Please spare me. Please... spare me!
Please spare me!
I'll never forgive you.
I'll never forget what you did!
Osoroshi 100 Strange Tales of Mishimaya
First Night Manjushage (Red Spider Lily)
The world of war was a thing of the past when people killed each other.
Everyone in Edo now is helping each other out and living a life of sincerity.
Mishimaya, which takes its name from the town of Mishimachou in Kanda-sujikai,
Mishimachou, in Kanda-sujikai
is a well-known bag shop between Ichikawa and Marukaku,
where the owner, Ihei, and his wife, Otami, have built up a reputation in their generation
from selling bags made from bamboo grass.
Mishimaya
Bags from Mishimaya~
10 and 1 years have passed since they opened the store
and the name of Mishimaya has become well known to the public.
The number of resident and commuting craftsmen has also increased.
My lady, she's here.
Thank you.
The former workshop was used by the owner Ihei
when he invited his rivals to play Go, and was named the Black-White Room.
Black-White Room
His two sons went to serve in other stores to train as merchants.
When he no longer had to worry about his heir, Ihei became familiar with the game of Go.
Head of Mishimaya Ihei
Touan-san. You're strong~.
Don't cry.
Intermediary Touan
This time, you are just the weaker opponent against this intermediary.
That's boring!
In a game, you have to aim for the top.
Those who are slow will be the weakest, that is just how things are.
This room too, being designed in this way.
Master!
Lady Ochika is here.
- Really? - Yes!
Touan-san,
let's call off this match, shall we?
Please do as you please.
It must have been a tough journey.
A "ri" is an old Japanese unit of distance, approx. 3.927km or 2.44 miles
It was 4 ri and 30 towns from Kawasaki Inn, right?
Yes, we crossed into Rokugou at five in the morning and continued on our way.
Wife of Mishimaya Otami
You got here early!
Did you have to walk all the way? You must be tired.
No, we took a rest at Shinagawa inn.
We're in the middle of a war, you know.
What?
Hey, Ochika! We've been waiting for you.
Kawasaki Inn - Senmaru Eldest Daughter Ochika
Dearest Uncle, Dearest Aunt,
Pardon my inexperience,
but I'm looking forward to working with you.
Ah, stop that, you don't have to be so formal.
I'm your uncle and you're our niece after all.
Innkeepers are very polite indeed.
How is my brother?
Yes, he sends his deepest regards.
So Otami, what are we we serving today?
Uncle, Aunt, please tell me about my job right away.
Hey, hey. There's no need to be in such a hurry.
I came to serve at Mishimaya.
I...
can't go back to my parents' house.
I understand.
This is the head maid...
I am Shima.
Head Maid Ohshima
I am Setsu.
I am Haru.
I humbly look forward to working with you.
Maid Osetsu
Maid Oharu
My lady, are you sure you don't mind working with us servants?
That's fine. It's what Ochika wants.
If you get too careless, lady Ochika will take your job.
What?
I didn't mean it like that.
I'm just kidding.
Let me show you around Mishimaya.
What are you standing around for? Get back to work.
- Please. - Yes.
Where did these red spider lilies come from?
These are flowers for ghosts put on the graves, right?
They're called "dead man's flowers".
Head Clerk Yasosuke
They're poisonous. Don't touch them. They're bad luck.
Hey, hey. Why are you all selling oil in this busy time?
Oil sellers used to be known for small talk, hence the term means to engage in idle chit-chat
Look at this, Oshima-san.
What!
Sucking the blood of the dead... The red spider lily.
Also known as "Manjushage".
They say it's a sign of bad luck when the flowers bloom in such numbers.
Stop it! Head Clerk, don't scare me like that.
Oharu, go get a sickle. I'll mow them away now.
They're poisonous. Don't touch them!
Your face is more poisonous.
Ah, Oshima-san, if you say so.
- Here, here, here! - Okay, then. Ready?
- Like this, like this, right? - That's right...
Whatever the origin of this flower. It's put down roots in our yard.
It would be a shame to cut them off.
You see this awkward flower, it's hated by other people and feels small in comparison.
It's pretty cute, isn't it. Leave it as it is.
Eh...
I'm just saying.
You're very skilled at this.
I was wondering what kind of person my lady would be.
You're a hard worker, Ochika-san.
Not at all.
But isn't your family home a big inn in Kawasaki?
It was not a primary inn.
I still had to work with the servants, or the business wouldn't do well.
Ochika-san shouldn't just go anywhere as an apprentice.
Could it be,
the master and wife are planning to arrange your next apprenticeship.
So that you can brush up on Edo style and manners to be a suitable bride.
I'm not going anywhere as a bride.
Eh?
I'm going to learn needlework from Okami-san,
and learn to become a bag maker and establish myself on my own.
Oh, my dear!
Who's going to let you do that?
I'll have nothing to do if Lady Ochika keeps working so hard like that.
What do we do if she never takes a break?
Could it be she made those red spider lilies bloom...?
What? No way. No way...
Such an ominous sign...
The Master told me not to mow them.
It's eerie, isn't it?
No,
those flowers' narrow shoulders are like mine.
I'm glad they didn't get mowed down.
Sorry about that, don't look so sad anymore.
Hey Mishimaya! I'm here on urgent business.
Is Master Ihei there?
Yes, yes....
I'm from the Horikoshi family.
Welcome back! Please wait a moment.
I've got a visitor today who's as good as me.
Ochika-san cleaned the room from top to bottom.
Oh, indeed, it's so clean.
As a pretty girl, you like things clean don't you? Hehehe.
"Kirei" means both beautiful and clean in Japanese
Uncle, you don't have to say that.
Master! We received an envoy from Horikoshi-sama.
He says it's an urgent business.
From Horikoshi-sama?
- Otami! - Yes!
Ma'am. Horikoshi-sama has sent someone.
Will you come too, Otami?
Of course.
If it's for Horikoshi-sama, it will be something important.
This urgency may be because it's the Imperial Court's business.
Because of these unavoidable circumstances, I have to go back on my promise to another guest.
When the guest arrives, you will keep him company.
Tell him what happened and apologize on my behalf.
Eh?
I'm counting on you.
- Let's go. - Ah.
Ehhhh~?
Master, please be careful.
And you too, Ma'am.
Thank you.
The master is leaving~!
- Please take care of the rest. - Yes.
Have a safe journey!
Oshima-san, I can't entertain guests!
All you have to do is respond to what the guest says.
I'll help you to soften the mood as well.
Shima said "odoshya wo kakete" which is to pour sand on a dead corpse - this is supposed to soften a hardened corpse
That's not the right way to go about it, Oshima-san.
Well, what do you have to complain about?
If we have caused a guest any mis-steps,
even if it was unavoidable, that would be exceedingly rude to them.
I understand. That's why...
So... if servants like you and me were to deal with them, it would be yet another disrespectful act.
Hence the master asked for Lady Ochika.
Because Ochika is a family member.
That's right!
Ochika-san. You can't be dressed like a maid like this!
You have to change into something else and do up your hair!
You'll have to change your ornaments too.
Eh? But we're supposed to do this together!
This is not for a maid like me to serve in this way.
You've got to change quickly.
The guest is coming in at 8:00.
Do I have to deal with them by myself?
You could at least greet them.
What shall I say after that?
It's fine. The master and his wife both specifically asked for your help.
You have to stop looking so worried! Alright?
Come on... let's go... go...
Timber wholesaler - Matsudaya Toubei (Toukichi)
So, did Mishimaya-san have some urgent business to attend to?
Our deepest apologies.
Master Ihei
sends his deepest apologies
for not keeping to his promise in meeting you today due to an unforeseen emergency....
and.... uh.....
Sir? Sir... is something the matter?
Sir! Sir? Are you feeling unwell?
I'm terribly sorry.
Could you please close the sliding doors over there?
Yes. Right away.
Yes. It's closed.
Are you certain...
that it is fully closed?
Yes.
The garden can't be seen anymore, can it?
Yes, it can't be seen.
I'm terribly sorry for that.
May I have a cup of water, please?
Right away.
Sir, are you all right?
Ahh, and who may you be?
I an Chika. Ihei is my uncle.
I'm sorry for surprising my lady with my shocking outburst.
I'm truly sorry.
Is there something that offended you?
Was there something in this garden that offended you?
There is nothing.
Please do not hesitate to tell us.
I am responsible for matters in Master Ihei's absence. Please let me correct any mistake.
I will be sure to inform Master Ihei and for it to be corrected.
- Oh, what's the matter? - Everything's wrong!
We have offended the guest somehow!
Eh~?
Perhaps he has a sickness within his heart.
But you know what?
It would be a problem if he collapses here while the Master's away.
That's right. What should we do?
That's right, let him take a break and suggest that he leave!
That's right. That's right...
In most places, "that" is usually limited,
and I am usually prepared to encounter it.
However, I did not think I would come across them here.
What do you mean by "that"?
Why does Mishimaya-san have "that" in the garden?
Perhaps Sir, "that" which you are referring to, are the red spider lilies in the garden?
Ah, yes.
I'm afraid of that flower.
I can't stop being horrified by it.
Excuse me.
Please help yourself.
- Head Clerk. - Yes.
I have been told by our guest that he does not like red spider lilies.
Oh~
I am so sorry for the trouble we have caused you.
It is an unlucky flower, isn't it?
We are ashamed of ourselves for letting our guest
be subject to flowers that would normally be placed in a graveyard,
to be in full view in the garden!
That's right! I'll do it right here and now.
Let us mow them down and dispose of them, in front of you.
No... that's not necessary.
There is no negligence on the part of the Mishimaya family.
But... please.
Please don't do something like mowing them down when Ihei-san's not here.
It is admirable that you nurture that flower.
Ochika-san, do you know what red spider lilies do?
I don't know much about them,
but it blooms around the time of the equinoctial week.
Does that mean it's related to the afterlife?
Don't you think it's eerie or ominous?
I'm not afraid of them.
I even take a liking to those flowers.
I believe them to be sad and pitiful.
Ochika-san, you are a kind person from the bottom of your heart.
I have now seen what a treasure Mishimaya-san has in this family.
That is not the case at all!
I am the bane of this family.
I cannot be with my family
and I am a nuisance to my uncle...
At first when I laid eyes on you,
I thought you were a very beautiful young lady
but there was something lonely about you.
The intention of my visit was to forget numbers and business
and enjoy a game of black and white,
but instead I encounter the red spider lilies
and met a beautiful young lady like you here,
which must be a sign of something.
A sign?
It's like....
I'm being admonished by the Buddha...
I've been hiding something dark inside my chest for a long time.
It's time to let it out.
Ochika-san.
Yes.
Would you indulge a small merchant a tale of his past?
Yes.
Let me tell you why red spider lilies are so terrifying.
Let me tell you the reason why.
Please tell me about it.
Well then...
Itadakimasu.
Toukichi 8 years old
When I was a child, my name was Toukichi.
Due to unfortunate circumstances, I was no longer with my parents.
The home in which they lived burned down in a fire and they died.
I was the youngest of 6 siblings and only 8 years old.
My brother, 13 years older, returned from his place of residence and took over as my parent.
Toukichi's Brother Kichizo 21 years old
His name was Kichizo.
Like a father, he took care of me for many years.
Kichizo was in his 8th year of training at this time.
His skill as a wood worker was superb.
He could do things that other older craftsmen couldn't do.
Kichizo easily learned and did things with ease.
Even as a child I found that to be magnificent,
I couldn't help but be proud.
What do you think, Toukichi?
Do you want to be a skilled craftsman like your brother Kichizo?
Carpentry Foreman Hatsu Itsuo
Yes.
Oh!
Now that Okon is here, shall we take a break?
Sure!
Hatsu Itsuo's daughter Okon
No Father.
Don't make it my fault.
Did you make this, Kichizo?
Yes.
Wow.
It's a masterpiece, isn't it?
I could sense that my brother has feelings for the foreman's daughter.
Even 8-year-old me felt it.
But there was a marriage proposal in the works for Okon,
Kichizo's unrequited love was unattainable.
Carpenters don't get tea, do they?
Ah, Touki-chan.
Please give this to Kichizo-san.
He received many love-letters from young girls in the neighborhood,
but Kichizo never responded to them.
My brother was focused on his apprenticeship.
I'm not ready to start a family yet.
Until you both find a place to work or settle down or something,
I can't be bothered with other things like women.
The both of you are the most important to me!
Brother Kichizo had many good things going for him.
One thing however, was his greatest weakness.
There isn't a person in this world who doesn't have any weakness.
For my brother,
he had a bad temper.
It's not that he was quarrelsome and would raise his hand easily.
It's normal for a craftsman to have a rough temper.
Rather, my brother was the one to break up or stop the daily disputes.
But there was one time where he got mad and lost his patience.
To this day, I sometimes could never understand why he did what he did.
Carpenters and wood workers do similar work,
but the carpenter has a superior role and position.
It was early fall and it had been an exceptionally rainy year.
The process was delayed and everyone was frustrated...
What is it?
These fittings won't fit.
I told you the dimensions don't match.
I made them exactly as ordered.
What doesn't fit doesn't fit!
What the hell do you think you are you doing?
You think you have Okon.
Once Okon rejects you,
you'll fall off your high horse and be just like the rest of us.
What did you say?
You're in love with her, aren't you?
You horny idiot.
With scars like that,
you'll be passed over,
and I'm sorry if she gets passed over to us! Hahaha
The fittings you make are just as loose as she is!
That's what you get for chasing a woman like that.
You're nothing more than a hack who can only do this kind of work.
Let me tell you something.
Okon and I
go way back...
That's how I know.
At that time,
my brother happened to be holding a mallet in his hand.
That was a bad time for him to get angry.
He was so angry that he didn't even know what he was doing,
then he suddenly realized that he beat the carpenter to death.
Beat him to death...
My lady?
My lady!
What should I do? Your face is so pale.
I knew I shouldn't have talked about this.
This is not good. My lady, hold it together.
I'm fine.
But...
I'm sorry.
In my past, a similar thing had happened to me.
That's why I had to leave my parents' house.
You as well...
I did a very,
very disgraceful thing.
All because I wanted to share my old stories,
you were forced to remember such horrible things.
These memories that surfaced,
I have never forgotten them.
My parents comforted me
that it was a rare thing that happened to me,
but there are others.
What happened?
Someone close to me had to give up on someone.
I still feel sad about it.
Even though I'm at peace in this house with my aunt and uncle,
my heart is still in turmoil.
I...
don't understand the human heart anymore.
I have become terrified of the things people can do.
I came here today,
saw the red spider lilies in full bloom,
and met you here.
It must be fate after all.
That may be so.
May I continue talking about my brother?
If it's not too painful for you, sir.
My brother was arrested and was judged.
He was sent away to Hachijo.
Originally, he was to be condemned to death,
but everyone around him defended him.
I'm sure Kichizo-san will come back someday.
Toukichi. Don't worry.
When Kichizo comes back to the island, I'll use him at my place again.
I'll make sure he is with family and take good care of them!
Sorry,
sorry... it's my fault.
It's not your fault!
It's the demon's fault. The demon.
It took 15 years for my brother to come back.
The fact that a murderer was in our family
has caused a lot of hardship for those of us who have been left behind.
Fifteen years later
- Hey, Toukichi. - Yes!
I hid my brother's identity from the public and when I was 15
I went to work for what is now Matsudaya
Toukichi 23 years old
and worked myself to the bone.
I was 23 years old and thought to myself
that I was starting to look a lot like my brother.
I had just been taken on by the founder as his assistant.
- Ah... - Yes.
It's been a while.
My brother Kichizo was about to return.
Toukichi,
the day the ship arrives,
let's go pick him up together.
I'm not going.
Can't you take a day off from work?
I haven't told the store that my brother is returning to the island.
Foreman...
That's my fourth apprenticeship there.
You know how many times I was kicked out because of my brother, don't you?
But, Toukichi,
weren't you waiting for him?
I am not a child anymore.
I have learned my lesson over the past 15 years.
Just because I look this way everyone thinks I'm just like my brother,
I can't live like this.
You wanted to see him so badly.
It is a new generation, foreman.
I've been at my current store for 8 years.
I was finally able to become an assistant manager.
That's something to be celebrated.
But...
I beg your pardon.
When my brother was sent away from the island,
I had no idea of the fear and coldness of the world,
and although I knew my brother had committed a crime,
I didn't feel the weight of it.
But as a child of 8 becomes 9 in a year,
after 2, they become 10.
I would feel the weight of the sin that my brother committed.
Yes.
And... I was scared.
To lose everything again,
I was seriously terrified.
What about your other brothers and sisters?
None of them were left.
We may have been close, but they all ran away.
I don't know where they went
or if they're alive or dead.
I haven't heard anything.
Blood ties add nothing to the situation.
That's why I prayed many times
to the great god in Kanda.
Please.....
don't let Kichizo return to Edo!
What a terrible wish.
I am sure,
I will pay for my sins one day.
Matsudaya-san.
It's all right now...
It happens from time to time.
I am getting old after all.
Please rest a little. I'll bring you some tea right away.
Oh, my lady.
Has the guest left already?
I'm bringing tea.
That's just what I did!
It's looking like it's going to be a difficult conversation.
I'm not good at that sort of thing.
Besides...
It seemed like he wanted my lady as his companion.
Yes, that is what I think as well.
All right.
Sir?
Ahh...
My lady.
I suddenly wanted to check something.
The red spider lilies?
Yes.
I was wondering if it's still blooming there.
They are still blooming, right?
Yes, they are.
May I continue with the rest of the story?
Please do.
I never saw
my brother after he came back.
Even so...
About a month after my brother returned,
Okon-san came to visit me at my place of employment.
Don't worry,
I came to this shop to consult Toukichi-san about some house repairs.
Kichizo-san's doing better than I expected.
His craftsmanship is still as good as ever.
Father is relieved too.
Thank you for coming all this way.
So
even just for once
would you let him see your face?
Father would like for that as well.
Ever since Kichizo-san came back to the island
all he talks about is his younger brother and sisters.
He can't wait to see them as soon as possible.
Is that why you're troubled as well, Okon-san?
Because
It was originally my fault for what happened which forced him to leave and come back.
It's not your fault, Okon-san.
As I had said 15 years ago.....
I will wait for Kichi-san to come back.
I'm going to have a family with him!
Your waiting for Kichi is not because you have feelings for him!
It's because you feel you owe him something.
That's not going to work!
Don't be ridiculous!
Get married quickly!
As Father instructed,
I went and got married with someone else.
I had 3 kids and I was fine with that...
But now that I see Kichizo-san again.
I am unable to let go of these feelings of guilt after all.
I think it's been 3 days.
Father explained to Kichizo-san how things had to be.
I haven't heard from your brother.
Toukichi has a hard time agreeing to see you....
there were a lot of things that were bothering him.
You have to understand his feelings
and swallow them.
You can't blame him.
You can't hold a grudge.
You're back on the island.
The ink on your arm
isn't the only thing that won't disappear forever.
15 years
is really a long time...
too long.
My mood worsened as I got more angry with Kichizo.
My brother is a murderer.
He doesn't know how much pain and frustration it has caused me and those around him.
But that's something everyone has left behind.
The only one who could not let go after he came back to the island is me.
After that day, I finally could not forgive my brother.
I hated and cursed him from the bottom of my heart.
I'll always be afraid
that Kichizo's deeds won't come to light
and I would have to live my life in fear that someone would inadvertently reveal it.
I have to live my life in fear
while my brother was able to escape that pain
and was warmly cared for by the people around him.
Was there nothing more unreasonable than that!?
Why did you have to come back?
Why couldn't you have died off the island?
You should just die already!
As I laid my hands on the grave of the carpenter my brother had killed,
I hoped that my murderous brother would receive the retribution he deserved for his great crime.
Toukichi-san... Kichizo-san passed away.
He strung a rope on the door beam in the large tatami room,
he hanged himself...
Kichizo 36 years old
When we took him down from the door beam...
Tears dripped from
Kichizo's closed eyelids.
Kichi was
crying until the moment he was about to die.
10 days ago,
those flowers bloomed,
Kichi had been staring at them all the time.
Hey Kichi.
Those are really gloomy flowers.
What do you like about them so much?
Through those flowers,
I sometimes see...
What do you mean you see?
Just a peek.
So what are you saying you see?
Peoples' faces...
A person's face peeks out?
Yes.
That's what Brother Kichizo said for sure.
I thought
of the face of the murdered carpenter,
the face of a dead man,
and that the shape and form of my wish
had been heard...
Kichi said...
That's the face of someone who's angry with me.
I'll mow those flowers right away!
It's alright, foreman.
Please leave them as they are.
They're fine.
Don't be silly!
They're deeply unpleasant!
It's alright...
He...
he came to see me.
That's how he came to see me.
He's staring at me from behind the flowers.
So I look back at him and apologize.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I am a terrible brother.
He said you were watching him...
That's right.
The face Kichizo was looking at...
was mine!
My twisted self
begged the vengeful spirits
to punish my brother.
That...
that is what killed my brother!
I understand...
Toukichi.
I understand now.
With a truly peaceful face,
he thanked me for hearing his story,
and bid farewell.
You have been privy to another mysterious story of fate.
That must have been tough for you.
That's why I'm informing Shinta and I'm telling him to cancel this client.
Ochika already had a painful experience leaving her hometown.
I don't want Ochika to hear stories about death that are so painful again.
I'm sorry auntie. I'm fine.
Matsudaya-san was very happy to talk to Ochika.
He thanked Ochika profusely and left.
What's so nice about scaring a young girl like that?
He must have felt lighter after releasing the weight on his chest he's been bearing for years.
You did a good job.
Even so, it's not easy for Ochika to listen to something like that.
I wonder which one was it?
Which was what?
When Matsudaya-san opened the sliding door, which face was he trying to see among the red spider lilies.
Ah... is there a face still peeking out?
I think...
Matsudaya-san saw his own face.
I see!
I have no idea at all.
It would be easier to understand if it was the carpenter who was beaten to death by Kichizo...
Ah~ I'm scared.
Ochika, your aunt, as you can see,
has a straight temperament, a straight way of life, and has nothing to hide from anyone.
Yes.
Say something like that again and I'll deny it.
But I do have a certain darkness about me as well.
Yes.
A messenger came by earlier.
I heard that Matsudaya-san has passed away.
This morning,
he was still not awake yet,
so the housekeeper
went to check on him and found the master lying cold in his bed.
He seemed to have passed away in his sleep.
He had a peaceful face.
It must have been his time to go.
Yesterday, Matsudaya-san
came home from his business trip and said.
"I went to say hello to someone I hadn't seen for a long time."
"It's been a long time. How nostalgic." he said.
"Red spider lilies are blooming well at both temples and graves."
he said with a smile.
I could finally
forgive myself for letting out the sins
that I had kept locked up so tightly in my heart.
Ochika was the one who triggered that.
That's why I say it was your handiwork.
I merely
listened to what you had to say.
Maybe I sensed the same feelings in Ochika as I did.
Ochika,
I hope the day will come when you too will feel better.
I don't know when that time will come.
I hope someone will help you to loosen the sadness
that's been clinging to your heart.
The red spider lilies are withering.
Yes.
Matsudaya-sama sent us some sweets as a thank-you.
His wife said to give them to you, Ochika.
Then let's all enjoy them together.
Me too?
Only the women!
You idiot bastard!
- I'm not a bastard. - Then a prostitute!
Head clerk, what are you talking about?
Oshima-san's is joking. Let's eat together.
I see.
The red spider lilies in the garden had that kind of an effect.
Yes.
It's a good thing I didn't mow them down.
But it's a strange story, isn't it?
Red spider lilies brought
Ochika-san and Matsudaya-san together...
Must be a sign of something.
Yes, a sign of something.
But... a sign of what?
Actually, that's when I had an idea.
What idea?
I'm going to collect a hundred of the strangest stories hidden in the world.
Wait...what are you doing?
There are all kinds of horror stories in Edo, aren't there?
Please don't do such a macabre thing.
Oh.... A hundred tales...
This may be a rather intoxicating tale as well.
Hmm...
100 strange tales.