A KINDAI EIGA KYOKAI PRODUCTION
THE HOLE...
DEEP AND DARK...
ITS DARKNESS HAS LASTED
SINCE ANCIENT TIMES
ONIBABA
(Demon Woman)
Produced by HISAO ITOYA,
SETSUO NOTO, TAMOTSU MINATO
Original Screenplay by
KANETO SHINDO
Director of Photography
KIYOMI KURODA
Music
HIKARU HAYASHI
Sound
TETSUYA OHASHI
Art Direction
KANETO SHINDO
Edited by
TOSHIO ENOKI
Starring
NOBUKO OTOWA
JITSUKO YOSHIMURA
KEl SATO
JUKICHI UNO
TAIJI TONOYAMA
Directed by
KANETO SHINDO
Ushi, are you there?
Yes.
Get something?
Nothing but junk.
Is this the best you can do?
Kyoto's been burned down.
They say the emperor
has escaped to Mount Yoshino.
So no more big battles.
Just skirmishes now.
Can't do any business.
This is good millet.
One more bag.
Take it or leave it.
Want one more?
Sleep with me.
I'd never sleep with you,
you bastard!
Hachi!
What are you doing here?
I'm hungry.
Give me some food.
Get him a bowl.
It's a wonder you made it back!
Where's my husband?
Wait a minute.
You came back alone?
I escaped.
Where's my son?
It was the Ashikaga army that
forced us to go with them.
We fought in two of their battles.
In the third, we got caught
by the Kusunoki army.
My son too?
Yes, both of us.
So we became Kusunoki men.
All the same to us.
It's the generals' war, not ours.
We didn't even know
what they were fighting about.
There are two emperors now.
Kusunoki fights for the
emperor at Mount Yoshino,
and Ashikaga for the
emperor in Kyoto.
It means the two emperors
are quarrelling.
At first, we wanted to be heroes,
but killing's not easy.
I could have been killed myself.
Once I stabbed a man
in the back with a spear.
He was taking a shit in the bushes,
and I killed him.
What happened to my son?
It was three days ago.
The Kusunoki army
got battered at Minatogawa.
Ashikaga's men
wiped them right out.
It was hell.
We couldn't tell friend from foe.
It lasted two days and two nights.
We tried to stick
to the safest places.
The general ordered us to advance,
but we ran around till
they chased us into a paddy field.
There was nothing to do
but play dead in the mud.
We fooled them.
We waited for our chance
and then ran for the mountains.
We hid in the bushes all night
and thought we'd starve.
So we went hunting for food.
We thought we'd steal from farmhouses,
but they were empty.
There was no food.
Soon, farmers with sticks
came from out of nowhere
and beat us up.
They beat Kichi to death.
I barely escaped with my life!
My son was killed?
And then?
What happened
to the samurai who took you two?
He was killed right afterwards.
An arrow right through his throat.
He flailed around
and then keeled over.
Right here.
Serves him right!
He had it coming.
They took my son so suddenly
that we had a hard time surviving.
I was looking forward
to the day he would return.
Only you made it back.
It's a wonder you're still alive.
How do you eat?
There was frost last summer.
Hail fell.
Frost and hail in summer!
All our crops failed.
Strange things going on in Kyoto too.
A horse gave birth to a calf.
The sun rose black in the sky.
Day was dark as night.
How horrible!
As if the earth had been
turned upside down!
All the farmers are starving.
With all the fighting,
they can't work.
The fields run wild
without men to till them.
How do you eat?
Never you mind!
We're beggars.
Kyoto's been burnt to the ground.
Not even a dog around.
Everything becomes food -
snakes, even earthworms and mice.
You're wearing nice things.
Did you steal them?
You're dressed oddly yourself.
I killed a priest on the way back
and put on his clothes.
People trust a priest.
Makes it easier to get around.
What'll you do now?
Is my hut left?
I suppose so.
I see.
I'll get some good sleep.
I'm very tired.
I'm sorry I came back alone.
What is it?
It's sad!
Fine day.
Makes war seem far away.
That's a big fish you caught.
I have nothingto eat.
What do you do for food?
You don't seem to grow anything.
What do you do?
You steal?
I see. That's it?
Everyone does
where there's fighting going on.
They all steal in Kyoto.
You steal too? Right?
Why didn't you save my husband?
I had no time to.
About 20 farmers attacked us.
I barely got away myself.
You've been waiting for him?
Poor girl.
What are you gonna do?
He's dead.
No use staying
with the old woman, is there?
Mind your tongue!
You're young yet.
How about coming to see me?
Nice day.
Hachi, what are you doing here?
Catching fish. Got to eat.
You have it.
Take what's offered.
It looks good!
What did Hachi say?
Nothing.
The little shit! Not even sorry
he came back alone.
Might have killed my son himself.
No different than an enemy.
Don't be too friendly with him.
Help!
Help!
Help!
Get the one floating away!
He's still alive!
We can eat now!
This is expensive stuff.
How about it?
A good buy?
Is that all?
The farmers are all hiding
in the mountains.
Had a hard time findingthis much.
It's risky work.
Bring me some sake.
You were lucky.
It's a wonder you're back.
Good business you have here.
Only while the war lasts.
Don't know how much longer.
They won't quit for a long time yet.
Not until one side's beaten.
They'll go on
even if it ruins the country.
It's a business with them.
I'll take these birds too.
Bring me some good stuff.
Ushi's got himself a good business.
Armies will snap up swords,
halberds and armour.
There's not enough to go around.
Nothingfor common soldiers,
so they use wooden or bamboo spears.
A good business, all right.
I've heard you two do good work.
How many have you killed?
That's our business.
You stay out of it!
Don't you think
you should let me join you?
I've been trained in war.
I'll come in handy.
Mind your own business.
We can manage on our own.
You hate me for returning alone?
I don't care what you do.
You're on your own.
How about making me her husband?
Idiot! Don't be stupid!
We're turning in.
Go on home.
That no-good loser!
He's after you.
You see his eyes?
Like a dog after a bitch.
Sniffing after you.
Stay away from him!
That louse wants a woman!
I want a woman.
Come to my hut.
I'll be waiting tonight.
Hachi's after you.
Don't let him catch you.
Who's there?
Who's there?
So it's you.
You came.
Hachi!
Hurry!
I get scared
running through the reeds.
Silly.
What are you saying?
You kill people for a living.
Lazy bastard,
enjoying his nap!
Oh, it's just you.
You like to sleep?
Yes, it's nice to have a little nap.
It's too hot.
Best to sleep in the daytime.
Want to sleep with me?
An old woman like you?
Stupid!
I'm not old on the inside.
Come on.
Try me.
I'm going having a swim.
Hachi, wait!
What is it?
Something good?
Don't act so innocent!
What are you doing
with my daughter-in-law every night?
What do you mean?
I'll slap you!
I saw you both!
What do you plan to do with her?
She's the one who came to my place.
You asked her to.
What's wrong with that?
I'm a red-blooded man.
I can't stand it.
She's another man's wife.
Your son's dead.
You worthless bastard,
coming back here alone!
You'd take your friend's wife?
She's not your daughter-in-law
anymore.
Your son's dead.
She needs a man.
And no wonder- she's still young.
It's natural.
Not if you leave! Go away!
If I left,
they'd take me back to the war.
I'll stay here.
Then leave her alone!
I'll make you an offer.
Let her be my bride.
You've got nerve!
My poor son must be
turning in his grave!
You can't ask a young man
and woman who are neighbours
not to be friends.
If my son's dead, she's all I've got!
I can't get along alone.
I couldn't even kill!
Take her and I'll starve!
Don't worry, I won't.
We'll just be friends.
She'll end up deserting me.
I'll tell her not to.
Hachi, I'm begging you!
I can't kill without her!
You ask too much.
Your son's gone.
It's selfish to hold on to her!
When the war ends,
I can farm and manage on my own.
Just till then.
No telling when it'll end.
If all you want is a woman, I'll do.
How about me?
I'm not interested.
So you intend to take her?
Don't you understand yet?
I won't take her! We'll just be friends!
You say that now,
but she'll end up leaving me!
That's not my problem.
Remember those words, you bastard!
What are you going to do?
I'll spear the two of you
in your sleep.
Then she'll be dead too.
Old bag!
Where are you going?
I can't sleep.
I thought I'd get some fresh air.
Yes, it's hard to sleep tonight.
No breeze at all.
No.
I dreamt that Kichi came back.
My son may return.
Hachi saw him die.
He won't be coming back.
Hachi's a bad man.
He might have been lying.
He wouldn't lie.
If Kichi were alive,
he'd have come back.
There'd be no point lying about it.
Aren't you sad my son is dead?
I am, but he's not coming back.
I'll find you a good husband.
Be patient.
When the war ends,
the men will come back.
We'll find you a good husband
and farm again like we used to.
Fighting!
More prey coming our way.
I'll help you.
Is that a wild dog?
Not much spirit for a wild dog.
It's after a mate.
Damned pest!
We'll skin you and eat you!
It's a terrible thing.
Once, in Kyoto...
I heard a great priest talk.
Those who sin in this world
go to purgatory when they die.
What's purgatory?
The dead are just ashes.
No, that's not true.
They say hell really exists.
A hell of fire,
a hell of fury, a hell for sinners.
The terrible mountain of needles,
the lake of blood.
The punishment for sinful lust
is the worst of all.
Souls with human faces
grow four legs
and fall into sinners' hell.
There they're tortured
day and night with red-hot irons.
That's a lie! There is no hell!
Hell must exist.
A great priest said so.
It's no sin what men and women do.
Everyone does it!
If it's man and wife, it's all right.
With couples
it's quite all right.
It's a terrible thing.
Merciful Buddha...
Now let's go to bed.
Don't be afraid.
I'm a human being, not a demon.
I have my reasons
for wearing a mask.
I'm a samurai from a good family.
As you can see,
I've escaped from battle.
I got separatedfrom my men.
I hope to return to Kyoto,
but I'm lost in this field of grass.
Show me the road to Kyoto.
Go due north.
That will take you there.
Show me the way out of this grass.
After I show you the way,
you'll kill me.
What good is there in killing
the likes of you?
Find the way yourself!
Old woman!
Do you refuse?
All right.
I'll take you.
I've missed you so.
That old woman,
trying to come between us!
If we sin, do we go to purgatory?
Sin?
People have been doing this
for thousands of years.
But I'm willing
to go to hell for you!
Avast field of grass.
There's no telling
what demons and snakes live here.
And monsters like you
stray in.
That's right. I'm a demon.
Why do you wear a mask?
Makes me look fierce, doesn't it?
You were defeated,
and now you're running from the war.
No use looking fierce now.
You're right.
Many of my men were killed,
and many others left me.
I was left alone.
I was left alone.
It's your punishment
for starting the war!
Old woman.
Would you like to know
why I wear a mask?
I feared marring my face.
My face is beautiful.
The most handsome face in Kyoto.
To protect it in the war,
I wore this mask
into the thick of battle.
As a reward
for showing you the road,
show me your beautiful face.
You'd feel faint if
you saw my beautiful face.
I've never seen
anything really beautiful
since the day I was born.
Show me your face.
You wish to see so badly?
Show me.
You want to see a face
you could fall in love with?
I've never seen anyone so handsome
that it would take my breath away.
Walk on, old woman!
This is not a face
to show peasants.
Walk faster or I'll kill you!
Did you cause many soldiers to die?
A cruel thing.
The dead died in vain.
The dead can never come back to life.
Don't talk! Walk!
Serves you right.
Men like you killed my son!
Now let's see
just how beautiful you are.
So this is the most handsome face?
This is a samurai general's face?
Rest in peace in this hole.
You have friends here.
You made others die.
Now, it's your turn.
Isn't it heavy?
- No, not very.
Shall I go alongtoo?
No, I'll go by myself.
But it'll be night when you return.
If it's dark,
it can't grow darker.
I'll be late.
Eat early and go to bed.
Be careful.
What's the matter?
You'll catch cold
going to sleep there.
What is it? Are you sick?
Your face is pale.
Is anything wrong?
No, it's nothing.
What's she doing anyway?
Are there really demons?
Well, in hell, I guess.
They exist in this world too.
Did you see one?
No, I didn't.
We've done nothing wrong.
No demon can come after us.
Might come after
someone who's bad, though.
Shall we eat?
Shall I go to Ushi's place?
It's too hot in the daytime.
Night's the best time to go out.
Ushi's a sly one.
If I take too many at once,
he knocks down the price.
Better to take a few at a time.
We'll make more that way.
Well, I'll be on my way.
Be careful.
What's the matter?
Did you have a dream?
What kind of dream?
You woke me up.
Hey.
You stood me up.
What's going on?
You tired of me?
It's raining. Don't go.
Can't let Ushi fool me.
Last night he said
he didn't have the millet on hand
and that I should pick it up tonight.
It's just a shower.
It'll stop.
It'll become nice and cool.
I'll be on my way.
Hey!
Hachi!
What is it?
A demon!
- What?
A demon!
- Silly! There's no such thing!
There's no such things as demons.
You just imagined it.
There is.
I saw it with my own eyes.
A fox or a badger, maybe.
Even weasels fool people.
My head's clear again!
I wish we could live together.
I told you so.
Come live at my place.
There's a bug on my back!
Set yourself free
from that old woman.
I can't. I might be punished.
For what?
It's Buddha's punishment!
There is no Buddha.
I'll come for you tomorrow.
Wait!
It's me!
I'm not a demon! It's me!
It's me!
It's you!
It's me!
It's your mother!
Then that demon every night -
Yes, it was me!
I was wrong. Forgive me.
I wore the mask
to scare you away from him.
Now I'm being punishedfor it!
The mask won't come off!
Why won't it come off?
Why won't it come off?
It got wet in the rain
and won't come off.
Why won't it come off?
Why won't it come off?
Look at you!
It's your punishment!
Please get it off!
Get it off!
I didn't sin!
This proves it!
Old meddler!
This proves it!
I was wrong.
I was wrong to meddle.
Get it off!
You became a demon!
Now stay that way!
Please get it off me!
I'm begging you!
All right,
but will you do everything I say?
I will!
Exactly as I say?
Yes, I will!
Can I see Hachi every night?
Daytime too?
You won't complain about us?
No, I won't.
Day and night?
Yes.
You sure?
I'm sure!
All right, I'll take it off.
It hurts!
It hurts!
Why is this happening?
Hurry, take it off!
- Bear it, even if it hurts!
It hurts!
The rain did this!
- It hurts!
It's punishment!
It hurts!
It's that samurai's curse!
What?
It hurts!
Hold on now, even if it hurts!
I'm goingto die.
It came off.
The mask came off!
Demon!
Thank you.
What Happened?
Wait!
I'm not a demon,
I'm a human being!
I'm a human being!