Chuji's Travel Diary: The Chuji Patrol Episode (忠次旅日記 忠次御用篇)

Chuji Part 3

Pursued by the cries of the officials

Chuji flees Mt Akagi carrying Kantaro and heads to Shinshu

I cannot accept care of this poor child.

I refuse not from fear of the Shogunate or public censure.

Oyabun Chuji the just I would never refuse.

I would refuse the Chuji rumour says is now a petty thief!

A man does not choose to be down on his luck.

No one would believe such a rumour... were I the Chuji I was until yesterday.

Who could the thief be?

I would never have thought it was you, Chuji.

But if the thief calling himself Chuji were one of your men...

'Kill I may, but never my own.' Thus do I show faith in my men.

No man who has pledged loyalty to me over a sake cup...

has ever betrayed me!

None of my men, regardless of his predicament

would dare defame Chuji

Very well. I will be guardian to Kansuke's son.

Little boy. I bid you farewell at last.

I am Yasuzaemon, head of the Kabe family. For whom do you speak, sir?

Me, I'm Kunisada Chuji, from Sai County,

Welcome! How may I help you?

Lend me some money for traveling!

CHUJUI OYABUN.

Is it you who break into houses claiming to be Chuji?

Why did you entertain them, knowing they are swindlers?

A short while ago, you insisted none of your men was a thief.

Even if you were wrong, you trusted your men implicitly.

A heart such as yours is worth a thousand pieces of gold.

I wanted to preserve your faith that no man of yours was a thief.

Kill I may, but never my own.

I have never drawn my sword against a man of mine.

AWAY!

Once debased, a man is utterly despicable

I will speak no more. I am a mere thief.

Must the boy go with you?

I pity him, but honour prevents me from accepting your help.

I will not stop you! May we meet again.

Farewell.

Sir, are you not cold?

It is their road to Shinshu that will be cold.

Chuji has gone, his footsteps heavy.

I would not be unduly concerned if he were traveling alone.

But the boy is a hindrance.

Bunzo, I would like to honer my word and care for the boy.

Would you speak to Chuji for me and bring Kantaro from him?

Furuta, in Echigo-Nagaoka,

a castle town long famed for its sake brewery.

Happy sounds of children enjoying themselves

Stand up! You should pray! Around the 33 temples we go!

Stand, you crippled novice! Around the 88 temples we go!

To hide away Chuji has become Sadakichi, chief clerk of Sawada-ya

Looking at the children playing,

Chuji could not forget Kantarou from whom he had parted in Shinshu.

They say I turn the wrong way, so they won't let me join in.

I don't mean to make mistakes..

But I can't seem to get right and left straight.

Take one child away. Which shall we take, this or that?

Take one away, child or chide, hid or hide, and round and round.

Okume, daughter of Kihei, sake merchant.

Okume, not knowing Sadakichi is Chuji seeks an opportunity to reveal her heart.

Sadakichi...

Sadakichi...

Sadakichi...

I'm sorry... I am dwelling on childhood memories.

I yearn for those innocent days, devoid of jealousy or betrayal.

So do I...

Oh, to recapture that distant past, untainted by melancholy!

The sound of the evening bell, distant, sinks into their two hearts

Twilight, twilight, make tomorrow clear and bright!

Her father, Kihei of the Sawada-ya.

My daughter seems somehow odd recently,

maybe she's possessed by a Tanuki.

Right side up! Tomorrow will be fine.

In the The Sawada store.

This letter cannot be mine.

My boorishness causes chatter among the women here.

Could it be for me? I love how you use your toothpick!

Strange but sweet, a toothpick ties the knot of love!

'Fly with me', she says. 'I will endure any hardship for you.'

Oh.. this is for me.

Sorry, Sadakichi! I used your name to avoid my father's meddling.

I guess women fall for breeding, I picked my teeth for her... but she didn't seem impressed.

That night.

One thing I cannot abide is an amateur gambling!

No gambler comes to a respectable end!

As you say.

Your father's reprimand is most judicious.

Gambling is not for decent men.

As heir to the Sawada-ya, wealthiest family in these parts,

your clothes should not smell of the gambling den.

One day, my son, the Sawada-ya will all be yours.

I permit some youthful pleasures, but do not gamble.

I won't, I won't. I will gamble no more.

But today, please allow me leave for just a short while.

How can trust I your intentions?

I will never gamble again! It is a woman who calls.

The young master gives his word.

Please grant him leave for this head clerk's sake.

In a room deep in the house, not knowing that night was drawing on.

Tell me something.

Do you know a house of pleasure called Ohgi-ya?

And a woman there named Shinobu?

Yes, Miss. Shinobu the courtesan!

Is she pretty?

Yes, yes, yes, definitely, yes!

Would you like one?

What are you doing there?

Go inside, dear, lest you catch cold.

As the cold weather approaches,

Chuji again suffers from palsy on the right side of his body.

Next morning.

I so admire how you handle a toothpick, my dear young sir.

Well, it's not that impressive!

And about us... you'll tell me more next time you come?

My father's a pest.

Let's run away to Edo and make a new home!

You say that just to please me..

Far from it! I mean what I say!

Do you, really? If It's a lie...

About last night

No, don't say a word!

As long as it's not too serious, I'll say nothing.

Every young man experiences youthful ardour...

You're very understanding.

Maybe Okume heard the two talking and, with Nobuo's permission, went to meet Chuji.

Then, one day.

I'm so embarrassed! Right here in broad daylight,

unabashed, I open my fool woman's heart to you!

I confess my love, and get turned down flat!

I knew it! You have a sweetheart in Nagaoka.

It serves me right!

Falling in love with an employee and making a fool of myself!

Come and play with us, mister!

You be 'it' first.

One day, Chuji with Young Master Ginji came to Nagaoka

to collect money and returned slightly early to the inn.

Don't worry! In wickedness, I am wily as any serpent.

What about this scheme?

I've got hiccups that won't stop. Someone startle me.

That won't help. Just bring me some water, hot or cold!

It's too hot! I can't drink that! Get me something cold!

I told you my name is Sadakichi, head clerk of the Sawada-ya!

I am not Kunisada Chuji, as you say.

You are Chuji Oyabun. I'm not mistaken!

Well, if you insist, I can be Chuzo, Chuta,

Chubei, Chuzaemon, or Chuemon.

Or Chusuke, Chunai, Chukichi, Chuhei, Chumatsu, or whatever!

Or else Chuhachi, Chushichi, Churoku, Chugo or Chushiro.

If you wish

I could be Chunojo, Chuma, Chudayu. Chunoshin, or Chuya.

Or, indeed, I could be Chuji, as you say.

However,

I expect you to restore the money the young master lost.

The entire amount. Not a penny less!

Of course! You need not even need mention it.

Mr. Kunisada! If you could examine the money...

Please examine it, young master, just in case.

Sadakichi! The money I had bore Sawada-ya stamps,

but this doesn't.

You heard him. I do not imply that the money is fake,

but you understand we would like the original gold returned.

Of course. I understand.

One more thing!

The money the young master paid to redeem the woman, Shinobu,

should be returned as well.

Is something wrong?

How much would a herring this big cost in Joshu, I wonder?

I don't know.

You seem rather lenient with your children, sir!

Huh? What d'you mean?

I see they've made big holes in your new sliding doors.

And you haven't complained once!

You imps! Don't play in there. Go play hide and seek outside!

Don't be harsh with them. I doubt they meant any harm.

Have your hiccups stopped, Boss?