Episode 07: Yuki Onna
How can we make the weather cooler? Thank you.
I wonder if Heaven is idling.
Watch your words. Don't insult Heaven.
How could you say that?
The place is getting warmer with people
like you blocking the wind.
Mother, don't be rude to Chief.
I can't stand here?
- That's right. - You people aren't making things better.
What do you mean?
You people never say anything good.
Don't talk so much.
Chief, why aren't you siding with me?
The head of the Harima family is particular about punctuality.
You'd better hurry. Don't be late.
That's true.
I'm sure he'll be satisfied
with your work.
Really?
Anything wrong?
Nothing. I'm going off.
I'll be back soon.
Be careful.
Morning, Minoki.
Morning.
The cucumbers are fresh today. Come, try some.
- Morning. - Morning.
Sorry, I'm not free. I've got to go.
Wait.
What's up with you? You look disturbed.
Nothing. I'm fine.
You don't look like you're fine.
- Actually... I... - What is it?
It's because I had a nightmare last night.
Nightmare?
At least you dreamed. That's better than me.
My children were so noisy that I didn't even get to sleep.
How I wish I could have children to disturb me!
Let's swap, shall we?
You can't ask for money and children.
It will come when you least expect it.
- Morning, everyone. - Morning.
Yuki, look at him. Pulling a long face early in the morning.
Get going or you'll be late.
I'm going off.
- Be careful. - Cheer up!
Yuki, how long have you been here?
It has been 8 years.
It has been that long?
You don't look like you've aged,
unlike my wife.
Minoki is really lucky to have a wife like you.
Chief, you'd better watch your words.
Beware of eavesdroppers.
- Take my son for example... - Mother, don't!
That fool feels that Echigo women are as captivating
as the goddesses from Heaven.
You're a fool indeed.
Fortunately it was Minoki
that you met and not this fool.
You should mind your words too.
- I'm just speaking the truth. - What?
Something terrible has happened!
Get a windchime, Sir. It's cheap.
Careful, boys.
- It's so hot. - Let's get a windchime.
Don't waste money.
How much is one?
- I said no need. - It's only 20 coins, Miss.
- 20 coins? - Get one then.
Choose one, Father.
- This? - Right.
Did you say 20 coins?
- Yes. - That's too expensive.
Make it 14.
- I can't... - 14 coins.
It's terrible... There's a corpse in the forest.
- Corpse? - It's true.
I'm taking a look.
Father, wait!
Father! Father!
- Strange... - Let me see...
Father!
What happened?
What are you doing, Father?
It's cold. The corpse is cold.
Make way.
- What are you doing? - That hurts.
- I told you to stay away. - It hurts.
What happened?
He's drenched.
He couldn't have drowned here, right?
That's right.
- He froze to death. - What?
I said he froze to death.
In this hot weather? You're nuts!
- No, I'm very sure. - Don't spout nonsense.
- I didn't. - That's impossible.
- It's possible. Look, he's frozen. - Kanta...
He froze to death.
It's done by spirits.
- Spirits? - That's right.
Stop your nonsense.
What's your explanation then?
Spirits don't exist.
- Says who? - Father, stop it.
It's definitely done by spirits.
Father, let's go.
- I'm dead sure. - Enough, Father.
- Scram! - Kanta...
Who are they?
He's an exorcist living nearby. Weird fellow.
How could he freeze to death in this weather?
That's so freaky.
Take a look. The workmanship is intricate.
Good. You did well.
It's been 5 years since your master passed away, right?
That's right.
He was an outstanding master.
Indeed. He was an admirable figure too.
Minoki, were you born in Edo?
No, I was born in Echigo.
Echigo?
That means you travelled to Edo to learn from your Master?
That's right. On top of that,
we were distant relatives too.
Distant relatives.
I see.
Your workmanship is intricate indeed. Excellent.
Does this run in the family?
Don't say that, I'm not good enough.
Did you inherit your master's modesty too?
Don't say that.
What did you tell Master?
Nothing special. I said the usual prayer.
Usual prayer?
Same like you.
I prayed for us to be together forever.
For me, I prayed for a better life for both of us.
You, you think your master is omnipotent?
Naturally!
I wonder...
Actually, we're together now only
because of Master's help.
My luck has never been good. I owe everything to Master.
Yes.
I'm so fortunate,
because I met you.
But I'm so afraid at times,
I'm afraid that one day,
I'll wake up to find you missing.
That will never happen.
10 years ago. Echigo.
Where is she?
Are you all right, Miss?
What happened?
Are you all right?
Miss, wake up...
Miss! Miss!
Yuki...
I really feel that... I'm so fortunate.
Is this flower edible?
Naughty.
Yuki.
Minoki...
Are you all right?
I'm fine.
I am sorry to wake you up.
It is all right.
I've no clue at all.
The cause of death is really a mystery.
What do you think this is?
This might lead us to something.
What's wrong?
Nothing.
Tell me.
Nothing special.
Stop hiding it. Is something troubling you?
I had a nightmare again last night.
You must be too tired.
Why don't you rest early?
Perhaps.
But since the murders occurred,
I've been having nightmares every night.
Those were weird dreams. I dreamt of the past too.
When I was young,
I followed my grandfather to the woods one day.
We encountered a blizzard and spent the night in a hut.
I went to collect the firewood...
and later I saw a beautiful lady
blowing something at my grand father.
Could that be a dream within a dream?
No, it's not that.
My grandfather froze to death that night.
That lady came towards me...
You'd better rest early.
You need to wake up early.
All right.
Thanks.
I'm dead sure.
It's done by spirits.
What's so funny?
You keep giving silly explanations.
Do you think anyone would trust you?
Watch your words.
This is the Ashiya secret manual.
Don't look down on it.
Secret or not, I only know that it's a stupid manual.
Stupid? How dare you say that?
- You insolent fool! - Kanta, don't be rude.
Sorry.
Sir, could you elaborate?
There is this legend.
In Echigo, there exists a demoness who is created from snow.
Sometimes she takes lives mercilessly and
sometimes she heals people of strange illnesses.
She possesses immense power.
And this is...
It's an amulet used for warding off evil spirits.
That was probably used against the Snow Demoness.
There are supposedly some greedy people
after the demoness's power.
No matter how hot the weather is,
these people will don thick clothing.
Were the victims dressed as such?
Chief, let's stop wasting time. Let's go.
Watch your attitude. Who is the one asking for help here?
Say something serious then.
Fancy you spouting nonsense in this hot weather!
Hot? Am I not equally hot? Scram!
Snow Demoness from Echigo?
Come, chase me...
- I don't want to lend you... - Lend us...
Wait for me... It hurts.
Had a fall?
Come.
Be more careful in future. Stop crying.
Why aren't you eating?
Eat something or your body will suffer.
I just feel uneasy somehow.
Anything wrong?
Nothing... I'm going off.
Stop looking, back off.
Minoki, look at this...
This thing is still puzzling us.
Looks like Heaven is testing us.
Why? Did you have a nightmare again?
No.
I say, Minoki, there is something...
Nothing.
Minoki! Hey, Minoki!
What's wrong with him?
Thank you.
What's with him?
He's been behaving strangely recently.
What happened?
There was another murder this morning.
Not again?
That's right. Including this, there have been 3 murders already.
They all happen to be people from Echigo.
Minoki was born there too.
I wonder if he feels anything about these murders.
He didn't mention anything to me.
He didn't?
He looked troubled just now.
He seemed to have something to tell me.
It's OK. If he has any leads, ask him to see me.
All right. I'll tell him.
I remember, you're from Echigo too, right?
Yes.
So have you heard of the legend of the Echigo snow Demoness?
You mean there is a Snow Demoness in Echigo?
It's like this. A silly exorcist told me that
the recent murders are the work of this demoness.
I never heard of this.
Sorry to disturb you.
I'll drop by if something happens.
Very hot.
I had the same nightmare again last night.
What an adorable boy!
You're such a good boy.
I won't take your life now.
But you must never tell anyone what you saw today.
If you ever do...
I will kill you!
Treat whatever happened tonight
as a dream and forget it.
Yuki, don't tell me... Yuki, that was you?
Yuki...
Didn't I warn you?
If you tell anyone anything, I'll kill you!
I've warned you many times.
Whoever sees my face...
will not get to live. This is a rule I've set.
But why?
When you saved me in the woods that day,
some people were after me.
Those people were gluttonous and eyeing my powers.
At the moment...
I saw how you grew from an innocent boy
into a trustworthy man.
From the moment you rescued me in the woods,
I ceased to be a demoness.
No, I yearned to become a human.
I wanted to be a human.
Because I hoped to become your wife and live happily with you.
Yuki...
I'm sure you saw everything last night.
Yuki, you...
I killed those people
in order to lead a blissful life with you.
But you don't understand.
I had no choice. I don't want to lose this happiness.
Yuki...
It's all right.
Take my life.
Just take it... Take it.
Yuki.
I can't...
I can't bring myself to do it.
Yuki...
Minoki...
What do you want?
Found you at last, Demoness.
You can't escape.
Minoki...
Don't run!
Yuki.
Minoki.
Wake up, Minoki!
Minoki! He's come to.
What happened? Tell me what happened?
How is Yuki?
She is fine.
Now I understand.
I've been having a long dream since childhood.
Yuki... She's a dream within my dream.
Father.
- Father, come and take a look. - What?
- Hurry. - What is it?
Episode 08: Kaguya Hime
That was a big feast.
It's interesting to hold the wedding banquet
on the 15th when the moon is full.
All thanks to our village chief's old daughter for marrying late.
Old daughter? Apt description.
Please don't make fun of her like that.
Do you know the amount of dowry she takes with her?
The man's family is overjoyed.
- Is it true? - Of course it is.
It doesn't matter who the man is so long as
his daughter isn't left on the shelf.
That chap is really lucky.
- Sayo... - Father, will you stop drinking?
Stop nagging.
The moon is so beautiful today. Beautiful!
- Woman... - Really?
A beauty! She's really lovely.
You're alone at this late hour?
- Jinta, step aside. - What?
Can I do anything for you? I'm a descendant of Ashiya Doman,
Ashiya Dosan, a very famous exorcist.
Did you mention Ashiya Doman?
You've heard of my ancestor? I'm not surprised.
He was a well-known exorcist during the Heian era.
Everybody in Edo has heard of me too.
- Bragging again. - Shut up!
It's my parent's death anniversary tonight.
I've come here to pay my respects.
You're a filial daughter.
- Why are you... - Master, what are you doing?
I seem to have met you somewhere before.
The same old trick again.
Father, there you go again. Sorry.
It's a beautiful night.
It's the 15th again.
Often, things would happen on a full-moon night like this.
Have you heard of this story?
Once upon a time, an old man lived in a village.
He made a living cutting bamboos.
With him was just his old wife. "The meal will be ready soon."
They had no children and only had each other.
Their life was very poor and simple.
It's the 15th today.
We'll admire the moon tonight.
As usual, the old man carried his bamboo basket and tools
and went deep into the mountain to cut bamboo.
Soon, the darkness of the night set in.
Few months later.
I was going to deliver the bamboo to your residence.
Sorry you have to make a trip here, my lord.
It's all right. There's something I wish to ask you.
Do you really have a daughter? Answer me honestly.
Yes, my lord. It happened a few months ago.
When I was cutting bamboos in the mountain, I found a maiden.
She was homeless and begged me to accept her as my daughter.
So I took her in.
It's said that she is very lovely and elegant, is that true?
Yes. She's incredible. She fainted in the bamboo forest.
When she came to, she could not recall her past.
As my old man met her in the bamboo forest,
we named her Kaguya Hime.
Since she's your daughter, you should buy her something.
Use this money to make some nice clothes for Miss Kaguya Hime.
Don't stand on ceremony. We're good friends.
Thank you, my lord.
That is where the beauty lives?
Is she inside?
Oh, it's Dainagon and Abe.
This is very odd. Why are the two of you here?
Lord Kuramochi, why are you here too?
I believe we have the same thing in mind.
I find it really strange that you should come
to this wild place to talk about woman. It'll invite gossip.
It's Ashiya Doman.
Don't make it sound so bad. It's natural for men to pursue women.
What are you doing here? I think you're lusting for her too.
You've bad breath. I'm different and unlike you.
As an exorcist, I travel to broaden my experience.
Don't tell me you're not interested in Kaguya Hime at all.
Not one bit.
An exorcist indeed! You are different from us.
There's something very important waiting for me to settle.
I have to go. Excuse me.
Isn't that Kaguya Hime? She's come out.
She's so beautiful.
Such a fair rosy complexion. I can't hold myself back anymore.
Her soft pink lips are like cherry blossoms.
Kiriei, the next full moon is a good chance for us to take his life.
Once he leaves this world, our people will be reborn.
We're waiting for his death.
Please let me see Kaguya Hime. I'm in love with her.
I can't sleep at night thinking of her.
If it's money you want, I have plenty here.
I've never thought of marrying.
How can you not marry? They're rich and highly respected.
However rich, respected and influential they are,
they only have one thing in mind, which is to satisfy their lust.
Once I'm theirs, they'll abandon me.
Unless the man is sincere,
I'll not marry him.
She won't marry anybody?
Sir, you possess great powers, please give us your advice.
- What is it? - Oh, nothing.
Those 3 rich men are interested in Kaguya Hime
as she isn't easy to win over.
To make them give up, send them on a treasure hunt.
Treasure hunt?
These pampered rich men lack perseverance.
The more difficult the search, the sooner they'll give up.
They're afraid to lose face if they fail in the task.
You're really brilliant.
What is the treasure?
Yes...
Let me think about it.
Master, master.
Jinsai, you're so noisy.
Can I throw this away? It's so dirty.
All right. What are you doing there? Get out.
Just a moment!
Well done.
- I've an idea. - Master, you're great!
Old bamboo-cutter, please stay.
You approached the exorcist to tell him
about our marriage proposal didn't you?
What did he say? Can you just tell me alone?
Lord Kuramochi, he didn't say anything.
Don't be afraid, we're good friends.
If your daughter marries me and you become my father-in-law,
I'll make you a nobleman.
- A nobleman? - It's a good deal.
I'm a noble bamboo-cutter!
I'll give you a house too.
Thank you, your lordships, for visiting our humble abode.
We've invited you here as my daughter, Kaguya Hime,
has a wish.
A wish?
Please tell us. I'll brave any dangers for you.
No, Miss Kaguya Hime, only I can make your wish come true.
What a nerve! Only I have the ability.
- I have the ability. - Me!
Quiet. May I know her wish?
Please listen, Lord Kuramochi.
A rare tree grows at Penglai Mountain in the East Sea.
It has gold branches and bears white jade fruit.
My daughter would like you to go there and bring a branch back for her.
A rare tree in Penglai Mountain?
Such a tree does not exist in this world.
The white jade branch of Penglai Mountain?
All right, leave it to me.
It's your turn, Lord Abe.
Yes.
This is the rare fire marten shawl from the Tang Dynasty.
It took me a lot of effort to bring it back from China.
Thank you for your labour.
That will be 50 liang of gold dust.
But I've already paid you 200 liang of gold dust.
- I'll sell it to another person. - All right, I'll pay.
But you have to say that I went to China with you
and took a long time to find this, understand?
Lord Dainagon, you task is as difficult.
Bring back the luminous pearl in the Dragon King's mouth.
Pack everything.
I'm setting off tomorrow to search for the Dragon King.
My lord, are you serious about this?
A dragon is nothing fearsome.
I'll seize the luminous pearl from the Dragon King and
present it to Miss Kaguya Hime.
I'll succeed!
Penglai's jade fruit branch, Tang Era's fire marten shawl
and the Dragon King's luminous pearl.
These are all mythical treasures of the Tang Dynasty.
Master, that's really a big trick.
It's not a trick. I'm helping Kaguya Hime.
A fresh flower shouldn't be planted on a pile of dung. No way!
Your Majesty, we can set off.
Sir, His Majesty has set off.
- Get the horses ready. - Yes.
His Majesty shouldn't have gone hunting by himself.
Miss, why are you alone here?
The man... has finally appeared.
What! I went through so much hardship to find this shawl.
How could you say it's a fake!
To check its authenticity, just test it with fire.
An authentic fire marten shawl will never catch fire.
Very well.
It's burning!
My 250 liang of gold dust is gone!
250 liang of gold dust!
Yes! It's my whole fortune.
Oh, that hurts!
Master Dainagon, I told you not to go.
How could you ever find the Dragon King's luminous pearl!
Come give me a hand. Be careful.
Two stupid fools. There's no fire marten shawl or luminous pearl.
So this is the jade fruit branch from Penglai Mountain?
To find this, I was nearly blown off the cliff
several times by strong winds.
Finally, I found this at the peak of Penglai Mountain.
Lord Kuramochi, you're brave and resourceful.
Only you are worthy of my daughter.
This is wonderful. My wish is fulfilled.
I'll prepare the room for you, my lord.
Don't be shy. The night is precious.
Come here.
You cannot force your way in.
- We have to see his lordship. - What are you doing?
Sorry to intrude.
Lord Kuramochi, we made a jade fruit branch as you instructed.
But you still haven't paid us for the work.
I don't understand a word of what you said.
I don't know you at all.
You promised to make us noblemen when we completed the task.
Up till now, we've got nothing out of it. Why?
Go away. Don't babble nonsense.
I found the jade fruit branch after a long hard search.
Kaguya Hime.
You're laughing at me. I can't take the insult!
My lord. Wait, my lord! You said you'd make me a nobleman.
- Master. - What is it?
- Master. - What?
Your method works. Everyone is amazed.
Isn't it good?
Those 3 rich men are unable to find the treasures.
One is bankrupt, one has become monk
and another one is dead!
None came to good end.
That's their destiny.
That isn't all. It's rumored that Kaguya Hime is a demoness.
The girl you met in the bamboo forest could be Kaguya Hime,
the maiden living with the old bamboo-cutter.
Kaguya Hime...
The Emperor...
will come here in 6 days.
The Emperor?
Old woman!
Kaguya Hime, do you know where your mother has gone?
She won't come out?
What if I tell you it was His Majesty who sent me?
Kaguya Hime won't see anyone no matter who the person is.
Since you're sent by His Majesty, I'll try and persuade her.
I don't care what the Emperor said.
I'm not going.
But you'll be defying the edict. That's a serious offence.
If the Emperor feels that way,
tell the messenger to pass this message.
Why not just kill me?
What nonsense are you talking?
She actually said ''Why not just kill me''?
Kaguya Hime's certainly a class of her own.
Your Majesty, where are you going?
Prepare the carriage.
It's really you.
Why is this...
You dropped this in the bamboo forest.
No wonder I couldn't find it.
It has a melodious chime.
This is my most precious charm.
Stories about you have been circulating in the city of Edo.
Have you some here to satisfy your curiosity?
No.
I came to return you this.
I wish to know.
Your Majesty, why did you go to the bamboo forest alone?
I don't like life in the palace. There's no freedom.
I long to lead the life of a hunter.
I understand you're not the old man's daughter.
Where is your hometown?
You asked where my hometown is?
Don't you wish to go home?
I can't even if I wish to.
My hometown is even further than the moon.
You came from the moon? We're in the same boat.
I grew up in the palace.
My life is closely linked to the palace.
Like you, I don't have a hometown. I've no place I can return to.
Other than wishing with all my heart
that the people will live in peace and prosperity,
I don't ask for anything more.
From now on, let me be your hometown.
You'll be my hometown too from now on.
I want you to be my wife. I want to take good care of you.
Look, the moon is so beautiful.
Tomorrow is the full moon.
I'm sorry, Your Majesty.
I'm not feeling too well tonight.
You may sleep first. I'll stay by your side.
I think you'd better leave.
Tomorrow...
I'll go and see you tomorrow.
Kaguya Hime, it is terrible! Your mother is dead!
Could it be that you did it?
Old bamboo-cutter, don't you recognize me?
On the night of the full moon...
They're hiding there.
Because of a small reward, you betrayed us.
Thank you, sir!
- Burn it down! - Yes.
- Let me go! - Missy, we must go!
Father... Mother!
The village has been burnt down. Chief and Ma'am are dead.
I don't believe it! Kiriei, you're lying.
You're lying! Let me go.
You're the daughter of the chief of the Earth Spider Tribe.
Kiriei.
They're coming!
Kiriei.
Are you that demon's daughter?
Nonsense! We're not demons!
You are demons! His Majesty cannot be lying.
His Majesty?
His Majesty speaks only the truth.
The mortal world is an ugly place.
I'm that demon's daughter.
Kaguya Hime.
You finally came. Am I dreaming?
Have you thought about it carefully?
You want to marry a woman like me.
I don't care what other people say.
But your subjects believe that I'm the demoness reincarnated.
They regard me as a demoness.
I don't believe it. This can't be taken seriously.
Let's not talk about them. I want you to stay by my side.
Frankly, I came to the mortal world to kill you.
I'm the daughter of the chief of the Earth Spider Tribe.
What Earth Spider Tribe?
You regarded the people of the tribe as demons.
When I was young, I heard that demons were living in the mountain.
They were my parents and people of my tribe.
This palace used to be my home. This is where I grew up.
Is that why you wouldn't come to the palace?
I didn't want to step into a home that has changed.
Your Majesty, they're demons!
- Kill! - Hold it!
You're really not from this world?
If I kill you on this night of the full moon,
my people will have a new lease on life.
You're dreaming, demoness!
Your hearts are more evil than demons.
You destroyed my tribe and I hate you for it too.
All right. Kill me. Kill me.
You lost your family and I can understand your feelings.
Kaguya Hime, you can kill me with your own hands now.
You're without conscience to seize my hometown.
It is all of you! All of you!
Kiriei!
Missy...
Kaguya Hime, it's you.
The events of this world whether they're true or false
are mere illusions.
Let it disappear with the time.
I'm leaving soon.
She's gone.
Father.
Look.
An earth spider.
Kaguya Hime of the Earth Spider Tribe.
Poor thing.
But she is a good girl.
- What a pity. - Father.
Let's go home.