The River Fuefuki (笛吹川)

OFFICIAL ENTRY 1960 FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

A SHOCHIKU FILM

THE RIVER FUEFUKI

Produced by KEISUKE KINOSHITA

Based on a Novel by SHICHIRO FUKAZAWA

Cinematography by HIROSHI KUSUDA

Production Design by KISAKU ITO KOHEI EZAKI

Music by CHUJI KINOSHITA

Sound by HISAO ONO

Lighting by RYOZO TOYOSHIMA

Starring

TAKAHIRO TAMURA HIDEKO TAKAMINE

MANNOSUKE NAKAMURA SHINJI TANAKA

YUSUKE KAWAZU, SHIMA IWASHITA SOMEGORO ICHIKAWA

KOSHIRO MATSUMOTO KANZABURO NAKAMURA

Written and Directed by KEISUKE KINOSHITA

BATTLE OF IIDAGAWARA

Wretched is the scene of carnage

A world led astray by the five desires

A transient world doomed to hell

As it is sure to lead to misery

Hanzo's back from battle

and he's moping around looking gloomy out there.

I figured he'd be defeated.

That's why I told him not to go.

It's just as I thought.

Hanzo -

You can't fight battles on your own.

I won't tell the others in the village, so cheer up.

There was nothing to it.

There was nothing to that battle.

Were you lucky then'?

Not lucky It was just easy fighting off those Suruga guys.

I see. The enemy was that weak'?

Those guys had armies in two positions at lidagawara and they all fled.

Nothing to it.

Where'd they all go'?

Fool!

The enemy fled and you're asking where they went?

How would he know'? You fool.

But there's no glory in battle unless you take the head of the enemy general.

We didn't take his head, but the enemy general is dead.

Oh? And did you kill him'?

I didn't kill him, but I did catch him.

My master killed him.

Well,

this is the banner of our lord, with the Takeda clan emblem.

I can get as many of those as you want.

But the enemy might attack again.

If they know we're their enemy they might take revenge on us.

You're a fool.

Why would a bunch of guys that fled want to come back at us'?

Just keep your mouth shut.

My master told me to take a break, so I'm back for a bit.

You've done well. I knew you would.

I figured you'd make your mark.

That's my fearless Hanzo, my grandson!

My master might come by here.

His name is Tsuchiya.

He'll come here'? Really?

He said he passes by this house often.

He knew it when I told him it looked like an insect cage.

He did'?

Lord Nobutora Takeda is 28,

the same as your elder sister who married into the Takenoharas.

Lord Takeda had a boy but we had a girl.

We were really disappointed, but then you came along.

And you defeated the enemy general!

See'? It's because I urged him to go!

Stop that work and go tell the Takenoharas about Hanzo.

Tell them Hanzo defeated the enemy general.

No need to rush. They'll hear about it soon enough.

We'll be able to tear clown this insect cage and build a big house.

And it's all because I urged him to go to war!

Hanzo, Lord Takeda has summoned you. Come with me.

Yes, sir. Grandpa, I've got to go.

He's getting a reward.

Well, things sure seem to be going well.

It's because I kept urging him to go.

I felt in my gut that he ought to go, too.

You realize that now?

I'm never wrong in what I say

I'll even have Mitsu leave the Takenoharas.

I can't stand having her married into a family that looks clown on us.

Where did Hanzo go, Grandpa?

He was summoned by Lord Takeda. He's done really well.

Did you get a reward?

Not right away but I think it'll come later.

Right.

Hey Dad. Take this and come with me.

It's a great honor.

A son was born to Lord Takeda last night.

And you're to bury the afterbirth, Dad.

Ridiculous! Why would he give you that honor'?

This is Hanzo's deed.

Hanzo went into battle because I urged him to.

There's no reason why you'd get that honor.

I'll go instead.

So, where are we going'?

He was born at Sekisuiji Castle, but Lord Takeda came from lsawa,

so it'll be buried in Kawada, Lord Takeda's ancestral home.

They're waiting, so we'd better hurry!

Hanpei -

Oh, it's Gon of the Takenoharas.

Your daughter Mitsu gave birth to a boy last night.

- Last night'? - A good, healthy boy

Born last night, huh'? Same as Lord Takeda.

Grandpa, let's go.

Bury it here.

Hey hurry up and bury it.

Ow!

Ouch!

Grandpa!

Stop!

You defiled this ground with your blood, you fool!

Out of the way! I'll bury it!

Hey! open up!

Yes, sir!

Old man, Lord Takeda summons you! Come with us now!

What'? In the middle of the night'?

Hurry UP!

He's got an injury Maybe I can go in his place?

You fool. I might get a reward, along with Hanzo.

Get on the horse!

There.

Wandering aimlessly in the darkness

Mortals see not, nor heed the call

The dew vanishes in the transient winds

The end of a pitiful man

I want a word with you.

Grandpa's dead.

He was struck down after he offended Lord Takeda.

I heard that Lord Takeda of Kofu got angry and ordered him killed.

It's no surprise. It was supposed to be a celebration,

but he defiled it with his blood.

Even Master Tsuchiya is angry about it.

Now, this way

A child is born in that shack.

They said the birth would be tonight or in the morning.

It's like Grandpa is reborn, then.

Poor child.

Born in such a miserable shack.

BATTLE OF KAMIJOGAWARA

You're here, Mitsu.

I can't go back to the Takenoharas.

Grandpa said before he died

that he couldn't leave you with a family that looks down on us.

How did the battle go this time? Did you get an enemy general?

Big Mohei was also in the battle.

Oh, Big Mohei, too'?

He was bragging about killing one guy

What about you'? if Mohei killed one, you must've killed lots.

I killed three.

Three generals?

Don't be silly Why would there be three generals?

But I did tell the Takenoharas before I left

that you killed one general in the last fight,

but next time you'd kill three generals.

We'd get a big reward for that, and move right up.

I wouldn't have to come back to this house!

Fool. He can get killed in battle, too.

It's not just him doing the killing.

Hanzo won't get killed. Right, Hanzo'?

Don't let Mohei steal your glory

I'm never going back to the Takenoharas.

I'll remarry into a better family

That's what Grandpa said, too.

I can talk to my master if you're thinking of remarrying.

Yes. That's a great idea!

You'll ask your Master Tsuchiya for her'?

He's staying at Sekisuiji Castle tonight.

I'll go wherever my master goes.

Like father and child.

Some people even call me by his family name, Tsuchiya.

You're moving up in the world!

We'll have to rebuild this house.

Your Grandpa was saying that, too.

Lord Takeda's heir, born on the same day as this boy was named Katsuchiyo.

Master Tsuchiya's watching over him.

That's why I'm also staying at Katsuchiyo's castle.

And you're Sadahei.

Hey Sadahei. You were born on the same day as Lord Takeda's heir.

When you grow up, you go and fight just like your uncle.

Don't be stupid!

Come on. Let's get your strong uncle to hold you!

Here we go!

- There. - Good and strong!

Bye, Father.

I'm only 29. My best years are still ahead!

The Yamaguchis are the biggest silk merchants in Kofu.

You're lucky

It's because you've moved up in the world.

We should be thankful to Master Tsuchiya.

And if you carry on killing those enemy generals,

Master Tsuchiya will be pleased and Lord Takeda will gain power.

Then he'll buy more silk,

and my husband will become the richest man in Kofu!

It's all thanks to you!

BATTLE OF FUJI SUBASHIRIGUCHI

Mohei!