01x01 - Hammerscale

[bunniefuu]

[fire crackling]

[theme music playing]

[clanking]

[wind whooshing]

[music continues]

[wind whooshing vigorously]

[heroic music playing]

[clanking]

[hissing]

[music ends]

[wind howling]

[humming]

Ringo! Ugh.

Customer. Big hat.

Welcome, sir. I'll bring you some tea.

It's not good tea,
but it's hot, and you're frozen,

and I'll bring you a rag
because when I'm frozen, my snot drips.

Then a nice big soba.
We make the best soba.

Honest. Bad tea, great soba. Okay?

[Ringo humming]

Stumpy! More noodles, fast.

Finish your bowls.

I paid your fathers good money for you.

The brothels will pay me even more

once you get some curve on,
you skinny country nothings. Eat!

[Ringo humming]

- [shop owner] Go! Hurry!
- Huh?

If that flesh-trader kills anyone here,
it'd be bad for business.

Go and don't spill!

[sniffing]

[slurping]

It's good, right?

[breathes deeply] Ah.

[Ringo humming]

Finally!

Eat up, girls. Eat it all!

- [Ringo] Oh.
- [grunts, growls]

What are you? A dog?

You let a dog serve food!

[laughing nervously] Forgive my son.
Can't go a day without breaking dishes.

Ringo, clean him!

I'm sorry.

- [Ringo] Ah!
- Argh!

- [whimpers] Sorry, sorry.
- [growls]

[tense music accelerates, ends]

- [man gasps]
- [woman whimpers]

[long sighs]

I should put down this lame dog.

I'm not a dog.

Did you just bark? [chuckles]

Do you know who I am?

I am Hachiman the Flesh-Trader.

No one messes with Hachi!

[long scraping]

Hmm. Impressive.

I've never seen a g*n like it.

Front loading, not a Japanese p*stol.

A European design, isn't it?

[g*n clicks]

- [ominous music playing]
- Ugh!

That would make it illegal.

[samurai] Hachiman the Flesh-Trader.

Of course, I've heard of you.

Never leaves a village
without buying one of its daughters.

[whimpers]

You must have important friends
to own a w*apon like that.

Why do you know so much about Hachi?

Maybe I've been following you.

The famous Hachi
with the famous g*n. [chuckles]

I'd love a g*n like that.

You can tell me who sold it to you.

Hmm. f*ck off.

You will tell me who sold you that g*n.

- [suspenseful music]
- [clicks]

You put my b*llet against your blade?

You don't deserve my blade.

You don't even deserve this blade.

[suspenseful music playing]

[screams]

[gasps]

[wails, grunts]

Take the g*n if you want it! Take it!

Ah! No! [grunts]

It's a filthy g*n from a filthy place.
I don't want it.

- [Hachi grunts]
- I wanna know who sold it to you.

Tell me now.

[whimpers] Heiji Shindo.
I bought it from Heiji Shindo!

- [tense music playing]
- Heiji Shindo.

Where is Heiji Shindo?

I don't know! I swear. [whimpers]

[whimpers, gasps]

[Hachi] Ah!

[suspenseful music playing]

[exhales]

[Hachi grunts]

You dead-eyed, half-blooded demon bastard.

You look like an onryō.

[Hachi screams, whimpers]

[heavy breaths]

[sighs]

[wind whooshing]

Hoo!

[soft music playing]

[clinking]

[Ringo humming]

[humming continues] Hm? [gasps]

I found you!

I'd never catch up on the path,
but I remember this shortcut

'cause when we traveled
to the Izushi shrine for my th birthday,

I went to pee and got lost,

so I slept with a family
of tanuki for three days

and ate leaves and scarabs, and got to
know the forest really, really well, so...

Go home.

I hate home!

Please. My whole life,
I couldn't do anything right,

but now I know what I'm supposed to do.

Be a samurai, like you.

Please. Let me be your apprentice.
Uh, I'll do anything.

[sighs] A breeze can throw
a crane off course.

You... are a typhoon.

[footsteps approaching]

Please! I'm strong.
I can carry your things,

and you can have
the best soba in the world every day!

And I'll do anything you ask... Master.

Uh, anything so I can learn
to be just like you.

Like me?

You're deformed, but you're still strong.

[grunts]

[efforts, grunts]

[sighs]

[humming]

[crow cawing]

[footsteps receding]

[theme music playing]

[clanking]

To a man lost in the dark,
an ember can light the way.

Thank you for my ember.

I was lost without course so long.

Please.

Let this ember's light brighten a path
from this Heiji Shindo to the men I seek.

Please guide my steps until I find them.

Please give me the strength to k*ll them.

Or let me die.

Please

protect Swordfather from time and harm.

[whooshing]

[grunts]

[ominous music playing]

[music crescendos]

[whooshing]

Agh!

[boy] You wanna go?

Go ahead.

Just jump.

[thunder rumbling]

You think you can fight us?

An orphan?

I know what you are.

Your whore mother k*lled herself

because your father is a white devil.

[all laughing]

[whooshing]

[grunts]

[kids grunting]

[whooshing]

[grunting]

[thunder rumbling]

Told you.

Round eyes.

Like a dog.

[kids laughing]

[grunts]

[grunts]

[pants]

[groans]

[tense music crescendos]

[explodes]

[hissing]

[pants, whimpers]

[coughs]

[squeaking sound]

[hissing]

[clanking, chiming]

Hmm. The heavens throw treasure.

[efforts, grunts]

[pants]

- [Young samurai grunts]
- [pants]

[both grunting, panting]

[both panting]

One, two, and...

[The Swordmaker] Hmm.

Take the bowl as you go. Thank you.

[clanking, chiming]

You did not go.

Hmm. Have you somewhere to go?

Yes.

Well, go then.

Now. Goodbye.

[clanking, chiming]

[thunder rumbling]

[clanking]

[long sigh]

It's a strange metal.

[thunder rumbling]

[music crescendos, fades]

- [clanking]
- [gasps]

Hmm. Cold morning.

It would be nice if someone made tea.

Hmm.

Would be nice if someone got my tongs.

[clanging]

The longer ones.

[clanking]

[The Swordmaker] Hmm.

It would be nice
if somebody hammered out the impurities.

[clanking]

[grunts]

Would be nice if someone kept proper time.

[grunts]

[soft music playing]

[sighs]

[theme music playing]

[horse neighing]

Come on, people. Keep it moving. Let's go.

Next!

This travel pass is invalid.

[whispers] It's my husband's.

[whispers] It's invalid without him.

Next!

He d*ed. I make the baskets.
He only sold them.

Please. Or I can't feed my children.

[inspector] You know the rules.
Women can't travel without a chaperone.

Next!

[whimpers, sobs]

Travel pass.

- Next.
- [woman] Please! [sobs]

[upbeat music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

Excuse me.
Would you perhaps be able to tell me whe...

Excuse me. Could you help me find the...

[horses neighing]

Watch it, assh*le.

Apologies.

I'm looking for something,
but Kyoto's very big. [sighs]

Do you know
where I can find the Shindo Dojo?

[samurai ] Shindo?

That's our dojo.

You're gonna apply?

You look like a blind beggar.

[all laughing]

[sighs] If you would please show me
how to find your dojo,

I would be grateful.

Sure.

Follow the road to the shrine.
Once you go around the gates,

you'll see the sign
across the puppet show.

Good luck.

- [horses neighing]
- Hyah!

[laughing]

[children laughing]

[prostitutes laughing]

You look lost, lost boy. Come on inside.

Rest a while.

I'm looking for the Shindo Dojo.

- [old man grunts]
- [prostitutes laughing]

Which... this I see is not.

This is better. This is the Shindo House.

If you wanna show off
your sword skills, you can do it here.

We can polish the tip up for you.

I must decline.

My business is urgent.

[gasps] Most men grab first,
ask prices later.

You're different.

Polite, sweet.

But firm.

Okay, lost boy.
Walk east to the Kamo River.

Take the bridge to the temple
with the thousand creepy statues.

It's on the hill just past.

I wish you a successful day of business.

[people groaning, booing]

Uh-oh. Oh!

[sighs]

How much for one night?

How much for three?

[women giggling]

[prost*tute ] It's all paid for.

Just relax and enjoy.

Have you ever been with a woman before?

You just have to learn.

[prost*tute ]
Round, firm, like a pumpkin.

You can be a little rough with it.

These, you have to be gentler,
soft like ripe peaches.

You like peaches?

Peaches.

[town man] Make way.
Make way for Princess Akemi!

Make way!

[gentle music playing]

[deep sigh]

Father, I know your wisdom
is beyond reproach.

I submit to your will wholeheartedly.

I would be remiss
if I didn't speak my mind about my future.

[breathes deeply]

[regal music playing]

[music fades]

Did you talk to him, Seki? Tell me!

Uh...

I am well, Akemi-sama.
Thank you for asking.

Hm.

This morning, I made indelicate mention,

and now he told me to fetch you.

When you speak to him,
remember to lilt your voice.

[scoffs] So, I should speak like a child.

Or like a woman
who intends to get what she wants.

{an }Father, forgive my interrup...

{an }[child laughing]

[Daichi laughs]

Tomoe will make a great lord one day.
He does what he wants.

[babbles]

Right now, Tomoe wants a mess! [chuckles]

But you, my pearl,

you have a different duty, no?

To create alliances by being
a pleasing wife to a great man.

Now I'm told you believe

you have an opinion
on who you might want to marry.

[sighs]

Father, I know your wisdom
is beyond reproach,

and I submit to your will wholly,
but I would be remiss if...

[Daichi] Do you know what happens
when you feed a pig sweets?

Of course you don't.

Your life has been robed in silk.

You've never seen the mud of the sty.

Your father wasn't a pig farmer like mine.

When a farmer
feeds his pig too many sweets,

its teeth rot. Its gums fester.

The infection goes to its brain,

and it must be slaughtered
before it reaches full size.

The pig can't be blamed.
He's a pig and will eat all it can.

The fault is with the farmer...

who knows better.

Am I a pig, Father?

You want sugar
when there are proper options.

More than a few lords
have taken notice of you and inquired.

Ah! News came just this morning.

Lord Saito's wife d*ed in childbirth,
and he needs a new bride.

[yelling] He's an old man!
And a drunk and a whoremonger!

Lord Saito earns , koku!

{an }Is that your price for me?

If I don't marry you off, you'll end up
in a brothel lying with him anyway.

So would you rather be
his wife or his whore?

[babbles]

Father.

I know your wisdom is beyond reproach,

and I submit to your will wholeheartedly.

I... I spoke from fear,
as these men live so far away,

and I cannot imagine a life
without my father close.

Please, consider someone who lives near.

Someone you trust to protect me
and the interests of our clan.

My dove.

I forget you are a simple girl.

You know nothing of the world.

Perhaps I need a husband
who knows the toil of life

and battle as you have.

One who has seen the sty.

Hmm.

I do know of a fierce and undefeated
young samurai Seki told me of.

Ah, but Seki exaggerates.

"Best swordsman
in the best school," he said.

Won duels with every opponent dead.

Not a noble family.

A fisherman's son from Kohama,
but his rise reminds me of my own.

What was his name again?

Taigen, I believe.

If his skills match his reputation,
he'll be offered a handsome salary.

Perhaps, even at the castle here,

- close to your father.
- [Akemi gasps]

I only hope he's better than I am
at denying you sweets.

[footsteps approaching]

[Akemi giggles]

- One, two, three.
- One, two, three.

Gold? Wow. Uh.

That's too much. I only brought candy.

[Akemi giggles]
Have I defeated the undefeatable Taigen?

Think of it as an engagement gift.

He said yes?

He's sure? You're sure?

[sighs] The lord's daughter
marrying the son of a poor fisherman.

[giggles] I'd marry you
if you were the son of a poor fish.

[crows cawing]

[suspenseful music accelerates]

[sentry] No new students.
Find another school.

I'm not a student.

I bring a message
for the master of the Shindo Dojo.

I must deliver it personally.

[door opens]

[tense music playing]

[music continues]

You may leave any message with me.

[samurai] What must be said
must be said to the master directly.

I assure you,
what is for the master is for me,

as I assure you
the master does not meet with messengers.

He will for me.

You stand before the Shindo School.

For years,
we have taught here the Shindo-Ryu,

secret methods
passed down from Priest Soto,

taught to him on the peak of Mount Kurama
by the mystic Tengu themselves.

Show your respect.

I must insist.

Escort him anywhere you please
that is far from here.

Come on, blind beggar.

You are bound by hospitality
to feed a traveler within your gates.

I came very far. I'm very hungry.

Or has the Shindo Dojo
done away with etiquette?

Feed him.

Then throw him out.

[samurai ] Eat.

And leave.

[all laughing]

[sighs]

[swishing]

[efforts, grunts]

Show me everything.

To make the right sword, I must know
all that a samurai will do with it.

All his techniques.

But my Shindo-Ryu is secret.

Every secret is revealed here.

[grunts]

[efforts, grunts]

The sword is the soul of the samurai,

and so it must match the man.

His blade should be rigid and thin.

And gaudy.

We fold the steel to blend it.

We b*at the blend
to remove the impurities.

The more pure the steel...

[grunts]

...the harder it is.

But too pure, and it becomes brittle.

[grunts]

We must leave something
of how God made it.

I thought we must b*at out impurity.

Yes, yet an impurity
in the right place is a quality.

Soft steel in the center.
Hard steel for the edge.

- [grunts]
- [clanking]

These together...

[grunts]

...and there can be greatness.

[The Swordmaker] Hmm.

This is good.

But it is not perfect.

[sighs]

What is a sword?

The soul of a samurai.

It is a line.

On one side of the line is life.

The other,

death.

The edge we forge
cuts the line between life and death.

[clanking echoing off]

Good enough for cooking.

Kitchen knives.

[chuckles] Make a thousand kitchen knives.

Then you may be ready to make a sword.

A smith signs his name.

[theme music playing]

[clanking]

[grunts]

All these years, how many fires?

[grunts]

[pants]

No.

No man can tame this cursed metal.

Perhaps it does not want to be a sword.

All metal wants to be a sword.

Oof. [grunts]

A sword?

Are you stealing from me?

I'm not stealing.

I... am practicing.

Why does a sword maker's apprentice
practice swordplay?

[breathes deeply]

Because I must become a great swordsman.

I must become
the greatest swordsman alive.

[chuckles] Is that all?

And why must you become such a swordsman?

[sighs]

Forgive me.

I've kept from you a secret.

One everyone else knows
as plain as my face, but you do not.

I know you're ugly.

What is ugly to me?

{an }You are blind

{an }and so cannot see the shame of my face.

{an }I am...

{an }made of mixed metal.

{an }No amount of hammering
can remove my impurity.

At the time I was born,
there were four white men in all of Japan.

Men who traded in
weapons and opium and flesh.

[evil music playing]

One of them took my mother

and made of me...

{an }a monster.

{an }A creature of shame.

{an }I do not know their names.

{an }I do know their fate.

{an }They will all die by my hand.
I have vowed this.

What have I taught you about steel?

The strongest sword is a blend of steel.

Soft and hard.

Pure and impure.

You may be something shameful.

You may also be strong.

You may train at nights.

["Battle Without Honor or Humanity"
by Tomoyasu Hotei playing]

[grunts]

[song continues]

[song ends]

Hey.

Come on, beggar boy. Move it.

[samurai] This will be much simpler
if you allow me to speak with your master.

No one sees the master.

[grunts, efforts]

I cannot leave here
until I speak to the master of this dojo.

[grunts]

Oh, good.

We get to k*ll you.

[grunts]

- Argh!
- [groans]

[tense music accelerates, fades]

How dare you?

Be warned. You face my Shindo-Ryu.

The problem with Shindo-Ryu is

it's trash.

[suspenseful music playing]

Hyah!

[grunts]

[chuckles] A poor technique.

Easily learned.

Easily defeated.

Ugh!

[wails]

The Swallow's Return crumbles

against the Fisherman's Net
of the Rogen-Ryu.

[grunts]

- Hyah! Hyah!
- [grunts]

[wails]

[grunts]

[grunts, muffled grunts]

[grunts]

[wails]

[groans]

Then you fight with Rogen-Ryu?

No.

It is also trash.

What school are you?

Your name and teacher!

Announce yourself!

[grunting]

[groans]

Hyah!

[groans]

[yells]

[grunts, groans]

You defeat children and take a bow?

Do I duel the mystic Tengu themselves?

Put down that toy and draw your sword!

But... then you'll die.

- [tense music accelerates]
- [grunts]

- [samurai ] To Taigen! [laughs]
- [samurai ] To Taigen! [laughs]

The lord's daughter.

- His beautiful daughter. Not even ugly.
- [laughing]

And head of castle security
with , koku.

Who would have thought?

[chuckles] Me.

Taigen, come quick!

We have a problem.

[ominous music playing]

[grunting, groaning]

- Who dares challenge the Shindo Dojo?
- [grunts]

I'm afraid no one in this dojo
has offered much of a ch...

[grunts]

[music swelling]

[thunder rumbling]

You're from Kohama Village.

Do I know you?

You've climbed some heights

to be the prize of a miserable lot.

Taigen has won duels.
How many have you won?

Should I have been counting?

k*ll the son of a bitch, Taigen.
Teach him to respect Shindo.

I've come to speak with your master
and will go on my way once I have.

You won't go anywhere
except in the funeral cart.

[both grunting]

[Taigen growls]

[samurai growls]

[Taigen groans]

[both grunting]

[samurai grunts]

[chuckles]

With a naked blade, you'd be dead.

[thunder rumbling]

[gasps]

You had a name for me.

Taigen. You cannot allow that
to dishonor us or you.

k*ll him!

[wind rustling]

[tense music playing]

Are you afraid to fight with steel?

Thank you.

No one has yet deserved my blade.

[sword chiming]

You have a blade by Master Eiji?

[tense music accelerates]

[music fades]

[dramatic music swelling]

[music crescendos, ends]

[soft, tense music playing]

[music accelerates]

[swords clanging]

- [both grunting]
- [swords clanging]

[samurai grunts]

Death comes for everyone.

For you,

today.

[suspenseful music playing]

[grunts, groans]

[theme music playing]

[metal clanking]

[suspenseful music accelerates]

[swords clanging]

[Taigen groans, grunts]

[grunts]

[Dojo master] Stop!

[breathes heavily]

[sighs]

[pants] You are the master of this school?

Hmm.

Your students need better training.

You have a message for me.

[samurai] A question.

Where may I find your brother,
the black market merchant Heiji Shindo?

You did all this to find my brother?

Why?

Heiji Shindo is in the fortress
on Tanabe Island,

protected by the Genken Clan.

Whatever business you have with him,

you will never reach him.

[groans] You're still a dog.

[tense music accelerates]

- [sword swishing]
- [Taigen groans]

[crow cawing]

Thank you for my ember.

[theme music playing]

[groans]

[chirping]

[sighs]

[groans, screams]

[Dojo master] Forgive me
for giving your location, my brother.

He was unstoppable.

He defeated my every student.

Hmm. Your students need better training.

The samurai, he's not human.

I saw its eyes.

[man] The Four Fangs.

Send the Four Fangs after this samurai.

Double their price and be done with it.

[high-tempo music playing]

[snorting]

[music ends]

It is time for me to begin my quest.

Revenge is like gold. It does not rust.

It will wait.

I am ready.

You will get yourself k*lled.

I am ready.

I am.

I can never repay your kindness.

When I told you my shame,
you did not disown me,

even though I'm hideous to men's eyes.

I have no eyes, so...

I can accept you.

I will always be grateful to you,

Swordfather.

[horses snorting]

{an }Before I leave, Swordfather...

{an }there's something more I must confess.

You have spoken enough nonsense today.

We cannot part in a lie.

That is your burden to keep.

- I have made your swords unclean.
- [The Swordmaker] Quiet!

You came to me as a stupid lost boy.

If you insist on leaving now,
it will be as a stupid lost man.

If you must do this,

take a sword.

I already have one, Swordfather.

[swishing]

[clanking, chiming]

[sinister music swelling]

[footsteps approaching]

- [swishing]
- Ah!

[breathes heavily]

Peaches.

[music ends]

[samurai] This season,
on Blue Eye Samurai...

[Fang leader]
You have enemies now. Rich ones.

[action music playing]

All Kyoto is talking about

the unnamed Samurai
who cut through Shindo Dojo.

[samurai] You will not find
what you seek at my side.

I know why you don't want me around,
but you can trust me.

I'd never, ever, ever, ever tell anyone
that you're a g...

If I see you again, I will k*ll you.

The cut is so clean.

It's not so bad. We'll be married.

[Taigen] Your father
will never allow it now.

It wasn't even a duel.
Therefore, you never lost.

He must have left a trail.

You cost me my station and my honor.

I'll have it all back
when I return with your corpse.

[Akemi] I've been a c*ptive my whole life.

I won't be locked away
married to a stranger.

I just have to find Taigen.

I always dreamt of greatness.

Ahh!

[Taigen] You think you can be great?

[Ringo] I've actually seen
what greatness looks like.

[samurai] You don't want revenge.

Revenge does not hesitate.

There's something I need to tell you.

[Shindo] Fowler's castle is impenetrable.

Some problems you can't k*ll.

An offer?

You have m*rder in your eyes.

He deserves to die.

[Fowler] Ten years
I've waited for this moment.

Your g*ns will be ready?

They are all ready.

I want to see all of you. Show me.

Don't hold back.

I'm on the path of revenge.

There's no place on it
for love or friendship.

I have no interest in money or power.

I have no interest in being happy.

Only satisfied.

[music fades]

[closing theme music playing]