"DAIEI FILMS, LTD" "KEN KI (SWORD DEVIL)" "Screenplay by Hoshikawa Seiji" "Original Story by Shibata Renzaburo" "Starring:" "Ichikawa Raizo" "Sugata Michiko Sato Kei" "Directed by Misumi Kenji" "Men are supposed to be forbidden in the women's quarters of a Daimyo." "A stranger got her pregnant, and she died after giving birth to a boy." "After she was given a high rank in the women's quarters, she did nothing but eat and sleep." "No wonder she wanted men so badly." "She was the daughter of a poor peasant." "She got the senior position because Lady Makino left it in her will." "She used to work for Lady Makino." "Just before Lady Makino died, she came out of her insanity." "Her insanity?" "Oh, of course." "Since your new here, you probably wouldn't know about it." "But our Lady Makino was insane." "Kin, I'm going to die." "My Lady!" "Due to my madness, all of my servants have left me." "But, you're the only one still here taking care of me." "I really appreciate this." "Kin, thank you!" "It is my pleasure to serve you!" "Your loyalty has bought me back to reality once again." "After my death, I have arranged it in my will for you to be given a high rank in the women's quarters." "Lord Masanobu will see to it." "My Lady!" "Kin..." "This dog..." "Take care of him as you would me, please..." "Has anyone found out who the father of this baby is?" "It's a mystery." "She must have slept with the dog Lady Makino left with her." "Impossible!" "There is a way, because some scholars say it's possible for humans to mate with animals." "Yes, that dog wandered around Kin's place for 10 days and committed suicide by starving itself to death." "The baby will be sent back to Shinano." "Yes to keep the baby secret." "Because it's in Lady Makino's will, Lord Masanobu can't abandon him." "The boy was named Hanpei." "Hanpei?" "The dog had spots, 'Han' (spot), and his rank, 'Pei' (lower rank)." "'Inukko!" "' (Dog's child)" "I've lived as modestly, and simply as possible." "Heaven has sent me this gift." "I'll raise him as my own son." "23 Years Later" "Hanpei bears his burden as the 'Dog Child'." "Are you all right?" "The doctor is coming soon!" "What's keeping him?" "Hanpei." "You're a poor child." "People have called you a dog child, and nobody treats you like a human." "Such a cruel destiny, that's always made me unhappy." "If I..." "If I die, who will be able to take care of you?" "So, you must learn a unique skill or trade, to support yourself..." "Get some special skill secretly..." "One that will surprise people." "Don't speak." "Be calm." "I'm such a low ranking samurai that I am worth next to nothing." "So I consider myself lucky to have you..." "You are my only treasure." "Go, Hanpei..." "...get yourself a special skill, something extraordinary." "'Inukko?" "'" "No, I'm not a dog's child!" "I'll prove I'm not!" "Good Morning!" "How'd you do last night?" "Which one of us?" "My gambling, or my brother's date?" "He lost his game, and my date was good." "Her skin was smooth as silk!" "Hey, look at him!" "Hanpei?" "What does he do everyday?" "As you can see." "He brings soil for flowers." "What nonsense!" "He annoys me." "Forget about him." "Good morning!" "Good morning!" "Good morning!" "Good morning!" "Flowers, in this kind of place!" "He knows exactly where to find the right soil for flowers." "Of course!" "He has a keen sense of smell." "He's Dog-Boy!" "A low class vassal without a title you say...?" "Yes." "He has a rare talent." "A real professional florist!" "Being a great florist in a peaceful world is more important than mastering the sword!" "Yes, indeed!" "Besides, my sword skills are wasted!" "I should consign my sword to the attic." "You're joking!" "What do you mean I'm joking, if it's true?" "You have to come to the castle tomorrow morning, by order of Officer Ikenaga" "To the Castle?" "You must dress properly for your visit to the Castle." "Yes!" "Are you Hanpei, the 'titleless'?" "Yes!" "I'm willing to do anything!" "I will explain the purpose of bringing you to the Castle..." "It's to create a flower garden here." "Flowers?" "Flowers in here?" "Flowers of all kinds from each season, to make our lord feel happy." "Sir!" "Since you have no title, this is a great chance for you to be of service to our clan, and indeed... to our lord." "Yes!" "Ow!" "You fool!" "Forgive me sir, please!" "So its true?" "I knew it." "Because you are Clan Elder, I'm telling you the truth." "Our lord is suffereing from a disturbed spirit." "Since his birth, the other Elders and I have worried about this." "He is the son of Lady Makino, and may have inherited her illness." "Our fear was founded." "Lord Masanobu is becoming more like Lady Makino each day." "If the Shogunate in Edo were to find out, we'll have a problem." "He is our lord." "Our clan might be in danger when Edo gets wind of this." "Our lord doesn't have a son, and his condition isn't normal." "Yes." "It's obvious that if the Edo Shogunate learns the truth, they'll want to terminate our clan, and confiscate our property." "Besides that, when our rival clans in Edo finds out their secret agents will come to kill our lord." "What..?" "!" "Rumours spread like wildfire." "If there are assassins in our Castle, then what do we do, sir?" "That's a frightening prospect!" "Oh..." "Magnificent flowers!" "Really beautiful!" "Really beautiful!" "Rude thing!" "My Lord!" "My Lord!" "Which one of the flowers invited honeybees?" "Oh, ouch!" "Who is it?" "Intruder!" "Go find him!" "Hurry!" " Yes" " Sir!" "Kanbei!" "There's an intruder!" "You must find him!" "No." "My Lord!" "I saw the whole thing." "There wasn't any intruder, but a black stone fell from the sky." "It's an act of God, sir!" "Toilet!" "Sir!" "Horse!" "Prepare my horse!" "Yes, sir!" "We've got to go!" "We'll be too late!" "Hurry!" "Hurry up!" "We have to catch our lord!" "You're late!" "Hirano!" "Hold the horse!" "Hold on!" "Hirano, you look terrible." "As you can see..." "Sometimes he just keeps going for over half an hour and then he suddenly stops!" "We really can't keep up!" "If we aren't there to hold his horse, he explodes in a rage!" "I can't take it one day it'll be our heads!" "You're right!" "Our lord's been acting a very strange of late!" "Oh, you think so, too?" "Yes, but we can only talk about it amongst ourselves." "Hey!" "Who are you?" "I'm Hanpei, the titleless." "What's someone like you doing here?" "May I please ask you something, sir?" "Come here." "Tell us what you want." "I'm not in a position to make such a request, but if it's possible," "I'd like to serve as a horse groom for our lord, and join the next ride." "What?" "You want to join the ride?" "Hanpei, is that your name?" "Yes." "I'm chief of the horse stable, Tsuzaki Taichiemon." "You're the one working in the flower garden, right?" "Yes." "It's impossible for someone like you." "Why is that?" "You have no title, and you don't have a horse to ride." "Yes." "I know that, sir." "Do you intend to keep up on foot?" "Can you run as fast as a horse?" "I don't know, but I'll try my best, sir!" "Try your best..." "What do you think." "Hirano?" "Tanakura?" "Hey!" "What's your plan?" "What are you thinking?" "Let him try." "You're a fool!" "It's better to be a florist!" "Very well." "You can join us next time." "Chase him!" "You're a strange one!" "Who are you?" "Where did you learn to run so fast?" "I don't know, sir!" "Is it possible to run as fast as you without special training?" "I was just born with strong legs, sir." "What's your name?" "Hanpei, the titleless, sir!" "Hanpei?" "Oh, you are the son of Kin, who attended my mother." "Yes!" "Very well." "From now on, you can come with me!" "He's as fast as lightning!" "He was right behind our lord the whole time he didn't seem human!" "Maybe he really is a dog's son!" "What's his plan?" "Our lord seems to like him a lot, so he could become a samurai!" "Yes." "He's becoming top man in the titleless class, and got permission to join the ride!" "Good afternoon." "Good day." "Can I have some water?" "Sure!" "I'll do it." "I have good vegetables today." "Oh, then I can buy a lot of them." "Thank you." "I'll come by later." "Are you going to Hanpei first?" "Yes." "I have something to take him." "Brother!" "Did you see her hips?" "Good enough to eat!" "I'll take her for myself." "When will that be?" "Very soon!" "Oh you have to put the miso paste in first." "Here." "Saki-san, Is it OK for your business that you're here?" "Yes, It's all right." "First, I'll finish this." " Thank you." " No problem." "So, how long has it been since your grandfather died?" "It's been almost 2 years." "My grandfather misses him so much." "Especially after he became ill." "He said your grandfather was so nice." "We aren't samurai, but he befriended us anyway." "We really miss him very much!" "My mother was a peasant, too." "She died soon after my birth so I don't know her face." "Please watch the pot." "How much are the vegetables?" "It's okay." "Next time." "That's too much!" "I'll bring some clothing for you to wear in the kitchen." "See you!" "Excuse me, sir." "May I ask who you are?" "I am a ronin." "What is your sword technique, and how can I master it?" "It's very simple." "Quickly draw your sword, cut, and put it back." "That's all." "But, I've never been to a dojo, nor studied swordsmanship." "There's a big difference between Kenjitsu and Iai (Fast draw)" "In Kenjitsu, there are a lot of untrue techniques behind it." "But, in Iai there is only one truth." "Draw your sword, cut, and put it back." "That's all." "If you want to master it, you have to see it with your own eyes." "I won't teach you." "Learn with your eyes, that's the essential thing." "Excuse me." "After a year of watching me practice, I think you finally understand." "No!" "Not at all." "I can see it in your eyes." "When your gaze became so intense, I could feel a fire within you." "It's almost trying to challenge my sword." "For the first time I knew when you would draw your sword." "I can see clearly for the first time your motion is of... drawing, cutting, and sheathing your sword." "I saw that well, but that's all I know." "That's it!" "That's perfect!" "Finally, you've got it!" "From now, you must practice alone and this will be your gift." "Take it." "I really wanted to pass on my skill before I die." "And I am glad that I did get to pass it on to you." "To give my sword to you is an honourable event in my life." "I wish you good luck." "Your name, sir, please." "Daigo Yaichiro." "Please remember me." "Who is it?" "Senior Lieutenant, Kanbei Kikuma." "Oh, you are...!" "Please come with me right away!" "There are secret agents after our lord in this town." "One of them is staying at the inn." "He's pretending to be a Tea Master from Kyoto." "I want you to go to the inn and kill him!" "A spy?" "Yes." "Why send me to kill him?" "They're gathering information to disband our clan." "We can't let them succeed." "Hanpei, this is a great opportunity for you to serve our lord and make a future for yourself." "But... will I be able to kill him?" "Yes, you can." "Ever since I saw you throw that rock at our lord," "I knew you were a man with special skills." "You can do it!" "Please hurry!" "Dammit, we're too late!" "Hey, Hanpei." "He can't reach Edo!" "Catch up with him, and kill him!" "I killed him!" "I killed him!" "Tomiyasu..." "So "Dog-Boy" Hanpei has a special skill?" "Yes, we were lucky this time because he killed that one." "But more spies will surely enter the Castle." "So, I'll keep my eyes open, and if I find any..." "I'll send Hanpei to kill them." "That's good." "You're so young, but in the future you will gain high rank in our clan." "Please keep up the good work, and protect our clan!" "Sir!" "Our lord has no successor, so in case of an emergency he adopted Endo Matasaburo-sama as his son." "But, now there's a rumour about making Matasaburo our lord, and forcing our lord to retire." "Are you aware of that, sir?" "Yes, I've heard of it." "However, even though he was adopted by our lord, he comes from a low-class family from Echigo and is unsuitable to be our lord." "If he becomes our lord, it will only cause problems and quarrels within the clan." "What we have to do is run everything ourselves until our lord regains his senses." "That's all we can do for now." "But will our lord recover soon, sir?" "It's our duty to make it happen!" "I understand." "Then I'll do my best to protect our lord!" "Kanbei, please do so." "Sir!" "I'll do my best." "Kanbei-sama, can I go on killing these secret agents?" "Yes." "You can kill anybody." "I was right about you." "But, I'm only human." "I might get killed someday!" "Hanpei, you're wrong." "In this profession, you never doubt yourself." "Excuse me." "Excuse me." "Oh no!" "It's you, sir!" "Magnificent!" "Daigo-sama!" "Don't come any closer!" "Are you all right?" "Fool!" "You've mastered my skill!" "I'm fatally injured, of course!" "You did a good job!" "I knew that you were someone special..." "You've got a talent from Heaven." "Forgive me, sir!" "No, It's a miracle to see this day after being a spy for so long, it's time for me to die after passing on my skill Besides, I am so lucky to be killed by you." "Daigo-sama!" "Hanpei, is it true that you killed some spies from outside." "Did you really kill them?" "On whose orders was it done?" "Stop asking questions!" "Hanpei can't tell us of course!" "I know the answer." "Kanbei Kikuma." "Yes, there's no doubt it must be Kanbei Kikuma." "Since spies have already been sent here, it's almost impossible to hide our lords insanity!" "We should stick to our plan and ask our lord to step down." "and let Matasaburo become our next lord." "We should not discuss these official matters, or we could be punished." "Our wishes are only for our lords full recovery." "Tanakura!" "You're quite friendly with one of the Elders lately, aren't you?" "Yes." "Tadakoro-sama is not only a good person, but he also supports our position on having a new lord." "No." "Tadakoro-sama not only supports having a new lord, but also advocates waiting for our lord's full recovery." "Now, we have to decide." "I support waiting for our lords recovery." "It's much better to wait than to have an outsider as our new lord!" "It's more important to worry about our own lord!" "But, while we're waiting, our clan could be terminated!" "We know what's best for our clan!" "Wait!" "Both of you have a point, but I won't let you argue anymore!" "Good afternoon!" "Hello." "How is your grandfather?" "He's fine." "I'll go see him later." "That would make him happy!" "I'll wash it." "Thank you." "I heard a very funny rumour." "What was it?" "They said Hanpei-san is a killer." "I don't believe it." "It's impossible." "You couldn't do that!" "Osaki-san..." "Yes, It's impossible for a person who loves flowers to kill anyone!" "Hey, brother!" "I can't believe it." "She ignored me!" "Brother, what's the matter with you?" "Get her!" "Are you going home?" "You're early today." "No!" "Someone help!" "Stop!" "Damn you!" "Ouch!" "Damn." "You...!" "Let's run!" "I didn't know we have such a beautiful place as this." "It would be so much more beautiful if I grew flowers here." "Let's make a flower garden!" "Here?" "Yes, a secret flower garden." "Someday, this place will be filled with flowers!" "You're have some funny ideas!" "But, growing flowers all over this place sounds so beautiful!" "Damn!" "Hey!" "Don't be obnoxious!" "Be human!" "What?" "You're just a Dog-Boy!" "Look at him!" "The leader of the titleless people is a four legged animal!" "Hey, you want to fight?" "Interesting..." "The neighbours are on my side!" "You can't do anything." "Poor dog." "You've been a loner since you were a kid!" "Dog-Boy!" "The dog attacks!" "He's run away - tail between legs!" "This one!" "Kanbei-sama!" "I was on my way to your place, but I saw you coming here." "So I followed you." "Do you need me, sir?" "I want you to kill somebody right away." "But, this time it won't be a spy." "Who will it be?" "I've heard of this shrine that holds evil swords, but this is my first time here." "These swords are filled with bad spirits." "Such as one used to commit Seppuku with a grudge." "Or from someone who went mad and killed all of his loved ones." "Why did you choose the one you're holding?" "Do you have any special knowledge about swords?" "No." "I was just attracted to the evil spirit in this one." "This sword has some rust." "Corroded by the blood of its victims." "This sword must have belonged to Oda Rozaemon." "Oda Rozaemon?" "You haven't heard of him?" "He was a great thief who had his own fort almost 20 years ago." "We don't know how many men and women this sword killed." "A most sinister sword, it is called 'Azamaro'." "'Azamaro'?" "It was once owned by the Heike Clan warrior Tairo-no-Kagekiyo." "After the Heike Clan lost the war to the Minamoto Clan" "Taira gave up his identity, burned his face, pulled out his teeth, and disguised himself as a beggar in order to get revenge." "When he looked at his mutilated face on the blade, his hatred redoubled." "This sword is perfect for your quick draw sword art." "An evil sword brings bad luck." "I wonder if it's true?" "Do you want to try it?" "Yes!" "You're a brave man." "Since I am only 'Inukko', I want to see what the future might be." "Maybe I won't get any bad luck from this sword, and I can overcome my fate." "This sword will decide my destiny." "Otherwise I will have lost." "Lord, please stop it!" "Help!" "My Lord!" "I'm sorry to be late." "Just now, Lord Tadokoro informed me of a new decree prohibiting the access of vassals to the castle." "It must be to limit our influence and stop our rebellious plan." "What?" "Besides, our lord is becoming more ill each day." "We have to report directly to the Edo Shogunate now!" "We should make Endo Matasaburo the new leader of our clan!" "That's the only way to save our clan!" "Let's go to Edo, right now!" "It's an emergency." "We should act right now!" "But, if we go to Edo, that means our clan may reject us." "Tadakoro-sama!" "What do you say?" "I don't think we have any choice." "We should not miss this chance!" "Very well." "I'll go to Edo!" "Me, too!" "You're not safe alone, and I'm an excellent swordsman!" "It's alright." "I'm very good with my sword!" "Wait!" "Don't hurry!" "Calm down for a while." "We have to leave the Castle in secret." "So." "Hinade, Shouji, and Tanakura will you go?" "I will go!" "Yes, of course!" "Yes." "Hanpei!" "Tanakura-san!" "All 3 of our men were killed in a flash." "It must have been 'Killer' Hanpei!" "Anyway, I didn't know that Kanbei Kikuma was watching us so closely." "Tadakoro-sama!" "I'll go this time!" "Good morning!" "Excuse me..." "I'd like to ask a favour." "May I borrow some rice?" "Yes, of course." "What are you doing?" "I'll get 100 ryo if I kill you!" "Is that true what they say?" "He killed two secret agents." "Hanpei the florist became a killer?" "Now, he's killed his own titleless people too!" "Hanpei is really out of control!" "'Hitokiri' Hanpei!" "'Killer' Hanpei!" "Hanpei!" "You... why are you killing us?" "Is it ready?" "Yes." "Seki and Takebayashi and the others already left for Edo." "I don't think Hanpei can catch up with them!" "Seki!" "Run!" "Fool!" "You're too late!" "Our other members took a different route, and are already far away." "I've been watching your fast draw for some time now." "Because I needed to prepare a way to defeat it." "Let us fight!" "What's your name?" "There's no need to introduce myself to someone like you!" "Is he one of the spies?" "No." "Two of them got away." "It's all right now." "Your duty is over." "Huh?" "Something unexpected happened." "Hanpei, Our lord has passed away!" "Our lord?" "Yes." "While mad, he fell into the well." "Matasaburo will be our new lord now." "So, I'm going to Edo." "Hanpei, come with me!" "How about it?" "I'll stay here." "You have enemies here, Hanpei." "Yes." "I know." "You'll be killed!" "That's just foolish!" "I have my own way." "It's the way of my sword 'Azamaro', as well." "I killed three spies, and eleven of my own people!" "You had no choice!" "That's right, it was part of a war I could not avoid." "My destiny must continue." "I'm not going to run away now." "What?" "Yes." "I think I'll leave." "They'll make Endo-sama our new lord, and all who opposed him will be punished." "I had to send you to kill our own people." "It will be sepukku for me." "But, I don't want to die." "So, I'm going to get away." "I won't run away!" "Take care, Hanpei." "Anyway, we're saved, and it's good for the clan!" "Besides, we'll have a new lord from now on!" "How about Hanpei, what happens to him?" "He only got minor punishment!" "House arrest instead of public vindication." "The victims families are upset, and likely to speak out!" "They're going to protest to the Elder Councillors!" " Please let us get revenge!" " Vengeance, we want vengeance!" "Please!" "Silence!" "No revenge is allowed!" "Our new Lord decided this punishment." "We should repect his judgement." "We should not make waves at this moment, or argue among ourselves." "We must be united, and work together for our clan's future." "Forget your resentment and serve your Lord." "Your loved ones will rest in peace." ""Hanpei, come meet me at our garden." "Saki."" "They tricked him!" "Hanpei!" "For Toda Shingo, and 10 other men of our families..." "We'll take your life in revenge!" "Revenge?" "Yes." "Most of your victims relatives are elderly, so we'll fight you!" "Get ready to die!" "If this is an official order... then where are the official papers, and the referee?" "Hanpei, you speak too much!" "Cowards." "This is absurd!" "This is an assassination!" "It's time to get our revenge!" "Enough talk!" "Kill him!" "Yes, if this is just revenge as you said," "then I'll fight with you, and I'll win!" "Attack!" "Hanpei-san!" "Hanpei-san!" "Hanpei-san!" "Hanpei-san!" "Hanpei-san!" "THE END"