Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai Page #2

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who came here two months ago.

He was actually

a very close acquaintance.

Chijiiwa Motome

was actually

a very close acquaintance.

JUNE 1617

Father?

I have to go to the castle.

Father!

Don't worry about me, Miho.

Can you wait here alone?

Take a few minutes to rest.

Chijiiwa!

Get this repaired!

If not the outer walls,

at least the inner ones!

As much as I'd like to rebuild,

we need the Shogun's permission.

We applied six months ago!

What's going on?

We can't stay this way.

Surely the Shogun won't object

to some minor repairs!

And If he does object?

We can't take the risk.

Violation of the Warriors' Laws

results in disbanding the domain!

At least start work

on the inner citadel.

We have to wait for permission!

Yes, Chijiiwa,

but we have to maintain the castle!

But...

- Get busy!

Squire!

Are you all right?

Should you be up?

To lie in bed on a fine day

is to tempt fate.

Welcome!

A fine melon.

My sword is a chunk of iron

compared to yours.

His Lordship gave it to me

after the Battle of Sekigahara.

Squire Jinnai,

I'm worried.

Our permission to rebuild

still hasn't come from the Shogun.

That's suspicious.

Is he scheming to destroy clans that

were his enemies before Sekigahara?

We only became allies after.

Don't say such things, Hanshiro.

Yes, it might be a problem...

But

You gain nothing

by worrying about it now.

Don't frown like that.

Squire Jinnai...

She looks more like your late wife

all the time.

Admit it.

She's the apple of your eye.

Considering that war

was all we ever knew,

I think we two widowers

have done a pretty good lob

of raising our kids alone.

Motome's becoming a fine young man.

He's something of a scholar,

unlike myself.

Recent work at the Hiroshima castle

violates the Warriors' Laws

and is thus held unlawful

Said construction

was to have been dismantled.

You were commanded to destroy

the entire castle

except the inner citadel.

That only a pretense was made

of following previous commands

is an intolerable affront.

Everyone must evacuate the domain

and withdraw into Tsugaru.

Hear and obey.

Effective Immediately.

June 2, 1619

As Commissioner of Works

for the Domain,

I should have appealed

to His Majesty the Shogun

by cutting my stomach

to avoid

destroying the castle

and our domain

The Shogun raises and lowers men

as he pleases.

Even close allies don't contradict him.

It's a crying shame.

Squire Jinnai...

Hanshiro...

I understand.

If worst comes to the worst,

I will take your son Motome

under my care and protection.

Hanshiro...

I'm sorry.

Slide open the doors.

I'd like to see the castle.

Beautiful, isn't it?

Yes.

EDO, JUNE 1620

it's like schooling or fencing.

Practice faithfully every day,

and you'll see results.

Don't worry.

You're not eating, Father?

I have to go out.

Then we'll wait.

I'm meeting someone.

Don't wait.

Eat while it's hot.

It won't taste so good cold.

We give thanks for this food.

No luck today.

I hoped we'd get another carp.

They say carp gives good nutrition

to the frail.

Especially girls.

The net!

Quick!

We can give this to Miho!

That's a fine estate.

That's the House of Ii.

At the Battle of Sekigahara,

we joined forces with them

to assure our victory.

With a position there,

I could fulfill my obligation

to you and Miho.

MAY 1630

He'll have to marry Miss Miho off

to find a position himself.

Hello!

I'm back.

The Head Clerk from Koshuya grocery

came by again.

The fourth time he calls?

The fifth?

I think the answer was no" again.

You need to be married,

Miss Miho, so your father can relax.

But I guess the likes of us

wouldn't understand.

It's complicated

when you're of samurai caste.

I'm home.

Father...

I did more today than I expected.

That's lots of work.

Don't overdo it.

Father.

Don't worry yourself

over trifles.

Father!

A rice cake?

Want one?

You go ahead, Father.

I'll have mine later.

They taste better with someone.

Thank you!

Truthfully,

I'm worried if the roof

is leaking badly.

Thank you for coming.

Not at all.

I haven't seen you for a while,

Squire Motome.

You put this old shed to good use,

I'm pleased to see. Thank you.

I should thank you,

I have taken advantage

of your kindness.

Not at all.

It's all for you,

I had some with Father.

They taste better with someone.

What?

What's so funny?

I'll boil some water.

Father?

What brings you here?

Please.

Thank you.

That cat likes it here.

Is something wrong?

Could you marry Miho for me?

Miho...

Will you marry her?

I have no position.

I can't get married yet.

It's the feeling that counts.

How do you feel about Miho?

Well...

For Miss Miho,

I would give my life!

- Really?

But...

as I am now...

Well spoken, Motome! That's fine.

What matters is how you feel.

That's fine!

Father!

Go on, Motome.

Bring Kingo.

Come on, Miho.

Thank you for treating us

to that sea bream, Father.

I'm sorry it wasn't a bigger one.

Not at all.

Thank you, Father.

Don't be silly.

He's my grandson!

Don't be so formal.

Kingo!

Today is your first solid-food rite.

Go on...

Here.

Want some fish, Kingo?

Here, by a little.

Kingo!

Shall we eat?

We give thanks.

Father,

I'm off to help out

a friend at his school.

Away you go, then.

Goodbye.

You've always been frail.

Take care of yourself.

Father...

don't worry.

We're going fine, as you can see.

Miho...

don't pretend with me.

Whatever I can do, ask me.

All right?

Yes.

It's extortion!

In front of someone's house!

What a nuisance!

- Terrible!

Squire Tsukumo...

Yes?

Remember

that young samurai living over the way?

He did one of those

suicide bluffs.

Suicide bluff?

You haven't heard of them?

No.

We of the townsfolk caste

would never think of it.

A samurai calls on a great lord.

He asks to commit suicide there,

but has no intention of doing it.

Just looking for charity.

It's just a trick.

But It puts the lord

in a very uncomfortable situation.

Miho...

You're back. Sony.

What's wrong?

It's nothing.

I thought the cat

had finally come home this morning.

I see.

So he came home

to die...

He was lying here

just like he always does.

Go inside. I'll do this.

Miho?

I'm fine.

Is that all?

I'm afraid so.

Unless, of course,

you want to sell your swords...

How dare you!

Here you are.

Three eggs. Thank you.

Eggs!

Fresh-laid eggs!

Slowpoke!

I'm sorry.

Don't worry. You rest.

You shouldn't have.

Don't let that concern you.

Take the medicine,

eat good food and rest.

Lie down.

I'll get you to a doctor somehow.

He'll fix you up.

A doctor?

We could never afford a doctor.

I'm nothing but a burden.

A husband must provide

for his wife and child.

Anyway,

we're two halves of a whole.

Stop worrying.

Don't think right now.

Keep resting.

Thank you.

I'm feeling better today.

Take care of yourself.

Father,

I don't know how to thank you.

You don't have to.

Stay in bed.

You take care, too.

You're all alone.

I'm fine.

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