Kagemusha Page #2

---

Go ahead. Shoot.

It was dark,

no bonfires or anything,

so I could not see.

Some time after the flute began,

I pulled the trigger like this.

Then what?

As soon as I fired,

noises came from the spot

where I had aimed,

just like now.

Calm them.

Now we can believe

that Shingen was wounded.

Not yet.

If he was,

the Takeda army would have

annihilated the enemy.

They would have tried

to kill this sniper at the very least.

No.

They want to keep it a secret.

They would not.

They made peace

when they had almost won

and returned home.

There's something very strange...

about this sudden turn.

It could be a ruse.

If we press on too long,

it could aggravate his wound.

We should stop for a rest.

My lord.

Have we crossed the Seta bridge?

I can see Kyoto.

Occupy it!

Fly my flags over the capital!

My lord!

Our lord?

I cannot see him yet,

but what a beautiful sight!

Takeda's finest,

marching in perfect step.

Keep in formation!

I know it was my father's last wish,

but I don't think

we can keep his death a secret.

Some saw his body in the palanquin.

Don't worry.

I took care of those who might talk.

But there are spies

from Nobunaga and leyasu.

We must observe your father's wishes.

We must try our best.

That's right.

Nobukado impersonated

our late lord many times in battle.

The enemy has never known.

We must deceive our own men too.

But even Nobukado cannot do that.

The secret would get out.

He is right.

I cannot carry it off by myself.

But if we brought in

another double of the lord,

it would change things.

Another double?

Exactly.

I have prepared for such an occasion.

Take a look at him.

Enter!

Remove your mask.

Where is the lord?

You were born base!

The lord doesn't often receive

the likes of you!

Make way for the lord!

- You saw him?

- Yes.

I think it's Shingen.

Let's have a closer look.

It might be a double.

I'm sure it is Shingen.

Did leyasu send you?

Nobunaga sent me.

I don't understand.

I found a guarded palanquin

hurrying north.

I thought it had to be Shingen,

so I tailed it.

A doctor traveled with it.

I thought Shingen was wounded.

But look at that.

Shingen was not in the palanquin.

Listen.

The party rested

and then rejoined the main force.

And the doctor's assistant

was killed on the pass.

It doesn't make sense.

Why did they turn back?

Why did the assistant

have to be killed?

But it is Shingen.

No doubt about it.

That's right.

It is Shingen himself.

Do not push your luck!

What if someone saw you just now?

Impossible!

He was dying before.

Now he's healthy.

You don't know the truth.

Are your spies blind

or old men whose senses have failed?

Shingen must have some reason

for pulling back so abruptly

after reaching Mikawa.

He is either dead

or wounded.

Otherwise, he'd be pressing on

toward Kyoto,

and he'd have surrounded us by now.

Don't move!

Identify yourself!

You've disappointed me.

Of all things,

trying to steal and escape.

I can play this role of double

from time to time.

But not from morning till night.

It is too much.

Besides,

the lord is already dead!

You lied to me! You tricked me!

Shut up!

Do as you are told!

I'm not a puppet!

You can't control me!

Come, come.

There is a good reason for it.

We must keep

the lord's death a secret,

as was his wish.

What do you mean, keep it a secret?

We must pretend he is alive.

But these three know.

Those who were close to him

had to know.

I intended to tell you too

that I wanted you

to continue this role.

No more. I cannot.

- Do not be obstinate.

- It's not that.

I...

I don't feel like it anymore,

now that I know he's dead.

Listen!

He asked us to conceal his death

so he could live three more years

for the sake of the Takeda clan!

If you cared for your lord at all,

now is the time to serve him!

Perhaps you are right.

But I thought he was alive.

Then I found him dead.

Suddenly, it all seems so stupid!

He's hopeless!

We cannot use him!

There is no other way.

Only he can deceive everyone,

even those in our camp.

Listen.

If you refuse to play the lord's role,

you will die.

Now that you've seen him dead,

we can't let you live.

But if you do this for us,

you will be rewarded

and released in three years.

You owe your life to Lord Nobukado.

Now he is asking you to help him.

Enough!

No matter what you say,

he will never understand us.

When you think about it,

why should he care one whit

about the Takeda clan?

It is selfish of us to force him

to solve our problems.

This role is for someone

who is willing to die

for the Takeda clan.

Release him.

Are you mad?

If he goes free,

then everyone will know.

We cannot prevent that.

Tomorrow, we reach Suwa.

We will bury the lord's body

in Lake Suwa as he wished.

This is no time for killing.

The next day we reach Fuchu.

It will be a sad march home

without our lord.

Let us plan for it now.

What are they doing?

What's in that jar?

Strange.

The jar is gone.

What happened?

I've got it.

I thought the jar contained a treasure,

but I was wrong.

They would not abandon that.

And the Takeda warriors

were behaving strangely.

I am sure the jar

contained Shingen's body.

In that case,

the man we saw

from the mountain was his double?

It had to be.

Quick!

Three spies were in that hut!

They saw everything!

Send your men to kill them!

Go away!

We're going to tell

our soldiers of his death today.

Naturally,

the enemy will know at once.

I said go away!

What do you want?

You looking to be paid?

No!

Let me help you.

I want no reward.

Make use of me.

I want to be of use to him.

Use me!

I beg you!

Please, let me help!

"A jar of sake was offered

to the god of the lake this morning."

What did it say?

What a disappointment.

The jar contained sake.

Sake?

It was offered

to the god of the lake.

Damn!

Then is Shingen alive?

Wait.

There will be a Noh performance tonight

to celebrate the victory.

We will see if the lord is real.

This is indeed a lucky day.

Boys' Festival,

and now the return

of your grandfather.

Two good things in one day.

Will my father come home, too?

Yes.

But you are the lord's heir,

so you must greet the lord first.

I know.

Grandfather

is the most important person here.

And you come after him.

Why do I come before my father?

I do not know.

Lord Katsuyori, your father,

is your guardian.

You are his charge

until you come of age.

Hurry.

The heralds are at the gate.

At once.

Now go and greet them.

The east gate?

No. You will see him

in the main hall.

The lord has returned!

Sweepers!

Hurry!

Idiot!

Kneel!

First enter Bishamon Hall.

Next, Fudo Hall,

then pray in Izuna Hall,

and finally to the main hall

for the welcome home.

Understand?

In all things, comport yourself

as I have taught you these past days.

Congratulations

on your victory, my lord.

No! He is not my grandfather.

What are you saying?

He's fought many months.

His countenance may have changed.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes