Original subtitles

Downloaded from YTS.MX

Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX

DAIEI PRESENTS

Long ago,

the people who lived on the borders of Mino and Hida where it snows heavily,

spoke of the legend of the Snow Woman.

On nights of a heavy blizzard,

the spirit of the snow turned into the terrifying Snow Woman

and wandered the mountains.

If anyone should happen to catch sight of her,

it is said that she would kill them on the spot.

Among the villagers,

there were none who doubted this legend to be true.

THE SNOW WOMAN

SCRIPT BY FUJI YAHIRO

CINEMATOGRAPHY BY CHIKASHI MAKIURA

MUSIC BY AKIRA IFUKUBE

CAST:

SHIHO FUJIMURA

AKIRA ISHIHAMA, MACHIKO HASEGAWA

TAKETOSHI NAITO, FUJIO SUGA, MASAO SHIMIZU

JUTARO HOJO, IZUMI HARA, TATSUO HANABU

MIZUHO SUZUKI, SACHIKO MURASE, YOSHIRO KITAHARA

HAJIME KOSHIKAWA, KIYOSHI KASUGA EIJIRO YAMAOKA, KENICHIRO IMURA

TOKIO OKI, JUN FUJIKAWA, YUKIO HORIKITA, SHINYA SAITO

DIRECTED BY TOKUZO TANAKA

Here it is

I've found it at last.

What a remarkable tree.

You'd almost think it had a soul.

I think that it has.

It's been alive here for hundreds of years.

To stumble upon it so unexpectedly.

I am truly grateful.

Thank goodness.

The weather's taken a turn for the worse.

What should we do?

It'll be awful tonight.

It's not all that bad being stuck in here for a night.

We'll have a good story to tell

I've finally found the wood I've searched for all these years.

The howling winds of the blizzard are like a song of celebration to me.

Yes, I hope we can get permission to cut it down soon.

I'm looking forward to getting to work.

My name will be known throughout the mountains of Mino.

It will be my life's work and legacy.

With these hands I'll carve a statue of the goddess Kannon

that will be spoken of a thousand years from now.

You are young and beautiful.

I have decided to spare you from death.

In exchange,

you must promise never to tell anyone of what you saw tonight.

No matter how dear to you they may be,

not your parents,

nor your children,

nor even your wife.

Breathe a single word of this

and I will kill you.

Never speak of it.

Keep your silence.

Swear that you will say nothing.

I swear.

I won't tell anyone

I won't tell a soul.

Spare me, please I won't tell.

What's wrong?

Did something happen?

Oh, no Not really.

I'm just having trouble sleeping.

You're not keeping anything from me, are you?

Of course not!

As if I'd keep anything from you.

I know very well that you're not that sort of man.

But the way my husband died,

and the fact you've been ill ever since,

none of it makes any sense.

No, it's just that

we forgot to put more wood on the fire and he froze to death in his sleep

I heard as much from the men who brought him home.

Well, if you say there's nothing to it, I have no reason to doubt you.

It's the tree.

It's finally here.

The tree he searched so long for.

Oh, you mean my husband?

It's here, at last.

Oh, it's the men from the temple.

We have delivered the material the late Shigetomo desired.

The High Priest has requested

that you fulfil the late master's wishes and carve the statue without delay.

You want me to do it?

I don't understand.

Someone so inexperienced as myself is unworthy of such an exalted task.

Don't sell yourself short.

Shigetomo spoke very highly of you.

The High Priest too.

He insists that though you are young, you show great promise beyond your years.

You are very kind.

Yosaku, it would be rude to refuse.

Tell him you accept.

I know I am unworthy of this great honour.

But it was my late master's lifelong ambition.

I accept.

I've borrowed your porch for a moment Do excuse me.

It's really coming down, isn't it?

You'll get soaked out there.

Would you like to come in?

Oh, no I'd hate to impose.

Don't be silly, we should help each other at times like these

I'll open the door for you.

It's no grand mansion, but make yourself at home.

Thank you.

You're very kind.

A spring shower, but cold all the same

I'll fetch you something warm to drink.

It's alright I won't stay long.

See, you can't go out in this.

Where are you headed?

Hachiman, in Gujo.

My goodness, that's a long way.

A young girl like you in all this rain.

Don't be offended, but please stay here with us tonight.

Where are our manners? She's soaked through.

Oh, how silly of me I'll get you some dry clothes.

You can change through here.

I hope these are alright.

You're so beautiful.

You've made this old lady quite envious.

It looks like the hand of a living person.

The goddess Kannon, you said?

It's just for practice.

It's a difficult piece

I'll keep going until I'm satisfied.

But it looks so good already.

My master was an expert.

I can't match him.

It's so beautiful.

I wish I had such beautiful hands.

Your hands far exceed it in beauty.

I am carving the main statue for the provincial temple.

There's no greater honour as a sculptor.

But I've lost confidence in my abilities

I feel quite disheartened.

Don't be discouraged.

You can do it, I'm certain of that.

You have great talent.

It was my master's lifelong ambition,

so I decided to devote myself to completing it.

You'll do him proud, I'm sure.

Thank you.

I feel much more confident hearing that from you.

Oh, I didn't realise it was so late Please get some rest.

No, I'd like to see more.

If you don't mind, that is.

Oh no, that's quite alright.

I'm alright now.

You've been so kind, thank you.

There's no need to worry anymore.

Is everything alright?

I was taken ill during the night.

But Yuki took care of me,

so I'm alright now.

Oh, is that right?

I'm sorry, I was fast asleep.

You were working so hard well into the night.

Yuki's parents were doctors.

Oh, really?

She knew what was wrong with me right away.

Is that so?

There's a good cure for this, I'll go and get some later.

There is? Where?

It's a herb you can find anywhere.

There must be some close by.

See, this is it.

This herb, here.

There's plenty of it around.

Yes, it's everywhere.

There's some here, too.

Yuki, are you thinking of leaving soon?

If you can, would you stay until she's better?

Someone must be waiting for you, though.

I have no parents nor siblings No one is waiting for me.

What's that?

You're the same as me.

You're alone too?

I never knew my parents.

My late master took me in and raised me as his son.

I see.

But, Yuki.

You must have a fiancé?

Of course you do.

Yosaku, are you not already engaged?

Don't be silly, who'd marry me?

Really?

Yuki.

Fools! Children or not, I'll have your heads.

Lord Jito, were the children misbehaving?

They belong to you?

Did they knock these over?

Take this!

Such impudence!

Leave her alone!

Are you alright?

Wait, please.

Take that! Stay out of this!

Are you okay?

Who are you?

I'm Yosaku, the apprentice of the late Shigetomo

I carve Buddhist statues.

- Carve statues? - Yes.

Stay with me.

- Wake up! - Hang in there.

My horse.

Stay with me.

You haven't heard the last of this.

There's nothing more you can do for me.

- Please don't say that. - You have to stay strong.

Yuki,

fate brought us together.

I must ask you a favour.

Take care of Yosaku for me.

Of course.

Yosaku,

he will be a master sculptor.

And so,

he needs someone at his side to take care of him.

Yuki, you'll marry him, won't you?

Yes, but.

Please, do this for me.

If he'll have me.

Thank you.

No, please - Stay with us.

What, the old bag died?

Yes.

Saves you the bother of punishing her.

Never mind about that.

What about the woman?

The woman?

Yes, I want to know all about her.

It seems it was the old lady's wish.

She agreed to marry Yosaku

with the old lady on her deathbed.

Do you love me?

Yes.

Since the moment I first saw you.

Me too.

Really?

Yuki,

why is your body so cold?

Yuki?

Oh, here you are.

You look a bit pale.

I'm not feeling well.

What's wrong?

Are you alright?

Yes, I'm alright now.

Let's go home.

Alright Are you okay to walk?

Lean on me.

Well, well, if it isn't Lord Jito.

How unexpected.

To what do we owe this sudden visit?

As you know, I spent the last five years in the capital

I became acquainted with this man during my time there.

Who is he?

His name is Gyokei He carves Buddhist statues.

He is a follower of the Kei school and famed as a master of the art.

Remember him well.

I am Gyokei.

I'll get to the point

I've heard there is an empty plinth at your temple.

You should fill it.

I'd like you to commission Gyokei.

Thank you for your kind recommendation,

but I have already commissioned Yosaku, the late Shigetomo's apprentice

I'm well aware of that.

But Yosaku is not Shigetomo and ill-equipped for such an undertaking

I have also heard

that five years have passed since he was given the commission.

During these five years he has accomplished nothing

I'm sorry to interrupt,

but I have heard that it takes

four or five years for the material to dry.

We assume that he is waiting for the wood to be ready

I know all that.

But allowing a mere apprentice to handle such an important task,

what will you do if he fails?

I have a proposal.

Have the young man make a statue, but let Gyokei here make one too.

Then you may judge which is the better one.

Does that sound fair to you?

Well, if you insist.

I'm a lucky man to have such a good wife.

I'm the one who's lucky.

And you're a wonderful mother too.

I'd like to be, for my son's sake.

You are.

You're every bit as beautiful as you were five years ago.

Gyokei, this is your rival.

Yosaku.

This is the well-known sculptor Gyokei.

It's been decided he will carve a statue too.

You have also been commissioned.

This is an opportunity to demonstrate your skills.

That woman.

What about her?

I scoured the capital for five years and found none to equal her.

And she's even more beautiful now.

Jito.

He's behind this.

I can't lose to him.

I'm not the man I was then.

What's wrong Taro?

Don't you know this song?

Go away!

Oh no, that's his mum!

Let's go!

It's alright, Taro.

There we are.

Let's have a look You're not hurt, are you?

Mum, can you teach me that song?

Maybe when you're older.

No, teach me now!

Think you can learn it?

Yeah - Sure?

Don't you know?

Don't you know?

In the brook behind the back door

there once lived a snake, but a tortoise lives there now.

It's a tortoise but the kind that takes people.

It took four people yesterday.

Today it took five.

Altogether that's nine people.

If it carries on like this

the human race will go extinct.

Mum!

I'll look like a fool if you lose.

But luckily there's no way he'll win even if he stands on his head.

Country people know nothing of the ways of the world.

That's right.

Like frogs stuck in a well.

Trying to compete with you, he does not know his place

I pity him, he has ideas well above his station.

It's not only his ideas.

His wife is far too good for him too.

Well, anyway No need to worry about him.

It's not fair.

He has so many pupils.

You have to do everything alone.

Yosaku.

Yosaku, are you there?

Oh, hello.

What are you doing?

We're here to arrest you for the theft of the tree.

Come quietly.

This is outrageous Lord Jito gave us permission to take it.

Silence!

Lord Jito says he knows nothing about it.

What are you doing? Arrest him!

Wait, please.

My husband has been commissioned to carve a statue for the temple.

How dare you arrest him!

Who cares about that? He's coming with us.

Come on.

Wait!

Lord Jito is not a heartless man.

If you want to save your husband, throw yourself at his mercy.

What?

Earn his affection.

Then you will have everything you desire.

You disgust me.

Oh, you don't want to?

Alright.

Pay the three ryo fine, then.

What are you talking about?

The tree is yours for three gold coins.

If you can't pay, we'll have to arrest him.

He won't return for as long as you live.

I'll pay.

Yuki!

You will?

Very well

I'll give you five days.

Alright?

Five days.

You'll have it.

If you haven't paid by then,

Lord Jito awaits.

Five days.

Got that?

You shouldn't have made a promise we can't keep.

This is outrageous.

How can someone be so unscrupulous?

It's Lord Jito we're talking about.

Is there no one more powerful than him?

Jito answers to the governor.

Above him there's only

the provisional governor of Mino.

The governor.

In Mino.

You can't appeal directly, take it up with Lord Jito.

I can't, that's why I've come in person.

Please let me through.

The governor is not here at present.

His wife, then.

She's a woman too, I know she'd understand.

Her son has just been taken ill, this isn't the time for that.

Her son?

Can you help him?

Will he get better?

If anything happens to him while my husband's away, I.

I won't be able to go on.

I'm sorry to disturb you.

A lady at the gate claiming to be a doctor's daughter

would like to see the young master.

Please, come in.

Can you cure him? Will he get better?

I have a child his age myself

I know how you must feel

I'll save him, even if it costs my life.

Thank you.

Please help him.

Well, then.

Ridiculous! How can a mere woman possibly cure him?

We tried everything and nothing's worked

I've never seen such a dreadful fever.

If only we could have quelled it, there might have been a way.

Don't you know?

In the brook behind the back door

there once lived a snake

but a tortoise lives there now.

When did you get back?

Where have you been?

Yuki,

why do you look so gaunt?

If I can heal the governor's son, I'll get a reward.

So you're

I know I can do it.

I know it's inconvenient, but please bear with me.

Never mind that, you look so drained.

Don't worry about me, concentrate on the statue.

I can't stay long.

Look after Taro, won't you?

I've left you something to eat.

Yuki.

Where's your wife?

She's not here right now.

You let her go?

Well, anyway.

Three days left.

You understand what will happen if you don't pay?

I do.

As long as you know, that's alright.

So this is your goddess?

Not very good, is it?

It's like a wooden doll.

You're going up against a master with this?

Frog in a well indeed.

I repeat.

Three days.

Got it?

The lord has returned!

Is it true our son is ill? Is he still alive?

Yes.

Thank goodness He's alive!

My son!

He's alright!

- See? - My son.

Thank goodness!

Are you alright?

Oh, I'm fine.

The doctors all gave up, but she stayed and cared for him.

She saved his life.

Is that true? You saved my son.

I don't know how to thank you.

We've been informed Gyokei will deliver his statue tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

How about yours?

Not ready yet?

It's almost done, but.

I just can't seem to finish her face.

What? Her face?

No matter how hard I try she just won't appear to me.

Yosaku, you can't say that now.

The High Priest has placed his faith in you

I know.

I know that all too well, but.

Yosaku, what's wrong?

It's all over.

Oh.

Lord Jito.

You haven't forgotten?

The three ryo, hand them over

I'm afraid I.

Can't pay?

I knew it.

Take him away.

What are you doing?

He has important work to do.

Who cares? Arrest him.

You've returned?

The money, as promised.

Take it.

Yuki.

Mum!

Taro.

I'm sorry.

I won't go away again

I don't want you to go away!

I won't.

But that man is coming to tie Daddy up.

I won't let anyone near him.

He's your.

He's your precious father, isn't he?

That's it!

Your face!

My face?

I know how to finish the statue, it's your face.

I'd expect no less from the famed master Gyokei.

A remarkable piece, don't you think?

You do not agree?

Look closely at her face.

It shines with gold.

It is almost too bright for my eyes to bear.

Indeed, her beauty is overwhelming.

Then.

No matter how well it is made,

there is something which it lacks.

What is it lacking?

A compassionate soul.

A compassionate soul?

Look closely at her face.

In her eyes,

do you see the light of compassion?

It pains me to say it, but I cannot pray to her.

Please tell Yosaku that I await his work

I'll inform him right away.

Yuki.

Let's go to the festival.

The festival?

I just can't seem to finish the eyes.

I need to ask the gods for help Will you come with me?

Alright.

But

I heard that the High Priest mentioned compassionate eyes.

I just can't picture them.

All I can do is beg mercy from the gods.

I see.

The work I've staked my life on rests on this moment.

You'll come and pray with me, won't you?

Yes.

Let's go, together.

Let's take Taro too.

Taro.

Taro.

Look, it's boiling!

Taro!

Where's Mum?

I have you, at last.

Don't be afraid.

You're at your most beautiful when you look like that.

Your skin is so pale

I've never seen a woman with skin like yours.

How I've longed to strip you bare.

You're trembling?

How sweet and innocent.

Come on, let's get that kimono off.

Show me your beautiful skin.

Let me see!

Are you crying?

There's no need for that.

You're you're.

The Snow Woman.

All those who have seen my true form

must die.

I'm sorry.

I was wrong.

It's my fault.

Let me go, I'm sorry.

Where's Mum gone?

She must have left on her own.

So she'll be at home, then?

My lord?

Are you there?

It's the Snow Woman!

Ah! Mum's back!

Oh,

you came home?

We looked everywhere.

Mum, where did you go?

What's wrong, Mum?

Are you alright?

Yuki!

Yuki!

Yuki!

Whatever happens, I must finish her today.

But there's this dark shadow.

A shadow?

Why.

Why does this ominous shadow cling to me?

I made it this far.

I'm almost finished.

- Lord Jito has been killed! - His men too.

What a horrifying way to die.

Yuki, did they say Lord Jito is dead?

Well, I couldn't quite make them out

I heard them alright.

They said his men were killed too.

I'm going to find out.

There's no need for that.

I saw it with my own eyes.

Is it true?

Who did it?

Who killed Lord Jito?

I saw you

five years ago.

Are you accusing my wife of something?

You are not of this world

I've known who you are all along.

And then five years later, I saw you again last night.

You killed Lord Jito in that hut behind the shrine.

There was nothing ordinary about the way he died.

It was your doing, a power beyond this realm.

Monstrous demon!

That's enough!

How dare you! Get out!

The one who should be leaving is your wife, the demoness.

Demoness?

Yes, I shall prove it to you.

I'm sure she still bears the scar of my hot water even five years later.

Behold!

Let go of her!

Get out of here!

You may be a shamaness, but this is an outrage!

On your own head be it.

Don't worry, they won't lay a finger on you.

You're my one and only wife.

And Taro's beloved mother.

No one could destroy our happiness.

Yuki.

I feel as if I've been washed clean.

I think I can finish the statue.

Really?

No, it's still no good.

The dark shadow remains.

Yuki.

Yes?

Yuki,

The shamaness called you demon.

I don't believe it.

She said you'd have a scar from the hot water five years ago.

Who would believe such absurd nonsense?

But.

Just a moment ago, I remembered something.

Something that happened before we were married.

And now, when I look at your lovely face,

I can hardly believe something so terrible took place.

Even now I tremble

at the memory of that horrible night.

Yuki,

I've never told anyone

what happened to me then.

It was more than five years ago.

On the night of a terrible blizzard.

I

I saw the terrifying Snow Woman.

She killed my master.

Yuki.

That

was me.

You?

After all this time, you have spoken of it.

It was all I asked of you.

I told you never to speak of it.

All these years I prayed you wouldn't.

Because I became your wife,

I discovered human happiness.

I gave birth to Taro and we became a family of three.

I hoped this happiness would never end.

It was all I wanted.

But in the end, you.

You.

You had to go and say it.

Yuki.

I

Have to kill you.

You have broken your promise.

I must kill you.

Please take care of Taro

in my place.

And please, finish that wonderful statue of yours.

Yuki.

Mum!

Yuki!

Mum, where are you going?

No, I don't want you to go!

Mum!

Mum!

Oh, the light of compassion.

Mum!

Mum!

Mum!

Mum!

No! I don't want you to go!

Mum!

Mum!

Mum!

Mum!

THE END

English subtitles by Hayley Scanlon