Memorable Quotes from Shichinosuke Nakamura
2 quotesLoyalty and Conflict Among Advisors
{{w|Emperor Meiji}}
You rise against me, my teacher.
Katsumoto
No, Highness. I rise against your enemies.
Emperor Meiji
They are my advisors, like you.
Katsumoto
They advise in their own interest!
Emperor Meiji
I need advisors who know the modern world.
Katsumoto
If I am no use, I will happily end my life.
Emperor Meiji
No, I need your voice in the Council.
Katsumoto
It is your voice we need, Highness. You are a living god. Do what you think is right.
Emperor Meiji
I am a living god - as long as I do what *they* think is right.
[ruefully]
Katsumoto
...What sad words you speak...
[stunned beyond words, sorrowful]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Legacy of the Samurai's Strength
Nathan Algren
This is Katsumoto's sword. He would have wanted you to have it, that the strength of the Samurai be with you always.
[presents a sword]
Omura
Enlightened One, we weep for Katsumoto, but...
Algren
He hoped with his last breath that you would remember the ancestors who held this sword and what they died for.
Omura
Your Highness...
[as Emperor Meiji receives the sword]
Emperor Meiji
You were with him, at the end?
Algren
Hai.
[bows]
Omura
Emperor. This man fought against you!
[in English]
Algren
Your Highness, if you believe me to be your enemy, command me and I will gladly take my life.
Meiji
I dreamed of a unified Japan, of a country strong and independent and modern. And now we have railroads and cannon, Western clothing. But we cannot forget who we are, or where we come from. Ambassador Swanbeck, I have concluded that your treaty is NOT in the best interests of my people.
[ponders Algren's words and stands up; looks at sword]
Ambassador Swanbeck
Sir, if I may...
Meiji
So sorry, but you may not.
Swanbeck
This is an outrage!
[angrily storms out of the room. His aide bows to the emperor before leaving]
Omura
Enlightened One, we must discuss this-
[in Japanese]
Meiji
Omura, you have done quite enough.
Omura
Everything I have done, I have done for my country.
Meiji
Then you will not mind when I seize your family's assets and present them as my gift to the people.
[disbelieving Omura; Algren is seen pleased at Omura's downfall.]
Omura
You disgrace me!
[furious]
Meiji
If your shame is too unbearable, I offer you this sword! Tell me how he died.
[holds up Katsumoto's sword in front of Omura; Omura backs down. to Algren]
Algren
I will tell you how he lived.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.