KOZAISHO-URAGIRI
(Concubine betrayal of Taira No Masakado, Samurai)
Written by
Dr. Pelham Mead
Based on the real life of Samurai Taira No Masakado
A Movie Script protected by the Western Writers Association (2020).
KOZAISHO, THE CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO.
(The Three Betrayals of Samurai Taira No Masakado (900-940
CE.) as told by his Concubine Kozaisho
By Dr. Pelham Mead
CUT TO:
The year is 940 CE on the 10th day of the third month of the
Japanese calendar in the first century. The scene opens with
a young Japanese woman wrapped in several layers of cloth,
freezing in the wilderness of Mount Tsukuba in the Northern
Hitachi providence. Blood is running down her pale white face
from biting her lip. Her long black hair is in disarray, and
her eyes are blood shot red. Her kimono is dirty, and torn
and her hands, and face are full of dirt. She has a worn
animal fur pulled over her kimono to keep warm. She has a
knife in her hand.
DISSOLVE TO:
3.
CUT TO:
Kozaisho is a beautiful young Japanese woman, the daughter of
a farmer, and a peasant who worked for Masakado’s Uncle
Kunika. This was before Masakado burned down all of Uncle
Kunika’s farms in 936 CE. She was a pale white, short, and
thin with a beautiful face. She is wearing a beautiful red
silk flowered kimono. Masakado took Kozaisho in exchange for
not burning down her father’s farm and made her his
concubine.
DISSOLVE TO:
KOZAISHO TELLS HER STORY.
EXT.-THE WILDERNESS OF MOUNT SUKUBA, HITACHI PROVIDENCE 940
CE-NIGHT.
CUT TO:
A shadowy female figure crouches over a small fire in a
limestone cave on a mountain side. The wind whistles outside
the cave in the dark moonless night. Snow is on the ground
and the trees around the outside of the cave are frozen. The
female is wrapped in a hooded fur coat, and her hands are
wrapped in cloth to keep warm. Tears stream down her face in
a close up view. She screams looking upward toward the sky.
Kozaisho is the concubine of Samurai warrior Tiara No
Masakado. She lived in his Soma residence in Hitachi
providence.
Taira No Sadamori is the cousin of Tiara No Masakado, and the
son of Masakado’s Uncle Kunika of the Tiara clan in Japan.
Taira was a horse tender for the Emperor in Kyoto before he
was convinced by Uncle Yoshikane to help in the battles
against Tiara No Masakado.
DISSOLVE TO:
CUT TO:
The scene opens in the winter of 940 C.E. in Northern Japan.
Hiding in a cave is one of many concubines of Samurai Taira
No Masakado who was just betrayed by her, his courier (who
sold out to Masakado’s Uncle), and his friend Fujiwara No
Hidesato who sold out to the emperor. His cousin Taira No
Sadamori alway took the Emperor’s reward money to capture or
kill Taira No Masakado.
DISSOLVE TO:
(MORE)
4.
KOZAISHO,19, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO
(Crying) Lord Masakado forgive me
for I have betrayed you. Here I am
miserable, and cold, crying out in
the wilderness of Mount Tsukuba.
Taira No Sadamori is hunting down
the sons and daughters, and
concubines of my master Masakado. I
escaped early on thanks to my lover
Hidesato, who warned me the battle
was turning in his favor against
Taira No Masakado.
I wanted to kill my self after my
master was killed because of my
foolish emotion in falling in love
with the great warrior Fujiwara No
Hidesato. He said he loved me, and
that he would free me from my
master Masakado. That promise was
never kept. Oh my God, I grieve for
my lover, and master Masakado. He
was such a big, and strong man
standing six feet five inches tall
with two pupils in his left eye. I
use to tease him by telling him he
could see with three eyes more than
anyone else. Now the enemies of my
master Taira No Sadamori seek to
kill me, and all of my master
Masakado’s family. See, I have
bitten my lip, and it is bleeding
down my chin. Forgive me master, I
was deceived, and betrayed by
Fujiwara No Hidesato who posed as
your fiend, only to betray you. My
master told me everything about his
life when he made love to me. His
wife Kikyo lived with her father
Taira No Yoshikane, and brought up
the children at his home rather
than Lord Masakado’a home. When my
Master Masakado wanted to make
love, I was his favorite woman,
since traveling to see his wife
Kikyo would mean interacting with
his father in law, Yoshikane, who
hated my master. My master was a
kind man and a great lover.
KOZAISHO,19, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
(MORE)
5.
He took me from my father who was a
poor farmer that paid taxes to
Taira No Kunika, and instead of
burning down my father’s crops, and
home, he took me in trade, to spare
the crops and home after burning
hundreds of other farms that belong
to Kunika, Masakado’s Uncle. Once
when we were making love, my master
Masakado told me how when he was a
boy of fourteen he got in trouble
with a slave girl, Ezohayi. I must
kill myself now, and end this pain,
but I am a coward. Sadly, he told
me that his father Yoshimochi had
died the year before his fourteen
birthday.
FADE OUT.
INT.-THE DEATH OF YOSHIMOCHI-NIGHT.
CUT TO:
Masakado is lying on cushions in his bedroom. There is no
furniture other than blankets on the floor, and pillow
cushions. Next to him is his favorite concubine Kozaisho who
was the daughter of a poor farmer.
DISSOLVE TO:
KOZAISHO,CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO.
After we made love one night, my
master told me some stories about
when he was a teenage boy. A tear
came to his eye, when he told me
about when his father died.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
At my Soma home, my father
Yoshimochi gathered his family
around him as he was dying. My
Uncles Yoshikane, Yoshimasa, and
Kunika, were all there with my
younger brothers. Everyone in my
family stood around with tears in
our eyes, except my Uncles.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO (CONT’D)
6.
All they saw was an opportunity to
get rich.
FADE TO BLACK.
FLASHBACK: 916 CE. YOCHIMOCHI’S DEATH.
CUT TO:
Yochimochi, father of Kojiro (aka Masakado) is lying in a low
Japanese bed covered up with blankets. His entire family are
gathering around his bed. The mood is solemn. The Uncles of
the Taira clan are whispering in the background. Kojiro is
beside himself with grief as well as his mother and brothers.
Yochimochi tries to get his brothers to honor Kojiro as the
eldest son and to promise to help him become a man and guard
over Yochimochi’s vast estate. The Uncles agree on their
honor to obey Yochimochi’s death bed wishes.
YOCHIMOCHI, FATHER OF KOJIRO (55)
I have gathered you all here to
hear my last wishes. This is Soma
No Kojiro, my eldest son whom I am
passing my entire estate, homes and
ranches, rice paddies, and horses
to. I am asking you, my brothers,
to be his guardians and help him to
become a man, and guard over my
estate. I have seven children, and
many servants, as well as my wife
in my household which I wish to be
protected until Kojiro comes of age
as a man. Will you promise to
follow my wishes oldest brother
Kunika?
UNCLE TIARA NO KUNIKA, (60)OLDEST
BROTHER OF YOSHIMOCHI.
Yes, brother, I promise to guard
over your family, and help Kojiro
become a man to manage all your
fields, horses, rice paddies and
servants.
YOCHIMOCHI, FATHER
I can die in piece then. Be strong
Kojiro for you are the Prince of
our family.
SOMA NO KOJIRO, AKA- MASAKADO AS A
BOY.
Please father do not die. I need
you.
7.
AGATA NO INUKAI, 40, MOTHER OF SOMA NO
KOJIRO.
Do not worry Kojiro. Your father is
at peace now.
FADE TO BLACK.
INT.-THE MOUNTAIN CAVE KOZAISHO HIDES IN-NIGHT.
BACK TO:
The scene switches back to a cave where Kozaisho is telling
her story.
DISSOLVE TO:
KOZAISHO,19, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO.
My master Masakado told me that his
father dying was the hardest thing
for him to accept in his life.
After his father’s death, his
Uncles Kunika, Yoshikane, and
Yoshimasa took over the estate, and
moved into the Soma residence. He
told me he hated his Uncles. They
treated him like a servant, and
ignored his mother Inukai.
CUT TO:
Soma No Kojiro is Masakado’s childhood name. He was a tall
child for his age of 14, and thin. Already facial hairs are
appearing in the form of a light mustache on Kojiro’s thin
face. His left eye had two pupils, and his right eye a normal
one pupil. Yoshimochi, his father, was a tall over-weight
man with a bald head, and his hair tied in a pony-tail at the
back of his head. His face was deeply wrinkled, and round
with a permanent frown in his forehead. He had been sick for
several months the year 915 CE.
DISSOLVE TO:
FADE TO BLACK.
(MORE)
8.
EZOHAYI THE SLAVE GIRL.
EXT.-THE TEMPLE IN THE HITACHI MOUNTAINS-DAY.
CUT TO:
KOZAISHO,19, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO
Ahh, the sun is rising, and all I
have to eat are some dried plums. I
need to find a monastery to hide
in. I am sure the Monks will take
pity on me. Come on mule, faster.
FADE OUT.
CUT TO:
At the end of the day Kozaisho comes upon an ancient
Monastery in the Hitachi Mountains. Thick ivy covered the old
exterior walls, and the stone building was built on the side
of the mountain overlooking the valley below. The door to the
Monastery is a huge wooden double door twenty feet high with
giant iron rings hanging on the door. Kozaisho is riding an
old donkey with a small bag of her only clothing.
DISSOLVE TO:
KOZAISHO,19, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO (CONT’D)
(Knock, Knock). Hello is anyone
there? I am Kozaisho of the house
of Taira No Masakado. My master was
killed by his evil cousin Sadamori,
and not his cousin wants to kill
all of Masakado’s family and
servants. I served Masakado, and I
have no where to hide or run. Will
you take me in for a short while?
BUDDHIST MONK
Who goes there? You say you are of
the house of Masakado? He was a
good man who gave the land back to
the peasants. Enter servant.
KOZAISHO,19, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO
Thank you sir. The Gods bless you.
BUDDHIST MONK
Come we have some hot soup, and
furs for you to get warm.
BUDDHIST MONK (CONT’D)
9.
No one will find you here for we
will not let them enter.
KOZAISHO,19, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO
I am most grateful.
BUDDHIST MONK
What happened to Taira No Masakado?
KOZAISHO,19, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO
I was deceived by Fujiwara No
Hidesato, who I thought, loved me.
He betrayed me, and his friend Lord
Masakado. My Lord forgive me. I
told Fujiwara No Hidesato the
secret to Masakado’s seven doubles.
Hidesato sought out my Lord
Masakado with cousin Taira No
Sadamori and attacked him late in
the night, and daybreak when he was
not expecting them. His shadow gave
him away, and Sadamori shot him
with an arrow in the eye, and
beheaded my Lord when he fell to
the ground. It is all my fault.
Fuiwara No Hidesato told me he was
going to take me away, and that he
loved me.
BUDDHIST MONK
Foolish woman.
FADE TO BLACK.
INT.-THE MONASTERY AT NIGHT.
CUT TO:
Kozaisho retires to her barren Monastery room. There are no
pictures or paintings on the walls of her room, just plain
off white plaster. Near the ceiling of the room is a small
window allowing some light into the room. A candle sits on a
small table next to the bed. The mattress is a straw tick.
Kozaisho is weary and depressed.
DISSOLVE TO:
10.
KOZAISHO,19, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO
Master Masakado told me his
greatest shame in his boyhood was
his affair with a slave girl named
Ezohayi. He told me the story often
with great detail.
FADE OUT.
FLASH BACK: 916 CE. ONE YEAR AFTER THE DEATH OF YOSHIMOCHI,
MASAKADO’S FATHER.
CUT TO:
Ezohayi was of Ezo extraction. She was a short, thin, pale
white, slave girl with dark black hair down to her waist. She
was dressed in layers of silk rags with a cloth tying her
hair back. Her eyes were dark brown with large pupils. She
was captured as a child in a raid against an enemy of the
Taira Clan. Members of the Taira clan were not permitted to
get personally involved with slaves, however, Kojiro ignored
this rule.
DISSOLVE TO:
EZOHAYI, 16, SLAVE GIRL
Kojiro, you look so handsome
Kojiro.
SOMA NO KOJIRO, 14, AKA MASAKADO AS A
BOY.
Shhhhh, meet me in the barn.
EZOHAYI, 16, SLAVE GIRL
Yes, master.
CUT TO:
Minutes later, Soma No Kojiro is in the barn feeding the
horses in stalls as the slave girl Ezohayi enters. The sun
reflects off her tanned face, and backlights her thin legs
covered by silk rags. Their is a strange beauty under the
silk rags she wears.
DISSOLVE TO:
EZOHAYI, 16, SLAVE GIRL (CONT’D)
Kojiro where are you?
11.
SOMA NO KOJIRO, 14, AKA MASAKADO AS A
BOY.
Back here in the horse stall. Come
here, and we will play.
EZOHAYI, 16, SLAVE GIRL
Oh, Kojiro you are so cute.
SOMA NO KOJIRO, 14, AKA MASAKADO AS A
BOY.
Ezohayi you make my blood boil, and
I love to see you naked. Take off
your clothes.
EZOHAYI, 16, SLAVE GIRL
You like my naked body master?
SOMA NO KOJIRO, 14, AKA MASAKADO AS A
BOY.
Yes, I do. Come and lay down with
me on the hay.
EZOHAYI, 16, SLAVE GIRL
What ever you command master. How
do you like to look at me? Shall I
disrobe for you?
SOMA NO KOJIRO, 14, AKA MASAKADO AS A
BOY.
By all means, but do not tell
anyone.
CUT TO:
Kojiro and Ezohayi had sex in the hay stack, and were
completely naked when one of the horse attendants
accidentally opened the door to the horse corral. Kenjo, the
horse attendant is a young man, the son of a farmer loyal to
the Taira clan. He is short, and dark skinned with long black
hair tied in a pony tail.
DISSOLVE TO:
KENJO, 25, HORSE ATTENDANT
Master, what are you doing? (He
runs away to the Masakado house).
CUT TO:
Minutes late the House steward arrives in the horse corral
with Kenjo the Horse attendant with him. Kenjo, breathless,
from running to the manor house and back points to Kojiro and
Ezohayi half naked in a pile of hay in the back of the barn.
The house steward is all excited and shouts at Kojiro for he
knows when the master Yoshimochi learns of this incident of
his son fooling around with a slave girl, there was going to
12.
be trouble.
DISSOLVE TO:
KENJO, HORSE ATTENDANT
They were lying naked in the horse
corral Lord. (Pointing to Kojiro
and the slave girl).
CUT TO:
Humasa is an older man in his fifties who has served the
Taira clan for many generations. His Long black hair is grey
in spots and tied behind his head. He is a short Five feet
five inches tall. Humasa wears the colors of red and white of
the Taira flag with a butterfly on it in silk pants and
shirt.
DISSOLVE TO:
HUMASA, 50, HOUSE STEWARD
Is this true Prince Kojiro?
SOMA NO KOJIRO, 14, AKA MASAKADO AS A
BOY.
I am sorry Humasa.
HUMASA, HOUSE STEWARD
She is a slave, and not fit to have
relations with Prince Kojiro. Slave
you will receive 30 lashes for
having sexual relations with the
Prince Kojiro. Take her away Kenjo,
and have her whipped thirty times
in the courtyard in front of all
the slaves, and servants.
SOMA NO KOJIRO, 14, AKA MASAKADO AS A
BOY.
No Master Humasa, please don’t do
that. I was my fault.
CUT TO:
Later that day Ezohayi, the slave girl, is tied to a tree in
the family courtyard, and her kimono is ripped off down to
her waist, and she is whipped thirty times by Humasa the
house steward. The slaves and servants of the house of Prince
Kojiro watch in horror.
DISSOLVE TO:
13.
HUMASA, 50, HOUSE STEWARD
Let this be a lesson to you whore.
30 lashes.(He Takes a leather whip
and swings it ripping into
Ezohayi’s back. Blood spurts
everywhere as the leather eats into
the skin).
EZOHAYI, SLAVE GIRL
Ahhh, please stop the pain is too
great. Please stop. Ahh, I am going
to faint.
SOMA NO KOJIRO, 14, AKA MASAKADO AS A
BOY.
Father make them stop. You are
killing her.
UNCLE TIARA NO KUNIKA,
She is but a slave Kojiro, and you
defiled her. She must pay. You have
disgraced the name of the Tiara
clan by cavorting with a slave. You
must learn to become a man, and act
like a man in order to run your
father’s estate.
SOMA NO KOJIRO, 14, AKA MASAKADO AS A
BOY.
I will never talk to you again
UNCLE TIARA NO KUNIKA
Be that as it may. I am your Uncle
and guardian, and in place of your
deceased father, I have spoken.
CUT TO:
Ezohayi is left unconscious, and bleeding badly, when
servants take her done after the whipping. She is carried to
the servants quarters, and dumped on the steps. No one goes
to her aid for fear of displeasing the master Kunika. Kojiro
is banished for the day and none of the Uncles dare talk to
him or console him.
DISSOLVE TO:
14.
INT.-SOMI RESIDENCE OF SOMA NO KOJIRO-NIGHT.
FADE IN:
FLASHBACK:917CE.
CUT TO:
The three Uncles, Kunika, Yoshikane, and Yoshimasa are
getting drunk at the Soma residence after the slave incident,
and they decide it is time to rid themselves of Kojiro, and
take over all of his father Yoshimochi’s farms, and horses.
Kozaisho over hears them, and warns Kojiro they plan to kill
him. Kozaisho tip toes out of the manor house to run and tell
Kojiro what his Uncles are planning.
Uncle Taira No Yoshikane is an over-weight man in his late
fifties with a bald head and dark skin. His face is scared
with many lines and his beady eyes are separated by his large
nose. Uncle Tiara No Kunika is a tall thin man with thinning
hair in grey and is in his mid-fifties. He is a short man at
five feet four inches tall.
Uncle Taira No Yoshimasa is a fat man with a completely bald
head and a chin beard. He walks with a slight limp from an
injury that never healed after he was bucked from a horse
years before.
DISSOLVE TO:
UNCLE TIARA NO KUNIKA,
I don’t know what we are going to
do with the boy Kojiro? He is an
embarrassment to the Tiara clan.
Pass me the bottle of sake.
TAIRA NO YOSHIKANE, (50 )UNCLE
I am tired of being a baby sitter
to this young Prince Kojiro. He has
to learn to become a man, and stand
up for the Tiara clan. I suggest we
develop a plan to sent him away.
Perhaps he can be killed by some
bandits on the way? More sake’.
CUT TO:
Uncle Yoshimasa passes a bottle of rice wine called sake’.
Uncle Kunika is completely drunk and slurring his speech.
DISSOLVE TO:
(MORE)
15.
TAIRA NO YOSHIMASA, (48) UNCLE.
He would be better off in the
capitol, Kyoto. There he could
learn to become a man serving the
Emperor. I have some favors I can
ask of the Minister of the Right.
UNCLE TIARA NO KUNIKA,
No, we are better off sending him
off to mate the chestnut mare his
father used to ride. There is a
chestnut stallion in the pasture on
Mount Yokoyama. We can have some of
our warriors kill him on the way,
and bury the body. No one will ever
see him again, and we can legally
take over Yoshimochi’s entire
estate of rice paddies, and
ranches.
TIARA NO YOSHIMASA
I will arrange for some of our
warriors to ride ahead, and ambush
him in the Yokoyama mountain pass.
CUT TO:
Meanwhile, in another room, Ezohagi hears the drunken Uncles
talking loudly about their plan to kill Kojiro. Later that
night, Ezohagi sneaks into Kojiro’s quarters.
DISSOLVE TO:
EZOHAYI, SLAVE GIRL
(Speaking softly in a whisper(
Kojiro, Kojiro are you awake?
SOMA NO KOJIRO, AKA MASAKADO AS A BOY.
Yes. Are your crazy. Do you want to
be whipped again? What do you want?
EZOHAYI, SLAVE GIRL
Master Kojiro, your Uncles are
planning to kill you. I overheard
them making plans to send you away
to breed a horse. They were drunk
on saki’, and talking loud. You
must be careful Kojiro.
SOME NO KOJIRO, 14, AKA MASAKADO AS A
BOY.
I figured they want to get rid of
me to steal my father’s estate.
Thank you Ezohayi. I will be on
guard.
SOME NO KOJIRO, 14, AKA MASAKADO AS A
16.
Now get out of here before you are
discovered. I love you. Now go.
EZOHAGI, 16, SLAVE GIRL
I love you too.
FADE TO BLACK.
INT.-UNCLE KUNIKA’S DECISION-DAY.
CUT TO:
The great hall is a large room free of center supports
surrounded by statutes and flowers in pots.
UNCLE KUNIKA SUMMONS KOJIRO TO THE MAIN HALL.
DISSOLVE TO:
UNCLE TIARA NO KUNIKA,
Kojiro, I have decided that you
need to take your father’s chestnut
mare to be mated with another
chestnut stallion that will breed a
fine line. I am sending you with
the chestnut mare, and a letter of
ownership to Mount Yokoyama pasture
where the chestnut stallion is
kept. Do you have any questions?
SOMA NO KOJIRO, AKA MASAKADO AS A BOY.
No, Uncle Kunika.
UNCLE TIARA NO KUNIKA,
Here are some gold nuggets for
travel expenses. Pack up some food
for a couple of days round trip,
and take some extra clothing. The
chestnut mare is waiting for you in
the courtyard.
SOMA NO KOJIRO.
I will leave immediately Uncle.
CUT TO:
Afterward, Kojiro leaves on the chestnut mare for Mount
Yokoyama. A stable hand helps Kojiro get up on the large
horse. Kojiro grabs the reins, and looks back to the manor
house as he leaves the barn yard.
DISSOLVE TO:
17.
UNCLE TIARA NO KUNIKA,
Has he left yet? Yochimasa send the
warriors to ambush him on the
Musashino plain.
TIARA NO YOCHIMASA, UNCLE.
As you wish brother.
FADE OUT.
EXT.-KOJIRO AVOIDS DEATH-DAY.
CUT TO:
While on the road crossing the Musashino plain, Kojiro meets
s stranger who was a friend of his father. As he is riding
the chestnut colored horse he notices a man on a horse in the
distance. He suspects his Uncles automatically since Koaziaho
warned him of the Uncle’s plan to kill him.
DISSOLVE TO:
SOMA NO KOJIRO
There is someone on the road in
front of me off in the distance.
Perhaps it is Uncle Kunika’s men? I
will dismount, and ready my bow
with an arrow.
CUT TO:
As the rider drew closer to Kojiro, he readied himself to
shoot his arrow. Suddenly, He recognizes the face of the
traveler. An old friend of his father Kageyuki-soma he
recognizes as the rider draws closer.
DISSOLVE TO:
SOMA NO KOJIRO (CONT’D)
I recognize you rider. Are you
Kageyuki-Soma?
KAGEYUKI-SOMA (28) SAMURAI FRIEND
Yes. It is I Kageyuki, friend of
your father. Where are you going
all alone Soma No Kojiro?
SOMA NO KOJIRO
My Uncle Kunika ordered me to take
this chestnut horse to mate?
(MORE)
18.
KAGEYUKI-SOMA
Where is the pasture Soma No
Kojiro?
SOMA NO KOJIRO
The pasture at Mount Yokoyama.
KAGEYUKI-SOMA
What? You are going alone to Mount
Yokoyama?
SOMA NO KOJIRO
Yes.
CUT TO:
Behind Kageyuki were eight other horsemen all in armor and
heavily equipped with bows, and swords. The men all appear to
be Samurai warriors who are the body-guards for Kageyuki-
Soma.
DISSOLVE TO:
KAGEYUKI-SOMA
Mount Yokoyama is too far. It’s
before Mount Sasago close to Kai. I
am traveling to the office of the
district governor in Hiki. A fine
horse to mate can be found in the
Sugou pasture nearby.
KOJIRO
My uncles would kill me. I cannot
go.
KAGEYUKI-SOMA
What if I send a messenger to the
government office in the pasture at
Mount Yokoyama to tell the same
story. Your Uncle Kunika will never
know, so you will come in place of
my attendant. I owe it to your
father who was a dear friend to
protect you.
KOJIRO
Yes, it sounds like a safer plan
KAGEYUKI-SOMA
It seems strange to me Prince
Kojiro that your Uncle Kunika would
send a 16 year old boy all alone
for a trip hundreds of miles away
from home to have a mare mated.
KAGEYUKI-SOMA (CONT’D)
19.
I suspect he had an ulterior motive
to sending you alone.
KOJIRO
A slave told me that my Uncles were
planning bad things for me, but I
had to obey their orders, and leave
my destiny to the Gods.
KAGEYUKI-SOMA
That wouldn’t be necessary Prince
Kojiro. You will be fine with me
and my companions. You are the
eldest son of Yoshimochi, and
Prince, and heir to his estate and
therefore, you must be vigilant
against those that would do you
wrong. I will leave you at the
The pasture, and Gesu the mikuriya
will breed the chestnut mare for
you. Wait here until I return from
my meeting, and I will escort you
with my companions back to your
Soma residence in Toyota.
FADE OUT:
A day later Kageyuki returns to the pasture.
FADE IN:
KAGEYUKI-SOMA (CONT’D)
I am back. How did the mating go
Prince Kojiro?
KOJIRO
It went well Kageyuki. Gesu, the
mikurikya, did all the work for me.
I am ready to return to my home in
Toyota now.
KAGEYUKI-SOMA
Remember the story what I told you.
Tell your Uncle Kunika the chestnut
mare was mated, and everything went
well. Do not mention that you met
me or anyone on the road. Uncle
Kunika probably had some of his men
waiting to ambush you on the road,
but we disappointed them. Come let
us ride Prince.
FADE TO BLACK.
20.
INT.-KOJIRO RETURNS TO SOMA, ALIVE AND WELL-DAY.
CUT TO:
Much to the amazement of his Uncles, Kojiro returns with the
Chestnut mare, and makes up a story of how the mating went
well. Thanks to his father’s friend Kojiro was able to avoid
his Uncles warriors waiting to ambush him on the road.
DISSOLVE TO:
KOJIRO
Finally Soma is a mile ahead. I am
glad it is all over.
CUT TO:
Kojiro pulls his horse into the horse corral, and dismounts
as a servant takes the reins of the horse.
DISSOLVE TO:
SERVANT
How was your trip Prince Kojiro?
KOJIRO
It was well. Thank you.
Surprised, Uncle Kunika meets Kojiro in the courtyard.
UNCLE KUNIKA
Did you go to Mount Yokoyama?
KOJIRO
Yes, Uncle. Everything went well
and the chestnut mare was
successfully mated.
UNCLE KUNIKA
I don’t know what to say.
CUT TO:
Suddenly, a rider on horseback arrives at the Soma compound.
DISSOLVE TO:
(MORE)
21.
RIDER
Master Kunika. The Ezo men have
risen up in revolt in the mountains
north of Kasama, in Hitachi. Your
warriors are requested to help the
Governor there to repel the Ezo
army.
UNCLE KUNIKA
Saddle up my horse. Servant go into
the house, and tell my brothers we
are leaving immediately to put down
a rebellion. Kojiro, I will talk
with you later. Come we must
hurray. Tell our warriors to
prepare for war, and mount up their
horses. We are leaving immediately.
CUT TO:
Uncle Kunika, and the other Uncles, leave with their army
immediately for Hitachi providence. They will be gone for
over a month.
FADE TO BLACK.
INT.-THE DECISION TO SEND KOJIRO TO SERVE THE EMPEROR-DAY.
CUT TO:
Uncle Kunika, and the other Uncles decide to send Kojiro to
Kyoto, the Capital, to serve under Fujiwara No Tadahire,
Minister of the Right.
DISSOLVE TO:
UNCLE KUNIKA
Brothers now that the Ezo uprising
has been put down, we have some
important decisions to make
regarding Soma No Kojiro.
YOSHIKANE
We have agreed to send the young
Kojiro to Kyoto where he can train
to become a man and get him out of
our hair. Our friend Fujiwara No
Tadahira the Minister of the Right
will be willing to do us a favor
and take in young Kojiro, and train
him in the Emperor’s court.
YOSHIKANE (CONT’D)
22.
That way we can run his father’s
estates anyway we want and take his
horses to our estates to make more
money for our families.
UNCLE KUNIKA
I will call in the boy, and tell
him we are sending him to Kyoto to
train with Fujiwara No Tadahira in
the royal court. I will not give
him a horse, and force him to walk
several hundred miles to Kyoto.
Perhaps, if we are lucky he will be
captured by bandits on the way? Ha.
Servant bring Soma No Kojiro to see
me right away.
CUT TO:
A short while later Kojiro appears before Uncle Kunika. He is
nervous because he knows his Uncles want him out of the way
and intend to grab his Uncles property.
DISSOLVE TO:
UNCLE KUNIKA (CONT’D)
Soma No Kojiro, your uncles, and I
have decided you are ready to train
for a profession and we are sending
you to Kyoto to train under
Fujiwara No Tadahira, Minister of
the Right. I have sent a letter to
Minister Tadahira and asked a favor
in your father’s name to allow you
to train with his followers.
SOMA NO KOJIRO.
Thank you Uncle Kunika. It will be
a great honor to serve Lord
Tadahira.
UNCLE KUNIKA
You will leave immediately. Here
are a few nuggets of gold for your
journey. We cannot spare a horse
for you so you will have to walk to
Kyoto. Check with the cook and he
will give you some dried meat and
other food to eat on your journey.
Pack up your things and take a map
with you so you can find your way
to Kyoto.
23.
SOMA NO KOJIRO
I will leave immediately Uncle
Kunika.
UNCLE KUNIKA
Good. I expect you to become a man
and learn to accept responsibility.
When you have matured into a man
you can come back and lead your
family and your father’s estate.
CUT TO:
Soma No Kojiro departs within an hour, not to be seen again
at the Toyota compound for years.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT.-THE KYOTO IMPERIAL COURT-DAY.
CUT TO:
The same day Uncle Kunika sends Kojiro to Kyoto, a messenger
arrives at Tadahira’s home in the Kyoto Emperor’s court a
week later. A messenger on a white horse arrived in the
courtyard of Fujiwara No Tadahira in the Imperial city of
Kyoto. The Imperial city is huge, and laid out in a perfect
square of streets going north and south, and east and west.
DISSOLVE TO:
UNCLE KUNIKA’S MESSENGER (20)
I have a message from my master
Taira No Kunika for Fujiwara No
Tadahira.
CUT TO:
A large fat and short man appears in the parlor with a bald
head, side hair and a top knot so typical of Samurai at the
time.
DISSOLVE TO:
FADE IN:
FUJIWARE NO TADAHIRE (60)
Yes, I am Tadahira. Thank you.
UNCLE KUNIKA’S MESSENGER.
I was told to wait for a return
message.
(MORE)
24.
FUJIWARE NO TADAHIRE
Ah yes, my friend Taira No Kunika
seeks to have his nephew Soma No
Kojiro serve in the Emperor’s
court. Tell your master Taira No
Kunika, that I would be glad to
accept his nephew Soma No Kojiro to
come, and train under my tutelage.
I will write down an invitation to
come to my home. Wait here for a
minute.
UNCLE KUNIKA’S MESSENGER.
Thank you Lord Tadahire.
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT.-KOJIRO DEPARTS FOR THE CAPITOL-DAY.
CUT TO:
Kojiro leaves for Kyoto on foot. Uncle Kunika did not want to
waste a good horse for Kojiro to ride and beside by walking
on foot Kojiro might be killed by bandits on the road to
Kyoto. That would remove the problem of Kojiro from his
claims on any of his father’s lands or horses.
Meanwhile, in the temple on the mountain. Kozaisho is sitting
in a small temple room on a stone slab with an animal skin
draped over it. It was the morning hour of prayer, and all
the monks were in the Temple praying to Buddha, and Kozaisho
sat alone in her room.
DISSOLVE TO:
KOZAISHO,19, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO
Lord Masakado told me he was sad
when he had to leave his mother’s
home at age sixteen to travel to
the Imperial city called Kyoto,
that he had never seen before. He
said he was afraid, but he did not
want his Uncles to see his fear, so
he kept a stiff face when leaving.
His bag was packed, and he hugged
his mother, and said good by to his
brothers and sisters. Soon he would
be in the Emperor’s court in Kyoto,
never to see his mother again. He
said when he arrived in Kyoto he
was assigned a room with the
servants of Tadahira’s family.
KOZAISHO,19, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
(MORE)
25.
Two days out my Master said he had
covered about forty miles when he
came a band of bandits on horseback
robbing travelers.
BANDITS
Keep an eye out for travelers we
can rob.
KOJIRO
That looks like bandits up there on
the road. I better hide behind a
rock until they leave. Ahh, finally
they are gone. Let me check on the
injured, and dead travelers in case
any are still alive. How
unfortunate, all of the travelers
were dead, and their jewelry was
taken from them, and their clothes
stripped from their bodies. So many
dead. What a waste? There is a
sword left next to a dead man. I
have no weapons, so I will take the
sword for protection from bandits.
BACK TO:
KOZAISHO, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO
My master said he feared for his
life, and from that day on he
traveled often at night to avoid
any day bandits who might kill him
for his gold nuggets. Fifty days,
he said he walked until he got to
Kyoto.
CUT TO:
KOJIRO
(Asking a stranger), Excuse me, can
you tell me where the Minister of
the Right, Fujiwara No Tadahira
lives?
STRANGER
You are a foreigner from the north.
Look there to the east where a
beautiful building with courtyards
of water fountains, and statutes.
STRANGER (CONT’D)
26.
The Minister of the Right is a
wealthy and politically respected
person in Kyoto.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT.-FUJIWARA NO TADAHIRE’S HOME-DAY.
FADE IN:
KOZAISHO, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO.
My Master told me that he had to
wait a full day before the Minister
of the Right would see him.
FUJIWARE NO TADAHIRE
So you are the son of Taira No
Yoshimochi. Your father, and I were
good friends when he lived in
Kyoto, many years ago before he
went to live in the northern
wilderness.
KOJIRO AKA MASAKADO
I am at your service Lord Tadahira.
I have traveled fifty days from
Hitachi providence to serve in your
entourage.
FUJIWARE NO TADAHIRE, MINISTER OF THE
RIGHT.
Well, you are a tall boy for your
age. I will assign you to take care
of my horses since you grew up
tending to horses. Moyaka, my
assistant will show you to your
room. You will join us at dinner
this evening. In the meantime, you
will bath, and I will give you
clean clothes to be presentable
this evening. Go now, and rest.
MOYAKA, (25) SERVANT OF TADAHIRE.
Come follow me Prince Kojiro.
FADE OUT.
(MORE)
27.
INT.-KOJIRO’S BEDROOM AT TADAHIRE’S HOUSE-DAY.
CUT TO:
Kojiro is lying down on a straw tick bed writing with a brush
and ink on a scroll, in a plain stone walled room in the
Temple. The room is stark, with nothing hanging on the walls
and no window. Only a small candle lights the dark room.
DISSOLVE TO:
KOJIRO AKA MASAKADO.
(Writing a letter in his room).
Dear Mother, I am settling in with
my mentor Fujiwara no Tadahira. I
am being assigned to the Imperial
guard for the Emperor’s summer
residence. They are teaching me how
to use a sword, Bow, and arrows,
knife, and spear. I am enjoying
learning how to defend myself, and
at the same time serve the Emperor.
I miss you, and hope you will come
to Kyoto to visit me soon. Love
Kojiro.
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT.-EMPEROR’S SUMMER HOME COURTYARD-DAY.
CUT TO:
Imperial Guards in training stand at attention in the
courtyard of the Emperor’s Summer Home. A tall man dressed in
full military clothing is addressing the Imperial Guard
trainees of which Kojiro is one. All of the trainees are
dressed in red and white uniforms holding flag poles with red
and white flags, flying in the wind. Kojiro stands out among
the trainees because of his height of six feet five inches.
DISSOLVE TO:
SOCKI OMORRO, CAPTAIN OF THE IMPERIAL
GUARD (30)
(Talking directly to Kojiro who is
standing at attention in line). So
you are Soma No Kojiro, the little
second child. We must change that
name in time.
SOCKI OMORRO, CAPTAIN OF THE IMPERIAL
28.
You will learn that by hard work
you will succeed, for there are no
shortcuts. You are tall for your
age, and that is good. You will be
able to hold a full body shield
better. Today we will begin with
Bojutsu or Kendo. You will master
sword play after you learn the art
of Kendo with bamboo sticks. Now go
over to the rack, and get a bamboo
stick, and let us begin with the
forms.
CUT TO:
For hours in the boiling sun a dozen young Japanese men
trained in the forms in Kendu until their hands developed
blisters. Socki Omorro was a relentless teacher and warrior.
Kojiro’s hands were already bleeding from blisters that had
broken. The sweat was cascading down his face, often blinding
him as the sweat entered his eyes. The training seemed
endless.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT.-TADAHIRE’S LIVING ROOM-DAY.
CUT TO:
FUJIWARE NO TADAHIRE
How is the new boy, Soma No Kojiro,
doing captain?
MASSAYMA, CAPTAIN OF IMPERIAL GUARD
(30)
He is a big boy, and a fast learner
Lord. He will make a strong soldier
for the Emperor’s Imperial Guard,
and bring great honor to our clan.
FUJIWARE NO TADAHIRE
See to it that he receives full
armor, and a strong horse to train
with.
MASSAYMA, CAPTAIN OF IMPERIAL GUARD
As you command Lord Tadahire
CUT TO:
Days and month went by, and Kojiro became a tall Imperial
guard with strong arms, and legs. He became one of the best
archers in the imperial guard, and was well know for his
horsemanship. From childhood, Kojiro had worked with horses
on his father’s farms and working with horses was second
(MORE)
29.
nature to Kojiro.
FADE TO BLACK.
FLASHBACK TO 936 CE.: THE AMBUSH OF TAIRA NO MASAKADO
EXT.-TAIRA NO MASAKADO RETURNS FROM THE EMPEROR’S COURT TO
SHIMOSA PROVINCE-DAY.
BACK TO:
Kozaisho is still in the cave, telling her story in the dead
cold of winter. She has a blanket wrapped around her as she
sits in front of a small fire. She reflects back to a story
Masakado told her about when all his troubles began when he
attempted to return to his family compound after serving the
Emperor for fifteen years in the Imperial Guard. He told her
that he was returning home and he was ambushed by his Uncles
and Cousins. Fortunately, Masakado had a small contingent of
Imperial Soldiers accompanying him who helped to drive back
and kill the attacking group of men.
DISSOLVE TO:
KOZAISHO, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO
I remember when we were making love
one night my Master soon fell
asleep. Later that night he
awakened shouting. What is it
Master I called out.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
I had a bad dream.
KOZAISHO,19, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO
What was the dream about Master?
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
I was remembering when Uncle
Minamoto’s son’s ambushed me in
Shimosa province several years
before in 936 CE. I was returning
to my home in Shimosa province
after serving in the Emperor’s
Imperial Guard for fifteen years.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO (CONT’D)
30.
Unbeknown to me my Taira Cousins
and Uncles were afraid they will
miss an opportunity to steal away
my father, Taira No Yoshimochi’s
estate, and hundreds of imperial
horses. They plotted to ambush me,
when I returned from Imperial
service in Kyoto.
FADE TO BLACK.
FLASHBACK: TAIRA NO MAMORU’S HOME.
CUT TO:
Taira No Mamoru is a short fat man with short black hair, and
a dark skinned face. He walks with a limp and has several
scars on his face from sword fighting when he was a younger
man.
DISSOLVE TO:
TAIRA NO MAMORU (60), UNCLE OF
MASAKADO
My sons, my brother Yoshimochi has
died suddenly, and his eldest son
Masakado is returning from Kyoto to
assume the rights as the eldest son
to inherit his father’s estate and
horses. We must stop him before he
reaches Shimosa. It is our right as
members of the Taira clan to claim
the Yochimochi pastures and horses.
If we allow Masakado to return home
we will not be able to take
Yochimochi’s pastures and horses
from him.
CUT TO:
Tasuku is a tall thin man with a small mustache, and long
black hair with piercing green eyes. He is the eldest son of
Mamoru, and wise in his ways, and a considerable swordsman.
Being the eldest son of Mamoru, he planned the ambush of
Taira No Masakado upon his return from years in the Emperor’s
Imperial Guard to his home in Soma.
DISSOLVE TO:
31.
TASUKU, SON OF MAMORU (28)
My brothers, and I will assemble
some men, and we will ambush
Masakado. He will never know what
hit him.
CUT TO:
Takashi is the shortest of the Manoru brothers, who is thin,
and has a large nose, and retreating forehead of hair. He
speaks with a high pitched voice, and carries two swords to
indicate he is a samurai. He follows what his oldest brother
Tasuku says.
DISSOLVE TO:
TAKASHI, SON OF MANORU (22)
Good idea brother. Let us saddle up
quickly so we can get to Shimosa
before Masakado.
CUT TO:
Shiberu is the youngest son, short and heavy set, and less
athletic than his brothers. He is the follower of his older
brothers. His thin slim body shows little muscle development,
and his face is pale white with long black hair tied in a
knot. He is a follower, and not a leader.
DISSOLVE TO:
SHIGERU (19) YOUNGEST SON OF MANORU
I will join you my brothers. Mount
up, and let us be on our way
brothers.
FADE OUT.
CUT TO:
A day later, the Manoru brothers lay in wait near the Kinu
river on the border of Hitachi, and Shimosa province.
Tsuneaki, Masakado’s Lieutenant is in full Samurai battle
dress with a bow slung over his shoulder, and two Samurai
swords at his waist. He sits on a jet black horse called
Thunder. He is accompanying Masakado from Kyoto to guard
against any bandits. Along with Tsuneaki, several other
Imperial Guards ride with Masakado for protection.
DISSOLVE TO:
32.
TAJI TSUNEAKI (33) MASAKADO LIEUTENANT
Master, Nomoto village is up ahead.
Shall we stop, and rest the horses
there?
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
Yes, we shall stop and rest at
Nomoto village.
Suddenly, a horse and rider come riding up to Masakado.
MASSAKADO SCOUT (20)
Master, Master (riding up quickly).
There are troops waiting in ambush
up ahead by the Kino river.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO, EMPEROR’S IMPERIAL
GUARD
It must be my Uncles trying to
steal my father’s land from me. Let
me think. The wind is behind us, so
our arrows will travel forty or
fifty yards longer than the hidden
troops. Let us pretend we are not
aware of the lurking thieves. Ah,
there I see the flags of the Manoru
clan. What a surprise? My own Taira
clan come to kill me.
CUT TO:
Shouting, and screaming with flags flying the Mamoru brothers
charge Masakado and his escort with flags flying, and horn
basting. The blue flags of the Mamoru brothers clash with the
red and white flags of the Masakado Taira clan. Shouting at
the top of their voices, they charge toward one another.
Masakado’s warriors are fewer in number, but they wait for
the Mamoru warriors to come within range of their arrows.
Cleverly, Masakado considers the wind carrying their arrows
further than the attacking Mamoru warriors. The Mamoru
brothers arrows fall short of Masakado and his warriors. As
the Mamoru brothers charge closer on their horses, Masakado
and his men fired off a volley or arrows bringing down many
of the Mamoru brothers and their warriors.
DISSOLVE TO:
MASAKADO,
Wait, until they are closer before
you shoot your arrows. Ready, Hold,
now shoot. Spare no one. Kill them
all.
CUT TO:
Hundreds of arrows flew into the air like starlings swarming.
The sky darkened from the hundreds of arrows being shot into
(MORE)
33.
the air. Some of the whistling arrows could be heard telling
their masters how far away the enemy was in yardage. Blood
ran red into the nearby river. Bodies began to float away
down river with arrows sticking out of their bodies.
DISSOLVE TO:
SAMPEE, MAMORU CAPTAIN (25)
Shields, shields. Incoming arrows.
CUT TO:
The arrows bounced off the shields, and then there was a
sudden silence, and the sound of screeching arrows filled the
air like Hawks attacking their prey. Masakado’s arrows found
their targets, and the Mamoru brothers arrows fell short of
Masakado by 40 yards due to the strong wind against them. It
was as Masakado predicted that the wind would take his arrows
further than the attackers arrows into the wind.
DISSOLVE TO:
TIARA NO MASAKADO, EMPEROR’S IMPERIAL
GUARD.
Charge, and kill everyone. They are
retreating. Follow them. We will
burn every farm, and home in
Hitachi province as we chase these
bandits back to their homes. Our
arrows have reached their targets,
and the Mamoru arrows are stuck in
the mud in front of us. I was right
about the wind.
TAJI TSUNEAKI
Lord Masakado we are not far from
your Uncle Kunika’s home. Should we
spare him or raid his home.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
Burn his home to the ground. No
mercy. Ahh, I see the coward
running out of his house now. Shoot
your arrows, and force him back
into his home. Light up his home
with torches Taji.
TAJI TSUNEAKI
As you command Lord Masakado. Burn
the homes to the ground men.
TAJI TSUNEAKI (CONT’D)
(MORE)
34.
Force the old man Kunika back into
his home to die along with his
family.
CUT TO:
Taji, and several other Masakado warriors, force Uncle Taira
No Kunika back into his home as they throw fire torches on
the home burning it to the ground. Uncle Kunika never comes
out and commits Hari Kari before the fire burns him to a
charcoal brick. All of Mamoru’s sons were killed that day and
Uncle Kunika.
DISSOLVE TO:
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
Is my Uncle Kunika dead?
TAJI TSUNEAKI, MASAKADO’S LIEUTENANT
He committed hari kari Lord. After,
He burned to death in his home
Master Masakado when we torched it.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
Good, it is fitting that he die a
coward hiding in his home. Let us
ride on, and scorch the Earth with
fire to remove the crops from my
Taira cousins.
FADE TO BLACK.
FLASHBACK: UNCLE YOSHIKANE’S REVENGE.
EXT.-AMBUSH AT KOGAI RIVER-DAY.
BACK TO:
KOZAISHO, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO.
My master’s greatest enemy was his
Uncle Yoshikane who joined forces
with Uncle Mamoru. Lord Masakado
told me one day how Yoshikane
chased him all over the providences
seeking vengeance for the death of
Mamoru’s sons, and Uncle Kunika.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
He pursued me like a hungry dog.
His army outnumbered mine, and I
had to flee for my life.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO (CONT’D)
35.
Being with you my love helps me to
forget those bad days.
KOZAISHO, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO
I will always be there for you
Master. You can count on me to be
faithful always.
CUT TO BLACK.
FLASHBACK: EXT.-KOGAI RIVER-DAY.
CUT TO:
Uncle Yoshikane, with a large army of several hundred
warriors, attacks Masakado at the crossing of Kogai river
near the border of Shimosa and Hitachi provinces.
Uncle Yoshikane sits high on his horse in full Samurai armor
with his blue clan flag flying attached to his back. His bow
is hung across his shoulders with two Samurai swords handing
from his waist. His blue and black armor stands out from his
warriors, and his kabuto with deer antlers makes a statement
that he is a Samurai who means business.
DISSOLVE TO:
TAIRA NO YOSHIKANE, 50
Today we will kill the rebel
bastard Masakado, and revenge my
brothers, and nephews death. Line
the troops along the Kogai river
crossing, so that we can kill
Masakado as he crosses the river.
TAMACHOI-YOSHIKANE LIEUTENANT, 35
Yes Lord. We are ready for the
rebel to appear.
CUT TO:
Later, several hours away, Masakado is returning from
appearing in the court at the capital Kyoto with a small
group of warriors never expecting Yoshikane to attack. Uncle
Yoshikane has hundreds of warriors waiting to kill Masakado
at the Kogai river. Taira No Masakado only has a few dozen
men in his small army and is greatly outnumbered by his Uncle
Yoshikane.
DISSOLVE TO:
36.
SAKANOUE KATSUTAKA, MASAKADO
LIEUTENANT
Lord Masakado, our scout has
reported a large army led by your
Uncle Yoshikane waiting in the
woods by the Kogai river crossing.
We are greatly out numbered Lord.
What are your commands?
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
So, my Uncle Yoshikane has finally
decided to avenge Kunika’s death
and Minamoto’s sons. We will
challenge them on our side of the
river with arrows. If there numbers
are too large, we will retreat
instead to fight yet another day.
SAKANOUE KATSUTAKA, MASAKADO
LIEUTENANT
As you command Lord. I will inform
the men to have their arrows ready
when we approach the river
crossing. Look there, I see the sun
shining off of something metal.
They are hiding in the woods on the
other side of the Kogai river. Do
not cross the river. Ready aim,
hold shooting your arrows until we
draw them to out side of the river.
CUT TO:
Meanwhile, on the other side of the river.
DISSOLVE TO:
UNCLE TAIRA NO YOSHIKANE
Here comes the rebel Masakado. Hold
your horses until he crosses the
river. Sound the drums, and
whistles.
CUT TO:
Hundreds of drums begin to beat as Yoshikane’s army charges
across the river to meet Masakado’s smaller army. Masakado’s
small group of warriors bait Yoshikane’s army by not crossing
the river, and waiting on the other side of the river for
Yoshikane’s army to cross and then when they are in the
middle of the river, Masakado’s men begin firing their arrows
at the men trapped by the deep current of the river.
DISSOLVE TO:
37.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
He comes their first wave. Hold
your arrows until they are within
range. Ready, hold, now fire your
arrows, and drop back out of range
of their arrows. It looks like we
got some of Yoshikane’s officers.
God they have more troops than I
imagined. Fall back, there are too
many. Head for the Hitachi
mountains. We will regroup there.
Ride for your life.
CUT TO:
Masakado’s warriors turn their horses around, and gallop into
the distant mountains before Yoshikane’s entire army could
cross the river. By the time Yoshikane’s entire army crosses
the river, Masakado’s men are gone, fleeing to the mountains
in separate groups.
DISSOLVE TO:
TAIRA NO YOSHIKANE
The cowards are fleeing. Chase them
into the mountains. They are
getting away. Damm, we have to many
troops to chase such a small group
of warriors, and cross the deep
river at the same time. Masakado
has fooled me once again.
FADE OUT.
FLASHBACK: EXT.-ELEVEN DAYS LATER-DAY.
BACK TO:
KOZAISHO, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO.
It is hard for me to sleep at night
remembering my Lord Masakado. He
would often tell me how Yoshikane
was obsessed with killing him.
DISSOLVE TO:
38.
FLASHBACK: TAIRA NO MASAKADO’S COMPOUND.
FADE IN:
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
I dream all the time of Yoshikane
killing me, Kozaisho. It became
more than revenge. He wanted to
destroy me, and my entire family,
and take over all our pastures with
our royal horses raised for the
Emperor. It was hard for me to
muster warriors time after time.
Many farmers wanted to return to
their crops which were sitting
untended.
KOZAISHO, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO
Master you must sleep, and tomorrow
you will be stronger and able to
form a plan to counter attack
Yoshikane.
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT.-UNCLE YOSHIKANE’S REVENGE CONTINUES-DAY.
CUT TO:
Uncle Yoshikane attacks Masakado again at Shimo-okata, in the
Toyota district, and disperses Masakado’s forces again
leaving the area defenseless against Yoshikane troops. Uncle
Yoshikane has Masakado at a disadvantage in his inability to
raise enough troops to fight back at Uncle Yoshikane.
Masakado is forced to flee into the mountains again giving
Uncle Yoshikane the upper hand and allowing him to burn down
all of the farmers fields loyal to Taira No Masakado.
DISSOLVE TO:
UNCLE TAIRA NO YOSHIKANE
We will attack Shimo-okata in the
Toyota district today after eleven
days of searching for Masakado. My
spies tell me that Masakado is
hiding in Shimo-okata. We will
attack and burn the place down.
Meanwhile, in Shimo-okata.
39.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
What do we hear of Yoshikane’s
troops Musahi?
MUSASHI, YOUNGER BROTHER OF MASAKADO
24.
He is coming to Shimo-okata
brother. We must flee before his
large army kills us all.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
Tell my wife, and children to
prepare to leave immediately for
Yoshikane is coming with his army.
We will flee to the Sashima
district. Ready your horse brother
Musashi.
MUSASHI
As you command brother.
CUT TO:
Satsukiu is a beautiful little four year old girl, with long
black hair, and rice-like white skin, and green eyes. She is
a brilliant daughter, who worshipped her father. She was
always his favorite.
DISSOLVE TO:
TAIRA NO SATSUKIU, DAUGHTER OF
MASAKADO, (4).
Where will we hide father?
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
Do not worry daughter. I will send
some of my best warriors with you
and your brother Takiyotsha hime.
Tell your mother to hurray. We have
little time to escape for Yoshikane
is but an hour away. I will take
some of my warriors, and set a
separate trail for Yoshikane to
follow.
CUT TO BLACK.
FLASH FORWARD: BACK TO KOZAISHO TELLING HER STORY.
BACK TO:
40.
KOZAISHO, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO
So it was that my lord Masakado had
to fee again from the wrath of
Yoshikane’s army. He and his men
fled to the Hitachi mountains, and
his wife and children headed to
Sashima District to hide with a
relative. My master told me at tea,
one day, that it was the first time
he really feared for the safety of
his family and servants.
FADE TO BLACK.
FADE IN:
UNCLE TAIRA NO YOSHIKANE
My spies tell me that Masakado’s
wife and children are on the way to
Sashima district to hide with
relatives. We can cut them off on
the road to Sashima, and take them
as captives. Let us ride fast.
CUT TO:
Kikomo was an arrogant Samurai Captain under the protection
of Yoshikane, who was an accomplished sword fighter. His
white horse was one of the greatest horses in northern Japan
with a breeding background of fast horses.
DISSOLVE TO:
NIKOMO, CAPTAIN OF YOSHIKANE GUARD 30.
I will take six warriors with me
and ride ahead to cut off
Masakado’s wife and children from
getting to Sashima.
TAIRA NO YOSHIKANE
Go quickly. I want my daughter
Kikyo to learn a lesson. I never
wanted her to marry her cousin
Taira No Masakado and now see what
trouble she is in?
CUT TO:
An hour later, Nikomo, Captain of the guard, and six
Yoshikane warriors ambush the four Masakado warriors
protecting Masakado’s wife and two children. Masakado’s wife
and children were traveling in a horse and cart which travels
much slower than a rider on a horse.
41.
As Kikomo attacks Masakado family, the Masakado family are
unable to outrun the Yoshikane horsemen.
DISSOLVE TO:
NIKOMO, CAPTAIN OF YOSHIKANE GUARD 30.
There they are down in the valley,
below us on the road to Sashima. If
we ride fast we can catch up to
them.
One hour later.
NIKOMO, CAPTAIN OF YOSHIKANE GUARD 30. (CONT’D)
Ready your bows. We almost up to
Masakado’s warriors, and family. Do
not kill any of the family,
especially his wife, Kikyo, who is
the daughter of Yoshikane. Now,
shoot your arrows, and kill the
warriors.
TAIRA NO SATSUKI, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
Mother, look behind us. Yoshikane’s
soldiers are overtaking our
caravan. We must ride faster or
they will kill or capture us.
CUT TO:
Nataski No Como was a blindly loyal Samurai in the employ of
Masakado. On his back flew the red butterfly flag of the
Tiara clan, and also Masakado. Nataski was a tall person with
a strong body, and great archer ability. Fleeing made it
impossible to turn around in his saddle, and shoot arrows
backward at Yoshikane’s army.
DISSOLVE TO:
NATASKI NO COMO, SAMURAI,(33)
Shields incoming arrows.
Yoshikane’s soldiers are right
behind us. Protect Lord Masakado’s
family. Ride fast my brothers.
CUT TO:
Suddenly, an arrow pierces Nataski’s back and he falls off
his horse dead.
42.
DISSOLVE TO:
TAKIYASHA HIME, SON OF MASAKADO AGE
ONE.
Natashi is momma. I am afraid.
NIKOMO, CAPTAIN OF YOSHIKANE GUARD 30.
Stop or die. You are our captives.
Do not try to escape or we will
shoot you down with an arrow.
TAIRA NO SATSUKIU, DAUGHTER OF
MASAKADO, 4
I am the daughter of Masakado, and
granddaughter of Taira No
Yoshikane. Do not touch me or my
mother or brother.
NIKOMO, CAPTAIN OF YOSHIKANE GUARD 30.
You will follow us to our Lord
Yoshikane in Kazusa.
FADE TO BLACK.
CUT TO:
Back in the hitachi mountains at a camp.
DISSOLVE TO:
TAJI TSUNEAKI, MASAKADO’S LIEUTENANT
Lord Masakado I have bad news. Your
wife and family were captured by
Yoshikane’s soldiers, and taken to
Kazusa. I am afraid he may try to
use your family as leverage to get
you to surrender.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
That lowlife of an Uncle of mine
will stoop at nothing to get me to
surrender. I am not surrendering
now or every. Instead, I will take
the fight to him.
FADE OUT.
EXT.-HITACHI PROVIDENCE, NORTHERN JAPAN-DAY.
FADE IN:
43.
KOZAISHO, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO.
In the year 937 10m 9d, my master
Masakado sets out to avenge his
family. On the way, he stopped at
Yoshikane’s house in Hitachi, and
burnt it to the ground. He
continued on to Hatori to find
Yoshikane who was hiding with his
followers. Masakado attacked, and
Yoshikane escapes into the Hitachi
mountains. The tables it seems have
turned against Yoshikane.
CUT TO BLACK.
FLASHBACK:EXT.-937, 10M, 9DAY- TAIRA NO MASAKADO ATTACKS
YOSHIKANE, IN RETURN FOR TAKING HIS FAMILY CAPTIVE-DAY.
FADE IN:
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
We will attack Yoshikane’s home
while he is in Hitachi with my wife
and children. Let us burn it to the
ground, and destroy his crops.
SAKANOUE KATSUTAKA, MASAKADO
LIEUTENANT
We have recruited more warriors
Lord, and are ready to take on
Yoshikane’s troops. He will not
expect us to attack his home while
he is away. Certainly, he will come
out of hiding in Hitachi when he
learns of our raid?
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
That is my plan exactly. Prepare
the horses.
CUT TO:
While Masakado is preparing to attack Yoshikane’s home in
Hatori, his wife pleads with her brothers to release her, and
her children. Since she is their sister, they decide to
release her.
DISSOLVE TO:
44.
INT.-UNCLE YOSHIKANE’S RESIDENCE IN HITACHI-DAY.
CUT TO:
Taira No Kinmasa is the older brother of Kikyo. He is short
and fat, and very overweight for a young man. His love is
eating, and not exercise. He is a Samurai in name only, for
his skill in sword, and Bow are poor at the least. His round
face appears to alway be smiling.
DISSOLVE TO:
TAIRA NO KINMASA, BROTHER OF
MASAKADO’S WIFE 29.
Sister how did you get yourself
into this mess?
CUT TO:
Kintsura is the younger brother of Kikyo, and a tall and thin
man with a thin mustache on his wrinkled face. His skin is
dark, and his head is almost bald. He follows his brothers
lead.
DISSOLVE TO:
TAIRA NO KINTSURA, OLDER BROTHER OF
MASAKADO’S WIFE, 33.
You see what your husband has done?
He caused Uncle Kunika to commit
suicide, and then he burned down
Kunika’s home. Who will bring back
Minomoto No Maru’s sons? They are
all dead now, thanks to your
husband.
KIKYO, MASAKADO’S WIFE
You are wrong brothers. Minomoto No
Maru’s sons ambushed my husband. He
had no quarrel with them, but they
wanted to steal my husband’s horses
and land after his father died. Why
am I or my husband responsible for
those bandits trying to steal what
is not theirs?
TAIRA NO KINMASA, BROTHER OF
MASAKADO’S WIFE.
You are our sister just the same,
and father went too far in
capturing you, and your children to
force your husband to surrender.
(MORE)
45.
MASAKADO’S WIFE
That is how little you know about
my husband. He is a member of the
Emperor’s Imperial Troops that
protect the Emperor’s summer home,
and he has 17 years of military
training. Few Samurai can shoot a
bow as well as my husband. He fears
nothing. This is why I love him. He
is tall, and strong, and a man of
honor, unlike my father Yoshikane
who together with my husband’s
Taira clan are trying to steal
pastures that are not theirs to
take.
TAIRA NO KINTSURA, OLDER BROTHER OF
MASAKADO’S WIFE, 33.
We sympathize with you little
sister. You and your children are
free to go. Leave now before father
returns.
KIKYO, MASAKADO’S WIFE
Thank you brothers. I love both of
you. Come children we are leaving.
CUT TO:
Kikyo, Masakado’s wife, and children return to their home in
Soma on the 19th day of the 9th month of 937. Meanwhile,
Yoshikane is fleeing Masakado’s surprise attack. Masakado
burns all of Yoshikane’s autumn crops to cause him, and his
followers to starve during the upcoming winter.
DISSOLVE TO:
THE FIRST BETRAYAL OF MASAKADO.
INT.-KOZAISHO CONTINUES HER STORY-DAY.
BACK TO:
KOZAISHO, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO
I was there in the midst of the
conflict between my Master, and
Yoshikane. I learned first hand,
how difficult the war between them
could become.
KOZAISHO, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
46.
My Lord Masakado was like a person
possessed in trying to revenge
Yoshikane capturing his wife and
family. Even I could not talk him
out of attacking Yoshikane. Those
were bad days in our lives.
Yoshikane was frustrated, and
unable to catch my Master Masakado.
My Lord Masakado’s wife Kikyo, was
captured, and later released by her
brothers. In desperation, Lord
Yoshikane learns of a courier of my
Master Masakado’s that he can buy
off, to betray Masakado by
revealing the details of Masakado’s
compound, and where exactly
Masakado slept. In exchange for
this service, Yoshikane promised to
promote the courier to a mounted
horse soldier. The courier’s name
was Haesetsukabe No Koharumaru.
This was the first great betrayal
of my Lord Masakado, and two more
betrayals were to yet occur, my
betrayal, and Fujiwara Hidesato’s
betrayal.
CUT TO BLACK.
INT.-UNCLE YOSHIKANE’S HOME-NIGHT.
FADE IN:
UNCLE TAIRA NO YOSHIKANE.
My spies tell me that there is a
courier of Masakado that might
betray his master for the right
amount of money or position. Bring
that courier to me right away.
MASSAYMA, CAPTAIN OF IMPERIAL GUARD
Yes, Master Yoshikane. I will bring
him to you on the promise of making
him a rich man.
DISSOLVE TO:
Later that day, Massayma returns with Haesetsukabe No
Koharumaru.
CUT TO:
47.
MASSAYMA, CAPTAIN OF IMPERIAL GUARD (CONT’D)
Lord Yoshikane this is the esteemed
Haesetsukabe No Koharumaru, who is
a courier of Masakado.
UNCLE TAIRA NO YOSHIKANE
Koharumaru, I have an offer to make
you a rich man. If you can get me
the plan of Masakado’s compound,
Ishi Eisho in Sashima, where
Masakado sleeps, and where the
weapons are stored. I will reward
you greatly with a promotion to
joba, a mounted follower. You will
be richly paid for your services in
my army.
HAESETAUKABE NO KOHARMARU, (30)
COURIER FOR MASAKADO.
I am only a courier Master
Yoshikane. My master Masakado had
been good to me, and it would be
difficult to betray him. Perhaps
with a promotion to Joba, a mounted
follower, I can be persuaded to
reveal the layout, and activities
of my Master Masakado?
TAIRA NO YOSHIKANE
You would be wise to accept my
offer. It will mean a change in
rank for you, and a place in my
army.
HAESETAUKABE NO KOHARMARU.
I accept your generous offer Master
Yoshikane, if you promise to
protect me from my master Masakado.
TAIRA NO YOSHIKANE
You will always been under my
protection. Now go, and tell my
Lieutenants the layout of the Soma
compound. We need to know where
Masakado sleeps, and where the
weapons are kept in the compound.
HAESETAUKABE NO KOHARMARU,
I will need to observe for a few
days my Master Masakado’s schedule
and to write down the layout of the
Soma compound. As a courier, I
seldom take notice of such things.
(MORE)
48.
TAIRA NO YOSHIKANE
Good, then be quick about it and
report back to me in a few days.
FADE TO BLACK.
CHASING SADAMORI INTO THE MOUNTAINS.
EXT.- HITACHI’ PROVINCE 940 CE. 2ND MONTH- DAY.
FADE IN:
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
I have assembled five thousand
troops, and we are riding into
Hitachi province in search of my
cousin Sadamori, and Tamenori. I
have been invited to attend a
banquet by the Governor of Hitachi.
I will use this invitation as an
excuse for visiting the Hitachi
providence.
CUT TO:
A day later, Masakado pays the Governor of Hitachi a visit
with a dozen of his warriors. Masakado uses this invitation
as a ploy to finding out where Sadamori is hiding.
DISSOLVE TO:
GOVERNOR OF HITACHI
Welcome Lord Masakado. We offer
this banquet in your honor. Our
spied tell us you enemy, and cousin
Taira No Sadamori has been hiding
in different locations in Hibachi.
We sincerely hope you track him
down.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
I will do what I can Governor. As
you know Sadamori is a coward who
attacks, and then runs for his
life. He is but a horse trainer,
and not a warrior. He wishes to
avenge the death of his father
Taira No Kunika.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO (CONT’D)
49.
Tomorrow I will fan out my troops
and go in search of Sadamori in
hopes of catching him.
FADE TO BLACK.
Ten days later, Masakado cannot find Sadamori.
DISSOLVE TO:
TAJI TSUNEAKI, MASAKADO’S LIEUTENANT
(31)
Look there in the distance there is
a small caravan of horses, and
wagons. They are flying the flag of
Minamoto Tasuku. Hurray, we must
ride them down, and capture them
for our master Masakado. Fan out
and ride fast.
CUT TO:
After an thirty minutes, Tsuneaki’s troops catches up to the
caravan and are surprised at it’s cargo. Inside the wagon is
the wife of Minamoto Tasuku and the wife of Taira No
Sadamori. By accident Sakanque Katsutaka, Masakado’s
Lieutenant has captured the two wives of Masakado’s enemies
Minamoto Tasuku’s wife, and Taira No Sadamori’s wife.
DISSOLVE TO:
SAKANOUE KATSUTAKA, MASAKADO
LIEUTENANT (30)
Stop or we will kill everyone in
your caravan.
SOLDIER
We are protecting the wife of
Minamoto Tasuku, and you are
advised to steer clear of this
noble family.
SAKANOUE KATSUTAKA, MASAKADO
LIEUTENANT
Stand down or we will shoot
everyone with an arrow.
SOLDIER
We surrender. Do not shoot. We are
putting our weapons down. Madam
Tasuku we must surrender to Taira
No Masakado’s troops or be killed.
50.
MINAMOTO TASUKU WIFE (40)
Who are you. Do you know who I am?
I am the wife of Minamoto Tasuku a
powerful, and great man.
SAKANOUE KATSUTAKA, MASAKADO
LIEUTENANT
Get down from your horses, and out
of your carriages. Put your weapons
down or die.
SADAMORI’S WIFE
Gentlemen. I am the wife of the
honorable Taira No Sadamori, and my
husband will give an award for my
safety.
SAKANOUE KATSUTAKA, MASAKADO
LIEUTENANT
Tie them up. We will bring them
back to our Master Masakado to
decide what to do with them. Where
is your husband Taira No Sadamori?
SADAMORI WIFE
I do not know where my husband is
and if I did, I would not tell you.
Please let us go. We mean you no
harm.
SAKANOUE KATSUTAKA, MASAKADO
LIEUTENANT
Are you kidding? The wife of
Sadamori? We have been looking for
your husband for ten days now. You
will return with us to our camp
where our master Masakado will
decide what to do with you.
TSUNEAKI, MASAKADO’S LIEUTENANT
I will ride back to the camp and
inform our lord Masakado that we
have captured Sadamori, and
Minamoto’s wives. Take care that
they do not escape.
FADE OUT.
Thirty minutes later Tsuneaki rides into Masakado’s camp.
FADE IN:
51.
TSUNEAKI, MASAKADO’S LIEUTENANT (CONT’D)
Lord Masakado, we have captured
Minamoto’s wife, and Sadamori’s
wife in a caravan headed into
northern Hitachi. What shall we do
with them Lord?
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
Be careful with them. Return them
to the camp under guard. We shall
use them as a way to lure Sadamori
our of hiding. Bring in the women.
DISSOLVE TO:
An hour later the caravan arrives.
CUT TO:
TSUNEAKI, MASAKADO’S LIEUTENANT
The wives have arrived Master, but
I have some bad news. I was not
able to sent a message in time to
not touch the women. Our soldiers
striped, and raped the women not
knowing you wished otherwise.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
You have to be kidding me. Cut off
the heads of the soldiers who raped
the woman immediately. Now we have
lost the advantage of promising
their safety to Sadamori. Damm.
TSUNEAKI, MASAKADO’S LIEUTENANT
Yes, Master. I will take care of it
immediately. Line up the men who
raped the women, and chop their
heads off. Knee down fools.
DISSOLVE TO:
One by one, 14 of Masakado’s soldiers had their heads chopped
off.
FADE OUT:
INT.-ISHI EISHO COMPOUND-DAY.
CUT TO:
When Masakado learned of what happened to Sadamori’s wife he
was embarrassed and humiliated.
(MORE)
52.
He attempted to right the wrong by releasing Sadamori’s wife
after she was raped, and humiliated by Masakado’s troops. He
sent a poem, and some fine robes as an act of apology.
DISSOLVE TO:
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
(Writing a poem with brush and
ink). Though elsewhere, I send
messages on the wind to inquire,
Where the flower separated from its
branch now dwells.
CUT TO:
When Sadamori’s wife received the fine silk robes and short
poem from Masakado, she responds with her own poem. Her
bitterness and shame are made clear in her poem.
DISSOLVE TO:
SADAMORI’S WIFE (30)
(Writing a poem to Masakado).
Though Elsewhere, the scent of the
flower scatters, and comes to me
And I do not feel myself to be
alone.
TASUKU’S WIDOW (40)
I too received your poem, and like
flowers fallen, and scattered,
There is nothing left for me. Like
the blowing wind, My heart has
become barren.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
(Writing back to Sadamori’s wife).
Woman where is your husband
Sadamori?
SADAMORI’S WIFE
(Writing Masakado back). Even if I
knew where my husband is I would
die first, before I revealed his
whereabouts to you.
SADAMORI’S WIFE (CONT’D)
(MORE)
53.
Your fine clothing, and poem cannot
take away the hurt, and shame your
troops played upon me. I will
forever be a flower in the wind
with no purpose.
FADE TO BLACK.
FADE IN:
KOZAISHO, CONCUBINE OF TAIRA NO
MASAKADO.
This chapter in my master Tiara No
Masakado’s life closes, with
Sadamori still in hiding and his
wife, and her friend forever
embarrassed to be raped by
Masakado’s troops, who paid the
ultimate price by being beheaded by
Masakado for violating a woman of
high demeanor.
FADE OUT:
INT.-FUJIWARA NO HIDESATO MEETS MASAKADO-DAY.
CUT TO:
Fujiwara No Hidesato is a Ronin, a Samurai without a Lord who
is looking for a way to become wealthy. Fujiwara is a
professional Ronin seeking employment by any Samurai Lord
that can afford his services. He is out for himself and bears
no loyalty to any Lord. He is a selfish man whose pride is
bigger than his ego. For some strange reason Taira No
Masakado likes Fujiwara and invites him to join his cause.
Fujiwara accepts only to later betray his master Masakado.
DISSOLVE TO:
FUJIWARA NO HIDESATO (28) SAMURAI
RONIN.
I understand that Taira No Masakado
is a great Samurai, and well liked
by the people. Perhaps, him, and I
will one day rule all of Japan.
FUJIWARA NO HIDESATO (28) SAMURAI
54.
I must go to Shimosa and meet this
Masakado.
CUT TO:
After a weeks travel on horseback, Hidesato arrives at
Masakado’s compound.
DISSOLVE TO:
FUJIWARA NO HIDESATO (CONT’D)
I am here to meet with the great
samurai Taira No Masakado. I am
Fujiwara No Hidesato.
DISSOLVE TO:
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
Welcome fellow Samurai. Come and
join me for dinner.
CUT TO:
Masakado sits down with Hidesato for dinner, and spills food
on his lap, and brushes the food onto the floor. Hidesato is
shocked at Masakado’s lack of manners and sloppiness.
Masakado had a little too much sake’ and was drunk at the
time.
DISSOLVE TO:
TAIRA NO MASAKADO (CONT’D)
I am sorry, I spilt my food, no
matter the maid will clean it up.
FUJIWARA NO HIDESATO
No problem Lord Masakado. I
understand you have some problems
with your cousin Sadamori, who
tried to ambush you.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
He is a coward, and runs and hides
in the mountains, when it looks
like he is losing a battle. I have
been searching for him for some
time now. Do you bring information
about Sadamori?
(MORE)
55.
FUJIWARA NO HIDESATO
Unfortunately, no Lord Masakado,
but I am considering joining your
cause if you will have me.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
You are welcome to join my army
Hidesato. I have a room you can
stay in, and we will talk tomorrow.
Meanwhile, you must be tired, so I
bid you good night.
FUJIWARA NO HIDESATO
You are a generous host Lord
Masakado. I accept your kind offer
to join your cause. Together we
will bring this criminal Sadamori
to justice. Good night.
CUT TO:
The next day Fujiwara meets Masakado’s servants, and
concubines. Masakado’s wife, and children, live with her
father Yoshikane, who hates Masakado. Fujiwara is impressed
with the size of Masakado’s household of servants and
concubines.
DISSOLVE TO:
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
Good Day Hidesato. I hope you slept
well. I will be taking some of my
soldiers out to search for Sadamori
today, and you are welcome to ride
with us. My servants will bring you
whatever you want to eat.
FUJIWARA NO HIDESATO
Where is your wife and children
Lord Masakado?
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
They are staying with my wife’s
father Yoshikane.
FUJIWARA NO HIDESATO
Who are the beautiful women you
have running around your house Lord
Masakado?
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
Ahh, no matter, they are just my
concubines.
TAIRA NO MASAKADO (CONT’D)
56.
They keep me busy, when my wife is
at her father’s house. They are
beautiful are they not?
FUJIWARA NO HIDESATO
Yes, they are exceptionally
beautiful. What is that concubine’s
name over there by the door?
(Pointing in the direction of a
young lady dressed in a pink kimono
sitting by the doorway)?
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
Ahh yes, she is one of my
favorites. Her name is Kozaisho. I
bought her from her father, who was
a farmer loyal to Sadamori. I
spared his farm land, and houses in
exchange for his daughter. She is a
fine looking woman, is she not?
FUJIWARA NO HIDESATO
Yes, she is Lord Masakado.
(Hidesato smiles toward Kozaisho
from across the room).
FADE OUT.
EXT.-THE TRAIL TO HITACHI MOUNTAINS-DAY.
CUT TO:
That day Masakado, and Hidesato head out with a dozen
soldiers to search for Sadamori. The roads into the hitachi
mountains are steep and narrow forcing the warriors to travel
single file. All day Masakado and Hidesato and warriors
search the trails in the Hitachi mountains, only to come up
empty-handed.
DISSOLVE TO:
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
I have searched these Hitachi
mountains often for the coward
Sadamori to no avail. He travels in
a small group and is difficult to
find the mountainous region of
Hitachi. I have heard that he might
be hiding in a temple, so we are
headed there today.
57.
FUJIWARA NO HIDESATO
What will you do with him if you
catch him Lord Masakado?
TAIRA NO MASAKADO
I will cut his head off of course,
and return it to the Emperor in
Kyoto.
CUT TO:
After arriving at the Buddhist temple they inquire as to the
presence of Sadamori who manages to slip out the back door
and run further into the forest.
FADE TO BLACK.
THE BATTLE BETWEEN SADAMORI AND MASAKADO.
INT.-THE ESCAPE OF MASAKADO’S FAMILY AND SERVANTS.- DAY.
CUT TO:
The Emperor in Kyoto is worried about Masakado taking over
all the Northern Providences and eventually marching on the
capitol. He hires Taira No Sadamori, Masakado’s cousin and
Fujiwara No Hidesato who decides to change sides for the
Emperors reward money and a promotion in social rank. They
plan an ambush against Masakado with an army of thousands of
soldiers hired by the Emperor. They attack at dawn catching
Masakado by surprise. Masakado’s small group of soldiers
fight bravely, but Masakado is shot by an arrow in the eye
and dies during the battle. Fujiwara No Hidesato and Taira No
Sadamori fight over who killed Masakado and then they behead
him and bring the head back to the Emperor as evidence they
killed Masakado and to claim the reward and social promotion.
DISSOLVE TO:
CUT TO:
As the sun rises over Masakado’s compound, Hidesato and
Sadamori along with thousands of the Emperor’s soldiers
attack the Masakado compound. Masakado awakens and grabs his
bow and arrows and sword and rushes out to fight the
attacking army. The Emperor’s army numbering in the thousands
swarms over the compound killing everyone. Masakado mounts
his horse and with his sword kills many of the Emperors men.
Sadamori and Hidesato wait at the rear of the army and
advance slowly as all the warriors in Masakado’s army are
killed along with his servants and concubines.
(MORE)
58.
Hidesato remembers what Kozaisho told him about the seven
duplicates of Masakado that the one with a shadow was the
real Masakado. Hidesato shoots an arrow high in the air
toward Masakado who is on his horse and kills Masakado with
an arrow to his eye. Hidesato and Sadamori race to the scene
and argue over who killed Masakado and behead the dead body
to take to the Emperor.
DISSOLVE TO:
MASAKADO’S LIEUTENANT
Master Masakado has fallen. All is
lost retreat and fend for
yourselves. Sound the retreat.
TAIRA NO SADAMORI
Now that Masakado is dead, we must
kill his brothers and family to
prevent them declaring revenge on
us. Send ten men on horseback
quickly to Masakado’s home quickly
and kill all his family, and burn
down the house. There must be no
evidence of his existence.
SADAMORI SOLDIER
Yes, Master. Should we kill the
children too?
TAIRA NO SADAMORI
By all means. No one is to survive
including his concubines and
servants. Ride swiftly, before word
of Masakado’s death reaches them. I
have some rock salt in a bag on my
horse. We must pack Masakado’s head
in salt to preserve it until the
Emperor sees it. Gather up any of
the heads of any of Masakado’s
Lieutenants, so we can show them to
the Emperor also.
TAIRA NO SADAMORI (CONT’D)
Who will take the credit for
killing Masakado Lord Sadamori? I
was the first to cut off Masakado’s
head, and therefore I should claim
the honor.
FUJIWARA NO HIDESATO
I shot the arrow that pierced his
eye and killed him.
FUJIWARA NO HIDESATO (CONT’D)
(MORE)
59.
We will both share in the honor of
having killed the enemy of the
Emperor my friend.
FUJIWARA NO HIDESATO (CONT’D)
Then let it so be.
FADE OUT.
INT. MASAKADO’S HOME- DAY.
CUT TO:
Riding up to Masakado’s compound a rider dressed in full
Samurai dress with two swords, and a bow over his body. He is
yelling as he runs toward the gates.
DISSOLVE TO:
SAKANOUE KATSUTAKA, MASAKADO’S
LIEUTENANT (30)
Open the gates.
CUT TO:
Kikyo is the daughter of Taira No Yoshikane, Masakado’s
Uncle. She was Masakado’s cousin, and her family was much
richer than Masakado’s family. She was a beautiful young
woman with long black hair, green eyes, and pale white skin.
She was short of stature at five feet and two inches.
DISSOLVE TO:
KIKYO, WIFE OF MASAKADO (24)
Who is it?
SAKANOUE KATSUTAKA, MASAKADO
LIEUTENANT
Madam, your husband is dead, and
Sadamori’s soldiers are coming to
kill you and all of your husbands
family and servants. You must flee
quickly to the Mountains of
Hitachi.
KIKYO, WIFE OF MASAKADO (24)
Oh, my God. They finally killed
him. Who betrayed him?
SAKANOUE KATSUTAKA MAKAKADO’S
LIEUTENANT
I do not know madam, but we must
hurray.
SAKANOUE KATSUTAKA MAKAKADO’S
60.
Sadamori’s troops are close behind
us. I will escort you to the caves
in Hitachi providence.
MUSASHI, MASAKADO’S YOUNGER BROTHER
(25)
I told him not to declare himself a
New Emperor, but he would not
listen to me. Now we must flee, and
become ghosts of the Providence. We
cannot hide together, so I will
seek out a Temple in the mountains
to hide. Be safe, woman.
KIKYO, WIFE OF MASAKADO
Come, children we must flee. Your
father is dead, and his enemies
wish to kill us too. Pack lightly,
and grab some dried food, and
water. I will have the servants
saddle up the horses. Tell all the
servants and woman to flee. We are
finished.
TAIRA NO SADAMORI
We are five kilometers from
Masakado’s home. Burn all the homes
to the ground, and when the
inhabitants run out kill them.
Leave no one alive including the
children.
SADAMORI SOLDIER (35)
As you command Lord.
CUT TO:
An hour later Sadamori’s soldiers arrive at the Masakado
compound. The compound is empty and the front gate is wide
open. The horses in the compound are all gone as well as the
family and soldiers.
DISSOLVE TO:
SADAMORI SOLDIER (CONT’D)
Captain, there is no one here. All
the homes are burning, but even the
servants have fled. Someone must
have warned them.
CUT TO:
Takasemi is an older Samurai with a bald head, and hair on
the sides of his head tied in a knot behind his head.
(MORE)
61.
His eye brows are bushy, and he has a large mustache on his
wrinkled face. He stands almost six feet tall and is an
expert swordsman. Takasemi is Sadamori’s hired Captain.
DISSOLVE TO:
TAKASEMI, SADAMORI CAPTAIN (40)
Track them down. They must have
fled to the mountains. There is
only one road into the mountains
and they have a lead already. Gold
rewards to the soldier that tracks
them down first.
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT.- KOZAISHO FLEES TO THE MOUNTAINS- DAY.
BACK TO:
It was a cold day in March 940 CE, and a light rain was
coming down as Masakado’s family, and servants as they left
the family villa, and fled into the woods. Mules were packed
with food, and clothing and Musashi, Masakado’s son, and
Sakanoue Katsutaka, Masakado’s daughter led the long line of
horses, and mules up the mountain trail in Shimosa
Providence. A blinding cold wind smacked them in the face,
and there was a mood of fear, and anxiety among the family
and servants. No one wanted to be beheaded by Sadamori’s
troops, and made an example of in Kyoto. One mule headed in
another direction with one concubine on it. She was Kazaisho,
who was in love with Fujiwara No Hidesato, without her master
Masakado knowing it. She betrayed Masakado to Hidesato by
telling Hidesato how to tell the real Masakado from his
imposters in battle. The one who casts a shadow is the real
Masakado she told Hidesato.
KAZAISHO, MASAKADO’S CONCUBINE
I had an old mule to flee on with
just the clothes on my back. All
the servants and Concubines fled in
all directions.
KAZAISHO, MASAKADO’S CONCUBINE
62.
Masakado’s wife, and family fled
into the Hitachi mountains with one
of Masakado’s Lieutenants. They had
fast horses, and I had an old slow
mule. Since, I was traveling alone,
it would be harder for them to
follow me than the many horses of
the Masakado family. I have been
riding for hours now, and the sun
was beginning to set. I am scared
that Sadamori’s Soldiers will catch
up to me, and kill me. What am I to
do? I will hide tonight in this
cave.
CUT TO:
As the sun set, Sadamori’s soldiers could not track the
fleeing family of Masakado. Darkness hid the tracks of the
fleeing family Sadamori’s soldiers turned around and returned
home to track Masakado’s family the next day.
DISSOLVE TO:
SADAMORI CAPTAIN
It is too dark to track them now.
We must turn back now for fear of
an ambush with soldiers loyal to
Masakado and his family. We will
resume the hunt tomorrow.
FADE TO BLACK.
TAKIYASHA, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO’S REVENGE.
INT.-TEN YEARS LATER-DAY.
CUT TO:
Ten years later Masakado’s Soma villa is but a few crumbling
walls, and trees, and vines growing over the foundations.
Masakado’s son Yoshiakado is now eleven years and age, and he
and his sister Satsuki who is a fourteen year old teenager.
They live as beggars going from home to home, and begging for
food from followers of their father. They are still
considered outlaws of the Emperor.
DISSOLVE TO:
63.
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO (11)
Satsuki how long must we live like
beggars?
SATSUKI, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO (14)
As long as their are enemies of our
father brother.
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO (11)
I miss our mother very much. Had
she not taken her own life, she
would be here to protect us now.
CUT TO:
The Masakado children headed north fleeing those who seek to
kill them, and collect a reward. Their horses carried them
into the night with the cold wind of the north. The next day,
after riding all night their horses were exhausted. They
stopped at a small stream to water the horses, and give them
some rest.
DISSOLVE TO:
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO (CONT’D)
We will stop here, and rest for a
while. Give me your horse, and I
will take it to the stream. Sit
here, and rest my big sister. We
are a day’s ride from Mount
Tsukuba. There is a temple at the
base of the Mountain. We can seek
refuge there.
SATSUKI, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
I am afraid brother, but father’s
spirit urges me on, and to survive
no matter what.
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO
Not if I can help it. I like my
head on my shoulders. Come let us
ride until we come to Mount
Tsukuba. There is a Shinto Temple
there called Tsukubagan. I am sure
the monks will take us in.
CUT TO:
A Day later the two Masakado teens arrive at the Temple at
the base of Mount Tsukuba. Snow had begun to fall, and the
temperatures were dropping. Both teens were cold and
exhausted, having eating nothing for a day and night.
DISSOLVE TO:
64.
SATSUKI, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
Brother, I think I see a temple up
ahead at the base of Mount Tsukuba.
Let us move quickly for I am
exhausted.
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO
Hello, (knocking on a giant iron
gate with a huge iron ring), I am
Yoshiakado son of Taira No Masakado
who was killed by Taira No
Sadamori. My sister, and I seek
political refuge. Please help us.
CUT TO:
A Buddhist monk in a bright orange robe answers the door. He
is a fat monk with a bald head. He holds a candle in his hand
and a stick in the other.
DISSOLVE TO:
BUDDHIST MONK (60)
Enter my children. We will provide
you food and shelter. Lord Masakado
was a great man who saved many a
peasant, and monastery from the
grips of evil men. Come, we have
some hot soup. I am sorry there is
no meat. We are all vegetarians at
this Temple.
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO
Thank you. We are most grateful. We
have been riding almost two days.
We are wanted by the Emperor for
the last ten years, and Sadamori
who seeks to kill all of our father
Masakado’s family and servants.
MONK
You are safe now. Come sit by the
fire, and I will get you both a
bowl of soup.
CUT TO:
After a month of hiding in the monastery, Satsuki decides to
become a Nun to prevent her father’s enemies from killing
her. Yoshiakado is left to fend for himself. He decides to go
out into the world on his own.
65.
DISSOLVE TO:
SATSUKI, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
Yoshiakado I see no future for us
as enemies of the Emperor and
Sadamori, so I have decided to
become a Nun here at the Monastery.
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO
Are you crazy my sister. Why would
you want to become a Nun? How will
we keep our father’s memory alive.
SATSUKI, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
Our father’s legacy for now, is
dead for the past ten years. As
dead as his sad head hanging from a
tree in Kyoto for all to see. I cry
for him every night. Save yourself
brother, and go to another province
far away. You are no longer a
Samurai since your father is dead.
You are a ronin now, wandering the
hills of Hitachi mountain
pretending to be a Samurai, like
your father once was.
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO
Do with your life as you may. I am
still the son of the great New
Emperor Masakado. Let Emperor’s
troops try, and find me. Many are
still loyal to Masakado, and will
help hide me. Stay here at Mount
Tsukuba, and hide. I will seek my
fortune elsewhere.
CUT TO:
Later that week, Yoshiakado encounters a wizard.
Yoshiakado is mounted on a horse, and is riding through the
forests of Mount Tsukuba, when all of a sudden a mysterious
figure in a black cloak appears in front on his path.
DISSOLVE TO:
66.
TOSHIKADO, SON OF MASAKADO
Halt, who goes there? Who are you?
I have a sword, and will cut off
your head if you proceed further.
CUT TO:
Nikushisen the wizard, is a short bearded man in a black
cloak and sandals. Around his neck is a gold chain with a
crystal in the eye of a dragon. Nikushisen is a wizard with
many magical powers.
DISSOLVE TO:
NIKUSHISEN, WIZARD (60)
Do not be afraid traveler. I am the
Wizard Nikushisen, and our life
lines seem to have crossed. Are you
not Yoshiakado the son of the great
Samurai Taira No Masakado? I come
as a friend. You are the heir of
Masakado. I have for you a magic
scroll containing the secret of
Frog magic. Take this to your
sister the Nun, and give her this
scroll. She will know what to do.
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO
Thank You Wizard. May good fortune
provide your path, and thank you
for the scroll. I will give it to
my sister.
DISSOLVE TO:
Later that day, Yoshiakado returns to the Temple to speak
with his sister the Nun.
CUT TO:
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO (CONT’D)
Sister, sister come quick. I met a
wizard, and he gave me a scroll
containing Frog magic for you.
SATSUKI, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
How do you know that this wizard
was not a spy for the Emperor?
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO
If he were a spy he would have
tried to kill me. Instead, he
brought good news that I am to heir
of father’s legacy. Here, read this
scroll. It looks very old.
67.
SATSUKI, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
Give it to me my foolish brother.
This looks authentic enough. I will
need some time to read it
carefully. It is written in old
script.
CUT TO:
A month later. Satsuki tells Yoshiakado that she is changing
her name to Takiyasha hime.
DISSOLVE TO:
SATSUKI, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO (CONT’D)
Brother, I have read the Frog
scroll very carefully, and there is
much magic, and I feel renewed. I
am adopting a new name of Takiyasha
hime. I want you to help me with
this Frog magic agains the enemies
of our father, Masakado.
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO
What ever you want to do my sister.
You are now Princess Takiyasha
hime.
TAKAYASHA HIME, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
I will perform the Curse of Oshi no
koku mairi. I will visit the shrine
at the hour of the Ox every night.
There, I will perform the ritual at
the Kifune Shrine.
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO
It sounds wonderful Sister. I
support you in whatever you do.
CUT TO:
After twenty-one nights, Takayasha awakens the aranitama
(Wicked Spirit) of the Shrine. Aranitama the wicked spirit,
is like a large black frog image twelve feet high. It
resembles a bull frog with large eyes, and a little green
nose.
DISSOLVE TO:
ARANITAMA, WICKED SPIRIT
Who has awakened me? (A large black
cloud in the shape of a frog
appears before the Shrine as
Takiyasha hime is praying).
68.
TAKIYASHA HIME, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
AND PRINCESS OF DARKNESS.
It is I Great One, praying for the
power to fight the enemies of our
father Tiara No Masakado.
ARANITAMA, WICKED SPIRIT
I bestow upon you Princess
Takiyasha the power and knowledge
of onmyodo. Go, and return to Soma
Castle in Shimosa, and reunite the
soldiers of your father. You will
raise up an army of yokai.
FADE TO BLACK.
INT.-A SAMURAI APPEARS IN SEARCH OF MASAKADO-DAY.
CUT TO:
Oya No Taro Mitsukun is a tall muscular Samurai who heard of
the magical powers of the daughter of Masakado named
Takiyasha hime. He is dressed in black and red leather armor,
two samurai swords, and a kabuto with a moon image. He is an
impressive site in all his bright red and black armor.
DISSOLVE TO:
OYA NO TARO MITSUKUN, SAMURAI (35)
I have come in search of Princess
Takiyasha hime. Do you know where
she is?
TAKIYASHA HIME, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
AND PRINCESS OF DARKNESS.
(Posing as a prostitute). How may I
help you Master? Perhaps it is
pleasure you seek?
OYA NO TARO MITSUKUN, SAMURAI
I come to tell the daughter of
Masakado had he died, and how his
head was hung from a tree in Kyoto
by the Emperor, and Hidesato.
TAKIYASHA HIME, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
AND PRINCESS OF DARKNESS.
Hidesato? Wasn’t he a friend of
Masakado?
69.
OYA NO TARO MITSUKUN, SAMURAI
Yes, he betrayed Masakado along
with Sadamori, Masakado’s cousin. I
was there when they hung Masakado’s
head up on a tree along with his
Lieutenants. His head cried out for
his body for weeks, and then it
flew away to a fishing village were
the local fisherman washed it off
and buried Masakado’s head in a
mound.
TAKIYASHA HIME, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
AND PRINCESS OF DARKNESS.
(Crying). I cannot hear this.
Forgive me, I must go and rest.
CUT TO:
That night, Takiyasha returned with a skeleton yokai (ghosts)
gashadokuro. Takiyasha rode a giant toad. The giant toad was
several stories high. When he groaked the entire ground
around the giant toad shaked.
DISSOLVE TO:
OYA NO TARO MITSUKUN, SAMURAI
I am not afraid of your yokai. I
have power in my sword. Come closer
and I will cut you into pieces.
(Holding his sword high over his
head Mitsukun swung, and cut the
frog in half with Takiyasha falling
to the floor.
CUT TO:
After that he fled on his horse into the night.
CUT TO BLACK.
EXT.-SAVING THE HEAD OF MASAKADO-NIGHT.
EXT.-KOYOTO- NIGHT.
CUT TO:
After Takiyasha Hime’s encounter with Mitsukun, she decided
to save her father’s head, and have it properly buried.
DISSOLVE TO:
(MORE)
70.
TAKIYASHA HIME, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
AND PRINCESS OF DARKNESS.
Yoshiakado, I have decided we need
to go to Kyoto under disguises and
find the head of our father and
properly bury it.
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO
The Emperors soldiers will kill us
if they see us trying to find our
father’s head.
TAKIYASHA HIME, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
AND PRINCESS OF DARKNESS.
I have a plan. You, and I will
disguise ourselves as fisherman and
enter Kyoto at night, when there is
no moon. After we retrieve our
father’s head we will take it far
away from Kyoto as we can, and bury
it in a proper manner.
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO
You realize if they catch us, they
will kill us and our heads will be
hanging along with out father from
a tree.
TAKIYASHA HIME, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
AND PRINCESS OF DARKNESS.
Do not be afraid little brother for
I have the powers of black magic.
Come let us pack our bags, and
saddle our horses for the long ride
to Kyoto.
DISSOLVE TO:
So Takiyasha and Yoshiakado ride into the night toward Kyoto.
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT.-TAKIYASHA HIME ARRIVES IN KYOTO-NIGHT.
CUT TO:
TAKIYASHA HIME, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
AND PRINCESS OF DARKNESS.
There is Kyoto in the distance. Let
us dismount, and wait until
darkness before we enter the city.
TAKIYASHA HIME, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
71.
I am not sure where our father’s
head is buried, so we must take
time to search for it.
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO
I am tired from the week long ride
to Kyoto. I did not realize how far
it is from Hitachi. It is good that
we rest until darkness. I have some
old clothes that will help us look
like fisherman.
TAKIYASHA HIME, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
AND PRINCESS OF DARKNESS.
I will protect us with the powers
of the dark spirits, so that no one
recognizes us.
CUT TO:
Later that night, Takiyasha and Yoshiakado ride into Kyoto
and leave their horse outside the market gate. They grab two
bags of smelly fish they brought with them, and throw it over
their shoulders to act, and smell like fisherman.
DISSOLVE TO:
TAKIYASHA HIME, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
AND PRINCESS OF DARKNESS. (CONT’D)
There is a large mount at the end
of the marketplace. Perhaps our
father’s head is buried there?
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO
The smell of these fish is killing
me sister. I hope you are right
about the large tree in the market
place. There is a large mound that
could be where our father’s head is
buried?
TAKIYASHA HIME, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
AND PRINCESS OF DARKNESS.
Yes, there is our father’s memorial
burial mound.
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO
All right but be quick about it. I
am getting nervous. Wait there is
an old man waking across the market
place. Wait until he disappears.
Now, put his head in this bag and
let us ride out of this city.
72.
TAKIYASHA HIME, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
AND PRINCESS OF DARKNESS.
I have him in the bag. Let us get
out of here.
DISSOLVE TO:
Takiyasha, and Yoshiakado, mount their horses, and ride off
into the nearby mountains to a little sea town called Edo.
TAKIYASHA HIME, DAUGHTER OF MASAKADO
AND PRINCESS OF DARKNESS. (CONT’D)
There is the fishing village of
Edo. We can bury our father’s head
there. Perhaps some of the
fisherman will help us? Many of the
local people and fisherman loved
our father and I am sure they will
help bury him and set up a shrine
in his honor. Look here comes a
fisherman now. Sir, how are you
this day? I am Takiyasha the
daughter of Lord Masakado. Do you
follow our father Masakado?
FISHERMAN (50)
Yes he was a great man for plain
folk. He restored many of the arms
to the poor people.
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO
We have the head of our father old
man and we need some help in
burying his head properly and
setting up a shrine in his memory.
Will you get other fisherman to
help us old man?
FISHERMAN
It would be my honor to help bury
properly the head of the great
Masakado. There next to the sea is
a great mound that will be the
perfect resting place for his head.
Come we will wash your father’s
head and properly prepare it for
burial. I will ask some of my
friends to help us dig a hole in
the mound.
73.
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO
We must be quick about it old man
for the soldiers of the Emperor may
not be far behind us when they
realize the head of Masakado is
gone.
FISHERMAN
Let me get some of my friends and
we will help you dig a place in the
mound to lay the head of Masakado.
DISSOLVE TO:
A few minutes later a half dozen fisherman arrive at the
mound where Yoshiakado and Takiyasha waited.
CUT TO:
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO
Welcome friends. We thank you for
helping honor the head of our
father Masakado. Let us wash his
head off with sea water and bury it
in this mound overlooking the sea.
Perhaps some stone put in place
will mark this shrine.
FISHERMAN
What will we tell the Emperors
soldiers when they arrive?
YOSHIAKADO, SON OF MASAKADO
Tell them the head of Masakado is
cursed and it flew here from Kyoto.
Once they realize a curse is
involved they will not touch
Masakado’s shrine. Come let us
begin digging. Time is short.
DISSOLVE TO:
So it was that the head of Taira No Masakado was laid to rest
in a little sea village that would one day become Edo and
then finally in modern times, Tokyo. The Masakado shrine
still exists today in the Financial district of Tokyo, Japan.
END
