"THE NATIONAL FILM CENTER JAPAN PRESENTS" "A Shochiku Production" ""NOTES OF AN ITINERANT PERFORMER"" "Written by Kihan Nagase and Buko Yagisawa" "Directed By Hiroshi Shimizu" "Photographed by Suketaro Ikai" "Music by Senji Ito" "Recorded by Takenori Mori" "Art Direction by Minoru Esaka" "The Cast" "Yaeko Mizutani as Uta" "Ken Uehara as Shotaro" "Hideo Fujino as Shosuke" "Kyoko Asagiri as Nuiko" "Haruhiko Tsuda as Jiro" "Reikichi Kawamura as Kajikawa" "November 11, 1901, Uta, an itinerant actress, crossed Aomoe Pass toward the Tokaido Highway." "She was twenty-five years old" "We stayed here only three days." "It´s too soon to run." "I wish we could go down the river by boat." "That´d be best." "Hope we can get to the river today." "We´ll manage." "Don´t you think we´ve got a burden?" "Burden?" "Not really." "Men are useless, but women sometimes help." "I´m amazed that we´ve come this far." "We´re men." "We´re all right." "But you´re tired, huh?" "Have a drink." "What´ll we do after tomorrow?" "After tomorrow?" "Who knows?" "Don´t ask me." "We´ll do a street show..." "anything." "Again?" "Monroku, you didn´t tell me that, did you?" "You said we´re going to join your friend´s troupe." "I don´t like itinerant troupes." "But I´ve followed you because you promised better work." "That´s right." "But nothing´s clear for now." "You sounded like verything was clear." "No more street shows for me." "I´d rather work as a maid." "That´s better." "I don´t want to stay with an itinerant troupe." "Madam." "What about the geisha?" "No use pushing me." "It takes time to get here." "Snap it up." "They have to come a long way." "I have an important guest." "What about me?" "Nonsense!" "Hurry them up, see?" "Calling a geisha here is worse nonsense." "Are they fussing about geisha?" "A tea wholesaler came to check the tea fields here." "A welcome party for him." "Ridiculous!" "We sent men to get the geisha." "The road at night is risky." "It takes time to get here." "Look, madam, have you got a samisen?" "Sure, but it´s half-broken." "Lend us some nice kimono." "I might have one." "What about them?" "We might do a show until the geisha comes." "You people?" "We can´t do much, though." "Not me." "I have blisters." "Sorry I can´t do much for you." "I´m not here for a geisha party, but to see the fields." "During the last two years, we had heavy springs frosts." "It caused a great loss." "What about this year?" "It´s warm this spring." "I think we can make up for the loss." "I hope so." "Or my investment will be futile." "Sir." "May we talk?" "If you´re bored, the actors staying here will dance for you." "Fine." "Have them do it now." "I´m not sure if you´ll like it." "Like what?" "Nothing much." "It´s convenient if she can stay, right?" "Yes." "Very convenient." "Has she agreed?" "She said she doesn´t like being an actress." "Go and talk to Uta." "Listen, madam." "She´s too good for here." "What about this?" "All things considered," "This much is all I can offer." "No." "What are you saying?" "Don´t make a fool of me." "You brought me out here." "And you´re trying to prey on me?" "I hate that!" "Don´t yell." "We aren´t preying on you." "You are!" "I don´t want to do it." "Some woman!" "If she won´t do it, it´s all just nonsense." "I didn´t count on this story." "Thank you for last night." "What´s wrong?" "Nothing." "Sorry to bother you." "Very well." "I´m from another district." "I´ve had trouble travelling." "I know how you feel." "I tell you what:" "I´ll take care of Uta until you can make it." "You will?" "I she agrees, that is." "I have no special designs on her." "I´ll return Uta whenever you need her." "You have lots to think about." "Talk to my clerk." "Thank you." "Where are you from?" "Mino, sir." "Where are your parents?" "My mother was an itinerant actress, too." "She died when I was six." "What about your father?" "I´ve never seen him." "Other relatives?" "I had a grandmother." "She raised me until I was twelve." "I miss those days." "Do you think" "I can lead a decent life..." "a woman who´s been an itinerant?" "Just teach my daughter how to dance." "January 13." "A day to remember." "That day Uta started a new life." "Our master´s strange." "Why did he pick up such a woman?" "An actress?" "Will she stay here long?" "I don´t want to work for her." "Me, either." "Nor me." "Will you stay here long?" "Yes... for a while." "What will I call you?" "Uta." "Your name´s Uta?" "What´s yours?" "Jiro." "Have you got a brother?" "Yes." "Name´s Shotaro." "Where is he?" "At a college in Tokyo." "He´s in Tokyo?" "I see." "Your sister´s name?" "Nuiko." "It means "sew"." "Know what else it means?" "It has another meaning." "Let´s see... "Knit," right?" "Sewing and knitting are similar." "Is that so?" "The teacher said it´s "bookbinding"." "Bookbinding?" "That may be it." "I don´t know much." "You don´t?" "I´ll dance for you." "Take a good look." "Give me that." "Keep watching, all right?" "Picked up something in the mountain?" "I heard a rumor." "A rumor?" "The world is nosy." "They have nothing else to do." "By the way, about the tea leaves..." "I think I have a chance." "I paid a deposit." "Lend me the balance." "Why not?" "It´s my line." "I´ll lend it." "But you aren´t young anymore." "Be careful." "What did I do wrong?" "A woman is here, but she´s only a dance instructor." "That may be true." "But... the world is nosy." "You´re a merchant." "Consider your reputation." "I may be talking too much, but... my daughter´s dear to me." "Isn´t my daughter Ayako engaged to your son?" "That´s why I don´t want your reputation to be damaged." "It´s just a woman." "Yet people are gossiping?" "Why not concentrate on business?" "Are you leaving?" "Yes." "Will you call my daughter?" "Will you call Kajikawa´s daughter?" "Seems your place got merrier." "You´re right." "It´s merrier." "What is it, Dad?" "Let´s go home." "I´m not through yet." "Learn dancing some other time." "Let´s go." "Welcome home." "Your friends?" "They aren´t coming." "Why not?" "They´re busy." "Dad." "How long will Uta stay?" "Why?" "They keep gossiping about her." "Who?" "Everyone." "About what?" "Many things." "Must she definitely stay here?" "Not definitely." "Only until the actors come for her." "She has nowhere to go." "I can´t throw her out." "Just keep studying dancing." "I don´t care for dancing." "Oyone." "Ryozo." "Take my things to the warehouse." "Are you moving to the warehouse?" "Yes." "To study harder." "If I´m in the way, I´ll move somewhere." "Don´t bother." "It´s quieter there." "I always study there for exams." "Carry the desk and bookshelf." "My bedding and dresser too." "Your koto and wardrobe too?" "Yes." "Everything." "How is he?" "He needs a complete rest." "Should we tell his son?" "Yes, you should." "I´ll come again tonight." "They´ll call his son." "Is it that bad?" "What happened?" "It was so sudden." "March 9." "Tea Merchant Shosuke Hiramatsu passes away abruptly at age fifty-eight." "He had a rough time when he first came here." "He once prospered." "Not in the past few years, though." "He was an active man." "He expanded his business." "But he failed." "He had a liver trouble." "Had his son been graduated he´d have had no regrets." "I feel sorry for him." "Take them more wine." "Don't stay calm at a time like this." "We're busy." "Why don't you help us?" "Hey, it's for the doctor." "I know." "Don't show yourself to the guests." "What, then?" "Wash the dishes." "Let me do it." "I have no idea what to do." "My father come from another province, so..." "I have no relatives here." "Why not graduate at least?" "Well..." "I wish I could, but..." "I have a brother and sister to take care of." "What about your father's business?" "I don't know if a young guy like me can do it." "I'll straighten everything out first." "I must pay your debt, too." "You have to fix up many things." "You have an extra person." "Come whenever you need me." "Goodbye." "You still here?" "Is that so?" "Goodbye." "Are you leaving?" "After my father's death." "I found he was broke." "All he left for me was his debt." "I don't know how to manage this house." "I have no idea at all." "I'm just a greenhorn." "I don't know much." "But I'll do what I must to make a fresh start." "If you who have experience cooperate, I'd appreciate it." "But I have no money." "I have no right to force you to work for me." "So I'd like you to do as you think best." "Young master." "Thanks for everything." "I think I'll leave." "Where will you go?" "I have no idea." "What will you do?" "If I stay here too long, it'll only cause you trouble." "I can't force you to stay." "But I don't want you to leave like this." "My father wouldn't like it." "Stay until you know where to go." "But..." "At a time like this, I want everyone to stay with me." "What's wrong?" "Shataro, I think I'll leave school." "Why?" "Because..." "I know how you feel." "But you don't have to quit." "We can afford your school." "We have that much at least." "We still have this house." "Don't worry about the future." "Just keep going until I say to quit." "Understand?" "Now, go to school." "See you." "Well, I'll start over, too." "Jiro, why not go to school?" "I'm waiting for Sis." "Listen." "What is it?" "What will you do from now on?" "From now on?" "I'll restore the prosperity of this firm... for my dad's sake." "But..." "Young master, what about your college?" "Should I go back to college?" "I wish I could." "Maybe I can take care of myself, but... how can I leave my brother and sister behind?" "I'll take care of your brother and sister." "Will you do that?" "Please let me." "Let me do that much at least to repay your father's kindness." "I may be just an itinerant actress." "So I might not be the person to care for them." "But I'm begining to lead a steady life." "If you want to continue studying, even if you have to work, please return to Tokyo one more time." "Or do you think you can manage this place... starting tomorrow?" "You don't?" "Yet you'll quit school?" "That's bad." "Finish, and be a bachelor or arts." "Then you'll be trusted." "You can restore your business, too." "Young master, don't you agree?" "Have I talked too much?" "I appreciate your kindness." "Will you leave them to me?" "But... you're a total stranger." "Uta." "Will you marry me?" "If my wife, you can see to everything." "Me?" "Am I marry you?" "My wife takes care of my family while study." "It's not strange." "I'll take care of them." "What's wrong?" "What about school?" "My pals say things." "Your pals?" "What do they say?" "Tell me." "There's a monster in our warehouse." "A monster?" "That's silly." "There's no monster here." "If they say so again, tell them to come and get it." "I'll walk you to school." "Let's go." "Come on." "We're for enough." "I'll go by myself." "Are you sure?" "Don't come back again." "Hey, leave!" "The monster's here!" "I told them to come and get the monster." "So they might." "If they come, what'll you do?" "It's Sis." "You're late." "I'm hungry." "Welcome, sir." "Has Shotaro gone to Tokyo?" "He should have told me." "I thought he'd come to talk to me about his future." "I waited." "But he didn't come." "Are you really taking care of his house?" "Nuiko came to see me today." "She said she doesn't want you to take care of her." "So, I'll take care of them." "I'm not a stranger to them." "Shotaro and my daughter are to marry." "You mean Ayako?" "Has he agreed?" "His father and I decided while casually chatting." "I'm not a stranger." "I'll take care of them." "It'll humiliate me to Shotaro." "I asked him to let me take care of them." "So until he graduates, I must do it." "If there's something wrong with me, I'll change." "Tell me what you don't like." "Please stay with me until your brother gets back." "I'll do my best." "Don't take her away." "It's for them to decide." "What'll you do?" "What about you, Jiro?" "Nuiko." "Jiro." "Get ready." "Nuiko." "Jiro." "Get ready." "Bring your things with you." "It's not fair." "It's too much." "Hurry up!" "I wonder what to do." "Jiro." "Jiro!" "I found you!" "What happened?" "What brings you?" "I like it here better." "You like it here better?" "I'm glad you come back." "How's your sister?" "Last night, she cried in bed." "Why?" "I cried, too." "You did?" "Jiro, I'm so glad you come back." "Great food!" "Yes." "Eat all you want." "What about tomorrow's lunch?" "You like omelets, don't you?" "Fish paste too." "Omelets and fish paste for tomorrow." "A snack too?" "Is Jiro here?" "Why, Nuiko!" "You come back, too?" "It's better here." "They went home." "Who am I to complain?" "Then, you'll leave Nuiko and Jiro with me?" "Are you sure you can take care of them?" "Of course." "Are you?" "They're still Hiramatsu children." "Try not to disgrace their family name." "Let me watch." "All right?" "What's wrong?" "Drop the sticks." "Come in." "Come here." "Sit down." "Pass them out." "To those in back too." "I'm back." "Ayako's here, too." "Come on, Ayako." "Her dad doesn't know this." "Let us join you." "Write to my brother?" "So will I." "What shall I do?" "Write to him?" "I'll send it with mine." "I'm glad you come." "Stay as long as you like." "Thanks, but not today." "Do as she says, and write to my brother." "Excuse me." "Anyone in?" "Will you call him here?" "[What is this store?" "Having so many children!" "]" "[The store is..." "Not doing business." "So the children help picking.]" "[They're playing, I think.]" "[Really?" "]" "Welcome, gentlemen." "May I help you?" "We're from Thomas  Company." "We have something to discuss." "May we talk?" "What's it about?" "[This lady here will talk with us." "I'll talk with her.]" "This is Mr. Smith, the company manager." "The tea leaves we bought from you were welcomed in America." "An order for a large amount of your tea leaves, came from our head office in America." "We wish we could buy them from you, but we hear your firm is closed for now." "If you don't mind, may we at least use your brand name?" "I'm not sure." "I can decide other things by myself, but not this." "Well, who is in charge, then?" "Let me see..." "Is it urgent?" "Not too urgent, but..." "We'll give you our answer later." "Is that all right?" "Let's see." "[She says the manager is not here now." "So she will answer for it." "Is that all right?" "]" "[I am certain they can't help it." "I will wait for an answer.]" "[But ask her...that I may borrow the credit...]" "[Yes, all right.]" "We'll wait." "I hope it's favorable." "Goodbye" ""If my wife, you can see to everything."" "Everything..." "If my wife..." "In return to using our name, may we also sell you the tea?" "Is it all right?" "Tea?" "Aren't you closed?" "Yes." "But if you place an order, we'll manage." "Are you sure?" "I see." "[She says she doesn't care for..." "the trade]" "[But she wants to... to transact this...]" "[It's much better.]" "[But how can this store do in their business even for a time standing?" "]" "[She says she felt.]" "[Can she?" "Over?" "Same article as before?" "]" "The same quality tea leaves?" "Yes." "We'll guarantee it." "Is that so?" "[She says she will... with...] [...responsibility.]" "[That's very good.]" "[Then I want her to order a sample readily.]" "Will you show us some sample first?" "Samples?" "Very well." "That's the story." "I accepted the order from Thomas  Co." "But as you see," "I know nothing about the business." "I don't want to cancel the order." "So I'd like your help." "Please cooperate for the sake of the firm, the late master and his son." "We must collect the necessary tea leaves." "Will you help?" "I owed your firm a lot." "I wish I could help, but the trouble is..." "We've already contracted with other firms." "I've already sold my leaves." "Can you do it?" "I'd like to but..." "I know you can't unilaterally cancel." "We'll speak to your clients." "Since the master passed away, our firm has been clossed." "Yet his son never stops studying." "He's in college." "I know people talk behind my back." "But I always wish that the firm can be rebuilt and opened." "Fortunately, we got a large order for tea from Thomas  Company." "We looked everywhere, but" "I guess you've contracted, too." "So that puts us on the spot." "Please forgive me if offend you." "For our firm's sake, will you spare us some of your tea leaves?" "I wish I could do that for you." "But it might harm our future trade." "We must compete with each other." "I'm sorry, but..." "Listen..." "I don't mind talking to them, but..." "If you pay them some money, it'll be better." "Please do something." "But why must I do it for you?" "It's not for my sake." "It's for the firm and the young master." "Can't you wait until Shotaro comes back?" "Let me think it over." "Are you still up?" "I'm going to bed." "What are you thinking?" "Nothing special." "I had a dream." "A dream?" "Our firm was prosperous again." "My brother was the chairman." "With him was not Ayako but you... as his wife." "Some dream!" "I'm not here to push you." "I came to find out wath's happening." "I hate to ask this, but... are you sure you can handle the deal?" "If you really can't, just let us use your brand name." "Please wait." "Just a few more days." "It's true we're not necessarily in a rush." "We'll manage." "I promise." "Don't worry." "Tea Leaf Trade Union" "I'm not thinking about a profit..." "If we can reopen the firm and operate again, that'll be enough." "At first, Thomas, came and asked to use our brand name." "So I want you people to use it." "Managing our firm can wait." "What I want to do first is help our firm reopen." "We'll do business later." "What do you think?" "How about it, Yamafuji and Kaneyoshi?" "If that's the deal..." "If it'll work out for both of us, we'll accept, right?" "Yes, we will." "Will you do it?" "Will you help our firm to open again?" "Thank you very much!" "May 28" " Hiramatsu  Co." "resumes business" "Did you understand?" "It's easy to work here." "So stay and work hard." "The firm once more prospers" "Shotaro got his BA degree." "You've graduate, too." "All you need now is a husband." "I won't marry until after my brother gets married." "Are you ready?" "Aren't you going for him?" "No." "Why not come?" "I'll see to the house." "Hurry, or you'll be late." "Hurry!" "See you." "Uta, it's been a long time." "It's been so long." "You've changed." "May I help you?" ""May I help you"?" "Talk in a more friendly way." "I'm on no special errand." "I'm still in a jam, and find myself here." "I can't come so openly yet." "And?" "Actually..." "Must I be blunt?" "You guess." "Guess what?" "I have no money." "I'm not asking for much." "I'm broke, but will you wait at the storehouse?" "Storehouse?" "Will you take me somewhere?" "I have no money." "Just take me with you." "I'm tired of my "decent" life." "It's so stiff." "Traveling is better for me." "What'll you do?" "Anything." "Take me with you." "I'll do anything." "I'll do street shows too." "Take me someplace far away." "March 23" " Uta joins an itinerant troupe" "She resumes her wandering life" "UTA BANDO" "Excuse me." "May I see Uta Bando?" "I'm her acquaintance." "Uta Bando?" "She was with us." "But she quit, in Shinshu." "She's the wife of a tea merchant." "So I heard." "I saw her name." "You mean that flag?" "We're using old flags to draw a crowd." "Bye." "Uta, he came!" "Who?" "A big surprise?" "I told him that..." "Uta married a tea merchant in" "Shinshu, and to see her there." "I made it, huh?" "Uta, buy me some sake." "What?" "Fool!" "Shouldn't I have sent him away?" "If you'd brought him in, you might've enjoyed more wine." "Stop this nonsense!" "After nomadizing for six months," "Uta's troupe returned to Shinshu October 5" "We bring you special shows including an impressive classical drama," ""The Shogun's Envoy."" "As the finale, a special dance will star Uta Bando:" ""A Girl at a Temple."" "Not only the actors; the sets are something to see, too." "Tonight, please come to the theater." "On behalf of the troupe, I solicit your kind attendance at the theater." "Thank you." "Someone wants you." "Who?" "What a pest!" "Why!" "I was foolish to run." "How are you?" "When did you come?" "And why?" "Need I explain why I came?" "You came to scold me because I ran away from your place?" "I'm sorry." "What are you saying?" "I came for my wife." "Your wife?" "I hated that "decent" life." "I had to get up early in the morning." "I couldn't even smoke." "It was so formal." "I stayed because I had nowhere else to go." "I got tired of it." "Here, I can sleep as long as I like." "I can smoke and drink." "My place may be formal." "It may be easier here." "But what you did for us was done by a decent woman." "What did I do for you?" "I didn't do much." "If you mean your business, you should thank Mr. Kajikawa, not me." "You think so?" "He helped us." "But he wouldn't have, without you." "Kajikawa himself said so." "He did?" "So did Ayako." "You're my wife." "Let's go home." "I'm just a vagabond actress." "I can't marry a decent man." "Marry a decent girl, to Ayako." "She got married." "She did?" "You're up." "So on a lucky day in December 1902," "Uta married Shotaro Hiramatsu." "THE END"