Original subtitles

1954 Art Festival Entry

Ministry of Education Choice Film

Excellent Film Appreciation Club First Choice Film

Shochiku presents

TWENTY-FOUR EYES

Produced by KUWATA Ryotaro

Based on the novel by TSUBOI Sakae

Photography KUSUD A Hiroyuki

Editing SUGIWARA Yoshi

Music KINOSHITA Chuji

Cast:

RYU Chishu KOBAYASHI Toshiko

NATSUKAWA Shizue KIYOKAWA Nijiko

TSUKIOKA Yumeji AKASHI Ushio

NANIWA Chieko URABE Kumeko

AMAMOTO Hideyo TAKAHARA Toshio

IGAWA Kuniko TAMURA Takahiro

TAKAMINE Hideko as OISHI Hisako

Written and Directed by KINOSHITA Keisuke

Among the islands of Japan's Inland Sea ...

... the second largest is...

... Shodoshima

This story takes place there ...

... more than two decades ago

The children in this village attend ...

... a local school for the first four years

For the fifth years and above ...

... they must walk three miles to a consolidated school

The ringing of the hammer resounds without a break ...

APRIL 4, 1928 Sparks fly and boiling water splashes,

The wind from the bellows blows without end,

The village blacksmith is hard at work

He's known by all as a stubborn old fellow,

Early to bed, early to rise and never known sickness at all,

He's proud of his arm that is stronger than iron,

Though his spirit is strongest of all

No sword does he forge, but scythe and sickle,

Hoe and harrow, plough and axe,

He forges tools of peace ...

Teacher!

Teacher!

Are you leaving?

I'm leaving you and the island today

I've said goodbye

After I'm gone, I want you all to study hard

What's our new teacher like?

She's very nice

Are you sure?

Sure, yes. She's a fine teacher

But she's just a beginner

So was everybody once

Don't you make her cry like you did me

You'd better not ... She's my daughter's teacher

- What's her name? - Miss Oishi

That means she's big

But she isn't. She's as tall as my shoulder

But her name "Oishi" does mean Big Stone

Then she's only a pebble!

Miss Oishi won't cry like I did

I told her ...

"If the children tease you, just think they're monkeys

"And if they're mean, just call them noisy birds"

All right, monkeys and birds ... Get moving

Ding-a-ling!

Ding-a-ling man!

Goodbye. Take care!

Have a nice wedding !

Good morning

- She's riding a bike! - She's really modern

Foreign clothes! And a new bicycle, too!

Good morning

There's a woman on a bicycle!

Must be the new teacher

In a suit ... she's acting like a man

Good morning

Come quickly! The world's changing. Look!

It must be the new teacher

Riding a bicycle and wearing a suit. What's the world coming to!

It's pretty!

Haven't you seen a bicycle before?

Want a ride?

My house is near that smokestack

It takes fifty minutes to get there by bicycle

Yes, it's a fine day. Not too hot or cold

Lovely for early April

I'll just go take a look

I have a problem

What's wrong?

It's the new teacher

She's a graduate of a normal school

Do you think she's clever?

I think so

You didn't expect her to ride a bike?

Why have they sent such a teacher here?

What must the principal be thinking?

It's time for school

Don't get discouraged

Better wear shoes today

All right, I should look modern

Everybody line up!

Attention !

You're all first years, aren't you?

Is everybody here?

One, two, three, four ...

Are there twelve?

They're all here

Let's line up

Come here

Everybody over here

You're going to study with me from today

All right, don't look the other way

Where are your eyes?

Look at me

Look this way

That's it

When I call your name, answer in a loud voice

I want to learn your name

Okada Isokichi

Okada Isokichi? Are you here?

Answer "here" when I call your name

Okada Isokichi

Sonki, that's his name

Everybody calls you Sonki?

All right. Big Sonki Isokichi!

Next ... Takeshita Takeichi

That's the way to answer

Next, Tokuda Kichiji

- Kich-chan - Here!

Answer when I call you, Kich-chan

Morioka Tadashi

Tanko!

Answer me when I call your name - Morioka Tadashi

So you're called Tanko, yes

Aizawa Nita

You're a talkative boy. What's your nickname?

Nikuta

Nikuta? Does that mean you're a bully?

It's not nice to be called that

Kawamoto Matsue

- What do they call you? - Mats-chan

Nishiguchi Misako

And are you called Misa-chan?

I'm Mi-san

Mi-san? That's cute

Kagawa Masuno

Don't say "yeah", it sounds funny

Say "here" when I call your name

She's Mach-chan!

Kinoshita Fujiko

Your relatives used to be heads of the village?

Yamaishi Sanae

Katagiri Kotoe

Kabe Kotsuru

Your father is the delivery man?

The ding-a-ling man !

Now you mustn't say things like that

Goodbye

Big Stone! Pebble!

Goodbye

Big Stone! Pebble!

She wrote down all the nicknames

She said Mi-san was a cute name

She's playing favourites already

What about Fujiko?

She asked if her family used to be village leaders

Village leaders! They're bankrupt

Class, where is the Emperor?

Nikuta

The Emperor is in the cupboard

In the cupboard?

Isn't he hiding in there?

That's not the Emperor. It's only his picture

We don't have a proper place for his picture ...

... so we cleaned up the cupboard to keep it there

It doesn't mean the Emperor himself is in there

The train chuffs along puffing white smoke,

Choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo,

Through the tunnel, across the railway bridge,

The train chuffs along ...

Choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo,

The train chuffs along puffing white smoke,

Choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo,

Through the tunnel, across the railway bridge ...

Mother Crow, why do you sing so sadly?

Because she left a beautiful child of seven ...

... in the mountain,

"I miss him, I miss him" sings the crow...

It's opened, it's opened

What flower has opened?

The lotus flower has opened,

And the minute it opened ...

... it closed before I realised it

It's closed, it's closed

What flower has closed?

The lotus flower has closed,

And the minute it closed, it opened before I realised it

I hope this rain will stop

Your school is so far away from here

I talked to the other teacher today ...

... I asked him why people aren't more friendly

He said it's my suit and my bike - They're too flashy

I don't know what to do about it

Don't worry about it

People will talk regardless

I can't wear a kimono

It's nine miles both ways

You're not showing off

It's too far to walk

It's hard enough making payments on the bike

You still owe a lot

My colleague's saving all the money he can

He must think I'm just a silly spendthrift

The villagers think so too

People say the other teacher is a miser

That's why he came here

I made my suit myself out of an old kimono

Yet he still thinks I'm too "modern"

It can't be helped

They'll understand some day

They say it's hard to be a teacher here

A test for young women teachers

And they send older men here ...

... who have failed to become headteachers

You're only here for a year

Time flies, it'll soon be summer vacation

So don't worry

Be patient and cheer up

Takeshita Takeichi

Tokuda Kichiji

Morioka Tadashi

Aizawa Nita

Kawamoto Matsue

Nishiguchi Misako

My pupils and I were both new to school

The experience made us all a little uneasy

There were twenty-four beautiful eyes looking at me

I'll never forget them

My pupils are only in their first year ...

... yet they have no time to play after school

They have to take care of younger children

Or help with fishing and housework

It's a poor village

I shouldn't let the rain get me down

Oh, my ... You're talking so big now

I don't care what they say

That's it

That's all for today

That banker's wife wants me to hurry with the kimono

But it won't make her daughter any prettier

She's too fat and too plain

Mother, it's stopped raining

Good

The stars have come out

SEPTEMBER 1

Is it always like this?

You pick up the stones?

Teacher!

How's Nita?

The walls of his house fell in

We could see inside

Nita was sitting in the closet

In the closet?

He was pretending to be the Emperor

Hey, teacher!

What's so funny?

Other people's troubles?

You don't care, laughing at others

I'm sorry ...

My husband fell off a roof

Is that funny?

You couldn't care less

So why were you laughing then?

You can leave the road alone!

Making children clear the road for your bicycle!

I gave her a piece of my mind!

Let's stop now

I was wrong, I didn't mean it

Let's go to the seashore

Little crab whisks up ...

... some shaving foam,

Old man crab clicks his nippers proudly,

Snip, snip, snippety...

In comes Rabbit ...

... here's a customer,

"A haircut, please, and make it quick, "

Snip, snip, snippety...

Rabbit's in a hurry...

Teacher!

We found a rare seashell!

- What kind? - Come and look

Where did you find it?

I'm all right

Go get help

I can't walk

Miss Pebble is hurt!

Miss Pebble is hurt!

Somebody come with us!

Miss Pebble is hurt!

It's not broken

But she must go to a doctor

Carry her to Naka-machi

It's quicker by boat

Not in this weather

Doh doh doh rei mi mi mi so so so lah so,

Mi mi mi mi rei rei rei,

Doh doh rei mi doh

That sounds terrible

Is it my fault? I only went to grammar school

Is Miss Oishi giving you a hard time?

No, it's worse for her

Your organ playing isn't as painful as her leg must be

I hear a tendon was torn

She may not come back to school

Her mother was angry when I visited

She doesn't want her daughter to teach here

I don't blame her

Should we find a replacement?

I'm also tired of teaching sewing for nothing

That's why we can't save any money

I'd better get back to practicing

Go on then

Oishi teaches them folk songs, not school music

It's like a party

They'll respect you more if you play the organ well

Doh doh doh rei mi mi mi

Doh doh doh rei mi mi mi so so so lah so,

Mi mi mi mi rei rei rei,

Doh doh rei mi doh

Let's sing it together

Why don't you sing?

You're hard to teach

You can't learn

Everybody stand

Stand!

Sing whatever you want. I'll listen

Ready. One, two, three ...

Teacher, what should we sing?

Anything

"Song of the Plover" - I know that one

On nights when the plover sings,

On nights when the plover sings,

Even with the window closed,

It's still so cold

It's still so cold

I don't like that music class

Miss Pebble's songs are better

When's she coming back?

I'd like to see her

At the hospital?

She's already out of the hospital

She'll be coming back to school soon

She can't even stand up yet

Let's go visit her

Come on, then. Let's go!

Teacher's house is near that smokestack

How long does it take?

It's not far

I went by bus and I didn't even have time to eat

Not even one dumpling

Liar! You can eat a dumpling in one minute

Even a fast bus can't get there in a minute!

But I was still eating when I got off the bus

- Swear? - I swear

- Swear then - I swear it's true

I'd like to go to her house

Let's go

Let's run all the way!

We'll go after we eat

Don't tell your folks

Sneak out

We'll meet behind the bushes. All right!

Let's go!

Kotoe, aren't you going to eat?

My grandma won't let me out

I can't go home

I'll bring something to eat. Wait for us

Miss Pebble will be surprised

Does her leg hurt?

This is where she got hurt

Big kids are coming!

Hide!

Keep quiet!

What are you doing in there?

Hello

Have you seen our Kotoe?

I can't find Sanae anywhere either

- Hello - Hello there

Have you seen Sanae around?

I haven't seen our Matsue

Fujiko's so good, where would she go?

Where I wonder?

Our children are gone - Is Takeichi around?

Where could they have got to?

Have you seen Kich-chan?

He ate his lunch here

Where did they go?

MINAZUKI RESTAURANT

The first graders are all gone!

Masuno's gone, too?

Excuse me. Did you see a group of children go by?

I saw them near the store

Did they go to a show?

Without any money?

They'd go to look at the billboards

Wait till my girl gets home

Should we scold them?

Well, we can't praise them

Wear this

Just as long as it takes to eat a dumpling?

I was on the bus at the time, you know

You lied?

No. But I was watching the scenery, not eating

So you just held it in your hand?

Kotoe, we have to keep walking

I'm hungry

Come on!

Miss Pebble! Teacher!

Miss Pebble!

What's happened?

We wanted to see you

We didn't tell anyone we were coming

You'd better get in the bus, then

I made a lot so eat all you want

You still have some

I'm so glad I got back early from the doctor

I want more!

Me, too!

Ready everyone?

All right? Here we go, look at the flower

Steady now ...

... and it's done!

Goodbye!

Hisako, why don't you answer the principal?

You've already decided who will take my place?

At a teachers meeting. Isn't that what you ...

It's not that ... now I have a problem

A problem?

I promised the children I'd go back

I'm surprised

Can you go by yourself?

Your mother says you can't ride your bicycle

Hisako, the principal is being very kind

If she transfers to the consolidated school ...

... she can go by bus

Can you transfer her?

Your successor is Mrs Goto

Normally, she'd have to retire next year

If she takes your job she can work longer

Three more years

She'll be happy to come here

Isn't that nice?

She takes after her father

Stubborn

She does resemble him

Your father and the principal were friends

That's why he's so kind to you

Excuse me!

Thanks for treating the children the other day

It was nothing. I was happy to have them come

Here are some presents

From the families ...

Rice, beans, dried fish ...

Miss Pebble!

Miss Pebble's coming!

Miss Pebble's coming!

How's your leg?

Can you ride your bike?

It may take half a year more

Will you come by boat?

It's too far to walk

Let's go to school

Teacher!

How's your leg?

It's all right

Thanks for the rice the other day

I want to thank you for the beans

I sent sesame seeds

Then thanks for the sesame

Thank you for your gifts

I was going to send you something ...

... but I was too late

Pardon me!

Thank you for all of the presents

Not at all

I'm always meddling ...

I can't ride my bicycle for quite a while

And yet school is so far away

If I limped along, it would take a long time

That's why I can't ...

We'll come for you every day by boat

And take me back home?

Thank you

I wish I had known that sooner

I'm transferring to the consolidated school

I'll be there when you're in the sixth year

I just came to say goodbye

Another teacher will take my place

Study hard

I loved teaching here

But with my leg like this ...

We're sorry

It's all right

All children dig holes

It was my fault

She came especially to see all of you

You should be happy

Instead you're all crying

Are you all right, Miss Oishi?

Yes, thanks

Women and children are hard to handle

Everybody cry!

Cry!

It's too much

Teacher!

Come again!

When your leg gets better!

Promise us!

Promise us!

Goodbye!

Let's sing her a song!

Mother Crow, why do you sing so sadly?

Because she left a beautiful child of seven ...

... in the mountain,

"I miss him, I miss him" sings the crow,

"I miss him, I miss him" sings the crow,

Go and look in the mountain,

There you'll find a beautiful child ...

The colour of the sea and the shape of the mountains ...

... remained the same, but tomorrow became today

Five years passed

The Manchurian and Shanghai Incidents occurred

The entire world went through a depression

Without knowing the future ...

... the children were caught up in their own joys and sorrows

It's the principal!

Good morning

Why did you come here?

We want to see Miss Oishi's husband

- How did you know? - Kotsuru found out

He's an officer on a ship. Everybody knows that

We want to see him

You certainly know how to stare, don't you?

- Is Miss Oishi coming? - She's getting ready

- She's very beautiful - Let's go see!

I'm too shy!

I've got to go home

Why? Today's special

I already had a hard time sneaking out

You all better go home and help your parents

School starts in five days

So we're playing now

Is that any way for sixth years to talk?

There's work at home

The boat's coming !

He's so fat!

Her husband's the one at the back

He's all right!

Matsue!

What do you want?

Stop playing

Your mother's having the baby now

- Really - Hurry home

You can't walk all the way back!

Matsue, give your father plenty to eat

Don't fill up yours ...

... it's too big

I want a new lunch box with a lily on it

- Buy me one - I can't get up yet

When you do get up

Who's going to pay for it?

Wait until your father earns some money

- I'll buy you one - You will?

Be patient

Stay home today

I don't feel so good

- Matsue can stay - I need all the work I can get

You'd better hurry to school

- Don't you need me? - Don't stay here

It's your first day in the sixth grade

Come home right away

Don't mention the lunch box in front of him

Your father is having trouble finding work

The other girls have new lunch boxes

You promised to buy me one this year

I'm ashamed of my old one

My mother had a baby girl

Congratulations! What's her name?

Nothing yet. I'm going to give her a name

- Have you thought of a name? - I'm thinking now

What's a good name?

You seem happy. What is it?

My mother is going to buy me a new lunch box ...

... with a lily on the lid

That's nice. With a picture of a lily?

Lily's a good name! Lily - Yuri!

Name her that! Yuriko or Yurie

Yurie is better. There are too many Yurikos

It smells good

You smell like a bride

What's going on? Somebody's sick

Appendicitis?

Mats-chan, what's the matter?

You're very kind but unless the baby dies ...

... I can't let Matsue go to school

I'm sorry for Matsue

I'm a widower now

I don't know what to do

Mats-chan, this lunch box has a lily on its lid

Use it when you come back to school

Help your father at home

I'll be thinking of you

Mats-chan, you're a good girl

She wanted a new lunch box

Thank you

The baby is premature ...

... and has no mother

She hasn't much of a chance to live

She's better off dead

What hope is there for poor families like us?

Teacher!

Mats-chan's baby sister died!

My grandmother went over ...

... Matsue's father was drunk and crying

The poor baby

Good morning

What is it?

They arrested Mr Kataoka

The police are still here

- What did he do? - They say he's a Red

A Red? How can they say that?

He'll be released soon for lack of evidence

It's most unpleasant

- What's the complaint? - It's because of Kataoka's friend

His friend tried to spread anti-war ideas

He and his pupils printed a little book

The police thought Kataoka had a copy

I've seen that book

That's evidence?

Say that and they'll think you're a Red!

I was quite impressed with it

My class read parts

Some of the essays were very good

But it's dangerous!

A copy was sent here

- Where is it now? - In my classroom

Oh, no!

We teachers must be patriotic

You nearly frightened me to death

Dear Matsue ...

... I heard about your baby sister

It made me very sad

Such things cannot be helped

Cheer up. In our hearts we can still love her

When will you be back?

I look at your empty desk and think of you

Class, who gets a newspaper at home?

Who reads one?

Only three of you?

Who knows what a communist is?

You don't know? How about a capitalist?

They're rich

All right. What are labourers?

As your father's friend, I'm concerned about you

Your mother will worry if you get into trouble

My students knew about Kataoka and the book

They asked questions

Tell them you don't know

That's enough. You must be careful of what you say

Proletariat, capitalists ...

... don't discuss such things

I'll be careful

Do that

It's foolish to be too outspoken

Teacher

What about Matsue?

Did you give her my letter?

I saw a strange woman when I went over there

She took Matsue with her on the ferry

Matsue's being adopted

Matsue cried saying she wouldn't go

Her father was calm and gentle at first

She refused again ...

... so he began to hit her

She cried a lot but finally agreed to go

Everybody was crying

I cried too

I went to see her off but she didn't speak

AUTUMN

OCTOBER

Fujiko and Sanae should have come

Mi-san too, even if she is an only child

Why couldn't she come?

She might catch a cold

They'll give her the trip money anyway

Mi-san told me

She could save money anytime

But this trip is something to remember

I'm using the money I got from fishing

I sold eggs

Sonki and I took out our savings

I'm using my savings, too

My folks paid

My dad bought me this suit for the trip

Look at your shoes

Can you walk in them?

I wanted size ten but my father said I grow fast

What size are they?

Size eleven

Fujiko's too poor so she couldn't come

Her house is awfully big but it's empty

They've got nothing left to sell

Don't say such things

If you want to be a mid-wife, you shouldn't gossip so much

Let's sing some more

Let Mach-chan sing

Masuno, you're our best singer

- Sing "Moon over the Ruined Castle" - "Song of the Beach"

Wandering at the seashore in the morning,

To remember old things passed away,

Sound of wind, shape of cloud,

Waves coming up and colour of oars

Walking around at the seashore in the evening,

To remember the people of old times,

Waves coming up and going out,

Colour of moon and shadow of stars

There's the ship!

You'll fall overboard

Don't bother me!

There he is! It's her husband!

- Teacher, wave to him! - You have to wave!

Look at him! He's waving !

At Yashimaura, the sea reflects images of the dead

The sea has flowed calmly for 760 years ...

... after the pitiful end of the Heike family

Vanished like a dream, the battlefield remains ...

... with cool waves and wind washing their past glory

Their beautiful voices can almost be heard

Their epic stories are all that remain

Ritsurin Park is located at the eastern foot of Mt Shiun ...

... south of Takamatsu City

Its beauty is equal to the national parks of Kairakuen ...

... Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, and Korakuen in Okayama ...

Do you feel ill?

I'm all right

Here is the famous mountain, Sozuyama

It has one of the best scenic views in Shikoku

Halfway up, 251 metres above sea level ...

... is the original shrine to the beloved Kompira

Rising from the bottom are 785 stone steps

Next are 583 more steps to the inner shrine

Kompira is a deity who protects ships, homes and business

Many people come here to worship

Teacher, you look pale

I'm tired and feel cold

Do you want some medicine?

I took some

I want something warm. Let's eat

We have time

I'll tell the others

How about some noodles?

Let's try over there

Mats-chan !

Please come in !

You've been working as a waitress all along

Who are you?

Don't bother my employees

She's my teacher

She was very kind to me

I'm from Shodoshima

Oh? Come in. Her teacher?

Serve them some tea

Shall we go in?

Thank you

I was worried about you

But you seem all right

She was one of my pupils

You're working hard

She's a good worker

We're busy here

An order's ready

Are you sightseeing?

- A school excursion - I'm glad to meet you

You both must be tired

It must be trouble travelling with kids

Will you have something to eat?

What do you want to do?

- Do you have noodles? - No, sorry, we don't ...

Welcome

We have egg, shrimp, and rice dishes

We only want a snack. There isn't much time...

Then have some tea

Crab on rice, too!

Going on the next ferry?

It'll leave soon

- We should go - Want to talk to her?

We're busy here

Matsue, don't just stand there

Say goodbye to your teacher, she's leaving

Please excuse me

Excuse us, we haven't been very hospitable

Mats-chan ...

Take care. Write to me

Goodbye

HOPES FOR THE FUTURE

"My Hopes for the Future"

I am an only daughter

That is why my mother wants to send me away...

... to the girl's high school on the mainland

Just looking at numbers gives me a headache

I really want to go to a sewing school ...

... they don't have entrance examinations

Women ought to have regular jobs

Without a job a woman will have a hard time ...

... like my mother did

That is why my sister became a nurse

She will help send me ...

... to a normal school

I want to become a teacher

Fujiko, why don't you write something?

Come on, what's wrong?

What is it?

Can't you tell us?

Come along with me

There's nothing I can write about the future

Don't write then

You don't have to write. I understand

I wanted to go on the school trip

We can't stay in our house much longer

Somebody bought it

It's all right

Don't say any more

I don't know what to say ...

... but you're not responsible for the hardships

It's not your parents' fault, either

That's the way things are in the world

Don't be discouraged. You must be strong

Maybe I'm making you do the impossible

I don't know what else to say

If you feel like crying ...

... come over to my house

We'll cry together

You're going to quit?

Don't you like school?

Why don't you stay at least another year?

You've got the ability

It's a shame to quit

I've already promised

Who did you promise?

My mother

I promised I'd quit if I could go on the trip

There's nothing I can do that would help?

My sister will be in the fifth year this year ...

... it's my turn to stay home and cook

Your sister cooked the meals until now?

Your mother has to fish?

Almost every day

That's why you wrote that you were sorry you weren't born a boy?

Yes. I feel sorry for my mother

You were born a girl

Being a girl isn't your fault

It's a shame ... if you must leave

When my sister finishes sixth year ...

... my mother will let me work for a dressmaker

When I'm 18, I can be a maid in Osaka

I'll buy clothes like my mother did

Then you'll marry?

You'll get married ...

... just like your mother

I'm going to middle school

I'll graduate from high school

I'll fish and study until I'm drafted

Then I'll be a sergeant

- A non-commissioned officer - You get paid monthly

I'll go to college and become a lieutenant

Stop bragging

I'd go to middle school if there was no exams

Why join the army?

It's better than being a poor fisherman

I'd rather be a soldier than run a rice store

You'd better think about it carefully

Do you hate soldiers?

I prefer fishermen and storekeepers

- You're a coward - Yes, I'm a coward

Mother! I've brought the teacher

She won't listen to me

I don't care if she has a good voice

Lots of girls in Japan have good voices

Learning the samisen is more appropriate

She's the daughter of a restaurant owner

Instead, she's trying to study foreign music

That's why she wants to go to high school

Please talk some sense into her

She's being difficult and won't eat

You listen to what your teacher says

Suppose she graduates from a conservatory ...

... how could she help us in this business?

It's not proper for me to express an opinion

I understand what you say ...

... but I know how Masuno feels too

What Masuno says is just not realistic

I've known her since the first year

She was so small ...

... like a doll

Masuno, your happiness means a lot to me ...

... I'm ashamed I can't say anymore now

All the boys want to be soldiers

That scares me because they may be killed

You're a girl so I don't have to worry about that

I want you to be happy and healthy

I want to help you realise your ambitions

But I can't say anything else today

That's all I can say

What is it?

Oishi...

Please sit down

I've heard rumours that you're a communist

You should be careful

I don't understand

What have I done?

I warned you before, didn't I?

There are things you must not say to the pupils

I don't know what I said

I didn't tell them anything that's wrong

That's the trouble. You're young

You discuss everything that comes to mind

You'll have to do better or you'll be in trouble

What do you mean by that?

You're aware of recent events in Manchuria

There may be a war with Russia

We have air-raid drills here

Japan is now threatened by its enemies ...

... yet you keep saying it's stupid to become a soldier

I don't want my students to be killed

You're wrong

All I said was ...

Say nothing!

Don't see, hear, or talk

Teachers have a duty

We prepare our students to serve the nation

How grateful we are ...

... to our teachers,

How the years in the playground ...

... flew by,

As we look back ...

... over those precious days,

Now we part ...

... and must say goodbye

The friendship and kindness ...

.... shown every day,

Will stay with us ...

... the rest of our lives,

We'll fend for ourselves ...

...make our names and work hard,

Now we part ...

... and must say goodbye

The familiar school windows ...

... at morning and eve,

The glow of the fireflies ...

... and deep snow so white,

We can never forget the years ...

... we have passed here,

Now we part ...

... and must say goodbye

Mother?

Are you awake?

- Where's Mother? - She went shopping

How do you feel?

Better, I slept

You seem weaker since the school trip

No, it's the baby

You'll be all right

Men think it's easy

- Have it soon - Don't be silly

I'm looking forward to the baby

It should be adorable

School's probably made you tired of children

The truth is that ...

... I'm fed up with teaching

School starts in two days

Should I resign?

Why?

I'd like to quit and start a sweet shop

I think I've done my best for my students

But, it's impossible to have strong ties between us

Teachers and students are united by one thing ...

... by the official textbooks

It's always "loyalty and patriotism"

Half my boys want to be soldiers - I hate it!

It's the times

Can you end the war by running a sweet shop?

My mother told me not to marry a seaman

You wanted to marry me

I hate to think of what will happen if war starts

You'll be drafted into the Navy

I could be widowed

We have a baby coming

Why don't I resign?

You can quit your job

We could be farmers

No, do what you want to

I'm quitting. I'll tell Mother

You're too impulsive

I'm not

Your mother is too old for surprises

She's still working, you know

You've got a pleasant job on that boat

But I'm serious, I hate being a teacher

Hisako

- She's back - Some students are here

Hello!

Sorry, I'm like this

I'm glad you came

Come in

We have to catch the next bus

Catch the one after it

It'll be too dark then

I'll walk you to the bus stop

What's that cap for?

I'm quitting school

You're quitting?

I want to thank you for all you did for me

Wait, I'm walking with you

What will you do now?

I'm going to work in Osaka

My employer will send me to night-school

It's very sudden. What kind of work?

- A pawnshop - You'll become a pawnbroker?

No, just a clerk. I'll work until I'm drafted

Well, be a good clerk ...

... and write to me

Takeichi, when's school start?

In two days

Are you quitting school?

Yes, I'll tell you about it later

You're quitting school?

You won't be there anymore ...

... so why should I be?

Come on in

When you come back, be sure to visit me

I've watched you all grow up

You were my first and my last students

Now we're just friends

You, too, Takeichi

Fujiko and her family moved away yesterday

Yesterday?

They went in a small boat

They didn't have much left to take with them

Her parents never did any hard physical work

Everybody's afraid they'll become beggars

That's terrible

I pity Fujiko

Thanks for everything

Good luck

The colour of the sea and the shape of the mountains ...

... remained the same

Tomorrow, turning into today

But the lives of the people of Shodoshima ...

... drifted in the currents of war with China ...

... and the large waves of history

EIGHT YEARS LATER

Excuse me

Kotoe, it's me

Don't get up

I wanted to visit you sooner ...

... but the baby keeps me busy

Thanks for coming

Are you alone?

Everybody's away fishing as usual

I'm glad you came

I wanted to see you

So did I

I look at our first year picture all the time

I take it out and look at it too

Everybody's so young

We were so hungry when we came to see you

I was the first to cry

You were all crying when I met you

The noodles you gave us tasted so good

I can still taste them

Now you've all grown up

I heard that Misako had a beautiful wedding

She's lucky to be an only child

Sanae's now a teacher at our old school

She was an honour graduate from college

I met Kotsuru in Osaka

She did very well at midwife school

Yes, she writes to me

I'm the worst ...

I don't have long to live

Why say that? You'll be all right

I've been unlucky

I know - you had very hard times

Do you remember when I was in the sixth year?

We talked once about ...

I remember

I wanted to be kind to my mother when I grew up

I was happy to go away and become a maid

Yes, I remember that

You were the brightest girl in the class

I hoped you'd go on to high school

Teacher...

I worked hard but got sick and was sent home

Since then, my parents won't come near me

I'm left alone all the time because I have tuberculosis

There are others whose lives are difficult

I saw Mats-chan eight years ago on our school trip

She had a hard life as a waitress

Fujiko and her family had to move, too

Kotsuru's been writing to me

She's now working in a cafe in Kobe

Masuno's the only one who should be happy

But she can't stand her parents' restaurant

There aren't that many happy people

So don't think you're alone

Please cheer up

I'll visit you more often

Take these

Thank you

TOKUDA Kichiji

AIZAWA Nita

TAKESHITA Takeichi

MORIOKA Tadashi

OKAD A Isokichi

How about some sake?

You think we should celebrate?

It's customary

He hasn't left yet because he's sick

Stop arguing

I'd like some sake

It's war - it can't be helped

Look at the children!

Be quiet!

They don't even know how I feel

Let them have some fun

Come to your father

Don't you be sad, you'll make me worry

I want you to grow up ...

... so you can take care of your mother and grandmother

I'll be leaving for the army, so sing for me

A full four years have passed

The war in Asia broadened

There were many more plain white grave markers for soldiers

I wish I was bigger so I could enlist

You want to die?

After all the pain I had to bring you up?

You want me to cry for the rest of my life?

You'd be the mother of a patriot

I don't want you to die

I want to be an ordinary mother

All I want you to be is a human being

Just an ordinary person who values living

Nobody else talks like that!

They may not say it but they think it

My teachers don't!

That's why I quit

- Coward! - You're a coward!

I don't care if I am, who cares?

I love my children, that's all

Hisako ...

Mother? Can't you sleep?

Is it painful?

You'll be all right

I'll make some soup

What's wrong?

Is the bedding too heavy?

Daikichi, come here!

Go get the doctor. Tell him to hurry

Mother ...

You'll be all right

Have him come at once!

Oishi, your mother's here

What do you want?

Your father's dead

I just got the notice

We must be strong, you understand?

SHODO-GUN TOWN & VILLAGE ASSEMBLY

AUGUST 15, 1945

Attention !

Eyes front!

Today we have an important assembly

You will soon hear the voice of the Emperor

He will address the entire nation by radio

Listen respectfully

There's no need to worry about it

Children can now be children again

Let's eat

Didn't you hear that we've surrendered?

I heard

It's good - the war is over

It's the end of killing

People will return

We didn't die for our country

And that's good

Are you glad?

Stop talking like a fool

What do you think?

Your father was killed

He won't ever return

Aren't you going to cry because we lost?

I cried for the dead

I cried and cried

Please help!

Doctor!

She fell out of a tree! Please help!

Yatsu!

Daikichi

Mother!

Doctor!

You were so small, and so hungry

No wonder you climbed that persimmon tree

It wasn't your fault

You just wanted something to eat

The year following the end of the war

APRIL 4

It's clearing up

Is it your first time over this way?

I've had no reason to come this way

It's something I hadn't thought about ...

... teaching at the local school again

It's been 18 years

Almost two decades

I can take you by boat in good weather

If there's a storm, I'll walk

You'll get tired

I intend to work hard

I still have to take care of you and Namiki

You need a bike

We can't afford one

They're expensive

Are you tired?

No!

You're good at rowing like your father

Anyone can row

I remember I had a first grader named Takeichi

He once offered to take me home in a boat

That was long ago. He was killed in the war

Somebody you taught?

When I call your name, answer 'here' in a loud voice

Kawasaki Satoru

You all seem healthy. Your voices sound good

You're Kotoe's sister?

Kotoe died, didn't she?

Are you related to Matsue?

My mother's in Osaka. She sent me this dress

So you're Matsue's daughter?

Is your mother Nisaguchi Misako?

You look like her

In the rape fields ...

... the setting sun grows thin,

A deep mist frames ...

... the distant mountains,

A spring breeze blows ...

... and you gaze up to the sky,

Where the evening moon ...

... glows pale and red

The glow of fires in the village ...

... colours in the woods,

People following the paths ...

Morioka Tadashi's grave

Teacher!

Misako!

My daughter said you went home this way

It's good to see you

I wanted to meet you again

My daughter will be in your class just like I was

Please take care of her

It'll be a pleasure

When I heard you were back teaching, I cried

Two generations ... it's a rare thing

I owe it to Sanae

She's a teacher at the consolidated school

She recommended me - I thought I was too old but she said I wasn't

Sanae, Kotsuru, Masuno and I got together

We want to have a party for you at Masuno's

You're all very kind

We're grateful to you and happy

It'll be wonderful to see all of you again

Tadashi always wanted to be a soldier

I wonder if he's satisfied?

Over here

Takeshita Takeichi's grave

The army was better than a rice store

And so he ends up here

There's Nita's grave

Aizawa Nita's grave

I remember him ... he was big, and loud

He was a very good boy

On our school trip, his shoes were too big

Crybaby teacher!

Crybaby teacher!

Teacher, you've got another nickname already

It was Miss Pebble, now it's Miss Crybaby

Crybaby teacher!

Crybaby teacher!

The bus is quicker

Are you tired already? You're such a weakling

- I'm not tired - I don't mind walking

All right - today's a picnic so we'll walk

The bus costs money

If we took a bus, it wouldn't be a picnic

Mother, we'll play in the shrine grounds

What if your party lasts a long time?

Play on the beach below the restaurant

What if kids tease us?

Then tease them back

Maybe they're tougher

If you two can't beat them, cry

- They'll laugh! - I'll laugh at you, too

I'll clap my hands and laugh !

Will you be able to see the beach?

Probably ... I guess so

Will you look for us?

I'll look out and wave my hand

You can go

Don't leave your lunch boxes behind

Mother! What if it rains?

Do something about it!

Teacher!

We have an unexpected face! Guess who?

- Unexpected? - Can you guess right the first time?

You scare me. Do you trust me or don't you?

Unexpected, you say

Can it be two people? Fujiko or Matsue?

- Right? - No, which one is it?

Then it's Matsue

It's Matsue!

- She came from Osaka! - So it's Matsue ...

That makes me happy

I haven't seen you since the school trip

You're all looking well

Kotsuru, you got fat - just like a mid-wife!

Watch what you say

I'm Matsue

I'm so glad you came, Mats-chan

I'm really glad

Misako wrote to me

I had to forget my shame

I had to come to the party this time ...

... or I'd be left out in the future

Let's go

Teacher!

I could hardly wait. Please come in

Thank you - we're meeting at your place?

Sonki and Kich-chan? - They haven't come yet!

We want to give you this from all of us

Because you've come back to our school

Let's sit down and relax

We could have a drink

Sonki's coming!

Sonki's blind

It must be difficult

It's good he could come

He came back but he's blind

Sonki's studying to be a masseur

He used to say he'd rather be dead

Poor boy

That means there's nothing left to live for

Sonki, what kept you?

I'm sorry to be late

It's been a long time

A very long time - Five years

And now I'm like this

So let's have a good time

Sonki, you sit by Teacher

- Kich-chan hasn't come

Who wants a soft drink?

I'll have sake

So will I

Sonki, you want sake?

I'll have some since it's your party

I want to thank you all for the bicycle

Don't thank me - I only gave a little

Thanks to you all, I can ride to school now

You're all here? You're late!

What a big fish!

It's good to see you

It's been a long time

Kich-chan, don't leave the fish here

I caught it especially for our teacher

I'll have it cooked

Thank you, everyone

You're very kind

Mother Crow, why do you sing so sadly?

Because she left a beautiful child of seven ...

... in the mountain,

"I miss him, I miss him" sings the crow,

"I miss him, I miss him" sings the crow,

May I see the photo for a second?

Let him see it

Can you see it?

This picture ... I can see it well

Teacher's in the middle

Takeichi, Nita and I are in front

Mach-chan is to the right

Fujiko's over here

Mats-chan has her arms folded

Wandering at the seashore in the morning,

To remember old things passed away,

Sound of wind, shape of cloud,

Waves coming up and colour of oars

Walking around at the seashore in the evening,

To remember the people of old times,

Waves coming up and going out,

Colour of moon and shadow of stars

THE END