Tokubei Izumiya: Pardon my abrupt question, but is it true that doctors play no part in life and death?
Dr. Kyojô Niide: It seems so.
Tokubei Izumiya: The people meant to live recover, and those meant to die pass away? Doctors have nothing to do with it?
Dr. Kyojô Niide: It may mean that.
Tokubei Izumiya: Bad and good doctors are the same, then? Expensive medicines and those sold in pharmacies are the same? Of course, an eminent doctor like yourself is different, I am sure...
Dr. Kyojô Niide: Don't make me an exception. Don't hold back. Say what's on your mind.
Tokubei Izumiya: I'm afraid I have displeased you.
Dr. Kyojô Niide: Of course not. All doctors have to butter up rich men.


--Yoshio Tsuchiya (as ) in Red Beard

Dr. Handayu Mori: [In the background, the women cooks can be heard calling Chobo's name into a well. Tsugawa is confused by this] The cooks are calling Chobo back. There's a belief that if you call into a well, you can call a dying person back. Wells lead to the bottom of the earth.


--Yoshio Tsuchiya (as ) in Red Beard

Dr. Handayu Mori: The pain and loneliness of death frighten me. But Dr. Niide looks at it differently. He looks into their hearts as well as their bodies.


--Yoshio Tsuchiya (as ) in Red Beard

Dr. Kyojô Niide: [At dinner with the other staff: the newly-arrived Yasumoto refuses to eat] Why don't you eat, Yasumoto?
Dr. Noboru Yasumoto: I don't want to!
Dr. Kyojô Niide: Does it mean that you're not hungry, or that the food doesn't suit you?
Dr. Noboru Yasumoto: It means this place doesn't suit me.
Dr. Kyojô Niide: Even bad food tastes good if you chew it well. Same with our work here if you try hard.


--Yoshio Tsuchiya (as ) in Red Beard

Dr. Kyojô Niide: [At Lord Matsudaira's mansion: the overweight lord and his chamberlain are being counseled by Dr. Niide] As I've said, you're not ill, my lord. But you're in much worse condition. It is due to a life of luxury and ease. You indulge in rich food, you hold nothing heavier than chopsticks. Fat gathers, intake and discharge lose their balance.
Dr. Kyojô Niide: [Now reviewing the lord's menu with the chamberlain] I told you that white rice is detrimental to his health... One bowl of seven parts wheat and three parts rice at each meal... No fowl, meat or eggs... And not too much fish or salt...
Dr. Kyojô Niide: [the overweight lord looks on, obviously distressed that he's being put on a strict diet] Keep to this for 100 days.


--Yoshio Tsuchiya (as ) in Red Beard

Dr. Noboru Yasumoto: [shouting an order to the kitchen staff] Go and get me some sake!
Genzo Tsugawa: We don't drink sake here.
Dr. Noboru Yasumoto: That's why I'll drink! I'll break every rule! No uniform. I'll be such a nuisance he'll ask me to leave!


--Yoshio Tsuchiya (as ) in Red Beard