"1 6th year of Keicho ( 1 6 1 1 ), autumn Kikura Castle" "G AN RYU-J I M A KO J I RO AN D MU S ASH I" "Producer:" "James MIKI" "Music:" "SUGANO Yoshihiro" "Kojiro, raise your head." "Yes." "I'm Matsui Sada-no-kami." "Your performance was splendid." "The Lord will reward you accordingly." "I'm very grateful." "You have a good retainer, Nobumoto." "Thank you." "Well done, Kojiro." "Sasaki Kojiro:" "WATANABE Ken Miyamoto Musashi:" "TAKITA Sakae" "I didn't think that he'd lose." "I'm sorry." "No..." "I'm the one that's sorry." "Please bury him with honors." "Thank you..." "Heizaemon." "Yes." "You must feel mortified." "Certainly." "I wanted to fight in place of my brother." "Thank you all!" "Yes." "Sasaki Kojiro?" "He's come to offer his respects." "Send him away!" "Just stay put!" "Yes, sir!" "Restrain yourself, Heizaemon." "Please forgive me." "Don't rush into things." "I, Sasaki Kojiro have come to offer my condolences." "I'm a retainer of Numata Nobumoto..." "I had no animosity towards Kumagai Hanemon." "I merely performed my duty in a duel." "Please understand." "Nonetheless, I do realize his family's grief." "And I've come to pay my respects to Kumagai's soul." "No!" "How can my brother rest in peace with his murderer here!" "Leave!" " I'm not his murderer." "I was ordered to fight the match and it was fate to decide the winner." "As the victor, it's only natural that I come..." "Sir Kumayama, I have a request!" " No, Heizaemon." "Sasaki Kojiro, come before me." " Yes." "You fought well." "And I respect you for coming tonight to pray for the soul of the dead warrior." "I shall remember you well." "Thank you." "Go ahead." "I'm sure the dead warrior awaits your incense." "Excuse me." "Mother, I'm going to pick some acorns!" "I'd prayed for rain that would cancel that match." "I worried so much until I saw you again." "Sir Kojiro..." "Why do men fight?" "It wasn't even a war..." "Why do they risk their precious lives?" "We warriors are like that." "We must fight when ordered by our lords." "Your husband, Takada Genpachiro, was the same way." "Right." "Because he was good in sword fighting..." "His martial art skills cost him his life." "I'm sorry for talking nonsense." "No..." "I know how you feel, Suzuka." "Last night, I was at Kumagai Hanemon's wake..." "I felt badly to see his wife and children grieving." "Then, I thought about you." "I thought you must have felt the same way after I unwillingly killed your husband." "Sir Kojiro..." "I heard it was a good fight." "I'm proud of him." "Even my younger brother Ukon was impressed by your condolence and he asked to become your student." "I don't want to have to kill." "I don't want to fight." "But I must be strong to win fights." "I must be stronger than anybody." "I've been trying my best in fencing because I'm afraid of being killed." "Sir Kojiro..." "Please become weak." "Then, you won't be ordered to fight." "Sir Kojiro..." "What's the matter, Seisaku?" "You can't get down?" "Be a man...jump!" "Come on." "Come here." "Did you get one?" "He's getting heavy!" "What?" "Go to Kokura?" "Yes." "According to this letter, you're to report there tomorrow." "Another contest?" "No." "Lord Tadaoki is to praise his efforts." "That sounds good!" "Sister, go and prepare a celebration!" "We'll toast his upcoming promotion." "Congratulations!" "Let's go!" "Sasaki Kojiro, come forward." "You may approach!" "Yes." "I'm very honored." "I watched your performance." "I was very impressed." "Thank you very much." "You knew you could beat a rifle expert?" "Yes, I did." "What was your secret?" "An expert rifleman does not miss a target only 40 meters away." "Therefore, all I had to do was to sense his timing to pull the trigger and move in an instant to avoid the bullet." "Are you saying a sword is superior to the gun?" "If it's one-on-one, I won't be beaten." "I'm more impressed than ever!" "I find your words trustworthy." "Father..." "I wish to ask Kojiro a question." "Go ahead." "Yes." "Then, Kojiro..." "Which do you think is superior on the battlefield, a sword or a gun?" "I can't answer that immediately." "Answer me!" "What's the matter, Kojiro?" "You do not have to hesitate." "Then, I answer with all due respect." "If a squad of rifles all fire at once, I cannot win." "But, if it should rain, the matchlocks will fail to fire, and if both sides of armies engage in a melee on complex land, the sword shall win." "That's a fallacy!" "What?" "Fallacy?" "If it rains, we could wait for it to stop." "That's right." "If it's one-on-one fight, it's a different story." "But, ever since the Battle of Nagashiro, we all know the rifle is superior!" "Yes, what Sir Okinaga says is true." "The way of fighting a battle has greatly changed." "Ariyoshi, what do you think?" " Yes." "Sasaki Kojiro is an unrivaled fencer and it's no exaggeration to say that he's the pride of the Hosokawa clan." "Yes, but the days of one superior warrior winning battles are over." "May I speak?" "Go ahead." "The sword is not only for using techniques." "It's the essence of the warrior's spirit!" "Well spoken!" "The samurai upholds honor and righteousness." "Therefore, shooting human beings with firearms is not honorable." "You don't care if you lose the battle?" "The Kuroda clan and the Nabeshima clan are buying up rifles!" "I suspect that the shogunate will ban it soon." "Ban?" "Kojiro, don't say anything irresponsible!" " No." "All Kojiro is talking about are understandable." "Two years ago, the shogunate prohibited Daimyo lords from building large vessels." "They didn't want the clans to profit from overseas trade." "Then, maybe they'll put restrictions on purchases of guns, too." "What did you just say?" "A ban on guns?" "Insightful." "Tadatoshi..." "Yes." "Everybody else too, listen!" "Among the young lords these days it's a trend to speak of the advantage of having many rifles and to underestimate the sword." "It's regrettable." "That's right." "One should have more foresight." "We can't let such young lords who lacks caliber as samurai take over clans." "Listen, Tadatoshi..." "Those who lead must know what human beings live by and the way of the sword!" "I'll keep that in mind." "Kojiro..." "Yes." "I shall give you a sword as reward." "I'm very honored." "I offer you my heartful congratulations." "It's not all that joyous." "What's wrong?" "The rifle advocates are jealous?" "No." "I've been ordered to serve at Kokura Castle." "You'll be serving Lord Tadaoki?" "Please allow me." "Why should I?" "Kojiro is our Numata clan's treasure." "I want make him a treasure of my Hosokawa clan!" "Enomoto, it's our lord's wish." "You don't intend to obstruct Kojiro's promotion, do you?" "Of course not." "But, some people will be jealous of such a rapid promotion." "Then, we shall have him marry." "Marry?" "How about one of your granddaughters?" "All three have gotten married." "Any other candidates?" "If Kojiro marries a daughter of one of my generals Kojiro will feel free to speak his opinions." "Oh, there's somebody perfect!" "There's that merchant, Satsauma-ya Gohei, in Yufuin village." "His wife, Tsune, is a rare beauty." "That's unreasonable." "Take this merchant's wife away?" "Don't make a hasty judgement." "She used to work as my maid and she gave birth to a very bright girl." "Whose daughter is the girl?" "To tell you the truth, she's my daughter." "You sure are active!" " Not as active as you!" "And?" "Yes." "The girl, Kiku, is 1 6 now and she lives with the merchant and his wife." "All right." "Adopt her back as your daughter and let Kojiro marry her!" "Restrain yourself, Nobumoto." "I've already decided on this match." "Be grateful and accept it." "It's an honor for a mere swordsman to marry the clan manager's adopted daughter." "You'll inspire the young men to take up the sword and it'll be great for our morale." "Well spoken." "Very good!" "Wait..." "Where are you going?" "Suzuka..." "Please forgive me." "I'm causing you trouble." "Don't worry." "I wish to marry only you." "You don't need to say that." "It's immoral and disloyal to go against your lord's order." "You'll be punished if you refuse." "Even a lord can't tear us apart." "It'll be shameful if you lose your chance for advancement for an unimportant woman." "Suzuka..." "Tell me how you really feel." "It was all but a dream." "A dream?" "It was a happy dream." "I was really happy." "But, a dream is but a dream." "Don't talk silly." "Sir Kojiro, you are no longer a mere swordsman." "With the Hosokawa clan's favor you can win fame in Kokura, then in Edo, and then in the whole nation and one day you might even become a feudal lord." "Sister, you're right." "The offer of marriage is an order." "It's no use to resist it." "You have no choice but to wish him well on his upcoming marriage." "Hold it, Ukon." "I need a favor." "What is it?" "I'll come with you to Kokura Castle...at least in place of my sister." "Certainly, but I'm taking Suzuka and her son, Seisaku, too." "No, you shouldn't." "You must start your job properly." "Are you saying you won't come?" "Please forget about me." "What makes me happiest is that you succeed." "Those old men don't know the nation's state of affairs." "They all are obstinate." "We cannot just lament." "If Osaka takes up arms again, the various clans will be engaged in battles again." "We need to prepare at least 300 rifles until then and we need training in using them." "Yes." "A rifle squad trained improperly will be of no use." "In time like this, what an annoying man has appeared." "Sasaki Kojiro?" "Because of him, the rifle squad has lost face and we'll get no more money for guns for the time being." "We can't win battles on spirit alone now." "People will laugh at us." "We have no more time to waste." "Can't we change the minds of those senile old men?" "Shall we kill Kojiro?" "What?" "No..." "Impatience can lead to big damage." "We cannot just do nothing." "But if we ambush and kill him, it'll disgrace the Hosokawa clan." "I'm not talking about ambushing and killing." "We need a swordsman to beat another." "Fool." "But, Kojiro's the best in these regions." "I have someone in mind." "Who?" "Miyamoto Musashi, a ronin from Banshu." "What do you think, Hayato?" "Musashi won't be beaten by Kojiro." "But Miyamoto Musashi travels the country beating all the top men." "He's a ruffian." "We'll fight fire with fire." "But, I don't know how to locate him." "You know the name of Musashi's father, don't you?" "Miyamoto Munisai..." "Fortunately, Munisai is at Kitsuki Castle." "Kitsuki Castle?" "It's the best way." "I have no idea where my son is." "Show more respect to Sir Kagayama Hayato, magistrate of the Hosokawa clan!" "I've heard of him." "Where is Musashi?" "I don't know." "Don't hold out on us!" "Why should I?" "We know he sends you letters." "Yes." "One from Bishu and another from Banshu." "He hasn't written since." "Old man..." "Has my son done something?" "No." "Lord Tadatoshi Hosokawa of Nakatsu wishes to employ him informally." "That's very good of him, but he's a complete fool." "Because he's good at fencing he fights and kills many swordsmen and sets them against him." "It's not good if the Hosokawa family employs him and be harmed as a result." "Lord Matsui's mansion Kokura" "You seem to be very well." "No, I'm not." "I haven't much longer to live." "You're kidding." "Okinaga..." "Sit over there." "This is my last will and testament." "Listen well." "Certainly." "As you know, Lord Ieyasu personally placed me here with the Hosokawa clan." "In other words, I'm an advisor of the shogunate." "Yes." "I willingly became a retainer and made Lord Tadaoki very powerful." "And it's me who advised on nominating his third son Tadatoshi to be the heir." "Yes, you did." "But everybody is destined to die." "After I die, you shall be my heir." "Shigemasa will inherit the Mibushi house and the Ariyoshi house will go to Okimichi." "Whether people like it or not, the lord and chief retainers of the Hosokawa will be young" "My concern is that young hotheads might deviate from the loyalty we've established." "Father..." " Hold on." "Needless to say, but you shall help the young clan lord as his top general." "You must remove insolent ones in advance." "So Kojiro can help you get rid of opposition." "Also, Kojiro's reputation will cause others not to oppose you." "How does that sound, Okinaga?" "I'm very impressed with your astute plan, Father." "Bring Okiku here." "Yes." "Take a good look, Kojiro." " Yes." "Do you like her?" "My name is Kiku." "You'll make a fine match!" "Thank you..." "You'll marry in the New Year and take on the Matsui family name." "Take our name?" "If he's one of us, others will fear him more." "Listen, Kojiro..." "Yes." "You shall be the guardian sword of the Hosokawa clan and serve the clan to preserve its order." "I'm very honored to be assigned to such a job." "Good." "Good." "Now, I can die in peace!" "Very good!" "1 7th year of Keicho ( 1 6 1 2) New Year's Day Matsui Yasuyuki dies" "Wait, thief!" "Wait!" "Wait, thief!" "Wait!" "Watch out!" "Fool!" "Ouch!" "Ouch!" "Are you all right?" "Let me go!" "You thief!" "Why call me that?" "What's wrong?" "Please hear my story..." "This man kept me by his side all night drank a lot of sake and even had breakfast and he left without paying for anything!" "Oh, that's unreasonable!" "Don't shout." "Then, pay me the 30 mon you owe me!" "I have no money." "You must be joking!" "I left that carved figure of Buddha as payment." "This?" "You mean this?" "Such a thing!" "Don't say that." "This is worth at least 100 mon." "Don't cheat me!" "Take his sword!" "No, don't!" "It's probably a cheap blade." "Come to the police station!" "I don't know what to do." "Hey, you, samurai on a trip..." "You seems to be in trouble." "Let me help you by buying that figure." "I appreciate it." "Did you carve this yourself?" "Yes, indeed." "May I ask who you are?" "I'm Miyamoto Musashi, a ronin from Banshu." "Don't kid us!" "That ruffian?" "You're lying." "Hey you thief, don't kid us." "Kid you?" "Don't play innocent!" "Don't be rude." "What do you know about rudeness?" "Get him!" "You're unlucky." "The real Musashi's been at the Owari-ya for the past three days!" "Owari-ya?" "You're using my name to commit crimes?" "I'm not a criminal." "Who are you?" "Miyamoto Musashi." "My name is Miyamoto Musashi, too." "Don't make a fruitless struggle." "Give your real name!" "Miyamoto Musashi." "If you don't give your real name I'll have to cut you down." "Miyamoto Musashi." "Why you?" "You and I are both Miyamoto Musashi." "That's trouble for us both." "Then the winner of this match shall be the real Musashi." "Damn!" "Are you ready?" "I'm sorry!" "You're the real Miyamoto Musashi." "I could never beat you." "What's your real name?" "Yes." "I'm Doke Kakuzaemon, a retainer of Kagayama Hayato of the Hosokawa clan." "Why did you use my name?" "I was ordered to locate you." "What?" "If I pretended to be you at many places, the rumor will spread and you may hear of it, I thought." "You trapped me with that scheme?" "I'm so happy to meet you!" "I need to borrow 30 mon." "30 mon?" "It's payment for using my name." "Never mind." "I'll let you off for free if you're Miyamoto Musashi!" "Such a good-looking man!" "There's something I need to report." "What is it?" "We've found Musashi." "Is that true?" "He's headed this way from Choshu." "Good!" "About that matter..." "I have no real secrets to teach." "The heavens have given me a skill." "That's all." "Then Sasaki Kojiro is the man you should fight!" "No one is more arrogant than Sasaki Kojiro." "He boasts that he's the best swordsman in the nation and he behaves outrageously." "Kill him, and your name will be known all over the country and you shall gain employment." "Don't talk nonsense." "I fight to test my skills." "Kagayama Mansion" "Very good work, Kakuzaemon!" "Thank you." "Bring Musashi here." "He's bathing just now." "A bath?" "He's very dirty." "He's been sleeping in the open and his hair and beard just kept growing..." "He smells very bad." "Tell me." "What is the secret to your Niten-ryu style?" "There is no secret." "What?" "No secrets that govern your style?" "I just happened to use two swords when I fought the Yoshioka school in Kyoto and when I fought Shishu Baiken in Iga, I threw a sword at him and pierced his heart." "I see." "The Niten-ryu uses all weapons I can carry." "You'll use a bow if one is handy?" "Yes." "If there's a rifle, you'll use it?" "That's right." "I like what you said." "There's no winning and losing in a fight." "It's just that one of the two survives." "I understand you perfectly!" "Thank you." "You'll fight Sasaki Kojiro?" "I'm looking forward to it." "No!" "It's strange for you to say so." "We Hosokawa clan pride ourselves in our martial skills." "If we fear fighting against Musashi, that'll be our shame forever." "Don't talk silly." "Our fencing instructor can't take on a mere ronin swordsman." "You fear that Kojiro might lose, Father?" "Fool." "He can't lose." "Then, order him to fight with Musashi and if he wins, the morale in this clan will be raised." "Shut up!" "I know what scheme you're cooking up!" "Scheme?" "You want to entice Musashi into attempting to kill Kojiro!" "No." "Anyway, I don't allow the match!" "But, the whole town is talking about it." "You must've spread the word." " Your Excellency!" "You distrust me, Tadatoshi, that much?" "Announce that there will be no match!" "Miyamoto Musashi's gone to Kokura to fight!" "He wants a match with Sasaki Kojiro!" "A true man must accept a challenge issued to him." "Which will win, Kojiro or Musashi?" "It's the fight of the century!" "The biggest fight since Ushiwakamaru and Benkei!" "I understand how you feel." "Nothing is more humiliating for a known swordsman to have to refuse a challenge." "Yes, that's right." "But, you're not a mere swordsman." "You're an important part who represents honor of the Hosokawa clan!" "It'll be irrevocable if you fail." "What are you talking about?" "I won't lose!" "Of course, I know that." "Nobody can win against you in a fair fight." "But, Musashi is a cunny person with no sense of shame." "If he can't beat you with his technique, he'll try anything!" "To refuse a match is the same as to be defeated!" "A smart man avoids unnecessary danger!" "Your Excellency!" " No match is my order!" "Restrain yourself now and protect the clan's honor." "That's your loyalty!" "Miyamoto Musashi's here!" "Miyamoto Musashi, the strongest swordsman in the nation, is here!" "Now we know Kojiro's true colors." "He's a bluff." "What a coward!" "He's an embarrassment!" "I'm utterly scandalized." "He's a shame of the Hosokawa clan." "I'm mortified." "I'd wanted to see Kojiro killed!" "Right." "I feel badly for Musashi to have come here for nothing." "I heard Kojiro won't even leave his house!" "He no longer can come to the castle." "If he comes to the castle, let's humiliate him!" "Kojiro's lost his guts!" "Hey, you." "Yes." "The townsmen must be disappointed." "They're more than dissapointed." "They're sick about it!" "So many have come from afar to see the fight." "The Kokura town merchants were so happy!" "Now the match is cancelled, and they're all calling Kojiro a coward." "They're saying Kojiro's no swordsman and he'd better die." "I see." "You know what to do." "Yes, I do." "No, don't!" "Say it again." "No, it's not me who said that." "Who are you men?" "Tell your names." "I'm Sugiyama Ukon, Sasaki Kojiro's student." "What?" "I recognize him." "You're insolent." "You were eavesdropping!" "Don't make a false charge." "You're plotting something!" "Why don't you say your greeting?" "Why you?" "Are you afraid, too?" "If your teacher is a coward, so are you!" "What did you say?" "Oh, you want to fight?" "Kill him!" "Quite down!" "Quiet down." "Sugiyama Ukon is your name?" "Yes." "Go and tell Kojiro that he can't escape the charge of avoiding a match because of his cowardice and becoming the national shame!" "Tell him to kill himself, or run away!" "Cowards!" "We're students of Sasaki Kojiro." "Please teach us." "Let's do it!" "All right." "You fools!" "I'm so sorry." "I told you not to fight!" "Please let me explain." "We couldn't help ourselves." "You killed a man in my fief." "It's very outrageous!" "Excuse me, but Kojiro's men started it." "Is this true?" "Yes, it is." "Bring Kojiro here!" "Yes!" "Come forward." "I, Sasaki Kojiro, have arrived." "I ask you, Kojiro." "Yes." "Is it true that your men attacked Musashi last night?" "That's right." "I did not know anything about that but it was insolent." "Please forgive me." "You should have known about it!" "You encouraged your men to kill Musashi because he's a nuisance to you!" "No, please hold on!" "Kojiro doesn't have to resort to such means!" "Didn't you get too upset and lose your wits about you?" "Musashi..." "Speak your mind." "Yes." "Speak freely what you think." "Then please allow me to say." "Sasaki Kojiro's fame as the greatest swordsman is known not only in Kyoto and Osaka but also in Kanto region now." "That's why I came to receive his teaching and I crossed a sea to get here." "But, the match has been banned somehow." "I feel unfortunate and badly about it." "I'm sure he feels equally bad." "Moreover, the public has critical eyes toward Kojiro." "I think it's natural that his young students have ill feeling against me." "Very well said!" "Please allow me to say something." "This matter is causing grief to all concerned." "It's not good for the clan." "I don't think there's no other choice but to order Kojiro to fight the match." "I understand." "Take care of it." "Yes." "Kojiro..." "Yes." "Any objections?" "None, whatsoever!" "How about you, Musashi?" "I'm happy to accept." "The match shall take place on the grounds of the Mangan-ji temple in a month." "Yes." "Certainly!" "Listen, both of you." "Needless to say, this match shall decide which of you are superior in martial arts." "So do your best not to have regret and fight with honor." "Yes, of course." "Good!" "I'm very pleased to realize my wish." "Let's fight fairly and freely." "Yes, let's!" "We'll both pledge it upon our swords." "By the order of the Lord, the match between Miyamoto Musashi Sasaki Koji will take place on 7 AM, April 1 3th at Mangan-ji temple." "Please praise Jurota." "Please avenge his soul!" "He can rest in peace if you kill Musashi." "Sir Kojiro!" "Oh, Seisaku!" "How have you been?" "I can climb trees very well now!" "That's good." "My sister..." "Ukon..." "Welcome home." "It's been a while." "I'm sorry for what my brother Ukon has caused." "No." "I'm grateful." "I can finally fight Musashi." "It's all for the better." "I shall beat Musashi." "I must win for Seisaku and you." "Please win." "You once told me not to be strong." "Then, I wouldn't have to fight, you said." "Yes, I did say that." "But, I want you to win now no matter what." "That offer of marriage with the daughter of Sir Matsui no longer stands." "Really?" "Now, I can refuse properly." "I'm so happy to hear that." "That's why I must win." "The cherry blossoms appear blurred." "Maybe I won't even get to see Kojiro and Musashi fight." "It's not like you to say such things." "You can't beat old age!" "Yasuyuki's dead and so is Tatsuyuki." "Even Yoshishige wants to retire." "It's time I stepped aside for my heir." "Tadatoshi's still much too young." "He's young, but he's not mediocre." "He's got a strong mind of his own." "He's forced me to grant this match." "He always try to go against your wishes." "A son must rise above his father." "To crush one's own father?" "I won't let him chew me up easily." "I can't let Musashi, whom Tadatoshi support, win this match." "What are you going to do if Kojiro is beaten by Musashi?" "Then, I'll let my son take over for me!" "At age 1 3, Musashi killed Arima Kihei, a swordsman in Banshu." "At 1 6, he killed Akiyama Bo, a swordsman from Tajima." "At age 1 7, he participated in the Battle of Sekigahara and showed outstanding performance." "He went to Kyoto at age 21  to take on the Yoshioka Seijuro, a well-known swordsman, at Rendaiji temple." "Seijuro was beaten by Musashi with a wooden sword." "Later, Musashi fought with Seijuro's brother, Denshichiro and killed him instantly." "Scores of Yoshioka students harboring a grudge against Musashi supported Seijuro's son, Matashichiro, to fight with Musashi." "Musashi killed Matashichiro and Yoshioka students." "Musashi used two swords for that fight." "The Yoshioka family was abolished." "The same year, Musashi fought Kakuzenbo In'ei, the master of the cross-spear." "And Musashi beat him." "Then, he took on Shishido Baiken, the master of the sickle and chain." "He successfully killed him." "He's won all 64 of his sword matches." "He is pretty good." "He cut my arm in no time!" "It was a very unusual sword style." "I've seen Kojiro's fine performance." "It was a form of Sekishu Tekken." "I remember him well as an outstanding swordsman." "Hearing of his fame, Lord Numata took him in under his wing as a martial arts instructor." "If he's enticed in close quarters, his long sword will be hard to handle, like a harpoon." "No, he won't." "Kojiro's a cautious man." "But, I think Lord Okinaga chose Mangan-ji temple as the site in order to rob Kojiro of the advantage of his long sword." "Right." "The stone lanterns will be in the way." "The trees and the headstones, too." "What do you think, Munisai?" "My son will probably lose." "What?" "The way I see it, Sasaki Kojiro's the best swordsman in the country." "My son is no match for him." "Kojiro's strengths are in his counter-slashes." "We know that." "His so-called swallow-slash style..." "Also known as his Ganryu style..." "That's a superhuman heat." "There's nobody that can beat that." "What do you think, Musashi?" "Can you parry his counter-slash?" "My father is very astute." "If he thinks I can't do it, I probably won't be able to parry it." "That's not good!" "But, I don't intend to parry." "Then, you'll let yourself lose?" "No, I'll win." "What?" "What do you mean?" "The people like talking about who'll win a match." "It'll be an interesting match." "Monji Castle" "Lord Tadaoki became very weak." "If you lose, he'll let his son Tadatoshi take over and he'll retire." "That means old generations like Mibuchi and I will be forced into retirement." "The rifle advocates will increase their power in the clan and the spirit of samurai will be undermined." "I shall not lose." "You have a plan?" "I'm an instructor of martial arts." "Then I'll fight conventionally and calmly without relying on cunning plans and set a good example to people in the clan." "Don't take him lightly." "Since Musashi is a known schemer, he may use an unexpected method." "We even can't tell if he'll use two swords or one." "Whether he'll use one sword or two, you don't have to worry." "Are you tired?" "No." "Your eyes have ceased gleaming." "Father..." "That plumb you swing is stationary in my eyes." "Kojiro is an established swordsman." "To beat him, you must hate him." "Excuse me!" "Please take a look." "I've got a good thing!" "This is Bizen Osamitsu blade." "It's Kojiro's!" "What?" "I don't understand." "Kojiro sent it out to be sharpened and one of our men secretly borrowed it." "Borrowed it?" "It's a fine blade." "Much blood has soaked into it." "My brother was killed by it, too." "Do you understand, Musashi?" "Kojiro wields this big blade easily." "I hope this was helpful." "What shall we do with it?" "Smash it and throw it into the sea!" " No!" "No samurai can talk like that!" "I detest this blade." "The blade is innocent!" "Go give it back." "Can you step into it?" "I, Tadatoshi, have come." "What is the urgent request?" "A letter has come from Shimizu Hoki in Edo to your father." "But, he can no longer read." "I read it for him." "These words I'm about to speak are his." "On March 21st Okamoto Daihachi, an assistant of Honda Masazumi, was burned to death." "I know that." "He had taken bribes from Arima Harunobu, lord of Hizen fief." "Lord Arima was ordered to stay in his house." "That's because he plotted to assassinate one of the Shogunal magistrates." "Both these men were Christians." "The same day, Shogun Ieyasu banned Christianity." "He banished his 1 3 Christian retainers and exiled three maids who practiced it to the islands." "That's not right!" "His edict to banish Christians will reach Kyushu soon." "I won't allow it." "If it happens, we'll fight the Shogunate along with other Christian daimyo lords." "Is that why you bought so many guns?" "What are you talking about?" "Don't hide it from me." "You've secretly gave big money to a dealer in Luzon to order 300 rifles." "Who told you?" "Answer me!" "I'm the eldest son of the Hosokawa clan." "You have no right to speak this way to me!" "I'm your father's concubine!" "All right." "The guns aren't related to this Christian issue." "I alone made the decision to buy them for the clan." "The Shogunate will not believe you." "I'm sure they'll doubt it." "I'll explain it to my father." "He already knows about it." "What?" "I might have rushed it." "Cancel the gun orders." "We'll lose huge sums of money as a penalty!" "It can't be helped." "Well, Lady Otose sure wields a lot of power." "That's not all." "She's told me to give up being Christian." "Renounce the faith?" "The Shogunate allowed Christianity in order to better trade." "But, foreign trade has made local clans too strong and they feel threatened." "So, they must crack down." "Don't take Christians so lightly!" "The teachings have spread widely and it is said there are 600,000 to 700,000 followers all across the country." "You want to be like Lord Arima Harunobu?" "That's nonsense." "I speak this way as your mother." "My mother is only Hosokawa Garasha in heaven." "Going against her belief is betraying Deus (God) !" "I can never accept such instructions." "You wish not to be heir?" "Is that what my father said?" "Answer me!" "A true Christian should choose death." "You want the young lord to die?" "No...only in principle!" "This match has started it all." "We can no longer let Musashi win." "Sir, what did you say?" "Kojiro is my father's favorite." "Oh, no..." "But, it'll be worse to let Kojiro win." "Please allow me to say." "There's so much public interest in this martial match three days ahead." "The nation is divided in favor of either of the swordsmen." "If the match's cancelled, it'll affect our clan's reputation." "Hold on." "I have an idea." "April 9, the site of the match is changed to Funa-shima island." "Have you heard?" "The site for the upcoming match was somehow changed to Funa-shima island." "The new site is Funa-shima!" "It was changed to Funa-shima!" "It's a tiny island and according to the directions, no observers are allowed!" "Funa-shima" "It's not good news." "The site has been changed." "Something must've happened." "Such as?" "I don't know." "Too many spectators if it's at Mangan-ji temple?" "It's rather strange to have few." "Don't you agree?" "Hey you, boatsman!" "How many nautical miles to Monji?" "A little over one nautical mile." "And to Shimonoseki?" "About the same." "A little over one nautical mile." "Funa-shima's right in the middle?" "Yes." "Will it be low tide for the match?" "No, full tide." "Then, it'll recede gradually." "When will the currents be swiftest?" "Around the Hour of the Snake (9AM)." "Musashi..." "Somebody's coming." "You're here to check the site?" "I'm surprised to see you." "It's a beautiful place." "I guess this would be a likely spot." "Let's decide on this beach." "All right." "I'm Musashi's father." "Munisai, is it?" "Thank you for the upcoming match." "You must be worried for your son." "I'm a warrior." "I won't waver." "If he wins, good!" "If not, that's how it goes." "I'm impressed by your words." "I envy Musashi for his father." "I lost my mother and father when I was little." "Then, we shall meet the day after tomorrow." "Yes, the day after tomorrow." "Let me ask you a question." "What is it?" "Why did you request this Funa-shima for a site change?" "My request?" "This is unexpected." "I thought it was you who wanted it here." "It wasn't me." "I vow to the heavens that I didn't!" "Then, who did?" "I see..." "Kojiro..." "Please excuse me." "Why wasn't I told about the site change?" "I'm to officiate at the match!" "Calm down, Nobumoto." "How can I?" "Setting my honor aside..." "It's not right for politics to overthrow the notice issued!" "Politics has both sides." "You had a hand in the change?" " No." "Then, was it you, Hayato?" " Of course not." "Lord Tadatoshi made the change." "Are you sure?" "Positive." "I guess it can't be helped." "What a rash act for a heir!" "It wasn't rash act." "There's a reason." "Tell me about it." "Come closer." "Lord Tadatoshi angered his father and risks being disowned." "What?" "No matter Musashi or Kojiro wins, the feud between the father and son will worsen." "Judging from his character, if he is disowned he may rally the other Christian lords into fighting the Shogunate." "Let me ask you." "What will you do?" "Well..." "I don't know what to say." "Time is getting near." "Speak up." "Then maybe we can hope that they both die." "A draw in death?" "If they both die, nobody will have lost face and all will be well with the clan." "Thst's absolutely outrageous." "Are you saying to order both Kojiro and Musashi to die?" "It's all set." "All set?" "There will be no witnesses since it'll take place on Funa-shima." "I can't go along with it!" "Nobumoto!" "Kojiro is loyal." "He is a genuine samurai!" "But we no longer need him." " Silence!" "He's a loyal and honorable retainer." "I can't have him die!" "Hold on." " Get out of my way!" "Do you dare oppose Lord Tadatoshi?" "I'm not opposing him." "I'm merely speaking what's right for samurai's honor!" "Time and circumstances matter!" "That's an excuse." "Which is more important, our clan or Kojiro?" "True loyalty for a retainer means to die for his clan!" "Listen, Nobumoto..." "If you oppose our young lord your own family shall be abolished." "Abolish my house?" "This is the crucial moment." "Before you worry about a retainer you'd better think over what you'll do." "Nobumoto is smart." "He'll figure out which's good for him, weighing his fief and Kojiro's life." "I agree." "Now, it's all set." "Don't have any failure." "Certainly." "Let me report." "Doke Kakuzaemon, a retainer of Sir Kagayama, is here to see you." "Bring him." " Yes." "So good to see you!" "What is it?" "Miyamoto Musashi has run away!" "What?" "He ran?" "Hey, you samurai." "Judging from the hat you wear, you're Miyamoto Musashi!" "It's you, as I thought." "I'm so glad to see you finally!" "Thanks for the god Inari, I could finally see you!" "I'm sorry, but I must be on my way." "Hey, you don't remember me?" "It's me..." "Oroku!" "Oroku from Ogori inn!" "Ogori inn?" " Yeah." "Hey!" "Wait!" "I came a long way, looking for you!" "What for?" "I want to pinch you." "I heard the man I fell in love with will fight a match, so I came to cheer you!" "I thought if I wait here, I can see you!" "This is the Budda figure you gave me." "I'm cherishing it." "Did you visit the island?" "Take me with you!" "All right?" "No spectators are allowed!" "How irritating!" "Then, hold me...right here!" "If you hold me, you'll surely win." "I'm that kind of woman." "For free!" "It's for free!" "Stay well." "Miyamoto Musashi, idiot!" "I hope Kojiro kills you!" "Sasaki Kojiro..." "You may face me." "I'm honored to see you." "Our lord ails in his eyes." "He says he regrets not being able to see you fight." "He wishes you well and he's arranged for a boat for you to go to Funa-shima." "I'm grateful." "Nothing pleases me more!" "Successfully beat Musashi for the Hosokawa clan." "I certainly will." "I don't think a man like Musashi would run away." "Then, make every effort to find him." "If he isn't found, one of us will have to commit seppuku." "Yes." "Shimonoseki" "Kokura must be buzzing with rumors." "The match shouldn't be used for politics." "You may think so, but what about Kojiro?" "He can't refuse his orders to prove his loyalty." "It's a sad fate to be employed." "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." "It's the inn's owner." "I'm Kobayashi Tarozaemon." "I'm Musashi." "The match takes place tomorrow." "Sorry for causing you trouble." "Not at all." "I've known your father for a long time." "What about a boatman?" "Yes, as you told me, I've arranged someone very good." "His name is Sukematsu." "He's a rowdy fellow, but he rows a boat pretty fast." "That's good." "Is there anything else I can do?" "I need an oar." "Oar for a boat?" "A used one will do." "But, it needs to be strong." "I'll get you one." "Is Musashi strong?" "Yes, he is." "Which one of you is stronger?" "I don't know." "What if you lose?" "Then, I must leave." "Go far away?" "I'll never be able to return to this house." "Then, please win." "I'll win." "Mother and I will be waiting for you." "Good boy!" "Sir Kojiro!" "There are strange rumors." "What rumors?" "Musashi's gone..." "What?" "The police are looking for him everywhere." "If he's run off to avoid tomorrow's match, he's a coward!" "Don't take him lightly." "He's too proud to run." "Maybe it's a trick?" "We'll see." "I'll go check." "Musashi..." "Why look at me like that?" "Please return to Kokura!" "No." "It's orders!" "I have nobody to order me." "That's unexpected words." "Sir Okinaga, your supporter, is waiting for you with your boat all ready!" "Then go tell him." "I'm grateful." "Kojiro is an employed samurai, but I'm a ronin." "If Sir Okinaga sides with me, he would turn against the lord of Hosokawa clan." "So, I'll go to the match on my boat from Shimonoseki." "I've cause you to suffer." "I'm so grateful." "I've done nothing to deserve such words of yours." "Please don't worry about me." "Just do your best in the match." "I pray for your victory." "Thank you." "We'll wed as soon as the match is over." "Sir Kojiro..." "Suzuka..." "Sir Kojiro... 1 7th year of Keicho 1 7 ( 1 6 1 2) April 1 2th May 1 3th on modern calendar" "If Kojiro wins, he'll pass there to return." "Don't fire until I give the order." "He's late!" "It's past the appointed time." "Don't keep me waiting!" "It's well over the Hour of Dragon." "I don't care who this Musashi is." "Don't be haughty!" "Hey, I'm setting out!" "He's very late." "He seeks to irritate Kojiro." "But, still..." "Fuzaemon, send someone out to Shimonoseki!" "Certainly." "How dare you!" "I'm Lord Okinaga's messenger." "Yes, I know." "Then, go tell him!" "I understand, but Musashi is dressing now." "There's no time!" "He can lose by lateness!" "The match is to the death." "A little lateness is nothing." " Move aside!" "No." "Then, I'll kill you." "Go ahead." "What?" "I'm a former samurai." "I'm not afraid." "Hey, do you intend to fight?" "You keep Kojiro waiting at Funa-shima." "And you've sent the officers away." "Why are you carving?" "This is too thin!" "That's no good." "Sukematsu..." "What?" "I hear you're a good boatman." "Yeah, I'm the best in Japan!" "The currents will be running fast soon." "So what?" "Take your time getting there..." "But, as soon as I win, we'll leave there as quickly as we can." "You'll run away?" "After I win!" "I don't want to leave with no passenger." "Are you leaving?" "Thank you for everything." "Good luck to you." "I'll be going to Funa-shima now." "Are you ready?" "I apologize for my waywardness." "It's to late for that now." "Kojiro must be very upset." "Come back as a winner!" "Sukematsu, let's go!" "Hold it." "It'll be cold out on the boat." "Check the length of you oar." "Farewell." "The tide's receding." "I see." "The current..." "Is it all set on the island?" "We don't know." "The messenger said that Musashi's very late." "That's rude!" "It's all right." "It doesn't matter whether Musashi wins or Kojiro wins." "We must hold the clan together to prepare for the nation's turmoil." "Yes." "A feudal lord must be able to lead retainers and citizens who differ in their opinions." "Buddhists, Shinto, and Christian..." "A feudal lord must lead all of them." "But, if the lord supports Christians who are banned by the Shogunate do you think we can keep the peace in his fief?" "I accept your words earnestly." "It's the same thing with that match." "Why did you have to take sides for the match that divides the clan into two?" "What a shame!" "I was wrong." "Your past mistakes have been taken as immatureness." "I've overlooked them." "But, your mistakes will be invesigated strictly from now on!" "If you want to take over the clan, you follow the rules!" "No buying of guns in secret!" "Sugimasa..." "Okimichi..." "The future of this Hosokawa clan relies on your wisdom now." "Help Tadatoshi and Okinaga and do your duties well!" "That Musashi!" "How dare he make fools of us all!" "He's being true to his reputation of a wily old fox." "Nobumoto..." "Did you leak our plans?" "Of course not." "He's coming!" "It's undoubtedly Musashi!" "Please look!" "He's going to the south of the point!" "Calm down, everybody!" "Stay right here!" "Excuse me, but I have some concerns." "Concerns?" "Speak up." "Then, I humbly ask." "Why is Kumagai Heizaemon, the rifle squad leader, here on the island with his squad?" "I hope they're not here to assist me!" "Don't worry." "They're here to protect our lord." "I'm disappointed in Musashi." "He does anything to live." "Yes." "When he fought with Yoshioka Seijuro... ..he even killed Yoshioka's son Matashichiro who was merely 1 3 years old." "This time, he went against the wishes of Lord Okinaga who had done well to him." "He's refused the lord's offer of a boat and he stayed in Shimonoseki." "In addition, he came very late." "He must be scheming something." "Hold on!" "I detest your meddling in this honorable match!" "I'll get Musashi on my own!" "Very good." "We don't have any intention to interfere." "Thank you." "And..." "This is the blade Lord Tadaoki gave me when I started serving at Kokura Castle." "I know that." "Please keep it and if anything should happen to me, please return it to him." "Return it?" "Musashi is a warrior and so am I!" "This fight is between the two of us!" "I'll keep the blade safe for you." "Excuse me." "Don't kill him, capture him!" "Let's go." "Hurry!" "Return!" "Get our boat!" " Yes." "Don't go after Musashi!" "Kojiro..." "They don't know my skills!" "Sasaki Kojiro Ganryu" "Funa-shima has been called Ganryu-Jima ever since." "Cast" "WATANABE Ken" "NATORI Yuko" "ENOKI Takaaki" "NISHIKIORI Kazukiyo" "OHASHI Goro" "KANIE Keizo" "Guts ISHIMATSU" "BITO Isao" "SUZUKI Izuho" "IZUMI Pinko" "NATSUYAGI Isao" "HOSOKAWAA Toshiyuki" "O YAMA Katsumi" "MATSUMURA Tatsuo" "OTAKI Hideharu" "TAKITA Sakae" "Director:" "MURAKAMI Yuji"