Samurai Fiction (SF サムライ・フィクション)

This is me, three hundred years ago.

My name was Heishiro Inukai. It's a good name.

Three centuries ago Japan was ruled by the samurai.

The Tokugawa Shogunate had united the country,

and it was a time of peace.

I was born the son of a samurai.

At age 21, I met two "ronin", or masterless samurai.

Those encounters changed my life,

and ensured that I remember them to this very day.

Mr. Kazamatsuri, I hope you realize the great honor.

This sword was given to our lord 80 years ago by Tokugawa.

It is a clan treasure used in formal ceremonies.

Guardian of the sword?

If only it were that simple.

Just remember, it's very unusual for

a newcomer such as you attain such an important post.

Do not presume to impose on our lord's good graces.

To be frank,

a newcomer should behave accordingly.

Make sure you fulfill your duty.

Heishiro, a man's mind should be composed at all times.

Haste makes waste. Understand?

I arranged for you to work at the castle with me.

Yet you start a fight with some no-account samurai.

He switched sandals with me!

No excuse!

You've studied fencing, but you've yet to master the samurai spirit.

Why not keep a bird?

It will help you to control your short temper.

Birds belong in the wild.

You don't get it.

These birds are perfectly happy in cages.

Aren't you, dear?

Checkmate, father.

What?

Councilor.

What is it?

A messenger to see you.

I'll be right there.

Before you go up to the castle cut your hair. Look proper.

Yes, father.

So, let's call it a draw.

What are you doing?

How unfair!

Just like a child.

What is the problem?

My father was chief councilor to the Nagashima clan,

responsible for all clan affairs.

A problem had arisen.

A samurai, Kazamatsuri, had killed an aide to our lord,

and stolen the precious sword bestowed on us by the Shogun.

We were granted the sword and the domain 80 years ago.

Only we can tell the genuine one from a fake.

What are you suggesting?

Send men after Kazamatsuri.

In the meantime, have a duplicate made.

A fake? Why not just get the real sword back?

We must consider many things.

The young lord's attainment ceremony approaches.

Without the sword, there will be hell to pay.

It could even lead to disbandment of the clan.

We must pretend that it was not stolen.

Damn!

Kazamatsuri came into our employ in a very dramatic fashion.

I seek vengeance for my son.

On guard!

What'll we do, boys?

Good looking woman.

It'd be a waste to kill her.

Kill the old man and then enjoy her!

You beasts!

Prepare to die!

Father!

Hey you, I killed her husband, the old man's son.

You wanna protect these poor unfortunates?

What's so funny?

You're a dead man!

Finish him off.

Father...

Gladly, good sir!

No! Please don't!

Begin.

Our lord wanted to observe Kazamatsuri's swordsmanship.

Kazamatsuri!

The barbaric urge to watch gladiators battling

has not changed since the Roman era.

Impressed, our lord hired Kazamatsuri as a retainer.

I disagree with your methods, father.

I'll find him and kill him. Farewell.

Stop!

I have already sent men after him.

You think he'll get away so you ordered up a fake.

Not so loud.

I know I can do it.

While you were away in Edo, he has improved greatly.

I have confidence in my swordsmanship.

I'm eager to match my sword against his.

Heishiro!

Idiot son.

Kagemaru!

Where are you this time?

You rang, sir.

Enough of this dropping from the ceiling!

Yes, sir, but old ninja habits are hard to break.

Isn't there anyone else? A bit younger, perhaps?

Yes, I'm always training disciples for just such an occasion.

Would you like to see them, sir?

Yes, that boy may attempt something stupid.

I'd like to have all the angles covered.

Heishiro!

Wait.

Don't try to stop me!

If you go alone, he'll kill you.

Think about it, first.

I'm no coward like you!

Come back!

I'll kill him.

No, I'll kill him.

I'll use my lance.

Go back!

Back home? Which way...!

These two have been my best friends since childhood.

Our clansmen dubbed us "The Three Stooges".

Well! I'm nowhere near as stupid as they are.

Stop following me!

This is Tadasuke Kurosawa.

How dare you run ahead of me!

This is Shintaro Suzuki.

You just watch me!

This way, sir.

Any of them catch your eye?

There are so many...

The sea goes on forever!

We often used to come here as boys.

I'm hungry.

Me, too.

Pick that up!

Litterbug!

Falcon!

Red Shadow!

You approve, sir?

I feel good.

Listen. Did you know that...

Tadasuke is betrothed to Mr. Mukai's daughter.

Is that true, Tadasuke?

That's wonderful.

She's beautiful.

I heard you played around in Edo. How were the women?

Don't be stupid. I've no time for women.

You've never had a woman?

You're still a virgin?

Damn!

Don't get so upset! I haven't, either.

Me, neither.

But you soon will.

What the hell...!

That's the clan treasure!

So what?

You finally showed your true colors.

I've had my suspicions about you.

You're planning to steal it!

I'm merely having a look.

A likely story!

You're a lying thief!

Alright Kazamatsuri, you asked for it!

How did it come to this?

Stop splashing me.

That feels better.

Thank you.

What do you know about Kazamatsuri?

You never know what he's thinking.

They say he's unsociable and conceited.

As a newcomer he was treated distantly.

I saw him just once.

He's got this really scary face.

Like this?

No, not even close.

That bad?

But why did he steal the sword?

See. No one can figure him out.

I've got a wanted poster.

Why didn't you say so earlier?

He's a mean one, alright.

He's 190cm tall.

He's gigantic!

He looks tough, too.

So what! He's no match for me.

Throw it.

That'll teach you!

Look!

That's Kazamatsuri!

Really? Now we've got him!

Tadasuke, you stay here.

Why me?

You have a fiance to consider.

He's right.

Don't you worry about me.

Tadasuke, don't!

Halt!

-Kazamatsuri! -On guard!