"A SELECTION OF THE JAPAN ARTS FESTIVAL" "NIKKATSU PRESENTS" "THE INSECT WOMAN" "It hurts..." "Mother." "Hang on, En She's coming." "Hold this talisman." "Chuji, boil water." "Is the baby coming?" "Pretty soon." "Is it my baby?" "It's yours all right." "My baby... mine." "How's En?" "How is my daughter?" "WINTER 1918" "Stupid." "Not the same... the date of birth." "Day before yesterday." "What's that?" "Day before yesterday." "You were married on October 3... and the baby's born two months later?" "Yes." "Just like pigs." "But it's my baby." "Sure it is, on paper." "Who's the real father?" "Onogawa?" "Who knows?" "The mother's so loose, even she wouldn't know." "I said, after we see the soldiers off." "Just for a minute." "No, no, Mr. Onogawa." "It's alright." "Not here." "It doesn't matter." "Someone might see." "No one can see." "Mama!" "Where is she?" "MAY 1924" "Papa." "What is it, Tomé?" "Are you and Mama married?" "No, we're not." "You sleep with me, so we're married, right?" "That's right." "Papa, what is that?" "A doll for the god of the mountain." "I'll put it up." "You can't." "Why not?" "The god of the mountain is a woman." "There, look." "SPRING 1942" "Hey, Tomé." "Hey!" "Your father's dying." "Father." "Dying." "Better get home quick." "How's Papa?" "He's dead." "I lied." "So you can work on Mr. Honda's farm." "They'll come for you tonight." "Get ready." "What?" "I'm working for the fatherland." "Mr. Honda owns our land." "Work for him... is the same as work for the the fatherland." "Besides, you know we still owe him money." "Rui!" "But when Isamu went to war I promised him." "He might die any day." "You can't wait." "You're already twenty." "Rui married into our family to help her own." "On top of all this work she doesn't need... an unmarried sister in law too." "Where's Papa?" "He won't be back till tomorrow night." "I have to talk to him first." "He'll go crazy again." "Look here." "Scars from the last beating he gave me." "We aren't selling her as a geisha this time." "So it won't be bad." "Anything about Tomé makes him crazy." "No telling what he may do." "If we don't stop him... he'll sleep with Tomé forever, the fool." "I don't like Shinzo." "I'll talk to Papa." "Papa this, Papa that." "You're not a baby any more." "Going to sleep with Papa all your life?" "Never getting married?" "Tomé, you're only going to help out." "You don't have to sleep with Shinzo." "Hondajust wants help." "A great day!" "Japan has conquered Singapore." "And Tomé is conquered tonight." "Have some of this." "Thank you." "Tomé, Shinzo's eager for you." "Alright, Tomé." "My feet hurt." "Never mind." "Take her." "No reason to be shy." "Now, let's go." "Oh, Papa." "You're back just in time." "Tomé's going to help out at Honda's." "Good for you, old man." "Tomé's a lucky one, marrying a landowner." "It's Shinzo who's lucky to get such a beauty." "Look out!" "Run!" "Wait, papa!" " Stop it!" " Papa!" "Papa!" "Stop it!" "Chuji, no matter how much you beat En... it won't change things." "Papa, stop it!" "Stop it!" "Stop it!" "I told them I'd go." "To help our family." "Tonight?" "I'll wait till tomorrow." "Kura, all right?" "Chuji, no matter what you do, it's fate." "The gods have decided." "Where does it hurt?" "Here." "Looks bad." "Full of pus." "Ouch!" "What's wrong?" "Rui's watching." "If you sleep with Shinzo..." "I won't." "I'm just going to help with the work." "My older brother lies around drinking." "Damn!" "It'll be hard for you too... as wife of a poor landowner's third son." "Tomé." "Don't!" "Why not?" "Last night..." "Kura explained it." "What?" "That your family needed help, so I'd just work." "And you wouldn't touch." "That's crazy." "Don't!" "I'll be drafted to die for the fatherland." "Don't say no." "Papa!" "Papa!" "Hey!" "Always making mischief." "I'll give you candy later, so go play... at your mother's." "Devil!" "What's that?" "Devil!" "Devil!" "Mother!" "I don't like it at the Honda's." "Why not?" "Shinzo has a mistress." "You mean Kane?" "They have a kid too." "Stupid!" "Hurry up and marry him so... you're his lawful wife." "When his father dies Shinzo gets this mill." "Then you take charge." "Kane's just a maid." "Don't fret." "Just don't." "For the family." "Understand, Tomé?" "Tomé's dying." "Idiot." "Our kind don't die in childbirth." "Get away." "Go, stupid!" "Boil water!" "He always ruins our plans." "No reason to beat up Shinzo forjust... sleeping with Tomé." "Is he badly hurt?" "He was hit with all Chuji's brute strength." "So it must be bad." "Kura, couldn't we apologize and get... them to take her back?" "Even if Chuji'd kept quiet, they'd have... sent her home for getting pregnant." "And after that fight, they'll never have her." "Yes, but..." "My mother and you both had bastard children." "Tomé's not the only bad one." "She's so noisy!" "Grandma, will you stop!" "A girl." "Let it live, or give it back?" "Give it back." "Can't feed any more mouths." "Give it back!" "Let it live." "It's mine." "Let it." "Fool." "Don't be so selfish." "Let it live." "It's my baby." "Please." "Let it." "NEW YEAR'S DAY 1943" "Nobuko." "Nobuko!" "She won't nurse." "Papa!" "Will you do it again?" "She doesn't suck enough, so it hurts." "Too much milk." "Papa, I'm going to work in town again." "Can't go on like this forever." "Have to pay the Hondas back." "It's a 10-yen debt." "I'll save it up." "Don't worry about it." "In wartime I can work for the fatherland." "Don't worry." "The 10 yen." "I'll save it up." "AUGUST 1945" "Take cover!" "Take cover!" "Hurry!" "Hurry up!" "Hurry Tomé!" "Let's take cover!" "How are you?" "The Emperor's going to be on the radio." "Let's go to the dining hall." "You're in bad shape." "Do you send all your rations to your kid?" "No wonder you're weak." "Here." "Thank you." "Feverish." "Let's see." "The Emperor is about to speak." "Listen reverently." "Yesterday an officer told me..." "Japan has lost the war." "That's a lie." "It can't be true." "Benevolent Daikoku, tell me joyful things." "Go away." "Go away!" "Leave me alone!" ""Benevolent Daikoku, I am listening..."" "Masashige, go to your mother." "What!" "You brat!" "Nobuko, come warm your feet." "What's Tomé doing?" "Keeping a diary." "How's Goichi's grandmother doing?" "She just went by." "She's sick in bed." "Grieving because her son died in the war." "Still, that was no reason for her to... go berserk at the town hall." "One bundle of firewood." "That's 1 sen." "Thanks." "Make one more." "I'll save you 2 sen." "Is Chuji saving money?" "Says he'll repay the debt to Honda... and keep Tomé here." "A fool thinks a fool's thoughts." "A bear!" "I caught bear." "Go away." "Beat it!" "Stop it!" "Beat it!" "Grandpa." "We're married, right?" "Right." "They are married!" "Tomé, I need to clean in here." "I worked for family and for fatherland... but now I keep my diary alone." "Rui." "Rui!" "Put this away." "Yes." "Nowadays wives are sturdy." "They do all the work." "Sawakichi, did you check at Honda's?" "Yes, it seems to be true." "All the landowners were there shouting." "The Americans have ordered something... called "land reform."" "Thank you." "I'll be back again." "Thank you." "We tenant farmers will be landowners?" "Imagine!" "Who'll get our farm?" "Don't know yet." "Hello." "Hello!" "Where's Tomé?" "I'm Chief Matsunami from the mill." "Nobuko." "What, Mama?" "Here, some fish." "I don't want it." "I'll eat Grandpa's." "What'll you do, Tomé?" "Your chief came for you." "You'd better go." "He was handsome too." "Be quiet." "You're no one to talk." "Tomé, Umé told me..." "Told you what?" "When the war ended you didn't come home." "Stayed on a week with the chief at the mill." "I was sick." "So what." "The chief had to look after the mill." "You weren't feeding Nobuko, so I sent... my rations home, and ended up getting sick." "Is that true?" "Idiot!" "You ought to be ashamed talking like that!" "What about you two?" "Making loud noises all night long." "Tomé, a young married couple can't help it." "And you didn't even send us money." "So it's money you want, Mama?" "I see." "Then I'll go back to the mill." "Tomé, don't go." "I'm just a burden on this household." "I'm going to the mill." "You're not a burden, Tomé don't go." "What's so funny, you stupid monkey?" "So high and mighty with a 10-yen dowry." "Stop it." "Stop." "Tomé, don't go." "I'm saving up the 10 yen." "Papa, 10 yen won't even buy a kimono now." "When I came to work on the train... men bothered me all the time." "A man grabbed my hand at the movies once." "A hand is nothing." "Where I got grabbed... was you-know-where." "...because they limit and oppress us." "Therefore..." "Hey, don't do that." "Turn on the switch." "It's ok." "Go on." " Hurry or there'll be trouble." " They won't listen otherwise." "Therefore, in unison, we must oppose the... forces that..." "Everyone!" "Please listen carefully." "The Matsunami committee's..." "I wouldn't care... if I weren't afraid of getting pregnant." "Then fix it so you won't." "I'll show you how later." "Why didn't you come last night?" "Doing it out here." "Can't fool me." "You're just selfish." "Let's break up, Tomé." "So you like Ishizuka better?" "Silly." "I know all about it." "Everyone's talking." "That's not it." "I can't keep up with you any more." "Why not?" "You're too extreme." "The union's ok, but..." "Who told me to work for the union?" "I did it all for you." "Tomé, don't get me wrong, but..." "I just got promoted to assistant manager." "So, you tell me after you have sex with me." "I like you, Tomé." "That's why..." "I'm trying to persuade management about you." "About me?" "Management wants to fire you." "I have to get back." "My man is gone." "I'm all alone." "Gazing at the river." "SUMMER 1949" "Papa, we fought hard for this severance pay." "I'll give you 2,000 so give half to Mama." "Tomé, don't go." "I saved the 10 yen." "Thank you." "Thanks." "But you can't use these coins now." "So you keep them." "Why are you going?" "When I get some money saved up..." "Nobuko, you and I will live together." "So wait til then." "Don't go, Tomé!" "Don't go!" "Where are we?" "The curve between two stations." "What are we supposed to do now?" "You can go back the way you came, or..." "I can't go home!" "SEPTEMBER 1950" "I love you, Midori." "Disgusting!" "What is?" "Always eavesdropping, that maid." "Revolting." "Poor thing." "I feel sorry for all Jap girls." "Don't." "Just for me." "Hold me." "Midori, I'm sorriest for you." "Tomé." "Cook some country food today, since George is out." "How about stew?" "Fine." "Really spicy." "And fish soup too." "We'd have to use dried fish." "I guess so." "With vegetables and bamboo shoots... you don't really need fish soup." "We had so much growing back of our house." "Papa picked them." "I'd boil them in soy paste." "Delicious!" "We always put fish or shelfish in too." "I'm from the seaside." "George's family are fishermen too." "Do they make dried fish in America too?" "I don't think so." "Oh, Cathy!" "Here, Cathy." "I'll play with you later." "Tomé, what do you think of George?" "I can't tell about Americans." "But isn't he nice?" "Yes, he's kind." "But he's so big." "Big body, kind heart." "Big Japanese men... are kinder too." "I guess that's true." "Remember when he went to Korea?" "He was so brave they made him a sergeant." "He's the youngest one." "Only 23." "That's great." "He's great." "But it means he'll have to... go back to Korea." "Is that so?" "A lot of men are dying there." "You must be worried." "If he died and left me with this kid... it'd be awful." "What are you doing, Tomé?" "I'm crying because I'm lonely." "Cathy." "What?" "Aren't you lonely with your Mama always out?" "Yes, I am." "Poor little Cathy." "Poor little Cathy." "What'll you do if your Papa dies?" "I don't care." "Go to sleep my baby" "Go to sleep" "If you sleep the mice will run without bothering you." "But if you stay awake they will abduct you to their den." "Oh." "Sleep now." "Oh, sleep now." "Next person, please." "You come to the center here." "Speak." "Tell us your sins and your troubles." "Tell everything." "My marriage failed." "I have a child." "When I worked in a mill, at that time... with a man, I..." "Clearly." "More clearly." "I had an affair." "He... had a wife." "But he was kind... so we did it." "My life makes me cry." "Then what?" "The unemployment office helped me." "I got work at a Chinese restaurant." "Then the owner came..." "I ran away." "Then..." "I became a house maid, and when..." "I was listening..." "Listening to what?" "The American's mistress, and... their mixed-blood child... knocked over the stew and she died." "What are you doing for the departed spirit?" "I sell cosmetics and pray for her." "That's not good enough." "Same as doing nothing." "The sin of carnal desire." "It's a deep rooted sin." "She must be taught how to live." "Carnal desire!" "Rainfall on the parent also wets the child." "You sinned in your previous life." "The sin of carnal desire!" "Pray for the departed." "Next!" "I'm 28 years old and a cab driver..." "Everyone talks of peace with no results." "Meanness and hatred stay with us." "Because we have no religion to guide us." "DECEMBER 1951" "You there." "Come in here." "What is it?" "You want beer?" "No." "Here." "Is this really a store clerk?" "Or is she a pro... a prostitute?" "You mean she's not your wife?" "Don't play dumb." "Go get the Madame." "Now that's real skill." "What will you do?" "Men will really suffer if they ban the red light district." "Hey, don't blame me." "Those women Congress members are responsible." "My business isn't like that, so I don't care." "I only take management level and old clients." "That's true." "Excuse me, Ma'am." "The man in Room 8 had a fight with... the store clerk and said to call you." "Play my hand." "No, you wait." "Put this on and take some saké to room 8." "And hurry." "She works here?" "She's new." "Madame met her at God's place." "God's place?" "The Shoshin Jodo church." "Not bad, considering." "You say he wants a virgin, Také?" "Yes." "The drunk in Room 6." "Ok, where are the virgins?" "In the refrigerator." "Oh, ok." "Wow." "I'll freeze." "Better warm it." "Watch out." "It'll boil!" "Boiling virgins!" "Idiot!" "Yourjob is making soup." "Oh, no." "I told you." "Use red ink instead." "Too risky." "He'd know." "It's ok." "I'll use my own." "Take, help me." "Hanako, tie this." "You sure?" "You just had a customer." "I'm fine, for 40% of 30000 yen." "Do it!" "Merciful Buddha." "Got it!" "Men are fools." "What's so good about virgins?" "You're turning pale!" "Go on, that's not enough." "But you're so weak." "Také, let's take the cat's blood." "That's it!" "Hey, you, wait!" "This is a real virgin." "Put it up here." "You keep still." "Hold her tight." "Ready!" "Absolutely not." "Then why did you get all dressed up?" "You told me to change." "Did I tell you to put on makeup?" "But..." "You can always get out of having sex." "No need to yell and scream like you did." "But it's violating my rights to lock me in." "Did he give you money?" "Of course." "So what?" "That's prostitution." "You never told me this was a brothel." "It's too cruel." "Prostitution is bad." "I met you at the Jodo-Church, so I felt... safe coming here." "Idiot!" "Prostitution!" "People sell because... there are buyers." "And it's not like racing or gambling." "Nobody loses." "In this democratic world..." "You are enslaving us hungry women." "Hungry?" "You get three full meals a day here." "And when did I ever enslave you?" "You want to go?" "Go." "I don't own anybody." "I'm just soothing the pain of the world." "If you don't like it, get out now." "But you're over 30, so you won't find better." "Here you eat, sleep, and get 1200 ajob." "You don't want it?" "Then I'll keep it." "Take it and go." "The kimono fee will be spread over 6 months." "For my child's sake." "My weak body strains." "With bitter tears, I count my money." "A 3,000 yen money order, please." " 3,000 yen?" " Yes." "MAY 1st, 1952" "How was Mizuno?" "Gave me 8,000." "That's all?" "Said he'll pay the other 5,000 next month." "Should have got it all." "Government officials..." "If they pay in full, they come regularly." "If they leave debt, they never come back." "Let's have tea with this." "All right." "Look what they did." "This is awful." "Radio said there's a war somewhere." "No peace anywhere." "SEPTEMBER 1955" "It hurts!" "Ow!" "Oh, it hurts!" "Hold her down." "It's bad." "A tubal pregnancy." "I'll operate." "Ouch!" "Mama, how are you?" "I'm living in the barn." "I'm here with grandpa, because the family... treats us so bad." "Please send money directly to school." "Uncle keeps what you send to the house." "We make all our own food, but... we still need 4,000 yen a month." "Mama, I'm sorry to ask you." "I'm sending you a mountain god that..." "Grandpa got from the shrine." "He says to be sure you put it up." "Feeling better?" "They say I can leave when I stop bleeding." "I was in the area on ajob for Také." "I get shots here a lot." "Ajob for Také?" "She gets me outside jobs." "Only occasionally." "She gets 40%." "She does pretty well." "What if the Madame finds out?" "She won't." "She just makes her money sitting down, while we abuse our bodies and get sick." "Don't bother." "Relax." "But I look too bad to have visitors." "What's this?" "A mountain god from my village." "You believe in this?" "No, but it's still a god." "Same idea." "You belong to the Jodo sect, don't you?" "Yes, but..." "Then throw it away." "When you get out of the hospital... want tojoin in my business?" "I've become a Jodo church official." "So I'm away from home a lot." "And you're the only one I trust." "After all, you're a church member too." "Did you hear about Také?" "What about Také?" "Nothing important." "What is it?" "Tell me." "Just a rumor." "That she's working outside." "Nothing definite." "Outside, eh?" "Yes, business outside." "Right." "I couldn't possibly." "Right." "They say you didn't pay your hospital fees." "I meant to ask you about it later." "I don't have..." "I can't do it." "But I..." "I made you chief maid, but... you can't walk all over me." "I'm feeding you, and don't you forget it." "THE SUNAGAWA STRUGGLE Cops go home!" "We want you to go home!" "You are the ones who break the law!" "Mama, what would you like for dinner?" "Anything." "How about giblet soup?" "Please come straight home." "Don't do anything bad at the store." "Bye, bye!" "Hello!" "Midori!" "Tomé!" "He doesn't drink, smoke or gamble." "But he won't work." "But you're lucky." "He's a good husband." "Mama, here you can wash your hands." "You wash too." "Excuse me." "Stop it." "Go change the water." "Yes, yes." "We'll go change the water." "He's not Japanese, is he?" "Korean." "His family all died in that war." "Important people, it seems." "I envy you." "You look so happy." "No, he's too lazy." "For Cathy's grave." " You shouldn't have." " It's nothing." "If she were alive now she wouldn't be happy." "Don't say that." "I mean it, living like this." "Are you that bad off?" "Can't you tell?" "You must love him." "He loves me more than I do him." "You know, he's really something." "Better than George?" "By comparison, George was just a kid." "You're sinful too." "You think so?" "I'm sure it's the sin of carnal desire." "We have to get back or Madame will get mad." "I know." "Sorry, we don't need water." "Take it back." "Midori, I have a good job for you." "Good afternoon." "Why'd you bring him?" "He insisted." "Don't be sentimental." "Give him the money." "Stupid!" "Oh, here comes the client." "Keep walking." "Tomé, here's what we agreed on the phone." "Thank you very much." "Mr. Sanada, I'll be going now." "Goodbye." "Did she go to a hotel?" "What does it matter?" "You got the money." "Go home." "Grandpa!" "Mama sent us a lot of money." "I'll buy you chemical fertilizer." "No need, Nobuko." "You buy school things." "Such expensive stuff." "I said to buy school things." "It's ok, I don't like school anyway." "Grandpa, get in the bath, I'll wash you." "I'm coming." "You know Mr. Karasawa, don't you?" "Yes." "He wants to take care of you." "I pushed him too, but he's enthusiastic." "Didn't he tell you?" "He did say something." "But I thought he was joking." "I'll arrange it, but you have to promise... not to work outside." "Mr. Sanada told me you've been working... in Shibuya." "Karasawa's a big businessman." "You're lucky to get him for a patron." "And it's all because you work for me." "I wanted security." "Security?" "You mean you're secure with me?" "Because of your money." "Money won't give you security." "If a Sumo wrestler loses 3 seasons... his ranking drops." "And if a champion loses, he has to quit." "It's like a dream." "Can I call you "Daddy?"" "Why that?" "Because I don't have a real father," ""Papa!"" " I like the sound of it." "I'd like to live with Nobuko soon." "I see you love it." "Yes, more, more!" "Mr. Takagi." "Police Aid Society's shirts came." "I can't pay this month." "We just had a baby." "Now, now." "It's a good cause." "What?" "With your strong-arm tactics?" "You're a stubborn one." "Who're you protecting?" "Is it Suma?" "Your Madame has already... told us everything." "Wejust need you to corroborate it." "You get more thanjust tips, right?" "It's very common for inns to sell girls." "Isn't that what her place does, Tomé?" "I'll tell everything, Officer." "Just whisper." "Nobody can hear us." "She's doing it." "And the terms are awful." "Girls only get 40%." "She charges 10 yen... for food... just cabbage and soup." "And when I got sick, she wouldn't help." "Seems Madame got a 2 month sentence." "It wasn'tjust a fine." "Aren't you the one who talked?" "Are you kidding?" "They already knew it all." "No, we don't do that sort of thing." "I don't know." "The owner's not here." "This is awful." "Too bad we have to refuse." "Can't be helped." "Never know who's calling." "I'm in trouble." "I'm having a coat made." "Weren't you going back to the country?" "Can't leave at a time like this." "I did write that I was coming, though." "Good evening..." "Good evening." "Quit!" "A couple." "Masako, you go." "Masako." "Hello." "Staying the night?" "No, not overnight." "This way, please." "Listen, girls." "If you want to escape, now's your chance." "Escape?" "This place has no future for me, so..." "I rented an apartment." "Living here you'll always be scared now." "So we live separately." "And when I call..." "You go meet a client." "You go to a hotel, and you're only lovers." "Like call girls?" "That's right." "I'm the only one with the client list, so... you have no worries." "What percentage?" "I'll only take 30%." "That's better than working here." "But you can'tjust sit around." "You should get ajob." "Office girl, shop clerk, anything." "I see, clients only at night." "That's right." "Then no one gets caught." "And you make a salary too." "Will it work?" "What will we do when Madame comes back?" "Don't worry." "I was once head of a labor union, you know." "You were?" "I gave orders to 3,000 women workers." "Besides, if there's trouble, we've got..." "Mr. Karasawa behind us." "I'll go with you." "Me too." "APRIL 1959" " Let me watch too." " Too many of you here." "It's risky." "Excuse me." "What kind did you want today." "Oh, that last girl?" "She did?" "I'm sorry." "Today's will be good." ""3 servings" is it?" "Thank you very much." "Miyako, you mustn't fight with the clients." "Listen, everyone, men only like quiet... gentle, obedient girls." "We know." "The new crown princess!" "She's good at tennis." "She's really different from the rest of us." "What's this?" "I brought cucumbers." "Thank you." "Make some tea." "And serve this." "Wash your hands first." "They're dirty." "Can you afford this?" "I need it for the business." "Hello." "Midori?" "5:30." "As a doctor's wife." "In front of Niko." "He's fiftyish, with a mustache, holding a... magazine." "And I'll be there too." "It feels so good." "I'm really happy." "Daddy, everything's working out right." "Shall I make you happier?" "Shall I?" "Sex crazy." "I don't mean that." "Suma's inn is up for sale." "Really?" "Really." "Madame can't work any more." "Poor thing." "5,2 million yen, 20% below market." "I guess so." "It's an opportunity." "How about it?" "You mean for me?" "Sure." "But I..." "You won." "You're the Sumo Champion." "This is Karasawa." "What?" "That's no good." "At Hakusan?" "Then make Yamada come with you." "Right." "If we don't take care of him now... he'll make trouble later on." "What's wrong?" "I need a good girl for tonight." "The guy is from Fuji Steel." "What time?" "It's already 4:00." "Have her get ready." "How about Miyako?" "No." "Too young." "This is a big job, getting... money out of this guy." "He's handsome, too." "Are you telling me to go?" "If you went, I wouldn't worry." "If tonight doesn't go well, I'll be sunk." "If I had bought that inn back then... it'd be useful now." "But I didn't have that much money then." "Will you go?" "Are you kidding?" "Never mind." "If there's no girl, forget it." "If it's all right with you, I'll go." "Have you seen Nobuko?" "It's ok." "If it's all right with you." "Darling." "Don't you mind?" "Sure I mind." "50,000 yen will do." "You'll give it to him?" "I'll pay you back." "All right." "Welcome home." "Dinner?" "Not yet." "Oh, a blackout." "Mr. Karasawa?" "He left right after you did." "Ouch, ouch!" "It's not hot." "Not at all!" "I've stood much worse than this." "Put your hand in it." "Go on!" "I won't." "Kissing the grocery boy!" "I'll show you!" "It's not hot!" "Make a fold here, scrape the cheek bone... and use this to build up the nose." "Won't work." "Have to use other material for noses... like ivory or plastic." "Vinyl will do, the cheapest." "No matter what the client told you..." "I've paid you 60%." "Don't try to cheat." "If he paid 5,000 I should get 3,000." "You only paid 2,000." "It's not the first time you've cheated." "Wait a minute..." "Besides, the others all get 70%." "Why do I only get 60?" "Enough of your tricks." "Mama, that's enough." "Let's go home now." "Honey, wait next door." "Take this candy." "I won't leave til I get a 70% deal." "Stop it." "You talk big, but do you know... what clients say about you?" "I don't care." "You'd better." "They always complain..." ""no sex appeal"..." ""bad service", and such." "And that guy's always following you." "It's bad for business." "He wants to tag along." "What can I do?" "Saying that shows you're just slovenly." "I am not." "I can't help it because I love him." "Is that Korean that good?" "What if he is?" "He says he loves you, but he doesn't care... if you sell your body?" "He does care." "That's why he tags along." "And he won't go out and get ajob?" "I don't want him to work." "I sell my body because I love him." "Understand?" "Sure, you're so much in love you can't give... the clients decent service." "Just making babies one after another." "Here's 20,000." "But not because I owe you anything." "It's to make you work harder." "All this talk about love is nonsense." "You just want money." "What?" "Did you forget what I did for you?" "What you did?" "You became an American's mistress for money." "Just work a little harder." "Quit if you don't like it, but at your age... you won't make this much money anywhere else." "So, you don't want it?" "Then I'll keep it." "Wait, I want it!" "Midori!" "Because I take care of you, you can... afford to be in love." "Good, it's over." "Let's get home quick." "Tomé" "Hanako!" "Bandages gone?" "You're beautiful now." "Hello?" "Hello?" "Miyako?" "Why didn't you come?" "It was for 3:00." "The client got mad and left." "It's too noisy here." "I'm coming over." "He paid 4,000." "I keep 1,200, you get 2,800." "What's wrong with it?" "You're wrong, I only got 2,500." "Where's the other 300?" "Taxi fare." "Taxi fare?" "Can't be." "A round trip fare wouldn't even be 200." "There's telephone and food costs." "Ridiculous." "I've seen your place, and it's super deluxe." "Look at me." "I live on rice and pickles." "What's this?" "Can't I even eat salmon?" "No, not tonight." "I'm busy." "Stingy." "3:00 then, same place." "See you later." "What is it?" "Working outside?" "Who do you think made you so desirable?" "Devil!" "Everyone calls you "devil"." "You make money on us and give it all to Karasawa." "What!" "What's this?" "A fake nose?" "All fake!" "You fake!" "You Idiot!" "I paid to make all this." "I'll smash it!" "Nobuko." "Who was that?" "She works for me." "Come in." "Why didn't you cable that you were coming?" "That girl disobeyed." "Never mind about her." "That disobedient fool." "Mama." "What?" "Lend me 200,000 yen." "What for?" "To start a new farm." "A farm?" "Where?" "Kurumi plains." "Kurumi plains?" "It's close to town, perfect for a dairy farm." "So we've already started making roads... and we all put in money." "Who's "we"?" "Kanbayashi and the other research guys." "What about school?" "Sorry, Mama." "I quit in March, and I've... been working on the research farm." "You quit?" "I don't like studying." "You lied to me, And I sent you money." "I'm sorry." "What about Grandpa?" "His feet are bad." "Says it's rheumatism." "Silly." "I'm asking what he said, when you quit school." "He said it couldn't be helped." "Couldn't be helped?" "Mama, lend me 200,000." "I won't." "Give up your strange ideas." "Come to Tokyo and find a good husband." "I have a lover." "You what?" "He's helping with the farm." "It's Jintaro from next door." "Mama." "What?" "What do you do for a living?" "I was going to tell you some day." "That's why I don't have that much money." "Anyway, you don't have to do such hard work." "I was born a farmer." "I'm all right." "You've been deceived." "He's not a man who could deceive anyone." "You never know about men." "He's all right." "He studies a lot, but... he's a bit forgetful." "How was your Tokyo sightseeing?" "I didn't see anything." "She's a character." "Just a country girl." "That's ok." "Didn't we have some mustard?" " It's all gone." " It's empty?" "Soja." "Where's Hanako?" "Gone to work." "I'm sorry, I won't work outside any more." "It's all right." "Don't stand there." "Come in." "What happened to her nose?" "What happened?" "It's nothing." "Nobuko's gift." "It'll give you strength, Daddy." "I'm leaving tonight." "But you haven't even stayed one night." "Grandpa's in bed with sore feet, I'm going." "Mrs. Matsuki!" "Mrs. Matsuki!" "Yes." "Telegram." "Wait..." "Nobuko, wait a minute." "You have to go?" "I'll go ahead." "Don't die, Papa." "This must be it." "How old is Chuji?" "About 65." "He was a healthy man, strong as an ox." "Grandma, how old are you?" "I'm still 91." "Now that's healthy." "Grandma should hurry up and go too." "Then we'd all be relieved." "What?" "Mama, Grandpa said something." "Papa?" "What is it?" "Tell me." "Milk." "He wants milk." "Milk?" "What do you mean?" "Milk?" "What are you doing, Mama?" "Papa, here's milk." "Papa, it's my milk." "Tomé's milk." "Drink." "Drink." "Go on, drink." "I'm doing fine in Tokyo." "I'll send for you soon." "So get well quick." "Papa, you mustn't die." "I'd be unhappy." "Why're you taking all the gift money?" "You're too greedy." "I paid 10,000 for the expenses." "The gift money's 12,000 yen." "So?" "I'll be sending all the return gifts." "You said you'd pay for the funeral." "Big talk." "Because you folks are always broke." "Well, you aren't?" "How dare you." "Who put Nobuko and Papa in the barn?" "Mukoyama's wife is so greedy." "She brought all 7 kids here." "We'll be eaten out of house and home." "She's famous for that." "If there's a wake, she doesn't feed those kids all day, and brings them along to eat." "Even if it's only for Chuji, some respect is due." "You'll see, they'll be back tomorrow again." "You can't tell them not to come." "But aren't you busy?" "No." "Where have you been, since we put Papa in his coffin?" "Good evening." "Where have you been?" "She came at sunset and wouldn't talk at all." "So I brought her back." "Who are you?" "I'm Kanbayashi, Yoshiji." "He's the son of Yoshizo in Kamigawa." "Nobuko's lover." "And quite a dandy after living in Tokyo." "But that thin little body..." "how could he build roads?" "He couldn't." "That's why he came back." "How could he handle starting a farm, and a woman too?" "Quiet!" "I'm not asking you." "So you're the one deceiving Nobuko?" "I'm not deceiving her." "Taking my daughter without a word." "Nobuko, apologize!" "You won't get in here till you apologize." "I hope she won't have a bastard child too." "JUNE 1960" "Have to go a different route." "Then the meter will go up." "Can't be helped." "Can't be helped?" "They're starving." "So they demonstrate." "That has nothing to do with me." "Can't be helped." "I guess not." "Have you seen Hanako?" "She's not home." "Haven't seen her for a few days now." "I gave her the rent money." "Did she pay it?" "No." "Hello?" "Sakura Apts.?" "Would you please get Miss Yokoi?" "She's moved?" "Where?" "Stupid!" "You..." "Hello?" "Hello?" "I'm sorry." "Please get Miss Seki from next door." "Moved?" "When?" "Both of them?" "Together?" "They've run away." "Hello, Karasawa Co.?" "Please call the president." "Mrs. Matsuki speaking." "He's not in?" "But I'm Mrs. Matsuki!" "What?" "I know you're lying!" "Are you Tomé Matsuki?" "What's wrong?" "Spoiled my stomach." "SPRING 1961" "Hey." "You surprised me." "I'm the one who's surprised." "I told you not to come here." "Yes, but..." "What's wrong?" "You got out today?" "Yes." "It was awful." "Papa, you never came to see me." "Use your head." "How could I visit you in prison?" "I know, but..." "Take this for now." "Thank you." "Did you go to your apartment?" "Yes, but someone's living there." "Fujiwara Real Estate, at Otsuka Station." "Go there." "They'll show you your new place." "Go get some rest." "Your things are there." "I'll come tonight." "You said, "Fujita"?" "Fujiwara." "Stupid." "Mrs. Matsuki?" "I think she's home." "Mrs. Matsuki, you have a visitor." "Mama." "Nobuko?" "I'll open the door." "Nobuko, what are you doing here?" "Mr. Karasawa told me, so I came right over." "Why?" "Haven't you heard?" "Nothing." "Come in." "You've been in Tokyo?" "Since when?" "A month." "I ran away." "But you were in jail." "I had nowhere to go, so I called Karasawa." "200,000 yen?" "Tomé hasn't got that much." "That's why I'm asking you." "I can't give you that much for nothing." "But..." "That doesn't mean I don't have it." "That's good!" "I promised the others I'd get it, no matter what." "Such enthusiasm." "Yoshiji put in 50,000." "Mama gave me the same." " With 200,000 more we'll make it." " Will the new farm make money?" "Lots of!" "The second year we'll make a million." "In 15 years it'll more than double." "In 20 years, when the kids are grown..." "I'll be as rich..." "You'll be rich?" "That's great." "But you won't get it from me for nothing." "And I take sewing from the neighbourhood." "And..." "Mr. Karasawa comes there?" "About twice a week." "I want you to live with me, but... there's a phone, and you had bad habits." "Mama, you can hit me." "I don't mind." "But Mama, what other way is there?" "We're poor." "We have nothing." "Just wait 4 months, til the crops are in." "Then come to Kurumi." "Why did I suffer so much to raise you?" "Don't you understand?" "I'm sorry I was a burden to you." "I'll pay back all the money you sent me when I've saved it up." "Mama, we'll live together soon." "No, I don't want to." "I can't live in the mountains any more." "You tell me to wait just 4 months." "But sexual affairs don't work that way." "In 1 or 2 months it will change, and... you won't be able to walk away any more." "That won't happen." "Idiot!" "You don't know anything about it!" "It won't happen." "Is that it?" "Is that how human beings are?" "Yes, that's how life is." "What about the money?" "Money?" "You promised Nobuko 200,000 yen." "That's the sum you got from me." "A small company's not easy." "Your help was appreciated." "But Nobuko is a different matter." "This is too much." "You're too cruel." "Can't be helped." "Besides, you had your good times too." "What?" "Wimp!" "You're a Coward!" "You're the only one who had the good time!" "I'm a human being, too!" "Calm down." "Let's not get ugly." "You made me ugly!" "Never mind." "Your wife and workers will hear all about you!" "Go ahead!" "Tell them, if you have the nerve." "But we're finished!" "I will." "I'll tell them everything." "All of it!" ""Betrayed by all that I have loved..." "I walk through this bitter life alone."" "I'm already back." "Driving school?" "I learned how to back up today." "You're quick." "The teacher says I can get my license in about 2 weeks." "You work hard." "You told a Kanbayashi about your driving?" "Isn't Kanbayashi your boyfriend?" "That's right." "He knows this address." "What did you tell him?" "I said I was helping Mama for 4 months." "I see." "What would he do if he found out?" "He'd be mad." "But he won't find out." "He won't." "All he talks about is fertilizer." "He's teaching me about the work." "I'll teach you too." "There are two ways to go." "The choice is entirely up to you." "One is what we agreed." "The other is to stay in Tokyo and run a shop here." "That boutique you saw in Dogenzaka." "Yesterday." "It's for sale." "If you want it, I'll buy it." "It's small, so you can't live there." "Stay here, or I'll get a house for you... and your mother to live together." "You manage all the money in the shop." "I take 30%." "You'll make 100,000 easy." "So you'll keep 70,000 a month." "That, or the farm." "Which is it?" "I won't interfere." "You can have a lover." "Sleep with anyone." "Except twice a week." "You're wonderful." "I won't let you go." "Stay with me, and I'll make you happy." "You've only seen the surface of happiness." "I'll show you the real depths." "I'll buy you anything, do anything." "Nobuko, which will it be?" "Boutique." "I'll give up the farm and take the shop." "Really?" "Yes." "But I have to go back once more and see Yoshiji." "I have to give him the money and explain." "Yes, but can't you just write to him?" "No, I have to talk to him face to face." "Let's do this:" "I'll give you one half now." "100,000 yen." "And we'll send the other half, as soon as you get back." "No, you're stingy, Papa." "No, I'm not." "I'm just worried because..." "I love you so much." "Ok, we'll do it your way." "Nobuko, you've got it at last." "Happiness!" "I love you..." "Papa." "Wait." "Wait!" "I'm sorry." "You're sure you explained it all?" "Yes, that night, we had a long talk." "You told her to let you handle it... after I gave you the money?" "I'm sorry, I'm such a country person." "I hate getting old." "Cheated by a kid and left waiting." "On top of that, when I went to pay the rent, her landlord asked me where the deposit was." "That means she ran off with it - 100,000 yen." "I don't know how she got away with it." "She's really something." "While I was still reeling, this came." ""I couldn't tell you out of pity, Papa... but I'll return what I borrowed."" "I hate getting old." "I don't know what to say." "You too." "You took my money to convince her, and forgot to do it." "It's too much." "I'm sorry." "I really tried, to tell her... to come back in two or three days." "It's been 2 months." "I'm sorry." "Since I became a cleaning woman..." "I'm always tired." "When I get home I'm just worn out." "I'm crazy about her." "An old man's delusion." "Just a dirty old man." "Daddy!" "I don't care what people say." "The Dogenzaka shop..." "I paid the deposit." "I'm a business person." "I hate to lose it." "That Kanbayashi guy knew nothing about me?" "Suppose he found out?" "What would he do?" "Suppose he'd..." "I'll pay your fare." "Will you go do it?" "Right away." "She gets more countrified... and I get older every day." "I'll bring her back for you, Daddy." "I'll think of a way." "You should join." "It's really good." "How much does it cost?" "Nothing." "The Jodo sect doesn't take money." "You just buy these when you join... and the newspaper once a week." "So how much is all that?" "Almost nothing." "Should I?" "You should." "It really works, too." "You go and tell them everything, and afterwards you feel great." "Really." "Because life is... so painful." "Shall we go to the bath house?" "Yes, let's." "Don't bother." "But what about this?" "I'll think it over." "Thanks for the cookies." "Delicious." " Take some home." " No, it's ok." "Wait." "Listen." "I know a good job." "What?" "Cleaning?" "No." "Much easier, and more money." "Sounds good." "What is it?" "I'll tell you later." "After the bath." "Ok, I'll wait." "Call me when you get back." "Papa, since you died I've settled down." "But Nobuko's left me too." "I'm still suffering." "Please lend me your strength." "I'll bring her back somehow." "Then life will be easier." "We three will be together again." "I'm going to the bath." "Go to sleep my baby..." "Small change." "It's awful, the bath so far away." "Nobuko!" "Where's Yoshiji?" "Isn't he at home?" "No." "Where is he?" "Said he might go to town." "Don't worry." "Let him be." "But the calcium came, and I don't know how much to use." "There he is." "I'll turn around." "Ok, I'll wait." "Where've you been?" "Nowhere." "Asao wants you." "Oh, I..." "I was wrong." "Of course." "Saying you don't know whose baby it is." "You'll stop that now?" "I'll stop." "Let me drive." "Take care of that baby now." "Don't want to lose it." "You don't know whose it is." "Why worry?" "It might be mine, right?" "Stupid." "Still saying it "might be"?" "I don't know what I don't know." "What you don't know, I do know." "But..." "I know." "I tell you." "Takasaki Station has the best chicken." "Yes, but Utsunomiya's isn't bad either." "Always been that way." "Best chicken lunch at Takasaki." "They're all getting better." "It's the rice." "Yes, good harvest." "Really is." "I'm clumsy." "No, you're not." "Use it or lose it." "Terrible place." "Idiot!" "Hateful!" "Totally!" "Screenplay by KEIJI HASEBE and SHOHEl IMAMURA" "Produced by KANO OTSUKA and JIRO TOMODA" "Cinematography by SHINSATO HIMEDA" "Music by TOSHIRO MAYUZUMI with" "SACHIKO HIDARI" "JITSUKO YOSHIMURA, SEIZABURO KAWAZU, MASUMI HARUKAWA, SHOICHI OZAWA" "HIROYUKI NAGATO, TANIE KITABAYASHI, KAZUO KITAMURA, TERUKO KISHI" "Directed by SHOHEl IMAMURA"