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GRAND SCOPE

A SHOCHIKU FILM

Ladies and gentlemen.

We present for you
The Ballad of Narayama,

a tale of the practice
of the abandonment of old people

based on the legend of Obasute.

THE BALLAD OF NARAYAMA

Ladies and gentlemen.

Please enjoy.

Based on the Story by
SHICHIRO FUKAZAWA

Produced by MASAHARU KOKAJI

Cinematography by HIROSHI KUSUDA

Production Design by KISAKU ITO
CHIYOO UMEDA

Joruri Music by
MATSUNOSUKE NOZAWA

Nagauta Music by
ROKUZAEMON KINEYA

Sound by HISAO ONO

Lighting by RYOZO TOYOSHIMA
Edited by YOSHI SUGIHARA

Starring

KINUYO TANAKA, TEIJI TAKAHASHI

YUKO MOCHIZUKI, DANKO ICHIKAWA

SEIJI MIYAGUCHI, YUNOSUKE ITO

EIJIRO TONO, KEN MITSUDA

KEIKO OGASAWARA, MASAO ODA
KO NISHIMURA

Written and Directed by
KEISUKE KINOSHITA

Amidst the mountains of Shinano

There is a remote valley

Where the narrow brook Itogawa flows

And kingfishers cry mournfully

This is a tale of a little-known village

Hello.

Does Orin of the tree stump live here?

Excuse me, are you Orin?

Yes.

Hello.

Who are you?

I came from the village
on the other side of the mountain.

Then, you must be...

Yes, I was sent by your family.

Welcome. Please come inside.

You must be tired
from crossing the mountain pass.

Yes.

Inviting in the messenger

Orin is filled with anticipation
and can hardly wait

For him to sit down

In our village, there is a woman
who has recently become a widow.

Well, is that right?

Her husband's funeral took place
just three days ago.

How old is she?

She's 45.

Then she's the same age
as my son Tatsuhei.

They're well-matched in age.

She'll be perfect for him.
You've brought wonderful news.

So then, when can she come to us?

Granny!

Just as Orin uttered the question,
her grandson Kesakichi called her

I'm hungry!
ls there anything to eat?

There should be some roasted beans.

I'm not having any gas-causing beans.

You know what old man Amaya said?

He said, "Your granny can eat anything.
She still has a good set of teeth.

She can even munch on pinecones
or roasted beans, can't she?"

What nonsense!

You have 33 teeth, don't you?

I only have 28.

Really? 28 make a full set.
But I'm sure you have more.

Kesakichi!

Granny has 33 teeth!

Kesakichi!

In a corner in the back room

My granny found herself
a set of 33 demon teeth

It is a dewy evening

It is a dewy evening, indeed,
and yet...

It'll be almost a year
since your mama passed away.

Stay away from dangerous places
when you play, all right?

If you fall into a ravine
like your mama, you'll die.

Let's go.

Tatsuhei.

Tatsuhei, I have good news for you.
You'll have a new wife.

Why the glum face?

A messenger came
from my old village.

There's a woman who became a widow
just three days ago.

Her name is Tama.

I see. How old is she?

She's 45, the same age as you.

She'll come to us
after the 49-day mourning period.

Come on, now.
Why don't you look happy?

I'm too old to get excited
about getting a wife.

After the Narayama Festival
has come around three times

Flowers bloom from chestnut seeds

The Obon festival is coming soon.

I was expecting to hear somebody
start singing the festival song.

When three years pass,
we get three years older.

I'll be 70 next year.

You must take me
to Narayama then.

Upon turning 70

One is expected to go to Narayama

It is a long-held tradition of the village

Even the Narayama festival song

Reminds one of the passing of years

Tatsuhei.

Be strong, or you won't be able
to take me to Narayama.

You'll have a new wife soon.

Come on, cheer yourself up.

Mama, why don't you let me
carry you on my back?

Why, of course.
It'll be good practice.

Well? Do I feel heavy or light to you?

You feel lighter than I expected.

Even so, Narayama
is a very difficult mountain to climb.

You must have strong legs
to take me there.

What's the matter?

We still have a long time
till that day comes.

You're wrong.

When the new year comes,
I'm taking my journey there.

Now that you'll have a new wife,

my mind is at ease.

Except for one thing, though.
These teeth of mine.

Mama, what are you doing?

I'm ashamed of having
a full set of teeth.

I'm near the age to take
my journey to Narayama,

but my teeth make me look as if
I eat as much as a young woman.

Tatsuhei, I want to go to Narayama

as an old woman with no teeth.

In a corner in the back room

Orin found herself
a set of 33 demon teeth

Amaya!

Let's go over to my house now!
And you count my mama's teeth.

I meant no insult.

I was just singing
what I heard your son sing.

Don't get worked up at me.

Kesakichi!

The mountain festival
comes once a year

Tie on a headband
and be ready to feast

In a corner in the back room

My granny found herself
a set of 33 demon teeth

Kesakichi!

You ingrate! You grew up
doted on by your granny.

How could you sing such a song
and make fun of her?

Kesakichi!

Granny's teeth are demon's teeth!

You jerk! No dinner for you tonight!

On a July evening

Showers fall outside
as the family has a humble dinner

Their heavy hearts in turmoil

Disturb their nightly dreams

Here you go.

We should tell Kesakichi
about it, too.

You'll have a new mother,
a woman from my old village.

It's too soon, but I have a feeling
that she'll be with us by the festival.

You'll be freed from the cooking chores
when she comes.

Wait a minute!

I don't want any new mother!

Kesakichi!

I'll have a wife,
so we don't need a new mother.

If cooking is too much for you,
my wife will do it. So let it be!

You fool! Then don't eat your food!

Kesakichi wants to marry Matsu
who lives by the pond.

Idiot! Stop blabbering!

It's not too late even after turning 30

Having a new member
doubles the burden of the family

After the Narayama Festival
has come around three times

Flowers bloom from chestnut seeds

In a corner in the back room

My granny found herself
a set of 33 demon teeth

Rice. I smell cooked rice.

Oh, it's hot.

You wretched fool!

If you want it so badly,
I'll give you some.

How disgraceful.
You look like a hungry devil.

Listen, Mata,
since we are neighbors and old friends,

I'll tell you
what the villagers say about you.

So listen, Mata.

People say your family
is the stingiest in the village.

They're too cheap
to prepare a send-off feast

for your journey to Narayama.

You're a year older than me.

You ought to have taken
the journey long ago.

But you're still here.

Everybody was expecting you
to be gone before spring came,

but now it's summer.

What a miserable fellow you are.

You have no intention of going
to Narayama, do you?

Your son and his wife
don't even feed you,

so you wander into my house
attracted by the smell of cooked rice.

What a miserable wretch.

More rice, more rice!

All right, I'll give you some more.

It's only once a year
that we get to eat white rice.

I cooked plenty of rice
for tonight's festival.

Here he is, eating our neighbor's rice.

You're a disgrace!

Come on, get up! Let's go!

Don't hurt me!

It's you, his son, that's a disgrace!

It's our festival day,
why don't you feed him for a change?

You look like a stranger.
Did you come for the festival?

Is this where Tatsuhei lives?

I knew it. You've come
from the other side of the mountain.

And you must be Tama, aren't you?

Yes, that's right.

There is a festival today
in my village, too.

But everybody told me
I should celebrate the festival here,

so I came today.

I see.

Well, then, come inside.

I'm so glad you came.

Seeing the new wife for her son

The mother is filled with joy

She has no worries now

Even though her body
will rot on Narayama

Here, enjoy the food.

My! So much!

I'll go get Tatsuhei for you now.

People in my village said

I should have the festival feast here
rather than there,

so I left before having breakfast.

Go ahead and eat.
You don't have to be shy.

They said you're a kind woman

and urged me to be on my way
to come here.

You should have come sooner.
I thought you'd be with us by yesterday.

The messenger who came to see you
was my brother.

He told me you're a good woman,

so I wanted to come here
as soon as I could.

Why did you wait by the tree stump?

You should have come inside sooner.

Since I came by myself,
I felt awkward.

My brother was supposed
to accompany me,

but he started drinking for the festival
last night and got drunk.

And he told me to go on my own
because you're a kind woman.

He's been saying that since last night.

Oh, I could have come to get you
if that was the case.

I wish you had.

I would have carried you on my back
all the way here.

Dear Tama.

Dear Mother.

Oh, dear. Are you choking?

Eat slowly, as much as you want.

That was uncomfortable.

I'm taking my journey to Narayama
as soon as the new year comes.

What? My brother mentioned it too.

But he also said
there's no need for you to hurry.

Yes, there is.

The god of Narayama will praise me,
the sooner I go.

Come on, now.
You can eat everything on your tray.

I caught the trout myself.

Really? You're good at catching trout?

Oh, yeah. Tatsuhei and Kesakichi
are both terrible at it.

Nobody else in the village
is better at it than I am.

Is that right?
So you caught these magnificent trout.

I know a good fishing spot for trout.

I'll show you later.

Go ahead and eat them.

I have plenty of dried ones stocked up.

I'll go find Tatsuhei.

Oh, my son's new wife
is a good woman

Stepping out, feeling happy,
the mother stops in her tracks

Stepping out, feeling happy,
the mother stops in her tracks

She was the beauty of the village
as a young bride

Even after her husband died,
she lived free of bad rumors

And nobody talked behind her back

But now because of her healthy teeth

People call her a greedy old woman

She cannot take the journey
to Narayama in such shame

Mother, what's the matter?

Take your time
and eat as much as you want.

I'll bring Tatsuhei right away.

Since I'm nearing the age
to go to Narayama,

I no longer have all my teeth.

The mountain festival
is held once a year

Tie on a headband
and be ready to feast

When unwanted
and shaken to death on purpose

All human ties are cut off
like a severed rope

Abandon granny
in the back mountain

Crabs come crawling
from the back mountain

In a corner in the back room

My granny found herself
a set of 33 demon teeth

Tatsuhei!

Tatsuhei!

Mama!

Tatsuhei, your new wife has arrived.

Orin the crone!

Orin the crone!

This is Tama.

She's your new wife.

Now, sit across from her
and eat with her.

You cooked white rice?

Our once-a-year treat?

Only once a year...

Damn it!

Mama, eat as much of it as you like.

I'll eat it too, so you eat plenty.

If you can't chew, then just swallow it.

Eat till you're full.

It's just rice!

It's just rice!

Damn it!

- Orin the crone!
- Orin the crone!

You brats!

Never abuse my mama!

The maple leaves

Have turned

Bright red

As the fruit of love ripens

Hey! Don't you have to help out
harvesting rice?

No way! When there's nothing to eat,
I shouldn't work, or I'll go hungry.

I'm always hungry,
but my belly keeps growing.

No matter how much I eat,
everything goes to the baby inside.

Have some roasted beans.

My parents are urging me
to move in with you.

Can I have dinner with your family
starting tonight?

Do that!

Seeing your belly will make my granny
realize her time is up.

She'll be ashamed
to have a great-grandchild.

The harvest in autumn brings sorrow

Even as the rice ripens to a golden hue

We can see Narayama
very clearly today.

Don't stand around, dear.
Let's finish harvesting the rice.

And boughs hang low as if crying

There's no need to rush
harvesting this tiny plot of rice field.

Mama, you go ahead of me.

What's the matter?

I felt as if I was carrying my mama
on my back and it made me sad.

What's wrong?

You hurt your leg.

Your son doesn't feed you

but still makes you carry
a load like that?

Come on, you're almost there.

Hold onto me and walk.

Oh! It hurts!

You're a fool.

Instead of suffering like this,
you should go to Narayama.

Narayama is a blessed place
where a god resides.

I'm going there
as soon as the new year comes.

I don't wanna go there.

I'm not going to Narayama.

When will you take your journey?

As soon as the new year comes.

Not until the new year?

It looks like the snow
will come early this year.

Wouldn't it be better for you
to go before it snows?

I hear that you have to cross
seven valleys to get to Narayama.

It would be impossible in the snow.

I'm the lucky sort.

So, just as it was
for Otori of the salt house,

I'm sure the snowfall will wait
until I reach Narayama.

My grandad went in summer.

It's stupid to go in summer.
Leaves and grasses will keep you alive.

It's best to go when it seems like
there will be a snowfall

but before the snow covers everything.

Then you should go soon.

She should wait till later.

She should go soon!

She should wait till later!

You bastard!

Thief! Thief!

Thief!

Punish the thief for his crime!

Carry out the judgment
of Narayama!

Tatsuhei! Kesakichi!

Don't panic!

Matsu, wake up!

Carry out the judgment
of Narayama!

Be sure to come barefoot!

- Carry out the judgment!
- Punish the thief!

Let's go!

Carry out the judgment
of Narayama!

You damn Amaya!

Where did the thief go?

That way!

We won't let him get away!

Carry off all their food.

More stashes found!

Dear!

Dear!

Amaya was the thief!

The louse! He tried to make off
with my bale of beans.

Thieving runs in his blood.

His father was punished
with the judgment too.

Now, we'll distribute the spoils!
Line up!

I'm first!

Just divide up everything!

Hey! This fellow is wearing sandals!

How dare you!

You wretched dotard!

My leg is injured!

You journey-evading coot!

It's the rule.
Go ahead and beat him up!

Stop! Wait a minute!
Everybody, listen to me.

I know it's the rule.

But he still came prepared to do battle,
even though he's hurt.

Just deny him his share,
and forgive him.

I'm not sure if we'll be able
to get through the year

after paying the land tax.

Amaya has twelve people in his family,
while we have eight.

But we're just as badly off, as we have
youngsters with healthy appetites.

We go through food carelessly.

We should ration our food,
as Matsu has a bottomless appetite.

She came to us for food,
rather than to be Kesakichi's wife.

Her family must have kicked her out,
with the way she stuffs herself.

People are saying
that to have peace of mind,

we should get rid of Amaya's family
since thieving runs in their blood.

When Amaya's father was punished
with the judgment of Narayama,

the family fed on dug-up roots
to pass one winter.

People say they must have had
some food hidden in the hills.

Beans again?

Oh! They're cooked well.

Restrain yourself a little!

They say that the more of them you eat,
the more they increase by adding water.

Matsu, then there would be none
if you didn't eat, wouldn't there?

Really?

Kesakichi, slap Matsu on the cheek!

I lined up first at the judgment last night
and got the largest share!

Don't mind them.
Here, eat the beans.

What a joke.

My share from last night
was all small potatoes.

I was wondering
why my potatoes didn't do so well.

Amaya had dug 'em up.

We all had more stolen
than what we got back last night.

We were getting back our stolen things,
rather than sharing the spoils, then.

We have to make them pay.

Hey, when it gets dark, there's no doubt
Amaya's gang will come stealing.

We've gotta deal with them soon,
or we can't even sleep peacefully.

We've gotta get rid of them soon!

There are 12 of them, though.

Why don't you dig a large hole
and bury them?

How dreadful! Where would you bury
all 12 of them together?

It's no laughing matter!

Everybody is staying home
and thinking about it.

All your dreadful talk
must have attracted the crows.

We might have some funerals tonight.

Starting tonight, Amaya's family
might become fewer in number,

one family member at a time.

Mama, you might want to go
to Narayama next year.

At last, you're ready
to take me to Narayama.

I feel relieved now.

My grandma from my old village
also went to Narayama.

So did my mother-in-law.

So, I must go too.

In this village with little food to eat,
there's a song that goes like this:

"Gin the untidy woman,
who lived by the kaya tree,

held in her arms sons, grandchildren,
and even great-grandchildren."

I don't want to be mocked liked that.

Don't worry.
If your great-grandchild is born,

then I'll chuck it into the ravine.

You'll never be mocked
like Gin in the song.

Fool! I'll sing about Granny!

I can do it easily.
Right, Matsu? I told you I'd do it.

Yeah. Make sure you do.

Look outside, Father
The trees are all bare of leaves

Carry a wooden frame on your back
It's time for you to take her

Oh, yeah.
You sing well.

Abandon granny
in the back mountain

Crabs come crawling
from the back mountain

Oh, yeah.

But a door blocks their way
from coming into the house

Crabs don't sing
a nocturnal song like birds

Oh, yeah!

Tatsuhei.

Let me see your face well
while I'm still living here.

The thought of my journey
has been weighing on your mind.

But you will take me
to Narayama next year.

Tama.

You've been a better daughter-in-law
than the previous one who died.

Tonight, I'll show you
my secret trout-fishing spot.

This is the place.

Stick your hands into that hole there,
and you're sure to catch some trout.

Don't tell anybody
about this place, all right?

It's the hole under that rock.

Be sure to remember the exact spot.

Where is Kesakichi?

We'd better not talk
about Amaya and his family anymore.

Warm, autumnal sunlight

Filters into my house

I have lived in this dear, old home

For many, many years

Yet looking back

It seems as if it has been a dream

Ask the people who have been
to Narayama to come tonight.

The new year is still four days away,
but it's better to prepare early.

There's no need to hurry.

Nonsense.
I'd rather do it sooner than later,

before the arrival
of my great-grandchild.

Hurry and go ask those people to come.

You must catch them
before they leave for work in the hills.

Oh, look.

Woolly aphids are flying.

It's a sign that there will be snow
when I go to Narayama.

Now, go on.

I'll go to Narayama
on my own tomorrow, if you won't!

Come on!

Making a journey to Narayama
is difficult.

We sympathize with you.

You must adhere

to the rules of the journey
to Narayama.

Rule One, you must not speak

once you enter Narayama.

You must adhere

to the rules of the journey
to Narayama.

Rule Two, make sure nobody sees you

when you leave your house
for the journey.

You must adhere

to the rules of the journey
to Narayama.

Rule Three, you must never look back

on your return journey
from Narayama.

Follow these directions to Narayama:

Take the path around the foot
of the back mountain.

Go around the foot of the next mountain
and pass a holly tree.

Climb the third mountain
until you come across a pond.

Go around the pond.

Then climb the fourth mountain
by a flight of stone steps.

When you reach the top,

Narayama will be before you
across the valley.

Advance, with the valley to your right
and the next mountain to your left.

It's six miles long
to skirt around the valley.

Midway, the road takes seven turns.

That place is called
the Valley of the Seven Turns.

When you pass the Valley of the Seven Turns,
you will enter the path to Narayama.

The path to Narayama
is a trackless way.

Keep climbing through the oak trees
toward the top

where the god of Narayama
waits for you.

Listen, if you don't want to go
all the way to Narayama,

you can turn back alone
from the Valley of the Seven Turns.

Well, it's part of the tradition
to let you know about that secretly.

So, now you've been told.

The six organs of sense
make us aware

It's not easy to accompany
a journey to Narayama

The burden carried on my back
weighs down on my shoulders

Hey! What do you think you're doing?

You old coot!
Where are you running?

Help me!

Stop! You're not getting away!

Damn that old wretch!

Orin! Orin!

Tatsuhei, open the door!

What's the matter?

What's going on?

He bit off the rope
tying him down and ran.

Listen Mata, "When unwanted
and shaken to death on purpose,

all human ties are cut off
like a severed rope."

That song phrase applies to you!

By refusing to go to Narayama,

you're risking your ties
to the mountain gods and your son!

No, I'm not going.

You wretch!

Don't force him anymore tonight!

Come on, I'll take you home.

No! I don't wanna go home!

Miserable coot! Come on!

- Stop it!
- Enough!

Stop this racket!

Just take the old man and Granny
to Narayama!

Kesakichi, I don't need you
telling me to go!

I'm going to Narayama
tomorrow night!

Lamenting the passing year

A crescent moon rises
in the winter sky

As streaming clouds
make shadows sway on the ground

Love for his mother

Makes the son's heart waver

The ties between mother and son
are spun on the wheel of fortune

The passing of time
reaches the end of a year

The son carries on his back

His beloved mother

You must be Tama, aren't you?

Well, then, come inside.

Go ahead and eat.
You don't have to be shy.

I'm taking my journey to Narayama
as soon as the new year comes.

Parting with his mother
is difficult for the son

Mama, aren't you cold?

The winter wind makes a flute-like noise
as he struggles with his sorrow

Mama, the moon has disappeared
behind the clouds.

Near Narayama

The cry of the wind grows louder

Mama, it's getting chillier.
It might start snowing.

Mama, won't you say something?

We haven't entered Narayama yet.
It wouldn't hurt you to speak.

Mama, this must be the place
called the Valley of the Seven Turns.

From here, it shouldn't be very far
to Narayama.

Mama! Please say something!

A single word, at least!

We'll enter Narayama
beyond this point.

Mama, say a single word at least!
Please!

You're hurting me!

Have mercy.
I beg you, don't do this!

You'd kill your own father?

Mata!

You bastard!

Idiot!

Mama!

Mama!

Mama! The snow has started falling!

Mama.

Mama!

You must be cold.

Mama!

You're lucky that it started snowing

on the day you came here.

Mama! It's really snowing
just as you said it would.

Mama.

In a corner in the back room

My granny found herself
a set of 33 demon teeth

Look outside, Father
The trees are all bare of leaves

Carry a wooden frame on your back
It's time for you to go

Otori of the salt house is in luck
for snowfall has come

On the day of her journey
to Narayama

Even though it's very cold

She can't wear a padded overcoat
to go to Narayama

Abandon granny
in the back mountain

Crabs come crawling
from the back mountain

When we turn 70,
we'll go together to Narayama.

OBASUTE
"Abandonment of Old People"

THE END

Translation and Subtitles by
Captions, Inc., Burbank