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RGGO Card Story: Yu Morinaga, A Man Concerned About the Tojo Clan
In a story set before Yakuza 5, a near-death experience forces Morinaga to consider whether the Sixth Chairman might actually have what it takes to lead the Tojo Clan after all.
Before the calamity that engulfed Japan’s five major cities…
[Morinaga is talking with a generic goon in the hallway at Tojo HQ.]
Tojo Clan Member: …You’re here, Morinaga.
Morinaga: I received an urgent summons from Chairman Dojima and rushed over. Do you have any idea why we were called in?
Tojo Clan Member: Nope. Seems like everyone who works under the Chairman got the call — that’s all I know.
Morinaga: Hmm. Well, I guess we have no choice but to go and hear it from him directly.
Tojo Clan Member: Everyone who got the summons is already here. Let’s go — the Chairman’s waiting in his office.
[Daigo is standing in an office. There’s a knock at the door.]
Daigo: Come in.
[Morinaga and a bunch of generic goons enter.]
Tojo Clan Member: Chairman. Everyone’s here.
Daigo: Alright. First off, I have a mission for you all.
Morinaga: A mission…?
Daigo: That’s right. Let me start at the beginning. Last night in Kansai, someone attacked several Tojo Clan members who were there for a meeting. The victims were a man named Tomokawa and four of his associates.
Morinaga: Tomokawa?
Daigo: He’s the man in charge of accounting at Tojo HQ. He’s a key figure in the management of the Tojo Clan’s finances, so he was probably the target of the attack. After Tomokawa’s meeting wrapped up, he headed for Osaka Station to return to Tokyo, but he was attacked en route. His entourage was killed, but apparently he managed to escape, because I’ve just received a call from Tomokawa himself asking for help. So, I’d like you all to travel to Kansai and bring him safely back to Tojo HQ.
Tojo Clan Member: In other words, our mission is to escort Tomokawa back here.
Morinaga: Chairman. May I ask a question?
Daigo: What is it?
Morinaga: Why do we need to mobilize every man at HQ just to rescue one single accountant?
Daigo: Tomokawa may be a Tojo man, but there’s no man alive who won’t cough something up if you hit him hard enough — and he’s been the clan’s accountant for years, so he has a lot in him to spew about our organization’s underbelly. That’s why we need to keep him from getting caught.
Morinaga: I see.
Daigo: And this mission must be carried out with utmost secrecy. If the executives find out that Tomokawa was attacked, the hot-headed ones might start coming out of the woodwork.
Morinaga: …
Morinaga: Chairman. Doesn’t it feel like other organizations have been walking all over the Tojo Clan lately?
Daigo: Walking all over us?
Morinaga: Yes. The other clans look down on the Tojo, so of course they’re showing up to attack us. There was a time when no one would’ve dared to go after the Tojo Clan. Wouldn’t it be better to put them in their place?
Daigo: You’re Morinaga, right? I appreciate that you’re speaking out of concern for the clan, but I think the old way of doing things is going to make things harder for us in the long term — so please have a little faith in my approach.
Morinaga: I understand.
[Out in the hallway, Morinaga talks with his fellow goon again.]
Tojo Clan Member: Morinaga, what was that all about? A grunt like you, questioning the Chairman’s methods!
Morinaga: …You don’t have any concerns about the Chairman’s policies?
Tojo Clan Member: Concerns?
Morinaga: Frankly, I’m not satisfied at all with the way things are going under the Sixth Chairman. In order to protect the clan, the Chairman’s reaching out to the Omi and other organizations to build alliances and cooperate with one another. But why should the chairman of a clan as big as the Tojo personally go begging for an alliance with a bunch of low-ranking yakuza out in the sticks? That self-abasement is exactly why no one takes the clan seriously.
Tojo Clan Member: I support the Chairman’s methods. I don’t have any complaints, and there are lots of us who believe this is the right way of doing things.
Morinaga: I’m sure there are lots of men who trust Chairman Dojima. But there are more than a few who share my complaints. This is why the clan’s authority is dissipating by the day… And it’s the Chairman’s fault that the Tojo Clan’s grown so weak.
Tojo Clan Member: Morinaga…
Morinaga: It’s time. We’ll be leaving for Kansai shortly.
[The screen fades to black.]
Six hours later, at a certain hotel in Kansai…
[Morinaga shows up in a hotel hallway with two goons.]
Morinaga: Room 902… Tomokawa’s hiding in here.
[Morinaga knocks on the door.]
Morinaga: Tomokawa-san. We’re Tojo men. We’re here to pick you up under Chairman Dojima’s orders.
[Tomokawa opens the door.]
Tomokawa: You guys sure took your sweet time… Is it safe to leave this place?
Morinaga: It’s fine — we’re with you. We have a car waiting out in front of the hotel, so let’s get you out of here.
Tomokawa: A-alright, got it… I’m counting on you.
[The screen fades to black; we hear the sound of a car starting. When we fade back in, Morinaga is sitting in the car, making a call on his phone.]
Morinaga: Chairman, this is Morinaga. We’ve just secured Tomokawa and are in a car en route to Tokyo. We have several other cars in a convoy around our vehicle, so everything is under control.
Daigo: Alright. Please be careful out there.
[Morinaga hangs up.]
Morinaga: Don’t worry, Tomokawa-san. All that’s left is to drive back to Tokyo.
[Tomokawa is snoring.]
Tojo Clan Member: He’s asleep.
Morinaga: I guess having a security detail allowed him to relax. He probably hasn’t been able to catch a wink since yesterday’s attack.
Tojo Clan Member: Hey, Morinaga, can I ask you a question? You came from another clan, right? Why did you decide to join the Tojo?
Morinaga: …I admired the clan’s strength.
Tojo Clan Member: Admired?
Morinaga: Yes. The Tojo Clan I admired was intimidatingly strong. Its charismatic leaders kept things under control. Their strength and authority were unsurpassed. Under their power, Kamurocho became a sanctuary, an absolutely inviolable city, and they preserved the peace in Kanto by keeping all the smaller organizations in line. That’s the Tojo Clan I admired, and the one that I left my old family for.
Tojo Clan Member: I see.
Morinaga: I came from a small-time family, so I know what I’m talking about. A strong clan can protect its members; that’s the kind of power the Tojo had. But these days? So much of the old guard that supported it is gone. The clan’s power and command are nothing but shadows of what they once were. The Tojo Clan that I know has never been weaker, and it’s Chairman Dojima’s fault that it…
[Before Morinaga can press this seditious monologue any further, there’s the sound of tires squealing on pavement.]
Tomokawa: Huh? What’s going on? Why’d we stop?
Driver: There’s a bunch of cars parked on the road ahead of us. The way’s blocked — we can’t get through!
Morinaga: What?
[There’s another sound of squealing tires.]
Driver: And now another car’s come up behind us! We can’t push forward or go back!
Morinaga: Don’t tell me they were lying in wait!
[The scene shifts outside for a moment; we see three goons with guns lined up. As the sound of gunfire plays, the scene shifts back to the interior of the car.]
Tomokawa: Eek! Th-they’re shooting at us!
Morinaga: They’re probably the same guys who attacked you before. It’s dangerous to stay in the car.
Tojo Clan Member: We’ll go out and use the car as a shield while we fire back, Morinaga. Let the guards in the other cars know.
Morinaga: Got it… let’s go!
[Morinaga heads outside and, instead of doing what he’s told, makes a phone call.]
Daigo: Hello, this is Daigo Dojima.
[More guns fire in the background.]
Daigo: Huh? Was that gunfire…!?
Morinaga: This is Morinaga. The convoy was attacked en route. We’re in the middle of a shootout on the road.
Daigo: What’s going on? Give me a detailed status report.
Morinaga: Right now, we’re sustaining fire from the front and the rear, and we’re using several cars from the convoy as shields.
Daigo: Can’t you use one of your cars to break through?
Morinaga: Not possible. They’ve got the road completely blocked with their vehicles. We’re hemmed in on all sides.
Daigo: I see…
Morinaga: We’re running low on bullets here, and the other guards in the convoy are going down one-by-one.
Daigo: Alright, listen up, Morinaga. I’m sending you some backup right now. Just hold out for a little longer.
Morinaga: Backup!? There’s no way they’ll make it in time! We’ll be wiped out before they even get here! Our priority should be to get Tomokawa out!
Daigo: No. Pull yourselves together and hold the line. That’s the only way to get all of you out of this.
Morinaga: !
Morinaga: (That’s today’s Tojo for you: even in a situation like this, the Chairman’s still taking his soft-hearted approach! Ugh, I can’t go along with this — we should be prioritizing the mission even at the expense of our lives.)
Morinaga: Chairman. It’s high-risk, but I’m going to take Tomokawa and escape into the brush by the road. It’s the best chance we have of getting him out of here alive.
Daigo: Wait, Morinaga! That’s only going to make you a target! Hold off until the reinforcements arrive!
Morinaga: I’m prepared to accept the risk. If we stay here, things are only going to get worse. Right now, our priority should be to keep Tomokawa alive.
[Morinaga hangs up; more guns fire.]
Tojo Clan Member: The hell are you doing, Morinaga?! Hurry up and fight back!
Morinaga: Listen. I’m going to take Tomokawa and make a break for the thicket at the side of the road. You guys fire some shots to draw their attention.
Tojo Clan Member: What?! Were those really Chairman Dojima’s orders?
Morinaga: No. The Chairman said to wait here for backup, but there’s no way that’ll keep Tomokawa safe, so I’m taking him and getting out of here. This is our highest priority, so I’ll also be taking your bullets.
Tojo Clan Member: Hold on a second! Those are all we have left!
Morinaga: Tomokawa-san. Please follow me and do your best to keep up.
Tomokawa: R-right!
[Tomokawa bolts for it with Morinaga while the hapless Tojo goon looks on in alarm.]
Tojo Clan Member: W-wait, Morinaga! Morinagaaaaa!
[The screen fades to black. We shift to a nighttime scene out in the wilderness. Tomokawa is standing with Morinaga.]
Tomokawa: Hah… hah… I can’t do it. I’m too tired to keep going…
Morinaga: We’ve been on the run in the mountains ever since those men attacked us. But at least we’ve managed to shake them.
Morinaga: (Well, I was right. If we’d stuck around to wait for help, Tomokawa would definitely be dead.)
[Morinaga’s cell phone rings; he answers the call.]
Daigo: Hello, Morinaga? Are you safe?
Morinaga: Yes, Chairman. Somehow, I managed to escape with Tomokawa.
Daigo: I see… That’s great news. I’ve just arrived at the scene of the attack with my men. Unfortunately, there were quite a few casualties.
Morinaga: Oh…
Daigo: I’m sorry… If I had just gotten there earlier, we wouldn’t have lost so many.
Morinaga: Well…
Morinaga: (If he’d gotten there earlier? …That’s absurd. The Chairman made a bad call. He told me to wait for backup so he could save everyone, but if I’d done that, Tomokawa and I both would’ve died. It was risky, but I was right to prioritize the mission. I knew his soft-hearted approach wouldn’t work.)
Morinaga: Chairman, there’s one thing I’m wondering about.
Daigo: What’s that?
Morinaga: This escort mission must have been top-secret clan business, but somehow the attackers were lying in wait for us along the route. In other words, inside information is being leaked. Or someone on the inside was behind the attack.
Daigo: …It was probably an inside job.
Morinaga: Any ideas as to who?
Daigo: Actually, yesterday, it came to light that Tomokawa’s been cooking the Tojo Clan’s books.
Tomokawa: Huh!?
Morinaga: Cooking the books…?
Daigo: That’s right. Tomokawa was in charge of summing up the monthly dues paid by the families to Tojo HQ. But he was colluding with someone in one of the direct-line families to falsify the records and pocket part of the profit for himself.
Morinaga: Is that true, Tomokawa-san?
Tomokawa: Urk…!
Daigo: When I uncovered Tomokawa’s scheme, I ordered my subordinates to take him into custody right away. But immediately after that, someone attacked him. …That’s pretty convenient timing, isn’t it?
Morinaga: In other words, whoever was helping Tomokawa to skim a little off the top tried to shut him up by having him killed?
Daigo: It’s very likely. Tomokawa holds the evidence — if he were to be caught and confess, that’d be it for his accomplice, too. So, to keep any traitors from leaking information about this rescue mission, I assigned the job to a group of trustworthy men who reported directly to me.
Morinaga: So that’s why the job was top-secret.
Daigo: Are you listening, Tomokawa? After I take you in, you’re going to tell me everything about your crimes against the clan. You’ll be punished accordingly, but I don’t intend to make you pay with your life, so I hope you’ll come back here with Morinaga without trying to run off.
Tomokawa: U-understood… I don’t want to get killed by those guys… I’d rather accept your punishment.
Morinaga: Tomokawa-san. Who was working with you to forge the records and skim the profits?
Tomokawa: Ahh, he’s the head of one of the clan’s direct-line fa—
[To no one’s surprise, there’s a bunch of gunfire. To our surprise as readers, Tomokawa is not shot dead by a cutscene gun before revealing an important piece of information; everyone just stops in surprise.]
Morinaga and Tomokawa: !?
Attackers: There they are! The guys who got away! Everyone, grab them!
Tomokawa: They found us! A bunch of them are coming down the mountain!
Morinaga: Ugh! If we don’t hurry and get out of here…!
Daigo: Morinaga, where are you right now?
Morinaga: We’re in the mountains. I can see city lights in the hills not far from here.
Daigo: I’ve just checked a map, and there’s only one town in the area. Alright, head to the town in the foothills, Morinaga. I’ll make my way there right now to help!
Daigo: Morinaga. I wasn’t able to save my men before, but no matter what, I want to make sure I at least save you. I’m always ready to put my life on the line for my men’s sake. …So, Morinaga, please hold out ‘til you get to that town.
Morinaga: Chairman…!
Morinaga: (Imagine — the head of the Tojo Clan himself trying to rescue a couple of underlings! That’s definitely his soft-hearted style, but he’s got the strength to risk his life for it. I thought he was just some pampered little brat, but this guy might actually have what it takes to lead the clan…)
Daigo: I’m sending my men ahead of me to the town’s entrance. Stay safe and make your way there.
Morinaga: Understood. Let’s go, Tomokawa!
[The two of them make a break for it. The screen fades to black. When we return, Morinaga and Tomokawa are on a dark city street.]
Tomokawa: Hahhh… Hahhh… We made it to the town. What about the guys on our tail?
Morinaga: I don’t see them, but they must be following behind.
Tomokawa: The Chairman said he’d send backup to the town’s entrance, right? Hurry up and call him!
Morinaga: Actually… I dropped my phone in the shootout back there.
Tomokawa: Huh!? Shit! That means we’re gonna have to make our own way there.
Morinaga: Yes, but when we get there, help will be waiting. Let’s get going.
[They run off in another fade-to-black. The scene opens on a different dark city street.]
Morinaga: The entrance we saw on the way down should be in this direction. If we turn onto this road and go straight, we’ll be right there.
Tomokawa: Alright! Just a little further and we’ll be saved!
[Naturally, the second he says that, three goons with guns show up.]
Morinaga: Ah! It’s the guys from before! Were they lying in wait for us…!?
[The goons’ leader shows up, too.]
Man: For shit’s sake! You had us running all over the mountains!
Morinaga: You… you’re one of the direct-line heads… Shiromoto-san!? What are you doing here?
Tomokawa: T-that’s him! That’s the guy who was helping me to embezzle the money and forge the records!
Morinaga: What?
Shiromoto: That’s right. Tomokawa helped me bleed the clan dry for years. But now they’re onto our scheme, and if they catch him, they’ll find out I was in on it, too. I figured I’d kill the guy and get rid of the evidence, but my boys screwed it up and I had to come all the way out here to take care of it myself — so how about you just go and die, already?
Morinaga: But how did you find this place? Only the Chairman and his men knew about it.
Shiromoto: We tapped the Chairman’s cell phone. Thanks to that, we knew all about your convoy’s route and this meeting spot. But that’s enough blabbing — boys, let’s clean up this mess before the Chairman gets here!
[Shiromoto’s three gun-toting goons show up again.]
Shiromoto Family Members: Hah!
Morinaga: Shit! Tomokawa, get behind me!
[The screen fades to black as guns fire and fades back in on our protagonists.]
Morinaga: Tomkawa-san, we can’t go this way — let’s take a detour to the town’s entrance!
Tomokawa: A-alright!
Shiromoto: Tch. After them! Don’t you dare let them get away!
[Morinaga and Tomokawa make a break for it; they arrive in another part of town.]
Tomokawa: Ahh, we made it! There’s the entrance!
[A couple of generic goons in suits show up.]
Morinaga: There they are! Those are Tojo pins… They must be the backup the Chairman sent.
[Tomokawa runs toward one of the goons.]
Tomokawa: Hey, over here! Help me!
Tojo Clan Member A: Huh…? That’s him! Tomokawa!
[In an upset that no one could’ve seen coming, the goon pulls a gun.]
Tomokawa: Huh?
Morinaga: Tomokawa, get down!
[Luckily, Morinaga still has those bullets he took from his fellow men back at the shootout; he fires his gun.]
Tojo Clan Member A: Ugh! The bastard shot back!
Morinaga: Are you alright, Tomokawa-san? Were you shot!?
Tomokawa: I’m alright… b-but why did they shoot at us!? Aren’t they our allies!?
Morinaga: Worry about that later — let’s get out of here!
[They run off again.]
Tojo Clan Member A: Shit! They’re still alive!
Shiromoto: Hey, you! What happened?
Tojo Clan Member B: Sorry, boss — they got away.
Tojo Clan Member A: What should we do? The tappers say the Chairman’s gonna be here soon…
Shiromoto: Ugh, I’ll have to pull back for a bit. Go put on a good show for the Chairman.
Tojo Clan Member A: Got it.
[Daigo pulls up to the meeting spot in a car to discuss things with Tojo Clan Member A, who’s now been revealed to be Shiromoto’s ally.]
Daigo: You still haven’t found them?
Tojo Clan Member A: Sir, we’ve been waiting here for a while and they still haven’t shown up. Maybe they were attacked along the way and they didn’t make it…
Daigo: Damn it! Comb the area around the town for them. They might’ve been attacked and taken a detour.
Tojo Clan Member A: Understood. Please wait in the car, then, Chairman.
Daigo: No. I’ll look for them, too. They came here under my orders — I have to protect them!
[We return to Morinaga and Tomokawa, who are still on the run.]
Tomokawa: Hahhh… Hahhh… We got away somehow. But why did those guys attack us? They came here to save us, didn’t they!?
Morinaga: They must be with Shiromoto. He probably bought their loyalty.
Tomokawa: What?! You mean they’re traitors, too!?
Morinaga: (But for the Chairman to have traitors among his own men… That’s what you get when you go with his soft-hearted approach. No matter how much you think of your men as family, that alone isn’t enough to keep your subordinates in line. A pile of money’s all it takes to get your comrades to turn on you… Everything the Chairman says is just idealism. I knew the man was useless; he’s not fit to lead the clan.)
Tomokawa: Hey, what should we do now…? If we ask the Chairman for help again, they’ll tap the line…
Morinaga: That’s enough — we’re not relying on the Chairman anymore. From now on, we have no choice but to take care of things ourselves.
Tomokawa: Eh? Are you serious!?
Morinaga: We can’t tell who the enemy is, so we’re done with being on the defensive — we’re going to go on the offensive, now.
[The screen fades to black yet again. We fade in on a scene in an office. Shiromoto is talking to one of his underlings.]
Shiromoto: It’s been two days since you let Morinaga and Tomokawa slip and you still haven’t found them?
Shiromoto Family Member: Sorry, boss. Word is they got back to Tokyo yesterday, but we’ve got no clue where they are.
Shiromoto: Have you heard anything from the guys on the Chairman’s wiretap?
Shiromoto Family Member: Nothing. Seems like Morinaga hasn’t contacted him at all.
Shiromoto: Damn it, if I don’t get rid of Tomokawa soon, they’re gonna find out I helped cook those books. I’ve gotta do whatever it takes to figure out where they’re holed up before those Tojo guys do.
[Shiromoto’s phone rings; he picks it up, and a conversation ensues.]
Shiromoto: Yeah, it’s me.
Shiromoto Grunt: Boss, it looks like they’re in Kamurocho.
Shiromoto: What? Is that true?
Shiromoto Grunt: Yeah, I’m sure — I got this info from a trustworthy source.
Shiromoto: Got it. I’m heading for Kamurocho right away.
[Shiromoto hangs up and addresses the goons standing there.]
Shiromoto: Listen up, boys! We’re booking it for Kamurocho!
Shiromoto Family Members: Got it, boss!
[Shiromoto and his goon squad head out. The screen fades to black; when we fade in, Shiromoto and company are in Kamurocho, and Shiromoto himself is on the phone with his underling again.]
Shiromoto: We’re in the Champion District — where are you now?
Shiromoto Grunt: I’m at the informant’s place. Sorry I couldn’t make it there, boss, but I’ve got some new information. Morinaga’s got Tomokawa hidden somewhere in the Champion District, on Pink Street, or on Suppon Street. I’m sending you a list of safehouse addresses that I got from my guy — try these.
Shiromoto: Good work.
[Shiromoto’s phone vibrates.]
Shiromoto: …I’ve got the informant’s info. We don’t have time to visit these places one-by-one — they might run off somewhere else in the meantime. We’ll split up and search the addresses I got. You guys check Pink Street and Suppon Street.
Shiramoto Family Members: Got it, boss!
[The goons head out to their assigned places.]
Shiromoto: The rest of you, come with me. They’re probably hiding at this address.
[Shiromoto and his goons break into an empty office.]
Shiromoto Family Members: There’s not a soul here, boss.
Shiromoto: Tch, what a bust. This is where Tomokawa and I used to meet up to mess with the ledgers. I figured they’d be holed-up here…
?: I expected you to think as much, so I laid an ambush here.
[A gun fires, leaving Shiromoto’s goons all bloodied.]
Shiromoto Family Members: Augh…!
[The goons all collapse to the floor. Morinaga steps in.]
Shiromoto: You’re… Morinaga!
Morinaga: I’m glad you fell into my trap so easily, Shiromoto-san.
Shiromoto: Trap!?
Morinaga: Yes, it’s elementary. After I got back to Tokyo, the first thing I did was nab a Shiromoto Family man. I roughed him up and made some violent threats so he’d listen to what I had to say. All that was left was to send you an eyewitness report about Tomokawa along with the leads from before. I was certain that after so many failed attempts, you wouldn’t trust your men to finish the job and would come here yourself.
Shiromoto: So you heard about this place from Tomokawa…
Morinaga: That’s right. I predicted that if I stuck that one place that you and Tomokawa both knew in with the false information, that’s where you’d go yourself. And if you sent your men to the red-herring addresses and spread your forces thin, it’d be easier for me to take you down.
Shiromoto: Huh. You’re saying you’re gonna settle this on your own, without asking Daigo Dojima for help?
Morinaga: Indeed. That man has already let me down, so I decided to end this myself. If I don’t take matters into my own hands, my dream of returning the Tojo Clan to its former glory will remain just that.
Shiromoto: Huh? What the hell are you talking about? Where’s Tomokawa?
Morinaga: He’s hidden someplace safe. If you want to know where that is, you’ll have to pry it out of me.
Shiromoto: Sounds good — my forces might be spread thin, but I’ve still got a bunch here with me. Get him, boys!
Shiromoto Family Members: Ha!
[A fight ensues; Shiromoto and his goons are thoroughly thrashed.]
Shiromoto: S-shit…!
Morinaga: It’s over, Patriarch Shiromoto.
[Without any further ado, Morinaga shoots him.]
Shiromoto: Ugh…!
[Shiromoto collapses.]
Morinaga: …
[Tomokawa comes in.]
Tomokawa: Looks like it’s over, Morinaga. But I was surprised — you really took them down on your own.
Morinaga: Are you satisfied, Tomokawa-san?
Tomokawa: Yeah, I’ve always hated that bastard Shiromoto. Glad I got to see him die with my own two eyes.
Morinaga: I see. Well, that’s good.
[He turns his gun on Tomokawa.]
Tomokawa: Huh!? Wait, why are you pointing that at me?!
Morinaga: You and Shiromoto are part of the rot that’s festered in this clan’s soft heart. I can’t allow men like you to live.
Tomokawa: What’s this nonsense you’re spewing!? You were ordered to protect me! How in the world do you intend to explain this to the Chairman!?
Morinaga: Don’t worry about that; I’ve thought it all through.
[Morinaga shoots Tomokawa.]
Tomokawa: Agh…!
[Tomokawa collapses.]
Morinaga: Tomokawa-san, I owe you my thanks. This incident has made it clear to me: our current chairman’s way of doing things is wrong. It’s how vermin like you infest the clan, and it’s how men come to betray their own comrades so casually. And that soft way of thinking, that desire to save everyone, that’s what leads to so many men losing their lives… don’t you think?
[The screen fades to black.]
The day after… at Tojo HQ.
[We fade back in on a meeting room at Tojo HQ, where Morinaga is giving a report.]
Daigo: So, Morinaga, to summarize… Shiromoto’s wiretap kept you from meeting up with me. And after you’d given up getting in touch, the two of you decided to head for Tojo HQ, but you were attacked again and Tomokawa was abducted. So, you tracked Shiromoto down to defeat him, but Tomokawa was already dead?
Morinaga: Yes. I’m sorry, Chairman. This all happened because I wasn’t able to protect him…
Daigo: No, I’m the one who should apologize. I took over in the middle of things, and I wasn’t of any help. Shiromoto probably kidnapped Tomokawa to get him to reveal where he’d hidden the evidence of their collusion.
Morinaga: That’s likely the case.
Daigo: …Are you alright, Morinaga?
Morinaga: Is something wrong?
Daigo: Well, something about you just seems different since you left for this mission.
Morinaga: …
Daigo: I apologize; you’ve just lost a number of comrades. It was a difficult job. We’ll take it from here — you go home and get some rest.
Morinaga: Alright. I’ll take my leave, then, Chairman.
[Morinaga leaves the room, then pauses in the hallway.]
Morinaga: …
Morinaga: (Chairman Dojima, your way of doing things will never protect anyone. You’ll sail your ship out and try to save all your friends from drowning, but the way you’re going, it’ll capsize someday, and you’ll drag the entire clan down with you. …That’s how weak this vessel is.)
Morinaga: (I’m going to reform the Tojo Clan before that can happen. Not in your way, but in my own…)
[The screen fades to black.]
After this, Morinaga joins the Omi Alliance’s Seventh Chairman Kurosawa’s faction and turns on the Tojo Clan in order to return it to its former strength.
Below the cut is a translation of Kenzan substory #45, “The Yamato-e Painter.”
Please be warned that this story contains an incident of sexual harassment that’s played for laughs in a homophobic manner. This writing is very much in line with the kinds of storytelling choices that RGG Studio has made in the past and has since disavowed through disclaimers or even outright cuts in their remastered games and remakes.
Yamato-e is a genre of painting that (as the name – literally “Japanese painting” – suggests) takes specifically Japanese people, places, and themes as its subject matter. The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s page on yamato-e provides a helpful summary of the genre’s history. Most relevantly, by the early 14th century, artists working in this genre had begun to produce realistic portraits of subjects such as poets, courtiers, military heroes… and perhaps, in Kenzan, a certain wandering swordsman.
[Kiryu is wandering about in Kawara when he runs into a man dressed in a white kimono with a pink-ish overcoat. The man – identified in the text box as “Ranzan” – waves him down.]
Ranzan: Excuse me, sir, do you have a moment? Where on earth did you train that magnificent body of yours? You’re not like all those other meatheads…
Kiryu: …
Ranzan: Ah, my name is Ranzan. I’m a traditional Japanese painter. Surely you’ve heard of me?
Kiryu: …
Ranzan: My specialty is warrior portraits. If I may impose, would you be willing to let me paint you? If I were to depict that figure of yours, I’m certain that it would be a most wonderful piece: a work to be handed down through the ages! This is a once-in-a-lifetime encounter – I can’t just let this opportunity pass me by! Please, I’m begging you! I’m prepared to offer you a most handsome reward…
[Kiryu is presented with a choice to accept or refuse Ranzan’s request; we choose to accept.]
Kiryu: Uh, yeah… I’ll think about it.
Ranzan: Yes, I would be most grateful if you would! This must be fate!
[Ranzan wipes his forehead, then points off into the distance.]
Ranzan: Well then, let’s go to my studio right away. Please follow me.
[The screen fades to black. When we return, Kiryu is standing in front of Ranzan in the middle of his studio. Various paintings are on display, and there's one in progress on the table to Ranzan’s left. The painter faces Kiryu and mops his brow again.]
Ranzan: Ah! How wonderful! A magnificent physique, like a rock that’s stood since time immemorial! Eyes like a tiger’s that peer into the very depths of one’s heart! Hmm… Hmm, hmm… Yes, that’s it!
[Ranzan leans in and nods at Kiryu.]
Ranzan: Pardon me, but would you mind removing your clothes, please? Just your upper body is fine! I, Ranzan, am prepared to give this painting everything I’ve got…!
[Once again, Kiryu is presented with a choice to agree to his request or refuse. Naturally, he agrees.]
Kiryu: Okay, got it.
Ranzan: Yes, oh yes!
[The scene fades to black. When we return, Kiryu has stripped down to his fundoshi.]
Ranzan: Ah! How beautiful…. Those burgeoning muscles – they bring to mind a cascade of cool snowmelt… The more I look at them, the more breathtaking they become…
[The camera pans slowly down to Kiryu’s junk.]
Ranzan: Hmm… Hmm… Hmm, yes, I have it! Just one more thing, if you please: would you be so kind as to remove your underwear?
Kiryu: …No way!
Ranzan: Really, now… We’ve come this far and now you’re hesitating!? I’ll get that thing off even if I have to do it by force!
[Still in his fundoshi, Kiryu gives Ranzan – identified as an “Excited Guy” in the splash screen – a thrashing. Note that this title is probably a pun: the verb that the writers use to describe Ranzan – “tatsu” (たつ) – can also refer to getting an erection. After the fight, Ranzan falls to his knees at Kiryu’s feet.]
Ranzan: Ohh… The pen is weaker than the sword.
Kiryu: What the hell do you think you’re doing?!
Ranzan: From the moment I saw you, I was smitten! And what’s more, it was no mere fluttering of the heart… Yes, this is what they call love…!
Kiryu: …
Ranzan: I’m so terribly sorry! Please don’t think ill of me… I want to make amends somehow… But at the moment, I have nothing of value. The only things here that are worth anything are these paintings – but I still need to eat. You can take whichever one you like, but please be merciful and just take the one.
[A text box pops up and asks which one you’ll take (and adds: please show mercy and choose only one). The options are a painting of a warrior, a painting of an actor, or a painting of a famous place. The outcome of the story isn’t affected by the painting that you choose here, but the warrior and actor paintings sell for 10,000 mon, whereas the scenery sells for one single mon. In any case, once Kiryu picks a painting, the scene fades to black again, and we return to the street where Kiryu first encountered Ranzan.]
Ranzan: It pains me to part ways… I look forward to the day we meet again. Farewell…
[The screen fades to black, and with that, Ranzan is gone. A box pops up informing us that Kiryu has received 1000 EXP.]
We’re back, and since Ishin now has an official English release, it’s time to move on to other things! Without further ado, below the cut is a complete English translation of Kenzan’s Izumo no Okuni substory – better known as the substory in which Kiryu Kazumanosuke inadvertently invents kabuki.
[Kiryu walks toward the temple at the east end of Rakugai; right in front of the doors, he runs into a trio of rough-looking swordsmen. Their leader confronts Kiryu.]
Swordsman: Huh?! Is that Miyamoto Musashi? We’ve finally found him!
[The leader reaches for his blade.]
Swordsman: That’s as far as you go! Die!
[A fight ensues. Naturally, Kiryu trounces his opponents, but when the fight ends, he’s crouched over and breathing heavily.]
Kiryu: (Was that all of them…?)
Swordsman: He’s hurt! Finish him off now!
Kiryu: (Shit…! I’ll just hide somewhere until this blows over…)
[The screen fades to black. When we return, Kiryu has found a hiding spot of some sort in an enclosed, dimly-lit space.]
Kiryu: Hah…! Hah…!
[The camera pans over to reveal a woman standing nearby.]
Okuni: Wh- what the!? What happened to you?
Kiryu: It’s nothing…
Okuni: That’s not nothing at all! Those injuries – they need attention!
Kiryu: Sorry. I’m being chased. Would you mind if I stayed here for a bit?
Okuni: Chased, huh?
[We hear muffled shouts on the other side of the wall.]
Swordsman: Where is he!? Dammit! Find him!
[Kiryu falls dramatically to the floor at Okuni’s feet.]
Kiryu: Ugh…
[The screen fades to black.]
Okuni: Hey, now! Hang in there!
[When we fade back in, Kiryu’s lying on the floor in a set of unfamiliar clothes. Okuni is standing around with a trio of men, having a conversation of some sort.]
Kiryu: Where am I…?
Okuni: Well, maybe now’s the time…
Lead Actor: What are you saying, Okuni-san?
Clown: You said we were gonna put on a play like no one’s ever seen! You were so excited!
Okuni: Quiet! This is all happening because your acting won’t cut it!
Heartthrob Actor: H-hey! We’re doing our best!
Lead Actor: That’s right! We’ve come up with all sorts of things, and you’ve hemmed and hawed about all of them!
Okuni: But in the end, you haven’t been able to pull any of them off, have you? When you’re all talk, you can say anything you like!
Lead Actor: …
Okuni: If you’ve got time to complain, you’ve got time to rehearse!
Lead Actor: Y-yes…
Okuni: Ahh, good grief…
[After the actors leave, Okuni looks down at her guest.]
Okuni: Oh, you’re awake?
Kiryu: What’s this outfit…?
Okuni: We couldn’t take care of your wounds the way you were, so we took the liberty of changing you out of your clothes. And besides, if you walked out of here in those bloody rags, they’d find you right away.
Kiryu: I see… Thanks.
Okuni: But I can’t guarantee that they won’t find you if we stay here, so…
Okuni: I’ve got it!
[A full cutscene begins: Okuni grabs a brush and attempts to start painting Kiryu’s face.]
Kiryu: Hey!
Okuni: Sit still!
[Kiryu turns his head away again.]
Kiryu: Hey, quit it!
[Okuni grabs him by the chin and forces him to look at her and stay still. Kiryu finally stops acting like a petulant child and sits (mostly) still while she paints. When she’s finished, she stands up and gazes down at her work.]
Okuni: How’s this?
Okuni: Ah, it came out pretty good! Now nobody will even know it’s you.
[There’s a shout from off-screen.]
???: He’s here!
[The swordsmen from before rush in, blades drawn. One of them bends down to inspect Kiryu.]
Swordsman: What the hell? What’s with that getup?
Okuni: Darn, they saw through it after all.
[Kiryu grabs an umbrella and stands up. Just to be extra dramatic, he begins to speak without turning to face his would-be assailants.]
Kiryu: You guys sure are persistent… But I can’t let loose in here. Let’s take this outside.
[Kiryu pushes his way through a set of curtains; the men follow him while Okuni reaches out in a vain attempt to stop him.]
Okuni: Hey! That’s the way to…
[Of course, Kiryu stomps out directly into the middle of a stage, where we finally catch a glimpse of him in full kabuki face-paint, wielding his umbrella as a weapon. Four enemy swordsmen surround him with their blades drawn and ready.]
Kiryu: You’re gonna break more than just a leg!
[A battle begins, in which Kiryu gives the men a thrashing with his paper umbrella.]
[Afterwards, as he stands in the middle of the pile of bodies, Okuni starts clapping for him offstage.]
Kiryu: Sorry about that – I’ve caused you a whole lot of trouble.
Okuni: Trouble?! Far from it! Look at that!
[Okuni gestures toward the crowd. The place is packed, and everyone’s cheering enthusiastically for his performance.]
Okuni: Thanks to you, the crowd’s going wild!
[We fade to black again, and when we return, Kiryu’s in the backstage area once more.]
Okuni: I never imagined I’d see so many happy playgoers. It was one last fond memory – thank you so much!
Kiryu: Last?
Okuni: Yeah, it’s time for this troupe to call it quits. Attendance has been way down, lately.
Kiryu: You’re bound to have times like that if you’re in this business long enough. Isn’t it a little soon to be giving up?
Okuni: We’ve tried a bunch of different acts, but in the end, the only thing a little troupe like ours can do is rehash old material, and young actors these days think that’s tedious. They get bored. We’re always squabbling, and I’m getting sick of it.
Kiryu: …
Okuni: If we only had a performer like you…
Okuni: Oh, don’t worry, I’m just kidding.
Kiryu: You really want to keep this theatre going, don’t you?
Okuni: Huh? Well, it’d be nice if I could, but…
Kiryu: Well then, mulling it over on your own’s no good, right?
Okuni: But those guys still don’t know the first thing about acting…
Kiryu: Now, I’m just an amateur, but wouldn’t you say it makes for good theatre when everyone’s in step?
Okuni: In… step?
Kiryu: Have you ever taken them seriously? From your point of view, they’ve got a long way to go, yet, but those players must have their dreams riding on you. That’s why they’re here now.
Okuni: …
Kiryu: You can quit anytime – but before you throw in the towel, try putting more trust in your players and talking to one another.
[We fade to black yet again. When we return, Kiryu’s back in his usual running-around-town outfit.]
Kiryu: (That troupe’s gonna be just fine – after this, they’ll carve out a path for themselves. I should hurry up and get out of their dressing room.)
[The screen fades to black once more. The three actors from before are standing together, mid-conversation.]
Lead Actor: But what a surprise! That fight scene was amazing!
Clown: Right, right! And that makeup was fantastic! A real transformation! But kind of strange, too.
Heartthrob Actor: Totally! I’ve never seen such a strange-looking actor before!
Lead Actor: A strange-looking actor…? Or maybe a kabukimono…*
Heartthrob Actor: Hey, why don’t we try making a play out of that fight we saw just now? We’ll call it “kabuki”!
Clown: Fantastic! Just a sec – let me go tell Okuni!
Lead Actor: Huh? But she’s already said that the theatre…
Clown: Let’s give it a shot! That performance was amazing – she’ll definitely get it!
[We return to Kiryu, who’s standing outside the temple again. A notice pops up saying that Kiryu received 10,000 EXP. Before Kiryu can bumble off to intervene in anyone else’s problems, a guy waves to him from the gates.]
Actor: Hey, you! Hold on a second!
Kiryu: You’re one of the actors... What do you want with me?
Actor: I wanted to say a quick thank-you.
Kiryu: Thank me? What for?
Actor: For getting Okuni’s spirits up again! Your acting inspired her – and us too, of course!
Kiryu: Oh yeah? That’s great.
Actor: Yeah! Your work was cutting-edge! Amazing! We’d never seen anyone act like that before!
Kiryu: Uhh, that wasn’t really acting…
Actor: I was completely enthralled by your performance! I’d love to know your name.
Kiryu: ……Kiryu.
Actor: Kiryu-san, eh? We’re gonna come up with a new play based on your performance! And we’ll make a fresh start with Okuni.
Kiryu: Sure. Good luck.
Actor: Thanks! For now, our troupe’s going to keep playing in this town. …Oh, hey, Kiryu-san! Could you stop by the stage once in a while?
Kiryu: Huh?
Actor: You’ll be a real crowd-pleaser if you come out, and we’ll help with the production. And I think it’ll make Okuni really happy!
Kiryu: Uh, but I…
Actor: Yeah, it’s perfect! Just show up whenever you like – it’ll be great!
Kiryu: Wait, but…
Actor: How does five percent of the proceeds sound for your performance fee? I’ll talk it over with Okuni!
Kiryu: Uh, but I’m…
Actor: Huh!? Five’s not enough? Ohh, I’m in a real bind, here… I can’t go any higher than that… Would you settle for five percent – please?
[Kiryu is then given a choice.]
> My art doesn’t come that cheap!
> I don’t need your money.
[Kiryu can pick the first option, but when he does, the actor won’t accept it.]
Actor: Uhh… Please don’t say things like that.
[The game then dumps you back on the choice screen, where Kiryu has to pick the more magnanimous option to proceed.]
Kiryu: Alright, alright, I get it. I’ll help you, but I don’t need your money.
Actor: Huh!? But that’s no good…
Kiryu: I’ll help you out for free instead – it’ll be a parting gift as you all set out on the next stage of your journey.
Actor: Really!? Thank you so much! Everyone’s gonna be thrilled! Well, whenever you feel like it, let me know! I’ll always be waiting right here. Oh – but when I say “always,” I mean only at night. We don’t perform during the day.
Kiryu: Okay, got it.
[End of substory.]
—
Translation Notes:
*Reader, I’m going to be honest with you: this section of dialogue between the actors is basically untranslatable in a way that retains all the significance of the original, because it involves a lot of wordplay that doesn’t really have an equivalent in English. The three players talk about Kiryu’s performance admiringly, and they note that his appearance and behaviour were like nothing they’ve ever seen before. So far so good, right? But the specific term they use for his performance is kabuku (かぶく): a verb that means “to slant” but that was also used to describe the act of dressing and comporting oneself oddly. It’s this term that leads them to conclude that Kiryu himself looked and acted like a kabukimono (傾奇者): a term derived from the verb kabuku that refers to gangs of rowdy, flamboyantly-dressed swordsmen – mostly ronin – who ran around making trouble in the early seventeenth century. It’s from this last term that one of the actors comes up a name for the new style of play they want to put on; they’re all so impressed by Kiryu’s wild appearance and his rowdy sword-fighting performance that they decide to replicate it in their own work and call it kabuki. (This theatrical term seems, in fact, to have been derived from kabukimono, so Kenzan’s writers weren’t just pulling things out of their asses.)
This wordplay is difficult to replicate in English because while we have kabuki as a loanword, we didn’t nab any of the other terms in this chain of associations – sure, I could’ve said that Kiryu looked “kooky” or something because that sounds a bit like “kabuki,” but that term doesn’t carry the historical significance that kabukimono does.
—
Izumo no Okuni is a real historical figure who’s said to have invented the theatrical art of kabuki, which exploded in popularity in the early seventeenth century. As this substory suggests (and as you probably already know), kabuki is known for its flashy costumes and especially for the white makeup and bold lines with which performers’ faces are painted. Initially, the performances were heavily dance-based and were put on by women; Okuni’s own company consisted (in contrast with what we see in Kenzan) entirely of ladies. By 1629, however, lady actors were banned from the kabuki stage out of concern for the potential morally deleterious effects of female kabuki troupes’ often ribald performances. Of course, this didn’t put an end to the art – it just meant that men (often younger men) were left to play women’s parts instead, and while the ban was later lifted, kabuki performances generally remain all-male affairs to this day.
Under the cut is a complete English translation of Substory 18, in which Ryoma solves a problem with something other than his fists.
[Ryoma is wandering around the side streets in Rakugai when he notices a man and a woman in heated conversation.]
Angry Son: You-you old hag! How dare you trick me!?
Upset Mother: B-But, Ucchan, if I hadn’t done it this way, you wouldn’t have come outside…
Angry Son: What’s the meaning of this!? Tricking your own son to come outside… only to try and get me adopted out!?
[The Angry Son is referring to the practice of adult adoption in the Edo period, which the upcoming dialogue explains in detail, as it is not something the average person is expected to know. For more information, please see the Translation Notes.]
Upset Mother: But, Ucchan, otherwise you’ll be a freeloader* your whole life… Is that really alright?
Angry Son: Being a freeloader’s the best! I can just live that way and not have to work!
Upset Mother: But if you stay a freeloader, you won’t be able to get married…
Angry Son: Ugh, shut up! It’s not like I need a wife anyway! …I’m going home!
[The Angry Son wanders off. His mother falls to her knees.]
Upset Mother: W-Wait, Ucchan! Augh…
[The Upset Mother is still crouched on the ground, sobbing. At this point, Ryoma can walk away; however, he chooses to intervene.]
Ryoma: Hey there… Are you alright?
[The Upset Mother stands up.]
Upset Mother: Um, ah… Thank you.
Upset Mother: You… You saw that just now, didn’t you? How embarrassing...
Ryoma: That man who was here earlier… Was that your son?
Upset Mother: Yes… His name is Uchitaro. He’s my second oldest, and he’s a freeloader.
Ryoma: A freeloader…
Uchitaro’s Mother: Yes. I’m sure you know this, but in a samurai’s household, only his eldest son can carry on the family line. So the second son and all the other children who don't continue the line are called ‘freeloaders’ who live at home. Even though it’s their family home, they’re treated as moochers.
Ryoma: Right… They’re allowed to do that as insurance, so that if the eldest dies, the family line can continue.
Uchitaro’s Mother: Yes, that’s right…
Ryoma: …Was that what you two were arguing about earlier?
Uchitaro’s Mother: …Yes. Freeloaders like that don’t have to work, but… don’t you find it a little shameful? To be that way before your relatives, and society at large…
Ryoma: …You have a point.
Uchitaro’s Mother: Normally, they might look for a family to be adopted into that would allow them to become a samurai, or apply themselves to learning, or practice the arts, or teach at a dojo or temple school, or look for job openings… But my son… Uchitaro just says he wants to live here forever without having to work. He’s always holed up at home, just messing around and having fun… I worry about him so much…
Ryoma: I see. He won’t end up anywhere good carrying on like this.
Uchitaro’s Mother: Right? And then today, I lied to get him to come outside because I wanted him to start the adoption process to join a different samurai family. But then…
Ryoma: Then he found out, got angry, and went home. Is that right?
Uchitaro’s Mother: Yes… I don’t even know what to do anymore… I really feel cornered…
Ryoma: As it happens, I wasn’t the eldest son in my family either, so I can’t say I don’t understand how he must be feeling…
Uchitaro’s Mother: What!? Is that true? Um… If that’s the case, could you please go talk to my son?
Ryoma: Huh? Me?
Uchitaro’s Mother: Yes. Since you come from the same circumstances, I think it would do him some good just to hear what you have to say. Please… Even a little bit would help. Will you please go speak with my son?
[Ryoma is then presented with a choice: he can try talking to Uchitaro, or he can tell Uchitaro’s mother that he’s busy right now. Naturally, Ryoma chooses to talk to him now.]
Ryoma: Alright.
Uchitaro’s Mother: Really!? Thank you very much! …Oh, that’s right. May I please have your name?
Ryoma: It’s Saito.
Uchitaro’s Mother: Saito-san, is it? It’s a pleasure to meet you. Well then, shall we go?
[Ryoma and Uchitaro’s Mother go inside and stand at the bottom of the stairs.]
Uchitaro’s Mother: Ucchan, are you there…? I’m sorry about earlier.
[Uchitaro doesn’t reply.]
Uchitaro’s Mother: Hey, Ucchan, a gentleman named Saito-san is here to see you. Is it okay to come up?
Uchitaro: Of course it’s not okay! Tell him to go home!
Ryoma: …
Uchitaro’s Mother: Looks like he doesn’t want to…
Ryoma: …I’m going upstairs.
Uchitaro’s Mother: …Okay.
[Ryoma and Uchitaro’s Mother walk up the stairs. They step into Uchitaro’s room to find him lying on the floor, surrounded by erotic art and crumpled-up sheets of paper.]
Uchitaro: W-Who’re you!? Don’t just come in uninvited!
Ryoma: …My name is Saito. I came to talk to you.
Uchitaro: Haw? What’s this about!?
Uchitaro’s Mother: You see, Saito-san says he was also born into a samurai family, and he isn’t the eldest son.
Uchitaro’s Mother: I asked him to come here so that you could get some advice.
Uchitaro: Huh? I don’t remember asking you to do that! And besides… Why would I want advice from someone I’d just met!?
Ryoma: Ma’am… Sorry, but I’d like to talk to him in private.
Uchitaro’s Mother: Huh? Oh. Okay.
Uchitaro’s Mother: …W-Well then, see you later, Ucchan.
[Uchitaro’s mother turns and heads back down the stairs, leaving Ryoma to sort her son out.]
Uchitaro: Ah, wait—
Uchitaro: …
Uchitaro: …
Ryoma: (The moment his mother left the room, he suddenly clammed up…)
Uchitaro: …
Ryoma: (I should say something…)
[Ryoma has three choices.]
(1) What do you even do all day?
(2) Do you have any friends?
(3) What do you like to do?
[He decides to go with the first option.]
Ryoma: …I heard you’re always holed up here in your room. What do you even do all day?
Uchitaro: Um… I read newspapers that my mother buys for me, look at porn… basically I just hang out.
Ryoma: …And you’re okay with that?
Uchitaro: Uh… Okay with what?
Ryoma: I think there's even more interesting stuff to find outside your house. You just don't know what it is yet. We only have this one life. Is this really how you want to spend it? …Won’t you regret it?
Uchitaro: Um, well… Uh, yes. I-I guess you’re right…
Ryoma: …
Ryoma: (I think what this man needs is some kind of push to change his lifestyle…)
Ryoma: (But he probably won’t listen to me, a complete stranger, if I just tell him this straightaway… What can I possibly do?)
[Ryoma has three choices.]
(1) Try to get him to warm up to you with casual conversation
(2) Stoke his anxiety about the future
(3) Punch him
[Ryoma chooses the tried and true. He stands up and glowers down at Uchitaro.]
Ryoma: Uchitaro… Stand up for a second.
Uchitaro: Huh? What for?
Ryoma: I’m going to knock some guts into you.
Uchitaro: W-What, why!? No! It’ll hurt!
Ryoma: Remember, this is for your own good… The pain of being hit will awaken something inside of you, and it should fix your gloomy nature.
Uchitaro: What in the world are you talking about!? That’s such a dangerous way to think!
Ryoma: O-Oh, really…?
Uchitaro: I know it doesn’t mean much coming from me, but that kind of thing would probably have the opposite effect on someone like me, anyway.
Ryoma: …
Uchitaro: Ahh, Saito-san, come on. At the very least, didn’t my mother trust you with me? What’s all this about hitting me? What would that accomplish? If something that simple was the answer, I’d have been out of this house a long time ago.
[Having come to the realization that his usual method of solving problems won’t work here, Ryoma sits back down.]
Ryoma: …You’re right.
Ryoma: (It doesn’t look like brute force will work here… Alright then, now what…? If I’m going to say it, it has to be now. Let me try to get through to him.)
[Ryoma is given three choices.]
(1) Drag him outside by force
(2) Appeal to his emotions
(3) Build up his confidence
[Ryoma decides to give Uchitaro a little confidence boost.]
Ryoma: (In the end, he has to be the one to decide to set foot outside. If I could show him, a man with an inferiority complex, how he can do something for himself, maybe that would build up his confidence…)
Ryoma: Uchitaro, is there anything you’d say you’re good at?
Uchitaro: Eh? Good at…?
Ryoma: Yes, there’s got to be something.
Uchitaro: …Something I’m good at, huh.
Uchitaro: I guess there is something… Or, was. Haha, I was even the best around.
Ryoma: That’s impressive. What was it?
Uchitaro: …I don’t really want to say.
Ryoma: …? Oh?
Uchitaro: Just… It’s not that simple.
Ryoma: Really… I won’t make you tell me, then.
Ryoma: …But, you know, just having something that you know you’re the best at, that can be your weapon. If you’ve convinced yourself that you’re not capable of anything, that’s a big mistake. You’ll be just fine. Don’t lose confidence.
Uchitaro: Saito-san… Thank you. It’s been a long time since anyone said that to me. It makes me really happy.
[Uchitaro looks thoughtful.]
Uchitaro: My weapon… My confidence… Huh.
Ryoma: (It looks like Uchitaro is trying to find it in himself to take the next step…Somehow that seems to have worked.)
Uchitaro: …Actually, when I was little, I used to love swordsmanship.
Ryoma: …!
Uchitaro: I practiced every day… I must have had a knack for it, because I improved pretty quickly. I also got excellent marks at the tournaments that were held at my dojo.
Ryoma: Wow, that’s impressive.
Uchitaro: I always knew that I couldn’t become my family’s successor because I wasn’t the eldest, but I genuinely thought I wanted to do something with my sword in the future.
Uchitaro: …Until that day.
Ryoma: That day?
Uchitaro: …When someone was murdered right in front of me.
Ryoma: …!
Uchitaro: The one who died was clearly a criminal. He was a fugitive on the run, and a constable stabbed him right in the back. For the first time ever, I saw the very moment someone died. I watched as his blood gushed out, and his spirit drained from his body. I was so scared… In that moment, I had a realization. That sword that I’d been swinging around so single-mindedly only existed to take people’s lives. …When I realized that, I lost all my desire to do anything with my life. Before I knew it, I began living as a freeloader, just lazing around all day…
Ryoma: …You no longer wield your sword?
Uchitaro: …That’s right.
Uchitaro: I know it doesn’t have to be the sword… I know I should try to do well at something, anything really. …But I can’t. As soon as I get the motivation to do it, that scene plays out before my eyes, and I lose all my strength again…Picking up my sword again is out of the question. The life of a freeloader suits me best…
Ryoma: …
Uchitaro: Hahaha… Now do you see how hopeless I am?
[Uchitaro stands up.]
Uchitaro: Thank you for going to all that trouble to come see me. I’m glad I was able to talk to you, Saito-san. I do realize that this way of living isn’t good, but… I just don’t think I can… Please, leave already.
Uchitaro: Please leave…!!
Ryoma: …
[The screen fades out. When it fades back in, Ryoma is standing back outside Uchitaro’s house with Uchitaro’s Mother, who gives Ryoma a little bow.]
Uchitaro’s Mother: Thank you for today. I’m sorry it turned out this way… after you went to all that trouble.
Ryoma: It’s alright… I’m sorry I wasn’t much help.
Uchitaro’s Mother: That’s not true. That he even got to talk to someone outside our family is quite something. If you ever feel up to it again, would you… please come give him advice again?
Ryoma: Yes, that sounds good. Alright then, I’ll be off…
[Ryoma turns and walks away. Uchitaro’s mother watches him go.]
Uchitaro’s Mother: Oh, Saito-san, please wait–
Uchitaro’s Mother: I forgot to thank him…
[Uchitaro’s mother takes a step forward as she speaks. Before she can get the rest of her sentence out, a passing swordsman bumps into her.]
Uchitaro’s Mother: O-Ouch… I’m sorry…
Tough Guy: Ouch, that hurt… Oi, watch where you’re going!
[Uchitaro’s mother bows apologetically to the Tough Guy.]
Uchitaro’s Mother: I-I’m sorry…
Tough Guy: Sorry won’t cut it! You made me get my fine kimono all dusty!
[Ryoma turns to look at the unfolding scene.]
Ryoma: …!
Tough Guy: And it’s not just the kimono, you broke my arm too. You’re a samurai family, aren’t ya? So you should be able to pay me damages, easy.
Uchitaro’s Mother: I’m sorry, our family can’t afford that…
Tough Guy: Huh? Are you saying you’d rather I beat ya up for it?
Uchitaro’s Mother: O-Oh…
Ryoma: Hey, you.
[The Tough Guy turns to face Ryoma.]
Tough Guy: Haw? What is it? Got a problem with me?
Ryoma: …
Tough Guy: Oi, I’m talkin’ to ya! I said, you got a problem with me!?
[Ryoma looks up at the second floor of Uchitaro’s house.]
Ryoma: (He’s yelling so loudly, he's probably audible inside the house, too…)
Ryoma: …No, I have no intention of getting in your way. Do as you please.
Tough Guy: Huh…!? What the hell are you sayin’!?
Uchitaro’s Mother: …
Ryoma: …
Tough Guy: …Tch.
[The Tough Guy turns back to Uchitaro’s mother.]
Tough Guy: Oi, you there. If you won’t pay up, I’m gonna have to rough ya up a bit, so get ready.
Uchitaro’s Mother: U-Um… Please spare me…
Tough guy: Haw? Are you kiddin’ me!?
Uchitaro’s Mother: …
Tough Guy: I don’t think you understand how serious I am, do ya?
Uchitaro’s Mother: W-Wah…
Ryoma: (It’s about time…)
Man’s Voice: Stop that!
[Uchitaro suddenly appears!]
Uchitaro’s Mother: Ucchan!
Uchitaro: L- L-L- L- Let my mother go!
Tough Guy: Huh? Tryin’ to act all brave while shakin’ like a leaf! If you don’t wanna get hurt, you’d better back off.
Uchitaro: I… I won’t!
Uchitaro: I- It’s scary… I’m shaking… Like I’m about to throw up… Right now… I-I just want to run away, but… If I run away here… then there really won’t be any hope for me!
Uchitaro’s Mother: Ucchan…
[Four rough-looking swordsmen saunter over.]
Vulgar Man: Oi, what’s all this?
Tough Guy: Ah, it’s you guys. These two are tryin’ to get smart with me. Help me out here.
[The other men move to surround Uchitaro and his mother.]
Vulgar Man: Oi, sonny. If you’re gonna run, now’s the time.
Uchitaro: I’m not running away from this! I won’t let you lay a hand on my mother!
Ryoma: …Well said. I knew you had it in you to come to your mother’s aid. I wasn’t planning on stepping in, but now you’re outnumbered. I could lend a hand…
Uchitaro: Saito-san… Thank you!
Tough Guy: Whatcha blabberin’ about over there! Hey everyone! Let’s show them!
[The Vulgar Men draw their swords. Ryoma trounces them with some assistance from Uchitaro, leaving them hunched-over and panting.]
Uchitaro: …
Ryoma: Hey, are you alright?
Uchitaro: Ha–
Ryoma: Ha?
[Uchitaro slumps forward.]
Uchitaro: …Haaah~ That was so scary~! It was terrifying… Holding my sword for the first time in so long… But my mother was in danger… So I just acted…
[Uchitaro straightens up and looks at Ryoma.]
Uchitaro: Saito-san, I… Did I manage to do it?
Ryoma: Yeah. You looked great out there.
Uchitaro’s Mother: Ucchan…!
Uchitaro: Mother… Are you hurt?
Uchitaro’s Mother: I’m fine. What about you, Ucchan?
Uchitaro: Yeah, I’m fine… O-Ow-ow-ow! Hahaha… Looks like my body has gotten too stiff for this.
[Uchitaro pauses.]
Uchitaro: Every time I tried to apply myself to something, bad memories from my childhood would resurface, and I wouldn’t be able to move my body, but… Today I was just so desperate… my body somehow moved on its own.
Uchitaro: And it’s all thanks to… Saito-san.
Ryoma: Heh. Well, if that’s the case, then… coming to talk to you must have done some good.
Uchitaro: Saito-san, you knew that I’d come to save my mother… You believed in me, and you waited for me to come, right?
Ryoma: Actually… I wasn’t the only one who believed in you.
Uchitaro: Huh?
Uchitaro’s Mother: I knew Ucchan would come save me.
Uchitaro: Mother…!
Uchitaro: Saito-san, it might be that today was a fluke. Maybe tomorrow I’ll be back to my old ways like before and it’ll be difficult to work hard again…
Uchitaro: …But I’m going to do it. I’ll do it for my mother, and for myself. I’ll pick up my sword again. I don’t think I can change overnight, but I’ll try to get better, a little at a time… And someday, I hope to run my own dojo.
[Uchitaro’s mother holds a hand to her face and cries a little.]
Uchitaro’s Mother: Ucchan...
Ryoma: Do your best for your mother’s sake, alright?
Uchitaro: …Yeah!
Uchitaro’s Mother: Saito-san, I forgot to give you this earlier.
[Uchitaro’s mother gives Ryoma a piece of crafting material. The exact item that Ryoma receives depends on the choices he makes in the substory – depending on how he handles the conversation, he’ll receive a rainbow fragment, a lump of platinum, or a silver fragment.]
Uchitaro’s Mother: Thank you for everything you did for my son… for Uchitaro.
Uchitaro: Saito-san, please stop by for a chat again someday!
---
Translation Notes
The Shut-In: The name of this substory is “hikikomori.”
Freeloader (“heyazumi”): In samurai households, the eldest son was the heir and was responsible for continuing the family line, while all subsequent children were referred to as “heyazumi” (部屋住み, literally “living in the room”). These children had the option of living as dependents in their family home, assuming they didn’t mind that the lifestyle was considered somewhat shameful. Some heyazumi accepted their status and did just that, sometimes while pursuing side gigs (e.g., teaching, running a dojo, painting, writing…); others left their families and social standing altogether to make a living for themselves as merchants, craftsmen, or artists, or as the more shameful ronin. Another option – the one that Uchitaro’s mother is trying to pursue here – was the process of adult adoption: adopting a heyazumi out to a family that lacked a male heir and making him the head of their household. A son who was adopted this way would gain the new family’s social status – and would thus no longer be a heyazumi.
While it’s not directly related to this substory, it’s worth noting that the term “heyazumi” also carries particular significance for modern yakuza. Traditionally, an apprentice yakuza goes through a sort of apprenticeship known as “heyazumi”: a period in which the new recruit lives in the same space as his boss or veteran yakuza. The apprentice is placed under constant surveillance while he performs menial tasks (such as cooking and cleaning), learns how to speak and behave like a yakuza, and gets a feel for the family’s business. This apprenticeship period is idealized as a time in which the recruit becomes a “real man” and develops a strong sense of loyalty and an intense emotional bond with his boss. This heyazumi period may last several years, and it’s possible to fail it and be dismissed – but once a man completes it, he becomes an official member of the gang. (This explanation is adapted from Wolfgang Herbert’s From Brawler to Boss: Old School Yakuza Careers and Modern Times.)
Uchitaro: This man’s name consists of the kanji 内 (“uchi,” meaning “inside” or “home,” among other senses) coupled with 太郎 (“taro,” a common suffix in boys’ names). In other words, Uchitaro’s own name suggests that he’s a homeboy.
Newspapers (“kawaraban”): A kawaraban was a type of Edo-era woodblock-printed news sheet. These newspapers covered a wide variety of topics of general interest – e.g., current events, festivals, gossip, political satire – and included eye-catching illustrations. Kawaraban were typically printed in large quantities on cheap paper and were sold to mass audiences despite the shogunate’s attempts to restrict potentially subversive publications. (Unsurprisingly, they were generally printed anonymously.)
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Bonus #1: Ryoma’s Conversation Starters
[To get things started with Uchitaro, Ryoma decides to ask about the man’s friends instead.]
Ryoma: ...Do you have any friends?
Uchitaro: Huh, what...?
Ryoma: Friends. I’m asking if you have any friends.
Uchitaro: I-I used to… Back when I was little, though… But as we got older, we gradually stopped hanging out and fell out of touch… So as things stand, if you’re asking me whether or not I have friends…
Ryoma: You don’t, then?
Uchitaro: No, no. It’s not that I don’t… I just don’t bother to make any. For starters, you don’t really need friends as an adult, right? It’s not like you hang out much, right? And actually, I have plenty of fun on my own. …In fact, having friends would be more of a hassle than anything. Hanging out with them requires time and money, and then you’re supposed to pay attention to them, too. …Yeah, that’s right. It’s definitely better not to have any friends.
Ryoma: …That’s not true.
Uchitaro: Huh.
Ryoma: There’s friends that you don’t regret spending time and money on… but you haven’t met anyone like that yet, have you? Of course you have to pay attention to your friends to some extent. …But that’s because they’re that important.
Uchitaro: …
Ryoma: …Don’t you think so?
Uchitaro: Ah… Yes, I suppose…
Ryoma: …
---
[Alternatively, instead of implicitly criticizing what Uchitaro does or doesn’t do all day, Ryoma decides just to ask the man what he likes doing.]
Ryoma: Do you have anything you like to do?
Uchitaro: Huh? …Anything I like to do?
Ryoma: Right. Something you just get completely absorbed in.
Uchitaro: Ahh…
Ryoma: …Think hard.
Uchitaro: S-Something I get absorbed in… Something I like… Umm…
Uchitaro: …No, nothing.
Ryoma: There’s… nothing?
Uchitaro: Right, nothing. …Ah, if I’m forced to pick something, it would have to be my current lifestyle, where I just do nothing!
Ryoma: …
Uchitaro: …What?
Ryoma: The young people I know who are about your age all work hard. They’re motivated by the things they like. They’re all living their lives to the fullest…
Uchitaro: Hold on! Stop talking about my peers! It’s just gonna get me down!!
Ryoma: …
Uchitaro: …
[Ryoma and Uchitaro exchange looks.]
Uchitaro: I- When I see people my age working hard, I just start feeling inferior…
Ryoma: …Then if that’s the case, why don’t you try to change your situation?
Uchitaro: Eh, ah, um…
Ryoma: …Are you planning to change?
Uchitaro: Uh… well, um… Y-Yeah… I am…
Ryoma: …When?
Uchitaro: When? Right, when…
Ryoma: Now!!
Uchitaro: …Right.
Ryoma: …
---
Bonus #2: Giving Uchitaro a Push
[It’s time to give Uchitaro a push – but instead of defaulting to literally pushing him around, Ryoma chooses to ask him what his type is.]
Ryoma: (First, it’s important to get him to open up a little. Let me get him to warm up to me with some casual conversation.)
Ryoma: Uchitaro… What type of woman are you into?
Uchitaro: H-Huh!? Woman!? What’s this all of a sudden!?
Ryoma: You’re about that age, you’ve probably had a lot of that sort of experience. What kind of woman do you prefer?
Uchitaro: Experience… No, haven’t had any.
Ryoma: Huh?
Uchitaro: I- I mean, since I’m always at home, it’s not like I have any opportunities to go meet women. And I don’t go to those establishments either. The only women I ever see are my mom, my aunt, and… the two-dimensional women in my porn. So I don’t really know if I have any preferences like that.
Ryoma: O-Oh, really…
Uchitaro: Oh, but I suppose I have an ideal…
Ryoma: Ah, what kind of ideal?
Uchitaro: Hmm, well… Long hair, super gorgeous, refined, kind, only has eyes for me, comes from a rich family, good in bed, great cook, takes care of me… someone like that!
Ryoma: …Those are some high standards.
Uchitaro: But look, this is someone you’re supposed to be married to for life, right? I’m compromising over here! Oh, and even better if she’s the daughter of a landowner.
Uchitaro: …See, sometimes I sit by the window and look at the women passing by. And they’re no good. At a glance, they all look so ordinary! There’s nothing sexy or refined about them… Nah, no way!
Ryoma: Get real!!
Uchitaro: !!
Ryoma: You’re a shut-in who does nothing all day long… You’re nothing more than a jobless guy yourself! Even though you don’t bother to lift a finger yourself, you demand a lot from others. You’re all talk, and yet, you have high standards… Do you think that ideal woman would even spare a glance for a guy like you?
Ryoma: No, even those ordinary women you ridicule would never like someone like you!!
Uchitaro: …
Ryoma: (Oh no, I was supposed to get him to open up to me, but instead I accidentally ended up lecturing him…)
Uchitaro: …You’re right.
Ryoma: Hm?
Uchitaro: The truth is I do know that. I know I don’t deserve anyone’s love. I couldn’t help but put on a front… By pretending to look down on the people around me, I was just trying to protect myself. Haha, Saito-san. Until now, I’d never met anyone who thoroughly chewed me out like that… T-Thank you…
Ryoma: (...This didn’t go the way I’d planned, but Uchitaro seems to have warmed up to me a little.)
---
[Alternatively, Ryoma considers how to push Uchitaro to make a change and decides to go with a bit of psychological intimidation instead of the usual physical kind.]
Ryoma: (To get this guy to change, I feel like I should get him a little worried…)
Ryoma: …Uchitaro, what are you going to do about your future?
Uchitaro: Huh?
Ryoma: You can’t possibly expect to live in this house as a freeloader until you die, yeah?
Uchitaro: Well, I haven’t really thought that far…
Ryoma: I see, so you do plan to get out of this house, right? So how will you do that? What kind of work do you plan to get into in the future?
Uchitaro: Uhh... That's a really serious question to ask all of a sudden...
Ryoma: I’m asking you out of the blue, but it’s not like you haven’t had ample time to think about it up until now. Your parents won’t be alive forever. What are you going to do when you’re left all alone? Nobody will be left to protect you.
Ryoma: At this rate, you’ll end up on the streets, destitute and shunned by society. Or do you think you can rely on your older brother’s family to take care of you?
Uchitaro: W-... W-...
Uchitaro: W-Wahhh!! Please stop tearing me apart like this — I'm already in pieces! My heart can't handle it!
Ryoma: S-Sorry… I went too far.
Uchitaro: I- I understand… I know I need to start thinking more seriously about my future from now on…
Ryoma: (I get the feeling this wasn’t the best way to do it, but he seems to be a little more in touch with reality now…)
---
Bonus #3: Getting Through to Uchitaro
[In a last-ditch attempt to get through to Uchitaro, Ryoma figures it’s best to just drag him out of the house.]
Ryoma: …Oi, stand up.
Uchitaro: Eh? Why?
Ryoma: We’re going outside.
Uchitaro: What are you talking about!? I- I won’t do that!
Ryoma: These are somewhat drastic measures, but… this is to make a shut-in like you go outside. There’s no other way.
Uchitaro: Of course there is! There’s gotta be another way, there must be! …Um, for starters, the problem was never about physically getting me outside, was it? Saito-san, let’s say you did bring me outside. What would that accomplish? What do you think would happen after you went home? Do you think I’d get over being a shut-in and start going outside? That’s not how it works, right?
[Ryoma sits back down.]
Ryoma: (That makes sense… I can’t believe I’m being lectured by a shut-in… Can I come back from this?)
---
[Alternatively, if Ryoma can’t force Uchitaro out of the house, he figures maybe he can appeal to the guy’s emotions with a bit of a guilt trip.]
Ryoma: (Rather than forcing him, there are times when a gentle warning can be more effective… Alright… Let me try to appeal to his emotions.)
Ryoma: Uchitaro… I think you’re already well aware of this, but…
Uchitaro: W-What is it?
Ryoma: …Your parents are really worried about you.
Uchitaro: …O-Of course I know that…
Ryoma: You have a good mother. If this had been another family, they might have already run out of patience. …But your mother seems to worry about you above all else.
Uchitaro: …
Ryoma: I’m not saying you need to go outside right away. How about just trying to look for something you might like to do? It would make your mother very happy.
Uchitaro: I-I… Well, if there’s anything I can do for my mother, I’d be happy to… I want to work and earn money and pay my parents back as much as I can for taking care of me this whole time! I do want to, but… It’s impossible.
Ryoma: What?
Uchitaro: I can’t do it…
[Uchitaro doesn’t elaborate.]
Uchitaro: …
Ryoma: (Appealing to his emotions seems to have worked, but he appears to be struggling with something else…)
Ryoma: (That cat… It seems to have picked a pretty dangerous spot. Is it going to be alright there? Well, it’s not like it’s any of my business...)
Cat’s voice: Nya!
Ryoma: (…It fell in!)
Ryoma: Hold on! I’m coming!
[The screen fades to black; there’s a splashing sound as Ryoma leaps into the water. When the screen fades back in, Ryoma is sitting on the dock in his fundoshi with the cat lying next to him.]
Dirty Cat: Meow…
Ryoma: You’re such a clumsy cat…
Dirty Cat: Purr, purr…
Ryoma: (You’re dirty and dripping wet on top of that… Must be rough, huh? There’s a bathhouse nearby… Since I got soaked too, how about I take you along and clean you up?)
Ryoma: Alright… Come here, you.
Dirty Cat: Meow?
[The scene shifts to the bathhouse, where Ryoma is sitting on the floor with the Dirty Cat.]
Ryoma: Be good and stay still…
Dirty Cat: Hiss…!
Ryoma: Hey, quit it. I’m trying to clean you up …Ow!
Dirty Cat: Mrreow!
[The screen fades to black as Ryoma scrubs the cat down, then fades back in on a shot of Ryoma looking down at the results.]
Ryoma: Yeah, that’s more like it.
Freshly-Clean Cat: Meow.
Ryoma: Heh, look at you. As soon as you got all cleaned up, you calmed down.
[Ryoma returns with the cat to the dock where he found it.]
Ryoma: …It seems you like that spot a lot, huh? Well, alright, just don’t slip and fall in again.
Freshly-Clean Cat: Meow!
[A tutorial box pops up.]
The Dirty Cat’s Bond
You’ve made a connection with the Dirty Cat. From now on, when you interact, your bond will strengthen as you fill the gauge. The bond gauge’s status can also be checked in the pause menu under the Good Deeds List.* Interact more with the Dirty Cat to strengthen your friendship.
[This marks the end of the substory, but Ryoma still has some business with the Dirty Cat. When he returns some time later, the cat is back on the dock, and it’s dirty once again.]
Dirty Cat: Meow…
Ryoma: Huh? You’re covered in mud, aren't you? What, did you fall into the river again?
Dirty Cat: Purr, purr…
Ryoma: (…What a scatter-brain. Alright, then. Should I go clean you up at the bathhouse?)
[Ryoma is then faced with two choices – wash it or leave – and, of course, he chooses to bathe the cat again.]
Ryoma: You’re hopeless. Come here.
Dirty Cat: Meow…
[Ryoma returns with the cat to the bathhouse. He sits on the floor with the cat again to scold it.]
Ryoma: You really are a hopeless little fellow. I’ll get you all cleaned up, so just stay still.
Dirty Cat: Meow…
Ryoma: Good kitty, that’s more like it.
[The scene fades out once more; Ryoma bathes the cat, and when it fades back in, the little fellow is sparkling-clean once again.]
Freshly-Clean Cat: Meow.
[Ryoma, having learned as much as the cat has learned (which is to say nothing), returns the cat to the exact same spot on the docks.]
Ryoma: You better not mess up again.
Freshly-Clean Cat: Meow.
[The cat has evidently realized that it’s got a good thing going on, because Ryoma returns shortly thereafter to find the cat all dirtied-up on the dock again. Ryoma repeats the dialogue from his last encounter with the Dirty Cat, and once again leaves the cat at the dock in the same spot where it keeps falling into the river.
When Ryoma returns to the dock again, the cat’s back and it’s dirty as usual, but this time Ryoma has some new commentary for it.]
Ryoma: Hmmph, how many times do you have to make a mess of yourself before it sinks in? This keeps happening because you keep hanging around dangerous places like that.
Dirty Cat: Purr, purr…
Ryoma: (...Still, I can’t just leave it alone, right? Should I go clean it up at the bathhouse?)
[Ryoma is then faced once again with the choice to wash it or leave it; he decides to go bathe the cat again.]
Ryoma: You’re hopeless. Come here.
Dirty Cat: Meow…
[Ryoma returns with the cat to the bathhouse and sits on the floor to scrub it down.]
Ryoma: Heh, you’re being so well-behaved. I’ve washed you so many times that you’ve gotten used to it, huh?
Dirty Cat: Meow.
Ryoma: Heh. I’m gonna clean you up real nice, alright?
Dirty Cat: Meooow!
[Ryoma cleans the cat and takes it back to the docks, where it sits and sparkles.]
Ryoma: Now don’t screw up again. Don’t you dare fall into the river.
Freshly-Clean Cat: Mya, meow.
Ryoma: (Hmm… I get the feeling it’s going to get dirty again soon…)
[The next time Ryoma returns to the river, the cat isn’t there.]
Ryoma: (Huh…? That clumsy cat’s not here.)
[Ryoma looks to his left, where several onlookers are chattering amongst themselves.]
Ryoma: …Huh? What the…? What’s with that crowd over there…?
[The camera shifts over to a group of three people standing over the Dirty Cat as it lies by the edge of the boardwalk.]
Male Onlooker: Looks like it fell into the river.
Female Onlooker: Good thing it survived. But it’s really dirty…
Ryoma: Let me through. That’s my cat.
Dirty Cat: Meow.
Ryoma: Good grief… How many times have I told you to be careful?
Dirty Cat: Meow…
[Ryoma returns once more to the bathhouse with the possibly repentant dirty cat.]
Ryoma: For goodness’ sake, you’re always such a troublemaker.
Dirty Cat: Meow…
Ryoma: One of these days, your carelessness is going to get you killed… Are you listening to me?
Dirty Cat: Meow.
Ryoma: …Alright, that’ll do. Look at you, all prettied-up.
[The cat is, once again, sparkling-clean.]
Freshly-Clean Cat: Meow-meow.
Ryoma: You look kind of happy… Now that you’ve learned the hard way, you better not hang around dangerous places like that anymore. Got it?
Freshly-Clean Cat: Mya… Meow.
Ryoma: …That didn’t sound like a “yes.”
Ryoma: (It seems like there’s no easy fix for this cat’s clumsiness. It might be dangerous to leave it to its own devices. Okay…)
Ryoma: Alright, from now on, you’re my cat. You’ll live with me. That way you shouldn’t be in any danger. …How does that sound?
Freshly-Clean Cat: …Meow!
Ryoma: Good answer.
[Ryoma is then given a prompt to name the cat. Its default name is おちょこ (“Ochoko,” which is a pun on “Scatterbrain”). Once you select a name, the game confirms that the cat has become Ryoma’s pet, and then another tutorial box pops up.]
About Pets
Ryoma can keep cats and dogs – up to three of each. If they’re in a good mood, they’ll bring him various crafting materials.
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Translation Notes
Good Deeds List: Players who are using KHHsubs’ Ishin guide may note that the guide uses the term “Virya List” here. Rather than relying on other game guides, we have chosen to take our own approach to translating some items and mechanics, so the wording may differ occasionally; in those cases, we will note the divergence so as to avoid creating confusion for players who may be using both resources.
Under the cut is a complete English translation of Substory 17, in which Ryoma is fooled not once, not twice, but five times – but at least he gets a bit of reading material out of the deal.
[The scene opens near the northwestern end of Rakunai, a short distance down the road from the shrine. A man is standing over a cat. Ryoma keeps his distance for a moment to watch things unfold.]
Cat Patron Guy: Esteemed Lucky Cat! I’ve prepared you an offering of 1,000 mon!* I beg of you, with this money, please bring me happiness!
Cat: Nnnyan!
Cat Patron Guy: Please… Please…
[Ryoma walks over to see what all the fuss is about.]
Ryoma: What are you doing?
Cat Patron Guy: Ahh, you startled me! Please don’t talk to me out of the blue!
Ryoma: …? What on earth was that just now? It looked like you were giving money to a cat.
Cat Patron Guy: Heh-heh-heh, you mean you don’t know? This here isn’t your run-of-the-mill cat. Believe it or not… It’s the Great Lucky Cat – a bringer of good fortune!
Ryoma: A… lucky cat?
Cat Patron Guy: Yeah, if you make an offering to the lucky cat like I did just now…
[The cat is currently facing the wall.]
Ryoma: Hey, it turned away.
Cat Patron Guy: It’s fine, just watch.
[The cat turns to face them again.]
Lucky Cat: Nnnyan!
[The Cat Patron Guy bends down.]
Cat Patron Guy: Ah! This is… My precious amulet! I lost it ages ago! Hooray! …And just like that, it brought me good fortune.
Ryoma: Something about this is kind of fishy…
Cat Patron Guy: “Fishy”? What are you talking about?! Did you not see what just happened?!
Ryoma: Hmm…
Cat Patron Guy: Well, it doesn’t matter if you believe me or not… Thank you for your help this time, Esteemed Lucky Cat! Please lend me your aid again someday!
Lucky Cat: Nnnya.
[Ryoma watches the Cat Patron Guy walk away, then looks down at the cat.]
Ryoma: …
Lucky Cat: …
Ryoma: (A cat that brings good fortune, huh…? It’d be great if that were true. Should I try giving it 1,000 mon?)
[Ryoma is then given a choice to give the money or not; naturally, Ryoma chooses to give the cat 1,000 of his hard-earned mon. He bends down to give an offering to the possible blessing-bringing cat.]
Ryoma: Look, here’s 1,000 mon. Bring me good fortune.
Lucky Cat: Nnnyan!
[Ryoma stands up to watch as the cat runs down the street and disappears around a corner.]
Ryoma: …
Ryoma: (…Damn it, I knew that was a waste.*)
Ryoma: …Huh?
[Surprisingly, the cat has returned.]
Lucky Cat: Nnnyan!
Ryoma: …!
[Ryoma crouches down to accept his cat prize.]
Ryoma: (Looks like it brought something.)
[Ryoma receives a whitebait – a small fish.]
Ryoma: …
Lucky Cat: …Nnnyan!
Ryoma: Hmm… What’s this...? Maybe to you this is a blessing, but…
[The Lucky Cat drools.]
Ryoma: Could it be that you’d like to eat this?
[Ryoma returns the whitebait to the cat.]
Lucky Cat: Mrreow!
Ryoma: (Hmm, it seems pleased…)
[A tutorial box pops up.]
The Lucky Cat’s Bond
You’ve made a connection with the Lucky Cat. From now on, when you interact, your bond will strengthen as you fill the gauge. The bond gauge’s status can also be checked in the pause menu under the Good Deeds List.* Interact more with the Lucky Cat to strengthen your friendship.
[This is the end of the Lucky Cat’s substory, but Ryoma still has some business with it. The next time he returns to the cat’s corner, it’s sitting there, waiting for him.]
Ryoma: (It’s the cat that’s supposed to bring good fortune when you give it an offering...)
[Ryoma looks over his shoulder to see two men standing a few paces down the road.]
Ryoma: …Huh?
Cat Patron Guy: The other day, I tried offering the lucky cat 2,000 mon, and it brought me 1 ryo in return!
Surprised Guy: Is that what they call “inviting good luck”? Whoooa! I should try it too!
Ryoma: …
[Ryoma turns back to the cat.]
Ryoma: (Should I try giving it 2,000 mon?)
[Ryoma is then given a choice to give his money to the cat or not. Of course, there’s no turning back: Ryoma bends down to give the cat 2,000 mon.]
Ryoma: Look, here’s 2,000 mon. Now this time, bring me good fortune.
Lucky Cat: Nnnyan!
[The cat runs off and disappears around a corner again. Ryoma watches it go. Eventually, the cat returns with another prize.]
Lucky Cat: Nnnyan!
[Ryoma crouches down to accept it.]
Ryoma: (Looks like it’s got something.)
[Ryoma receives some Sobering Pills.]
Ryoma: Sobering pills… Don’t tell me you were worried about my health…?
Lucky Cat: Nnnya!
Ryoma: I appreciate the thought, but this isn’t a 2,000-mon blessing…
Lucky Cat: Mrreow…
Ryoma: (…No, it’s not about the money.)
Ryoma: (In its own way, this fellow was thinking of me when it brought this…)
Ryoma: This’ll come in handy next time I go bar-hopping… Thanks.
Lucky Cat: …Nnnyan!
[Ryoma leaves the cat alone for a bit. When he returns to the corner, the cat is still sitting there.]
Ryoma: (It’s the cat that’s supposed to bring good fortune when you give it an offering...)
[Ryoma turns to look over his shoulder; a few paces down the road, the two men are back.]
Ryoma: …Huh?
Cat Patron Guy: The other day, I went all-out and offered the Lucky Cat 3,000 mon, and it brought me a letter!
Surprised Guy: A letter? Was it written in cat-speak?
Cat Patron Guy: No, no. Some clumsy courier probably dropped it while he was making his deliveries. The address on the letter was for a place nearby. Like a good neighbour, I figured I’d try delivering it… And believe it or not, the recipient was a gorgeous lady! She treated me to tea and cakes! Ohh, she was a real hottie…
Surprised Guy: The Lucky Cat deals in matters of love, too?! Alright, next time I’m gonna try it!
Ryoma: …
[Ryoma turns back to the cat.]
Ryoma: (…Should I try giving it 3,000 mon?)
[As usual, when faced with the choice to give the cat his hard-earned money or not, Ryoma chooses to pay up. He bends down to make his offering.]
Ryoma: Look, here’s 3,000 mon. Now this time, bring me good fortune.
Lucky Cat: Nnnyan!
[The cat runs off and disappears around a corner again. Ryoma watches it go. As usual, the cat returns with a prize.]
Lucky Cat: Nnnyan!
[Ryoma crouches down to accept it.]
Ryoma: (Looks like it’s got something.)
[Ryoma receives some erotic art.*]
Ryoma: Is this supposed to be… a blessing for me?
Lucky Cat: Nnnya!
Ryoma: Hmm, this might be a blessing for a guy consumed by burning passion… But for me…
Lucky Cat: Mrreow…
Ryoma: (…No, that’s not the point. In its own way, this fellow was thinking of me when it brought this…)
Ryoma: I’ll read this when I’m really hard-up…Thanks.
Lucky Cat: …Nnnyan!
[With that, Ryoma decides to leave the cat be for a bit. When he returns, the cat is still there.]
Ryoma: (It’s the cat that’s supposed to bring good fortune when you give it an offering...)
[Ryoma looks over his shoulder; once again, the two men are having a conversation nearby.]
Cat Patron Guy: In the end, you can’t attain true happiness without at least 5,000 mon.
Surprised Guy: Is this about the Lucky Cat?
Cat Patron Guy: Yeah. I wanted to get closer to that lovely lady I met the other day, but I didn’t have a good reason. I was stumped… So I went and offered up 5,000 mon to the Lucky Cat. And then… We got engaged.
Surprised Guy: Huh?! C-congratulations!
Ryoma: …
Ryoma: (…5,000 mon, huh…)
[Ryoma is again given the choice to give the money or not; he bends down to pay the cat.]
Ryoma: Here, that’s 5,000 mon. This time… Bring me a huge blessing…
Lucky Cat: Nnnyan!
[The cat runs off and disappears around a corner again. Ryoma watches it go. The cat returns with another prize, and Ryoma bends down to receive his blessing.]
Lucky Cat: Nnnyan!
Ryoma: (Looks like it brought back a blessing worth 5,000 mon…)
[Ryoma receives 4,000 mon.]
Ryoma: (…There’s less!)
Lucky Cat: Nnnyan!
Ryoma: Don’t you “nnnyan” me!
Lucky Cat: Mrreow…
Ryoma: (…No, hold on. In its own way, it was trying to bring me good fortune… Even if things turned out poorly for me, that’s no reason to take it out on the cat.)
Ryoma: …I lost some money, but I appreciate the sentiment. Thanks.
Lucky Cat: …Nnnyan!
[Ryoma leaves the cat again, but unfortunately, he hasn’t quite learned his lesson. He returns to the Lucky Cat one final time.]
Ryoma: (It’s the cat that’s supposed to bring good fortune when you give it an offering… I know it’s doing its best, but it still hasn’t brought me much in the way of blessings.)
[Ryoma looks over his shoulder to see the usual two guys talking again.]
Cat Patron Guy: So I figured, since the Lucky Cat’s brought me so many blessings so far, I’d try giving it a 1-ryo coin.
Surprised Guy: A whole ryo?! What kind of crazy blessing did that get you?!
Cat Patron Guy: Well…
Surprised Guy: Gulp…
Cat Patron Guy: After that, I drew every fortune slip at the shrine… and all of them said… “excellent luck”!
Surprised Guy: No… no way! With that, you’ll never have to worry about your fortune again!
Cat Patron Guy: Yeah! I feel like I can do anything now!
Ryoma: (Everyone except me has had such good experiences… Do I dare offer it 1 ryo?)
[And so, once more, Ryoma has a choice to give or not give his cash to the cat. He bends down again to pay the Lucky Cat.]
Ryoma: …Let’s try it with 1 ryo.
Lucky Cat: …
Ryoma: …
Lucky Cat: …
Ryoma: (…? It’s acting a little different today.)
Lucky Cat: Nnnyan! Nnnya-nnnyan!!
[The cat tears off down the street; Ryoma watches it go.]
Ryoma: (Is it trying to get me to follow it?)
Ryoma: H-hey, wait!
[Ryoma runs off after the cat. He rounds the corner and runs east a little along the road, then stops just past a bridge.]
Ryoma: (Good grief… where’d it go…?)
Whispering Voice: And then… with this money… Hee-hee…
[Ryoma turns to see two men standing near a gate.]
Ryoma: (…Huh? I hear people talking.)
Small-Time Crook: Hee-hee, here you are, sir. Pleasure doing business with you.
Guy with Presence: Heh-heh, oh you scoundrel, you.
Ryoma: (Looks like they’re up to some kind of shady business…)
[The Lucky Cat is standing nearby. Ryoma turns to look at it.]
Lucky Cat: Nnnya.
Ryoma: …Huh? Oh, there you are.
[The two guys notice Ryoma and step forward to confront him.]
Small-Time Crook: …Who’s there?!
Ryoma: …Huh?
Guy with Presence: H-hey you there, you didn’t hear anythin’ just now, did ya?
Ryoma: No, I didn’t hear much…
Guy with Presence: “Much”?! So ya heard a little, didn’t ya?! We can’t let this guy walk – we gotta kill him!
Small-Time Crook: H-hey!
[Ryoma turns to the cat.]
Ryoma: ...Are you really a cat who brings good fortune?
Lucky Cat: Nnnya?
[A fight ensues. Ryoma trounces the two men.]
Small-Time Crook: T-too strong…!
Guy with Presence: U-urgh… We’ll give you this – just spare our lives!
[The men hand Ryoma 5 ryo and then run away.]
Both Men: A-aaaaaah!
Ryoma: (…I’ve gone through a hell of a lot thanks to this cat… But because of that, I ended up getting a lot more money than what I’d given it.)
[While Ryoma is thinking, the Lucky Cat walks up to him.]
Lucky Cat: Nnnya?
Ryoma: You…
[The cat rubs against Ryoma’s leg.]
Ryoma: Was that money just now a blessing from you?
Lucky Cat: Nnnyan!
Ryoma: I had a rough time because of you, you know.
Lucky Cat: Mrreow…
Ryoma: Heh, there’s no need to be so down about it.
Lucky Cat: Nnnya! Nnnya-nya!
Ryoma: Huh? What the…?
[The Lucky Cat rubs against Ryoma’s leg again.]
Ryoma: Is that an apology?
Lucky Cat: Nnnyan!
Ryoma: Heh, I get it. Well, from now on, you can bring me good fortune at your leisure.
Lucky Cat: Nnnya-nnnyan!
[Ryoma is then prompted to name his new pet. The cat’s default name is だいきち (“Daikichi,” or “excellent luck”). Once you select a name, the game confirms that the cat has become Ryoma’s pet, and then another tutorial box pops up.]
About Pets
Ryoma can keep cats and dogs – up to three of each. If they’re in a good mood, they’ll bring him various crafting materials.
---
Translation Notes
1,000 mon: Ishin uses ryo and mon as its currency. Ryo were oval-shaped gold coins; mon coins were made of various materials and had holes in them so that people could string them together for easier transportation and payment. Around the mid-19th century, the value of 1 ryo was standardized to 10,000 mon, as it is in Ishin.
I knew that was a waste: The expression that Ryoma uses is 猫に小判: a gold coin for a cat. It’s a proverb with the same meaning as “pearls before swine” in English. (It’s also what Ryoma just did when he handed his money to the Lucky Cat.)
Good Deeds List: Players who are using KHHsubs’ Ishin guide may note that the guide uses the term “Virya List” here. Rather than relying on other game guides, we have chosen to take our own approach to translating some items and mechanics, so the wording may differ occasionally; in those cases, we will note the divergence so as to avoid creating confusion for players who may be using both resources.
Erotic art: In this scene, Ryoma receives some shunga from the cat. Shunga (literally “pictures of spring”) was a popular Edo-era erotic art form. Artists produced woodblock prints of erotic scenes and sold them as bound books or single sheets. Shunga subjects ranged from the mundane (ordinary people getting it on and/or getting themselves off) to the completely fantastical (tentacles…), and homoerotic scenes weren’t uncommon. Samurai carried shunga as a charm to ward off death; Ryoma can’t equip the shunga, but he can use it as a health-restoring item.
Under the cut is a complete English translation of Substory 29, in which a cat eats better than Ryoma does.
[As he’s making his way along a side street in Rakugai, Ryoma happens upon a cat lying on the ground.]
Listless Cat: Nya…
Ryoma: …Hey, you. What happened? Are you alright?
Cat’s Belly: Groooowl…
Ryoma: (Looks like it’s so hungry, it collapsed. Should I give it a fish or something?)
[Ryoma is then faced with a choice: give it a fish or leave. Ryoma chooses, of course, to give the cat a fish.]
Ryoma: What should I give it…?
[An inventory screen comes up, from which Ryoma can select a fish to give to the cat. As with produce from the farm, Ryoma has an unlimited amount of inventory space for fish.
Ryoma bends down to give the poor cat a snack.]
Ryoma: Hey, at least eat this.
Hungry Cat: …Nya?!
[The cat sits up.]
Hungry Cat: Nyaaa!
[Ryoma stands up again and looks down at the cat.]
Ryoma: Heh, looks like you perked right up. But next time, get your own food.
Hungry Cat: …Purrr, purrr.
Ryoma: Heh. Hey, are you listening to me?
[A tutorial box pops up.]
The Hungry Cat’s Bond
You’ve made a connection with the Hungry Cat. From now on, when you interact, your bond will strengthen as you fill the gauge. The bond gauge’s status can also be checked in the pause menu under the Good Deeds List.* Interact more with the Hungry Cat to strengthen your friendship.
[This concludes the cat’s substory, but when Ryoma returns to the area, the cat’s still there, and it’s lying on the ground again.]
Cat’s Belly: Groooowl…
Ryoma: What, are you hungry again?
Hungry Cat: Nyaaa…
Ryoma: (Good grief, this cat’s hopeless… But should I give it another fish?)
[Ryoma is then given the choice to give the cat a fish or refuse; when he chooses to feed the cat, the fish inventory screen pops up again for him to select a treat for the cat.]
Ryoma: Hey, eat up.
Hungry Cat: …Nya?! Nyaaa!
Ryoma: Heh, looks like that cheered you up.
Ryoma: …But it’s not like I’m always going to be around to feed you. Come on – at least make an effort to get your own food.
Hungry Cat: …Purrr, purrr.
Ryoma: Hey, don’t sound so pleased about it. Do that all you want, but I’m not going to spoil you anymore.
Hungry Cat: …Mrreow.
Ryoma: Heh. Hey, are you listening to me?
[Ryoma leaves the cat for a while. When he returns, it’s still lying in the same spot on the road, and he goes through the same dialogue with it as the last time. The next time that Ryoma happens upon the cat lying in the same spot, he has something new to say to it.]
Cat’s Belly: Groooowl…
Ryoma: Oi, is your stomach growling again?
Hungry Cat: Nyaaa…
Ryoma: Come on… Should I go get some horse mackerel at the fish shop?
Hungry Cat: Nyaaa! Mrr-meow!
Ryoma: What? Not a fan of horse mackerel?
Hungry Cat: Nyaaa!
Ryoma: (You’ve gotta be kidding me! Looks like it’s gotten picky because of me… I’m guessing this cat isn’t going to be satisfied with anything less than sea bream…)
[At this point, Ryoma will need to have a sea bream (マダイ) in his inventory. He can fish one up himself, but sea bream is also purchasable at the fish market in Fushimi.]
Ryoma: (Fortunately, I have a sea bream on me… What should I do?)
[Faced with a choice to give the cat his sea bream or not, Ryoma decides to hand the fish over.]
Ryoma: Here, it’s a sea bream. Eat up.
[A dialogue box pops up noting that Ryoma has given the fish away.]
Hungry Cat: …Nya?! Nyaaa!
Ryoma: (Heh, seeing it enjoy that sea bream makes it all worthwhile.)
Ryoma: But if you think I’m gonna keep giving you sea-bream-level fish, you’re grossly mistaken. You’ve got to do something about getting your own food.
Hungry Cat: …Purrr, purrr.
Ryoma: Hey, don’t think you can get out of this by playing cute.
Hungry Cat: …Purrr, purrr.
Ryoma: Heh. Hey now, I said cut it out.
[Ryoma leaves the cat to its own devices again. Unsurprisingly, when he returns, the cat’s back to lying on the ground.]
Cat’s Belly: Groooowl…
Ryoma: Hmm… You collapsed from hunger again, didn’t you?
Hungry Cat: Nyaaa…
Ryoma: Guess I have no choice. I’ll get you some sea bream from the shop again.
Hungry Cat: Nyaaa! Mrr-meow!
Ryoma: What? Now you don’t like sea bream?
Hungry Cat: Nyaaa!
Ryoma: (What? Seems like I’ve made it even pickier… I suppose this cat’s not going to be satisfied with anything less than tuna…)
[At this point, Ryoma will need to have a tuna (マグロ) in his inventory. This fish is not sold in shops; he’ll have to catch one himself.]
Ryoma: (Good thing I have a tuna on me… What should I do?)
[Faced with a choice to give the cat an entire tuna or not, Ryoma hands the fish over.]
Ryoma: Alright, here’s some tuna. Dig in.
[A dialogue box pops up noting that Ryoma has given the fish away.]
Hungry Cat: …Nya!? Nyaaa!
Ryoma: Heh, looks like you really enjoyed it. Of course you did – it’s tuna.
Hungry Cat: Nyaaa-nyaaa!
Ryoma: Are you saying “thanks for the meal”? Hah, you’re a calculating little fellow.
Hungry Cat: …Purrr, purrr.
Ryoma: Heh, you seem pretty satisfied with yourself.
Hungry Cat: …Nyaaan.
Ryoma: Hmm? What’s that?
Hungry Cat: Nyaaa-nyaaa!
Ryoma: Could it be that you… want to be my cat?
Hungry Cat: …Nyaaa!
Ryoma: Hmm, just because you’d be living with me, that doesn’t mean you’ll get to eat tuna every day… Are you still okay with that?
Hungry Cat: Purrr, purrr…
Ryoma: Heh, this cat just never listens. …I guess I have no choice. From now on, you’re a member of my household. Alright?
Hungry Cat: Nyaaa!
[Ryoma is then prompted to name his new pet. The cat’s default name is まぐろ (“Tuna”). Once you select a name, the game confirms that the cat has become Ryoma’s pet, and then another tutorial box pops up.]
About Pets
Ryoma can keep cats and dogs – up to three of each. If they’re in a good mood, they’ll bring him various crafting materials.
---
Translation Notes
Good Deeds List: Players who are using KHHsubs’ Ishin guide may note that the guide uses the term “Virya List” here. Rather than relying on other game guides, we have chosen to take our own approach to translating some items and mechanics, so the wording may differ occasionally; in those cases, we will note the divergence so as to avoid creating confusion for players who may be using both resources.
Under the cut is a complete English translation of Substory 65, in which Ryoma takes a break from Shinsengumi business to give a bunch of children an important lesson about the power of imagination.
[The scene opens with three children standing at the side of the road near the Shinsengumi’s headquarters.]
Excited Girl: Yeah, we still need at least one more, don’t we?
Meek Girl: It’s not like we can’t do it with the three of us, but...
[As the children ponder, Ryoma walks past.]
Excited Girl: Hmm… Oh! Mister! Come play with us!
Ryoma: …Me?
Excited Girl: Yeah! We’re playing house!
Ryoma: Play… house? I’m not interested. Besides, there are other people who’d be better than me for that kind of thing. Bye…
[Ryoma starts to walk away; the Excited Girl starts crying. Ryoma stops and looks over his shoulder. The camera pans over to two women who are observing the scene.]
Ryoma: Ugh…
Meek Girl: Don’t cry… I’m getting all sad now, too…
Simple Boy: It’s no use. That’s how all grown-ups are… I… I don’t wanna turn out that way…
Meek Girl: Yeah. But… are we gonna end up like them someday…? That’s so sad…
Ryoma: (Great… I made those kids cry… Plus, they’ve lost all their faith in adults.)
[The children are now all crying in unison. The eavesdroppers continue to whisper judgmentally.]
Ryoma: Guh…!
Ryoma: (It’s kids like them who’re going to build our future. It’s our job as adults to show them the kinds of dreams they can aspire to… Does this mean I have no choice but to help them out?)
[Ryoma is then given a choice: play, or don’t play. Naturally, we choose to play.]
Ryoma: …Fine. I’ll play house.
[The children immediately stop crying and jump around in excitement.]
Excited Girl: Yaaaay! Yeah!
Ryoma: By the way, I’m new to this. Go easy on me.
Excited Girl: Okay. So, then, to keep it simple, let’s make it a regular farmer’s house. This kid here is the husband and farmer.
[The Simple Boy gives Ryoma a little bow.]
Simple Boy: Uh, I look forward to working with you.
Excited Girl: And you’re the wife, mister!
Ryoma: What!?
[The Excited Girl points to Ryoma.]
Excited Girl: You’re playing the wife!
Ryoma: Hmm… Wouldn’t it be better for a girl to play a part like that? …Like that girl right there.
Meek Girl: Um, I’m playing the samurai.
Ryoma: …I see.
Excited Girl: And I’m playing the farmer’s daughter. You’re my mother.
[Ryoma nods with his blandest blank expression.]
Ryoma: …Got it. I’m the wife, yeah…
Excited Girl: So, let’s get started now! Take your places, everyone!
[The screen fades out. When our story resumes, Ryoma is sitting with two of the children on some mats.]
Excited Girl: Okay, go!
[Ryoma looks back and forth between his “husband” and “daughter.”]
Ryoma: …
[The Excited Girl gets exasperated.]
Excited Girl: Time out, time out! Mister! You’re the mom, so you have to be cooking!
Ryoma: Uh, yeah…
[The Excited Girl gets exasperated again.]
Excited Girl: The mom doesn’t say “uh, yeah”!
[Ryoma looks away from her, still completely blank-faced.]
Ryoma: …
Excited Girl: Got it!?
[Ryoma chuckles quietly, possibly in embarrassment.]
Ryoma: …Uh, mom’s on it!
Excited Girl: Hmm, that still doesn’t feel quite right, but… Oh well, get cooking!
Ryoma: (This “house” thing is hard. But once you’ve taken something on, there’s no choice… I have to see this through to the end.)
[The screen fades to black again. When we return, the Excited Girl is sitting on a mat and Ryoma is standing above her.]
Excited Girl: Okay, let’s start from the top. Mom’s doing the cooking. Let’s go!
Ryoma: (…So I just have to cook something, right?)
[The Excited Girl gets exasperated again]
Excited Girl: I said start!
Ryoma: T… tap, tap, tap, tap.
Excited Girl: I’m starving, mom! What’s for dinner today? It smells really good.
Ryoma: (Uh… the menu…? I haven’t thought that far yet.)
Ryoma: (She’s looking at me with those big round eyes. Well, what should I cook…?)
[Ryoma has three choices.]
(1) Some side dishes from the store.
(2) Vegetable ohitashi,* simmered potatoes, and tofu.
(3) Sukiyaki.
[Let’s go with the first choice because it sounds like the worst one to make, in that we’re not making anything.]
Ryoma: Uh, some side dishes from the store. …Uh, honey.
Excited Girl: What!? More pre-made side dishes? You’re too lazy! Plus, what were you cutting up earlier with all that tap-tap-tapping?
Ryoma: Oh, that’s true, too… sweetie...
[The Simple Boy enters the “house” by stepping onto the mats. (In the background, we can see the Meek Girl waiting patiently for her turn.)]
Simple Boy: I’m home.
[The Excited Girl claps.]
Excited Girl: It’s dad! Welcome home!
[Ryoma stares down at the Simple Boy.]
Ryoma: …
Excited Girl: …Mom, dad’s home.
[Ryoma turns to face his “husband” and gives him the most hideous try-hard approximation of a smile that I have ever seen any Kiryu give anyone.]
Ryoma: O-oh… Uh, welcome home… D… Dar… ling…?
Simple Boy: It’s good to be home! …Whew, I’m tired today.
Ryoma: You must have been busy… Dinner’s ready…?
Simple Boy: Oh, that looks delicious. Let’s all eat, then.
[Everyone sits down.]
Both Children: Thanks for the meal.
Ryoma: Uh, thanks for the meal.
[The Excited Girl turns to stare at Ryoma; Ryoma stares back.]
Excited Girl: …
Ryoma: (Say something… This silent tension is really awkward… Should I talk about something to do with my husband?)
[Once again, Ryoma is faced with three choices.]
(1) Are you cheating on me?
(2) How was work?
(3) Keep eating in silence.
[Obviously, the only acceptable answer is (1).]
Ryoma: (Should I try something a bit more dramatic…?)
Ryoma: Darling… You’ve been cheating on me lately, haven’t you?
Simple Boy: Huh? O-of course not!
Excited Girl: Whaaat!? Mom, what did you just say!?
Ryoma: (The kids ate that up, so let’s see if I can stir things up a little more…)
Ryoma: …I-I know it! I… saw you with our neighbour Tamukai-san’s wife!
Simple Boy: Uh… That was just— …We were just messing around.
Excited Girl: Gah! You were “messing around,” dad!? That’s practically confessing to it outright!
Simple Boy: Huh? A-ahhh…!
Ryoma: (If I just go with the flow and get out of the house, maybe I can end the game… Alright…!)
[Ryoma stands up again.]
Ryoma: I can’t forgive you for cheating on me! I’m fed up with you! I’m going back to my parents’ house!
[The Excited Girl stands up.]
Excited Girl: Oh, mom, please don’t!
Simple Boy: I was wrooong! I’ll never cheat on you agaaaain! Please forgive meeee!
Excited Girl: Mom, it looks like dad’s really sorry. …Even though it looks like a very convincing performance.
Simple Boy: That’s what my dad always says to my mom.
Ryoma: …
Excited Girl: I’ll give dad a stern talking-to, so let’s live happily together again!
Ryoma: Uh… Yeah, alright.
Ryoma: (I thought maybe I’d be able to end things early, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen…)
[The Meek Girl steps into the “house” and stares down at the Simple Boy.]
Meek Girl: I’m coming in… I’m a samurai. I’m here to collect this year’s land tax.
[The Simple Boy stands up.]
Simple Boy: Oh, uh, welcome, samurai-san.
Meek Girl: Hey, hey! Gimme my damn taxes!
Simple Boy: I’ve got a lot of rice today. I’ll pay our taxes with that. Here you go.
Meek Girl: This isn’t enough… This is supposed to be for the daimyo! And there’s not enough here for my share.
Simple Boy: What!? Oh no…!
Meek Girl: Hurry up and gimme my rice! Don’t you care what happens to your kid!?
[The Excited Girl begins to cower and cry.]
Excited Girl: Ahh, ahhh! Dad, help me!
Ryoma: (Things are starting to get a little heated…)
Simple Boy: Ohh… I can’t trade my child’s life away. Alright, please accept all of our rice.
Meek Girl: You should’ve done that from the start! If you cross me, I’ll cut you down! I’ll turn all you chumps into a stain on the floor before you can even blink!
Simple Boy: Ohh… I worked so hard to grow all that rice…
Excited Girl: Waah, waah!
Meek Girl: Alright, now I’ve got lots of rice. Bye!
[The Excited Girl and Simple Boy continue to make crying motions.]
Ryoma: (This setting is messed-up, but the story’s getting a little sad… Since this is a children’s game, let’s take care of this samurai and end the story on a happy note.)
Ryoma: Hey you, samurai! Hold on a second!
Meek Girl: Huh? You’re just a lowly peasant’s wife. You got something to say to me?
Ryoma: Don’t underestimate this wife! First off, why is a samurai going around to every house one-by-one to collect taxes? It should be common sense for the village to have a system where everyone pays together. And besides, there’s no way there’s a system that forces people to pay you a share of rice.*
Meek Girl: What!? Shut up, shut up! If you don’t do what I say, I’ll cut you down! I’ll cut your whole family down!
Ryoma: A samurai’s only permitted to kill someone of a lower status in a situation where his honour’s been seriously tarnished, right?* If there’s no justification for it, it’s just a regular crime. There’s a good chance you’ll be stripped of your samurai title!
Meek Girl: Dammit! What the hell is this!? As if I need your stupid rice anymore! I… I’ll remember this!
Ryoma: …
Simple Boy: …
Excited Girl: …
Ryoma: (Oops. I meant to have fun with it, but did I raise my voice too much…?)
Excited Girl: Wow, mom, that was awesome!
Simple Boy: That was so coooool!
Excited Girl: He left without even taking the rice! With that, we’re safe and sound – looks like we’ll make it through the year.
Simple Boy: That’s right! Let’s buy a bunch of mochi and celebrate the new year in peace!
Excited Girl: Yaaay! Mochi! Mochi!
[The camera pans out a bit.]
Excited Girl: Playing house was a lot of fun today.
Simple Boy: Yeah! The twists had me on the edge of my seat!
Meek Girl: …
Excited Girl: It’s all thanks to you, mister! Thanks for joining us… Come play with us again!
Ryoma: (Whew, doing new things is exhausting.)
[The camera turns to reveal the Meek Girl still standing there, looking glum.]
Meek Girl: Umm…
Ryoma: (That’s the girl who played the samurai.)
Ryoma: Is something wrong?
Meek Girl: Mister… When we were playing house, was what you told me really true?
Ryoma: Huh…? That stuff about taxes and samurai cutting people down?
Meek Girl: Yeah…
Ryoma: Yeah, there are no samurai like that. Next time, wouldn’t it be better for you to play a wife or something instead of a samurai?
Meek Girl: But mister, the samurai who comes to our house… he’s always like that. Everything that mom and dad grow… he always takes all of it.
Ryoma: What? Really?
Meek Girl: …
Ryoma: I’d like to meet this samurai. Can I see him?
Meek Girl: I think it’s almost time for him to come to our house today…
Ryoma: Show me the way.
[The scene fades out. When it fades back in, we see a mean-looking swordsman confronting an unarmed peasant.]
Samurai: Hey, hey, that’s all? That’s not nearly enough! Next time I come here, you’d better have made some money, even if you have to borrow it!
Girl’s Father: Please… no more…
Samurai: Huh!? Are you saying you’ve got a problem with me or something!? How about I kill your wife and kid, huh? I’ll cut ’em down! How’s that sound?
Girl’s Father: N-no, not that… please, just spare them…
Samurai: Heh. If you don’t like it, just do what I say.
[Ryoma appears.]
Ryoma: Hey.
Samurai: Who the hell are you? Shit, that little brat called you, didn’t she?
Ryoma: You must be the guy who’s giving samurai a bad name, huh?
Samurai: Shut up, shut up! If that’s how it’s gonna be, I’m really gonna invoke my right to cut you down!
[A fight ensues. Ryoma beats the samurai, leaving him bent over and clutching himself in pain.]
Samurai: …He’s strong…!
Ryoma: Hey, you.
Samurai: Y… Y-yes!
Ryoma: You’re just gonna go and shake some other family down to fill your pockets now, aren’t you?
Samurai: O-of course not!
Ryoma: If I find out you’re pulling this stunt again, I’m exercising my right to kill you for real. Are you ready for that?
Samurai: A-aaaaah! I won’t do it again!!!!
[The samurai flees.]
Girl’s Father: I don’t know who you are, sir, but… Thank you. You saved us. If I’d gone against that guy or reported him, who knows what kind of retaliation I would’ve faced… I figured there was nothing I could do… I was stuck.
Ryoma: I’d like to think he’s learned his lesson now…
Meek Girl: If that guy ever comes back here, mister, will you come help us again?
Ryoma: Of course.
Meek Girl: I’m so glad… Thank you so, so much! Now we can live in peace.
Ryoma: Heh, and now when you kids play house, your stories are going to be a lot more peaceful, right?
Meek Girl: Yeah… I like it better that way anyway.
Girl’s Father: Playing house? Fighting?
Meek Girl: …It’s a secret, dad.
Girl’s Father: Huhhh…!?
Ryoma: Heh.
Meek Girl: Hahaha!
[End of substory.]
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Translation Notes
Huge thanks to @draayder for additional translation advice.
Some of the humour in this substory comes from the fact that Ryoma tries to speak like a woman when he’s playing his part. His effort usually takes the form of a little feminine sentence-ender (like …わよ) after he’s said something not particularly feminine. This joke culminates when he fires off that big, impassioned speech about the samurai’s right to kill peasants and finishes it with a belated “…のよ!” as if he’s suddenly realized that a farmer’s wife wouldn’t actually talk like that. This is difficult to capture in English; while we definitely have vocabulary and ways of speaking that ring as stereotypically feminine, we don’t really have anything that carries quite that nuance with that sense of concision. In some places, I’ve had Ryoma belatedly end a sentence with a “honey” or “dear” or some other word that’s meant to sound motherly; in other places, it just doesn’t quite work.
Vegetable ohitashi: Ohitashi is a dish consisting of blanched foods – typically vegetables – in a soy- and dashi-based marinade. In the first menu choice – grabbing some side dishes from the store – Ryoma is referring specifically to a niuriya (煮売り屋), a type of takeout joint that sold various ready-made (mostly simmered) side dishes; tofu, vegetables, and fish were common ingredients. These shops were popular among travellers, migrant workers, and other people who didn’t necessarily have the time or means to cook for themselves.
Pay you a share of rice: Ryoma is talking about the system under which administrative officers collected annual taxes from peasants in the form of rice and other crops. This tax was based on the estimated amount of rice that a given land unit would produce every year. The payment of land taxes in crops continued through to the end of the Edo period. Also, a whole village could be treated as a collective unit and held responsible for making one payment; this was referred to as the murauke system (村請制度 – the term that Ryoma uses in his speech). As Ryoma notes, setting a rate for a group of people is far more efficient than harassing individual farmers.
A samurai’s only permitted to kill someone: When these characters talk about cutting someone down (and the right to do it), they’re referring to kirisutegomen (斬り捨て御免): a samurai’s right to kill anyone of a lower class for a perceived affront. It’s very wishful thinking on Ryoma’s part to make the claim that someone could be punished for abusing the right, considering that he’s personally seen a bunch of Tosa Joshi brag about being able to strike people down with impunity. (But that’s why we love him.)
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Bonus #1: Ryoma’s Meal Plans
[When faced with several menu choices, Ryoma decides to make ohitashi with potatoes and tofu.]
Ryoma: Vegetable ohitashi, simmered potatoes, and tofu… honey.
Excited Girl: Whoa, you went all-out! I loooove simmered potatoes! And you’ve even got tofu! How extravagant!
Ryoma: I’m, uh, glad you’re happy… dear.
[Alternatively, Ryoma picks the third option and really goes all-out with sukiyaki for dinner.]
Ryoma: Sukiyaki… honey.
Excited Girl: Whoa, whoa! Isn’t that kind of extravagant…? You’ve gotta be a little more realistic with your menu, mom…
Ryoma: I, uh, might’ve gotten carried away… sweetie.
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Bonus #2: Table Talk
[To break the awkward dinner-time silence, Ryoma decides to ask the Simple Boy how work went.]
Ryoma: (Let’s try asking something safe…)
Ryoma: So, uh… work today… how’d it go…?
Simple Boy: Umm… I harvested a lot of rice!
Excited Girl: How much did you get?
Simple Boy: Hmm, about two years’ worth.
Excited Girl: Whooooooa! We could totally get rich on that!
Simple Boy: Ahaha, yeah! All-you-can-eat tofu, every day!
Excited Girl: Ehehe, I love tofu!
Ryoma: (Looks like we managed to have an authentic “house” conversation…)
[Alternatively, Ryoma decides to play it safe and just eat dinner instead of trying to make chit-chat.]
Ryoma: (Let’s just eat our meal without saying anything awkward…)
Ryoma: Uh, come on, everyone, let’s have dinner together.
Simple Boy: Yeah. Chomp-chomp.
Excited Girl: …Chomp-chomp.
Ryoma: …Munch-munch. Ohh, it’s delicious!
Simple Boy: Yeah. Chomp-chomp.
Excited Girl: …
Playing Kenzan and Ishin: A Guide for English-Only Audiences
Kenzan
Kenzan has two full playthroughs to choose from as well as a full text guide and walkthrough.
KHHsubs: RGG Kenzan Walkthrough with English Subtitles (Video Playthrough)
Covers Kenzan’s entire main story, including cutscenes, dialogue boxes, and in-game tutorials. Does not cover optional side content.
Egomaniac: Let’s Play Ryuu ga Gotoku Kenzan! (Video and Text Playthrough)
Archived version of the Something Awful Let’s Play of Kenzan. Provides an alternative translation of the main story as well as translations for all side content – including substories – in detail.
KHHsubs: Courtesans and Chapter 5 Substories (Video Playthrough)
These playlists cover the courtesans’ substories as well as some other substories available during Chapter 5.
Patrick Coffman: Ryuu ga Gotoku Kenzan! – Guide and Walkthrough (Text Guide)
Complete walkthrough and systems guide for Kenzan. Includes summaries of the main story and substories, item/equipment/shop lists, etc.
Ishin
Much of the dialogue in Ishin’s main story exists in English only in summary form, and there is currently no complete translation of the game’s side content (including substories, friendships, and Haruka’s side story). However, fans who want to watch or play the game can piece the main story experience together through a combination of several resources. Currently, we recommend starting with KHHsubs’ full walkthrough for Chapter 1-3, then switching between KHHsubs’ cutscene video series (for cutscenes) and Salty Yen’s live translation (for all other dialogue).
KHHsubs: RGG Ishin Walkthrough with English Translation (Video Playthrough)
Covers the first three chapters of Ishin, including cutscenes, dialogue boxes, and in-game tutorials.
Salty Yen: Full Yakuza Ishin English Playthrough (Video Playthrough)
Live-translated video walkthrough of Ishin. Covers the full main story, including cutscenes, dialogue boxes, and in-game tutorials. Side content is covered as the creator happens upon it.
KHHsubs: RGG Ishin Cutscenes with English Translation (Video Playthrough)
Covers all of Ishin’s cutscenes but skips over all gameplay and dialogue boxes.
KHHsubs: RGG Ishin Guide (Text Guide)
Complete walkthrough and systems guide for Ishin. Includes summaries of the main story and substories, item/equipment/shop lists, etc. KHH’s website is currently down, and with it the latest version of the guide, but a PDF copy is still hosted on their tumblr.
