Original subtitles

Spring comes late to the north

It's pouring

Thunder!

When a calf is about to be born

This time it'll be female

I hope so

Somebody's there!

I wonder who

Sorry to bother you

I'm lost

Can you put me up for the night?

Any place will do

Will a storeroom do?

Fine

At a time like this

It's not fine

Put away all the knives in the kitchen

Use these

Thanks

Mom!

Will you come?

All right

Will you pull that rope?

This?

Try hard

You've almost done it

Takeshi, come and see

It's female

Nice, isn't she?

Mom, I forgot this

Tell me sooner

Got a pencil? Why didn't you tell me?

Thanks for the food

I sure appreciate it

It was nothing

You were a help to me

Take this to him

Mister!

It's from Mom

No, thanks

It's yours, even if you don't want it

You have no father, right?

How come?

He is dead

The long winter passed - so did spring

And the brief summer came

HARUKA NARU YAMA NO YOBIGOE A DISTANT CRY FROM SPRING

Hitomi, come and have some lunch

Thank you, but I have to go to school

I'll come again tomorrow

Thank you very much

My best to your mother

Takeshi

What?

Give milk to the calf

We meet again

I appreciate it

I should thank you

It's a mess

I'm all alone

What brings you?

Have some tea

I'll be finished soon

I grew them but they're not good

Have some

Ma'am, can I stay and work for you a while?

A week or two

Maybe longer

I could use a hand

But we hire only through the union

I'm not rich

I couldn't pay much

Pay doesn't matter

Room and board will do

But...

Excuse me

What do you think?

About what?

That man

Should I have turned him down?

A student would have been better

He's somehow strange

Keep an eye on him

Tell me if he does anything funny

Don't worry

If he does anything funny, I'll get him

I'll count on it

Your supper

Thank you

Mom wants to know your name

My name? It's Kosaku Tajima

Kosaku Tajima?

What's yours?

Takeshi!

What does it mean?

A warrior with a strong will

That's a good name

Thanks

Takeshi, huh?

Mom

Lock the door

He said I've got a good name

Did you ask his name?

Yes

What is his name?

He told me but...

You forgot already?

Some memory!

Have food

I'll do that

Can you?

I worked on a ranch once

May I use this?

He's outside

Take this to him

It's hot

Why doesn't he come in and eat?

Strange man!

Toothpaste on your mouth

Have you eaten?

No

Lower it all the way

Then stop and raise it

Can you read the meter?

He was born in Kyushu

He came to Hokkaido to run a ranch

He became a sailor,

then a factory worker

He did lots of things

Where does he live?

I don't know

What about his family?

He didn't say

He's big and has a good physique

Yet he works for practically nothing

He must have a reason

Maybe so

Are you all right?

Don't worry

I know what I'm doing

You have a strong will

Anyway, when you go out,

be careful of your bankbook...

and purse

You're a hard worker

You're a big help to her

He's good-looking

Keep the door locked at night

I'll send Hitomi this afternoon

Thank you

She can't do much anyway

Thanks for coming

He looks scary

I'm not afraid

Ever talk to him?

Yeah

Weren't you scared?

No

Want to ride?

You too?

Mom!

Good saddle

My husband used to ride

Mosquito repellent incense and work clothes

He wasn't as big as you

So, they may not fit

Thank you

You can give me your laundry

I wish anyway

About your pay

I don't have any idea about it

So just tell me what you want, the lower the better

Pay what you can afford

And one day off every week

I don't need any days off

It's certainly convenient for me, but...

Why do you like that?

Why did you come here?

No special reason

I'd rather you didn't ask me things like that

It's something personal

Good night

Mrs. Kazami!

Mrs. Kazami! I've brought...

some sushi for you

Grapes too

Isn't it hard...

to take care of cows all by yourself?

Can you mow by yourself?

I got your answer...

from Igarashi

But will you change your mind?

Since I first met you at your husband's funeral

I've been crazy about you

Frankly speaking, I've had many women

I'm a widower

I like women

But... after I met you,

I quit playing around

It's true

I know

You're so pretty

You don't have to work all day...

at a place like this

I'll take care of you

Your rough hands...

Do you hate me?

Yes, I do!

You talk straight, I like that

I like you when you're angry

That's enough! Stop!

Change your mind

I'll come again

You all right?

You saw?

Why didn't you help me?

I thought he's your friend

Friend?

If that's what you think, you're a fool

Your supper

Sushi? For me?

A gift from a stranger

What about you?

Mom told me not to eat it

Why?

I don't know

It's been two years since Mr. Kazami died

It rained at his funeral, too

Eat and drink

at our house

Thank you. But I'm the one to prepare it

Our house is bigger

You too

Thank you. Rest and eat

Are they part-timers?

They're students

From Chiba University

They work hard

You're great, aren't you?

I feel as if I were on a farm in Denmark

It's all because my brother Seiji worked hard here,

before he married Tamiko and left home

It's all thanks to him

Seiji was such a hard worker

Shall we go see the barn?

Better do so

The barn here is so big

Sandals are there

Does Tamiko plan to go on working alone?

I told her last January, too

She can't keep it up

The sooner she quits the better

What did she say?

Nothing

She never wants to talk about it

The house and cows always remind her of Seiji

I can understand that

She really tries hard, doesn't she?

Hello!

Hurry!

Mrs. Kazami!

Are you in?

Did I wake you? I'm sorry

You were sound asleep, huh?

I'm going to play golf

I've brought crab and flatfish

For you

Put them in the refrigerator

I can't accept

Take them away

I'm sorry about the other day

I haven't had a woman for so long

I just want to say sorry

By the way, did you think it over?

The nerve! Get out!

Just keep company with me

I'm nicer than you think

I hate you!

Help!

Go away!

Don't be so mean

Who are you?

Outside!

What?

Scram!

I'll remember this!

I'll get you for it

You all right?

That him?

You're carrying cow dung? Come

I stepped on a meadow pie!

Ass!

Who the hell are you?

Answer!

Never mind

We're the three Abuta brothers

We're well known around here

And I was treated like that

My brothers can't ignore it

We want to fight

Say something

If you don't want to, then apologize!

Okay, let's fight

But the kid's watching

Let's go to the field

All right. Let's go!

Don't tell your mom, okay?

You first

It hurts!

Ass!

Jiro, you next

Wait a minute

It's your turn

I'm sorry. I apologize

Forgive me

Let's make up, okay?

Thank you

Serves you right!

Your supper

What is it?

You're strong, huh?

Takeshi

You didn't tell your mom?

I did

You told her?

Didn't I say not to?

Men don't break promises

Mom said to give you this

It's sake

There he is!

Let's go. Let's make up

I'll treat you

No thanks

I'm a Hokkaido man

Once I like you,

I'll take care of you

Let's go drink

It's kind of you, but...

I must do something for you

I'm a little tired

Tired? Let's have a party here

Come in

Good evening

Sorry about a while ago

He's tired. Let's do it here

Bring the food and stuff

What about girls?

Girls? Send them in

Sorry they're all beasts

Not going to Kushiro?

Never mind. You too

Let me introduce you

Neoko, Reiko and Yoshiko

Be quiet

Let's clap hands and make up

What are they doing?

I don't know

The fish is burning

Takeshi, Takeshi... Takeshi...

What?

What, Mom?

Mister!

Mister, Mom fell!

Where is she?

Does it hurt?

Don't move her. We're coming soon

Hitomi!

I phoned them

They're coming soon

You all right?

Does it hurt?

Go away. Mom's sick

They're here

It may hurt

All right?

Go over there

Put something under her head

Hurry!

You go with her

I'll close the door

Close it slowly

Don't worry about your house

I'll come to the hospital later

Ready? I'll start

You worked too hard

It'll take about two weeks

Must I be hospitalized?

Yes

Arrange it

She's in a bad condition, huh?

She has to lie still for two weeks

About her children...

She has a boy

Your health insurance card and chop

This is from Mrs. Saito

From Igarashi, too

I've bought pajamas for you

How's Takeshi?

He refused to move in and live with me

I sent Hitomi...

to cook for him

Sorry to trouble you

It's no trouble

She's on vacation now

This might be your only chance to take a rest

Appreciate it while you can

Come to think of it, you're lucky to have that man

Otherwise you'd have to hire some help,

and that'd cost plenty

Does it hurt?

I'm sorry

Mr. Abuta!

Is Mrs. Kazami here?

Yes

It's hard on you, isn't it?

Come in

No, thanks

This is for her

Get well soon, goodbye

Let me know if you need me

Your lunch

I'm glad it's only a ruptured disk

But if you go on like this,

you'll really get sick

It will be too late to regret

Don't worry

I'm stronger than I look

But it's too much work for a woman who's alone

People speculate how long it'll be before you quit

I know

Aren't you thinking...

you shouldn't sell the land...

because Seiji left it to you?

That's not it

He once told me, when he got sick, that if he died,

I ought to sell the land and move to town

He said that?

But... even if I move to town...

with Takeshi, then what?

I don't have any skills

What could I do?

Come to think of it

Keeping cows is better, even if it is hard

That's what I think

I wonder how long you'll be able to do it

Takeshi, we'll go get the cows

Come on

Ready?

Hello? Are you listening?

I'm much better now

I can come to phone you

I'll be fine soon

Have you eaten?

Sure

Is Hitomi a good cook?

No

Still, she's doing her best for you

You should eat it all

Yeah, I know

And how is he?

I see. Well, thank him for me. Understand?

I'll hang up now

We came to help you

Boss, good morning!

What are you doing?

Fool!

You came to see me?

There she is!

You look much better

Does it still hurt?

Thanks for watching Takeshi

What's wrong?

Are you shy?

What's the matter?

Hitomi went home

So you're lonely?

All right, sleep here

Are you lonely because your father's dead?

My father...

He died when I was your age

Was he sick?

No

His business failed

He couldn't pay his debts

There was a bridge near our house

He hanged himself there

My mother wasn't with us then

I lived with my father and brother

When we heard about it

my brother and I went to get him

We took his body down...

from the bridge

We put him on a cart

We covered him with a mat

Then the two of us pulled the cart home

People in town came to watch

I was so sad I almost started to cry

But my brother said

"Don't cry! We'll look like sissies!"

That's what he said

So...

I did my best to bear it

I held back the tears and just walked

You didn't cry?

No... I didn't

For a man to live,

there are lots of things he must endure

So, just because your mom is in the hospital,

it's nothing to cry about

Got it?

Good. Go to sleep

It's Mom!

I'm glad you're well

Thanks for everything

It's been a long time

I appreciate your taking care of things

Welcome home

I want to ride the horse

You can't

How come?

Did you lie?

Tamiko, tea is ready

Excuse me

Where's the Kazami house?

It's that one

I once came here

But it's such a big place

Thank you

So many books!

Seiji liked literature

You must be surprised to see such a mess

Thank you for coming

Are you tired?

My wife Kayoko

Greet her

Hello. I'm Kayoko

How do you do. I'm Tamiko

I'm glad you married a man like him

She's too good for you

She's always sarcastic

She beats me

Our gifts

Take them out

How long did it take from Hakata?

We came to Kushiro by ferry and stayed a night at Akan

Then we came by car

A deluxe tour

This is our only chance to see you

For you

Here. There's more

You shouldn't. Your pay is low

I got money for gifts

Hello!

Why, Mr. Kondo!

Guests?

My cousin and his wife

They're on a honeymoon

Honeymoon? That's nice

Mr. Kondo does fertilizing

Fertilizing?

Will you excuse me?

Busy, aren't you?

Since when?

Last evening

Let's go see it

What kind of fertilizing?

You don't know? Go and change

We've got to hurry

You from Tokyo?

Yes, I work there

Never seen this, huh?

Finished so soon?

Will she be fertilized?

It's 95 percent sure

Great, isn't it?

How about you?

Want a shot?

No thanks

We'll do it ourselves

We'll go for a walk

Let me introduce you

This is Mr. Tajima

He's helping me

My cousin and his wife

How do you do

We'll be going

This is vast Hokkaido

Like the "Sound of Music"

"My Darling Clementine"

What?

About that man

The hired hand?

He's nice. He's got long legs

Why must you speak of legs...

when I'm feeling happy?

Forget it

What's wrong? I'm not being sarcastic

You lack in privacy

You mean discretion?

No back talk, understand?

I'll make tea. My cousin brought me cakes

Here's another egg

They lay eggs everywhere

Kayoko

Give me my pants

They're right there

He talks so loud

That's enough. Make some tea

Mom, this one

It's from Hakata

I feel so good

Thanks for the bath

She told me about when you were a child

She spoke ill of me, huh?

You looked so cute when you were small?

Yeah, big eyes, high nose, round face

Like a little prince

Round face?

When I started junior high, my face got longer

And his grades got lower

Right. You taught me English and Math

Yes, I remember that

When she was a student and walked in town,

the boys all looked at her

No!

Yes!

They often asked me

What?

If I was really...

your relative

And they always said we didn't look at all alike

Your mother was beautiful

That's not true

I wondered what sort of nice man...

you'd marry

But you insisted on marrying a Hokkaido farmer

Did the relatives oppose it?

But she never gave up

Eventually you eloped

You came to see me off at the station, didn't you?

You remember?

Of course

I was so happy then

Nobody else saw you off

I felt sorry for you

Cold?

A little

It gets cold at night

Better go to bed

Shall we?

We'll turn in

Good night

Catch cold?

I don't think so

You need more fat

Excuse me

Thanks for the dinner

Come and look at the stars

Did they go to bed?

Good night

A shooting star!

What's that?

Fertilization

How awful!

My best to everyone

We'll visit you again

Always be happy

What are you saying?

It sounds like I'm not happy now

Think so?

We'll come again

Takeshi, study hard

We'll be going

Take care

What's the matter?

I feel sorry for her

And autumn came

Mister!

Give me a ride

A ride!

Stretch your body

Didn't I tell you?

Your thighs count most

Okay? Good

Take the reins lightly

Keep it loose, let it walk

Hold your thighs tighter

Pull and it'll stop

Good. Let it walk again

Mom!

You feel great, huh?

Pay me for the ride

That's too much

I'm scared

It's your horse

Yuka, move slowly

Don't let go

Kick it

Don't! Go away!

Go away

Don't move

Take a good look

Horses have to be trained

When I pull the reins it can't run

You can see it's irritated

See?

When it's irritated enough,

ease up on the reins

and lean forward

Watch

Excuse me

Is there a restaurant here?

I don't think so

You can try the inn

I will, thanks

An old woman runs it

I don't know if she'll cook for you

Brother

Come running?

How are you?

Fine

How about you?

Some money for you

I brought you a coffee maker

I got it at a department store

I don't know anything about coffee

The clerk helped me

Here, the beans

About your school... you're on vacation?

No, I resigned long ago

Resigned?

Why?

Well, because...

the papers said you were the suspect

I couldn't go on...

working as a teacher

I was the one who did it

You weren't involved

The world thinks differently

I'm sorry

Don't be. I don't mind

I opened a little tuition centre

I'm getting along

You can't keep running forever

Some day you'll have to give yourself up

Don't you think so?

How long will you stay here?

I'd like to stay as long as I can

In a place like this?

Take care of yourself

Thanks for coming

It smells good

You bought it?

A gift from my brother

You like coffee? I see

I brought this for you

He should have dropped in

Where does he live?

In Hakodate

He's been taking care of me

Oh? I only have sisters

so I don't know well about brothers

But I suppose it's nice to have one

Sometimes I wish

Takeshi had a brother

He's small, but he's still a man

I'm his mother but sometimes I can't understand him

Want some coffee?

Me? Yes, thank you

It's been a long time

Like coffee?

Yes, I often drank it when I was in Hakata

You came all the way from the south?

My family...

My family ran a small hardware store

My parents wanted me to inherit it, but...

It's good!

Isn't it hard on you?

Haven't you considered giving up this place?

I'd be finished if I did

I always say never weaken

My relatives want me...

to give it up, too

But I'm still at it

But...

Actually...

It's hard on me,

In winter the wind blows like a cyclone

I don't weigh much

I almost get blown away before

I can reach the barn

It's like that day after day

"This time I'll quit"

That's what I think

But... when spring comes,

and everything turns green again,

I think this year will bring me luck

And it starts me going all over again

Mom!

The bath

You know, Takeshi is always asking me...

Asking what?

How long you'll stay

As long as you want

I have nothing else to do

Takeshi will be glad

Thanks for the coffee

About the race

You'll really do it?

If you don't mind

Can she run?

Yuka is old

She'll do all right

I'd better go give her a pep talk

Good night

Nosappu is in front by a nose

Nosappu wins!

He did it!

The pony race is on

The lighter the pony, the better

The top group has already goaled in

What's that?

Hey, chin up!

It looks bushed

Eat this, too

You're here?

The 9th race

The 2000 meter trotter final will start soon

All riders and owners get ready

Let's go

No. 3, Mrs. Tamiko Kazami's Yuka

No. 4, Mr. Minoru Daido's Shinsho

There

No. Let's get over there

The race will start soon

The horses are ready

Both riders and horses are excited

Yuka! Run!

Trotters have a symmetrical running form

They don't gallop like in big races

Still, their form is interesting to watch

It has rhythm

No! She'll lose

If they gallop for more than thirty meters

they're disqualified

The leaders are in the second lap

The leaders are fighting it out

Lockheed, Disco Queen, then Yuka

Yuka's catching up

They're going into the third lap

Disco Queen up front

Nearing the fourth lap

Yuka and Disco Queen fighting for the lead

Yuka!

Will it be Yuka or Disco Queen?

It's Yuka!

She crossed the line!

Yuka wins!

Yuka has won the Class! Trotter race

You did it!

It was a hard race, huh?

Excuse me

Aren't you Mr. Tajima?

No, I'm not

Not Mr. Tajima from Hakodate?

I've never been to Hakodate

By the way...

I liked it so I bought it

What do you think?

You did it, huh?

You sure did it

Let's celebrate with a drink

What do you think?

He's about his size but the face is different

Hurry up

I can't see

Better, isn't it?

Wait here

I'll be back soon

Such an old man is dancing!

What's that?

Firecrackers

Give them water, too

How is it?

It fits

Good

Thank you

Listen...

Starting tonight, stay in the house

It gets cold at night

I don't feel we're strangers any more

Your bed is upstairs

What a way to sleep!

He got so tired today he's already asleep

I'd never heard him shout so loudly

You must be tired, too

I'll prepare a bath for you

Ma'am

I'll resign

I'll go on a trip

When?

Tomorrow

Thank you for everything

Have I done something wrong?

No, nothing like that

But the other day

you said you'd stay as long as I wanted you to

I just took it for granted

At that time it seemed the thing to say

I knew I couldn't stay long

Then, where will you go?

What'll you do?

And after you finish

Won't you come here again?

Ma'am

Forgive me

The fact is... I killed a man

The police are after me

My wife borrowed money from a loan shark

The interest ran up, she couldn't pay

She hanged herself

I was away on a trip when she died

I hurried home and held her wake

The loan shark rushed in

If it had been an accident,

you could have got the insurance!

That's what he shouted at me

I killed him

That was two years ago

I suspected you had some secret reason

For two years, I've been on the run

I've avoided people

But for these past two months

I almost forgot about it

I've stayed too long

I'll sleep over there

How can I explain to Takeshi?

Say what you think is best

Good night

Who is it?

Me

Come in and lock the door

Something's wrong with the cow

Miiko. It's suffering

I see. I'll go soon

It may have been poisoned by water hemlock

I'll come right away

What'll I do?

I'm drunk. I can't drive

I'll manage

Where are you going?

What are you doing?

Miiko, don't give up

You're all right

This is bad

Will you get my bag?

It's on the horse

I wish I had some coffee

We have coffee

Good!

I'll make some

Please

I'm drunk. I feel sick

I'll have to work all night

What?

Miiko will get an operation

Bring the rags in the wardrobe

Hurry!

She might die

Is she all right?

Better not look

If she dies, it'll be awful

She's our best cow

Will she be all right?

Don't worry

Stay in the house

Don't go

Don't go anywhere

I'm so lonely

Come here

Don't let it move

Hold it tight and don't let it move

Thank you very much

I'll stop by again this evening

Have breakfast here

Thanks, but I'll go home and sleep

I'm so sleepy

Thank you for coming

He's going

Where to?

I don't know

Go and say goodbye to him

You're lying

You're lying, huh?

Yeah

Say you're lying!

Thanks for everything

The days I spent here

I'll never forget them

Goodbye

Where's he going?

Where's he going?

Where's he going?

Give this to him

Mister!

Mister! Where are you going?

Once again winter came

The court has reached a verdict

concerning the murder

committed by Kosaku Tajima

The accused will step forward

The sentence:

Penal servitude for not less than two years

and not more than four

The reason:

On June 13, 1975, the accused,

then residing in Hakodate,

whose wife hanged herself...

because she could not pay her debt,

held a wake for the deceased, during which...

a moneylender, who also lived in Shinonome, Hakodate,

suddenly appeared

His name was Hachiro Matsunoda

He lent money to the wife of the accused

He was drunk

He blamed her

He shouted to the accused:

"How will you make up for this?"

It enraged the accused

He struck the victim...

in the face with his fists...

How old is your boy?

Six. Ready for school

That big already?

How about yours?

Twenty. It costs money

Time sure flies

How's your wife?

She's doing fine. Same as ever

Next stop Wakkanai

We'll arrive at 3:16 and there will be

a six-minute station stop

Three lunches. Tea too

How much?

1350 yen

The express for Abashiri will soon depart

All passengers get aboard

Your friend?

In a way

That reminds me

You were picked up around here, right?

Next stop Abashiri

Abashiri... end of the line

One more stop to jail

Lunch?

No thanks

Hi! Glad to meet you

It's been a long time

So you quit raising cows and go back in town, huh?

I heard you and your son are waiting...

for your man to come home, right?

It's nice to know

You okay financially?

Abuta is helping us

That idiot?

He's helping us? Is that a fact?

Yes

You're okay, then

I'm glad to hear it

May I give him a handkerchief?

Sure