Shinsengumi Chronicles: I Want to Die a Samurai (Shinsengumi Shimatsuki)

DAIEI FILMS, LTD

SHINSENGUMI SHIMATSUKI

Original Story: SHIBOZAWA KAN Producer: TSUJI HISAKAZU Screenplay: HOSHIKAWA SEIJI

Starring:

ICHIKAWA RAIZO Yamasaki Susumu WAKAYAMA TOMISABURO Kondo Isami FUJIMURA SHIHO Shima

SHIMADA RYUZO TANBA MATASABURO TAKAMORI CHIZUKO KOYANAGI KEIKO

TAKAMI KUNIKAZU MORI KUNIKO ISHIGURO TATSUYA SUGA FUJIO

KAGAWA RYOSUKE FUNAKI YOICI MIZUHARA KOICHI ARASHI SUNUEMON

HOSHIKAWA HAJIME GOBAYASHI KAZUO SHIKUICHI TAKESHI SENSEKI YASUZO

Directed By: MISUMI KENJI

Although he was living as an ordinary citizen in this town,

he committed murder and disposed of a body...

The Shinsengumi.

The third year of Bunkyo

Assassinations are being carried out all over Kyoto.

The city has become a battle ground between the struggling

Tokugawa Shogunate, which is on the verge of collapse,

and the new rising powergroups,

trying to take over from the Tokugawa government.

I don't know why you want to join the Shinsengumi.

I also don't know if the Kinno Clan is right either to try to overthrow the Tokugawa.

Just like madmen, both sides are killing people left and right!

Is the Shinsengumi really a gathering of samurai?

Do you know what people call them?

Vagrants. Vagrants. Just like mad dogs.

No. No!

I don't want you to become like them!

Why?

For what reason are you going to get yourself killed?

No. You're wrong, Shima-san!

I saw something today which made up my mind.

Help me!

Do you need my help?

I don't want to die!

I don't think you're going to live!

Perform Hara Kiri so you won't have to suffer!

If you have final words, I'll listen!

No! I don't want to die!

I don't want to die!

Help me! Help me!

It's painful!

Painful!

Help me!

Are you all right? Take courage!

Please forgive her...

Leader! ...she didn't know who you are...

Didn't know who I am?

She tried to seduce me!

You bitch!

Dayu!

Dayu!

You don't have to work today.

Take the day off because you have a headache.

What?!

You got a headache after you saw me?

Very well!

You had better take a good look at my face!

Serizawa-sensei! Please forgive her.

Our leader had too much to drink.

I will apologize to him.

You!

You take the woman's side, and oppose your leader!

You lousy farmer!

This is fun!

Did you say you'll apologize for that prostitute?

All right!

Apologize to me!

On your knees!

How about it?

Kondo-sama!

You stay out of it!

Serizawa-san...

You have patience.

A samurai can never do this!

I have something for the leader of the Shinsengumi.

What?

I'm the leader, Serizawa Kamo

This!

What is that?

I happened to pass a member of the Shinsengumi as he was dying,

and he asked me to give this to the chief.

I don't know his name...

They told me all the top officers are here.

Was he killed by the Kinno group?

Yes, he was.

The Aizu Clan is backing us up, but the Shinsengumi...

...is not doing well!

Tokuemon, you must do something about this!

Hey! We're going!

Hey, you!

Thank you for bringing that keepsake.

He was our member, Mori Heihachi.

I'm a ronin, Yamazaki Susumu.

Oh, sorry...

...Kondo Isami is my name.

Did Mori die as a samurai should?

Yes, like a samurai.

Maybe you think it's odd of me to ask a question like that.

Just like our leader said before,

I was a farmer on the outskirts of Tamagawa.

I only studied Kenpo swordsmanship because I wanted to be a samurai.

And finally I became a samurai.

But I don't know anything other than Kenpo.

To be a great samurai...

...a great samurai...

I just wanted to be a great samurai, because I was born a farmer's son.

Why are you telling me this?

Because you tried to cover up for Mori, saying he died honorably.

But, he was not that kind of man.

Sometimes a fool can die as a great man.

Just like, a farmer becoming a samurai and dying like one.

That's right, you win!

That was supposed to be my line!

Yamazaki-kun, what I'm trying to say is...

samurai aren't just about looks,

but their determination.

He said the samurai are about determination.

He's the first man I've met with such a shining eye here in Kyoto.

I thought that I could trust this man named Kondo.

I won't be anything, unless I do something now.

Shima-san, you have a job in medicine, saving peoples lives.

I only know the sword.

That's all.

Forget that!

I want you to forget the sword!

Forget about becoming a samurai?

I can't do that!

We lived under the same roof for half a year, a man and a woman,

but we kept our relationship clean.

Because I had pride.

I tried to be patient.

Our late parents were friends. That is the reason.

I know how a ronin ends up these days.

I depended on you, but I can't do that anymore.

Chee...! He ate and ran again!

Why don't you go after him?

It's better to give him free food than to have him get violent.

Anyway, he is no good.

Thank you very much.

Hey, I have a good job for you!

Why don't you come with me?

You have very good sword skills, I'll recommend you.

That man who was stealing at Sanjogawara

I'll spread word that I killed him for the Shinsengumi.

The Tosa Clan asked me to.

Let's work together.

They'll provide good sake.

Hold it!

Are you a member of the Tosa Clan?

That's correct.

Tosa Clan's, Okamoto Kyuzo.

If you don't want to end up like him, keep your mouth shut!

Did you?

Yamazaki, is that you?

Tani-san?

You're still around here?

After I join the Shinsengumi, I don't know what will happen.

I just know this...

...there is a man I can trust.

That's all I need.

I want to say goodbye to 2 years of a ronin's life,

and use all my energy now.

For what? For killing people?

No, to save my own life.

A samurai's life in the Shinsengumi awaits me.

SHINSENGUMI HEADQUARTERS

I'll read the rules!

Item! Obey your Commander!

Item! Do not leave the group!

Item! Do not raise money without permission

Item! Do not use our status as your excuse for anything!

Item! Do not fight over a private matter!

These are the rules, and if you break any of them

...you must perform Seppuku!

Chief, you look very good in it.

You're trying to make me feel good!

Someday, I'll give these to all my members, and pressure the Kinno!

But, if you keep hurting merchants, Kondo and Hijikata will speak out.

Enough of that! The Shinsengumi is mine!

But, it's with the Aizu Clan, that I must be careful!

Presented to group leader Serizawa-kun.

I see.

I'm impressed.

- Ninmi. - Yes.

The Kinno are using a big war fund.

So don't be shy about it.

You accused Yamatoya of helping the enemy.

And then threatened Yamatoya, didn't you?

Yes.

Yamatoya was so scared that he admitted giving Kinno 10,000 ryo.

I see.

So, we also have to...

Leader, we're finished.

This time we have no great fighters among these new recruits!

Everybody!

Even those who were just farmers or merchants.

Can now dress and walk the streets as samurai.

You should all be thankful!

Hey, you!

Stand up and leave!