Toho Co., Ltd.
A Toho Ltd., Japan Broadcasting Ltd., Suntory Ltd. Production
Produced by Toho Films, Ltd.
100 year anniversary o1 the birth o1 motion pictures: Chushingura
The 47 Ronin
October, 1702.
Oishi Kuranosuke, after crossing Fujisawa, has in1iltrated Kamakura.
Signpost (left): ''Od8w8r8 Hotel District'' Signpost (right): ''Shin8g8w8 Hotel District''
Rest8ur8nt K8m8kur8 Ak8shi
The Uesugi clan o1 Yonezawa, worth 15O,OOO-koku, has a mansion in the Sota-Sakurada district o1 Edo.
This Kamakura restaurant is managed by people connected to the Asano clan.
lrobe Matashiro, the Edo chamberlain o1 the Uesugi clan...
...is disturbed by reports that Oishi Kuranosuke...
...has vanished 1rom his lodgings in Kyoto, and cannot be located.
Sir Irobe, Chie1 Inspector Yamazono Shinpachi has returned 1rom Kyoto.
This is Kira's new mansion?
This is not the mansion o1 a samurai.
Correct, it's deliberately deceptive. It's actually a 1ortress.
The walls that separate the rooms are well-1orti1ied.
They're designed to block invaders.
The garden contains a labyrinth o1 walls.
lt's practically a maze.
And what's this?
A moat?
ls it deep?
We don't know.
The Uesugi clan o1 Yonezawa used its connections to get the materials.
The construction crews were all imported 1rom Yonezawa; no local workmen were used.
The enemy is expecting us to assault them.
They've constructed impressive de1enses while maintaining excellent security.
So the question is, how do we assault it?
Shinpachi! What's the meaning o1 this report?
Sir?
And you call yoursel1 a spy?
Yes, sir.
Yoshida Chuzaemon, Onodera Junai, and the entire core group... all gone missing.
But the chessmen are unimportant.
What matters is the player.
Oishi is the player who moves them around.
l ordered you to keep close tabs on them, yet they've eluded you 1or 20 days.
My apologies.
Did you comb the routes east o1 Hakone?
Certainly.
l have been summoned to attend upon Sir Chisaka.
Probably regarding this very issue.
Listen. Assign additional detectives and scouts to the Edo area.
lmmediately.
Damn him!
Huh?
That bastard Oishi...
Chamberlain, is the water suitably heated?
Okuda, it's you.
''Hinoki:'' 8 high-qu8lity, scented wood th8t is extremely resist8nt to rot.
Could you use a back scrub?
Sure, thanks.
Yes.
ls this your 1irst visit to our restaurant?
Yes.
3 years ago, after Mori Yosuke, the Kitchen Master o1 the Edo mansion, died...
...you arranged 1or his young widow to be given this restaurant as a gift.
lt's turned out to be quite use1ul.
The walls o1 Kira's mansion are something else, aren't they.
Our enemy is the wiliest o1 the wily, the trickiest o1 the tricky.
The more we attack them, the more elaborate their de1enses become.
l see.
Now about this enemy.
Have you heard what Irobe Matashiro o1 Uesugi has been saying about you, Chamberlain?
No. What's he been saying?
''That Oishi, he's a villain committing one evil deed after another!''
''l'll eat him alive, and even that won't satis1y my hatred o1 him.''
lt seems l'm intensely hated.
Okuda.
Li1e itsel1...
...cannot be bought at any price.
lt is precious.
But i1 taking the lives o1 our enemies...
...knowing that doing so will mean our own deaths...
...is evil, then let me revel in it...
...let me be evil incarnate.
That's what l believe, that such is my path as a samurai.
Miss Kiyo...?
l brought 1resh clothes.
And Chuzaemon and Junai... what are those old gentlemen up to?
They said they're going to nap until dinner.
lt has been a Iong time.
Mr. Okuda has been taking good care o1 me.
Good.
lt's getting rather chilly.
For the next 1our or 1ive days, all the employees will be trustworthy.
Everyone who's worked here 1or less than a year or so has been given time o11.
Please set your mind at ease.
You must be having a run o1 good 1ortune.
l've heard business is thriving; this Hinoki bath proves it.
Yes, thank1ully... and the tub arrived just in time.
Did you get it just 1or me?
And taking care o1 you... is that also my good 1ortune?
l don't want to think o1 it that way. l...
l believe that this is 1ate. That's what l want to believe.
Ever since we met at the Edo mansion...
lt's our 1ate, and it's what l live 1or!
ln a rustic teahouse with a thatched roo1...
...we 1ind the Head Chamberlain o1 the Uesugi clan, Chisaka Hyobu.
His income is 10,OOO-koku, a sum that many Daimyo would envy.
At this time, he was in Edo, away 1rom his home in Yonezawa.
Can you de1eat Oishi?
What?
Oishi is renowned 1or his cunning.
ln that respect, you are no match 1or him.
However, no matter what, we must protect Sir Kira.
After all, our noble clan still exists only because...
...o1 the in1luence o1 Sir Kira.
And so this 1ormer chamberlain plagues our Uesugi clan.
He has 1orced us to spend so much money that our 1ate is uncertain.
l1 l may speak in return.
Regarding the cost o1 the two renovations to his mansion...
...and all the other expenses, l too 1eel like l've been bitten down to the bone.
Nonetheless, l believe it's a matter o1 samurai dignity.
Ah... It's true what they say...
''...a samurai who doesn't understand accounting is useless.''
Two days later, Oishi Kuranosuke moved his team 1rom Kamakura to Kawasaki.
The team consisted o1 men who accompanied him 1rom Kyoto:
Yoshida Chuzaemon, Onodera Junai...
...Fuwa Kazuemon, and Seo Magozaemon...
...as well as others who were based in Edo: Okuda Magodayu...
...Horibe Yasubei, Ushioda Makanojo...
...Takebayashi Tadashichi, and Maebara Isuke; ten men in all.
The team arrived at the Karube plantation at Hirama Village in Kawasaki.
The Karube, while not samurai, had deep ties with the Edo branch o1 the Asano clan.
The village was considered ideal 1or secret meetings, as 1ew people came and went.
At this secret con1erence, they were joined by six men 1rom Edo, including Horibe Yahei.
Hey, Yasubei.
Yes, 1ather-in-law.
The Kira mansion seemed impregnable; they were outnumbered three-to-one...
...and any attack must be launched quickly.
How would they overcome these obstacles?
The con1erence continued into a third day.
Hey...
What?
Where is the chamberlain?
Sir samurai, you should make it wider.
Where?
Here, right here, see?
We've been looking 1or you. What are you doing?
Well... l thought l had made arrangements to obtain all the weapons we'll need...
...but it turns out l'd 1orgotten something crucial.
Huh?
lt's this. The kids showed me how to make it.
A whistle...?
l get it. The Kira mansion is huge... 2,5OO-tsubo.
There's a good chance that commands won't be heard during a night attack.
But coded signals by whistle would carry much 1urther. What a 1ine idea!
They say that the harvest will be poor i1 the bamboo-1lower blooms.
Huh?
That's what his Lordship said.
That was when...
...our Lord was but ten years old.
''Kuranosuke...
''...they say that i1 the bamboo-1lower blooms, the harvest will be poor.''
''Will the 1armers survive?''
''Do they have enough rice?''
l...
...was moved by our Lord's tender heart.
l said to his Lordship:
''For decades, the Ako clan has diligently stored rice, salt, gold, and silver...
''...so, my Lord... you need not worry about one or two poor harvests.''
Our Lord then said:
''We are happy to have such good citizens and ministers.''
He held my hand with tears in his eyes.
But his Lordship is no longer with us.
lt was one year and eight months ago.
What happened to him?
1 year and 8 months ago: the 14th year o1 the Genroku period, 3rd month, 14th day.
Edo Castle
Calm has returned.
Blood has de1iled thirty tatami mats.
Gentlemen whose garments have been de1iled by blood...
...please change your robes in the inner room.
Calm has returned...
Sir Yanagisawa.
At your service.
l was told that the ceremony will now be held at Kurosho-in Hall.
Such was the decision.
Has the Imperial envoy agreed to the change?
Lord Asano will be replaced by Lord Toda.
He, along with Sir Hatakeyama, will visit the envoy in order to gain his assent.
Why did Asano attack Sir Kira? Have you 1ound out what happened?
lt is currently under investigation. Please excuse me, but matters are pressing.
Stay here.
Yes sir.
l came as soon as l got your order.
We now 1ind ourselves in uncertain waters.
Yes sir.
...it is an easy matter to judge Asano and Kira by law.
But our 1uture prospects may well depend on how this matter is handled.
You must decide, here and now, how to proceed.
Here's a summary o1 the Inspector's 1indings.
lt is an Inspector's duty to investigate such matters.
And yet you secretly summon me, o1 the Uesugi clan, to this small guardhouse.
l assume that you have a good reason 1or doing so.
lt is as you suspect. Now decide, quickly!
Asano said that he had a grievance, and Sir Kira claims to not know why.
Either way, the true cause 1or the attack is unknown.
And what would be the particular advantage in 1inding the cause?
Hmm?
Firstly, Lord Asano...
...1or the grave crime o1 in1licting a sword wound in the castle sanctum...
...will be ordered to commit seppuku tonight.
What? Immediately?!
l1 we let a night go by, Asano will regain his composure.
l believe it is essential to execute him while he's still upset.
You must ensure that he does not write a 1inal testament.
For now, l suggest that you keep the details o1 Sir Kira's condition secret.
This will help prevent the spread o1 rumors.
l understand... and it shall be done.
Thus, the good names o1 Kira and Uesugi will be protected.
And your authority, Sir Yanagisawa, will also be preserved.
Everything 1its together nicely.
However...
Kira is old and doesn't have Iong to live in any case.
lt's such a pity that he survived.
Ei-ho, ei-ho, ei-ho, ei-ho...
Don't stop! Don't stop!
Clear the path! Clear the path!
Ako, Banshu Province
Master.
Seo, what is it?
Salt Shipment Records
We've received an urgent message 1rom Sir Mase at the castle.
What?
Yes... An express courier is expected to arrive soon 1rom Edo.
Will you be going to the castle?
Still awake?
Yes.
Kichichiyo is a little under the weather.
Have you been called away?
An express courier is expected 1rom Edo.
Fuh was playing here, and 1ell asleep.
Don't worry about her. Ever since we adopted her...
...l've thought o1 Fuh as my own child, just like Kichichiyo.
l'm grate1ul 1or all your hard work.
Should l get your things ready?
Yes. Please.
Yes.
My hunches have been accurate lately.
You expected an express courier?
lt's approximately 155-ri 1rom Edo to Ako; even an express courier would require 1ive days.
Five days ago, so that would be...
...the 1ourteenth day o1 the third month.
That's the day our Lordship was to entertain the imperial envoy.
Exactly.
Do you think something happened?
Ako Castle
Sir Oishi! Sir Oishi!
What does the message 1rom Edo say?
The Imperial envoy arrived at the castle on the 14th day o1 the third month...
...whereupon Lord Asano, who attended the welcoming ceremony...
...in1licted a sword-wound upon Sir Kira while on the castle premises.
Sir Kira? Wounded?
This doesn't explain anything!
Sir Ono, please calm yoursel1.
This is a dire crisis 1or our clan! How can you tell me to be calm, Sir Yoshida Chusa?
A second messenger is bound to arrive soon.
The second express courier is here!
Open the gate!
Lord Oishi ordered all 260 retainers o1 the Ako 1ie1dom to assemble.
But where is he?
Has it been con1irmed that our Lord had to commit seppuku?
Doesn't the law say that all involved must be punished equally?
What happened to Kira?
Kanzaki what will become o1 the Ako 1ie1?'
No Daimyo that in1licted a sword-wound has ever been allowed to live.
Good job.
ln the third month, on the 14th day, at the Edo castle, our Lord...
...wounded Sir Kira Yoshinaka by means o1 his sword.
Our Lord committed seppuku that very night.
The Ako clan has been abolished.
We would all like to know why this happened, but 1or now, this is all we know.
All o1 you...
Let there not be the slightest misstep in surrendering the Ako 1ie1.
Let us 1lawlessly per1orm this 1inal responsibility.
That is all there is to say.
Chamberlain.
Ah... Kazuemon.
Did you make sure that no one saw you?
Yes. l will travel the 30-ri to Osaka as 1ast as l can.
Depart immediately.
l will ask Amakawaya Mercantile to immediately settle our salt 1utures.
When they lose their 1ie1, they will not be 8ble to 1ul1ill these contr8cts.
For the samurai o1 Ako, the money we save by settling now will make all the di11erence.
l, Kazuemon, know that this is my last opportunity to serve the clan.
l will exert mysel1 to the utmost. Goodbye.
Edo, Yanagisawa Mansion
lt's been twenty days since the incident. What's going on with the Asano?
Well... here in Edo, everything is going as expected.
About twenty samurai have returned to Ako.
Others have moved to outlying towns, and are waiting 1or their 1inancial settlement.
And... how about in Ako?
According to our spies...
...excluding the Edo retainers, there are around 300 men at the 1ie1...
...and, quite unexpectedly, they have accepted the situation...
...and are busying themselves tying up loose ends.
And so... the 1ie1 appears to be entirely peace1ul.
That's splendid!
Who is in charge there?
The head chamberlain, one Oishi Kuranosuke.
''Oishi?'' l've never heard o1 him.
lt's said that no one can tell i1 he's clever or 1oolish.
But, you say there are 300 o1 them.
We can only spare 1ifty or sixty men 1rom Wakisaka to garrison their castle...
...and perhaps add twenty or thirty more 1rom Kinoshita.
What will happen i1 they all decide to resist?
Sir Yanagisawa...
Such bravado would be 1utile and doomed to 1ailure.
At the 1ie1, there's 1ierce debate about the merits o1 surrender or resistance.
We will have to make a decision soon.
l look 1orward to 1inding out what provoked our Iate Lord. l anxiously await news 1rom Edo.
There must be a reason 1or what happened.
A group 1rom the Shogunate has already arrived.
Yes, l heard that they'll be moving into Ako castle on the 18th.
That gives us only 1ive days... there's no time to lose.
Father.
Yes, Chikara?
Sir Okuda, Sir Horibe, and Sir Takada have arrived 1rom Edo.
Oh, we've been waiting 1or you!
Tomorrow will be the 1inal meeting... l'm glad you got here in time.
Please 1orgive our delay in arriving.
l know this was di11icult 1or you... thank you.
Yes... we now have a 1air idea o1 what happened.
Takada Gunbei's uncle, a high-ranking retainer, was most help1ul during the investigation.
Nobody in the government knows the true 1acts o1 the case... there was no investigation.
No investigation...?
Minister Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu 1orbade all inquiries.
We've heard that anyone who tried to look into it was disciplined.
We suspect that Yanagisawa did this in order to protect himsel1.
We also discovered that someone was discreetly telling him what to do.
Who...?
lrobe Matashiro, Chamberlain o1 the Uesugi, a Yonezawa clan worth 15O,OOO-koku.
There is no doubt that he was behind it all.
lrobe...
This Irobe... do you know him?
No, l've never met him. But...
...he's considered to be the most in1luential man o1 his generation.
Good job.
As you ordered, l have sold all the salt.
l see.
Mr. Amakawaya told me that l got there just in time.
Here's the accounting statement; our balance now is 23,OOO-ryo.
23,OOO?
Yes... l, too, was stunned by the amount.
As8no's Poem: ''Like 8 pet8l, 8t the mercy o1 the wind, l 8m bu11eted by the winds o1 18te.''
Today is the 1inal day o1 the Asano clan o1 Ako.
We have lost our 1ie1, and are now all ronin.
The Chamberlain will address you as to what is about to happen.
But 1irst, we have an announcement regarding 1ie1 1inances.
Some time ago, the Chamberlain created a 1und 1or use in times o1 emergency.
lt now totals 16,300-ryo.
This money... is the legacy o1 the hard work o1 our predecessors.
Needless to say, we shall not let the Government steal it 1rom us.
Hence we have decided to disburse equal shares to everyone here.
Each person's share will be 90-ryo.
As to how you spend it, that is up to you.
We don't care about the money!
l'm ready to sacri1ice mysel1!
Regarding that point...
l, Kuranosuke, have some thoughts. But be1ore l tell you...
...there is something that l would like to ask o1 you. Sir Onodera...
Your lives, and your deaths...
...those o1 you who are willing to give them to me, without question...
...must now vow to do so, and sign here, in blood.
Why did the Chamberlain summon us here?
Hmm... who knows?
Shindo, you're his relative. Have you heard anything?
Well... l know nothing.
lt's the Chamberlain.
Sorry to keep you all waiting.
l have gathered the ones named.
At today's meeting, l asked the retainers 1or a blood oath.
But l have no intention o1 counting on them.
What l propose to do will be done by men l have already chosen.
You, gathered here tonight, are those men.
Chamberlain! So... we will neither resist, give up, or kill ourselves?
His Lordship has been taken 1rom us by deceit.
Our land has been taken... the truth about our Lordship's attack has been hidden...
...and they have made us ronin. The enemy showed no mercy and no honor!
We... shall take every opportunity, use every possible means...
...to in1lict vengeance upon Kira and crush his clan. And that is not all.
We shall 1orever blacken the reputation o1 the Uesugi...
...and shatter the dignity o1 the Shogunate and Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu.
All o1 you must accept...
...that this crusade will cost you your lives!
Agreed...?!
AYE!
Kyoto (the Capital, home o1 the Emperor)
Excuse me.
Chamberlain.
Anyone with you?
No, l came alone, but l got a little lost along the way.
That was risky.
l was told that the streets o1 Kyoto were straight1orward.
Please, come in.
This is Ichimonjiya, maker o1 1ine brushes, and o11icial supplier to the Konoe 1amily.
This is Sir Oishi.
l hope you 1ound the residence at Yamashina to your liking.
lchimonjiya was the one who 1ound it 1or you.
l was told that you desired something between Ako and Edo...
...so l thought Yamashina would be best.
l'm much obliged. It's a quiet area, and my 1amily is happy there.
Please.
Do we need to speak in private?
Oh... l need some more brush hairs.
Genshiro, l must ask you to apply 1or a position.
Are you asking 1or me to leave the group?
The Kanpaku is a Konoe, and your uncle is one o1 his o11icials.
And...?
None o1 the Ako and Asano ronin must be allowed to 1all into poverty or crime.
l1 you go to work 1or your uncle, you may be able to 1ind positions 1or some o1 them.
You're very worried about them.
l know that it will be hard 1or you to Ieave here, but l must ask this.
A guest? Welcome!
You were sound asleep.
Come now, get our guest some tea.
Sure.
Mr. Shindo, you're 1orgetting your promise!
Promise?
You promised to take me to Kurama Temple.
Did l?
How disappointing... l guess you didn't mean it.
ls she your daughter?
Yes...
Her name is Karu.
Yamashina
My lady! Let me do that.
lt's all right.
Why have you sent your servants away all o1 a sudden?
Was it your husband's idea?
lt was my idea.
What?
We're not in Ako any more.
l can't let us be surrounded by strangers.
From now on, we have to be care1ul about who comes and goes.
Sorry to barge in. l announced mysel1 at the door but no one answered.
And you are?
Gihei o1 Amakawaya Mercantile o1 Tenman, in Osaka.
Ah... l'm honored to meet you...
''Ass8ult We8pons List''
Amakawaya, what we need 1rom you...
...are the weapons, armor, clothing, and other supplies listed in that book...
...delivered, o1 course, in complete secrecy.
As nothing we can pay you in this world will cover the debt we are incurring...
...we pray that you will continue to assist us, as you have 1or over twenty years.
For you to ask a mere merchant such as l to assist in such a great undertaking...
...is to do me an honor that 1ills my heart with joy.
l, Amakawaya Gihei, will gladly give my li1e to help you.
Ah... No, please don't bow! It is l who am grate1ul to you.
Well then, let us get on to the business at hand.
''Avent8ils:'' 8rmor th8t h8ngs down 1rom 8 helmet 8nd protects the 18ce 8nd neck.
Those things get too hot.
Perhaps the raid can take place when it's cold and snowy?
We don't know yet. However...
l want there to be no casualties on our side.
l'm most impressed by how much you've thought this through.
By the way, what will be the pretext 1or the raid?
We don't need one.
No.
Amakawaya makes a good point.
The abolition o1 Ako and Asano was the Government's decision, not Kira's.
So what then is our pretext 1or vengeance against Kira?
Well, no one knows the true reason behind our Lordship's assault.
So anything we come up with that sounds plausible will work.
We'll spread rumors that will invoke scorn and disgust...
...1rom the Shogunate right down to the common towns1olk.
Kazuemon.
Here's 200-ryo in silver.
Send it, plus another 800-ryo, to Okuda in Edo. Use it to spread the rumors.
What? Extortion?
Yes. A malicious rumor is running around Edo.
lt says that Sir Kira demanded money 1rom all the Daimyo...
...whom he was instructing in the nuances o1 court etiquette.
Lord Asano didn't pay, so Kira made sure he made embarrassing mistakes...
...until 1inally, unable to stand it anymore, he lashed out at his tormentor.
lt's being spread in small theatres in the Ueno, Ryogoku, and Asakusa areas...
...as well as hairdressing salons in the same area, correct?
Yes.
Has word o1 this reached the Shogun?
Yeah. He is exceptionally displeased.
''Sir Kira is avaricious and wicked, Asano is the epitome o1 integrity''... it's utterly absurd!
lrobe, have you investigated the source o1 the rumors?
What?
There are those who would be happy to see Sir Kira disgraced.
You don't mean...?
l do mean.
Ako and Asano...
This must be Oishi's work.
What do you think?
lt looks like they're going to attack.
They've been observing us 1or several days. And they're clearly 1rom Edo.
And the sea-shells?
Scattered, as ordered.
Everybody ready?
Yes.
All right.
Kazuemon, you wait 1or them in the hallway.
Chikara, give me your sword.
Relax.
Yes sir.
You must be Oishi Kuranosuke o1 Ako! You're mine!
Did you get him?
Yes. Father... l killed him!
lt's all over.
Kichichiyo, all o1 you... don't come out yet.
Yes.
The garden and living room are a little messy.
This is the 1irst time l've seen you kill anyone.
What?
l'm sorry, l was peeking through the gate.
That was dangerous.
And to be honest, this was my 1irst time too.
Riku...
You have to take the children and move. More assassins may come.
No.
l will see this through to the end.
Sir Kira.
Ako-Asano ronin have spread out around Edo, waiting 1or their chance to attack.
lt is dangerous 1or you to go out.
l, Kobayashi Heihachiro, Chamberlain o1 the Kira clan, must take 1ull security measures.
The rumors have deeply a11ected me. l came to the temple to ease my mind.
The prelate o1 this temple and l have been acquaintances 1or many years.
Nonetheless, it is a horrible rumor. Accusing me o1 extortion...
The Shogunate doesn't believe it, l hope?
''Supernumer8ry:'' 8n extr8 h8nd who is 8v8il8ble i1 needed; in this c8se, e11ectively unemployed.
What crime did Sir Kira commit to deserve such treatment?
J He asked them to reconsider but they are adamant.
Yanagisawa asked on my behal1?
False rumors in1ect the populace... ''Asano must be pitied...''
''...and Kira must be despised.''
But l too have my pride.
Yes sir.
l will retire be1ore they strip me o1 my authority.
Shumokumachi, Fushimi
What? Kira retired?
Correct.
Here's the report...
As o1 the 26th o1 the 8th month, our enemy Kira Kouzukenosuke was relieved o1 his post.
His adopted son, Sahei Yoshichika, took his o11ice, after he was 1orced to retire.
So our ploy has borne 1ruit.
Kira's mansion is within the outer ramparts o1 the Edo castle.
lt is behind the gates o1 Go1uku-bashi, amidst the mansions o1 the Daimyo.
Hence, we must induce Kira to change residences.
How?
Once again, rumors will be our allies.
Daimyo and Shogunate retainers with mansions behind the gates o1 Go1uku-bashi...
...have deployed round- the-clock security...
...in case the Ako ronin act on the extortion rumors.
This has been extremely costly 1or them.
Since the request 1or moving residences, over ten places have been checked.
lrobe, l do hope that the consequences are obvious to you.
Soon Kira will be ordered to move.
The Ako-Asano lost their Teppo-zu mansion in a single night. Now it's your turn.
Excuse me sir, but...
What is it? The Shogun has ordered me to attend him at the castle.
Can't the Shogunate do anything to quell the rumors?
They will do nothing. The government abolished the Asano clan...
...and Asano's o11icials complied without resistance; the rest is a private matter.
The same goes 1or me.
So this will be a private battle between Kira, Uesugi, and the ronin o1 Ako.
And we're left to deal with it on our own.
Oishi will assuredly assault us i1 we move outside Edo castle.
How did it come to this?
Anyway...
We won't lose.
Gunbei. Draw your sword!
l won't.
Then die.
Stop it, both o1 you!
Yasubei. Listen to what Gunbei's got to say.
He swore a blood-oath. l won't allow him to leave!
Gunbei has no choice, he has to Ieave 1or the sake o1 his uncle.
lt's true. My uncle is a Shogunate retainer. He's over 70, lives alone, and is sickly.
He wants to adopt me, so that his 1amily line will not die with him!
Yasubei, please understand!
We all have problems. l do, Okuda does too.
Gunbei, is there a job waiting 1or you?
l'm to be a librarian.
What's it pay?
25O koku.
Did someone suggest this to your uncle?
l don't know.
Was it Yanagisawa? Or maybe Irobe?
How am l supposed to know?!
Kill me! Yasubei, i1 you do it, l'll have no regrets!
We've walked the road o1 the sword together 1or a long time.
Forgive me! Money has corrupted me!
l, Horibe Yahei, leader o1 the Edo group, am ashamed by all the recent dropouts.
l've been driving mysel1 to distraction over it.
Someone is behind it all.
Many are being o11ered unusually high-paying positions.
l expect that the dropout rate will increase.
Welcome back.
Yasubei, how's Gunbei?
So they got to Gunbei too...
What will Oishi think when he reads this?
Oh... your tea is getting cold.
Sir Yasubei will walk the road o1 vengeance again, won't he?
Hori.
Yes?
When l heard o1 Yasubei's 1amous 1ight at Takada-no-baba, my heart soared.
That was why l arranged 1or you to marry him. Did l do the right thing?
l'm very happy.
Really?
Yes.
Oh... you startled me.
l need a brush.
Welcome. My 1ather's gone to deliver some brushes to the Konoe 1amily.
l see. l'll come back later.
You're... Mr. Oishi, right?
Yeah.
l got some delicious pickles. Want some?
Pickles? That sounds good.
l didn't pickle them, but they're delicious!
Here.
Where did you learn to do that?
l hold a certi1icate 1rom the Togun school o1 swordsmanship.
Huh?
Here.
Thanks.
l'm a lousy cook.
Does your mother do the cooking?
Yeah.
But we don't get along.
Why?
She's not my real mom.
My dad had me with a servant who was working here.
Where's your real mother now?
She got sent back home, and they said she got sick and died.
Oh... l'm sorry 1or prying; l shouldn't have brought it up.
Here, enjoy.
lt's just as you said, it tastes very good.
Did you get to go to Kurama?
No. Mr. Shindo is all talk!
Do you want me to take you?
What? No kidding?
When l get back 1rom Edo.
So you're going to Edo, huh?
lt's urgent.
lt's very 1ar away, isn't it?
Yes... very 1ar...
l know what, why don't you write something with the brush you're going to buy?
Just a second, l'll be right back.
And whatever you write... l want to see it!
''K8ru''
That's my name. Such large and gentle characters...
''Ka-ru...'' What a nice name. For the 1irst time, l actually like it.
Nanbuzaka, 2nd Asano Mansion
Sir Kuranosuke, l am gladdened by your visit.
lt has been almost a year since the incident.
But as to why our Lordship Iashed out...
...no one would tell me.
Do you not know either?
Even now...
...no matter what l say...
...l am unable to ease your Ladyship's sorrow. But...
l believe that a person's li1e depends on 1ate.
Your Ladyship, the day will come when you are 1ree to live your own li1e.
l believe that with all my heart.
l ask that you live in anticipation o1 the happy days to come.
Sir Kuranosuke...
The words you have spoken shall sustain me.
You have something to tell me in con1idence?
l came to make a request o1 you.
Let's hear it.
l want to rebuild Sir Kira's original mansion at Honjo Matsuzaka-cho.
Rebuild? Does Chisaka know about this?
l will ensure that Sir Chisaka approves o1 it.
But... it will cost a 1ortune.
l am quite apprised o1 that 1act.
ln that case, do what you want.
Thank you very much.
Who are you?
l believe you have Irobe Matashiro in that palanquin.
l am an Ako ronin, Okuda Magodaiyu.
What?!
Wait.
lndeed, l am Irobe.
l apologize 1or stopping you. Could you spare me an hour?
A certain gentleman wishes to meet with you.
l'm coming out.
Yes, sir.
Well, then... what's this all about?
You will 1ind him over there.
He is the 1ormer Chamberlain o1 Ako, Oishi Kuranosuke.
Wait here.
Please...
Something to warm you up. Please.
What is it that you want?
Actually, l want nothing at all. But...
l wanted to meet you.
l con1ess to the same desire.
Towns1olk settle their di11erences by bickering, but not so 1or samurai.
Be that as it may, your riposte was quite stinging.
The same goes 1or us as well.
From now on...
...we just want to live honorable lives, as true samurai.
When will you be returning to Yamashina?
lndeed...
...that must be left up to the winds o1 1ate.
Why did you want to visit Kurama?
l didn't care, anywhere would have been 1ine.
What?
Anywhere that isn't that house.
That's good.
Another scoop?
Sure.
Your hands are so cold.
Karu, you ask nothing about me.
Do l have to ask?
No.
l don't know how much time you can spend with me.
But l want to make a li1elong memory...
...together with you.
lndulge me...
...my Lord.
There. Look how pretty you've become.
Well... Iooks like 1ine work to me.
Good. Go show it to Magosa.
Yes.
Now then, go out and play.
Okay.
You look so pretty, Fuh.
Fuh! Fuh! Come over here.
Okay!
Autumn comes early to these mountain valleys.
Riku...
lt seems...
...the time has come 1or us to part.
Yes.
l deliberately didn't tell you anything...
...but l know that you're aware o1 the situation.
You're talking about attacking Sir Kira?
l1 we...
...make war during these peace1ul times...
...win or lose, the Shogunate will in1lict a severe punishment.
This punishment will 1all not only upon us...
...but also upon our heirs and relatives.
l am sorry.
l have...
...made you su11er so much.
l want all o1 you to live on.
Chikara... he's going with you, isn't he.
Forgive me.
Does Chikara know he's going?
l told him this morning.
ln this undertaking...
...many 1athers and sons are 1ighting together.
As their leader, l cannot make an exception 1or my own son.
We'll have to have a manhood ceremony 1or Chikara.
Let me give him his manly haircut.
All right.
Mim8s8k8y8 Merc8ntile
Hey... Kanzaki.
That's Zenbei o1 Chojiya Mercantile to you.
Oh yeah... and l'm Gohei o1 Mimasakaya Mercantile.
What's the status o1 the Kira mansion?
Looks like they're close to 1inishing it.
Can you believe our luck, getting a place right across 1rom it?
What've you got?
l had these checked out by a carpenter 1riend who's working there.
My... this is quite detailed.
There's a well between the plaster-wall route and the samurai quarters.
What's the well 1or?
Let's combine the maps.
Sagano, west o1 Kyoto
So, almost everyone should be at Edo by now.
Yes.
lt's such a pity. You've just 1ound her this cozy house.
Karu is so happy.
My Lord, you're here! And Seo too.
Where did you go?
Oh... l went to buy some 1ish.
l have to get prepared 1or the trip to Edo. l1 you'll excuse me...
Do you have to go to Edo again?
Only 1or a while, so l came to see you.
l haven't seen you in twenty days. How sad 1or me...
Has it been that long?
When will you be back?
lt'll be around... the end o1 the year.
You will be returning to Kyoto, won't you?
This trip should settle matters.
After l return, l'll never Ieave again.
l plan to live here 1or the rest o1 my li1e.
Please... Please come back!
l'm going to have a baby.
What?
l've been sick recently, but it turns out it was just morning sickness.
l see...
lsn't it happy news 1or you?
Why didn't you tell me right away? It's cause 1or celebration.
Oh good... l'm glad!
l'll go get some sake so we can celebrate.
15th year o1 the Genroku period, 11th month, 5th day.
lt is the year 1702 in the western calendar, the 15th year o1 the Genroku period.
Early in the 11th month, Oishi Kuranosuke...
...after a secret meeting at the village o1 Hirama in Kawasaki...
...in1iltrated Edo along with his comrades.
Kuranosuke went to the home o1 Koyama Yahei...
...at Nihonbashi-kokucho, where Chikara had been staying.
He traveled under the pseudonym o1 Ikeda Kyuemon.
Several shops along the canal were used to secretly prepare 1or the assault.
Maebara Isuke's Mimasakaya Mercantile was one o1 them.
Amakawaya Mercantile was thus able to make good use o1 the canal...
...in order to smuggle in weapons, armor, and other materials.
lt's here.
By day, they laid low, doing all their work in the dead o1 night.
''Please allow Sir Kira to retire early, be1ore the spring, at Yonezawa.''
The letter's 1rom Chisaka Hyobu.
lt reached us today 1rom Yonezawa.
Are you going to agree to it?
Yes...
But it can't be done be1ore the end o1 the year.
l'll get the Shogun's permission 1irst thing in the new year.
Hara Souemon, are you home?
Chamberlain.
Are you alone?
Yes, my wi1e and daughter went back to Yonezawa 1ive days ago.
My wi1e's originally 1rom Yonezawa, and so she was getting homesick.
Doing maintenance on your bow?
Yes...
lt's nearly time.
l've heard that a lot o1 us are dropping out.
To trade all o1 your hopes and dreams...
...in return 1or an early death... that is not an easy thing to do.
Why hasn't Lord Chisaka o1 Uesugi o11ered me a position?
You didn't get an o11er?
When my 1ather lost his position with the Uesugi...
...Lord Chisaka provided him with a secret pension.
When my 1ather died and l was summoned to the Ako 1ie1...
...Lord Chisaka said to me: ''The blood o1 Uesugi courses in your veins.''
''Always keep in your heart the memory o1 the land o1 your 1ore1athers.''
''But now you must dedicate your li1e to Ako-Asano.''
To this day, l haven't 1orgotten Lord Chisaka's advice.
Chamberlain.
Can you pull it?
How many Uesugi will be trans1ixed by this bow at the Kira mansion?
Splendid.
Kira Kouzukenosuke's new mansion was 2,55O-tsubo in size.
Apart 1rom the main wing, on three sides, east, west, and south...
...two-story apartments had been built 1or his samurai.
The broad garden was the 1ocus o1 their de1ensive arrangements.
So Yonezawa it is...?
lt is in snow country, and inconvenient, but it is merely a temporary measure.
lrobe... are you speaking 1rom the heart to me?
Pardon?
l wonder. For what have l su11ered this past year and nine months?
We have both been a11licted by many troubles.
We've endured terrible rumors and unjust punishment by a deceived Shogunate.
l've been unable to go out in public, and l've spent a 1ortune on this mansion.
And 1inally, to top it all o11, l get sent to Yonezawa?
Tell me!
What have l done to deserve this?!
Sir Kira... may l ask a question?
What?
What was the real reason 1or the incident?
Why did Lord Asano attack you, Sir Kira?
So you want to know what happened?
Yes. l1 l know the reason, it will help me block Oishi.
Even l don't know. Let's Ieave it at that.
But...
So l'm going to Yonezawa?
lrobe... to bid 1arewell to Edo, l want to host a tea party 1or my 1riends. What do you think?
No, you mustn't!
But l'll be moving 1ar away; it would be improper not to make 1ormal 1arewells.
Ako ronin have in1iltrated Edo. They'll certainly use it as an opportunity to strike!
Your sa1ety is my utmost... my utmost priority.
A tea party... o1 course!
Back to Sir Kira's mansion, as 1ast as you can!
Huh?
We're having two tea parties each day, one at noon, another in the evening.
O1 course, Sir Kira, as the host, will stay at the mansion.
As soon as we start inviting guests, the Ako ronin will hear about it.
They are out in 1orce, watching Sir Kira's movements.
And we, in turn, are watching them.
lndeed.
And...? When?
Three days o1 the 12th month: the 5th, 14th, and 22nd.
On December 5th, 1702, the moon would be 8lmost full 8nd shining 8t night.
Over 100 Yonezawa samurai will lie in wait 1or their attack.
lt's getting down to the wire.
You must ensure that Oishi Kuranosuke and his men discover what we want them to.
12th month, 5th day
The tea party on the 5th ended, and the next day dawned without incident.
Sir Irobe... Oishi didn't make his move.
lt's cold. Shinpachi, close the shoji.
Yes sir.
There are still two more opportunities.
The guards kept vigil all night; they're exhausted!
lt cannot be helped.
The Ako samurai are determined to attack, so we must de1end.
So... will they attack on the 14th?
lmpossible!
Why not? The month is di11erent, but the 14th is the day Lord Asano died.
lt's a 1itting day.
Hence they will avoid it, because they will in1er that we will expect an attack.
So they'll pass on the 14th, and launch an all-out attack on the 22nd?
At which time, we will crush them!
The 14th...?
No, l was right the 1irst time.
What's up, Yasubei?
Everyone... the date has been set!
12th month, 14th day
Ah...
lt's starting to snow.
Magozaemon. Are you awake?
Yes.
Good morning to you.
And you too, sir... couldn't get to sleep until dawn?
Seo, l... have a 1avor to ask o1 you.
O1 course, just name it.
l want you to 1lee.
What...?
My time in this world is about to end...
...so l will con1ess to you my shame.
Karu is... is going to have my child.
R... R... Really?!
You must return at once...
...to Kyoto.
l want you to watch over Karu and her child 1or the rest o1 your days.
As you'll be deserting your comrades, history will not treat you kindly.
O1 this l am aware, and yet l must ask this o1 you.
Here's 300-ryo.
Please tell yoursel1 that your master was unworthy o1 you.
No, no... Sir! Please don't bow!
Forgive me.
You have shown me too much kindness!
You're asking young master Chikara to give his li1e...
...but you're asking 1or me to live!
You're the only one who can do this 1or me.
l, Seo Magozaemon...
...will protect Miss Karu, even at the cost o1 my own li1e.
l am much obliged.
Mago.
No!
Give this to her.
The snow 1ell until past noon.
That night, the Ako ronin hidden in Nihonbashi, Shinkoji-machi...
...Hacchobori, and other areas...
...traveled by boat to the Mimasakaya warehouse in Honjo Matsuzaka-cho.
The second Kira tea party started at the 6th evening hour, and ended 1our hours later.
After the guests had left, silence pervaded the mansion.
The Ako 1orce had gathered at Mimasakaya.
J It was the Hour o1 the Boar just after 10:OO p.m.
Snow...!
Since our late Lordship's assault, his seppuku...
...and the abolition o1 our clan, a year and nine months has passed.
Thank you, all o1 you, 1or 1ollowing me.
l am most grate1ul!
Tonight, we are going to kill Kira.
Within his mansion are over 100 men, including many Uesugi clansmen.
Kill them all!
Follow the orders o1 your commanders, and you will destroy the enemy.
Yoshida Chuzaemon will now explain your assignments.
Thank you.
Assaulting the 1ront gate: Commander, Oishi Kuranosuke Yoshitaka.
Lieutenant: Onodera Junai Hidekazu.
Sword Assault Squads, 1irst squad:
Tomimori Sukemon Masayori, commanding...
...Hazama Jujiro Mitsuoki and Hazama Shinroku Mitsukaze.
Second squad: Otaka Gengo Tadakazu, commanding...
...Maebara Isuke Mune1usa.
Third squad: Akabane Genzo Shigekata, commanding...
...Oishi Sezaemon Nobukiyo and Hayami Tozaemon Mitsutaka.
Lancers: Kataoka Gengoemon Taka1usa, commanding...
...lsogae Jurozaemon Masahisa, and Ushioda Matanojo Takanori.
Archers: Kanzaki Yogoro Noriyasu, commanding...
...Muramatsu Sandayu Takanao, and Kayano Wasuke Tsunenari.
Reserves: Hazama Kihei Mitsunobu, and Mimura Jirozaemon Kanetsune.
Messenger: Terasaka Kichiemon Nobuyuki.
Rear Gate Squad: Oishi Chikara Yoshikane, commander.
...Yato Emoshichi Yorikane.
Ambushers: Tsugino Juheiji Tsugi1usa...
...Fuwa Kazuemon Masatane...
...and Okuda Magodayu Shigemori.
This morning, Seo Magozaemon deserted. In all, we are 1orty-seven in number.
Chikara.
Yes sir.
Rope-ladder.
Okuda, get the mallet.
Get the mallet and axe!
Yes sir!
lt's open.
Get in, go!
Rear-gate squad, charge!
Sir!
Lamp.
We are the 1ormer retainers o1 Ako- Asano in Banshu province!
We are here to collect a debt, under the samurai code o1 honor!
l1 you have any pride, come out and 1ight!
What's going on?
What's that whistle?
At this ungodly hour...
lt's the Ako ronin!
Let's go!
lt's a trap!
There they are!
Kill them!
l am a 1ormer retainer o1 Ako, Horibe Yasubei.
Charge!
Follow me!
Kill them!
Don't retreat!
We retreat into hell, or stand and conquer!
Chikamatsu! It's not a deep cut!
lt's another trap!
This room is made o1 barrier walls, it's a trap!
Get out into the yard!
lt's a dead end.
Stop them!
Don't let them through!
Give me a lift.
lt's the moat... jump in!
Come on, the Ako 1olks are waiting.
The un1iltered sake is ready.
Hurry! Get it to the Kira mansion!
Alright!
We're 1rom Mimasakaya.
Okay, come in.
Eat as much as you want!
When you're done, change places.
Alright.
l 1eel revived. Here l go!
These blades are dulled; change swords.
Are you o1 the Uesugi clan?
lndeed. l am Chugosho Shinsaka Yashichiro. And you are?
Hara Soumon. l come here walking the path o1 the samurai.
Block them!
You won't get out o1 there!
There's Yasubei!
Let's die! Let's die! Let's show them how Ako samurai die!
Chamberlain! There you are.
How's it going?
The rear gate squad has broken in.
Good... move our main 1orce next to the library.
Oh you shouldn't, it's dangerous there!
So what?
Chamberlain!
A nightmare...?
Sir Irobe! It's a disaster!
The Ako ronin have assaulted the Kira mansion, at the Hour o1 the Rat.
One o1 our men escaped to convey this report.
What are you doing?
Please don't!
You can't go to the Kira mansion! You'll get killed! Please, stop!
Unhand me!
Sir Irobe! Sir Irobe!
You must stop!
ls Kira going to die...
...without disclosing the reason 1or the assault...
...to a living soul?
That night...
l should've killed Oishi.
Muramatsu...
So Irobe 1ailed.
He's useless to us now.
Attend me!
Send a messenger to the Chie1 Inspector, Lord Sengoku.
Yes sir.
Have him send a squad to Honjo Matsuzaka-cho, to stop the battle.
Make sure that the 1ighting doesn't spread. Hurry.
Sir!
lt's going to be a long day.
lt'll be dawn soon.
Are we any closer to getting Kira?
Our target is Kira alone.
We don't have enough time.
How's it going? It'll take at least another hour to penetrate the inner halls.
What are we going to do?
The sky...
Huh? Chamberlain...?
We'll break through the roo1 and attack 1rom above!
Care1ul, it's slippery.
lt's around here.
Bust it up!
This is the bedroom... Kira's not here.
Ah...
An escape passage.
There's a new, dry well near the samurai quarters, right?
What about it?
That's the escape passage.
There's a saikachi tree by the well, that's the marker.
ln1orm the 1irst and third squads.
Hurry!
Over there!
ls that Kira?
See the a scar on his 1orehead? It's him, no doubt about it.
Ronin scum!
lt's Kira!
Chikara...
Who are you?
You must be Lord Kira.
l am the chamberlain o1 the Ako-Asano clan o1 Ban-shu, Oishi Kuranosuke.
l am here to take your li1e.
W... Wait. l... l've done nothing to deserve death.
ln the castle sanctum... Asano suddenly assaulted me.
Listen to me!
There was no animosity between us.
What... What happened...
l'll tell you what happened, why Lord Asano assaulted me!
You must want to know why. l'll tell you why!
ln exchange 1or...
l don't want to know!
Wait... wait...
C8lligr8phy: ''K8ru''
Has my Lord returned with you?
C8lligr8phy: ''K8ru''
T8k8kur8 Ken: Oishi Kur8nosuke
N8k8i Kiichi: Irobe M8t8shiro
Miy8z8w8 Rie: K8ru
lw8ki Koichi Uz8ki Ryudo
M8tsumur8 T8tsuo Ig8w8 His8shi
Y8m8moto G8ku Kouy8m8 Shigeru
Kuroki Hitomi Shimizu Mis8 Koteg8w8 Yuko
lshikur8 S8buro Ishib8shi Renji Bito Is8o
H8shizume Jun Onoe Ushinosuke S8to B-s8ku Yokoy8m8 Michiyo
lm8i M8s8yuki
Nishimur8 Kou: Kir8 Kouzukenosuke
Kob8y8shi Nenji B8ndo Eiji N8k8mur8 Atsuo
lshiz8k8 Koji: Y8n8gis8w8 Yoshiy8su
As8ok8 Ruriko: Riku
Morishige His8y8: Chis8k8 Hyobu
Producers: Horiuchi Jitsuzo Urushido Seiji N8g8i Kiyoshi
Producers: T8k8i Hideyuki H8giw8r8 Toshio In8mi Munet8k8
Executive Producers: H8shimoto Toshi8ki T8k8h8shi Hiroshi S8k8i Toshihiro Associ8te Producer: T8kei Hidehiko
Producers: N8beshim8 His8o Shindo Jun-ichi Shim8t8ni Yoshishige
Origin8l Work by Ikemiy8 Shoichiro (Shincho Publishing Co.)
Screenpl8y by: Ikeg8mi K8neo T8key8m8 Yo Ichik8w8 Kon
Assist8nt Director: Yoshid8 K8zuo Cinem8togr8phy by: Isoh8t8 Yukio Aft Director: Mur8ki Yoshiro
Production M8n8ger: M8ed8 Koji Editor: Os8d8 Chizuko Assist8nt Director: Tezuk8 M8s8-8ki Production Coordin8tor: S8to Yuki
Music by: T8nig8w8 Kens8ku
Directed by Ichikawa Kon
The End