Original subtitles

Minami Tailor

A Stitch of Life

At the moment, NAIFS is the only store

That sells Minami Ichie's clothing

I think if we give a brand and then sell them on-line,

We'll be able to make good profit

Have we gotten her permission yet?

We're in the middle of negotiation

They're lovely

And very elegant

The kind of things you wont hesitate to buy

The designer must be a lovely person

Not really…

More like a stubborn old man

My goodness...

Fujii-san?

How do you do?

Welcome!

I'm terribly sorry, she's still sleeping

Ichie, wake up!

Please have a seat

Thank you.

Mom, didn't I tell you not to shout

Hello!

I'm terribly sorry. So embarrassing

Not exactly a morning person are you?

I was working until quite late yesterday

So this morning is just ...

Ack... really now...

Besides making clothes, there's nothing else you can do

- Mom, be quiet - I'll do it

Please stay out of my shop

Fine...fine...

Sorry about this

Making clothes is my profession

How can you compare it with trivial chores?

Have you thought about it?

The brand proposal?

I still intend to refuse

Don't you think that you're wasting a good opportunity?

By using technology, you can reach more people

Well...

I've been doing just fine without it

I brought you several pictures today

These models are popular lately

By hiring popular models,

We'll be able to enhance the value of the clothes

These are useless photos

Those who are already aware of their beauty,

Do not need my clothes.

Through these photos, more people would be able to know about your clothes

Making clothes for someone I haven't met,

Is something that I can never do

But you sell your clothes at Aoi-san's store too

I do not want to expand anymore than that

Why?

You can get all the materials and freedom,

You will also get bigger working space with workers

I can only work...

With the sewing machine I inherited from my grandmother

How beautiful...

Ichie-san's clothes

No matter what you do or say,

Ichie will not make clothes for a department store

As for us, our partnership has been going on since the previous generation

Selling a small amount of clothes here,

As well as repairing clothes made by the previous generation,

That's pretty much all she does

She doesn't want to expand the business

I really think we can sell this dress though

Ichie-san

Ah, Yuki-chan, what a surprise

This is my mother's old dress ...

Can you think of a way to modify so I can wear it?

Haven't seen this for ages

Saori-san really liked this dress and had worn it a lot

However, it's not exactly your size

I'm... a bit on the short side,

How should I put this...

Right...

I feel uncomfortable

Trying out clothes at the mall

Saori-san was so beautiful wearing this dress

I was so fascinated

I'm sure it would look nice on you too

Ichie-chan

-Ah, hello -Hello

Are you free right now?

Chiyo-san, how do you do?

Hello

Yuki-chan

How do you do?

You're in high school now?

Yes, I am

She's a sophomore since this April

She is?

Would you like some dango?

I've also made some tea

Excuse me?

Er, sure

Here it is

Ah, it's gorgeous

My husband gave it to me before we got married

And so I became his wife

To buy this kind of expensive material,

He must had worked hard to save money

And all this time, I still don't know what to do with it

I sure don't feel like giving it away to someone

Of course. This is part of your life

Shino-san said the same thing

Shino?

My mother, the previous generation

Ichie's grandmother

Ichie-san, are you home?

Please come in

Hello

Ichie-san,

This dress that Shino-san made,

My daughter ruined it

Oh my...

This dress is really beautiful

Yes, this girl likes it so much,

She keeps pulling it whenever I wear it

That's why it's torn

Shino

Hana-chan, how old are you now?

I'm 5 years old

Do you still fight with your brother?

- Uh huh - They still are

Naughty naughty!

Oh, Fujii-san... You're still here?

Yes I am. I've been here all afternoon

This shop is a really good place

My grandmother started this shop

Guests would come and go,

Neighbors will stop by,

Chatting about daily lives

This shop has always been

The most important place for me

Don't you think that you should be reading this instead?

Here you go

There's no need

I can pick my own book, thank you very much

I see you bought a lot of books

I just went to the bookstore,

These are just books about clothing though

Is it possible, that the reason you bought so many,

Is because you don't know for sure

What exactly that you really like

*Branding For Beginners*

Would you like to have a meal together?

I usually don't eat dinner

How about coffee?

Let's go to this place

I do not go to that shop

Fujii-san

I'll be frank with you today

Well, you've always been frank with me

Sorry. Go ahead

The truth is, I'm not keen on making clothes for Aoi-san's store either

It is simply to make ends meet.

To be honest, I make clothes strictly based on my grandmother's design

Why's that?

My grandmother started the shop

She hoped that the clothes she made would last for life

I believe that it is the responsibility of future generations to continue the legacy of their predecessors

So you're saying,

That you only want to repair the clothes made by the previous generation?

Maybe you're just afraid of challenges

Afraid of changes

This brand proposal thing... please let me refuse

Just give it up already

Was the previous generation that awesome?

She was deeply loved by the people here

Shino-san passed away about three years ago

On the way to the funeral,

Everybody was standing by the street to paid respect, wearing her clothes,

Watching her from afar

While marching the sewing machine,

Ichie-san is seeing for herself, the road her grandmother had taken

And i was like,

"Are you talking to your grandmother too when you're sewing?"

By making it knee-length, you can move comfortably and still look elegant

It's perfect for you

It's nice

You modified the sleeves and waist too

But now my legs...

I don't see any reason to cover those beautiful legs

Looks nice on you, Yuki-chan

Chiyo-san! You're here

Ah, that's a lovely skirt

Made from that material you brought the other day, right?

My husband was so happy

He took me out for lunch

To a French restaurant that is

Thank you!

It's a good thing to wear something nice

The moment you put it on, your mood would change

Well, that's what Shino-san said

Really suits you...

Really?

Fujii-san was here today

Was he?

He said that he prefers your design over your grandmother's

There's no more dango?

I understand your feelings as a second generation

I keep running away from that position myself

The burden of the next generation is huge

Whether a child or a grandchild

I'm going to take a walk

Good evening

Welcome

She ordered cheese cake again?

Thank you very much

*Branding For Beginners*

Oh well...

Ichie-san

Do you have a minute?

Nakata-san, haven't seen you for a while

I'd like you to fix my suit for the evening party

Ah right, it's almost time for the party

Evening party?

It's a tradition started by my mother

Once a year,

We hold an evening party, and only those above 30 of age are allowed to participate

That day, we would dress up like celebrities,

Because it is a special night

Is that so?

Was that suit also made by your mother?

Yes

Although she is no longer here, the clothes she made still remain

Pardon me,

Getting older,

My body keeps shrinking

Only this part keeps growing

That's perfectly normal

That's why, whenever you feel the suit needs adjustment,

Just come over and we'll get it fixed

I guess you're right

So, I heard about the party

I think it's a very good idea

Fujii-san

Yes?

I'm pretty sure I've made it clear last time

Oh, we're ran out of dango

There's no need to get some more

I've already made my point,

So why are you still here eating dango?

Can i be honest with you?

Please do

The truth is…

I ... hate dango.

Here you go!

Thank you

I'm going to take a walk

Can I come with you?

Sorry

Goodbye

The station is that way

Where are you going?

It's good

*Minami Tailor*

Temporarily not at home

Thank you for yesterday

You don't have to follow me around

I want to

I would like to know more about your work

I've made up my mind,

That I will take my time with you

Why are you abusing my doorbell?

Do you want to break it or something?

How are you, Izumi-sensei?

Oh, is that your boyfriend?

Well, your type sure changed

No, he is just an acquaintance. Work related

My name's Fujii

I have been under her care

The tea's ready

Please, have a drink

Thank you

I wonder if you've learned how to make tea by now?

Of course I know how to make tea

Do you know what the most important thing is to make a cup of tea?

Sincerity?

That is not enough

How long you boil the water, how long you soak the tea leaves,

You also need experience

Once you've mastered all that, then you complete it with sincerity

You didn't asked me to come today,

To talk about tea, did you?

I have something to ask you

This is the dress I wore when I first met my husband

I want to wear it for my funeral

In the end, I wouldn't want to wear ordinary clothes

When the time comes, I'd like to wear my favorite dress

Here you go

What's the hurry?

People will die eventually

It would be nice if I could follow my late husband earlier

Please drink!

- Should I put these here? - Ah thank you!

Sorry

Now, where was it...

- There it is. - Thank you

Let me help you

Ahh... Thank you

We should add some more...

All right

Don't just sit there spacing out, give us a hand

This young man is doing all the work here

Sensei, you know I hate getting dirty

Seriously, she only does what she likes

You haven't changed one bit

It seems like I didn't educate you properly

Lovely garden you have here

That's because my husband really cherished it

Are you worried because I ask you to do my funeral dress?

No need to worry

I live alone

So I won't be missing anything or anyone

I've taken care of the garden my husband cherished

Isn't this the greatest happiness?

Ah, you've already packed it

I really want to see Izumi-sensei's dress

Thank you,

For everything

It was my pleasure

When Fujii-san first came to the store, I thought he was a pervert

The moment he found out that I was wearing a dress that you've modified,

He keeps staring at me

Well, he was looking at the sewing technique too be exact

A few days ago a guest wanted to change the sleeves of this clothes

He snaps at her:

"Nonsense!"

"This clothes is perfectly made."

He's weird

I wonder what's wrong with him

Because he fell in love,

With your clothes

I know that

Why don't you invite him to the party

Excuse me!

Please come in!

Careful!

I want to see it

Ok, ok

Nobody's here

Awesome!

This is the first time I've been here

Me too

Are these for the party?

So many

It's always been like this during this time of year

Is this grandpa's suit?

Which one is my mom's?

Is it this one?

But they kinda look dated don't you think?

Yeah a bit old fashioned

I know right?

It would look better if we pull this up a bit

Yeah, just slightly above the knee

These clothes weren't made for you

Busted

Scolded too

Please don't say something rude about the shop

I was just telling the truth

Kind of old fashioned

You're right

So not my style

But why does Grandpa go to that shop to fix his clothes?

So does my mom

Right?

Right?

Strange

Yeah

Let's go shopping next time

Ok

I'll call you

Bye!

Grandpa, I'm back

Still working on that crossword?

It's a tough one

I guess so

Fujii-san

I've finished the repair

Thank you

Sorry, to keep bothering you

This person you were talking about, Is it Minami Ichie-san?

Do you know her?

When you mention stubborn old man, she came to mind

As a first-generation myself, I can understand her

So this is your job?

Yes

I guess branding is out of the question

I guess so

Those who don't understand the value of her clothes,

Might just give up already

For some reasons, I keep coming back to her shop

And now I finally understand why

I really want to see it. Not the designs made by previous generation,

But Ichie-san's original design

I'm sure she wanted to create her own clothes

Does she really?

I think I can understand her

Ichie-san's idea of trying to keep the legacy of the previous generation alive

Ah, Fujii-san

I talked with Aoi-san the other day,

About the evening party, if you ...

All of you,

All of you being like this,

Only doing things the way you like. You must be proud of yourself

Never take one step outside your comfort zone

If things aren't to your liking, you just easily refuse

Fujii-san

Sorry

This is not what I wanted to say to you

I should go back now

I'm telling you, he's weird

Well, I kinda get it though

I mean, I run things the way I like, and wouldn't have it any other way

Want some?

Is it on sale?

Daimaru has it

I want to buy a dress

Well, let's go!

Let's go!

Is that the suit from the other day?

Nakata-san's?

You're in a good mood today.

Sorry about the other day.

My skills aren't bad, don't you think?

It is done with such delicacy

Of course

Collar is the face of a suit

That's why, it should look nice and neat

The shoulder width had changed tremendously through out the years

He used to be very well-build, so lots of adjustment had to be done

It should be up there

Up there?

Let's just go back

Come on

You sure it's here?

Probably

There it is

You're right

Ah, that's mom and dad

No way

I can't believe it

Mom?

She totally looks different

She looks beautiful today

Grandpa?

He's wearing a bow tie

He's always sloppy at home

People dress up for themselves

However, a special clothes is worn for a special someone

That's what my grandmother used to say,

While making party dresses

A skirt with perfect length, sways like a curtain;

Using Organdy layer,

To create a see-through effect;

The chest is covered, but lacy ornaments were added

These clothes were really tailor-made for each person

Hey, wait ...

Yuki

Yuki

Mom... Dad...

Grandpa, you look cool

Naoko why are you here?

Aren't you supposed to be at cram school?

In front of their child,

Parents will turn into their normal state

People under the age of 30 are not allowed here

Please go back!

Let's go back

Could you please ...

Make a dress for me too?

Me too. I want a dress just like my mother's

You can't

Minami-san's clothes will be wasted on you kids

Year after year, doing adjustments so that it will stay fit

It is not something you'd throw away easily

Even this generation of Minami-san,

Putting her heart in every stitch

Working with the same high standard as her grandmother

Ten years, twenty years later, still able to wear the same clothes to the party,

Nothing is happier than this

I was always certain,

That you must have wanted to make your own clothes,

Must have wanted to make your own design, and make beautiful party dresses

You definitely wanted to surpass the previous generation,

That you've been holding yourself up

That's what I thought

But today I finally understand

You're fine the way you are

There is no need to change anything

Thank You

Goodbye

Fujii-san hasn't come by these days

I wonder why?

He was so fond of dango

Really now...

I don't remember asking you to make me gardening clothes

Well, you just have to make me a new clothes for my funeral

Looks good on you

Fujii-san also said that

He came by the other day, and helped me with the garden

Got all excited when he saw this,

"As expected, Ichie-san.", he was so impressed

Did he go somewhere else?

Got the feeling that he's going away

He just sat there,

Looking at the garden until sun down

His expression at the time...

Remember when you were in high school, you ran away for 3 days to Tokyo,

You two had the same look

Don't you know?

He quit his job

Really?

He didn't say goodbye to you?

Well, he did say goodbye at the party

Do you know why he quit ...

Well...

I think it has something to do with you,

He didn't say much though

Is that so?

I'm going home

Ichie

I feel the same way as Fujii-san,

I too want to see the clothes that you designed

Sorry to keep you waiting

Thank you

Has the taste of the cake changed?

No. It tastes exactly the same as always

Is that right?

Hello

Ah, Minami-san long time no see

Thank you for everything that you've done for my grandmother

I was the one who was under her care

I heard that Daimaru occasionally fix their clothes here,

Fujii-san had quit his job

It seems like he's in Tokyo now

Have a cup of tea

Would that be alright? What about your work?

I'm considering to close this shop

I barely receive order from Daimaru these days,

And hardly anyone comes to this shop lately

Sooner or later my service will no longer be needed

I can no longer count on the income from this shop

Besides, I'm 64 now

I guess it is time for me to retire

Hashimoto-san, your skill is excellent,

My grandmother often praised you

A man with your skill is very much needed,

So please don't give up

Fujii-san said the same thing

"Please don't stop working the way you do"

"Why are you giving up so easily?"

After he left,

I start thinking about what I'm going to do from now on

Fujii-san had been wanting to quit for some time

He said that everything had become meaningless, he just couldn't handle it anymore

Do you need help?

Sorry

Thank you, I'm fine now

Are you Minami Ichie-san?

It really is you

You're different from what I had imagine...

Thank you for taking my brother under your care

He talks a lot about you

He's a bit childish, don't you think

When I was little, I got into an accident, and ended up like this

I didn't want to leave the house

I shut my self at home

But one day,

My mother bought me this beautiful dress

After wearing it, I started to open my self up

Slowly willing to go out

Are you working in clothing business too?

No, I am a civil servant

Seeing how that dress changed me,

My brother discovered the charm of clothes

And from that moment on, clothes has become his entire life

As he gets older, he loves clothing more and more

But after he met you,

He started to question himself if he really does love clothing

Did you two talk about that at the library?

Library?

You don't remember?

That's weird

That conversation had quite an impact on him

Your brother is in Tokyo now ...?

Working in a furniture store

He wanted to make sure if clothing is really his passion or not,

That's why he's trying a different kind of work now

He said that he wanted to figure himself out

How foolish. I mean he's over 30 already

Annoying isn't it?

To switch jobs that easily...

That would be impossible for me

Moreover, he's doing it without any burden...

Welcome

Are you looking for a dining table?

Yes

Our products were made from local woods, so the surface is really smooth

It feels strong

It is made out of walnut tree ...

Ah, Minami-san

Fujii-san said the same thing to me,

If all of you just give up that easily ...

When my grandmother was lying sick in bed,

Nagging about my poor skills,

She didn't stop sewing

Although working with trembling hands,

Every stitches were neatly done

So, until your dying day,

Please don't give up!

I think that,

That is what we should do

What are you doing?

I'm using it for something

Oniichan, you're late

You sure haven't changed

This collar ...

Yes...

Ichie-san of Minami tailor made it for me

This is Ichie-san's design

She came to me and said,

Please let me do your wedding dress

And now, I present you the bride and groom

Those kids are here again

We're not here to bother you

I just want to hang my grandfather's suit

Grandpa,

Really loved this party

Let's do it

After I'm gone, could you please put my dress like that too

Chiyo-san, you still have years to come

Grandpa...

Here

Congratulations!

Thank you

Grandpa...

Did we made him happy?

Making clothes that makes you want to keep on wearing,

Is much more difficult than simply modifying old clothes

But I want to be like my grandmother,

No,

I want to surpass her

Because, right now I'm the only one left,

Who can make clothes perfectly fit for each of our customers

Let me make you a dress.

A dress that you can wear for a lifetime.