The Fall of Ako Castle (赤穂城断絶)

Submitted to the 1978 Arts Festival

TOEI COMPANY LTD.

270 years ago. The Genroku Period.

Under the dictatorship of the 5th Shogun, Tsunayoshi,

the Tokugawa Shogunate was at its pinnacle of unprecedented supremacy.

The assets of 48 feudal lords had been seized

stripping 30,004 samurai of all of their possessions.

Still, not a single soul sought revenge against the powerful shogunate.

And, on this day, March 14, 1702,

in the presence of the Emperor's envoy,

Tsunayoshi was presented with the Imperial Sword.

Fall of Ako Castle (Ako-Jo Danzetsu)

A Production of Toei Company, Itd.

Produced by Tan Takaiwa Goro Kusakabe

Tatsuo Honda Keizo Mimura

Written by Koji Takada

Cinematography by Hanjiro Nakazawa

Art Direction by Norimichi Iikawa

Lighting Designer Haruo Nakayama

Edited by Isamu Ichida Music by Toshiaki Tsushima

STARRING

Kinnosuke Yorozuya

Shinichi "Sonny" Chiba

Hiroki Matsukata

Teruhiko Saigo

Tsunehiko Watase

Masaomi Kondo

Mieko Harada

Kensaku Morita Ryo Tamura

Tetsuro Tamba

Go Wakabayashi Kyoko Enami

Mikio Narita Yoshi Kato Tatsuro Endo

Shoji Yasui Hideji Otaki

Takuya Fujioka Nobuo Kaneko

Shinsuke Ashida

Yoshiko Mita

Mariko Okada

Toshiro Mifune

Directed by Kinji Fukasaku

Hall of Pines, Edo Castle

That'll be all.

Lord Asano.

- Kajikawa. - Sir ?

What were you and Asano speaking of ?

Sir. We were discussing my meeting with the Emperor's envoy

on behalf of Lord Tsunayoshi's mother following the presentation

of the Imperial Sword.

I see.

If it is on behalf of our lord's mother, I shall serve as intermediary.

But, sir, Lord Asano has already committed to serving as intermediary.

- Asano ? - Yes, sir.

That won't do ! He doesn't know a thing !

Asano, don't...

I wonder, how much did he pay to acquire this role ?

Does he have a bad memory ? Or is it just that he's not observant ?

Even during the ceremonies today, he had us holding our breaths,

praying that he wouldn't embarrass himself.

Lord Tsunayoshi will be making his appearance shortly !

The forecastle has been cleared !

He will be appearing shortly !

Kajikawa, are we clear ?

You cannot rely on Asano.

I want to be clear on that.

If there are any oversights when it comes to our lord's mother,

the damage will be irreparable.

Kira ! Die, you bastard !

Feel the wrath of my anger !

Lord Asano, you mustn't ! You are in the castle !

Let go ! Let go of me !

Kira, you bastard ! Come here !

Lord Kira ! Lord Kira !

Let go of me ! Let go !

Somebody has drawn his sword !

A sword ?

Calm down ! Calm down !

Calm ! Stay calm !

Lord Asano, I implore you ! Please compose yourself !

Take your hands off of me ! I beg you !

It cannot be undone !

I, too, am the master of my own castle ! I am aware of the consequences !

Let go ! Please, let me go !

My lord !

What has happened to my master ?

Is everyone safe ?

I am Yasube Horibe, disciple of Lord Asano !

I demand to know if my master is safe !

Can anybody tell me if my master is safe ?!

Calm down ! Calm down !

Lord Takuminokami Asano has been charged with

drawing his sword on Lord Kozukenosuke Kira !

- Where is my master ?! - Be quiet !

A thorough investigation will take place within the castle shortly.

Neither of the two has been critically wounded.

I urge you not to jump to any conclusions !

Let me through !

I am Gengoemon Kataoka, disciple of Lord Asano !

Please let me see him ! I demand to see my master !

What ?

Asano drew his sword ?

Yes, sire.

I am afraid it is true.

We are awaiting the results of an investigation.

In the meantime, a replacement for the intermediary must be appointed.

Who would you like to appoint ?

- I'll leave that up to you. - Yes, sire.

What did that idiot do on this most important day ?

Make sure Asano is severely punished !

There is no need for a trial ! Punish him at once !

Yes, sire.

Asano Mansion in Edo

Daigaku, what is this urgent business ?

Sister, a terrible thing has happened.

Tell me what has happened.

My brother drew his sword on Lord Kira inside the castle !

Our lord drew his sword ?

- Are you certain this is true ? - Yes, l'm afraid it is.

And, our lord, is he safe ?

He is unhurt.

And Lord Kira ? Did he die at the hands of our master ?

I have not yet heard.

I thought it best to inform you of the little I already knew.

I cannot believe...

In your beloved brother's most desperate time,

how could you not check on the well-being of Lord Kira ?

You have dishonored yourself.

I have no words to express my regret !

Sister...

I have no excuse.

Daigaku, you must return to Edo Castle at once

and check on our master's situation as well as Lord Kira's well-being.

Then, send the news to Ako at once !

You need not worry about me.

By the order of the Shogun

we have been appointed to investigate your actions on this day.

I am obligated to proceed on behalf of our lord.

I submit.

Asano, after being appointed intermediary for the Emperor's envoy,

you drew your sword on Kira, disregarding your being in the castle.

Explain yourself. Leave nothing out.

Yes, sir.

I was humiliated by a cascade of insults

directed my way by Lord Kira which completely exhausted my patience.

I was unable to suppress my anger.

However, my acting out of spite

and my disregard of my role and surroundings is shameful beyond belief.

I cannot find the words to express my deep regret to Lord Tsunayoshi.

And, what were these "insults" that exhausted your patience ?

I no longer wish to comment on that.

Why not ? It would be to your advantage if you did.

Anything that I say at this point

will only sound like an excuse.

But...

But...

But what ?

The tip...

The tip of my blade slashed only a few inches...

Those few inches have ruined me. For that I am completely remorseful.

I only wish...

I only wish I had been able to finish the job and take Kira's life !

I, too, am a warrior.

My own shortcomings...

My own shortcomings having failed me is something that I cannot bear.

Honestly, I do not have a clue as to why I am the object of his ill will.

It is nothing more than pure madness.

It's been known to show its ugly face

during the budding season of early spring.

What does he mean, he had a grudge against me ?

What have I done to deserve such dishonor ?

And, when Asano swung his sword at you

how did you defend yourself ?

How, you ask ? I do not make a habit of fighting lunatics !

Twice a sword was swung at you.

Yet you did not attempt to draw yourself ?

Of course not !

We are in our lord's home in the midst of a ceremony.

The thought of drawing my sword in the castle never crossed my mind.

Sir.

I have a message from Lord Tsunayoshi. He sends his sympathy to Lord Kira.

Lord Yanagisawa also requests that you resolve this issue quickly.

Thank you.

The results of the investigation have been reported to Lord Tsunayoshi.

His decision is as follows :

As for you, Kozukenosuke Kira.

You are commended for your mindfulness

in not drawing your sword in defense within the castle

despite the vicious assault directed at you.

You are found free of guilt.

Feel free to stay as long as it takes for your wounds to heal

before returning home.

Yes, sir.

As for you, Takuminokami Asano.

Your blatant disregard of your surroundings

in selfishly drawing your sword is absolutely inexcusable.

You are hereby sentenced to immediate death by hara-kiri

- at the home of Ukyodayu Tamura. - I submit.

Wait ! Wait, I beg you !

Asano is the master of an affluent rice producing clan.

A sentence of death handed down so quickly seems rash.

How dare you ! This is the order of the Shogun !

I am aware, sir.