All language subtitles for Genbaku no ko (Kaneto Shindô, 1952).english

A Kindai Eiga Kyokai Production

Children of Hiroshima

Produced by
Kimisaburo Yoshimura

Associate Producers: Tengo Yamada,
Hisao Itoya & Setsuo Noto

Photography by Takeo Ito

Musical Score by Akira Ifukube

Set Decoration by Takashi Marumo

The Cast

Nobuko Otowa

Tsuneko Yamanaka,
Jukichi Uno, Shinya Ofuji

Tsutomu Shimomoto,
Osamu Takizawa, Takashi Ito

Chikako Hosokawa,
Masao Shimizu

Directed by Kaneto Shindo

At ease.

Have a good holiday,
but don't forget to study.

See you back in September.

Goodbye, Sir!

Are you going to camp?

I'm going to Hiroshima.

Is that your hometown?

Must be nice to
have a hometown.

I was born on the island.

No hometown to go back to.

You're lucky to be born here.

Good afternoon!

Hello there.

I'm back.

Hello.

You're early.

Let me help you.

You'd better
prepare for tomorrow.

It won't take me long.

I'll just go like this.

Will you take the morning
or afternoon ferry?

The early one.

That's a good idea.

You'll be in Hiroshima
before sunset.

I'll get your ticket for you.

- Thank you.
- Not at all.

Did you eat your lunch?

Don't be getting on the boat!

I won't!

Naughty boy! I'll do it.

How long since
you've been back?

I haven't been back
once since then.

Four years.

Time certainly flies.

I don't like to recall the past

but sometimes I can't help it.

I've forgotten it.

Well, you haven't
changed at all.

You're always so cheerful.

Thanks to you.

You've made me one of the family.

Where will you stay there?

With Morikawa who I taught with.

Remember that your family grave
is here, on the island.

This is your home now.

Hurry back. We'll be waiting.

Thank you, I shall.

Miss Ishikawa!

Where are you going?

To Hiroshima.

Back home, eh?

Where was your house?

Near the old prefectural office.

Better to lay
those memories to rest.

This is Hiroshima.

Where the world's first
A - bomb victims

died on August 61945.

Her beautiful rivers still flow

just as they did that fateful day.

Her beautiful sky is just as big

as It was that fateful day.

The children of
that day are now grown.

And the devastated city rebuilt.

Father...

Mother...

Haru...

It's me, Takako.

Get a move on, Haru.

It's already 8.

Will you be home late?

No, I'll be early today.

I'm going.

You be careful.

And pay attention to
the air-raid sirens.

And you, too.

I'm off.

Hiroshima Central Military HQ
reports that

the air-raid warning
is canceled as of 8 o'clock.

What's up?

I forgot...

This, right?

Thank you.

You're always in a rush.

A man who was sitting
thinking on these steps

was instantly vaporized
by the explosion.

But his thoughts live on.

Show charity, Miss.

Help a poor blind man.

Is that you, Iwa-san?

It is you, isn't it.

It's me, Takako.

Do you remember me?
It has to be you.

I'm Takako.

Miss Ishikawa...

Please go away.

I'm so ashamed.
I'm a beggar now.

Go away, please.

With my blindness I couldn't work.

Look what's become of me.

You're totally blind?

I can see a little.

You have a place to live?

Not what you'd call a house.

But better than nothing.

Can I stay there tonight?

Never! It's not fit for
the likes of you, Miss.

Not at all.

It's been so long,
I want to talk with you.

Come on.

Please don't Miss,
I beg you.

Let's go.

That's it.

You're late today, Iwa-san.

I've brought a guest.

I've already prepared
your supper.

I'm sorry.

Wait, I'll set a light.

Please come in.

It's not much but
make yourself at home.

May I sit here?

I'm sorry it's so dirty.

Please sit on this.

This is where I live.

It's not so bad.

I'm ashamed to
offer you such food.

You shouldn't be.

Can I help?

I won't hear of it.

I'm quite capable.
Please sit down.

Here's a little side-dish too.

Welcome.

Who's your guest?

The daughter of my former boss.

The young mistress?
Excuse me.

She's very nice.

She's a rag-picker.
She looks after me.

It's good of her.

I heard you went to
live with your uncle.

Is everyone well?

Yes, they're all fine.

What became of your son, Koji?

They sent me his remains.

And his wife?

A victim of the A-bomb.

Wasn't there a baby?

What about him?

Did he survive?

Yes.

He's alive.

That's great.
He must be 7 by now.

Where is he?

In an orphanage.

But why?

I can take care of myself
but not Taro, too.

So I asked them
to look after him.

We're all in the hands of fate.

If I had my sight back
I could, though.

If it wasn't for the A-bomb

none of this would've happened.

'The A - bomb killed my mother.

'Daddy died In battle.

'Only Granddad and I were left.

'Granddad was blinded
by the A - bomb.

'So now he can't work.

'I visit my parent's graves
every August 6.'

Almost all of them are war orphans.

In one instant almost 200,000 died.

And many children were orphaned.

According to 1948 statistics

we have more orphans
than Tokyo or Osaka

though both are far larger
than Hiroshima.

That's Taro.

The smallest one moving stones.

We're funded by
local and national government.

We get 13 � per child
per day and food costs 9 �.

We tried farming
that field over there.

But half an acre isn't much.

But the children are well.

I plan to start some
kind of work with them

How many orphans are
there in Hiroshima now?

Many have died from radiation.

And some have been transferred.

But we have about 500-600
in 6 Hiroshima facilities.

But many are not institutionalized.

With careful research
we could account for them.

The older ones
have accepted their losses.

But the younger ones still pine.

Taro seems healthy.

I'm pleased to hear that.

Iwakichi-san...

Can I take Taro back
to the island?

My uncle's family will
take care of him.

I'll be his guardian.

Can I take him?

I couldn't do that.

I'd lose all reason to live.

But it would be best for Taro.

I appreciate your concern.

But he's all I have now.

I can't live without the boy.

He's all that keeps me alive.

Then you could come, too.

No, it sounds good
but it just wouldn't work.

Please do it.

I can't. I just can't.

Iwa-san!

Please, Iwa-san!

Eat it while it's cold.

I'm ever so glad to see you.

I've nowhere else to
stay except with you.

Please eat.

I feel so bad for Iwa-san.

The poor man.

He served us well
so many years.

I wish I could help him.

Back already?

Hello.

Hot, isn't it?

We have a guest.

Pleased to meet you.

Miss Ishikawa.
We taught together.

Please make yourself at home.

Should I draw
your bath, dear?

Excuse me.

Have you eaten, dear?

No, I'm starving.

We've finished ours.

A good man.

Too easy-going,
and he earns a pittance.

He's really not very smart.

That's why
I work as a midwife.

Where does he work?

In the sanitary department.

Quite proud of it, too.

How's the bath, dear?

I'm almost done.

If you'll excuse me a moment.

Take your time.

Sorry it's so noisy.

It's always like this.

The Bon festival
heralds summer, though.

Hiroshima's emotions
left with the A-bomb.

Here's a treat.

I'll have it when I get back.

Are you going to play chess?

Not at the same place.

Kuraishi says we can have
their last child.

It's their 5th one,
and hard on them.

Will they really give it to us?

We're adopting a baby.

She can't bear children.

It's too early to tell.

No, the doctor said
it's impossible.

The A-bomb made me sterile.

I'd better go see
about the baby.

Yes, the sooner the better.

I'll just have a quick cup of tea.

That's enough.

I'm off.

Make yourself at home.

Take care.

He's a bit short-tempered,
just like a child.

When did you know
you were sterile?

2 years ago.
I was desperate but I got over it.

I'm lucky, at least I survived.

That's the only consolation.

The doctor said
I'm a rare example.

3 children from the
kindergarten survived, right?

I must see them.
Do you know where they are?

Yes, and they're all well.

I have photos of them.

This album was
all I could salvage.

Remember these three?

Yes, Sanpei, Toshiko and Heita.

It's wonderful that you remember.

Don't forget I was
with them every day.

That was such a wonderful time.

I can never forget them.

I'll go visit the survivors, then.

I wish I could too.
Please give them my love.

I'll go see Sanpei first.

Sanpei,
Daddy's dying. Hurry!

What's wrong?

Did you tell Mom?

Not yet.

Go tell her now.

Mummy!

PEACE MEMORIAL HALL

Mummy!

What? I'm busy!

Dad's dying!

How is he?

Bad. Better call a doctor.

How is he?

He's slipping away.

Daddy!

Hayakichi-san! Bear up!

Daddy, here's water.

Sanpei, where are you?

I'm here, Daddy.

The doctor's here.

His gums started bleeding
10 days ago.

He completely lost his appetite.

The doctor doesn't know what it is.

Must be radiation sickness.

You never know when it'll appear.

He's really gone.

How tragic.

It's so terrible.

Go and get Uncle.

Sanpei.

You remember me?

Yes, I do.

And you are...?

I used to teach Sanpei
in kindergarten.

My sincerest condolences.

Sympathy is all very well

but it's no use to the dead.

Why did you die!

I'm looking for an old pupil,
called Toshiko.

I taught her in kindergarten.

Welcome.

You're just in time.

Please see her.

She could die any time.

It's so sudden
we suspect radiation poisoning.

You really came at a good time.

She's in here.

Teacher.

You still remember me.

I didn't at first but it came to me.

Have you lived here
all this time?

Yes, for 6 years.

The priest saved me
the day of the bomb.

I've been here ever since.

Your mother and father?

Everyone was killed.

And I decided to stay here.

Here I can say prayers for them.

I ask God to grant us peace forever.

That is a very good thing to do.

Now I understand that
war is the greatest evil.

War is hell.

Will you sing for me?

Sing what?

The one you always sang at lunch.

About the red ship.

You remember very well.

I want to hear it just once more.

Alright then.

Dear mother,

go to sleep

and don't cry.

Father will

come home

tomorrow

in a red boat.

Is it nice on your island?

Beautiful. I wish you could visit me.

The sun rises out of the eastern sea

and sets in the west.

I'd love to, but I don't think I will.

I'm going to die.

But I don't mind because I'll go
and join my mother and father.

I was glad to see them
but I feel so bad.

The A-bomb brought on so many
tragedies that spread like ripples.

It's so terrible.

They'll use it again, I'm afraid.

I still have glass here.

It's hard when I touch it.

But I'll leave it there in
remembrance of August 6.

The baby is on its way.

Please come at once.

She's in labor.

Hurry please,
I'll get your bicycle.

I'll be back soon.

Since I can't have one
I help others have babies.

Please, hurry!

I'm coming.

Don't wait up for me.

Good luck.

Is Heita around?

I dunno.

Do you know where Heita Masuda is?

Yes.

Hey, Heita!

What?

Someone's looking for you.

Remember me?

Yeah, my teacher.

You look well.

I went to your house.
No one's home.

My sister's at the hairdresser's.

She's getting married.

Shut your mouth!

Come home with me.

Of course.

Just let me swim a little more.

Be careful.

It's okay.

You've grown, Miss.

So have you.

Yes, I'm 12.

That's my house.

I'm home.

Have you been
swimming all this time?

I brought my old teacher here.

Your old teacher?

From kindergarten, see.

Hello.

His teacher!

Thank you for coming,
it's been so long.

Yes, I came to see Heita.

She's getting married tonight.

Don't be silly!

Congratulations.

Don't say that.

Please come inside.

Yes, come inside.

Please, come in.

Please sit down.

I'm so happy to see you.

My oldest brother will be home soon.

My oldest brother works in a factory.

The next oldest is in high school.

Mum and Dad were
killed by the A-bomb.

Sis was trapped
when the house fell on her.

She hurt her leg.

Please.

Thank you but
I'll leave in a minute.

You can stay the night.

Yes, please do.

I couldn't.

My brother will be so pleased.

He'll be back soon.

Heita, go buy some fish.

Buy some sashimi?

I'll go now.

You mustn't leave.

He seems very happy to see you.

I'm pleased he's so healthy.

He's grown.

I'm home.

My brother's back.

Hello.

What's up?

You've got to get ready.

It's Heita's kindergarten teacher.

She's checking on him.

I'm his brother,
thank you for coming.

My sister's marrying today.

Best day since the war ended.

Your visit must be fate.

Please celebrate with us.

I'm going for a bath.

Want to join me?

We haven't a bath
so we go to the public baths.

Let's bathe, then relax.

Let's go.

She's coming too.

Get her a towel.

It's over the river.

I'm so pleased about
her marriage to Tanaka.

He'd promised to marry her
once the war was over.

But after the accident
crippled her leg

she gave up all hopes of marriage.

She thought he'd never marry her.

I'm happy for her.

Tanaka was repatriated in 1946

and he came to see us soon after.

He said he'd marry her anyway.

I was so moved by him.

I felt happy just to be alive.

The world is not all bad.

You can still trust some people.

But he wanted to wait for 5 years.

All his property had been destroyed.

He wanted to
get himself set up again.

The 5 years ended today.

It really is wonderful.

Yes, it is.

It really is.

Father and Mother will be so happy.

Let's have a last toast.

Thank you.

Shall we go?

I've been such a burden on you.

Take care of yourself.

Look after yourself, Yoshio.

Yes, you too.

Mind what they tell you, Heita.

Father, Mother, I take my leave.

Let's go.

Good luck!

Thank you.

You take care, Heita.

Take care of Heita.

Come on now.

Let's walk part of the way.

My sister!

I'll stay tonight,
I want to talk to you.

Iwakichi-san.

Before I return to the island

I wanted to know if
you've changed your mind.

Let me take care of Taro.

My uncle and aunt
have only one child.

They'll bring him up as their own.

It's the best way for Taro.

Should you wish, you can come, too.

I wept when I first heard
your kind words.

You served us well,
it's only natural.

I beg you not to take him.

I can't live without him.

Please don't make me.

I shan't force you.

I understand how you feel.

I'll say no more.

Please forgive me.

Please forgive my brashness.

Please feel free to write

if you should change your mind.

And you take care of yourself.

You too, miss.

Sayonara.

Are you going straight home?

I'll take the morning ferry back.

Please don't tell your uncle
of my circumstances.

No. Goodbye.

I heard all about it.

It moved me to tears.

She's a real lady.

I understand
how painful it is for you.

But think of how good
it would be for Taro.

How can you continue
living like this?

You can't even have
the boy with you.

I'm a beggar and you?
You're a rag-picker!

I'll live with Taro
no matter what they say!

You can't understand how I feel.

I surely can. I had
a daughter and a grandson.

Don't say any more.

Please think it over.

How long do you expect to live?

The A-bomb has made you weak.

You could die at any time.

Then what will Taro do?

Think it over.

A man can't live forever.

I won't die so easily.

I want all to see this face.

I know how you feel
but our lives are finite.

Father, mother, I shall return.

Iwakichi has changed his mind.

Please take Taro with you.

I'll get him from the orphanage.

You go to his shack.

I'm glad you reconsidered.

I won't complain any more.

Please, take care of him.

I'm back. Taro, come in.

Grandfather?

I want to talk to you.

Sit yourself down.

She is the daughter of
my old employer.

Pay your respects to her.

Good afternoon.

She lives on an island
in a beautiful house.

Would you like to live there, too?

Why don't you come with me?

Is Granddad going too?

I'll follow later on.
First you go.

That's best, Taro.

You can ride on the boat with me.

Go, Taro.

I don't want to go without Granddad.

I'll come soon after.

I won't go unless Granddad comes too.

Taro!

Taro, you go first
and Granddad will follow.

It's a lie!

Good boys do as they're told.

Go with her.

No, I won't.

You refuse?

I want to know.

What'll you do?

Don't send me away.

I'll do anything.

Don't cry.

I won't send you away.

I'll be back, Iwakichi.

Where will you stay tonight?

At my friend's house.

Where's that?

Right behind the courthouse.

I'm sorry for the trouble.

Goodbye, Taro.

Goodbye, Madam.

I'm so sorry.

Please help me.

Please,

would you write a letter
for me please?

Why did you buy me such good shoes?

Because you've studied hard.

Aren't they nice?

I wanted shoes so much.

Now we'll have some dinner.

What kind of fish is this?

I don't know.

Anyway, let's eat.

It's been so long
since we've eaten together.

Let's have a feast.

How is it?

Careful with the bones.

You want more rice?

Yes, I'll serve myself.

Eat your fill, we've plenty of rice.

Do you share a bed at the orphanage?

No, I sleep alone.

Do you ever get lonely?

No, never.

You're a good boy, Taro.

What would you do should I die?

You won't die.

I'm done.

Had enough to eat?

Yes.

I love these shoes.

Still got them on?

I'll sleep with them.

Taro, will you run an errand for me?

Where to?

The lady who was here today.

I'll do it tomorrow.

She's leaving tomorrow
so it must go tonight.

How do I get there?

Easy, once you're at the courthouse

it's very close by.
Ask for Morikawa's house.

I may get lost.

Please do it for me.

Can I wear these shoes?

Of course you can.

Here's the letter.

I'll go now.

Don't forget, Morikawa.

Say it.

Mo-ri-ka-wa.

Good.

You be careful.

Koji, Yasuko.

Your son Taro has left me.

This is it.

Everything is done.

At least Taro will be happy.

Rest in peace my children.

It's best this way.

Damn war!

Stupid war!

The A-bomb!

Maggots...

The dead are all maggots.

Please take care of my Taro,
Iwakichi.

Didn't he say anything else?

Iwa-san! Iwa-san!

Taro...

Eat your fill, there's plenty more.

No, I'll go back.

Listen, Taro...

Let's read a picture book.

Yes, a picture book.

Please come quickly!

Hurry!

Oh Taro...

The young miss is here.

Taro, too.

Iwa-san, it's me.

Take good care of Taro.

Don't you worry about Taro.

Where is he?

Here I am.

You watch your health.

And mind you do as you're told.

Grandfather!

Give my body for research.

My scars ache in winter
as if full of needles.

Iwa-san!

Grandfather!

Iwa-san!

Let's go.

Rest in peace, Iwa-san.

Taro has gone with her.

I wanted to see him off
but just couldn't.

He looks so sad.

It's natural.

Taro.

You take care now.

Granddad is coming too.

He is? That's wonderful.

Show him the ocean, okay?

Let's get on board.

Sayonara, Taro.

Sayonara.

Look! An airplane!

Over there!

Miss Ishikawa, you'd better hurry up.

Farewell Taro.

THE END