Original subtitles

I'm soaked.

Thanks.

Sayuri sent Women's Writing a piece.

And she got a love letter back!

I can see it now! 'I ask only to be your friend. '

'Spiritual communion with a beautiful young lady. ' it said.

'Sisterly passion' like in Shade Flower.

'Somewhere we crossed the boundary into love.

'We tasted the forbidden fruit. '

'Now the innocent past can never be regained. '

I'm going to ignore it.

You should write back!

We've all pledged to be 'new women', not that kind of...

'Sisterly passion' is fine.

A secret encounter whose impression lasts forever!

Will 'sisterly passion' bring change?

Stendhal's The Red and the Black says a letter can cross...

...all social barriers.

I wouldn't dare talk about it, let alone write a letter!

'Sisterly passion' and 'new women'...

Romance novels have people writing each other letters.

It's shaking the world.

A social earthquake!

Maybe now there'll be 'free love'.

'Free love'!

Come on, Kiyoko!

Set that in the middle.

Tennis club!

We're ready for your picture!

Male-female equality born of free love doesn't rule out marriage.

Chidori's talking about marriage!

I'll still be a working woman.

Did you hear about Kiyoko's mother?

How awful!

The new woman is born!

If it means women will be free...

...let it shake al I it wants!

It's nothing.

When you jump like that, you scare me, too.

We all used to just laugh at earthquakes.

When?

In girls' school.

Were you sweeter then. I wonder...

I wish I'd known you.

I was very cheeky then.

I helped form a strange league.

What kind of league?

A 'new women's league'.

Yes, but what does that mean?

We swore we'd be working women...

...and never get married...

...to rich men.

That was bold.

A gentleman with too much money falls into dissipation.

He's bound to be unfaithful.

And me?

You're different.

You're not ashamed I support you?

Ours is 'free love'. It's new.

Anyway, when we graduated everybody got married.

All but one or two.

Don't be late for breakfast. I'll get in trouble.

You get nervous even thinking of my mother.

No...

...the moment she thinks of me, she gets...

Aunt Yoriko!

Yes?

Eggs?

Western-style?

It's Monday.

With?

Ginger and taro.

Fried, then. Sunny-side up.

The normal way?

Milady?

Scrambled.

Broth, and sugar?

I hate you having an aunt three years younger than you.

Why? My mother's father kept three mistresses.

A minute and...

44 seconds. sir.

Sugar on eggs...

How common!

Oh, Mother... it's charming.

One can be overly charming, Akiko.

I'll be careful.

That earthquake made me jump.

You too?

I just hate earthquakes.

The 1896 one made my brother ill.

It was like a wave across the schoolyard.

It still makes me shiver!

That was the year we put 'Liberty' on sale.

Three months before it.

Foreign tobacco leaves, 10 cigarettes at 3 sen.

That made The Iwai Company international.

I'm told after the 1855 earthquake the family did very well in lumber.

The Iwai family always prospers in the year of a big earthquake.

When the shaking starts, Masanosuke, we think of business!

I'll find a nice, safe bamboo grove.

This isn't earthquakes, but I've thought of a new business.

Tell me.

Golf.

Golf is a selfish game in which you strike only your own ball.

It's unJapanese.

I beg to differ.

A wise man once said that three things perplex and fascinate the male mind.

They are metaphysics, the feminine heart...

...and golf.

A very wise man.

There's no profit in importing golf things.

Could we consider manufacturing them, or building a course?

Golf's become very popular lately.

At Shinjuku Gyoen Park the other day one woman had a 'putton' or...

Yoriko...

This is not the time for a woman to speak.

I'm sorry, Sister.

If you don't mind, we'll discuss it with the managers.

Your plans today, Akiko?

I thought I'd go to Ginza for some of the new cosmetics.

At Swan's?

Yes.

Will you see that new film?

Intolerance?

At the Imperial Theatre.

I decided no.

Why not?

The loge seats are 10 yen!

A hundred blue-bus fares! What a waste!

Charge it to the company.

An American customer mentioned it. Maybe I should go.

Could you buy us three advance tickets?

I'll stroll the Ginza, then.

Akiko...

...strolling the Ginza is all very well, but I hope you avoid the east side.

Why is that?

One strolls the west side, from Block 4 towards Shinbashi.

The west side, with the stalls, Is for country folk.

Oh...

Surely you knew that!

Everyone does.

Thank you.

Three loge seats.

That's 30 yen.

Ah! The young Iwai heiress!

Chidori! You've bobbed your hair!

All we suffragists do that.

It's a reminder not to fall into life as a parasite on some man.

Are you going to see this film?

Where we belong. in3rd class.

Akiko...

Fujiwara, artist and younger man.

Akiko Iwai, wife of the Iwai Company heir.

No, my husband's the younger brother.

But the older brother's a poof.

Everyone knows.

Show her your sketches.

Whatever is that?

A stage design for Shakespeare's King Lear.

That's a very unusual Lear.

He's a genius!

It's good to be different.

Is that your company?

What's 'that'?

Can't you hear it?

'Bang'!

Not the noon gun.

The new Imperial Hotel site...

Isn't his pronunciation good? He studied in America.

Wright designed your family cottage.

Yes. He's a friend of my husband.

Could I meet your husband? I'd like him to sponsor King Lear.

Most certainly.

My husband Is very open to young talent.

Isn't that nice!

Buy the tickets. You can have the change.

He'll be a success.

Yes.

'The new woman' won't be.

But you're doing fine! You're a workingwoman!

I'm just a dancer.

Do you remember Kiyoko Ibe?

Whose mother committed suicide with a man ten years younger?

Of course I do.

I always thought she was born to be the 'new woman'.

She's divorced.

Was she married?

She found out her husband was keeping a mistress, and left him.

And how about you?

My husband personifies the new age.

A businessman and a thinker who doesn't chase women.

Don't all men chase women?

But poor Kiyoko!

Perhaps you could parcel out some of your happiness.

That's fine there.

This is so good!

Eat up, then.

None of the other women are eating!

It's only fair I do this. You do all the cooking at home.

Those who have should share with those who have not.

Mr. Fujiwara!

What a surprise!

Are you alone?

Kind of...

This is Thomas Fujiwara.

Will you join us?

You don't mind?

Please...

Thank you!

Yuichiro Iwai...

Thomas Fujiwara.

He was in America.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Closing time?

No, sir. The owner's brewing some of the coffee you brought.

Take your time.

Thank you.

What are all these ones and twos?

I think King Lear wants to say that life is a game of pairs.

The characters are paired. They can be switched around.

They'll enter two pairs at a time...

...like two facing mirrors.

The front is heaven, the back hell.

But Lear has three daughters...

...Goneril, Regan. and Cordelia.

Regan's first line. She is made the same as her elder sister.

I see...

They want the same man.

Goneril kills Regan, then herself.

They die as one organism.

Interesting...

You should be the Earl of Kent.

Why?

You connect youth with wealth and power.

You said you have an opening in your office, didn't you.

You don't miss a chance.

So you're the merchant of Venice?

Hello?

Is anybody here?

Yes.

Coming...

Yes?

Um...

Kiyoko?

Yes. I'm...

She'll be back soon. That's the owner's entrance.

Over there.

That way.

There.

Akiko?

Is that you?

Oh...

Oh!

It's me.

Well!

Come in.

Father!

You left her sitting there!

So?

You could have made tea!

She was sound asleep.

Come in.

Father... go in there.

This is Donald's room.

Donald?

The owner. Father's looking after the house while he's in England.

Why are you in mourning?

'The new age', 'the new woman'...

It's a hard road to walk.

There's a lot of 'love suicides'.

She said it wasn't a sin to love both her husband and a younger man.

It was freewill.

She said if society didn't like it, society could do what it liked to her.

But she killed herself.

I'm on my way.

Father...

Here.

Off you go.

I'm sorry to be so depressing.

I'm still 'old doom and gloom'.

It's nice to hear your voice again.

I've been running on about myself...

Nostalgia, I guess.

What brings you here?

I ran into Chidori, and she told me what had happened to you.

My husband said he'd be happy to talk to you about a job.

Where does he work?

The Iwai Company.

As?

He's the President's son.

You must be very happy...

It has its problems...

But why me?

I felt sorry for you!

After all, we were friends.

Sorry...

...I have to return this kimono.

I'll come, too.

It'd be a change. It's a very modern company...

...and you could work your way up.

A perfect place for 'the new woman'.

I'm a slow learner.

And divorced.

I'm sure you'll impress my husband.

Were you two a case of 'free love'?

It was arranged. as a matter of fact.

But it can still be free love no matter how you meet.

You really love him...

I envy you.

Ow!

Here...

The village road across It won't be a problem?

You're right...

They could come along years later and bill us for using it.

Like at the 'links'.

So?

We'll have to close that road, and build a new one around the side.

We can't proceed till someone persuades the village to agree.

Who?

If not Father, then you.

You see Kiyoko this afternoon?

Just a formality.

I thought I'd drop in at her place before that.

Why?

She was wearing a very shabby-looking kimono.

I'd be ashamed to wear it. I'll lend her one of mine.

Quite the humanitarian, aren't you.

Oh, stop exaggerating!

I wouldn't. you know.

Shouldn't I be kind?

Why not?

She could take it as kindness, and still be hurt.

Why?

You're blessed.

That can be hard to forgive.

Shall we go?

Still, that's part of your charm.

Could I have this coffee?

I'll make some more.

This is fine.

Yuichiro makes it sound like I'm forcing kindness on her.

Will you lend her one?

She looks worse than some local peasant's wife!

Why not do it, then?

After al I. it's your spontaneity that people like.

I'm in time!

Whatever's the matter, Akiko?

Here.

What's that?

A kimono.

For your interview.

Don't be too proud to take it. That one isn't suitable.

This one might be a bit showy for you...

...but it beats looking wretched.

Oh...

I look wretched, do I?

I didn't mean that.

I just want to share my happiness.

Not so much 'share' it...

It's beautiful. It's a lovely kimono.

Yes! I thought it would suit you.

I'll wear it, then.

Hot steamed buns!

Hot steamed buns!

Excuse me!

Yes, ma'am!

Thank you!

Sir...

The car's at the front door.

Miss Ibe?

Yes?

I'm Iwai.

I have to go to Komazawa. My elder brother will see you.

No, to hell with it.

Come with me.

But...

I'm in a hurry.

All right.

Know anything about golf?

Not at all. Doesn't it need a lot of equipment?

Five clubs, maybe seven.

You hit a little ball?

You take turns hitting it into a little hole.

There's nine of them.

There's an old Greek saying. 'know thyself'.

The Scots say, 'to know yourself, go to the golf course. '

It sounds like a game for old men.

You need to face obstacles with courage, and have a spirit of adventure.

Come out on the course with me. We'll call you my secretary.

Me?

Just come for the walk.

In a kimono?

That's a problem...

I've never worn western clothes...

Then 'no'?

I'll face obstacles with courage.

Western women's clothes are hard to find in Tokyo.

We'll get you some men's.

And dress as a man...

Have the car waiting at the Grand Hotel.

We'll walk back there.

A modern-day woman golfer.

Very nice.

I'm glad Kiyoko's done.

The interview.

Just a formality.

Haven't you started eating yet?

Yes, I have...

Eat it while it's hot.

I am.

Nice?

Nice and hot.

No, I meant Kiyoko!

Oh, her...

She's a bit gloomy.

Not really.

I lent her the kimono.

She seemed very pleased.

How long did you talk?

What?

15minutes?

Why?

Isn't that how long it takes?

Yeah...

Ten minutes, maybe.

Wow!

Thank you.

Well. sir?

I like the earlier Griffiths. This was a bit tedious.

We're thinking of building a film studio.

I want to!

Yuichiro had something he absolutely had to do?

I guess so. He's not here, anyway.

Will Miss Hayama star in the film of your book?

You answer.

The heroine's a coquette. It's a book about 'free love'.

Is the novel true to life?

There's Mr. Tanizaki.

I'll go say hello. You wait here.

All right?

There's a phrase that neatly sums up a man's proclivities in Japan.

'Theft, maid, mistress, whore, wife. '

First a stolen woman, then a maid...

...then a mistress, then a whore...

...and finally your wife.

Maybe you've never heard that?

Sir...

It's been a long time.

'Iwai'.

How are you.

You saw the film?

Very good, wasn't it.

I don't know...

It seemed to drag In places...

Indeed it did.

There you are!

It's just packed downstairs!

This is what we should do! Forget King Lear!

But isn't that all set?

Yes, thank you.

Yuichiro's seen Reinhard Goering's Naval Encounter in Berlin!

He knows modern theater!

But this is the way to go!

Isn't he here?

He had a meeting.

Go get us some water, OK?

So you're alone?

My brother-in-law's here.

So you are alone...

But aren't you the tolerant one!

Although more than you...

...I'm more surprised at Kiyoko.

She's only been there a month!

I realize it's the 1920s, the age of 'free love'...

...but still!

What exactly do you mean?

Akiko!

Didn't you know?

Know what?

Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!

I'd better tell you, then.

I can't pretend I don't know!

Hello, Akiko.

What's wrong?

You're really something, aren't you.

You alley cat!

Traitor!

Who do you think you are?!

What?

Stop it!

What?!

Who do you think you are?!

'Sharing your happiness' with me, looking down on me...

Move!

'Wretched', you called me!

That's what you said!

You are wretched!

That's what you are!

Let go!

Stop this!

Stop it!

That's enough!

Please!

Yoriko, leave her alone.

Let Yuichiro see her like that.

Masanosuke, go back to the office.

Well...

...I should watch her till Yuichiro gets back.

She might kill herself.

That wouldn't look good.

Kill herself? This girl isn't going to do that.

Away you go.

All right. I'll leave her with you.

She's with us.

You're at fault here, Akiko.

Surely you knew that!

You're not a schoolgirl anymore.

Have a baby. That's when a man settles down.

You haven't done what you should.

But Mother...

Your behavior was disgraceful.

Take me...

My husband's always had other women.

He even brought a mistress to live here.

Aunt Yoriko?!

We just call her my younger sister.

When Yuichiro returns, you apologize to him.

Is that understood?

You didn't even realize Yoriko was Father's mistress?

You cal I her 'aunt'. What am I supposed to think?

You're the one who said mistresses were out of date.

Why Kiyoko?

Why?

I've told you and told you.

It's not like that.

You're lying!

Why won't you believe me?

Why won't you admit it? Everyone's talking about it!

Be a man!

Oh, dear...

'Thief, maid, mistress, whore, wife. '

What's that?

The way society works!

Men want to steal someone's wife.

Kiyoko's not married.

No, but you stole my friend!

I see.

And what was next?

'Maid'... a servant.

That makes sense.

Then mistress, whore, wife!

So Kiyoko's two in the order and you're five, you mean?

No! I may be five. but Kiyoko's a whore!

So...

...a man needs five types of woman for society's stamp of approval?

So to be a success...

...I might need to use that system.

Meaning...

...you need me and Kiyoko?

Can you...

...be all five?

You asked to see me?

You didn't deny what Akiko said...

I didn't have a chance to. She just came at me.

She was in tears. I sort of denied it.

It's the way of the world.

Do you mind?

And if I do?

We walked...

...from the links to the Grand Hotel.

That's where the car was.

I was...

...sorry you had the car waiting.

You changed clothes...

Do you like it?

You are so delightfully...

...perverse.

Even my father's heard the rumors.

He shouts at me every night.

'You're a whore like your mother,' he says.

That's not nice of him.

I don't care.

Because tonight that's how it's going to be.

I love...

...my father.

I hate my mother.

I'm the opposite.

I hate my father. I respect my mother.

Now I can't go home.

So... what now?

One Year Later

You learn things so quickly...

But I'll have to say goodbye to golf for a while.

Why?

I'm pregnant.

You don't look happy, you don't look sad.

You look...

How?

Lonely, I think.

Why?

I just do.

You're not one to 'just' think anything.

If you think I'm lonely, there's a reason.

You're always right.

So why am I lonely?

I don't want to say now.

So... what now?

Hit a mashie iron.

Please don't make fun.

Sorry.

Akiko's never gotten pregnant...

...so I was starting to think I'd never have children.

I can't decide this myself.

Are you going to talk to Akiko?

Don't be silly.

To Mother.

You depend a lot on your mother, don't you.

What?

You're pregnant?

Whatever your opinion is...

...Yuichiro and his mother are coming next week.

I've told them what days you're off...

...so make sure you're here.

Get out!

You're worse than your mother!

Here we go again...

Why would I meet them?

Why would I meet your paramour and his mother to boot?!

He's going to make some divorced tramp his wife?

Don't make me laugh!

So you won't see them?

All right. I'll tell them.

Well. if the Iwais want it...

...I guess there's no sin in meeting them.

So you agree, then?

Madame! How nice to see you again.

How may I help you today?

Do you have all-color face powder?

Oui.

I suggest the 'rose' for Madame.

You have such beautiful. translucent skin.

Very rare in a Japanese.

Everyone loves my skin.

'White with a trace of pink. '

It's very charming...

Kiyoko's is white, but yellowy.

A golden undertone? In that case...

In the Azumaya store...

...I was looking at a blue-grey felt hat that would suit my husband.

It went with rose skin, but not with yellow.

So I put it down and they thought I was just a browser.

Me, just browsing!

Me, who always shops in Ginza!

That's...

...terrible.

I'm fine.

Just a dizzy spell.

Could you just stand like that?

Oui, Madame.

Akiko... could you come here?

Did you enjoy Ginza?

Yuichiro needs a new hat...

I would like you to think about your future.

How long have you been in this house?

Almost six years.

And no sign of a baby.

I think we could say 'infertile'. couldn't we, Yoriko.

I think so.

Um...

Yes?

My friends who married when I did all had children right away...

...so I thought I might wait. I didn't feel there was any rush...

That may be all right for you, but not for the Iwai family.

Our line goes back 500 years.

We must have a male successor.

Masanosuke has no interest in women.

Yuichiro is not young.

It is a very serious matter if he has no child.

I understand that completely. I'm trying as hard as I can...

...and I intend to continue...

No.

Six years is too long. We can't wait.

Can't wait?

Kiyoko is pregnant.

She will have the baby.

She wants that, as well.

And what does Yuichiro say?

He's delighted, of course.

So please, think about your future.

I'm afraid I don't...

Return to your parents.

Kiyoko can have children, you cannot.

It's that simple.

So...

...Kiyoko will be Yuichiro's wife.

All right?

Earthquake!

Let us all...

...beware of fire!

Beware of fire!

Yuichiro ordered the large size especially for you.

Does he feast you...

...like this every night?

Usually we eat western-style.

Saut�, stew... things you've never had.

You can eat that any time you work an overnight train.

Oh? I didn't know you lived that well.

You're a worse bitch than your mother.

I'm a better bitch than her.

From mistress to wife... I've risen in the world.

I hoped you'd be a 'new woman'.

Who. me?

I hate to think...

...that all along you were dreaming of marrying money.

No. I wasn't.

I saw a new woman once.

Who?

Raicho Hiratsuka. the suffragist.

She got on my train.

Just after she'd started Bluestocking.

A big woman, well-bred.

Her writing had a magic for women and for men.

'In the beginning, woman was the sun. '

That really hit me.

Like Ibsen's A Doll's House.

So you forgave Mom...

...because she was like Raicho?

They both had lovers.

So from the waist down Mom and I are new women, too!

What more do you want?!

You just don't understand.

Yes. Bluestocking wrote about...

...lust, adultery...

...abortion, homosexuality...

That was all taboo.

They were challenging norms.

But you have to live that, not just talk about it.

Your mother couldn't read, but she could listen.

'Good wife, wise mother'...

...was a norm she rebelled against...

...in her own way.

Father...

...do you know what 'bluestocking' means?

'Blue stockings'.

But do you know what it means?

Nope.

It's an old insult to the women's movement.

Men in England In the 18th century...

...called independent women 'bluestockings'.

Using it now is like pleading for sympathy from men.

You're getting carried away by scorn for your mother...

...and setting yourself up against women, period.

You're calling down suffragists...

...when you should be one.

You're leaving?

I called home. They said they'd come tonight.

I see.

Your parents must be furious.

Have you eaten?

Leftovers from dinner with Kiyoko?

It's not like you to be so sarcastic.

Aren't they?

No.

It's from the company caterer.

All right, then.

It's beautiful!

May I join you?

Didn't you eat?

I had a meeting.

I'm glad!

Have the egg.

Your mother likes that.

You have It.

Mmm! It's so sweet!

I asked for sugar in it.

Thank you for thinking of me.

You'll always be in my heart.

And I'll always be thinking about you.

Akiko!

Sir!

I'm sorry.

Dad... Dad!

Yuichiro...

...I wouldn't have thought it.

Dad...

Dad!

Let's just leave it to a lawyer!

I know that!

Akiko...

...is that everything?

All but my kimonos...

Get them. We're going.

Tokuji!

I didn't raise my daughter...

...for this!

What is all this commotion at this hour!

I won't leave Akiko here any longer than I have to!

Let's talk about this.

Talk about what?!

It'll be hard for her to live with you now.

And what do you suggest?

Your wife and your mistress both living here, like your father?

You're as bad as him!

You sent us a barren daughter! You should be ashamed!

I will not have this in my house!

That's right!

Not in our house!

Akiko, what about living alone?

Yuichiro!

I'll pay alimony and support her...

...until she's established in a career...

...or she remarries.

I'll find her a new house.

You cad!

You remove her as your wife...

...to make her a mistress?!

Damn you!

Dad! Calm down!

That's fine.

That's fine.

That's fine!

Yeah, that's fine!

That's fine?!

I don't want to be dependent on you and Mother again.

Yuichiro will look after me.

That house?

Yep.

You wanted a western-style house...

Now you'll live that way.

Missus! Here I am!

Chie will work here.

It's not 'missus' now!

Let's start practicing.

Ow!

Walk...

I can't! My feet are killing me!

Let's try lower heels.

Ow!

There.

This is lovely.

Can I come by sometimes and see your face?

If you don't mind looking at it.

It's nothing.

When you jump like that, you scare me, too.

Earthquakes never used to bother me.

When? In girls' school?

Did Akiko say that?

No.

When I was in girls' school, I hated girls...

...with all my heart.

'Woman was the sun'... I thought that was stupid.

Akiko was sunny.

I'm sure that's why I hated her.

I don't want to be late for breakfast.

Does my mother worry you that much?

No.

It's Yoriko.

Good morning.

Good morning. Is it kicking yet?

A little. I think it's a boy.

Good! Think of all the grief he'll be spared.

Yes?

Eggs?

Western-style?

It's Monday.

With?

Horse radish, eggplant.

Horse radish and eggplant, then.

Egg over the horse radish.

Kiyoko?

No eggs?

The omelet you had last week...

That looked good. Can I have that?

If you don't mind my cooking...

That would be wonderful.

Thank you.

A minute 44?

You have to eat for two.

That earthquake made me jump.

You felt it, too?

I just hate earthquakes.

I remember one like a wave across the schoolyard.

It still makes me shiver!

That was the year we put 'Liberty' on sale.

Three months before it.

'Liberty'?

Cigarettes.

Foreign tobacco leaves, 10 cigarettes for 3 sen.

That made the Iwai Company...

...international.

I'm told after the 1855 earthquake the family did very well in lumber.

The Iwai family...

...always prospers in the year of a big earthquake.

When the shaking starts, Masanosuke, we think of business!

I'll find a nice, safe bamboo grove.

Your plans today, Kiyoko?

I'll be translating.

Don't stay shut in. Go for a walk.

It'll ease your labor.

Go see the new Chaplin film.

The Kid?

That's the one.

I decided no.

Why?

It's in Asakusa.

The crowds tire me.

The other girl was at the Imperial one day, Mitsukoshi the next...

...always running off somewhere.

What are you doing, Yuichiro?

Going to see the filming at our cottage.

There are personality problems.

Please...

Rudy, walk forward... stop, turn a little...

Ivanovich, Ivanovich...

Yes... come up close to him...

OK, walk forward...

Very good... get closer...

Closer, Misa!

Walk like that. now look at each other...

Yes!

Closer. Misa, closer!

Ow!

Don't laugh!

Stop that laughing!

Misa!

Misa!

You said you could walk!

If you can't walk, how can we film?!

Blue! Blue!

Get the scene together.

I will.

Ivanovich... Ivanovich...

That was great.

Thomas!

Thomas...

...what do you need?

An actress...

...who can walk.

You can act if you can walk in shoes. We just paint your face yellow.

What about Chidori?

She's got thick legs.

Of all the nerve! They're a dancer's legs!

So you need someone with thin legs who can walk in shoes...

Give me an actress with good legs...

...and an end to this rain!

If you won't walk we're going to lose the light!

On this dock in these heels?!

You in the swimsuits, start swimming.

Look, if you won't walk, we can't film!

Like this!

I am!

Walk for me!

Come on, Misa!

You in the swimsuits. swim!

And you... walk!

Thomas, look!

Right over there.

She looks good.

Walk like her, Misa!

I'm leaving! Move!

Move!

Who is she?

I don't know.

Misa! Walt! Wait!

So it was you!

Yuichiro said to come and watch. He even sent a car!

Aren't you the 'modern girl'!

Western clothes are great once you get used to them.

Aren't they!

May I talk to you?

Could you come here?

The lady with the white parasol walking by the lake...

...I'd like to talk to you.

The lady with the white parasol...

Don't just drop it!

Thomas! Over here!

Where?

There!

How many cosmos flowers do you want?

More! 'Cosmos' is Greek for 'outer space'.

You sit around waiting for a man? That's dumb.

Dumb?

Yuichiro pays me far more attention now I've left.

Who do you think it was? Akiko!

Hello.

You busy?

Say 'hello'!

I'm not busy at all.

Perfect! Come star in my film.

Do you mean that?

My star just quit.

I couldn't! I can't act.

Everybody's an amateur.

That's what makes film new.

Try it.

Don't you start!

There's nothing you can't do!

You'd be playing someone you hate: Kiyoko.

You're kidding!

I based my screenplay on you!

Yuichiro's funding it?

Strange, huh?

He's very strange.

He gives us so much money that we worry!

A maid steals her naive employer's husband...

...and makes her the maid!

Oh, dear!

How does it end?

Well?

You stab Kiyoko to death!

Oh, my!

The title is...

So are we shooting or not?

Make this lady up yellow as a sunflower!

Yellow?

People film best that way.

Why the blue?

To teach him to leave the actresses alone.

They put developing fluid on him. It'll take a month to fade.

Three!

You'll look like this.

We're starting again.

Just like that!

Are you ready?

Here we go.

America! I'm so jealous!

If only I weren't pregnant, I could go, too.

Where's my suitcase?

Mother's putting in your formal suit.

Oh, well...

The director will dine here and leave with us.

I'm in your hands.

Thank you.

Is your new film finished?

The filming is.

Starring Akiko?

Yes. We had some problems.

I was afraid we'd never finish.

That was your idea. Mr. Fujiwara?

Completely.

My inspiration.

Masanosuke and Mr. Fujiwara came back two weeks ago.

How long is Yuichiro going to be in America?

He's negotiating over building a film studio.

That takes time.

But he should be on the boat home by now.

Tome...

...here.

I'm sure he'll be back for the birth.

Did you know...

...Akiko was with him?

Don't tell anybody!

Masanosuke talks too much!

Kiyoko!

Mom!

I'm right here!

Not you!

Bring the midwives!

Boil water!

No! Spread a sleepingmat first! Put oil-paper over it!

Bring a rag!

Don't worry. Kiyoko! You'll be fine!

Here we are!

All right, push!

You're doing fine!

Push!

Grit your teeth!

It's not just hard for you.

It's harder for the baby.

Bear down!

Shall I make coffee?

Not yet.

I must be a badwoman.

Why?

I prefer things this way.

Yuiohiro

Is that from Chie? I thought she was away till next week.

I'll be away for a while.

Why?

The baby came last week.

A boy.

Go home to her.

Come back when you feel like it.

You're sweet...

There's a good boy!

There's a good boy!

There's a good boy!

Well done!

I knew you'd give us an heir!

Such a bright little face! You'll be a great man!

There.

Kotaro Iwai...

A better name than mine!

Tell your mother...

...I want to go back to the other house.

What's wrong with here? It's bigger.

But this isn't our house.

I'll tell her, if you like.

No. That'd just make her angry.

How much enjoyment do you think that woman's found in life?

'That woman'?

She's suffered.

She's never let us see it.

But I can't forget the sound of my mother crying.

Grinding her teeth, like her soul was grating on something.

Kotaro's her first great pleasure.

I want you to understand that.

There are things in life that just don't fit together.

The time will come...

...when you'll have to choose between two things that don't.

And there are people who join those things.

Stop smoking. It bothers Kotaro.

Fine.

Stop seeing Akiko.

What's the connection?

Stop seeing her.

Impossible.

And that's that?

I love you both.

If I lose one of you, it'll destroy me.

Kotaro...

...did you hear your father?

And just where was your father...

...when you were born?

It's gets cold earlier every day!

Yuichiro thought about that and bought a new heater...

...but not yet.

But you should have it ready.

He might catch cold.

You get dinner ready. I'll watch Kotaro for you.

If you would.

He cried a lot last night, didn't he.

I don't make enough milk.

Oh, dear...

The baby across the way...

...was born a month later, and it's much bigger.

Can't I feed him powdered milk, then?

No! Manufactured milk isn't good for him!

But...

...what isn't there, isn't there.

But I've told you! We found a very good wet-nurse.

I want to raise Kotaro myself.

But you just said...

...what isn't there, isn't there.

I do hope you're taking good care of yourself.

With all due respect...

...I am eating right and taking care of myself.

If I have no milk, and I want to raise him, that leaves powder.

Poor Kotaro!

That is because...

...he's always hungry!

Goodness!

Is that how you talk to me?

With that look on your face?

A woman who can't feed her child...

...ought to be ashamed!

I don't care. If he's thin and crying, I'll give him powdered milk!

Of al I the nerve!

Baby or not...

...I won't have you talking back!

The last girl may have been silly...

...but she never looked me in the eye and defied me!

I love your father...

...but...

...if you grow up like him...

...Mommy will be sad.

'Why do we praise?'

'For power!'

'Power born of power?'

'Of course!'

'Do you know the power longed for as much as that first power is hated?

'The power ardor fosters?

'There are other things between people.

'To realize those...

...is our holy mission!'

'A ship!'

'The enemy!'

'Prepare to fight!'

'Rise up!'

'Turn your barrels!'

'The barrels reach to the sky!'

'Raise the banner!'

No, no!

'Obey, and die in good faith!'

'I obey something higher!'

'Are you mad?'

'Where is that among this steel and these soldiers?'

'What I must break through, I will now!'

'Resistance to power is waving a pistol in the dark!'

'Resistance scatters fireworks, and lights the dark!'

'There is a traitor here!'

'Death!'

'Seize him!'

'A traitor!'

'Who?'

'Both of you!'

'His conscience is unscarred!'

'Yours is in tatters!'

'You plot treason!'

'I dreamed it!'

'Who is that shouting?'

'Victory! Grief! Fatherland, farewell!'

'Thus death begins!'

'Embrace, and dance!'

'Is this how battle begins?'

'Onward, youth, to death!'

'Onward, brothers, to victory!'

'Is there naught but to obey?'

'Agh! What is this feeling of joy?'

'To war!'

'Seize the chance!'

'To a higher place!'

'Make ready!'

'War!

'Where...

'... will it take us?'

Everyone!

We are here today because of Yuichiro.

To Yuichiro!

To Yuichiro!

Let's get started!

Naval Encounter, the next phase!

Please...

'Why do we praise?'

'For power!'

'Power born of power?'

'Of course!'

'Do you know the power longed for as much as that first power is hated?

'The power ardor fosters? Power's other name?

'Property!'

'Without limit!'

'How far will you go? Would you denounce our leaders?

'We are their property!'

'Why do we praise?'

'For power!'

'Power born of power?'

'Of course!'

'Do you know the power longed for as much as that first power is hated?

'The power ardor fosters? Power's other name?

'Property!'

'Without limit!'

'How far will you go? Would you denounce our leaders?

'We are their property!'

'Our leaders, ourselves, our times. We were cowards!

'We lacked the courage to speak!'

'And you speak now? In a time of war?'

'What we do now is a crime!

'The death of ships! Random death! All vanishes!

'Awaken me! I do not want to fight in dreams!'

'Shrapnel! Fire! Smoke!'

'Fire!'

'Shoot! Rout them!'

'I obey something higher!'

'Are you mad?'

'Where is that among this steel and these soldiers?'

'What I must break through, I will now!'

Come upstairs.

I'd like to be quiet.

This is an era you helped build.

No, it's one that caught you up.

'Seize him as well!'

'Make ready!'

'War!

'Where...

'... will it take us?'

I want to keep acting.

I'm glad.

It sounds like you wanted that.

This is the life you chose. after all.

Me...

...I've made a choice, too.

I'm wondering how to tell you.

Thomas! Thomas! Thomas!

'Love is kind...

'A flower in the field...

'... that never withers...

'... in the summer sun. '

An actress is a splendid 'working woman'.

You just have to be ordinary. and put on a few airs.

When our studio's done...

...come and work there.

I'd love that.

I've come to think it's all worked out how it was meant to.

Maybe.

I think that, too.

Everything was decided from the start.

Masanosuke phoned.

If he called here, it must be important.

Yes.

But you didn't tell me right away.

No.

I thought if I did, I'd lose you.

But I already have lost you.

Kiyoko's gone?

With Kotaro.

You're mother's going mad.

Yuichiro...

...go after her.

Right now...

...you're my ideal.

Off you go.

'... with its frost of doubt.

'In my heart...

'... you are the only one.

'Without the dew...

'... of truth in your heart...

'... love soon withers away...

'Such is the flower's karma.

'Feel its warmth...

'... with all your heart.

'Don't let winter in...

'... with its frost of doubt.

'In my heart...

'... you are the only one.

'Feel its warmth...

'... with all your heart.

'My truest feelings...

'... are devoted to you.

'Love is kind...

'A flower...

'... in the field. '

Yoriko!

It's al I right! We'll find them!

I will now inspect your tickets.

Please have them ready as I come past.

Thank you, that's fine.

Your ticket? Fine.

Thank you.

This is only to Yokohama. Where are you going?

Somewhere new.

There are many new places.

You choose.

Nation-Wide Speaking Tour by New Women's Association

The conductor will issue you...

...a ticket there.

Kotaro...

...live big.

Father...

...thank you!

Tickets. please.

Yes, that's fine.

Good. Thank you.

'Liberation'...

...what does that word suggest to you all?

Liberation of body?

Of mind?

Of feeling?

Or from the social systems born in this land of Japan?

I think this:

Without liberation of the self, can there be freedom for women?

Deep in women's hearts...

...nest old thoughts and feelings...

Excuse me...

Who is that?

Raicho Hiratsuka, and beside her...

...Fusae Ichikawa.

It's no good to sit there and listen to me talk!

Every one of you...

...is fighting for her own freedom!

We must unite our individual battles.

To do that, each of you must raise her voice.

So... come up here...

...and tell us of your own liberation movement!

Tell us, in your own words.

Who?

Who will it be?

Raise your hand!

You with the baby!

Your name?

Kiyoko Ibe.

Kiyoko...

Come up on the stage!

Do you mind if I bring my suitcase?

Suitcase, baby, everything!

Iwai Film Studios

Where were you?!

You're late! Hurry it up!

Look at this!

The Kanazawa Prison, an exact replica built as part of an open set.

Why learn lines?

We're filming...

...a German expressionist play set in a women's prison.

Lines are rhythm.

It's a silent film, but you still need them.

One day, sound will change film.

And then there'll be color, and in a hundred years...

That's our star, Akiko Makishi.

This will be the first film from Iwai Studios.

'How far will you go? Would you denounce our leaders?

'We are their property!'

'Our leaders, ourselves, our times. We were cowards!'

The Sumida River Great Bridge.

A perfect replica.

The Kanazawa Prison, the Sumida Bridge.

Two unconnected locations...

...made into one at my studio.

Enough about films.

Can we get to the point?

This place is huge. I'm beat!

About Kiyoko.

I don't know, I told you!

For the last six months...

...between your mother and your elder brother...

...my nerves are shot!

But then it struck me... you didn't come once.

That's pretty cold.

Then finally you ask me to come way out here and talk!

And I came! I feel like a fool.

I found her. I know where she is and what she's doing.

Then why...

Only I know.

She's leading a very full life right now.

But if I go see her...

...she might abandon it and vanish again.

That'd be bad for Kotaro.

So whatever the reason...

...it's best if I don't see her.

So you knew?

I think...

...she's very close to being independent.

But that one last step...

She has to take Kotaro out to interviews...

...and she juggles articles with housework...

...or fixing leaks in the roof...

Yes, I know!

Could we do this?

I'll support you...

...and you use the extra to support Kiyoko.

I couldn't...

Kotaro will have a right to the Iwai property.

My father and brother put me In charge...

...and I'm wasting it here.

I could lose it all.

So before that...

...Father...

...please?

Earthquake Disaster In Capital

September 1, 1923, 11:58 A.M.

Imperial Theatre Burns

The horn of the Last Judgment, it was like.

There was a 'bang!'

That struck me.

I thought it was the noon gun at the Emperor's palace.

If not for that, I'd have been looking for a bamboo grove!

Our building...

...was smashed...

...walls, furniture, everything.

What Yuichiro and I first thought of tells a lot about us.

He thought of the house.

The house, and Mother.

I was worried about the studio in Yokohama...

...and the golf course in Todoroki.

As it turned out, they were both turned to rubble.

Three days later I came back to the house.

It was fine...

...the main house, anyway.

The kitchen building was wrecked.

In his nearly 80 years, my father had never been in the kitchen.

But when the earthquake hit...

...for some reason he was in there, and he was crushed.

My mother...

...they said she ran out real fast when she heard the 'bang!'...

...like a chicken with its head cut off...

...or at least that's how I imagine it.

Yuichiro got back to the house in one piece...

...but went out again looking for Mother.

The last anyone saw of him was downtown, by Kanda Bridge.

So that was the last we saw of Yuichiro or Mother...

...and of The Iwai Company...

...except in name...

Masanosuke, the branch managers' meeting's starting. You're in the way.

And stop just wandering in here.

Sorry. boss.

There you have it. I just free-load here.

Um, I live outside of Tokyo...

...so I suffered very little damage.

My father...

...Goro was his name...

...a very devout Catholic, and quite a serious person...

There was an unbelievable massacre of Koreans afterwards...

...as you may know.

They had the Koreans in hand-cuffs like this...

...and to get them released...

...he complained to the vigilantes...

...and was beaten to death.

Well...

...I was never able to find his body.

I'm sure a lot of people just pretended not to see anything.

We were filming in Tokyo.

When things settled down afterwards...

...we went to check on the Yokohama studio.

That's the first thing Akiko wanted.

I don't remember.

We all went.

We made it as far as Kawasaki by car...

And from there we walked.

The flames were shooting way, way up into the air.

Tokyo was burning.

I remember when we lay down to sleep by the railroad...

...there was a Frenchman In the crowd...

...fleeing the disaster.

Paul Claudel, the French Ambassador.

Paul...

Paul.

The next morning, with Paul...

...we walked along the tracks to Yokohama Station...

...and met the Italian ambassador.

He'd spent the night with refugees...

...in a storm sewer.

He told us...

...the Yokohama studio was completely destroyed.

So Akiko and I...

...since we had the most trust in Paul, the ambassador...

...decided to go with him.

There was a ship anchored in the harbor...

...he used as an emergency headquarters...

...so we stayed there with him.

I don't know what we'd have done without him.

She met Mr. Laperrine on the boat.

My husband.

Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Akiko Makishi Laperrine...

...is not retiring as an actress.

For a very short time, she will base herself in Paris, France.

When her honeymoon is over...

...director Thomas Fujiwara...

...will make a film in Paris with her...

...and Hollywood star Sessue Hayakawa!

Why Paris? Because now, in the U.S...

...Japanese may no longer own land, and their children...

...are barred from schools.

Fight The Anti-Japanese Immigration Act!

Its Supreme Court has interpreted its constitution...

...as limiting naturalization to white and negro people.

Asians may not become Americans!

Let's go. Your husband's waiting at the dock.

One more interview.

We're out of leaflets!

This is special.

But...

My last selfish whim.

No no no no no!

Stay selfish.

At last...

I appreciate you giving me time.

Thank you.

Congratulations, 'Editor'.

It's a small magazine.

'A Pair of Blue Stockings'?

I like that name.

I'm glad.

Where shall we start?

How much time?

All you like.

But your ship...

My husband will handle it. He's a rich artist-adventurer...

...and he's French.

Before we start, I have to return something.

Yuichiro...

It's you. isn't it?

No.

Everything...

...started with this kimono.

No.

It all started with our declaration of 'free love'.

Let's have a picture taken.