Samurai Marathon (サムライマラソン)

Adapted from a true story

Samurai Marathon 1855 —

For 260 years,

Japan isolated itself from the world.

However,

after the 'Black Ships' entered,

Japan experienced a drastic change.

Yankee Doodle went to town riding on a pony

Stuck a feather in his hat and called it macaroni

Yankee Doodle, keep it up

Mind the music and the step

And with the girls be handy

Hoi! Hayabusa.

Good day to you, sir.

I am Commander Perry of the United States navy.

I come in friendship,

bearing a letter from President Fillmore,

to be delivered directly to the emperor of Japan.

We know that the ancient laws of your Imperial Majesty's government

do not allow foreign trade, travel, contact

or congress of any kind.

But as the state of the world changes,

it seems to be wise from time to time to make new laws.

What is he saying?

I'm very sorry, my lord.

But he grunts like a hog.

I can't understand him.

May I ask him to speak more slowly and clearly?

I will convey your words to him.

Can you speak more slowly and clearly?

What'd the blighter say?

I believe that's Dutch lingo, sir!

Does anybody speak Dutch?

Please take these gifts

as a sample of new and exciting wonders we have to offer from the Western world.

This is the morse telegraph machine

with which you can send messages any distance instantaneously.

This is a daguerreotype

by which you can capture the exact and true imitation of nature.

The finest Kentucky Bourbon whiskey

aged 25 years.

This is a 45 calibre, rear-loaded,

metallic cartridge, single action, army revolver.

We call it the Peacemaker.

The arrival of the Black Ships

alarmed many samurai lords.

Is this me?

Not bad.

These are Western themed?

Yes.

Father, I copied them from a Dutch book in your library.

They're well drawn.

Kojiro, let him in.

Aye.

It's time you married.

I need a son-in-law to continue our line.

Tsujimura is from a good family. He'll make a good husband.

I'll never let you leave Japan.

America only has ugly barbarians.

You can't go to Edo either.

No chance...

We have no chance.

Kojiro!

Move! - Sorry, Lord.

We've no chance!

Kojiro! - Aye.

Assemble all samurai. - Aye.

What just happened?

Our lives had tranquility.

Peace was enjoyed for generations.

[ Jinnai Karasawa, Annaka Clan - samurai / finance officer ]

Alright, Chiyomaru.

Almost done. Very soon.

It's finished! Done.

Good boy.

But my Kurosawa family has a secret.

Jinnai, come here.

Sit.

This is the first Shogun (Chief Commander), Tokugawa Ieyasu.

And this is Annaka clan.

Listen, Jinnai.

This katana (sword) was given to our ancestors by Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa.

Our Karasawa family has been ninjas for generations.

In Annaka, we are the Shogun's spies.

Our loyalty to Annaka clan is a front.

I'll pass our ninja skills to you.

We're the Shogun's eyes and ears.

We must immediately report any signs of rebellion to Edo.

Never let anyone find out.

Deliver this. - Yes.

Right away.

Blend in.

Don't stand out.

Do not excel.

Do not fail.

Never disgrace yourself.

Never get drunk.

Don't even tell your wife.

If the truth comes out,

we spies are as good as dead.

So, that's our Karasawa secret.

We've been spies for generations.

Hey, Okajima!

- Wake up! - What?

What the...

- You scored big. - Sh-She wasn't too bad.

Let's get Tsujimura.

Hurry up.

C'mon.

W-Wait up!

Nizaemon, w-wait!

Hoi!

Excuse me!

- Too bright... - Excuse me. Wake up!

Tsujimura! The Lord called us.

It could be war!

Grab his robe.

Get up.

Here we go.

Hear a drum? - Yeah!

Hurry up. - Alright.

The Lord is calling.

Okajima, let's go.

Get a move on!

What's going on?

What's going on?

What happened?

Is something going on?

What's up?

Why's Ueki taking so long?

Good morning.

- Karasawa. - Oh, there you are. - Sorry. Sorry.

Being finance officers doesn't mean we can be late.

Where's Ueki?

I hope he shows up soon.

What's going on this morning?

I've no idea. - Let's go find out.

Here he is.

Ueki-dono (sir).

Too early in the morning for this fuss.

Sounds like a war is starting.

War?

- How? - How long ago was the last war?

Off we go.

Please go ahead.

Again?

He always gets diarrhea when there's trouble.

Yano, press my back.

Again?

I've an urgent letter for the Edo apothecary.

What is the Lord planning?

Could it be...

Send this, please. - Certainly.

Thank you. - Thank you.

I'm going now. - Okay.

Mataemon. - Yeah.

Thanks for years of work but it's time you retired.

Kojiro. - Yes.

Give Mataemon a good pension.

Aye.

Move up. Move up.

Make room.

Hello.

Where's Jinnai?

Here he comes.

Sorry I'm late.

Wonder what's up.

Raise your heads.

You all know

the Black Ships came to Japan.

The foreigners pressure Japan to sign a treaty.

The foreigners speak of peace.

I believe their true goal is to invade our nation.

There's been peace for 260 years.

Thus samurai have become weak and undisciplined.

We must become strong again.

Toughen our minds and bodies!

So, tomorrow...

at 5 AM...

there will be a foot race!

It's 36 miles of steep hills and rough terrain.

All who serve Annaka Domain— samurai and foot soldiers—

must run if aged under 50.

Lastly...

Whoever wins this foot race

will have his wish granted by me.

Anything he wants.

Understood?

Aye!

A foot race?

With my bad back.

No way I can run 36 miles.

Even with breaks.

We'd be back after sundown.

Right.

Well, no-one expects us finance officers to win.

Indeed.

Momose.

I need to win this race. I must.

If I win, it'll benefit us all.