Demon Pond (夜叉ヶ池)

A SHOCHIKU PRESENTATION

Between Fukui and Gifu, there is a pond called Demon Pond.

According to an ancient legend, a dragon dwells at the bottom.

The time: Summer of 1933

From the Play by Kyoka Izumi

DEMON POND

Tamasaburo Bando

Go Kato

Tsutomu Yamazaki

Demon Pond

Hisashi Igawa, Fujio Tokita Hatsuo Yamaya, Dai Kanai

Koji Nanbara, Toru Abe Yatsuko Tan'ami

Shigeru Yazaki, Jun Hamamura Hitoshi Omae, Fudeko Tanaka

Toshie Kobayashi, Maki Takayama Yuni Nishigami, Megumi Ishii

Juro Kara Ryunosuke Kaneda

Kai Ato, Kazuo Sato Masashi Furuta

Nigoshichi Shimouma Baiken Jukkanji, Mansaku Fuwa

Bando Morikawa, Kusanosuke Oda Tadayuki Okamoto

Shuichi Oki Yasuo Shinohara

Norihei Miki

Directed by Masahiro Shinoda

Prayer for Rain

Six o'clock...

That bell again!

No need to ring it.

But the Demon Pond will overflow, otherwise. A flood.

Mere superstition!

Superstition or not,

right now, we'll welcome a flood.

What is it?

Nothing. A speck of dust in my eye.

Dust in your eye?

Ah, yes.

Let me remove it.

It's okay. Could I have some water?

Water!

I'll moisten it.

- Moisten? - Come closer.

Bring your face over here.

But that's...

Does it hurt? It should be removed.

Alright, open the eyelid with your fingers.

Oh dear, is it not out yet?

That's enough! That'll do.

It doesn't hurt now. Thank you very much.

Ah, I feel revived!

It's gone!

Water... people?

People... and a bell?

It is very hot.

Yes, it's hot.

Is that the bell I heard?

Yes. It was struck at twilight.

This bell is struck at dawn, dusk and late at night.

Three times every day.

Ah, besides those three, it must not be rung at any other time.

If you're passing by,

please do not strike it with that stick in fun.

Do not be mischievous.

I understand that, granny.

Not buying a melon. I won't hit it.

But it's strange

like a merciful rain during a drought.

What's the explanation?

What? Did you say something just now?

It's very strange, granny.

This water...

Well, it gushes from a spring.

From here it flows in a thin stream.

When the flowing water strikes a rock, it tinkles.

- Tinkles? - Yes.

Tinkle... tinkle... tinkle...

It's called Harp-playing Valley.

A valley that plays the harp?

Would you like a drink? Cold water?

The village wells have dried up.

You have only this spring water?

The real source of water is a pond called Demon Pond.

Yes, I saw it on the map.

I wanted to see it.

The Demon Pond is actually quite large.

They say a dragon dwells at the bottom.

Indeed, it's an old tale.

The dragon is a water god.

In the West, it's called a sea serpent.

It carries poison. The villagers say that fearfully.

The rocks change colour in the water to purple and green.

Red pebbles are seen at times.

It's very beautiful.

The villagers say the dragon's scales have been shed.

They say it's fishy, dirty, uncanny and that the water is poisoned.

Is that true?

I drank that water.

Dabbed my eyes with it.

Perhaps I'll undergo a shocking transformation.

A transformation?

The villagers are suspicious

because we drink it, and nothing has happened.

- Could I... - Ah...

It is becoming quite dark, isn't it?

I thought you were older...

May I...

have a cup of tea or hot water?

Of course you may.

Please take a seat on the veranda.

Is he alone?

What kind of a person is he?

From the city, I think.

A young man?

He's carrying a map and compass. Accustomed to travel.

See if he has a good story to tell.

I ask you, Yuri.

Yes.

A Collection of Old Legends

Please be seated here.

Oh.

Isn't this a temple storehouse? The main hall...

It burned down long ago. There has been no temple here since.

But the belfry remains?

- Yes. - Do you ring the bell?

Well, won't you drink your tea?

Thank you.

I'll drink it.

I know this wasn't a teahouse.

Moonflowers, aren't they?

About time to bloom.

I spoke about a melon. I'm getting hungry.

Could you spare a melon?

There are some pears.

May I offer you a few?

Oh, the moonflowers have started to bloom.

That voice...

Yamazawa

Akira, what is it?

Yamazawa... why is he here?

The way you look. What has happened?

Ask him what the purpose of his travel is.

I will, but tell me what does this mean?

Another moonflower has bloomed...

In the moonlight. True to its name!

You better go, Yuri. He'll get suspicious.

What's he after? Question him.

Yes.

- Have some. - Thank you.

Can you lend me a knife? I'll peel it.

Thoroughly chilled.

This is like carving a jewel.

Um...

I take it that you are on a journey.

Where are you from? Where are you bound?

Let's see, I'm a random traveller. No place in particular.

Tastes good!

But why come to this isolated place?

I teach at school, you see. This is my summer vacation.

I'm on my way home now...

Back to Kyoto.

Where will you stay tonight?

Well, that's a question you shouldn't ask.

I might ask for lodging here.

I'm just joking.

I've stayed too long.

No, I'm the one who kept you.

For going either toward Kawachi or the pass

it has become so dark. So inconvenient.

What should I pay you?

What?

I think I ought to leave something.

In payment? Why should you?

Money? That's out of question.

Payment for the tea - that was not expected.

Not only for the tea. I've had all those pears, also.

My conscience won't allow it.

If that is how you feel. Must I accept payment?

Yes.

It need not be money.

You can pay with a story - it can be quite brief.

Please tell me a story.

A story? What kind of story?

You have travelled a lot...

If you know an interesting or unusual story.

As payment for earlier? That's an unusual request.

Not at all. It's often done when

itinerant medicine peddlers rest here.

Ascetics, pilgrims... Even with the villagers too.

A story is asked of each.

Then, you collect stories. But why?

Surely you're not going to publish a book here.

No, it's a whim.

Just idle curiosity.

Some who have told many stories

have been given lodging here.

Yuri, why do you have to say that?

Then, if I can tell many stories,

I can stay here?

Well, it depends...

And on the stories too.

Fine.

An interesting story...

Let's see. Which should I begin with?

Ah, I have it.