"SHOCHIKU FILMS" ""September 15, 1600"" ""The decisive Battle of Sekigahara was won by the Tokugawa army."" ""Enemy soldiers were hunted down." "They were shown no mercy."" "Take!" "Take!" "Take!" "Take!" "Mata!" "Take!" "Are you alive?" "I'm alive." "Hurt?" "I'm done for!" "I may die!" "No, you won't." "What would happen to your old mother if you die?" "And Otsu?" "She's an orphan and has no one but you." "I want to hear Otsu play the flute once more." "Take, I'm asking you!" "Otsu's an orphan, the poor girl!" "Make her happy in my place!" "If we stay here, Tokugawa's men will cut off our heads." "We'd die like dogs!" "Let's escape!" "I meant to get me a general's head, but look at me now!" "It's the end!" "Mata, brace up." "Don't die!" "Let's get out of here!" "Mother!" "Down!" "Play dead!" "MIYAMOTO MUSASHI" "Producer:" "MISHIMA Yoshiharu Associate Producer:" "SUGISAKI Shigemi" "Original Story:" "YOSHIKAWA Eiji (Rokko Shuppan Kodansha Edition)" "Screenplay:" "NOMURA Yoshitaro, YAMASHITA Kiyomoto" "Photography:" "MARUYAMA Keiji Art Direction:" "MORITA Kyohei, URAYAMA Yoshiro Music:" "KABURAGI So" "Sound Recording:" "HIRAMATSU Tokio Sound Mixing:" "OBI Sachio" "Lighting:" "MIURA Rei Editor:" "OSAWA Shizu Assistant Director:" "MIMURA Haruhiko" "Set Design:" "MORI Isamu Set Decoration:" "INNAMI Noboru Manager:" "FUKUYAMA Masayuki" "Wardrobe:" "SHOCHIKU Wigs:" "YAGI WIGS SHOP Film Processing:" "TOKYO LABORATORIES" "Period Consultant:" "YAGYU Etsuko Sword Instructor:" "TAKANO Hiromasa Fight Choreography:" "ADACHI Reijiro" "Title Letters:" "SUGIMOTO Kenkichi Production Chief:" "NAITO Makoto" "Cast" "MIYAMOTO Musashi:" "TAKAHASHI Hideki" "SASAKI Kojiro:" "TAMIYA Jiro" "Akemi:" "BAISHO Mitsuko Otsu:" "MATSUZAKA Keiko" "SOHO Takuan:" "RYU Chishu YOSHIOKA Seijuro:" "HOSOKAWA Toshiyuki YOSHIOKA Denshichiro:" "SATO Makoto" "Osugi:" "TODA Junko Oko:" "KIMURA Toshie MIBU Genzaemon:" "ISHIYAMA Kenjiro" "NAGAOKA Sado:" "KATO Yoshi IWAMA Kakubei:" "KATO Takeshi GION Toji:" "HOZUMI Takanobu SHISHIDO Baiken:" "TOURA Rokko" "Sasuke:" "TANIMURA Masahiko TOGIYA Kosuke:" "SHIOJI Akira KIMURA Sukekuro:" "KONO Akitake Narrator:" "YONEKURA Masakane" "NUMATA Yoichi, ENDO Seiji MAKI Fuyukichi, AKASHI Ushio MUTO Shosei, OMAE Hitoshi ISHII Tomiko" "YOSHIHARA Masahiro, KASHIMA Jun KITA Ryusuke, ODA Sonosuke SHIMA Takuya, TAKAHATA Yoshizo KIDO Taku, OKI Shuichi, KAGA Rintaro" "SONODA Kenji, KAWASHIMA Akimitsu OKAMOTO Tadayuki, MAEBARA Hisakage MASAKI Tatsuya, KIMURA Kenji TAKI Yoshiro, OSUGI Kanjiro, NAKADA Koji" "TAKIGAWA Goro, HARA Yasuji IMAI Kentaro, OFUNA Taro MINAMOTO Yusuke, TSUBAKI Junji AKASHI Goro, HINOKI Yoji, TAKAGI Nobuo" "TAMURA Masakatsu, TSUCHIDA Keiji TAKASUGI Kazuhiro, MATSUBARA Nao OKUBO Toshio, MOTOHASHI Kazuko TANI Yoshino, MIZUKI Ryoko, MURAKAMI Kiyo" "HOSOKAWA Tadatoshi:" "HAMAHATA Kenkichi Omitsu:" "NISHINA Akiko KOBAYASHI Tarozaemon:" "ARISHIMA Ichiro" "HON'IDEN Matahachi:" "Frankie SAKAI" "Directed by:" "KATO Tai" "MIYAMOTO VILLAGE, SAKUSHU" "Takezo has been caught!" "Come out everybody!" "Caught the murderer!" "Takezo-san." "Murderer!" "Die, pest!" "No, this way!" "We can sleep safely from tonight." "Die!" "Prepare to die, murderer!" "Takezo-san." "Otsu?" "Wretch!" "Open the way for me." "Old Mother!" "Takezo, where did you leave my son?" "Old Mother, don't worry." "He's alive." "He's alive?" "He's not dead!" "He's living with someone." "Is it true?" "Sure." "I returned to tell you and came to this." "Takezo-san." "Where is he?" "At the foot of Mt." "Ibuki." "Who is he with?" "I don't know." "Don't lie to me!" "You let Matahachi die and ran back alone!" "You're like that!" "No!" "He killed 3 officials!" "Matahachi's alive!" "Kill this scum now." "A straggler should be turned over to officials." "No, Priest Takuan!" "Let me avenge Matahachi!" "He talked my son and heir into ruining his life!" "He went and died in the war!" "Why let him live?" "All right." "Yes, kill him." "Thank you." "Take!" "Wait!" "I'll release him." "Kill him with the villagers' help." "It's cowardly when he's tied up!" "Keep him strung up 4 or 5 days in the rain until he weakens." "That's a good idea!" "But not just 4 or 5 days." "Until the crows peck out his eyes!" "Then I'll finish him off!" "String him up!" "Takuan, you broke your promise!" "Promise?" "You fooled me with fine words!" "You said I'd get humane treatment in Buddha's net!" "But not in the law's net!" "Is this humane treatment?" "A monkey caught by a human being!" "That's right!" "In short, you're a fool, I'm smart." "Understand?" "I guess you don't!" "Takuan-sama, this is cruel!" "A priest shouldn't do such a thing!" "Be quiet!" "It's between us two." "Otsu, you are Matahachi's fiancee, aren't you?" "How does it feel up there?" "Ah, You're here?" "A letter for you, Otsu." "A courier brought it." "Thank you." "I think it's clear from the other letter but just to make sure..." ""Fate brought us together, so I'm taking Matahachi."" ""Please forget him."" ""I am writing to ask you to." "To Otsu." "From Oko"" ""Please think Matahachi died in the war."" ""Due to a strange quirk of fate, I have married this woman."" ""Please think Matahachi died in the war."" ""Due to a strange quirk of fate, I married this woman and live here."" ""If there's someone you love, please marry him."" "Takezo." "Takezo." "Poor soul." "You're too weak to answer?" "What, you rotten priest!" "You can still talk?" "Aren't you hungry?" "Teasing me?" "You bastard!" "Untie me!" "Untie this rope!" "You're a beast, so you can't win over me." "A clear view from so high?" "Take a good look at the world and reflect." "And become a human being." "I am a human being!" "Are you?" "A human being knows fear and thinks his life is precious." "Shut up, bastard!" "I'll cut the rope, come down, and kick you to death!" "Just wait!" "Yes, I'll wait." "But will you last till then?" "Won't your life wear out first?" "Well, good night." "Wait!" "Don't go away!" "Please save me, priest!" "I don't want to die!" "I want to live!" "Save me!" "Priest!" "Priest!" "Let me down!" "Help me!" "Takezo-san!" "Takezo-san!" "Takezo-san!" "Otsu?" "I'll cut the rope." "Take me with you and escape." "Escape together?" "I don't want to stay here." "Take me with you when you go." "Don't forget!" "Takezo-san!" "Otsu, I owe it to you!" "You don't want to stay?" "Matahachi wrote to me!" "So did Oko!" "I see." "Takezo-san, You were right." "I caused you pain." "No, it's all right!" "It made me leave with you!" "The highway's below here!" "It takes a woman a day to reach Takinokuchi." "I can't risk it!" "Let's part here!" "Part?" "No, I don't want to!" "My nurse is in Shikama!" "Let's got there!" "No, I must begin all over." "My dreams of heroic deeds are shattered!" "But Father taught me swordplay." "I must become a samurai!" "Please take me along." "I can't train then!" "Then you fooled me?" "Fooled you?" "You promised to take me when I cut your rope!" "No, at that time..." "It's not fair!" "I..." "I..." "Takezo-san, don't you like me?" "I like you!" "Angry?" "Otsu." "No, you mustn¡®t!" "Why?" "Why not?" "Are you that kind of man?" "Was I wrong?" "Otsu!" "Takezo-san." "Takezo-san!" "Nothing was heard of Takezo for 3 years." "Rumors said he was shut up in a dark room in Himeji Castle." "And was made to read the sutras to reform." "Otsu waited for him near Hanada Bridge beyond the castle." "But he did not come." "More time passed." "News of a last Kanto-Osaka battle caused confusion." "£¨KYOTO£© and..." "Let it be cloudy tonight." "For tearful eyes..." "See naught aright." "Akemi, have a drink." "Thank you." "Let me go!" "Why?" "I'll go for sake." "Mother will scold me." "Oko's with Toji." "Help!" "What's the matter?" "Akemi, You're a lucky girl." "The Yoshioka Fencing School master loves you." "I regret I'm not a bit younger." "Too bad." "He loves them cute and young." "Pour for him, Akemi." "She's like this." "Why doesn't she grow up?" "And odd girl." "How old are you?" "You guess." "16?" "17?" "I'm so happy." "I wish I were 16." "Something nice happened when I was 16." "What happened?" "It's a secret." "It was the year of the battle at Sekigahara." "Don't chatter and play for him." "We're in for trouble." "He won't give up Akemi." "And he's paid enough to buy her." "It's his fault she doesn't obey him." "But think, Oko." "It's not a bad deal." "A strategist, but his family's rich." "His father was the Shogun's instructor." "His school has the most students." "And he's a bachelor, so maybe, just maybe she'll..." "I'm all for it." "Who's to complain then?" "Keep it in mind." "Don't peek!" "I'm you husband." "Don't try that!" "Drinking and loafing." "Who feeds you anyway?" "Shut the screens and go away!" "I'm going out." "Matahachi!" "Money to drink with." "Take your time." "Bitch!" "You live here?" "Tell Instructor Yoshioka!" "He's here!" "Instructor?" "I don't know." "Don't lie!" "He's here!" "Hurry!" "Miyamoto Musashi, a challenger, came!" "Miyamoto..." "Musashi?" "Hurry!" "Strongest man to date!" "He's back!" "Now?" "Late!" "What a sight!" "Losing to a masterless samurai!" "Shut up!" "Luring our instructor out in broad daylight!" "Where've you been?" "Hold back!" "Where is he?" "He's gone!" "Ran away?" "No, he'll cross swords any time." "His name?" "Miyamoto Musashi of Yoshino District in Sakushu." "Miyamoto Musashi?" "Don't know him." "Fencing Style?" "No teacher or style." "Taught by trees and wolves." "Strange fellow!" "Toji!" "Find the masterless samurai!" "He's a strong opponent!" "Please send a messenger to your brother!" "Why?" "Do you think I'll lose?" "No!" "But he could kill him without worrying about appearances!" "The man sullies our honor." "Be quiet!" "I head this school!" "I'll show him our Kyohachi Style!" ""I accept the challenge."" ""Place:" "Rendaiji Temple field."" ""Time:" "January 9th at 7 a.m."" ""I swear to the above by the gods."" ""If the opponent breaks his promise,"" ""He will be ridiculed by the people."" ""If I break my promise, I will be punished by the gods."" ""New Year's Eve 1605."" ""Signed by Yoshioka Seijuro."" ""To Miyamoto Musashi, Sakushu Samurai."" "Takezo-san." "Takezo-san." "Otsu!" "Otsu..." "You're the same as when you were at Shippoji Temple." "Are you angry?" "I was wrong." "I apologize." "No, I've forgotten everything." "Your words hurt me." "Why didn't I go home with Take?" "Otsu, take me back again." "I'll turn over a new leaf and work hard." "How can you say that now?" "Feel for me!" "Didn't you come to find me?" "No, it's someone else!" "Otsu, you're my fiancee!" "You can't marry unless I say so!" "It's unfair!" "Don't let go, Matahachi!" "Mother!" "Prepare to die, Otsu!" "What's the idea running from your own mother?" "You're alive -- return and honor your ancestors!" "I'm filled with hate!" "I'm sorry." "I can't face you or Otsu." "What?" "I hate Otsu and Takezo!" "Why don't you kill Otsu?" "Why don't you slay Takezo?" "What do you mean?" "You're hopeless." "A man but you're too soft!" "Takezo knew you wouldn't return for some time." "So he eloped with Otsu!" "What?" "He stole Otsu from us and Otsu shamed me!" "I can't go home without their heads!" "I sold my land, traveled all over and found one enemy!" "And you let her escape!" "Is there no God or Buddha?" "Takezo?" "If you're a man, kill your female foe!" "Where is Takezo?" "Fool!" "In Kyoto!" "He's changed his name to Miyamoto Musashi!" "Find his hideaway!" "He's that Musashi?" "You're back?" "Yes." "Yoshioka men came many times." "They asked if you'd run away." "One's inside." "Drunk and in a bad mood." "It's not amusing to me!" "Whispering behind my back and laughing at me!" "No, we're not!" "Don't lie!" "Scornful eyes!" "I won't stand it!" "Mata." "Take?" "I've been waiting for you!" "It's been a long time!" "I'm glad you came!" "See?" "We're childhood friends!" "My heart shrank from seeing you." "Why?" "You're a swordsman now and beat the Yoshioka men." "I'm only a widow's toy, a kept man." "That Oko ruined my life." "It's not too late!" "Don't count the 3 years lost." "Remember your spirit of Sekigahara days!" "You're strong but I'm no good." "What?" "You're wrong!" "Take." "Know why I'm here?" "I came to kill you." "Mother insists I do it." "I can't go empty-handed." "She still says that?" "Where's Otsu?" "Otsu?" "You should know." "You eloped with her?" "Return Otsu to me!" "I have only her now!" "She's pure " " I can only return to her." "You betrayed Otsu!" "So I apologize!" "I'll prostrate myself." "If you say so, I'll promise!" "Save your breath." "I don't know where she is." "You really don't?" "No!" "We parted very soon." "She's in Kyoto." "She followed you." "She was in front of the notice board." "Take." "You love Otsu?" "Nonsense!" "I know you do!" "You're blushing!" "A match with Yoshioka tomorrow?" "I'm behind you, so I'll pick up your bones." "Why run away?" "I hate it!" "Mother may have sold me, but I didn't!" "It's my body!" "Not you, even if I die!" "She'll give in." "Poor girl." "We'll both stay tonight." "Agreed?" "What's this?" "Home already?" "Slut!" "What's the meaning of this?" "Even you get jealous?" "Get out if you don't like it!" "I won't ask you to stay!" "Who'd stay here?" "Shit!" "Help!" "Help!" "Worm!" "Don't come here again!" "I'm sorry." "I loved you very much." "Akemi, I'm not the only one." "Most men are like me." "The day will come when you'll understand." "No!" "Beast!" "Be killed by Takezo!" "Takezo?" "I wish I were dead!" "Poor girl." "Oko's a devilish woman!" "Take me with you!" "Somewhere far away!" "You needn't stay with that witch." "A stepmother!" "Let's got to Osaka!" "We've both been at the mercy of others." "Let's prey on others from now on!" "Let's make money any way we can and enjoy life!" "What were we born for it we don't?" "I'll go anywhere with you!" "If I succeed, Mother..." "The match!" "Musashi?" "Where is he?" "Over there!" "Instructor!" "A Yoshioka man?" "Chase the crowds away!" "Yes!" "It's painful!" "Cut if off from the shoulder-joint!" "Someone cut off my right arm!" "The bones are smashed!" "Where'd he get ready?" "Why didn't he stop by where we were?" "He said it would be cowardly to have help!" "Defeated by Musashi?" "Who're you?" "Move!" "I'm Sasaki Kojiro of Iwakuni." "Sasaki Kojiro?" "Instructor." "Walk." "It's only an arm." "What's that?" "Fool!" "If he's carried back, he'll be laughed at and disgrace you." "It would ruin his father's renowned name." "Put me down!" "No!" "Cut off my right arm!" "I can't walk like this." "At the shoulder!" "Hurry!" "Ueda!" "Yes." "You cut it off!" "If I may." "Yes!" "No!" "See a doctor first!" "Be quiet!" "If his body sways, the blood will go to his head." "Let me go!" "I'll walk home!" "Instructor!" "Let me go!" "Let go!" "Don't you hear me?" "I thought my father's reputation applied to me too." "Say no more." "It's bad for your wound." "Why didn't I die?" "Your younger brother has returned!" "What!" "What happened?" "I'm glad you're back, Denshichiro!" "It's been some time, Uncle." "Seijuro's become like this." "You must mend your ways." "Settle down here at home and uphold the Yoshioka name." "I know." "I'll clear my brother's name." "Where's Musashi?" "Pitting yourself against him?" "Isn't that why you sent for me?" "You're grossly mistaken." "You're not strong enough to defeat Musashi." "Nonsense!" "I'm not you!" "We can't continue our fencing school if you are defeated." "Our family name would end." "Let me bear the shame alone." "What?" "Your words belie a samurai even if you are sick." "Do nothing to guard our family name?" "Don't repeat my mistake." "Don't shame our father's name." "I'd rather our family ended now." "Effeminate, so you lost to him." "You're too sensitive to succeed the Yoshioka name." "Say nothing and just watch me." "I'm counting on you." "I'm in charge now!" "I'm not like Brother!" "I'm strict!" "Ueda." "Take a Letter of Challenge." "Place:" "Sanjusangendo." "Time: 8 p.m." "Tonight?" "To show I've taken over!" "Toji." "You won Brother's favor by cajolery." "And weakened the morale of our school." "I should say not!" "Who said so?" "You're expelled." "Get out!" "Quiet!" "Go or I'll kill you." "Musashi came!" "In the compound!" "Uncle, it's a duel." "So many men will make me seem weak." "Please withdraw." "Denshichiro, don't you underestimate the enemy." "I know." "Withdraw, men!" "You're late!" "And not even ready?" "Using a wooden or real sword?" "You have no wooden one!" "If it's to be a wooden one, I'll take yours and fight." "Shut up!" "I hold in contempt half measures and cowardly acts!" "We'll use real swords!" "A 3rd duel between the Yoshiokas and Musashi!" "When?" "and where?" "Day after tomorrow." "At the foot of Mt." "Ichijoji." "Musashi fights Genjiro." "Genjiro?" "Is there such a man?" "Genjiro's the son of Instructor Yoshioka's uncle." "He's 13 years old." "Only 13?" "He's a boy, so the Yoshioka men will help him." "I see." "Torturing Musashi to death." "The Instructor's enemy." "Should've done it the first time." "You've been very kind." "Please take care." "Takezo, prepare to die!" "Old Mother." "It's a bitter moment!" "After all my pains, I couldn't avenge my son!" "What?" "Your son's alive." "Be quiet!" "Kill me!" "Kill me!" "Cut off my head!" "Where's Matahachi?" "It's not your concern!" "I disowned the undutiful son!" "Take care of her." "I wish you luck." "Running, coward?" "Wife thief!" "Your life will end today!" "Dozens of Yoshioka men are waiting!" "The road to Ichijoji leads to death!" "Otsu!" "Is it really you?" "Takezo!" "You were in Kyoto?" "You didn't go home?" "Since then...?" "I heard you were here, so..." "I'm with Priest Takuan's friend," "Nobleman Karasuma." "I missed you so much." "Aren't you angry with me?" "You've forgiven me?" "You're going to the hanging pine at Ichijoji?" "You're prepared to die?" "If you die, I will die too." "Nonsense!" "Otsu." "It is the truth I speak now." "I love you!" "I thought of you every day." "I thought of you, lying in temples and fields." "I even hugged bedding in your place." "And passed the night." "Don't die, Takezo!" "I don't want you to!" "Otsu," "I must go." "Why?" "Why?" "Your opponent's only a boy of 13, they say." "Why fight a child?" "You think so too?" "I don't blame you but I can't back out!" "It's the swordsman's code." "Let's return to Miyamoto Village." "You took on the Yoshioka brothers, and won both times." "Why engage in more duels?" "For a real victory, I must win today!" "That's swordplay!" "I've decided to live by the sword!" "I'm sorry." "Hate me and reproach me." "I'm like that." "Farewell, Otsu!" "I'm glad we met!" "Takezo-san..." "I will still die if you die." "Let my heart decide that." "Genjiro." "Yes!" "They're all here?" "Yes, about 60 men." "More I thought." "Never mind." "Too many would be in the way." "Genjiro, don't worry." "Yes!" "Outwardly, you're his opponent." "But you just stand by the pine tree." "Don't move when the fighting starts." "Yes!" "The men's positions?" "The ten best men will guard your son." "The others will hide along the 3 roads." "Hide?" "Yes!" "Musashi's a fast runner." "He may strike where men are scarce." "Then he'll run and say he's won." "When he approaches the tree, we cut off his escape." "He may bring men to help him too." "That's taken care of." "Please look." "One gunner and 3 archers." "It's cowardly to use them!" "We must kill Musashi at any cost!" "Ours is a noble family of fencing instructors!" "He's a beast!" "People will side with us if we win!" "Yes!" "So don't fight in a cowardly manner." "Be alert and a wicked sword can never defeat an honorable one." "Are you trembling?" "Coward!" "No, a pine needle's in my back." "I'm not afraid." "That's good." "Fighting will start soon." "Watch closely." "It will be of help later." "Yes!" "Musashi's late!" "It's long past 4." "He ran away?" "Provoking us!" "Musashi!" "I'm afraid!" "The fight's over!" "I, Musashi, slew Genjiro!" "A dirty trick!" "Musashi, you!" "NARA" "CHALLENGING THE HOZOIN LANCE STYLE" ""The lance is 9 ft 3 in. long."" ""The sword's 3 ft. 6 in."" ""Only 1/3 in length."" ""How can a short sword defeat the lance?"" ""But the tip of the lance..."" ""It's 1 ft. 6 in. long." "The sword's 2 ft. 11 in."" ""It's twice as long."" ""I'd win if I parried the lance the instant it's thrust out."" ""The time to attack?"" ""When the enemy moves." "Split-second timing..."" ""The lancer's open to attack when he's moving."" ""Now!"" "CHICHIBU" "THE DUEL WITH SHISHIDO BAIKEN" "EDO" "CHALLENGING THE YAGYU STYLE OF FENCING" "A vendetta?" "I want to see Musashi upstairs!" "Don't joke!" "Paid, maybe, but no violence here!" "Stop your nonsense!" "She wrung our hearts, so we're helping her!" "Come down, Musashi, or we'll throw up manure!" "Don't you dare hide, Takezo!" "I failed in Kyoto, but I've traveled far!" "Heaven's help is slow but sure!" "I'll get your head today!" "Receive the sword that has divine protection!" "She's dressed to die!" "And means to avenge her son and his wife!" "I'm a man!" "I side with the underdog!" "Move aside!" "A Shogunate messenger!" "Proprietor." "I'm Kimura, Lord Yagyu's steward." "Is Miyamoto Musashi in?" "Tell him I'm here." "Lord Yagyu?" "That clod upstairs knows him?" "If it's business, I was here first!" "I want revenge!" "Revenge?" "Wrong man." "May be executed!" "What're you doing?" "The great Lord Yagyu refuses a match with me?" "His reason?" "It goes against his sword code." "Lord Yagyu is a daimyo." "I'm only a masterless samurai." "But the world of the sword transcends position." "My lord has heard of your famous name." "But the Yagyu Family instructs the Shogun." "Lord Yagyu is forbidden to engage in private contests." "But if it's training..." "No!" "The cardinal principle of the Yagyu School." "The sword's not used as martial art." "It's use is to preserve peace in the land." "And not just to win." "The Yagyu sword is different from a sword bent on destruction." "Destruction?" "The Yagyu sword works for the Shogun." "Which also means it works for the country and the people." "A samurai spends his life to prove his skills in pen and sword." "It prepares him to die bravely for his country and for the people." "A sword to die..." "For whom?" "SOUL POLISHER ZUSHINO KOSUKE" "Pardon!" "Welcome." "Something...?" "Polish my sword." "May I see it?" "How do you wish me to polish it?" "So it will cut well." "I cannot polish this sword." "Please take it elsewhere." "Not worth polishing?" "You know it's a Hizen make and a fine sword." "Why then?" "You saw my sign outside?" "The sword is a samurai's soul." "I don't polish ordinary swords." "It's nicked in many places." "And its numerous blood stains can't be wiped away." "Excuse me." "A bloodthirsty sword." "It is used only to slay people." "Displeased?" "Swords first preserved peace." "Considered divine, they warded off evil." "Leaders of men wore them more as self-discipline than to fight." "So they're called a samurai's soul." "Look at this sword." "How is it?" "Sharp." "I feel the owner's tension." "It has sucked blood." "It's rusty but not nicked." "It's worthy of being called a samurai's soul." "The blade's 3 ft." "To wear such a long one..." "He must be very tall or very strong." "Slings it across his back, I heard." "I'm keeping it for Lord Hosokawa's Chamberlain Iwama." "It belongs to Sasaki Kojiro, his guest, I believe." "Sasaki Kojiro." "Have some more." "Did I go too far today?" "No, no, everyone was deeply impressed." "Our lord was also pleased." "I'm proud to have recommended you." "So?" "You see..." "Chief Chamberlain Nagaoka Sado..." "He's recommended Miyamoto Musashi very strongly." "Miyamoto Musashi?" "Our lord will see him." "And then decide whether to employ you or not." "Omitsu" "I quit!" "I refuse to serve Lord Hosokawa!" "Kojiro!" "To think I'd be compared with a man like him." "I'm held very cheaply." "Now, now, I expressed it badly." "Our lord's just trying to save face for the Chamberlain." "Our lord is very wise." "He will know who the better man is." "Cheer up and drink." "Omitsu, pour for him." "Yes" "I mustn't make trouble for your kind father." "I'll reconsider." "You know Musashi?" "Your opinion of him?" "There are not many men like him." "Few men are as smart," "Being too polite is a disservice to our lord." "Be frank and speak up." "It's said Musashi challenged Yoshioka to gain fame." "Sometimes a masterless samurai is forced to seek notoriety." "A swordsman... can not bear to see his skill go to waste." "He wishes to offer his services to a worthy lord." "Musashi gained notoriety for the same purpose?" "Is Musashi really strong?" "An expert." "But only in the art of living." "Kyo-ryu Yoshioka was strong." "But his successors were like decayed trees." "Musashi helped them fall by pushing them down." "Some praise him, and say he's the strongest swordsman after Yagyu Sekishusai." "Didn't he take on more than 70 Yoshioka men?" "He used underhanded tricks." "Arriving late, he attacked from the rear." "He killed his opponent, a small boy." "And beat a hasty retreat." "Musashi." "I am honored to be received in audience, Sire." "Seats for them." "I have heard about you." "You beat a hasty retreat?" "There are as many fools as wise men." "Rumors vary." "I see." "I hear you both wish to serve me and my clan." "Why?" "It is the very place for the best swordsman in Japan to die." "Pleasant to die here?" "Yes, Sire." "Two outstanding swordsmen are here." "I do not need two fencing instructors." "Sado." "Iwama." "What shall I do?" "Begging your pardon." "Two best men are inconvenient." "I would be happy to be allowed a match." "Musashi?" "Please excuse me from engaging in a match." "Musashi!" "Why?" "Not afraid, by any chance?" "To be honest," "I do not wish to serve a lord." "Dissatisfied with me?" "No, Sire." "I am unsettled and immature." "I am not certain that" "I could serve you well." "Sado" "You recommended him but he's not interested." "I was anxious to present him to you." "I did not mention service." "You didn't?" "I see!" "Musashi" "I'm honored to have met you." "So am I." "Service apart, we must have a showdown once, anyway." "A good chance now." "Let's decide the day and time." "It seems to be your rule never to appear on time though." "When the right occasion arrives." "Is that necessary?" "I see." "You have matches with only the men you can defeat?" "Sasaki Kojiro." "I make you our instructor." "Thank you, Sire." "Musashi." "When you want a match with him, come to Kokura." "Takezo!" "Return Matahachi and Otsu to me!" "You inhuman wretch!" "Have you no ears?" "I'm asking you!" "Let me kill you!" "SOTOKUJI TEMPLE, OTSU" "Excuse me," "Is Priest Takuan, the head priest, here?" "Yes, he is." "Announce me." "I'm Miyamoto Musashi, a masterless samurai from Sakushu." " Take?" " Mata?" "What's happened?" "As you can see, I came here with the priest." "A monk?" "This is a surprise!" "I've renounced the world." "I'm training to be a Buddhist priest." "Fine but your old mother?" "Don't ask me that." "She died by the roadside somewhere?" "I must pray for her soul." "Nonsense!" "She's in Edo." "In Edo?" "My mother?" "Don't neglect her!" "Hear me out!" "I didn't mean to, but Akemi and I ran away to live in Osaka." "With Akemi?" "I meant to succeed and go home in glory." "But things didn't go right." "I sold watermelons and things." "The long, shameful days turned me into a drunk again." "Akemi became disgusted with me." "We had fights all the time." "It was hell on earth." "I couldn't stand it and left." "While I was loafing, I got involved in bad work and was arrested." "Priest Takuan saved me from being executed in Osaka." "I'm a sinner." "Don't cry." "You're a monk now and have gained peace of mind." "There's no peace!" "They half kill you in Zen temples!" "I tried to escape many times!" "Don't give up!" "I suffered agony and came here." "Matahachi!" "Make soy bean paste!" "It's Takezo!" "He's Miyamoto Musashi now!" "I missed you!" "So you've come at last?" "Why must I kill?" "Why must I become a great swordsman?" "I'm confused." "You wanted to rise in the world." "Until the battle of Seki-ga-Hara" "But I found no great general to kill." "We were licked instead." "Wounded, a straggler, and pelted by rain all night..." "I might have died for a lord I'd never even seen." "An unbearable thought." "So you never served a lord?" "No" "I wish to train without being bothered." "More salt!" "That's too much!" "I want to live my own life." "Why did you avoid a match with Kojiro?" "Why?" "Doubts arose about the way of the sword!" "I don't think so." "You're afraid of Kojiro?" "Filled with panic, you shrank back." "How about it?" "I'm right?" "Yes, you are!" "It's all right." "Priest, if I let go," "I'll fail." "I'm struggling half-way up a precipice." "Give me a painful blow that will wake me from my lethargy." "Begin with nothing." "Please hang me up again  on that 1000-year-old cedar tree!" "Please" "Help me attain enlightenment." "Enlightenment?" "What a thing to say." "Even I haven't attained it." "I can't let you find it first." "It can't be gained with a sword." "You'll only gain it when someone kills you." "If enlightenment's so important, be slain by Kojiro." "If not, throw away your sword and go home." "Otsu is waiting for your return from the bottom of her heart." "MIYAMOTO VILLAGE, SAKUSHU" "Old Mother!" "Old Mother!" "Old Mother!" "I heard you'd returned!" "It's Otsu!" "Old Mother!" "Where are you?" "Otsu?" "I can't see any more." "I'm here." "I'm over here." "You're so thin." "Old Mother" "When did you return?" "The day before yesterday." "I walked my legs stiff from Kyoto  to Owari, Ise, Suruga, and Edo." "I became completely exhausted." "It's a wonder I came back alive." "Where's Matahachi?" "That undutiful son ran away along the way." "Otsu" "Why did you come?" "To see me die?" "No." "I heard you were back alone, and in great difficulty." "Old Mother, Are you hungry?" "I'm almost starving to death." " I'll make gruel." " Gruel?" "Merciful Buddha." "Otsu..." " A drink of water first?" " Yes" "You must hate me." "No, you loved me, an abandoned child." "I still remember it." "You're a sweet girl." "The villagers won't come near me but you came to save me." "Old Mother, here's you water." "Thank you." "Help me up." "Thank you." "Now please hand me the cup of water." "Old Mother, The draft is cold here." "Let's live in my room at Shippoji Temple." "What?" "Old Mother." "I'm the cause of all your hardships." "And Matahachi's behavior." "I'll spend my life with you to make up for it." "Have you given up Takezo?" "No." "But I'm afraid he will never return to this village." "Old Mother, please think of me as your son's wife from now on." "I will think of you as my mother and be good to you in your son's place." "Otsu." "You disgraced the Hon'iden family!" "You even stole our family's memorial tablets!" "I'll kill you!" "Die!" "Where did you hurt yourself?" "She's dead!" "Matahachi, I killed one of the enemies, and avenged you!" "Only Takezo's left!" "Only Takezo!" "Otsu!" "Otsu!" "We know where Takezo is!" "A medicine man just came!" "Takezo's going to fight a man named Sasaki Kojiro in Kokura!" "Everyone's talking about it!" "Are you conscious?" "Takezo..." "Takezo's whereabouts...!" "Takezo?" "Yes, we know where he is!" "Why didn't you stop Takezo?" "He's no good." "Why?" "I'm worse than he is!" "Yes." "Just follow me." "Akemi!" "Akemi!" "It's you?" "You've changed." "I'm a monk and live at a temple in Otsu now." "I saw Takezo off to Kokura from Sakai port this morning." "Takezo-san?" "Ganryu's Lord Hosokawa's fencing instructor," "Sasaki Kojiro's his old name." "Takezo's fighting him." "Takezo-san." "He passed this bridge this morning?" "Yes." "Oh, Your child?" "What?" "This nose." "These eyes." "Fool!" "Fool!" "You fool!" "Exactly like me." "My child!" "What's the matter?" "Priest, look at this baby!" "This sweet face!" "I'm a father but didn't know it!" "Please excommunicate me as of today." "A common man now." "No matter what Buddha or you say!" "I can't let my family lead a wretched life!" "I don't want enlightenment!" "You must be angry, but think of me as no-good and return alone." "I see you've gained enlightenment before Musashi." "Your present feelings are that of a true human being." "Musashi's like that but doesn't know it." "So he's a fool among fools." "Understand?" "No, but thank you very much." "THE DUEL BETWEEN MUSASHI AND KOJIRO" "WILL TAKE PLACE ON APRIL 13, 1612 AT 8 A.M. ON FUNAJIMA ISLAND." "KOKURA" "Go and watch?" "Can't." "The duel is 3 miles away on an island." "The pine trees can be seen by climbing to the top of Mojigaseki." "Why is it at Funajima Island?" "FUNAJIMA ISLAND" "SHIMONOSEKI" "Is Musashi here?" "Who are you?" "Chamberlain Nagaoka's messenger!" "Tell him I'm here!" "Yes, sir." "How did you know?" "I searched all over for you!" "The Chamberlain's very worried about you!" "I'm sorry." "I didn't expect you to be here." "You wish something?" "What a question!" "The duel's at 8 a.m." "Kojiro and the observers went to Funajima Island long ago!" "Come with me and prepare for the duel!" "A boat's ready!" "I am grateful to the Chamberlain for his kindness." "But I will start when I am ready." "Miyamoto-sama, I have come for you!" "Don't you understand?" "Kojiro and I are enemies." "He used his lord's boat." "And if I use the Chamberlain's boat." "Wouldn't it mean the Chamberlain's hostile to Lord Hosokawa?" "I'll use a boat here." "Please give him my regards." "MOJI" "Hey, Akemi." "Do you know where Musashi is?" " NO." "We came from Kyoto." "What for?" "Selling him candy?" "What's that?" "I'll have you know he's my friend." "My hawk" "Return to the castle." "Kojiro came two hours ago." "I know it!" "I've sent a messenger!" "Will Musashi come?" "Yes, without fail!" "Are you prepared for the consequences if Kojiro loses?" "I am for our clan's sake." "We'll kill Musashi and say they killed each other." "Can he be killed easily?" "Magoshiro's men are hiding behind the enclosure." "If he escapes to the sea Kojiro's men will stop him." "They will overturn the boat and sink him in the sea." "It's about time to go." "Please tell me when you get ready." "Your clothes, sash, and everything you need are in the next room." "Thank you." "Not at all." "Is it ebb tide?" "No, not quite yet." "Ebb tide these days is at 10 a.m." "10 a.m.?" "The boat?" "I chose an especially fast one from among the many boats." "Have it where it won't be noticed." "Very well." "Near the Heike pine tree then." "A beach about 200 yards to the east." "You've been very kind." "I can't pay you enough." "I carved this Goddess of Mercy." "Please accept it as a keepsake." "Thank you." "I hope we can talk tonight under the same lamp like last night." "Otsu-san!" "Takezo-san!" "You came here?" "You're alone?" "Yes." "You went home?" "Yes." "Old Mother died." "Does Matahachi know that?" "No." "Otsu." "Takezo-san." "Forgive me." "A man may not be as cold as he seems." "You're my only..." "I know it." "Forgive me!" "Say one word - call me "wife"." "After saying you understood..." "It's best left unsaid." "A samurai's wife must be brave!" "She sends her husband off to war with a smile." "Especially, since he may never return." "Farewell." "Takezo!" "Pretty late." "It's way past 8 a.m." "Arrival?" "10 a.m. No it may be a little past 10." "Just right." "What's that?" "Hikojima Island." "Chamberlain." "Why are men hidden in the pine grove?" "A combined effort to win?" "What about my pride?" "It's too stupid to fight!" "I quit!" "Kojiro." "You're our fencing instructor." "So?" "Calm down." "He's only a masterless samurai." "It's the Hosokawa Clan vs Musashi." "We can't afford to lose to a mere ronin!" "Think it over well." "Nonsense." "Needless consideration!" "I'm certain to defeat him!" "He's coming!" "Musashi's boat!" "Don't move!" "I need no help." "Where...?" "Straight ahead." "Far enough." "Going too far the boat might hit a rock." "You're late." "Here?" "I'll kill you according to the code of the sword." "I, Sasaki Kojiro, will kill you, Musashi." "Poor Kojiro!" "Hastening to your death." "Victors never discard their scabbard." "You've lost already!" "Nonsense." "Come." "No boat can catch up with us!" "Take, we came to pick up your bones." "But we didn't see you." "He won't lose." "If he wins, he'll find a new enemy to fight." "Take, what will happen to you after this?" "THE END"