Synopsis
"Sometimes you gotta get on board even if you know there will be a shipwreck."
The story of Hakata Kojoro Namimakura goes as follows.
Soshichi, a merchant from Kyoto, meets a group of men on a ship to Hakata. Requested by these men, Soshichi tells them a story about his relationship with Kojoro, a courtesan in Hakata. Soshichi wasn't that serious about Kojoro, but ended up promising to buy her off and set her free from the Okudaya Tea House. Soshichi's story offends the group of men, especially its leader Kuemon, although Soshichi doesn't understand why. These men reveal their identity as pirates, and throw Soshichi into the ocean.
Soshichi manages to survive and eventually arrives at the Okudaya Tea House, hoping that Kojoro would help him. Soon after their reunion, Kojoro explains her situation to Soshichi: There is another customer of her who wants to buy her off, and Kojoro is happy to commit a double suicide with Soshichi if they can't be together in this life. Being curious about the party in the next room, Kojoro peeks at it and realizes that one of those men in the room is Kojoro's regular customer, whom Kojoro can trust. Kojoro thinks that this man might be able to help Soshichi and Kojoro. Kojoro approaches to and asks him to buy her off for her lover. The man gets impressed with Kojoro's braveness, and agrees to do as Kojoro has asked. Kojoro brings Soshichi in and introduces him to the savior. As it turns out, this gentle man is Kuemon the pirate. Kuemon offers Soshichi to work with him in return for Kojoro's favor. Not knowing what kind of business Kuemon does, Kojoro insists on Soshichi to take up Kuemon's offer.
If Soshichi accepts Kuemon's offer, he will save Kojoro, but won't be able to walk under the sun and will have to cut his relationship with his father, as being associated with the pirates will be dishonour and shame for his family. If Soshichi doesn't accept it, Kojoro will kill herself. There is no way for Soshichi not to accept this offer. Sometimes you gotta get on board even if you know there will be a shipwreck.
Soshichi, a merchant from Kyoto, meets a group of men on a ship to Hakata. Requested by these men, Soshichi tells them a story about his relationship with Kojoro, a courtesan in Hakata. Soshichi wasn't that serious about Kojoro, but ended up promising to buy her off and set her free from the Okudaya Tea House. Soshichi's story offends the group of men, especially its leader Kuemon, although Soshichi doesn't understand why. These men reveal their identity as pirates, and throw Soshichi into the ocean.
Soshichi manages to survive and eventually arrives at the Okudaya Tea House, hoping that Kojoro would help him. Soon after their reunion, Kojoro explains her situation to Soshichi: There is another customer of her who wants to buy her off, and Kojoro is happy to commit a double suicide with Soshichi if they can't be together in this life. Being curious about the party in the next room, Kojoro peeks at it and realizes that one of those men in the room is Kojoro's regular customer, whom Kojoro can trust. Kojoro thinks that this man might be able to help Soshichi and Kojoro. Kojoro approaches to and asks him to buy her off for her lover. The man gets impressed with Kojoro's braveness, and agrees to do as Kojoro has asked. Kojoro brings Soshichi in and introduces him to the savior. As it turns out, this gentle man is Kuemon the pirate. Kuemon offers Soshichi to work with him in return for Kojoro's favor. Not knowing what kind of business Kuemon does, Kojoro insists on Soshichi to take up Kuemon's offer.
If Soshichi accepts Kuemon's offer, he will save Kojoro, but won't be able to walk under the sun and will have to cut his relationship with his father, as being associated with the pirates will be dishonour and shame for his family. If Soshichi doesn't accept it, Kojoro will kill herself. There is no way for Soshichi not to accept this offer. Sometimes you gotta get on board even if you know there will be a shipwreck.