Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai

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~ Ichimei ~

HARA-KIRI - Death of a Samurai

ICHIKAWA Ebizo

EITA:

TAKENAKA Naoto, MITSUSHIMA Hikari

YAKUSHO Koji

Produced by

NAKAZAWA Toshiaki and Jeremy THOMAS

Screenplay by

YAMAGISHI Kikumi

Directed by

MIIKE Takashi

With all my honour,

I have come to make a request

of your chief official.

Another one?

Will they never stop?

Sir,

what should we do?

Where's Omodaka?

He should be here.

Shall I summon him?

No, that's fine.

Show him in.

You'll grant him audience,

sir?

I'll talk to him.

I am told

you wish to commit ritual suicide here.

I was in Hiroshima, in Geishu,

where I served Lord Fukushima Masanori.

I am Tsukumo Hanshiro.

Since the fall of my Lord's house,

I have sought a position elsewhere.

My wish has gone unfulfilled,

as we now live in peaceful times.

I have fallen into poverty.

I have struggled to survive,

but I can no longer bear the shame.

I wish to cut open my stomach

and die as befits a warrior.

I humbly ask

the use of your courtyard

to proceed with my task.

I applaud your truly magnificent

display of spirit.

Lord Fukushima's retainers

first confirmed his personal safety,

then handed over Hiroshima Castle.

The secession was without conflict.

They were the model

of proper conduct.

Speaking of Fukushima,

would you know a young warrior

named Chijiiwa Motome?

I do not.

He claimed to be

of the same Fukushima Domain.

Our domain reaped

There were 572 elders, captains,

and their retinues alone.

Include their households as well,

and I cannot Imagine how many

were cut adrift

due to our loss of status.

Indeed.

Early last fall,

this masterless ronin Motome

appeared here

with the same request as you.

Would you care to hear

what happened?

Please tell me.

With all my honour,

I have come to make a request

of your chief official.

He's our first.

Did you see him?

That skinny ronin?

Who cares where a beggar like that

kills himself?

The greater the House where he dies,

the more honour he regains.

Let's just kill him ourselves.

No.

Give him a coin.

Send him away.

We don't want trouble.

Your opinion, Squire Omodaka?

Are you warm enough?

His age?

About twenty, sir.

Younger than you.

This is one of those suicide bluffs.

It's an outrage that such a person

calls on our House of Ii.

Suicide bluff?

Yes, sir.

This mess started

with one poor ronin

at the residence of Lord Fujishima.

I cannot make a living, he said,

"and wish to end it all. "

"I ask to use your courtyard

and die as a warrior should.

The elder he spoke to was moved,

and talked him out of it.

They hired him as a retainer,

and the story went round the town.

Other ronin

began Hocking to houses of great lords.

Some were taken on,

while those who weren't

were sent away with a few coins

to save face.

This is a disgrace.

Now all penniless ronin think

threatening suicide brings money.

That man is one of them.

Omodaka...

you believe

this man is bluffing?

We must make an example of him

to stop this from happening again.

Lord Ii himself

happens to be here in Edo.

He will grant you audience.

His Lordship?

You should change.

I will conduct you to the bath.

Gentlemen,

this ritual will be a rare event.

Warriors of the House of Ii,

pay close attention to what you will see.

Squire...

These are his swords.

Draw it.

He proposes

to commit suicide with that?

Put this on.

Thank you.

Then come this way.

Wait!

Yes?

Funeral dress, for His Lordship?

Lord Ii?

His Lordship has been called away.

He has been told of your wish.

He is convinced

you cannot be dissuaded

of your noble intent.

He commands us

to offer you

every assistance in your ritual suicide.

Please...

a little time!

Dress yourself.

All is in readiness.

You may carry out your wish

to commit suicide.

What do you think

of that?

What happened then?

I am Senior Retainer

to this House of Ii.

I am Saito Kageyu.

Our house is recognized for its bravery,

but few here remember

the great battles of Sekigahara

or Osaka.

Most of those here

are samurai by birth,

but have never fought in true battle.

They do not know war.

The land is at peace.

In these calm and gentle times,

I acknowledge

your request

as evidence of a most noble intent.

I wish our young men to observe

a true warrior

facing an impressive death.

I am your second...

Omodaka Hikokuro.

Matsusaki Hayatonosho is your witness.

Kawabe Umanosuke is your attendant.

Are you ready?

I beg a favour.

Yes?

One day...

That's all I ask!

I swear I will return.

Squire!

- For shame!

Please!

I swear I will return!

Even a few hours.

Please!

Squire...

This House will not tolerate

suicide bluffs.

I'm not bluffing.

I will do it. I will die!

Please!

I beg you!

Squire Chijiiwa!

Wait.

Squire...

As fellow samurai,

we have done everything possible

to accommodate your wish.

May I now suggest

that you compose yourself?

We of the House of Ii

must observe all formalities.

A warrior's word is his bond.

Squire Chijiiwa...

You realize what you have done,

do you not?

I believe your own sword

will best suit your end.

And a fine sword it is.

Squire Chijiiwa...

I ask...

I ask for 3 ryo.

To treat a sick wife and child!

How dare you!

Only 3 ryo!

Please!

That's your last request?

Pathetic!

Of the Fukushima Domain,

I, Chijiiwa Motome,

will now cut open my stomach.

Push it in!

Twist it around!

Omodaka!

Second!

Twist it around!

Twist it!

More!

More!

Truly a pitiable tale.

Pitiable?

And so...

what will you do?

What will I do?

Leave now and I will say nothing.

I would not think of it.

A warrior's word is his bond.

I am going to commit

a most worthy suicide.

Fine.

As you wish.

Go and change.

- No.

These clothes will best fit

the end of a penniless ronin.

The consideration you've shown me

has been great.

I don't know how to thank you.

If it is possible,

may I make one last request?

If you wish. I will hear it.

Thank you.

In that case, I wish

Omodaka Hikokuro to be my second.

Omodaka?

He is said to be

the most valiant of all

the retainers to the House of Ii.

Yes,

he has no equal.

Hikokuro!

Is he here?

He has not reported today.

As you have heard,

Omodaka is not here today.

Ono is a man

of no ordinary skill.

I ask most earnestly

that you honour this last request.

I insist.

Summon him.

Thank you.

He didn't come back last night?

Go and find him.

If he's absent without leave,

there will be consequences.

There are others missing?

Why didn't you tell me?

Well?

Where is he?

Senior Retainer Saito...

If Squire Omodaka is not available,

I request Matsusaki Hayatonosho

or Kawabe Umanosuke.

They have not reported today either.

Both are missing.

What?I

None of the three

returned to quarters last night.

Villain!

What do you want here?I

Wait!

I ask you to wait a short time.

I have something to say.

Hear me out,

then cut me Into pieces,

if you will.

Stand down!

Speak.

I will.

I knew

the Chijiiwa Motome

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