Original subtitles

Ikuo, come help us

Oh, let him play

Where on earth is the landlord?

Dad'll be mad, let's go home! Let's go home

I want to die at home...

So I'm going back to Shikoku

You can't die yet!

Anyway, you can only get to Shikoku on the ferry, Grandma

And you don't have any money

Grandma wants to die at home I'm going back to Shikoku

Time to come in, Takeshi

Any luck?

They just said, “Not again"

No sign of her?

So far, no calls reporting missing grandmas

At least she can't freeze to death

We'll wait one more night

I hope she's OK...

It's hardly the first time No big deal

But what if she never comes back?

Don't say that It's not your fault

Someone'll bring her back, always do... right?

Iku-chan

lku-chan

- Honey... - Yeah?

I had that dream again

I keep on having it

Wonder why

I'm not your grandma's reincarnation

Go back to sleep

Keep dreaming Maybe she'll come back...

Maybe...

If only I could've kept her from going then...

MABOROSI

How far did you go?

The baseball stadium Better to steal from the rich...

You really stole this?

I said I would

Maybe whoever stole yours had been robbed, too

Yup, when robbed, rob back

Don't let this little taste make you a real thief

You nut...

The bathhouse was so crowded

I bought you some paint

Did Yuichi cry?

Not one peep

You sure? What were you up to?

Listening to the neighbor's radio

It's so loud Shall I ask him to turn it down?

Don't bother The old man's hearing's gone

We get to listen along

You haven't changed

VVhatis?

You haven't changed at all

What's that mean?

You're the same as when you were a kid

How the same?

I don't know, you're just the same

You're impossible

He's enjoying himself

What's on your mind?

Tired from your walk to the stadium? You're out of it

What's that mean?

The trucking company we use hired a sumo wrestler

Really? A sumo wrestler?

An ex-sumo wrestler Had to quit 'cause he was lousy

Now he's learning to drive a truck

Still hasn't cut off his topknot A guy in his 30s,

taking orders from 18 year-olds

I don't know why he keeps that topknot...

Who knows...

Something about that topknot kind of depresses me

But lku-chan... you don't have a topknot

And your 30s are a long way off

Got a point

Hey, a cop...

Just kidding...

Tanaka from the stadium...

Don't scare me

I'm taking this

Unusual to see you out together

We must reek

The minute you came in

Let me guess - okonomiyaki...

Got the neighbor to look after Yuichi

You've got seaweed on your lip

Just kidding

Don't let the baby cramp your love life

You absorbing this wisdom?

He knows

No, I had to drag him away from work

Ambushed him?

I was watching him for along time and he didn't even notice

How could I know?

I would have

Seems like you're getting along fine

Honey...

ls my face weird?

What's that about? Did someone say so?

Of course not

I was looking in the mirror in the cafe bathroom,

and my freckles started to bother me

Looking at my freckles made me think my whole face was weird

So that's why you were in there so long

Remember, a long time ago you said,

“Bet you've got a lot more freckles waiting to sprout"

I kept staring in the mirror, wondering

if I'd get more freckles

I really said that?

You really did

Getting tired?

Trade places?

I'm happy right here

You're back early

The weather's so unpredictable

I got you some tangerines

Thanks Just a minute

Was he a good boy?

A real good boy

Maybe he likes the hum of the sewing machine

He's never like that with me

He takes after his father

You really think so?

Especially around the eyes

He'll be a handsome one

You think?

Yes you will, right, Yuichi?

Ono Tailoring - Gentleman's Clothing

What are you doing here?

Just parking the bike I was nearby

They're predicting rain

Stick around, stranger

Maybe next time Just grabbing the umbrella

I'll walk you down

You're a nut...

But I want to

Comb your hair, it's a mess

ls your husband home?

He's not back yet

We found a man who'd been hit by a train

It may be your husband

We found a torn envelope stuck to his pants

It was from the Yamaoka Dye Factory

Your husband is the only one of their employees

we haven't accounted for

I've brought his wife

Was this his?

Where is my husband?

You'll never recognize him

We haven't established definitively that it is your husband

It happened in between stations on the Hanshin Line

According to the engineer, he was walking along the tracks,

going the same way as the train

There's a gentle curve there,

and by the time he noticed him, it was too late

Never reacted to the whistle or the screeching brakes,

just kept right on going...

Yumiko

Ono san's worried

She says you stare off into space, while your baby howls

She's worried you might try to kill yourself

She keeps checking on you

Leaving such a little baby...

Why did lkuo have to die?

Well...

That's no answer You sure there weren't any signs?

Usually, having a new baby

makes a man eager to work

But killing himself for no reason...

He left you a riddle to solve...

But then, what's the point...

You're all set Nice and clean

Let's tuck you in while you're warm

Thank you

Pull yourself together

Yuichi can't do anything for himself

Right...

That radio sure is loud

Always like that?

He's a lonely old man

lkuo always said it was his way of proving he was alive

I'm going to come live with you for a while

Takeshi thought I should, too

We can't expect Ono san to look after you forever

Besides, you've got to consider your future...

Why, Ono san, thank you so much for everything you've done for us

He lives far away, but he's a solid, decent man

I'll be praying things work out

Thank you for bringing them together

Noto's far away, so you won't see them often,

but Yuichi's ready for school and he's a good boy

I'm sure he'll get along well with his new father and sister

Thank you so much...

Let's go, now

Grandma, I got some candy

Who gave you that?

The old man next door

Wasn't that nice Did you thank him?

Thank you

Thank you so much...

You take care, now

Good bye, Yuichi

Off you 9°

Yuichi, bye-bye

I'll go with you to Osaka station

We're fine

It'll only make the goodbyes that much harder

The North-bound Express will be arriving on platform...

I'm so sorry I had a problem at work

I just panicked and really messed up. I'm sorry

Thank you for coming

He's really got guts sleeping through this

He couldn't sit still on the train...

I'm really sorry, but I have to get right back to work

Is that so?

I'll come home as soon as I can

Take it easy today You can meet our neighbors tomorrow

You already said that That's the third time

I'm going to be your mother, now

OK?

It's really loud, isn't it?

It might take you a while to get used to it

Good morning

This is my wife, Yumiko

It's nice to meet you

She's a real beauty

I'll make it formal later and we'll have a drink

It's a tight community so we've got to make the rounds

The old folks get uptight It's easy to offend them

The neighbors are near enough,

but my relatives are scattered so it's a real chore

When we do get together it's such a sprawling clan...

That's no fun, either

A real backwater, huh?

The sea's so powerful

Too powerful

It quiets down after the morning market

My new wife

I knew that

I'm Yumiko It's very nice to meet you

At her age, Tomeno san still takes her own boat out

Why didn't you come introduce her to me first?

I did, I did, but you were out

Remember that filthy shack painted an awful color?

Some excuse, you came too late You missed me

We found you here

Pure chance

We stopped in at work, first

He's so damned proud of that new wife,

he's dragged her all the way out here

I came all this way so you could see her...

Show off!

Gimme alight

No use falling for me now I'm married with children

You're so full of it

On this special occasion,

I'd like to celebrate with a song

Please clap along with me

These are ready?

Getting warm

It sure is

There's so much land

The ocean's even bigger

Let's go see what's on the other side

I'll go first

Don't, it's dangerous

Whose boat is it?

Nobody's anymore

Then I want it

But where will you keep it?

In the closet

Guess which hand

Wrong

Thank you

It's all sticky

That's the last one

What happened?

I found them wandering around, all worn out

so I gave them a lift back

You're so kind

Rhubarb

You picked such a lot How many?

Let's count

When I'm in junior high, I'm going to grow my hair

You'll be even prettier, then

I think your dad's getting silly in the bath

Here it comes

Some salt

No

Salt?

Time for breakfast

I'm 90mg

Off you go Take care

I'm beat

And here I'd imagined relaxing on my day off...

Guess we need that air conditioner

I never thought it'd be so hot here in the summer

Thought there'd be winter year-round?

I was so shocked by the cold at first

Bet you were sorry

“I screwed up, coming to this god-forsaken place," no?

You nut

When I first came back from Osaka, it was really tough

Couldn't believe I'd been born and raised here

I'd sworn never to come back when I left after junior high

Enough, move over

Nope

It's hot Besides, you're heavy

When you're done, I'm heavy, huh?

The kids'll be back

I'll keep an eye out from here Don't worry

Spare me

Nope

Spare me, please

Nope

Spare me...

Please...

Spare me...

It's been six months already

Tamio wanted to come, too,

but he's afraid to leave his father alone

Of course he can't

But I'm so happy you brought Tomoko with you

Takeshi must be doing well Renting this big apartment

He married a piano teacher,

who's got 3O students She makes more than he does

A dependable wife

Imagine children playing lousy piano all clay long

You'd go out of your mind

And this?

This is family, it's different

How are things?

Thanks to your excellent match-making

Oh, don't exaggerate,

but I really was hoping it would work out

Now and then my husband asks how you're getting along

How's Yuichi doing?

That's wonderful

Hello

What a shock

Thought I'd come back?

I'm here for my brother's wedding

Mom's looking after the kids I'm just wandering

Man, what a surprise

You been well?

That day... What time was it?

He popped in for a cup of coffee and left

What day?

The day... he died

He stopped in after work, on his way home

He seemed his usual self,

so I was shocked when I heard the next day

He just sat there grinning at my usual jokes

So he got this far home, then...

Said he'd forgotten his wallet,

that he'd hurry home and get it

I said, "No rush, anytime"

He said, "Thanks then, I'll owe you 'til tomorrow," and went out smiling

Thinking about it, it seems like a dream

You still haven't changed?

Hurry up and take a bath, before the water cools

Tired?

Yuichi and Tomoko went right to sleep

How was your Mom?

I really should go see her again

I'm going out for crabs You want any?

Three? You sure three will do?

What are you staring at?

What's wrong?

Close the window, will you? We'll get icicles in here

A little homesick?

You're not yourself these days

Do you want to go back to Osaka?

No, I don't

I just had a dream... It woke me up

Guess what I noticed the other day?

What?

You've got spots here

No, I don't have spots there

I'm serious Didn't you know?

Not a clue

They're not spots, they're freckles

How are they different?

They just are

Nonsense...

Tomeno san took her boat out?

I'll check with the fishermen

She'll be fine

She's indestructible She'll swim back if she has to

Nobody knows the sea better than she does

She never gets it wrong

I swear she'll be back

Survived, did you? She's back!

So you're OK? We were so worried

Mind your own business

She was on the verge of tears

Just as I promised

Sorry I worried you

You made it back?

That's right

What happened?

We were worried sick

I swam all the way back

Yumiko

Don't trouble yourself

She's indestructible

Can I look at the bicycles?

Sure, but don't go far

Out shopping?

Your first husband's boy...

How old was he?

When his father died?

He was 3 months old

Then he doesn't remember a thing

Maybe that's for the best

It probably is for the best

What... Stfllup?

What are you doing up?

Waiting for you Did you drive home?

What else? Too far to walk...

You shouldn't drive so drunk

Want some water?

Nope

Call me when you're going to be late

I worry about you

What's that?

What did you just hide?

I didn't hide anything

It's just an old bicycle key

I wanted to take off the bell...

You're a liar

You once told me,

you had to come back here because of your father

That's right

Tomeno san had a different story

You came back from Osaka to marry your old sweetheart

You were crazy about her

How could you marry me after losing someone that special?

How could you?

What the...

You're a liar A liar...

There, there Let's talk about it tomorrow

It's a scary conversation Save it for tomorrow!

What's wrong?

Your silence spooks me

Do you hate it here?

What are you up to?

BasebaH

Baseball's no fun alone

It's not so bad

Where's your mother?

Dunno

You came out here alone?

I just...

I just don't understand...

Why he killed himself...

Why he was walking along the tracks...

Once I start thinking about it... I can't stop

Why... do you think he did it?

He said the sea calls you

Dad used to go out to sea

He says when he was out alone, he used to see a beautiful light,

shimmering in the distance, calling him

I think it can happen to anyone

What fine weather we're having

A wonderful season, indeed

Directed by KORE-EDA Hirokazu

English subtitles: Linda Hoaglund with Judith Aley