Sword Devil (剣鬼)

DAIEI FILMS, LTD

KEN KI

Screenplay by HOSHIKAWA Seiji Original Story by SHIBATA Renzaburo

Starring

ICHIKAWA Raizo

SATO Kei, SUGATA Michiko GOMI Ryutaro

MUTSUMI Goro, KUDO Kentaro UCHIDA Asao

Directed by MISUMI Kenji

Men are supposed to be forbidden in the women's quarters of a Daimyo.

A stranger got her pregnant, and she died after giving birth to a boy.

After she was given a high rank in the women's quarter,

she did nothing but eat and sleep.

No wonder she wanted men so badly.

She was the daughter of a poor peasant.

She got the senior position because Lady Makino left it in her will.

She used to work for Lady Makino.

Just before Lady Makino died, she came out of her insanity.

Her insanity?

Oh, of course.

Since your new here, you probably wouldn't know about it...

but our Lady Makino was insane.

Kin, I'm going to die.

My Lady!

Due to my madness, all of my servants have left me.

But, you're the only one still here taking care of me.

I really appreciate this.

Kin, thank you!

It is my pleasure to serve you!

Your loyalty has bought me back to reality once again.

After my death, I have arranged it in my will for you to be given a...

high rank in the women's quarters. Lord Masanobu will see to it.

My Lady!

Kin...

Take care of him as you would me, please...

Has anyone found out who the father of this baby is?

It's a mystery.

She must have slept with the dog Lady Makino left with her.

Impossible!

There is a way, because some scholars say it's possible...

for humans to mate with animals.

Yes, that dog wandered around Kin's place for 10 days...

and committed suicide by starving himself to death.

The baby will be sent back to Shinano.

Because it's in Lady Makino's will, Lord Masanobu can't abandon him.

The boy was named Hanpei.

Hanpei?

The dog had spots, 'Han' ( spot), and his rank, 'Pei' (lower rank).

'Inukko'!

I've lived as modestly, and simply as possible.

Heaven has sent me this gift.

I'll raise him as my own son.

23 YEARS LATER

HANPEI BEARS HIS BURDEN AS THE DOG CHILD.

Are you all right?

The doctor is coming soon!

What's keeping him?

Hanpei.

People have called you a dog child, and nobody teats you like a human.

If I die, who will be able to take care of you?

Get some special skill secretly...

One that will surprise people.

I'm such a low ranking samurai that I am worth next to nothing.

So I consider myself lucky to have you...

I really feel that way.

Go, Hanpei... ...get yourself a special skill.

'Inukko'

No. I'm not a dog's child!

Good Morning! How'd you do last night?

Which one of us?

My gambling, or my brother's date?

He lost his game, and my date was good.

Her skin was smooth as silk!

Hey, look at him!

Hanpei?

What does he do everyday?

As you can see.

He brings soil for flowers. What nonsense!

He brings dirt from somewhere!

It's annoying.

Forget about him.

Good morning!

Good morning!

Good morning!

Good morning!

Good morning!

Flowers, in this kind of place!

He knows exactly where to find the right soil for flowers.

Of course! He has a keen sense of smell. He's Dog-Boy!

Well, I see we have a man like this in our clan.

Yes. He's a professional florist!

Flowers! Being a great florist in a peaceful world like this...

is more important than mastering the sword!

Yes, indeed!

People like me have nothing to do.

Besides, my skill is wasted!

You're joking!

What do you mean by that?

You have to come to the castle tomorrow morning.

To the Castle?

You must dress properly for your visit to the Castle.

Yes!

Are you Hanpei, the 'title-less'?

Yes!

I'm willing to do anything!

The purpose of bringing you to the Castle...

is to create a flower garden here.

Flowers?

Flowers in here?

Flowers from each season, to make our lord feel happy.

Sir!

Since you have no title, this is a great chance for you...

to be of service to our clan, and indeed... to our lord.

Yes!

Ow!

You fool!

Forgive me sir, please!

Oh, it is true isn't it?

Because you are Clan Elder, I'm telling you the truth.

Our lord has recently gone insane.

He is the son of Lady Makino, and may have inherited her illness.

Lord Masanobu is becoming more like Lady Makino each day.

If the Shogunate in Edo were to find out, we'll have a problem.

He is our lord.

Our clan might be in danger when Edo gets wind of this.

Our lord doesn't have a son, and his condition is not normal.

Yes, sir.

It's obvious that if the Edo Shogunate learns the truth,

they'll want to terminate our clan, and confiscate out property.

Besides that, when our rival clan in Edo finds out...

their secret agents will come to kill our lord.

What...?!

Rumours spread like wildfire.

If there are assassins in our Castle, then what do we do, sir?

That's frightening!

Oh...

Magnificent!

Really beautiful!

Really beautiful!

Rude thing!

My Lord! My Lord!

Which one of the flowers invited honeybees?

Oh, ouch!

Who is it?

Intruder!

Go find him! Hurry!

Yes, Sir!

There was an intruder! You have to find him!

No. My Lord! I saw the whole thing.

There wasn't any intruder, but a black thing fell from the sky.

It's an act of God, sir!

Toilet!

Sir!

Horse! Bring my horse!

Yes, sir!

We've got to go!

We'll be to late!

Hurry! Hurry up!

We have to catch our lord!

You're late!

Hirano! Hold the horse!

Hold on!

Hirano, you look terrible.

As you can see...

Sometimes he just keeps going for over 1/2 an hour...

and then he suddenly stops!

We really can't keep up!

If we aren't there to hold his horse, he explodes in a rage!

I can't take it!

That means our heads will be cut off!

That's it!

Our lord's been acting a bit funny of late!

Oh, you think so, too?

Yes, but we can only talk about it amongst ourselves.

Hey! Who are you?

I'm Hanpei, the title-less.

What's someone like you doing here?

May I please ask you something, sir?

Come here.

Tell us what you want.

I'm not in a position to make such a request, but if it's possible,

I'd like to serve as a horse groom for our lord, and join the next ride.

What? You want to join the ride?

Hanpei, is that your name?

Yes.

I'm chief of the horse stable, Tsuzaki Taichiemon.

You're the one working in the flower garden, right?

Yes.

It's impossible for someone like you.

Why is that?

You have no title, and you don't have a horse to ride.

Yes. I know that, sir.

Do you intend to keep up on foot? Can you run as fast as a horse?

I don't know, but I'll try my best, sir!

Try your best...

What do you think. Harano? Takakura?

Hey! What's your plan? What are you thinking?

Let him try.

You're a fool! It's better to be a florist!

Very well. You can join us next time.

Chase him!