"The hero of today's hunt is Lord Ichimonji." "His was the arrow that felled the boar." "Let us drink to him." "The infernal beast charged right in front of me." "My horse reared, and down I went before I could even draw my bow." "Father, shall we have the boar roasted?" "He was old." "His flesh would be tough and gamy." "Not fit to eat." "Just like me." "Think you could eat me?" "You'd stick in our throats." "No, our purpose in joining your hunt was to deepen our friendship." "Indeed." "And it is to cement the bonds between our two houses that I would have my daughter marry your third son, Saburo." "Now wait a moment." "That's my wish as well." "Lord Ichimonji, this is an excellent opportunity." "Give us your answer." "Whom would you choose for your son, Saburo - my daughter or Lord Ayabe's?" "What a quandary." "Two daughters but only one son." "A pity my second son, Jiro, already has a wife." "Kyoami." "Come entertain us." "From the far mountain" "From the near mountain" "Who comes hippety-hopping" "With two tall blades pointing out of his head" "A hare" "Just one hare, Kyoami?" "I think I see two." "They've come hopping through the mountains to be eaten up by Father." "Hold your tongue, Saburo!" "Don't be an ass!" "It appears Lord Ichimonji is tired." "Let us withdraw until he awakens." "It's not like Father to nod off in front of guests." "He's just feigning sleep." "After Saburo's insult, how else could he save face?" "He's never done this before." "It was only a boar hunt." "He used to rout an entire army and be none the worse for wear." "It's impolite to Lords Ayabe and Fujimaki." "Kyoami, wake Lord Ichimonji." "I'm more worried about Father." "He's not snoring as he usually does." " Father!" "Is something wrong?" " Are you ill?" "So it was a dream." "I had a dream." "I was walking through a desolate field... never encountering another soul no matter how far I went, hearing no reply no matter how loudly I shouted." "I was alone." "All alone in the whole wide world." "I was terrified." "How silly of me." "Taro's voice brought me back, and there you all were, my beloved sons." "Taro..." "Jiro... and Saburo." "I've never seen you like this, Father." "You make me uneasy." "Watch your tongue, Saburo!" "Have you no gratitude for your father's affection?" "Actually, I too have difficulty believing what Father just said." "We're utterly helpless without Father's guidance." "Are you implying instead that he relies on us?" "Patience, now." "I've been thinking about that, and I've come to a decision." "I want to tell you about it now." "This is as good a time as any - especially with Lord Fujimaki and Lord Ayabe in our company." "Ask them to join us." "I, Hidetora Ichimonji... was born in a small castle on the far side of that mountain." "In those days, this region was in constant upheaval." "Lords great and small vied for power." "As a lad of 17..." "I rode forth from that small castle with my banner raised." "For 50 years I waged war... and at last made the entire region my domain." "I hoisted the Ichimonji colors atop that great castle." "Even after that," "I crossed lances a time or two with Lords Fujimaki and Ayabe here, but we have now set aside our differences, stabling the steeds of war and cultivating bonds of friendship." "But 70 years have quickly come upon me." "As of this day," "I cede authority over the house of Ichimonji to my eldest son, Taro." "My lord!" " This is too sudden!" " My lord!" "Not at all." "I've been planning this for quite some time." "The day has long been approaching for me to step aside and lay the mantle on younger shoulders." "I tell you now:" "That day has come." "I repeat." "From this moment forth, Taro is head of the house of Ichimonji, and lord of this domain." "I will yield the keep of the First Castle to him and move to the outer tower." "With me will come 30 of my close attendants, and I shall retain the formal title and privileges of Great Lord." "But all actual authority shall rest with Taro." "This is my decree!" "We bow to your will, Father." "But what of myself and Saburo?" "What do you intend for us?" "Jiro and Saburo," "I bestow upon you the Second and Third Castles and their lands." "You will strengthen your fortifications and aid Taro in defending the First Castle." "I shall divide my time among the three castles, and thus enjoy my remaining years." "Alas, the ravages of age." "If I may, Father." "It is a tremendous honor to be named the head of our house, but I must beg you to reconsider." "Why?" "Though I am indeed your eldest son and heir, to rule in your place is far beyond my abilities." "I have long prayed to the god of war that you might live to be a hundred, even if it means taking from my own allotment of years." "My brother certainly has a way with words." "I'd never have the nerve to speak such honeyed phrases." "Makes me itch just to hear them." "Don't be so contrary." "Are you implying Taro's words were mere flattery?" "Father, pay no attention to Saburo." "I share Taro's sentiment." "I would far prefer to remain behind your shield, but it's now our turn to shield you from life's arrows so that your remaining years may be filled with ease." "Reassuring words, Jiro." "Bring me that quiver!" "Break this in two." "Can you break this?" "Now... break these three arrows together." "A single arrow is easily broken." "Not so three bundled together." "Even should a great catastrophe threaten to overwhelm Taro, if the three of you join forces to meet the challenge, the house of Ichimonji and its domains will be safe." "Father, there are ways to break even three arrows together." "More of your contrariness." "Stop playing the fool!" "You're the one playing the fool - talking nonsense all of a sudden." " Nonsense?" " Yes!" "You've either gone senile or mad." "Silence!" "You dare to insult your father?" "What madness have I spoken?" "What senile nonsense?" "Very well, since you ask." "Consider the times in which we live." "To survive, one must discard loyalty and affection." " I know that all too well." " As well you should, since the blood you've spilled is beyond reckoning." "Your lifelong code has been no pity, no mercy." "But remember, Father, we too are children of this age, weaned on chaos and strife." "Yet, because we are your blood, you trust in our undying fidelity as you dream of peaceful retirement." "To me, that is nothing but madness and senility." "Very well." "I see." "You're saying that someday you might forget I am your father and turn against me?" "More nonsense still!" "What fool announces his intent to betray?" "Then will Taro or Jiro turn against me?" "You resent the fact Father chose Taro to succeed him." "Saburo, is that why you slander us this way?" "You may be my brother, but I'll only stand for so much." "Father, see what's happened to your three arrows already?" "Can a blood feud be far behind?" "How dare you?" "Would you trample on your father's wishes?" "Very well!" "If you insist these times allow no bonds between parent and child, then consider our bonds severed!" "You are now a stranger to me!" "Out of my sight!" "You mustn't, my lord!" "Silence, Tango." "My mistake was to dote on him over the others." "I coddled him too much." "This swollen head, this insolence - these are my own creation." "But it's too late for regrets." "When flesh is rotten, it must be cut away, even if it's your own!" "Wait, my lord!" "Master Saburo minces no words, and what he says may seem disrespectful and even brutal." "But it is his upright heart that leads him to speak with unadorned candor." "If you consider his words carefully, you will find truth in them." " Silence!" " No!" "Desist!" "I will not!" "You..." "No, my lord!" "Have you lost your head, my lord?" "As your advisor, it is my duty to speak frankly." "Brandishing your sword will not make me budge!" " Insolence!" " I beg you, revoke your rash decision!" "Your impudence matches Saburo's!" "I won't have it!" "I banish you both!" "Father!" "A terrible predicament." "What do you intend to do, Master Saburo?" "It's Father I'm worried about, not myself." "It tears at my heart to think what lies ahead for him." "You're a fool, Tango." "Why?" "Defending me only got you banished." "It's a mistake for you to be separated from Father... no matter what the circumstances." "I think they may be after us." "Wait a moment, will you?" "Why do you flee, son-in-law?" " Son-in-law?" "Let me explain." "You incurred your father's wrath and were exiled." "Lord Ayabe and I both witnessed it all." "Now that you've been cast out and are little more than a beggar " "Oh, forgive me!" "How should I put it?" "This is awkward " "It's all right." "Now that I'm little more than a beggar " " The offer of marriage is off." " Naturally." "No, you misunderstand!" "Those were Lord Ayabe's words when he withdrew his proposal." "But as I set out on my way home," "I began thinking." "Your conduct showed great strength of character." "You're a most interesting fellow." "Was I to let a man like you slip through my fingers?" "And so I turned back to find you, only to have you flee." "Is my proposal disagreeable to you?" "I don't know what to say." "Then come stay with me while you think it over." "You too, Tango." "I admire a man with your backbone." "I want you to come as well." "It's most kind of you, but I must decline your invitation." "No matter what lowly disguise I must adopt," "I will remain near Lord Hidetora." "If you'll excuse me." "What is it?" "Lord Hidetora's ladies are moving to the outer tower." "They refuse to yield to your retinue." "This is a blatant affront!" "I am now the mistress of this castle." "Etiquette demands that they make way." "Why are my women kneeling to Taro's wife?" "It's outrageous!" "I beg to differ." "Now that you've yielded the throne to Taro, it's only proper." "He gives away his house and gives away his lands" "A generous man, the village head" "Now he's but a scarecrow" "Standing out in the field" "Are you calling me a fool?" "No, sire!" "The fool kneels here before you." "Enduring ridicule, I seek to entertain." "But you, my lord - you've squandered your domain." "You know, Kaede... now that it all belongs to me, the view is even more magnificent." "As I recall, a battle standard used to be kept there." "Yes, my father kept his standard and suit of armor there." "What happened to them?" "I gave them to Father's men just now." "The armor is of no importance, but the standard " "My lord, that standard represents the head of the house of Ichimonji." "But Father said he would retain the title and privileges of Great Lord." "Are you then to be merely a shadow?" "What are you saying?" "He made it clear I am now lord of this domain." "In that case," "I suggest you act like a lord." "Attendants!" "What?" "You want the standard back?" " That's right." "What?" "One minute you give, and the next you take back?" "Silence!" "We have orders from Lord Taro!" "The new lord is a gourd in the wind" "Swinging this way" "Swinging that way" "Spinning in the breeze on its spindly vine" "High in the keep" "Dangles an empty gourd" "Isn't it hilarious" "Insolent fool!" "I'll teach you!" "The new lord is a gourd in the wind" "Swinging this way" "Swinging that way" "Spinning in the breeze on its spindly vine" "High in the keep dangles an empty gourd" "Isn't it hilarious" "Who is it?" "Ogura, from the keep." "I bring a message, sire." "To celebrate the transfer of power," "Lord Taro wishes to hold a family gathering in the keep tonight." "He requests the honor of your presence." "Lord Ikoma is invited as well." "You call this a family gathering?" "Father, won't you be seated?" "You expect me to sit below you?" "Who do you think I am?" "My husband's most honorable father." "Is that all?" "What happened to the Great Lord?" "Is he dead?" " Don't be silly." " I'm not being silly!" "I retain the title and standing of Great Lord." "Have you forgotten that?" "Of course not." "But it seems you've forgotten, Father, that you made me head of the house." "What are you talking about?" "I've yielded the keep to you, moved to the outer tower, and reduced my retinue." "Their number may be few, but their conduct is intolerable." "What am I to make of that song?" "Swinging this way" "Swinging that way" "Spinning in the breeze on its spindly vine" "With such goings-on, how am I to establish my authority?" "They're brutish warriors with no use for niceties." "You can't keep them from enjoying a comic song." "There's such a thing as going too far." "The fool's song blatantly mocks me." "It was only natural for my guard to defend my honor." "Yet you loosed your arrow and killed my man." "I cannot let such things pass." "Just this once I will overlook it, but I must have your bond that it will not happen again." "You will sign that statement and seal it with your blood." ""Covenant"?" "I'm astounded you'd even suggest this." "Read it!" ""Covenant." "Item:" "I cede control over all Ichimonji lands to my first son, Taro." "Item:" "I declare my first son, Taro, head of the house of Ichimonji." "Item:" "Although I am his father," "I shall hereafter submit to Taro's authority and not act against his will." "I attest to the above in the name of all the deities and hereby affirm this covenant."" "You expect me to sign and seal this nonsense with my blood?" "The items listed here are nothing more than what you yourself proclaimed before Lord Ayabe and Lord Fujimaki." "What does it change to set it in writing?" "Are you really my son?" " What a question!" " Is this how a son treats his father?" "The hen pecks the cock and makes him crow." "I cannot stay here!" "Fortunately," "I have another son." "Thank you for your cooperation." "I was born and raised here in this, my father's castle... and sent forth from here to marry you." "After our marriage, my father and brothers let down their guard... and fell to your father's sword." "How I've longed for this day... ever since I returned to this castle." "It was in this very room that my mother took her life." "My father plans to come here." "Taro has driven him from the First Castle." "My brother's letter says" "Father has become so willful and erratic, it would be unwise to let him stay." "He adds that Father's counselor, Ikoma, has secretly shifted his allegiance." "It's quite unlike Lord Taro to use such harsh language." "If I may, my lord, why do you just sit quietly by?" "My question exactly." "You're the one who should succeed Lord Hidetora." "Taro is no match for the task." "If we were you, we'd stake our lives on a chance like this." "Are you saying you'd stake your lives on me?" "Exactly." "But dogs will abandon a master who abandons the chase." "Shrink from this and you become our quarry." "How the dogs howl!" "I have given the situation much thought." "Just because I was born a year after Taro, am I to grovel all my life at his feet?" "I will throw off these shackles!" "Just what we wanted to hear." "Control your impudence." "Now listen." "Taro will be easy to handle, but his wife, Lady Kaede, is a different matter." "True." "Actually, she'd be a perfect match for you." "Perhaps you should steal her." " Don't be impertinent." "Our first concern is Father." "Though officially retired, he still has 30 retainers - seasoned warriors, each worth a thousand men." "He'll soon arrive at my gate in their company." "We need a plan." "Open the gates!" "It's Hidetora!" "The Great Lord is here!" "I will see Sué first." "Tell Jiro I'll see him later." "Sué." "Praise be" "To the eternal Western Paradise" "Praise be to the eternal Buddha" "In 36 trillion manifestations" "Praise be to Amida Buddha" "I thought I'd find you here." "Father!" "Never mind the formalities." "It's been a long time." "Let me look at you." "Always that same sad face." "Every time I see you, it tears at my heart." "It's worse when you smile like that." "I burned down your father's castle." "Your parents and family all perished." "How can you smile at me?" "You should be glaring at me with hatred." "That would be easier to bear." "Go on, let your hatred show!" "I do not hate you." "Everything is determined by our karma from previous lives." "In all things I take comfort in the Buddha's heart." "The Buddha again!" "There is no Buddha in our world." "We live in a dark age from which the Buddha's guardians have been routed by the Asuras." "The Buddha's great mercy can no longer help us." "Ah, Jiro!" "I've come to be your guest." "I'm disappointed in Taro." "Let me tell you " "There's no need, Father." "Taro explained everything in his letter." "Taro wrote to you?" "He says your guards were vulgar and unruly." "I am to receive you with the courtesy due my father, but he orders me not to allow your men inside the castle walls." "That's absurd!" "How can I leave my men to rot outside while I alone enter the castle?" "My brother is now head of the clan." "I have no choice but to obey him." "If you cannot abide by his conditions, then perhaps your best course is to return to the First Castle and apologize." "Apologize to Taro?" "Return to the First Castle?" "What's the meaning of this?" "This is outrageous!" "Stop!" "Lord Kurogane!" "Lord Shirane!" "Why are we being treated this way?" "Lord Ikoma!" "These are Lord Hidetora's instructions." "This sudden visit has caught the castle unprepared." "Wait outside the walls until the castle is ready." "I've heard enough." "Now I see." "You're no different... from Taro." "You just want me out of the way." "That's not true." "Come alone and I'll welcome you with open arms." "You only say that because you know I can't." "You have stepped down." "Under your own son's protection, what need can you have of retainers?" "Only the wild beasts... can live without the company of their own." "I've heard enough excuses." "Open the gates!" "What are you waiting for?" "Don't worry." "My men aren't coming in." "I'm leaving!" "Open the gates!" "Close the gates!" "I never want to see you again!" "The villages are all deserted." "There's not a grain of rice to be had anywhere." "The peasants must have taken it all and fled to the hills." "My lord." "The Third Castle is our only choice." "That was the first castle you conquered." "We can go there and make a fresh " "Fool!" "If I could do that," "I wouldn't be wandering the wilderness without food." "Think a moment." "Would the protectors of the Third Castle welcome the man who banished their lord and master?" "By order of Lord Taro, head of the Ichimonji clan," "I have come to take possession of this castle." "Open the gates!" "Without Lord Saburo, this castle means nothing to us." "Our sole desire is to follow Lord Saburo and die protecting him." "Word has come that he is in Lord Fujimaki's domain." "We go now to join him." "By your leave." "Lord Tango!" "I've brought rice, miso and salted plums." "I, Tango Hirayama, though banished, have followed my lord in disguise." "Seeing how you suffer, I beg to offer you these provisions." "Is that really you, Tango?" "Wait!" "Circumstances prevent us from accepting these provisions." "No matter how hungry, we will not take charity from the peasants." "That's right." "The peasants' conduct is unforgivable." "Burn down all their villages!" "One moment, my lord!" "You mustn't blame the peasants." "Lord Taro forced them to flee their villages and hide from you." "What exactly did he do?" "He issued a decree banishing you and declaring that anyone who helps you... must die." "You tried to warn me of this." "I should have taken it to heart." "I remain your humble servant, my lord." "Go ahead and laugh, Tango." "Laugh at Hidetora's wretched plight." "Betrayed by my own sons and turned out of my castles," "I have no place to go." "That's not true, my lord." "You do have a place to go." "Master Saburo has found refuge with Lord Fujimaki, who wants him for a son-in-law." "Go to him." "No!" "Speak no more of that!" "How could I ever face Saburo now?" "My lord, you must listen to me." "Saburo's only thought is for your welfare." "It was at his bidding that I followed you disguised as I am." "It was he who insisted that I stay close by and see to your safety." "I bring news, sire." "Saburo's men have turned over the Third Castle to Lord Ogura and departed for Lord Fujimaki's domain." "What?" "Now we see Lord Fujimaki's scheme." "First he makes Master Saburo his son-in-law, then he takes in Saburo's warriors, and finally your lordship himself." "Then he foments war among your divided clan and walks off with your domain while you battle it out." "That's absurd!" "Lord Fujimaki is not that kind of man!" "We must go to the Third Castle at once." "But the castle is in Lord Ogura's hands." "What of it?" "Ogura's a reasonable man." "What's that I smell?" "Something stinks." "A very rotten stench." "My lord, Ogura has only a handful of men." "We can easily overwhelm them if necessary." "Bring my horse!" "By all means hurry, what with hell so near and heaven so far!" "Insolent brat!" "If you don't like it, begone!" "All we did... was speak the truth." "My lord!" " My lord, the attackers are " " I know!" "Find Ikoma and Ogura for me!" "But it's they who've betrayed us!" "The enemy is everywhere, inside and out." "Hell is upon us!" "Lord Taro is slain!" " What?" " A terrible shame!" "It was a stray shot from the tower!" "Such are the vagaries of war." "The fates are kinder to you than to Taro." "What about Father?" "Harakiri, most likely." " My lord, we're doomed!" " Prepare yourself!" "Farewell, my lord!" "Withdraw!" "My lord!" "The die is cast!" "You must not falter!" "You have but one path to follow." "It leads to absolute rule of the house of Ichimonji." "There's no turning back." "Lord Hidetora!" "My lord!" "Has he gone mad?" "He's better off for it!" "What are you saying?" "Please, my lord!" "You must reclaim your wits!" "In a world gone mad, it's madness to be sane." "What on earth do you see?" "Forgive me!" "Ah, excellent!" "Your madness finally shows you the true nature of your sins!" "Oh, the unspeakable horror" "On a withered plain I see" "All those I destroyed" "In all the many clans" "Phantom armies rise up" "One by one before me" "Who's there?" "Travelers stranded by the storm." "We beg shelter for the night." "My hovel is much too humble for visitors." "We ask nothing special." "I have reasons for wishing to be alone." "Why?" "A contagious malady?" "No." "Then, please!" "I'm sorry." "Listen." "The one who seeks shelter is Lord Ichimonji himself." "We're coming in!" "Our lord has taken ill." "He's soaked to the bone." "Have you anything to cover him with?" "I'm cold." "My lord." "Is that you, Tango?" "Rejoice, Kyoami!" "He's himself again." "More's the pity." "He was better off mad." "Listen to me." "I was attacked... by my own sons, Taro and Jiro." "And I was betrayed by Ikoma." "Worse yet..." "I myself stood by and watched as my loyal followers died in vain." "By some twist of fate..." "I came out of it alive." "I should have died!" "You there!" "Woman!" "I am not a woman." "I'm sorry." "It's so dark." "We need a light." "I have no light... and no use for one." "What?" "Are you without sight?" "Are you not Lady Sué's brother, young Lord Tsurumaru?" "Tsurumaru?" "It's been a very long time..." "Lord Hidetora." "You remember me?" "How could I forget?" "I may have been only a boy, but never could I forget the man who burned down my father's castle and gouged out my eyes... as the price for letting me live." "My sister taught me to pray to the Buddha and banish hatred from my heart, but try as I might... not for one day have I forgotten... not one night have I slept in peace." "Now then," "I regret I cannot show you the hospitality befitting a great lord." "But I have a flute my sister gave me." "Perhaps I might play a tune for you in place of the hospitality" "I'm unable to offer." "This is the only pleasure that remains for me now." "My lord!" "Lady Kaede," "I bring a lock of your husband's hair." "Unhappily it falls to me to inform you of his death in battle." "I curse the fates that made it so." "Lord Ogura... where are my husband's remains?" "In this fierce heat, the body would have become too unsightly for you to view." "We cremated it at the Third Castle and held funeral rites at a nearby temple." "Lord Ogura, where are his armor and helmet?" "Do you mock me?" "I'm now wearing the armor he wore." "Surely you recognize it." "Of course." "I just couldn't believe you'd so quickly claim these mementos of my husband... for yourself to wear." "I'm stung by your words." "I thought my brother would be pleased to see me return to his castle wearing his armor." "But I see it was a rash decision." "Forgive me." "Help me remove this armor!" "Lady Kaede, forgive my disrobing before you." "Lords Ikoma and Ogura, you've been of great service to us during these upheavals in the house of Ichimonji." "Please accept these humble tokens as an expression of our gratitude." "These are my parting gifts to you." "Farewell." "After careful consideration," "Lord Jiro feels it unwise to take into his service men who betrayed their masters while serving as their counselors." "His reasoning is unassailable." "We are helpless to intervene." "Please do not be offended." "You do understand?" "I'm so glad." "If you'll excuse us, my lord." "Lady Kaede is here, sire." "Ask her to ascend." "I'm afraid I was upset before and spoke indiscreetly." "I must apologize." "Please think nothing of it." "They say your father has gone mad." "That must please you." "Why would you say such a thing?" "Lady Kaede," "I merely spoke what I felt was the ungilded truth." "Forgive me if I've caused offense." "But you must hate my father fiercely for what he did to your family." "Or am I mistaken?" "I could say much the same:" "Lord Jiro too must be most pleased." "After all, you are now head of the Ichimonji clan." "This helmet is rightfully yours." "I'm not blind, Lord Jiro!" "You drove your father mad, murdered your brother and stole his lands!" "This is for my husband!" "You're wrong!" "You deny it even now?" "It wasn't me!" "I didn't kill my brother!" "Then who did?" "Speak!" "Who was it?" " Who was it?" " It wasn't me." "Kurogane shot him." "Hypocrite!" "Would you give the order, then deny the blame?" "A fine leader you are!" "You contemptible weakling." "Now it's my turn to speak the ungilded truth." "Lord Jiro," "I couldn't care less about my husband's death." "All I care about is myself!" "I refuse to live as a widow, with my hair cut short, or as a nun, with my head shaved." "This castle was my father's." "I will not be driven from it!" "Lord Jiro, if you'll grant my request," "I will say nothing." "I'll tell no one of your abominable crimes." "I'll not speak out in bitter reproach against you." "If I did, I could throw this land into turmoil!" "It's in my power... to tear this domain to shreds!" "What do you say, Lord Jiro?" "My..." "lord?" "Yes, Lady Kaede?" "I didn't hear that." "How can you still be so formal with me?" "After what we've done," "I really should be... your wife." "But I already have Sué." "Then am I to be merely your concubine?" "No!" "You must belong to me alone." "No one else can have you!" "You needn't cry, Kaede." "I'd never make you a mere concubine." "But as long as Lady Sué remains " "I'll think of something." "What can you do?" "I'll divorce her." "That will not do!" "I can't bear to think that another woman has known your touch." "She can't be allowed to live!" "Do you know where we are?" "In more peaceful times, this would have been Tsurumaru's castle." "You now take shelter in the ruins of a castle that you yourself burned down." "Must be nice having no idea what's happening." "Your helmet, my lord." "And those are your crest." "Now you look even more grand." "Look who's coming - those demons!" "Two demons approaching!" "Dirty traitors!" "You'll pay for your treason!" "No, wait!" "Let us explain!" "Excuses won't save you!" "Lord Hidetora told me all about your treachery." "My lord!" "Die, traitor!" "Jiro killed Taro!" "If Hidetora hadn't gone mad, he'd have been next!" "If he recovers his wits, he'll be killed too!" "Jiro killed Taro!" "We must take Lord Hidetora to Saburo at once!" "If only we could." "Mention Saburo and he runs away." "He can't bring himself to face Saburo after what happened." "On that point he's sane." "My lord." "Why do you shrink from Master Saburo?" "Let us go to him." "No, our only choice is to bring Saburo here." "I'll go get him." "I'll return as soon as I can." "I leave our lord in your hands." "My lord, you're allowing Lady Kaede to lead you by the nose." "If you wish to marry her, fine." "But to kill Lady Sué?" "Sometimes it is necessary to take a life, but to kill one who needn't be killed " "I'll have nothing to do with such lunacy!" "Lord Kurogane." "I trust the Second Castle has ample stores of salt?" "Yes." "Why?" "You'll need to bring the head back wrapped in salt." "Otherwise, in this heat, it'll be in such a frightful state, we'll have to cover our eyes." "For a woman of Lady Sué's beauty, that would be too cruel." "Since you will see to it personally, I'm sure there will be no mishaps." "I leave it in your capable hands." "Why do I stay with this crazy old man?" "If the boulder you're sitting on begins to roll, you'd best jump clear." "Otherwise you'll be crushed." "Only a fool refuses to jump." "This place " "Where are we?" "We're in paradise!" "Damn it all!" "Ever since I was a child," "I've been tending to him." "Now be a good boy." "Time for beddy-bye." "I have returned, my lord!" "Approach!" "You have been most diligent." "At your service, my lady." "In accordance with your careful instructions," "I have brought the item you requested." "Be so kind as to examine it." "With your permission, I will inspect it first." "What is this?" "Is this some kind of a joke?" " Is something wrong?" " I'll not have it!" "What in the world?" "Lady Sué must have been a fox in disguise." "Enough of your pranks!" "This is a statue from a shrine!" "A clever fox indeed!" "Now she's turned herself to stone!" "Kurogane!" "Would you make a fool of me?" "Heavens, no." "We have a great many foxes in these parts, and it's said they often play tricks on humans." "You must be very careful, my lord." "Foxes often work their evil in the shape of a woman." "In Central Asia, a she-fox seduced King Pan Tsu and persuaded him to kill a thousand men." "In China, a she-fox became King Yu's queen and brought down his kingdom." "Here in Japan, a white fox with nine tails caused great havoc in court as Princess Tamamo, before reverting back to her true form." "They lost track of the white fox after that, but it's been suggested she may have settled in this area." "So beware, my lord, beware." "With your permission." "I make one small request, and this is how you respond?" "How could you do this?" "You conspired with Kurogane to humiliate me!" "No, you're mistaken!" "I won't hear it!" "Stop, Kaede!" "This was all Kurogane's doing!" "It's always Kurogane." "Is that man your only vassal?" "First he plays the villain by killing Taro, then he plays the hero by saving Sué." "And to think this two-headed monster is your right-hand man!" "Until I have Sué's head, you'll not see me again!" "Sister, I forgot my flute." "There's no time now." "But I've treasured it since I was little." "What can we do?" "Lord Kurogane said your pursuers would be close behind." "I'll go back for it." "Your legs are weak." "I should be the one." "No, we're almost to the ruins of your family's castle." "This is your only chance to pray for your dead." "Once you escape from here, you might never return." "Come, Tsurumaru." "Let us hurry." "There it is, Tsurumaru!" "Our castle... what's left of it." "Where, Sué?" "Over there." "Where is it?" "Heaven and earth have gone topsy-turvy." "I was once the fool who made him laugh." "Now he's the fool, and I'm the one laughing." "Don't just stand there." "Say something." "Blabber your nonsense and I'll speak my truth... and we'll have a good laugh comparing the two." "Come on, old man!" "A serpent once had an egg pure and white, while that of a bird was speckled and dirty." "This must be a castle." "This is a stone wall." "The bird gave up the speckled egg to lay on the white one." "This is strange." "The egg cracked open and out came a snake." "Nothing but empty space above the walls." "Why is that?" "The bird was eaten by the snake it hatched." "What is this place?" "Who am I?" "You're a stupid bird!" "Saburo." "The pain!" "I'm a worm." "Don't crush me." "Crush you?" "Who'd bother to crush a worm like you?" "Who are you?" "Someone's crying." "Who could it be?" "Damn it!" "Man is born crying." "He cries and cries, and then he dies!" "My lord, Saburo has crossed the river and taken up a position in Hachiman Field." "That's odd." "What does he hope to do with so few men?" " A messenger has come from Saburo." " What?" "His message?" "Saburo has come for your father." "He will withdraw as soon as he has him." "My lord!" "Lord Fujimaki is at the border." "I don't like this." "I told Lord Fujimaki I didn't want him here." "There's nothing to fear." "With him up there, the enemy will be pinned down once they arrive." "Meanwhile, we can safely fetch your father from Azusano." "But it's such a massive show of force." "One false move could mean war." "Was it hasty of me to come?" "I came because I couldn't just sit by and watch, though Saburo will surely be angry with me." "As long as we stay right here, he shouldn't object." "Prepare to march!" "My lord, this is not the time to fight." "Tell Saburo he can have your father." "Don't start a war." "I can't let him have Father." "Together they will accuse me of treason and attack me." "Even if we wanted to turn over your father, we don't know where he is." "Recent events have thrown the whole domain into turmoil, and Fujimaki and Ayabe are looking for an opening." "We should be securing our bulwarks, not marching into battle." "My lord," "I bring a message from Lady Kaede." "She awaits you with sake to celebrate your departure for battle." "A warrior riding into battle mustn't leave his heart with a woman." "You must refrain." "The enemy approaches." "As soon as they're here, we'll slip through those woods to find his lordship." "Be patient." "Koyata, rest the horses." "Dismount!" "Fool!" "You're letting Kurogane sway you again." "You're wrong!" "To fight now is not in our favor." "The leader's prowess determines victory or defeat." "You have nothing to fear from Fujimaki or Ayabe." "Your mistake was sparing your father just because he went mad." "But how can I kill him if I don't know where he is?" "I'm sure Saburo knows where to find him." "Why else would he have come?" "All you need do is send a messenger to Saburo saying he can take your father, then dispatch your assassins to follow him." "I've lost my way." "All men lose their way." "This path..." "Looks familiar." "I've come this way before." "Men have been wandering the same paths forever." "If you don't like it, then jump!" "My lord!" "Up there." "Who is that?" "Sué!" "Sister, whose voice was that?" "This was her father's castle." "These are the ruins of the castle that I burned down." "Why am I here?" "Why is Sué here?" "And Tsurumaru too!" "Is this a dream?" "No, this must be hell!" "I'm in hell!" "I'm in the depths of hell!" "Mount!" "A message from Lord Jiro!" "Agreed." "He says they won't stand in our way." "We're to take Father and leave promptly." "Let us go at once." "No." "We mustn't reveal his whereabouts." "We'll wait until dark." " My lord." "Ayabe's forces are massing on that ridge." "The vulture!" "He smells blood." "Remain calm, my lord." "On that ridge we have Ayabe." "On the other, Fujimaki awaits his chance." "This is the moment of truth." "We must stand firm and give them no excuse to attack." "He came to take Father, yet he makes no move." "What's his plan?" "Why is she taking so long?" "I'll see what's keeping her." "No." "No, I don't need the flute." "You're acting like a child." "Sister, I don't ever want to be alone again." "You won't be alone." "On this scroll is an image of Amida Buddha." "It will protect you in my absence." "Sister!" "I won't be gone long." "Sister!" "My lord!" "My lord!" "I found Kyoami in tears at Azusano." "Kyoami, where's Lord Hidetora?" "Forgive me!" "I lost him." "You last saw my father at Azusano?" "We can no longer wait for dark." "Koyata!" "Tango and I are going to Azusano." "Keep the enemy engaged here." "Ten of you go with Lord Saburo!" "They're on the move." "A detachment headed for Azusano, with Saburo in the lead." "Gunnery captain!" "Take your men to Azusano and lay an ambush." "Whoever kills Saburo will be the hero of this battle!" "This is insanity!" "Break your word and it will mean war!" "So be it." "It has to happen sometime." " We'll have to fight the others too." " What of it?" "If Ayabe and Fujimaki violate our borders, we'll rout their forces and make their lands our own!" "Brave words, but words don't win wars." "What happened to the man who rebuked me for timidity?" "Kaede was right." "You play the villain, but you're gutless!" "Under her spell yet again?" "Silence!" "If you're opposed, stay behind!" "If you fear the fight, then begone!" "My lord!" "How could I leave you, my lord?" "Where would I go?" "You have your orders, Captain!" "Go!" "Runner!" "Take this message to Lord Saburo:" ""Enemy gunners are on the way." "Be on guard."" "Infantry... forward!" "He thinks he's clever." "All forces... move into the woods!" "Right face!" "Forward!" "Lord Saburo!" " Father!" " Lord Hidetora!" "Father!" "My lord!" "Look at that sky!" "Is this the other world?" "Am I in paradise?" "Father!" "How can you be so cruel?" "Why do you drag me from my grave?" "Father!" "Don't you know me, Father?" "Father!" "Father?" "Who are you calling father?" "Wait." "I remember now." "I had three sons." "Are you one of them?" "Yes." "I am Saburo." " Saburo!" "Is it really you?" " Father!" "I have no face to show you, no words to excuse myself." "If you have poison for me," "I will drink it." "You mustn't talk like that." "I bear you no grudge." "Don't lie to me!" "I've had my fill of honeyed words!" "My lord, has Master Saburo ever been one to lie?" "False words roll freely off many tongues, but look at him, my lord." "These tears do not deceive." "Father, come with me." "Come live with me and forget this frightful dream." "Please forget what I did." "Forgive me." "I was a senile old fool." "Father!" "All forces... attack!" "The enemy has taken cover in the woods." "Our superior strength is useless there." "Then we'll burn them out!" "Charge!" "Press the attack!" "Press the attack!" "Pull back!" "Pull back!" "We should be crushing them!" "Forward!" "My lord!" "Ayabe's army has crossed the border." "He's marching on your castle!" "What?" "Ayabe is on that ridge!" "Damn it!" "Those troops are decoys!" "Pull back!" "After them!" "After them!" "Cease pursuit!" "Again!" "I have so much to tell you." "Saburo, you and I will talk quietly alone," "just father and son." "That's all I want." "Nothing else." "He's dead." "I've got wits enough to see that!" "Saburo's dead." "You and I live... but Saburo is " "You can't die." "I have things to tell you... forgiveness to beg." "How can this be?" "Are you really gone forever?" "Don't touch me!" "It grows dark." "Wretched old age!" "This is the end." "My lord!" "No, my lord!" "Kyoami, do not call his spirit back." "Would you have him suffer still more?" "Lord Saburo!" "A surprise attack by Ayabe's forces has sent the enemy in retreat to the First Castle!" "Victory is ours!" "How can this be?" "Of all things, at this moment, why did Master Saburo have to die?" "Why did Lord Hidetora have to go?" "Are there no gods, no buddhas?" "If you exist, hear my words:" "You're all cruel and fickle pranksters!" "You ease your boredom in the heavens by crushing us like worms!" "Damn you!" "Is it such sport to see us weep and howl?" "Stop it!" "Do not curse the gods!" "It is they who weep." "In every age they've watched us tread the path of evil, unable to live without killing each other." "They can't save us from ourselves." "Stop your crying!" "Such is the way of the world." "Men live not for joy but for sorrow, not for peace but for suffering." "Look at those in the First Castle." "Even now they vie for the greater share of sorrow and suffering and revel in their mutual slaughter." "My lord!" "We will defend this position." "You must go to the keep." "Inside!" "Hurry up!" "Close the gate!" "Where's Lord Jiro?" "Whose head is that, Saburo's or Hidetora's?" "Neither." "It is another's, on order of his lordship." "What?" "Stop, Kurogane!" "Who rules this domain, you or Lady Kaede?" "I pledged fealty to you, but never to her!" "She-fox!" "Your vain schemes have destroyed the house of Ichimonji!" "Do you see now how foolish you were?" "On the contrary." "My sole desire was to avenge my family by watching the house of Ichimonji fall and seeing this castle burn." "Silence!" "My lord, we are undone." "Prepare to die." "I will follow you directly."