The Great Killing (大殺陣)

TOEI presents

THE GREAT MASSACRE

Iecuna, the fourth Tokugava shogun reign of the fourth Tokugawa,

a new land tax was introduced,

which has taken a heavy toll the lives of the peasants.

As a result of famines across the country peasant uprisings increased across the country.

More than 1300 people were convicted.

Then, on 6 April 1678,

Secretary of State Hotta Maszatosi,

who was suspected of political intrigue,

to the Edo Castle, to the shogun's court.

They suspected that, that Minister Sakai

planned an uprising to overthrow both inside and outside the castle,

the date of which the Buddha's birthday

8 April celebrations.

I have just received Superintendent Hodzsó just handed me the list.

About the disloyal samurai on the list

all proven, that they were conspirators.

I order your arrest!

Those who show resistance, kill them without hesitation!

If any of them escape,

due to negligence you will be punished!

I'll describe the designated targets.

Stage 1.

Sibaguchi, Azabu and Aojama arresting traitors in

Sakurada, Nakano Tosa, head of the Inner Guard.

In Akasaka, Chuchia Manjo, the head of protocol.

Atago, Kogasahara Kichijuro.

Akabane, Kuranosuke Ando.

In Azabu, Cuda Ichidjuro.

Azabuban Roppongi, Iida Icsizaemon...

Photographed by Shin Furuya Music by Seiichi Suzuki

Cast

Kotaro Satomi

Choichiro Kawarasaki

Mikijiro Hira

Yoshio Inaba

Rinichi Yamamoto

Nami Munakata

Minoru Oki

Shiro Osaka

Toru Abe

Ryutaro Otomo

Directed by Eiichi Kudo

Shall I wash you?

Yes, please.

There is nothing better after service, than a hot bath!

Still... it's a strange thing to get used to.

Three months ago you didn't even dare touch me.

And how well you're doing now.

Heisiró! Heisiró!

Mr Nakajima!

- Is Jinbo here? - Yes, I'm calling!

Darling!

Who is it?

- Heisiró! - Nakajima, what happened?

Forgive me!

- What happened? - I'll explain later.

Hide until dark!

Please!

- Go, watch the entrance! - Yes!

- Out of the way! Move it! - Darling!

Darling! Darling!

Come on! Move it!

- What do you want here? - Get back!

What is all this about?

Nakajima Geki, you're surrounded!

Jinbo, help me! They want to kill me!

Brazen... How dare you?

- Kill him! - Wait! Back with the swords!

He must be your accomplice! Get him!

You cannot escape!

Come here, traitor!

Calm down!

Move it!

All right, take it in!

Darling!

Darling!

Kajo!

Here they are! Are you ready?

Attack and get out!

Let's go!

Who are you? Are you looking for shelter?

Come in if you want. This is my house.

I don't know what happened, but you better not stay here.

Let those bastards work out there in the rain.

Come in before you catch a cold.

A real deluge!

Still not bored of the game?

Come in!

Come in, make yourself at home!

Get up! Give me a dry kimono!

Let's have a drink for now.

Here you go.

You look like a ghost.

Good, good! One more.

One more.

Bastard!

Get up!

How many escaped?

Some were not at home and were, with whom there were many problems. I can assure you...

Shut up, stupid!

That's the order you were given, to arrest them all!

Keep your excuses to yourself!

Listen carefully!

Do my bidding!

It is your duty!

I'm sorry, Inspector.

I'll only repeat it once.

- Arrest the traitors at any cost! - Understood.

Bring me the traitor Sergeant Koide Jihei!

Sit down!

He is one of the leaders of the conspiracy, but he won't confess.

You probably know, who the main organiser is.

What are you saying?

There is nowhere to run. You'd better confess.

If you act like a real samurai, we will be lenient.

If not,

the pain then will force you to speak.

Speak!

We know that you command several groups.

One of your people has spoken.

- Bring it here! - Yes!

I have a few questions, while we wait.

Koide Jihei, a servant at the castle 48 years old.

Correct?

Your pay, 300 measures of rice, and you live on Honzo Street.

Your son Kyuzo died in 1657,

and your son Ecu in 1659.

Your wife is 39 years old.

You have two sons and a daughter,

Harunoszuke 18, Sujiro 13, and Sino 7.

Is that right?

You don't have to answer, if you don't want to.

Unless we've caught someone else.

Koide Jihei...

Height, 160 centimetres, dark complexion, average features.

Hearing loss in the right ear. He has a birthmark on his right chest.

Under the left shoulder, a 12 centimetre sword pocket.

How many times do I have to tell you?

The whole area was covered by the barking dogs of the inspectors.

As soon as you set foot out of here,

you won't even notice, your throat's already been cut.

If you have a nice life, you spend the night here.

It's in your own interest.

You don't even have a gun.

Because of my irresponsible behaviour I was dismissed.

I pawned everything I had, to stay alive.

Now I make my living gambling to use this place for gambling.

That's right...

I was not able to hock it.

My only family heritage.

It would be tantamount to suicide, if I sold it.

By the way, you haven't told me your name yet.

Even a pseudonym will do.

It's wrong to talk to an anonymous person.

My name is Asari Matanosin.

Forgive me!

I am Jinbo Heisiro,

a guard at the castle.

Well, that's enough.

Otherwise I have to ask, what you did.

I did nothing.

I don't know what's going on.

- It's all a misunderstanding - Enough!

As I said, I don't want to know anything more.

Let's sleep!

My servants will bring in the morning some miso soup and rice.

Great deeds are good and beautiful things, but think about it...

These days, to get ahead,

bribery is a faster way, than real work.

Then, when you get promoted, you'll take the bribe.

The give and take takes all your time,

but it brings the benefits.

Loyalty...

A fine word, but nowadays to whom is one loyal?

To such a tyrant, like Minister Sakai?

If the shogun had any sense, things wouldn't be like this.

I will not serve such a fool!

Unnecessary.

For the benefit of society, for the benefit of all...

The saddest thing of all,

that it's the least of my worries I don't care.

I can manage just fine on my own, earning my living and having a good time,

and I don't bother anyone.

And don't bother me.

If everyone lived in a way that no one would be bothered and no one would be bothered,

how beautiful it would be!

No one will stop you, from being overzealous,

but first you should think a little.

April 7.

The residence of Minister Sakai, outside the gates of Edo Castle.

A visitor arrives from the shogunate.

Stand up.

How did it go yesterday?

We arrested 72 conspirators. They are being interrogated right now.

At least ten are still missing, but not for long.

I don't care about the insignificant.

I want to hear from Secretary of State Hotta!

He refuses to confess.