Selected for Cannes Film Festival 29th Year of the Showa Era [1954]
Daiei Productions Presents
近松物語 • the crucified lovers CHIKAMATSU MONOGATARl
Producer • Nagata Masaichi
Original story Chikamatsu Monzaemon
Adaptation • Kawaguchi Matsutaro Screenplay • Yoda Yoshikata
Cinematographer • Miyagawa Kazuo Sound • Otani Iwao
Art Director • Mizutani Hiroshi Music • Hayasaka Fumio
Cast
Mohei | Hasegawa Kazuo
Osan | Kagawa Kyoko Otama | Minamida Yoko
Ishun | Shindo Eitaro Sukeyemon | Ozawa Sakae
Genbei | Sugai Ichiro Doki | Tanaka Haruo
Isan | Ishiguro Tatsuya Oko | Naniwa Chieko
a Mizoguchi Kenji film
- Good day - Good day
Still not finished? Get on with it!
Sorry to keep you waiting
We're currently printing the new calendar for the Imperial Palace...
...and we're a bit behind on the rest of our orders
It's a large order and we're responsible for all the copies for the Western region
- You're late! How many have you got? - 300
Bring the other 200 by tonight or l'll only pay you half
Please make your selection from this catalogue
These aren't quite what I was after. My client wants something classic
I was told that Mohei could sort it out. Is he here?
- Wake Mohei up. Master Kuze is here - Yes, sir
Printing a special calendar for every house...
...that's like having a tree that bears golden fruit
Most other merchants are experiencing a slump in business...
...but this place seems to be thriving
The owner of this place is very hard to please and very particular
Maybe he does it by paying his staff next to nothing!
Mohei, you have to get up. Master Kuze is here
He wants the sample of gold brocade. It's in the second...
Listen, you'll find it in the second cupboard along
You're the only one who can tell the brocades apart
Please get up
Quickly
There's no rest for the wicked!
Osan?
What is it? What are you doing here?
- Where's Ishun? - He's out
Good
Listen. I have a favour to ask of you. l'll come in through there
- Osan, I have no one else... - Good day, madam
- Can you lend me five kan of gold? - Good day
It's all a bit sudden
If it's to pay off your debts to courtesans again...
No, not at all!
It's for the interest payments on the home
Our family home?
My loans to the courtesans haven't been returned yet...
...so l'm in real trouble
l've had to ask others to lend me some money
Please, l'm begging you
Please help me out
l've raised enough to pay off a third of the interest, but l'm missing the rest
If I don't pay it in three days, they'll throw me in prison
I can't believe you're in this position!
- Madam? - What is it?
Your mother is here to see you
Don't tell her you've seen me. l'll be back tomorrow for the money
l'm just taking this up to Mohei. See to the back rooms for me
She runs around for Mohei like she's his wife
I wonder what Mohei thinks of Otama
If you're so worried, why don't you go and ask him, then?
- l've prepared you some broth - Thank you
Listen to you, you should be resting
I have work to do
I won't be able to care for you while madam's mother is here
- Her mother, you say? - Yes
Otama, has anything strange happened in their family?
I have no idea
Here you go
Eat up before it goes cold
- There - Otama!
Coming! l'll see you later
Thank you so much
- Otama! - She's so impatient
Your brother has never been that clever...
...and we've tended to scorn him since your father passed away
l've remonstrated with him...
...but if he's arrested, just imagine the damage it will do to our business
We must avoid this shame at all costs
You know how quickly rumours can spread in business
It's a terrible embarrassment to me...
...but could you ask your husband just once more to help us out?
I will ask him
Ever since I was engaged to become his wife...
...l have always felt so ashamed asking him for money
Welcome back, sir
- How's the work going for the Minister? - Well, Mohei's been in bed with a cold
Get him up! I promised it would be completed by this evening
- Have you been with the Minister, sir? - Yes
These nobles deign to drink with us only when we're the ones paying
- Welcome home, sir - Welcome back
Welcome home, sir
- Where's Osan? - She's with her mother, sir
I see...
Welcome home, sir
Welcome home
Welcome back, master
Pass me a headrest
So, have you thought about it?
Please, let go of me, master
Don't be like that. Just think of the benefits for you
You have no parents, no family, and l'm offering you a life of luxury
I prefer to remain just as I am, thank you
You might, but I certainly don't!
To tell you the truth... l'm engaged to be married
What? Don't tell lies
l'm not lying
Tell me, who is he?
Don't make it up. Who is he?
It's Mohei
Mohei?
Please. I beg you, do not come to my room anymore
l'll come whenever I please, until you give me the answer I want
Welcome home, my dear
Forgive me for not coming sooner
l'm exhausted
I had to stay out drinking with the Minister all night
- Your mother's gone? - Yes
- What did she want? - Well, she...
- If she's after money, tell her I refuse! - No...she came to see the neighbours
Speaking of which, Sukeyemon told me you'd offered my sister some capital
But your elder sister asked for the money
I refuse to lend money even to my siblings!
Oh. Mohei...are you feeling up to this?
l'm fine. l'm all right to do some work
Are you sure?
- How did you know that's the one? - Just by watching
- So, do you intend to marry a printer? - Of course
What's wrong?
l'm sorry to trouble you...
...but if the master should mention me to you...
...would you please say that we're engaged to be married?
I can't do that
The master is chasing after me so much...
...it's the only thing I could say to deter him
The master?
I couldn't, l'd do anything for you, but I couldn't tell lies
But l'm bound by a contract and cannot leave here
- Of course not - Would you rather I gave in to him?
Not at all
l've thought many times of telling his wife
You mustn't, that would be a disaster
Primarily, his wife would suffer more than he would
Listen...
In any event, you must do nothing that would tarnish the family's reputation
You'll just have to put up with it for now, understand?
You mustn't forget that you're just an employee here. Right?
Hey, everybody! Some adulterous lovers are to be crucified!
Come quick!
- It's the wife and servant of a samurai - A samurai's wife and his own servant?
- Right - There they are!
Make way!
They'll be nailed to a cross and then left there for public viewing
It's a dishonour upon their entire family
This is the cruel fate that awaits adulterers
If a samurai does not kill the adulterer himself, he loses his rank
Surely it's better to die by the hand of one's husband than suffer such a fate
Oh. Mohei...have you recovered from your illness?
Yes, thank you for your concern, madam
That's good
Madam?
I heard your mother had arrived. Is there anything wrong?
Why do you ask?
There is nothing at all wrong
Mohei, why is it that men have the right to commit adultery...
...yet if a woman is caught. she's nailed to a cross?
- It's a cruel injustice! - Watch what you say
Why must they be crucified?
They didn't kill anyone or steal anything!
- It's absolutely tragic - Don't you feel pity for them, Mohei?
Of course I feel pity for them...
...but they broke the law, that's why they're being punished
Thank you
- I brought you a warm drink - What is it?
It's eggnog. Drink it quickly
Thank you
Mohei
Mohei!
ls it all ready?
- I managed to finish it - I bet it almost killed you
l'll take it up to the master
l'm accompanying him to the Minister's house, so l'll take it over for you
Make sure the rest of the work is done by tonight
I shall
Mohei?
- Mohei? - Yes?
How can I help you?
Yesterday, you asked me about my family, didn't you?
Yes...
Well, there is a favour l'd like to ask of you
- Will you come with me? - Yes
It's humiliating having to talk to you about this...
I understand
Your brother is going through hard times, like most businessmen are
How much does he require?
He needs five kan of gold
What? I thought you were going to ask for 50 or even 100 kan.
Not at all, but I dare not ask my husband for it
l've borrowed heavily from him ever since we were first married
I understand that, madam. I do all the accounts so I know
Just leave it to me
- I don't want you to get into trouble - Please don't worry
It's just another way for me to be of service to the family of my master
I can easily come up with the amount
I knew I could rely on you...
...but I never thought you'd be able to help this much
- Thank you so much. Thank you - Please, don't...
Welcome home, sir
Welcome back
The Minister was very pleased with your work
Really? That's good
Are you feeling better? Don't tire yourself out now
l'm fine, thank you
You're the only one I can rely on to deal with the important jobs
Here are the calendars for the Imperial Palace, sir
Good, good
Also, I need your seal on a receipt for an order, sir
Yes, of course
Here, take it
Money order. Signed - Ishun
Mohei...what are you up to?
You're back...
- You look well - What's this?
I was just signing a receipt
But you've stamped the seal on a blank page
I need to take out an emergency Ioan of five kan of gold
l'll return it within 20 days. Just turn a blind eye, will you?
What do you need it for?
Listen, you and I have often done this for even larger amounts
That may be so...
...but we never stamped the master's seal on a blank page
l'd have told you beforehand if I could. Please, overlook it this once
Right, then
In that case, you can add another two kan for me
Sukeyemon, l'll pass that amount to you another way
Mohei, what you're doing is dangerous
If you're caught, you'll be had for fraud
Just think about that
Even if you are the favourite of the master and his wife
You're right, It was wrong of me
Very wrong, l'm going to apologise directly to the master
- Hold on - What for?
Just do what I asked of you, Mohei!
- What's the meaning of this? - It's only five kan of gold
''Only'' five kan? I don't care how trifling the amount, it's still my money!
How dare you?
Explain yourself!
The simple reason is that I need the money
I can't just accept your excuses and forget about it
You owe your apprenticeship to me! Have you forgotten that?
Do you need the money to pay off debts you owe to a geisha house?
No, sir. You know that I would never frequent such places, sir
What's going on?
- He misused the master's seal - Master!
If you refuse to speak, we'll let the authorities get the truth out of you!
Master, it was l...
Master, please forgive me! It was I who requested the money
A loan for what?
Well...my uncle cannot survive as a masterless samurai...
...he's being pressured by his creditors and he's talking of suicide
That's the reason why I asked Mohei to help me
- You two seem awfully close - Not at all, sir...
You wouldn't do this if she was just a friend
Master!
Mohei simply acted out of pity for Otama
I beg you to have mercy on him. Please forgive them
No! It's obvious, they're lovers!
Sir, do with me as you will, but think of Otama, one day she will marry...
Hey, Sukeyemon
Put Mohei in the storeroom
l'll hand you to the authorities tomorrow. And keep an eye on Otama
l'm going out. l'll be back later
Otama and Mohei would never do such a thing
This doesn't concern you!
- Please forgive them - Back to work, all of you!
You should have listened to me
You've just thrown away all that you've worked so hard for
You know, in this day and age, how the master takes money off us...
...to fund his own petty vices
And like a fool, you've just fallen into his trap!
You idiot!
- Don't take your eyes off him - Yes, sir
Mohei
Madam sent this for you
- Madam did? - Yes
I see
Thank you
Madam...l'm not worthy to receive you in my room
I came to say thank you for before
This whole affair is my fault. Forgive me
Your fault, madam?
Didn't you know?
You are fond of Mohei. I can tell
Please...
I will talk to the master...
...and ask him to pardon you both
No, the master will never pardon us
Why not?
I do not wish to upset you, madam...
...and I wish to remain silent on the matter
But the truth is...
...the master...
What about the master?
He torments me constantly
He wants to set me up in a house so he can take advantage of me
To spare myself...
...l lied and told him that I was engaged to be married to Mohei
- That's why he's so angry with me - What on earth...?
To avenge himself...
...l am certain that he will come to visit me tonight
Here?
To your sleeping quarters?
Are you sure?
Yes...
...he has done so many times before
No...
And he has the audacity to reproach others for their behaviour!
He refuses to lend money to help his own flesh and blood...
...and yet offers to buy you a house
Seems we're born into this world merely to labour
Aren't you awake yet?
- Careful of the fire - Yes, sir!
Otama?
Otama, it's me, Mohei
That was good of you to speak up before and spare madam any disgrace
Quiet, don't say anything
I intend to leave this house tonight for good
But I wanted to thank you first
Mohei...
Madam?
What are you doing here?
Otama has probably told you...
I feel like l've been completely let down
I am here to catch my husband out
I want to have a serious talk with him...
...and to save you and Otama
So Otama has told you everything?
You wish to leave here, Mohei?
Yes
Once l'm handed over to the authorities...
...l won't be able to find the money to help you
If I leave now, I can try to borrow the money for you
You're still thinking about that after all that's happened?
I want to make amends for my mistake
Mohei, I will ask my husband to be lenient with you
Madam, it would do no good
I know the master well, he would never forgive me
I must leave
But I can't let you leave...
...when I am the cause of your misfortune
What are you doing, you fools?
Wake up!
Mohei's not here!
Mohei!
You idiots!
Master! Master!
Madam, please wake up!
Madam!
Madam. Mohei has escaped. Please get up
Madam?
Otama? What are you doing here?
- You mustn't go - You mustn't stop me, madam
Go back to the storeroom and wait there until...
- Enough, madam - Please!
Mohei
Wait, Mohei!
Stop, Mohei!
Stop!
You've come to spend the rest of the evening with me, eh?
Master! Master!
- Something terrible has happened! - What is it?
What do you mean, ''something terrible''?
Clear off, you lot!
Please, you must believe me
I swear l'm not lying
Why should I believe you?
Firstly, what were you doing in a servant's room?
If you must know, I wanted to discuss something with you
And you would have been obligated to listen to me
Why couldn't you discuss it with me here?
You just wanted to sleep with him!
So, you refuse to listen to my explanation
There is nothing more to say
Osan!
Osan...
...you know what someone of your rank must do now!
Master!
- Master, where are you? - Ah, master
- Did you find him? - No, sir
- You searched all over? - Absolutely everywhere, sir
And not one of you found him?
What should we do, sir?
Well, you must tell no one... no one...
...what happened this evening. understand?
But we can't stop Mohei talking
Go to the authorities and file a complaint for the theft of my seal!
I had a feeling he was planning something
And he's involved your wife in the whole thing, too, sir
And to think they'd been carrying on and nobody noticed a thing!
Hold your tongue!
Go tell the authorities, quick!
What are you doing lagging behind? Get going!
Osan!
Osan?
Madam?
Mohei!
What are you doing?
I no longer want to remain in that house
Listen, madam...
As his wife, I thought at least he'd trust me
I now realise what kind of a man he really is
Like a fool... I was completely ignorant until now
Madam...
The master's accusation of adultery stems from a simple misunderstanding
He's impulsive and he's passed judgment too quickly
For tonight, it'd be better for you to go to your mother's house
- Let me take you there - No, I don't want to go to my mother's
I just want to take myself far away from here
Don't say that
What about you? Where will you go?
Well, I plan to go to Osaka
Osaka?
I have to raise some money for your brother...
...and it would be easier to do if I went to Osaka
I shall go with you. You must take me
Impossible! If we do that, then people will surely judge us to be lovers!
We'll be crucified
I see...
You go, then
l'll find my own way somehow
Please, if you say that, you'll make it harder for me to leave
What should I do, then?
Madam!
Does the ship for Osaka Leave from here?
Yes, that's right
This is the first time l've ever spent a night in an inn
- It's so cold - Yes
Excuse me
l've brought you some hot water. There you go
May I prepare your sleeping arrangements?
Yes, please
How's your cold?
My cold?
It's completely disappeared, what with all the fuss
Hey, what are you doing?
A single pillow will suffice. I won't be sleeping here
- Warm the room up well - Yes, sir
Forgive me. I assumed that you'd be sleeping here
I must have been confused, sorry
Sorry
Goodnight
Mohei, l'm frightened. Stay here with me tonight
I couldn't possibly sleep in the same room as you, madam
Please, you must get some rest
Mohei...
...people's fate takes such strange turns, doesn't it?
Even in a single day, we have been reduced to this
There's no one at fault. Let's worry about tomorrow when tomorrow comes
Just forget your worries and get some sleep
l'll try to get some sleep, too
Good night
Yes... good night
Not seeing him for a day
feels to me like a thousand days...
The master harasses his managers about their accounts...
...but he lavishes expenses on us!
Such expenses are but a drop in the ocean...
...compared to the payoff he'll get in return
He's rich because he has a monopoly on the sale of calendars
If he can't find cause for celebration in that...
...then fortune will turn him old before his time
Today must be the best day of the year for this house
Otama...
...don't look so sad
You'll end up breaking your heart and what good will that do you?
Listen...
...Madam and Mohei will surely return
You have to lift your spirits
All right?
Ministers, honourable Chamberlain...
...l am deeply honoured by your visit to my humble home
This is a rare privilege for my family
You're always very generous
It is a pleasure to participate in the festivities with you
The delivery of the calendar is an auspicious day for you...
...and we are very happy to share in your good luck
Thank you, you are too good to me
- Master Isan has arrived, sir - Oh, Isan?
I appreciate you dropping by when you must be so busy
I stopped by to congratulate you on the publication of the latest calendar
Thank you very much. Please, won't you sit with us?
May I present Isan, who printed the parchments for the retired Emperor?
He deserves at least the same compliments that you bestow on me
I am honoured, gentlemen
Please, be seated
I notice that your wife isn't here
Yes...well...
...she went to visit her mother who's feeling poorly
That's a pity
It's been a long time. I was looking forward to seeing her lovely face
Isan, please accept a toast
Master...
Excuse me for one moment, gentlemen
Ishun's business is becoming more and more prosperous
On the other hand, though...
...officials in the royal household fall more and more heavily in his debt
Ishun is very shrewd. If only I could be as half as clever as him
Many of the officials are at his mercy financially
l've heard it said that in Osaka recently...
...the merchant Yodoya overstretched himself financially...
...and ended up in bankruptcy
I heard that many samurai officials breathed a sigh of relief
Unfortunately, our Great Printer doesn't take such risks
He doesn't, you're right
Absolutely right
She's not hiding at Gifuya House, her mother's place
She must have eloped with him
Send men down every road out of town
Tell them, if they find them, bring back Osan alone
And what if the authorities arrest them first?
They won't admit to adultery for fear of crucifixion
As the net closes in, they could be capable of anything
That's why you must act swiftly
- I want a quiet word - This room is not fit to receive you, sir
I have a favour to ask you
Will you purchase this from me for eight kan of gold?
It's a famous piece by Teika Fujiwara. You'll be able to sell it easily
- And I need the money right away - Very well
- There you are, sir - Many thanks
So it's true, after all?
Nothing escapes your ears, master
If you don't act quickly, the reputation of this business will be ruined
But he's smart enough to get himself out of trouble
With help from his friends in high places...
...he'll be able to attain the status of a samurai
You really think that's possible?
He hasn't informed the authorities, has he? He wouldn't dare
For the master...his reputation is more important than anything else
His business will collapse if those two adulterers are arrested
Listen...
...if this house's reputation is ruined...
...then the title of Great Printer will pass to me
At this moment, I have no successor
So...would you be interested?
You mean that I will become a master printer...
...and take your place?
You don't want to remain an employee all your life, do you?
The position is yours, Do we have an understanding?
Thanks. You can go now
Welcome home, madam
Take this blessed talisman and place it on the altar
I compliment you on your singing voice. That delicate melody was beautiful
That's quite a talent you have, sir
My only talent is for hedonism
- Very droll, sir - It's true
Thank you for visiting us
Not at all, madam
The number of students I teach nowadays is getting fewer and fewer
It's an absolute pleasure coming here to teach your son
It feels like paradise to me, being here!
It feels like hell to me sometimes!
You may not be coming round much more from now on
Go safely
''Hell''? What do you mean, ''it's hell''?
Each day, I live frugally and pray to the gods
You don't give a damn about anything!
I know it's pointless to try and fight the creditors
You're just weak-willed
I don't know what else I can do
I realise that l'm going to be arrested
My sister has decided to leave her husband and elope with her lover
Our home and all our valuables will be confiscated
That completes the fall of the House of Gifuya, doesn't it, Mother?
I refuse to believe whatever Ishun the Great Printer says
Osan is incapable of ever committing such a crime
What are you talking about, Mother?
It all started when you forced Osan into marriage...
...with a man 30 years her senior
I did what I had to, to save the House of Gifuya
If Osan has run away, then it must be for some other reason
It would have been easier if she'd just killed herself
Master?
Master...
What is it?
The courier just delivered this package. It's from Osaka
- You may go now - Yes, sir. And this...
Mother, this has arrived from Osan
''In the hope of saving you...
''...l have borrowed money from an acquaintance
''l am sending you the five kan of gold that you requested''
Look. Mother, look...
...it's money!
''Please believe none of the rumours and lies...
''...that you have no doubt heard about me
''Brother. I ask of you, please, to take good care of our mother
''Your loving sister, Osan''
May the gods be praised!
What's she doing in Osaka?
Thank you, Osan
Osan!
- Is it an inspection? - Yes. I wonder what it's all about?
- They're not here, sir - Very well. You can go
Thank you, sir
- Pilgrims in our group can pass through - What's that about?
They're looking for the wife of the Great Printer of Kyoto
Let's pass through
In here!
- Not here? - No. But he was with a woman, right?
But she wasn't dressed like the wife of such an eminent man
There are serious charges of forgery and adultery against them
That's why we have strict orders to apprehend them
Search everywhere! They must be nearby!
The master must have filed a complaint with the authorities
What shall we do?
It's impossible for us to get to Kyoto now
We'll have to head to Lake Biwa instead
What do we do once we get to the lake?
How far can we run with the authorities on our trail?
- This is the only place to hide! - They're not here!
- Return to the main highway! - Yes, sir!
I would rather die than suffer the shame of being arrested
Madam, what are you saying?
- It's definitely them, no mistake? - Yes, sir. In there
Good
Excuse me, an inspector is here
Your names?
My name is Kyubei
And this is my sister Tami
Residing in Tenma, Osaka
- You say your name is Kyubei? - Yes
Why are you here?
We're just passing through
I see
It must be them
l'll stay and guard them. You go quickly to the magistrate's
Hey, go as quickly as you can
We've been discovered. We have to leave
I can't keep running away
I don't want to be a fugitive
I can't live a life of shame
Mohei...let me die. l'm begging you
Please...
We have to leave now
Madame Osan...
...are you ready?
Because of me...
...you are now being forced to give up your life
Can you ever forgive me?
What are you saying, madam?
It has given me great pleasure to serve you, madam
I can say it now...
The heavens won't punish me...
...if I am unable to hold back these last words
I have always...
I have always loved you, madam
- Loved me? - Yes
Please...hold me
Hold me tight
Madame Osan...
What have you resolved to do?
Forgive me
After what you've just said...
...it changes everything
What do you mean?
I no longer want to die
I want to live!
Mohei!
- Did you call for me, Master? - Come in
Listen closely...
I want you to go to Katada immediately...
...to find their cadavers
l've just been informed that they drowned themselves in Lake Biwa
A double suicide...sir?
It's imperative that you keep this secret
If you find them, separate Osan's body from Mohei's
It would be terrible if their bodies were found together
Understand?
Now go quickly
- Just imagine, a double suicide! - Really? Isn't that just a rumour?
No, someone saw them jump into the lake, arm in arm
What's wrong, Otama?
You're just jealous of madam running away with Mohei
''l am so jealous of you, madam!''
Be quiet! Leave me alone
Don't separate the cadavers if they are intertwined, right?
Remove them carefully, just as they are, understand?
Don't separate them, understand?
Beautiful day, isn't it?
Are you heading for Kyoto?
l'm going to stay the night in Saga at my daughter's house
- Oh, I see. Well, have a good trip - Thank you
- Can we just rest here a while? - For as long as you wish
- What's the matter with her? - She hurt her leg while walking
Her leg? Oh. she's sprained it all right
Poor thing, it must be hard for her on this road
I have a good remedy for her
Thank you, that's very kind of you
Can we make it down to the village before nightfall?
That's still a long way to go
Come and rest, madam
I will ask if they'll take us in for the night
It's hard for you at this high altitude
Would it be possible for us to stay here this evening?
Of course, of course. l'll just get that medicine for you
We're in luck
Just bear with it a little longer
l'll wash your feet for you
I wish I could attend to my hair, it must be filthy
l'm sorry you have to suffer all these indignities
I must apologise to you for being such a nuisance and injuring my leg
But l'm happier than l've felt for a long time
Honestly, I feel so happy
According to the notice posted up in Saga...
...it's only me that the authorities are searching for
I think that the master will be more lenient towards you
Stop talking like that
This ointment will numb all the pain in your foot
- Let me see your ankle - Thank you
Where does it hurt? Let's have a look
What elegant feet you have
So where are you heading?
We're going to see the statue of Manjushri at Kirido
Oh, that sounds very nice
Does it hurt just there?
Where has the gentleman gone?
Mohei!
Why are you running away?
How can you be so cruel to abandon me like that?
I have caused you so much misfortune
Please forgive me
Osan...
You must go back to your husband
He will welcome you with open arms
l'm begging you to return to him
You really think that I can go on living without you?
You are no longer my servant...
...you are my husband, my master!
l'm sorry for what I said. l'm sorry
I will never leave you again, for the rest of my life!
I live as a masterless samurai...
...and I refuse to rely on my niece for money
But I regret that she has caused you so much trouble...
...by lying to you because of her foolish love for Mohei
Otama, make your valedictions
I thank you for your generosity over the years
You didn't take the blame when you were brought before the master
- All of this is your fault - Please forgive her
l'll take that for you
- Otama, write to me, won't you? - Take care of yourself
Take care
Excuse me!
I am the chestnut merchant. I call by once a year
Would you like to buy some?
You caught me by surprise
Madam isn't here. You'll have to come back later
Madam isn't here?
Then it really was her I saw
- You saw her? - Really?
I caught a glimpse of her in Saga, at the foot of Mount Atago
- Was she alone? - No
- Was she with an employee? - Yes, that's right
What a state of affairs
This is going to cause me so much trouble
Master! Master!
They're still alive, both of them. They're not dead
A woodsman saw them yesterday at the foot of Mount Atago
- Alive? - Yes
That means they must be going to Mohei's father's place
You must track them down
Bring back only Osan
Leave Mohei down there and Let the village authorities deal with him
I understand
So, they're alive...
Who's there?
It's me
- Who? - It's me
Father!
I don't know you
It's me, Mohei
My son is no bandit pursued by the authorities
Have the authorities already been here?
Think of the trouble you'll cause the villagers by being here!
You should have remained loyal to your master instead!
Mohei, Let's go
But we've come all this way
There's a cabin at the back for passing travellers, you can use that
Go quickly!
You can rest here
Madame Osan...
...we won't be given refuge in this place
I think you're right
You can stay here, but you must leave before dawn
l'm sure there must be some good reason for your flight...
...but don't let yourselves be arrested before my eyes
Eat this quickly
Here
l've prepared something for you to eat tomorrow
Madame Osan...
As a child, I would often come here...
...and daydream about going to Kyoto to make my fortune
What a beautiful dream it was
I would be so happy if I could live here with you in peace forever
Genbei!
Come inside
As I explained to you yesterday...
...you can be arrested as an accomplice for hiding Mohei
Some people are certain that they saw them on the road
They both must be here. Don't deny it
The entire village will be punished otherwise
How can you lie and let us all be punished?
You have your tenant farm thanks to the Great Printer
The master is now burdened by worry because of what your son has done
ls this how you show your thanks to your benefactor?
I will beg the master to forgive Mohei
Just be honest and tell me if the madam is here
Don't you feel guilty for betraying the master like this?
You're no better than an animal!
Please forgive me
- They're here, then? - Yes
Madam, please wake up
- What are you doing? - Madam!
Come quietly, madam. Come quietly
Mohei!
Igare at the blossoms
The spirit of Spring...
If she returns to your household...
...we can make up a suitable pretext for her, whatever Mohei says
- Isn't that right? - Yes
Thank you so much
If you could say that she's been at her mother's house all along...
- Very well - In return, do me that favour...
Say no more. Your name has already been struck from my register
ls that so?
Perhaps our debts may be cleared in return for your peace of mind?
Very droll, sir
Your rival, Isan, is spreading malicious rumours concerning this matter
He's saying that your wife has a lover
Eh? Is that true, sir?
After the master has looked after him for so long...
...that wretch pays him back with such treachery
Enough, enough!
Thank you for your loyalty, gentlemen
Thank you for listening
- It was splendid, thank you - Thank you, sir
I am indebted to you for showing such kindness towards my sister
I always have
But the important lesson to learn is that one should always marry a loyal woman
- Please accept a toast - Thank you
Thank you, sir
Father, set me free, please!
I can't die like this
If you escape, then what will you do?
Even if you were free, you'd never be able to live with the master's wife!
Stop talking such rubbish!
- You don't understand how I feel - l'm happier that way!
Here
Tomorrow the Kyoto authorities will come for you
ls that true?
Yes
What have I done to deserve such a son?
You ungrateful fool!
Make sure you don't do anything shameful, understand?
Get going!
Please don't cause your mother any more upset
If you don't return to your husband, where will you go, then?
He's forgiven you, instead of killing you along with your lover!
If it happens again, it will be the end of you!
Don't be too severe with her
Your mother understands very well what you're going through
But listen...
Mohei has been arrested
l'm not telling you that for the sake of your marriage or your family...
...but because you must forget all about him...
...and go back to your husband for your own good
I went to see Ishun and did everything I could to intercede on your behalf
Do you realise that?
You will return to your husband and that's that!
You will return immediately!
Do you understand that? Immediately!
Mohei...
- Mohei! - Osan...
Osan!
Madam...
I know I shouldn't have come...
No, you shouldn't
And this is no place to discuss it. Come into the house
Come inside
Mohei...
...l can't believe you escaped
Yes
I gave up hope of ever seeing you again
No matter what happens to us. I never want to leave your side
I will never leave you!
It isn't much...
...but here's some warm sake to comfort you
Please forgive my intrusion
Listen, Mohei...
...you've taken a great risk coming here
What are you going to do now?
Your unbridled passion is making the situation impossible
Yes...
At least you've seen each other once more...you can be happy
But now, Mohei, it's best that you leave Kyoto at once
I have something for you
It's not much but please take it for the journey
Mother, I won't let Mohei leave alone!
What are you saying?
Are you trying to ruin both your husband and our house?
You didn't come here with that intention, did you, Mohei?
I came here to find Osan
Don't be so foolish!
You fools!
Doki!
Mohei, you must give yourself up to the authorities
That way everyone will be saved
Please, do it for Osan!
l'm begging you
Mohei, please!
Mohei! Mohei!
I want to give myself up...
...but I can no longer do so
Where's Mohei?
In there?
- Mother, they've gone! - No!
- Osan? - They've escaped!
- Sukeyemon! - Osan!
They can't have got far. Quick!
Ah, Master Ishun, did you know that Mohei has been arrested?
Arrested?
And they say that your wife was with him
- Osan? - Yes
They wanted to bring her here, but she refused to leave Mohei's side
They say that they've both confessed to adultery
She's confessed to adultery
They also say that you failed to inform the authorities about her elopement
I can understand your leniency towards her...
...your wife is very beautiful
Master! Master!
Master. the government envoys are here!
Welcome them courteously
Master Isan, you must forgive me. l'm slightly overcome by it all
l'm sorry to be the bearer of such bad news
Come inside!
''You are hereby informed that the Great Printer Ishun...
''...having deliberately abstained from informing...
''...on the adulterous affair between his wife and employee Mohei...
''...is sentenced to exile plus confiscation of all his chattels''
To think, a house so mighty brought to its knees like this!
The master has been exiled...
...and even Sukeyemon has been banished
- Unbelievable - It's like a nightmare
Tell me, why did Sukeyemon receive such a punishment?
He'd made a fortune from forging the master's accounts
Good riddance to the two of them, they had to go
It's the procession of the condemned!
Make way!
- Move! - Out of the way!
It's so sad. She must be suffering so much
I have never seen the Madame look so joyful, though
Mohei, as well...his expression is so serene
It's hard to imagine that they're on their way to die
The End