you are paid seven dollars for each performance. you do, on average, fourteen performances a year. we will pay you 400 dollars.
a month.
after the shogun gave up power, the daimyos  you would call them warlords --knew that japan needed a centralized government. so they asked
the hereditary emperor, his highness the enlightened meiji, to lead the country.
economic incentives were offered. most provincial leaders saw the financial benefits of modernization.
to deal with those who have resisted, the emperor has decided to create an army with allegiance only to him.  we considered hiring advisors from germany, but your ambassador reminded us of your experience in suppressing rebellious elements in your civil war.
his name is mori katsumoto. he is samurai.
the word you might use it "warrior". but that does not quite capture it .  katsumoto once served the emperor but he is now a traitor who leads a band of traitors. he must be punished.
he is insolent.
why did he leave your army?
is that an evasive answer?
i understand you are a scholar, captain algren. have you read his book., mr. gant?
an analysis of the triumph of weapons technology over antiquated military tactics.
nonetheless, i was impressed. i enjoy reading military history. i spent two years studying english at princeton university.
yes, and in japanese there are twenty-seven words for "war." i will be impressed if you learn only half of them. .
captain algren, this is mr. simon graham. he will be your translator.
the emperor will summon you at his pleasure.
gentlemen. i hope you are enjoying a taste of home.
america has much to offer us, though. its' industry and ingenuity are without peer. i have spoken to the emperor about you. he is interested in the most modem theories of warfare.
you will have that chance sooner than you think. he has requested an audience.
the emperor bids you welcome. he wishes you to know that he is most grateful for the assistance your country offers ours, in order to rid ourselves of the brutality of the provincial warlords - and to accomplish the same national harmony which you enjoy in your homeland.
the emperor is most interested in your american indians, and wishes to know if you have seen them firsthand.
captain, we cannot govern a country in which we cannot tr avel freel y. .  katsumoto's provocation is strategic. his defeat will demonstrate to the other disloyal samurai that resistance is an act devoid of honor.
with all due respect. this railroad cannot wait.
your majest y, beg permission to approach. your humble servants are most anxious to know if his majest y has signed the order regarding the railroad progress.
yes, they represent the highest form of gyoko. about the order, your majest y.
it is absolutely necessar y your highness.
did you have a pleasant journey, minister katsumoto?
enlightened one, perhaps i can be of service in a conversation of state.
please, sit down, gentlemen.
a gift from czar alexander.  captain algren,. it seems you have endured your captivity with little ill-effect.
he's an extraordinary man, isn't he?
we're not quite ready to announce the treaty, ambassador.
the emperor is. sentimental. katsumoto was his old mentor-- he is not eager to offend him. it will take i few more days.
i assure you the samurai will not stand in the wa y of our agreement. you are prepared to make deliver y?
captain algren you are the expert. will this array of ordnance be sufficient?
i want my country to take its place as a modern power.
i am pleased.
with all due respect, ambassador, perhaps there is someone else we should be speaking to, for instance the french. or the english. or any of the legations waiting in the next room.
good afternoon, gentlemen.
captain algren, perhaps you can stay a moment and tell me of your experiences in our rebellious provinces.
cigarette?
you fought bravely on behalf of our army-- against the rebel katsumoto.
and yet you helped save his life when attacked by the ninja.
tell me about your role in katsumoto's plans.
and your sympathies?
i know you have little sympathy for colonel bagley.
i thought it was we who are inscrutable.
you have gained important knowledge of katsumoto's province, his army, and his rebellion. this is extremely valuable to me.
you also possess significant knowledge of m y army, my weaponry, and my plans. this is extremely va1uable to katsumoto.
no. i am a businessman. i recognize what is valuable. and i buy it. in this case, i value your loyalt y.
then perhaps you will give it, as a token of future friendship - for which, as a friend, i would be in your debt.
and i will be grateful.
minister katsumoto, you honor us.
you arc perhaps unaware of this council's edict regarding the wearing of swords?
yet you would bring weapons into this chamber?
we need no protection.  we are a nation of laws now.
who is the patriot? the man who would keep his country trapped in the past, or the man who would help his people into the future?
honor means less to me than feeding our children. and teaching them. and giving them modern medicine so they will live. .
minister katsumoto, it is with great regret that i ask you to remove your sword, as this body has declared in its edict.
ah, but it is our tradition that the emperor's voice is too pure and great to be heard in such worldly circumstance as the council of state.
minister katsumoto, i must invite you to accompany our soldiers to himeji castle, where you will be our honored guest. i think you will find the surroundings there quite harmonious.
gentlemen.
nothing is "old" in japan, ever ything is "ancient." .  but the views are pleasant. sit down.
do you know your wagner, captain? this is the 'leibestod' from tristan and isolde.
champagne? and cigars, of course.
queen victoria.
certainly.
now, mr. swanbeck, regarding our agreement, i noticed a discrepancy in paragraph seven in reference to the investment protocols for coal.
what has become of captain algren?
i would say captain algren's acts tonight have assured our success.
katsumoto will rejoin his kinsmen. they will fight. we will destroy them with your new weapons.
you still do not understand us .  katsumoto can do nothing but fight. it is his role in the drama. he must act out his destiny. he knows it.
this story was written years ago. from the first sight of your warships in our harbor.  it is a1l inevitable.
it seems katsumoto will resist his destiny. send in the second wave. two divisions.
highness, if we could just conclude the matter at hand.
all your enemies are dead, enlightened one.
en1ightcned one, we all weep for his loss, but the future of our country lies in-
enlightened one, we should discuss this
sir?
enlightened one
honored emperor, i do not know wh y you disgrace me.