Original subtitles

Yes, it was that day,

when I felt as if

nothing momentous would ever happen to me.

But in that moment,

my life shuddered wildly into motion.

Do you...

Do you think that shunga frivolously expose genitals and copulation,

as mere pornographic images for inciting male lust?

No.

If you genuinely wish to learn the true allure of shunga...

...come see me here.

Tomorrow even.

What did he say? Mr. Shunga.

Mr. Shunga?

Better watch yourself. He's a famous weirdo.

I know.

Mr. Shunga.

That was his nickname.

Picture of Spring

The next day,

I was unconsciously drawn to the address on his name card...

"Haga Ichiro"

Wait there.

Kinuyo, no need for tea.

Kinuyo, no need for tea.

What is depicted in this picture?

Er...

Well...

Don't focus on the genitals.

Many other things are depicted within.

You see them?

I see them.

I see many things

Her toes.

They're enough to show the woman's ecstasy.

The man is probably her paramour.

A noise makes him rise, but the woman...

She won't let him go. She's determined.

After all, their bodies are...

Their rumpled kimonos.

Flowing fabric conveyed superbly.

And in this moment, slightly dampened with sweat.

Somewhat soft...

Somewhat clinging...

Now, how about this one?

It's...

Magnificent, isn't it?

The woman's buttocks exude softness,

warmth, and blood-flushed fleshiness.

From this ascends the sensation of life.

The feeling they are alive.

In shunga, this is of the utmost importance, its soul even...

This is Okyo's "Pine Trees in the Snow."

Amazing...

Yes, it is amazing.

Not only the cold and whiteness.

The weight and thickness of heavy snow,

but even the powdery, delicately fragile texture

is evoked palpably.

However, take a closer look.

Examine how Okyo actually achieved this evocation of snow...

Sir, this is...

Exactly.

What we thought to be the whiteness of snow

is only white paper.

So, Okyo did not paint the snow,

he painted everything else around it,

and succeeded in evoking its coldness and delicacy.

Also,

this Utamaro is exquisite too...

Look again.

Unbelievable!

Believe it.

You see it?

The same phenomenon

also occurs in Utamaro's painting.

The fringes of their hair. Loose strands.

Kimono patterns and textures.

Their diaphanousness is depicted strikingly,

but crucially, the woman's skin

is rendered by Utamaro with only the paleness of paper.

In other words, nothing becomes something.

The softness of her skin, its warmth,

even its faintly emanating scent,

from nothing.

So, when shall we do this again?

Tuesday next week perhaps?

Well, er...

You want to study shunga, do you not?

So you came.

Of course, I do, but...

It's just...

You can't pay me?

No need to.

No, I must! I won't accept the charity of others.

I want to study shunga...

...but I won't.

Come.

Kinuyo. She'll work instead of you on Tuesdays and Fridays.

You can care for your grandchild.

Alright?

What's your name?

Yumiko. Haruno Yumiko.

Yumi as in "bow"?

"Housekeeping rules.

"Firstly, dress code.

"Those who serve the Haga family must be well-groomed.

The clothing worn must be Japanese style."

"Subtle, yet bold.

"Raunchy, yet elegant.

Just like shunga itself."

"In the torment of love, I escape from myself.

Then I become naked, and achieve a fanciful transparence."

"Guilty," page 294.

Sorry, I got caught up in my writing.

It's fine.

I enjoy self-study too.

Enjoyable in others' company, and enjoyable on one's own.

What do you see?

This man,

he's thinking while having sex.

About their future.

Yumiko.

Come.

For your education, we shall attend a certain event.

You should wear this.

A dress?

Worn by my wife.

That is to say, she died seven years ago.

Making you wear her clothes may be rude,

but it's all I have.

If you'd rather not...

No, I'll wear it. It's fine.

Whether it suits me...

It absolutely will.

My wife, Ito.

She was beautiful.

Use this handbag.

I was correct.

"An Evening of Shunga and Wine"

A monthly event, held for novices.

Sir.

Thank you.

Success

Better atmosphere than last month.

We changed tack.

More female guests too.

All thanks to you, sir.

No, you.

Oh, thank you.

Everyone.

Welcome to "Wine and Shunga," no, "An Evening of Shunga and Wine."

I'm Haga Ichiro.

As you all know already,

shunga were once called "comic art,"

and loved by Edo commoners.

The way in which they were enjoyed

was not as we would imagine it now,

harboring a sense of guilt,

while furtively and lewdly seeking self-relief...

It was nothing like that.

Sometimes shared by men, or women,

pre-coital lovers,

or even beautiful mothers and daughters.

Face-to-face, perusing for amusement and enjoyment.

A very broad-minded activity.

However, in the Meiji Revolution,

the rapidly westernizing government

adopted Christian asceticism,

and banned many time-honored Japanese sexual practices.

Mixed bathing!

Night crawling! Village dances, or rather orgies!

And as part of that, shunga also

rapidly became a target of oppression.

The age of sexual love as broadminded amusement

ultimately came to an end.

Enjoying yourself?

This picture...

The sea beyond that railing.

I think I see what you mean now.

How can I put it...

The rivers of Edo depicted in shunga

always gave me a sense of serenity and calm,

but the sea in this picture has...

...a different feel to previous works...

Something's approaching from far away,

and the world of these lovers seems about to end.

It's ominous, perhaps, or unsettling...

Maybe because the man's face is turned away and unseen...

The ability to notice that is the key to artistic appreciation.

Excuse me.

I've been wanting to ask your opinion on something.

What is that?

With regard to shunga styles,

how do Utamaro and Hokusai differ?

To answer that in the simplest way possible,

Utamaro made shunga through intercourse with women,

whereas Hokusai made shunga by abstaining from intercourse.

That's about it.

Excuse me. If so, then with regard to yourself,

are you Utamaro, or are you... Hokusai?

What does that mean?

Oh dear, oh dear.

I'm not worthy of comparison to Utamaro or Hokusai...

Well,

I'm a grown man, so...

...I suppose I can tell you.

This goes back to when I was an assistant at university.

Hot-bloodedness was my only gift, and I was seeing a young lady.

One afternoon, we lay down on my apartment's floor.

In other words, we made love.

However,

just as I was thinking, "What a day, what a day!",

a brilliant idea for a thesis suddenly popped into my head.

It was, how can I say,

an idea so brilliant, it could determine my fate.

Well, we were exercising in a sense, so blood was pumping to my brain.

A succession of ideas came to me, but only for an instant.

I wanted to jot them down as quickly as I could,

but the woman I was conjoined with in that moment

was deeply dear to me.

If I stretched out my hand

to take notes, what would she think of me?

I feared that the slightest mistake might make me lose her forever.

Should I take notes, or should I not...

I found myself standing at the crossroads of my life.

To what outcome?

The outcome was, I reached for a notepad.

I wrote, and writhed,

writhed, and wrote...

You might say,

in that moment, I was not Hokusai...

I chose to be Utamaro.

I love Utamaro!

Eventually, when it was over,

that young lady left without saying a word,

and she never returned to my apartment ever again.

Thinking back now,

I wonder if I made the right decision.

At any rate, those notes formed the basis for my thesis,

which got me where I am.

When you expressed anger at that rude man's insinuation,

your face was beautiful.

But there's no need to show that lovely face.

Don't waste it on others.

Sir.

You must be hungry.

I'll whip something up.

Come with me.

Fireflies are the souls of the dead,

returning to us, so people once believed.

Don't move.

Ito has come back to me.

Er, may I ask your name, sir?

Where is he?

First of all...

Sir!

Sir!

Wait, don't!

Well I'll be.

All my cajoling couldn't make him pick up his pen,

but a woman like you inspired him, huh?

I don't follow you.

Hey, I don't care if you don't.

But if he's really motivated,

he'll complete his 12-volume Shunga Encyclopedia.

Exciting, right?

For years to come, Japan's culture, history,

and even its outlook will be transformed by this triumph,

once he's finished.

"Shun-giku-do Publi-shing."

"Edi-tor Tsuji-mura Shun-suke."

I can read, you know.

I'm going to a university for Mr. Haga.

You're coming too.

As a treat, you can view their collection.

Get this straight.

He told me to take you with me.

I'll confirm that!

Mr. Haga used to lecture here,

but he's eccentric.

A faculty meeting argument made him quit in a huff.

He's banned from campus, so I come here for him instead.

- So, his encyclopedia? - His encyclopedia.

The history of Japanese shunga and sexuality as a vast mythology,

analyzed and annotated. Basically,

a "shunga anthropology."

Wrong way.

Three years worth of journals,

and theses presented at conferences.

Thanks.

Need a paper bag?

Please.

Also, what I just asked for over the phone...

I know. I've prepared it already.

It's wonderful!

A piece from Harunobu's "Elegant Amorous Mane'emon."

I can hear it.

I know!

I love Harunobu's unique soft palette,

and sense of humor.

True comic art.

Mane'emon's adorable too.

How does he see it?

Our world from his perspective.

Everything would look huge. Booming sounds too.

Imagine Gulliver in Lilliput, jerking off.

Hellish pandemonium!

Oh, there's also a recently donated ukiyo-e piece,

from Kuniyoshi's firefly series. Want to see it?

I can imagine what you're thinking now.

How could you..

No, I can.

I sensed it from that Kuniyoshi.

Fireflies are returning souls,

but there's somebody you want to stay gone.

Namely...

...Mr. Haga's wife.

I get it.

He likes that face you make.

I'm leaving.

Whoa. Don't be hasty, I'm about to tell you what you want to know.

Leave after you hear it.

What do I want to know? You don't know me!

Talk.

In Mr. Haga's university assistant days,

he was making love with his girlfriend on his apartment floor.

How can I put this?

Maybe because sex is a kind of exercise...

I know all that.

You do?

Okay, I'll skip that part then.

Anyway, he found himself standing at the crossroads of his life.

He chose his thesis over his woman, losing her love and trust.

That was the path that he himself chose,

but when he lost her,

he couldn't help yearning for her.

Desperate to regain her love,

he repeatedly visited her home, and was turned away,

with an unexpected result.

Each time,

he was met at the door and turned away

by his love's younger sister, who he fell for.

That's not all.

The younger sister undoubtedly fell for him too,

but couldn't put her feelings before her older sister.

Eventually, Mr. Haga ended up studying abroad in Boston.

What was... the younger sister's name?

Fujimura...

...Ito

Then?

The two were torn apart, between Japan and the US.

Nevertheless, they were granted a dramatic reunion.

On July 7th, seven years after parting in Japan,

Mr. Haga returned for a conference, and visited a temple in Yoshino...

As Ito faded away, he ran and embraced her, to never let her go.

Enveloped in the mist, their love overflowed.

He lay her down. Next morning, they were still moaning.

Their bodies intertwined, without end.

Then it began... Their legendary seclusion.

Seclusion?

Hand-in-hand inseparably, they searched for a hotel nearby.

For the next seven days, staying in their room,

they made love, without waning.

Seven days...

How about you?

Ever made love with somebody for seven days, without waning?

Anyway, the two of them eventually married.

But their happiness was short-lived.

Oh, Mr. Haga...

This is a dream...

This is a dream... This is a dream...

This is a dream... This is a dream!

'Morning.

This is... some kind of mistake.

Hey, calm down.

Hair of the dog. Clear your head.

You're free to regret it,

but you can't erase it.

No!

Now see here, I don't usually do things like this!

Where?!

Sorry, I threw them in the wash.

They're in with mine.

Hey, what's done is done.

Mr. Haga does that to you.

Does what to you?

Well, you lose it. Your emotional inhibition.

Women who meet him...

No, it happens to men and women alike.

Even if he doesn't intend it.

You lose your emotional inhibition.

No more hesitating to let yourself go.

Once that happens,

even if I just blow hot air close to your ear...

Hey, not so fast!

So you're saying there've been others...

Oh hell yeah! By the dozens.

Not enough fingers or toes to count.

Then again,

you're... not like the women who came before.

Seems you're special to him.

Special how?

Like I said.

You're special, to Mr. Haga.

But first things first...

What?

They're still damp.

Explain what you said.

I'm Mr. Haga's editor, and his protege.

I always ask permission when taking his women.

He's been celibate since Ito died.

He mostly says "Do as you like."

And yet,

for the first time, he said:

"I want to hear her voice."

Damn you're slow.

Like I said, Mr. Haga told me this.

"I want to hear her voice in ecstasy."

So I...

...used this, to relay your voice. All night long.

Yeah right. Good story though.

Think I'm lying? Ask Mr. Haga.

Mr. Haga, good morning.

Hey, about Yumiko's voice last night.

If you liked it, send a picture...

Oh, well...

A Shuncho or something?

Please do. Bye.

"Mr. Haga has sent an image."

Hey! My phone did nothing wrong!

Stop right there.

Stop right there!

Hey you!

Your overreaction suggests you lack love and respect for Mr. Haga!

Hey. Listen up!

A man of sound mind and body

has been celibate for seven years.

While studying shunga daily too!

But you'd deny him even such a minor enjoyment?

That'd be too cruel, wouldn't it?! Well?!

I didn't ask him to be celibate!

You didn't. You're dead right.

But you're a woman!

Mr. Haga latched onto your voice out of yearning for you!

Can't you figure that out?!

Mr. Haga... Right now, Mr. Haga

is writing a book that'll shake up Japanese culture,

but if you're not around, he might not finish it!

That's right. That's damn right.

I don't know why,

but having you around is what motivates Mr. Haga to work.

His feelings for you motivate him, and he's battling away!

Surely you know that!

So letting him hear you cum is no problem at all.

It's a noble...

"Coffee Freude"

Same university?!

- No way! - For real?

What year?

Second year.

We're fourth years.

Fourth years?! You're my seniors!

- Yeah. - Faculty?

I study law.

- Same! - Oh my god!

Law? That's so freaky!

Oh, you got plans?

Plans? I finish work in about two hours.

You free after this?

Yeah.

Really? You're free?

Where to?

- Let's drink. - Drinks?

Can't refuse seniors.

- Find a place. - Okay.

- Hello sir - Hello sir.

Kinuyo resigned.

Hiring you upset her.

I can't live without you.

All I have...

...is you.

"Here lies Haga Ito"

Then Mr. Haga said this to me.

"Give me time. All I need is a little more time,

and I know I'll come around to you."

Can a zombie that develops human emotions

develop the ability to paint shunga?

Huh?

I saw a zombie movie recently.

They slowly regained memories of their lives, in a shocking twist.

Then what happened?

With memories restored,

they watched humans destroy the bodies of their pain-immune brethren,

and suddenly their rage awakened, making them scream.

It was genuinely moving.

Interesting, interesting.

Being robbed of your sensation of pain,

but hurting inside is intriguing.

Having pain and its sensation as a main theme is fascinating.

Because the ecstasy we experience with our bodies

is only made possible by sensing pain.

Pain has a powerful connection

to our sensation and awareness of being alive.

With correct stimulation, it can transform into sublime joy.

Excellent point.

Therefore, in conclusion, zombies won't ever paint shunga.

That's because, shunga are somehow

connected to affirmation of all life on this planet.

That is to say...

This is it.

Oh my...

Presumably from the late Edo period, by a nameless artist,

but extremely compelling.

The woman's hair may lack a master's touch,

but its humor is ineffable.

If I were to purchase it...

...I would pay this.

Or you could donate it to a research-centric university or museum,

if you value the future of shunga research and Japanese culture...

I feel like walking. Perfect weather for it.

I'll check in for us at the hotel.

Please do.

That shunga we saw. What do you think?

I think it's interesting.

Well-known artists' work is marvelous,

but finding something like that...

It shows shunga's diversity as a genre of expression,

and gives me a sense of its depth.

That's the charm of these appraisal trips.

It's akin to swimming in a bottomless sea of shunga.

What kind of works can I encounter?

What discoveries will destiny lead me to?

I'm sure you wondered,

when you were still only a little princess,

"What kind of men will I meet in my future?"

"What kind of romances will I have?' "What kind of marriage?"

Being in love with love.

That indescribable feeling.

A similar feeling exists,

in this world.

I feel I it too.

"Mr. Haga"

Westernization, monotheistic asceticism,

and the idea of sex as taboo took over Japan.

Shunga and genre painting's struggles

created unexpected new art...

- Japan.. - Yes sir?

Japan originated when gods Izanagi and Izanami made love.

But they were taught how to make love

by a pair of wagtail birds, according to the Nihon Shoki.

What on earth does that mean?

All birds make love from behind.

Essentially, Japan's first sex was rear entry.

Rear entry is a sacred position for Japanese...

However, looking at medieval Europe,

only missionary was allowed.

Anal sex meant crucifixion and burning.

In this way, one's own birthplace, culture,

and period influence sexual ethics...

Therefore, what is right, and what is sinful?

Or perhaps, what is sacred, and what is filthy, foolish behavior..

Or perhaps, what is sacred, and what is filthy, foolish behavior...

Anti-war?

Right.

Japan's "48 Positions" were originally 48 vows, as training

for Amitabha to become Buddha.

After the Warring States Period, when peace came to Edo,

commoners were sick of war, and wanted to enjoy life more.

At some point, those 48 vows became 48 sexual ideals.

They were also...

...a path to Nirvana...

Mr. Haga.

Thank you.

- Yours. - Thank you.

Good night.

- Good night. - Good night.

Sorry. You're on your own tonight.

Sir, just five minutes?

Well...

In old Hollywood, there were ethics guidelines called the Hays Code.

You couldn't even show a married couple on the same bed.

Is that so?

You're so knowledgeable, sir.

Sir...

At university, I fell in love.

A stupid kind of love.

I got married, despite others' objections.

He was three years older than me.

He was kind...

...but only for the first three months.

It was over in six months.

But sir...

I feel like I'm ready to love again.

I can love someone,

and do anything for them.

I feel that strongly now.

So, I'm free.

Not held back by anything. I'm free.

I just wanted you to know that.

"Haruno Yumiko"

Oh! No! I'll be burned!

I'll leave you now.

Every season, there's a gathering for bringing works and viewing them.

Everyone brings their best.

Masterpieces and tour de forces.

Are you sure I can go? A novice like me.

I want you to see them.

The real thing.

"It was worth waiting, waiting, for my chance to pounce.

"Today of all days, I have caught you at last.

"That being so, what a plump, glorious pussy.

"More delectable than sweet potato.

"Now now, I shall suck, suck, and suck all I can,

"then once I am sated, I shall take you to my underwater castle,

"and make you my captive.

"With my mouth... Slurp, suck suck...

"Smooch, smooch smooch.

Suck suck.. Tee hee hee."

"Oh my, what a naughty octopus.

"Tee hee hee. I shall... Ahhhhh...

"Your suction on my innermost mouth is making me

"pant and cry out... Ahh... Yes...

"I... shall climax.

"With your suckers... Yes...

"Tee hee... With your suckers... Yes

"Tee hee...

"Titillating my cleft... Ohhhh...

"Oh my...

"What has become of me?

"What has... Ohhhh...

"Ohh... Oh my... Ohhh...

"Yes... Oh yes...

"Ahhhh... Yes, yes... Ah yes...

"Tee hee hee... Hee hee hee...

"Again.

"Oh, oh... Oh, oh...

"And people said I was as lowly as an octopus...

"Ah, tee hee hee... Ah, tee hee hee...

"An octopus... An octopus has been...

Oh... Hee hee... Hee hee..."

"Suck suck, suck suck...

"Slop slip... Slip slop...

"Slurp slurp... Smooch smooch smooch...

"Gurgle gurgle... Suck suck...

"How do you like my eight legs wrapped around you?

"Well?

"Oh my, you are all swollen inside.

Ah, ah..."

It's been a while.

I had no idea you did this too.

It's not as if you influenced me.

My own artistic sensibility led me here.

I heard you were in Boston.

I came back last week.

Then I visited Ito's grave, and saw you.

The both of you.

But it made me laugh.

You both looked so tormented,

standing in front of her grave.

This is Fujimura Ichiha.

Ito's older sister.

Her twin.

I'm Haruno Yumiko.

Forgive me Yumiko, but I'll borrow Ichiro tonight.

It's been so long, and we have much to talk about.

In depth, till morning.

Right, Ichiro? Shall we?

I'm sorry.

Mr. Haga!

This shall be the last time we make love.

Or perhaps...

Oh, sir!

You don't know how much I've wanted this...

Mr. Haga's off on his own.

What? Why?

He got word of some discovery.

We'd make him conspicuous. He wants to go it alone.

He checked out already, last night.

You're the kind of woman you can read like an open book.

You're thinking Mr. Haga was stolen by Ichiha.

I don't think so.

Why not?

When Ito was alive, and even after she died,

Ichiha tried to seduce him time and time again,

but he never gave in to her, not once. As far as I know.

Maybe he has this time.

Maybe.

Still, if Mr. Haga were ready to give in to Ichiha this time,

wouldn't he have screwed you first?

You don't get it.

You're a more alluring woman than you realize.

So why not believe in yourself, and Mr. Haga too?

I brushed Tsujimura's hand away.

Even so, I clung to the hope in his words.

Mr. Haga will surely come back.

He'll come back to me.

I was sure of it. And yet...

Three days passed, then four.

A week passed, with no word from Mr. Haga.

Sir! Sir!

Sir! Sir!

Sir!

Sir!

Why make such a racket?!

Listen, you...

Kinuyo? I thought you resigned...

Don't be silly.

I'll have you know I've served generations of the Haga family.

A little tart like you couldn't change that.

Tell me. Where's Mr. Haga?

The master is away right now.

I don't know when he'll return!

Kinuyo...

Kinuyo!

Ito...

Ito...

Please...

Please...

Bring him to me.

Please!

Why?!

Why won't you do it?!

Why, huh?! Why?!

Sir!

No time.

Now!

No, I can't!

- Let's talk. - Now!

Please! Please. It's very important.

Then talk!

For more than 10 years, I've hunted a certain set of shunga.

Overseas, the British Museum and others have copies,

but it doesn't exist in Japan. An outstanding gem...

That outstanding gem appeared to me at last!

I'm almost close enough to touch it,

but that set is about to slip through my fingers!

But I won't let it go. I won't let it go!

Surely you understand. You know how I feel...

Sir...

I can't!

I can't ask you.

No, you can! You absolutely can!

Please! Tell me!

Sir!

No...

I just can't!

Please, Sir!

I'd do anything to help you...

I'll commit myself to anything! Sir!

Can I... trust you?

By all means!

Then I'll tell you. I need you... to spend a night with someone.

So I can obtain that set.

You mean... you want me to offer my body?

I'm sorry! This is wrong!

I'll do it! I'll do it! I'll do anything for you!

But I want you... to promise me.

That legendary seven-day seclusion...

When you and Ito ignored the sun rising and setting,

and kept making love to each other!

I want to try that too.

Day and night...

Asleep and awake...

I want to make love with you!

Alright.

Does this person know me from somewhere?

You were seen at the Kanazawa gathering.

You were chosen because of your importance to me.

Some people are beasts like that,

in our world...

I'll be fine, sir.

I'll be fine, sir.

Your companion, Mr. Haga?

Excuse me.

Alright. I'll go now.

Take it off.

Enter.

Enter.

Welcome, to my abode.

I knew it was you.

This is my revenge against him.

I'll toy with what he treasures,

and torture him, to my heart's content.

On the other hand, this is also a form of love.

You're about to learn that.

Get up.

Your strength of will... No wonder you're his type.

If you truly love that man... If you truly love Haga Ichiro...

...you could even drink his urine.

But there's no fun in that.

Instead, why don't I make you drink my urine?

Taste good?

Are you serious?!

That mix of cheap wine and beer?

Drink.

Drink.

Drink this too!

When I fondle your right breast, say yes.

Your left breast, say no.

Yes. Yes... Yes!

No... No!

Yes! Yes!

Say it louder!

Yes! Yes!

No! No! No!

Yes!

Very good.

Next, sing for me.

Taki Rentaro's "Flower." You know it.

Soft... spring... sunshine...

...on the Sumida... River...

Can't hear you!

To and fro...

The boatmen go...

This song is from the late 1900s.

No traces of Edo's atmosphere left.

What can I compare this view to...

That spirit. That singing voice.

I find it so delightful

But in this moment,

someone's enjoying it more than I am.

You hiding in there. Come out.

Dammit! Come out!

Sir!

Why on earth are you here?!

Read the situation, you dumb bitch!

I'll show you what to do!

Once, you pledged eternal love to my younger sister, Ito.

Now she's in Heaven, you fuck this ignorant slut,

to fulfill your disgusting desires?!

I haven't yet!

No back talk!

You do it.

Why the hell did you come here?

If you don't do it, he'll never get his precious artworks.

Fine with you?

Ito...?

Right then, I suddenly realized

how Haga should be loved.

I'm going to whip you 100 times.

Yumiko...

Don't you dare say my name!

Do you have the right to say it?

You, who still can't get over a dead woman,

or forget her, think you have the right to say my name?!

What about you? You had plenty of fun with Tsujimura!

"Fun"?

With Tsujimura?

You listened and did what?

Well? Give me the truth.

What did you do?!

Answer me this.

Who's the woman you truly want?

Who do you truly love?

Is it me? Or is it that woman's other half?

Even if the world falls apart,

who would you give everything for?!

How vulgar! Who told you to point?!

Take that nasty finger,

stick it up your own asshole,

and say, "I'm the world's ugliest pig!"

I am...

...the world's ugliest...

...pig.

Again!

I am...

...the world's ugliest...

...pig.

Again!

I am...

...the world's ugliest...

...pig!

Again!

I am...

...the world's ugliest...

...pig.

Again!

I am...

...the world's ugliest...

...pig.

Again!

I am...

...the world's ugliest...

...pig.

And so, our fingers entwined together.

The feelings contained in my fingers

flowed into Mr. Haga's third leg,

which then ran me through...

Ichiro, you indeed have a discerning eye.

She's just like Ito, when she was alive.

"My yearning for you makes me wonder if my soul has left me

to become fireflies flitting over the marsh."

Yumiko, I appreciate your help. You're a godsend.

Only with broth. I'm not satisfied unless I do it.

So,

how was it?

Your legendary seven-day seclusion.

It's unforgettable, you know.

We spent seven days recreating that legend.

The history of Japanese love...

Meaning, wagtails first?

Yes.

Wagtails.

Stop it, you're embarrassing me.

It's a bit late for that.

Well, how's it going?

Is Mr. Haga writing as he should be?

He's not cuddling with you, detached from reality?

Don't worry. I smack his behind and make him work.

He's up to westernization.

"Hone your sensibilities, and abandon your prejudices.

"Release your mind and body.

Beyond that... happiness awaits."

Hmm? What's that? Mr. Haga's notes?

Anyway, I'm glad you're happy.

Sure. When you're free, I'm ready anytime.

No need for modesty. Bye.

I'm done.

What was that about "wagtails"?

I'm hoping to teach you.

Tonight.

You know, sir,

I'm sure you intended to mold me into your ideal woman,

but if you think this is all I want, you're dead wrong.

Before you know it, one day, I might take flight like a wagtail,

vanishing into the sky.

Any tears'll be your own fault.

Yes, I know.

I knew that from the start.

Because, you have hidden depths I've yet to explore.

Just like a shunga...

Do you really mean that?

Most certainly.

Still, that offends me somehow.

I'll punish you tonight.

Oh... Please go easy on me.

Fin

Seiyo Uchino as Haga

Kana Kita as Yumiko

Tasuku Emoto as Tsujimura

Yumi Adachi as Ichiha/Ito

Some details regarding Japanese art and history have been fictionalized.

Also, some shunga sizes differ from those of the actual artworks.

Created, Written, & Directed by Akihiko Shiota

eng subs ocr'd from retail blu-ray