山椒大夫
"Without mercy, man is like a beast."
Sansho the Bailiff - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
人間に情けがなければ、それは人間ではない。自分に厳しく、人には優しく。
— Taira no Masauji (The Father)
Context:
The father says this to a young Zushiō at the beginning of the film, just before he is sent into exile. He imparts this wisdom as his legacy, entrusting his son with a statuette of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy.
Meaning:
This translates to: "Without mercy, man is like a beast. Be strict with yourself, but be merciful to others." This line is the film's central philosophical thesis. It establishes the moral framework against which all the characters' actions are measured and serves as Zushiō's guiding principle, which he loses and must reclaim.
安寿恋しや、厨子王恋しや
— Tamaki (The Mother)
Context:
This song is first heard from a new slave who came from Sado Island, where Tamaki was sent. The siblings later hear it on the wind, and it is this same song that ultimately leads Zushiō to his blind mother on the beach in the film's final scene.
Meaning:
This translates to: "I long for Anju, I long for Zushiō." These are the lyrics of the mother's song. It encapsulates her boundless grief and enduring love, acting as a spiritual beacon that connects the shattered family across time and distance, symbolizing the resilience of their bond.