Original subtitles

TOHO PRODUCTIONS

SOUND OF THE MOUNTAIN

Based on the original novel by Yasunari Kawabata

Screenplay by Yoko Mizuki

Cast:

Setsuko Hara, So Yamamura Ken Uehara

Yoko Sugi, Teruko Nagaoka Yatsuko Tanami

Chieko Nakakita, Rieko Sumi

Directed by Mikio Naruse

See you later

- Miss Tanizaki, has my father gone? - Yes

I told him not to bother waiting for you

- Did he say anything? - Yes..."Off to the dancehall again?"

- Are you coming along? - I can't go every day

Why not? Let's go

Sorry to keep you waiting. Please come again

Good day. On your way home?

Father-in-law!

Welcome back

- What are you looking at? - At that sunflower

Fabulous, isn't it?

Bigger than a man's head, even

I don't know if it's my brains getting muddled recently...

...but whenever I see a sunflower, I think of a man's head!

I wonder if the inside of a man's head could be as beautiful as a flower

Wouldn't it be great if you could send your brains off to be cleansed?

That's what I was thinking about on the train home!

You could remove your head...

...take it down the hospital and say, "Wash this for me," like at the laundry!

You're too funny!

The best part would be, as the hospital got on with cleansing the brain...

...you could just sleep for a week while you waited!

Oh, Father!

The body could just rest, without getting up, without dreaming

Father, you must be feeling tired

Perhaps you haven't fully convalesced yet

But that was a year ago

Why don't you go for a check-up and another X-ray?

If you say so!

Here you are

- What is it? - Green snails

Kikuko, would you get me some sweetened water?

"If you say so"!

- Did you buy these? - Yes

Really? We almost bought the same things

Lobsters, shrimps... and my green snails

All from Enoshima's stall

We've gone a bit over the top!

What a feast we have tonight!

Kikuko, wasn't there another green snail?

Oh! Grandad and Grandma, you'd find it hard on your teeth...

...so I thought you could share one

What? And what's with the "Grandad"? There are no grandchildren around

Forgive me!

It's fine. Kikuko's right, we'll do with one green snail between us

You bought only three green snails?

But there are four of us

Shuichi's always late

Why didn't you come home together?

There you go, Father

Kikuko, what was the name of that maid that left us recently?

- You mean Kayo? - Ah, that's it. Kayo

A few days before she left us...

...I was putting on my geta and I thought she'd seen a sore on my foot

"You have a blister," she said to me

She used the word "o-zure"for blister, adding the polite prefix...

...and that impressed me!

However, when I thought about it later, she didn't mean "blister"...

...she meant "ozure" meaning the thong on the geta!

Kayo's accent was rather strange

Kikuko, say the word "ozure" meaning blister for me

O- zure

- Now say "ozure"meaning thong - Ozure

While you're talking, dinner's getting cold!

Eh? O- zure... Ozure...

O- zure, ozure...

Welcome home

- Will you eat something? - Not hungry

- The bath's ready for you - Don't need one

Just wash your face with this

Kikuko

Kikuko!

Yesterday Miss Tanizaki said one of her friends was looking for work as a maid

I see. But wouldn't that be a rather difficult situation?

Why? You need a maid, don't you?

But won't this friend of Miss Tanizaki's repeat things about you to Kikuko?

Nonsense, she won't say a word!

Well, as long as she's suitable

Has Miss Tanizaki said anything to you about me?

Not a word

- Seems like you've made sure of that - I resent that

It would bring shame on you if I were to carry on with your secretary

Of course it would

But what if Kikuko were to find out?

So, Miss Tanizaki has been talking to you

But she still goes out with you...

...when she knows you're seeing another woman?

Seems so... That's what she's like

You never fail to amaze me

I'm leaving her

I intend to leave her

I just don't understand what this woman has that Kikuko doesn't

One's like a torrent, the other's like a lake

You're telling me that you've never had an affair, Father?

I hate the deception

But you do understand?

When it's over, I'll tell you everything

- We don't want Kikuko to find out - Yeah

She's probably twigged already, though

Do come in

Long time no see. Satoko!

Come here!

Mother! Mother! Fusako is here!

Fusako's here?

- Do sit down - Thanks

Hello!

Oh, look at the state of you!

The train was absolutely packed

Don't cling to me

- I've not seen you for ages, Satoko - Have you said hello?

- You took your time getting here - Did you walk from the station?

The bus was too crowded to get on

You must be tired, Satoko

You can all go to the well and freshen up

- I'll get towels - I brought some

Welcome home. Fusako's here with her kids

Fusako?

You came home by yourself again?

What's Fusako doing here?

I think she wants to stay a while. She's brought plenty of clothes

What do you think you're doing? Stop that!

Why? I'm not stealing anything

That's worse than stealing!

What's so bad about checking on my daughter?

It seems she can't even afford to bring any food for her kids

I just want to know how she's managing

This is the cloth I used to wrap her mirror when she got married

It makes me angry just to see it

Why is she using this...

...when she's got the suitcase we bought her for her honeymoon?

It will be too heavy to carry with the baby. Anyway, she's not bothered about looks

But what will Kikuko think?

This cloth is the one that I used when we got married

It probably is

No, it's even older than that

My sister used it to wrap plants before she died. It has history

- Is Father back yet? - Yes

- Can I have some of this? - Help yourself

Your father's just scolded me for having a peek in your purse

Forgive me if I was rude

Yes, you were rude!

Go ahead, have a good look

That's what my husband thought - if I had no money I wouldn't run off

It's empty

The situation's got to improve if your husband wants to keep his kids

Is Kikuko still not?

Still not pregnant yet?

Satoko, come and play over here, would you?

You might get the washing dirty

Satoko!

The problem is what to do about the kids

We can't split them up between me and my husband

Kikuko?

Kikuko!

What's happened?

Just be quiet! We're in the middle of an important conversation!

- Crying will get you nothing! - Is she pretending?

Of course. She's just crying to get attention!

When the parents can't get along, it affects the kids

- Did you call me? - Get me a handkerchief

Right, let me find something for you

Sorry. I tried, but I'm not very good at dealing with Satoko

You don't know how to treat kids. You're like a kid yourself!

- My brother goes out even on Sundays? - Got people to see

I didn't think you'd help me, anyway!

I said I'd talk to your husband any time you wanted

That's why your father or Shuichi should go and talk to him...

...and find out what his intentions really are

What do you think, Father?

Or are you just hiding behind your paper and not taking me seriously?

What can I say?

Other people's marriages are impossible to fathom

Exactly. You shouldn't meddle in the affairs of others

Right. That's why I'll deal with it by myself

You can't put the blame entirely on him. Consider your own part in this

I'm not pretty enough for my husband so he just does things his way

Kikuko, would you get me a cigarette?

Of course. Excuse me

I bet Father was disappointed when I was born such an ugly child

If only I'd been born as beautiful as Kikuko!

Kikuko has her troubles, too, you know

You're so kind to Kikuko, aren't you, Father?

My mother-in-law does nothing but moan at me all the time

That's your own fault!

She always treats us so kindly...

...that we in turn treat Kikuko with kindness

It's just her husband that's hard on her, eh?

See you later

Welcome home. It must be awful out there

You must get those wet clothes off

Kikuko, the whole neighbourhood can hear your music

I was playing it to take my mind off worrying about the two of you

Kikuko, you haven't played that record of lullabies much recently

- The ones from around the world? - Yes, the gift from your school friend

It was a lovely wedding gift

It must be scratched to bits by now

- Did you both get soaked? - Evening!

- They got soaked to the skin - Oh, dear, oh, dear...

Did the typhoon damage the annex?

It did indeed!

It's in a terrible state now

- "Oh, dear, oh, dear!" - Father...

The electricity's down. There's a blackout

- I can see that! - Get the candles out

I wonder if they're alright at Fusako's

They probably made up and went to bed early on a night like this

She was determined to go home and sort the whole thing out

No news is good news, I suppose. Perhaps they've made up after all

They can't simply leave the house with two kids to carry

Trying to escape from a storm like this...

...they'd have to carry his mother along as well

She probably can't move with her neuralgia

Apparently, she manages to walk

But it must be hard for her on a stormy night like this

It is hard for everyone everywhere

Things were so different before Fusako got married

It depresses me to see her like this

It's strange, though... Kikuko always cheers me up whenever I talk to her

That's your fault, you know? You show affection only for Kikuko

- That's not true at all - It is so

You've always shunned Fusako and favoured Shuichi

That's just how you are

Even now, when it seems Shuichi's seeing another woman, you say nothing!

You show so much pity for Kikuko, but it's actually cruel, you know?

She doesn't show how jealous she feels so as not to upset you

I feel so sorry for Fusako

I feel as though I forced her back home

Well, tell her to come back, then

I know, but she's almost thirty now...

...and she can't expect her parents to arrange a divorce for her, can she?

I just feel so sorry for her, she has such a burden to carry in life

Did you tell her how you feel for her?

I always make it clear when I don't agree with something

It's a terrible situation for both the parents and the kids

And it's all your fault!

No, it's a lie. I was just about to stick my tongue out at you!

You're always teasing me!

My sister was so beautiful, wasn't she?

I didn't feel any jealousy, but I always felt I was neglected

But I got over it

If she hadn't died, you'd probably have married her instead, right?

That's all in the past!

You were just unlucky

Shall we get some sleep?

Old couples don't often sleep well together

Don't I know it!

Kikuko?

Hello? Mrs Ogata?

- Coming! - Telegram for you

Thank you very much

Kikuko, you said you liked these flowers, didn't you?

They've really grown

Oh, they're so lovely

Looks like a telegram!

Eh? What do you mean, "looks like"?

Looks like it's from back home

Someone's probably passed away or something

Put these in a vase for me

It says that Fusako and the kids have arrived there

She ran out on him again?

- No word from her husband at all? - No

He'd never dare to show his face around here, would he?

But you'd have thought Fusako would've come back here

You should show a little more concern for her than you do

We should all try to consider the situation from Fusako's point of view

You can't guarantee that Kikuko won't run off if she finds out about Shuichi

When do parents ever stop worrying about their children's marital woes?

You have absolutely no understanding of women

Men don't experience sadness the way women do

So, because you're a woman...

...that means you can understand the feelings of all other women?

Shuichi didn't come home again last night

Why do you not come home together?

You come home and let Kikuko look after you instead. That's just not right

Can't you get Shuichi to help with Fusako's problem?

Maybe we can get Shuichi to go and bring Fusako back here

I don't know about that. Shuichi's got no respect for Fusako

Anyway, it's embarrassing enough that our house there must be in ruins

What's happened to Fusako?

She's gone up to Shinshu and installed herself in that empty house

Oh, dear...

Miss Tanizaki, I'll be out of the office for two or three days

- A business trip? - Kind of

- Where? - Shinshu

Please take care of yourself, it's cold up there

- So, you're off, then? - Yes

She's such a nuisance

You can talk!

I'd promised to take her dancing tonight

Really?

Take my father instead. You'll enjoy it

I'm sorry about this evening

He's been so unreliable recently

How about I take you instead?

You know this woman Shuichi's seeing?

Is she a dancer?

She's nothing to do with the dance hall

Is she young?

Well... she's younger than his wife

Is she beautiful?

Yes... she's very attractive

She has a husky voice. He seems to think it's erotic

A voice like she's got a nose cold?

Do you often see her at the dance hall?

No, not all

Has Shuichi introduced her to you?

No, not formally

I just don't understand it at all

Why does he drag you along every time he meets her? To make her jealous?

I'm not one to interfere

I wish you would interfere!

She always turns up with somebody, too

Oh? She brings along a man?

No. She brings a female friend

That's a relief! I've heard about these swapping parties!

- They share a house together - Two women together?

Yes

- Have you ever been to their place? - Yes...

Where is it?

What do you intend to do?

Don't worry, I won't involve you

Are you going to meet with her?

If you are, I'd recommend that you talk to her friend first

She's a teacher, right?

Shall I arrange for her to come into the office?

Shuichi always gets drunk there... he raises hell

He always asks her friend to sing for him

I never realised he had such a drinking habit...

She sings beautifully, and Kinuko always ends up weeping

Eh?

That is why, I think, Kinuko will listen to this friend

If Shuichi finds out about this, I'll never be able to face him again

You must let me resign

It's just around that corner

I don't want to show my face

I'm sorry for all the trouble...

...but let's not do this today

Why not? You've come this far

Wouldn't it be worth it if it brought you peace at home?

Knowing Fusako, I bet she won't have brought enough nappies for the kids

- Shall we make some up for her? - Let's do that

Morning!

What brings you here so early?

You remember Mizuta who died recently?

Mizuta? Yes. We all received some fine tea as a funeral gift

I've got a taste for it now. High-quality stuff, wasn't it?

I tell you, I wouldn't mind going the way he did ...

...dying in the arms of a beautiful woman while bathing at a spa!

There's hope for you yet!

Yeah, but my blood pressure isn't so high

"Old as I am, I regret never climbing Mt Fuji"

What do you think?

"Old as I am, I regret never climbing Mt Fuji"

Is it a dirty joke?

Don't be so daft!

What? I suppose life's a lottery, isn't it?

If you end up stuck with a dreadful wife, wouldn't you want to top yourself?

I guess so

- What brings you here? - Eh? Oh, yeah...

I was asked whether I wanted to buy this mask from Mizuta's estate

Have a look. It's a Noh mask

It's supposed to be a child

Hey, put this over your face, would you?

You want me to put it on?

Like this?

Slowly turn your face upwards

And now, look down slowly

What do you think? Seems it has a life of its own

Welcome home

You must be tired

Thanks for having us again

Satoko! Come inside

Satoko...

- Is the bath ready? - Yes

I feel it's my fault if you decide to resign from the company

It was insensitive of me to make you take me to that woman's house

It was awful

But you're only doing what any father would do

I feel slightly depraved...

...tagging along with him to that woman's house

My behaviour has been unacceptable

But hardly depraved, though

If I do have to resign...

...then I'll go and talk to Kinuko as a farewell gesture

There's no need for that

I just don't understand him

I would never feel jealous about him and his wife if they got along well

But his fooling around with Kinuko really disgusts me

Maybe he wants something more than his wife can give him

Like what?

Whenever he talks about his wife, he says she's just like a child

A child?

Yes. In so many ways

He says that to you?

Yes

He says it to me and to Kinuko

"She's a child, that's why my father's so fond of her"

But he hasn't said it recently

He can't force his young wife to act like a prostitute

What a fool!

He said it would work...

...if he fooled around with other women

You've talked about this with him?

Welcome back home

- Out shopping? - Yes

- Fusako's back - I see

Special dinner tonight!

- Don't be long! - I won't!

Kikuko? Kikuko!

- Yes? - Will you bring the persimmons through?

Coming!

Read to me, Mummy

You can read it yourself

- These are sweet - Are they?

These two are just silently knocking it back

Father hasn't drunk that much, has he?

I've been thinking...

...about Father's life

Eh? What exactly about my life?

I'm only thinking in very broad terms...

...but if I were pushed to make a conclusion...

...has your life been a success or a failure?

And you think you know which?

Well, if a man manages to live his life without much strife, then it's a success

You're right, there

But success or failure as a parent is a different matter

That's judged on the success or failure of their children's marriages

And it seems I've failed

You really think so, Father?

Just stop that, you two. Fusako's here

Mummy, I'm tired

Me, too

What's happened, Kikuko?

- Nosebleed? - Yes

Kneel down

When it stops bleeding, go to rest. It's still early

I'm sorry...

- Are you feeling dizzy? - Just a little

- Get some rest this morning - I will

A cool breeze was blowing when I went out for the papers and I feel better now

A woman's nosebleed is nothing to worry about

Well, it was serious

You were up early this morning, Father

I've no idea why I woke up before the temple bell rang

You're up, too, Satoko?

"As a pilgrim I wander...

..."and offer thanks for the grace of my parents..."

You know that scar on Kikuko's forehead?

Of course

It was made by the doctor's forceps during her difficult birth

She probably never felt any suffering at birth...

...but the scar shows whenever she seems in pain

She had a nosebleed this morning, right?

The scar shows when she looks pallid, that's all

- You knew about it? - She told me this morning

So what?

I've been wanting to talk to you about Kikuko

Look, I'm dealing with the situation, so there's nothing for you to say

I have been trying not to say anything

Off to see my father?

Yes

- This is Miss lkeda - I'm Mr Ogata

Pleased to meet you

Shall we go somewhere else?

This place is fine with me

Very well

- Miss lkeda has come especially - I'm very grateful

Miss lkeda also thinks that your son must leave Kinuko

Really?

- Some lunch? - We've eaten

Coffee, then?

Coffees

As I live with Kinuko...

...I feel partly to blame for the situation

Few women nowadays would give up a man simply because he's married

Kinuko always says to Shuichi whenever they get drunk...

..."Go tell your wife that!

"It's not like you've gone away to war

"She knows you'll be coming home

"Even if you have affairs, she should be glad that at least you come home!"

That's absurd talk

Yes. But she's drunk whenever she says it

But your son is just as bad

Shuichi completely loses control of himself

He's always forcing Kinuko to sing

So I was told

Kinuko hates singing...

...so I end up singing in her place to placate him

If she doesn't, he goes crazy and the neighbours... Right?

After Shuichi has left to go home...

...Kinuko often says that the whole torrid affair will be the ruin of her

All the more reason why they should split. She can support herself

Kinuko is a dressmaker

A dressmaker?

She's highly regarded at the shop

She's never troubled Shuichi for any financial support

I believe you

Couldn't he and his wife live separately from you?

If just he and his wife lived together...

...I'm sure it'd be easier for him to leave Kinuko

If they don't move out and get their own place, then I shall

It's better for you to stay here with us

No way. I'll go elsewhere. That'd be better, right?

The situation has nothing to do with you

Oh, yes, it has! It has a great deal to do with me

My husband said my character was deeply flawed...

...because father never showed me any love

I had to choke back the tears when he said that to me

Just calm yourself down

Nothing definite has been decided yet

I can't calm down!

The moon looks so beautiful tonight, Mother

- Kikuko, here's father's hot-water bottle - Right

Careful!

Are you in pain?

Good morning. Forgive me, I overslept

That's alright, take your time

You drive everyone mad getting up so early, my dear

I had to listen to Shuichi groaning all night. It was awful

So sorry

Why are you dressed like that?

I guess my husband's slovenliness has rubbed off on me

You should've checked him out more closely before you made me marry him!

Good morning

Morning

Do you fancy going to see a movie today?

No?

I'd love to go, but...

We have to discuss the new maid, dear

Who knows what your father intends to do, sweetheart?

It's been a fortnight since Fusako walked out on him

You call Fusako slovenly, yet you can't be bothered to do anything to help her!

You're all talk and no action when it comes down to solving her problems

She's had to move back here to escape her husband

She's not even divorced yet, no wonder she's upset

Don't just stand around like that! Get yourself dressed!

Sorry to keep you waiting

Father, I have to go ahead and drop by the lwasaki Corporation

- No breakfast? - No, thanks

Thank you for waiting

What's ailing your friend?

She's feeling weak after childbirth

Oh, I see

It's so beautiful! All the leaves have turned red

You've always got so much on your mind that you never notice things

Oh... I should try to take more notice

Why did you have no breakfast this morning?

I had to rush because I wanted to leave with you

You go out so rarely, of course I'd have waited

I've been thinking...

...maybe the two of you should get your own place

The wife and I talked it over last night

Why?

Is it because Fusako has come back?

No, it has nothing to do with Fusako. I'm just thinking of you two

Do you not think it'd be better for you two?

If it was up to me to choose... I'd prefer to stay

You're always so kind to me

I've been a pretty useless father-in-law to you

I never discuss important matters with you...

Not at all

You don't have to say anything to me, Father...

...because I always know that you appreciate me

If I had to live away from you, Father...

...I'd feel utterly helpless

Maybe that's because you were spoiled by your parents

Anyway, I believe it's the best solution to your marital problems

Just thinking about it fills me with dread

All alone at home, waiting for him to return

Bye for now, Father

Just arrived?

I've just dropped Kikuko off at the hospital

The hospital?

Is Kikuko ill or something?

No, not that I know of

I wonder if old people's lives really are so meaningless

It gives me the creeps, that. The face is so lifelike

It's beautiful

Is it supposed to be the face of a child?

Oh, you're up? Has your headache gone?

- You're not feeling nauseous, are you? - No

I see. Maybe it's just exhaustion, then

- We'll have a new maid soon, won't we? - Hm...

- Sorry you have to do the maid's work - Not at all. It's fine

Father's still playing with that thing he got from his friend that died

His family asked me to buy it. I'm thinking about it

Kikuko, there's a story in here about an old couple who killed themselves

69 and 68 years old

They wrote a final letter to their daughter and grandchildren

"We think it's better to end our lives while we are still loved by our family

"If we were to linger on for years and become a burden to our family...

..."it would spoil all that we've lived for

"We feel that we are far too old and weak now...

..."to advance and lead anyone along life's righteous path

"So, while we are still surrounded by a loving family...

..."and many affectionate friends and colleagues...

..."we choose to depart this life not knowing where destiny will take us

"We merely seek an endless sleep"

Your father and I have discussed what we'd write in our final letter...

...if we were to commit suicide

She's so lazy, she'd leave it to me to write!

Well, I'd have nothing more to add if you wrote it

What about you, Kikuko?

If you were to commit suicide with Shuichi, what would you write?

I have no idea

But...

...I would like to write something to you, Father

What strange behaviour!

What's she crying about now?

Maybe it's hysteria? Yes, it must be an attack of hysteria

Kikuko?

Yes?

The machine keeps snapping the thread. Would you take a look at it for me?

Maybe it's showing its age. I've had it since I was a girl

Don't crowd us

Sorry to trouble you, but I was afraid it might put a stitch in my hand.

It might respond to your subtle touch

You must be tired

You must be, too

The only ones in this house who never seem to tire are the grandparents!

Then there is one we can't fathom out at all

I'm seeing the people from the bank. Any messages?

- I'll see them at tomorrow's meeting - I see

- What was wrong with Kikuko? - It was nothing

- What was it? - It was just a headache, that's all

That's it?

Your mother said she went straight to bed after coming back from Tokyo

She'll be fine in two or three days. It's nothing

Really? It's seems more than just a headache

She was crying all last night

Why is everybody so interested in what happens to Kikuko?

She gets ill sometimes, okay?

So what's the illness?

Shuichi!

Going for a walk?

You're hiding something!

She had an abortion

What? She saw a doctor?

That's right

- Yesterday? - Yes

- You made her do it? - It was her decision

Liar!

It's the truth

Why? What made her do such a thing?

You could have stopped her if you'd tried

There's nothing I can do for now. She's so determined

What do you mean, "for now"?

She said she refuses to have my child if I carry on the way I have been

- With that other woman? - I guess so

You guess so?

Can you not see that this whole affair is killing Kikuko!

It's more than just a protest against you. It's like a semi-suicide!

Kikuko's just being stubborn

She's a woman! She's your wife!

If you'd shown her more consideration, she'd have willingly had your child

Your affair is irrelevant

I'm not so sure

Kikuko knows we're all expecting her to give us a grandchild

Just think how ashamed she must be feeling

You're breaking her heart and destroying her hopes of ever having a baby

That's not true

Kikuko lives by her own rules. That's why she refused to have the child

I don't believe that's her real motive at all

Surely you're not fool enough to judge a woman's moods at face value?

What will your mother say when she hears she's lost a grandchild?

Well, at least we know Kikuko can have children now

Mother will be relieved

How can you guarantee she'll be able to have another?

I guarantee it

This just proves how heartless you are! You have no love for others!

You're over-complicating things. It's simple

It's not that I don't want to have children

We're both going through a bad patch

It's not the right time for us to have kids yet

The reason you're going through a bad patch is down to your behaviour!

You've done nothing to make her believe in you

That's why she lost the baby

Maybe she lost more than just the baby...

Welcome back

Yasuko!

Yasuko!

- Take the baby and let Kikuko rest - But Father...

But Fusako went out and left the baby with us

- Where's she gone? - The post office

- Why don't you nurse the baby? - Alright!

I was just fixing my hair

Go and lie down, Kikuko

Very well

- Right, I'll take Kuniko - Okay. Thank you

I'll go and fetch Fusako

- How do you feel? - Fine

- Let me get you some tea... - No. Stay where you are

Did you see that 2000-year-old lotus seed that produced a flower?

Yes

You saw it?

Kikuko...

Things wouldn't seem so bad if only you'd confide in us

It must have been painful for you coming home that same day

You must have known for a long time

No...

You always said that you wished for nothing more than to have a baby

Do you have to see the doctor again?

Tomorrow, briefly

- Hello? - Coming!

Oh!

- Thank you for seeing me the other day - Not at all

Actually, I've come because I wanted to see Kinuko

I see

She's not back yet

Do you want to wait?

I see. Well, if I'm not imposing...

Please excuse the mess

Take a seat

- Is that your child? - Yes. He lives with his father

- Is this where you do private tutoring? - Yes

I don't work as hard as Kinuko

I also visit six or seven children at their homes to tutor them

And this is where Shuichi?

He's stopped coming round lately

Has he really?

Why is that?

I think it's better that you ask Kinuko herself

Have you talked to Kinuko?

Yes

But Kinuko's strong...

We have very different personalities, you see

I feel reassured having her around

- Welcome home - Hello

Mr Ogata's father is here

To see me?

Please come with me

I'm Mr Ogata

I realise it must be strange meeting me like this...

...but the reason I'm here is that I wanted to talk to you about Shuichi

I have nothing to say to you about Shuichi

Do you expect me to apologise?

On the contrary, I think I owe you an apology

I won't be seeing Shuichi again

And I won't be a threat to your family any more

That's all I have to say, isn't it?

But what about the child?

What child?

I'm free to make my own decision

No one's going to tell me whether I can or can't have the baby!

Are you expecting a baby?

What's wrong with a single woman wanting to have a baby?

I'm just a war widow who decided to have a child

I'm not asking for anything from anybody

I just want to be allowed to have the baby

I'm carrying the baby... The baby is mine!

But... such an unnatural child...

What do you mean, "unnatural"?

Sorry...

I don't know if I'll ever get married again...

...or whether I'll be able to have another baby

And I have no children from before

But what does Shuichi think about the baby?

Did Shuichi send you here to see me?

Shuichi told me not to have the baby

He punched me and kicked me...

...and he dragged me down the stairs

I've fulfilled my duty to his wife now

That wife of his has no idea what I'm going through!

And you have no idea what Kikuko's going through, either

When I told him I was pregnant, he just kicked me

So I told him straight...

...that he wasn't the father of the child...

...that the child wasn't his

And that was the end of our affair

Which means?

You can interpret it any way you like

It's not much, but please accept this and use it as you see fit

Anyway, I have spoken my mind. Please consider what I said

Is this consolation money?

So this means that we've come to some arrangement, does it?

Shall I write you a receipt for it?

What on earth have you been up to?

Had a few drinks with the guys from the bank

- Is everyone in bed? - Well, Shuichi's still not back yet

- Where's Kikuko? - Gone back to her parents'

Her mother phoned this afternoon and said that Kikuko was in bed sick

She told Fusako that Kikuko had arrived home feeling unwell

They'll look after her until she's well enough to come back

Welcome home

I think she wanted to go home for a rest

It's not that

Then what is it?

She had an abortion

How dreadful! What is this world coming to?

She probably didn't want to end up like me

But Shuichi would change his ways if they had a baby

She should have persevered

Stop blaming Kikuko!

It's despicable of a man or a woman to use a baby to trap someone

If only she'd talked to us about it

I never thought Kikuko was that strong-willed

Good night

Go and play outside

Father's a strange one, isn't he?

He treats her better than he does his own daughter

If you don't like the way I cook spinach then just say so

It didn't taste that bad. It still looked like spinach!

I never claimed to be a wonderful cook

Spinach tastes the same whether Kikuko's here or not!

You drive me mad!

Food doesn't taste the same now that the beautiful couple have left

Give your tongue a rest, will you?

I will not! I'll say what I want when I want from now on

I can't stop you

I'm not a child any more. You can't stop me saying what I want

Fusako, it's in situations like this that you should speak your mind

You don't have to bottle it up, now that Kikuko's not here

I'm not saying anything offensive to you

I know I can't cook like Kikuko, but you could show some appreciation

Father eats in complete silence as if it was disgusting. It gets me down!

Fusako... I expect there's plenty more that you want to get off your chest

Did you go to the post office yesterday to send a letter to your husband?

No, I didn't

Did you send him money?

You're sending him the money we give you?

Your husband's not a bad man...

...he's just easily led

I heard he's involved in smuggling

Meet him and find out what he wants to do

Otherwise the situation's just going to get worse

Do you want to go back to him?

Look, I'm not asking you to do anything for me

You're right. Your father has no understanding of women

Is that so?

You should settle this once and for all. All this toing and froing is no good

- Let's give it time, shall we? - Sure

But you're her brother, you talk to her

- I can never understand women - Me neither

Well, thanks a lot

- I'll talk to my father about the money - Okay

Let's have a drink sometime. I'll take you to this place I know

Yes?

He's not here yet

Yes...

Yes...

Yes, I understand

Good morning, sir

Shuichi...

Good morning

Mr Hayashi from Futaba Industries just rang. He'll ring back later

Did you see Fusako's husband?

- He said he'd been out with you - Yeah. We were out all night

Seems he's working hard these days

Fusako should be more appreciative

Enough about him

I've something to discuss with you this evening, so come home early

Hello?

Oh... Kikuko

How are you?

Really?

Of course...

You got here quick

I arrived an hour ago

Really?

Thank you so much for coming

Are you better now?

Yes

Let's take a walk

I was so happy to hear your voice on the phone, Kikuko

That was your real voice, wasn't it?

Your true voice

It's vast, isn't it?

You must be relieved, too, Father

It's incredible to have such a vast park right in the centre of Tokyo

Kikuko, come and sit down

Okay

Father...

What is it?

Kikuko, if you have something to say to me, then go ahead and say it

You're free now, Kikuko

You shouldn't feel you're restricted by anyone

I know

When you phoned me today...

...you'd already made up your mind to leave Shuichi, hadn't you?

Yes

I thought as much

I know it's a silly question...

...but if Shuichi were to beg you for forgiveness, what would you do?

I would have to think it over

Shuichi said that he still loves you

That's why he's suffering now

He's ruining his life

His other woman is pregnant

You were so good to all of us

As your father-in-law...

...I did nothing to help you, Kikuko

That's not true, Father

Instead of showing support...

...I probably made the situation worse for you

Please forgive me

Father...

All I can do for you now, Kikuko...

...is to set you free

I want you to be happy again

Soon the wife and I are going up to Shinshu to see the house

If things work out...

...we may settle down there

So... shall we go?

It's getting cold

If we do move to Shinshu...

...please write to us from time to time and let us know how you're getting on

I shall

And Father... please take good care of yourself

I will

Dry your tears

You can't walk around with tears streaming down your face

Yes...

It's so relaxing here, isn't it?

"If one takes great pains to create a vista, one can see hidden depths"

How do you mean?

One gets an unobstructed view of everything...

THE END