Original subtitles

A WIFE'S HEART Tsuma no kokoro

Directed by NARUSE Mikio

KIRYU

Here you are. Thank you very much.

I’m going out for a bit.

Um, Dear, could you wait just a minute.

What is it?

Did you talk to your mother about it?

Yeah.

Well, what did she say?

Kiyoko, Mother’s calling you.

Yes.

Excuse me.

-Sumiko, are you going to be in today? -Yes. Why do you ask?

It’s the equinox. Don’t forget to say your prayers.

Is it?

Thank you for your business.

Did you want something?

Shinji told me you want to tear down half of the store and start a café.

Do you know about this?

We’re not going to tear down the store. We’re going to use that empty lot. That’s all.

I feel sorry for Shinji. He fails at everything he tries.

But I could help him with a café.

You really want to do that?

I think it would work out well.

Do you really think so?

Hello!

-Mother, it’s Kiyoko-san. -Oh is she here?

It’s been such a long time.

Come in.

Thanks for taking the trouble to visit. You got here at just the right time.

It looks delicious.

Next year it’ll be the seventh anniversary of your mother’s death

and the thirteenth anniversary of your father’s.

Is that right?

You’ll do something with us on the anniversary of your father’s death, won’t you?

Yes.

-Is everyone happy at your place? -Yes. Sumiko is going to get married.

-Who is she getting married to? -Shimada. He’s in the printing business.

Everyone must be busy with the preparations.

Yes. This is for the the altar.

Thank you.

We couldn’t do anything for you when you got married.

But then again, you didn’t need it; everyone wanted to marry you.

-Here you are. -It might be sweet enough for you.

Is Sho-chan well?

He is well, but his pay never goes up.

We get by one way or another. She helps me out quite a bit.

Have some of these.

That’s why I said that I don’t need anything that fancy.

Yes, you do.

As a household we have to send something of about that much value with you or we’ll be embarassed.

Mother, you talk about the family, but a family means something different these days.

That’s because you get yourself involved in stupid things and cause everyone a lot of trouble.

Excuse me, but I’m going home now.

-Thank you very much. -Goodbye.

Kiyoko, do you have a minute?

What is it? Are you going out?

Do you need some?

Sorry. I dropped it again.

What are we going to do with you?

This will do, won’t it?

Did Sumiko go out?

Yes.

She shouldn’t be going out so much before she gets married.

She has to do it now while she still has the chance.

-Madame. -Yes?

They’re here from Tokyo.

Hello there.

It’s been a long time.

Rumiko, you’ve gotten so much bigger!

Are you going to say hello?

Hello. Come in.

Have a seat.

Hi there, Rumi-chan. Thank you for coming all this way to see me.

Aren’t you going to say something? Where’s your “hello”?

You must be tired.

It’s been such a long time since I’ve seen you all.

-I hope everyone’s been well. -Everyone’s fine, thank you.

Thanks for coming all this way.

It’s been a long time.

Oh yes, and congratulations to everybody on Sumiko’s engagement.

-We got the wedding announcement in the mail. -You did?

I was thinking that I should come and help, but it took us so long to actually get here.

There was need to worry. Weddings these days are much simpler.

But how’s Zenichi getting along?

He’s somehow managed to stick with this job for quite a while.

Is that right?

But who knows how long it will last. This time, the company might be the problem.

Well, the economy is bad everywhere. It’s like the sun went down on this town.

And yet Shinji is talking about opening a café.

A café?

The last time you were was the year before last, wasn’t it? It was Grandfather’s funeral.

That’s right.

Rumiko’s gotten so much bigger!

Kiyoko-san, you’re not going to have a baby yet?

No.

I want one soon!

They say you’re going to open a café?

Yes.

He’s going to tear down half the store.

That’s not true! We’re just going to use the empty lot.

Oh, you mean the place where they’re putting the boxes now?

That’s a good idea. But it might be difficult.

It will be. What with Sumiko’s marriage, this guy is playing around.

I am not!

Just when the family needs a lot of money he goes out and wastes it.

It sure is pretty.

Is this Granny’s?

Don’t touch it. It’s quite something, isn’t it?

But it doesn’t cost as much as Shinji says, you know.

It would cost you twice as much to buy this stuff in Tokyo.

Is that so?

Thank you.

Thank you.

You can just leave it there.

Really? Sorry.

You should hire a maid after I leave.

Don’t worry, I’ll be fine by myself.

Granny is so cheap.

But she has a lot to pay for with the wedding.

She’s so tight-fisted that I’d rather she just stay out of it.

Really?

She has to marry you off, and everyone in these parts knows that you’re

the daughter of the people who run the Eiryudo. At the very least,

he has to avoid embarrassing the family.

But she fusses about this or that everytime we go to get something for the wedding.

Kaku-san? I see. Thank you very much.

He was with us for a long time. He’s a good guy. Yes. Yes.

Good evening. Who are you talking to?

Don’t forget next week.

Don’t be stupid. Keep your mouth shut about that. Nothing. Excuse me for a second.

Do you want to talk? It’s your buddy Shin-chan.

From the Ryueido?

What are you two doing? Hurry up and get to your customers.

Hello. Oh, I see. Well, talk to you later.

I was just talking to Kunio at the Akagiya. He said that Kaku-san would help us.

He’s from the Haruna Kitchen?

Yes, that’s right.

Then we’ll have to get some money together soon.

Yes, I went to the Nishijimas about that yesterday. I think that they can do something for us, but...

Didn’t they just redo the back of their house?

In the end, my mother ended up taking 300,000 yen for Sumiko’s wedding.

Of course, if we hadn’t spent all that money for her wedding,

no one would have taken Sumiko.

Maybe I should try asking.

-Huh? -For money. From Yumiko’s brother.

Yumiko’s brother?

Yes, he works at a bank.

I’ll go and talk to him once we’re finished with Sumiko’s wedding.

Kiyoko, Rumiko says that she’s sleepy.

What’s wrong with you? Can’t you get a futon out for her?

But—

Don’t worry, I’ll do it.

Good morning!

This is a surprise!

-I think the last time I saw you was New Year’s Day. -That’s right. Come in.

-I can’t stay. -Oh.

How’s your brother?

He’s fine.

To tell you the truth, I wanted to talk to him about something.

-About what? -We’d like to borrow some money from the bank.

Oh. How much?

300,000 yen.

-What are you going to do with all that money? -We want to put up a café next to the shop.

A café?

Yes. The store isn’t doing too well...

A lot of new places have gone up on the main street.

That’s true.

And Sumiko’s wedding has cost a lot.

-Oh. Is Sumiko is getting married? -Yes.

What do you think? A café with a simple menu.

Are you going to run it?

Yes. Today I’m going to talk to someone about that.

Do you know the Kitchen Haruna, down by the station?

Yes.

Well, I’m going down there to learn how to run a café,

how to make coffee, how to cook, and things like that.

Oh.

What do you think about the money?

I’ll ask him as soon as I get the chance.

Thanks.

But if you’re going down by the station, you should just ask him yourself.

The bank is very close to the Haruna Kitchen. It’d be faster that way.

Me go to the bank?

No, call him from the Haruna. Tell him you’ll take him out to lunch.

That’s right, I could do that.

Father, are you going home?

Oh. Yes. Ah it won’t be fun to go back there.

You’re not going to tell me that they’re going to fire you, are you?

I don’t know.

What?

Why is he going back without us?

Because he’s busy at work.

Why aren’t we going back with him?

Auntie Sumiko’s getting married and things are busy around here.

We’re going to stick around for a few days and help with things.

Be good so that Granny doesn’t yell at you.

The café that Shinji wants to put up will cost a million yen.

What? Hmm, well, I guess it would cost about that much.

A million yen. Sumiko’s wedding cost a lot, too.

That’s the way things go out here in the country.

Couldn’t you get something from them? Even a little? You’re the oldest brother.

But even if I am the oldest, I left this place.

Are you saying that you can’t ask because you married me?

I’m starting from zero. Please help me out.

We’ll do what we can for you. Won’t we?

That’s right. Starting tomorrow.

Hard working, eh?

Thanks for coming.

What was it that you wanted to talk to me about?

Well, let’s sit over here.

How are your grandchildren?

Thanks for asking. They say grandchildren are cuter than your own kids,

and you know, that’s absolutely true.

By the way I heard that the Sakamotos in Teramachi married off their second daughter.

Yes, and you just married off your daughter.

Well, marriage is my business after all.

Excuse me.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

How much is it?

150 yen.

Welcome back.

Where’s Shinji?

He just went out.

Oh really? How about Kiyoko?

She’s still not back.

What am I going to do with those two? They just leave the house unattended like that.

Granny, look!

I see you’ve drawn a picture. Who is it? Is this a ghost or something?

No, it’s a bride.

Oh, now I see. It’s Auntie Sumiko. Very well done!

They say that you can borrow about 300,000 yen without putting up any collateral.

-Is that so? -The term is only three months, though.

But you can talk to them about extending it when the three months are up.

You can go to talk to them in four or five days. They’ll look into our finances, won’t they?

That’s right.

The folks at the Haruna say that I can come every day.

-I see. -Yes.

We could put the door here.

Yes, and the counter would come up to here.

-I think it should be as comfortable as possible. -Yes, I think so, too.

-What should we call it? -Hmm...

I wonder if there’s a good name out there.

HARUNA KITCHEN

That should be enough.

Push it from the front. So it doesn’t stick. From the front. Here, let me show you.

Like this. Try it again.

It looks like your skills have improved quite a bit.

-Do you think it’s OK to leave it here? -Of course it’s alright.

-Come in! -Hello!

Hi there.

I wonder if it’s any good.

It’s fine.

You can say that even before you taste it?

What will it be?

-What are you going to have? -Yes, what should I have?

I see you bought a bicycle.

Yes.

-The Madame told me the other day. -What did she say?

That young women these days are buying bicycles instead of samisens.

Did she really say that?

Well sure. Why wouldn’t you buy a bicycle?

It’s pretty good.

That’s a relief!

Is it better than mine?

-It is! -That's not possible.

What does he say? Doesn’t he need you in Tokyo?

No, he says that he’s going away on a business trip somewhere for about a week

so it’s OK for us to stay on here. It’s not a very serious letter.

Is that so?

I didn’t expect him to write as soon as he got back to Tokyo.

I thought he might send maybe a postcard or something.

It’s a big help for you to be here. Kiyoko is never around these days.

It’s not as if she’s out fooling around, you know.

-Half of these are still not done. -Sorry.

What were you doing all day today?

I did go through them all once again.

-Well, get it finished. -Yes.

Where are you going?

About the money, they say that they’ll give it to us. I’ll go and pick it up tomorrow.

Is that so?

Where are you going?

To the barber.

Really? Well, bye.

Will the counter come out to here?

It’ll come out a little more.

-We’d like it so people can sit comfortably. -Don’t worry, there’s plenty of space.

The tea’s ready.

Thank you.

I’d like to look at the front again.

-Hello. -Hello.

What’s going on with you?

What? Umm...

Daddy!

Rumiko, were you a good girl?

Hey get me some water.

Look, I got you a present. Here it is. And here’s another.

Here you are.

You were drinking, weren’t you?

The train was crowded.

What’s happening at the company?

Huh? Hmm...

Cigarettes?

Hey, tell me what’s going on. What happened?

What happened?

Uh...well...

Your brother is here from Tokyo.

It looks like the tea’s already cold.

I’ll get the estimate and the plans to you as soon as possible.

I see.

Weren’t you supposed to be on a business trip? -Yes.

-Hello. -Hello.

Rumi-chan, it looks like your father came all the way from Tokyo to come and get you.

We’re always imposing on you, I know.

No, not at all.

I like having Kaoru here. It’s a big help.

I don’t think that’s true.

That’s because Mother won’t hire a maid even after Sumiko has left.

I’ve never once had a maid since coming to this place, you know.

I don’t mind being a maid. Even if I were to go back to Tokyo, I’d...

It doesn’t bother me a bit, either.

That can’t be true.

I bit off more than I could chew with the business trip and all.

I decided to take a little break. I thought I could use some rest.

I tell you, it’s a relief to come back to the place where you were born once in a while.

Ahh...Now in Tokyo, they have places where the café is the whole building.

Three or four story places. They’re huge. Then they have what they call “candle cafés”.

The whole place is dark and they put in one candle in each room.

Ah yes. And in one place, near a theatre, they have something they call

“swimsuit service” with girls in swimsuits and—

Dear!

We couldn’t do anything like that. We want to have a place that’s wholesome,

bright, and cheerful, one that anyone would feel comfortable coming into.

Well, of course, but that must cost a lot of money.

Yeah, it looks like it will cost a million yen after everything.

I think we can get 100,000 yen out of it.

Hmm, you think you can get that much money together?

Well, we’ll have to borrow some of the money, but it will be alright.

I see. I think it was a good idea to get into the food business. I support your plan.

But—

Though of course, I also see why Mother might be against it.

But don’t let that bother you, Shinji. That’s just the way it is here;

the older folks have to oppose what the younger ones do.

In fact, you could say that about Japanese society as a whole.

You’re exaggerating again.

-I’ll fill that up, too. -Don’t worry.

I just brought it back to wash. There’s no end to it otherwise.

He just talks big. He never says anything to me.

Shinji doesn’t drink, does he?

No, not really, but if a friend invites him, he will. You can’t avoid it in this kind of town.

That’s true. You have to be a part of everything.

But you’re lucky...

Salarymen are such disappointments.

We still can’t own our own home. I guess that in the end, Shin-san was a better choice.

So do you want to trade places?

I didn’t mean to say that!

All we have is the house. Nothing else. If we don’t do something, we’ll be sunk.

You don’t have to worry. You have all this.

We’ve let the garden go lately.

This tree has gotten a lot bigger. When I was in middle school, it used to be about my height.

What are you looking for?

The nail clippers. I always put them away in here.

Kaoru!

What?

Do you know where the nail clippers are?

Nail clippers?

Here you go.

Why were they up there? I was looking all over for them.

They were lying around out here, so I put them up there.

Oh, I’m sorry.

Here you are.

-What took so long? -They weren’t in the usual place.

How long are they going to be here? It’s been a week since your brother got here.

What do you suppose is going on with his company?

I have no idea.

Kaoru asked to use a little of my cold cream the other day, but I haven’t seen it since.

Those two make no bones about using your things, either. Even Rumiko does the same.

What would you think about just carrying on like you’ve been doing at the Haruna?

It’s not something you can do on the side. It’s a full time job.

Are you suggesting that you don’t want to hire a cook and want me to do all the cooking?

I’d like to go every day, though.

Oh by the way, what should we give to Kenkichi?

What?

I’m talking about a present in return for helping us with the loan.

Oh yeah.

-Well, what should we give him? -Hmm.

A bottle of sake or whiskey would be easy, but he doesn’t—

He doesn’t drink?

No, he never did. And he has such a pleasant personality.

I guess something like a tie would do. Or maybe a shirt would be better.

It doesn’t make any difference.

Shin-chan...

...with this much space, you could put up a great café.

What? Yeah.

Hey, you should have my wife help you. She used to work in a café.

Never mind about that.

Has Kuni been going to the bicycle races lately?

I don’t let him go — and don’t you go with him if he asks, either!

The weather is really nice. I’d rather be doing this under the cherry blossoms.

Now is not the time.

Is Kiyoko going to the Haruna every day?

Yes.

It must be tough on your mother, all alone like that.

No, my brother’s wife is there.

They’re still here?

Your brother is here, too. I ran into him the other day.

Yeah, he showed up the other day.

I thought that he was here to pick up his wife and daughter and take them back to Tokyo,

but he’s been here ever since. -Really?

-He’s taking time off work? -I don't know for sure.

That is strange.

-Excuse me, Madame. -What is it?

-He might have got fired, don’t you think? -No, that couldn’t be.

-Good evening. -Good evening.

Hey, come and pour this guy a drink.

I saw your wife at the Haruna the other day.

-She’s learning to cook? -That's right.

And we found out exactly who Suzume likes.

Don’t be stupid!

She’s just jealous.

-So who is Suzume’s guy? -Takemura-san from the Showa bank.

Oh, Takemura?

You know him, Shin-chan. He was a year behind us in school.

Huh? Oh, yeah.

Does he come that often?

No, just once in a while for a party.

And when he does, he hardly drinks at all. He’s very quiet.

And on top of that, he’s good looking. He’s still single,

so there are hordes of women after him. It must be tough.

That’s right.

What are you doing back here?

Get out there. Shin-chan, I think you like these, don’t you?

Ah, these are good.

Here, I’ll pour you a drink.

Do you have any children?

This fellow here got adopted into a family in Maebashi

right out of middle school. He has five kids now.

-That sounds tough. -And all five of them are girls.

-Hey, are you looking for someone? -Stop that!

He thinks he’s the only person who was ever born an eldest son.

-Are you saying he’s still single? -You’re still single?

You sure take your time about things. Mother, help him find a bride?

-I won’t let anyone who visits me stay single. -Oh no!

Once she heard that Tamura was still single, Granny started talking about women he could marry.

Sorry to ask you to do this just when you were about to go out.

Don’t worry about it.

-Gimme one! -Are your hands clean?

May I have a moment with you.

OK.

I’ll do it.

Here is the estimate.

This is really...Isn’t it really expensive?

It is over our budget, yes, but I asked for a bunch of things.

I think you should send it back to him at least once.

Why?

Tell him it has to be within our budget.

This happened because you weren’t careful about costs in the beginning.

That’s when you have to be especially careful. Bargain with him until he gets it within budget.

He’s supposed to do that. That’s why we’re paying him money.

I know.

The money is really tight. I think we’re probably a little short now.

The money is fine. I’ll do something.

You say it’s fine, but I’m not so sure. In any case, go over this carefully send it back.

-Shall we do it now? -You do it. I’m no good with detail stuff like that.

I’m just telling you to get it within our budget.

I’ll be back.

If it’s something you’ve decided at the bottom of your heart, we’ll do what we can for you.

Thank you. It makes me feel better to hear you say that.

Whatever anyone says, you’re the oldest here.

Yes.

Let me introduce you. These are my co-workers at the bank: Watanabe and Yasuda.

This is Mrs. Tomita. She’s the wife of the guy who runs the Eiryudo. You might know of it.

-I do. -They’re going to be opening a café soon.

When were you thinking of opening?

We’d like to start by the middle of next month at least.

Do what you can for her. Their place will be on your way home.

Hey, you’re not going to steal all our customers are you?

Don’t be so stingy!

Hey, they have a loan from us. It’s quite a bit, isn’t it?

It’s more than “quite a bit.”

Oh no!

You said the wrong thing to the wrong person.

He says that his company has gone under. It’s no good for you two if he just sits around here. Right?

He asked me because he’s afraid to ask you two. Couldn’t you talk to him?

He says that he needs a little money to get started.

Money?

Talk this over with Kiyoko.

-Excuse me. -Goodbye.

Kiyoko is late isn’t she?

She’ll be back soon.

It must be hard going out so much like that.

I should think so.

Welcome home.

Hello everyone.

We were waiting for you. We just started eating.

Sorry I’m so late.

It must be tiring doing something you’re not used to.

Just a little. I was in the house day in and day out before this.

I’m sure that if Kiyoko runs the café it’ll be a success.

-Are you done already? -Yes.

It’s gotten pretty warm.

Well, it is April after all. Do you want more rice?

Just a little will do.

My brother asked me to lend him some money.

Money? How much?

300,000 yen.

That much?

He couldn’t ask me himself, so he had Mother do it.

He’s been like that since he was small.

What is he going to do with 300,000 yen?

He was saying to his friends that he wants to open a little place like ours.

What about his job in Tokyo?

It looks like the company went under.

Did you agree to lend him the money?

-I’m not going to say yes to him. -I see.

If we do what he says, we won’t be able to open the café.

That’s right, and we’ve been working hard for it.

But my mother will keep asking. She’s always been against the idea of opening a café.

Why now? What a headache.

Yesterday when I got back, things seemed strange. And this morning, they were all looking at me.

It’s really creepy. It’s a torture chamber ["hari no mushiro" lit., 'pin cushion']

I couldn’t eat all day.

So they think that if you say yes that Shinji will hand over the money.

That’s right.

What are you going to do? You were working so hard for that.

We were.

I can’t make you do anything against your will, but your brother seems to really need this.

It’s ridiculous to think that someone who’s been working a salaryman in Tokyo

can suddenly succeed in the restaurant business.

It has no chance of working out for him.

And to think that a tiny little place will succeed, in the same town — that’s absurd.

It’ll be all the way on the other side of the town, on the other side of the tracks.

There’s no way you can run a successful restaurant over there.

No, there are a lot of new houses going up, apartments even.

Everyone over there does their shopping around the station.

If you put a place up there, it can’t miss.

It’s not that easy.

Shinji, this is a once in a lifetime request.

I’ve worked hard since getting out of school, but I have nothing to show for it.

That’s why I came back with my wife and daughter to the home I left. I can do this now.

Shinji, please. Usually he couldn’t ask for something like this without drinking,

but this is important enough for him that he’s asking sober.

Shinji, I also want you to do this.

Well, then, Zenichi should live here.

We’ll leave.

Shinji!

I didn’t want to run this place, but I’ve been doing it ever since he left and stuck me with it.

It’s my brother.

Is it that time already?

Welcome home. Kiyoko is here.

I should be going?

My brother is here. Stay and have something to eat.

But—

Why not? Why go back to that dungeon?

Dungeon?

What’s wrong? You looked so cheerful yesterday.

I’ll just go out and get something good. You can cook us up something good.

-Maybe I will. -Yes, please do. Well, I’ll be going.

Wait! I’ll go with you.

Get something good!

Let’s go. What should we get?

What’s wrong?

-Maybe I should go home. -You’re difficult.

You can get back late once in a while. What’s wrong with that?

Come on. Let’s go.

Are you going home? We were going to give you a feast —

as much as we can put on feast. Yumiko’s cooking doesn’t really qualify as cooking.

You can complain when you start bringing in more money. Let’s go.

Bye.

Are you really leaving?

No, because I won’t let her. Get yourself good and hungry.

I don’t get any hungrier than this!

Thank you.

Hello.

Where were you?

At Yumiko’s?

-Where are you going. -Out for a bit.

Welcome back.

Hello.

Welcome home.

Sorry I’m late.

Welcome home.

Kiyoko leaves me all alone in that place.

I’m sure she doesn’t want to be there either.

-Good evening! -Come in!

Have a drink. Ah, sorry.

Here you are.

-It’s too hot! -Sorry.

What a scary face!

What?

There’s something wrong with him, isn’t there? He’s all stirred up.

-Yes, he’s really agitated. -He’s like an out of season typhoon.

-And no ones like those. -Hey, let’s go drinking under the cherry trees.

Oh, yes, let’s! Ah, but I suppose that typhoon has blown all the petals off the trees.

We’re too late for everything these days.

Cut it out with that laugh, will you.

I’m sorry I have a funny laugh, but at least let me laugh when things are funny.

What’s so funny?

These days everything is funny. So funny!

What? Now you’re crying?

I see you’re in a good mood — for a neurotic.

She’s a real pain.

Sorry.

Let me have a little drink.

A little what?

But I’m really suffering.

-You laugh when you’re down? -That’s right.

Geisha laugh when they’re sad and cry when they’re happy.

Is that so?

Just a minute.

It’s not fair, going out by yourself. Don’t leave me all alone with them?

-I’ll be back soon. Just ignore them. -But...

Rumiko, come here.

What is it?

Kiyoko, come here for a bit.

Dear, would you take care of Rumiko for a bit. Go and play with your father now.

I felt terrible when Shinji and Zenichi were fighting about money right in front of me.

I understand how Shinji feels. He’s right. If you consider that Zenichi left home, Shinji is absolutely right.

But when I see him come back here, bow his head in front of his younger brother,

and ask to be allowed to come back home, it makes me feel that we ought to do something for him.

Yes, as a mother, I suppose...

If Shinji agrees, Zenichi promises that it will be just this once.

Shinji talks tough, but I know that deep down in his heart, he’s thinking of his brother.

And I’m asking you because I know that if you talk to Shinji he’ll agree to it.

Well, as long as the members of the family have agreed on the decison,

I won’t interfere with it.

So you agree to lend him the money?

It’s the phone. It’s from the Akagiya’s mistress.

Hello, hello. Yes, it’s me. Sorry to have been out of touch.

Shinji? He went out. Is that right? I guess they went somewhere together.

Oh. He’s with your husband. He said he was going to Maebashi.

Oh, I see. I guess he invited him out to the bicycle races. I’m glad that he’s with Shinji, though.

What? Yes, that’s right. His older brother and his family are still there? That must be difficult.

What? No, not at all.

Yes. Sorry.

-Good night. -Good night.

Shinji sure is late tonight.

What about you? Is it OK for you to be out so late?

Yes, it is because when I left, I said that I might not come home tonight.

What are we going to do with you? Did something happen?

No, not really.

You’re proud to say that you’ve arranged the marriages of thirty couples. Are those couples really happy?

Of course they are. Of all those couples, only one or two couples have split up.

But just because they haven’t split up doesn’t mean that they’re happy.

Women don’t have the courage. They just give up.

But I’m not like that. If I can’t put up with him, I’ll come back here.

Be reasonable. Are you sure nothing has happened?

What are you talking about? You haven’t been married even one month!

If something had happened, I’d tell you.

I’m home!

You’re husband is back.

Oh really?

Welcome back.

-Welcome home. -May I have a moment with you?

Sumiko spent the night here last night so I took her back to her place.

Did you lend the money to my brother?

I heard that you agreed to lend them the money.

Of course not! I couldn’t agree to that without talking to you first.

I said that I’d talk to you when you came back,

and that if you agreed to it, I wouldn’t oppose the family’s decision.

That makes it look like I’m the only one opposed to the deal. Don’t you care?

Of course I do. I don’t want to lend them the money an more than you do.

But you were gone and your mother called me on the carpet.

Do you think it was possible for me to say no?

You’re a man; if you don’t want to lend him the money, then you should say so. You’re my husband.

But even if I say so.

Where did you stay last night?

I went to Maebashi with Kuni-chan to play mahjongg.

Well, what can we do now?

Maybe we should just forget about the café.

That talk again?

We can just open it a little later, and I think we’ll have to make it a little smaller.

I’ll talk to Takemura about the money again.

-To Kenkichi? -Yes.

There’s a call from Kunio-san.

Hello? Yes, it’s me. What? Hmm. Well, I’ll be over. Yes. See you.

-You’re going out again? -Yeah, he just asked me to come over for a little bit.

Fuku hasn’t come home yet.

But she came back with us and Koharu, didn’t she?

But she disappeared somewhere on the train.

That’s strange.

When did Zenichi go out?

Sometime after two. He said he was going to see the friend that was here the other day.

Wait.

Leave it open. Your brother is still out.

You were gone pretty long for saying that you were just stepping out for a little bit.

Yes.

-Welcome home. -Hello.

No phone calls or anything?

No.

That’s strange.

What do you suppose has happened to your brother?

I don’t know.

How much money did you give him yesterday?

Money? I said I’d give him 300,000 yen, but I only gave him 200,000 of it yesterday.

I wonder what’s happened?

-Hello! -Hello.

That looks like hard work.

Now you know what she makes me do on Sundays.

Meanwhile, she herself has gone out somewhere.

Yumiko is out?

She’ll be back soon enough. Come in.

I brought some friends to the Haruna the other day.

There were a lot of arguments at my place yesterday.

It must be rough.

And today, I came to ask your advice again.

What could it be?

This is quite shameless of me...

...but it’s money again.

What? That’s all?

Well, come in.

-Oh, you’re here. -Hi.

-It sure is warm. I’m sweating. -Where did you go?

Take a look at these. What do you think?

-They’re nice. -200 yen.

Hey, put some tea on.

-What’s up? -Nothing. It seems strange.

You know, they say that the people that talk about dying never do.

-Did she say anything to you about it? -No, not really.

Hello.

You just had a call from the Mrs. at the Akagiya. She’d like you to come over right away.

From Sadako? Me?

I wonder what it could be.

-That’s true. Bring in Satsuki. -Yes, come.

I’ll take it.

He called your place yesterday didn’t he? I thought he would be safe with Shin-chan,

but I was completely wrong about that. They weren’t alone.

They went with a couple young geisha.

Oh my!

He should have told me right away, but she was something of a favourite of his,

so he must have been embarassed about it.

And then it seems that on the train home, the girl with Shin-chan disappeared.

Disappeared?

It seems she got off at a station along the way.

But she hasn’t been heard from since. No one knows where she went.

The two of them have been all hot and bothered about that since last night.

She was one of his favourites, but the girl who was with Shin-chan was a bad one, too.

She was always having trouble with her husband, but even if they didn’t get along,

she could never bring herself to leave him.

-Welcome back. -Hi.

-Welcome home. -Hi.

Kiyoko is in the bath.

-Your brother still hasn’t come back. -Not yet?

-Should we just wait? -What else can we do?

Here’s the estimate.

You’re terrible.

You go places and make up stories about it. Where were you?

Today I went to the Akagiya and Sadako told me everything.

While we were so worried about the money, you slip out and escape.

You’re not the only one suffering here.

If that were all that’s wrong, everything would be fine,

but I know that you went to a hot spring resort with some geisha to relax.

Men are really unfair!

What are women supposed to do when men do things like that? Just suffer through everything?

Of course not, but why are you talking about this?

Why? I guess you do think women should just shut up and suffer through everything.

I’m certain of it.

You might not be capable of doing something really terrible,

but all the same, I can’t put up with you hanging around with geisha.

I don’t like it!

I know. I was wrong.

You’re too late. You should have said something before, and—

You just never let up, do you? What do you want me to do?

Don’t ask me. I don’t know.

Thank you very much.

-Come in. -Hello there.

Takemura-san, Kiyoko is going to come in every day.

I want you to bring in lots of customers for her.

Why? What happened?

I think I was slacking off a bit before so I want to make up for it.

Oh.

And I thought that if I was going to learn how, I might as well give it my all.

I want the things that I’ve learned to stay with me.

That’s quite the spirit.

She has a good feel for this business. She’ll be able to do it all by herself pretty soon.

So what will it be today?

Yes, what shall I have...

You really are full of energy today.

Do I seem that way?

Yes.

But you know things haven’t been going so well at all.

I thought that might be the case. On the other hand,

I also thought that perhaps you were cheerful because you had gotten over something.

No. Things just get worse and worse.

All the same, last night I thought things over and decided to be as cheerful as possible,

even if it’s a strain, and I decided to go to the Haruna every day.

If you learn how to do something practical, you have something to fall back on.

-Come over here. Granny’s legs might be hurting. -No!

I’m afraid it is time for you to go to bed.

-Your father might come back when you’re asleep. -With a present for me?

Yes, that’s right, with a present.

Goodnight.

-Say goodnight to your granny, too. -Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Zenichi sure stirred up a lot of trouble running off with all that cash.

But he’s only been gone since the day before yesterday.

I don’t think he’s gotten over his grudges yet. I’m sorry I asked you to give him all that money.

Never mind about the money.

Shinji hasn’t said a word about it to me. I think he must be keeping his feelings to himself.

Mother, the bath is ready.

Is it? Well, I guess I’ll get in.

Goodnight.

There you are.

-Was it good? -Yes it was a very good movie.

I wanted to see it. You should have invited me to come with you.

I should have.

My brother said that wanted to see it.

Why don’t you go with him on his way home from work?

I suppose I could.

Here you go.

Kiyoko-san.

You’re in the way. Would you please stand over there?

Kiyoko is late, isn’t she? She goes out everyday these days.

-It must be rough on you. -No, not really.

Come over here and play with me, Rumi-chan. Come on.

I see.

What should we do?

I’m home.

You’re late.

I went to a movie.

Welcome home.

-You were with Kiyoko weren’t you? Did you eat? -I did.

I’ll put some tea on.

-It was good wasn’t it? -Yes.

What did Kiyoko say?

-Things must be pretty difficult over there. -That's right.

-Her brother in law is sill there from Tokyo, isn’t he? -I don’t think that’s the only thing.

Why? What’s wrong?

I don’t think she’s getting along with Shinji.

Do you think so? Did she say something to you?

No, nothing specific.

They had a big wedding, but they didn’t particularly like each other when they got married.

But Kiyoko is a good person. She’ll manage somehow.

How long has she been married?

I think it’s been five years.

Hmm. She hasn’t changed at all.

My button came off.

Just put it over there and I’ll get to it some time. I’ll get you another one out.

You don’t have to wash it.

That’s OK. Just put it aside.

Thank you. Goodbye.

Take care.

You say they found Fuku?

Yes, but— just come in.

They found her, alright. She drank some poison.

-Poison? -Yeah.

We found out this morning. I talked things over with Sadako.

We didn’t want you to get mixed up in all this, but someone filed a report with the authorities.

It doesn’t seem to me mention you. Nor should it have...

we just happened to be with her just before it happened.

That’s all. It seems she wasn’t getting along with her husband.

She was always talking about it and saying that she was going to die.

So you don’t need to worry about this. You don’t have anything to do with it. Forget about it.

You don’t even need to tell Kiyoko about it.

-But it will show up in the papers! -Will it?

If it does you can ignore it. Or just pretend you don’t care.

You sure caused him a lot of trouble by inviting him out.

Shinji...

...may I have a moment?

We got a letter from your brother. It looks like he’s going to get a job that he applied for.

I see.

I guess when things got rough he had to go back to Tokyo.

But he wants us to take care of Rumiko for a while.

Rumi-chan?

He only wants me to come to Tokyo by myself.

He’s always been like this. Everything he does just causes trouble for others.

It’s raining.

-The clouds are gone, so it’ll stop soon. -You're probably right.

We used to come here with Yumiko often.

It was right after the war. Things were terrible.

But I feel nostalgic for those days.

Kids sure are cute.

-Aren’t you lonely without kids? -Yes.

And doesn’t your husband’s mother want grandchildren?

His brother’s daughter is staying with us.

Is that right?

Do you like kids, Kenkichi?

Yes, I do. I love kids.

Then you need to find yourself a wife soon.

-I have to wait for my sister to get married first. -I suppose that’s true.

She’s taking her time with it, though.

She says she doesn’t want to rush into anything.

I guess she’s right about that.

If you marry without thinking it through, it can be a big headache later.

Kiyoko-san!

The rain has stopped.

-Shall we go? -Yes.

-I have something to talk to you about. -What is it?

The geisha who was missing, Fuku, is...

The geisha?

What’s happened to her?

She’s dead.

And...

She liked you, didn’t she.

No, that’s not true.

And what about you, did you like her?

No!

But she died, didn’t she?

-But— -She died for you, didn’t she?

No, that’s not true at all.

And you did it all behind my back.

Kiyoko!

Kiyoko!

I didn’t have any feelings toward Fuku. She didn’t have any feelings about me, either.

So why did she die, then?

I don’t know. I don’t know anything about her.

That’s a despicable way to say it.

She’s dead and you can say anything about her you want.

Even if you don’t believe me, even if you go off with the person you really like...

“Person I really like? ” What are you talking about?

Kenkichi-san.

If you want to go to him, go ahead. It’s OK with me.

Why do you think I’m involved with him?

If I’m wrong about this, I’ll apologise to you.

At any rate, do what you want. That’s all I want of you.

I don’t know what’s going to happen with this family. I’m sorry about that.

Listen to what you’re Granny tells you. And be good.

Yes.

-Did Kiyoko go out? -Yes.

Why did she do that when she knows that Kaoru is leaving?

What’s this?

Oh my!

“The reason for her suicide was difficulty with her husband.”

Poor girl.

To throw away the life that her parents gave her just like that...

But it looks like her parents were real pieces of work, too.

This is good. It doesn’t say anything about Shin-chan.

Really? Shin-chan must be relieved.

Shall we take a picture?

Never mind. Where are you going today?

I’m busy. I can’t go look at the cherry blossoms.

I have to be with my wife today.

-Will you have more to eat? -Sure.

Thanks.

-Hi there. -Hello.

Well, see you later.

Bye.

Enjoy your visit.

-How about a hat? -I don't need one.

When will you get back?

I don’t know.

Did you go to see the cherry blossoms?

No.

Really? I’m alone here, today. Please stick around for a while.

Sure.

-Cigarettes. -Yes. Just a second.

One pack, please.

Thank you very much.

I’ll go on ahead with your things.

Listen to what you’re Grandmother says.

Well, please take care of her. And give my gratitude to Kiyoko.

Hello there! I’ll be with you in just a second.

Nice weather isn’t it?

-Were you going to see the flowers? -No.

Hey what happened with your café?

We’re still going to do it.

Really? My brother was worried about it.

I heard something for the first time yesterday. It really surprised me.

What was it?

My husband thought there was something between me and your brother.

You and my brother?

It’s rough being a married woman.

You walk a little with a man and people start suspecting you. It’ll shock you.

I was really surprised myself.

But don’t tell your brother, though.

It’s his fault for staying single.

Well, I should be going.

-You don’t have to go! I’ll get some tea. -No need for that.

Bye!

-Nice to see you two together. -Hello.

It’ll be a little late, but let’s open it by fall.

-Let’s do it right this time. -Yes.

-Hello. -Hello.

-Is the lady of the house still in? -Yes, she is.

I’d like to see her.

I came to see how you were doing.

Shinji seems happy.

Did he get over his misunderstanding?

I talked to my brother.

What did he say?

He just laughed.

It’s partly my fault.

It’s difficult. It makes marriage seem more and more disagreeable to me now.

Oh no!

-Welcome home. -Hello there!

How did the talks go to today?

Quite well. She was a really nice girl.

If those two get married it’ll make how many? Thirty?

Thirty?

That’s right, you’re still single, aren’t you?

What?

I know someone just right for you. He’s a university professor,

but he’s very forthright. I have a picture of him.

I’ll make some Indian tea. Will you have some?

That sounds good.

-Just a second. -What is it?

You have something on your coat.

This is the one I was talking about.

Who’s that?

She really has you in her sights.