Original subtitles

Participant of the Art Festival 1970

We thank all the people around Japan who supported the making of this film.

Without them this film would not have been possible.

A Shochiku Film

THE ISLAND OF IOJIMA NAGASAKI PREFECTURE, SONOGI

Mrs. Kazami! Hurry up or you'll miss the boat!

Mrs. Utsumi insisted on having tea with me when I brought back the rice.

Look, Tsuyoshi! She gave me all these sweets for you.

- Hurry up! - Sorry to make you wait!

Oh, this bucket belongs to the Hara's...

I'll take care of that. - Thanks.

Oh, I almost forgot...

If you forget anything we'll just send it to you.

Seiichi! Did you take it off?

- What? - Our name plate.

- Something else you forgot? - Sorry about that.

"Seiichi Kazami"

Granny Make!

Thank you for everything! Goodbye!

Gramps!

We're off!

Not much time left.

Gramps, hurry up!

Mrs. Meada! Goodbye!

Goodbye!

Please send my regards to the chief and Mrs. Murai!

I will! Take good care!

Goodbye!

Come on! Hurry up!

Thank you for everything. Send my regards to everybody

Take good care. Goodbye!

Hurry up! The boat is going to leave!

Your speech, quick!

Listen!

Thank you, everybody!

Thank you for your help. We'll give our best in our new home!

Everyone, please take good care!

Three cheers for the Kazami family!

Hooraaaay!

WHERE SPRING COMES LATE

Tamiko Kazami CHIEKO BAISHO Her husband Seiichi HISASHI IGAWA

The Grandfather CHISHU RYU

Tsuyoshi (son) TSUYOSHI KINOSHITA Sanae (daughter) CHIAKO SEO

Also Starring: GIN MAEDA MASAKO TOYAMA

HISAO DAZAI TOKUE HANASAWA

HAJIME HANA HIROSHI INUZUKA SERIN SAKURAI

ETARO ISHIBASHI SHIN YASUDA SHIN MORIKAWA

Produced by YOSHIHARU MISHIMA and TSUNEO OZUNO

Script YOJI YAMADA and AKIRA MIYAZAKI

Camera TETSUO TAKAHA

Music MASARU SATO Art Director KIMINOBU SATO

Directed by YOJI YAMADA

Well then...

Thanks.

Gramps, time to say goodbye to Mr. Tanno.

I should bring you to the station.

But I have to be back at the city hall by 10.

Thank you for all your help. - Don't mention it.

If you need help, please write to me.

Take good care of your health.

Thanks.

Tsuyoshi!

Show all the kids over there how tough Nagasaki boys are.

Say goodbye...

Bye bye!

And all the best to you.

Say hello to Ryota when you see him.

Tell him lam still working in the island's public office.

I am sure we'll meet again.

I'll save money and take a jet to visit you then.

Bye.

This way

Thank you so much. - Take care.

All right. - Bye.

Hey!

Good luck!

Give all you have!

He's such a nice man.

He really is.

6 APRIL 1970 THE FAMILY LEAVES NAGASAKI

Tickets, please.

Thank you. To Hakata?

Arriving at 13:22.

Tickets, please.

Thank you.

To Nakashibetsu?

Going to Nakashibetsu in Hokkaido?

Yes.

That's a huge journey

And... one of you is going to Fukuyama?

It's him.

And everyone else to Hokkaido?

We'll all take a break in Fukuyama.

I see. You have to change trains in Kokura at 14:26.

Thank you.

Tickets please.

Going to Hokkaido?

Going to Hokkaido? - Yes.

That's a hard journey

How long does it take?

They said going directly we'd arrive in the evening of the third day

But you are getting off at Fukuyama?

Yes.

My second son lives in Fukuyama. That's why

And is it for a new job or for a business trip?

No, we are going to cultivate new land.

New land? - Yes.

That's a big task.

It's new land, but it won't be as great as you think.

Work will be much harder than now.

I heard some people gave up because it was too hard.

Maybe, but there are also those like Ryota who are giving their best.

Don't be so pessimistic.

Ryota's family has always been farmers.

Their bodies are used to that kind of work.

It's just a dairy farm.

We'll have our own land and can work without anyone bossing us around.

It's different from the kind of job here working under subcontract.

Depending on the mood of the chief, without any chance to develop.

It's not the right kind of work for me.

If you don't like it, why don't you go to find something in Nagasaki?

Why do we have to go all the way up to Hokkaido?

I am from a farmer's family It's not an easy life, you know?

Don't you get it? We won't be farmers there!

No big difference between fields and cattle.

Shut up already!

A woman shouldn't tell a man how to work! Go and sleep!

I had enough!

I'll go on my own!

1,000 Yen from Shinya's Shokichi. -1,000 Yen...

- 500 Yen from their grandma. - 500 from the grandma...

Mr. Hashimoto from the town hall gave us 2,000!

Oh, 2,000?

I didn't even go and pay our water bill...

It wouldn't be a big sum anyway

3,000 Yen from the priest!

3,000 Yen...

Giving us so much without even having a collection.

Who's next?

Tamiko!

Ryota says I can come whenever I want, even if I come on my own.

So no matter how hard it is...

Even if you get lonely or have to wear rags...

Even if you freeze to death in the cold winter...

You really want to go? - I told you hundred of times.

A man stands by his decisions! - Be sure you have nothing to regret!

You are getting on my nerves. Even if I fail, I have nothing to regret.

Seiichi... - What?

Then...

I will go with you.

We go as a family

It can only be a success if we give all we can give.

If you are serious, we will come with you.

But in that case... What about Ryota...

Ryota always told us...

That cultivating land cannot be done alone. That you need a whole family

All right. Let's do it.

It's decided. - And how about the money?

Train tickets alone will be over 10,000 Yen!

We'll get it somehow.

From your severance payment. Or my job at the coal pit.

And we get 20 or 30,000 in farewell gifts.

What are you thinking, dad?

Don't act as if it wouldn't matter to you!

I think it's very simple.

You should do as Tamiko tells you.

She thought more about it than you.

And what are you going to do then, dad?

Gramps will go to Fukyama and live with Tsutomu.

Tsuyoshi! Dinner!

What's that? - The 30,000 I borrowed from Chinken.

Just keep it. It makes me moody just looking at it.

- Why? - You know why

No, I don't.

Your husband is out today?

He's at work.

It must be hard for you too.

With your husband's company going bankrupt.

And your father in law being difficult.

And having two children with your young body

Why even have so many children?

We are Catholic, you know.

So when you are Catholic you cannot do... anything?

Listen, Mr. Chinken...

The thing I am asking about...

You can ask me for anything, you know.

How much money do you need?

You just pay me back whenever you are ready

- You aren't fooling around, are you? - Of course not!

How much do you need?

This much...

That's a big sum.

Why do you need 30,000?

Well...

But don't tell anyone...

My husband will go up to Hokkaido.

We don't have enough for the trip.

30,000 really is a lot.

It really depends...

How do you feel about this?

It will be hard for him up in Hokkaido.

It's a long time. - Just half a year.

Stop it, people can see us.

All right.

It's all up to you.

For half a year I don't have to charge interest, all right?

Sure.

Really? You're sure?

All right.

You women are terrible.

Why?

Everyone praises you for being so decent.

But in reality you are pretty devious.

I wonder...

All right! All right!

We needed the money

And he offered it to us without interest.

Anyway you women are terrible...

Seiichi, any idea where we are?

The Yahata Ironworks!

Little Daruma! Little Daruma! Lets stare at each other!

If you laugh you lose!

SETO INLAND SEA

The Japanese Sea! - Idiot! It's the Seto Inland Sea!

Look, mum! Cars!

How fast they are!

Uncle Tsutomu has a car just as far as those.

Tsuyoshi, your uncle will let you ride his car in Fukuyama.

He drives it himself.

Shall we go on a drive to the Seto Inland Sea...

...in Tsutomu's car once we are in Fukuyama, gramps?

Has Tsuyoshi ever been in a car so far?

Have you?

He has, when he was born.

Mr. Ishida's old junker truck?

My stomach aches started the moment I got in.

FUKUYAMA (HIROSHIMA PREFECTURE)

Ah, Tsutomu!

Hello.

Tsutomu, are you here with your car?

- Yes. - See, Tsuyoshi?

We are going to ride a car!

Isn't that great?

We'll get a cab if it's too packed.

Why? How many can ride your car?

Four adults.

Just right with four of us.

The kids can squeeze in.

Let's not waste money on a taxi.

- It's too small... - Come one, let's use your car.

Tsuyoshi will be really excited about the car ride.

Where's your car?

- In the car park there. - We'll squeeze in somehow.

I don't think we can!

Having your own car really is a fine thing.

Your car seems smaller than a normal car though.

It feels so because it's so full.

How much does a car like this cost? Must be expensive.

- 360,000 Yen in monthly rates. - 360,000?!

That's a lot...

You work in that factory?

It's huge.

Look, Tsuyoshi. Uncle Tsutomu works there.

It's really big. - Bigger than Iojima island!

Look, there's a bus in the factory grounds.

I have to wee.

He needs the toilet?

- Can't you hold it? - Can you stop somewhere?

No, it's not allowed to stop on this road.

I told you to take a wee at the station.

But you cheeky boy never listen.

Why did you let him drink juice at the station?

It wasn't me but gramps.

- Gramps? - It was milk.

Uncle's car is all new. You can't make a mess.

Hold out!

- Tsutomu, a bucket! - Where should I take...

One moment, Tsuyoshi!

Tsuyoshi, not yet!

Move on! Move on!

Sanae hasn't weed in her nappies yet.

It's always about Tsuyoshi!

Seiichi.

It's so different from Iojima. - Of course it is!

Tsutomu, are all of those factory dorms?

These are for singles.

I guess your house has four stories too?

No, Tsutomu has his own house.

Here we are.

Finally!

Seiichi, sorry about Tsuyoshi.

No problem.

Let's get the luggage out.

Are you all right, gramps?

Your shoes!

It's so hot.

Any damage?

Hello, thank you for your hospitality

Look, Seiichi! Look!

Well done!

Madam?

I should have gone to get them. - It's fine.

I hope they will do.

Tsuyoshi! Dad is talking to your uncle!

Thank you.

Ryota's wife is sick, so she can't work outside anymore.

Last year they had to hire workers in the end.

Keep quiet!

But you can't really get many for 2,000 Yen per day

It's 30 cho of meadows after all!

That's too much for one person.

And you can't just leave the cultivated land to itself.

So we thought: Why not start our new life by working with Ryota.

- It's cattle? - American-style dairy farm.

And you think you as an amateur can do that?

Ryota was an amateur too 8 years ago.

If he can do it, I can do it too.

And he said we'd collaborate.

He takes care of the cows, I drive the tractor or stuff like that.

Stop it already!

Quiet!

It might be hard, but I am not the type to be bossed around.

And even this small flat cost us 3.6 Million Yen.

Okay the interest is low.

But since we pay 18,000 back per month, it will take 20 years.

And until last year I used my bike to go to work.

That was really hard when it was cold or raining.

So we bought the car.

For the car I have to pay back 10,000 per month.

And for the rest I need my bonus payments.

The payment at our company is supposed to be good.

But having a burden of having to pay 28,000 every month...

There's no money left for cigarettes or alcohol.

Gramps!

Listen.

If... I mean, IF...

If we go to Hokkaido with Seiichi...

What would you do?

You'd be lonely all by yourself here.

And it's so cold in Hokkaido.

Maybe I go and live with Tsutomu.

They have a good climate there.

And Tsutomu is earning well.

I'll do everything I can to be a support.

He always dreamed of cultivating land.

I see it's not easy for you.

But I have no idea what will await us once we are in Hokkaido.

I don't think that cultivating land can be a success.

Now in the industrial age.

How much is it from Nagasaki?

11,250 Yen.

No idea why Ryota invited you, brother.

But I think it'd be easier to stay on the island.

It's too late to say that now.

We got our farewell gifts and left it all behind.

You are always the optimist.

You should become more realistic.

So what do you think we should have done?

Why...!

Why didn't you ask me for my opinion before coming here?

You should have asked us if we really can put up with dad.

But just a postcard: "This is when we arrive. Meet us with your car."

That's a bit too much, you know?

Gramps...

What are you doing up so early?

Well...

I found some willow seedlings to plant here.

Good morning. - Good morning.

Seiichi. - Mmh?

I think we should take gramps with us to Hokkaido.

He can look after the kids.

It will be easier.

Right?

I'll talk to him.

Hey Tami...

Gramps! Gramps!

I want to talk to you.

Dear, shouldn't you be off to work?

- Yes. - Tsuyoshi!

- I'll be late. - Let's give our best!

Time to go! Hurry up!

Tsuyoshi!

Cake.

It's not much. But buy some saké for gramps.

He's happy when he has saké to drink.

Thank you. I know it's not easy for you.

Well, dad. Take care of yourself.

You take care too.

We might not see each other again...

Why would you say that? Of course you will, right?

Goodbye.

Greetings to Sumie!

Isn't that more than he can afford?

OSAKA

No restaurant around here?

No idea.

Let's ask somebody

Gov, here for the world fair?

- What? - Here to see the world fair?

I can offer you a place to stay

It's a nice place.

We are not interested.

Excuse me. - Yes?

Is there any place for lunch around her?

Just go in there and you have free choice.

Thank you very much.

There's a lot down here.

Seiichi!

Seiichi!

Where are you, Tamiko?

I said come with me!

I'll ask for the way Stay here.

So many people!

It's the world fair after all.

Let's go.

Dad! Shame on you!

Stand up!

Outside again. Finally

Sorry about that.

Strange...

We are still at the same place.

Did we take the wrong way?

Thank you.

Nicely chilled.

Go on, drink while it's still cold.

Gramps, is it good?

Yes, delicious.

It's so refreshing.

Tamiko, want some?

Thanks.

Here you are.

Tsuyoshi!

Tsuyoshi!

Hungry? - Yeah.

Right. We'll have something right away

There, look. That looks yummy

Dig in! - A world fair flag!

Here, Tamiko.

Three hours left before we ride the Shinkansen.

What shall we do, Tsuyoshi?

Shall we go and see the world fair?

Oh yes. They are having some bird fair here?

Not a bird fair! The world fair!

I see. The world fair...

Let's go in for a bit.

Forget it. We just have an hour left.

We've seen enough.

Tsuyoshi!

Take a good look. It's the famous world fair park.

Something you can tell your friends in Hokkaido.

Look, Tsuyoshi. Over there.

Tsuyoshi! Tsuyoshi!

Shall we go and take another look?

Tamiko... - You two go.

I'll just stay here.

Don't move, you'll just get lost.

Is one hour enough for the American Pavilion?

Well, today it's very crowded.

So you'd spend the hour just standing in line.

What on earth are you doing here?

Just taking a look at the world fair.

Looking at the world fair?

You are taking your wife to the world fair? How nice!

And such nice weather.

- Why are you here? - Why?

You ask what we are here for?

You mean we poor people have no right to go to the world fair?

You said you were in need of money!

That's why we borrowed from you.

You little liar!

You lied about your husband going to Hokkaido?

I couldn't have asked you for money for the world fair.

So you tricked me?

- That's not why I gave you money! - It's up to us how to use it!

Then give it back to me right now.

You liar. That's not what you promised me.

You terrible woman...

Do you have to talk about that now?

Let's go! Let's go! - Just wait!

I gave a lot of money to that woman.

You call 30,000 a lot?

And you got to flirt with me and touch my butt for that.

- What are you talking about? - I had enough of this.

I'll go now.

If you think about running away I'll send the police to chase you.

Stop talking nonsense!

This is the world fair, the place of peace and human rights!

You call yourself Japanese?

What a shock.

SHIN-OSAKA STATION

5 minutes left!

Go on, gramps!

Over here.

Hold this, please.

One, two...

Three!

Is she not well?

She has no appetite.

No wonder. Being on trains all the time since yesterday

We should have left her with you.

Instead of taking her to the world fair.

All right, all right.

Stop it!

All right!

What kind of pear are you? How pale your cheeks are

If you don't stop crying and go to sleep already

Evil Lord Chuske will come and take you away

I was born in Shimabara

I was born in Shimabara

Where I have grown a pear tree

Tamiko!

Tamiko!

You can see Mt. Fuji from here.

TOKYO

Are you crazy? So late on a train with kids?

Sorry...

Sorry about that.

How many stations until Ueno, please?

- Eight more. - Thank you.

UENO STATION

I think alto is a bit too high.

Don't you think so?

All right, boy?

I saw Hajime Hana! [a comedian]

What a noisy boy!

What if she becomes sick on the way? Sanae is still a baby!

We arrive in Aomori tomorrow. Let's not waste the express ticket.

We won't get the money back. - It's always about money!

I won't go. I'll take her to a doctor.

- Then shall we find a place to stay? - We have to.

So we have to spend more money...

We can afford one night. Think of what I went through with Chinke!

Seiichi, let's do what she says. It's for the best.

It's better that way right?

Excuse me.

- Yes? - Excuse me.

Welcome, good evening.

I've just called from the station...

- Your name? - Kazami.

Sir, the gentleman who just called...

Yes, the Hagi-Room!

Please follow me.

Thank you.

The price I was told is correct, right?

I have no idea...

They ask if it's still the price they were told.

It's all right. Come inside.

This way please.

Slippers!

Your hat. - What?

Your hat!

Any valuables?

Later.

Keep quiet, Tsuyoshi!

- Enjoy your stay - Thank you.

- The bath is ready for you. - Excuse me...

ls there a doctor around here? - Is anyone sick?

- My girl... ' The baby?

Well, at this time of the day...

I'll ask downstairs. - Thank you.

Leave it.

We should take her to a doctor.

She's not feeling well.

Doctors in Tokyo will be expensive...

You are always grumbling about money

You take it easy

But in Osaka alone... 2,000..

We spent 2,300 there, look!

- You're getting on my nerves! - Tsuyoshi, let's take a bath.

You...

A doctor? ls one of them sick?

It's the baby...

You can't help it...

A children's doctor? Let me think...

That guy is really funny

The moon has come out

The moon has come out

You know this song?

And We come out of my mine

Excuse me.

Excuse me!

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Seiichi!

Something is wrong. She isn't fitting, is she?

Sanae!

Sanae!

Excuse me!

Excuse me!

You, listen!

There's no one there at night. He doesn't live here.

The next doctor was out shopping and they didn't know when he'd be back.

Why are the doctors here in Tokyo so unfriendly?

You know an emergency clinic, right?

We are from the countryside, so we know nothing about Tokyo.

But we'll find a doctor there, right?

- Somethings wrong with her! - What?

She really needs a doctor.

Sanae! Sanae!

Driver! How long to the hospital?

Excuse me! Anyone, please?

Excuse me!

We should have gone somewhere else.

There!

The door is open.

What's the problem? - Something is wrong with her.

Wait in that examination room. I'll call the doctor.

Tamiko!

Two injections!

Doctor, will she be all right?

And we need oxygen, quick!

She is without appetite since yesterday

But we still took her to the world fair with all those people.

Doctor? She will be all right, right?

We should have come earlier.

But we didn't find a doctor in two places!

Why did you leave her like that? She isn't well at all.

The oxygen.

Sanae!

Madam, take a step back, please. Please!

Your address?

Your address? Tokyo?

Nagasaki Prefecture.

West Sonogi.

You write "Sonogi"...

...with "mortar" written next to the character for "he"...

Sonogi.

Iojima... the character for "person"...

And "king"...

Ah, tell me... - Wait a moment.

Sanae!

Sanae!

Sorry but you are causing a lot of trouble for us.

- I am sorry. - We wouldn't know what to do.

How is Sanae?

I see...

The change of address documents...

Our seal.

What are you going to do?

I'll find a church.

Have a service organized.

There is a lot...

...to organize.

Can you take care of Tsuyoshi today?

Yes.

Seiichi! Do you want to wake up the boy?

You must be strong at times like this. You are the father.

Use this.

I had a feeling we'd need it so I took it out of my account.

It's all right.

We still have the money from Tsutomu, so feel free to use it all.

Please accept our condolences.

This is the death certificate. Two copies of it.

The cost of treatment will be 4,500 Yen, please.

We have to have the funeral today

And... - But listen.

The crematorium has to wait for 24 hours after someone's death.

- But isn't there anything... - Anything? What do you mean?

That's just how things are.

So where else can I go?

No matter where you are. It's the law, you know.

But I am in the middle of a big trip.

I can't just sit and wait for a day

But think about your poor little daughter, sir.

You should be by her side for this last evening.

You don't tell me what I have to do!

I only ask you to do something about...

...Sanae's funeral!

Ouch!

You buy one?

Want one?

Okay But it's our secret.

But be careful, it's hot.

Boy! How old are you, boy?

- Three! - He's calling you.

Tsuyoshi!

Bye bye!

Tsuyoshi, what is that?

- A cake. - Cake?

Where did you get that?

The lady gave it to me.

She gave it to you?

Tsuyoshi, did you say that you wanted one.

Is that why she gave it to you?

Tsuyoshi!

You aren't a beggar, are you?

There are nice people who just give you what you want if you show it.

But that's wrong.

Tell me if you want it.

I have enough money

See? Money

Go and pay for it.

Well? You can do that on your own, right?

Grandpa wants you to pay?

What a strange grandpa.

Here's you change.

Go back to him.

Mum!

Where have you been?

We went to...

The zoo!

The zoo? What did you see?

There were... monkeys! And...

Monkeys and...

And gorillas and elephants... And snakes...

Snakes too?

Gramps, it must have been a tough day?

Did you grab some sleep?

Where's Sanae?

Today the Lord has taken the soul of this child to heaven.

We pray to you and ask for your grace.

For he has suffered with his own body out of compassion for us.

And by the mediation of the holy virgin Mary and the other saints

He takes us up into heaven.

Where we may gain eternal joy with all those chosen by the Lord.

With the generations of people who believed in Him. Amen.

"Sanae Kazami"

TOHOKU MAIN LINE

So we decided to meet.

So we met and asked them for their support.

And they kind of agreed, as long as everything is fine money wise.

And they would stay for at least a week.

Three or four people. That costs a lot of money

So that caused a lot of worries of course.

But it would be good for our agricultural cooperative society

So we'd get our hands dirty but earn a lot.

But after a year of cultivation we couldn't earn anything at all.

So we had to reduce the acreage.

AOMORI STATION FERRY TERMINAL

Do you think the ferry ride will be very shaky?

- Don't know. It's my first time. - I see.

Since I was little I always get sick on ships.

So I took two of these.

Ah, would you like some?

No? Okay...

I should take one more.

Let's see... "One hour before departure..."

Tamiko? Want some soba noodles?

We'll feel sick with an empty stomach.

No, thanks.

I'm not hungry

You haven't eaten since yesterday morning.

So... you think eating something would be better?

I guess...

I'll have something then.

Would you look after my luggage?

It won't take long.

I want to go home.

Home to our island.

Why did we come here?

Seiichi, why...

Why do we have to go to Hokkaido?

How often do I have to explain?

Why start it again now?

It was you who said we'd go together!

I had said I would go by myself.

If you hadn't said so...

...Sanae wouldn't be dead now.

So it's my fault?

You are saying it's my fault?

Yes, it is.

How cruel you are!

Seiichi!

Just imagine how she must feel.

Shut up!

What was that? That's not what a man should say!

Keep quiet, dad!

Why are you coming with us anyway?

Why didn't you stay with Tsutomu?

I don't remember asking you to come with us.

I can go back to the island if I am a burden to you.

Seiichi!

That was too cruel. Far too cruel.

How do you think you can manage when you are such a weakling?

Shut up!

10 APRIL CROSSING OVER TO HOKKAIDO

I bought some boots.

What's this?

Now that's pretty

Where are the toilets?

Ah, thanks.

Excuse me, some water please.

Ah, hello again.

MURORAN MAIN LINE

Ready!

That's nice.

The cherry blossoms back home will be beautiful now.

Yes, they were starting to bloom when we left.

NEMURO MAIN LINE

It's really sad.

It must have been tough.

I've also...

...lost a child.

When I was still in business in Sasebo.

While he was alive he was always crying.

So much trouble.

I thought him a nuisance.

Imagined how free I would be without him.

But when he died...

How small the remaining bones were.

It was so...

It felt as if I had killed him.

Why go through all this suffering...

...to come up here to Hokkaido?

From a warm place like Nagasaki.

I haven't been home for the last five years.

I want to go home.

One day...

...I'll go back home.

SHIBETSU LINE

NAKASHIBETSU STATION SHIBETSU, NEMURO SUBPREFECTURE

Where could Ryota be?

Mr. Kazami?

I heard you are from Kyushu?

Must have been a hard journey

I bet the cherry blossoms were already in bloom down there?

Thank you very much.

It was hard on these roads.

Hello. - Hello

How great you are here.

One of the cows suddenly started giving birth.

So I couldn't meet you at the station.

Here, come inside.

It must have been tough for you, gramps.

Come inside.

They brought the grandfather too. - How nice you came all the long way.

Please come in.

What are you waiting for?

Come inside, Seiichi. And your wife too.

Hey what's wrong?

Come on, Seiichi. What's wrong?

Gramps, Mrs. Kazami! You are here!

What's this?

It's Sanae.

Seiichi! Seiichi!

Morning!

Have you slept well? - Yes.

We totally overslept.

Heave ho! Heave ho!

And here we are.

Now run for it!

Tamiko...

Look at the place we've come to...

Thank you very much.

This is your house, Tsuyoshi.

The man who lived here gave up farming last year.

We have used it as an assembly hall for a while.

So it won't be in perfect condition.

But with a little bit of work...

You are a good carpenter, aren't you?

Yeah...

Of course it can get very windy

But remember the state of my house in Iojima.

So this shouldn't shock you.

What are you up to?

Gramps! Don't overdo it or you'll hurt your back.

Pah, I'll have to work hard from now on.

Be careful. The ground is really hard with all the frost.

That bit of frost!

They kick you?

I'm so scared.

Crab, please.

I'll peel it for you.

Crabs and lobsters are so yummy right?

- How often do you milk them? - Twice a day

So Mr. Nishihara is the veteran here?

I spent the longest time here, yes.

I came here when I was 33.

But they had an age limit here of 30.

So I told them: "I am 30! 30!"

Gramps, you should also sing a song for us.

Fine!

Now here's a song I used to sing in the mines when I was young.

This makes me happy

The moon has come out

The moon has come out

And We come out of my mine

Because the chimneys are too high

The moon is hiding behind smoke

One more verse!

Crossing one mountain

Two mountains, three mountains

Seiichi...

Tamiko, I always have to rely on you...

- I know. - You do?

I know very well.

Is there any saké left?

Well...

Tsuyoshi, come here.

Let gramps sleep by himself.

Gramps was really tired today

Gramps?

Gramps!

Gramps!

Thank you, everyone, for coming to the funeral today

Thank you very much.

My father did not get much happiness in life.

But when you welcomed him with your warmth, his heart was full of joy

Thank you for all the things you did.

Tamiko...

I was such a fool.

Why did I put us through all this?

Why did I make us suffer so much?

Don't cry Seiichi.

When you cry I don't know what to do. So don't cry

You heard what Ryota said today?

That spring comes in June.

When spring comes...

...then everything becomes green and the flowers bloom.

The cows have so much grass to eat and give lots of milk.

And for the people here it feels like being reborn.

Reborn like the wide nature.

And everyone thinks:

This year finally something good is going to happen to me.

Oh yes.

Come one, Seiichi. Let's look forward to that.

Right?

Until June...

Just two more months.

Until June...

JUNE 1970 KONSEN-GENYA PLAIN

Thank you.

Misao?

Where are you? Over here!

Seiichi, the calf is born!

Seiichi, the new calf is born!

Seiichi!

The calf...

It's born!

Dear Everyone in Iojima, how are things over there?

Time goes by quickly. It's two months already since we left.

Finally the long winter ls over and we don't need the stove anymore.

Now everything is in bloom." Cherry blossoms, dandelions and azaleas.

Spring and early summer come together and we are really busy.

Today we became the owners of our very first cow.

Ryota promised that the calf of his favorite cow...

“would be ours if it were female.

And this calf was born today.

I wiped her body dry

Her body was so warm.

She had her legs like this.

She looked at me with big eyes like this.

She struggled to get up.

And she fell down again and again but wouldn't give up.

Again and again. It really touched me.

Without wanting help from anyone...

Just like we humans used to be.

Ryota, it's the same for people and cows.

Stop! Stop the car!

This isn't about a cow, right?

She's pregnant.

She's pregnant.

A baby?

I had no idea!

Then how can you sit here in the shaky back?

Now go and sit in the front.

Drive carefully - Sorry!

I am feeling envious.

You have a healthy wife.

What are you saying?

This isn't easy for us Catholics...

What? What's so funny about that?

What is it? Why are you laughing?

Nothing. Nothing at all.

THE END