ji!
No, don't!
No, Princess!
- Let go! Kohagi is... - Let her be!
Ji! Ji!
Princess, I urge you,
please hurry...
get to your uncle's as soon as possible!
Ji!
Hear this, Motofuji!
Someday I will get you for this!
I will get you!
Lord Motofuji, the Princess is here.
Ah, you are frightened.
That's good.
I'm quite fond of white flesh that is tinged with fear.
Princess Shizu...
a century ago, our Hikita Clan...
was eliminated at this castle by your grandfather!
Flames destroyed the castle, and also scorched my face.
As the fire consumed us, we made a vow...
to place a curse on Satomi's descendants for all eternity!
Upon my rebirth...
my face was patched with a noble lady's skin.
But...
it is not quite complete.
And tonight my face will be fully renewed...
with the skin of Satomi's Princess Shizu!
Wait!
She is not the Princess!
- What? - The Eternal Spirit rejects her blood!
Please, suppress your anger!
Please, be calm!
Maybe this will appease you!
Take that! And that!
Hey, cowards!
Recognize me?
It's me, Shinbei!
Have you forgotten my face?
Don't show me old faces!
Bring some young girls!
Shinbei has returned!
Bring some girls!
Well, if it isn't Old Hiko.
Where's your daughter, Omitsu?
Where've you been?
Where d'ya think?
At war, of course!
Look at my horse, helmet, sword!
Surely you didn't win them in battle.
Did you rob the dead?
What?
So, I guessed right, you idiot!
While you were off trying to be a samurai or whatever...
old Gen died alone!
What?
After adopting you and raising you as his own...
he died a lonely death.
Poor old Gen.
Say no more!
This wasn't supposed to happen!
I wanted to make you happy.
I thought you'd be happy if I became a samurai.
But it didn't work.
They dismiss footmen when the war is over.
Now you're dead, and I failed to become a samurai.
What will I do now?
What are you doing?
It's just a kiln.
There's no food here.
Are you hungry?
Well, are you?!
Here!
Eat it!
Aw, come on!
OK, here you go.
Never ate parched rice before? Country bumpkin!
Where'd you come from?
From over there!
Over where?
Over there!
Are you retarded?
You sure are filthy!
OK, take all of this, and beat it!
Go on, be off!
Hey! Wait!
Wait a minute!
I said, wait!
You're a girl!
Why are you dressed like a boy?
Why?!
Princess, run quickly!
Princess?
Go, hurry!
Hey! Wait!
Shit!
Who are you?
We've finally found you.
I am Dosetsu Inumura.
This is Daikaku Inumura.
We are the descendants of your family's retainers.
There she is!
Capture them!
He who captures Satomi's daughter will be rewarded!
It's Satomi's daughter!
And there's a reward?
All right then... I'll claim it!
"The Story of Princess Fuseh." My grandfather painted this scroll.
The origin of these tragic events...
is explained here in the scroll.
Here...
please take a look.
About one hundred years ago...
our grandparents, led by Lord Yoshizane...
raided the castle of Sadakane Hikita.
Under the heavy hand of the wicked Tamazusa...
the farmers suffered greatly...
and the heavily taxed farmers begged Yoshizane to rise up...
and subdue Sadakane and the Hikita Clan.
Sadakane was quickly beheaded.
But the wicked Tamazusa...
put an evil curse on us with her last breath.
The Satomi Clan will be cursed till the end of time!
Soon afterwards, Satomi's castle was attacked by another clan.
As the castle was about to fall...
Lord Yoshizane saw the family dog nearby, and joked,
"Bring me the head of my enemy...
"and I will give you the hand of Princess Fuseh!"
Father, this is not an ordinary dog!
That night, the dog brought back the head.
We won the battle.
But even though it was a joke said in despair...
a Lord's word must be kept.
The Princess gave herself to the dog and left the castle.
This is the curse of Tamazusa!
Our ancestors were displeased by all of this...
and sent soldiers to shoot the dog.
While trying to shield the dog,
Princess Fuseh herself was shot.
Suddenly, eight round crystals came flying out from the Princess's body!
And then she spoke.
Do not grieve for me.
In 100 years the crystals will become stewards...
who will serve a Satomi Princess and overcome the curse.
I was destined to live and die only for this purpose.
This is the flute left by Princess Fuseh.
And please take a look at these.
DEVOTION
JUSTICE
What are they?
I was born holding this crystal in my right hand.
Mine was in the left hand.
The Princess Fuseh's glowing crystals...
by some mysterious karma...
appeared with each of us at birth.
Then, there are six more of you who possess a crystal?
Yes, those who will serve you to fight Tamazusa's curse.
Serve me?
Yes, as foretold by Princess Fuseh.
But with only eight men, what can be accomplished?
If you are so concerned about me...
take me to my uncle's in Musashi. - Musashi?
My father said to join forces with my uncle to destroy Motofuji.
Princess, it will take more than arms to destroy Motofuji.
What?
Dosetsu and I have watched them carefully.
The ones at the castle are not human.
They are apparitions created by Tamazusa's wicked power.
Only the combined efforts of you and the eight samurai...
can destroy those ghosts.
I can't believe it.
This story is far too incredible for me to believe!
But you must believe it!
I have but one month to live.
Only one month in which to complete my destiny.
The disease destroys more of my body every day.
We only have one month to find the others who have the crystals...
and destroy those demons once and for all!
But it is only possible as long as you are with us!
Please, we beg of you.
Please, join us in our quest...
to find the other six holders of the crystals!
Motofuji!
Come quickly, Motofuji!
What is it?
The Spirit told me to find the Princess quickly...
or the eight glowing crystals will cause our downfall!
Crystals? What?
Those of the dog-possessed samurai!
They will come with Princess Shizu to ruin us.
Don't just stand there!
Go and capture them!
Calm yourself, Mother.
Funamushi!
What can you tell us?
Yes, I see eight crystals.
I see them glowing in the eastern sky.
Their light will help us to find the Princess Shizu.
Go and capture the Princess and those men at any cost!
Do not worry, Mother.
We have eternal youth and beauty.
There is no power that can destroy us!
Motofuji, listen well, and bear this in mind.
Just when you think you're invincible...
you are really teetering on the brink, about to fall!
The cherry trees bloomed to bless Hamaji's wedding day!
It's too early for cherry blossoms, but isn't it auspicious, Shino?
Yes.
Why so glum?
Are you sad about losing your sister in marriage?
No, that's not it.
It's understandable, since you two are so close.
But to marry a magistrate is so prestigious!
- An auspicious event, indeed! - Yes, isn't it wonderful?
A clear waterfall in spring...
Sparkling under the soft sunlight...
For centuries - from ages past and far ahead into the future...
What an auspicious event...
Congratulations on this wonderful occasion.
Who are you?
I've never seen you before.
We are guests of the magistrate.
We came down from the hills to see the lovely bride.
The one with knowledge, beauty and charm...
Will never be blamed for picking the lovely flower...
Come dance the dance of the beautiful flower...
Come dance the flower dance...
Even for those unaware of secret sentiment...
Flowers will always blossom...
Blossom with fragrance...
Magistrate, I'm here to take your life!
What? Who are you?
Keno Inusaka! Now, die!
Out of my way, or risk death!
- Are you OK? - Brother!
- Why, that... - Shino, don't!
I'll get you!
Brother Shino!
- Stop it! - Let go, Hamaji!
We'll escape together!
What?
The magistrate is dead. Now we can go anywhere together!
- I've been waiting for this chance! - We can't!
Please! Take me with you!
What are you doing, Shino?
- Uncle, I love Shino! - What?
I'll say it loud and clear: I love Shino!
I always have!
But you are brother and sister! Shino!
Not blood related, but raised as brother and sister!
- But... - Shino!
Did you arrange for that woman dancer?
To kill the magistrate?
- That's absurd! - Don't talk back!
And then attempt to escape with Hamaji?
After raising you, this is how you repay me? Ingrate!
Don't!
Hamaji!
FILIAL PIETY
Hamaji!
The head, as promised.
Hunting heads for money.
An interesting business.
By nature, you must be agreeable to snakes.
Snakes, being attracted to you, drive people away.
Never thought a woman would take up such a profession.
Wait!
I guess I am like a snake being attracted to you.
I've longed to meet a woman like you.
You were born to be mine!
You cannot escape from me!
What's that light?
It's been with me since birth.
It glows when facing an enemy.
Then that means... you're one of the eight?
I'm an orphan, no relations, none!
- But... - Stay away!
You are my enemy!
Stop, or I'll have to kill you!
Keno!
That was quite a rejection, Yonosuke.
Was that one of the crystals Tamazusa told us about?
Indeed it was!
These eyes of mine cannot be fooled!
Now I'll get her for sure!
What's your name?
How old are you?
Where did you grow up?
Remember your father?
No?
Your mother's face, then?
What was that woman?
A forest goblin?
You alright, Granny?
Hey!
Excuse me!
Please allow me to enter.
It's you!
Why?
Why did you have to kill?
It was fate.
I will not apologize.
Hamaji died because of you!
Mother! Mother!
We have returned!
Oh, we have visitors.
Please come in.
Mother must have gone to gather vegetables.
Please make yourself at home.
Daikaku grew up here, among the ascetic monks...
receiving quite a well-rounded education.
As a result, he is a skilled swordsman...
and is very knowledgeable in many scholarly disciplines.
I'm afraid that's an exaggeration.
I think Mother's back.
Daikaku...
You have returned home.
Is something wrong, Mother?
On the hill, suddenly I had this pain in my eyes...
Are you all right?
Do not worry. It will soon go away.
Mother, this is Princess Shizu.
The Satomi princess that Dosetsu and I have been searching for.
We finally found her!
Well, well, now...
And she certainly has beautiful eyes.
She must be tired after walking in the mountains.
Daikaku, show her to the bath...
so that she may wash off the dirt from her long journey.
Yes.
Princess Shizu.
I desire your eyes!
I want to eat those clear eyes of yours!
Then, my eyes will be cured!
Someone, help!
Dosetsu!
Daikaku!
Help!
Mother!
What's going on?
- I want to eat her eyes! - Mother!
An evil spirit killed her and took over her body!
Daikaku, the Princess!
Dosetsu!
Daikaku.
That old witch...
Yes, she's called Funamushi.
One of Motofuji's ghosts!
We're grateful for your help.
These crystals...
are they yours?
Then you must be two of the eight we've been searching for!
- The eight? - Yes.
Everything conforms to the story on the scroll.
How absurd!
If such is our fate...
then why are we enemies?
Enemies?
Because of her, I lost my beloved!
Go on, tell them!
All is due to my karma.
Because I was born under a curse...
I've lived alone all my life.
Being loved by no one...
loving no one.
Indeed...
all of us have lived solitary lives.
Yet for the sake of saving Princess Shizu...
fate has brought us together.
Please show me your crystals again.
That was close.
Dosetsu.
I will join you in your quest.
Princess!
Believing that there are four more crystals out there somewhere.
Come on, you two.
All of us, together.
Mother...
you have become even more beautiful.
Who are they?
Genjin used his witchcraft on the women we captured.
Yes.
I just thought that the castle...
should be brightened up a little.
Everyone, show your faces!
Indeed...
each one is beautiful.
But what witchcraft?
Genjin, what have you created?
Their breath, blood, and sweat are all deadly poison.
Being saturated with poison, how do they remain alive?
One of the many secrets of the power I control at my fingertips.
As they say, a woman's beauty is stronger than any weapon!
Look out!
Princess!
Ha! Losers!
- Who are you? - Me?
I'm Shinbei.
What's that look for?
You forgot I gave you food?
Never woulda guessed that dirty kid was a princess...
Get away!
Heh!
That's some spirit for a princess.
Ouch!
Why, you!
Stop, or I'll bite off my tongue and die!
What?
As the princess of Satomi, I've been taught how to kill myself.
When I deliver you to the castle, I'll be made a Lord!
That was a dirty trick!
Apologize!
Then I'll give you a hand.
Or maybe you want to fall and drown.
Apologize! Say it!
Let me drop!
What?
I will never bow to you!
Damn you!
Bullheaded bitch!
Causing me trouble!
What happened? What happened?
Why are there so many dead?
Massacre... It was a massacre!
But why?
Because we helped the Princess of Satomi.
They... killed everyone.
They'll pay for this.
Let's go!
Hey!
What's wrong?
We... stayed here last night.
They were kind to us.
Even the elderly... and the children.
Oh, no.
Come on!
Hurry up!
Hold it, Genpachi!
Children's voices.
- Hand me over to them! - Quiet!
- It will save the children! - Quiet!
Do it now!
Help them!
- Quick! - Stop it!
Forget about me!
- Hurry and save the children! - Stop it!
Shinbei!
FAITH
Stop!
Genpachi!
What are you doing? Come on!
Shinbei!
Are you hurt?
Those bastards can't kill me!
Shinbei...
cut the rope.
I want to give them a bath.
I cannot leave them like this.
Why the stone?
It calms the spirits of the dead.
I am so ignorant.
You've just been sheltered.
Shinbei...
I will go to the castle.
Enough people were killed on my account already.
I'm Princess Shizu of Satomi!
I shall hide no more!
I'm going to Motofuji's castle to stop the killing.
Forget it!
They only want the reward on your head.
Just like me!
Come on!
- There's no way out! - Idiot!
No one is coming!
No one at all! But why?
You're injured.
Does it hurt?
I didn't even notice it.
It's clean water.
I'll find some herbs for it when we get out.
Shinbei...
What?
Why did you help me escape?
I don't know.
And you?
Why'd you come with me?
I don't know.
Were those the same samurai...
who killed your father?
Who are you?
And you?
Why are you here?
Get out! Get out!
Goddamn bandits!
I'll kill you all!
Get out! Get out!
- Goddamn it! - Wait!
You're Princess Shizu of Satomi.
Well, aren't you the Princess?
Yes, I am.
I apologize.
Follow us.
Is it safe?
They don't seem evil.
Dosetsu!
- Princess! - Princess!
What a relief to find you safe. How did you get here?
Who are you?
This is Shinbei. He brought me here.
Brought you here?
And who are they?
Kobungo Inuta, and Sosuke Inukawa.
We were lost in this cave, and they saved us.
WISDOM
VISION
- Then... - The ones we were looking for.
You live in this cave?
Yes. No one ever comes here.
The villagers believe no one who enters here can ever get out alive.
Why?
People are afraid of the way we look.
They think our minds must be evil and we're bewitched.
No one can get the better of us inside this cave.
It's under Mt. Mitsumaru.
The den of Princess Fuseh.
The eight glowing crystals were stolen...
from the foreheads of the eight stone gods in the cave.
Since then, there has been much evil in the world.
An old man who died here told me the story before he passed away.
Our crystals are from the eight stolen from the stone gods.
We are all linked by the power of these crystals.
But...
What?
Why do you look at me like that?
The power of crystal balls?
- Well, I've got two balls myself! - Silence!
Shinbei saved my life!
- Without a crystal, he's not one of us! - But...
I forgive your insolent act before the Princess.
Now leave!
What?
- Dosetsu! - If you stay, I will kill you!
Please leave.
I do not think ill of you.
But we have a mission to accomplish.
Farewell.
He's still following us.
I'll take care of him.
Take Shino with you.
What happened?
Where's Daikaku and Shino?
Well...
- Dosetsu, did they go after Shinbei? - Princess!
Did the princess order me killed?
Well?! Did she?
Princess!
Daikaku. Shino.
Where's Shinbei?
Did you kill him?
He fell over a cliff.
Bring him in!
We have a captive!
Unbind him.
Do you remember me?
What is your name?
Shinbei.
Observe this, Motofuji!
Were you born with the mark?
Motofuji, show him your mark.
Shinbei...
I am your birth mother.
And this is your brother.
One hundred years ago...
we were all killed by the Satomi Clan.
You are the reincarnated form of my deep grudge.
That's ridiculous!
The birthmark is the proof!
The shape of the flames that devoured the three of us!
You're lying!
You say that I'm your son?
That I'm one of you goblins?
Give me a break!
You're so full of it!
Listen, Shinbei.
Listen to the blood that runs inside your body.
Your heart beats in the same rhythm as the Spirit.
Listen, the same as mine and Motofuji's.
As your heart beats faster, so does that of the Eternal Spirit.
Motofuji's and mine also speed up.
Ah, now you begin to understand.
Look around you, and you will understand even more.
Your body must have memories of this castle.
At last, your memories are coming back to you, Shinbei.
When you were born, the sea was bright red under the sun.
Your first cry resounded over the crashing waves.
We are mother and son. We share the same blood, Shinbei.
Stop it!
Motofuji, how could you!
From the smell of his skin and blood, I know he is not my brother.
- But... - Genjin!
Yes.
Drain his blood and strip off his filthy animal-like skin.
Then exchange it with the soft skin of a woman.
Make him look worthy of being my brother.
Princess.
Is something wrong?
I thought I heard a flute.
- A flute? - Yes. Didn't you hear it?
Perhaps you were dreaming.
Please, get some sleep.
She misses Shinbei.
And Shinbei was in love with her.
Enough.
There are eight statues.
But still only six of us.
Where are the other two?
Oh, Genpachi.
What is it?
Hey, Genpachi, what are you doing?
Why is he with you?
Genpachi!
Genpachi is a fool!
It is already too late!
I hear hoofbeats!
Who goes there? Halt!
Genpachi Inukai.
My crystal led me here.
Then you're the seventh.
And who is this?
- It's Shinbei! - What?
You know Motofuji's brother?
- What? - Motofuji's brother?
They said so at the castle.
Why bring him here?
I couldn't believe it!
The sound of his flute awakened something in me.
What's going on? Dosetsu!
Princess.
Shinbei!
- Shinbei came back! - Princess!
Princess!
Shinbei? Shinbei!
You ordered my death!
You told them to kill me!
- Wait! - Princess!
Don't touch him! I said, don't move!
Shinbei, I was waiting for you.
All I could think of was seeing you again.
- Princess! - I want to talk with Shinbei.
Shinbei, please listen to me.
Forgive me.
Shinbei!
Die!
Princess!
He's alive.
Oh, I'm so glad.
I'm so glad you're alive.
You're awake!
Shinbei. Shinbei!
I'm glad...
so glad to see you again.
What's this?
BENEVOLENCE
Is it...
is it mine?
Yes, it is yours.
"Benevolence..." What does it mean?
A compassionate heart.
A compassionate heart?
- It's gone. - What?
The evil mark...
Princess!
- Princess! - What is it, Shinbei?
She's... she's...
The light returns to the darkness.
Then, the final battle begins.
Shinbei. Genpachi.
Return your crystals to their respective statues.
Now, all eight are here together.
You've come. The Eight Brave Samurai.
Envoys of light, give this bow and arrow to Princess Shizu!
Only the Princess can draw this bow.
Only the Princess?
Yes, and only this can destroy Motofuji's castle!
Shinbei, you take it.
Why me?
You must remain alive so that you can give this to the Princess.
Beautiful...
and such smooth, gleaming skin.
At long last, our dream of vengeance will come true.
A high-spirited woman, worthy of a Satomi Princess.
Go ahead, get angry! Yes, more!
An enraged pale skin only adds more beauty.
- Pardon the interruption. - What is it?
May I have a word?
So, they've come. Satomi's eight samurai are here.
- By sea? - Yes.
I've waited for this!
Take your posts!
Quickly!
I wonder just how many of them will actually make it here?
Keno! Keno!
Go on ahead!
Don't worry about me! Hurry!
Keno!
Come on!
It's good to see you, Keno!
I could hardly wait to see you again.
I, too, waited for this moment.
Tonight, I will take your life!
And eradicate my own fate in the process!
I'm afraid that will not do.
For you were born to be mine.
I will take you tonight!
Enough!
Wait! Wait!
- There's a trap beyond the door! - So what?
So, I'll go first!
Why, Kempachi?
Because... I've killed too many people, just for sport!
Even women and children...
Now, open it!
OK, let's do it!
Genpachi! Genpachi!
Go, hurry!
Kobungo!
Sosuke!
Kobungo!
Sosuke!
- Sosuke! - Kobungo!
Oh, now you're gonna get it!
You are mine, Keno!
Forever... and always!
Never... loved... by anyone.
And never... loving... anyone.
Hamaji!
You are alive!
Shino! Don't cut them!
Their blood is poison!
Hurry to the inner sanctum!
Hold them back, Shino!
Hamaji!
Hamaji.
I will not be apart from you anymore.
I will go anywhere...
Anywhere that you wish!
Daikaku! Daikaku!
Quick, go get the Princess!
Shinbei!
Dosetsu! Shinbei!
Dosetsu!
Princess!
Well, if it isn't Shinbei!
So finally you have come back to your mother!
Out of my way!
I am not your son!
Do you mean to kill me?
To kill the mother who loves you so dearly?
Out of my way!
It's no use, Shinbei.
We cannot die by the sword!
We know neither age nor death.
We come back to life again and again!
Come, discard your weapon...
and give Mama a hug!
Shinbei!
What are you doing?
Wait, Mother!
He is a fool beyond redemption.
Come, Shinbei!
Your own brother shall send you to hell!
Shinbei! How dare you?!
Motofuji!
Now!
Shoot the target!
No!
Please, Shinbei! Stop her!
Shoot!
Jump!
- Princess! - Shinbei!
Shinbei...
they are dead, aren't they?
All seven... All of them... They died, didn't they?
Shinbei.
What will become of us?
My work is completed.
Please go.
You can't just belong to one person.
Ah, Princess Shizu.
It's been quite a while. Please make yourself at home.
Oh, you sure grew up to be beautiful.
Though you lost your clan...
it is remarkable that you, a lone woman, have survived.
It wasn't... just me.
What was that?
Seven samurai died...
But one remains.
Yes, I have been told of their deaths. Very unfortunate.
But there is no need to worry now. Right, Masaharu?
Yes. It's been a long time.
We played together at your castle when we were little.
Flanked by the blue ocean and green mountains, it was a beautiful castle.
I shall send men there tomorrow, to begin rebuilding your castle.
Let's build it to be even grander than it was before.
Princess Shizu, what is it?
What's the matter?
Shinbei!
Princess!
Shinbei... I am not going back to the castle!
- I'll go with you, wherever... anywhere! - But you're...
Shinbei!
Why hesitate? Just go!
Go with the Princess!
Do not hesitate! Just go!
- Go together, hand in hand, forever! - Yes! Go on, Shinbei!
- Go now! - Go on, go! Go!
Go on, just go!
We shall never die!
We will live forever with the Princess and Shinbei!
THE END