Episode 03: Ubasuteyama
10 more days.
It may be my turn the next time.
Sorry. I'm just passing by.
Can I ask you something?
Master, I'm too hungry to walk any further.
Useless bum, shut up.
- I'm really dead beat. - Go there to sleep!
Hi, my name is Ashiya Dosan. I came from a long line of exorcists.
- Exorcists? - Yes.
We've been asked by a family in Uedato perform some rites.
But we ran into bad luck, losing our money for our travelling expenses
and getting thrown out of the inn. It's all his fault!
- Why my fault? - We're in this fix because you were careless.
- Why do you always blame me? - Why can't you use that head of yours?
Sir, don't go away.
There's a tomb and a skull there.
What is that about? What happened?
There's a rule here.
Once a person reaches sixty,
he or she will have to be left in the Valley of Hell.
Valley of Hell?
It's the sulfur valley two hills away.
This man broke the rule and ended up dead.
No one can get away.
There's such a rule?
Such a barbaric rule.
Please don't shout.
The chief of this land doesn't understand the people.
Everything he's done including this rule is for his own benefit.
Why so?
The sun is so hot today.
Don't be so depressed. I'll show you a treasure.
- Treasure? - Right. Pass it over.
Look, this scarf will bring you joy.
It'll make you forget your unhappiness.
Wear the scarf
and you will feel its effect right away.
That's not its only use.
It can cure a child from bed-wetting at night
and help your business to prosper. It'll turn bad things to good.
Buy one.
Master, don't waste your breath.
Shut up!
Stop crying.
Come here!
You didn't sell a single pair again today?
I'm very tired. Let me rest.
Tired when you didn't even sell a single pair of straw sandals?
You want us to starve to death?
Sorry.
If you're really sorry,
find a way to bring home money. Steal or rob. Anything!
You came back empty-handed. What are we going to eat?
You've no backbone! Go to hell!
You must be tired.
- I'll take it. - Take it there.
- What's this? - Clam soup.
It wasn't easy to find some. My grandchildren need to eat.
It's only a few tiny clams for goodness' sake!
We still have to feed you.
Don't yell at Mother.
Since you have the strength to look for clams,
get a rope and hang yourself like our old neighbor did.
That's what she should do.
Rei!
Did I say anything wrong? Go find some money.
What are you doing? Kerosene is expensive!
Do it outside!
Takichi,
sell this piece of clothing at the market tomorrow.
I think it's worth a little money.
No. It's your most precious piece of clothing.
I'll be going to the mountain in 10 days.
Keeping it serves no purpose.
Master, please give me an idea.
Give you an idea?
My poor mother will be 60 in 10 days.
It's a village rule that to ease the burden,
she has to be sent to the Valley of Hell. But I can't do it.
I see.
Violators of the rule will be beheaded.
My unreasonable wife will also nag incessantly.
I don't know what to do. Please help me.
What are you doing?
Will you be quieter?
Don't leave her at the Valley of Hell. It's inhuman to do that.
Don't listen to your useless chief.
Don't do something against your conscience.
Master, do you have any good idea?
- Idea... - Yes.
- A good idea... - Yes.
Got it.
When you get home, dig a hole under the floor.
Then hide your mother in the hole.
Such a foul rule will be abolished one day.
Until then, your mother has to remain in hiding. What do you think about it?
You're right. You're truly brilliant. Thank you!
It will work, right?
Please accept this.
What does this mean?
I hope you'll give my mother an amulet.
Straw sandals in exchange for an amulet?
Yes.
- You made this? - Yes.
- Really? - Yes.
- It's really for me? - Yes.
- For your mother's sake? - Yes.
All right, I'll give you an amulet.
Hang on.
The greatness of all things on Earth !
- Jinta, come here. - What?
Come here.
What is it?
- No more ink. - What?
Run out of ink!
- That's our only brush. - Do something.
Let me look at it.
- It's done. - Not completed.
I still have one paragraph. Get me a brush.
It's not effective even if you write the last paragraph.
How dare you say that! What are you doing?
It's done. This is the amulet.
Take it.
Thank you so much.
I'm very tired.
Shut up.
It's great. Finally, tomorrow is the day.
Are you pretending to be stupid?
You'll be taking Mother-in-law to the Valley of Hell tomorrow.
I've prepared something good for you.
What is it?
I've bought some rat poison.
Tell her to take it to the Valley with her.
She should take the rat poison instead of suffering.
It's the least painful way to go.
Your heart must be full of hate.
You must be wondering why you married such a woman.
But then, all women are like that.
You think only of your mother.
I have no place in your heart.
Finally, the day has arrived.
Mother.
Mother, I've discussed your plight with a great master.
Takichi, rules are rules.
Don't think so much.
If you go against the law of nature,
you'll meet with misfortune.
Let's go.
Takichi, be careful.
The bridge is old. Take each step carefully.
Don't look down. Look in front of you and carry on.
You're an unfilial son! Unfilial son!
Unfilial son!
Mother!
My leg.
Takichi.
Mother, I'm sorry.
Sorry.
You're not at all heavy.
Don't be afraid.
The thunder is on the other side of the mountain.
There's nothing to fear.
You're still so timid. You've been afraid of thunder and lightning
since you were a child.
Takichi, be careful. Slow down.
Mother, hurry up!
I'm terrified of thunder. I'm scared.
Takichi, it's all right.
The thunder is on the other side of the mountain.
Don't be scared. Come on out.
Come out...
Come out.
Look out!
Mother, your leg... Did you injure your leg at that time?
Your leg was injured because I was so timid.
No.
Don't let your imagination run wild.
- Mother... - You must be dreaming.
Dreaming?
Don't think about it. Forget it.
But Mother...
You're really my good son.
But I...
You are my good son.
I've let you down, Mother. I've let you down.
Takichi.
I'm so useless. Sorry, Mother.
Sorry.
- Mother. - Go home.
No.
I can't leave you alone here.
Go home.
Leave!
Mother.
Which way should I go?
Shell.
- What is that? - Seashells.
It must be Mother.
Mother!
Mother! Mother!
Mother!
What happened? Your head is bleeding.
- I fell and hurt myself. - I see.
Mother, let's go home.
We'll go home.
Mother, get down there.
Hide inside.
Quick.
Rei will be coming back soon.
It'll work. The Master gave me this idea.
It'll protect you.
Hide under there and Rei will never find you.
It'll be very safe since we've got the amulet.
She'll find me wherever I hide.
Open the door!
Why is the door locked?
What're you doing inside? Open the door!
What are you doing? Quick, open the door!
Sorry, I was sound asleep.
What is it?
What happened?
Why is your head bleeding?
On my way back, I fell over a steep slope
and passed out. Only this morning did I...
The God of Earth didn't protect you.
Stop crying.
Are you all right?
- Say I fainted. - No...
Sir, I can't do anything.
It's beyond my power.
Sir, a quack like him doesn't have the ability.
Shut up!
No matter how hard I prayed,
I am not able to give you a satisfactory answer.
- No... Mercy! - Listen up.
If you're unable to solve the riddle, my head will roll.
I understand.
Then why didn't you pray harder?
If the answer isn't found, I'll banish you to a deserted island
- ...and leave you to your fate. - Spare me!
Jinta...
Got it.
Mother, are you all right?
I've steamed some soybeans. Eat them.
Is this Takichi's house?
Open up! Takichi, you must be inside. Open up!
Open up or we'll break down the door.
Break it down.
So smelly.
Are you Takichi?
Yes! Yes, I'm Takichi.
Get up!
Don't you know he is the Commander Kashiwaki Ichizo?
A riddle is giving me a headache. I need you to solve it.
If you fail, I'll banish you to a deserted island.
Do some thinking if you wish to live.
- Bring it over. - Yes.
I want you to turn this ordinary drum into a drum
that can produce sound even when no one is beating it.
No one beats it and sound can still be produced?
This is the General's order.
If you can't solve it, I'll have to commit hara-kiri.
- But why me? - Only you can do it.
Listen good,
take the drum to my residence by tomorrow.
Let's go.
Takichi, what is going on?
I don't know. They want it by tomorrow.
What are you going to do?
I don't know.
Forget it!
You're too stupid to think of a solution.
Rei, what should I do?
How would I know?
Only someone wicked would give a person
such an impossible task.
I don't even want to think about it.
Rei...
I don't wish to get into trouble. We'll go separate ways.
Where are you going?
I won't stay in this house anymore! Goodbye!
Rei!
Take the children. I don't want either of them!
How could you say that?
Don't waste your time lecturing me.
Think of how you can beg the Commander to spare your life.
Rei!
Don't follow me!
Takichi!
Mother, what should I do?
I have an idea.
Bring the drum over.
Listen carefully. Make a hole at the edge
of the drum and put some hornets inside.
Then seal the hole with paper and put the drum back in the box.
Mother.
Remember, use paper to seal it tightly.
I understand.
To hear the beat of the drum,
it must first be placed under the bed in the box.
Later, remove the drum from the box,
give it a light kick and the beat will be heard.
Tell him to follow these instructions.
Takichi.
Yes.
I followed your instructions and presented the drum to the General.
Guess what happened that night?
The General really heard the drum beating by itself at night.
What happened later...
Anyone who hears this will find it unbelievable.
Takichi.
When I heard it, I was wild with joy.
What really happened?
You knew what happened!
A swarm of hornets flew out from the drum.
They attached and stung the General to death.
Thanks to you, my life has been spared.
You've save my life. I will reward you.
What do you want? Salt, rice, a house or women?
Anything, tell me!
Reward me.
You asked me what I want?
It was actually
my mother who gave me the idea.
Two days ago, my mother turned 60.
According to the rule,
she should be taken to the Valley of Hell.
But I couldn't do it. I didn't send her away.
I hid her under the floor of the house.
What?
I don't want any reward.
I'm prepared to die.
Sir, I have only one request.
Don't send my mother to the Valley of Hell.
I beg you.
Where are you?
Come out! I heard about it.
Get out!
You're hiding here.
I'll find you.
Where's she?
It's you!
You scared me.
What are you up to do?
Trying to frighten me sitting there quietly?
Where did you hide the reward?
Where's the money given by the Commander?
I don't know what you're talking about.
You don't know?
The whole village knows about it.
Takichi has been rewarded for his feat.
I smelled a rat when I heard about it.
Takichi is too stupid to think of such an idea.
You helped him.
You secretly told Takichi what to do.
I'm right, aren’t I?
Takichi is not at home.
I don't know about the reward.
You're still lying to me!
Do you want me to give you away to the Commander?
I'll tell him you didn't go to the Valley of Hell.
Are you scared?
Then your son will be put to death. His head will roll.
Along the way to the Valley of Hell...
What? Louder.
Along the way to the Valley of Hell,
there is a wooden suspension bridge.
A wooden suspension bridge?
On one end of the bridge, there's a statue under the tree.
What you want is buried there.
You'd better not be lying.
The matter is settled, what a relief.
Master, where are you going?
I need to make sure.
You're going to Takichi's place? Don't go.
I got him involved.
The matter is settled but I'm still worried.
I'll give him a few more amulets.
Wait for me, Master! Master!
Wait for me, Master!
Master!
Mother!
Good news.
You don't have to hide anymore.
The General is dead. I've been released.
The rule has been abolished.
You don't have to hide anymore.
Takichi.
Look. The Commander rewarded me with rice and salt.
We've no more worries.
Takichi, that's wonderful. We won't starve anymore.
Great! I'll cook some porridge. Have a good rest, Mother.
This is great!
Great!
Such fragrant porridge.
It's delicious!
I'll look for Rei tomorrow.
Since we can get by now, Rei will treat you better.
You're gobbling. No need to hurry.
Why is he talking to himself?
He is talking to his Mother.
His mother? Where is she?
Isn't it just him and his children?
Takichi can see his mother.
A pity his mother is dead.
Don't talk nonsense.
A mother's love is truly noble.
To save her child, she's willing to make any sacrifices.
She's dead but she came back to help him.
She doesn't know she's dead.
Is it really true?
All mothers are like this.
Perhaps it's a woman's natural instinct.
Jinta.
Where is he?
Forget it.
Episode 04: Mimi-nashi-Hoichi
Demons and spirits, leave right now!
Why isn't there any reaction?
Demons and spirits, leave right now!
Why did you bring him home? Just look at him!
I had no choice.
He assured me that he'd be able to cure Father.
Yes, but...
Demons! Out now!
Ouch, my back!
Father, are you all right?
Hey, old man! Stop horsing around! Get out and scram!
Don't let me see you ever again!
Quit being so cocky.
Out of the way!
Are you blind? Can't you see me coming through?
I'm totally down on my luck! Fancy running into fools!
I warned you that the cat would be let out of the bag.
I did it for you!
Find a proper job!
Is this how you talk to your father?
If not for my debts, I'd be enjoying life now!
I can't tolerate your ways any longer!
You're reprimanding me?
Why is it so cold?
It's pouring! Quick, over there!
Get into the house!
It's quite clean.
Maybe there are “beings” around...
Don't talk rubbish.
Ah! It's here!
Where? I'm afraid!
I'm kidding you.
Why did you pull my leg?
Your expression was priceless!
You're too playful!
Sir...
- Who's there? Who's there? - Sir...
It's here. It's really here!
Who are you?
Good day! Sorry, did I scare you?
Are you human?
Of course.
Looks like the rain won't stop.
Hey you!
Are you passing by?
Where are you headed?
Yes, I'm passing by.
I have no destination.
Anywhere counts.
Anywhere counts?
Why don't you tell us a story?
What?
To pass time!
Since you been to so many places,
you must have heard lots of stories. Share them.
All right,
I shall tell you the scariest story
I've ever heard.
A horror story?
This goes back centuries,
when the Heike and Genji clans launched a battle at Dan-no-ura,
wiping out the entire Heike clan.
In a village,
one day there came a blind biwa master named Hoichi.
The villagers despised and avoided
the dirty and unkempt Hoichi.
But Hoichi's superb playing won him acclaim all over the village.
Even rich families heard of his talent.
They clambered for his service and invited him to their homes.
The biwa then naturally became Hoichi's means of livelihood.
Master Hoichi, you're back!
Is that Ai?
Are we having roasted yams?
How do you know?
I can't see, but I can smell.
My father told me to bring these.
Dinner will be ready soon.
It's too much trouble for you.
Don't stand on ceremony.
Master, you're great!
Even rich families invite you to perform.
I've never even seen a rich person.
Neither have I.
I didn't mean it that way.
You can play the biwa beautifully.
Where did you learn it?
The food is ready.
Many thanks.
Though Hoichi had been in the village for a long time,
he never once told anyone about his past,
not even Ai, who came to help him regularly.
Until one fateful night...
May I know who's there?
I'm sorry, I'm blind and cannot see you.
- Are you Hoichi? - Yes.
The biwa master, Hoichi?
Yes, Master Warrior.
I heard your sword,
hence I was able to guess your identity.
But it's so late, what can I do for you?
I work for Miss Himeko.
She's heard much of your biwa skills and would like
to invite you to her residence to play for her.
I'm truly honored!
- May I know the time? - Right now!
Now? Right now?
This is Miss Himeko's command!
Yes.
Hoichi had no choice,
but to take his biwa and follow the warrior.
Lift your head.
Thanks for taking the trouble to come here although it's so late.
Your biwa skills are legendary.
Would you play a tune for me?
I'm honored.
What song would Missy like to hear?
I would like to hear "The Tale of the Heike".
It's been reputed to touch even spirits.
Please play this tune!
I'll obey. But the tune will not be finished in just a night.
Please come here to play each night
for the next 6 nights then.
Every night?
Yes, every night.
I understand, Missy. I shall begin.
As Hoichi played,
the haunting strains of the biwa
caused the tears of all those present to fall uncontrollably.
I'll be here for you for the next 5 nights.
Remember! You must not mention Miss Himeko to anyone!
I'll bear that in mind.
If you break your promise and tell others about this,
don't blame me for not warning you!
Have you got it?
Yes.
Master Warrior, are you still there?
Hoichi! Do you have to train this way everyday?
Yes, of course.
Excuse me...
Yes?
Is it true that you have to sing everyday?
Yes.
I don't believe this tragedy really does exist.
Some of the criminals were sent to the Ghost Island.
But 2 of them were remitted and recalled back to Kento.
Only one criminal was left in the island.
That's him.
I'll be here tomorrow night.
Is the food not to your liking?
No, it's not that.
Are you not feeling well?
Don't worry, I'm just a little tired.
From then on, Hoichi seemed constantly bothered by matters.
Even Ai could not understand why.
Every night, Hoichi would follow the warrior to Miss Himeko's mansion
to perform without fail.
This went on until the fifth day...
What's wrong?
Master Hoichi!
Why is your forehead so hot?
Master Hoichi! Where are you going so late at night?
You're running a fever. Don't go out!
I can't! I promised them I would perform tonight.
No, you cannot go!
You're ill now, spare a thought for your health.
It's only a night.
They won't blame you. Tell them you're ill.
No! If I said that, my life...
Your life?
What's this all about?
Nothing.
Whatever it is, I have to go.
No! Don't force yourself!
How can you perform in this state?
You can't take it.
Listen to me, take a rest tonight. Lie down first.
I'll make something for you to eat.
Hoichi!
Get up. It's time! Let's go.
Master Warrior!
You're not ready yet?
Miss Himeko is waiting!
I'm sorry!
But I'm ill and really unable to perform tonight.
Please ask Miss Himeko to allow me to rest tonight.
No! You and Ms. Himeko have a pact!
But Master Warrior, tonight...
What?! You dare to break the pact?
Have you thought it through? How is it? Answer me!
Where is he going?
Master Hoichi.
Those listening to Hoichi were...
Yes, they were not living humans, but spirits.
Enough! Stop!
This is not for human ears!
Say something happier!
Father.
Thunder! Thunder!
Why did they want Hoichi? Who were these spirits?
They were the souls of the Heike and they wanted Hoichi's life.
They were the aggrieved Heike who were killed by the Genji.
Does this mean that you were a warrior with the Heike clan?
Yes.
Why don't they seek revenge on the Genji? Why you?
For revenge.
To save my own life,
I betrayed my master and defected to the Genji.
This happened a few days before the battle at Dan-no-ura.
My master, the last General of the Heike, gave me an order.
General!
You called for me?
Hoichi, I want you to take Miss Kayaki away from here.
But I want to fight in the battle!
I've already decided that you will not!
But why?
This is for the sake of the Heike!
I'm not confident of winning the battle.
The situation does not bear well. We might lose to the Genji.
If battle breaks out, the Heike might very well perish!
And the worst will be none of them is coming back.
But it's our duty to serve our masters through all ordeals!
I've made myself clear!
Even if we lose, the Heike cannot perish.
Hence you are to take Kayaki as far as possible from here!
Only in this way can we make a comeback in the future!
Yes, General.
After we left, the battle of Dan-no-ura broke out.
As predicted, the Heike were no match for the seasoned Genji.
The Heike soldiers were defeated thoroughly on the battlefield.
Leaving only us who were fleeing for our lives.
Missy! Over here! Let's go!
We were committed to protecting Kayaki's life, however,
my comrades fell to the pursuits of the Genji one by one.
- Save them! - Let's go!
In the end, there were only two of us left.
Our food was depleted after days of fleeing.
Finally...
I refuse to eat such filth!
But Missy, you can't starve.
I say I'm not eating!
You're worse than a beast!
Eating those just for survival's sake!
- I have to protect Missy. - Rubbish!
More likely you are afraid to die!
I'm right, aren't I?
You took me away to save your own skin!
- Why would I... - Why didn't you face the enemy then?
If you had stood by your comrades,
they wouldn't have perished!
You're not doing this for my sake, but your own!
A coward like you is a disgrace to the Heike clan!
- Missy! - Don't come near!
Such a shameless person like you makes me sick!
Hoichi! What are you doing?
I don't know what came over me,
causing me to do such an atrocity.
In retrospect, I realized
my actions were not a moment of folly.
I did it for survival's sake.
Yes, Ms. Kayaki had seen through me.
To think I was a warrior of the Heike clan!
Not only was I a coward, I was an ingrate too!
Yes, this is Kayaki from the Heike clan.
But I cannot condone this action of ungratefulness from you!
Just for survival's sake!
How can you call yourself a warrior?
Scumbag!
Is your life that important for you to forsake your honor?
Yes.
My life is everything!
All right, I will let you continue living in shame!
Wait!
Turn around!
A scumbag like you is only fit to live in darkness like a rat.
What do you think?
It's a pathetic life, isn't it?
No.
It's natural to value life.
If you had died, you would not be here today!
This does not mean I can live.
My dead comrades are here to take my life.
There is no meaning leading such a pathetic life.
You cannot admit defeat now!
This day hasn't come easy for you.
Don't give up on your life now!
These inscriptions will hide you from the aggrieved spirits.
If you make it through tonight, you will be safe from them.
Reverend, is it true?
Yes.
But, remember!
You must not make any sound.
If you utter a word, they will be able to sense your presence.
Under no circumstance must you utter a sound, understand?
Hoichi!
Come out right now!
It's time, I'm here for you! Come with me!
What's wrong, Hoichi?
Come out right now!
Hoichi, where have you gone?
Thinking of breaking your promise?
Come out right now!
Don't ever dream of escaping!
This is infuriating!
I won't ever let you off!
Master Hoichi!
What exactly happened? Are you all right?
Is that Ai?
Are you all right, Master Hoichi?
Quick, open the door!
You shouldn't be here!
What if something happens to you?
You're indeed hiding here, Hoichi!
This voice...
Right! Get down on your knees and beg for forgiveness!
There's nowhere you can hide!
You're still unrepentant?
Why aren't you responding?
Have you forgotten Miss Kayaki whom you murdered in cold blood?
With these inscriptions, you will be totally invisible to spirits.
Bear in mind, you must not utter a sound.
You betrayed the General's trust, killing me for your own survival.
Can you be considered a human after such an atrocity?
You have to burn in hell for the sufferings I went through!
I see you, Hoichi!
There you are! Come with us!
No, I'm not going!
I beg of you! Please forgive me!
Is carrying on your life really so important?
You really value your life that much?
Yes, I want to live on.
All right!
I shall let you live on forever!
You shall stay in this world and relate the story of the Heike clan.
Thank you for showing mercy!
However...
Master Hoichi!
My ears!
They cut my ears!
The story ends here.
So... Has it made time pass faster?
Yes, it's not too bad.
What happened after that? What happened to Hoichi?
Who knows?
After all, that happened centuries ago.
The rain has stopped!
The rain has stopped. I should be on my way.
Be careful.
Hey, isn't that a biwa?
I'll sing for you if there is a chance.
After all, it's all pre-destined.
That man, he is Hoichi!
But that took place centuries ago!
Kayaki cursed him.
The ghosts of the Heike clan let him live,
so that all would know their story.
That's why he's still living today.
Wondering aimlessly, relating this story to everyone.
So everything he said was true?
- Yes, it's his own story. - The price of living is too great!
No, man will try to ensure his own survival against all odds.
That is man's basic instinct!
I'm hungry.
Let's go for a good meal.
Really?
But I've got no money!
My back!
Sayo, help! I sprained my back again!
- It hurts, help me! - Father, are you all right?