Original subtitles

Ikuo, come help us.

Oh, let him play.

Where on earth is the landlord?

Dad will 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 will bring her back, always do... right?

Iku-Chan.

Iku-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.

What is?

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 Iku-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 a long time and he didn't even notice.

How could I know?

I would have.

Seems like you're getting along fine.

Honey...

Is 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

Is 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 Ikuo 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.

Ikuo 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 go.

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.

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 a light.

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 going.

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 will 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 30 students. She makes more than he does.

A dependable wife.

Imagine children playing lousy piano all day 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... Still up?

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?

Baseball.

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