Original subtitles

SHE WAS LIKE A WILD CHRYSANTHEMUM

Based on a novel by: ITO Sachio

Cinematography: KUSUDA Hiroyuki, KUSUDA Hiroshi

Art Director: ITO Kisaku Music: KINOSHITA Chuji

With:

TANA Shinji, ARITA Noriko

RYU Chishu, TAMURA Takahiro

KOBAYASHI Toshio, SUGIMURA Haruko

YUKISHIRO Keiko, YAMAMOTO Kazuko

URABE Kumeko, MATSUMOTO Kappei

Adapted and directed by: KINOSHITA Keisuke

An autumn wind reminds me

of the sad days in my youth.

You hear well for your age.

How old are you?

73 already.

I've become really senile these days.

No wonder. My grandson is a college student.

You must be carefree.

I had a hard time during the war.

But I can afford to go out now.

I wanted to come to my old home before I die.

People rarely go by boat nowadays.

I thought you were curious.

There was no train in my childhood.

This river reminds me of many things.

The Saitos were a big old family.

Since the reform they've fallen and disappeared.

I don't know where they are.

We didn't exchange letters often...

after my brother died.

His adopted son took over.

We're relatives only by name.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Even real brothers can stay together for ever.

Life is really a short dream.

In happiness or sadness.

Everyone, rich or poor, must go into a grave.

It was in autumn too.

I can never forget

It was 60 years ago...

So I don't remember the details

But I feel it was only yesterday.

Please don't laugh...

...at an old man's sentimental remembrance.

"You were my only love in life.

I can never forget."

Masao!

Tamiko!

Your father has just arrived.

How is your mother? Vey sick?

No, not very.

Mrs. Saito is weak.

She was better in spring.

Eveyone is either poor or weak.

We can afford to stay in bed.

Are you going to help her? Why not marry Masao?

Don't fool me!

He's waving.

You should answer him.

Who's living in that house now?

Nobody. That's too big for any villager.

And too old too.

It'll fall down some time.

Children call it a ghost house.

My native house became a ghost house.

Life is really transient.

"Things are mercilessly changed.

I really miss the good old days."

You smeared my paper!

Don't interfere!

I want to study with you!

Then I'll clean your room.

It's dirty here.

I'm studying!

Your fault!

No, yours. Go now!

finish your work quickly.

Don't interfere with Masao.

But I want to study too.

Girls must learn housework.

Dressmaking, for example.

What a shame!

Will he leave in November?

Yes, he must a enter a highschool.

I'll be lonely.

Don't be childish.

Send for my medicine.

Take tea to the others on the field.

Let's go see the fireworks tonight.

How about you?

No, I can see it from home.

There is a show too.

I must help my aunt.

They're a always together!

I like staying home.

Me, too.

Tea at last.

They always loiter on their way.

We brought your tea.

The bath fire's gone out.

You're only worried about Masao.

Fidgeting all the time while he is away.

His mother is worried.

Don't lie. She was asleep.

You didn't come to help, but only to see Masao!

Stop talking and work.

You must be careful too, Tamiko.

Masao is late. Go and see.

Don't tease Tamiko. She's my niece.

You're only an employee, Omasu.

Be nice to me.

Come with me to a show.

You two are not children anymore.

People say you're too intimate.

Be careful.

Don't go into his room, Tamiko.

You're older than him, aren't you?

You're 17. You can have a bad reputation.

You must be careful too, Masao.

But we aren't doing anything wrong.

You told me she's as good as my sister.

Yes, I treat her like my own daughter.

But people talk...

They've no ground.

Let them talk!

Tamiko, finish that dress tonight.

She always sticks to him.

Mother thinks they're children. I warned her.

You misunderstand.

They're innocent.

You're jealous because she's pretty.

Why not mary her then?

You may leave me for her.

"A jealous wind shakes the light.

I can't say it isn't right"

A beggar?

How's mother?

She seems better today.

Don't be so formal!

You never come to my room.

Will you clean it?

Do it yourself!

Masao, go and pick egg-apples.

I thought you were studying.

Why not ask Tamiko to do it?

Pick a lot of them.

Your mother sent me.

She sympathized with me staying home all day.

Did you know I was here?

Of course.

It was only a moment's love.

But I have no regrets.

Tamiko.

What?

What is it?

You're cold these days. You don't like me anymore.

Oh, how can you say that?

You seem so.

Your mother scolded us. What could I do?

I'm a woman and I'm older than you.

I'm tying hard to obey her and you blame me.

I didn't really mean it. Don't be angry.

You haven't changed and don't even talk to me.

I've been lonely.

What can I do?

Mother said I should ask you to clean my room.

Did she really say so?

And she sent you here after me.

How nice she is!

Maybe she made a mistake.

I'll take the blame. Don't mind the others.

I won't. We've been good friends since childhood.

Look, the sun is beautiful!

She'll say something.

Never mind. Mother sent us together.

Hello, lovers!

You call me stupid?

Damn premature kid!

Omasu was frank and good to me untill now.

Lately she's been very sarcastic. Maybe she hates me.

She's only jealous about us.

Jealousy is a woman's vice.

You talk like a grown-up man.

Sure, I'm no longer a chiId.

Better go. People will talk again.

You said you wouldn't care what people would say.

I don't care either.

Goodnight.

Tamiko!

Let's keep away from each other.

It'd be better for you.

I'll be lonely, but it can't be helped.

Go and sleep now.

I'll go say they won't see me.

Good night.

"Poor stardust falling

Without brightly shining"

Eat a lot.

Thanks for your help.

We forgot to reap the cotton in the mountain.

We must hury.

Yes, the festival is about to begin.

Masao, will you go with Tamiko?

Can you manage without them?

Yes, we can do the rest alone.

Then, we'll ask you two.

Will you massage me, Tamiko?

Make them good lunches for tomorrow, Omasu.

Sending them in to the mountains!

Mothers don't understand. Why don't you tell her?

That's the proper job for them.

Villagers talk about them.

A really shameful rumour.

Don't you know?

Aren't you the source?

Masao, what are you doing?

I was waiting.

Oh, beautiful! I adore starworts!

You too? I like them very much.

Maybe, I'm an incarnation of a starwort.

I couldn't love them more.

That's why you are like a starwort.

Let's go.

Masao, why am I like a starwort?

Well, you radiate the same feeling.

Did you say you liked it?

I do like it.

What are you thinking at?

Nothing.

You're thinking at something. Be frank.

To be frank, I'm sad about my age.

I'm older than you.

That makes me sad.

You were just born ahead of me. That's all.

You're 17 now, and I'll be 17 in 2 years.

You're odd today.

Tired?

We've come halfway.

Let's rest after we get there.

Yes, we'll be alone there.

Hello! Nice day, isn't it?

Are you enjoying your honeymoon?

My mother has sent us.

You're making me jealous, Tamiko.

Tsune, leave us alone!

Oh, yes, sorry, Have a good time.

I must leave next month. Only 2 weeks left.

This may be our last chance to talk.

We must part.

That's what I've been thinking at.

You laughed at my worries.

Cheer up. You needn't cry.

I can come home once in a while.

Your sister and Omasu say nasty things to me.

My sister-in-law is cross.

But, Omasu is good at heart.

Her parents were killed in the war,

when she was but a baby.

We should be kind to her.

Yes, I think so too.

I often give her my things.

You're really a kind man.

Why are you smiling?

You are like a bellflower.

Why?

You radiate the same feeling.

You're sarcastic.

I didn't know it was so beautiful.

I've fallen in love with it.

You're a starwort, and I'm a bellflower?

"Because you understand how I feel,

I don't insist more from love"

You must be tired. Shall we take a rest?

I didn't think we'd be so late.

No use to worry.

But, let's hurry.

We aren't doing anything wrong.

You're too careless, mother...

...sending them into the mountains.

I'm worried about them, too.

Maybe I shold be more careful.

But you shouldn't say that.

Leave them.

Welcome home.

I'm home.

You're late. Take a bath and eat.

Thank them for their trouble, at least.

I planned to send you to high-school next month...

but I changed my mind.

Leave in three days,

immediately after the festival.

I want to stay out of bed during the festival.

But I feel weak.

Please, help yourselves.

"I couldn't control my heart,

Uneasy like a bush in a wind."

I feel like doing nothing at all.

I don't want to go out or read.

I only think of you, Tamiko.

Whenever I'm with you, I'm happy.

I wonder what happened to me.

"Like a flower without roots,

I don't know what to do in love."

I've been looking for you.

Read this later.

"I wonder what happened to me.

I must go and study in high-scool,

but it's hard to part from you.

You're worried you're older than me,

but I don't care.

Let's promise we'll be each other's one day.

I'll return and see you in the winter vacation.

Yours truly, Masao."

I'm ready.

Goodbye, Masao!

"We expected another meeting.

This vague, unreliable thing."

I lived in a dormitory...

but I couldn't forget her even for a moment.

I scolded myself but it didn't work at all.

I tried to mix with the others and tire myself to sleep.

So passed the year.

I came home in late December on vacation.

I'm home.

Welcome home.

Change quickly.

You were away for two months.

How are you?

I'm better if it's not so cold.

And the others?

Collecting wood in the mountains.

I'll go and see.

They'll be back soon.

Relax.

How's school?

Interesting?

Busy working.

I hoped I'd see Tamiko that day, but I couldn't.

Nobody told me a word about her.

I guessed se had gone home.

I controlled myself and didn't ask anyone.

What are you doing?

Only seeing the fields.

I know what you think.

I'm sorry for you and Tamiko.

Your sister-in-law is really cross.

I hate to stay with her any longer.

She sent Tamiko away the day before yesterday.

She made low hints about you and Tamiko.

Even to your mother.

I'm so sory for Tamiko.

I was crossed too, before.

I heard you sympathized with me, Masao.

Thank you.

I did my best to help Tamiko.

She has cried evey single day since you've left.

Stop cying and write to him. Here's a letter pad.

I can't do it.

The others want to separate us.

Don't mind them. Better write.

Masao can't write to you.

He lives in the school dormitory.

My letter would cause him trouble.

You're cousins.

I won't write. He'll return in winter.

But you'll have no chance to talk with him.

I don't care.

I'm sorry for you, really.

Forgive me for what I did.

What were you doing?

Crying again? What's so sad?

Mother wants you.

Tamiko will be late. She walks crying all the way.

I should've sent her earlier for medicine.

Perhaps she stopped at her house to cry.

She's often absent-minded these days.

She wants to marry Masao.

People believe so.

That's impossibIe.

Masao has to study.

You should tell her.

I told her indirectly.

She won't give up hope so easily.

It's her chance to get fields.

And she knows you love her.

If you don't want her to marry him...

you'd better to send her away now.

I don't mean to force you,

but I've really loved you.

You shared my milk with Masao.

Whenever I made clothes for Masao,

I made some for you.

I treated you like my own daughter.

It's not my real wish...

...to send you away before Masao returns.

I also want you to listen, Omasu.

I know how you feel, but you'd better go.

You can't admit to be talked ill of, can you?

If you stay untill Masao returns...

you will only have a harder time.

I'm sory to say this...

...but, please, do me this favour

It'll be good for Masao too.

He has to study for many years to come.

I'll leave auntie. Thanks for eveything.

I'll leave too!

Don't do that!

If you leave now, people will laugh too.

Bear up!

Stay at least on New Year's Day.

Only that day!

Drop at her house on your way.

During the New Year holidays.

Tsune's funeral

Tsune has died?

He drank too much a few days ago.

He was found drowned in the river.

A bad-heaed man neverdies peacefully, so they say.

Man's life really is frail.

Are you awake, Tamiko?

Feeling better?

The postmaster is downstairs.

He has invited us to the theater, on the 5th.

I don't want to go.

His real reason are you, Tamiko.

He brought a proposal.

Father and mother are happy.

I hope you'll be happy too.

Kiya's son wants you. His family is very rich.

Get well by then.

I really hope Tamiko'll accept.

I'm sory to trouble you!

I wanted to visit your family, in any case.

I feel better and the day is fine.

I'm all right now, thanks to Tamiko.

But she's vey stubborn!

We don't know how to persuade her.

We're obliged to the postmaster.

We can refuse without a reason!

I'll talk her in somehow!

I'd appreciate it!

Look at the chery blossoms!

Shall I go and see?

No, better not.

I hope she won't hold out against her aunt.

Listen, Tamiko.

If you think of marrying my son...

I won't let you!

I'll never agree.

Even if you refuse Kiya's son or anyone...

...you won't be Masao's wife.

Masao hasn't come for a long time.

I like him better than Eizo.

He's honest and good-natured.

I imagine how he's grown.

I remember he climbed up the persimon tree.

He pipcked many persimons...

and Tamiko was under him collecting them.

4 or 5 years ago.

Yes,it was 4 years ago.

I'm sory for both Tamiko and Masao.

Is she still being difficult?

No.

Tamiko agreed.

She's coming down.

Has she agreed?

She's a good girl after all.

She ñistened to me and agreed.

Is that so?

Thank you vey much!

What are you saying, grandmother? Tamiko has agreed herself.

The postmaster'll be happy.

Poor girl!

I'm sorry I troubled you auntie.

I'm glad you have understood. Thank you.

Have you agreed, Tamiko?

Yes.

Can I tell them?

Don't change your mind!

You're lucky to marry Kiya's son.

Many girls have wanted to be his wife.

Remember that!

Thank you again, auntie.

Try to forget Masao, Tamiko.

I understand how you feel.

I'm happy!

Eveything goes well now!

Tamiko is lucky!

I'll go to the postmaster.

I don't understand why you're so happy.

Aren't you her mother?

What do you mean?

Sympathise with her!

Aren't you happy?

You don't understand.

Listen, everyone.

In the past 6O years of my life...

Do you what was the happiest thing in my life?

It was when I married my late husband.

My life was worth living because of that.

The other things weren't important.

Are you opposed?

I'm not opposed to this marriage.

I only want you to understand how she feels.

A bride should lower her head.

I was told not to tell you about this.

Not even to write to you.

I thought it was too late too.

Are you going to Tokyo?

I can't stand your sister-in-law anymore.

I'm determined to leave.

I can work as a seant anywhere.

I wish you happiness.

Thank you. My brother found me an employer.

He says it's an easy job, but I'm ready for hard work.

All I can do is work faithfully.

Take care.

You too. I'm sory I brought only bad news.

But I couldn't keep it unsaid.

I'm all right.

Tamiko is Tamiko. Her marrying doesn't matter.

I know she thinks only of you, even after marriage.

Otherwise she wouldn't keep living.

I must go now, Omasu

Thank you for coming.

Hello, anybody in?

They're in the fields.

I'll bring them soon.

A telegram for SAITO Masao.

"COME HOME IMMEDIATELY. STOP. MOTHER."

I'm home.

You came quickly.

What happened?

Mother's waiting.

Mother, what is it?

Masao! Thanks for coming quickly!

The telegram shocked me.

I had to see you. Any way, eat first.

I thought you got worst.

Yes, a little.

You must be hungry.

Masao, did you know Tamiko got married?

Yes, I did.

Oh, you knew that...

Why didn't you warm his soup?

It's all right.

Why are you excited?

Masao, did mother tell you anything?

Not yet.

Give me hot water.

Not so hot.

Your fault, stupid!

You're bad!

Tamiko is dead.

Is it my fault?

What have I done?

Ask your own heart.

I'm sorry.

I was cruel to Tamiko.

Apologise to her for me.

When did she die?

4 days ago. It's as if I caused her death.

How did she die?

She must have been thinking only of you...

even after she got marired.

Her husband didn't like it.

After her 5-month baby miscarried...

...she got divorced and was in bed at home.

Why didn't you let me see her before dying?

Tamiko, it's me.

Don't be week!

Be strong and try to recover!

Thank you for everything, auntie.

What are you saying?

You've been kind to me.

Do not say that!

I think I'm dying.

Don't be so weak!

You're not dying! Don't give up!

I don't want to live, auntie.

Don't be silly! Tamiko!

Tamiko didn't say a word about you.

So, we thought she had given you up.

We're sorry we didn't even tell you.

When we were fixing her bed after she died...

we found she held something...

in her left hand placed on her heart.

We pitied her, but we were also curious.

We opened her hand and saw what it was.

It told us eveything.

She didn't say a word about you...

...because she couldn't excuse herself to you.

In her hand was a package of red silk...

which contained your letter and a bellflower.

"Late autumn and the fields are lonesome.

Only crickets sing by her grave."

"YOU WERE LIKE A WILD CHRYSATHEMUM"

THE END