Kokuho (国宝)

Yes, I want you to be my man.

Keep still.

Ms. Matsu!

Hanjiro has arrived!

I'll be right out!

Who's Hanjiro?

You don't know him?

He's the star kabuki actor in Osaka!

Darling!

Mr. Hanjiro Hanai has arrived, darling.

I am Hanjiro Hanai.

I'm Tachibana.

Sit.

Thank you.

Make yourself at home.

Thank you.

Allow me to pour you one.

How long will you be in Nagasaki?

The show wraps at the end of the month.

I'm grateful for your protection.

Well...

Inform any of my men if you're inconvenienced.

This is such a grand New Year banquet!

Thank you.

Oh, Snowbound Barrier .

Tokuji!

You're so dashing!

What a talented geisha you have in Nagasaki!

That's not a geisha. It's my son, Kikuo.

Such an amateur performance is embarrassing.

Where did the strange woman come from?

She suddenly appeared at this border post in the middle of mountain...

Where are you from?

I'm from Shumoku, the pleasure district.

Why are you here?

To see someone.

Who?

You, actually.

You've come to see me?

Yes, I want you to be my man.

Your son has a gift!

By the way, madam, what is your name?

Sumizome... That's my name.

I'm so hot!

Everyone loved you!

What unflinching performances!

Before I knew it, it was over!

People would pay to see you perform!

I was worried but you did well!

I nearly had a heart attack.

Mum!

Kikuo.

Hanjiro wants to speak with you.

About what?

Just hurry.

Tokuji.

Does your back hurt?

I got used to it.

It only hurts when a girl clings onto me!

You talked to Tatsu?

- He doesn't want to. - Why?

He doesn't want to give you a tattoo.

He's afraid of the Boss or your stepmum finding out.

Oh, that Tatsu is a chicken!

By the way, weren't we great?

I'm from Shumoku, the pleasure district.

Why are you here?

To see someone.

Who?

You, actually.

Hurry!

Come this way!

We've got to hide! You too, Tokuji!

It's an attack!

Tokuji, help me stop Kikuo!

Young master!

Get out, Boss!

Kikuo!

Keep him there.

Gongoro!

Run!

But darling!

Open the doors!

Damn it, let me go!

Let me go!

No! You'd die if I did that.

Kikuo.

Watch me.

Don't look away.

Kikuo.

You won't avenge your dad's death, will you?

Of course not.

I wouldn't be able to go on if you died.

I have no plan for vengeance.

I'll go...

wherever you go.

Kikuo!

What are you doing?

Kikuo!

Keep the change.

You had a long trip from home. Get some sleep.

Help me over there.

Arch your back!

Thank you for letting me stay, I'm Kikuo Tachibana.

I appreciate your kindness.

Your mother wanted you to have an honest occupation.

What do you want?

I'll respect her wishes.

The Tachibana family is a big deal, isn't it?

Yes, ma'am, but they're dissolving.

Are you alone?

The A Bomb disease killed my real mum, uncle and aunt.

There's no one else I can depend on.

He'll live and train with us?

That's what Master Hanai wants.

You arrived so early.

You must be hungry.

Let's have lunch.

Follow me.

Help me, Sei. Where are you?

We're here.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Good afternoon.

- Good afternoon. - Good afternoon.

- Good afternoon, ma'am. - Hello.

- Good afternoon. - Hello, ma'am.

Hey, don't touch!

Sorry! Let's get going.

- Ma'am. - Keep it up!

Let's have a good show.

Good afternoon.

- Good afternoon. - Hello.

Hey, Gen.

- Ma'am. - Look after the boy.

Excuse me. Hey, kid!

You're in the way, kid.

You'll train him to be a kabuki actor?

He's the son of a yakuza!

Look after him.

But it's so sudden!

He's not a lost puppy.

I still remember him playing Sumizome .

- He's an amateur. - Pardon me.

Thank you for taking me in.

You can take it easy.

That's Shunsuke, our son.

You're the same age. Go to school together.

No, thanks.

Your stage name is...

Toichiro Hanai. Number one man of the east .

That suits him!

I'm Hanya, Half a guy . Why's that?

You'll be Hanjiro the Third and that's better!

But I don't know, dear...

How can I mother such a big boy?

I can't imagine him living with us for years.

We can't send him back to Nagasaki now.

The kid's brave.

You avenged your father, right?

I tried... and failed.

It requires guts.

Step back.

You're pushing my patience!

Step out further!

Fist here. Twist this hand inward!

Let your bones memorise the pose.

Holding a pose is hard, right?

Let your bones remember the best position.

Engage your blades...

Got it?

There are no short cuts to learning! Keep it up!

Again.

Ready, do it!

You're pushing my patience!

I told you many times!

You call yourself an actor?

Watch your shoulder blades.

Put them together! Keep your hand up!

It hurts!

Is he always so strict?

Worse! With two teachers in the house, the boy has no time to sleep.

Put them together!

Good. Open your legs wider!

And here!

Move! You'll make that tattoo cry in shame!

Ouch!

Again.

Kikuo?

Why didn't you come to the bar, Kikuo?

You'll catch a cold. Come inside.

I missed you so much.

I'm sorry I haven't spent any time with you, Harue.

I saw you train.

You did?

Mr. Hanai is an amazing teacher.

When I do like he says, it changes my form.

But it's too much...

But I like it. I don't even need sleep.

It's unnecessary to

- favour your master! - If you do