Original subtitles

Arts Festival Entry for 1956

Downloaded from YTS.MX

Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX

A Daiei Film Production

There she is!

Did you see her?!

You can tell by the sound of her wooden sandals!

Stop, you're scaring me!

They say it used to be the house of Wakana.

Nobody lives there anymore.

It's the ghost of Owaka!

Nihonbashi (Bridge of Japan)

Produced by Masaichi Nagata

Screenplay by Natsuto Wada Based on a work by Kyoka Izumi

Assistant Director: Yasuzo Masumura

Starring

Chikage Awashima as Okoh Inabaya Ayako Wakao as Ochise Oshaku Fujiko Yamamoto as Kiyoha Takinoya

Ryuji Shinagawa as Jinzo Katsuragi Hiroshi Kawaguchi as the Mischievous Boy Eijiro Yanagi as Denkichi Igarashi Eiji Funakoshi as Shinhachiro Kasahara

Directed by Kon Ichikawa

Inaba Residence

Glad you're back, Madam.

Good to see you all.

Are you drunk already?

I'm sorry, Ochise.

The fat woman at the Yoshicho soba restaurant...

was sorry to see me go, so we had a drink.

Neighbors are important.

What is this?

We already moved in this morning, so why is it still a mess?

There are nine of you and you're all useless.

Madam, we cleaned the back room and the second floor.

I don't have anywhere to sit down.

Look at you all!

So the sun sets on the age of the Nihonbashi geisha.

I can't imagine who would invite us as customers.

- Get cleaning! - Okay!

Spacious homes sure are nice.

I think I'll have a drink, to celebrate the move.

Bring me some sake!

Glad to see you're back.

I had no idea that steaming noodles was such a chore.

Go get the sake.

- Did you say steaming noodles? - To celebrate the move.

You didn't have to steam them yourself.

Why didn't you get them at Sarashina?

I had a lot of noodles sent from the countryside.

It was much cheaper than buying them from Sarashina.

Don't be stingy.

Handing out noodles to the neighbors after dark is kind of pathetic. It's uncouth.

What are you saying? I'm going to do it right away.

That is grand!

Hey, welcome home.

Sorry to finish so late.

That was a dirty job for you two.

Thanks for your help.

- We don't need that. - It isn't that much, so don't be coy.

Thank you. Thank the lady.

Thank you. See you tomorrow.

Goodbye, Miss.

He's here! He's here!

Calm down! What is it?

It's Mr. Igarashi.

Red Bear?!

You moved here to try to escape me.

I was a rube from Hokkaido.

I spent everything I had on you.

And I found you immediately after you moved.

I wasn’t trying to run from you.

I don’t have any reason to.

I came here because the house in Yoshicho was cramped.

I’m happy you’re making good money.

After all, it’s all mine.

What are you talking about?

You’re not my only customer.

I know that.

You’re the top geisha in Nihonbashi.

My friends said that nothing good could come from associating with you.

You only became mine because Kiyoha wouldn’t have me.

And it was only as an insult to Kiyoha that you accepted me.

But still, I’m your top client.

You’re my wife.

You have a wife. And a child.

So, when exactly did I become your wife?

I believe it to be true in my heart.

We agreed that we weren’t a couple from the very start. You understood that.

- I know. - Well then, get out!

Ochise, get this salt out of here!

It’s bad luck to put it out so soon after moving.

Is this the Taki House?

I see. This is Oshika speaking.

I’m sorry to bother you, but could you send Kiyoha over?

A customer has been waiting almost an hour.

I see. Please tell her to come here. Thank you.

Good evening.

Oh, Miss Okoh.

I’m so grateful you agreed to see me.

Don’t be ridiculous,

any of you girls are welcome here.

I’m just sorry I had to meet you in the waiting room.

I so seldom visit, I should be the one apologizing.

Oh, no...

You were my head mistress at Fukusa's until just two years ago,

and I couldn’t bear…

Miss Shika, I won’t hear of it.

What’s past is past, and now you’re the bona fide mistress here.

Please acknowledge your standing as a geisha.

Thank you.

- Miss Shika, I’ll take the room. - I’ll show you where it is.

That’s all right, Ochise knows it.

Please, Ochise, the Snow Room at the end of the hall.

Yes, ma’am.

- That’s him. - Who?

He’s secretly in love with Kiyoha.

He’s evidently shy.

Knock it off, I don’t want to hear about Kiyoha.

Yes.

Okoh, everyone was talking about you.

Why?

They say you moved to a haunted house.

- Oh, really? - Yes, really!

I know a fella who saw you, so isn’t it true?

I heard the ghost of a geisha...

named Owaka cheated on her husband with another man,

he abandoned her, and she died of lung disease.

Geisha are all alike.

They come to a miserable end when they live selfishly.

I suggest you don’t live too large, Okoh.

I actually think I want to be like Owaka and make a name for myself.

Ochise, buy me a pair of clogs so I can clip-clop down the street.

Don’t say such things.

Walking down an alley in clogs

Can you hear the voice of the woman who sounds like she will vomit blood?

Don’t sing such a morbid song.

So, this is Miss Kiyoha? Glad to meet you.

"Miss"? I’m embarrassed.

If you don’t like Miss Kiyoha, I can call you "madam".

Of course, when a big shot like yourself comes to a humble geisha house like this,

we have to keep it a secret from the mistress.

Are you here to see how the other half lives?

If it’s still too good for the likes of me, I can move to a worse place.

You’re such a kidder. You’ll have to excuse me, Okoh.

Damn, she’s stuck up.

Good evening.

I’m sorry I’m late.

I caught cold and was resting.

Oh, dear. You mustn’t push yourself too hard.

It’s OK, my head just hurts a little.

Did you eat?

Eat? Yes, rice porridge.

- Do you have a fever? - No. - Good...

that’s the most important thing.

I already ate,

or rather, I couldn’t eat if I tried.

Maybe I’ll ask the mistress for some noodles later. It’s cold.

Noodles are easily digested, so they won’t aggravate a cold or a headache.

I see.

The sake is cold.

It’s shellfish.

They were offerings thrown into the river for the doll festival yesterday.

Dolls?

They’re my sister’s.

I put them out every year.

Actually, regarding that…

Sake, please.

Another glass.

And another.

Kiyoha,

it would be wholly inappropriate to say I loved her,

so I’ll say she was lovely, and refined, and I adored her.

She was my sister.

She was seeing a married man.

It was all for me.

When she was 20 and I was 13,

our impoverished drunkard of a father died.

Our mother took care of him, but died soon after.

My sister rented a room for us and my grandmother...

in a back alley and worked two jobs.

I became an apprentice at a tea factory.

I wore straw sandals on days it snowed.

I had a cart that I pulled from Akasaka to Ryogoku.

The skin on my heels cracked open from the cold...

and the blood stained my footprints in the snow.

My fingers were icy and my body shivered.

I couldn’t take it and I ran home.

It was the night of the doll festival.

I, along with my sister and nearly blind grandmother,

hugged and cried.

My sister took out a butcher's knife and a cutting board...

and tried to give me some of the shellfish used to decorate the dolls.

We only had ceramic dolls and a single Kyoto doll.

She looked like the doll. She really did.

She stared at it.

I ran out of the house before I could scream and didn’t return till past midnight.

My sister agreed to be the speculator’s paramour,

I quit my job as an apprentice and returned to school.

I lived in a dormitory and had a uniform with a striped cap.

The only time after that my sister agreed to see me...

was when my grandmother died.

Why?

She was ashamed.

She said that I wanted to see her in disgrace.

I kept her in disgrace through university.

I became a scholar and a teacher,

and I have no idea where she is now.

Shortly after I graduated,

she left me the two dolls as a memento...

and went on a Buddhist pilgrimage.

She said to consider her dead and said, "Goodbye, Shin."

My name is Shin.

You are the spitting image of both her and the doll.

Miss Kiyoha, I saved my money so that I could meet her -

I mean you - a few times a year.

I understand that this puts you in an awkward position as a geisha.

But I can’t hold my tongue.

I want my sister. I want you.

I don’t want you to be a stranger. I want you to be my wife.

I know your answer by looking at you.

You won’t marry me. It’s a "no".

I know that you’re a geisha,

but I’ve never thought of you as one.

I thought of you as my sister.

That’s why I’m asking you to be my wife.

Since you won’t marry me, I intend to never see you again.

If I called you, I’m sure you’d come, but it would be in the capacity of a geisha.

Please be my bride.

I will only propose this one time.

I wonder what your sister would say if she were in my place?

I have a mother and child.

The child has a father. When others are involved,

even a geisha must remain true.

You can laugh at a geisha’s sense of fidelity,

but I will cry and drink to our parting.

- Someone’s in there. - Please come this way.

Who is it?

Who’s in there?

I’m Kiyoha and I’m with a customer.

Kiyoha’s in there.

Why would Kiyoha make appeal to the marriage Buddha?

She always seems so kind.

I’m sure Okoh must be like this, at least sometimes.

It’s too bad that you had to be summoned away from a customer.

- Your chief patron is set to phone you. - Mom, where’s Sumiko?

She already went to bed.

When she goes to festivals, she behaves badly,

and when I bought a couple of huge apples,

the little imp said, "Aren’t things cheap at festivals, Grandma?"

She thought I’d buy her winter cherries or something.

Then, I tried to study with her, but I couldn’t understand any of it.

They grow up so fast.

Don’t worry, I can pour it myself.

I’ll do it. You must be tired, and you have to see your patron.

I have dinner ready and a bath drawn...

- do you need a bath? - No.

You’re probably right. You can bathe with him when he gets here.

- Mom... - Yes?

I don’t want to be a geisha anymore.

What’s the matter?

There’s nothing wrong with being a geisha...

I don’t like myself.

Geisha are different from other women.

It’s a dirty business and I’m not cut out for it.

That’s not true.

The customer I entertained tonight...

has been a loyal patron for the last 5 years, who says he dreams about me.

He told me that for the first time tonight.

I think it took a lot of courage for a gentleman to say such a thing,

but I couldn’t reply,

and I couldn’t even see him off.

I can’t even walk alone...

with a gentleman, because I was trained not to.

It’s pathetic.

You poor thing. What did you do?

We had a drink and parted ways.

I see.

Mom, I used to be willful and strong, but now I’ve fallen apart...

and all I think about is what’s best for the house.

We’re all very grateful.

I’m not looking for gratitude.

I wasn’t meant to be a geisha.

You can blame me. It’s all my fault.

I’m a foolish woman.

I didn’t know what to do with you, aside from make you a geisha.

I also taught you to hate your patron tonight.

Mom, that’s not true.

You were always a frail girl.

Geisha always make sacrifices for their patrons,

but they are philanderers with wives and children.

If you’re fed up, quit.

I can get by with Sumiko if I have to.

I’ll do piece work or something.

I came home alone.

I went to the temple...

so that he and I could be linked in spirit, if nothing else.

I’m sorry.

He’s here.

Fix your makeup.

Get dinner, hurry.

I’m sorry I didn’t go to greet you.

Please take a seat and relax.

No, I’m in a hurry. Where’s Kiyoha?

I’m sure she’s just fixing her makeup.

Would you like to warm yourself up in a bath?

No time, I’m taking the night train to Osaka.

I’m happy your work is keeping you busy.

Has Sumiko already gone to bed? I’ll take a look.

Hey! Hey!

- Hey! - Are you talking to me?

- Your name? - Katsuragi.

Katsuragi? And your given name?

Shinzo. Using the same character as for Shinsaku Takasugi.

Then, it’s a noble name indeed.

My parents gave it to me.

How do you write the second character of your name?

Do you have a business card?

- This business card is all beat up. - I’ve been carrying it for a while.

- It seems you are Shinzo Katsuragi after all. - Like it says on the card.

Hold on. Where are you going?!

- What? - You can’t just rush off.

I haven’t questioned you yet.

Be reasonable.

I’ve done nothing out of the ordinary.

I respect your authority, but what could you possibly have to ask me?

It’s cold tonight.

Why were you loitering on the bridge?

I heard a splash! What did you throw in the river?

It was something heavy, wrapped in newspaper.

Oh, that.

It was some Orient clams and sea snails.

- Orient clams and sea snails? - Shellfish.

That’s a strange thing to throw away.

- I let them go in the river. - I see...

Is this some kind of black magic? Why did you do it?

- Okoh! What brings you here? - What do you need?

Orient clams and sea snails.

I don’t care how you prepare it, or even if it’s raw.

That dimwitted cop won’t know the difference.

Put it on a dish.

I don’t care if the dish is broken, or the cat licked it.

So, you said that you were staying at a dormitory at the university hospital.

And you decorate the place with dolls.

And you give them sea snails and Orient clams as offerings.

That’s an odd thing to do!

- It was my sister’s wish. - Your sister?

After you threw away the shellfish,

why were you looking around cautiously?

What of it? I thought I might look strange.

So, you acknowledge that you looked strange?

The truth is, you were throwing away your sister’s infant child.

- What? - Hey, Sir,

hasn’t he finished his inquiry yet?

What’s it to you?

I’m just a common woman, waiting for the gentleman.

And just what are you doing here?

Because if you’re questioning him, then I’m just stuck waiting.

Waiting for what?

Don’t you see? How can I explain...

The sea snails and Orient clams are still alive.

And when you use them to decorate the dolls, they actually speak at night.

I can’t just cook them.

You must know how I feel.

I came to set them free. Just look.

It’s such a trifling matter.

They’re quite expensive, you know.

You understand, though, don’t you, sir?

I don’t want to be scolded for not getting your permission.

Is there anything else you need? I’m going to set them free.

My apologies for the inconvenience.

I’ll just take down your name as a record.

You, too. Who are you?

Please write that I’m his wife.

Madam!

Ochise, you gave me a start.

I heard that horrible song again on Gofuku Bridge and it frightened me.

You mean the ghost?

I was so scared I took the long way around just to run home,

but the alley to the entrance was scary and I couldn’t go down it.

You’re such a little girl!

You can’t come crying to me your whole life, and… you ignored the gentleman.

Oh, my. I’m sorry. Who is he?

- Nice to meet you. - He’s Professor Shinzo Katsuragi.

How did you know that?

I know who you are. I heard from the patrolman.

He’s the one that Kiyoha loves from afar.

Oh, so he’s the one that we saw at the Deer Room tonight?

Then there was no reason to help him.

I’m actually quite grateful.

If you hadn’t set your shellfish free, I’d be spending the night in jail.

I think she had this planned.

Thanks for the sentiment. Your heart belongs to Kiyoha, doesn’t it?

- What? - You’re going home to Kiyoha, aren’t you?

Cut that out, you’re just going to cause trouble for her.

We’re not lovers.

Of course. A geisha who sits with you in the waiting room...

has no intention of being yours. So, I guess you haven’t won her heart.

- Of course. - Then, I guess the rumors are true, Ochise.

- That’s what they say. - He’s pretty timid for a man.

You’re being cruel.

It serves you right.

Just what do you have against me?

I have to admire your taste.

My apologies.

You didn’t want me to come here tonight; you wanted Kiyoha.

You’re mistaken.

I can see that you live and breathe for her.

I don’t believe this. Let’s take a look at you in the light.

Cut it out. I offer my gratitude.

I’m not like Kiyoha.

- I won’t let you go home alone now. - Okoh!

I’m happy; you do know my name.

If I walk home alone on this road tonight,

I might fall prey to a robber.

I know it’s late, but I can’t be of any use.

Then I’ll take care of you. Let’s go.

Where are you going?

To make you a match. At the temple in Nishigawagishi.

You understand that you don’t have to worry about the girl, right?

Look at us, Ochise. Don’t we look good together?

Look, it’s the old man!

She’s impossible at her age.

Showing off who she knows.

Airing her dirty laundry.

She calls out to relatives she barely knows, in the middle of the street.

That man is Ochise’s grandfather.

She’s a handful!

Foggy Holy Day in the Spring

Oh, mother, I’m weak.

I have no milk, and the baby is hungry.

Why did you have to die before me?

It was because I mistreated you. It was all for Okoh.

I was obsessed with her.

I should have forgotten her.

But I couldn’t.

Please forgive me. Please...

- Haven’t you gone to bed yet? - I was going over the books.

There’s a baby crying.

That cat sure is noisy. I’ll chase it away.

It’s not a cat.

Madam, it’s in front of the house.

Stop, it’s eerie out there.

Oh, a customer.

Miss Chidori, Miss Natsuji, Miss Hagiyo, we have a guest.

Arrange his sandals at the entryway.

- Okoh! - Get out!

I’ll call the police.

The police?

I know you’re not that cruel.

It’s an idle threat.

You think you can barge right on in because we’re a bunch of helpless women?

I’d happily serve you up to the police!

Please don’t go. Wait.

You’re the only one that I can talk to about this.

I know it was presumptuous of me to wait here when you were away.

I just wanted to ask you a question.

I’ll leave as soon as you answer. Please.

Go ahead and ask your question.

Have you taken another lover?

- What? - I know...

It’s the university professor.

You picked him up after Kiyoha rejected him.

- So, what of it?! - His name is Katsuragi.

I know that too.

If you’re still trying to get back at Kiyoha,

why don’t you introduce me to her?

I’ll make advances on her. Then, when she rejects them,

you can be my lover.

If you promise that you’ll have me as a lover,

I’ll do whatever it takes to get invited to Kiyoha’s tea house.

- That’s what I came to ask. - What idiocy?!

Who would make such a promise?!

Red Bear, I’m not the same person I was before.

Dr. Katsuragi is dearer to me than my own life.

Are you saying that he’s any different than me?

When we first met,

you warned me that it would be over as soon as...

you grew weary of me.

- Didn’t you say the same thing to him? - Of course not.

Okoh, I can’t believe it!

I knew that you would sell your body, but never your heart.

That’s why I didn’t care that you used me.

But if it’s not true,

where does that leave me? Where does that leave me?!

Please, just spend one night with me!

I don’t care if you never see me again!

Please let me sleep at your side!

Cut it out! That’s no way for a man to behave.

I’m just a geisha. I’m bought and sold.

What would your mother think...

if she saw you groveling in front of me?

Aren’t you ashamed?

I’m all alone in this world.

I don’t think much of myself and people don’t think much of me.

My mother is dead, and my child…

I sent to live in the country.

Your mother is dead?

And you sent your child to the countryside?

Please. I beg you. Okoh.

I hate having to come to you for money.

I appreciated the fact that you always help out financially,

but beans are expensive, even in a sluggish economy,

and twice-fried soybeans aren’t cheap either.

Shinkawa is a dirty neighborhood.

Once you’ve lived here…

My husband said, "Your uncle died in Taiwan,

"and I’m living the good life here."

Stop back again soon.

Okoh, there’s a constable here to see you.

I’m sorry for the wait.

- I don’t know if you remember me? - No...

It was about two months ago. I met you on March 4th at midnight.

Oh, yes, on Ikkoku Bridge. I’m sorry about that.

You were pretty rude.

I had been drinking. Someone, bring tea!

I don’t want it. No tea while I’m on duty.

But I would like to have a look around.

There you go.

- Has anyone been coming around? - Who did you have in mind?

A university professor. Have you seen him at all?

No… sometimes.

I’d like you to pass on a message the next time you see him.

OK, but I don’t know when I’ll see him again.

It’s no rush. It’s a personal matter and...

has no bearing on my capacity as a police officer.

I’m afraid I was rude to him, and I wanted you to pass on an apology.

You came all the way here for that?

I thought he was lying about his name,

and demanded to see him at the medical college.

When I saw him outside of his office at the end of a long hallway,

I could see that it was the young gentleman from that night.

I casually waved to him.

I see.

He let me into his office and offered me a chair. The chair was quite fancy.

But the sun came in through the window,

and caught the gold lettering on the spines of the books on his shelf,

and I couldn’t even identify the machinery he had.

It was all Greek to me, and he has my respect.

I summoned up courage and asked about the dolls.

He indulged me and showed them to me.

He had five ceramic dolls...

and a beautiful Kyoto doll.

Then a group of older colleagues barged into his office,

and I took my leave.

Since you are Dr. Katsuragi’s wife...

What?

I’m just an ordinary patrolman,

but the sight of dolls in a physiology classroom...

inspired me to give you something, Missus.

You don’t mind me calling you that, do you, Missus?

It makes me very happy. Marriage only comes once in a lifetime.

I’m giving you the piece of paper where I recorded you as Dr. Katsuragi's wife...

that night on the bridge.

Please accept it.

Ochise!

She’s attending a lesson.

Haruko, Natsuji, Chidori, Hagiyo…

Please come at once.

There’s something I have to tell you.

Something’s come up and I’m to be someone’s wife as of today.

I’ve become the wife of Dr. Katsuragi,

even if it’s just in my heart.

Please treat me as his wife, and I will behave as such.

For this reason, I will waive any debts...

you have from the accounts. I’m serious, I will.

Just a second, there is a matter I have to attend to first.

Get out!

What did I do?

I’ve just become someone’s wife.

I have a husband now, and I can’t have you here a second longer.

No man except Dr. Katsuragi will be permitted in this house, so leave.

- I haven’t washed my face yet. - I don’t want to hear any excuses.

Why are you shouting at me? You were so kind last night.

Oh, shut up!

If you had come one day later, I wouldn’t have had to listen to you grovel.

You filthy old man!

Whore! You’ll pay for this!

You can kill me.

But I have just one request: don’t just stab me.

I want you to carve the Chinese characters for Shinzo Katsuragi into me.

The character for the "katsura tree"...

and the character for "tree".

If you can bear it.

Look at the snow fall. You’re a chilly little boy.

Snow falling, snow falling...

Mr. Shiose is waiting for you.

Go now, if you’re going to go at all.

I can’t seem to shake this cold.

It stinks being old.

Gramps, lie down.

I’ll make some rice soup, or stew or something.

Okoh gave me some rice cakes.

We also have a little of the food from New Year’s left over.

You’re always so kind to me.

Ochise, you came at New Year’s,

even though you must be busy entertaining customers.

I don’t mind. Okoh knows that you’re all alone here.

Besides, I’m to go pick up the professor’s kimono.

He needs another one?

The professor always said he doesn’t need one,

but Okoh won’t listen.

The cloth is yuki. Isn’t it beautiful?

- Can you ask your wife to take care of it? - OK.

You seem to be living large,

even though the economy has tanked.

I know, but it’s the New Year.

We’ve started to dial down banquets at other times of the year.

The stew is ready.

I’ll join you. I was busy today and didn’t have time for lunch.

There you go.

They held a welcome party for me...

at a fancy Western restaurant the other day that was uncomfortably formal.

A fella said in a speech,

"Today we honor Dr. Tachibana, a luminary in the field of medicine...

"who has completed three years of study in Germany and has now returned to Japan."

For me it wasn’t such a happy occasion.

Okoh, beautiful women don’t age.

You don’t look a day older than when I left.

In fact, you look younger. You’re a flower.

- How kind of you to say. - And so refined.

I’m trying to remember… Hokkaido…

That isn’t right. It’s…

I’m out of touch now.

Maps were redrawn while I was away.

There’s no need to bow.

That was a fine performance!

We don’t get many requests for the flute, so I’m afraid I’m out of practice.

The lady is modest, too.

What’s the matter, you look uncomfortable?

Would you like to lie down?

No, I’m fine.

Kiyoha, don’t trouble yourself, I can take care of the gentleman.

- I... - You haven’t been doing much at the banquet anyway.

Dr. Katsuragi always attends the university banquets.

And when he’s here, I am too.

Knowing that, it’s a bit brazen of you to be here tonight.

I’m a geisha too, and I show up when I’m called, no matter what.

"No matter what?"

Okoh, please understand my position.

Okoh!

Madam, give me a drink, make it cold.

Don’t make a scene. What’s the matter?

Please, that one over there.

That’s been sitting out. Sure, you can have it.

Okoh.

Leave me alone. Shouldn’t you be with Kiyoha?

Cut it out. You’re being a nuisance to me and to her.

I know that. I’ve been a nuisance since the beginning.

I’ve been standing between you two.

Doctor, please come back!

Doctor, I can’t take it!

You fool, that’s because you’re dashing around drunk.

Darling, I’m sorry.

I was frightened you’d go back upstairs.

I was relieved when you hit me.

I must mean something to you...

Otherwise, you wouldn’t have hit me.

I’m sorry, but you mustn’t say such things.

I’m happy.

Until now, I’ve been lonely because I thought I meant nothing to you.

But I was happy because you hit me, like a husband hits a wife.

It sounds like you think I beat my wife all day.

- Are you married? - Of course not.

You gave me a start.

I know I was wrong to take this to you.

You have stronger feelings for Kiyoha.

But a lot has changed.

I don’t want to have any regrets about you.

I pay Homage to the Enlightened One Immeasurable

What’s wrong?

You’re shaking.

Why would that bother you?

I pay Homage to the Enlightened One Immeasurable

Let’s spend the night together.

Absolutely not.

I only came with you because you weren’t feeling well.

What if we just have tea?

It’s already late.

I can call you a cab. It’s the least I can do.

There are no taxis here. I can get one down the road.

I’ll walk with you.

Then I’ll just have to take you back here again.

Go inside.

It’s no use.

I’ll watch you walk away. What’s the harm in that?

You’re being ridiculous.

Be careful. Try not to hurt yourself.

Damn that Red Bear, I’d know his chicken scratch anywhere.

I’m ready for him to take his revenge on me and Katsuragi.

I should pray one hundred times to Inari.

Doctor. You must help me.

What is it?

I know you, and I think you know me.

Please help me.

Please say you’ll break it off with Okoh.

She means everything to me. She’s my wife. You must know that.

She’s a geisha.

She is. Please break it off with her.

Talk to her about it. If she doesn’t want to see me, then that’s the end of it.

You can’t make her your mistress through negotiations.

I can’t take it. You called Okoh your mistress right in front of me.

I don’t care if you think I’m a human being, a devil,

or a madman!

Is that a knife you have?

- You think I don’t? - Do you have two?

- What if I did? - Give me one.

You don’t have one.

Then, I guess you plan to murder me right here.

You haven’t made a secret of your identity in playing games with life and death,

and you failed to bring your enemy a weapon.

Idiot!

The insights of learned men are frightening.

My arms have tilled the brutal soils of Hokkaido...

and it would be nothing for me to throw you into the river,

but I can't...

I’m a seafood wholesaler. My name is Denkichi Igarashi.

I opened an office in Tokyo when the economy was booming,

and I met Kiyoha at a banquet.

She was such a gentle creature. I couldn’t ignore her.

But a geisha is something you can’t buy.

She rejected my advances, but Okoh took pity on me.

Okoh would do anything to hurt Kiyoha.

Okoh has taken...

an interest in several men that Kiyoha rejected.

I think I’m one of them.

No, you’re different.

Okoh tells these men from the outset...

that once she wearies of them, they’re finished.

I couldn’t really complain when she left me.

But the heart follows its own logic.

When she cast me aside, I was crushed.

I lost my business.

Then, my wife died...

Your wife died?

I also had to give up my child.

You mean you sold it?

- I did not. - Then you gave it to someone?

- No. - Did you abandon it?

What are you eating?

They didn’t get...

all the fat off of this bearskin...

when they tanned it,

and because I sleep outside, grubs nest in it.

What?

They’re very healthy.

I can go a day or two without eating.

It’s warm too.

No matter how many I eat, there’s always more.

Did you really throw away your child?

If I tell you where...

I threw the baby away...

and you tell the police,

I’ll be arrested.

- I left it at Kiyoha’s house. - What? Kiyoha?

So that baby I saw her cuddling was yours.

- Children are a blessing. - Indeed.

She was holding it to her cheek, kissing its forehead,

and sharing her bed with it.

You’re more knowledgeable than me, and you’re desperate.

You chose Kiyoha’s house to abandon your child,

and you eat grubs instead of rice.

I couldn’t do that.

Show me what you’re made of. Confront me already!

You beg and beg, but I ignore your requests.

Are you planning to kill me or Okoh?

If I could kill her, why would I ask anything of you?

You should be ashamed.

Think about what you want before you speak.

Choose your words carefully,

so that I can definitively tell you that I can’t give up Okoh.

I beg of you. You can treat me like vermin if you like.

I’ll even lick your shoes. I care nothing of shame, or what people think.

Do you really think that Okoh will take you back if I step away?

It doesn’t matter. It’s too painful to see you two together.

Even if I can only hear her voice, or see her on the street,

it would be far preferable to me that she would be alone...

than with you, as you may well imagine.

I beg of you.

There’s nothing I can do but beg.

Darling, what’s the matter?

What were you doing there?

It’s a bit embarrassing, but I was praying for your safe return.

Let's go inside.

I guess my prayer worked!

Thank you, Inari!

You’re going to spend the night, then. That’s wonderful.

You’ve been worried about me.

It’s not like that. I just want to speak with you.

It’s Red Bear!

I knew I should’ve walked you home.

I would’ve chased him away.

I owe you an apology.

When I spoke with Red Bear, I called you a geisha.

I am a geisha.

I said that you were my mistress.

But you’re no more my wife than you are Red Bear’s.

Doctor.

I told him that you can have me for your wife anytime you want.

- I’ll be your mistress. - No, it can’t be that way.

Because of what happened to my older sister,

I vowed never to look down on courtesans,

and until today I have always kept that promise.

I called you my mistress...

I didn’t call you my wife.

If it was Kiyoha and not me,

would you have called her your wife?

I don’t know how to answer that.

Kiyoha would take care of her husband.

I wouldn’t have the right to call her my wife.

I don’t have anything against Kiyoha anymore.

I wouldn’t care if you considered her your wife in your heart.

She can be your wife, and I don’t mind being your mistress.

Doctor… don’t leave me.

I shouldn’t have let things come to this.

But now that I understand, I realize that I can be with you.

Okoh... I’m sorry.

Please forgive me.

I promise never to set foot in here again.

I will resign my post at the university.

I will become a pilgrim without a destination on a quest for my sister.

I have nothing against Red Bear.

But I feel guilty for my own ugly heart.

Doctor... is there nothing I can do?

I’m sorry.

Take care, Doctor.

Goodbye.

Wooden clogs on a narrow lane

There is a flower troubled by the sunshine

Don’t you have candy for customers?

We don’t take crap from crazy women!

She’s a weird one. Aren’t you, wench?

Get a move on!

Get out of here!

Please leave me alone.

This is our road!

This is our road!

The poor nightingale.

I feel bad because it’s candy.

She’s lippy for a whore!

Hey, boys who own the road!

Hey, that fella just called for you.

Are you talking to us?

Thank you.

Boys in the road, there you go.

Ochise!

Kiyoha.

I wish I could’ve helped you.

I’m glad you’re all right.

I was going to throw some candy to those bullies, so they’d scatter.

I took out my pocketbook,

but I lacked the nerve.

Is Okoh still the same?

Yes.

She’s her normal self every couple of days,

but then she goes back into a haze.

That’s what I heard.

Sometimes she acts like a baby.

She said she wanted bird-shaped hard candy.

So that’s what you were doing.

Did that monk who saved you remind you of anyone you know?

No, he was covered with a sedge hat and I couldn’t see his face.

From the back, I thought he was a Buddha.

Have you seen him somewhere?

It was too far to see his face.

Maybe he was a figment of my imagination.

You asked me if he reminded me of anyone...

You mean someone I know?

No, he was probably a Buddha.

It’s difficult to do this delicately.

I thought you could use it. Don’t think of it as money.

Why?

To cheer you up after being bullied.

Kiyoha, use this money to invite me to a banquet.

What?

We don’t get customers anymore.

You know about Okoh.

I’m the only available geisha.

We had to give up the telephone, since we don’t need it.

We don’t even have a clock.

Was it Okoh’s decision to sell it?

No, she wouldn’t do that.

The old woman decided to sell it.

Ochise! Where is that girl?!

You won’t find any customers shaking your backside around town in the middle of the day!

So, you’re getting along by yourself?

I’ve have offers to join other geisha houses,

but I’d feel bad leaving Okoh alone.

Cooking and cleaning isn’t a hard life.

It’s just tough when the old woman gets worked up.

Your hands are dry and cracked.

I would like to meet Okoh, then we can talk.

All right.

Okoh.

Katsuragi.

Where’s the tea?

You went out and bought candy and no tea!

You’re sucking on a piece right now!

- Okoh asked me… - Liar!

She did no such thing.

I can tell by the stupid look on your face.

You can’t give candy to the insane! Her face will swell up!

You’re always out running around, and you don’t care if we all starve.

- There’s a person… - Who?

Kiyoha has come to visit.

Why didn’t you tell me?

If it isn’t the lady from the Waterfall House.

Please come in, although a radiant lady like yourself looks out of place in this shack.

What brings you here?

May I have a cup of tea?

- Thank you for coming. - Okoh.

She doesn’t have much life left to her.

I’m cold. I should lie down.

It serves you right for being selfish. It’s karma.

Please take care of yourself.

Get some rest.

I’m going to borrow Ochise for a banquet.

Great, it’s like pennies from heaven!

Go change your clothes.

There’s no sense in wasting our only under-kimono on a crazy woman.

But Okoh said she wants to wear it.

- Please! - I have to go now.

If you don’t like it, start making money,

and find a wealthy patron.

You can learn from her.

Wait! There’s a ritual to be performed...

before going to a banquet. Etiquette is involved...

in dressing a geisha. A novice doesn’t understand this.

Injuries can happen by an inexperienced hand.

Madam, please step away.

Ochise, I’ll have someone bring it to the venue,

so you don’t have to change now.

Goodbye, Okoh.

Nihonbashi Okoh Waterfall House Kiyoha

I was seized with the desire to pick up and go.

I was ashamed of myself, so I wear this hat to cover my face.

I don’t have anywhere to go.

I traveled around Awakazusa,

and now I’ve made my way back to Nihonbashi,

and I plan to walk the main road to Kyoto next.

Fire! Fire!

The fire is at the Waterfall House!

Where’s the fire? Where is it?

I doubt it’s in Motodaikumachi.

It’s probably near the Inaba House.

Stop, it’s too dangerous to go further!

Let me go!

Get back!

The warehouse is safe!

Forget about the warehouse!

Stay back, it’s dangerous! We got out as much of the kimono as we could!

The wet nurse was in the bath! She came out naked!

We have the little girl! They got the maid out too!

The fire moved quick! It started in the back of the second story!

The madam and the boy are on the second story!

They’re safe!

The flowers are lovely this time of year...

I like this energy. I saved a life.

This energy gives me the courage to kill!

Okoh! I hate you!

- You can smell it. - The fire is getting close.

Damn you!

Okoh!

Old man...

It’s not her! It’s Ochise.

Okoh is going to be angry.

Good evening.

Ochise! Ochise!

Good evening.

It’s Red Bear!

Red Bear? Damn him.

Give me the sword.

I’m so happy.

It’s shiny.

They won’t even let me hold a razor.

Prepare to die.

Doctor!

What’s up?

- It’s murder. - It’s a fire.

- It’s a murder and a fire. - Welcome to Tokyo.

Ochise.

Ochise, I made your favorite for you.

Now, what can I do?

Oh, it’s you.

Constable, it seems that Denkichi Igarashi stabbed Ochise and the old woman.

- The old woman is dead? - Okoh killed Igarashi.

Ochise still has a pulse.

Please take her to the hospital.

We have an injured person here. Carry her to a hospital.

May I have some water, my lord?

Help yourself.

Isn’t that Kiyoha’s boy?

Darling...

You were sick.

Yes… very much so.

Tokyo Imperial University College of Medicine Dr. Jinzo Katsuragi, age 30 and wife

Oh, my son!

Okoh!

Okoh!

Kiyoha, please read my note.

I will.

Okoh, what did you drink?

I’m sorry, Constable...

I drank the nitric acid I use to remove moles.

Kiyoha, please read my note.

Please take care of the Inaba house.

I’ll protect it with my life.

Doctor... Darling...

Wooden Clogs On a Narrow Lane

Things are different when new people move in.

I was frightened to even look down this lane when Okoh was sick.

There was Owaka, Okoh, Kiyoha, and who else?

Things change.

We’re home.

Welcome back.

- We’re home. - We’re home.

Be careful. She’s so clumsy.

- I wonder if she picked up the lipstick. - She forgot.

Cut the sashimi out of the good part.

The rest can go into the stew.

Then add some tofu.

Excuse me.

Doctor.

How is Ochise?

She’s feeling better.

I plan to visit her in the hospital today.

- It’s been difficult for you too. - Oh, me...

The Waterfall House burning to the ground was actually...

something of a relief.

I moved here, as Okoh requested in her note.

I see.

I left behind some long-time customers.

It gave me the chance for a fresh start.

I see.

Little fella, say hello to the man.

He’s no good.

I can’t believe that someone would abandon a sweet little boy like him.

- I’m grateful. - Huh?

I’m sure the parents would be grateful, if they knew how well you’re raising him.

I think anyone would do the same for that boy.

Please come in and sit down.

No... I came to say goodbye.

It was my carelessness that killed Okoh.

I thought when I left Okoh a year ago,

it would be for the best for the both of us.

Becoming a pilgrim was my way of chasing after my sister.

I had no idea that my leaving...

had driven Okoh insane, until I returned to Tokyo on the day of the fire.

I think dabbling in academics...

has left me conceited and unable to discern others’ feelings.

It would’ve made my sister weep.

I’ve sinned greatly, and I’m prepared to live...

the rest of my life according to this lesson.

I will leave Tokyo today,

as my Buddhist teacher instructed me.

So, you’re…

Even if my sister were alive, I would no longer search for her.

It was her wish to live anonymously.

People choose different lifestyles.

I’m unable to live the way others live.

Yes.

Kiyoha,

I’d like you to have this doll.

Please take it.

It is my final vain distraction.

Okoh was my wife.

I wish I could have been like her.

Goodbye.

Mr. Katsuragi.

- See you later. - See you later.

The End