16 years after the fateful "revenge of the Forty-seven Ronin," involving
samurais from the Ako domain who avenged their leader and then commited
seppuku (ritual suicide), the sole survivor of that incident, Kichiemon
Terasaka (Koichi Sato) traverses the country on a mission. His purpose
is to find the families of the fallen samurais and spread the truth of
the ronin uprising.
On his way to attend the 17th Buddhist ceremony for the 47 Ronins in
Kyoto at Choho Shindo's (Masato Ibu) mansion, Kichiemon unexpectedly
comes across his close & long time friend Magozaemon Senoo (Koji
Yakusho) - who ran away the day before the ronin uprising. Prior to his
disappearance, Magozaemon had lost his wife and had no children. His
only purpose at the time was to serve Kuranosuke Oishi (Nizaemon
Kataoka) and he swore to die for him if necessary. Why Magozaemon
disappeared is a mystery Kichiemon still doesn't know the answer too.
After his disappearance, Magozaemon changed his name and hid from the
world. Magozaemon gave up his position as a samurair He became a
merchant who trades antiques. He lives in a remote house, hidden in a
deep bamboo grove, with a beautiful girl named Kane (Nanami Sakuraba).
Yu (Narumi Yasuda), who lives near Magozaemon's home, knew about them
for the past 16 years.
Yu adores Kane, who had no mother, and taught her etiquette, as well as
reading and writing. Yu used to be the most popular courtesan in the
famous Shimabara district of Kyoto. Yu eventually became a concubine of
merchant Jiro Chayashiro (Yoshi Oida), who works a fabric dealer, and
gained the favor of the Japan's feudal government. Now, Yu lives a quiet
life.
Meanwhile in Kyoto, a puppet show takes place which brings unexpected
good fortune for Kane. The sole successor of the Chaya family, Shuichiro
(Koji Yamamoto), comes to watch the performance and falls in love with
Kane at first sight. Shuichiro doesn't know who Kane is so he asks
Magozaemon to find Kane by using his position as a merchant.
On the plot there is hesitancy Magozaemon whether he should obey Mr. Jiro to find Kane, a beautiful girl who will dipersunting by Shuichiro. All the way home, Mr. Jiro Magozaemon think demand. Upon arriving home, he immediately gave to Kane's question, whether he wants to marry Shuichiro? Kane also firmly rejects the request and plead with Magozaemon if life and the joy he felt was his own full rights to organize. But keep push Magozaemon by Mr. Jiro to find who Kane is.
On the other hand, Shindo Choho old friend suspected that Kuranosuke Oishi Oishi Kane was the son of a woman who he had given before the attack 16 years ago. Because of the suspicion is growing because of the presence Magozaemon unfold, Mr. Choho Kichiemon Terasaka was ordered to pursue Magozaemon to get home. What will happen next? I suggest you should watch a drama that really stirred the heart of this.
Notes
- "The Last Ronin" is adapted from Shoichiro Ikemiya's 1994 novel "Saigo no Chushingura" which is a fictionalized account of the true story of the 47 Ronins that took place in the early 18th century.
- "The Last Ronin" will mark Warner Bros. Japan's first Japanese language picture.
- Filming began Nov. 11th in Kyoto, Japan.
- Nanami Sakuraba has been cast as one of the principle characters in "The Last Ronin". She will play Kane, secret daughter of Seo Magojaemon (Koji Yakusho) & love interest of wealthy Chaya Shuichiro (Koji Yamamoto).
