Original subtitles

Koichi Saito Production and ATG Present

You're still thinking about him?

Is he your husband?

We were to get married...

but we didn't.

How old was he?

25.

That's all I know.

He's not from here.

It's no use to think of him.

You better forget him.

TSUGARU FOLK SONG

Written by Takehiro Nakajima Koichi Saito

Historical Consultant and Drawings Shinichi Saito

Photographed by Noritaka Sakamoto

Produced by Akihiko Shimada Yosuke Taga

Music by Chikuzan Takahashi Goro Wakamiya

Juko Narumi Gunbachiro Shirakawa Doshuso Wadadumi

Starring

Kyoko Enami Akira Oda

Mihoko Nakagawa Ko Nishimura

Hideo Sato Minori Terada

Hawks Yoda Emiko Azuma Masako Tomiyama

Directed by Koichi Saito

This was my home.

Mom gave it to her debtor.

Brings back old memories!

Oh no...

They live here!

Waki Sugimoto Fumie Sugimoto Yuki Sugimoto

Who are you?

Why are you peeping into my house?

Granny

You don't remember me? I used to live here.

I'm Isako Nakasato.

- Isako? - Yes,

daughter of Ichijiro Nakasato.

Oh, his daughter.

Oh yes, his daughter.

Oh yes. You ran away with Tsukamoto's son...

to Tokyo, didn't you?

You came back for rituals?

No... not really

Ichijiro's daughter...

she's back.

Granny you're home.

I'm home.

Honey let's go.

This is the only house. Some mending and it's OK.

I thought I could live in my old house.

Of course not.

It's not yours anymore.

But why let them live there'?

They're tenants. They pay rent.

She has two sons who died in the war.

The war pension is good enough.

Like it?

Living with a lover, any house is good enough.

Yes?

You like it?

No!

There's nowhere else.

You can stay at an inn.

I want a proper place.

That's why I don't like this place.

You're wrong.

You don't have a hometown. You won't understand.

How beautiful!

Great!

Better than Tokyo!

Tetsuo?

You dropped this!

Long time no see!

Your Supper?

You can't have fun when hungry

Hey... Thank you.

I'm back now, please look after me.

Let's get together sometime.

Looks like we just got married.

We'll eat something better tomorrow.

So childish.

In that sea,

my father and brother died.

Sea is wild in February

They went out for spiny dogfish.

Can't even find their bodies.

Some days later,

a broken piece with that boat's name got washed on shore.

Some fishermen picked it up and gave it to us.

Mom cried like a mad woman.

When she died,

I put that broken piece...

in her coffin.

When I'm here,

I'll make them a nice grave.

Your turn.

You won't understand.

You've never left Tokyo.

The previous tenants here...

moved to the city The whole family

Damn!

Had a good sleep?

Morning.

Yutaka, can you seal this up?

Sure.

I'll make breakfast now.

Isako, hand me that.

What is it?

- That guy... - He's just helping us.

- This. - Yes.

- That one too. - Yes. And'?

This...

- How much is this? - 1,500 in total.

Here's 1,500.

Thanks.

Thanks.

Thank you.

I want to play pachinko!

Go to Goshogawara.

A bowling alley too.

How far by bus'?

2 hours.

What?

2 hours for pachinko!

Here.

Honey!

You must be kidding! Why must we do this?

Why not'? No one's looking.

Even if there is, it's nothing shameful.

Everyone gets firewood like this.

Honey

Accept this.

Until that thing gets forgotten, you're not going anywhere.

We have no money left.

What to do?

It's hard to earn money in such a stormy place.

Just enjoy yourself. I'll think of something.

- Where are you going'? - Never mind!

Who are you? What are you doing'?

Don't get my boat dirty with your shoes.

Get off.

Get off!

What?

Fishing?

I can't on my own.

No one to go with you?

Young men have gone to the cities.

Tourists like you have no respect.

What can be caught?

Clams.

Clams?

Hey! Fishing?

Hey?

You can't see'?

You're fishing even though you can't see'?

Are you a tourist?

No.

On business?

Yes.

You can't see at all?

That's inconvenient.

You came alone?

I know the way

Where are you from?

Guess.

Tokyo?

You can't see it.

There's a 20,000-ton ship over there.

Very big Ship-

I'm on that ship.

Can a ship that big come in here?

I've never heard about it.

Sure!

Our ship is the first.

Why is it here?

Simple. To get water and supplies.

I can't hear a thing.

We arrived at night.

It's stopped.

We're leaving tonight. For USSR.

- USSR? - Yes.

To Nakhodka.

Nakhodka'?

We're getting timber and other things there.

- You're a sailor? - Yes.

1st class sailor.

1st class sailor?

Want to come with me on the ship?

No.

Come. Don't be shy

If I go away

Granny will be angry

It's OK.

I'll show you around.

Don't miss this chance.

Come.

Come.

Come.

A boy and a girl holding hands.

Your hand is soft.

You haven't done hard work?

You're that man!

You came with a woman?

Yes?

How do you know?

I knew it from the start.

Your rod.

Here!

Brother is... here!

- Don't! - I'm... here!

- This Way! - Stop it!

- Brother is here! - Stop it!

You OK'?

I'm right here. Your hand!

Sorry

Forgive me.

We're here.

What is it?

Don't cry

You're heavy

Stop it.

I'm sorry

Go in.

Hey.

You're home.

Bye.

Oh.

Uncle Tamezo.

Tell me about Kuniichi.

I told you in the letter.

I haven't seen him in 3 years.

Tell me what you know.

Well...

If we go our own ways, we won't hear from each other.

You lured him.

He's a fisherman like me.

You left together.

But, at that time...

You came with another man.

Where's Kuniichi'?

He sent no letters?

I won't come...

to ask you if he did.

Why did you split?

You liked each other so you got together. Why split?

He knew why?

But...

things happened.

What's with him?

Nothing.

I'm...

going to work, starting tonight.

Yes?

Really?

Really A new girl.

What to do?

Welcome.

Beer!

Yes.

- Excuse me. - Be quick!

Harumi, anything to eat'?

- Pig skewers and me. - Well said!

What to eat'?

Skewers?

- That's it? - Yes.

You'll drink your unemployment insurance away

So what, it's mine.

Me too!

You know the bar Pinky at Isetan Department Store'?

Sure! Pinky

But why are you here?

I asked her to come here!

I invited her!

What a decision!

A lot of tourists here.

I'm not bored.

I never thought I'd meet a Shinjuku woman here!

Shimaji, the distance between Tokyo and Aomori...

will get shorter.

The northeast Shinkansen is under construction,

it will be open in 4 years.

It'll take only 3.5 hours to get to Aomori from Tokyo.

3.5 hours?

When the northeast highway is open,

it'd only take half a day to get here. Half a day!

Half a day'?

That's why Shimaji...

Listen, Shimaji.

- I am! - I'm saying...

We should increase our investment here.

The nice scenery here will be made a national park.

Unbeatable scenery

If a hot spring can be dug, it'd be a 1st class resort!

Hot spring?

We're still trying.

There's hot water sipping through a field.

There must be a source there!

Oh yes.

Isako! Beer!

Excuse me.

If you ask a professor,

he'd agree.

Are you really from Tokyo?

But he fooled you too.

He did'?

He said he's a businessman.

Resorts, hotels.

A bar for tourists?

Of course not.

- I see. - He's just kidding.

He's just a worker in Sendai.

What are you doing'? Beer!

Yes.

Come on, drink!

The best development plan!

La Scala Bar, Shinjuku

Sir.

- You haven't paid. - What?

My friends did!

- Not the extra. - Extra'?

- Don't kid me! - Hey!

Want to skip your bill'?

And leave like that?

Sir. Pay up.

How much'?

Isako.

Get up. Go home.

You're an honest man?

What about that?

Nothing.

That's all you think of?

Why not'? That's bad'?

I was drunk last night.

Next time, lure a customer.

They're just tourists.

No.

Think about something better.

Really?

First, you'd get noticed.

There are yakuzas in Goshogawara. And police.

What can I do!

- It's boring here! - Do something!

Do what, in this village? There's nothing!

That's why I work for you.

Japan is big.

There is somewhere better.

This place is not for me!

You made your world small.

No one ordered you, but you took a hit!

In the end, no one gives you shelter.

Your gang is hunting you too.

Your yakuza brothers.

So you're stuck in here.

I...

I won't leave until I made my family's graves.

It's you, brother'?

Yes?

How do you know? You can't see.

I know.

I can't forget it.

Here.

You're smart.

Brother, what's your name?

Why do you ask?

I'm Yuki.

Yuki?

Lie to me again.

Lie?

Like, a big ship is out there.

You got one!

Got it!

I leave you here?

Come in with me.

You came here with Isako?

Yes.

What's this?

You haven't seen this before'?

A hook to get squids.

Yuki, if you lean on a man,

you won't be a girl anymore.

Why?

You're blind...

even if you have a grownup's body

you're still a kid.

Things of the world...

you won't understand.

Was she born blind?

Yes.

In these days, an operation would cure her.

No, it won't.

Soon,

she will be Itako's pupil.

No! No!

I don't like her!

I want to join the Gozes.

There aren't Gozes anymore.

So...

in the past,

blind girls...

became Gozes.

Gozes are blind female musicians.

In the past, 3 or 4 Gozes would come here.

And go around every house.

We were happy when they came.

They sang many songs.

I want to be a Goze.

Playing shamisen. Singing. Travelling.

I like that.

I offer a tablet every year.

Find one.

My name is on it.

EYE

What?

A blind girl?

There's no smoke without fire.

He's not that curious.

Some special blood is running in her veins.

If your man falls for her, it'd be the end.

You must be kidding.

The boat of Ichijiro Nakasato...

Hayabusamaru?

There's a contract.

There's no conclusion yet.

Took too long!

6 Years!

You won't give her the money She can't wait any longer!

The case is very clear.

Our stand is clear.

We can't pay you unless the whole thing is clear.

10 million insurance for a boat under 40 tons.

Just before it's sunk'?

But my Dad and brother died!

Who would kill themselves for the insurance money'?

Well...

The sea was wild that day

But a boat won't sink in that.

Fishermen who went out that day said so.

Of course accidents happen.

We can't be sure until we investigate.

- Please wait... - I want the money now!

I can't even make their graves!

Let me be frank.

Our investigation tells us that...

your father and brother got on a smaller boat in the sea.

- Small boat'? - Yes.

They left their boat and made it look like an accident.

Perhaps on the way back, the small boat sank.

Such stupid thing...

who saw that?

A fisherman from your village.

- Who? - Go ask him directly

Tamezo Tsukamoto.

Uncle?

Hey.

Why sit there like a rock?

Your money is in your account now.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

Please go once more.

You made a lot!

I'm saving everything.

- Deposit this for me. - OK.

If I told him I'm saving it for the graves,

he'd get mad again.

You're a good daughter.

I can't be like you.

Drinking and gambling again!

But they don't work!

A rare guest!

Sit next to her.

What is it?

Business is bad'?

- Drink? - Yes.

Harumi, please.

What's up there'?

They have too much time.

They can't get by with just the insurance without working.

Oh my gosh!

- 300 yen. - 300.

Next game!

- I'll give you my family name! - Don't want it.

Your father's a liar'?

What? Play.

Your dad's bad. What does he eat'?

Yutaka, let me play

- You know how'? - The Tokyo guy'?

You good?

I'm the Bank of Japan.

Can the Tokyo guy play?

- No kidding. - You're just handsome.

So lively

You guys like gambling.

Nothing else to do.

Me too. If I work, it's against the law!

The blind girl is looking for the Tokyo guy

Leave me alone.

I'm busy

She likes you?

She's sexy

I wish I could sleep with her.

Blind girls are special!

You're not from here, so you don't mind'?

Do her!

No kidding.

I don't want that kind of woman.

What's the matter?

What is it?

It's dangerous on your own.

I came...

to say goodbye.

Don't be silly

My granny said,

you just want to sleep with me.

I can't see.

You just want my body

Stupid.

Brother.

Come with me tomorrow.

Come with me, brother.

Are you afraid?

Yuki.

We'll go there.

They won't know. Come.

Yuki, OK'?

We won't see each other.

- No! - Why not?

- You're dirty! - Yuki!

Granny!

Granny!

Granny!

Granny!

It hurts!

Granny!

Bastard!

Stop it! She'll die!

Hey you!

I won't take you as pupil!

Don't come again!

You must be bored by yourself.

They aren't coming?

The time has come.

They have to work out of town.

They won't be back until spring.

This village...

has only the old, kids and women left.

- Hi, Yutaka. - Hi.

You're leaving too'?

Well...

no one wants me.

Wake up!

Wake up!

- We're going! " What?

- What? - Let's go!

- We'll leave here! - It's still early!

I'll go.

What is it? You have nowhere to go.

To Kanazawa.

I know someone there.

I guess he's doing fine.

He'll take me in.

Really?

Your friends can't be trusted.

I can't stay

Goshokawara yakuzas don't know about me.

I won't leave unless I made the graves.

Really?

I'll go on my own.

Why do this to me?

You're not fishing?

You two... still here?

We two'?

You can't stay here.

Go back to the city

I don't want to see you.

I don't want to stay here.

You look bad by living off a woman.

Is there work for a man?

They have to work elsewhere.

They spent their insurance money

so they have to work elsewhere.

If you're not greedy you can stay here.

Now, this place is bad.

But it was once prosperous.

Lots of mackerels in the Sea of Japan.

Timber was exported to Hokkaido.

Since there's the rail road,

it's the end for everyone.

Working elsewhere became popular. They made good money

It looks stupid to work here.

Take me with you.

What?

I'll help you fish. OK'?

No kidding.

- Are you serious? - Yes!

I'll do Well!

Start the boat.

You won't cry?

Let's go.

It feels good.

Come tomorrow'?

How old are you?

25.

He's older than you.

- He'? - My son.

He should be fishing with me,

but he ran away to Tokyo with her.

Isako?

You knew that?

She told me long ago.

They had a kid.

But he got sick and died.

How's your father?

Father? I don't have one.

My mother died very early

I remember nothing about them.

So you won't pay me?

- Right. - We investigated some more.

Our company believes that your father and brother...

left the boat on purpose and let it sink.

If you have objections,

you may start a civil suit.

We'll let the court decide.

I see.

So they...

deliberately...

Like that.

I can't find him.

I haven't seen him today

Hey you.

You know where he is'?

Brother'?

Do you?

I don't.

Damn... bastard!

My money is gone!

Where'?

Where'?

- Gone! - What is it?

She's gone!

She took it all! Bastard!

She took all of it!

What is it?

Harumi ran off with a tourist!

- How about mine? - Yours?

She took everything! Why did I trust her?

That bastard!

Damn her!

Bastard!

Dad.

Is it so hard to be a fisherman?

Brother.

Say something!

Honey!

What is it?

What is it?

Honey! What's wrong?

Where were you?

Look! Clams!

Why take these?

Let's do what you said.

- Let's leave? - What?

Kanazawa, or anywhere.

We have no money

I have 10,000.

Not enough.

Then, what to do?

It's you. How's Isako?

Who are they?

Customers.

You...

let's talk.

Come in.

Sit down.

You slept with that blind girl?

Don't pretend. I know.

You shouldn't touch her.

What I want to say is.

Can she take customers?

- Customers? - Yes.

Blind girls are special. Men like them.

OK'?

Yes?

Stay away from her.

She's from an incest.

- Incest? - Yes.

Her parents are brother and sister.

They had Yuki.

She was blind at birth.

You didn't know?

You shouldn't get serious with her.

Make money out of her.

You can't do that, honest man?

Give me 30,000 in advance.

OK.

More later.

Brother.

Where are we going'?

Shut up and come.

You said you won't ask.

You promised.

Careful.

Come.

Brother. Who's there'?

No one.

Go on.

- Bye! - Brother!

Brother.

What is it?

Hurry or we won't catch the bus.

I won't come back anymore.

What is it, honey'?

What is it?

Lay still!

It's nothing scary

Just lay still.

It's nothing scary!

Stop!

Yuki!

Don't move!

Stop it!

Who are you?

“Bit!

What are you doing'?

Your money!

Hey!

Yuki, you OK'?

Yuki, I'm sorry!

Yuki!

Yuki!

Brother! Brother!

Yuki!

Sorry

I'm sorry

If you want, you can run this place.

I trust you more than Harumi.

Hey.

Your man is leaving you.

He's going with that blind girl.

You can betray him too!

Cut the crap!

That way!

- Brother. - Hey what is it?

His son Kuniichi is dead.

Tamezo just left for Aomori.

Brother, meal's ready

So this week,

no fishing.

Hey What is it?

Isako told me to come.

Go to the bar.

What can it be'?

You really mean this?

He'll beat you up.

He's just like a kid brother.

Now you say this.

Stupid.

That ghost has won over you.

If I were young, I might have...

If you don't leave the village with me,

I don't know what I'll do!

Honey!

Honey

You like her that much'?

You know what people said?

You don't know about that family?

When her father knew she was born blind,

he killed himself.

He pricked his eyes with a bamboo spoon,

then drowned himself.

They're cursed!

Why do you do this?

You want to stay for good'?

In this hopeless land?

Can't help it.

I can't leave Tamezo. His son is dead.

His son what?

Dead.

Construction site accident.

He's gone to get his remains.

I'm leaving! This land is hopeless!

I'm leaving!

You don't care'?

I'm leaving!

Honey

I'm glad for you.

You found your hometown.

Brother.

Yuki!

Brother.

We're now...

husband and wife?

Yes?

Yes.

Bye.

Yuki.

Brother.

They're looking for you.

Brother!

Brother!

What happened?

THE END