"1954 Art Festival Entry" "Ministry of Education Choice Film" "Excellent Film Appreciation Club First Choice Film" "Shochiku presents" "TWENTY-FOUR EYES" "Produced by KUWATA Ryotaro" "Based on the novel by TSUBOI Sakae" "Photography KUSUD A Hiroyuki" "Editing SUGIWARA Yoshi" "Music KINOSHITA Chuji" "Cast:" "RYU Chishu KOBAYASHI Toshiko" "NATSUKAWA Shizue KIYOKAWA Nijiko" "TSUKIOKA Yumeji AKASHI Ushio" "NANIWA Chieko URABE Kumeko" "AMAMOTO Hideyo TAKAHARA Toshio" "IGAWA Kuniko TAMURA Takahiro" "TAKAMINE Hideko as OISHI Hisako" "Written and Directed by KINOSHITA Keisuke" "Among the islands of Japan's Inland Sea   the second largest is  Shodoshima" "This story takes place there   more than two decades ago" "The children in this village attend   a local school for the first four years" "For the fifth years and above   they must walk three miles to a consolidated school" "The ringing of the hammer resounds without a break ..." "APRIL 4, 1928 Sparks fly and boiling water splashes," "The wind from the bellows blows without end," "The village blacksmith is hard at work" "He's known by all as a stubborn old fellow," "Early to bed, early to rise and never known sickness at all," "He's proud of his arm that is stronger than iron," "Though his spirit is strongest of all" "No sword does he forge, but scythe and sickle," "Hoe and harrow, plough and axe," "He forges tools of peace ..." "Teacher!" "Teacher!" "Are you leaving?" "I'm leaving you and the island today" "I've said goodbye" "After I'm gone, I want you all to study hard" "What's our new teacher like?" "She's very nice" "Are you sure?" "Sure, yes." "She's a fine teacher" "But she's just a beginner" "So was everybody once" "Don't you make her cry like you did me" "You'd better not ..." "She's my daughter's teacher" " What's her name?" " Miss Oishi" "That means she's big" "But she isn't." "She's as tall as my shoulder" "But her name "Oishi" does mean Big Stone" "Then she's only a pebble!" "Miss Oishi won't cry like I did" "I told her ..." ""If the children tease you, just think they're monkeys" ""And if they're mean, just call them noisy birds"" "All right, monkeys and birds ..." "Get moving" "Ding-a-ling!" "Ding-a-ling man!" "Goodbye." "Take care!" "Have a nice wedding !" "Good morning" " She's riding a bike!" " She's really modern" "Foreign clothes!" "And a new bicycle, too!" "Good morning" "There's a woman on a bicycle!" "Must be the new teacher" "In a suit ..." "she's acting like a man" "Good morning" "Come quickly!" "The world's changing." "Look!" "It must be the new teacher" "Riding a bicycle and wearing a suit." "What's the world coming to!" "It's pretty!" "Haven't you seen a bicycle before?" "Want a ride?" "My house is near that smokestack" "It takes fifty minutes to get there by bicycle" "Yes, it's a fine day." "Not too hot or cold" "Lovely for early April" "I'll just go take a look" "I have a problem" "What's wrong?" "It's the new teacher" "She's a graduate of a normal school" "Do you think she's clever?" "I think so" "You didn't expect her to ride a bike?" "Why have they sent such a teacher here?" "What must the principal be thinking?" "It's time for school" "Don't get discouraged" "Better wear shoes today" "All right, I should look modern" "Everybody line up!" "Attention !" "You're all first years, aren't you?" "Is everybody here?" "One, two, three, four ..." "Are there twelve?" "They're all here" "Let's line up" "Come here" "Everybody over here" "You're going to study with me from today" "All right, don't look the other way" "Where are your eyes?" "Look at me" "Look this way" "That's it" "When I call your name, answer in a loud voice" "I want to learn your name" "Okada Isokichi" "Okada Isokichi?" "Are you here?" "Answer "here" when I call your name" "Okada Isokichi" "Sonki, that's his name" "Everybody calls you Sonki?" "All right." "Big Sonki Isokichi!" "Next ..." "Takeshita Takeichi" "That's the way to answer" "Next, Tokuda Kichiji" " Kich-chan" " Here!" "Answer when I call you, Kich-chan" "Morioka Tadashi" "Tanko!" "Answer me when I call your name" " Morioka Tadashi" "So you're called Tanko, yes" "Aizawa Nita" "You're a talkative boy." "What's your nickname?" "Nikuta" "Nikuta?" "Does that mean you're a bully?" "It's not nice to be called that" "Kawamoto Matsue" " What do they call you?" " Mats-chan" "Nishiguchi Misako" "And are you called Misa-chan?" "I'm Mi-san" "Mi-san?" "That's cute" "Kagawa Masuno" "Don't say "yeah", it sounds funny" "Say "here" when I call your name" "She's Mach-chan!" "Kinoshita Fujiko" "Your relatives used to be heads of the village?" "Yamaishi Sanae" "Katagiri Kotoe" "Kabe Kotsuru" "Your father is the delivery man?" "The ding-a-ling man !" "Now you mustn't say things like that" "Goodbye" "Big Stone!" "Pebble!" "Goodbye" "Big Stone!" "Pebble!" "She wrote down all the nicknames" "She said Mi-san was a cute name" "She's playing favourites already" "What about Fujiko?" "She asked if her family used to be village leaders" "Village leaders!" "They're bankrupt" "Class, where is the Emperor?" "Nikuta" "The Emperor is in the cupboard" "In the cupboard?" "Isn't he hiding in there?" "That's not the Emperor." "It's only his picture" "We don't have a proper place for his picture   so we cleaned up the cupboard to keep it there" "It doesn't mean the Emperor himself is in there" "The train chuffs along puffing white smoke," "Choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo," "Through the tunnel, across the railway bridge," "The train chuffs along ..." "Choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo," "The train chuffs along puffing white smoke," "Choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo," "Through the tunnel, across the railway bridge ..." "Mother Crow, why do you sing so sadly?" "Because she left a beautiful child of seven   in the mountain," ""I miss him, I miss him" sings the crow..." "It's opened, it's opened" "What flower has opened?" "The lotus flower has opened," "And the minute it opened   it closed before I realised it" "It's closed, it's closed" "What flower has closed?" "The lotus flower has closed," "And the minute it closed, it opened before I realised it" "I hope this rain will stop" "Your school is so far away from here" "I talked to the other teacher today   I asked him why people aren't more friendly" "He said it's my suit and my bike" " They're too flashy" "I don't know what to do about it" "Don't worry about it" "People will talk regardless" "I can't wear a kimono" "It's nine miles both ways" "You're not showing off" "It's too far to walk" "It's hard enough making payments on the bike" "You still owe a lot" "My colleague's saving all the money he can" "He must think I'm just a silly spendthrift" "The villagers think so too" "People say the other teacher is a miser" "That's why he came here" "I made my suit myself out of an old kimono" "Yet he still thinks I'm too "modern"" "It can't be helped" "They'll understand some day" "They say it's hard to be a teacher here" "A test for young women teachers" "And they send older men here   who have failed to become headteachers" "You're only here for a year" "Time flies, it'll soon be summer vacation" "So don't worry" "Be patient and cheer up" "Takeshita Takeichi" "Tokuda Kichiji" "Morioka Tadashi" "Aizawa Nita" "Kawamoto Matsue" "Nishiguchi Misako" "My pupils and I were both new to school" "The experience made us all a little uneasy" "There were twenty-four beautiful eyes looking at me" "I'll never forget them" "My pupils are only in their first year   yet they have no time to play after school" "They have to take care of younger children" "Or help with fishing and housework" "It's a poor village" "I shouldn't let the rain get me down" "Oh, my ..." "You're talking so big now" "I don't care what they say" "That's it" "That's all for today" "That banker's wife wants me to hurry with the kimono" "But it won't make her daughter any prettier" "She's too fat and too plain" "Mother, it's stopped raining" "Good" "The stars have come out" "SEPTEMBER 1" "Is it always like this?" "You pick up the stones?" "Teacher!" "How's Nita?" "The walls of his house fell in" "We could see inside" "Nita was sitting in the closet" "In the closet?" "He was pretending to be the Emperor" "Hey, teacher!" "What's so funny?" "Other people's troubles?" "You don't care, laughing at others" "I'm sorry ..." "My husband fell off a roof" "Is that funny?" "You couldn't care less" "So why were you laughing then?" "You can leave the road alone!" "Making children clear the road for your bicycle!" "I gave her a piece of my mind!" "Let's stop now" "I was wrong, I didn't mean it" "Let's go to the seashore" "Little crab whisks up   some shaving foam," "Old man crab clicks his nippers proudly," "Snip, snip, snippety..." "In comes Rabbit   here's a customer," ""A haircut, please, and make it quick, "" "Snip, snip, snippety..." "Rabbit's in a hurry..." "Teacher!" "We found a rare seashell!" " What kind?" " Come and look" "Where did you find it?" "I'm all right" "Go get help" "I can't walk" "Miss Pebble is hurt!" "Miss Pebble is hurt!" "Somebody come with us!" "Miss Pebble is hurt!" "It's not broken" "But she must go to a doctor" "Carry her to Naka-machi" "It's quicker by boat" "Not in this weather" "Doh doh doh rei mi mi mi so so so lah so," "Mi mi mi mi rei rel rel," "Doh doh rei mi doh" "That sounds terrible" "Is it my fault?" "I only went to grammar school" "Is Miss Oishi giving you a hard time?" "No, it's worse for her" "Your organ playing isn't as painful as her leg must be" "I hear a tendon was torn" "She may not come back to school" "Her mother was angry when I visited" "She doesn't want her daughter to teach here" "I don't blame her" "Should we find a replacement?" "I'm also tired of teaching sewing for nothing" "That's why we can't save any money" "I'd better get back to practicing" "Go on then" "Oishi teaches them folk songs, not school music" "It's like a party" "They'll respect you more if you play the organ well" "Doh doh doh rei mi mi mi" "Doh doh doh rei mi mi mi so so so lah so," "Mi mi mi mi rei rel rel," "Doh doh rei mi doh" "Let's sing it together" "Why don't you sing?" "You're hard to teach" "You can't learn" "Everybody stand" "Stand!" "Sing whatever you want." "I'll listen" "Ready." "One, two, three ..." "Teacher, what should we sing?" "Anything" ""Song of the Plover" - I know that one" "On nights when the plover sings," "On nights when the plover sings," "Even with the window closed," "It's still so cold" "It's still so cold" "I don't like that music class" "Miss Pebble's songs are better" "When's she coming back?" "I'd like to see her" "At the hospital?" "She's already out of the hospital" "She'll be coming back to school soon" "She can't even stand up yet" "Let's go visit her" "Come on, then." "Let's go!" "Teacher's house is near that smokestack" "How long does it take?" "It's not far" "I went by bus and I didn't even have time to eat" "Not even one dumpling" "Liar!" "You can eat a dumpling in one minute" "Even a fast bus can't get there in a minute!" "But I was still eating when I got off the bus" " Swear?" " I swear" " Swear then" " I swear it's true" "I'd like to go to her house" "Let's go" "Let's run all the way!" "We'll go after we eat" "Don't tell your folks" "Sneak out" "We'll meet behind the bushes." "All right!" "Let's go!" "Kotoe, aren't you going to eat?" "My grandma won't let me out" "I can't go home" "I'll bring something to eat." "Wait for us" "Miss Pebble will be surprised" "Does her leg hurt?" "This is where she got hurt" "Big kids are coming!" "Hide!" "Keep quiet!" "What are you doing in there?" "Hello" "Have you seen our Kotoe?" "I can't find Sanae anywhere either" " Hello" " Hello there" "Have you seen Sanae around?" "I haven't seen our Matsue" "Fujiko's so good, where would she go?" "Where I wonder?" "Our children are gone - Is Takeichi around?" "Where could they have got to?" "Have you seen Kich-chan?" "He ate his lunch here" "Where did they go?" "MINAZUKI RESTAURANT" "The first graders are all gone!" "Masuno's gone, too?" "Excuse me." "Did you see a group of children go by?" "I saw them near the store" "Did they go to a show?" "Without any money?" "They'd go to look at the billboards" "Wait till my girl gets home" "Should we scold them?" "Well, we can't praise them" "Wear this" "Just as long as it takes to eat a dumpling?" "I was on the bus at the time, you know" "You lied?" "No." "But I was watching the scenery, not eating" "So you just held it in your hand?" "Kotoe, we have to keep walking" "I'm hungry" "Come on!" "Miss Pebble!" "Teacher!" "Miss Pebble!" "What's happened?" "We wanted to see you" "We didn't tell anyone we were coming" "You'd better get in the bus, then" "I made a lot so eat all you want" "You still have some" "I'm so glad I got back early from the doctor" "I want more!" "Me, too!" "Ready everyone?" "All right?" "Here we go, look at the flower" "Steady now   and it's done!" "Goodbye!" "Hisako, why don't you answer the principal?" "You've already decided who will take my place?" "At a teachers meeting." "Isn't that what you ..." "It's not that ..." "now I have a problem" "A problem?" "I promised the children I'd go back" "I'm surprised" "Can you go by yourself?" "Your mother says you can't ride your bicycle" "Hisako, the principal is being very kind" "If she transfers to the consolidated school   she can go by bus" "Can you transfer her?" "Your successor is Mrs Goto" "Normally, she'd have to retire next year" "If she takes your job she can work longer" "Three more years" "She'll be happy to come here" "Isn't that nice?" "She takes after her father" "Stubborn" "She does resemble him" "Your father and the principal were friends" "That's why he's so kind to you" "Excuse me!" "Thanks for treating the children the other day" "It was nothing." "I was happy to have them come" "Here are some presents" "From the families ..." "Rice, beans, dried fish ..." "Miss Pebble!" "Miss Pebble's coming!" "Miss Pebble's coming!" "How's your leg?" "Can you ride your bike?" "It may take half a year more" "Will you come by boat?" "It's too far to walk" "Let's go to school" "Teacher!" "How's your leg?" "It's all right" "Thanks for the rice the other day" "I want to thank you for the beans" "I sent sesame seeds" "Then thanks for the sesame" "Thank you for your gifts" "I was going to send you something   but I was too late" "Pardon me!" "Thank you for all of the presents" "Not at all" "I'm always meddling ..." "I can't ride my bicycle for quite a while" "And yet school is so far away" "If I limped along, it would take a long time" "That's why I can't ..." "We'll come for you every day by boat" "And take me back home?" "Thank you" "I wish I had known that sooner" "I'm transferring to the consolidated school" "I'll be there when you're in the sixth year" "I just came to say goodbye" "Another teacher will take my place" "Study hard" "I loved teaching here" "But with my leg like this ..." "We're sorry" "It's all right" "All children dig holes" "It was my fault" "She came especially to see all of you" "You should be happy" "Instead you're all crying" "Are you all right, Miss Oishi?" "Yes, thanks" "Women and children are hard to handle" "Everybody cry!" "Cry!" "It's too much" "Teacher!" "Come again!" "When your leg gets better!" "Promise us!" "Promise us!" "Goodbye!" "Let's sing her a song!" "Mother Crow, why do you sing so sadly?" "Because she left a beautiful child of seven   in the mountain," ""I miss him, I miss him" sings the crow," ""I miss him, I miss him" sings the crow," "Go and look in the mountain," "There you'll find a beautiful child ..." "The colour of the sea and the shape of the mountains   remained the same, but tomorrow became today" "Five years passed" "The Manchurian and Shanghai Incidents occurred" "The entire world went through a depression" "Without knowing the future   the children were caught up in their own joys and sorrows" "It's the principal!" "Good morning" "Why did you come here?" "We want to see Miss Oishi's husband" " How did you know?" " Kotsuru found out" "He's an officer on a ship." "Everybody knows that" "We want to see him" "You certainly know how to stare, don't you?" " Is Miss Oishi coming?" " She's getting ready" " She's very beautiful" " Let's go see!" "I'm too shy!" "I've got to go home" "Why?" "Today's special" "I already had a hard time sneaking out" "You all better go home and help your parents" "School starts in five days" "So we're playing now" "Is that any way for sixth years to talk?" "There's work at home" "The boat's coming !" "He's so fat!" "Her husband's the one at the back" "He's all right!" "Matsue!" "What do you want?" "Stop playing" "Your mother's having the baby now" " Really" " Hurry home" "You can't walk all the way back!" "Matsue, give your father plenty to eat" "Don't fill up yours   it's too big" "I want a new lunch box with a lily on it" " Buy me one" " I can't get up yet" "When you do get up" "Who's going to pay for it?" "Wait until your father earns some money" " I'll buy you one" " You will?" "Be patient" "Stay home today" "I don't feel so good" " Matsue can stay" " I need all the work I can get" "You'd better hurry to school" " Don't you need me?" " Don't stay here" "It's your first day in the sixth grade" "Come home right away" "Don't mention the lunch box in front of him" "Your father is having trouble finding work" "The other girls have new lunch boxes" "You promised to buy me one this year" "I'm ashamed of my old one" "My mother had a baby girl" "Congratulations!" "What's her name?" "Nothing yet." "I'm going to give her a name" " Have you thought of a name?" " I'm thinking now" "What's a good name?" "You seem happy." "What is it?" "My mother is going to buy me a new lunch box   with a lily on the lid" "That's nice." "With a picture of a lily?" "Lily's a good name!" "Lily" " Yuri!" "Name her that!" "Yuriko or Yurie" "Yurie is better." "There are too many Yurikos" "It smells good" "You smell like a bride" "What's going on?" "Somebody's sick" "Appendicitis?" "Mats-chan, what's the matter?" "You're very kind but unless the baby dies   I can't let Matsue go to school" "I'm sorry for Matsue" "I'm a widower now" "I don't know what to do" "Mats-chan, this lunch box has a lily on its lid" "Use it when you come back to school" "Help your father at home" "I'll be thinking of you" "Mats-chan, you're a good girl" "She wanted a new lunch box" "Thank you" "The baby is premature   and has no mother" "She hasn't much of a chance to live" "She's better off dead" "What hope is there for poor families like us?" "Teacher!" "Mats-chan's baby sister died!" "My grandmother went over   Matsue's father was drunk and crying" "The poor baby" "Good morning" "What is it?" "They arrested Mr Kataoka" "The police are still here" " What did he do?" " They say he's a Red" "A Red?" "How can they say that?" "He'll be released soon for lack of evidence" "It's most unpleasant" " What's the complaint?" " It's because of Kataoka's friend" "His friend tried to spread anti-war ideas" "He and his pupils printed a little book" "The police thought Kataoka had a copy" "I've seen that book" "That's evidence?" "Say that and they'll think you're a Red!" "I was quite impressed with it" "My class read parts" "Some of the essays were very good" "But it's dangerous!" "A copy was sent here" " Where is it now?" " In my classroom" "Oh, no!" "We teachers must be patriotic" "You nearly frightened me to death" "Dear Matsue   I heard about your baby sister" "It made me very sad" "Such things cannot be helped" "Cheer up." "In our hearts we can still love her" "When will you be back?" "I look at your empty desk and think of you" "Class, who gets a newspaper at home?" "Who reads one?" "Only three of you?" "Who knows what a communist is?" "You don't know?" "How about a capitalist?" "They're rich" "All right." "What are labourers?" "As your father's friend, I'm concerned about you" "Your mother will worry if you get into trouble" "My students knew about Kataoka and the book" "They asked questions" "Tell them you don't know" "That's enough." "You must be careful of what you say" "Proletariat, capitalists   don't discuss such things" "I'll be careful" "Do that" "It's foolish to be too outspoken" "Teacher" "What about Matsue?" "Did you give her my letter?" "I saw a strange woman when I went over there" "She took Matsue with her on the ferry" "Matsue's being adopted" "Matsue cried saying she wouldn't go" "Her father was calm and gentle at first" "She refused again   so he began to hit her" "She cried a lot but finally agreed to go" "Everybody was crying" "I cried too" "I went to see her off but she didn't speak" "AUTUMN" "OCTOBER" "Fujiko and Sanae should have come" "Mi-san too, even if she is an only child" "Why couldn't she come?" "She might catch a cold" "They'll give her the trip money anyway" "Mi-san told me" "She could save money anytime" "But this trip is something to remember" "I'm using the money I got from fishing" "I sold eggs" "Sonki and I took out our savings" "I'm using my savings, too" "My folks paid" "My dad bought me this suit for the trip" "Look at your shoes" "Can you walk in them?" "I wanted size ten but my father said I grow fast" "What size are they?" "Size eleven" "Fujiko's too poor so she couldn't come" "Her house is awfully big but it's empty" "They've got nothing left to sell" "Don't say such things" "If you want to be a mid-wife, you shouldn't gossip so much" "Let's sing some more" "Let Mach-chan sing" "Masuno, you're our best singer" " Sing "Moon over the Ruined Castle" - "Song of the Beach"" "Wandering at the seashore in the morning," "To remember old things passed away," "Sound of wind, shape of cloud," "Waves coming up and colour of oars" "Walking around at the seashore in the evening," "To remember the people of old times," "Waves coming up and going out," "Colour of moon and shadow of stars" "There's the ship!" "You'll fall overboard" "Don't bother me!" "There he is!" "It's her husband!" " Teacher, wave to him!" " You have to wave!" "Look at him!" "He's waving !" "At Yashimaura, the sea reflects images of the dead" "The sea has flowed calmly for 760 years   after the pitiful end of the Heike family" "Vanished like a dream, the battlefield remains   with cool waves and wind washing their past glory" "Their beautiful voices can almost be heard" "Their epic stories are all that remain" "Ritsurin Park is located at the eastern foot of Mt Shiun   south of Takamatsu City" "Its beauty is equal to the national parks of Kairakuen   Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, and Korakuen in Okayama ..." "Do you feel ill?" "I'm all right" "Here is the famous mountain, Sozuyama" "It has one of the best scenic views in Shikoku" "Halfway up, 251 metres above sea level   is the original shrine to the beloved Kompira" "Rising from the bottom are 785 stone steps" "Next are 583 more steps to the inner shrine" "Kompira is a deity who protects ships, homes and business" "Many people come here to worship" "Teacher, you look pale" "I'm tired and feel cold" "Do you want some medicine?" "I took some" "I want something warm." "Let's eat" "We have time" "I'll tell the others" "How about some noodles?" "Let's try over there" "Mats-chan !" "Please come in !" "You've been working as a waitress all along" "Who are you?" "Don't bother my employees" "She's my teacher" "She was very kind to me" "I'm from Shodoshima" "Oh?" "Come in." "Her teacher?" "Serve them some tea" "Shall we go in?" "Thank you" "I was worried about you" "But you seem all right" "She was one of my pupils" "You're working hard" "She's a good worker" "We're busy here" "An order's ready" "Are you sightseeing?" " A school excursion" " I'm glad to meet you" "You both must be tired" "It must be trouble travelling with kids" "Will you have something to eat?" "What do you want to do?" " Do you have noodles?" " No, sorry, we don't ..." "Welcome" "We have egg, shrimp, and rice dishes" "We only want a snack." "There isn't much time..." "Then have some tea" "Crab on rice, too!" "Going on the next ferry?" "It'll leave soon" " We should go" " Want to talk to her?" "We're busy here" "Matsue, don't just stand there" "Say goodbye to your teacher, she's leaving" "Please excuse me" "Excuse us, we haven't been very hospitable" "Mats-chan ..." "Take care." "Write to me" "Goodbye" "HOPES FOR THE FUTURE" ""My Hopes for the Future"" "I am an only daughter" "That is why my mother wants to send me away  to the girl's high school on the mainland" "Just looking at numbers gives me a headache" "I really want to go to a sewing school   they don't have entrance examinations" "Women ought to have regular jobs" "Without a job a woman will have a hard time   like my mother did" "That is why my sister became a nurse" "She will help send me   to a normal school" "I want to become a teacher" "Fujiko, why don't you write something?" "Come on, what's wrong?" "What is it?" "Can't you tell us?" "Come along with me" "There's nothing I can write about the future" "Don't write then" "You don't have to write." "I understand" "I wanted to go on the school trip" "We can't stay in our house much longer" "Somebody bought it" "It's all right" "Don't say any more" "I don't know what to say   but you're not responsible for the hardships" "It's not your parents' fault, either" "That's the way things are in the world" "Don't be discouraged." "You must be strong" "Maybe I'm making you do the impossible" "I don't know what else to say" "If you feel like crying   come over to my house" "We'll cry together" "You're going to quit?" "Don't you like school?" "Why don't you stay at least another year?" "You've got the ability" "It's a shame to quit" "I've already promised" "Who did you promise?" "My mother" "I promised I'd quit if I could go on the trip" "There's nothing I can do that would help?" "My sister will be in the fifth year this year   it's my turn to stay home and cook" "Your sister cooked the meals until now?" "Your mother has to fish?" "Almost every day" "That's why you wrote that you were sorry you weren't born a boy?" "Yes." "I feel sorry for my mother" "You were born a girl" "Being a girl isn't your fault" "It's a shame ..." "if you must leave" "When my sister finishes sixth year   my mother will let me work for a dressmaker" "When I'm 18, I can be a maid in Osaka" "I'll buy clothes like my mother did" "Then you'll marry?" "You'll get married   just like your mother" "I'm going to middle school" "I'll graduate from high school" "I'll fish and study until I'm drafted" "Then I'll be a sergeant" " A non-commissioned officer" " You get paid monthly" "I'll go to college and become a lieutenant" "Stop bragging" "I'd go to middle school if there was no exams" "Why join the army?" "It's better than being a poor fisherman" "I'd rather be a soldier than run a rice store" "You'd better think about it carefully" "Do you hate soldiers?" "I prefer fishermen and storekeepers" " You're a coward" " Yes, I'm a coward" "Mother!" "I've brought the teacher" "She won't listen to me" "I don't care if she has a good voice" "Lots of girls in Japan have good voices" "Learning the samisen is more appropriate" "She's the daughter of a restaurant owner" "Instead, she's trying to study foreign music" "That's why she wants to go to high school" "Please talk some sense into her" "She's being difficult and won't eat" "You listen to what your teacher says" "Suppose she graduates from a conservatory   how could she help us in this business?" "It's not proper for me to express an opinion" "I understand what you say   but I know how Masuno feels too" "What Masuno says is just not realistic" "I've known her since the first year" "She was so small   like a doll" "Masuno, your happiness means a lot to me   I'm ashamed I can't say anymore now" "All the boys want to be soldiers" "That scares me because they may be killed" "You're a girl so I don't have to worry about that" "I want you to be happy and healthy" "I want to help you realise your ambitions" "But I can't say anything else today" "That's all I can say" "What is it?" "Oishi..." "Please sit down" "I've heard rumours that you're a communist" "You should be careful" "I don't understand" "What have I done?" "I warned you before, didn't I?" "There are things you must not say to the pupils" "I don't know what I said" "I didn't tell them anything that's wrong" "That's the trouble." "You're young" "You discuss everything that comes to mind" "You'll have to do better or you'll be in trouble" "What do you mean by that?" "You're aware of recent events in Manchuria" "There may be a war with Russia" "We have air-raid drills here" "Japan is now threatened by its enemies   yet you keep saying it's stupid to become a soldier" "I don't want my students to be killed" "You're wrong" "All I said was ..." "Say nothing!" "Don't see, hear, or talk" "Teachers have a duty" "We prepare our students to serve the nation" "How grateful we are   to our teachers," "How the years in the playground   flew by," "As we look back   over those precious days," "Now we part   and must say goodbye" "The friendship and kindness  . shown every day," "Will stay with us   the rest of our lives," "We'll fend for ourselves  make our names and work hard," "Now we part   and must say goodbye" "The familiar school windows   at morning and eve," "The glow of the fireflies   and deep snow so white," "We can never forget the years   we have passed here," "Now we part   and must say goodbye" "Mother?" "Are you awake?" " Where's Mother?" " She went shopping" "How do you feel?" "Better, I slept" "You seem weaker since the school trip" "No, it's the baby" "You'll be all right" "Men think it's easy" " Have it soon" " Don't be silly" "I'm looking forward to the baby" "It should be adorable" "School's probably made you tired of children" "The truth is that   I'm fed up with teaching" "School starts in two days" "Should I resign?" "Why?" "I'd like to quit and start a sweet shop" "I think I've done my best for my students" "But, it's impossible to have strong ties between us" "Teachers and students are united by one thing   by the official textbooks" "It's always "loyalty and patriotism"" "Half my boys want to be soldiers" " I hate it!" "It's the times" "Can you end the war by running a sweet shop?" "My mother told me not to marry a seaman" "You wanted to marry me" "I hate to think of what will happen if war starts" "You'll be drafted into the Navy" "I could be widowed" "We have a baby coming" "Why don't I resign?" "You can quit your job" "We could be farmers" "No, do what you want to" "I'm quitting." "I'll tell Mother" "You're too impulsive" "I'm not" "Your mother is too old for surprises" "She's still working, you know" "You've got a pleasant job on that boat" "But I'm serious, I hate being a teacher" "Hisako" " She's back" " Some students are here" "Hello!" "Sorry, I'm like this" "I'm glad you came" "Come in" "We have to catch the next bus" "Catch the one after it" "It'll be too dark then" "I'll walk you to the bus stop" "What's that cap for?" "I'm quitting school" "You're quitting?" "I want to thank you for all you did for me" "Wait, I'm walking with you" "What will you do now?" "I'm going to work in Osaka" "My employer will send me to night-school" "It's very sudden." "What kind of work?" " A pawnshop" " You'll become a pawnbroker?" "No, just a clerk." "I'll work until I'm drafted" "Well, be a good clerk   and write to me" "Takeichi, when's school start?" "In two days" "Are you quitting school?" "Yes, I'll tell you about it later" "You're quitting school?" "You won't be there anymore   so why should I be?" "Come on in" "When you come back, be sure to visit me" "I've watched you all grow up" "You were my first and my last students" "Now we're just friends" "You, too, Takeichi" "Fujiko and her family moved away yesterday" "Yesterday?" "They went in a small boat" "They didn't have much left to take with them" "Her parents never did any hard physical work" "Everybody's afraid they'll become beggars" "That's terrible" "I pity Fujiko" "Thanks for everything" "Good luck" "The colour of the sea and the shape of the mountains   remained the same" "Tomorrow, turning into today" "But the lives of the people of Shodoshima   drifted in the currents of war with China   and the large waves of history" "EIGHT YEARS LATER" "Excuse me" "Kotoe, it's me" "Don't get up" "I wanted to visit you sooner   but the baby keeps me busy" "Thanks for coming" "Are you alone?" "Everybody's away fishing as usual" "I'm glad you came" "I wanted to see you" "So did I" "I look at our first year picture all the time" "I take it out and look at it too" "Everybody's so young" "We were so hungry when we came to see you" "I was the first to cry" "You were all crying when I met you" "The noodles you gave us tasted so good" "I can still taste them" "Now you've all grown up" "I heard that Misako had a beautiful wedding" "She's lucky to be an only child" "Sanae's now a teacher at our old school" "She was an honour graduate from college" "I met Kotsuru in Osaka" "She did very well at midwife school" "Yes, she writes to me" "I'm the worst ..." "I don't have long to live" "Why say that?" "You'll be all right" "I've been unlucky" "I know - you had very hard times" "Do you remember when I was in the sixth year?" "We talked once about ..." "I remember" "I wanted to be kind to my mother when I grew up" "I was happy to go away and become a maid" "Yes, I remember that" "You were the brightest girl in the class" "I hoped you'd go on to high school" "Teacher..." "I worked hard but got sick and was sent home" "Since then, my parents won't come near me" "I'm left alone all the time because I have tuberculosis" "There are others whose lives are difficult" "I saw Mats-chan eight years ago on our school trip" "She had a hard life as a waitress" "Fujiko and her family had to move, too" "Kotsuru's been writing to me" "She's now working in a cafe in Kobe" "Masuno's the only one who should be happy" "But she can't stand her parents' restaurant" "There aren't that many happy people" "So don't think you're alone" "Please cheer up" "I'll visit you more often" "Take these" "Thank you" "TOKUDA Kichiji" "AIZAWA Nita" "TAKESHITA Takeichi" "MORIOKA Tadashi" "OKAD A Isokichi" "How about some sake?" "You think we should celebrate?" "It's customary" "He hasn't left yet because he's sick" "Stop arguing" "I'd like some sake" "It's war - it can't be helped" "Look at the children!" "Be quiet!" "They don't even know how I feel" "Let them have some fun" "Come to your father" "Don't you be sad, you'll make me worry" "I want you to grow up   so you can take care of your mother and grandmother" "I'll be leaving for the army, so sing for me" "A full four years have passed" "The war in Asia broadened" "There were many more plain white grave markers for soldiers" "I wish I was bigger so I could enlist" "You want to die?" "After all the pain I had to bring you up?" "You want me to cry for the rest of my life?" "You'd be the mother of a patriot" "I don't want you to die" "I want to be an ordinary mother" "All I want you to be is a human being" "Just an ordinary person who values living" "Nobody else talks like that!" "They may not say it but they think it" "My teachers don't!" "That's why I quit" " Coward!" " You're a coward!" "I don't care if I am, who cares?" "I love my children, that's all" "Hisako ..." "Mother?" "Can't you sleep?" "Is it painful?" "You'll be all right" "I'll make some soup" "What's wrong?" "Is the bedding too heavy?" "Daikichi, come here!" "Go get the doctor." "Tell him to hurry" "Mother ..." "You'll be all right" "Have him come at once!" "Oishi, your mother's here" "What do you want?" "Your father's dead" "I just got the notice" "We must be strong, you understand?" "SHODO-GUN TOWN  VILLAGE ASSEMBLY" "AUGUST 15, 1945" "Attention !" "Eyes front!" "Today we have an important assembly" "You will soon hear the voice of the Emperor" "He will address the entire nation by radio" "Listen respectfully" "There's no need to worry about it" "Children can now be children again" "Let's eat" "Didn't you hear that we've surrendered?" "I heard" "It's good - the war is over" "It's the end of killing" "People will return" "We didn't die for our country" "And that's good" "Are you glad?" "Stop talking like a fool" "What do you think?" "Your father was killed" "He won't ever return" "Aren't you going to cry because we lost?" "I cried for the dead" "I cried and cried" "Please help!" "Doctor!" "She fell out of a tree!" "Please help!" "Yatsu!" "Daikichi" "Mother!" "Doctor!" "You were so small, and so hungry" "No wonder you climbed that persimmon tree" "It wasn't your fault" "You just wanted something to eat" "The year following the end of the war" "APRIL 4" "It's clearing up" "Is it your first time over this way?" "I've had no reason to come this way" "It's something I hadn't thought about   teaching at the local school again" "It's been 18 years" "Almost two decades" "I can take you by boat in good weather" "If there's a storm, I'll walk" "You'll get tired" "I intend to work hard" "I still have to take care of you and Namiki" "You need a bike" "We can't afford one" "They're expensive" "Are you tired?" "No!" "You're good at rowing like your father" "Anyone can row" "I remember I had a first grader named Takeichi" "He once offered to take me home in a boat" "That was long ago." "He was killed in the war" "Somebody you taught?" "When I call your name, answer 'here' in a loud voice" "Kawasaki Satoru" "You all seem healthy." "Your voices sound good" "You're Kotoe's sister?" "Kotoe died, didn't she?" "Are you related to Matsue?" "My mother's in Osaka." "She sent me this dress" "So you're Matsue's daughter?" "Is your mother Nisaguchi Misako?" "You look like her" "In the rape fields   the setting sun grows thin," "A deep mist frames   the distant mountains," "A spring breeze blows   and you gaze up to the sky," "Where the evening moon   glows pale and red" "The glow of fires in the village   colours in the woods," "People following the paths ..." "Morioka Tadashi's grave" "Teacher!" "Misako!" "My daughter said you went home this way" "It's good to see you" "I wanted to meet you again" "My daughter will be in your class just like I was" "Please take care of her" "It'll be a pleasure" "When I heard you were back teaching, I cried" "Two generations ..." "it's a rare thing" "I owe it to Sanae" "She's a teacher at the consolidated school" "She recommended me" " I thought I was too old but she said I wasn't" "Sanae, Kotsuru, Masuno and I got together" "We want to have a party for you at Masuno's" "You're all very kind" "We're grateful to you and happy" "It'll be wonderful to see all of you again" "Tadashi always wanted to be a soldier" "I wonder if he's satisfied?" "Over here" "Takeshita Takeichi's grave" "The army was better than a rice store" "And so he ends up here" "There's Nita's grave" "Aizawa Nita's grave" "I remember him ..." "he was big, and loud" "He was a very good boy" "On our school trip, his shoes were too big" "Crybaby teacher!" "Crybaby teacher!" "Teacher, you've got another nickname already" "It was Miss Pebble, now it's Miss Crybaby" "Crybaby teacher!" "Crybaby teacher!" "The bus is quicker" "Are you tired already?" "You're such a weakling" " I'm not tired" " I don't mind walking" "All right - today's a picnic so we'll walk" "The bus costs money" "If we took a bus, it wouldn't be a picnic" "Mother, we'll play in the shrine grounds" "What if your party lasts a long time?" "Play on the beach below the restaurant" "What if kids tease us?" "Then tease them back" "Maybe they're tougher" "If you two can't beat them, cry" " They'll laugh!" " I'll laugh at you, too" "I'll clap my hands and laugh !" "Will you be able to see the beach?" "Probably ..." "I guess so" "Will you look for us?" "I'll look out and wave my hand" "You can go" "Don't leave your lunch boxes behind" "Mother!" "What if it rains?" "Do something about it!" "Teacher!" "We have an unexpected face!" "Guess who?" " Unexpected?" " Can you guess right the first time?" "You scare me." "Do you trust me or don't you?" "Unexpected, you say" "Can it be two people?" "Fujiko or Matsue?" " Right?" " No, which one is it?" "Then it's Matsue" "It's Matsue!" " She came from Osaka!" " So it's Matsue ..." "That makes me happy" "I haven't seen you since the school trip" "You're all looking well" "Kotsuru, you got fat - just like a mid-wife!" "Watch what you say" "I'm Matsue" "I'm so glad you came, Mats-chan" "I'm really glad" "Misako wrote to me" "I had to forget my shame" "I had to come to the party this time   or I'd be left out in the future" "Let's go" "Teacher!" "I could hardly wait." "Please come in" "Thank you - we're meeting at your place?" "Sonki and Kich-chan?" " They haven't come yet!" "We want to give you this from all of us" "Because you've come back to our school" "Let's sit down and relax" "We could have a drink" "Sonki's coming!" "Sonki's blind" "It must be difficult" "It's good he could come" "He came back but he's blind" "Sonki's studying to be a masseur" "He used to say he'd rather be dead" "Poor boy" "That means there's nothing left to live for" "Sonki, what kept you?" "I'm sorry to be late" "It's been a long time" "A very long time" " Five years" "And now I'm like this" "So let's have a good time" "Sonki, you sit by Teacher" " Kich-chan hasn't come" "Who wants a soft drink?" "I'll have sake" "So will I" "Sonki, you want sake?" "I'll have some since it's your party" "I want to thank you all for the bicycle" "Don't thank me - I only gave a little" "Thanks to you all, I can ride to school now" "You're all here?" "You're late!" "What a big fish!" "It's good to see you" "It's been a long time" "Kich-chan, don't leave the fish here" "I caught it especially for our teacher" "I'll have it cooked" "Thank you, everyone" "You're very kind" "Mother Crow, why do you sing so sadly?" "Because she left a beautiful child of seven   in the mountain," ""I miss him, I miss him" sings the crow," ""I miss him, I miss him" sings the crow," "May I see the photo for a second?" "Let him see it" "Can you see it?" "This picture ..." "I can see it well" "Teacher's in the middle" "Takeichi, Nita and I are in front" "Mach-chan is to the right" "Fujiko's over here" "Mats-chan has her arms folded" "Wandering at the seashore in the morning," "To remember old things passed away," "Sound of wind, shape of cloud," "Waves coming up and colour of oars" "Walking around at the seashore in the evening," "To remember the people of old times," "Waves coming up and going out," "Colour of moon and shadow of stars" "THE END"