TOHO PRODUCTlONS
SOUND OF THE MOUNTAlN
Based on the original novel by Yasunari Kawabata
Screenplay by Yoko Mizuki
Cast:
Setsuko Hara, So Yamamura Ken Uehara
Yoko Sugi, Teruko Nagaoka Yatsuko Tanami
Chieko Nakakita, Rieko Sumi
Directed by Mikio Naruse
See you later
- Miss Tanizaki, has my father gone? - Yes
l told him not to bother waiting for you
- Did he say anything? - Yes..."Off to the dancehall again?"
- Are you coming along? - l can't go every day
Why not? Let's go
Sorry to keep you waiting. Please come again
Good day. On your way home?
Father-in-law!
Welcome back
- What are you looking at? - At that sunflower
Fabulous, isn't it?
Bigger than a man's head, even
l don't know if it's my brains getting muddled recently...
...but whenever l see a sunflower, l think of a man's head!
l wonder if the inside of a man's head could be as beautiful as a flower
Wouldn't it be great if you could send your brains off to be cleansed?
That's what l was thinking about on the train home!
You could remove your head...
...take it down the hospital and say, "Wash this for me," like at the laundry!
You're too funny!
The best part would be, as the hospital got on with cleansing the brain...
...you could just sleep for a week while you waited!
Oh, Father...!
The body could just rest, without getting up, without dreaming
Father, you must be feeling tired
Perhaps you haven't fully convalesced yet
But that was a year ago
Why don't you go for a check-up and another X-ray?
lf you say so!
Here you are
- What is it? - Green snails
Kikuko, would you get me some sweetened water?
"lf you say so" !
- Did you buy these? - Yes
Really? We almost bought the same things
Lobsters, shrimps...and my green snails
All from Enoshima's stall
We've gone a bit over the top!
What a feast we have tonight!
Kikuko, wasn't there another green snail?
Oh! Grandad and Grandma, you'd find it hard on your teeth...
...so l thought you could share one
What? And what's with the "Grandad" ? There are no grandchildren around
Forgive me!
lt's fine. Kikuko's right, we'll do with one green snail between us
You bought only three green snails?
But there are four of us
Shuichi's always late
Why didn't you come home together?
There you go, Father
Kikuko, what was the name of that maid that left us recently?
- You mean Kayo? - Ah, that's it. Kayo
A few days before she left us...
...l was putting on my geta and l thought she'd seen a sore on my foot
"You have a blister," she said to me
She used the word "o-zure" for blister, adding the polite prefix...
...and that impressed me!
However, when l thought about it later, she didn't mean "blister" ...
...she meant "ozure" meaning the thong on the geta
Kayo's accent was rather strange
Kikuko, say the word "ozure" meaning blister for me
O-zure
- Now say "ozure" meaning thong - Ozure
While you're talking, dinner's getting cold!
Eh? O-zure Ozure
O-zure, ozure
Welcome home
- Will you eat something? - Not hungry
- The bath's ready for you - Don't need one
Just wash your face with this
Kikuko
Kikuko!
Yesterday Miss Tanizaki said one of her friends was looking for work as a maid
l see. But wouldn't that be a rather difficult situation?
Why? You need a maid, don't you?
But won't this friend of Miss Tanizaki's repeat things about you to Kikuko?
Nonsense, she won't say a word!
Well, as long as she's suitable
Has Miss Tanizaki said anything to you about me?
Not a word
- Seems like you've made sure of that - l resent that
lt would bring shame on you if l were to carry on with your secretary
Of course it would
But what if Kikuko were to find out?
So, Miss Tanizaki has been talking to you
But she still goes out with you...
...when she knows you're seeing another woman?
Seems so... That's what she's like
You never fail to amaze me
l'm leaving her
l intend to leave her
l just don't understand what this woman has that Kikuko doesn't
One's like a torrent, the other's like a lake
You're telling me that you've never had an affair, Father?
l hate the deception
But you do understand?
When it's over, l'll tell you everything
- We don't want Kikuko to find out - Yeah
She's probably twigged already, though
Do come in
Long time no see. Satoko!
Come here!
Mother! Mother! Fusako is here!
Fusako's here?
- Do sit down - Thanks
Hello!
Oh, look at the state of you!
The train was absolutely packed
Don't cling to me
- l've not seen you for ages, Satoko - Have you said hello?
- You took your time getting here - Did you walk from the station?
The bus was too crowded to get on
You must be tired, Satoko
You can all go to the well and freshen up
- l'll get towels - l brought some
Welcome home. Fusako's here with her kids
Fusako?
You came home by yourself again?
What's Fusako doing here?
l think she wants to stay a while. She's brought plenty of clothes
What do you think you're doing? Stop that!
Why? l'm not stealing anything
That's worse than stealing!
What's so bad about checking on my daughter?
lt seems she can't even afford to bring any food for her kids
l just want to know how she's managing
This is the cloth l used to wrap her mirror when she got married
lt makes me angry just to see it
Why is she using this...
...when she's got the suitcase we bought her for her honeymoon?
lt'd be too heavy to carry with the baby. Anyway, she's not bothered about looks
But what will Kikuko think?
This cloth is the one that l used when we got married
lt probably is
No, it's even older than that
My sister used it to wrap plants before she died. lt has history
- ls Father back yet? - Yes
- Can l have some of this? - Help yourself
Your father's just scolded me for having a peek in your purse
Forgive me if l was rude
Yes, you were rude!
Go ahead, have a good look
That's what my husband thought - if l had no money l wouldn't run off
lt's empty
The situation's got to improve if your husband wants to keep his kids
ls Kikuko still not...?
Still not pregnant yet?
Satoko, come and play over here, would you?
You might get the washing dirty
Satoko!
The problem is what to do about the kids
We can't split them up between me and my husband
Kikuko?
Kikuko!
What's happened?
Just be quiet! We're in the middle of an important conversation!
- Crying will get you nothing! - ls she pretending?
Of course. She's just crying to get attention!
When the parents can't get along, it affects the kids
- Did you call me? - Get me a handkerchief
Right, let me find something for you
Sorry. l tried, but l'm not very good at dealing with Satoko
You don't know how to treat kids. You're like a kid yourself!
- My brother goes out even on Sundays? - Got people to see
l didn't think you'd help me, anyway!
l said l'd talk to your husband any time you wanted
That's why your father or Shuichi should go and talk to him...
...and find out what his intentions really are
What do you think, Father?
Or are you just hiding behind your paper and not taking me seriously?
What can l say?
Other people's marriages are impossible to fathom
Exactly. You shouldn't meddle in the affairs of others
Right. That's why l'll deal with it by myself
You can't put the blame entirely on him. Consider your own part in this
l'm not pretty enough for my husband so he just does things his way
Kikuko, would you get me a cigarette?
Of course. Excuse me
l bet Father was disappointed when l was born such an ugly child
lf only l'd been born as beautiful as Kikuko!
Kikuko has her troubles, too, you know
You're so kind to Kikuko, aren't you, Father?
My mother-in-law does nothing but moan at me all the time
That's your own fault!
She always treats us so kindly...
...that we in turn treat Kikuko with kindness
lt's just her husband that's hard on her, eh?
See you later
Welcome home. lt must be awful out there
You must get those wet clothes off
Kikuko, the whole neighbourhood can hear your music
l was playing it to take my mind off worrying about the two of you
Kikuko, you haven't played that record of lullabies much recently
- The ones from around the world? - Yes, the gift from your schoolfriend
lt was a lovely wedding gift
lt must be scratched to bits by now
- Did you both get soaked? - Evening!
- They got soaked to the skin - Oh, dear, oh, dear...
Did the typhoon damage the annex?
lt did indeed!
lt's in a terrible state now
- "Oh, dear, oh, dear!" - Father...
The electricity's down. There's a blackout
- l can see that! - Get the candles out
l wonder if they're alright at Fusako's
They probably made up and went to bed early on a night like this
She was determined to go home and sort the whole thing out
No news is good news, l suppose. Perhaps they've made up after all
They can't simply leave the house with two kids to carry
Trying to escape from a storm like this...
...they'd have to carry his mother along as well
She probably can't move with her neuralgia
Apparently, she manages to walk
But it must be hard for her on a stormy night like this
lt is hard for everyone everywhere
Things were so different before Fusako got married
lt depresses me to see her like this
lt's strange, though...Kikuko always cheers me up whenever l talk to her
That's your fault, you know? You show affection only for Kikuko
- That's not true at all - lt is so
You've always shunned Fusako and favoured Shuichi
That's just how you are
Even now, when it seems Shuichi's seeing another woman, you say nothing!
You show so much pity for Kikuko, but it's actually cruel, you know?
She doesn't show how jealous she feels so as not to upset you
l feel so sorry for Fusako
l feel as though l forced her back home
Well, tell her to come back, then
l know, but she's almost thirty now...
...and she can't expect her parents to arrange a divorce for her, can she?
l just feel so sorry for her, she has such a burden to carry in life
Did you tell her how you feel for her?
l always make it clear when l don't agree with something
lt's a terrible situation for both the parents and the kids
And it's all your fault!
No, it's a lie. l was just about to stick my tongue out at you!
You're always teasing me!
My sister was so beautiful, wasn't she?
l didn't feel any jealousy, but l always felt l was neglected
But l got over it
lf she hadn't died, you'd probably have married her instead, right?
That's all in the past!
You were just unlucky
Shall we get some sleep?
Old couples don't often sleep well together
Don't l know it!
Kikuko?
Hello? Mrs Ogata?
- Coming! - Telegram for you
Thank you very much
Kikuko, you said you liked these flowers, didn't you?
They've really grown
Oh, they're so lovely
Looks like a telegram!
Eh? What do you mean, "looks like" ?
Looks like it's from back home
Someone's probably passed away or something
Put these in a vase for me
lt says that Fusako and the kids have arrived there
She ran out on him again?
- No word from her husband at all? - No
He'd never dare to show his face around here, would he?
But you'd have thought Fusako would've come back here
You should show a little more concern for her than you do
We should all try to consider the situation from Fusako's point of view
You can't guarantee that Kikuko won't run off if she finds out about Shuichi
When do parents ever stop worrying about their children's marital woes?
You have absolutely no understanding of women
Men don't experience sadness the way women do
So, because you're a woman...
...that means you can understand the feelings of all other women?
Shuichi didn't come home again last night
Why do you not come home together?
You come home and let Kikuko look after you instead. That's just not right
Can't you get Shuichi to help with Fusako's problem?
Maybe we can get Shuichi to go and bring Fusako back here
l don't know about that. Shuichi's got no respect for Fusako
Anyway, it's embarrassing enough that our house there must be in ruins
What's happened to Fusako?
She's gone up to Shinshu and installed herself in that empty house
Oh, dear...
Miss Tanizaki, l'll be out of the office for two or three days
- A business trip? - Kind of
- Where? - Shinshu
Please take care of yourself, it's cold up there
- So, you're off, then? - Yes
She's such a nuisance
You can talk!
l'd promised to take her dancing tonight
Really?
Take my father instead. You'll enjoy it
l'm sorry about this evening
He's been so unreliable recently
How about l take you instead?
You know this woman Shuichi's seeing?
ls she a dancer?
She's nothing to do with the dance hall
ls she young?
Well...she's younger than his wife
ls she beautiful?
Yes...she's very attractive
She has a husky voice. He seems to think it's erotic
A voice like she's got a nose cold?
Do you often see her at the dance hall?
No, not all
Has Shuichi introduced her to you?
No, not formally
l just don't understand it at all
Why does he drag you along every time he meets her? To make her jealous?
l'm not one to interfere
l wish you would interfere!
She always turns up with somebody, too
Oh? She brings along a man...?
No. She brings a female friend
That's a relief! l've heard about these swapping parties!
- They share a house together - Two women together?
Yes
- Have you ever been to their place? - Yes...
Where is it?
What do you intend to do?
Don't worry, l won't involve you
Are you going to meet with her?
lf you are, l'd recommend that you talk to her friend first
She's a teacher, right?
Shall l arrange for her to come into the office?
Shuichi always gets drunk there... he raises hell
He always asks her friend to sing for him
l never realised he had such a drinking habit...
She sings beautifully, and Kinuko always ends up weeping
Eh?
That is why, l think, Kinuko will listen to this friend
lf Shuichi finds out about this, l'll never be able to face him again
You must let me resign
lt's just around that corner
l don't want to show my face
l'm sorry for all the trouble...
...but let's not do this today
Why not? You've come this far
Wouldn't it be worth it if it brought you peace at home?
Knowing Fusako, l bet she won't have brought enough nappies for the kids
- Shall we make some up for her? - Let's do that
Morning!
What brings you here so early?
You remember Mizuta who died recently?
Mizuta? Yes. We all received some fine tea as a funeral gift
l've got a taste for it now. High-quality stuff, wasn't it?
l tell you, l wouldn't mind going the way he did -...
...dying in the arms of a beautiful woman while bathing at a spa!
There's hope for you yet!
Yeah, but my blood pressure isn't so high
"Old as l am, l regret never climbing Mt Fuji"
What do you think?
"Old as l am, l regret never climbing Mt Fuji"
ls it a dirty joke?
Don't be so daft!
What? l suppose life's a lottery, isn't it?
lf you end up stuck with a dreadful wife, wouldn't you want to top yourself?
l guess so
- What brings you here? - Eh? Oh, yeah...
l was asked whether l wanted to buy this mask from Mizuta's estate
Have a look. lt's a Noh mask
lt's supposed to be a child
Hey, put this over your face, would you?
You want me to put it on?
Like this?
Slowly turn your face upwards
And now, look down slowly
What do you think? Seems it has a life of its own
Welcome home
You must be tired
Thanks for having us again
Satoko! Come inside
Satoko...
- ls the bath ready? - Yes
l feel it's my fault if you decide to resign from the company
lt was insensitive of me to make you take me to that woman's house
lt was awful
But you're only doing what any father would do
l feel slightly depraved...
...tagging along with him to that woman's house
My behaviour has been unacceptable
But hardly depraved, though
lf l do have to resign...
...then l'll go and talk to Kinuko as a farewell gesture
There's no need for that
l just don't understand him
l would never feel jealous about him and his wife if they got along well
But his fooling around with Kinuko really disgusts me
Maybe he wants something more than his wife can give him
Like what?
Whenever he talks about his wife, he says she's just like a child
A child?
Yes. ln so many ways
He says that to you?
Yes
He says it to me and to Kinuko
"She's a child, that's why my father's so fond of her"
But he hasn't said it recently
He can't force his young wife to act like a prostitute
What a fool!
He said it would work...
...if he fooled around with other women
You've talked about this with him?
Welcome back home
- Out shopping? - Yes
- Fusako's back - l see
Special dinner tonight!
- Don't be long! - l won't !
Kikuko? Kikuko!
- Yes? - Will you bring the persimmons through?
Coming!
Read to me, Mummy
You can read it yourself
- These are sweet - Are they?
These two are just silently knocking it back
Father hasn't drunk that much, has he?
l've been thinking...
...about Father's life
Eh? What exactly about my life?
l'm only thinking in very broad terms...
...but if l were pushed to make a conclusion...
...has your life been a success or a failure?
And you think you know which?
Well, if a man manages to live his life without much strife, then it's a success
You're right, there
But success or failure as a parent is a different matter
That's judged on the success or failure of their children's marriages
And it seems l've failed
You really think so, Father?
Just stop that, you two. Fusako's here
Mummy, l'm tired
Me, too
What's happened, Kikuko?
- Nosebleed? - Yes
Kneel down
When it stops bleeding, go to rest. lt's still early
l'm sorry...
- Are you feeling dizzy? - Just a little
- Get some rest this morning - l will
A cool breeze was blowing when l went out for the papers and l feel better now
A woman's nosebleed is nothing to worry about
Well, it was serious
You were up early this morning, Father
l've no idea why l woke up before the temple bell rang
You're up, too, Satoko?
" As a pilgrim l wander...
..." and offer thanks for the grace of my parents..."
You know that scar on Kikuko's forehead?
Of course
lt was made by the doctor's forceps during her difficult birth
She probably never felt any suffering at birth...
...but the scar shows whenever she seems in pain
She had a nosebleed this morning, right?
The scar shows when she looks pallid, that's all
- You knew about it? - She told me this morning
So what?
l've been wanting to talk to you about Kikuko
Look, l'm dealing with the situation, so there's nothing for you to say
l have been trying not to say anything
Off to see my father?
Yes
- This is Miss lkeda - l'm Mr Ogata
Pleased to meet you
Shall we go somewhere else?
This place is fine with me
Very well
- Miss lkeda has come especially - l'm very grateful
Miss lkeda also thinks that your son must leave Kinuko
Really?
- Some lunch? - We've eaten
Coffee, then?
Coffees
As l live with Kinuko...
...l feel partly to blame for the situation
Few women nowadays would give up a man simply because he's married
Kinuko always says to Shuichi whenever they get drunk...
..."Go tell your wife that!
"lt's not like you've gone away to war
"She knows you'll be coming home
"Even if you have affairs, she should be glad that at least you come home!"
That's absurd talk
Yes. But she's drunk whenever she says it
But your son is just as bad
Shuichi completely loses control of himself
He's always forcing Kinuko to sing
So l was told
Kinuko hates singing...
...so l end up singing in her place to placate him
lf she doesn't , he goes crazy and the neighbours... Right?
After Shuichi has left to go home...
...Kinuko often says that the whole torrid affair will be the ruin of her
All the more reason why they should split. She can support herself
Kinuko is a dressmaker
A dressmaker?
She's highly regarded at the shop
She's never troubled Shuichi for any financial support
l believe you
Couldn't he and his wife live separately from you?
lf just he and his wife lived together...
...l'm sure it'd be easier for him to leave Kinuko
lf they don't move out and get their own place, then l shall
lt's better for you to stay here with us
No way. l'll go elsewhere. That'd be better, right?
The situation has nothing to do with you
Oh, yes, it has! lt has a great deal to do with me
My husband said my character was deeply flawed...
...because father never showed me any love
l had to choke back the tears when he said that to me
Just calm yourself down
Nothing definite has been decided yet
l can't calm down!
The moon looks so beautiful tonight, Mother
- Kikuko, here's father's hot-water bottle - Right
Careful!
Are you in pain?
Good morning. Forgive me, l overslept
That's alright, take your time
You drive everyone mad getting up so early, my dear
l had to listen to Shuichi groaning all night. lt was awful
So sorry
Why are you dressed like that?
l guess my husband's slovenliness has rubbed off on me
You should've checked him out more closely before you made me marry him!
Good morning
Morning
Do you fancy going to see a movie today?
No?
l'd love to go, but...
We have to discuss the new maid, dear
Who knows what your father intends to do, sweetheart?
lt's been a fortnight since Fusako walked out on him
You call Fusako slovenly, yet you can't be bothered to do anything to help her!
You're all talk and no action when it comes down to solving her problems
She's had to move back here to escape her husband
She's not even divorced yet, no wonder she's upset
Don't just stand around like that! Get yourself dressed!
Sorry to keep you waiting
Father, l have to go ahead and drop by the lwasaki Corporation
- No breakfast? - No, thanks
Thank you for waiting
What's ailing your friend?
She's feeling weak after childbirth
Oh, l see
lt's so beautiful! All the leaves have turned red
You've always got so much on your mind that you never notice things
Oh...l should try to take more notice
Why did you have no breakfast this morning?
l had to rush because l wanted to leave with you
You go out so rarely, of course l'd have waited
l've been thinking...
...maybe the two of you should get your own place
The wife and l talked it over last night
Why?
ls it because Fusako has come back?
No, it has nothing to do with Fusako. l'm just thinking of you two
Do you not think it'd be better for you two?
lf it was up to me to choose... l'd prefer to stay
You're always so kind to me
l've been a pretty useless father-in-law to you
l never discuss important matters with you...
Not at all
You don't have to say anything to me, Father...
...because l always know that you appreciate me
lf l had to live away from you, Father...
...l'd feel utterly helpless
Maybe that's because you were spoiled by your parents
Anyway, l believe it's the best solution to your marital problems
Just thinking about it fills me with dread
All alone at home, waiting for him to return
Bye for now, Father
Just arrived?
l've just dropped Kikuko off at the hospital
The hospital?
ls Kikuko ill or something?
No, not that l know of
l wonder if old people's lives really are so meaningless
lt gives me the creeps, that. The face is so lifelike
lt's beautiful
ls it supposed to be the face of a child?
Oh, you're up? Has your headache gone?
- You're not feeling nauseous, are you? - No
l see. Maybe it's just exhaustion, then
- We'll have a new maid soon, won't we? - Hm...
- Sorry you have to do the maid's work - Not at all. lt's fine
Father's still playing with that thing he got from his friend that died
His family asked me to buy it. l'm thinking about it
Kikuko, there's a story in here about an old couple who killed themselves
69 and 68 years old
They wrote a final letter to their daughter and grandchildren
"We think it's better to end our lives while we are still loved by our family
"lf we were to linger on for years and become a burden to our family...
..."it would spoil all that we've lived for
"We feel that we are far too old and weak now...
..."to advance and lead anyone along life's righteous path
"So, while we are still surrounded by a loving family...
..." and many affectionate friends and colleagues...
..." we choose to depart this life not knowing where destiny will take us
"We merely seek an endless sleep"
Your father and l have discussed what we'd write in our final letter...
...if we were to commit suicide
She's so lazy, she'd leave it to me to write!
Well, l'd have nothing more to add if you wrote it
What about you, Kikuko?
lf you were to commit suicide with Shuichi, what would you write?
l have no idea
But...
...l would like to write something to you, Father
What strange behaviour!
What's she crying about now?
Maybe it's hysteria? Yes, it must be an attack of hysteria
Kikuko?
Yes?
The machine keeps snapping the thread. Would you take a look at it for me?
Maybe it's showing its age. l've had it since l was a girl
Don't crowd us
Sorry to trouble you, but l was afraid it might put a stitch in my hand.
lt might respond to your subtle touch
You must be tired
You must be, too
The only ones in this house who never seem to tire are the grandparents!
Then there is one we can't fathom out at all
l'm seeing the people from the bank. Any messages?
- l'll see them at tomorrow's meeting - l see
- What was wrong with Kikuko? - lt was nothing
- What was it? - lt was just a headache, that's all
That's it?
Your mother said she went straight to bed after coming back from Tokyo
She'll be fine in two or three days. lt's nothing
Really? lt's seems more than just a headache
She was crying all last night
Why is everybody so interested in what happens to Kikuko?
She gets ill sometimes, okay?
So what's the illness?
Shuichi!
Going for a walk?
You're hiding something!
She had an abortion
What? She saw a doctor?
That's right
- Yesterday? - Yes
- You made her do it? - lt was her decision
Liar!
lt's the truth
Why? What made her do such a thing?
You could have stopped her if you'd tried
There's nothing l can do for now. She's so determined
What do you mean, "for now" ?
She said she refuses to have my child if l carry on the way l have been
- With that other woman? - l guess so
You guess so?
Can you not see that this whole affair is killing Kikuko!
lt's more than just a protest against you. lt's like a semi-suicide!
Kikuko's just being stubborn
She's a woman! She's your wife!
lf you'd shown her more consideration, she'd have willingly had your child
Your affair is irrelevant
l'm not so sure
Kikuko knows we're all expecting her to give us a grandchild
Just think how ashamed she must be feeling
You're breaking her heart and destroying her hopes of ever having a baby
That's not true
Kikuko lives by her own rules. That's why she refused to have the child
l don't believe that's her real motive at all
Surely you're not fool enough to judge a woman's moods at face value?
What will your mother say when she hears she's lost a grandchild?
Well, at least we know Kikuko can have children now
Mother will be relieved
How can you guarantee she'll be able to have another?
l guarantee it
This just proves how heartless you are! You have no love for others!
You're over-complicating things. lt's simple
lt's not that l don't want to have children
We're both going through a bad patch
lt's not the right time for us to have kids yet
The reason you're going through a bad patch is down to your behaviour!
You've done nothing to make her believe in you
That's why she lost the baby
Maybe she lost more than just the baby...
Welcome back
Yasuko!
- Take the baby and let Kikuko rest - But Father...
But Fusako went out and left the baby with us
- Where's she gone? - The post office
- Why don't you nurse the baby? - Alright!
l was just fixing my hair
Go and lie down, Kikuko
Very well
- Right, l'll take Kuniko - Okay. Thank you
l'll go and fetch Fusako
- How do you feel? - Fine
- Let me get you some tea... - No. Stay where you are
Did you see that 2000-year-old lotus seed that produced a flower?
Yes
You saw it?
Kikuko...
Things wouldn't seem so bad if only you'd confide in us
lt must have been painful for you coming home that same day
You must have known for a long time
No...
You always said that you wished for nothing more than to have a baby
Do you have to see the doctor again?
Tomorrow, briefly
- Hello? - Coming!
Oh!
- Thank you for seeing me the other day - Not at all
Actually, l've come because l wanted to see Kinuko
l see
She's not back yet
Do you want to wait?
l see. Well, if l'm not imposing...
Please excuse the mess
Take a seat
- ls that your child? - Yes. He lives with his father
- ls this where you do private tutoring? - Yes
l don't work as hard as Kinuko
l also visit six or seven children at their homes to tutor them
And this is where Shuichi...?
He's stopped coming round lately
Has he really?
Why is that?
l think it's better that you ask Kinuko herself
Have you talked to Kinuko?
Yes
But Kinuko's strong...
We have very different personalities, you see
l feel reassured having her around
- Welcome home - Hello
Mr Ogata's father is here
To see me?
Please come with me
l'm Mr Ogata
l realise it must be strange meeting me like this...
...but the reason l'm here is that l wanted to talk to you about Shuichi
l have nothing to say to you about Shuichi
Do you expect me to apologise?
On the contrary, l think l owe you an apology
l won't be seeing Shuichi again
And l won't be a threat to your family any more
That's all l have to say, isn't it?
But what about the child?
What child?
l'm free to make my own decision
No one's going to tell me whether l can or can't have the baby!
Are you expecting a baby?
What's wrong with a single woman wanting to have a baby?
l'm just a war widow who decided to have a child
l'm not asking for anything from anybody
l just want to be allowed to have the baby
l'm carrying the baby... The baby is mine!
But...such an unnatural child...
What do you mean, " unnatural" ?
Sorry...
l don't know if l'll ever get married again...
...or whether l'll be able to have another baby
And l have no children from before
But what does Shuichi think about the baby?
Did Shuichi send you here to see me?
Shuichi told me not to have the baby
He punched me and kicked me...
..and he dragged me down the stairs
l've fulfilled my duty to his wife now
That wife of his has no idea what l'm going through!
And you have no idea what Kikuko's going through, either
When l told him l was pregnant, he just kicked me
So l told him straight...
...that he wasn't the father of the child...
...that the child wasn't his
And that was the end of our affair
Which means?
You can interpret it any way you like
lt's not much, but please accept this and use it as you see fit
Anyway, l have spoken my mind. Please consider what l said
ls this consolation money?
So this means that we've come to some arrangement, does it?
Shall l write you a receipt for it?
What on earth have you been up to?
Had a few drinks with the guys from the bank
- ls everyone in bed? - Well, Shuichi's still not back yet
- Where's Kikuko? - Gone back to her parents'
Her mother phoned this afternoon and said that Kikuko was in bed sick
She told Fusako that Kikuko had arrived home feeling unwell
They'll look after her until she's well enough to come back
Welcome home
l think she wanted to go home for a rest
lt's not that
Then what is it?
She had an abortion
How dreadful! What is this world coming to?
She probably didn't want to end up like me
But Shuichi would change his ways if they had a baby
She should have persevered
Stop blaming Kikuko!
lt's despicable of a man or a woman to use a baby to trap someone
lf only she'd talked to us about it
l never thought Kikuko was that strong-willed
Good night
Go and play outside
Father's a strange one, isn't he?
He treats her better than he does his own daughter
lf you don't like the way l cook spinach then just say so
lt didn't taste that bad. lt still looked like spinach!
l never claimed to be a wonderful cook
Spinach tastes the same whether Kikuko's here or not!
You drive me mad!
Food doesn't taste the same now that the beautiful couple have left
Give your tongue a rest, will you?
l will not! l'll say what l want when l want from now on
l can't stop you
l'm not a child any more. You can't stop me saying what l want
Fusako, it's in situations like this that you should speak your mind
You don't have to bottle it up, now that Kikuko's not here
l'm not saying anything offensive to you
l know l can't cook like Kikuko, but you could show some appreciation
Father eats in complete silence as if it was disgusting. lt gets me down!
Fusako...l expect there's plenty more that you want to get off your chest
Did you go to the post office yesterday to send a letter to your husband?
No, l didn't
Did you send him money?
You're sending him the money we give you?
Your husband's not a bad man...
...he's just easily led
l heard he's involved in smuggling
Meet him and find out what he wants to do
Otherwise the situation's just going to get worse
Do you want to go back to him?
Look, l'm not asking you to do anything for me
You're right. Your father has no understanding of women
ls that so?
You should settle this once and for all. All this toing and froing is no good
- Let's give it time, shall we? - Sure
But you're her brother, you talk to her
- l can never understand women - Me neither
Well, thanks a lot
- l'll talk to my father about the money - Okay
Let's have a drink sometime. l'll take you to this place l know
Yes?
He's not here yet
Yes...
Yes, l understand
Good morning, sir
Shuichi...
Good morning
Mr Hayashi from Futaba lndustries just rang. He'll ring back later
Did you see Fusako's husband?
- He said he'd been out with you - Yeah. We were out all night
Seems he's working hard these days
Fusako should be more appreciative
Enough about him
l've something to discuss with you this evening, so come home early
Hello?
Oh...Kikuko
How are you?
Really?
Of course...
You got here quick
l arrived an hour ago
Really?
Thank you so much for coming
Are you better now?
Yes
Let's take a walk
l was so happy to hear your voice on the phone, Kikuko
That was your real voice, wasn't it?
Your true voice
lt's vast, isn't it?
You must be relieved, too, Father
lt's incredible to have such a vast park right in the centre of Tokyo
Kikuko, come and sit down
Okay
Father...
What is it?
Kikuko, if you have something to say to me, then go ahead and say it
You're free now, Kikuko
You shouldn't feel you're restricted by anyone
l know
When you phoned me today...
...you'd already made up your mind to leave Shuichi, hadn't you?
Yes
l thought as much
l know it's a silly question...
...but if Shuichi were to beg you for forgiveness, what would you do?
l would have to think it over
Shuichi said that he still loves you
That's why he's suffering now
He's ruining his life
His other woman is pregnant
You were so good to all of us
As your father-in-law...
...l did nothing to help you, Kikuko
That's not true, Father
lnstead of showing support...
...l probably made the situation worse for you
Please forgive me
Father...
All l can do for you now, Kikuko...
...is to set you free
l want you to be happy again
Soon the wife and l are going up to Shinshu to see the house
lf things work out...
...we may settle down there
So...shall we go?
lt's getting cold
lf we do move to Shinshu...
...please write to us from time to time and let us know how you're getting on
l shall
And Father...please take good care of yourself
l will
Dry your tears
You can't walk around with tears streaming down your face
Yes...
lt's so relaxing here, isn't it?
"lf one takes great pains to create a vista, one can see hidden depths"
How do you mean?
One gets an unobstructed view of everything...
THE END