episode 60

Fifty-year Curse of the Dark Priestess

黒巫女 五十年の呪い
Canon Episode | 5-episode story, ep60-64

By TAKAHASHI Rumiko
Episode Capsule last revised on 18 Feb 2008.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 11 Feb 2002

OPENING SONG: I am by hitomi
ENDING SONG: Dearest by Ayumi Hamasaki

PRODUCTION:
Script: CHIBA Katsuhiko 千葉克彦
Storyboard: NIIDOME Toshiya 新留俊哉
Episode Director: OGURA Hirofumi 小倉宏文
Animation Director: NAKAJIMA Rie 中島里恵

SEIYUU:

Inuyasha: Kappei Yamaguchi
Kagome: Satsuski Yukino
Shippo: Kumiko Watanabe
Miroku: Kouji Tsujitani
Sango: Houko Kuwashima
Teacher: NAKAJIMA Toshihiko

STATISTICS:

Sacred Jewel fragment: 5 [+0]
No. of 'sit': 0 [30 in all]
‘Kaze no Kizu!’: 0 [6 in all]
‘Iron-Reaver, Soul-Stealer!’: 1 [23 in all]
‘Kazaana!’: 0 [11 in all]
‘Hiraikotsu!’: 0 [8 in all]
‘Will you bear my child?’: 0 [4 in all]
Inuyasha’s abuse of Shippo:
1 / 27 head thumps
0 / 23 kicks
0 / 3 tail-grabbing
0 / 1 throws
1 [54 in all]
‘I must be strong!’ 0 [4 in all]
Miroku's groping of Sango: 0 [4 in all]
Kagome's arrow hit percentage: 63.3% [19/30]


Contents

  1. Synopsis
  2. Inuyasha’s Jar
  3. Quotes
  4. Oddities & Other Notes
  5. Comments
  6. Production Notes
  7. Script
  8. Contributors & References

Preview from previous episode

Oh no… I can't figure it out! I can't follow the lessons!

She's using the Sacred Jewel Shard to cast a spell on you!

Everyone tells me I should break up with Inuyasha…

Hey, listen to me!

Did you know? They call you the rough, two timing, jealous boyfried!

What?! Why?!

Next on Inuyasha: "The 50 Year Old Curse of the Dark Priestess". Run! Inuyasha!

Why?!

InuYasha’s Jar

#60 Tsubaki 椿

A dark priestess who integrated with demons. A long time ago, she fought with Kikyo and lost terribly. She teamed up with Naraku and placed a curse on Kagome.

妖怪と結んだ黒巫女。
昔、桔梗と戦い敗れた。
奈落と組んでかごめを呪う。

Quotes

Oddities and Other Notes

References

Oddities

When Kagome found that her haversack was too heavy, she took out textbooks instead of the other junk food, even though she was lamenting about how she's lagging behind in school.

Did you notice…?

Freeze Frame Fun

Maths class chalkboard
(√3)/(√3 - 1) - (√5 - √3)/(√5 + √3) + (√3)/(√3 + 1) =
(√7 - 1)(√7 - 1)(√6 + √7 + 1)(√6 + √7 - 1) =
English class chalkboard
'…communicating lately. I trust you, but you don't trust me. Maybe we should break up.'

Links

Comments

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transcript

Abbreviations
INU: Inuyasha
KAG: Kagome
SHI: Shippo
MIR: Miroku
SAN: Sango
KIR: Kirara
TET: Tetsusaiga
HIR: Hiraikotsu

[ ACT I ]

Night time in a forest clearing. An old woman sits in front of a fire, chanting a spell. She throws some sand into the fire and continue chanting. Cut to a mansion. The lord lies on his bed, struggling in pain. His subjects surround him, concerned. Cut to old woman. She throws a paper doll into the fire. Cut to mansion. The lord is in more pain. He struggles.

Subjects: Master! Master!

Cut to old woman. A gust of wind start to blow. KAR appear behind the old woman.

KAR:   Are you Tsubaki the Dark Priestess?

* Tsubaki abbreviated as TSU from now onwards *

TSU:  If you came to break the curse, it's too late. The ceremony is over.

KAR:   Who cares about that? I came to get you.

TSU:  Are you a demon?!

TSU suddenly turns around and throws a charm at KAR which turn into a bird. KAR opens her fan and destroys the bird.

KAR:   Cut it out! Troublesome hag. But someone wants to borrow your powers.

TSU:  What does a demon want with me?

KAR:   Do you still bear a grudge against Kikyo?

TSU:  Kikyo, you say?

[ End of ACT I: 3min 7sec ]


[ Title screen: Fifty-year Curse of the Dark Priestess ]


[ ACT II ]

Daytime in KAG's school. It's math class.

KAG:  (confused, thinking) What's this?! I don't have a clue!

Cut to chemistry class.

KAG:  (thinking) I don't get it at all!

Cut to English class.

KAG:  (thinking) I don't understand a thing!

Teacher: Read the next line, Higurashi.

KAG gasp in terror.


KAG is walking home with AYU, YUK and Eri.

KAG:  (sighs, thinking) I've forgotten everything I learned earlier… I'm falling so far behind!

The three look at her from behind.

AYU:  Kagome looks so depressed.

Eri:   I'll bet it's that old boyfriend!

YUK:  You mean, the one who jilted Kagome. The jealous, two-timing, bossy guy?

Eri:   She probably can't get him out of her mind.

The three walk up to KAG.

AYU:  Cheer up, Kagome.

YUK:  (puts a hand on KAG's shoulder) Just forget him!

Eri:   Yeah, he's not worth it!

KAG:  Who…? (thinking) Not Inuyasha?!

Eri:   If you broke up, you just have…

YUK:  to get over him.

KAG:  Oh, well we…

Eri:   (shocked) What now?

KAG:  (smiles) We made up.

YUK and Eri gape at KAG, while AYU looks blank.


In a Wacdnald restaurant.

YUK:  You're back together?

Eri:   With him?

KAG:  He has his kind side.

YUK:  Really?

Eri:   Then that's normal.

YUK:  So why were you so down?

KAG:  I've been absent a lot and there's so much schoolwork…

YUK:  I see. You do miss school a lot.

Eri:   Even if you never miss class, it's difficult to follow sometimes.

YUK:  I know…

YUK, Eri and KAG look down and sigh.

AYU:  But if you keep up and work hard, classes are fun, aren't they?

YUK, Eri and KAG make shocked expressions.

AYU:  What? What? What? Did I say something strange?

Eri:   Err…no.

YUK:  You're so studious.

KAG:  (looks at her watch) I've got to go! When I'm late, he comes for me.

AYU:  He comes to meet you? He's really nice then!

YUK:  (thinking) Nope… He's just jealous.

Eri:   (thinking) He's spoiled!

Outside.

KAG:  (waving) Bye-bye!

YUK:  (thinking) They're back together.

Eri:   (thinking) I wonder if Kagome can handle it?

AYU:  Huh? Why?


TSU sits behind KAR on her feather and fly towards NAR's castle.

TSU:  What an ominous barrier.

KAR:   Hold on tight, old woman.


In a room in NAR's castle. NAR sit in a corner. TSU and KAR enter.

KAR:   Naraku, I found her.

NAR:  So you're here…Dark Priestess Tsubaki.

TSU:  (walks to NAR) What do you want, calling me here?

NAR:  Do you remember battling a priestess named Kikyo fifty years ago? You were trying to steal the Sacred Jewel.

TSU:  Oh…I'm amazed that you know of such an old incident.

NAR:  Dark Priestess Tsubaki… Would you like to use your evil powers for me?

TSU:  Naraku, you say? How will helping you benefit me?

NAR:  You shall have the Sacred Jewel.

TSU:  (shocked) What?!

TSU's hair start to fly. A crackling sound is heard. TSU's skin turns smooth, instead of wrinkled. Her voice also changes into a younger one.

TSU:  The Sacred Jewel? You have it?

KAR:   The old bag transformed herself!

TSU:  Watch what you say! This is my true form!

NAR:  (thinking) This old woman…sold her soul to a demon in order to preserve her youth. However the demon didn't have much standing. This woman seeks even more power.

TSU:  If you really have the Sacred Jewel, let me see it.

NAR:  What do you desire from the Sacred Jewel? Eternal youth? (opens his palm and show TSU the jewel)

TSU:  (takes the jewel) Naraku… Just what do you want with me?


Daytime in KAG's house. In the kitchen. KAG is packing foodstuff into her bag. SOT sits at the dining table and looks on.

KAG:  This one's for Shippo and (takes a cup-noodle) this is Inuyasha's favourite.

Mama: (walks in) Don't only take sweets. Here… How about this? (hands KAG a lunch box with croquettes and vegetables)

KAG:  Thanks, Mom!

Mama: I still have lots more. (walks over to the refrigerator and opens it, revealing lots more lunchboxes.)

KAG:  (grimacing) Oh, thank you.

GRA:  (walks in with a strange packet and some amulets) Kagome! Don't forget the charms and amulets!

KAG:  Grandpa, that's okay.

GRA:  (disappointed) R-Really?

Buyo walks up to KAG and paws at her leg. KAG moves aside, ignoring her.

Sota: Sis, are you going already?

KAG:  They're waiting.

Sota: You mean, Inuyasha?

KAG:  No, everyone!

Sota: I wish I could go back in time, too.

KAG:  Even if you came, you're such a scaredy cat. You'll want to go home right away.

MOM: She's right, Sota, you're still so young.

Sota: Don't you get scared, Sis?

KAG:  I'm sorta used to it now. (moves the bag around and tries to carry it) So heavy!

Sota: Can you carry it, Sis?

KAG:  (puts her bag down on the dining table and digs into her bag) Can't be helped. I'll leave these. (places some school books on the table)


Evening in Feudal Japan. INU sitting on the roof on KAE's hut. SHI sit next to him.

INU:   (thinking) Kagome is late! She said she'd be back by dusk!

SHI:   Kagome is late! She said she'd be back by dusk. (looks at INU)

INU hits SHI's head and a bump appears

SHI:   What're you doing?!

INU:   Shaddup! (jumps off from the roof and goes off)

SHI:   Hey! (a strong gust of wind sweeps past SHI) What's that?

SAN:  (appears in front of the hut) You sense it, too, Shippo?

SHI:   I don't know what it is, but…

Cut to close-up of SHI's tail trembling.


INU leaps in the forest leading to the Dry Well. He stops and sniffs the air.

INU:   Something stinks! (leaps)


KAE is walking in the forest. She stops and looks around.

KAE:  This aura…

MIR:   (walks up to KAE) Kaede…

KAE:  Miroku!

MIR:   You sensed it?

KAE:  Yes. Evil is lurking.

The grass starts to shake in the wind.

KAE:  As though it's crawling over the ground.

MIR:   What could it be?

KAE:  I don't know…


KAG is climbing out of the Dry Well.

KAG:  (heaves her bag over) Here I am! Boy, that was heavy!

Something moves swiftly in the grass. When KAG puts her foot down on the grass, a ghoulish snake appears. It twirls around her ankle and bites her.

KAG:  (winces) Oww! W-What's…? (rubs her ankle, thinking) I was bitten? But by what? (looks around the grass, thinking) There's nothing.

INU:   (lands near KAG) You're late, Kagome!

KAG:  Inuyasha! (points straight) I was bitten…by something.

INU:   What?!

INU runs off in the direction indicated by KAG. He sprints towards a dark shadow behind a rock.

INU:   That's it! (leaps and claws the shadow) Iron Reaver, Soul Stealer!

The shadow breaks into shreds.

INU:   (surprised, thinking) Paper?!


Somewhere in the forest, TSU stands. The ghoulish snake slither swiftly to her and leaps. TSU grabs it.

TSU:  Good work. You have the girl's blood? (squeezes the snake's head and blood drips from its fangs)

KAR:   (appears behind TSU) Are you done?

TSU:  Yes. Now take me back.

KAR:   (pissed) So bossy!

KAR takes a feather from her hair and a strong gust of wind blows. Cut to TSU and KAR flying away on KAR's huge feather.


At the Dry Well. INU walks towards KAG.

INU:   There was something strange. I got it, though.

INU opens his hand to reveal shredded pieces of a paper charm on his palm.

[ End of ACT II: 11min 36sec ]


[ ACT III ]

Night time. KAR and TSU reach her hut.

TSU:  I can handle this alone.

KAR:   Sure, as you please.

KAR fly away on her feather as TSU walks into the hut. Inside, an altar with some containers sits in the middle of the room. TSU takes out the Sacred Jewel piece from NAR and places it on a brown container in the middle of the altar. She sniggers.


INU-gang gather in KAE's hut. The group examines KAG's ankle.

KAG:  It's true!

SHI:   But there's no bite mark.

SAN:  He's right.

KAG:  But…

INU:   There was something strange there.

KAE:  Let me see, Inuyasha… That paper.

INU hands over the pieces of torn paper to KAE, who examines them.

SHI:   (hopeful) By the way… Kagome…

KAG:  I didn't forget. (reaches for her haversack and takes out a box of titbits) Here you are.

SHI:   (excited) Yes! This is the one! (opens the box and eats a cookie)

KAG:  (hands INU a bag of potato chips) And for you, Inuyasha. (takes out a lunchbox) How about some of this, everyone?

KAE:  This is…Shikigami.

KAG:  Shikigami? (suddenly gasps and pulsate, thinking) Huh? The Sacred Jewel Shards!

INU:   What's the matter, Kagome?

MIR:   Kagome!

KAG:  (takes out her container of Sacred Jewel shards) Huh? The Shards have turned black!

Cut-scene of blood dripping onto NAR's piece of Sacred Jewel shard. Cut to present. The container of black shards shatters. KAG fall backwards as the shards fly towards her neck.

INU:   Kagome!

SAN:  Kagome!

KAG:  (shocked, thinking) The Shards are entering my body… (falls flat on the floor)

INU:   Kagome!


Cut-scene of blood dripping onto NAR's piece of Sacred Jewel shard. The jewel slowly turns dark.

TSU:  The Shards which enter the woman's body synchronize with this Sacred Jewel which has been defiled with Naraku's evil and will slowly fester inside her.

Zoom out to reveal TSU standing over the altar.

TSU:  In both body and mind. Then…her life will be mine to control.

NAR, in his baboon suit, appear behind TSU.

NAR:  Tsubaki… Don't underestimate this Kagome.

TSU:  Don't make me laugh! She didn't even realize that she had been cursed. You said she was the resurrection of Kikyo, so I wondered how formidable she would be. Now what shall I do? Kill her immediately? Or…

NAR:  (laughs) Let us show Inuyasha a bad dream again. The woman he loves…the woman who wants to kill him. Such a nostalgic dream.


Back in KAE's hut. INU-gang and KAE kneel and crowd around a semi-conscious KAG.

INU:   Hey, Kagome! Wake up!

SHI:   Hang on!

SAN:  Kagome!

MIR:   Priestess Kaede, what does this mean?

KAE:  That evil which lurked… Someone has placed a curse on Kagome!

INU:   Someone's put a curse on her?!

KAE:  Probably the work of the Dark Priestess. Kagome was bitten at the well by the Dark Priestess' messenger demon spirit, Shikigami!

INU:   Dark Priestess?

KAE:  Inuyasha, you know of her existence. She specializes in curses…a wicked evil shrine maiden. It's her power that turned the Jewel Shards black.

SHI:   (worried) And they've entered her body completely!

SAN:  She may die from the poison unless we do something!

MIR:   (stands) Let's go, Sango! We'll find the Dark Priestess and destroy her. That's the only way to break the curse.

INU:   Then I'll go, too!

KAG:  (weakly) Inu…yasha!

MIR:   You stay here with Kagome.

KAE:  That would be best.

INU agrees to stay.


Outside the hut. MIR closes his eyes and senses the air with his palm. KAE and SHI stand behind him.

MIR:   (stops and opens his eyes) I sense evil coming from this direction!

SAN:  (appears in the sky in her battle gear on KIR) Get on, Miroku!

Cut to MIR and SAN flying away on KIR as KAE and SHI look on.

SHI:   We're counting on you!


Inside the hut. KAG is struggling and INU is very worried.

INU:   Kagome!

TSU': (voice-over) Kill him!

KAG:  (thinking) Who?!

TSU': (voice-over) Kill him!

KAG:  (thinking) Kill who?!

TSU': (voice-over) Kill Inuyasha! Kill Inuyasha!

The dark jewels in KAG's neck glow.

KAG:  (thinking) Stop! Please stop!


In TSU's hut.

TSU:  Humph! She's resisting.

NAR:  I told you, Tsubaki. Kagome is the reincarnation of the priestess, Kikyo. She'll require more effort than usual.

TSU:  Kikyo, huh? (thinking) That woman…!


Fade to flashback: Image of KIK standing among Sakura trees. TSU stand behind her.

TSU:  (voice-over) At that time, Kikyo was infatuated with a half-demon. And her powers were weakened. It was perfect opportunity to steal the Sacred Jewel from its guardian.

TSU releases her Shikigami to attack KIK.

TSU:  (voice-over) But…

KIK turns around cooly and swings her bow at the oncoming Shikgami snake. The snake growls and flies back towards TSU. TSU is shocked as the snake hits her eye.

TSU:  (voice-over) That woman… She hurled the Shikigami I sent straight back at me!

TSU shrieks and falls backwards.

KIK:   (turns to TSU) Relax, I will spare your life.


Fade to present, in TSU's hut.

TSU:  That smug look on her face! Just thinking about it makes me boil!

A scar appears slowly over TSU's right eye, where the Shikigami hit.


In KAE's hut. INU sit next to KAG. SHI looks on worriedly as KAE wipe KAG's forehead with a wet cloth.

SHI:   Will she be all right?! Will she?!

INU thumps SHI on his head. SHI turns to INU angrily, but notices the intent look on INU's face, and keeps quiet.

KAE:  (stands and takes a bucket) I will change the water.


MIR, with closed eyes, waves his staff in the air, while on KIR's back with SAN.

MIR:   (points in a direction) Over there!

SAN:  Let's hurry, Miroku!

KIR flies to the direction indicated by MIR.


Outside KAE's hut. SHI sits next to KAE. KAE is filling the bucket with water by a river.

SHI:   Will Kagome be saved?

KAE:  Kagome is probably fighting the curse with all her might.

SHI:   Kagome is strong.

KAE:  Yes… (thinking) But… The longer it takes the weaker she'll be to resist.


In TSU's hut.

NAR:  Is it going to take much longer?

TSU:  She'll stop resisting soon. (puts her hand over the jewel) Now then, Naraku… You shall have your wish.


INU stands at the door of KAE's hut.

INU:   Damn! Haven't they found the Dark Priestess yet?

INU surveys the quiet village. Back in the hut.

INU:   (clenches his fist and punches the door frame) Damn! Kagome is suffering! How can I just watch?!

Suddenly an arrow shoots past INU and barely misses. INU turns around to find KAG standing up, with a bow in her hand. KAG draws another arrow and points it at INU.

INU:   (shocked) Kagome!

KAG glares at INU, and breathes heavily.

Cut to flashback when KIK shoots arrow at INU.

KIK:   Die Inuyasha!

Back in KAE's hut.

INU:   Why?!

TSU:  (voice-over) Kill Inuyasha! Kill him!

KAG:  (struggling) Get…away, Inuyasha!

INU:   (shocked) Kagome! Y-You…!


In TSU's hut.

TSU:  Stubborn woman. I have control of her body. But her mind still resists.

NAR:  (laughs) This is becoming even more fun. Tsubaki… If Inuyasha should run out of there, then go ahead and kill Kagome.


In KAE's hut. INU and KAE face off each other.

KAG:  (weakly) Get away…

INU:   (thinking) Kagome is being manipulated by the Dark Priestess.

INU moves a few steps to his left and KAG's bow follows him. He pauses and moves to his right, but KAG's bow follows him still.

INU:   (thinking) Miroku, aren't you don't yet?!


Back with MIR, SAN and KIR.

MIR:   The miasma is getting stronger!

SAN:  Hurry, Kirara!

KIR flies faster and approaches TSU's hut. A huge barrier surrounds the hut.

MIR:   There it is!

KIR tries to enter the barrier but is thrown back. MIR and SAN are thrown off KIR and the three land on the ground.

SAN:  Miroku!

MIR:   (gets up and looks at the barrier) This is…!


KIK is walking in a dark forest.

KIK:   (thinking) I can feel it…

KIK reaches a cliff which overlooks TSU's hut.

KIK:   (thinking) This evil…I have faced it once before.


In TSU's hut.

TSU:  I can kill this woman anytime.

NAR:  (laughs) Inuyasha, what will you do? Be killed by Kagome? Or will you run and get Kagome killed?


In KAE's hut.

KAG:  (weakly, pulling the bow tighter) Get…away…

INU:   (thinking) What do you want?


In TSU's hut.

NAR:  (laughs) Suffer Inuyasha!


In KAE's hut.

KAG:  (weakly) Get away! Inuyasha!

INU looks intently at KAG in silence.

[ End of ACT III: 22min 18sec ]


[ End of episode 60: Fifty-year Curse of the Dark Priestess ]

[ Preview for next episode ]

Before she collapsed, Kagome said she was bitten by something. It was probably the messenger snake of the Dark Priestess.

Hurry Miroku! We must find her! Or else, Kagome will kill Inuyasha!

But if the barrier is too strong… I am powerless against it!

Look there!

Kikyo! Why is she here?

Next on Inuyasha: “Kikyo and the Dark Priestess!” Just what happened fifty years ago?

contributors

Compiled on 17 Feb 2008.
Last revised on 18 Feb 2008.

Dialogues adapted from the Japanese-dub, English-sub version of Inuyasha distributed by Odex (Singapore).

InuYasha is copyrighted by TAKAHASHI Rumiko / Shogakukan and its distributing rights are owned by Yomiuri TV and Sunrise.

Contributors & References

犬夜叉 official web - 放映予定一覧 (Sunrise Inuyasha official web - Airing Schedule)

犬夜叉完結編 公式サイト (Sunrise Inuyasha Kanketsu-hen official web - Airing Schedule)

Inu Goya> Metro: General Episode Information

Shirogetsu for Inuyasha Tsubo

DCYK Connection: アニメ犬夜叉のページ

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