TOEI PRESENTS
BLOODY SPEAR AT MOUNT FUJI
PRODUCER: HIROSHI OKAWA
ADVISOR TO THE PRODUCTION: YASUJIRO OZU
SCREENPLAY: YAHIRO FUJI ORIGINAL STORY: KINTARO INOUE
ART DIRECTION: TAKATOSHI SUZUKI
MUSIC: TAICHIRO KOSUGI
CAST:
CHIEZO KATAOKA
RYUNOSUKE TSUKIGATA, CHIZURU KITAGAWA
YUKIO TASHIRO, MOTOHARU UEI, CHIE UEKI
EITARO SHINDO, DAISUKE KATO, TORANOSUKE OGAWA, KUNIO KAGA
TERUO SHIMADA, KYOJI SUGI
DIRECTOR: TOMU UCHIDA
Gonpachi, do your feet hurt?
It's nothing, Master. Let's press on.
Are you sure?
Don't overdo it.
- So is that your daughter? - Yes, sir.
- Where are you going? - To Shimada, sir.
Okin, be careful.
You'll fall in, Okin!
A thief was here, last night?
He must be a tough one.
It's Rokuemon, the famous highway thief.
- You can pass. - Why haven't you arrested him yet?
- We'll get him soon. - I hope so.
If the authorities don't do their job...
Alright, I understand. Get on board.
Thank you, sir.
Welcome, my friend.
The boat is ready to leave!
I'm so cold! Let me through!
Oh, I'm cold!
Hey, little one! Did you swim across?
- Where do you come from? - Bet it was cold.
Do you want a potato?
He's wolfing it down!
- Does it still hurt? - No.
Don't overdo it.
Let's stop for a while. Take this ointment.
- It'll be wasted on me, sir. - Not at all! It'll heal your foot.
- You're too kind, sir. - Rest a while.
I'll carry your spear...
Idiot!
Don't get me wrong, I only wanted to help.
What are you doing?
I've got blisters.
Can you eat them?
Little boy, are you starving?
Not at all.
- Hey, what are you doing? - Let me carry your spear.
No, it's not a children's toy.
- Just a little hold? - No!
It's my master's weapon, not a toy.
I want to become a spear carrier.
Is that so?
Is that why you followed me?
Let me carry the spear.
Alright.
Shall I teach you how to carry it properly?
Eh? Alright.
Ready?
Like this...
You swing your arm like this.
This way...
Think you can do that?
Right, have a try.
It's heavy, right?
No problem for me at all! And I won't get any blisters.
- You cheeky lad! - Are you angry?
Listen, I am the master, and you are my servant.
You walk behind me. Got it?
- You're the master? - Of course!
I'm a great samurai and you carry my spear.
Let's go!
By the way, what's your name?
- Jiro. - Jiro?
So you've been following us since Okazaki.
Where are you heading?
To Edo. I want to become a samurai.
A samurai?
What does your father do?
I have no father.
- And your mother? - Not got one.
I see.
I used to work for my aunt, but I ran away.
I want to become a spear carrier like you.
A spear carrier?
Really? You want to become a spear carrier?
Well, well...
LODGING
Sir, would you be Lord Sakawa's spear carrier?
Your master is staying with us.
Take the gentleman to him. Thank you, sir!
Turn your head and close your eyes.
Don't turn round.
No looking!
Right, just a moment...
That's so cold!
Don't spend it all.
Welcome!
It's money!
Your man has arrived, sir.
Good evening, Master.
Good evening.
Excuse me.
Sorry, sir, but you'll have to share the room.
Excuse me.
- Bring me some sake with supper. - Very well, sir.
Will you have a drink with me?
- Thank you but no. - Come on.
- I don't drink. - Don't you?
I won't insist, then.
We've crossed paths often since yesterday.
The first time was on the plain.
You were counting out your money.
Me? Not at all! I wasn't counting out money.
Don't worry, no one else saw you apart from me.
You certainly seem to have plenty of money, though.
I was nearby, watching you counting out your coins in the field.
Please don't talk about such things. I know nothing about any money.
But back on the river bank...
...the authorities were looking for the famous thief Rokuemon.
How did you get across the river?
What a treat! This is the life.
There's nothing better than drinking cold sake!
Let me have another.
- Haven't you had enough, sir? - Don't worry. I spoke to your boss.
When life's hard, sake helps.
So your master doesn't drink?
He does, but he's a violent drunk.
He doesn't look the type. He seems quite serious.
Well, it's his weakness.
When he drinks, he turns into a different man.
And nothing can stop him.
- There. - Oh, thank you!
So I have to be out of his sight when I have a drink.
I'm true to my sake.
Loyal to my sake!
Very clever!
The masseur is waiting for you, sir.
- I have no need of her. - It'll do you some good, sir.
I must write some entries in my journal.
I'm feeling great! Thanks.
- Okiyo... - Don't!
Don't be like that. I was just asking you if I stank of alcohol.
You stink!
Gama. ....
That's enough.
Let's see...
- Eh, you stink! - Still?
Like a real sewer rat!
This here must be a sewer.
A sewer?
That's not funny! I've been washing my mouth out in a sewer?
Betrayed by sake!
Don't think about it.
Our master's mother, Lady Sakawa, told us how we were to act.
Have you forgotten?
Our master's making a most important trip to Edo,
and she asked us to keep him from drinking.
You should've remembered.
She loves her son very much.
Since we left,
our master has remained sober although he loves a drink.
In all the inns we've stopped at, he's never once mentioned sake.
And you go sneaking off for a drink!
I'm ashamed. I apologize.
That's better. Be careful from now on.
Once we get to Edo, we'll have a party.
No, I'm through with sake. I can't bear that stink.
Otane... get some rest. Tomorrow we have an early start.
Father, the village festival will start soon.
What does this Rokuemon look like?
According to the authorities,
his whole back is covered with a huge tattoo.
- Really? A tattoo? - That's right.
They say it shows the God of Wind.
The god dances on his back and beats his drum.
Master, please check this.
Genta, how about we go to the festival?
I'll go with you, sir.
- Where's Gonpachi? - In the bath.
I see. His foot's still hurting, so we'll leave him be.
Excuse me. These are the investigating officers...
Good evening.
- So you're Denji? - Yes.
We were told you were sharing your room.
Tozaburo is his name. On his way to Shimada.
Where is he?
He went out, sir. But everything's fine here.
Very well.
- Let me know if anything comes up. - Understood, sir.
You can come out. They're gone.
You were right.
Of course. I never lie.
I am an officer of the law. I investigate on the roads.
Listen, Tozaburo...
That is your name, right?
Why are you so afraid of the authorities?
You're the one who told me to hide.
You always seem scared. Even in the streets.
- That's because I'm afraid of people. - People?
That's obviously, because of all that money you've got.
- Like I already told you... - Yes, I know, I know.
- You worked in a mine. - That's right.
It's money earned in an honorable way. Believe me.
So you don't have any reason to be so fearful.
- Well, I do... because of my money. - Meaning?
- Don't get me wrong... - Explain yourself.
With all this money, people would think I'm a thief
and the officers would give me a rough time.
Show me this money.
You've nothing to fear from me.
Let's have a drink and talk it over.
- Talk what over? - You're being obtuse on purpose.
We want to know one another better, don't we?
I see...
You don't trust me.
I see.
- Can I help, sir? - Call the inspector.
He's returned home.
Bring us some sake. And something tasty to eat.
Okin, shall we play something here?
It's me!
Did I scare you?
Not at all.
Stuffing yourself with persimmons is bad for your stomach.
I've wanted some for ages!
What money did you buy them with?
The spear carrier gave me some.
He's quite nice. Do you know where he's staying?
Sure!
Then can you return this to him?
- What shall I tell him? - You don't have to tell him anything.
Genta, are you thirsty?
Not at all. Really not at all!
You're lying. What were you doing in the kitchen at the inn?
You saw me, sir?
I won't do it again!
Don't worry. Don't feel inhibited around me.
Master! No, sir!
- Welcome! - This place isn't worthy of you.
- Let's return to the inn. - A flask of sake for two.
If they learn that we've been drinking together, sir,
your mother and Gonpachi will kill me.
- I beg you, sir, let's leave. - Sorry to keep you waiting.
Genta, sit down. Let's drink.
- Don't be shy. - Me? No way! I won't drink.
But drinking with my master...
It's fine, I'm not drinking.
This is for you. I don't want you drinking in secret because of me.
That's why I invited you out.
That's very kind of you, sir. Thank you so much.
Now sit down and drink.
Master... are you testing me?
Testing you? Don't talk nonsense!
Come on, drink!
Well, just a little.
I'm most grateful, sir,
but I have the feeling that this is a trap you've plotted with Gonpachi?
Don't be so silly.
- What's with you and Gonpachi? - He gave me a dressing-down.
I see. I won't say anything to him.
Enjoy your drink. I'll go out for some fresh air.
But, Master, please stay and eat something.
Oh, dear. Well, pour me just a little for show.
- You can drink on your own afterwards. - Thank you. Right, then...
- This way. - Thank you.
Sir! Sir! Master Spear Carrier!
You again, little one? What do you want?
I was told to give you this.
Oh, yes!
- Who gave it to you? - The lady we met yesterday.
She asked me to give it to the spear carrier.
I see. Don't stand there. Come in.
You have something you want to tell me?
- Off there! - Ouch! That hurts!
This is the master's bed. You country brat!
Sit down on the mat.
I want to go home now.
Don't look so miserable.
I'll teach you some etiquette.
First, you should've thanked me for what I just did.
- Where are you sleeping tonight? - Outside. Where else?
But I gave you money.
- I used it to buy food. - To buy food?
I bought eggs and stew...
You can't be serious!
There are many food-sellers at the festival. And I met the lady.
- At the festival? - Why don't you come with me?
That way, you'll meet the lady too and then you can thank her.
I see. You're smart for your age!
Right. Shall we go?
Do the "Servant's Dance".
I'm a servant!
Hey, servant!
Where are you going to so hurriedly?
I'm going to get my master
I must withstand the cold till I find him
I must find him, come what may
Even if I have to face wind or snow
A servant’s life is hard
It’s not an easy life
So true!
Gama, pour me another one.
Hurry up!
I've had enough to drink. Let me go, Master.
What are you talking about? Give me more, I tell you!
It's empty. Finished.
If It's empty, have her bring some more.
- Hey, bring more sake! - Don't bother!
Shut up!
Are you disobeying your master? This is intolerable!
Please, Master...
If you go on drinking, they'll kill me.
Gama. ....
Back at the inn, you talked about being true to sake, what exactly did you mean?
Drinking without your master's knowledge...
What does it mean? I want an explanation!
"My master is a violent drunk."
"When he drinks, he turns into a different man."
So you heard everything, then.
Gama. ....
We're in the same boat.
So let's make up, you and I.
Let's drink a jug of untrue sake.
Untrue sake? What on earth's that?
Yes, untrue sake!
Peddlers!
You've been laughing at me for a while. Why?
We have not, sir!
- We've not been laughing! - I definitely saw you laugh.
What made you laugh, you bastards?
Sir, I assure you I did not laugh.
Is this a true lie? Look at me.
That's right. You're not laughing.
That's correct, sir. I'm not laughing.
However...
your nose is smirking.
I don't like his nose.
It laughs by itself.
Look, his nose is laughing!
I'll give you a new nose.
Come here!
No, Master! No!
Stop!
Where are you?
Master!
It's your fault, you fool!
That imbecile...
He's dead drunk. I'm ashamed of you.
Jiro, wash this for me.
Master...
Please forgive me.
I should've looked after you.
It's my fault, sir.
It's my fault.
I've let myself be distracted by a worthless woman.
Sir!
Thanks.
Jiro, you can go home.
You're in front of my house.
You sleep in here?
I see.
Well, in this case...
Hold this.
Can I be of help?
Could you help me?
Yes, a worthless woman will offer you help.
What shall we do with this old fellow?
Give him a kick in the butt!
Come on, this way.
Old man!
Old spear carrier!
Hey, masseur! Did you pass a man called Tozaburo?
- He has a beard. - What has he done?
Just answer me. Oh, sorry, you can't see who I am.
Ah, the thief!
Thief!
Are you alright, little fellow?
Is he alright, Gonpachi?
Sorry, sir, but could we use your ointment, please?
Ah, yes!
Put some there.
Open your mouth.
It hurts!
Hold on, we'll soon be there.
Why were you climbing that tree, anyway?
- My belly aches. - Your belly?
That's strange. You fall out of a tree and your belly aches?
You shouldn't have given him any money.
He stuffed himself with persimmons. That's what made him sick.
It's not my fault. It's his silly fault, living in trees!
I don't agree. Monkeys live in trees, don't they, Mother?
You're right. Monkeys do live in trees. And naughty children too.
Everybody's against me.
- I think I've got diarrhea. - Diarrhea?
- Hold it in. - I can't!
What a nuisance!
Master, could you wait for us a moment?
- I can't hold it any longer. - Alright...
Wipe yourself with this.
Over there!
What's going on up front? Anything important?
They're having a tea ceremony.
Really? A tea ceremony in the open?
- What's that? - A tea ceremony in the open.
Oh, really? So that's why we're stuck.
- What's going on? - No idea.
Something must be happening since the road's blocked.
Looks like we'll be kept waiting for a while yet.
He must be a great lord, surely.
- It's going to last a while. - Certainly is!
What sophistication!
Well, well!
Ah, that's a rare sight!
It's going to take a long time.
Tell me, peddler, what's going on?
An open-air tea ceremony.
My nose isn't laughing, sir.
Funny fellows...
- Genta, go and have a look. - Hold on tight, Jiro.
Sorry, folks, we have a sick child. Can we pass?
Wait one moment, I'll ask.
- Help yourself. - Ah, I thank you.
They won't let us through, sir. What rotten luck!
- I can't hold it! - Have patience.
He's got diarrhea again.
- Have you got some paper? - I do.
Master, the sky looks threatening and our route's still blocked.
Sophistication takes precedence, right?
The tea bowl we're taking to Edo is far more sophisticated.
So it is.
There's a strange cloud over the top of Mount Fuji.
How very strange.
No, no. Just relax.
It's a rare phenomenon called the "Fuji Umbrella".
- Isn't that so? - Yes, sir.
The reason is the steam that rises from the foot of Mount Fuji.
The wind carries it up to the top.
It has the shape of an umbrella.
- Isn't it so? - Yes, sir.
Rain! It's rain!
- Welcome. - Have you got a room?
- How is the sick child? - He's fine now.
He ate too much. It was indigestion.
I was right, he'd eaten too much.
You'll have to squeeze up, I'm afraid. We have three more guests.
Excuse us.
Gonpachi, look after the child tonight.
Sorry to keep you waiting. Food is served.
Otane... I'd like to have some sake.
Miss, would you bring us a flask of sake?
Kumakichi may say that family is sacred,
but he refused to help us.
You cannot count on your own family.
You have to reach that point to understand what things are like.
I'm an unworthy father. I've done nothing for you.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Otane... would you pour some for me?
Take good care of yourself.
I swear that I'll come and get you.
Father, please don't worry.
I know that I'll never see the village again.
I want to tell you...
when I left home, I said some terrible things to mother.
- What? - Tell her I'm sorry.
Don't mention it.
You know, I wanted to leave her with a smile.
But I was violent towards her.
Father, are you leaving already?
I mustn't be late.
Otherwise, I won't receive my thirty gold coins.
Give me your comb, and I'll arrange your hair.
Is there really no other solution?
For thirty coins... it's disgusting!
WEAPONS BOUGHT AND SOLD
Is everyone alright?
Since last night, a thief has been in the area,
so please be on your guard.
A thief?
Eh? Where's the Master?
The spear's disappeared!
Honorable pilgrim! Are you leaving already?
Yes, I have an early start.
Seems a thief has been lurking around here since last night.
So I've been told. The world is so unsafe.
Indeed it is. One can't even sleep undisturbed!
It's the thief!
Don't panic, come on!
- He's the thief! I saw him! - What are you saying?
He's the thief...
What are you talking about? You must've been dreaming.
He's even got tattoos!
- Are you sure? - It's Rokuemon. He's tattooed!
- Tattoos? Show me your arm. - What the...?
Stop!
You bastard!
Stop! Stop!
It's the thief! Thief!
Come any closer, and I'll kill you!
Don't come any closer!
Master, come inside.
You bastard!
- That's the thief, Rokuemon! - Really?
Give me a mask! You crushed mine!
"You arrested Rokuemon at the risk of your own life.
"Please accept this award as a token for your courage,
"from the grateful justice commissioner Gengobei Onishi.
"Awarded to Kojuro Sakawa."
This accomplishment will honor your whole clan.
Please accept this.
I did nothing. It was all down to my retainer carrying my spear.
Yes, but a retainer acts on behalf of his master.
It was my retainer's achievement...
Without his master, a retainer is nothing.
A retainer acts on behalf of his master. This is the authorities' point of view.
At least let's acknowledge the bravery of these people.
Please accept this.
One moment, please.
- This is the reward? - It is indeed.
Did you hear that, everybody? The reward is only a piece of paper.
They take me for a fool.
Not at all, sir.
But your ancestral spear has gained in reputation.
Not really, Gonpachi. This spear is a fake.
- What are you saying? - Impossible!
But it is.
Actually, I wanted to sell it to help the old man's daughter.
But it's not worth a cent.
My ancestors' precious relic,
bequeathed to us by Ieyasu Tokugawa after the Battle of Sekigahara,
is nothing but a fake!
I can't quite believe it.
The merchant must've lied to you...
What does it matter, Gonpachi?
Finally, this fake spear has brought us nothing but a fake reward.
Welcome. Please come in.
Are you Yomosaku's daughter?
Very pretty.
Where's your father?
We couldn't get here yesterday because of the rain.
My father's gone out.
I see.
We must've passed him.
Is Kyubei in, at all?
He's just gone out.
And your name is...?
Perhaps you've forgotten. I entrusted my daughter to you five years ago.
My name is Tozaburo.
Really? You're Tozaburo?
How is my little Oshina?
I've brought the money I owe. Now I can take her back.
Oshina? But you're too late.
Too late? What do you mean?
Well, Oshina...
My contract with Kyubei was clear on that point,
that I could buy my daughter back.
For this money, I've slaved day and night in a mine.
Here are the thirty coins plus interest.
Well, your Oshina...
She died two years ago.
She died? Oshina is dead?
Oshina's died?
This is too cruel!
CONTRACT FOR PURCHASE OF OTANE. SIGNED, KYUBEI
So, there's your money.
Let's go, then.
Are you ready?
Father...
Please take care of yourself.
Farewell, Father.
Good bye, everybody.
Wait there! Stop!
Wait there!
Kyubei! Do you remember me?
Oshina's father, Tozaburo!
Why, Tozaburo...
You're a dog! You killed my daughter!
What are you saying? If Oshina died, it wasn't my doing.
She was ill.
And you're just telling me that now?
Don't worry. I'm taking you home.
Give me that girl's contract!
And take your thirty coins! Give me her contract!
Give it to me! Give me the contract!
Who do you think you are?
One moment!
So, Kyubei... Still in this dirty business?
Will you ever change?
Let go of him!
I should never have doubted you. Forgive me, Tozaburo.
Your kindness is an example to all of us.
I apologize.
Hey, Kyubei... give it to me.
Hand it over!
Hand it over in the name of the law!
Hurry up!
Tozaburo, is that it?
Thank you, sir.
You bastard!
You have nothing to fear now.
Let's return home together. My village is close to yours.
A great many thanks to you, sir. You've saved us.
Thank you, sir.
Not at all.
When I look at you, I feel that my daughter is still alive
and I can tell myself that I didn't slave for nothing.
Let's stop crying and get ready.
Make way for his lordship!
Master, are we leaving?
I'll make arrangements, sir.
Thank you very much!
You're leaving, sir?
We won't see each other again, will we?
Oh? Why's that?
I'm heading towards Izu.
Is that so?
Our ways part here.
So be it.
Where's Jiro?
He's playing with Okin on the beach.
I see.
Your things, Master.
I can never thank you enough, sir.
May the gods protect you.
Thank you.
All's ended well.
Thanks to you, sir.
I'm beside myself with joy.
We're very happy for you.
Thanks to Otane, I'll be able to overcome my grief.
If it pleases Fate, I hope we'll meet again one day, sir.
Destiny is strange, is it not?
I wish you luck and happiness.
Farewell.
Genta... I envy those people.
I like their simplicity.
They know the true spirit of kindness.
Where are you going, Master?
Master!
Master, where are you going?
Master!
- Master? - Welcome. Come in.
Master, we ought to be on our way.
Bring us some sake.
- Master, we don't need any sake. - Quiet.
But we'll be in Edo very soon. Please be patient.
Genta, I feel like a drink. So be quiet.
Come on in.
Come in, Genta.
It's just that...
Sit across from me.
Genta. ....
You are Genta. You are not Kojuro. - Eh?
It's very simple. You are you, and I am me.
Yes, that's right.
Kojuro is Kojuro. He is not Genta.
As you say, sir.
Genta, listen to me...
Kojuro is Kojuro, Genta is Genta. Do we agree on that?
"A retainer's achievement is his master's achievement"? Isn't that odd?
Jiro, where will you go?
- To Edo. - All alone?
No, with the spear carrier!
- Jiro, do you have a father? - No.
- Or a mother? - Neither.
- What about you? - I have a mother!
Do we, the samurai, deserve our high status?
I envy those people we've just met.
Their hearts are pure and their acts sincere.
For a fake exploit, a fake award. What can one do?
If you are your master's shadow,
then it's logical that I too am my master's shadow.
But whose shadow is my lord?
It's ridiculous!
All sit!
Hey, bring us sake!
Have a drink with us.
Excuse me.
Whatever next?
A servant sitting at his master's table? It's unacceptable!
You must be a samurai unworthy of his rank.
Why unworthy?
What does it matter if he's a servant? We're just drinking together, that's all.
- I'm embarrassed by your inanity. - What?
Am I not right? Every samurai must uphold his rank.
You are doing us a grave dishonor!
How dare you?
Come, then...
Come on.
Come on!
Please stop.
I beg you, please stop.
I beg you! Stop!
I beg you!
Where's the spearman?
- He's on the beach. - This is awful!
- Spearman! Your master's in danger! - What's happened?
Several samurai are fighting against him!
Make way! Make way!
You scum!
You've some nerve, you impudent servant!
Come on.
What of it?
Get back, you coward!
My master!
MASTER. GENTA.
Having fully reviewed the circumstances,
we feel that Gonpachi has shown great bravery in avenging his master,
and he will benefit from our leniency.
The local authorities have favorably mentioned his name to Lord Matsudaira.
Our lordship's answer, after all, is thoroughly logical:
"No one in our realm is stupid enough to get killed by a servant."
Consequently, for the murder of five samurai,
Gonpachi will not be punished.
The lordship shows great wisdom!
Let him through, everyone!
Old man!
Take me with you!
No. You mustn't follow me anymore.
I want to become a warrior! A spear carrier!
- A spear carrier? - Please, take me with you!
You fool! Never become a spear carrier.
Now go away!
You're a mean old bastard!
He's gone.
THE END