The Shogunate's Harem (大奥十八景)

Woman, what's your name?

Don't be shy.

Tell me.

Wait!

I got you! You're my prey!

How dare you!

Planning by: MASAO SATO

Story by: MIKIO NANBARA

Photography by: KIYOSHI KITASAKA

Screenplay by: MASAHIRO SHIMURA, NORIBUMI SUZUKI

Music by: HARU, MASAHIDE SAKUMA

Starring:

KYOKO TSUJISAWA

MAMI NOMURA YUMI IORI

NATSUKO YAMAMOTO YASUKO YAGAMI

HIROSHI KATSUNO

TERUHIKO AOI

NORIBUMI SUZUKI

DOLLS OF THE SHOGUN'S HAREM

The Tokugawa Shogunate Government...

...in Edo,

is stable with its fourth ruler, Ietsuna.

Chiyoda Castle is the symbol of sovereignty.

It houses the political center.

The official residence...

...and also the Shogun's private quarters and Harem.

This door is the border.

No man, except the Shogun,

can enter the garden of women.

You're very lucky. Despite being born a commoner,

you may someday ride in a bejeweled palanquin.

This way.

Lady Yajima-sama, what is that?

Anekouji's palanquin.

Onatsu, please restrain yourself.

The Senior Courtesan, Harem Madam, is allowed to ride in the palanquin.

But it's so over the top!

When you reach that level of prestige, you'll want your arse to be pampered, too.

Stop.

- Yajima, is this girl Onatsu? - Yes ma'am.

She was adopted by the Shogun's personal retainer, lkegai Shinjuurou...

...and has been trained in proper Japanese etiquette for this task.

Oh, so this little girl thinks highly of herself?

Onatsu, lower your head!

Onatsu, the six of us are the Shogun's most favored concubines.

Today, you become one of us.

Your duty is simply to be modest, never arrogant,

and to not slander anyone in the court.

Of course. Everyone, please, call me Onatsu.

I'm new. Very pleased to meet you.

lam Okoto. Pleased to meet you.

Call me Oran.

Ofuji

Okiku.

Omino.

I hail from an aristocratic family in Kyoto.

We're all honored to meet you.

In accordance with Harem Regulations, everyone here has...

...taken a vow to become a member of the Shogun's Harem.

As proof of your commitment, you need to sign...

...this contract with the six of us as witnesses.

Tanuki: Japanese raccoon. She's princess of Takuni Castle!

The Shogun is present!

My lord.

Onatsu will serve you in bed tonight.

Onatsu?

You hunted her...

...in the mountains the other day.

She was your game.

This is to check, if weapons are hidden in your hair.

Don't talk about politics in bed.

No personal requests, either.

Okiri will be with you.

I'll see and hear everything.

And I'll report to the elders in the morning.

Forgive me. The hunt excited me.

I was violent.

- You're my prey. - My lord.

Have a baby. Give me an heir.

"My lord! Make me pregnant!”

She screamed like a beast.

She needs discipline.

What did he say?

He was out of breath.

He said, "Onatsu, I'm your horse!

What does that mean?

Onatsu was on top of him.

She was riding him.

Riding him?

He's witty.

A woman should be under a man.

And of all people, she rode the Shogun!

Visit Jonen Temple?

I hear it helps a woman get pregnant.

Will you go there tomorrow?

-I can't. - Why not?

I'll visit my family's grave tomorrow.

I have permission.

You mean your family's grave is more important?

- It's not that. - But not tomorrow.

Somebody else will.

You don't want promotions?

It's a chance to be the mother of a Shogun.

I'm sorry.

Excuse me.

I'll go to the tea party, too.

Omino.

What's the hurry?

Come,

Mistress.

Don't do that.

I'm the Shogun's concubine.

We mustn't do this.

My fingers remember every part of your body,

even the secret one.

We made love often, whenever you came from Kyoto.

Maids are allowed to go home sometimes,

but concubines can't.

They must stay in the castle at all times.

The only exception is visiting,

their family's graves once a year.

Dr. Genshiro Chujo

Bend your knees.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Once again.

Three months.

Get rid of it.

Gag her.

If a man and a woman sleep together,

it's her who gets in trouble.

Don't move... or you'll die.

I don't understand. You're a good doctor.

Why live here?

I like it here.

I used to work for Lord Hotta.

- Girl trouble? - No.

You're amorous.

Doctors must know women.

That's right.

If I'm hired by some lord,

I can't save those girls.

So teach me how to abort babies.

I'm a good pickpocket.

I'm good at picking.

What's that?

- Dr. Chujo? - Yes.

Come with me.

Lady Osumi got sick on her way to the cemetery.

- Osumi? - Yes.

She's in her parent's house.

Genshiro-sama.

It's been a long time.

You look fine, sir.

I've been busy since our lord...

...became a Chamberlain.

Too busy to get sick.

Well, what's wrong?

I suddenly felt sick.

But I feel better now.

The sight of Genshiro cured you.

They were good friends as children.

She got sick because she missed him so much.

You mustn't say that.

- Let me examine her. - Thank you.

Lie down.

You feel cold?

No.

Nothing seems wrong.

I'm not pretending.

I never said you were.

But...

It's true I missed you a lot.

I'm honored.

Don't talk like that.

Your mother is...

...on her way home.

So be good, or...

...the sea will rage.

My lady.

Thank you for helping me.

Not at all.

How do you feel?

Much better now.

We still have time to spare.

Go home and see your parents.

Yes, thank you.

I'll be back in two hours.

She works in the Harem?

Her parents sell fans.

A maid can take leave in 6 months.

I envy her.

She can enjoy life.

But a concubine...

I can have no freedom or love.

"The leader of a nation must lead his family first."

"The leader of a family must discipline himself'

"To discipline himself, he must first have a straight mind'

I'm the fourth Shogun of the Tokugawa regime.

Who's my heir?