Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril (子連れ狼 親の心子の心)

The Criterion Collection

Toho Company, Ltd.

Katsu Productions present

Oyuki, you deserter! We have official orders to execute you at once!

Prepare yourself!

I beseech you, please kill Oyuki!

I shall accept the commission...

...for 500 gold pieces.

Lone Wolf and Cub

Baby Cart in Peril

Produced by Tomisaburo Wakayama & Hisaharu Matsubara

Original story by Koike Kazuo & Goseki Kojima

Director of photography Kazuo Miyagawa

Fight choreographer Eiichi Kusumoto

Music by Hideaki Sakurai

Tattoo art by Mori Seiji

Starring:

Tomisaburo Wakayama as Itto Ogami

Yoichi Hayashi as Gunbei Yagyu

Michi Azuma as Oyuki

Akihiro Tomikawa as the Child

Asao Koike as Yoshinao Tokugawa Tatsuo Endo as Lord Retsudo

So Yamamura as Jindayu Gomune

Directed by Buichi Saito

You see, the art of tattooing is performed

by pressing the left thumb hard against the skin like this,

and then applying dyes and inscribing the design.

The sound of tattooing is called the "distant echo".

It's a pleasant sound once you get used to it.

But those who aren't familiar with it say it gives them the chills.

They say the chills,

because the dyes used in tattooing are especially cold in the winter,

so warm clothing is essential.

Yet the tattooed area won't cool the body in the summer.

To bear a tattoo is a lifetime test of endurance.

She was a fine woman.

Neither before nor since then have I tattooed such a fine woman.

When I call a woman "fine", I'm referring to her skin.

Although I must say,

she was an extremely beautiful woman.

Her face must have been exceedingly pretty,

if her body was any guide.

Was she hiding her face?

Yes.

She just came in and silently stood right where you are.

She wasn't particular about the design of the tattoos.

She said anything would do as long as they would shock people.

Even if it was frightening enough to make one 's heart to skip a beat,

or even something that could arouse men beyond all imagination.

Whatever the design, she simply requested that I surpass myself.

Moreover. she asked to be tattooed on both her front and back.

I tattooed a Mountain Witch on her back.

and a Kintaro groping for a nipple in front.

Anybody would scream

when receiving a tattoo between the breast and the belly.

One feels an unbearable pain

that courses from head to toe.

But, incredibly, she was unaffected.

She didn 't let out one scream. not one.

I noticed something.

At first, I thought she was maybe a dancer,

but I was wrong.

It became obvious that she was trained in the martial arts.

It is said that the feudal lords employ swordswomen called "Besshiki-me ".

and judging by her appearance and manners. I think she was one.

Perhaps that was the reason why she kept her face hidden.

But why would a woman from a samurai family

carry a Mountain Witch tattoo on her back and a Kintaro on her breast

for the rest of her life?

What could be the reason?

Those tattoos were my life's masterpiece.

I prayed that they wouldn't bring her bad luck,

and I shall keep praying so.

Who's that? Who's that? If it isn't Ebisu!

And who's the next one? He's dark and short!

Who's that? Who's that? If it isn't Daikoku!

And who's the next one?

He's got a pointy head!

Who's that? Who's that? If it isn't Fukurokujin!

And who's the next one?

It's the big-bellied, long-winded Hotei!

And who's the next one?

The one on his right with the snotty nose!

Who's that? Who's that? If it isn't Jurojin!

Happy New Year, sir!

You've got to go home now, children!

Playtime is over! Time to go home.

Daigoro?

Daigoro!

Look at her!

Say, my little friend, we have to go home now.

Playtime is over. It'll be dark soon.

-The monsters will be out soon. -Go home!

Pa!

Pitter-patter, pitter-patter Pitter-patter, pitter-patter

The rain. so sad and cold

Tests a little boy's heart

As he waits for his father to return

Father's an assassin. so they say...

He was a child accustomed to seeing his father

spending nights inside old temples.

He was accustomed to seeing his father

offer prayers therein to the Buddha after completing assassinations.

Why did his father visit temples?

Was it to talk to his dead mother?

Was it to purify his body and soul?

Without answers. he sought his father in old temples.

Those eyes!

Like the stony eyes of a swordsman...

...who's been to the domain between life and death.

Only those who have travelled the road of death and survived

possess such eyes.

How is it possible for one so young to have experienced that?

Have my own eyes grown weak?

Pay attention to the wind direction!

-We'll get a fine crop next year! -Absolutely!

-We're placing the fires! -Don't get trapped in!

If he's not stopped, he'll be surrounded by the fire.

I can't just stand here and watch.

Yet this is my only chance to confirm my suspicions.

There's nothing wrong with my eyes, after all.

Even when faced with fire. he doesn't cry or call for help.

He 's only a child, yet he keeps calm knowing there 's no escape.

How incredible to see such preparedness!

What a strange child!

-It's finished! -It's over at last!

Lots to look forward to next year!

Come over here, everyone!

What's wrong?

It's a child!

He must've been trapped by the fire! We've got to get him treatment!

Wait.

Who is that child?

He was trapped by the fire and buried himself in the mud.

We have to get him treatment.

You say he buried himself to avoid the fire?

Yes, sir. He's a very lucky boy.

He didn't call for help, because he knew he could help himself.

Thus there was no need to be afraid.

Put him down.

What are you doing?

Why are you pointing your sword at a helpless child?

His eyes...

He has the eyes of one who has killed scores of men

and been showered with their blood.

His eyes are like stones.

-lt defies logic. -You're mistaken.

He sees my sword, yet there is no trace of fear in his eyes.

Every student of swordsmanship desires to reach

the domain between life and death.

-He has the eyes... -What are you doing?

I must confirm it.

-And do what? -I'll slay him.

-How dare you? -Move aside.

Or I'll slay you as well.

The Sui-O style horse-slaying technique!

Could he be the Cub of the Wolf himself?

Pa!

Itto Ogami.

Pa!

You're Gunbei Yagyu?

I knew you were still alive.

I defeated you.

The Yagyu's New Shadow style defeated your Sui-O style.

Yet you were granted the post of Official Executioner.

I remember...

The Tokugawa Shogunate imposed excessive taxes upon the lords.

The Shogunate freely exercised its right to execute anyone

who showed the slightest trace of disobedience.

The Official Executioner acted as a second

and beheaded those lords who were ordered to commit seppuku.

The Shogunate authorised the Official Executioner to bear his emblem

as a symbol that he personified the Shogunate himself

when he executed a lord.

That fool!

Summon Gunbei! This is an emergency!

This could seal the fate of the whole Yagyu clan!

You idiot!

Itto Ogami was appointed the Official Executioner!

How can this be?

I cannot believe you pointed your sword

in the direction of the mighty Shogun!

Explain yourself!

And I am told that Ogami staked his life to fend you off!

It might have looked that way,

but Itto couldn't parry my blows and he found himself in that position.

That's how it happened.

You fool!

Even if it was a coincidence,

it was seen as an act of selflessness by Ogami,

to guard his highness from your sword!

Stand up, Gunbei!

Gunbei...

Because of your fine swordsmanship, I will spare your life.

But from today on, the world will think that you've committed harakiri,

to atone for your foolish mistake.

Do you understand?

Change your appearance and identity and head for the north.

Summon Goroza, the master of disguise of the Kurokuwa group.

I am here, sir.