02x07 - Arrival in Kyoto

[bunniefuu]

We finally made it.

It's such a relief to be back!



I didn't think I would ever come back.

Kyoto:

A city at the center of Japan is a center
of art as well as Japanese Buddhism.

Since the capital was moved here in 794,

Kyoto has been the capital
for roughly a thousand years,

therefore it was known as the
"Thousand-Year Capital".

Renowned for its vibrant display
of the four seasons,

Kyoto is one of the most fitting places
in Japan to be described as "elegant."

Himura!

This way!

However, beneath the surface,

It has long been regarded as a city where
spirits and monsters roam.

Throughout history, it has often been
plagued by famine and disease

and has served as the epicenter of
numerous conflicts.

During the end
of the Edo period,

Kyoto was a b*ttlefield resembling
a scene from hell,

where not a day passed without the stench
of blood and severed heads

rolling through the streets.

Himura!!

Oro?

What are you just standing there for?

You've been acting weird ever since
we got to Kyoto.

And do you have to have that sword?

It really sticks out, it's embarrassing.

Your clothes are more embarrassing.

Why you!!

Angry demon bird kick!!

Oro!

Rurouni Kenshin -Kyoto Disturbance-

Episode 31
Arrival in Kyoto

Anyway, you should go home first, Misao.

Where is it?

We are already there!

Look!

Oro.

An inn...
"Restaurant Aoiya"

"Restaurant Aoiya"

Yeah,
"Restaurant Aoiya"

the Aoiya's pretty well known in Kyoto.

Hey, Jīya!

Misao!!!

I'm back!

Welcome home!

You were later than usual so
I was worried!

I'm sorry.

A lot happened.

Ouch!!!

That's your punishment for being late.

He's mad, he's mad.

Oh, you must have brought her back.

Well...

She can be a handful, can't she?

You said it.

Misao!

Welcome back!

She's unconscious!

Wake up!

Well, I will be going now.

Wait!

We haven't thanked you yet.

Himura Battōsai.

Even if you hide your scar, you are
known to those who know you.

How do you...?

It's a long story.

Please, come in.

Chow-chow right?

No, it can't be chow-chow.

Yeah, it's not a chow-chow.

No, it is a chow-chow.

Wha...

That's not Japanese!

The Thousand Year Capital is
so different than I expected!

Hey, quit playing around and help me!

First, we have to find
Tae's family's house.

Prices at inns are ridiculous.

I'll send a word home so please feel
free to stay there!

But I wonder how we are going to find
one person in such a big city.

Pull yourself together, Kaoru!

After all that work cheering you up
don't lose it now, idiot!

I'll go look for Tae's house!

You sit here and watch the traffic.

If you are lucky Kenshin might pass by!

I must be tired...

Why...

What is he doing here...

Okay, I'm going to go take a bath.

All right.

Well...

I'm sure she told you about herself and
the Oniwabanshū on the road to here.

Are you...

As you have guessed,

I, Kashiwazaki Nenji, was once one of
the Oniwaban spies.

The one who searched Kyoto, my name was...

Okina!

In 1854 when the black ships led by
Perry came to Uraga,

the sovereignty of this country was
called into question.

The previous Okashira quickly suspected
that those who held that sovereignty,

namely the Emperor and the court nobles,

would be deeply involved in
the national polity.

Expecting Kyoto to be the center
of the violence,

he sent me to gather information
independently for the Oniwabanshū.

"Aoiya"

I opened the Aoiya as a base.
"Aoiya"

Ironically the inn survived while
the Edo Bakufu was destroyed.

But in the new era,

As a place of refuge for those who were
unable to find work, it was very helpful.

So that is why Aoshi left Misao with you.

You know Aoshi...

There's something you should know...

I see...

So Hanya and the others are dead,
and Aoshi is missing...

Please keep this a secret, from Misao.

Yes, that's best.

Now Battōsai...

No, Himura.

Your appearance in Kyoto
after almost 10 years,

could it have something to do with your
successor, Shishio Makoto?

Using my experience from the old days,

The intelligence network
is still alive today.

I know almost all of Kyoto inside and out.

When I heard that Shishio was alive and
threatening Kyoto, I didn't believe it.

But if you're here,
it's a different story...

As thanks for bringing Misao home safely,

And for witnessing
the end of the Oniwabanshū...

I'll become your ally!

Oro.

I love the Kyoto way too much!

To protect the capital, this season
soldier will again take the field.

Wait, wait a minute.

The Aoiya will be fine.

Shiro, Kuro, Ochika, and Omasu are all
originally from the Oniwabanshū.

They can manage to protect
Misao and themselves.

But...

There's nothing you can say.

After all, I'm the one who raised Misao!

"Stubbornness Incarnat!"

Oro...

Somehow you're very persuasive...

Exactly, exactly.

Well then, may I ask you something?

Of course.

I'd like you to use your information
network to find two people for me.

Two people?

Yes.

Arai Shakkū and Hiko Sējūrō.

Please find them as soon as you can...

Rurouni Kenshin -Kyoto Disturbance-

Wake up, Himura!

It's morning!

Oh, you are already up.

Oro?

Misao, your clothes!

Normal clothes in Kyoto!

Walking around my home ground in battle
dress feels a bit strange, even for me.

If you are ready, let's go Himura.

Oro?

Kyoto has changed a lot in the


Today I thought I'd show you around.

How about lunch at the
sukiyaki place, the Shirobeko?

Cool!

I've been wanting to eat there.

Wait a minute!

I can't walk around Kyoto
in broad daylight.

Shishio's men can notice me
any time anywhere...

You're dealing with Shishio.

No matter how you run or hide,
Shishio will find you.

But...

Himura, you're fighting Shishio for
the people of this country, right?

So stand up straight for all to see!

That's the way of the honest man!

He always says that, but...

In the old days, Jīya was so good that
he was going to be made the next Okashira.

But he said,
"Now is the time for the young"

and recommended Aoshi while giving himself
the minor role of the agent in Kyoto.

Now he's just a worn-out old man!

Oh yes, the people
you asked me to look for.

The search began yesterday.

Search?

For whom?

Okina.

Here.

Sorry Misao, we will have to go to the
Shirobeko another time.

Himura.

We have found one of them.

Well, more accurately...

We found out about his death.

The swordsmith who made the Sakabatō,
Arai Shakkū died 8 years ago.

A swordsmith?

I see...

To replace the broken Sakabatō...

But if he's already dead...

There's never going to be another...

Here.

Tae's home, the Shirobeko.
"Sukiyaki and Sake, Shirobeko, Dining"

It's the sister store
of the Akabeko in Tokyo.

Excuse me...

Welcome!

Tae?!

What are you doing in Kyoto?!

Tae?

Oh, I see...

You must be the two from Tokyo.

I am Tae's twin sister, Sekihara Sae.

Pleased to meet you.

Tae told me about you in her letter.

It sounds terrible,
everything you went through.

But don't worry,

everyone at the Shirobeko will do all that
we possibly can for you now.

Thank you!

Now we just have to find Kenshin
before Shishio or Aoshi does.

Hang on, Kenshin!

Arai Shakkū at the time of the Bakumatsu,

had a name among the Ishin Shishi
as the finest swordsmith.

But, because he decided to pursue

a "katana that kills" and not a
"katana that cuts,"

he was considered something of a heretic
in the world of swordmaking.

A swordsmith who tried to make a
"katana that kills" made the Sakabatō?

I don't get it.

A man's life may sometimes contain
many contradictions.

Right, Himura?

According to my sources,

Shakkū passed down all his
secrets to his son.

There were hopes for him as
the next great swordsmith,

but there were only a few orders
for swords in the Meiji era

and a swordsmith could barely survive.

Now it seems he makes a living by making
knives, scythes, and other daily tools.

Shakkū's son, Arai Seikū.

Maybe he can make a new Sakabatō...
"Cutting Tools Assortment, Hamonoya"

Excuse us...

Seikū?

Umm...

He's saying handshake.

Oh, a handshake?

Okay, okay...

Hey Iori.

Mama!

Don't play with them.

Welcome, sir.

Were you looking for something?

Actually, I wanted a kitchen knife.

Himura?

Do you mind if I try it out?

Yes.

A return cut...

My first time seeing it!

Nothing has been crushed
along the line of the cut,

so it can be put back together
exactly as it was.

It's only possible when a fine blade and
the arm of a master come together.

It shows that the skill of
Shakkū's son is outstanding.

Wow!

This is it!

Arai Seikū can make a new Sakabatō!

Ma'am,

could I speak with Seikū?

I want him to make a katana for me!

Well, I...

Excuse me...

Dear!

Daddy!

Pleased to meet you...

I'm Arai Seikū.

Your Seikū?

You don't look like I thought you would.

Actually,

I get that a lot.

I overheard your conversation.

You need a katana?

I'm sorry,

but I no longer make katanas.

I cannot fulfill your request.

What?!

I'm sorry!

Why on earth not?

People who come to me with
a request for katanas

know about my father's
quest for a "katana that kills".

He used to tell me,

"The katanas I make
will bring in a new era."

But I couldn't accept my father's beliefs.

The katanas he shaped
with those beliefs stole many lives.

What does k*lling have to do
with bringing in a new era?

I wasn't convinced.

During those times of violence,
there was nothing I could do.

But it's the Meiji era now.

The age of peace has finally come.

The samurai have thrown
away their katanas.

So I too will throw away
the art of swordmaking.

I've decided to earn my living by making
the tools of everyday life.

I see,

so you are a pacifist in principle, in
complete opposition to your father.

Well,

I don't know about the principles,

but I love peace as with anyone.

Weak!

You're weak!

There are people
in this world who would...

I understand Seikū!

I'm sorry to have brought you
a futile request.

Thank you for your time.

Hey!

You're okay with this?

Seikū desires peace with his whole heart.

Even a Sakabatō that cannot k*ll
is an instrument of w*r.

I couldn't bear for him
to make such a thing.

The search for a Sakabatō
will have to begin again.

That swordsman...

You didn't think that perhaps you could
give him your father's last katana?

No,

this is how it should be.

In this new era of peace,
there is no need for katanas.

Tell Lord Shishio immediately that the
Battōsai has been sighted.

Roger.

We're in the flower of Kyoto,
but we have to live in a cellar again...

Don't complain.

This place is nice on the inside.

But...

It will only be for two or three months.

Be patient.

Welcome back, Lord Shishio.

This is a Dutch iris,

also known as a "gladiolus".

As you can see,
its leaves are long and narrow,

resembling the swords used by
Roman soldiers and gladiators.

The name "gladiolus" comes from the
Roman word for sword, "gladius" in Latin.

This noble beauty is
most fitting for Lord Shishio.

The flower's meaning is...

Victory!

Next Episode
Cho of the Ten Swords