Original subtitles

A TOHO PRESENTATION

Produced by: Toho, International Television Films, Inc.

Oh, no! We've had enough of these commercials!

We are determined to demolish this ancient well of darkness

in order to decisively destroy

the deceitful, inhuman capitalists you aim to be!

That's right!

This is nonsense! You all are being deceived.

Realize that the destruction

of the status quo only produces a meaningless state of servitude.

You should become aware of your own internal limitations.

Silence! We will unhesitatingly employ physical means

to dismantle you, who are fundamentally and systematically

associated with state power.

All right! Solidarity struggle victory!

Hey, you still haven't engaged in self-criticism!

Enough! There's no need for discussion anymore. Let's attack, O-Ryu!

- Please, give me your life! - Are you coming?

Well, showing that puppet show to kids is pointless, isn't it?

However, people come to the club to vent out what they want to say.

You should do it, too.

I don't have anything right now.

Forget about it.

I've also been arrested three times during protests.

I plan to use your script for the spring tour.

KANDA RIVER

Produced by: Yutaka Fujioka, Yasuhiko Kawano

Planning: Yutaka Fujioka, Mataichiro Yamamoto, Yasuhiko Kawano

Original Novel: Tadashi Kitajyo Screenplay: Ryuzo Nakanishi

Cinematography by: Kazutami Hara Art Direction: Kazuo Takenaka Lighting: Kojiro Sato Recording: Tetsuo Segawa Editing: Shiro Watanabe

Music: Masahiko Satoh Theme Song: "Kanda River" by Kaguyahime

Assistant Director: Fumiaki Okada

CAST

Keiko Takahashi Masao Kusakari

Tokue Hanasawa, Shigeru Koyama Natsuko Kahara

Yachiyo Otori, Noriko Kurosawa Nobuyuki Katsube

Masaki Tokoro, Ryo Sakuma Toru Hanabusa, Toshiyuki Kitami Hinako Ito

Mariko Haga, Motoki Shima Susumu Fujita, Satomi Osumi Akira Nagoya

Directed by: Masanobu Deme

- I'll replace you. - Sure.

I'll be in trouble if you don't submit that script soon.

Sorry about that!

Excuse me...

I'm from Doushin Bookstore.

Hey! Hey!

I'd like to have this issued, please.

You are...

You surprised me, though.

I had no idea you worked so close by.

Me, too.

- Ah, let me hold that for you. - It's fine.

It's the least I can do.

You're quite late.

Sorry about it.

We can't afford delivery charges, you know.

I'm going to have a meal now.

Today, there's shipping to the provinces starting in the afternoon.

What a weird old man...

Believe it or not, he is the company president.

- Just the two of you work there? - I was recommended by my teacher.

- Your teacher? - Exactly.

You see, when we met at the temple last year,

I was visiting my teacher's grave.

Did you like that teacher so much?

That's because that teacher recommended me to go to high school,

and supported me in various other ways.

But, you see, that old man...

But with your current job, dealing with such trivial things all day...

It must be unbearable.

That's why I've decided to always step out for meals.

Where to?

Right here!

- Do you want some? - Huh? I don't want to bother...

You can have this.

Here.

Do you always come here?

Yes, nobody else comes. Only kids and pigeons gather here.

However, when I give bread crumbs to the pigeons and small birds here,

I actually have a great lunchtime.

What about Sundays?

Well, I do the accumulated laundry, and clean up my room.

After that, I lie down, read books... that's about it.

Then, how about going somewhere next Sunday?

Huh?

I've been wanting to follow this river upstream.

But I've never been there myself.

I'll be your guide.

All right, then tomorrow at 10 AM over there.

- Is that okay? - Yes.

It's a deal!

Hello!

Makoto, what's going on with the script?

Hand it over soon or it won't make it in time for the rounds.

Oh, my thoughts aren't organized yet. Sorry, sorry.

That's inconvenient. The dolls need to be crafted, too.

Try to be quicker, please.

No! Makoto is an artist, you know?

If he's rushed, he won't be able to create something good.

That's right. You should understand the struggles of an artist more.

- Ugh! You guys are way too lenient. - Damn right they are!

Makoto, come here.

I just visited the boarding house.

I wanted to return this to you.

Youth's Grave The life and death of an activist

- Your older brother was there and saw me. - My brother?

He's quite cunning.

Apparently, he thought of me as your lover.

It seems like you're still reading nothing but worthless books.

I came on a business trip.

Tonight, I'm staying at your place for the first time in a while.

Have a seat.

I received a letter from Dad.

You still haven't taken enough credits this year.

You're incorrigible.

Just when I thought you were tired of protesting,

now you're into some nonsensical puppet show.

You need to change your ways around here.

You can't keep relying on Dad's pension to support you forever.

- I know. - You clearly don't!

At your age, I had already secured a high-ranking government position,

and even passed the judicial exam the following year.

You and me have different abilities.

Fool! The issue here is motivation!

Well, let's leave it at this for today.

Tomorrow, I'll treat you to something tasty.

I want you to meet someone, an old colleague from the prosecutor's office.

Keeping ties with him might benefit you in the future.

What's wrong? Do you have a date or something?

Yeah...

Oh, you...

I met a female colleague of yours earlier.

Well, if she's a good catch, I don't think Dad would mind if you brought her home.

However, with women,

if you ditch them once or twice, they tend to stick around more.

You're coming with me tomorrow, understand?

Forgive me! My brother came to see me...

Huh?

Come with me.

So, you'll be in charge of the next puppet show?

- I've just decided on the title. - What is it?

- "The New Princess Kaguya." - Huh?

But it's not the Princess Kaguya from the old folktale.

It's a story about a young man tired of town life,

who enters the mountains and encounters a beautiful girl there.

Perhaps the young man was contemplating dying there.

As he steps into a dense bamboo grove deep in the mountains,

he suddenly comes across a beautiful girl lying in the snow.

- That's your version of the story? - Yeah.

The girl's body was already as cold as the moon.

Nevertheless, the young man diligently tends to the girl.

He, then, builds a cabin by the riverside,

becomes a lumberjack, and starts to live with her.

At that moment, thoughts of dying didn't cross his mind anymore.

The love for the girl revived the dying embers

in the desolate heart of the young man.

And then?

That's it. I'm still thinking about it.

However, if it's like the original fairy tale,

someday, surely an envoy would come from the Moon Kingdom,

and the two would have to part ways, right?

But because of their deep love,

I don't think Princess Kaguya would want to return to the Moon Kingdom.

Even if an envoy were to come...

That's it!

Knowing that, the young man burns with joy.

And, one day, he guides the girl to a spring upstream from the river.

Wow! The source of that river is such a beautiful spring.

Don't do that!

If you drink the water from this spring, you can never return to the Moon Kingdom.

Huh?

Princess Kaguya knew that and still drank it.

Because Princess Kaguya had already fallen in love

with someone far younger than the world she was born into.

However, when the emissary from the Moon Kingdom gave up and returned,

Princess Kaguya understood the impending fate that would soon come to her.

That she wouldn't be able to live for much longer once she left the moon.

Why does she have to die?

Because, originally, the young man

and Princess Kaguya are from different worlds.

Even if they love each other, surely happiness won't last long.

That's how I see it.

No! The two of them will keep on living.

The power of their love will overcome fate.

That's right. I guess that might happen.

And, surely, many children will be born between them.

Look! About that many!

Thank you!

It seems like I might be able to write the script, after all.

That makes me glad.

Oh, I'll say goodbye here.

Let me take you home.

Omokage Bridge

Kishimojin Temple

"Eventually, many children were born one after another"

"between the young man and Princess Kaguya."

"And thereafter, in the deep snowy bamboo grove, the joyful singing"

"of the young man's family continued to echo for a long time."

"The end."

I'm against doing something like this.

If we're going to pick up such a worn-out fairy tale at this point,

it's far more morally justified

to distribute basic picture books instead of doing tours.

Stop it.

I think it's a good idea.

Thank you for standing up for him.

I also like this new work.

I'll definitely take a part in it.

So, this is Princess Kaguya?

Let me draw her face.

No, I'll allow Makoto to draw her.

Only he can truly capture it.

Thank you.

I also don't want to cause you trouble forever, you know.

It's fine, mother.

Otake!

Oh my, it's you, Michiko!

I've been telling your mom about it for a while now.

I won't do anything bad, so please reconsider.

It's a well-paid job, you know?

Geishas nowadays can be serious celebrities.

- By the way, Otake... - Yes?

Last night's customer vomited everywhere.

You need to clean it up, it's troublesome.

Yes...

Michiko, I'm counting on you.

I was the one who taught her how to handle situations like this in the past...

What does she want?

But, you know, Michiko...

I really think that if you started performing in the rooms around here,

you'd definitely become popular.

Mother...

If you bring up that topic again, I won't come here anymore.

- It's a happy ending, isn't it? - Ah, half of the author is you.

It's a very bright and enjoyable story, isn't it?

However, in reality, I wonder if the young man and Princess Kaguya

might end up being separated, after all.

I'm sorry, it's just a feeling I had.

Makoto, you disregarded my efforts on your behalf,

and went to meet another woman, what were you thinking?

If you're still infatuated with women and thinking about transferring

to the Literature Department despite Dad's opposition,

as your older brother, I'll have to take a tough stance.

During the next break, make sure to return to our hometown.

Until then, make sure to think about it carefully.

♪ If you're going to fall in love, it should be with a student from elsewhere in the world

♪ Even if it's that's the case, Africa is off-limits

♪ Europe and America are equally foolish choices

Hey, Makoto, are you already drunk?

Go easy on him, can't you see he's tired?

No, I have something to say to him.

Hey, what's the deal with your latest work?

Isn't it a bit too corny?

It's a change in his state of mind.

His state of mind? Stop with the jokes!

It's almost like a love letter, if you ask me.

Hey, spill it. Who's the other party involved?

I got it.

You and Maxi...

Makoto!

Wait!

So? Aren't you coming to my apartment tonight?

Omokage Bridge

Who's there?

What are you doing here?

No! No!

Let me go!

No!

No! No!

Go home... I beg you.

Wait!

I'm sorry.

Starting tomorrow, I'll be going on a two-week tour around Tohoku.

During that time... I must engrave you in my heart...

I couldn't bear the anxiety.

♪ She was a mysterious woman, with long hair

♪ On that evening, it was raining

♪ She stayed silent while the petals of the hibiscus fell

♪ At her feet, they quietly danced

♪ Since that day, she hasn't returned

♪ I've never experienced a parting like that before

Naruko Hot-Springs

♪ She was a sad woman, her smile was lonely

♪ She vanished in the rain of that evening

♪ Her forgotten belongings, a poetry collection

♪ And her farewell whispered inside my heart

Just look at those mountains!

If I were to die, I'd like to die in snowy mountains like that.

♪ Since that day, she hasn't returned

♪ I found such memories in today's rain

Why is that?

Why do we have to be separated?

You should understand that very well.

It's because you are a person from a different world than mine.

- You're Princess Kaguya. - No, you're wrong.

Even if we come from different worlds, there is love between us.

Love, you say?

In this world, there are things that even love cannot overcome.

Like fate.

No way!

You don't understand how much I've loved you, do you?

If it's for your sake,

I'm willing to die on this snowy mountain.

Hey, that line isn't in the script.

Hold on, Princess Kaguya!

You cannot live with this young man anymore.

Come! Come back with me to the Moon Kingdom!

I'm not going back home.

What I love is not the Moon Kingdom where you reside,

but this person right here.

Princess Kaguya, listen to me!

Princess Kaguya, don't go back!

- Yes! You should be the one leaving! - That's right, go back! Go back!

Leave! Leave! Leave!

Don't come back! Don't come back!

Hey, wait! Stop! Enough! Let it go!

Ouch! Ouch!

- Stop! Stop! - That's enough!

That sure was surprising!

Our puppet show has never been this popular among the children,

ever since our club started.

That achievement belongs to the author, Makoto!

I'm still not entirely convinced.

But considering the treats the children left us,

I'll go along with it!

Yeah! Let's sing!

♪ Dad, and mom, too

♪ Cheer up, cheer up!

♪ Ah, spring is nice, so nice, under the cherry blossoms

♪ Yoi-yoi!

♪ Pushing through the flowers, pushing through the flowers, to the center

Now, tomorrow we're finally heading to Tokyo!

Oh?

Hey, come here! Come here!

Who's standing over there?

I have... come here...

You...

I finally...

I finally found you.

Hey, is that his Princess Kaguya?

Seems like it...

Stay here!

Everyone's asleep.

Don't you want to sleep? With me...?

Are you cold?

Princess Kaguya, are you happy?

Yes, very much.

I'm very happy!

But, eventually, you'll have to go back.

I don't want to. I don't want to let you go.

Because I love you.

Makoto...

Oh my, welcome!

- Makoto! - Hey, come in!

Please, come in.

Michiko / Makoto

- Is something wrong? - No...

This person came to the boarding house.

It seems the landlady has been informing him.

- Let me make some tea for you. - I'm fine, thanks.

Okay, I'll be leaving, then.

- Okay, see you at lunchtime. - Yeah.

To Makoto Kamijo and Michiko Takada

- Here you go! - Thank you!

Ah, I'm starving!

Makoto

Wow, it's so nice!

Michiko

Look!

Hey, what do you want to eat tonight?

I'll have to go shopping when I return from work.

- Tell me, what would you like? - Let me see...

- Hamburger! - Again?

I guess anything will do.

- All right, I'll go there first. - Okay.

Uhm... isn't this... Uh...

Oh, right, come in, come in!

I apologize for this mess.

Please, come in. Let me see...

And you are?

Oh my gosh, I didn't even introduce myself.

Well... I'm Michiko's mother.

Please, come in now!

Go ahead!

Thank you for your kindness to Michiko.

Well, you see, since my daughter didn't inform me at all,

I didn't know anything about it.

Thank you for taking care of my daughter, even though she can be quite a handful.

Oh, it's a honor to meet you.

- Michiko! - Mother!

Don't worry!

You were not around when I came.

I had the caretaker open the door for me.

And then, just as I arrived, Mr. Makoto came back.

Hey, Michiko, about that... I have a favor to ask.

Could you help me out with just a little something again?

But didn't I send it this month already?

Well, that's true.

But prices are rising, and the money for cigarettes isn't trivial either.

Besides, lately, I've been having heart problems,

and, let me tell you, the doctor's bills are through the roof.

The landlady said that cleaning the carp pond would be good...

What's the use of sending me to the parlor

if she won't bring anything from the kitchen?

I bit the eye off the wooden figure and chewed it up

on the cutting board because it annoyed me.

Then, well... I broke my dentures, which was a big loss.

Come on... I thought you'd help me.

But I haven't even received my paycheck yet...

Well... you can have this.

- Huh? - I was payed in advance.

- Oh, are you sure it's okay? - Mother!

Thank you so much for this!

Oh dear, I've completely intruded, haven't I?

Well, I'll come again sometime.

Take good care of yourself, and make sure Makoto takes good care of you.

I apologize again. If you excuse me now...

Goodbye, then!

I'm sorry about this.

It's fine. I don't have a mother...

You don't seem to have a fever...

- I'm feeling a bit sluggish. - Did you catch a cold?

You don't have to push yourself. It might be better to take another day off.

But I feel bad making you work all by yourself...

Don't worry about it.

You don't have to send me off. Go back and rest.

But...

- Stop by the pharmacy on your way back. - Okay...

Hey...

What if it is a baby?

The door is open.

Who might you be?

I'm Makoto's brother.

Huh? Makoto...?!

Oh... sorry about this mess...

I didn't know it was you. Please, come inside.

Please, go ahead. I'm sorry to receive you in such a dirty room.

Come inside, will you? Make yourself at home.

Well, unfortunately, it seems they're out.

But I'm glad you came.

Uhm... and you are?

Huh? Oh my gosh...

I apologize for my late greeting.

Uhm, it's a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I'm Michiko's mother.

Miss Michiko...

So, you're Princess Kaguya?

Someone should be coming to pick you up from the Moon Kingdom.

But not for your sake. For his.

Oh, Michiko, where have you gone?

Mr. Makoto's older brother is here, you know?

Oh, so you didn't know?

Uhm... he's here to further the conversation between you and Makoto.

Oh, right! I forgot to welcome him properly.

How about some tempura rice bowl? I mean, I prefer eel.

- Mother. - Huh?

Excuse me...

Go home for today.

But he has come all this way to talk...

I'm begging you, please go.

Well, if you're telling me to go, then I guess I'll go.

Well then, sir... uhm, she may be a humble girl,

but I humbly ask for your kindness to her.

Now, if you excuse me...

All right then, see you later. Take care until next time.

I'm Michiko.

I suspected something was off with Makoto, and it turned out to be true.

He's still studying and is financially dependent on our father.

Playing with fire can become troublesome.

Do you think I'm wrong?

You started living like this on your own.

Who allowed this to happen?

I don't know what my younger brother promised you.

But, just so you know,

I'm not keen on my brother marrying a person like you.

Remember that above all else.

Pregnancy and Baby-care

I understand.

I'm sorry, I said too much. Please, forgive me.

Have you seen a doctor?

Anyway, it would be good to see a doctor.

Rest assured, I have a competent doctor among my friends.

Let's talk about it.

Thank you very much!

All right!

- Fill the tank? - Yeah.

- Please, wait a little longer. - Yes.

Surely, it's not your child, right?

Don't be stupid! I have consent forms from both of them.

You can trust me.

I have no choice, since you asked me.

- Hey, you! - Please, come in.

Ravonal.

- One... two... - No... No!

Stop it!

- Three... - Please, stop it!

- Four... - No...

Michiko!

I took care of the kid.

What did you say?!

Makoto, this is a good opportunity for you to wake up.

Cut ties with that woman and return to the boarding house.

Listen, you're being deceived by that girl. She wants your money.

You're wrong!

- Michiko is not that kind of woman! - Can't you understand?

Try going out into society.

No one can succeed if they are involved with a low-class woman.

Come on, let's go back home, okay?

No way!

Michiko and I love each other.

That even extends to our child...

Does my brother have the right to kill a child?

You fool!

Try hitting me more!

I won't let go of Michiko even if I die!

I never thought you'd be fooled to this extent.

Fine, do as you wish!

However, I'll stop transferring money to you as of today.

Makoto...

Michiko...

Forgive me...

I...

I was anaesthetised... When I woke up, I was already...

Michiko...

Michiko...

You can go home now.

Bearing children irresponsibly is not a good idea.

Do you want it? It's your child.

I'm so hungry...

Makoto, what are you doing? We were at the university festival.

Everyone was waiting for you.

I...

- I came to quit this club. - What did you say?!

I'm sorry to everyone,

but I don't have the capacity to continue with this club right now.

I have to work.

Bizen, come with me.

Why did you tell my brother about the apartment?

That's something only you knew.

Bizen...

You were supposed to understand my situation and Michiko's the best.

Why did you do that?!

It was me who told him.

I'll say it.

I didn't want you to be taken away from me.

If hitting me makes you feel better, go ahead and hit me.

It was me who told him.

No, it was me!

Thanks to you...

My brother got rid of my child with Michiko...

I have never loved you... Never!

Just Michiko!

You are dismissed for poor attitude...

Have we lost to that girl?

"I have never loved you... Never!"

That's enough.

Us... and Makoto's child.

We killed their child.

But the one who is hurt and wants to die is me...

We're nothing more than clowns.

Those snowy mountains...

They were so pretty...

I want to go there once more.

Here you go!

Very well!

Mr. Student, aren't you drinking?

Here!

Hang in there! Do it for your mom's sake!

Say, Makoto.

Huh?

I'm going to work, after all.

It seems they're offering 3.000 yen a day.

What are you on about?

That bar, the hostess next door invited me...

Are you seriously considering that?

But seeing only you working,

and even supporting my mom, sending her money, is tough for me.

You fool. Don't worry about it, okay?

It's not only that.

These days, you always look completely worn out.

I feel like each day,

you're becoming someone else entirely.

Besides, if you continue like this,

you won't be able to graduate from college.

College doesn't matter to me anymore.

That's not right! There were many things you wanted to study.

I don't want you to sacrifice yourself.

What am I supposed to do, then?

- I've been working for us... - That's why I want to do it, too.

Is that so?

I understand.

If you like that kind of business so much, then do as you please.

That's an awful thing to say.

You know my mother always worked in the nightlife business.

I don't even know who my father is.

But, you see, I...

Seeing you work so hard is what's difficult for me...

Can you be quiet for a bit?

Could you just let me relax and rest on the day when I'm off work?

We seem to be falling apart.

Who decided that?

I had a feeling it would turn out this way.

Maybe marrying that woman is the better choice for you, after all.

I heard it from your brother.

There's a wealthy college girl who likes you.

What does have to do with anything?!

Someday, for sure, someone will come for you.

And then, you'll return to a world beyond my reach.

That's right.

I guess I wasn't Princess Kaguya. It was you all along.

Makoto!

What are you doing?!

I've had enough of fairy tales!

That story has nothing to do with us.

Our life together is all that matters...

I'm going to the boarding house.

I'll bring all my stuff here.

Oh, what a perfect timing.

I'm transferring to Tokyo this time.

Until you finish college,

I'll let you live in my residence, and I'll keep an eye on you.

- I refuse. - What?!

I'm not the same person who used to blindly follow your orders.

I'll show you that I can live a respectable life with Michiko.

If you want to steal this from me, you can give it your best shot!

You bastard!

Makoto!

Express delivery!

Thank you!

Kokeshi-doll (Symbolic of lost child)

Sender - Bizen

I found this at the station.

I'm sending it because it resembles you.

Makoto!

Makoto, open up! Open up, Makoto!

Makoto! Open up, Makoto!

Open... Makoto, it's terrible!

There was a call from Narugo this morning.

Chief and Maxi have gone missing!

What did you say?

Makoto

Hurry up!

Bizen...

Bizen...

This is the deceased man's belongings.

I somehow ended up accompanying Maxi.

She is already sleeping by my side.

I'm also starting to feel my fingers getting heavy.

Soon, a vivid death will come, won't it?

The only regret I have

is not being able to regain our friendship.

Don't let go of Michiko.

Bizen.

Let's start over.

We still have a chance to start over.

Someday, surely,

you will return to a world beyond my reach.

We'll do it... together.

Let's give it one more try.

We have to do it...

We must!

We must!

♪ Maybe you've already forgotten

♪ How we went to the public bath down the lane

♪ With our red hand towels as mufflers

♪ It was you who said, "Let's get out at the same time"

♪ You always made me wait

♪ My damp hair was chilled down to the roots

♪ The small soap in my hands rattling

♪ You embraced me

♪ And said, "You're cold"

♪ When we were young, I wasn't afraid of anything

♪ Only your tenderness scared me

♪ Maybe you've already thrown away

♪ The drawing of me you made

♪ With the twenty-four-color set of pastel crayons you bought

♪ "You draw really well," I said

♪ It didn't look like me at all

♪ I can see the Kanda River from out the window

♪ Of my three-tatami room at the boarding house

♪ You gazed at my fingertips

♪ And asked, "Are you sad?"

♪ When we were young, I wasn't afraid of anything

♪ Only your tenderness scared me

THE END