Produced by Masaichi Nagata
The 300th film of the actor Kazuo Hasegawa
AN ACTOR'S REVENGE
Do you see them, father?
They drove you to your death
Lord Dobe, the retired magistrate
The merchant Kawaguchiya is beside him
I cannot see Hiromiya
Your enemies, and mother's...
...I have thought of them for twenty years
Now I see them for the first time
Now I shall always recognize those faces, even in darkness
No matter how difficult it may be...
...I will avenge you both
Oh, you are there
See how the girl is looking at me?
She is Namiji, Dobe's daughter
I will approach her first
You saw them?
We've got enough - let's go
We'll miss the best part
Never mind the play Did you lift enough purses?
We paid to get in, let's have our money's worth
The play's too slow for me
That Yukinojo is creepy- he's neither man nor woman
She's wonderful. Is she married?
Her husband would need to be born under a lucky star
Based on the novel by Otokichi Mikami
Photographed by Setsuo Kobayashi Directed by Kon Ichikawa
I can't bear the way our actors are so proud
They always scoff at any outsiders, however good
But this visiting troupe were just strolling players
until their Osaka success
He's so handsome, it makes me feel funny
Take any of our actors in Edo
they can't match Yukinojo
And they're so high and mighty
I'm supporting this visiting troupe
What are you talking about?
You never go to the theatre
Yes, I do
You're a fine one
You've fallen for this troupe
An Edo man always helps the weak
Let's leave him to his ignorance
- What about me? - You can go home
I want to see if Yukinojo is really good
You don't want to be left out
Stop talking and go in
You're a lot of idiots in Edo
I don't know why these people waste money on plays
They complain enough about the price of rice
It's always the same when times are hard
The theatre was doing badly, so they invited Yukinojo's troupe
They came to Edo from Osaka
Listen to the expert
Hard times produce good thieves, too
There are many about now, but you're the best, of course
Then Yamitaro, the Kid, Oryu, Otoki
Shime, Hoin, Sumie, Chime and Densuke
All first-class thieves
There's Hirutaro, too
Never heard of him
Yamitaro's about the only match for me
Let's see what you've got
Idiot! I told you to dump the purses at once
Get rid of them I don't want people to think I'm a thief
She's not exactly charming
She could be, though
Maybe love would make her a little more feminine
I thought this might prove useful to your plan
I'm sorry I cannot help you openly
Master!
All your enemies are together
Your late father must be helping you here
They are all in Edo
Congratulations You are a master
You have the finest Kabuki troupe in Japan
We are happy to be in Edo
Your audience's reception has moved us close to tears
Kawaguchiya enjoyed the performance very much
He would like to honour you
by introducing you to Lord Dobe, and his daughter
They are very important guests
I hope you will agree to meet them, it would be good for our theatre
Unfortunately, I have a bad headache
Please give him my apologies
I'm sure he will be very disappointed
But you must be tired Please rest
Why should you refuse to drink with your enemies?
You must grasp every opportunity
Learn all about them
Gain their confidence, then get your revenge
This time I felt afraid of myself
Something told me to refuse them
I am sure this is the right thing to do
Now I think they will play into my hands
This is the way, I am sure of it
We should not have walked
My breath of fresh air has resulted in us getting lost
Why attack me? I'm only an actor from the theatre
I know you
Wait a moment
Why, Heima?
You have said that our school of swordsmanship has no secrets
We must learn for ourselves
Why show him the scroll?
Yukinojo studies here, but he's an outsider
It's not fair
I'm young, but I am the assistant instructor here
I should have this honour
You can see it if you want to
But your impatience tells against you
Your very impatience prohibits your initiation
The honour goes to Yukinojo
It was only blank paper
Blank paper?
A warning against vanity and pride
Once we master an art and become famous
we tend to forget our resolutions
Words cannot explain the mysteries of an art
I merely wanted you to perceive my innermost mind
Heima can go
He has lost his teacher and his friends
and he has gained nothing
Yes, we know Heima Kadokura
I left Osaka because of you
I came to live in Edo, and now I hear your name everywhere here
I won't stand for it
You have caused our teacher much anguish
You and I studied together like brothers
Actor!
Don't call me brother
You won't get away with this
I'm sorry I butted in without an introduction
Thank you for saving me, although you are a stranger
For an actor, you're a strong swordsman
I felt as though I had the theatre to myself
But you faltered at the most important moment
I heard the name Heima Kadokura, do you know him?
No, I was attacked without warning
Strange he was too skilful for an ordinary robber
You're probably afraid of me, too
Why not? Decent people don't hang around the streets at night
I wonder if he was an ordinary robber?
There are many masterless samurai about
Better not walk alone at night dressed up like that
Anyway, here comes a carriage
May I know your name?
Yamitaro!
We've got you trapped
Don't let him get away this time
He must be around here somewhere
Are you an actor? Well, it's dangerous around here at night
Thank you
Where is he?
Here I am
You're not Yamitaro
I'm Hirutaro
Keep out of it
We're out for bigger game
I am big game I'm a famous thief
Why is Yamitaro so popular?
A wonderful ruby
It really is the colour of blood
Who is it?
Kawaguchiya is here
Let him wait
How is Lady Namiji's health?
What is it to you?
At the theatre you noticed how she fell in love with Yukinojo
Now you want to bring them together and gain her confidence
You want her to curry favour for you with the Shogun
Do you think I don't know that?
It isn't that at all
The doctor says she's depressed
So I asked permission for her to rest at home for a month
But I think she's lovesick, and it's all your fault
Not at all
It's all your fault Everything
I told you to bring Yukinojo Bring him here at once
He's much too common for my daughter
Let her meet him a few times
She'll soon tire of him, and that will be that
Yukinojo is very rude, he has refused all our invitations
I'll bring him tomorrow, even if I have to carry him here
Because of Namiji, the Shogun does what I say
She's important to me
Stop intriguing, or you will be the one to get hurt
The Shogun is a cold-hearted man
I may be powerful, but the Shogunate is inflexible
Even my influence cannot help merchants like you
Let's forget the past
Greed has its attractions, and also its limitations
Don't become obsessed with your selfishness
I hear you're buying rice
Very well, buy it all up, I'll do what I can for you
I would be most grateful for any kindnesses
I'm sorry I kept you waiting
Actors are so temperamental
He accepts your invitation
Why have you accepted now?
I have been waiting for this
This is an invitation to visit Dobe's house
A special invitation to visit his ailing daughter, Lady Namiji
To visit
Lady Namiji
This is far enough, I'll work here tonight
I can smell the gold already
It certainly is a fine mansion
So this is the famous home of Lord Dobe
His treasure house must be full of gifts from the Shogun
And full of bribes he took when he was a magistrate
I'll help the poor again tonight, a little more than usual
Winter is coming, and many are poorly clothed
A visitor at this hour?
There is no need to be so formal
The Lady Namiji herself wishes to thank you for your visit
She is waiting in her room
Oh, no, I am already too overwhelmed by meeting Lord Dobe
I will take my leave now
You must see her She is ill, please do as she wishes
What did he say to you when I was not present?
Nothing
Not a single word?
It was rather frightening
He's proud because of the Shogun's interest in Namiji
Be sympathetic towards her If you capture her heart
What do you mean? How can I even aspire to?
Her mind is made up already, you can win her easily
Her words count most at the Castle, not Dobe's
You won't know about business
but I'll stake my utmost hopes on you
In return, I'll look after you all your life
You actors live a precarious existence
It would be wise to think of your future
We have met for the first time, yet he holds me in contempt
He thinks an actor is some sort of prostitute
He thinks he can purchase me to beguile a lady for him
He is the embodiment of vulgarity
Does he intend to use me to get rid of Dobe?
What you say is very true
Your words have made me extremely happy
I am highly honoured by your interest in me
I feel as if I were in heaven
I shall do my very best to please the young lady
As I thought, you understand things quickly
But this must be a secret between you, me and Lady Namiji
You mustn't forget that
Poor lady, she really has fallen in love with me
Please be at ease
I apologize for receiving you in such an untidy room
To be with a lady who has attained the heights of glory
to be able to enjoy her favour, even for a few moments
You make it sound as though I am happy to serve the Shogun
What greater happiness could there be?
Every woman in Japan must envy you such eminence
Are you mocking me?
If I have unwittingly offended My Lady
it is best that I take my leave
No, I apologize if I have offended you
but I am hurt by your reserve
No one seems to know the nature of my illness
but I think that you understand
You have posed a very delicate question, My Lady
An excess of love, perhaps
Do you think I like my service at the Castle?
You do not know what the Shogun is like
My illness began when first I saw you
Your words sound very sweet to me
I am a simple man and apt to believe what you say
I beg you not to mock me
I have cast aside modesty, reputation, pride
Dreams are superficial
I know now that there is a daytime love
deeper than the love of night
If you really mean that
I will do anything, even forsake my beloved stage for you
But if it is nothing but infatuation, you leave me no choice
I must die
You understand my love I am so happy
How can I bear to tell such lies?
But I shall have to tell many more lies...
...although this poor girl is innocent of any crime
This is Lord Dobe's house, even the Shogun is afraid of him
We'll lose our heads if we're caught
Let's go and find somewhere else to rob
Shut up, Muku!
I'd need a hundred heads to answer for what I've stolen
It would be a disgrace if someone beat us to this
You can go home and get sake ready
Don't you need me?
You'll only get in the way
The best of luck, then
Someone is outside
Better go back to bed if you know what's good for you
Who is out there?
Just my luck!
It's only me
Do you live here?
You keep out of this
You're strong you're a man!
Be quiet, or someone else will come
Who are you, dressed up like that?
You're from the theatre
Never mind that
A burglar He ran when I shouted at him
You must be careful, I would be grieved if you were injured
It is difficult to leave you, but I must go now
I have many obligations and duties
to the theatre and to my master
That's too bad, but what an actor
He rang down the curtain in fine style
Why did that crook Ohatsu have to come breaking in?
It's funny, but I'm beginning to like Yukinojo
He seems to be more than an ordinary actor
But why does he humble himself to Dobe?
And to the Shogun's Namiji?
It looks as though he has his reasons for all this
It still hurts
He's given me a great big bruise
You'd never guess his strength to look at his face
He grabbed my wrist when I had a dagger
And yet he let me get away
That face, that strength what a strange man
He really has upset me
But who could love such a half-man, half-woman?
I hate him
See what I'll do to him
I won't rob Dobe, I'll rob Yukinojo - of his most precious thing
Find out where he lives Jump to it!
Master, I am back
I want to talk to you
I understand
I know why you have refused their invitation so many times
You were waiting for the right moment
So I said nothing
But this person you visit every night, who is she?
She is the Shogun's mistress, she is said to be the most beautiful
You are infatuated Will you let this turn you from your purpose?
Have you forgotten your revenge?
Master, why speak to me like this?
I am in torment when I visit that house
The wine I drink seems like molten lead
Understand what I suffer, what I endure
Master, must I do all this? Must my revenge be like this?
What are you saying?
Who drove your father to madness?
Who drove your mother to suicide?
I will remind you
It was Dobe, in company with Kawaguchiya and Hiromiya
They worked together in Nagasaki, they ruined your father
They set out to destroy your respected merchant family
They were merciless
Your father lived in the slums, a broken man
You were a motherless child of seven when I first knew you
I was young, too, living in the same poor slum
One cold and rainy night
your father hanged himself
When I returned from the theatre
I found you clinging to his legs, crying
I promised
I swore to help you avenge your father
even though it took my whole life
At last we are in Edo with them
Why hesitate? Why not run them through at once?
Running them through is not enough
They should be roasted
boiled in oil
My parents will not be avenged
unless these men are tortured until they become mad
Terrible words
Yes, terrible
I am the lover of Lord Dobe's daughter
She is now completely mine
Sooner or later she will abandon the Shogun for me
Dobe will be shamed Then he will fall into a living hell
Master, when I think about this terrible revenge
I feel I want to leave it undone and run away
I heard someone
Probably the inn cat
I have been away on business, how unfortunate for me
I would have been delighted to be your first patron
I know quality when I see it
I'm the sort who respects the best people
be they lords or pickpockets
That's why I invited you to my home without hesitation
One doesn't entertain the best people in restaurants
Thank you for calling so soon
It's said I'm one of Edo's richest merchants
but don't be overawed by that
I'm just a simple man with a wide circle of friends
I hear that you have other acquaintances in Edo
Lord Dobe and Kawaguchiya
How very extraordinary
Unlike myself, they are both very cautious, reserved men
They are usually very suspicious of strangers
Why should they make an exception?
What is the reason, I wonder?
No doubt they are laughing at me behind my back
No, not at all
Dobe, Kawaguchiya and I have been friends a long time
I have no qualms, we're like one family, really
But I wonder what they said
Nothing about you I heard of you from others
What have you heard?
What an unusual clock
It came from abroad
Did you obtain it in Nagasaki?
How did you know I lived in Nagasaki?
I hear that Nagasaki is something of a treasure house
Many rare articles can be found there
Kawaguchiya and I were born in Nagasaki
So I guessed rightly about the clock
To come back to what we were saying
What was it you heard about me? Tell me
Just snatches of conversation, I cannot remember exactly
You must tell me
Will you be offended?
No, of course not
They said you are only interested in quick returns
They said you lack foresight
Who said that?
Officials at the Castle
I heard it when I was there the other day
What else did they say?
They said that you plan to expand your trade
They said that you are beginning to hoard a lot of rice
They said that, too?
This year's rice harvest is poor and prices are high
If you were a loyal merchant, you would bring your rice to Edo
and use it to force prices down
Rich and poor alike would sing your praises
King of the rice market
A popular figure, an influential man in Edo
That is what they said
I see what they mean
Shogunate officials are very far-seeing
Do you think so? Surely you would lose a lot of money
You wouldn't understand such matters
I'm grateful for this information
I've been away on business- buying rice, in fact
Have you told anyone else what they said?
Not all actors are great gossips
I didn't mean that at all
I meant, did you tell Lord Dobe or Kawaguchiya?
There was no mention of them at the Castle
So, naturally, I told them nothing
I didn't mean to offend you Accept my apologies
He rose to the bait
"We're like one family", he says
But in fact he plans to deceive them
He knows very well what Kawaguchiya is doing...
...hoarding rice, too
Their only bond is greed
Even walls have ears
It is wisest never to speak of secrets, even in private
I have something to tell you
I will be waiting for you in the park at ten o'clock
A woman you know
If he ignores me, I'll make him regret it
I'm most grateful for your letter
I am Yukinojo, an actor in the troupe from Osaka
Save your breath
We're not strangers Look at this bruise you gave me
You nearly twisted my arm off
I'm the thief you caught, and you won't get rid of me now
I've fallen in love with you
Don't be so surprised I may be a thief, but I'm a woman, too
I've never known love before
Pity me and hold me tight, just once
I am very flattered by your words
Don't try my patience I never know when I might be arrested
I haven't got time to waste, let's go to an inn now
I have no reason to dislike you
but I have vowed to touch no woman
until I have fulfilled an obligation
The revenge you've staked your life on? Is that it?
Why so surprised? You came here because of my letter
One word from me
and your revenge and very life will be in danger
Let's not be enemies
If you do as I ask, I'll help you to get revenge
Those three old men won't have a chance
if we two join forces
If you know so much
You're going to kill me?
You want to shut my mouth? That's a laugh
I can be a saint, or a demon
I love you, so I offered to help you
All right, just see what I'll do
I'll go to Dobe and say that Yukinojo
Keep away, or I'll kill you
You won't escape
A ruffian's after me
I must talk to her
Talk? With a dagger?
What a woman!
It's not a woman
Yuki, we meet again
Heima Kadokura
Edo is not such a big place I'll finish you
I must find her Let me go
If you don't, I won't hold back this time
Who is he? An actor?
Whatever it's about, I'll help Kadokura
What's the matter? Afraid?
What are you waiting for? You samurai are always boasting
Afraid of an actor?
This is more exciting than stage swordplay
What a pity This may be his very last performance
Oh dear! I seem to have lost her
He won't find me in a hurry
There's a fine moon tonight, Ohatsu
Yamitaro
What a place to meet
I enjoyed watching your love scene
Oh, no! Did you see that?
Me and him you know, that actor
we're strangers, but I admire him in many ways
That face, that strength I understand your feelings
I understand why you, a man-hater, love him so much
When I heard you talk about his enemies
it made things clear to me
He's fighting powerful enemies, alone
It makes one want to help him, if possible
If I were a man, I might talk of help
sympathy with his cause, and so on
But I'm afraid I happen to be a woman
Well, let me tell you something leave him alone
Who do you think you are?
Don't you know that love is the dearest thing in a woman's life?
Are you going to be stubborn?
I can't give him up
Very well, acrobat Ohatsu We will have to be enemies
We're in the middle of a river, with only the moon as witness
Even an acrobat can't escape
Yes, she can - she knows how to swim
There was famine in the land...
...caused by cold, drought, fire and flood
In 1836, the starving people rebelled
They rose against a weak Shogunate and corrupt merchants
It is so painful not to see you
I almost wished we had never met
I have missed you just as much
But I dare not come here too often
But I must see you
even though it hurts me not to be able to visit you openly
Then I shall leave this house
I am certain of one thing
Many women must have fallen in love with you
Yet, from them all you have chosen me
I don't want to make you sad
I don't want anything to hurt you
I would rather die than return to the Castle
You are so good
My father wants me to return to the Castle
Because of all these riots
he is going to employ more guards
It may be easier if I escape now
Lady Namiji
I cannot bear us to act like strangers any more
I wish to be your wife
I do not deserve so great an honour
Lady Namiji, there can be no one else for me
You will be the only woman in my life
So many presents from Hiromiya
You have been so generous with presents for our entire company
Please do not mention it
I thought that you would like the clock, I saw how you admired it
Do you remember how it chimed that day you visited me?
It is a priceless gift, but I have done nothing to deserve it
Indeed you have
Do you remember the information you gave me?
About the rice?
I took action I brought the rice here and put it on sale
Other merchants followed my example
Because of this, the riots came to an end
The poor had enough to eat
The Shogun has praised me, people respect me
I'm a popular man in Edo, almost as popular as you
You are a courageous businessman
No, I bought the rice cheaply from the farmers themselves
I couldn't lose on the deal
Hiromiya, I've caught you at last
Kawaguchiya, why all this fuss? For business, come to my store
You always pretend to be out You've deceived me
Deceived you? How is that?
You know very well
You knew I was trying to control the rice market
Then you sold rice at give-away prices
I'm ruined
I'm sorry to hear that
Weren't we business associates?
Business is just like war, Kawaguchiya
Relatives can become enemies
The rice trade is not for you
It's for big merchants, not jumped-up clerks like you
Hiromiya, I beg you to help me
Please help
Why not ask Lord Dobe?
You know very well he's not the type to give any help
He might, though We've been friends since Nagasaki days
He wouldn't let you down
Let me in I have an urgent message from Lord Dobe
Hiromiya, give me some water
It's been a long time Have you forgotten me?
I am Matsuuraya
Your former master, now wandering in hell
You were an orphan
I raised you, made you my clerk, but you were ungrateful
You went over to Hiromiya, my competitor
Together you conspired to ruin my business
You forced me to leave my ancestral home
Forgive me!
Hang yourself and die
Hang yourself, as I did
Become mad, as I did
A man like you should never have been born
You killed Hiromiya's clerk
You burned Hiromiya's store
You cannot escape falling into the bottomless pit
Kawaguchiya
Spare me, Matsuuraya
Don't stare at me like that
I wasn't the only one
It was Hiromiya's idea
He bribed Lord Dobe to rule against you
You burn my house and now you blurt out everything
You're raving mad
I should have kept you gagged
I've killed him! I've killed a man!
I didn't expect that
An actor's revenge, dramatic as a play
One's taken care of, but it's not easy for the actor
He's not happy in the role
See how lonely he looks now
Revenge is difficult, even for him
Poor man
I was locked up in the house, but I managed to escape
I am hiding in the home of my old nurse...
...near the Dentsuin Temple
The messenger is her son; you can trust him
He will show you the way to the house
I wait for you. Namiji
I do not understand this letter at all
Is the messenger here?
Tell him that
Give him this money for a carriage and send him home
Although I have retired, I am still allowed to visit the Castle
The Shogunate officials pay me respect
I owe this to the trust you place in me, My Lord
I am sure my abilities are unworthy of such esteem
I am very grateful and I cherish the honour
I would never lie to you about Lady Namiji
I do not know who has started these rumours
It is true that Lady Namiji is ill
She remains at my house
But now she is feeling much better
She has spoken of returning to the Castle in a few days
In a few days?
Very well
Money from Yamitaro
Two lots today
No, one's from me
Always Yamitaro
He gets all the credit
But wait and see He can't provide for everybody
My chance will come soon
You said you were taking me to Yukinojo
Drawing a dagger?
You'd better put that away
Hide where you like
They'll leave no stone unturned to find you
You won't escape
I said I'd help you, so why don't you trust me?
Who do you think I am?
And who do you think you are?
Yesterday you ceased to be the Shogun's lady
You were foolish enough to love an actor
So you might spare a gentle word for me
Or is that too hard for you?
Don't defy me I've killed one man already- I fear no one
I killed Kawaguchiya
I was keeping him a prisoner
to protect Lord Dobe and myself
Now Dobe says it was merely a quarrel between commoners
and refuses to help me
He made use of me in the past
and now he abandons me just as I've become famous
Very well, if I am going to be cast down
I'm taking his dearest treasure with me
I found you before Lord Dobe's men did I won't let you go
You again? You're very persevering
Let me go, Heima I have no quarrel with you
You won't escape alive this time
Someone's given me orders to kill you
A strange coincidence It's my fate to be your enemy
So now you are a hired killer? Who hired you for this?
Lord Dobe
Then tell me one thing, if you know it
For what reason does Lord Dobe wish me dead?
How should I know?
Does he think that I kidnapped Lady Namiji?
Lady Namiji? He didn't mention her
Why, then?
He's suspicious of you and wants you out of the way
Suspicious?
When I told him that we had studied together in Osaka
he said that explained all
Explained?
Suspicious?
What does it all mean?
If Dobe has found me out, my plans are ruined
There is no hope, my good luck has run out
This must mean that the gods forbid me to take revenge
Father mother
please forgive Yukinojo
He has failed in his duty
I can't kill you
You've won again
I fled Osaka because of you Must I flee from Edo, too?
There is no peace for me while you are alive
The gods have not forsaken me
I left my fate to your sword, but the gods saved me
Don't be so rough
She's the most beautiful girl I've seen for a long time
Where did you find her?
The dogs were barking at her
It's a good thing you brought her to me
She'll be sold later, so treat her gently
Shut up, we'll do what we like with her
Stop making such a row at night
Go outside, I'm trying to get some sleep
You're a tough priest
What are you doing?
Taking her back wherever she came from
She's my treasure You can't have her
What's here is mine
Take her and I'll tell that you're really Hoin, the escaped convict
I'm sorry, but you'll have to shut up for a bit
She's really beautiful
She shouldn't walk alone at night
Anyone would be tempted to kidnap her
It's hard being a priest
I must control the desires of the flesh
I'm in bed, come back tomorrow
It's me Hoin
You know I won't allow any females in my house
Not even cats
Now listen, you've got to help with this girl
I think she has a fever
All she says is something like Yuki
That's all she says
I remember you
There's no time to explain, you must come to my house at once
I have heard many things about you
You are a generous man
You rob in order to help the poor
You saved my life, I trust you, but
Namiji may be dying
I think I know all about your revenge
Now just listen to me
I somehow feel as though you are my brother
You may think it strange, but it's true
I'm an outlaw, so I can't go anywhere I like
Otherwise I'd help your vengeance
So I ought not to care about Lady Namiji
it doesn't matter whether she lives or dies
But I feel sorry for her
No, she's not exactly ill, she says she killed a man tonight
She said it was Hiromiya
Hiromiya wanted to revenge himself on Lord Dobe
He got his deserts Now two of them are taken care of
But she understands nothing of all this
She's done something beyond her comprehension
Her mind has suffered, it is like a string about to snap
In her delirium, she keeps calling for you
Very well, I will come with you
She's dying
Has anyone returned?
Not yet, My Lord
I thought she'd die any minute
Please say something to her
Your words may save her
You kept your promise to me
I am happy
Gone, after all?
Namiji you were completely innocent
Life was unkind to you
You were born to be betrayed
A victim of your father's greed
A victim of my own revenge
You have died without having known true love
Not truly loved by anyone
If there is a next world
I will try to make good my false promises
My vow may yet become true and I will marry you
I will never leave you
I will always serve you
We will be together
Lady Namiji, please do not hate me
Please go in peace
Yukinojo wishes to see you
What is it?
I came to thank you for last night
The assassin
Who are you?
Why do you hold me your enemy?
You are mistaken
Do you think I am blind?
Do you remember your first visit here?
Afterwards, I sent a man to Osaka
You studied under Koken, your sword-master was Isshosai
Your stage debut was at the age of twelve
That much I discovered, but no more
Lord Dobe, former magistrate of Nagasaki
do you recall another face which resembled mine?
What? Nagasaki?
You know Nagasaki?
The Lady Namiji
She is outside
A priest brought her here, but said nothing
Drink
It is a Dutch poison
One tablet brings unconsciousness Two, death
Namiji has returned dead
You as good as killed her
It means that you have killed me, too
I don't care who you really are
You have made me lose my power
You must not live
Matsuura's wife of Nagasaki
You know me now?
Do I not resemble my mother? I am her only son
She named me Yukitaro
You forced my mother to succumb to you
You promised her that you would save our family
You made her suffer
She cut her throat
Thus my mother died
Forgive me
Now I understand
There were three of us in the Nagasaki group
In one month we have been ruined
Was it your revenge, Yukinojo?
You must be happier now
Today's performance was magnificent
You may go now
Only two days more in the theatre
We may never act together again
I cannot imagine the future
Do not speak of it
It was to avenge your parents
you caused these deaths and that of innocent Lady Namiji
I understand now why you wish to retire
to hide from others
But you were my hope, I depended on you
I know, and I would like to stay with you
Was I at fault?
It was my vow
If I had not sworn to avenge your father
nothing would have happened
You were not wrong, you could never be at fault
I made you do it
No, I must leave without repaying my debt to you
Forgive me
I believe it must be my fate to be alone
I was born under a lonely moon
Some sake?
Well, if you insist
Still, I must admit that Yuki is a fine man
His eyes send shivers through me
When did he look at you?
Quiet, oaf!
Oaf again?
But you astonished me that time
You stood there aiming that pistol I thought you'd kill him
You made me angry that night when I jumped into the river
And I caught a dreadful cold
I may have been a swimmer once, but I'm not so young now
It was a shock So I've thought things over, I'm going to settle down
She's become very ladylike lately
That's fine
I've just noticed something
In profile, your face is rather like Yukinojo's
You can't see the wood for the trees, I should have settled for you
No women for me!
I want to be your wife
You'll never reform and be a decent, ordinary woman
Are you going straight?
I'm tired of this life
Maybe I'll go to Osaka with Yukinojo's theatre
I'll come along, too
What about me?
Splendid! If they both leave Edo, I'll have the place to myself
After their great success in Edo...
...Kukinojo's troupe returned to Osaka
But Yukinojo was not with them
Many people sought him...
...the greatest of female impersonators
Yamitaro searched for him... Ohatsu searched for him...
But no one ever saw Yukinojo again
One rumour said he became a priest
Another that he had joined a touring theatrical company
In time, rumours ceased and people forgot about Yukinojo
Had he really disappeared beyond the windswept plain?
Who was it who remembered the story of Yukinojo?
Was it Yamitaro? Or Kukinojo?
Or was it Ohatsu?