Love and Honor Page #5

---

in my selfish ways.

I apologize for that.

Thank you for all you've done

these many years.

The river's about 20 yards in front.

The stable's just to your left.

You can smell it.

The floods last winter wrecked it.

It's only fit for ghosts now.

That's fine.

Get well away

and hide behind something.

Watch your feet.

There's stones everywhere...

Tokuhei...

All the best to you.

Go.

Mimura...

It's me.

I'm told you've divorced

your wife.

Did that not put an end to this?

Are you still not content?

What you have done to my wife

is no less than rape.

I cannot in honor let you live.

You make much of very little.

It is because of that

you enjoy your stipend now.

You lie!

With that lie you deceived Kayo...

just to have your way with her.

Coward!

'Coward'?

How dare you address

a superior that way?!

You are neither superior nor samurai.

I was reluctant to fight a duel

with a blind man.

But since you speak that way,

I will show no mercy.

Prepare to die.

Damn you!

Can you see?

My servant told you.

Don't underestimate me.

What?!

Watch your feet.

'Be resolved you will both die.

'Life lies in resolve for death.'

Have at me, Shimada.

My death...

will be yours.

Sir!

Are you hurt?

Where's Shimada?

Fallen near you,

with his arm cut through.

Will you deal the final blow?

No.

Kayo is avenged.

Aye.

Tokuhei...

Let's go.

He was carried home all bloody,

his one arm cut right off!

The castle was in an uproar.

They managed to save his life,

and they grilled him about the duel.

But he said nothing.

That night, with his other arm,

he cut open his stomach and died.

A samurai can't live

with one arm cut off.

They're all saying how even

he had a warrior's honor.

Who was the duel against?

That's the point.

Who could have cut an arm off

a top-ranked Shinkage swordsman?

No one knows.

There were many with a grudge

against the Chief Duty Officer.

No one has any idea.

They've closed the case.

Who do you think it was?

You wouldn't know.

After all, you can't see a thing.

Well, winter's on its way...

Tea, sir.

This is awful!

Anyway, Mimura,

I'll drop by again.

You've come all the way here

just for bad tea...

Goodbye.

I was meaning to tell you...

one of your birds is dead.

The one left behind'll be lonely.

Tokuhei...

Tokuhei!

You called?

The bird's dead? We'll need a grave.

I'll bring a hoe.

Sir, I was listening

to Squire Yamazaki just now.

I'm glad to hear

they've closed the case.

I was terrified

you'd be summoned to the castle.

It's a big relief.

I was resolved to cut open my stomach

the moment I was summoned.

That might have been better.

What are you saying?

You have a long life ahead of you.

What's the point

in my living a long life?

Doing nothing day after day

but eating your lousy food...

Now you mention it, I've been

looking for a girl to cook for you.

I think I've found a good one.

Do you mind if I hire her?

As you wish.

Could I bring her today, then?

You decide.

Don't bother me with it.

Sir... dinner's ready.

I was wrong.

I shouldn't have sent you out

to follow Kayo.

I wouldn't have sent her away,

or cut Shimada down.

I was wrong to doubt Kayo.

Save the difficult thoughts for later

and eat your dinner.

Would I have been better off

knowing nothing?

No.

Better off as a fool?

That's crazy!

Tokuhei...

Who made this food?

Um...

The new kitchen girl

I was talking about.

Simmered dried taro stems...

Tokuhei...

Did that girl simmer these?

Yes, sir.

Where is she?

In the kitchen...

Bring her here.

She's just a scullery maid, sir.

I couldn't...

Bring her here, I said!

I can't do that!

Do as I tell you!

Yes, sir.

Girl...

Hot water.

I was resigned

to never eating your cooking again.

I've put up with Tokuhei's

awful food all this time.

What's wrong?

Have you lost your tongue

while you've been away?

You knew it was me?

Stupid!

I wouldn't forget your cooking.

Then...

I may stay?

I'm glad you've come home, Kayo.

Tokuhei...

We'll need a new bird-cage.

Aye.

And a pair of birds.

Aye.

Directed by

Yoji Yamada

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes