Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East

TAMAZUSA

EIGHT DOG WARRIORS

Long ago, Tamazusa plunged this country into the Dark Ages.

In the battle to defeat her, the eight young men who

fought alongside Princess Fuse perished.

PRINCESS FUSE

PRINCESS FUSE

Princess Fuse sealed Tamazusa's soul,

which had turned into an evil spirit, inside her body

before plunging a blade into her own chest.

When she did, eight gems flew to the men's next lives.

Princess Fuse infused the gems with the wish,

"If these eight individuals should ever gather together in their future lives,

"I shall come back to life...

"...and grant their wishes."

I... don't want to...

...die...

Today is Meatday, tomorrow is Meatday.

Episode 14: Doll

BBQ in the mornin'.

Hot pot at noon.

A slab'll do me just fine in the evening.

Every chunk of meat is a beautifully marbled steak.

Marbled Steak! Marbled steak! Marbled steak!.

Shino, you've been singing that song on repeat.

What is it called?

"The Prize High-Grade Marbled Beef Song"!

Isn't this area famous for its beef?

I'm drooling already!

He's got nothing but cows on the brain!

Without that carrot on the stick,

I doubt Shino would have accompanied us willingly.

I swear, this manor truly is a delight to visit!

Could you show me around the garden later, Rio?

Who is that man?

Beats me.

Master Finnegan, did you have a special reason

for coming to visit us in person?

Are you familiar with the Imamura doll makers?

The dolls they sculpt are truly magnificent pieces of art.

Dolls...?

They have been toiling away in some isolated mountain of late.

And that's just it...

Sir?

I commissioned a set of dolls with this doll maker.

Could you retrieve it for me?

You'll go, now won't you?

Sir?

You can hardly turn down a request from an elite member of the Church...

He doesn't realize how his actions affect others...

That still doesn't explain why Genpachi's taggin' along.

Mr. Inumura and Kona-ya's inkeeper are old acquaintances.

And here I brought a letter she wrote introducing you!

You really do give me the cold shoulder, Shino!

Nah, this is normal.

A cherry blossom...?

Wow!

But it's autumn...

What an odd sight.

One, two, three, four

I gaze upon spring landscapes no matter where I look

There are plums and a bush warbler chirps, "Hohon hokekyo"

Oh, how it chirps

That's strange...

Did we take a wrong turn?

But there weren't any turns.

Are you lost?

Excuse me!

Do you know where Mr. Inumura's house is?

It's supposed to be around here.

Inumura's residence is just up ahead.

Huh? So that's where it was...

Thank you.

Is that right?

You came clear from the Imperial Capital to

retrieve Master Finnegan's dolls...

Well, please come inside.

Norikiyo Inumura has gone missing.

As such, the dolls are currently incomplete

and I cannot hand them over.

What?!

Come now, Brother!

When you say it like that, it comes across as rude!

Allow me to introduce us.

This is my elder brother, Daikaku.

I am his younger sister, Hinaginu.

Then you must be Mr. Norikiyo's heir...

Daikaku Inumura.

What's this about him "going missing"?

About half a year ago, our father suddenly vanished.

We've searched everywhere, but we still can't find him...

I never knew...

I imagine it must be hard on you.

But we cannot go back empty handed.

Mr. Daikaku, perhaps you could complete the dolls in his stead?

That's impossible. Now please leave.

Wait! Aren't you his son?

You've gotta do somethin'!

The payment's already been made!

You're a doll maker, aren't you?

What?!

Pa is the only one capable of finishing those dolls!

H-hey!

I am sorry. He is a rather proud artist.

And he can be quite aloof...

If you like, you are welcome to stay for a while.

Yay! Marbled beef!

Whoa, there. Rein yourself in.

Would you like this, Shino?

Too good!

Damn it, Murasame!

You're a doll maker, aren't you?

What would you know!

No matter how many times I try, they all end in failure!

If Pa saw me now, what would he say...?

As of today, you are my son.

Good. Well done, Daikaku!

You're still up?

Hinaginu, where do you think Pa went?

Knowing the way he loved and cherished dolls,

surely he still wants to make them.

So why...?

Does it have anything to do with when that man came...?

Doncha think it's 'bout time ya gave Daikaku back?

He's bringin' in cash as a doll maker, ain't he?

It's high time he started to look after his real father!

How could you say that after all this time?

Daikaku is my son now!

Please! Take these and leave.

I believe that must have been truly humiliating for Father...

But I doubt that is the reason why...

Lately, I've been having dreams about back then.

Horrible dreams...

But for some reason, cherry blossoms always come to my rescue.

You must be tired.

You should get some rest.

Really, they reek of dog! I can't stand them.

Those are the pets Satomi has raised.

I imagine Finnegan sent them here.

But they make for an odd bunch.

There is a dog, a demon, and that last one is...

Wow!

So this is your workshop?

What are you doing here?

I came to ask again!

Please hurry and finish up those dolls!

Going by your attitude,

I never would have guessed you came to ask for a favor.

Then lemme ask you: What exactly is the problem?

Dolls have "faces".

In other words, the doll first

gains a soul when we carve the facial expression.

We doll makers devote our heart to the client's feelings

as we seize the chisel...

But I cannot see the face on those dolls...

I am confident that Pa could have

given them the perfect "faces" and brought them to completion.

But I am stuck at a complete standstill...

No matter how many faces I make,

it doesn't feel like I'm getting anywhere!

This is beyond me.

You sure are stubborn!

Pa is far more stubborn.

Yeah? "Like father like son," or so they say.

I'm his adopted son.

Hey, this is cute!

What is this? A dog? Or a cat?

A cat.

A cat, huh?

I'd never know it by lookin' at you,

but you make some cute stuff!

This is cute, too!

Oh, here's a family of cats!