"Don't make a mess." "I'm back." "Hi." "Are they here yet?" "What's the time?" "Their train should be in about now." "Jerk!" "Mom!" "Why's my desk in Isamu's room?" "Because Grandma and Grandpa are staying in your room." "They're staying here?" "Not a hotel?" "Don't talk like that." "They're coming from Hiroshima to spend time with all of us." "So where do I study?" "In Isamu's room." "He makes too much noise!" "As if you studied anyway." "So I don't have to study, then?" "It's OK if I fail?" "Great!" "Stop it!" "Hello!" "Come in, Shigeko." "Did Shoji phone?" "Not yet." "That's strange." "They should be in by now if the bullet train's on time." "You're right." "I'm exhausted!" "Did you walk?" "Yes." "This isn't a good place for old people." "Up and down all those hills..." "it's all right now, I guess." "Will Sukiyaki be all right for dinner?" "Perfect." "Mom and Dad both like beef." "I brought sweet dumplings again." "Thank you." "Did Shoji volunteer to pick up your parents?" "I told him to!" "At least he can pretend to be a dutiful son." "He's brought them nothing but worry." "Maybe that's him." "Hirayama residence..." "Shoji?" "How are Mom and Dad?" "You can't find them?" "They should have arrived a long time ago." "Wait a minute..." "Where are you?" "Tokyo Station?" "!" "Stupid!" "They got off at Shinagawa." "I told you that!" "You never listen, do you." "You said that?" "I was kind of busy when you phoned." "So now what?" "I'll go to Shinagawa, then." "You do that." "As quick as you can." "I'll phone Mom and tell them to wait there." "How long will you be?" "It's 10 or 15 minutes by train, but by car, maybe half an hour." "I'll get there as fast as I can." "That kid is useless!" "He always has been." "Koichi, did you hear?" "I knew I should have gone there myself." "Hey..." "Your phone." "Hello?" "Shigeko?" "We're at Shinagawa now, but we can't see Shoji anywhere." "Yes..." "He did?" "The silly boy!" "Shoji went to Tokyo Station by mistake." "Shigeko says he's coming now and to wait here." "Wait even longer?" "We'll go ourselves." "There must be a taxi stand." "Hello?" "Father says he can't wait and we'll come ourselves." "Tell Shoji, will you?" "Will you be all right?" "Can you find the taxi stand?" "Ask someone who's passing by." "Call me when you get close, all right?" "Take care, then." "They're taking a taxi." "Dad's so impatient!" "Are we like that?" "You are." "Oh, right." "Is your shopping all done?" "What are we having?" "Sukiyaki." "Is that all right?" "Sounds good." "Should we get some sashimi, too?" "That'll be fine, won't it?" "That'll be plenty." "You have a patient." "Oh, I need to phone Shoji and tell him not to go to Shinagawa." "What a nuisance!" "That was the Tama River, right?" "We're coming to the 'Tsukushino' intersection." "Turn left there, go straight for a while..." "I've got it on the GPS." "Left turn, 700 meters ahead." "Hurry with the blood work on this." "Yes, Doctor." "Will you be visiting Mrs Tamura tomorrow?" "Yes, I'd better." "Good night." "Why's it so dark in here?" "Sorry!" "Father, Mother... welcome." "You're looking well." "Was the train full?" "Not very." "Minoru!" "Isamu!" "Get down here." "Go on!" "Say hello to Grandma and Grandpa." "Hello." "They've gotten so big!" "Minoru's in Middle School." "He is?" "And how old is Isamu?" "I'm nine." "Hey..." "They brought gifts from back home." "Dried needlefish, your favorite." "And miso paste." "Mrs Goto made it, and brought it over... just for you." "My husband loves this with his sake." "Delicious!" "Are you still drinking, Dad?" "I haven't touched a drop since you told me to quit." "That's why you look so well." "You've already had enough for one life." "Quiet." "Your dinner." "Tell Grandma and Grandpa you're on your way." "Are you going somewhere?" "Cram school." "That's his dinner?" "He eats there." "So he studies at night, too?" "It must be hard, growing up in Tokyo." "If he's really studying." "Off you go." "I'm on my way." "Off you go." "Work hard." "Did your grandparents arrive?" "Ages ago." "Were they talking about me?" "Yep." "You're off to cram school?" "Want a ride?" "Not in this heap." "Hey!" "You call a Fiat Cinquecento a heap?" "It's falling apart." "Give me a break!" "Hello!" "Shoji's here." "Hi." "You!" "Sorry!" "They made it?" "You've never once been any use to us." "All you do is cause trouble." "I said I'm sorry!" "They're upstairs." "Go up and say hello." "Well!" "So how did you get here?" "By taxi." "You went to the wrong station." "I forgot the bullet train stops at Shinagawa." "The taxi must have cost a lot." "I got out my Fiat." "You still have that?" "It's wearing out." "Somebody thought it was scrap and put a 'no dumping' sticker on it." "On a famous Italian car!" "Shoji..." "Are you eating right?" "Sure I am!" "What time did you leave?" "The 10 a. m. ferry." "We saw your friend Ken on the boat." "What's he up to now?" "Driving truck." "For Tomioka Transport." "A friend of mine runs it." "He's tanned, with great big muscles." "He said he's got two kids." "He married a girl in our class." "Both trouble-makers." "They drove the teachers crazy." "I can't believe he's a truck driver now." "You're a fine one to talk." "Get yourself established first before you laugh at other people." "What are you doing now?" "I'm keeping myself alive." "Time for dinner!" "Let's go downstairs and leave this story later." "I'll bring these." "You go downstairs." "Uncle!" "Hi." "Whoa!" "Careful!" "Your name makes you sound like a sliding door." "You're a mouthy kid." "That beef was so tender!" "It must have been expensive." "We splashed out a bit." "These plates can go in here?" "Thanks." "Mom, how's Ko doing?" "Ko..." "She's had terrible luck." "Her husband died  and last spring she took the kids and married someone in Ehime." "But it doesn't seem to be going too well." "No?" "Who was that man from the town hall you used to go fishing with?" "Mr Mihashi." "He died." "Quite a while ago, right?" "I think so." "Do you remember Mr Hattori?" "Your friend from school..." "He taught high school up here, but he died last year." "That's right." "I thought this trip would be a good chance to offer my condolences." "Where was he?" "Somewhere in Itabashi." "Numata lives near there, so he can take me over." "Mr Numata from the shipyard?" "His son's doing very well." "He's a Division Chief somewhere." "And his wife?" "Dead." "Two or three years ago." "It must be hard when the wife goes first." "You take care of Mom." "You could beat her and she still wouldn't die." "What thing to say!" "We'll all be happier if I go first." "Stop it!" "All cleaned up?" "The beef was delicious." "Thank you." "Not at all." "You two take things easy tomorrow." "Then on Sunday we'll go somewhere." "You will?" "I'll be on my way, then." "You're going?" "Yes." "Shoji, what about you?" "Want a ride in a foreign car?" "In your Italian clunker?" "Just to the station, then." "I'll see you, Dad." "Say hello to Kurazo." "Study hard, Isamu." "Don't worry your parents like I do." "Listen to this kid!" "Where's the switch?" "Here." "Ah, me!" "I'm tired." "It's been a long day." "But all the kids came." "I didn't think Shoji would." "It's been so long since we were all together." "I'm glad I came." "I wonder what part of Tokyo we're in..." "The western edge, I think." "That sounds right." "The taxi cost nearly?" "10,000." "I was horrified!" "Tokyo's too expensive to own a place downtown." "He's doing well even being here." "May I?" "Come in." "Your kimono arrived this morning." "I thought I might need one, so I sent it ahead." "I told her she wouldn't." "All it means is more luggage." "Good night, then." "Good night." "So I sleep in your bed?" "Yes." "Yay!" "Hirayama speaking." "Hello, Yuki?" "We made it in one piece." "We had sukiyaki with the children." "It was wonderful." "Say hello to your mother." "Oh, how's our dog?" "You walked him?" "Thank you." "Mr Hirayama?" "He's changing right now." "All bent over." "Yes, all right." "Good night." "That's Yuki from next door." "She's a sweet girl." "Good morning." "Hello!" "Morning." "Mrs Miyata's coming at 10." "She wants a perm." "All right." "How long are they staying?" "Four or five days, at least." "Should I go say hello?" "You don't have to." "They'll be coming here." "Good morning." "They're staying here?" "Why not?" "Your mother's fine, but your father's a bit hard to get along." "Why?" "He was a teacher." "The conversation's too intellectual." "It's a pain in the neck!" "He's an old man." "Don't use so much mustard." "It'll burn out your brain." "It's too late." "That room upstairs is pretty small." "That's OK." "Back home they want to brag about staying at their daughter's, too." "Yeah?" "What are they doing today?" "My brother's taking them out." "It's Sunday." "So I'm free, then..." "Whoa!" "So where are you all going?" "Odaiba, over the Rainbow Bridge  then we'll see how the port in Yokohama has changed  and finally have lunch in Chinatown there." "Sounds great!" "Bring back some steamed buns." "I'm going." "Good luck, hero!" "Jerk!" "Aki!" "Is Isamu home?" "He's going for a drive." "What is it?" "Dad says to ask if you're ready to go." "Yes, we are." "Finally." "Then let's go, he says." "OK." "I told them." "You did?" "Just like I said?" "Let's go,' I said." "Hirayama Clinic..." "Mrs Yoshizawa?" "How's your son?" "He still won't eat?" "Did the medicine bring his fever down?" "That high?" "I'll come over." "Don't worry about that." "I'll be right there." "Mrs Yoshizawa's son isn't doing too well." "Oh, dear..." "Dad, I've got to make a sudden house call." "You do?" "I know we were going for a drive..." "Don't worry about that." "It can't be helped." "Excuse me." "A doctor has a hard life." "Does this happen all the time?" "Well, not all the time..." "What if you go away, overseas or somewhere?" "There's a network." "The local doctors cooperate." "And people now are quick to complain when something goes wrong." "That's right." "Next Sunday, Isamu." "Dad, I'll see you." "Your car keys." "I might be late." "Shall I take your parents out?" "Somebody has to be here." "Off you go." "So  we stay here?" "I'm afraid so." "A patient is sick." "Why not just call another doctor?" "What kind of an attitude is that?" "Go on upstairs." "I'm very sorry this had to happen." "It's good he's in demand." "He works hard." "Mom..." "We're really not going?" "That's no fun!" "You can go next time." "Right?" "Isamu!" "I'm sorry." "Stop that!" "Grandma and Grandpa are here!" "You can wait till next time." "You say 'next time' and we never go." "We never go anywhere!" "Use your head!" "Mrs Yoshizawa's son is the same age as you." "How would you feel if you had a fever and we just left it?" "Fine." "Silly!" "Isamu?" "Come downstairs and go outside with Grandma." "I'm sorry." "He's very stubborn." "Come on." "I'll buy you whatever you like." "Coming." "Isamu, you do what Grandma tells you to." "Go on." "Let's go." "Isamu, behave yourself." "We'll see you." "Thank you." "What do you want to be when you grow up, Isamu?" "A doctor, like your father?" "I'm not good at studying." "Not good at studying?" "You're only in primary school." "Your father wasn't very good at studying, either." "Then he worked real hard, and finally got into medical school." "You'll be fine if you try." "No way." "You're still so young and you've already given up..." "Thank you." "Hello." "You had a phone call." "Who?" "The Kirindo, about the festival." "Their contribution?" "That's done." "Rain again, huh?" "Bring some new towels." "Noodles for lunch." "Right." "Have your parents eaten?" "Not yet." "What are they doing?" "They've been upstairs all morning." "Doing nothing?" "Dumplings." "Tomorrow's supposed to be nice." "Could you take them somewhere?" "Tomorrow?" "I've got collections." "They haven't gone anywhere since they got here." "The rain's got them stuck all day up in that little room..." "That's right." "Get your fingers out of there!" "Right!" "Maybe I'll go up and see how they're doing." "You're sewing?" "Oh, you're back..." "Here's a snack." "Thank you." "What are you sewing?" "Shigeko asked me to fix this summer kimono." "So she's put you to work?" "She dances in the festival." "She's not very good, though." "Sorry about that." "You must be bored, Dad." "A bit." "If the weather was better, I could take you out somewhere..." "I know!" "Let's go to a hot spring." "A hot spring?" "They've just opened one right by the station." "They dug down 1200 meters and hit warm water." "There's a sauna, a Jacuzzi... and Thai massage." "It's great." "Just like heaven!" "Let's go there." "They've got towels and everything." "Why don't you go, Father?" "I'll get my wallet." "We'll see you later." "Thank you." "Dad?" "Where are you going?" "Heaven and back." "What heaven?" "The hot spring." "You call that muddy water heaven?" "Yep!" "We'll get lunch down there." "All right, but don't let Dad drink." "I know that." "You, too." "Your gout will come back." "Okay, okay..." "Off you go." "I know!" "Yeah?" "What am I doing?" "I'm backstage at a show." "Waiting for the set change." "So make it quick, will you?" "Tomorrow?" "We're building sets tonight." "That could take till morning." "Noon's OK." "That's great!" "I need a favor." "Mom and Dad still haven't seen anything of Tokyo." "Tomorrow's supposed to be a nice day." "I hate to ask, but could you take them out?" "Me?" "No way for that!" "Mom alone would be fine, but not Dad." "He doesn't want me around." "What are you talking about?" "He's your father!" "Right now you're the one he's most worried about." "This'd be a great chance for the two of you to talk." "Yeah?" "You'll do it?" "Treat him well for lunch, eel or something else." "You do?" "Call me when you're free, then." "We'll arrange things." "Yeah, OK." "There will now be a 15-minute intermission." "To your left is the Sakurada Moat of the Imperial Palace." "Its pine trees and stone walls form one of the palace's best-known views." "We are now in the Akihabara district." "A black-market center following World War II... it then became the famous Japan's 'Electric Town'." "It is now a center for the culture of 'anime'... and draws tourists from all over the world." "Coming into sight right now is the Tokyo Sky Tree." "The world's highest broadcast tower, it was opened in May, 2012." "It stands at 634 meters, resembling the pronunciation of the ancient province "Musashi"" "Where?" "The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space?" "Three days I can do." "Tell Murata I hope he's better soon." "Between 8 and 9." "See you there." "It's not here yet?" "We've already asked them." "You can't hurry good eel, I guess." "You really quit?" "That must have been hard, drinking like you did." "Great." "What are you doing right now?" "Waiting for the eel to get here." "Answer him!" "I did!" "He's asking what you're doing for a living." "I wrote you about that." "Stage design." "What does that involve?" "The buildings and backdrops on the stage in a play..." "I make those." "Kabuki sometimes, but modern stuff, too... with pipes, and abstract designs." "Different things, in big places and mini-theaters, too." "Can you earn a living from that?" "I get by." "What are the prospects five or ten years down the road?" "I haven't really thought about that." "So you're just trusting to luck?" "No." "Now I need to be doing good work and learning." "Five years from now, who knows?" "In theater you can't tell." "With this country you can't tell." "You've no right to talk to me about this country." "You just want life to be easy." "Nowadays, who can live an easy life?" "Let's change the subject." "This isn't getting us anywhere." "Order's up." "Sorry to keep you waiting." "Eel-over-rice..." "I'll bring your soup." "There you go." "This looks great!" "The conversation's not over, Shoji." "Your father's worried about you!" "I know that!" "But let's eat." "I'm starving." "Him again?" "What a pest!" "Hello?" "Sorry..." "He won't listen to me!" "That's not true." "He might not look like it, but he understands how you feel." "Anyway, let's eat." "Give him half of mine." "Does seeing him take away your appetite?" "Yes." "They're late." "They'll be back soon." "How long do you think they'll be staying in Tokyo?" "They haven't said?" "Dad's classmate, Mr Hattori, wasn't it?" "He said he'd go offer his condolences, but he didn't say when." "Up in Itabashi, he said..." "Yeah." "Koichi..." "I've been thinking." "Could you put in some money?" "For what?" "I will, too." "Maybe?" "30,000?" "No, it'll take?" "50,000." "To do what?" "A customer's husband manages a hotel in Yokohama." "She can get us rooms cheap." "Well?" "It's a great hotel." "You're busy... and I've got my workshopeel and the festival coming up." "And Shoji's no help." "What do you think?" "Sounds like an idea." "I'd be happy to stay in a hotel sometime." "Let's send them." "They'll love it!" "Going out with them can cost almost as much as 20 or 30 thousands." "That's right." "The hotel will be cheaper." "They'll have a nice, quiet room to relax in." "I'm starting to feel jealous." "Kurazo..." "Yes?" "What's up?" "We're talking about paying for Momeel and Dad to stay in a hotel." "Mrs Horikawa's place." "That'd be good." "It's been bothering me." "I'm just too busy to take them anywhere." "What do you think?" "It'll cost us some money." "I'm all for it." "It's a great idea." "It is?" "Then let's do that." "It's no fun for them being stuck here." "You're right!" "That's the place for them." "Instead of fighting crowds in Tokyo... they're much better off sitting back and watching TV at a hotel." "It's heaven!" "It'll cost a bit." "What's a little money beside duty to your parents?" "My dad died when I was in high school." "In high school?" "Yep, he died." "When you want to be filial, your parents are gone.'" "You can't put a futon in a grave." "Father... why don't you change into a sleeping robe?" "I can't go to dinner here in a sleeping robe." "It's not worth it." "So what should we do till sunset, then?" "Watch the sky, I guess." "What else is there to do?" "Isn't it a lovely day!" "Butter roasted John Dory." "It goes best with basil sauce and ricotta cheese." "Would you like a drink?" "I'm fine." "What are you doing?" "Closing this so we can sleep." "Leave it." "It's a view we don't see often." "Let's watch it for a while." "All right." "Remember?" "What?" "The Toyoza theater in Hiroshima." "We'd gone and seen a movie there before we were married." "'The Third Man'" "Yes, we did." "I still remember the scene... in the Ferris wheel at the amusement park in Vienna." "Orson Welles said some great lines there." "It's hard to sleep in a wonderful bed like this." "The pillows are so fluffy." "Would you like a sleeping pill?" "No." "There's nothing like the sea for calming you down." "Didn't you didn't sleep last night?" "You slept very well." "I couldn't sleep, either." "Liar!" "You were snoring away." "Do I snore?" "You snore a lot these days." "The bathroom's all clean." "And the robes are all folded." "Probably an elderly couple." "I hate to say it, but young people these days make an awful mess." "I blame the parents." "I wonder how Goro's doing." "I hope he's eating." "On the phone last night Yuki said he's just fine." "She'll look after him." "She's a real nice girl, isn't she." "You want to go back to the island, don't you." "Well, we've seen how the kids are doing." "Once I've extended my condolences to Mrs Hattori... we could do that." "Let's do that." "Let's go back." "What's wrong?" "I just felt dizzy..." "Do you feel sick?" "It happens now and again." "I'm fine now." "Are you sure?" "Yes, I'm fine." "A bit lighter?" "Maybe." "Why not try wearing it up?" "That would suit you." "You think so?" "Your neckline is very nice, and we can add volume here." "What do you think?" "Should we try that?" "Definitely." "What?" "Your parents are back." "Already?" "Tonight's bad, right?" "Yes!" "Kiyomi  set it up." "Hello." "Hello." "Nice to see you." "Visitors?" "Yes." "Old folks, up from the country." "Oh, dear!" "You got that right!" "So how was the hotel?" "Very good." "A nice, big room." "It's lovely view, isn't it." "We've never stayed there." "What was for dinner?" "Steak, and grilled fish." "They explained about everything... but we didn't understand, so we just ate it." "Was it good?" "It was very good." "So why did you come back?" "We booked you for two nights." "We were thinking you could have even stayed for one more night." "One night was a lot." "It's a waste of money." "I told you it was amazingly cheap." "You see, Mom  the Merchants' Association is here tonight." "Times are tough for us, and we need to study." "Everyone hosts in turn, and afterwards they drink." "They're all going to be jammed in here till late." "They like to drink." "So there'll be a big crowd here?" "It's our turn, I'm afraid." "That's why we wanted you to stay at the hotel." "I guess I should have told you." "I never thought you'd come back after one night." "I wish you'd phoned first." "Sensei..." "We're all ready." "Anyway, I can't have you here tonight." "I can't make dinner, either." "Excuse me." "Now what?" "We told the hotel we were leaving..." "And we can't just show up at Koichi's again..." "I'll do this..." "I'll get Numata to take me to Hattori's to offer incense." "That's assuming Mrs Hattori is at home." "And tonight?" "I'll stay at Numata's." "He always asks me to go visit." "His son's doing well, so they've got a big house." "They do?" "What about you?" "In that case, I'll go to Shoji's apartment." "Do you know where it is?" "He drew me a map." "I meant to visit his place while I was in Tokyo." "I'm sure his place is an awful mess." "I'll clean it up and do some laundry." "I brought my apron." "What about tonight?" "I'll stay there." "It'll be fine." "It won't be so small that I can't even lie down." "Let's do that, then." "Tonight we'll go our separate ways." "In the end, we've ended up homeless." "You don't have to put it like that!" "It's like once a girl's married she's not your daughter any more." "Why?" "Shigeko was always such a sweet little girl." "You spoiled her, you did." "And you were so hard on the boys." "I was?" "You certainly were." "There were no excuses if their marks went down." "Especially with Shoji." "That's why he was always so careful around you." "The poor thing!" "So it's my fault?" "I'll have a talk with him tonight and tell him how you feel." "Kids never turn out the way you meant them to." "We've done well, compared with others." "You think so?" "Yes!" "It's getting away!" "It's about time you were going, Father." "Don't forget that." "Hattori did a lot for me through my years of teaching." "We'd always talk when there was a battle to fight... the ministry evaluations, standardized testing... and morality as a school subject." "He was a fine man." "I meant to come up here... and help with his wake... but my back was bothering me." "I'm very sorry about that." "My most heartfelt condolences, Mrs Hattori." "I'm sure my husband would be happy you've come so far." "Thank you very much." "Come over here and relax, Hirayama." "We can't talk with you down there." "Please..." "I had heard that you had a lot to do in taking care of him." "You were so thin at the funeral I was worried about you." "I've recovered since then, thank you." "Who's the lady next to Hattori?" "My mother." "She passed away recently?" "Yes." "March 11th of last year." "She's from Rikuzen-Takata, up in Iwate Prefecture." "Her mother was caught in a tsunami, and hasn't been found." "Is that so?" "My father was sunk on a freighter in the war." "His body was never recovered." "His mother never gave up hope, so there was no grave for him." "Now I tell myself  they're together at last at the bottom of the ocean." "This is your area recycling service, collecting old or broken TV sets... refrigerators, washing machines, computers and other appliances." "It's done." "It's me." "Could you come over tonight?" "My mother's coming, is what it is." "She phoned a while ago." "She said she's got nowhere to stay, and that my place must need cleaning." "And I haven't had her cooking for a while." "It's a good chance to introduce you." "It'll be fine." "How do I know?" "Because you're wonderful." "Old folks will like you." "Don't worry." "See you later." "There." "Is it good?" "I just wish I'd brought my own miso paste and sardines." "You keep your apartment very tidy." "I was expecting it to look like a garbage dump." "You've grown up." "No." "No?" "I have someone." "Someone comes in and cleans?" "You pay for that?" "I don't have to." "A volunteer?" "Kind of." "Am I late?" "Come in." "This is Noriko." "Noriko Mamiya." "She comes over sometimes and cleans the place up." "Kind of like a volunteer." "My mom." "Good evening." "I was about to tell her about you." "So I'm early?" "Yeah!" "Um..." "What should I say?" "Where I work, stuff like that..." "She works at a bookstore." "She lives two stations away." "Born in Kyushu." "Her mother died when she was young, and her father lives there alone." "Blood Type O, Virgo, and her measurements..." "Not needed?" "Anything else?" "Stupid!" "You ask, then." "Thanks for dinner." "May I call you 'Noriko'?" "Yes." "I'm his mother." "My name is Tomiko." "How do you do." "Yes." "You seem to be looking after my son very well." "Thank you very much." "He looks after me, too." "I'm sorry if I was a surprise." "Well, I think..." "Yes?" "I think you seem like a very nice person." "See?" "I said old folks like you." "Great!" "Calling his own mother 'old folks'!" "Yes!" "He doesn't care what he says." "I'll make some tea." "She's nice, huh?" "Yes." "Is your father like that?" "No." "He's not nice at all." "Not so loud!" "I heard that." "III words carry far." "That's right." "Where's the tea?" "Have a drink!" "I quit drinking, I told you." "What kind of a friend are you?" "I'm a companion of your youth you haven't seen in ten years." "And who knows when we'll see each other again." "Who cares what the doctors said?" "Drink with me!" "Just one more, then." "That's the spirit!" "Right!" "Hot sake." "Yeah, you could sure drink when you were young." "When was that?" "The reunion where we celebrated Mr Ogawa's medal." "At the Takemuraya." "You got real drunk and picked a fight with Mr Ogawa." "What a mess that was!" "I couldn't hold my liquor." "That's not true." "Let's knock back another one, Hirayama." "No, really..." "Drink with me, will you!" "This might be the last chance we ever have." "In that case, one more." "Knock it back!" "Anyway, you're lucky." "Your kids all turned out well." "Your son's doing fine, isn't he?" "He's a dead loss!" "His wife rules the roost, and he acts like I'm in the way." "He's a Division Chief for a printing company." "He's no Division Chief." "He's just a Section Leader." "I tell people he's a Division Chief because it sounds better." "He's a useless fool." "An only child, born late." "I was too easy on him." "Compared to that, your son's a doctor." "You must be happy." "No, I'm not happy with that." "Oh, come on!" "Don't sound so down in the mouth." "If you're not happy with that, where does that leave me?" "I'm starting to tear up." "Look, Hirayama, I'd like to put you up... and drink till dawn... but my daughter-in-law gets ugly if I bring people back." "Oh, dear." "Sorry." "That's fine." "Kayo!" "Sake!" "Tonight we drink!" "You're OK?" "I'm OK." "I'm in love, so I'm OK.'" "Let's go." "Leaving already?" "The bill." "Leave it till next time, Chief." "You're a Division Chief?" "Numata!" "Good night." "See you." "Kayo, sake!" "I'm sorry!" "Who are those old coots?" "The one comes in a lot lately." "What a sight!" "That's you in a few years." "Bite your tongue!" "Please come back soon." "Thank you for coming." "Thank you." "You're going home?" "Don't shed tears..." "Your mother, your father..." "Treat them well.'" "One hot sake." "Pour for me." "This is your last." "You're pretty drunk tonight." "Hey, Hirayama... does she remind you of someone?" "Here we go again." "Doesn't she?" "Who?" "She does, doesn't she." "Ume at the Takemuraya?" "No!" "Ume was fatter." "My late wife." "Yeah, now you mention it." "This part, right here." "You should just go home." "Your son's wife will be mad." "Hard-hearted, too." "Just like her." "You're very persistent." "That's what she used to say." "'You're very persistent.'" "That's why I like you." "One more, Numata?" "You know, Hirayama, you're the lucky one here." "Why?" "With your devoted wife  you stay at your children's places while you see Tokyo." "It's like a second honeymoon." "You must like that." "It's not that great." "Listen to you!" "You're a happy man." "What do I have to be happy about?" "Your son being a doctor, of course!" "I wanted Koichi to set up a practice back home." "But he ignored me and came to Tokyo." "He did?" "Then the other two followed him here." "Our home town's turning into a desert island." "Most of the stores on the main street have gone broke." "I never want to go back there." "Somewhere along the way, this country went all wrong." "You're right!" "Is there any way to go back and start over again?" "Nope." "Yeah, but... we can't just keep on going like this." "One more." "You still want to drink?" "Tonight we drink till we can drink no more." "Are you sure?" "Maybe you'd better not." "Aren't you under doctor's orders?" "Forget the doctor!" "Missus!" "We'll have one more!" "Mr Numata, it's time you went home." "Yeah." "I've got a train to catch." "I'll go on ahead." "You're the one who wanted to get drunk." "One more." "Missus, I said 'one more'." "Shouldn't you call it a night, 'Grandpa'?" "Are you going to ignore a customer?" "Damn you!" "Things just can't keep on going this way." "Please, Mr Numata..." "Good night." "You could stay and we could talk more if only the place were bigger." "Will you be able to sleep in a place this small?" "I'm used to small places." "And you have a lovely son to accompany you." "What's lovely about him?" "I heard that." "I'll see you again before you leave, then." "Make sure you do." "And his not-nice father, too." "All right, then." "Good night." "Mom, do you want the bed or the floor?" "I don't want to sleep in your smelly bed." "I'll be fine here on the floor." "I had a bit too much beer." "It's been a long day, Shoji." "I had breakfast at the hotel, then went to Shigeko's... rode the train all the way to Ikebukuro... finally found my way here in all those people... then met someone I never expected to." "Surprised?" "Who wouldn't be?" "I'm glad you liked her." "Talk to Dad for me, OK?" "That won't do." "You have to tell your father yourself." "Too much trouble." "This isn't like asking him to buy you something... or lend you some money." "This is completely different." "If Noriko is important to you... then you have to tell him..." "'I'm going to marry her.'" "He'll get mad." "He might get angry at first, but if he does..." "I'll step in and talk to him." "All right." "Where did you meet a nice girl like that?" "In Fukushima." "Where the earthquake was..." "I went up as a volunteer last summer." "See there?" "That's Noriko." "How would you tell a boy from a girl dressed like that?" "When she took off her mask and helmet at lunch... and all that black hair came down..." "I thought, 'She's beautiful!" "'" "Love at first sight?" "Kind of." "What did you do then?" "I figured I'd better move fast before someone else did... so on our third date..." "Yes?" "I asked if she'd promise to marry me." "That was fast." "I said she could wait to answer." "I'm a freelancer, after all." "I told her to think about it and then tell me." "I said I'd live with it if she said no." "Then once I'd said all that, she said..." "'I'll answer you right now,' and stuck out her little finger... like this." "So I went like this." "You must have been so happy!" "Yep." "Young love!" "It's so nice." "You met Dad through a go-between, right?" "That's right." "What did you see in him?" "I don't remember." "We were supposed to get married, so we did." "But you said 'yes'." "Yes, I did." "So there must have been something." "What should I say, I wonder..." "Your father was a good-looking man." "That's all." "So he was your type, was he?" "Yes." "Good morning." "What brings you here at this hour?" "Last night the fridge was empty." "I brought you some breakfast." "A sandwich and a boiled egg." "Shoji's gone?" "A friend came in his car early this morning." "Can you make it back alone?" "I'll be fine." "I have a map." "I'll get some time off soon, so I'll see you again." "Noriko, just a minute..." "I expected to find Shoji without any money... so I put some together before I left." "You may not have realized this yet... but Shoji has no sense of money at all." "He's not a spendthrift, but when he wants something... he'll go deep into debt without thinking of the consequences." "He's strange that way." "Now you, on the other hand..." "Mother, I know that." "We've fought over it many times." "But that's something I like about him." "He can get all excited about an old Italian car." "You're willing to accept that?" "He's open-minded." "He's not fixated on the future." "He takes things as they come." "That's his best quality." "So don't worry." "Thank you!" "I'll leave this with you, just in case." "People get hurt, or they get sick..." "You can use it then." "I'll rest easier if you have it." "I'll keep it for him, then." "Don't tell Shoji about it, though." "I won't." "Promise?" "That's a relief." "I'm sorry I kept you." "You should go." "I'll see you." "Off you go." "Go over there." "Hirayama..." "Hello, Shigeko." "Yes, half an hour ago." "I've made him some coffee." "He seems tired." "What happened?" "What a night!" "He came here in a taxi about 2, dead drunk." "He doesn't know Tokyo at all." "The taxi driver had an awful time." "I gave him a?" "2,000 tip." "Dad?" "He won't remember." "Morning." "Help him." "When we were kids, he drove Mom crazy with his drinking." "He was supposed to have quit." "He was outside yelling, he threw up on the floor, knocked over a cart..." "I just hate drunks!" "This morning we had a big fight." "He went storming out, so I wondered where he'd gone." "But I'm glad he made it to your place all right." "Sorry, Fumiko, but can you watch him?" "All right." "He'll be fine." "Goodbye." "When's lunch?" "Soon." "This won't cure a hangover, but it'll help your headache." "Bring him some water." "Where were you?" "With Numata." "From the shipyard?" "Weren't you going to stay there?" "He said his daughter-in-law wouldn't like that." "So I ended up homeless." "You don't have to call it that!" "Why didn't you come here?" "I didn't want to cause Fumiko any trouble." "You don't have to worry about that!" "Isamu, stop that!" "Water." "What's he so mad about?" "Mother!" "I'm back." "Father's here?" "Mother's here." "I'm back." "Hello." "Don't you look worn out!" "Was Mr Numata well?" "He was fine." "He was?" "That's nice." "So you stayed at Shoji's?" "Yes." "It's a very small place." "I'll bet you cleaned up." "Yes." "He's still causing us grief!" "How old does he think he is?" "But I'm glad I went, Father." "I feel much better." "Why?" "He'll be fine." "He's making his own way." "I'm glad at least you're in a good mood." "What happened there?" "Yes, how am I going to explain this to Father?" "I'm not interested." "You always get like that!" "Why don't you get changed?" "You can tell us over tea." "Yes." "I'm so glad!" "Isamu!" "How are you?" "You've got your helicopter?" "Your clean clothes are upstairs." "Fumiko..." "Yes?" "I'm really happy we came to Tokyo." "Well, I'm very glad to hear that." "Thank you." "Not at all." "Let's go." "I wonder what happened at Shoji's." "She's all smiles." "She's just happy-go-lucky, that's all." "What?" "It's Grandma..." "What about Grandma?" "Mother!" "Mother!" "Mother?" "What's wrong?" "Don't!" "Don't move her." "I'll get Koichi." "Don't move her!" "Leave her!" "Hey..." "Tomiko..." "Tomiko?" "What happened, Tomiko?" "Mom?" "Mom?" "Can you hear me?" "Squeeze my hand." "Get an ambulance!" "Koichi, what's wrong?" "Go downstairs, Dad." "She'll be fine." "Hello?" "We need an ambulance." "My mother-in-law's fallen down." "She's unconscious." "My husband's a doctor." "He wants an ambulance." "She's 68." "Here's the address..." "Tsukushino 3-20-4, Tama-chuo." "Yes, please." "Mom?" "Mom?" "Hello." "Take over." "Hi." "I got your message." "How is she?" "Not very good." "But she was fine yesterday." "I thought it was Dad at first, after how drunk he was." "Where is she?" "The ambulance took her to Nishi-Tama Hospital." "What did your brother say?" "'Come as quickly as you can.'" "I see..." "Tomorrow's the festival, and I'm in charge of liaison." "Don't worry." "She'll last longer than that." "Anyway, I'll finish here and go to the hospital." "Why did she have to choose a busy time like this!" "Yeah." "Here it is." "This one." "The one beside it, by the same writer..." "That one, too." ""Mom in Nishi-Tama Hospital."" ""Going after work." "Cancel tonight."" "We'll take this one." "Koichi can be here by 5." "Shigeko phoned and said she'd be here by then, too." "I'll get her what she'll need here down at the store." "Hey..." "Hey..." "What?" "Are you hot?" "Koichi's a doctor, so he can't just up and leave his patients." "But the doctor here is a friend of his." "Don't worry." "Shigeko's coming soon." "They'll all be here soon." "You'll get better." "You will." "Pupils are dilated." "On the stairs?" "Yes." "She was on the landing." "That's too bad." "Pressure?" "A hundred." "Shoji's late." "Did he get the message?" "'All he said was 'be right there', but he answered." "He's never any use when you need him!" "Her blood pressure was low." "I started her on dopamine." "So that's why..." "If her oxygen goes down, should I intubate?" "We'll talk about that." "I'll come back." "Thank you." "Excuse me." "Thank you." "What about the boys?" "Yeah, they should get home." "Say good night to your grandmother." "Good night, Grandma." "Good night." "We'll be back tomorrow." "Good boy." "Take care." "The poor thing!" "Her feet are freezing." "Koichi, do something." "Dad..." "You too, Shigeko." "Dad, it doesn't look very good." "No?" "What do you mean?" "Her MRI isn't good." "I see..." "Maybe the long trip just wore her out." "I doubt that." "She was fine yesterday." "Right?" "Well, it might have had some effect." "I wasn't paying attention." "So where does that leave us?" "Dr Hashimoto and I agree... she'll be lucky to last till morning." "Tomorrow morning?" "She might not even make it till dawn." "She's not going to make it..." "Mom's 68, isn't she." "Yeah." "So... she's dying..." "I believe so." "So it's all over..." "Shoji's not going to be in time?" "Appreciate it." "You're here..." "It might not be anything serious... but just in case..." "I really wanted to see your mother again." "OK." "Which floor is it?" "Room 523." "I checked." "Great." "Let's go." "What should we tell your father about me?" "Who cares!" "He's here..." "Sorry I'm late." "Mom?" "Mom?" "How..." "Hey..." "She's going?" "Mom, it's me." "Can't you hear me?" "Noriko's here, too." "Hey, Mom..." "Mom!" "Shoji, who's this young lady?" "Last night in my little apartment the three of us  talked till late." "This girl, Noriko." "When I told Mom I wanted to marry her... she said I'd have to tell Dad... so he'd hear it from me." "And if Dad said no... then Mom said she was going to... back me up." "She said that last night." "Didn't she." "But how are you going to do that now?" "With you like this?" "Hello?" "Yeah, it's me." "How's it going?" "What?" "!" "Already?" "I see..." "That's a shame." "What time?" "4:30?" "I see..." "Did she suffer?" "No?" "That's a good thing, anyway." "The salon?" "I'll take care of it." "I'll talk to Kiyomi." "You take care, too." "Don't get yourself too worn out." "Please extended my condolences to your father." "The poor guy." "He's all alone now." "Yeah, bye." "We're here, and then we're gone." "She was so alive..." "She must have had a feeling." "That's why she came to Tokyo." "Yes." "But I'm really glad you came." "We saw you when you were healthy and we got to talk." "Oh..." "Dad'll need a black suit." "Koichi has an old one..." "It'll be way too big for him." "We can rent him one." "And the funeral?" "That should be back home." "Most of the relatives are there, and the monk is an old friend." "So we'll have her cremated here first?" "Shall we do that?" "We need to talk to Dad, though." "Where is he?" "He said he was going out for a breath of fresh air." "Go find him, Shoji." "We'll need to discuss this." "Miss, you can stay here." "Dad..." "What are you doing up here?" "It was a beautiful dawn." "Koichi says we have things to talk about." "Shoji..." "Mother's dead." "Thank you for choosing the Inland Sea Line's Sazanami." "We will soon be arriving at Tenma Harbor, Osaki Island." "Wait here." "Please take all your belongings with you." "We're here." "Tomiko... welcome home." "Yuki..." "look what's happened to her." "What a thing to happen, Sensei!" "Just add some miso into the pot for breakfast tomorrow." "There's fish in the fridge." "He likes kelp in soy." "That's in here?" "Call if you need anything." "Thank you." "Good night." "Goro!" "Is there anything else you'll need?" "If not, I'll go to bed." "Good night." "Shoji... is he OK?" "Who?" "Your father." "He didn't say a word on the train or at dinner." "When I asked him if he wanted more... he didn't even look at me." "He's still in shock." "Or do you think he's ignoring me?" "He's ignored me ever since I was a kid." "When I'd fight with Koichi, he'd always say... 'just ignore him.'" "I'd rather he'd yelled at me." "When you're a kid... it makes you feel as if you don't really exist." "So he's just distant?" "More or less." "I shouldn't have come." "Don't say that!" "You should've come alone." "And be stuck all alone with him?" "What's the difference?" "He won't talk to me." "That's 'cause he's losing it." "I'm going to bed." "You can sleep in here." "You're in mourning." "And we're not married yet." "Aw, man." "^ Good night. ^ Good night." "'The Buddha of light immeasurable is my refuge" "I give myself to the Buddha of light inconceivably'" "Shoji, the tea's ready." "It's been so long I didn't recognize half of them." "But our aunt?" "That was bad." "She was really nice to you when you were small." "Yes, but she's gotten so old I didn't recognize her." "I shouldn't say that." "Where's Noriko?" "The car was full." "She's walking back with Yuki." "You're getting married?" "Yes." "She's got parents, too." "Do it right." "Don't worry, I will." "But this one seems very nice." "There was another one?" "Fumiko!" "Sorry." "That was a secret, wasn't it." "What are we going to do with this kid!" "We'll be going, then." "Thank you." "You've been a great help." "If you could look in on Father..." "Sensei..." "Try not to get too tired." "Thank you very much." "Goodbye." "Thank you." "I'm glad it was a nice day." "Thank you." "So you'll bike it to high school?" "Yes, over the mountain." "That'll be hard." "Where's your school now?" "That way." "There's one of my teachers." "Hello." "Funeral?" "Hello." "Uh, right..." "My English teacher." "The only teacher who's single." "More beer?" "Don't worry." "Your last blood test was fine." "No, thanks." "With all Dad's drinking, I can't believe Mom went first." "And she was eating so well..." "I can't believe it." "There was something..." "Outside the hotel the next morning she had a dizzy spell." "Nothing very big." "Why didn't you tell Koichi?" "Right?" "Maybe." "That wasn't the cause." "It came on all of a sudden." "Well, there's no point blaming ourselves now she's dead." "Oh, yes..." "Koichi?" "I love that Oshima-weave kimono she brought to Tokyo." "Could I take that?" "Sure." "And that fine-pattern brocade, if it's still around." "Could I have that, too?" "Sure." "We'll find something for you, too." "No, I'm fine." "Oh, don't say that!" "Stop it!" "Can we not talk about dividing her things yet?" "We've just had her funeral!" "What's wrong with wanting her kimonos to remember her by?" "You're greedy, Sis." "You want this, you want that..." "Don't talk to me like that!" "Stop it, both of you." "Mother can hear you." "I'm sorry." "We'll be back for the 49th-day rite." "We can decide then." "We need to think  about Dad living alone as of tomorrow." "Don't you worry about that." "I'll manage." "You may say that, but what about your meals?" "Yuki's mother will cook for me." "You can't go on like that forever." "They have grandparents there, too." "It's not just meals." "There's laundry, and the bath, and cleaning..." "How will you do that?" "I haven't talked to Fumiko yet... but coming to live with us... might be one choice that's worth considering." "Is that why you're talking about rebuilding the house?" "Yes." "What do you think of that, Dad?" "You can forget about that." "But..." "I'll never go back to Tokyo." "But one day your health is going to fail." "Your back was hurting today." "Enough of that." "My relatives and friends are here." "They know me at the town hall." "I'll take things one at a time and I'll manage somehow." "I won't depend on my children." "All right." "Let's leave it for today." "I'm back." "Sorry I'm late." "It's clouding over." "They say if it's windy tomorrow the ferry might be cancelled." "You might be wise to catch the last one today." "Uh-oh..." "Father, we'd better catch that last ferry." "Shigeko?" "I'll do that, too." "They'll need me at the salon tomorrow." "Shoji?" "It'd be nice if you two could stay a little longer..." "You've got the time." "I've got the time, huh?" "Would you?" "We'll be on our way, then." "You will?" "Well, thanks to you everything's done." "I'm sure Mother is happy you made the time to come." "Thank you." "We'd better hurry, then." "Let's get changed." "Then we'll help tidy up." "It's raining." "Aren't you done yet?" "If we don't eat soon, we'll miss the 1 o'clock ferry." "Did you tell your father we were leaving today?" "Not yet." "You go tell him." "Why would you push something like that onto me?" "It's hard to tell him goodbye." "You two are weird." "I talk to my dad all day long when I go home." "Daughters are different." "Tell him something encouraging." "'Live Mom's share of life, too.'" "Not me!" "The lady next door brought this sushi rice for you." "It's a bit early for lunch..." "We'll be leaving on the 1 o'clock ferry." "Thank you for having us here." "Please take care of yourself." "And... please live long and make up Mother's share." "Excuse me." "Wait." "Sit down for a second." "May I call you 'Noriko'?" "Please do." "You're a good person." "After Mother stayed at Shoji's apartment... she came back to Koichi's saying she was glad she'd gone." "'I feel much better,' she said." "She died before she could tell me why... but now I understand very well how she felt." "Koichi and Shigeko went hurrying back to Tokyo... but you've stayed a few days... and taken good care of me... without any frowning or pouting at all." "Thank you for that." "That's not so." "To tell you the truth, I was sorry I'd come." "I've felt hemmed in, and I've been worried about work." "So no frowning or pouting... that's not true at all." "You're honest." "You're a good person." "Mother wore this watch and treasured it for 30 years." "Take it as a keepsake." "She'd be happy to know you have it." "I couldn't accept that!" "Don't be like that." "If it's too old-fashioned, just stick it in a drawer." "But please take it, as if it had come from her." "In that case, I will." "Thank you, Father." "About Shoji..." "A long time ago I considered him as week and unreliable." "But seeing the two of you getting along so well together... has made me think that he has his mother's gentleness... and maybe that gentleness, more than anything else... is his best quality." "There may be some hard times ahead... but if you'll consent to be his wife..." "I'll be able to die in peace." "So Noriko... please do well by my son." "I will." "What?" "Hey, Mom's watch..." "she had that for years." "Why do you have it?" "Your father gave it to me to remember your mother by." "He did?" "Please do well by my son,' he said." "He really said that?" "Yes!" "He put both his hands on the tatami and bowed." "I was so happy I got all emotional." "I started crying." "He really said that..." "He sure did." "He was very nice about it." "Yeah?" "My dad?" "Goro!" "Goro!" "Let's go play with your ball." "Hello!" "So they're all gone?" "Everyone's always busy in Tokyo." "Mom says to put your laundry in this basket." "I'll come and get it every day." "Thank you." "And if you need anything, be sure to tell us." "You're a nice girl, Yuki." "I'll walk Goro now." "Goro!" "Let's go!" "Come on!" "Wait for me!" "Hello!"