Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai Page #3

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I'm truly sorry

for worrying you.

Father?

Motome,

I've brought trouble upon you.

How?

What do you mean?

I'm sorry.

I have hope.

I will help Miho to recover.

You're right.

Motome,

I'll do anything I can!

He's had fever for three days.

This isn't good. He needs a doctor.

I tried several times.

Bu!

He demands 3 ryo first.

Motome!

How do we get the money?

Father,

could you stay

with Miho and Kingo for a while?

I have an idea.

You do?

I'll be back early this afternoon,

if things go well.

Hurry. We're counting on you.

Yes.

Kingo!

Hold on.

Hold on.

Miho!

Kingo!

Drink, won't you?

Drink!

Stop that!

Your milk can't be good in your state.

Now lie down!

Lie down!

Where's Motome?

Why didn't he do something sooner?

Are you all right?

Drink.

Drink.

That's the way!

You're a samurai!

Drink!

Please, drink!

Lie down.

What's keeping Motome?

Hold on!

Wake up!

Wake up,

win you!

Wake up!

Please!

Father...

I'm sorry.

Did it hurt, Kingo?

I'm sorry!

I'm sorry!

Father,

it's me.

It's my fault.

I'm sorry!

I'm so sorry!

It's not your fault.

I'm sorry.

It's not your fault!

Is that Motome?

Is this the residence

of Squire Chijiiwa?

Who's there?

We serve at the residence of Lord Ii.

Squire Chijiiwa called on us

this morning,

requesting the use of our courtyard

to commit ritual suicide.

Suicide?

This is from the Senior Retainer.

Our task is complete.

Wait!

Wait!

Tell me how Motome ended up this way I

We already told you.

Motome wouldn't do that!

Our task was to deliver the body.

Excuse US.

Wait! I can't believe that!

What happened?I

Our House decided

to not tolerate suicide bluffs.

Bluff?

Wait, please!

I thought the Senior Retainer

would stop it!

Tell me!

How did Motome die?I

Forgive me!

Please!

Here.

Have some.

It's delicious.

Motome had sold his sword

for his family's sake.

I still treasure mine

more than anything

and thus I cling to it.

The life of a samurai,

in fact,

depends entirely on twists of fate,

leading to glory or tragedy.

That means

Motome could have been among you,

and one if you could have lived

his sad destiny.

But even if Chijiiwa Motome

was in a desperate situation,

seeking profit from a suicide bluff

remains contemptible.

To outsiders,

requesting hara-kiri

with a bamboo sword will be mocked,

while this House will he praised

for allowing the ritual suicide.

No one here

will mention the courage and distress

that Motome revealed

using a bamboo sword upon himself.

I understand how you feel,

but he told us

that ritual suicide was his wish.

So we offered him the courtyard.

He was wrong to think

he would not have to.

A warrior must kill himself

once he says he will.

But knowing the shame for a warrior

in coming here to beg money

for a sick wife and child,

did you feel no pity?

Did not one warrior amongst you

have the humanity

to put yourself in his place?

We extended

every courtesy to him as a warrior.

Humanity, you say?

How absurd!

Even a warrior

has blood flowing through his veins.

Squire Tsukumo...

the House of Ii

must set a good example.

Each man has his own honour.

We are nothing without it!

Without the heart to preserve that,

we can preserve nothing!

I see.

All our men have it.

You say

that none of your men

has any fear of death...

in the name of a warrior's honour?

Absolutely!

Squire Tsukumo...

are you satisfied?

Since the three gentlemen

left quarters last night,

they have not been seen.

Still missing?

- Yes.

Find them!

Where are my men?

Here...

I return these to you.

And I have brought

something else as well.

The topknots of Matsusaki Hayatonosho,

Kawabe Umanosuke,

and Omodaka Hikokuro.

Return those

to the gentlemen, if you would.

Without those topknots,

those three men

dare not be seen in public.

They still have their heads,

but they have lost face.

Who are you?

Who are you?I

Announce yourself!

Do you remember Chijiiwa Motome?

I took topknots Instead of lives.

In shame, they have hidden away.

You speak of a warrior's honour...

What about it now?

It means nothing!

A farce...

A complete farce!

Slice him!

A warrior's honour

is not something simply worn for show!

Madman!

Mad,

am I?

I was merely living my life...

waiting for spring.

Father!

Move!

Squire Omodaka!

As you ordered,

all is back in place.

Has it been polished?

Yes, sire.

After all,

that red armour

is the pride of our House.

Quite.

Transcribed and timed by Avallach.

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