13 Assassins (十三人の刺客)

As feudal Japan enjoys peace, the Samurai era is waning.

But this fragile calm is threatened by the growing power of Lord Naritsugu,

the Shogun's sadistic younger brother.

Sir Doi realizes Naritsugu will ruin the Shogunate

if he gains higher political standing.

As Naritsugu's evil deeds are quickly hushed up, Sir Doi must act.

March 5 1844 - Akashi Clan House Elder Zusho Mamiya commits harakiri.

Mamiya's harakiri to the Shogun was against Lord Naritsugu.

Lord Naritsugu was born with a vicious nature.

His lust for flesh and dishonorable conduct cannot go unpunished.

What should we do?

Man: Shogun Council Elders, Sir Doi has returned.

Listen carefully. The Shogun orders us to settle the matter

of his half-brother quietly. We must take this order quite seriously.

SIR DOI - Top Shogun official

Sir Doi, we blame those that named Naritsugu an adopted Akashi son.

This unfortunate dilemma drove Mamiya to harakiri.

Sir Doi, his appeal to us for action is mandatory...

l'm aware of it!

But we must respect the Shogun's rule.

This is the most solemn commitment we must all uphold.

We must end this debate. To keep arguing is pointless!

13 ASSASSlNS

Shinzaemon Shimada, l presume?

ln the flesh.

You're a hard man to find.

Good evening, Sir Doi.

Sorry for the late hour.

l've been a widower for years, with few family obligations.

SHINZAEMON - Shogun Samurai

Perhaps you've heard about the outrage.

l have.

So...

What do you make of Lord Naritsugu?

Forgive my frankness...

He is no worthy heir of the Akashi clan.

With the Shogun's consent, l suggest Naritsugu steps down.

A more suitable heir is needed.

The Shogun will not grant it.

Why not, Sir Doi?

Listen to me. He has appointed Naritsugu as his senior advisor,

starting with Naritsugu's next visit to Edo.

He will have the full authority of this position.

You were saying that, the Shogun will allow

that boy to meddle in political affairs?

lncidentally, l invited someone here.

Speak with him. Go on!

l'm Yukie Makino, a subject of the Lord of Owari.

l serve the Agematsu in Kiso.

l'm Shinzaemon Shimada.

Kiso, you said?

l heard about an incident last year between the Akashi and Owari clans.

- There was an unfortunate incident. - Rumors.

l'll tell you all, Shimada san.

l'll keep no secrets.

Makino: In April of last year...

Lord Naritsugu of the Akashi clan...

stayed overnight at Kiso.

He is the son of the former Shogun.

LORD NARlTSUGU - Akashi Clan ruler

Nobility must be properly served.

Our wives and daughters were brought in for his full hospitality.

Uneme.

Father.

- ls the feast in order? - Yes.

And the picture scrolls for his entertainment?

I'll go and get them now.

Uhh, have your wife get them instead.

Yes!

Chise.

Makino: My son had married Chise only two months prior.

I ordered her to do this petty task.

And I'll regret it to my grave.

Naritsugu: Who might you be?

l belong to the Uneme Makino family.

My Lord, please release me.

Chise!

Chise?

Chise?!

Chise?

Naritsugu: Kiso women are such mountain monkeys.

They defy me by scratching.

Are you a monkey too, servant?

Chise.

Uneme: Chise!

Monkey necks can be so tough.

Makino: That same night...

Chise slit her throat in disgrace.

Nothing was the same again.

Makino: My son and his new bride slain...

before my very eyes.

This is torture for me.

Rather than living in disgrace l... ponder harakiri.

But l can't... l remember the shame my Lord Owari has endured.

Mock me for grumbling.

l continue my worthless life

remaining a living witness to this tragedy.

Sir Doi: As the Council Elder enacting the Shogun's justice...

some things l can do, others things l cannot.

lf l turn my back on the Shogun at this time

and if I should find fault with his lineage,

then his rule will surely spiral into chaos and destroy years of peace.

As the Shogun's senior advisor, l cannot do it, Shinza.

Are you asking if l can do something?

Since Mamiya's harakiri protest three days ago...

l've searched my soul for a solution.

l have decided it's you.

Who's the woman?

Sir Doi: You see, Shinza... Akashi land was once most fertile.

But Naritsugu's relentless land taxes

had made starving peasants hunger for revolt.

Shinza, this woman...

is from Akashi. She's the daughter of the peasant leader.

Sir Doi: He did this.

He cut off her limbs and brought her to Edo as his plaything.

Naritsugu commited this unspeakable actrocity and more.

But Naritsugu grew bored with her and simply cast her out.

ls there no mercy?

Shinzaemon, there is no need to mention

my honor, my duties and my position.

lf this continues, chaos will definitely ruin our nation

and the people will surely suffer badly.

Poor woman... what of her family's fate?

He cut out her tongue as well.

Shinzaemon's voice: "Total massacre."

How fate smiles on me.

Sir Doi, as a samurai in this era...

As a samurai, l've been wishing for a noble death.

Now fate has called me here.

See, my hands just won't stop trembling.

Hmm...

lt's a warrior's battle shakes.

l will accomplish your wish...

with magnificence brilliances.

Sir Hanbei, Sir Hanbei... thank you for coming.

HANBEI - Naritsugu's Chief Samurai - Asakawa, where's Lord Naritsugu?

Ah.... in the banquet hall.

The Mamiya?

l clearly told you not to trouble the Mamiya family!

Asakawa: l can't disobey Lord Naritsugu's orders.

Tsk.

My Lord!

Yes, Hanbei?

I'm sorry to interrupt you, sir.

But Sir Doi has humbly requested that

you leave the Mamiya family alone.

Those are governmental orders!

Doi again! That grumbling Shogun advisor.

My Lord! My Lord!

Naritsugu: What makes a samurai warrior?

You men mindlessly chant "loyalty, duty"...

like a Buddhist prayer.

But if servants are spoiled,

then one day, they forget their duty to serve.

Servants like Mamiya make light of their master and revolt.

Punishing one's servants,

who are certified as property by the Shogun...

Punishment is a master's duty. That's the way I see it.

Dying for one's master is the way of the samurai.

Dying for one's husband is the way of women.

We must protect these ways, I'm sure you agreed with me, Hanbei?

Yes.

Hanbei: They won't let him get away with it.

Things worked out too easily for our Lord, don't you think?

Asakawa: He was given special treatment.

Though born of a different mother, he is still the Shogun's brother.

Hanbei: So how... How will Sir Doi save face?

As the man in charge of justice in the land...

he must deliver a verdict to save his honor in a scandal like this.

So, Sir Doi is plotting something?

Who goes there?

Yes!

My Lord, attendant Deguchi at your service.

Hanbei: Gather the men and keep an eye on Sir Doi.

Yes!

Bribe the gatekeepers and servants.

Once you've done that,

get his visitor's list since Mamiya's harakiri.

Yes!

We protect our Lord at all costs.

Such is our loyal duty.

Yukie of the Owari clan?

Owari?

Makino?

Makino was present there, during our Kiso visit.

That is interesting.

Hanbei: So Makino met with Shinzaemon.

Asakawa: Do you know who's Shinzaemon?

We attended the same school,

even trained in the sword at the same dojo.

We were competitive classmates.

ls he that skilled, Lord Hanbei?

He's not as shrewd, not as strong as you might imagined.

However he never gives up.

When he's backed into a corner, he won't overplay his hand.

He won't budge.

He's a man who beats you in the end.

lf Doi has picked him...

then we've drawn the worst luck, that is for sure.

Shinzaemon: lmpressive as always, Hirayama.