Original subtitles

A NIKKATSU PRODUCTION

OBEY FAMILY RULES

WITHOUT RULES, THE HOUSE WILL NOT FUNCTION

INTENTIONS OF MURDER

Oh, my!

Kinu!

Dear, even if the priest said to do that,

it's too cold today.

Kinu, take this to the shrine.

Dear, you go inside and lie down.

Do as I say. I'll bring Masaru in soon.

They say the master has no heir

because he was cursed by a white snake.

Kinu!

But I think the spirit of his father's dead mistress is bringing him bad luck.

Stop that. You'll upset him again.

Is here good?

That's fine, thanks.

I'm sure it's Matsu, the mistress.

It was her curse that killed the prior master's wife too.

Riichi, why not move into the family home when you get back?

It isn't that simple. There are things to consider.

I'll stop by soon to discuss it.

No, I'll be back anyway to collect money for eggs.

Don't bother. Let Sadako do that.

What if she miscounts the money?

She even forgot to bring you a change of clothes.

She isn't dependable.

Here comes Mommy!

It took that long just to go home?

Sorry. I ran all the way.

Thank you.

What's this? I said undershirts.

You did?

Another mistake.

I'm sorry. I'll run back.

Don't bother. It's too late.

Well, well! Good evening, Mr. Takahashi.

Off to Tokyo University?

Delegate to the National Library Association - that's a big deal!

I'm on my way to Zao.

Did you blab everything to him too?

- I didn't say a word. - Then how did he know?

Who is he?

A student who boards with the lady next door.

Sadako?

Where are you going? - For a platform ticket.

Don't bother. Mother's taking Masaru for some noodles.

Don't forget to help my boss Mr. Watanabe with his housecleaning tomorrow.

Don't worry about Masaru. He'll stay with us.

Bring some bean cakes back for your father.

Dad, bring me something too.

Only if you get rid of those mice.

Then I don't want anything.

It's so cold.

Let's go see Grandfather.

Sorry, Mother.

Stop it. You don't have to do that.

Masaru, behave yourself. Don't eat too much.

Don't worry. He knows.

Please take care of him.

Mommy, don't throw my mice away.

Dried sardines, 30 yen.

Beef, 130 yen.

Monthly payment on the TV...

1,800 yen.

Sadako, you're spending too much on food.

You and Masaru are too frail.

You need nourishment.

You have no education,

and that makes Riichi feel ashamed.

"It's the same in Aiko's case.

I don't think cigarettes are good for one's health.

Yet why is it all right for a man to smoke,

but not for a woman?

The question raises a large number of issues..."

When you get to their house,

pay attention to everything Mrs. Takahashi says.

Your grandma used to live there.

She was the previous master's mistress,

so you're related in a way.

The master's like a saint,

so help out in any way you're asked.

They're the only ones who'll take you in now.

Be a good girl and make your late mother proud.

Uncle, I want to go back to Tokyo.

Don't talk nonsense.

Your mother's dead. Where would you go?

Give me your money. Be quiet!

Hurry and give me your money.

Over there.

In the drawer.

Don't look at me!

I'll kill you if you do!

Help!

- Want me to kill you? - Help!

I'll kill you if that's what you want!

Sadako!

What are you doing, you idiot?

Get out, you child of a whore!

You're just like Matsu!

If you keep quiet, no one will know.

Nothing happened.

It was a dream.

It had to be a dream.

I have to die.

- Master Riichi - - No.

You wouldn't let me take it this morning either.

Sadako, I love you.

No, don't!

You mustn't!

- Sadako! - No, you mustn't!

Why not?

Sadako!

Sadako, can I come up?

Can I?

Who's there? Who is that?

Thief! Bastard!

Get out of here, you son of a bitch!

Bastard!

Come here again and I'll call the police!

Mean old hag!

You were waiting for him, weren't you, with the light on this late?

No, I wasn't.

Your grandma was my dead father's mistress.

Your mother was a caf� waitress

and had you out of wedlock.

Can't you see I don't want you to become a slut like them?

- I know. - Don't lie to me!

You opened the window for him!

- No, I didn't. - Liar!

I didn't open the window.

I'm always getting yelled at because of a grandma I never met.

Papa, forgive me.

I have to kill myself.

Masaru!

I have to die.

I'm going to die anyway,

so I might as well see Masaru first.

Mom, Grandma bought me some clothes.

Really?

Did you have fun at Grandma's?

You didn't get a tummy ache?

What's wrong, Mommy?

Nothing. I just fell down.

Wipe his nose.

Why are you crying?

He was only gone two days. You trying to imply something?

I paid the deposit. You take care of the rest.

Masaru, I said you could wear those until you got home.

Now take them off.

My goodness! What happened to this screen?

Well...

I went to set the time, but I slipped

and the clock fell.

Get it fixed soon. It's a disgrace.

Forgive me.

I hope you're not giving Riichi any ideas...

about not moving into our place.

It's an easy commute to the library,

and you'd pay half the rent you pay here.

You need to consider the little one's education.

He should really be with me.

You should be persuading Riichi.

I'll try.

I bought pesticide for the roses.

Let me see.

No! It's a scary poison. It's called "Bordeaux."

A little drop could kill you.

I want a snack.

Wash your hands first. You were just outside.

Kaki and Maki don't wash their hands.

Come here.

Don't imitate those slum kids.

You're a frail boy.

Go on now.

Are you waiting until tomorrow to hang out this wash?

It's such a fine day.

All right.

Morning. You're late today.

I have a splitting headache.

That's not like you. Didn't you get enough sleep?

I sure didn't.

She kept me awake all night

telling me all her troubles.

Idiot.

I hate old men. They're so persistent.

Oh, hello!

Your mother-in-law's here? - Yes.

Oh, about that knitting machine -

hurry and get your husband to buy it.

It's year-end and the company has to clear the books.

I'd pay for it for you,

but the old man's retired, and his son is so stingy.

I'd like to...

but my husband's against it.

Talk him into it.

You finished Mrs. Sato's sweater, right?

Finish more orders and buy the machine.

- Sadako. - Coming.

Sadako, Grandma's calling you.

Oh no!

The little mouse ate the big one.

He must have been hungry.

Masaru, listen.

Masaru, don't fall asleep.

I have to talk to you.

If Mommy decides to die, will you die with me?

Sure.

- Really? - Yeah.

But I can still go to school, right?

No, you can't go anywhere.

- Want something to eat? - No.

I'll tell him.

If he doesn't forgive me, I'll kill myself.

Coming.

Who is it?

I'm from the library.

Isn't Mr. Takahashi back yet?

Not yet.

Has something happened?

There was a little trouble at the library.

Sorry to bother you.

Hi, Dad.

Welcome home.

I got this vacuum cheap from Mr. Watanabe.

How nice.

You didn't go help at his house, did you?

No.

Why not?

Maki's wife and everybody else went.

Don't you care what happens to me at work?

Of course I do.

Then why didn't you go?

I had things to take care of.

Don't lie!

Why don't you do what I tell you for a change?

Bring that thing over here.

I swear, I have to be the unluckiest man alive.

My wife watches TV all day long,

and I buy her a vacuum cleaner.

Plug it in.

You use it like this.

Can I try it, Dad?

What happened to that screen?

Your mother told me to put on new paper for the New Year.

It's none of her business.

Can we afford it? Show me the household accounts.

What's this?

Still haven't returned this knitting machine?

I'll do it tomorrow.

You'll never learn to use it. Just take it back.

What's this? You went over budget again.

Why's the electric bill so high?

Because all you do is watch TV.

I don't watch that much. It's the refrigerator.

We don't need a fridge in winter. Unplug it.

And don't use the vacuum cleaner too much.

It's second-hand, but it's almost new.

Unplug it.

- You want dinner? - No.

That woman who came by last night - is she from the university?

Yes.

She said there was trouble at the library.

I know.

Maki was nominated to be head librarian while I was away.

What an insult!

The guy's family is a bunch of peasants.

You can't trust people.

Hell, there's no such thing as trust.

Hey, Mama-san!

It's that damned student next door again.

Are you asleep?

What happened to the cord?

It broke. I got it fixed.

What was wrong?

I wasn't sure, so I called the electrician.

Fool! Don't call him for something that simple.

How much did he charge? - A hundred yen.

Papa...

what would -

Spit it out.

What would you do if I had an affair?

Idiot.

As if you had the guts.

Go ahead, if you think you can.

But I -

You just sit around. You didn't even go help the Watanabes.

Watching TV is making you even dumber.

No, please don't.

Masaru might wake up.

It doesn't matter.

Papa...

Mama...

Eros and Civilization.

Riichi!

It's true Maki was nominated to be head librarian,

but it hasn't been decided yet.

Mr. Watanabe's disliked him since that thesis incident last year.

Besides, Watanabe's your relative,

so he won't endorse Maki that easily.

I heard a lot about it today,

and I wanted to tell you everything.

You haven't come to my apartment in a long time.

Be sure...

to stop by on your way home today.

It's not what you think.

Somebody help!

Listen...

if you go to the cops, I'll tell them all about you and your husband.

Bitch! Look what you did!

I'll burn you.

Killing is nothing to me.

Mrs. Takahashi?

If you want to scream, go ahead.

Mrs. Takahashi?

I'm from Igarashi Appliances.

Anyone home?

You like me, don't you?

Are you crazy? You?

I'll tell them!

I'll tell them all about last time.

Is that what you want?

It's not what you think.

I love you.

You love me too, don't you?

A jerk like you?

Please...

I know I'm a fool.

But I'm going to die.

I just want you to be nice to me.

I...

Stop it!

No, don't!

No!

Riichi!

Your Yoshiko missed you so much.

Listen...

is it true Sadako's not registered as your wife?

That's not true.

You know...

I had that abortion for your sake.

Here I am, so unhappy.

I wish I'd had the baby.

Cut it out.

I'm your wife.

We've been together for ten years,

longer than you've known Sadako.

Isn't that right?

I'm your...

real wife.

Ouch! That hurts!

Mrs. Takahashi!

What's this cloth doing here?

Mommy, aren't you home?

She's home. I hear noise inside.

Mommy!

This is far enough.

But...

It's dark and dangerous near your apartment.

I don't care.

See you.

Riichi...

I bought this for Masaru.

It's a good book.

That's enough now. My neighbor just saw us.

What does that matter?

Listen, I want to raise Masaru

as if he were my own son.

Fine. Thanks.

That's why -

That's why -

I'm home.

What a nuisance!

A coworker kept asking me questions all the way home.

Really persistent.

Masaru, isn't that a new screen?

Here's a present for you.

Welcome home, Dad.

It's a good book. Treat it well.

What's wrong?

Are you sick?

Mr. Watanabe insisted I go drinking with him.

What a day!

I'll do it.

You get dinner ready.

You still haven't returned that knitting machine?

Hisako asked if I'd do some piecework.

It might be enough to pay the electric bill.

They sure are loud next door.

What's wrong with you?

Did something happen?

Why are you looking at me like that?

Hurry and get dinner ready.

Why did I smile like that?

Excuse me! May I -

Please excuse me.

Hisako! You slut!

Run, Hisako!

Come back here!

Bitch!

Whore!

Taking in that bastard!

Go to hell!

You don't even support me! Stop acting like you own me!

I earn my own keep! No one tells me what to do!

You bitch! How long have you been screwing that kid?

Stop it! You're on my property!

That's right. You're on his property.

Sorry to disturb you.

Come on.

- Arrogant ass! - Watch your mouth!

Hisako, hurry up. We have to talk.

Bad fight, wasn't it?

He found out she was cheating.

If they're going to fight, they should do it inside.

Damn it!

They broke the fence.

- What happened, Mom? - Nothing.

I'm terribly sorry.

Stupid bastard!

Look what you did.

Aren't you ashamed of yourself?

Cowering in a stranger's house.

Get me a rag.

Masaru.

Go home.

I said go home!

I'll do it.

It's just not right

bringing your quarrels into someone else's house.

It's fine.

Hurry and get dinner ready.

If I tell him, it'll ruin everything.

I'd rather die first.

But what if that man comes back?

- May I help you? - May I see some locks?

We have several kinds over here.

You better be careful. They didn't seem like just friends.

She must be a librarian.

They're always bothering him for help.

It was more than that! It was obvious.

You go ahead and do what you want.

You can make a living by knitting.

Sadako, get me a screwdriver.

See? He's worried about us talking.

- You'll get cut. - I don't care.

Wait, let me roll out the futon.

Stop...

Papa...

- It's going to rain. - Then maybe we shouldn't.

Let's have tea. I rushed over when I saw the time.

Ma'am, shall I place the side dishes here?

Yes, that's fine.

Young wives are so lucky these days.

They won't marry unless they can wear tabi socks in the house.

That's right. We had it the worst.

We couldn't wear tabi as young wives,

but now we have to buy them for our sons' wives.

That's democracy for you.

Mother, the beans are ready.

Then go get some eggs.

My daughter-in-law doesn't wear tabi, democracy or no.

- Isn't Sadako in your family register yet? - No.

Isn't it about time you registered her?

Things aren't that simple as head of the family.

Sadako, don't forget to come visit Matsu's grave on April 20.

It's been 50 years since she died.

Was she really my grandmother?

Of course.

Mrs. Takahashi and everyone say you look exactly like her.

If you don't visit her grave,

you'll end up like Matsu and put a curse on this family.

They say she was the prior master's mistress.

That's right.

Leave that. I'll do it.

The family took Matsu's daughter away, and it broke her heart.

She wandered around here every night

and finally hanged herself.

Hanged herself?

Her daughter was your mother.

The fact this house has no heir

is due to Matsu's curse.

Even now,

on every anniversary of her death,

you can hear her footsteps click-clacking outside at night.

Stop it! You're always trying to scare me.

Make a scene if you want, but we have to talk.

Masaru!

Let's go. - To the cafeteria?

We're going home.

Train fare, 25 yen.

Green onions, 30 yen.

Monthly payment on the TV...

1,800 yen.

This one looks great on you.

I wanted one with more red, but this one's flashier.

What did the man do then?

- He followed her outside. - And then?

I followed for a while, but then I lost them.

Don't lie to me. It's all nonsense.

It is not nonsense. - It is too.

Your eyesight's too poor to be reliable.

But I can see things up close.

I did it for you.

You fool. Stop talking nonsense.

Are you trying to wreck my home?

How could you!

You know it's true.

I called but there was no answer.

Won't you come over today?

I'm thinking of moving closer to your house.

Don't be stupid!

I love you.

First do this, then turn this dial in.

Pull the lever, then turn the dial out.

- On the old machine - - Well, not on this one.

See?

Strange. Like this, and then -

No, this way.

- And then - - Turn it again that way.

- See? - You're right.

Welcome home, Dad.

Hello, sir.

My inhaler.

It's dangerous leaving scissors around!

I was just asking your wife.

The thing is...

I've missed too many of Mr. Watanabe's lectures.

I wondered if you'd talk to him -

I don't approve of favoritism. I won't do it.

Go home. - I'm shocked!

Go home!

Was he here all day?

No, just a little while.

Where'd you go today?

First to the department store, to the yarn section.

I asked about knitting work.

Then I bought Masaru a coat in the bargain basement,

and then -

You didn't meet anyone?

No.

Is that the truth?

It's true. I didn't meet anyone.

Dad, look what Mom bought me.

Did you go to the department store with your mother?

Did she meet anyone there?

I don't know.

Does that student come over a lot?

Yeah.

Doesn't he, Mom? - Yes, sometimes.

Now put your coat away.

Mrs. Takahashi?

I'm here for your savings deposit.

- What? - Your savings deposit.

That's a nice coat, young man.

Sorry to come by so late.

No one was home this afternoon.

I'm sorry. Here you are.

Thank you.

Thank you. See you next month.

Thank you.

Let me see that.

28,000 yen.

You've hidden this from me for three years.

Why?

It's in your name, and it's all my money!

I'm sorry.

But that's all money I earned from my knitting.

Here's the household account.

You calculated wrong here.

Look. 8,560 minus 5,220 is -

Isn't it 3,340?

I know that.

What's this?

Have you got lipstick on?

Mommy, this is awful!

My mouse is dead!

You asked me an odd question a while back.

What?

About having an affair or something.

I never said anything like that.

You've forgotten already?

You did say it.

I said something like that?

Sure it wasn't about something on TV?

Three months pregnant - so you conceived around mid-November.

The sooner the better. You want to do it now?

How much would it cost?

4,000, plus 500 for incidentals. So 4,500 yen.

The 12:50 train for Tokyo is running three minutes late.

It will arrive shortly.

Three months pregnant. The sooner the better.

Could it be that guy's baby?

I haven't gotten pregnant in six years.

I followed you all the way from Sendai.

I wasn't sure when to approach you.

You're pregnant, aren't you?

Is it mine?

It is, isn't it?

I know everything.

That's why you came out here to see a doctor.

Isn't that right?

Hey!

Stop!

Please wait!

Listen...

will you run away with me?

If we stay on this train, we'll get to Tokyo.

I don't know about the future,

but even if it's just for a while...

let's live together.

Let's go to Tokyo.

We can get by there.

Please. Come with me.

Oh, yeah, your son. You can bring him along.

I like kids, and they take to me too.

Don't you dare talk about my son!

It makes my skin crawl to hear a man like you even mention him.

This baby isn't yours!

It's my husband's. His and mine.

Now go away!

You promised never to come again! Now leave!

Go away!

I can't take it anymore.

You're all I ever think about.

Nothing you say will change that.

Come away with me! - Let me go!

You bitch! I'll kill you!

What's wrong with him?

Ampule...

in my pocket...

medicine...

Is he going to die?

In my pocket...

Break it open.

- No, I'm not going. - Then I'm not either.

I've fallen on that slope before.

Stop it!