Original subtitles

TOEI MOVIE CO., LTD. Presents

KURUWA SODACHI (Raised in a Palace)

YOSHIKO MITA

KATSUO NAKAMURA TATSUO UMEMIYA

EITARO SHINDO AIKO MIMASU

Director JUNYA SATO

Early fall, 1957

Suehiro

You ingrate? Who gave you all that you have?

Tell me!

How could you feed this grub to your sick mother?

You wish I were dead Well, I won't die yet.

You hear me, Tamiko?

I'm eating.

How you can gripe, with one foot in the casket!

Say that again!

Don't you disrespect me just because I'm infirm.

I'll get you grilled eel later, granny.

So stop yelling, it isn't good for you.

You're such a sweet girl. It's in the blood.

I won't die yet, Tamiko!

She knows just how to ruin a meal.

Not that it's any good anyway.

Talk about indigestion.

We'll come to no good sticking around here.

We'll be out of business next year.

The Anti-Prostitution Law you mean?

Who gives a damn?

Hot day. Going out somewhere, aunty?

Yes, to a Clover Festival observance with Yukie.

How's granny?

As usual.

I love that sash, Yukie.

Do you?

Find someone nice to make you one, Tamiko.

Excuse us.

I haven't been to the Clover Festival in ages.

Who has the time?

I have to go to the union office. You, Tamiko?

Me, too.

Oh?

It's going to be a rowdy meeting.

Is it?

It's life or death for the gay quarters.

Dietman Oki better have something good to report.

I asked Mr. Tsukada to come, just in case.

Shimabara Kaburenjo

This past August 30, the government resolved

to strictly enforce the Anti-Prostitution Law.

However, as there is distinct possibility

that enforcement will be postponed,

there is no need to despair.

But it's still law!

You promised!

Ever since the second session of the Diet, in 1948,

I have vigorously opposed this pointless law.

Quiet down! Let Mr. Tsukada speak!

Though I'm not in the industry,

I do empathize with all of you.

But there's no point in attacking the Dietman.

Mr. Tsukada is right.

The Anti-Prostitution Law was amended

from a total prohibition to a regulatory act

Dietman Oki saw to that. So let's hear him out.

I firmly believe that the loss of our gay quarters

would mean the blotting out of pages

from the annals of Japanese culture.

Long ago, when all the Kyoto brothels were shut down,

this one was spared.

We had aristocrats among our patrons.

You're one of my own now. You belong to this brothel.

I expect you to become my number one geisha.

Your mom was a prostitute who took off after

a man duped her, got her pregnant, then dumped her.

She was a disgrace to us all.

Watch, Tamiko.

Watch what happens when you turn on the brothel.

It would be best to abide by the law and move into

another industry, namely, that of public health,

by converting brothels into health centers.

We're also considering building a bowling center

in the empty lot across the union office.

Are you going, Tamiko?

I have something to attend to

But Ohara must have told you about Mr. Tsukada.

You don't have to give him an answer today.

How about having lunch with him? I'll join you.

I have an appointment. Perhaps another day.

You'd better give it a lot of thought,

if you intend to make your home here.

I am.

Department of Anatomy

Shigemi?

What?

Something the matter?

No. I just wanted to see you

Do you mind?

I wish you wouldn't call me at school.

I'll call you.

I'm sorry,

but you haven't been coming to see me.

Are you so busy?

Did you tell your mother about us?

Yes, four or five days ago.

What did she say?

Guess she doesn't approve of a girl from the gay quarters.

It isn't that.

Mind if I ask her myself?

My mother is old-fashioned.

Did you tell her about Omi-Maiko?

I couldn't.

I'll talk to her again.

She may be old-fashioned but not unreasonable.

That's what you said the last time.

I'm sorry I said that.

I wish you knew how I want to get out of that place.

Ever since primary school,

I've been picked on and called child of a prostitute.

They all call me child of a prostitute...!

That's because they all envy you, Tamiko.

You'll get to wear pretty clothes and makeup,

and enjoy life, and they'll be too poor to.

No one says anything about Yukie.

The "Miyoshi" madam bribes bullies with goodies to leave her girl alone.

Don't you let that girl best you.

I'm smarter than her.

That doesn't matter.

A woman just needs to know how to seduce men.

Tamiko's just a child.

She might as well learn now.

Both you and Yukie were taken in by brothels.

Let's see which of you makes more money off of men.

I started at a brothel at 13 and worked till I was 33,

to finally open a brothel of my own.

Have some tea, "Manharu" master.

Thanks. Come and get warm.

Granny will scold me.

No, she won't.

Granny asked me to teach you things.

Come and get warm.

Aren't you and Yukie of "Miyoshi," the same age?

Yes, we're both in sixth grade.

Sixth grade? How you've grown.

Let me see your hand.

Such a pretty little hand. Let me see your ear.

Such a pretty little ear.

The master's over 70.

That's why I asked him to break her in.

The poor thing. She's still a little girl.

She'll appreciate it when she's older.

Don't be shy.

There's nothing to be afraid of.

I'm getting too old for this.

How was she?

She has a nice body. She'll be ready soon.

Get me a towel.

Every three days, no, five days. I'll break her in slowly.

Will you?

She's our diamond in the rough. Be gentle with her.

Thanks.

If only I were younger I'd deflower her.

But not at this age.

I'm going.

Sorry for the long walk.

Want to take a rest somewhere?

Come on.

No, not until we're married.

I don't want to be called a loose girl from the gay quarters.

You'll finish your internship in six months,

then take the national exam.

That won't be for a while.

Anyway, can we put off the marriage talk

till I've passed the national exam?

Can we?

How about a good time, mister?

We have lots of nice girls.

Got a nice girl for me?

Come on in.

Hanako! Yoko!

Welcome.

Miyako? Miyako!

Miyako? Granny's calling you.

Time's up for Tsukiko, Hanako, and Yoko.

1,000-yen for three girls? Get 500-yen more.

Not from those men.

Well, watch the time. That's 15 minutes.

I'm sorry.

Business is bad and taxes are killing us.

We may not have a business in six months.

You hang in there with me.

Why not get a loan from the "Miyoshi" madam

and hire a few more girls?

They won't stay,

not with that useless madam of ours.

You watch, Tamiko,

and consider it part of your training.

You change, and don't keep the patron waiting.

"Here I am, sir."

Now lie down.

Lie down!

How did you make babies? Lie down.

Don't look so cross. Will you relax?

You slip your arm under his neck,

and bring him to you.

Then you take his hand and put it here.

You have to look like you want him.

Pretend he's a big wad of money.

What's going on?

Shall I call the police?

The evening's just begun!

Cut it.

Hey, you guys!

Thanks for ruining our business. Thanks a lot.

Stay out of this, you broad!

Oww!

Who the hell do you think you are?

You hit me!

So what? I have a sick woman in the house.

You take your fight outside instead of trashing my place of business.

What kind of men are you guys?

You talk too much.

Who the hell do you think we are?

Are you deaf? I know who you are, I said.

You're pretty tough your old lady.

Have you girls done your business?

Then show them out. Good riddance!

Miyako? Miyako!

Was there a fight? What was that commotion?

Don't ask, granny. It's nothing to you.

Don't get smart. Is that how you do business?

Be quiet. I'll do things my way. You just butt out.

Don't talk big. I'd yank your tongue out if I could.

You ungrateful stray.

You'd be nothing if it weren't for "Suehiro"!

I taught you everything you know.

You ungrateful, miserable rotten stray!

So I'm an ungrateful miserable, rotten stray!

Who made me that way? You did! You did!

You made me that way!

Granny? Are you all right, granny?

Something's wrong with sis tonight. Forgive her.

I won't die yet.

That's up to you. We have a big doctor's bill.

Don't you have money tucked away, granny?

No, I don't.

I know you do, in this cabinet.

You're the one who has money tucked away.

I know you do. You pay the bill with that.

Did the doctor leave his bill?

Yes, here.

You won't get pittance from me.

Do you think I'd let you run off with my money?

Run off to be with your student lover?

No such luck!

I'll leave you all my money, Miyako.

But you take good care of me.

Don't let granny get to you, sis.

You're her blood.

Don't say that. You know I love you.

I don't want any sympathy from you.

Tamiko?

Come over here and meet Miyako.

Miyako will take over all of your housework.

So you just work on learning your trade

and let me take it easy.

You let her teach you what to do, Miyako.

Yes. Please teach me.

My mom died a comfort woman in Manchuria, during the war.

Don't you have any other family?

My mom's sister is second wife to a Miyoshi.

But we're more like strangers.

What are you to granny anyway?

Granny is the daughter of my grandma's half-sister.

How complicated. But it means you're her blood.

Did you know what business she was in?

No. But I was grateful to her for taking me in

when I told her my dad died.

No one else would.

Don't be grateful. She just wants to make you work.

My mom died when I was three, and I had three stepmothers.

I'm used to working.

Don't look so sweet, or she'll make you take men like the other girls.

Turn around.

Very nice.

You've become quite the kimono-maker, Yasuke.

Thank you.

One of my brother's kimono took third in a recent show.

It's so pretty, sis.

I wish someone would get me a kimono.

I'll settle for a cheap one.

Why don't you have one made, Miyako?

Not me.

Stop staring, Miyako. Don't you have work to do?

Yes, I'm sorry.

It's so nice on her.

Can I take it off now?

Don't just toss it off. Be more delicate.

A woman takes good care of her kimono.

I'll fold it.

Thank you.

Learn how to fold a kimono by yourself.

Why, 17-year-old girls in the past...

Well, never mind that. Just learn your trade.

Do you have heat, sis?

Thanks.

Don't catch a cold now.

High school is hard.

What do you mean?

All those studies. I don't know any English.

I missed middle school, caring for my sick dad.

Here again?

Did you bring her heat or are you loafing around?

Don't stay up late studying, Tamiko.

Midterms start tomorrow.

I know that's important,

but you'll ruin your health studying so hard.

This place can't do without you.

So enough studying. Take a bath and go to bed.

Don't waste the hot water.

You have a nice bosom, Miyako.

Don't say that.

Maybe I should do some exercises.

Yukie of "Miyoshi" dances in the nude after her bath,

in front of the mirror.

Really?

Their apprentice, Tsutae, saw her.

She dances in the nude? How peculiar.

The geisha all say Yukie was born to please men.

Her skin is smooth, all over her body,

and smells like lemon.

She and Shuji, the heir of "Tomoya," are like this.

You sneaky feline!

Someone come!

How dare an apprentice like you peep at us!

You stay away from the cottage!

You better know your place around here or else.

We took both of you in,

but Yukie is a diamond and you're just trash.

You better know your worth or you won't make it through life.

I won't be making beds for them forever.

I'll be wearing a gold brocaded satin robe

and fancy clogs one day, and walking like this.

Do you really want to be a courtesan?

Of course.

Courtesans are the highest class in a brothel.

I'm going to be one, though my mom couldn't.

Did your mom belong to a brothel, too, Tsutae?

She was a prostitute at "Manharu."

But a prostitute and a courtesan are

two different things. I have to be a courtesan.

How dumb. Is this Tsutae all right in the head?

The poor thing was adopted by a Shimonocho carpenter,

and how she's an apprentice at "Miyoshi."

You and I were adopted, too. So was Yukie.

It's how you feel about your life in a brothel.

A woman starts believing that wearing makeup and pretty clothes,

and pleasing men and taking their money is all there is to life.

It scares me. It really does.

Yukie's going to be a full-fledged geisha next year.

Well, I'm going to get out of this place.

I'll walk out proudly and show everyone up.

So I have to graduate high school.

You're so smart, sis.

Don't tell granny now.

You come with me when I get out of here.

Sis?

Will granny be all right?

What happens to us if she dies?

Will you get married?

I can take care of myself. Don't worry about me.

Here's a little something for you.

Thank you. It's so nice of you.

It's just a token of our appreciation for

your patronage since my dad's days.

My sister went to get you a charm from the temple.

Thank you.

Hello.

Excuse me.

You didn't have to bother when you're so busy.

May I invite you to the Senko-en Kimono Show,

if you have the time?

Did you enter one of yours?

Yes.

Why, you took top honors, Yasuke.

I'm embarrassed.

Why should you be?

Isn't it wonderful, Miyako?

Wow.

Did you want something? I have to step out.

It can wait. I'll come back another day.

Are you sure? I won't be long.

No, really. I'll come by again.

Well, excuse me then.

Bye now.

Is this the University Hospital Department of Surgery?

May I speak to Dr. Shigemi Nitta, an intern?

He isn't there? I beg your pardon.

Nitta residence. Hello? Hello?

11th Senko-en Garden Kimono Show

That teacher's from Kyoto University Med School.

He must be a genius.

Will you be quiet?

He looked at you 26 times.

There, again.

So you were raised in a brothel.

You don't have to feel bad about it.

You're a high school student with a desire to learn.

That's a fact.

So have pride and confidence in yourself.

Don't let your environment get you down. Got that?

Your desire to graduate high school is right.

Think of how you're going to leave the brothel

and make it on your own. So will I.

I wanted to see you about Tamiko, Osen.

Isn't it about time she took a patron?

As a matter of fact,

I'm looking for a nice patron for her.

How about Oki?

The Dietman?

Thanks to Oki, the Anti-Prostitution Law was rejected at this session.

But it's bound to come up again at the next session.

It'll be a tough fight.

We'll need his help and we do owe him a lot.

I'll pay all expenses for her debut and deflowering.

Do you mean it?

I'll provide for her after the deflowering,

and pay you monthly.

So you're giving Dietman Oki the honor?

It's for the good of the gay quarters.

Well I'll be happy to do my part.

So you refuse to be a geisha, Tamiko?

Your madam isn't well, and she wants you to take over.

Don't you get uppity with me!

No slip of a girl gets the better of me!

Have you forgotten your promise to leave school

the day you're to take a patron?

You can get a high school education as a geisha,

entertaining college professors.

A deflowering is like a coming of age ritual.

You don't have to take the man who deflowers you for a patron.

No.

Fine, suit yourself.

If you insist on going to high school instead,

get out right now!

Now, now, Osen. Don't say that.

You adopted her and raised her because you love her.

You know that, don't you, Tamiko?

Hah! This ingrate?

I understand how Tamiko feels.

She doesn't want to be scorned as a girl from the brothel.

She at least wants to get a high school diploma.

I don't blame her.

So we'll take your wish into consideration.

You be a student by day, a geisha by night.

How's that?

Well, Tamiko?

Do you want to do as the master says, or get out?

Don't nag her.

You think about it, Tamiko, then give us an answer.

It's OK, for sure.

Are you sure?

She's a smart girl. She knows what's good for her.

I'm camping with friends.

At the cool lakeside,

I'm thinking of you, there in warm Kyoto.

Don't forget to live to your fullest in your given environment.

Won't you join me?

That was fun. I wanted to keep on singing.

Isn't this your tent?

Wait, I brought you something, teacher.

Here.

I didn't want to hand it to you in front of your friends.

Thanks.

Won't you stay and talk to me awhile?

I don't want to be alone.

Fine.

I invited you, but I didn't expect you to come.

If you say come, I'll come anywhere, teacher.

Will you stop calling me teacher?

My friends were laughing.

Shigemi, then.

We sound like lovers.

I have to go back tomorrow.

If you tell me not to, teacher... I mean, Shigemi, I won't.

Shall I tell you?

Yes, tell me.

Tell me. I really want you to tell me not to go.

I love you, Tamiko. I always have.

Let's get married. Will you marry me?

Marry?

Yes. Look at me.

Will you promise to marry me when I get out of school?

Actually, I came to say good-bye to you.

Why?

I'm to take a patron shortly. Not that I want to.

Geisha or not, you're still you, the girl I love.

You don't mind my becoming a geisha?

You still want me to wait for you to graduate?

I'm sorry that I can't do a thing for you right now.

But if you'll just wait for me to graduate,

and pass the national exam.

Do you mean it?

I give you my word.

I love you.

Excuse me.

You are Courtesan Miyuki.

Thank you, gentlemen, for your patience.

There you are.

This is that high school geisha we heard about.

I'm in my first year of geisha school.

I'm a PTA chairman. Study hard.

We'll have to give her a test.

Thank you.

Geisha need to have a high school education

and speak a foreign language or two nowadays.

Time for calisthenics.

Me?

Show our PTA guests.

Fine.

You flunk. This isn't a folk dance.

I'm telling you this for your own good, Kotoe.

Don't get carried away with this "high school geisha" business.

A geisha has to be a professional.

You dance with such obvious disdain.

What an insult to our guests.

Don't you think so?

I'll gratefully accept the advice of an

upper classman and go now. Excuse me.

As if the "Miyoshi" girl had much talent herself.

She only seems to because none of the other girls do.

Just don't turn the geisha exchange against us.

It could hurt business and cost us.

Yukie acts big because her furniture dealer patron

has lots of money. Money is what matters.

You're too young to appreciate money now.

You will, when you're older and running a business.

Special delivery, granny.

From who?

Tamiko's school.

My school?

Read it to me.

What is it?

I'm expelled.

There was a letter of protest to the school,

about lack of discipline and decency.

I thought I was being so careful.

No one knew where I lived or what I did,

not even my friends.

Now that the school knows, you might as well forget it.

Why? Why can't a geisha go to school?

Why shouldn't she?

You said so yourself.

What's wrong with a girl from a brothel?

The geisha trade is a perfectly legitimate one.

I say that, but not society.

We're all equal. Trades have no rank or class.

That's what you taught us in school.

I had to be a geisha in order to continue school.

I thought there wouldn't be discrimination in school.

But even the school. The school...!

It isn't fair!

It wasn't my fault I was born and raised in a brothel.

Why do I have to be so mistreated?

You have me.

I want to go away somewhere.

If I stay, I'll really turn into a brothel woman.

Take me away, Shigemi. From the brothel, from Kyoto.

Why are there seven red light districts in this one city?

The whole city is one big brothel.

Take me somewhere far away. Please.

With the Anti-Prostitution Law going into effect

in six months, without an enforcement plan in sight,

the Shin-Yoshiwara district in Tokyo...

I'm back.

The "Miyoshi" master's been waiting an hour for you.

Oh?

There you are.

The sick woman's asleep so I was about to leave.

When granny told me, I was concerned

and had a detective agency investigate.

How could you?

Depending on what turned up, I meant to

tell Mr. Tsukada to forget the whole thing.

Look, Tamiko. If he's more than a fling,

you better forget this Nitta fellow.

What do you mean?

He's engaged to the daughter of the former dean of Surgery.

Both he and his mother are all for it.

Didn't you know?

I don't believe it.

I don't blame you.

But it takes a fortune to become a doctor,

in private practice or in a laboratory.

I hate to say this, but this Nitta comes from

a very conservative family, so I can understand.

Let me remind you that Mr. Tsukada is

important to this brothel, and he wants you.

I wish you'd consent for the sake of the brothel.

Why do I have to sacrifice myself for the brothel?

Fine, I'll tell you the truth. You know, Osen...

Hello. One moment. The madam.

Ohara? It's me.

Dietman Oki? When?

Mr. Tsukada? I'll be right home.

Dietman Oki's been hauled in.

Hauled in?

He accepted illegal contributions.

I have to go. This is bad.

What? What's so funny?

Oh, nothing.

Queer girl.

Bye.

But the other day...

It came up yesterday.

He left for Sendai this morning

to attend a lecture at Tohoku University.

When will he be back?

In five days.

If you don't believe me, ask Nitta's family.

Here.

Thanks.

I do the wash at home on my days off.

Shall I ask sis for you? She's always out.

No. She must be busy.

You're beginning to walk like that old bag, Tamiko.

What's it to you? Move.

Stood up by your man?

What?

What do you see in that spineless guy?

He won't come to any good, that quack.

How do you know him?

Did you see him? What did you tell him?

Why would I get punks to intimidate Nitta?

Then how did those three know him?

I don't know.

A girl from a brothel barking up the wrong tree

because she couldn't see her man?

If not you, then it must have been Mr. Tsukada.

Watch your mouth, Tamiko.

Mr. Tsukada is a reasonable man with lots of connections.

Don't be foolish.

You ask granny who paid for all the expenses

when you made your debut as a geisha.

Back then?

Not only that. Let me make it clear.

You haven't had to take a patron ever since

because Mr. Tsukada's been paying "Suehiro" monthly,

just like a patron.

He's kept it to himself to spare Dietman Oki.

Mr. Tsukada has every right to do what he likes with you.

Why don't you stop holding out and let him keep you?

Don't look so cross.

We're only thinking of your own good.

This may sound cruel, but like mother, like daughter.

Don't be too ambitious.

You're back.

Granny, give me the key to the cabinet.

There's nothing of yours in there.

Never mind, just give it to me.

Tamiko?

What are you doing? What are you doing?!

My kimono...! Stop it, Tamiko, Stop it.!

What's gotten into you, Sis?

She must have money tucked away in here.

Don't stop me!

Sis!

I have no such thing! Stop it, Tamiko...!

There you see?

No, no! Not that! Not that...!

Not that! Not that...!

My precious, precious pictures...!

Mail, Sis.

Sure you don't have granny's money, Miyako?

I don't know anything about it.

You and granny better not be swindling me.

Why would you say a thing like that?

You keep the books.

You should know where all the money is.

I'm just a maid.

Who knows what's going on in that pretty little head of yours.

You're so mean.

I won't let you have it all.

You just want to find it and get out of here.

Sure. I'm tired of looking after you and granny.

Excuse me.

You're here, Tamiko. Good.

What do you want?

Well, I...

I'll come back another day.

No, tell me now.

In that case.

Excuse me.

Hello.

What is it?

Well, I've been here three times and missed you.

Would it make it easier if I send Miyako away?

No, that won't be necessary.

I know this is forward of me, but I want to propose.

To me?

Oh, no. To Miyako.

Is it so funny for me to marry?

I'm not laughing because it's funny.

Do you love Yasuke, too?

Yes.

I'm just a poor kimono-maker with nothing much to offer.

But I promise to take good care of Miyako.

That's wonderful. You two will make a nice couple.

Have you told Granny, Miyako?

Not yet I wanted to tell you first.

Are you up, Granny?

Granny?

Sis! Granny...?

Sis, it's Granny!

Granny? Granny?! Granny...!

Why are you so happy to get married?

Why? I didn't think anyone would marry me.

I'm so grateful.

Grateful?

Marriage means a lifetime of servitude for a woman.

You work for free and sleep with a man for free.

You're so mean, Tsutae. But I love him.

Love him? What do you see in that poor loser?

I don't care if he's poor.

I don't get it. I don't want to get married.

I'm going to be a courtesan. I know how to seduce men.

I'll let you in on a secret.

I'm going to take Kikunoi's place as courtesan.

You know, Tsutae,

Kikunoi is sick and I have an opening for a courtesan.

I can make you one.

Won't courtesans be subject to the Anti-Prostitution Law?

No. Red-light districts are out,

but not courtesans and geisha.

Do as I say and keep mum to the madam,

and I'll make you a courtesan.

You have a nice body.

You wouldn't lie to me.

Of course not.

Then put it in writing for me.

Fool. Here's how I put it in writing.

We'll have the wedding here and the reception in Tanba.

Yes, we do have many relatives in Tanba.

Will you be going there, Oyoshi?

Yes, a day later. I haven't been back in 20 years.

And Yasuke, not in 15 years.

He'll be going home, not in glory, but in silk.

Beautiful, isn't it?

Isono, put the bleach away when you're done.

There isn't much left.

It's poison. Make sure you wash your hands.

Yasuke, will you take this call from the steamer?

Excuse me.

We're back.

Tamiko! Tsukiko and Hanako are gone!

Where did they go?

Where? They ran off.

Given the slip by my own girls?

How sneaky. They didn't say a word to me.

They had it all planned.

They took undergarments and sheets.

They weren't such dumb girls after all.

Go and get Tatsuko.

If Yoko's the only girl left, I quit, too.

Girls just can't take it from you, Tamiko.

Other brothels are nicer, with fresh, clean bedding.

This is a bad spot for business,

and I just don't have the gumption for it anymore.

This happens to be a major thoroughfare.

Maybe you're just getting senile.

Then you try hawking. I quit.

I was doing it out of loyalty to the madam.

But no more, not for you!

See if any brothel will take you for a maid.

Fine, I quit.

Don't go, it's almost the year-end.

I'd rather be working somewhere else.

Shall I put up a "Working Women Wanted" sign?

Don't you dare.

The National Association for Prevention of Venereal Diseases

notified the Ministry of Public Welfare today

of voluntary compliance with government policies

by March of next year,

most notably by its Tokai League.

At a meeting of the House Committee on Judicial Affairs,

Chairman Inomata responded to demands by members of

the Socialist Party for an investigation of

charges of corruption against officers of the

National Association for Prevention of Venereal Diseases.

Long time no see.

Hello.

How have you been?

Busy, since I got back from Sendai.

I'm sure. Can we talk?

I have to go to the hospital.

We can talk there if not at your home.

Granny's dead, my sister's getting married,

and I'll be free at last. How long I waited for this day,

when I can leave the brothel and join decent society.

Just leaving the brothel won't change you inside.

You mean, the brothel will always be a part of me.

You know that better than anyone.

Isn't that because you weren't there for me.

I lost courage,

when those punks warned me not to see you.

It's all over. There's nothing more to say.

We've come as far as we could.

How about a farewell drink? You first.

I never wanted to part with you like this.

I still love you, I really do,

I want you to know that you weren't just a fling.

I meant to turn down the marriage to Dr. Yoshino's daughter.

But Professor Yabe and my mother arranged everything

without my knowledge, and I couldn't refuse.

I know you won't believe me,

but there's an academic clique that could

ruin me as a scholar, if I offend Professor Yabe.

I understand.

You belong to a brothel of another kind,

call it family, call it academic clique.

There's poison in that liquor.

I was going to die with you, but I changed my mind.

It's so stupid.

What makes you think you're so much better than us,

when you're crawling around in brothels of your own,

pretending to be such fine human beings?

I'm going to stop trying to get out of the brothel.

I'm going to stay, with a new attitude.

I'm so glad you've agreed, Tamiko.

We can repay Mr. Tsukada for all he's done for us.

When would be a good time to see him?

Can we make it after Miyako's wedding?

I'm her only family,

so I want to see to everything for her.

Sure.

I'll just let Mr. Tsukada know you've agreed.

Yes, please.

He's tied up with Dietman Oki's corruption charge,

going back and forth between here and Tokyo.

What's going to happen to the gay quarters?

The government has no mercy.

No, it doesn't.

During the war, it sends our girls to the front as "comfort women."

After the war, it uses them to spare the virtue of Japanese women.

And now, this Anti-Prostitution Law?

Hah!

I'm going, Madam.

Fine.

Wait. Turn around.

It's gorgeous.

No one makes them like that anymore.

That's fine.

It's beautiful.

Kikunoi used to wear it.

But after what happened to Tsutae, we put it away.

Thanks to you and your peccadillo.

Don't dredge up the past.

He used her and never did make her a courtesan,

so Tsutae killed herself by swallowing a disinfectant.

What was so great about being a courtesan?

If not for my bad leg,

I might have ended up like Tsutae.

Don't say that. If not for your bad leg,

you wouldn't even be at a brothel.

You'll make a fine wife for Yasuke.

You took care of me all this time,

and I couldn't repay you at all, Sis.

No, I hope you forgive me for being so hard on you.

What are you saying?

I wish I could have gotten you a pretty wedding gown,

but you'll have to settle for this robe Yasuke made me.

I'm so happy to get to wear your robe.

I saved this up when I worked at the desk.

You take it.

No, Sis.

200,000 yen? I can't take all this money.

I don't need it anymore.

That was for me when I got out of the brothel.

Oh, Sis.

Wouldn't you rather turn Mr. Tsukada down?

Couldn't you, if you had this money?

Why suffer the stigma of being his mistress?

It won't be the first time. Like mother, like daughter.

You take it.

It's my farewell gift to you as you leave the brothel.

"O, Takasago pine.

"Hoist sail on this ship

"In the moonlight, on the waves, to Awaji Island..."

But it's cold. There's no more heat in the brazier.

Close up. We won't have any business.

Want to have a drink?

I'll make tea.

It's so empty, with just the two of us.

I wonder what Miyako's doing?

Well, what else?

It's almost December.

The Shin-Hiyasu Shrine bonfire is over.

In four months, we won't have a brothel.

How did you get into this business?

When I was 15, I ran away from a betrothed I disliked.

That was 25 years ago.

What will you do when we're shut down?

I try not to think about the future.

I'll hang myself when I can no longer keep myself fed.

Are you really going to be Mr. Tsukada's mistress?

The police are questioning him about Dietman Oki.

Who knows when they'll release him.

I hope they never do.

That was a downer. Let's make merry.

Play something, Tamiko.

"What the heck

"Who cares about a guy like that?

"Why, you can have him anytime

"On a silver platter for that matter

"Even though he was my first love..."

What a crowd.

We haven't had turnout like this in ages.

We've been doing a lot of PR since New Year's,

promoting this area as a tourist destination.

Where's Tamiko today?

You've been drinking since morning.

The parade will start soon.

You go ahead.

Yasuke and Miyako are coming over.

I don't want to miss them.

Drunk already?

Hello?

Oh, it's you, master.

Yes, I'm drunk. I'm celebrating Mr. Tsukada's release.

I'm so nervous. Really.

The Courtesans Parade will start in 15 minutes.

Will you come over here by then?

Courtesans and geisha were spared, thanks to Dietman Oki.

The red light district workers are subject to the new law.

But prostitutes just have to register as geisha with a new exchange.

Who's to say geisha can't sleep with their patrons?

Shall we get going, Mr. Tsukada?

Tamiko says she's too nervous to meet you.

Got an engagement?

No, I told Kikue the finest courtesan in town has to be in the parade.

The wig is so heavy.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Well?

I called my place, and she isn't there yet.

I'll go and get her.

Don't bother.

The parade will start shortly.

Tamiko, you here?

You're looking well.

Drop the courtesies. I'm coming in.

Long time no see.

How about a drink?

That turnout says the gay quarters are alive and well.

No law is going to shut them down.

Alive and well, with those shells of courtesans?

They may be mere shells now, but they'll revive.

Who were the patrons of the gay quarters?

The very ones trying to shut them down.

And they'll be the ones to revive them, you'll see.

When they do, I'll get you a fine brothel of your own.

I want nothing to do with this business

I want to live a life of luxury.

Fine. What kind of luxury?

A nice house in Shimogamo.

Fine and then?

With a maid.

OK, and then?

Lots of jewelry.

OK, OK, and then?

Lots of pretty clothes.

Fine, fine.

What's so funny?

You say you want out of the brothel.

But you want what every brothel girl wants.

Come over here.

You can have a brothel girl any time of the day?

Stop pouting, Tamiko. That's for children.

You're a grown woman.

No!

Like it or not, you'll never be anything more than

a brothel woman, a girl from a brothel, to people.

You'll never be one of them.

You know exactly what you are.

We all have our places in life,

and society won't let you overstep your bounds.

A brothel woman should live like a brothel woman.

You just let me take care of you.

I'll give you whatever you want.

What's this?

It's whiskey.

Smells good. Get me a glass.

I'm going to get those red-light district women unemployment relief.

I'll get them to register in a brand new exchange,

that is, turn whores into geisha.

Hello.

Sis?

What happened?

I killed him, Miyako.

What happened?

I didn't mean to kill him.

But listening to him, I felt such hatred.

Brothels won't go away because of men like him.

I had a miserable childhood because of men like him.

Will you notify the police?

Sis...!

Will you let the "Miyoshi" master know, Yasuke?

Yes.

I was so looking forward to seeing you.

Forgive me, Miyako.

I was thinking, just before you came in.

At last, I'll get out of the brothel

and never come back, and I felt kind of glad.

Wicked woman.

She owed him so much.

Thank God the police kept it quiet and

the spectators didn't notice anything.

THE END