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Episode 167

A year and two months have passed

since Oshin left the Tanokura house in Saga.

Then quite unexpectedly, she received a letter from Ryuzo.

The first week of 1926 New Year was over at last,

Oshin was 25 years old.

- Welcome! - Welcome!

I came over as soon as I got back.

Welcome back.

The front is busy, so the parlor's better.

Make Kota something good to eat.

I'm sure he doesn't eat anything good while he's traveling.

The business seems to be doing well as usual.

People are still celebrating the New Year.

A letter came from Ryuzo in Saga!

I'm sorry you have to eat back here.

I feel more comfortable here.

Too bad Yuu is already asleep. I bought him a present.

I'm sorry. He was looking forward to seeing you.

This year, there's going to be a confrontation

between sharecroppers and the landowners.

I don't think I can stay long here in Sakata.

The landowners have been retaliating.

They're taking land back from the sharecroppers.

The time has come to fight!

But if you do that...

The police won't just sit back and do nothing.

That just comes with the territory.

I'd better eat your cooking while I can.

You got a letter?

Yes.

I'm glad.

Now I don't have to worry about you and Yuu.

But why didn't he write you sooner?

His mother had been keeping my letters from him.

I feel sorry for Tanokura.

It was a long letter, and he sent 20 yen for Yuu, too.

He's a father, after all.

He wants me to send him pictures of Yuu.

Pictures?

Does that mean he is not coming here?

Two more bottles of sake!

Is that seven in all?

Maybe we should close up... Kota is here,

and these people may never go home if we don't say anything.

That's true... I don't want any trouble.

Shall we close up?

Yes.

Ryuzo wants to continue working in Saga.

That's nonsense!

He wants to make the reclaimed land a reality.

Then he'll call us back to Saga.

That land reclamation project could take forever!

He wants to stake his pride as a man on it.

He wouldn't want to be a proprietor of an eatery.

I'll just have to hang on here until he sends for us.

Oshin...

I'll be all right...

As long as we believe in each other,

I'm sure we will be together again.

Stop!

I'll take care of this!

Go outside and fight!

Shut up!

This is my place. Do as I say!

Woman, stay out of this!

I can't do business here if I'm afraid to fight!

I won't allow you to fight in here!

Either you outside, or kill me!

Listen to Oshin!

Can't you fight without knives?

Then just go outside, and kill each other!

We'll go outside.

Pay your tab first!

If you die, I won't be able to collect!

How much do they owe?

One yen and 15 sen for that big one.

Pay me one yen and 15 sen!

- The other one owes 95 sen. - Hand over 95 sen!

I'm never coming back here!

Thank you!

The coins are all over the floor.

I'm sorry!

Thank you!

Please, stay for another drink. Have drinks on the house.

I've never met a woman with your guts.

There aren't women like you in Kyushu.

I want to make you my wife!

Too bad... I'm already married.

You have courage, but you can also get yourself killed, too!

You're dealing with drunks.

Things like that happen all the time...

In a business like this,

you have to expect drunken men to fight.

I don't like those drunks pawing you!

I can't get angry every time they do that.

I don't like you working in this business!

Now that this shop is up and running...

I'm sorry to throw cold water on it.

Things might be alright until now,

but when it comes to the drunkards,

who knows what else may happen.

There will be hell to pay if you underestimate it.

I'll be all right. I can handle those men.

I can't stand to see them touching you!

They don't mean anything by it...

Regardless, I still don't like it!

I'm sure Tanokura would feel the same way.

I know it sounds childish, but I can't stand it!

If you really want to get back together with Tanokura,

you'd live in a more respectable way.

When an ill-feeling remains in his heart,

with you doing such a business.

Even if you can live together later on,

it'll become the cause of marital failure.

There are other ways to make a living.

Think things over before it's too late.

It's not that I enjoy working like this.

But I don't have money,

and with Yuu to care for, I have no other choice.

I think you should find something

that you and Tanokura can do together.

That land reclaiming project he's engaged in is so unsure.

It may take years! A couple can't live apart for that long.

If you don't want him managing an eatery,

it's up to you to find something you two can do together,

and have him come join you as soon as possible.

Otherwise... I'd have to keep worrying about you.

I finally cleaned it all up.

Please get me some sake...

Alright.

- Mrs. Okayo. - Yes?

Kota doesn't like me working like this.

Why?

We feed people, and I'm helping her.

I know, but...

You didn't like those men fighting? Oshin isn't afraid of men like that.

Right, Oshin?

Working men like this place. There's no need for you to worry.

Oshin had been giving all she had to make this business work.

She had no choice.

Kota's words weighed heavily upon her.

But what else could she do?

Oshin had no idea...

Welcome!

Sorry to bother you when you're so busy.

But I needed to talk to you before Kayo got here.

Please come into the back room.

- We can talk out here. - Okay.

- I'll leave the money here. - Thank you.

This clam soup is good.

- May I have more? - I'll be right with you.

You're doing well.

Thanks to Kaga-ya and Mrs. Okayo.

It's about Kayo...

What about her?

Can you convince her to stay home? I know you need her here,

but if this keeps up, her marriage will fall apart.

Masao is getting upset...

I figured you'd be here!

Mrs. Okayo...

There's no use trying to keep me at home.

I like working here, so leave Oshin alone.

Don't waste your breath!

Kayo!

We need clam soup out here.

Okay!

Episode 168

I'm starving!

I skipped breakfast to get over here.

When I got up, Mother had gone out.

I figured she came here, and I got so worried!

I guess she's getting old... She nags a lot.

I'll make you something. Just relax and enjoy it.

I got a big lecture last night after I got home.

I don't blame her... You go home so late.

Remember, you're the young mistress of Kaga-ya.

But there's nothing for me to do there!

Masao runs Kaga-ya.

Mother doesn't need my help to run the household.

But she says Masao doesn't like the idea

of you being away all day and night.

Don't listen to my mother! Masao understands how I feel.

I hadn't intended on you staying on to help me for so long.

It's my fault.

I come here because I want to.

Working here lets me forget my problems.

It does me good!

And you're a great help to me, too.

But I can't let Kaga-ya's young mistress

work here as a maid forever.

Oshin...

You don't want me here anymore? I've become a burden to you now?

Please think about your husband and family, too.

You talked me into forgetting Kota,

and returning here to Kaga-ya.

I married Masao, too.

I did it all for Kaga-ya.

Now I don't want to do things for anyone else's sake anymore.

I've put up with it until now. Isn't that enough?

From now on, I want to live for myself.

There's not much here for you, but...

I envy you...

You only have Yuu to burden you.

I have the whole Kaga-ya family weighing me down.

You refuse to listen to me?

Let's keep working here together.

We'll save up our profits and expand this place.

Then Ryuzo can come and join us.

You and I can make things work if we do it together!

This looks so good!

Ever since you came to work for us,

I've grown accustomed to your cooking.

I like your cooking more than anyone else's.

Welcome!

Kota! Welcome back!

You sure were gone a long time.

I had to get the sharecroppers organized during their off-season.

We'll negotiate with the landowners at harvest time.

I expect some serious confrontations.

You must be tired.

- Have you eaten? - I've already eaten.

I'd better go.

- Oshin. - Yes?

I found you a job.

What do you mean?

My relatives are in Ise in the Mie prefecture.

They're fishermen,

but they have boats and do business in a big way.

Your job is to sell their catch.

That's being a fish peddler!

I guess it is...

If you can sell the fish cheaply, you'll have regular customers.

And I've also found you a place to live.

The landlord is nice. They will look after you.

Oshin!

Don't tell me you...

Ise is a good place. It's on the seashore.

We have ocean here in Sakata, too!

The winters are warm. It's a good place to live.

It'll be good for Yuu, too.

Please let me think about it.

What is there to think about?

We just managed to get this place going!

There's a big future for us right here.

Tanokura Ryuzo

Closed for the day.

Oshin!

Oshin! Oshin!

You'll be going to Ise?

People will look after us there.

- Ise is where that big shrine is? - Yes.

I visited there once.

I stayed at an inn in Toba near the ocean.

The view was great!

What will you do there?

I'll have to go there and see.

But that's so insecure for you!

A trusted friend has arranged it for me.

Will you be all right in such a strange place?

Oshin can handle herself anywhere. It sounds good.

I hope you're not doing this because of what I told you the other day.

I wasn't telling you to quit the eatery.

I'd only wanted you to talk to Kayo.

You don't have to move away like this.

It's not because of Mrs. Okayo that I'm leaving.

At first I just wanted to serve food,

but I had to also serve sake to keep abreast.

It also caused a lot of problems, too.

Sakata gets a lot of ships,

and the sailors can be awfully rough.

I was worried about you, too.

Thanks to you all, Yuu and I didn't have to starve.

Ise is too far away! You don't have to move that far.

Kayo and I will be so lonely without you.

I can get you a job right here in Sakata.

Why did you close up and come here?

She has come to say goodbye.

She's decided to go to Ise.

I'd been planning to talk to you, too.

I think what I'm about to do is best for me.

Oshin, you...

It was so much fun working with you.

You're leaving because of me?

No. I'm doing it for Yuu and me.

Oshin...

That house is old, too. It should be demolished.

Once Oshin leaves, I'll tear it down.

We can't rent it to people as is.

Father...

Masao needs more warehouse space.

We'll store rice there. Right, Mino?

Yes...

Oshin is leaving behind a thriving business.

We'll have to give her a nice farewell gift.

Mrs. Okayo...

Please do your best as Kaga-ya's young mistress.

That's best for you.

No matter where I am, I'll be praying for your happiness.

I'll come back and see you again.

Please take good care of yourself.

You'll leave tomorrow morning,

and arrive there the evening of the following day.

Okay.

Where's Mrs. Okayo?

She's upset with me...

Too bad. You'll be leaving with regrets.

I feel as if I'm betraying her...

She'll understand one day.

Mrs. Okayo...

I figured Kota would be here, too.

I want the three of us to have a farewell party tonight.

I'm so glad you came.

The three of them had all met in Sakata in their youth,

and each had gone their own way.

And they had all met again in Sakata.

Now they were about to part again so they could each go their own way again.

None of them knew when they'd meet again.

Episode 169

Oshin was set to leave Sakata again.

She came to Sakata to work at Kaga-ya at age eight,

and stayed until she was 16.

She had returned to Sakata to find a more permanent home,

but it was not to be.

On the eve of her departure,

Kota and Kayo joined Oshin in a banquet of farewell.

I should've had more food ready.

We don't need anything.

We just wanted to sit and talk before you left us.

So sit yourself down!

Where's Yuu?

He's sleeping soundly.

- Want some? - Yes, thank you.

It's been 10 years since that episode...

Oshin...

I had told Kota that you were getting married.

But...

You were exchanging betrothal gifts that day.

Kota...

Kota was dejected.

So I took advantage of his vulnerability.

The three of us haven't had much of a life...

Here we are in Sakata again... 10 years later.

And again, we're all splitting up.

Fate hasn't been kind to us...

But we are each traveling a different path.

You must be good to your husband.

And that's why you quit this eatery! I know that's why...

That's why...

That's why I'm willing to try... To try again.

Mrs. Okayo.

Nobody in this world is able to do what they want.

We all hit a barrier somewhere, and we struggle to overcome them.

And before we know it,

we end up taking a path we never dreamed of.

And there's no use lamenting it...

One must make the best of one's given lot...

Otherwise, we will never be happy in our lives.

Till we all meet again...

And we can laugh and talk about it again.

We'll see each other again?

I'm sure we will.

I'm sure of it.

We'll see each other again.

Yes, we will.

The three of us will meet again in Sakata.

I'm sure we'll meet again.

After 10 years of separation, they met again,

and now they were set to part again.

But their promise to meet again never came to be...

Yuu.

This is from me. Please take it.

No. I couldn't possibly accept.

Go on. It's to show our feelings towards you.

No...

Take it. It'll make my parents happy.

If you run into difficulty in Ise, come back to us.

Don't feel that you have to stick it out.

Nothing is worth ruining your health over.

Too bad...

We never did get to make Yuu our own.

Oshin looked back again and again...

Kaga-ya was like home to Oshin.

She couldn't help but think back to her days

as a little girl working here. Oshin never saw Kaga-ya again...

I see. That's why you wanted to stay here a few days.

Transportation wasn't that good back then.

We had a hard time reaching Ise.

We'd come so far... I felt like crying.

I walked along the beach here...

I couldn't find the house I was supposed to visit.

I felt desperate...

The pier is concrete now. It's all changed.

But the color of the sea hasn't changed...

It's so blue... The water is beautiful.

Yuu...

This is the place!

This is it.

What are you doing on those barrels!

Fishermen need those to make a living!

I'm sorry!

I haven't seen you around before...

I'm sorry... I didn't know...

Are you the one from Sakata?

Yes.

I wonder how we missed each other.

Kota wrote us and said you were coming today.

I've been up and down the way looking for you.

Come on inside!

I'm Kamiyama Hisa. Your guarantor.

You are?

Are you ill?

No. I haven't eaten. I just feel weak.

You're hungry?

I'm sorry.

I was so late. I couldn't eat until I found your house.

Don't be so caught up with such trivial things.

A woman needs courage to make it on her own.

Pull yourself together!

Okay.

Episode 170

You carried him on your back the whole way?

No wonder you're tired.

I'm surprised you made it here all alone.

Why didn't Kota bring you here himself?

Kota has his work to do.

Oh, sure... All he does is cause his parents trouble.

He isn't hurting for money. He's a college graduate, too.

He could have gotten a good job

since his father is in the House of Peers.

He could've gone far in the world by now.

Kota's father is in the House of Peers?

Kota's mother and I are cousins.

But she married high, and I married a fisherman.

So we didn't associate much after marriage.

But Kota loved this place since he was little.

He'd visit us often while he was in school.

He still comes by once in a while.

He's a good man...

Too bad he got caught up in what he's doing.

He is a good man...

He's always on the side of the weak and the poor.

Maybe so...

That's why I can't refuse his requests.

If he thinks highly of you, you must be a good person, too.

I'll do all I can for you.

When Oshin awoke,

she didn't know where she was at first.

It was a room unfamiliar to her.

And Yuu was gone, too.

Her new life here was about to start.

She remembered that she was at Hisa's house.

What will her days here be like?

Oshin suddenly felt very unsure.

Yuu?

Yuu?

Yuu!

I was showing him the beach.

You must've been exhausted.

You didn't even notice that he was awake.

I'm sorry.

I felt so relieved that I slept so soundly.

I'll help you in the kitchen starting tomorrow.

That's my job, and you'll have yours.

But you're taking care of both of us!

All I'm doing is renting you a room.

Kota asked me to find you a house, but I have three sons,

but they're all away at schools in Tokyo and Nagoya.

I'm all alone here, so I have room for you.

Thank you. That's comforting to know.

But I feel I should help you with the chores.

It's my job to care for the fishermen working on my boats.

Otherwise, I have nothing to do.

You'll be going out to sell fish starting tomorrow,

or you won't be able to eat.

Peddle fish?

Isn't that why you're here? Didn't Kota tell you?

You'll buy fish landed by my boats,

and peddle them for profit.

- Peddle them where? - How should I know?

I'm just a fish broker. Your job is to sell them.

How much profit you make is up to you.

There is a lot of competition, too.

You'll have to learn the business from scratch.

It's something you'll have to learn for yourself.

And you will learn whether you like it or not.

Are they all peddlers?

Yes. They buy the fish here, and go out and sell them.

Let's go.

She will be joining you starting today.

Nice to meet you.

Let's continue.

This should be enough for me today.

- That'll be three yen and 50 sen. - What about me?

You're stocking up on all the sea bream?

People need them for celebrations.

You must have some good, regular customers!

You can have all that for four yen.

No, I'll give it to you for three yen and 80 sen.

Without knowing what to do, Oshin was sent out to peddle fish.

Oshin had been a hairdresser and had tackled many other tasks

and she'd had to learn from scratch.

From there, she learned how to do business,

and she had the courage to try new things.

I'll leave now.

Once out in the streets,

she was ready to assume her new duties as a fish peddler.

I have fresh fish!

Would you like some seasonal fish?

Any fish for you?

I've already bought some.

Next time, then.

Would you like \some fresh fish?

Fresh fish! Want some fresh fish?

I've got fresh fish! Would you like some?

You're new.

I just started today.

Sorry, I only buy from our regular peddler.

I'll give you a deal.

She does other things for me, so I can't buy from you.

I see. Maybe next time.

No use selling around here.

We all buy from our regular peddlers.

Okay. Thank you.

We haven't sold any fish at all... What should I do?

Hello.

Does a designated fish peddler come here?

One comes every couple of days.

She's not coming today, so maybe someone will buy from you.

- How about you? - Not me.

The peddler I buy from does me big favors,

like taking things to my married daughter.

I see.

I guess I'd better just give this fish away.

I can't just throw them away.

Take some flounder, and call out your neighbors.

They're still fresh.

Really?

I can't bear to just throw them away.

I'd rather have people enjoy them.

She's giving away free fish!

Have some!

Please, have some.

You were gone so long. Where did you go?

I was worried.

How did you do? You sold them all?

You sure are good!

I figured you'd sell about a third at best.

How did you do it?

Episode 171

You must be tired. Take a bath and go to bed.

Thank you very much.

Kota's entrusted you under my care.

And I want you to be able to stand alone.

But sold all the fish on your first day...

How much profit did you make?

Never mind.

I'm just impressed by your ability to get rid of all your fish!

Have some tea.

Thank you.

You must've had it rough.

When Kota first mentioned you,

I offered to just take you in without working.

But he wanted me to teach you a trade.

That's why I feel so responsible!

I'd rather just have you stay here as a guest...

Nobody wants to make you work hard!

But I have to do as Kota asks,

and I want you to learn something, too.

That's why I'm training you in this tough business.

I know that.

I hope you learn fast,

so you'll be able to get back together with your husband.

Peddling is the basis of all business.

If you can't do that you'd never make it in anything else!

So do your best.

I will.

15 sen per flounder.

I have fresh fish.

I'll make you a good deal!

Nice, fresh fish!

Fresh fish!

- Fresh fish...! - Let's see your fish.

Thank you!

You're really selling them at this price?

Yes.

You're selling them at such a low price,

I thought you're selling old fish, but these are from this morning.

You're right. Bigger than usual.

I paid five sen more for one like this yesterday.

It wasn't this cheap yesterday.

I just started, so I'm selling them cheap.

No wonder I never saw you before.

It must be tough selling with your child along.

- I'll take some. - Thank you!

- Yellowtail for me. - Okay.

It's really cheap. Is it fresh?

Just caught this morning!

It's my first day, so I'll make you a deal.

And the eel to mine.

Thank you!

You are pretty good with the knife.

Is something wrong?

I'm back.

It's still so early in the day.

I sold out.

I'll start out with more tomorrow.

What kind of peddling are you doing?

Never mind. I'm sure you know what you're doing.

It's not for me to say.

I can help you with chores here in the afternoon.

I hear you were doing well running an eatery back in Sakata,

but Kota didn't want you working in a business like that.

I told him it was none of his business.

I'm grateful to him.

I had my own reasons for discontinuing the business.

With your experience, peddling fish isn't much at all.

It's all part of business.

I want to find work that is lasting.

To tell you the truth I was worried about

what I was getting myself into with you.

But Kota was right.

You have the ability to be independent.

I'll care for you as if you were my own daughter.

I'll make us dinner. I have lobster.

I'm sure you've never had lobster.

- Try it since you're here in Ise. - I wouldn't think of it.

You can sell them for a good price at the market.

I want you to try it.

Did you just get done?

We had an awful day!

People say our fish prices are too high!

We're being run out of business.

We're here to find out what's going on!

What are you talking about?

I'm sure she knows!

We sell fish 30% higher than we buy it for,

but she's selling them for only 10% profit!

How can we compete with her prices?

You've hurt us all with your selling tactics!

Why are you letting her do this?

She has nothing to do with it. It was all my idea.

Even if I knew, I refuse to get involved in this.

Competition is the basis of all business.

You shouldn't be complaining.

That's not all.

She gave her fish away for nothing yesterday!

Think of how we feel...

It's not just you who took a loss!

Whatever she does is her own business.

Nobody can stop her!

Before you complain, think about competing with her.

That's what doing business is all about, isn't it?

Don't get so upset!

I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble.

Oshin, I...

I sold the fish at a low price

so that the customers would remember me.

I gave the fish away because I couldn't sell them.

I didn't want them to go to waste. That way,

the people would remember me and buy from me the next time.

Is that how you do business?

Take a loss in order to reap big profits?

I don't want to lose out!

I'll develop my own clientèle!

I think I should have that kind of spirit, in order to survive in this business.

Yes. You sure do have spirit. We'll see if it works.

Just try it and see.

Flounder.

I'll take it!

-Sardines! - I'll take it!

How much?

Aren't you buying too much?

I sell cheap, so I have to sell a lot!

Fresh fish! Any fish today?

What do you have today?

Hello.

The mackerel is good.

- I'll take some. - All right. Thank you!

You sure work hard. Coming out every day with your little boy.

We have decided to buy from you only.

I feel bad for the ones we used to buy from,

but you give us a good deal!

Thank you for your patronage.

Hello!

You're that fish peddler from the other day.

Thanks for the free fish.

I didn't want to have to haul the fish back.

I'll buy some today.

Thank you, but I'm all sold out.

- You have nothing? - Sorry, I'll come again.

You're planting potatoes?

I have to care for a sick person, so I can't work as much as I want.

Let me help you. I'm done for the day.

Yuu, go and play, but don't go far.

Are you sure?

I come from a family of sharecroppers.

I'm used to working out in the field.

This brings back memories...

I love the smell of good soil!

You were helping in the fields?

- They were so happy. - You don't have to do that!

I have to do all I can to win customers over.

I had fun in the fields. It's been a while.

Yuu had fun playing, too.

Hisa recognized the keenness of Oshin's business sense.

She knew Oshin would succeed one day.

Until then, she would watch over Oshin.

Episode 172

If the weather allowed the fishing fleet out to sea,

Oshin had to peddle her fish in the neighboring area with Yuu on her cart.

Oshin sold her fish at a low price,

but she made that up by selling in volume.

She was fast developing a steady clientèle.

Thank you!

What would be good for a sick person?

You must be worried. How about kisu fish?

Here. I'll give you these for your sick grandma.

You can't give away fish for nothing!

My grandmother is dead, so I can't care for her.

I'm doing this in her memory.

She's so nice. Go on and take it.

Thank you. If you insist.

Then please add three more mackerel.

Thank you.

- Was it 20 sen? - That's right.

Thank you! Come again!

I'm having guests, so I'll need sea bream and lobster.

You should serve them at least that!

But they're so expensive!

I'll give you a deal. Just tell me what your budget is.

I'll let you know.

I could help you cook for your guests, too.

That would be great!

I'll have to ask you to help me for our memorial service, too.

Just let me know what I can do to help.

We'll be waiting.

Let's go out farther today.

Take care!

You were out late again today.

I had to help one of my customers move.

What a thing to do!

Those people I gave free fish to are some of my best customers now.

That's why I enjoy helping them.

You don't have to do all that just because they buy from you!

You'll end up getting sick if you overwork yourself!

I have to be good to my customers.

A storm is coming.

There will be no fish tomorrow.

I have to take the day off?

When it storms, the peddlers rest. You can take it easy.

I'll take all the sardines, and all the sea bream!

- All of them? - Oshin...

You can't sell all this in one day!

It's all right.

Smells good. What is it?

I'm cooking sardines to preserve them.

What will you do with all that?

I'll sell them.

You're changing jobs to selling cooked fish?

I can't stay home every time we have a storm.

I'm going to take this and sell it.

This sea bream, too?

I'm preparing them in miso, so that they'll last.

After going three days without any fish, people will be so happy!

I've never eaten it in miso before...

You eat delicious fish all year round.

Up in the northeast,

we only got salted fish or dried fish in the mountains,

we only got to eat that once or twice a year.

Misozuke fish was a real treat!

I guess you're only used to fresh fish.

I guess so...

I like it here. I want to live here forever.

That's why I have to take good care of my customers!

They'll be my assets for life.

Oshin's dream was to open a fish store here.

She'd bring Ryuzo here to live as a family again.

The hot summer passed, and it was now fall.

Oshin never took a day off from her work.

She and Yuu peddled fish from her pushcart.

That year, in 1926, the Taisho Emperor passed on.

The new era of Showa had begun.

Oshin had been in Ise over a year now.

You were out so late...

I had to help cook for a wedding.

You seem very well.

Kota!

He's been waiting here for you two to return.

You haven't changed at all!

Do you remember me?

Sure you do.

Are you going back to Sakata?

I haven't been back there in a while.

I'm too busy traveling here and there.

Thank you for coming to see us here.

I'd been worried about you.

But I didn't have time to come out here.

We have no way of getting in touch with you!

We can't even write to you!

I'm so sorry.

Are you still on the run?

No. The labor movement has been made legal.

But things have changed.

It used to be that the sharecroppers would negotiate

with the landowners to lower rents.

But now, the landowners want to negotiate in order to raise the rents.

They employ thugs to drive the sharecroppers out.

They also go to the courts in order to prevent

the sharecroppers from planting rice. It's all very complicated...

It must be rough on you...

The economy is bad, so the landowners are hurting.

The sharecropper issue has been bogged down.

I guess you're still hanging in there.

I owe everything to you both.

No. It's the strength of her spirit that's helped her.

She doesn't just peddle fish.

She's gotten through to the hearts of her customers.

She does what nobody else can do.

That's why she has so many regular customers.

Her competitors used to complain, but now they all respect her.

She sure is business-minded!

I'm glad. I knew you would help her.

I haven't done a thing!

She pays me for room and board,

and I sell fish to her at the same rate as everyone else.

She has allowed me to just concentrate on my business.

I've become a full-fledged fish peddler.

Now I feel much better.

I wouldn't have been able to just stand by

and watch you feed all those drunks in Sakata.

It's about time she opened her own fish store.

She doesn't have to push a cart around anymore.

I feel sorry for Yuu. Out in the cold wind!

I'm not ready to do that yet.

I can loan you the money to open a shop.

You have a lot of regular customers.

They would come to your shop! They all trust you.

If my aunt thinks you can do it,

you can safely open up your own store.

Then you can ask your husband to come here.

That's right.

A couple shouldn't live apart. It's not good for Yuu.

That's why I had you come out here.

I would've fulfilled my responsibility to you

if I get the three of you back as a family.

Then I won't have to worry about you.

I'd better be going. I have a train to catch.

You have to leave now?

I just stopped by to see you.

Please take good care of them.

I might have to go underground again.

Even if I don't see you again, I'll be thinking of you.

I hope you and Tanokura can get back together soon.

About Mrs. Okayo...

She's doing fine as the young mistress of Kaga-ya.

It's as it should be.

I'm sure I'll get to see you again...

That fool! What can he do all by himself?

He's out there sacrificing himself for others!

And all for the movement!

That night, Oshin wrote a letter to Ryuzo.

She felt that getting back with Ryuzo

was a way in which she could repay Kota's love for her.

Episode 173

You must be so hungry! I have your favorite fish ready.

Let's eat.

No letter yet from Saga...

What's wrong with that husband of yours?

Yuu has fallen asleep.

He must be tired from being in the cart all day.

Even though he's just a child, it must be hard.

Yuu is getting big. He must feel heavy in the cart.

It's three ri to town and back. *1 ri = 3,9 km

I don't mind the walk.

I'm used to hiking mountain roads!

You don't have to work so hard. Once you open up your own shop,

your regular customers would flock there.

You wouldn't have to worry at all.

I'd miss you two if you went to live in town.

But it would be best for you.

You don't have to wait for an answer from your husband.

It's not as if you can't run the business without him.

It would be your own fish store!

Thank you for your concern...

I just think Yuu would be lonely in a new house without his father there.

Yuu likes the attention you give him.

It's better for him to be here, than being alone with me.

If it's not too much trouble...

It's no trouble.

I look forward to you two coming home each evening.

Your tea is ready.

Thank you.

Doesn't Yuu's father love him?

My late husband fooled around on me,

but he always loved our children!

Our children helped keep us together...

Children can hold a marriage together.

It's my fault...

I should have persevered in Saga,

then we wouldn't be living apart now.

Then Yuu wouldn't have to be so lonely.

I'm sure my husband wants to leave Saga,

but maybe he can't...

I don't know anything about his situation.

I shouldn't have said anything.

But just the fact that you had to flee Saga...

There must have been a good reason!

You have no intention of going back to Saga?

No.

I can't go back there.

That's why I need to be independent.

Oshin.

Give him up!

He has his parents there in Saga. Why would they allow him to leave,

so that he could go back to a wife who left him!

No matter how long you wait, he will never come.

Forget about having your own store. You can just stay here with me!

You can quit your fish peddling if you want.

It's fate that brought you here.

You can live here till the day you die!

It's best to forget that husband of yours.

Kota, too... He tells you to get back together as a couple,

but he'd rather see you remain single.

If that weren't so, why would he help you?

If you're going to wait for anyone, wait for Kota!

Just leave that to me.

Daydreaming again?

Why don't you go help out in the fields?

If you keep loafing,

your brother will lose his patience with you!

The planting season is starting, so you have to work for your share.

I know!

Ever since Oshin wrote you, you've lost your will to work.

You've given up on your land reclaiming project, too.

I hope you're not letting Oshin

talk you into running a fish store with her!

Don't even dream of it!

I'm so worthless... Oshin saved up her money

from peddling fish to open up her own store.

How can I go to her now?

If I had it in mind to leave here, I would be gone already!

I have my pride as a man...

I'll work hard and own my own land.

Then I'll get Oshin to come home to me!

I'll get her to come here!

Going out to work in the fields?

Mother lectures me... It's easier working in the fields!

But she's right...

You have to make up your mind. Did you write Oshin back?

Let her know if you're going to Ise or not!

A man has to make up his mind.

I don't have to answer her letter. She already knows how I feel...

Once I succeed in that land reclaiming project,

I'll send for her.

She knows I don't intend on becoming a master of any fish store!

I have nothing to say to her now.

Then it's best if you gave up on Oshin.

You, too?!

How long will that land reclaiming project take?

Who can wait that long?

You told me I'd own my own land in 10 years!

It's already been four years! I only have six more years to wait.

You're going to let Oshin wait by herself that long?

And you call that being married?

You and Oshin...

You both should think about finding one's own path in life!

It's too cruel to make Oshin wait for you for that long a time.

You're in your prime of manhood, too.

I don't care what you say, I'll wait for her.

- What does Oshin say to that? - She told me she'd wait.

Even if we're apart,

if we believe in each other, we're still husband and wife.

Go to Ise!

Forget your pride.

Go to Oshin!

You can't tell me what to do.

You have all your money invested in the land reclaiming project, too.

You can't just tell me to forget about it!

I'm Yuu's father...

I want him to be able to inherit my land!

I don't want Yuu to have to run a fish store.

I'll write Oshin. I'll tell her I'm not going to Ise.

Are you asleep?

No.

You haven't told me what that letter from your husband says.

I'm sorry.

He says he doesn't intend on coming here.

I figured as much! Does he want to divorce?

He wants me to wait for him...

Wait for him to send for us to come back to Saga.

That's so selfish of him!

He's very serious about us,

and I don't want to ignore how he feels about us.

You sure have yourself a wretched husband...

He's so hard-headed!

Oshin continued peddling fish with her son, Yuu.

She was happy being his mother.

Another summer was about to pass.

It's raining so hard!

This storm is going to be a big one.

Kyushu is being hit hard!

Many areas in Saga and Nagasaki are flooded.

I hope your husband's family is all right.

Saga is a big place. I'm sure they're safe.

Episode 174

The day after the typhoon was beautiful.

Oshin had spent a sleepless night worrying about

what damages the typhoon had brought Saga.

But by morning, her worries were abated with the blue skies.

We're so glad to see you!

We were worried that you wouldn't come today.

The storm prevented the boats from fishing,

but I have misozuke fish and tsukudani.

I have relatives coming today, so I was worried.

I'm sure you make good misozuke.

I have abalone, squid, and sea bream.

Abalone misozuke?

Yes. You can eat it just like that.

That's unusual. I'll take that.

Thank you.

I trust you.

No damage to your house last night?

No. But the men were out all night long, checking the dikes.

Kyushu was hard hit. Did you read the papers?

Many died from flooding in Saga and Nagasaki.

The dikes there broke, and the rivers flooded.

I'm used to typhoons, but last night was scary...

How about you?

I was trembling with fear.

Where are Ryuzo and Father?

They're not back yet! I hope nothing has happened to them...

Our rice crop was ruined by the flooding...

They're ruined?

We can salvage enough for our own use,

but we need everyone's help, including Ryuzo, and you!

Ryuzo is not back yet!

He is out checking the reclaimed lands.

I tried to stop him, but he wouldn't listen...

Come help us salvage the rice crop!

I have to go looking for my husband and Ryuzo!

We need everyone's help!

- Ryu! - Father...

You're both safe... I was so worried about you.

You're all so dirty!

We need your help in the fields!

They have not eaten since last night.

Let them eat first.

This is no time to be eating!

We'll have to forget about the rice crop.

Once it gets wet, it's worthless.

But Father...!

Go wash up.

What's the matter?

All the land that we'd reclaimed from the sea got washed away...

- Ryuzo's plot, too? - Yes...

They got hit the hardest due to the high tides.

My whole time here in Saga... has been wasted!

It's all gone!

The sharecroppers have lost everything, too.

We won't be able to collect rents this year.

We can't let them starve... We'll have to do something.

We can sell some land that we still own.

It's a natural disaster... We can't blame anybody.

We put in all our money into the land reclaiming projects.

Now it's all gone.

Maybe you're all right, but what about Ryuzo?

The Great Earthquake brought him here four years ago.

Now everything he has worked for is gone.

He wasn't much help on our family farm!

I gave him a chance, and I said nothing, but...

I wish I'd opposed his silly involvement

in the land reclaiming projects!

I'm sure your father and Ryuzo have both seen the light now...

I'm sure Ryuzo will be helping Fukutaro more now.

So this wasn't a waste.

A lesson has been taught here.

Next year, we'll work together to bring in a good rice crop.

Do you understand?

No more land reclaiming!

Mother...

I'll go out and work in the fields today.

It's from Ryuzo...

- What's this? - I just found it on the table.

Thank you for helping me out for so long.

I apologize for causing you so much trouble.

That land reclaiming project was my whole life's dream.

Now that it's all gone,

there's no reason for me to remain in Saga.

I'll leave Saga and start my life over again.

Please don't be concerned for me.

I'll write you when I've found a new way of life.

Father... Mother... Please take good care of yourselves.

I'm also very grateful to Fukutaro and his wife.

Please give them my best regards. - Ryuzo

That fool!

He won't be able to find work when the economy is bad like this!

How will he survive?!

Ryu...

Why are you running away?!

I came to say goodbye.

What do you mean?

I wanted to see you two before I went on.

You two were singing so happily.

That's all I wanted to see. I just can move on now...

I will take a ship to Shimonoseki...

From there, I'll go on to Manchuria.

In Dairen, I have an old friend.

You'll go to Manchuria?

It's the new frontier!

There are no jobs in Japan, but there's so much in Manchuria.

Whole new opportunities! Once I get over there,

who knows when I'll be able to come back.

That's why I wanted to get a last glimpse of you two.

But I can't face you two now.

I'll come back for you one day... Look after Yuu until then.

No! Wait!

Why do you have to go to Manchuria?!

I have no other choice!

Why do we have to part like this?!

Can't you at least hold Yuu? You're his father!

If I see him, it will be harder for me to leave!

I'll contact you once I get there.

Father.

Father!

Yuu!

Yuu...

Oshin...

That's my husband...

Yuu's father?

Episode 175

Another turning point had come to Oshin's life.

Ryuzo, her husband, had appeared suddenly.

He had lost everything he'd worked for in Saga.

The typhoon had washed away his land reclaiming project,

and he was on his way to Manchuria.

It meant another long separation...

Why give up... Right?

Yuu has sure grown up.

Three years is a long time.

And I caused you so much grief... I'm sorry.

Never mind that...

Please, stay with Yuu.

Don't go to Manchuria.

I want my own land.

That's why I hung on and stayed in Saga.

I wasn't doing it for anybody.

I just didn't want to be taken care of by my family.

I know that, and I never resented you for it!

If you understand, then please wait for me.

I want to start up anew in Manchuria.

I don't care about owning our own land.

If the three of us stay together, we will never starve!

- I know that. - Then...

I haven't been a good father or husband...

I want to make something of myself in Manchuria.

But, Ryuzo!

I still have my pride as a man! Please, understand.

Oshin...

I'll return one day, so wait for me!

Wait for me.

What are you doing up so early?

I'm sorry I woke you up.

My husband's leaving, so I'm making his lunch.

So he's leaving?

He has his own mind made up. I have given up.

Don't be so understanding!

I don't want him staying if he doesn't want to.

He'd regret not going for the rest of his life.

Here, wipe your face.

- I'll push the cart now. - I'm all right.

I'm used to it.

You pushed this heavy cart every day?

I usually buy more fish than the other sellers.

I sell at a lower price, so I need to sell more.

How far do you go?

About one and a half ri each day. (1½ ri = 5,8 km)

A woman pushing a heavy cart for three ri (11,7 km)?

It's only Yuu in the cart on the way home.

Sometimes I put him down, and he walks.

Peddling fish can be fun sometimes.

Can't you leave Yuu with someone while you work?

It's too much for you to take him around.

A mother shouldn't have to depend on others.

Yuu makes heavy work more bearable.

Here. Let me do it.

We'll part here.

This road will take you straight to the train station.

I have to call on my customers now.

If I'm late, they will buy from someone else.

Take care.

Fish for sale!

- Good morning! - Good morning!

Good morning. I have good squid for you today.

Any broiled fish?

Look at the squid!

Thank you!

It's raining! Come on inside.

Thank you!

Welcome!

I have some nice flatfish, too.

- It's nice and fatty. - I'll take two.

Thank you!

Thank you for always being so nice to Yuu.

Oshin...

Ryuzo?

Peddling fish is hard work.

What are you doing here?

I was following you to see exactly what you do.

I thought of turning back, but I couldn't.

I didn't realize it was such hard work.

One has to work to eat. Everybody works.

But I'm very happy...

You've given me courage to keep working,

while I wait for you to come back.

Oshin...

Don't worry about me. You can go on to Manchuria.

I'll be fine.

I'm not going to Manchuria.

I can't just let you do all the work.

I will help you. I'll be a fish peddler, too!

Oshin couldn't believe her ears.

Ryuzo gave up his idea of going to Manchuria,

and decided to be a fish peddler.

She couldn't believe it!

Episode 176

We're home!

Welcome home!

Welcome home, Yuu! Let's take a bath together.

Did you postpone your departure?

- Yes... Well... - He's not going to Manchuria.

Really?

I'm so glad that you decided to stay.

I had no idea that peddling fish was so hard.

Pushing that cart for one and a half ri gave me the chance to find out.

It takes a woman to do such hard work!

Women have more love for their children and family,

so they can become stronger!

Even if I went to Manchuria and tried to get something started,

Oshin would still be peddling fish while she waited for me.

I didn't want her to suffer anymore.

I want to help her. Even if pushing the cart is all I can do.

Isn't that great, Oshin?

You two are a real couple! No matter how long you lived apart,

you two have a bond that's too strong to break.

I envy you.

Please be good to us all.

Think about opening a shop in town.

I've had my eye on a good location.

It's just outside town, and it's cheap!

It's out of the way,

but it'd be a challenge to get the customers to come to you.

Open a shop so suddenly?

Don't worry. Oshin's been planning for this!

It's been her dream to open a shop when you were all back together again.

I can loan you the money to get started.

I've been able to save some money, too.

I think I can manage the rent on my own.

You've been letting me stay here for so little.

And you let me cook my fish here, too.

You've been working hard, too.

But when you open your own shop, you and Yuu will be leaving,

so I will be lonely!

With Ryuzo staying on,

Oshin's life was again taking a big turn.

She'd decided to open up her own fish store.

Yuu!

Yuu!

Mother!

- Welcome home.. - I'm home.

- Are you through for the day? - Yes, I sold everything.

I didn't have Yuu with me today, so everyone asked about him.

Is this the place?

I remember this place...

This place used to belong to a tatami mat dealer.

Yes. See how spacious it is?

This will be perfect...

You can put in your fish counter here.

I won't need a counter. We'll keep the fish iced

in boxes and barrels to keep them as fresh as possible.

Only boxes and barrels?

Yes. I will also keep peddling out of my cart, too.

Otherwise, the people might not come here.

I guess you're right.

I can cook the fish for people on order, too.

I can't really picture it... I'd be useless.

You'll have the hardest job.

You have to go buy the fish from Hisa and bring it here!

He couldn't do it on that small cart.

He'd have to have a big pushcart.

Can you buy from someone nearby?

We want Hisa's fish!

She sells quality fish at a good price.

All right. I'll do it.

I'm sure I can manage that much. But I don't know what fish to buy.

Hisa can pick them out for you. Right?

As long as you promise not to complain about my selections.

I trust your judgment.

I will give him a list of fish I need.

You talk as though you were already in business!

I'll talk the landlord into lowering the rent.

I want to move in as soon as possible.

I'd like to start tomorrow.

- I'll get started cleaning up. - I will, too!

You're so impatient.

We haven't even talked to the landlord yet!

That's right.

- Can you manage? - Yes.

Be careful.

You already have enough for your household.

Thank you for giving us so much.

You got your shop.

Now you'll have to move in as a family.

These things are all used, but still good.

It would cost a fortune to buy all this!

Take anything you need. Why waste money?

Thank you.

Fate brought us together under one roof.

I don't consider you a stranger. Come to me any time you need help.

If Kota comes by...

I'll tell him that you're very happy.

I'll tell him that I've done my part.

What else do you need?

You can take the futon quilts you're using now.

Ryuzo will also need a big cart for the fish.

They cost too much, so use mine for now.

No, I couldn't!

One needs to accept help from people sometimes.

And one must also be ready to help others.

It's live or let live. That's the way it should be.

You'll soon be ready to help people, too.

Yes.

Hurry up and pack these things up.

We're so glad you're going independent.

Thank you for all your help, and please help my husband, too.

He doesn't know anything about fish.

We'll miss you.

Come by and see us.

We'll be looking forward to it!

After peddling her fish,

Oshin came home to her new house to be with her family.

You did a good job of cleaning!

Thanks a lot.

It's the least I can do.

What if your mother finds out

that I had you clean the house and babysit Yuu?

We each have to do our equal share of work.

I didn't expect us to be able to live together like this so soon.

This is our new home.

We haven't had our own house since before the Great Earthquake.

It's been a long time...

I'll work hard, so that we'll never have to be apart again.

So please be good to me.

Will you be able to push that big cart

for one and a half ri each way every morning?

I'm a man. If you can do it, I can, too!

I will learn all the names of the fish, too.

And I'll learn to use the knife, too.

You won't have to be peddling fish forever.

I'll go take orders and deliver fish.

We'll be the biggest fish store in town!

We'll be the fish dealer that people trust!

Oshin wasn't sure if they could make a go of their new fish store.

But as long as Ryuzo was willing to stay and try, she was satisfied.

Even if they failed, Oshin wouldn't have any regrets.

Translation: UTB Channel

Thanks to Avallac'h, XrayMind and y0ssy at D-Addicts.