Free and Easy: Samurai Edition (花のお江戸の釣りバカ日誌)

SAMURAI FISHING NUT

During the last days of the Tokugawa regime...

In spite of the turmoil of the times...

There was a ronin who thought only of fishing.

Densuke Hamasaki was his name.

He won't catch fish.

He will.

His rod's no good.

He handles it well.

He can't catch fish.

I bet ten bits he will.

Are you stupid?

Don't say that.

But he won't.

Yes, he will.

But just look at him.

That's the reason.

Excuse me, but will you be quiet?

Sorry.

Revenge fight!

What? A revenge fight?

Stop! Denpachiro Kakizaki!

Come on! Kill him!

Wait! Hold it now!

We've come to avenge our father.

Never know defeat!

Never! Let's take him!

This description is all wrong!

I'm not your enemy.

Your knee has a scar where my father cut you!

Tho my heart bears a scar...

I have no scar on my knee.

People say there are 7 look-alikes in the world.

Cut it out!

Get him!

Give up and die.

Don't let him get you, kids.

Look! This is a bamboo sword.

See? It can't even cut a potato.

Let alone a finger.

You can't get away! Fight to the finish.

Give me a break.

Come on, get killed!

Please forgive me...

Then, you must be Denpachiro Kakizaki!

This is heaven's guidance.

To avenge our dead father, you must die!

I hate to tell you this...

But I am... Well...

I'm not Denpachiro Kakizaki.

I'm Densuke Hamasaki, just a ronin who loves fishing.

I bet you'd rather use rods than swords.

Why not give up taking revenge?

Right?

I became happy when I switched from sword to rod.

Come on, let's go fishing.

Give it a try.

Let go of your sword.

Let go.

Hold the rod.

Hold it tight.

Now.

Let's go to the fishing spot.

Then, cast it out.

Now, wait, you'll get a bite.

There! You got one!

Isn't this fun? You feel the pull?

This is fun. Thank you.

The man you're after will be punished by God.

That was great!

Brilliant!

You are a good man.

You embarrass me.

We're palanquin bearers from Osaka.

Yes, yes.

Let us take you home.

In a palanquin?

That's great.

And where to?

Shirogane. in Kanda.

Where's that?

You know?

I do.

Get in.

Thank you.

Hama, you're the greatest!

This is my first time.

Well, get in.

Here we go.

Ready...

And go!

Hey, hey, hey!

What did you do?

What the...?

You broke it!

What'll we do now?

SHONAI CLAN'S EDO RESIDENCE

In the last days of the Edo period...

Rich merchants dominated the economy of the nation.

Driving feudal lords deep into debt.

Forcing them to wrestle with reduced budgets...

Forcing them to wrestle with reduced budgets...

And causing the samurai to grow spiritless.

Any suggestions?

I should know that you lack wisdom.

Anyway, say what you want without reservation.

That's what the chief retainer wants.

Anyone? No one?

If you would allow me to speak...

Fukase, got a good idea?

This is the toilet paper we use.

Our clan consumes about 50 sheets a day.

One sheet costs 30 mon, and 1,500 sheets a month...

Amounts to 7 gold coins. That's 84 gold coins a year.

So, I suggest. We ban the use of toilet paper.

What will we use instead of paper?

My family uses this.

Hang it in the toilet.

Hold the ends like this...

And wipe your behind.

Easy to wash, and it'll last for years.

Use this one at our Edo residence.

Has that been used before?

Yes.

I can't use it. I've got piles.

Take notes.

I bet that hurts.

Is that bleeding piles, or benign piles?

Benign piles.

Don't write that down.

Akiyama!

This is no time for laughter.

There's no one with a brain.

The chief retainer is saying...

Trying to save on toilet paper...

Won't help our clan's financial position.

Isn't that right?

If I may speak, sir.

Shibuya, the copies.

We can cut the cost of writing stationery.

And I suggest...

Write the letters one quarter size...

That will cut paper use by one fourth.

And dilute the ink with water.

That will cut the cost of ink in half.

In case of mistakes...

that person will pay for that sheet of paper.

What's this?

Well, sir. As you can see.

I wrote all my suggestions down.

You could just tell us.

Stop wasting paper.

Of course.

Or maybe...

You think we're so stupid you have to write it down.

God forbid, sir!

Akiyama!... Continue.

Regarding personnel...

We need your approval to hire more men.

Two days ago, the police chief came to us.

Asking us to hire his son, Takayuki.

Yesterday, the steward, Kageyu Sugano, came.

Asking us to hire his 3rd son, Hirobumi.

We need your approval for their employment.

Can't be done.

Sir?

We don't employ through connections.

Even the sons of high status retainers.

I won't employ incompetent men.

But the sons of key retainers...

No buts!

Understand?

Sir.

Talent and ability is everything. Understand?

Yes.

Having a great father won't do.

Find able men in the city.

I'll be back soon.

Not again.

Weak kidneys.

That's the fourth time.

Is that right?

Take them in when you finish.

How're you doing?

Landlord. I'll leave 10 radishes here.

One for every tenant. That's good, good.

Landlord, our roof leaks. Can you fix it for us?

Yes, yes.

Omitsu.

IT's spring tide. I'm going fishing.

Quit working for today. Oh, I'm so happy.

I'm happy, so happy.

Excuse me.

I came for the rent.

That's right, yes.

I'm sorry for the delay.

I should have brought it to you sooner!

But I just got paid today for my sewing.

No, I can't take your money.

Save it for your marriage.