"JlROKlCHl THE RAT" "Created in 1931" "Denjiro Okochi as Jirokichi the Rat" "Minoru Takase as Nikichi" "Naoe Fushimi as Osen" "Screenplay Writer and Director Daisuke Ito" "Cinematography and Editing Hiromitsu Karasawa" "A cunning thief!" "." "Meet Jirokichi the Rat, a homeless bandit who robbed the homes of rich lords only, and was worshipped as a hero in Edo." "According to the police records," "Jirokichi robbed 99 mansions of the Shogun 's vassals, and stole a total of 7, 93 1 ryo." "However, the series of bold crimes had made him easy prey for the police." "In the fall of 183 1, he quietly slipped out of Edo, in the direction of Kyoto, to wait out the storm." "However, the police were on his heels." "Their relentless pursuit didn 't give him a minute of peace." "He had no time to lose in shallow dreams." "Jirokichi fled down the river to Osaka." "Leaving behind the hustle of Kyoto, a crowded boat departed from Terada-ya in Fushimi." "The noisy boat traveled down the river to Osaka." "Officials, masseurs and travelers, monkey entertainers and monks all sat together." "A one-eyed entertainer stood out from the crowd." "Near him sat a beautiful and spirited young woman." "Her name was Osen." "Come on, come on!" "Who will be the lucky one?" "." "Are you ready?" "." "He pulled a dice out of his hair." "They were all a bunch of petty criminals." "I see." "He can never lose." "A smart guy." "Come on, let's roll it." "It's game time." "A little gambling on the riverboat." "You beat me again!" "I'm out of luck today." "The monkey entertainer, too, was making money." "Come on, fire it up a little." "Come on!" "That's right." "What?" "." "The money's not enough?" "." "Then you have to bounce some more." "Come here." "Thank you." "The supposedly blind Buddhist monk was secretly eyeing Osen's purse." "Only those who serve Buddha are righteous." "Namu Amida Butsu, Namu Amida Butsu." "Ouch!" "That was divine punishment." "Namu Amida Butsu." "We'll be arriving in Y amamoto." "Passengers getting off at Y amamoto should get ready." "Yamamoto!" "Yamamoto!" "A thick police cordon awaited the ship." "Holding lanterns, the police were checking the passengers one by one." "Thank you." "Thank you..." "Let's search the ship." "The police will check the ship." "They're looking for a criminal." "Search everyone." "Y es sir!" "Oops." "Startled, the gamblerjumped." "He matches the description!" "." "There's no mistake." "It's him!" "Rat!" "Get him!" "Rat, surrender." "You're wrong." "I'm not the Rat." "Give up!" "Get him!" "Get him!" "A melee erupted aboard the boat." "Arrest him!" "." "Rat, surrender!" "Stop struggling!" "Don't let him escape!" "Get him!" "Rat, it's over!" "." "That gambler was Jirokichi?" "Osen couldn't move because of what was behind the luggage." "They say he did some terrible things in Edo, and ran this way." "The police don't miss a thing." "That was quite a melee." "I wonder if they got him?" "." "I don't know." "Hey, the boat is departing!" "The boat is departing!" "The boat is departing." "At last, peace was restored." "The purse!" "Osen's purse was gone." "Your purse is here." "This was the real Jirokichi the Rat." "A man with a stern and handsome face." "Osen was immediately drawn to him." "H ey." "Excuse me." "You are also  kind of a rat, aren't you." "The sky became a deep indigo color, and a gentle river breeze caressed their faces." "The moon is beautiful." "You know the old saying?" "." "Undesirable but inseparable relations are forged under a new moon." "The ship continued its journey down the river." "The two ofthem disappeared." "Only the new moon saw what happened." "Only the new moon saw what happened." "Three days later." "They stayed at a sailors inn." "I was ad miri ng the moon." "U ndesirable but inseparable relations." "You were so right." "Please forgive me." "With a yakuza brother," "I am bound to cause you only trouble." "It's not that." "By inseparable relations," "I meant you and I." "A quirk offate brought them together under the bright shining moon." "Excuse me." "I brought the dinner." "A sailors inn in Naniwa." "Osen was desperate for Jirokichi." "Please, have mercy and don't leave me." "My only brother is selling me to strangers." "I can't..." "I can't take it..." "Please, Jirokichi." "I'll go talk to Nikichi." "You will do this for me?" "." "It just happens that my beard needs shaving." "Barber shop Jiraiya near Dazaemon Bridge." "It was owned by Osen's brother Nikichi." "Master, you are from Edo, right?" "How did you know?" "." "Well, I don't want to brag, but I can always tell." "You should, right." "The boss is cast in a different mould." "Really?" "." "Nah, he's just kidding." "Ready to do anything for money, Nikichi was an evil man who had sold his sister to a brothel." "Just then, Osai of the red-light district showed up." "Good day." "You should n't come here." "I have business to settle with you." "Right, Master?" "." "I don't like the sound of it." "Can't we talk some other time?" "." "No, I want to settle things today." "What happened with Osen?" "All I know is 7-8 days ago she left Kyoto." "I havent heard from her since." "I have no idea where she went." "I see." "The master of Ogiya thought your word can be trusted, so he paid a fat advance on your sister." "Right, Master?" "." "Right?" "." "I know, I know." "I am at a loss too." "Really?" "." "I think once you got the money, you forgot your promises." "Right, Master?" "." "Don't get so mad." "Come on, Auntie..." "The way I see it, since you already got the money, you must give me the girl." "Isn't that so, Master?" "I know, I know." "Look here, we have a signed deal." "Master." "Right here." "If we don't settle this right away, I'll do what I have to do." "Give me more time, will you?" "." "I'm at a loss too, Auntie." "No way!" "Either you return the advance payment right away, or you have until tomorrow to hand over your sister." "Which one will it be?" "." "Don't be unreasonable." "Enough!" "It's not my business to worry if your sister ran off, or you sold her somewhere else." "Do you hear me, Master!" "Please, don't shout!" "Shout?" "." "This is my normal voice." "Don't you worry about my voice." "What can I do..." "She won't leave empty-handed." "Give her some money." "Right." "I'm sorry, Osai, but this is all I can give you today." "Is this money?" "." "If you insist so much..." "The master of Ogiya is pressing me to bring them the girl." "Let's settle this soon, Master." "Thank you." "I'll visit you again." "Old bat!" "Thanks." "She got you." "Thank you for the help." "Just then, a young girl entered the shop." "Master Nikichi, do you need new paper cords?" "." "Okino, I was waiting for you." "You must be cold." "Sit here, it's warm." "Dressed in a thin worn out kimono, the girl was trembling." "A poor looking beautiful girl." "Her name was Okino." "Still she looked like a girl of noble descent." "Her accent reminded him of Edo." "Jirokichi couldn 't take his eyes off her." "A girl with a sad past." "She made and sold paper cords." "Jirokichi's eyes kept coming back to her graceful and dignified face." "Is Nikichi here?" "Master S higemats u, please come in." "The samurai entered as if he owned the place." "He put down a police jitte on the table." "I havent washed..." "It's OK, I 'm going to take a bath." "Keep the change." "Thank you." "Unable to resist her attraction," "Jirokichi followed the girl." "This is Hozen-ji Temple in Naniwa." "Okino entered the temple, and began a ritual for healing." "Jirokichi wasn 't the only man who followed her." "Nikichi's underling Yatchoro the Ox, too, kept an eye on Okino." "She was praying earnestly." "Not only was she pretty." "She had beautiful hair and eyes." "As he stared at her," "Jirokichi felt light engulf his heart." "As soon as Okino finished her prayer and was about to leave the temple," "Yatchoro approached her." "W ait!" "." "Come with me quietly." "I 'll take you to a nice place." "If you fight back or scream, I'll cut you." "Go!" "Ouch." "Say it one more time." "If you fight back or scream, I'll cut you." "Where do you live?" "." "It's a sordid place." "A row house behind Tenno-ji Temple." "Let me walk you home, and make sure that no one bothers you." "Knowing that his master would get mad at him for losing the precious prey," "Yatchoro was prepared for a blow or two." "What am I to do?" "He disheveled his clothes." "Al right." "Ouch." "Boss, boss!" "Matsu, where's the boss?" "." "What happened to you?" "." "He's on the boat." "Alright!" "Where's Okino?" "." "She'll be here soon." "Here she is." "My lord, the girl." "The girl you waited for is here." "Why are you alone?" "Where is Okino?" "I have bad news." "What happened?" "Just as I was taking her here, a stranger attacked me." "What?" "Then what happened?" "." "All of a sudden he hit me." "Damn bastard!" "Like this?" "You idiot!" "Dumb ass!" "What happened, Nikichi?" "I am so sorry..." "Row houses crowded with poorpeople lined the area behind Tenno-ji Temple." "Jirokichi made sure that Okino got home safely." "Her home was a small shop that made and sold paper cords and clothing." "She worked hard, but she could hardly make ends meet." "She took care of her invalid father." "A poor girl of noble descent, her past hid sad stories." "Eager to know the story of the poor family," "Jirokichi helped the landlady of the row house, and asked her many questions." "Thanks for your help." "You want to know about Okino?" "." "Her father was a retainer of Lord Wakisaka, the Shogun's vassal, in Edo." "Lord Wakisaka was the Shogun's architect, and was in charge of the budget for the building of Eitai bridge." "Okino's father lived in the lord's mansion and guarded the money." "But a terrible thing happened." "One night, Jirokichi the Rat snuck into the mansion, and stole the money." "So Okino's father promised that every year he'd pay back 80 ryo, and came to Osaka to do business." "But he was a samurai, right?" "." "In no time he lost all his money in the gambling houses of Dojima." "Eventually, he got very sick." "Such a sad story." "And Okino is working so hard." "Poor girl." "Well?" "." "Your brother was there, but I didn't talk to him." "Why?" "What's the point?" "He's using you." "So you are free to go." "Go where?" "." "What am I to do?" "It's not my business." "It's your body, do as you please." "And you won't mind?" "Why should I?" "We are not married." "We had a fling." "I can't take care of you forever." "But you said..." "It's you who came after me." "Jiro..." "Excuse me." "Good evening." "Are you the manager?" "Yes." "You came to settle the bill?" "." "It's been piling up..." "Unfortunately, my friend was away, but he must be back by now, so I'll go see him." "I wish you best of luck." "Stop babbling." "Tomorrow, I'll pay you with interest." "Tomorrow?" "So tonight you'll..." "Go to bed and don't wait for me." "With these cold words, Jirokichi left the room." "He hurried through the night." "His target was the residence of Nikichi's patron, the powerful Lord Shigematsu." "Nikichi was plotting to make Okino, this tender and innocent flower, that captured Jirokichi's heart, a mistress of Shigematsu, and get the police jitte in exchange." "At last, Nikichi was able to take the drunk Shigematsu to his house." "Jirokichi was watching them closely." "Where's Okino?" "." "Master, you go to bed now." "Are you alright?" "." "Where's Okino?" "." "Bring me Okino." "Well, well." "You had too much to drink tonight." "Nikichi." "I think you aren't trying hard enough." "That's why you should give me something to help me try even harder." "Please..." "Thejitte..." "So you're desperate to have it." "Yes." "OK, I'll give it to you." "But in exchange you have to settle this thing with Okino." "Then you can have it." "Really?" "." "Bring me Okino." "Nikichi." "I don't care how you do it." "Just do what you have to do and bring me Okino." "Quickly!" "." "Very well." "Then let's change the approach, and try luring her with money." "Money?" "." "I can give you all the money you need." "One coin then." "Ten ryo?" "." "Only ten ryo?" "." "No, no." "Ten times ten ryo." "What?" "A hundred ryo?" "." "But Master, she isn't a pro." "Right?" "Still innocent..." "Master." "And so beautiful..." "With a bit of spice." "Ten ryo would be too cheap." "You must spend at least a hundred." "Alright, alright." "I'll give you a hundred." "Where do you keep it?" "." "In the altar." "Take me to the altar." "The altar was opened, and a bundle of coins came out." "Jirokichi didn't miss a thing." "Here, a hundred ryo." "I'll give you a reward later." "Here." "Don't worry about the reward." "I'd rather..." "Have thejitte, right?" "." "Later that night, the altar was opened again, and the money inside it disappeared." "Maybe it was just a fling in the beginning, but then I..." "I..." "Jiro..." "Don't tell me you love me." "I never meant it to be serious." "Liar." "For the first 5-6 days everything was fine." "Then, you went to see my brother, and came back a different man." "That day, someone else stole your heart." "How did you..." "I can tell." "It's a woman's intuition." "I see." "This makes things much easier." "It's better for you this way." "I'm not the man you think I am." "My past will scare you." "I've known this..." "I've known this all along." "What?" "You..." "Can you hear the rats running about in the attic?" "." "And what about last night?" "You could deceive that foolish manager, but not me." "Osen." "Then you didn't fall in love with me, but with the image of Jirokichi the Rat." "Jiro, that's not..." "Now I see it." "Kansai women are calculating." "You thought that if you stuck with the Rat, you'd be richer than as Nikichi's sister." "Good." "I'm a rat indeed." "I wouldn't play with a pro like you for free." "I may be overpaying you here, but..." "Look in the stove." "I left a hundred ryo for you there." "Give them to your brother, or spend them as you please." "Jiro..." "Give it up." "I am very popular in Edo right now." "You aren't a respectable citizen either." "You were lucky to have a fling with the famous Jirokichi the Rat." "Osen." "It may sound trivial but take care." "Jiro, wait." "You forgot this." "Jiro." "Will you..." "Will you think of me sometimes?" "I don't know." "Maybe I'll forget you completely." "Excuse me." "It's so dark." "Let me light the lamp." "Don't worry." "The moon is so beautiful." "It is indeed." "I'll leave this here." "The moon cast its cold blue light on Osen's cheeks wet with tears." "The row house behind Tenno-ji Temple." "Nikichi was trying to coax Okino into becoming a mistress of Shigematsu." "Come on, Okino." "See now." "I heard that you were going to become a geisha apprentice in Shinmachi." "Isn't it better to have one rich patron, rather than serve many different customers?" "." "Right?" "You'll be rich, with nice clothes." "But my father won't..." "Your father is so naive." "So a geisha is better than a maid?" "." "This is foolish." "Lord Shigematsu is a good man." "Come on, Okino, say yes." "Come on, Okino." "I won't." "Come on, Okino." "I won't change my mind, no matter how many times you come." "I have some money for you." "Take it." "An advance payment." "The Master sent it." "Money is always useful." "No, please." "I can't take it." "Take it!" "Okino." "You must be grateful for people's kindness." "You can return the money when you don't need it anymore." "Alright?" "." "Alright?" "." "Here it is, one hundred ryo." "I can't take it." "I gave it to you." "Alright?" "." "No, please!" "I can't." "What am I to do?" "What am I to do with this money?" "." "Miss Okino." "Let me return this money for you." "You have nothing to worry about." "Then please return it." "Leave it to me." "I know it is not my business, but becoming a geisha isn't such a good idea." "I know your situation." "Still, you must not do it." "I can't tell you any details yet, but in fact," "I have business with your father." "With my father?" "Yes." "You'll find out soon." "I won't keep you waiting long." "Miss Okino," "leave it all to me." "Until then, take this advice from a stranger, and put this geisha thing on hold." "Alright, Miss Okino?" "." "Alright?" "." "Yes." "Alright." "Okino, Okino!" "I'm coming." "So we have a deal then." "Jirokichi threw in a bundle of coins and ran." "When Okino entered the house and untied the handkerchief," "she saw two hundred ryo." "It was a lot of money." "She placed the money on the altar and went to bed." "That night, the row house behind Tenno-ji Temple was raided by a thief." "Who are you?" "." "A thief!" "Shut up!" "Stop!" "Father, Father!" "A thief!" "A thief!" "A thief!" "He ran!" "It's horrible!" "A thief!" "Is it true?" "Where?" "A thief!" "A thief!" "This is strange." "I don't get it." "I am not dreaming." "Last night, I paid her one hundred ryo..." "I gave Okino one bundle." "How did it become two bundles in just a couple of hours?" "." "They say that money begets money, but still..." "This is strange..." "Who's there at this hour?" "Boss, it's morning already." "The sun is up." "Is it?" "What happened?" "What's wrong?" "." "A terrible thing, boss!" "A thief killed Okino's father." "What?" "Did the thief leave any trail?" "." "I didn't check for trails." "You idiot!" "Fool!" "And you dare to call yourself my man." "Me, Nikichi, the man who'll soon get the policejitte." "You're really stupid." "Useless scum!" "Go and check if the thief left anything behind." "Alright, boss, I'll check!" "After his underling Yatchoro left the house..." "I must hide the money." "What?" "Who's there?" "." "Oh, it's Osen." "What happened?" "I was so worried." "I'm glad you're back." "You disappeared without a trace." "That witch Osai raised hell, looking for you." "It was a real mess." "I'm so glad..." "How could you?" "." "I'll settle things." "Come on, Osen." "T alk to me." "Come on, say something." "Brother." "I came to tell you that from now on I want to be the master of my own body." "I see." "So you want to cut all ties with your only brother?" "." "Is that so?" "Here, I'll pay you a hundred ryo for my freedom." "What, a hundred?" "How did you get this money?" "." "Answer!" "Come on!" "Osen!" "Farewell!" "Wait!" "." "The same seal." "Hey, Osen!" "Where did you get this money?" "." "It was given to me." "By who?" "Who gave it to you?" "." "What do you mean?" "." "A customer." "Wait!" "." "Was it the customer you found on the way from Kyoto?" "Y es." "I see." "And did you tell this man to come and check on me?" "I might have." "I see..." "So it must be him..." "Brother." "What's the matter?" "." "Tell me." "It's nothing." "Here." "What?" "Brother." "Look outside." "Outside?" "." "Look through the window." "Here." "What's the matter?" "." "What are you doing?" "Thanks to you, I'll finally distinguish myself." "Stop wriggling." "Today's my lucky day." "Where's the police portrait?" "." "My eyes didn't lie to me." "Here it is." "The Rat!" "." "I must tell the police right away." "This is great!" "They'll see I deserve to carry thejitte." "Alright." "Be quiet!" "You could disrupt my plans." "Alright, perfect." "Good." "Don't let her escape!" "Watch her closely." "Yes!" "What's up, boss?" "You fool!" "I'm chasing a criminal." "Come with me!" "Yes, boss!" "And behind Hozen-ji Temple..." "Jiro, take me with you." "Where to?" "." "Jiro..." "Wherever." "I don't care." "Just take me with you." "I'll go with you anywhere." "Do you mean it?" "Y es." "Just take me with you." "Okino." "He held her, and their souls became one." "The cold wind brought them back to reality." "I can't." "I can't take you with me." "I simply can't." "I can't." "Okino." "Okino." "I'm a fickle man." "I may lose interest in you before long." "Okino, please understand me." "I'll be hanged for my deeds anyway, so I want to have at least one beautiful memory in my wasted life." "Your feelings make me happy, but I can't go with you." "This is the kind of man I am." "Jiro..." "Her love was pure like mountain dew, but he knew his life would end dreadfully, and couldn't take her down with him." "Jiro..." "Where will you go?" "." "Where?" "I'll hunt down Nikichi, and make him pay his debts." "It's risky." "You can't go now." "I swear I'll kill him." "Jirokichi the Rat can't go back to Edo without taking revenge." "He was your father's enemy." "Hey!" "Take her to safety." "Alright!" "Don't worry, Master." "It's time." "There are some brave men left in Osaka, Master." "Thank you." "I appreciate it." "This is all I have." "Take her somewhere safe." "Give what's left to her." "Alright!" "Come on, buddy." "Alright!" "Let's go." "A risky trip." "It's time." "Okino, get in quickly." "This is your father's ancestral tablet." "Hold on to it." "Thank you, Jiro." "Jiro..." "The sky..." "Okino." "The moon is beautiful." "The wind swept the back alley." "A lonely shadow vanished in the distance." "A dream lost forever." "The sad moon witnessed their heartfelt farewell." "Let's go!" "Carry me as fast as you can." "Led by Nikichi, the police hordes grew by the minute." "An ant wouldn't get past them." "Dressed in a black kimono, and clutching his dagger," "Jirokichi was rushing to seek revenge." "He found himself surrounded by a sea of police lanterns." "Rat, it's over!" "." "Impudent fools." "Su rrender!" "H e climbed on the roof." "Hey, Osen." "I am now a man of the law." "Say something." "I really like you." "It's time for you to leave this business, and find yourself a good husband." "Don't worry about the boss." "I can stand up to him." "I have a crush on you." "Come on, Osen." "The chase is getting closer." "Chased by the sea oflanterns, Jirokichi got to Nikichi's house." "You fool!" "It's the Rat!" "I'm so happy, Jiro." "You did..." "You came..." "You came to save me." "You're wrong." "That's not why I came." "Please, Jiro, please." "Let's escape together." "For Heaven's sake, let's go!" "There's no way out of here." "Look outside!" "The lanterns scorched the sky." "The swishing of ropes, the whistles, and the screams of the chasers broke the still of the night." "What are we to do, Jiro?" "You can see that my life is hanging on a thread." "Why did you risk everything to come here?" "." "Why, Jiro?" "." "I came to take Nikichi's life, and the money he borrowed from me." "That's all." "Here it is." "Good!" "I, Jirokichi the Rat, won't be able to show my face in Edo, if I let this rascal get away with my booty." "Jiro..." "Why... don't you run?" "." "Jiro..." "Why?" "I don't want to die in Osaka, but I can't escape now." "Damn it!" "It will be alright." "You'll escape." "What?" "You..." "Jiro, I swear" "I'll help you escape." "Even if it is the last thing I do." "I won't let them get you." "Take thisjitte and run." "Osen..." "What about you?" "." "Me?" "You don't have to worry about me." "Jiro." "Jiro." "I won't let you forget me." "Jiro..." "Is the Rat upstairs?" "Boss, are you alright?" "." "Get out of the way!" "Nikichi rushed in, and ran upstairs." "Rat, surrender!" "It's over!" "Upstairs, he tried to arrest Jirokichi, but our hero was ready for him." "I was waiting for you." "H e stabbed me!" "He stabbed Nikichi!" "." "Go get him!" "Give up!" "Surrender!" "It's over." "But upstairs they found Nikichi, covered in blood." "Brother, I'll ask your forgiveness in hell." "Jiro, I won't let you forget me." "Jiro!" "In the river!" "He jumped." "In the river!" "In the river." "He jumped in the river." "Osen's body disappeared in the dark waters of the Yodo River." "He's gone!" "In the river!" "The early spring dusk was filled with the shouts of the policemen." "A way from the light of the lanterns floated the body of a brave woman who took with her the heart of her beloved." "Even the thickest rope can be cut, but nothing can break this thread of love." "Osen..." "Oki no..." "Look, the moon is beautiful." "Under the hazy moon of Naniwa," "Jirokichi was choking back his tears." "Three years later, Jirokichi was finally captured, and executed for his crimes." "The end of the story of Jirokichi the Rat."