Katsumoto: I have introduced myself. You have introduced yourself. This is a very good conversation.
Zebulon Gant: [shouting loudly] Right, you little bastards! You will stand up straight or I will personally shit kick every far eastern buttock that appear before me eyes!
Algren: Well done, sergeant.
Zebulon Gant: When you understand the language, sir, everything falls into place.
Katsumoto: The Emperor could not hear my words. His army will come. For nine hundred years, my ancestors have protected our people. Now... I have failed them.
Algren: So you will take your own life? In shame? Shame for a life of service? Discipline? Compassion?
Katsumoto: The way of the Samurai is not necessary anymore.
Algren: Necessary? What could be more necessary?
Katsumoto: I will die by the sword. My own, or my enemy's.
Algren: Then let it be your enemy's.
Algren: What else has she told you?
Katsumoto: That you have nightmares.
Algren: Every soldier has nightmares.
Katsumoto: Only one who is ashamed of what he has done.
Algren: You have no idea what I have done.
Algren: [narrating] Spring, 1877. This marks the longest I've stayed in one place since I left the farm at 17. There is so much here I will never understand. I've never been a church going man, and what I've seen on the field of battle has led me to question God's purpose. But there is indeed something spiritual in this place. And though it may forever be obscure to me, I cannot
but be aware of its power. I do know that it is here that I've known my first untroubled sleep in many years.
Algren: [narrating] Winter, 1877. What does it mean to be Samurai? To devote yourself utterly to a set of moral principles. To seek a stillness of your mind. And to master the way of the sword.
Algren: Sergeant Gant, report to the rear and see to the disposition of the supply trains.
[Gant does not move, but continues loading his rifle]
Algren: Sergeant Gant, did you hear my order?
Zebulon Gant: I did indeed, sir.
Algren: Good, then you will obey it. Now!
Zebulon Gant:
No disrespect intended, sir, but shove it up your ass.
Nobutada: [after Algren is defeated in fencing pratice] Please forgive; too many mind.
Algren: [puzzeled] "Too many mind?"
Nobutada: Hai, mind the sword, mind the people watch, mind enemy - -too many mind.
[seriously]
Nobutada: No mind.
Algren: [pretending getting it] No mind.
[returns to training only to be defeated yet again, much to the laughter of Nobutada and his cousin]
[Algren and Katsumoto ride up to Bagley, who sees that Algren has turned against him]
Colonel Bagley: Good God... Sir, the Imperial Army of Japan demands your surrender. If you and your fellas lay down your arms, you will not be harmed.
Katsumoto: This is not possible, as Mr. Omura knows.
Colonel Bagley: Captain Algren. We
will show you no quarter. You ride against us, and you're the same as they are.
Algren: I'll look for you on the field.
Algren: What do you want?
Katsumoto: To know my enemy.
Algren: I've seen what you do to your enemies.
Katsumoto: The warriors in your country do not kill?
Algren: They don't cut the heads off defeated, kneeling men.
Katsumoto: General Hasegawa asked me to help
him end his life. A samurai cannot stand the shame of defeat. I was honored to cut off his head.
Simon Graham: I came over with the British trade mission, oh, years ago. I was soon relieved of my position. I had a rather unfortunate tendency to tell the truth in a country where no one ever says what they mean. So now, I very accurately translate other people's lies.
Katsumoto: You fought against your Red Indians?
Algren: Yes.
Katsumoto: Tell me of your part in this war.
Algren: Why?
Katsumoto: I wish to learn.
Algren: Read a book.
Katsumoto: I would rather have a good conversation.
Algren: How's your poem coming?
Katsumoto: The end is proving difficult.