DAIEI MOTION PICTURE CO., LTD
SPOOK WARFARE
PRODUCED BY YAMATO YASHIRO SCREENPLAY BY TETSURO YOSHIDA
CINEMATOGRAPHY BY HIROSHI IMAI ART DIRECTION BY SEIICHI OTA
MUSIC BY SHIGERU IKENO
CAST:
YOSHIHIKO AOYAMA, AKANE KAWASAKI
OSAMU OKAWA, TOMOO UCHIDA, HAJIME KIMURA
CHIKARA HASHIMOTO, TAKASHI KANDA
HANJI & KENJI WAKAI, HINODE NISHIKAWA, TOKIO OKI
GEN KUROKI, KEIKO YUKITOMO, IKUKO MORI
DIRECTED BY YOSHIYUKI KURODA
Several thousand years in the past,
in the ruins of Ur, the capital of Babylonia,
which once boasted an eminent civilization,
a violent monster began hibernating in the ruins,
And someone had prophesied it would awaken in four thousand years.
The people, who feared disaster, did nothing to disturb the ruins.
But as the years went by the prophecy was forgotten,
And those who quietly targeted buried treasure started to appear
- I caught another one! - Well done.
Look, Father!
Well, let's say that's the last one and go back.
Going back already? It was beginning to get interesting.
Look at that.
A storm's headed this way.
You two go on ahead home.
I'll make a quick patrol of the area before I return.
Damn you, monster!
LORD MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE
Saheiji, I wonder what happened to Father?
The storm dissipated after all.
He's probably patrolling through the depths of the territory.
After all, he's a benevolent lord thinking of the people.
I hope that's the case.
Father!
When did he...?
Come now! Stop it. It's Father.
Father!
- My lord! - Father!
Father!
What's going on?
My lord, why are you doing this?
- Tainted things ought to be removed! - Tainted?
- Are you saying the gods are tainted? - Silence!
My lord!
My lord...
- Wait, Father! - Out of my way!
No, Father. Why are you saying the gods and Buddha are tainted?
You respected and revered them just this morning!
What is this all of a sudden? Father!
Not a word concerning what I do!
Hurry up and clean this out!
Burn the household altar and everything else. Understood?
My lord! My lord!
I wonder what has happened.
It's as though he's a changed man.
Steward, there must be a good reason such a peaceful lord
would behave in this manner so suddenly.
I know.
Shinpachiro, look after Lady Chie.
My lord...
What exactly happened? What occurred during the storm?
- You're being a pest, Saheiji! - But, my lord...
Eh?
What the hell? Some villain disguised as someone?
My lord, it must be said that your peculiar behaviour is very out of the ordinary.
It can't be...
I don't think it's the case, but have you gone mad?
Silence! Continue your insolence and you'll be punished!
Eh?
I wonder what happened to that steward?
Steward, how is our lord?
What are all of you doing? Why have you not burned everything?
Steward!
It is a grave crime to disobey the lord's orders!
Saheiji!
Lady Chie, the same goes for you.
If you speak out of turn, you too shall be shown no mercy.
What's happened? Now even you are saying such strange things!
Be quiet!
Get to it! Everything's to be burned immediately!
Damn it. What nerve, using that kind of magic.
What do you want, you filthy bastard?
As you can see, I'm Kappa the water imp!
- Water imp? - And not just any ordinary water imp!
- I'm the master of this house! - Master?
I don't know what kind of apparition you are,
but it's an embarrassment to me
to let you do whatever you want in my territory!
Now, hurry up and get lost!
Wait, damn you!
If that's how you want it, I'm prepared for the worst!
Don't cry if you get hurt!
Ow! Ow!
Ouch! It's hot!
Ouch! Ow! Ow!
Damn it, that hurt.
Damn you! I'll remember this!
That hurt.
Hey!
Hey! Is anyone here?
Hey!
Eh? That's weird.
Oh, it's you!
You surprised me. Where's everyone else?
Over there.
I'm over here.
What's with the ghastly look?
I need a big favor. I need everyone's help.
To do what?
I got kicked out of the place I live.
Kicked out? By who?
- Some awesome monster. - Monster?
What kind?
He's got a face like an ogre and the body of a beast.
If he bites a human, the human's personality changes completely.
- Changes personality? - Yes.
Anyway, it's like no monster I've ever seen till today.
- You'll all help me, right? - No way!
Why not?
What?
If it was something else, it's about you, so...
If you really got kicked out, we'd help you no matter what, but...
Hey! You think I'm lying to you?
"The Apparitions' Who's Who"?
"The Japanese Apparition Field Guide"? What are these?
Take a good look. Those have all the apparitions in Japan in them.
The monster you described isn't in them at all.
But...
Wasn't it some hallucination you saw because you're lacking water?
No way! If you think I'm lying, you can see it for yourself.
It's real!
You have to believe me!
Cool off his head!
Shinobu, worrying about it won't solve anything. Go to bed.
- Yes, but... - It's all right.
My lady!
Lady Chie!
- What's the matter? - What are you doing here by yourself?
I've been lurking around to find some clue
why his lordship and the steward have changed so suddenly.
- I see. - What about yourself?
I was concerned and couldn't sleep.
I was talking with Shinobu the maid
and a sudden urge to sleep overcame me, but when I woke up, she was gone.
So when you became sleepy, Shinobu disappeared?
I had a bad feeling about it, so I've come to look for her.
I'll investigate. Please go back to your room and wait there.
- All right. - Let's go.
- My lord... - Is that Shinpachiro?
- Yes, sir. - Come in.
What do you want at this hour?
- Has Shinobu come this way? - No.
But, my lord...
Is that all? What nonsense. Go!
Yes, sir.
Shinpachiro!
- What's the matter? - I went back to the room and Shinobu...
What?
Shinobu!
Onkiriki basaran batten, onkiriki basaran batten...
Shinpachiro, there isn't even the slightest doubt.
They are all tricks only a demon can perform.
Then I can assume that the demon is the Lord Magistrate himself.
So that's it.
A demon's life is extended by drinking the living blood of humans.
The maid Shinobu was unfortunately turned into a sacrifice.
A demon's sacrifice...
Uncle, is there some way to exorcise the demon from the Lord Magistrate?
No!
The demon did not take over the Lord Magistrate's body.
The demon is merely disguised as the Lord Magistrate.
Then, what of the Lord Magistrate?
He is no longer of this world.
If that's the case,
what needs to be done to kill the demon?
You must ask the Buddhist monk.
Tonight, between the hours of seven and nine,
stand these three candles around the room that the demon is in.
Around the room?
If you get close, it'll notice your presence,
but as long as you have this protective charm on you,
you will be able to counteract the demon's powers.
In case that fails...
...use these.
If you can blind it, then the rest will be up to the Buddhist monk.
I'll see to that, even if it means it kills me!
Uncle!
Go! Quickly!
Yes, sir!
Onkiriki basaran batten, onkiriki basaran batten...
All foul demons will be eradicated by the Lord Buddha.
Saheiji, having only adult prey leads to monotony.
I'd like the blood of some young ones as well.
Begone, foul enemies! Begone, foul enemies!
Begone, foul enemies...
Uncle!
Just wait and see.
I'm determined...
You're strong, Oichi.
Run! Hurry!
Big brother! Quick! Big brother!
Out of the way! Damn you!
Disobeying your social superiors?
- Find the children! - Yes, sir!
Big brother...
Brother, it's a monster's shrine.
It's all right. Don't do anything bad and it'll be all right.
But...
They wouldn't dare go in there.
Why are you withdrawing?
- This is where... - What of the apparitions?
If they come out, they're to be disposed of. Go!
Damn it!
Not one of them believed me.
Ah, this is terrible.
Hey! It showed up!
Ghosts! There are ghosts!
The ghosts have appeared! Ghosts! Ghosts!
What are you talking about? They're human children.
- Aren't you the ghost? - Ah, I see.
- Get a hold of yourself. - I didn't know their unfamiliar faces.
What are they doing here?
Please help us.
What? Help you?
Look!
PROTECTION CHARM
We're weak against protective charms. Could you tuck them away?
If we're captured by the Lord Magistrate, we might be killed.
- Why's that? - We don't know why.
But our neighbors who were taken away to work as servants all came back dead.
- Dead? - Yeah!
If we get caught, we'll probably be killed too.
Hey, hey, the Lord Magistrate here is a very merciful man.
He's not the kind of evil man who would kill people.
I tried to tell you, didn't I?
That's not the Lord Magistrate. It's a ghost!
It's an apparition who disguised himself as the Lord Magistrate!
- So, it was true after all. - Finally, you understand.
But what is he anyway?
It's an apparition from Babylonia!
What? Babylonia?
His name is Daimon.
It's Aobozu and Ungaikyo!
How do you know?
Take a good look.
- That's him! - He's certainly got an evil face.
- Will you help me? - Of course.
If we leave the likes of him alone,
shame will be brought upon Japanese apparitions! Right, everyone?
Yes!
You children, just rest and wait.
All right...
As a little gratuity for coming over here, let's go destroy those thugs!
- What happened? - My leg! My leg!
It's a curse!
Scary, is it?
Do you understand how those children you chased felt now?
Understand now?
Don't you dare do anything evil again! Now get lost!
So you don't want to go home?
Let's go!
Hey, isn't there an odd wind blowing?
Really?
- Could it be that someone's here? - Not at all.
Really? I got the feeling someone was.
Hey...
On a night like this,
something scary happens... so my late grandma used to say.
That's a ridiculous superstition. I don't feel a thing.
Hey, what happened?
Hey, someone... my cheek...
It's a ghost. A ghost!
Idiot, there's no such thing.
There are.
Oh, yes, there really are.
What's the matter?
Hey, why are you shaking like that? What's the matter with you?
There's nothing there. What were you looking at anyway?
- A monster... - Eh?
An umbrella monster. It was over there!
What the hell?
- Want some? - No, I don't.
Just as I suspected! Give it a rest!
No! Just now, I was the one who licked you, but who licked my cheek?
- Cut it out! You're pissing me off! - This is for real now!
Don't touch me! Let go!
Open the gate! Open the gate!
We brought some children to do some menial tasks.
We'll open the gate.
Hey!
Well, now, that's reassuring.
- Is something wrong? - Nothing at all.
We'll perform an inspection just as a formality.
What's the matter?
She's really pretty! There's nothing scary about her.
That's ridiculous!
What are you talking about? Take a good look!
What's so pretty about her?
What are you talking about? Come on, come on!
Come on, move it over here!
She's so pretty. Peel your eyes open and take a good look.
Listen, everyone.
Follow me now.
Move it!
My lord, I've brought her.
Come closer.
You think I'll be defeated by something like this, you fool?
How about this?
Get a hold of yourself!
- Right? - Yes!
Help me!
Are you all right?
Hey! Karakasa, are you all right?
Damn it!
Damn it...
You seem to have taken the worst hit. Will you be okay?
Father! Father?
Father?
Now I know your true identity. Prepare yourself!
- Shinpachiro! - My lady, this is not the Lord Magistrate.
He is an apparition who killed your father and is disguised as him!
As evidence, just watch...
You've gone mad, Shinpachiro.
It's showing some samurai fighting against Daimon.
A samurai?
Try again, Ungaikyo!
Hey! Ungaikyo!
It's showing again.
Wait, Shinpachiro!
Do your best, Ungaikyo!
Now's a critical moment. Don't exhale!
Damn it, it was just getting good.
It can't be helped. Let's go back!
Let's go!
No, you mustn't.
Unlike everyone else, you only have one leg,
and it's hurt, so don't push yourself.
That hurts!
Help me!
Ow! That hurts!
Help us!
Help us! Help us!
Lord Buddha! It was just getting good and you trapped us here!
Ah, this is pathetic.
What?
It's Daimon! Hey, everyone! Daimon's been defeated!
What?
Father!
Shinpachiro...
It was just as you said.
Now everyone should be able to live in peace.
I thank you in my father's place.
My lady...
Oh, no, those two think Daimon's dead!
We have to tell them he escaped.
Yes, since he still has that servant
who acts as his double, he'll probably be back!
But there's no way to tell them while we're trapped inside here.
That's troubling.
What should we do?
Hey!
I'm a servant by the name of Saheiji Kawano.
I am here to welcome Lord lori Odate, the new magistrate.
I'm lori. I may cause you to stumble due to my youth,
but I'm counting on you.
My lord! My lord!
What happened?
It's nothing to make a fuss over. Let's move on!
Yes, sir!
My lord!
Take this.
I wonder where everyone went.
We've searched everywhere.
- They finally found us. - Are they inside here?
Don't touch!
Why? And why are you trapped in here?
Never mind that! Run to the Lord Magistrate's house!
The Lord Magistrate's?
You need to tell the samurai called Shinpachiro Mayama
that Daimon is still alive, and he mustn't let his guard down!
Then have that person come straight here...
...and have him remove the tag on the vase.
After that, everything will be solved. Hurry!
Very well.
LORD MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE
Lower the palanquin.
You're Shinpachiro Mayama, am I correct?
- Yes, sir. - Take him!
Stand!
What's the meaning of this?
It's punishment for murdering Hyogo Isobe, the previous magistrate.
An apparition was behind the magistrate's murder!
Silence!
You think I'm that easily deceived by such lies?
Saheiji, take him away!
Please wait, sir!
Lord Odate, my father's death was definitely caused by an apparition.
I saw it with my very own eyes.
Even you are talking nonsense now!
Lady Chie, there are no such things as apparitions.
Don't talk such nonsense!
- Execute him! - What? No, Lord Odate...
- Saheiji, move! - Yes, sir.
My lord, it was an apparition behind this! My lord! My lord!
- Silence! - My lord!
I said, silence!
Move!
My lord! My lord!
What should we do? With Daimon as the enemy...
That's true. This is out of our league.
Isn't there some way?
We're not evil monsters.
If you'll help us save our friends, we'll help rescue Shinpachiro.
Help Shinpachiro?
That new magistrate, lori, is actually a monster called Daimon.
- It's the monster who killed your father. - So it's still alive?
That horrifying thing!
If you understand that, then hurry.
If we delay, Shinpachiro will be executed. Let's go!
- Remove the tag from the vase. - The tag?
Thank goodness! What a relief.
What of Shinpachiro?
What are you saying?
I see. So Daimon used a dirty trick after all.
Listen, everyone. We're indebted to them for being freed from the vase.
We can't back down now.
Right, if we don't fight now, people all over Japan
will get their blood sucked by Daimon, and if we let that thing roam free,
our reputation as Japanese apparitions will be tarnished.
Yes, but how?
He's immortal.
No, he's got a weak spot as well.
Shinpachiro proved that.
The eye, his eye.
His eye?
The scary part is that staff which gives him all sorts of magic powers.
If we were to smash his left eye and cut him off from those powers,
I'm sure we would win!
I see. All right...
Let's gather our forces from all over the country then.
We'll hit him all at once!
Right, then! Let's go!
Damn it!
- What are you scheming? - Don't put on such a scary face.
- Drink it. - The hell I will!
If you don't listen, you won't appear in this world again.
What are you talking about? I'm an apparition.
Apparitions are immortal!
There's no one who's immortal!
You bastard!
Hold it right there!
So you've come, water imp. You don't know when to stop.
What are you talking about? That's you!
We'll make sure you never do any evil again
by showing you the power of Japanese apparitions!
- So, come on! - Very well, then perish together!
I'm not falling for that again. Take that!
And that's not all!
That's hot! Hot, hot, hot! Damn it!
Hot, hot, hot! What the hell?
Damn it! Destroy him! Go!
- Maybe his eye wasn't his weak spot. - That can't be!
- This isn't like you. - Yes, but...
Attacking Daimon's clones won't do any good.
What?
If we attack the real Daimon's eye, we'll definitely win.
But, Aobozu...
How do we attack the real one? They all look alike.
What are we to do?
That's strange.
Damn it!
Him! That's the real one!
Hey! That's the one!
- Give me a hand! - Very well.
- Hey! Daimon's escaping! - It's running away!
We won! We Japanese apparitions won!
That bastard, making me go through hell like that!
You're all right?
It's not like I'm dying!
Let's withdraw!
Shinpachiro, they won. The Japanese apparitions won.
I'm sure they destroyed it.
I hope it never returns.
THE END