• tokyo twilight •
Script • Ozu Yasujiro and Noda Kogo
Cinematography • Atsuta Yuuharu
Cast
Hara Setsuko Arima Ineko
Ryu Chishu Yamada Isuzu
Takahashi Teiji Taura Masami
Shin Kinzo Fujiwara Kamatari
an Ozu Yasujiro film
Long time no see.
-Welcome. -lt's been a while.
-lt's getting cold, isn't it? -Yes, it is.
ln town visiting?
Just a short visit.
The new branch manager comes here often.
l guess he likes sake.
Do you want some salted trepang? It's from my hometown.
Sure. Could you also heat some sake up for me?
Of course.
Same for me.
Some salted trepang and some more sake.
Right away.
As soon as you people become regulars here,
the head office sends you off somewhere else.
But l suppose it means you're getting a promotion.
Have you seen Akemi?
She went skiing with some friends.
On the other side of Shimizu Tunnel
where the snow banks are 350 kilometres high.
That's impossible. Not 350 kilometres.
-Centimetres, right? -Centimetres? Maybe.
What about your daughter, has she gone yet?
She hasn't yet, but she will any day now.
Would you like some oysters? They were sent with the trepang.
Great.
How do you want them?
-With rice. -All right.
Me, too, cooked with vinegar.
-Mix it into the rice after. -Sure.
-l'll take it with vinegar, too. -You, too?
-lt's so cold out. -lt sure is.
This is really good.
You're from Shima Peninsula, right?
Yes, thereabouts.
Really, is that right?
That's where my brother-in-law is from.
Are you familiar with that area?
Not really,
but l visited Kashiko Island once.
lt's a nice place. You must be in the pearl business.
No, l'm not.
Actually, l'm a banker.
Out there, the sea is so blue.
lt's also very deep.
Once l took a boat out and sailed around that whole area.
Pearls need a place like that
to grow in.
Mikimoto, the ''Pearl King'', was very smart.
lt's true.
You know something?
A few nights ago,
Numata was here very late.
Really? By himself?
No, with two of his students.
He was already drunk when he got here.
The students were taking him home at the time.
-Did he cause any trouble? -No, nothing like that.
Does he come here a lot?
Not that much.
He left his hat.
He'll come back for it.
Here, l got this one.
Thanks.
l'm home.
-You're home. -Yes.
Cold out, isn't it?
-ls Tomizawa here? -l let her go home.
ls Michiko sleeping?
When did you get here?
Did you eat, Father?
Yeah, l already ate.
Here.
Did you see my socks?
-Where are they? -Are they not there?
Tomizawa must have put them in the wash.
Can you look in the bottom drawer?
Here you go.
How's Numata?
Fine.
l read one of his articles in a magazine recently.
You did?
Very interesting.
Do they often ask him to write for them?
ls everything okay?
-What do you mean? -At home?
-Do you want tea? -Come and warm yourself up.
lt's late.
That's okay.
Did Numata go home?
-When? -That night he went out drinking.
l don't remember. He often goes out drinking.
-Does he get very drunk? -Yes.
He's been drinking a lot recently.
l think something's bothering him.
What could be wrong?
-Welcome home. -Were you here?
-l prepared your bed. -Thank you.
Do you want tea, Akiko?
No, thank you.
-Aren't you going home? -No.
Why not?
Did something happen again?
What's the matter?
ls it you and Numata?
That can't be good.
Do you want me to make up your bed, Father?
Nothing can be done.
Come sit with me, Takako.
Tell me what's wrong.
lt's nothing.
-Just drop it. -But...
That's just the way Numata is.
What do you mean?
lt's like a disease. He gets so angry
and takes it out on Michiko, the poor thing!
Whenever his friends praise him, or when he has problems...
But that's not your fault.
lt's his own mental illness.
l'll go and talk to him.
You'll regret it.
He's so unpleasant.
l'll let you know if anything goes wrong.
l'll talk to you later.
-Someone's here to see you. -All right.
-Hello there. -Hi, Sis.
-What's wrong? -l was getting a loan, so l stopped by.
Did you eat lunch?
No, not yet.
So...
Yes, come in.
The funeral is the day after tomorrow at 1:00.
-Seishoji Temple, 1:00. -Yes.
Did you ever eat at that restaurant nearby?
-Where? -Delicious. It's a great place.
-What do they have? -Broiled eels. Can you take lunch now?
What about your loan?
lt's done. Let's go. My treat.
Okay. Let's go.
Come in.
l'm taking my lunch break.
l'll be back by 2:00. Please take any messages.
Of course.
Where's the ladies' room?
-Down the hall to the right. -Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Broiled eels and soup.
-Do you want sake? -lt's a bit early for that.
No, it's not. We'll have some sake. And fried liver for me.
-May l use your phone? -Sure.
Good afternoon.
Hello. Who's this?
l'm at an eel restaurant.
Could l speak to the Director, please?
Hi, it's me.
Everything went fine at the bank.
You can go ahead with that proposal.
So you'll deal with it?
Thanks.
What a pain.
Business can be such a hassle.
You're very busy.
Well, being self-employed...
So, about Father's memorial service.
What do you think we should do?
l don't think we need to attend.
l'll send money to the temple.
-Yeah, would you do that? -Sure.
-1,000 yen should suffice. -l agree.
By the way, what's Akiko up to?
You haven't spoken lately?
She came to the house and asked to borrow some money.
-When was that? -A few days ago.
l remember it very clearly.
She came on Tuesday.
-What did she tell you? -She wouldn't say why.
-She needed 5,000 yen. -Did you give it to her?
l couldn't give it to her without knowing why.
She needs to get married very soon.
l know.
Here you are.
Thanks.
Can we have some pickles, please?
Do you want some sake?
l wonder why she wouldn't tell me.
That's a lot of money. Why did she need it?
So what did she say?
She just told me to forget it, and then she left.
Akiko never said anything to me.
Young people never tell you what they're thinking.
You better find her a husband.
Yes.
-Maybe. -l can do some matchmaking.
lt shouldn't be a problem. She's very pretty.
More sake?
Aioi-so
Who is it?
Oh, it's you.
You ruined a great hand. l almost won.
Sorry.
That's okay. l had a rotten hand.
Never mind. Come in.
Have you seen Kenji?
He's not home? Maybe he's still at school.
Not on a fine day like today.
Not even if it's raining.
And still receiving money from home.
Could you lock the door?
l've got a good hand.
l fold.
Okay, let's go.
You don't have any idea where he could be?
Who, Kenji?
Better take it easy with him.
Why?
He's starting to lose weight.
What do you see in him, anyway?
l don't know.
You don't know? Why are you attracted to him?
You're so nosy.
Actually,
l know why.
l met a woman who knows about you.
Who?
Oh, no!
She works at a mah-jong place.
-Where is it? -Gotanda.
-Who is she? -Yeah, what's her name?
What's the name of the place?
Kotobuki-So.
But l've never been there.
She was asking questions about you.
She must think l'm someone else.
-But she knew you. -That's impossible.
Game!
l win.
l'm leaving.
lt's a shame, isn't it?
-Lock the door behind me. -Hey, got any cigarettes?
See you.
l don't have much to offer you.
Please, have some.
This might be too strong for you, Father.
You must be very busy.
Not really.
Well, my problem is that
there aren't enough foreign books that need translating.
This arrived several days ago.
Today l saw that someone has already started working on it.
Look, about Takako...
Oh, yeah.
How's Michiko? She must be a pain.
Not really.
Some say grandchildren are cuter than one's own children.
Do you think so, Father?
No.
lt might seem like it,
but ultimately it's not true.
How can love
skip a generation like that?
lt's a shame if it does.
Let's just say that
parental love is instinctual.
About Takako...
Right, what's the matter?
What do you think?
Did she tell you anything?
Not really.
Two nights ago she suddenly told me
that she wanted time to think things over.
When l woke up, she had already left.
l was working all night, so l woke up late.
Do you want a drink?
No, thanks.
Japanese whiskey has gotten better.
lt's snowing out. l didn't know it was going to snow.
l'm home.
Welcome home.
There's so much snow. We might get snowed in.
No one was expecting it.
Your coat's all wet.
l saw Numata.
l see.
ls Michiko here?
She's in bed.
lt's freezing.
-About Numata... -Wait.
Hey!
Wasn't it awful?
What?
Seeing him.
-No, of course not. -But...
But he is different.
He's not the same. He used to be happier.
While l was on the train l did some thinking.
Maybe forcing you to marry him wasn't the best idea.
No, it wasn't like that.
lt might have been better if you had married Sato.
You liked him, didn't you?
lt's not important, Father.
l convinced you to marry Numata.
l'll get your bath ready.
l'm home.
-l'm back. -Hey!
-Yes? -Come here a minute.
What?
Did you ask your aunt for money?
-Yes. -Why didn't you let me know?
What did you need it for?
lt doesn't matter anymore.
Hey, come back!
Why did you need it?
l didn't, it was for a friend.
You could have come to me.
-No, l couldn't. -Why not?
You weren't here. l didn't know where you went.
Everything's fine now.
-Father, your bath's ready. -Okay.
Did Akiko do something?
No. But she's a pain.
Kotobuki-So
This one's still in play.
So is this one. Still safe.
Pon! Three doubles, 960 points.
You're lucky, Yakko.
The game's only just begun.
l've already lost a bundle.
Some noodles here, please.
One bowl of noodles?
Does anyone else want anything?
Welcome!
Looking good.
l've been losing all evening.
-Whose turn is it? -South wind.
Shut up, Noboru. No interfering.
-Who's winning? -Yakko. She's unstoppable.
-Oh, there. -Noboru!
Mr Kanematsu's here.
Excuse me...
Yeah, l heard.
-What did you have? -A two.
A two, eh?
He said he was in a rush.
l'm going back.
This one?
This seems like a better move.
You're right, it does.
Stop interfering.
Good evening.
Welcome back.
She's the one you wanted to know about.
Good evening.
lt's your turn.
-All set. -Already?
That's the one. This time it's pretty big.
No kidding. Five doubles!
l'll be stuck here all night.
Let me play.
l've started losing.
l'll be winning in a minute.
Have you seen Kenji?
He hasn't been by yet.
Akiko, come sit with me.
Come here, please.
How do you know who l am?
You used to live in Ushigome, right?
When l was young, but l don't remember anything about it.
l used to be your neighbour.
Really?
How is everyone? You have a sister, right?
-Does she have children? -She has a daughter.
-Really? How old? -Two years old.
How cute. And your brother?
He's dead.
What happened?
He was mountain climbing.
When?
Summer of 1951.
Your noodles are ready.
Can l get an order of curry rice?
Sure.
-lsn't Soma here yet? -Not yet.
l'll make tea.
Come inside.
Where are you living now?
-Zoshigaya district. -Oh, really?
Are you working?
No, l'm studying English shorthand.
Do you come here often?
No, just sometimes.
lt's better that way.
Hey, we're done.
Who won?
lt's unfair.
Once again, the biggest loser. l can't leave yet.
Kenji's late.
Yeah.
l'm back.
Welcome back.
Lock the door, please.
-l'm back. -Welcome back.
-Did you eat yet? -Yes.
Why are you still up?
l was waiting for you to get back.
l'm turning in.
-Father's worried. -About what?
About why you came home late.
Why are you late?
School isn't easy.
l go to a friend's to practice my shorthand. l already told Father.
Try to come home a bit earlier. He worries about you.
l met this weird woman today.
-She knows everything about our family. -Who is she?
She said she was one of our old neighbours.
-What does she do? -She owns a mah-jong parlour.
Did you go there?
Yeah, with some friends.
This woman knows all about you.
l wonder who she is.
She knew about our brother.
What is she like?
How old is she?
l'm not sure. Very pretty, though.
Really?
Does she live alone?
No, she's married.
ls he tall?
Not really. Funny face.
l see.
l was wondering if she was our mother.
-Why? -Just a feeling.
She's probably just some stranger. She couldn't be our mother.
No, probably not.
l was only three at the time.
Yeah.
Chinese Noodles (Chin-Chin-Ken)
Hello.
-You're by yourself? -Have you seen Kenji?
Not for the past few days.
He hasn't come in?
No.
When did l deliver noodles to Kenji?
Two nights ago.
l'll be back.
-Who was that? -That girl
who's always with Kenji.
-She seems upset with you. -Okay. l'm going.
Close it at the bottom.
Will you?
Hello.
-You're early. -l'm on the early shift today.
-Good morning. -Hey there. How are you?
Have you seen him?
You still haven't found him?
-l saw him. -l went up to his room.
Why are you looking for him?
l have to talk to him about something.
Don't strain yourself. You'll get sick.
-Did you say something? -Just talking to myself.
Could l have some water, please?
Water?
See you.
You're not going already, are you?
You finally found him.
-We need to talk. -About what?
-Come with me. -l'm kind of busy.
lt won't be long.
Go with her, Kenji.
Please!
Where did you and that woman go?
-Nowhere. -l saw the two of you getting into a car.
l saw you, too. Getting into a car with Kon.
Liar! He doesn't have the guts.
This is awful. What are we going to do?
What?
Are you sure?
Are you calling me a liar?
How could l lie about something like this?
All right. It's just that it's serious trouble.
l'm in more trouble than you are.
This is serious. At least pretend you care.
l do care. l'm just thinking.
You've been avoiding me.
-l have not. -Yes, you've been trying to hide.
What are we going to do?
ls it really my baby?
Whose else would it be?
Whose do you think it is?
Are you really that suspicious?
No.
Then what are you going to do?
What should l do?
Please don't cry.
Let's think about this.
Oh, my God.
Listen. l have to get going.
l'm meeting Professor Otsuka.
Meet me at Étoile, okay?
l'll be there by 9:30.
l'm gonna go now. Wait for me.
What? Say something.
Good evening.
Thanks.
Thank you very much.
What did you say?
-Nothing. -You're lying.
lt's getting late.
What are you doing?
What's on your mind?
Are you waiting for someone?
lt's none of your business.
Yeah, you've been waiting for a long time.
Where do you live?
Why are you asking me?
Where do you live?
-Who cares? -You should tell me.
Who are you?
l see you around a lot.
Where do you live?
Tell me.
ls this a habit of yours?
No.
Why do you steal women's underwear?
Are you married?
No.
Are you cold? Come here.
Hello?
No, l haven't heard anything yet. Okay, l will.
l'm Akiko Sugiyama's sister.
Oh, you've come. Mr Wada, she's here.
Please go over there.
Sorry to make you come out here.
You're Takako, right? Please have a seat.
My father couldn't make it.
You must have been surprised.
No crime has been committed
but nowadays young people can get in all sorts of trouble very easily.
Your sister needs to be careful.
lt isn't safe for her to be out late at night.
l'm sorry.
Hey, come over here.
She's very stubborn.
What's wrong, Akiko?
What's the matter?
What's wrong?
l don't want to go home.
Father doesn't know what's going on.
So come along.
Hey, hey!
You're still awake?
Come here.
Akiko, you too.
-Father, it's really late. -lt doesn't matter. Come here.
Come here, Akiko.
Where were you?
The phone rang after you left.
lt was the police.
Why did you try to hide it from me?
Akiko, what did they want from you?
Sit.
lt's late. We'll talk about it tomorrow.
Akiko, why did they take you to the police station?
What did you do? Why won't you talk?
Why did the police take you in?
Our family has a good reputation.
Father, it's not a big deal.
Be quiet. Akiko, tell me.
All she was doing was waiting for a friend at a cafe.
Why? Why so late?
Akiko, what were you doing there?
You're not going to tell me? You're not my daughter.
Don't.
lt's really late, Father.
We'll talk about it tomorrow.
Akiko, go to bed.
-Wait! -Let her go.
She's impossible!
How did she become like that?
What can l do?
Akiko's feeling lonely. That's why she's like that.
You need to be more gentle with her.
She never knew our mother.
That's why she's feeling lonely.
l've done everything l could to make sure she felt loved.
lt's not the same as a mother's love.
l've even played favourites with her and given her everything.
l even thought you'd be jealous because of it.
l guess l failed.
Something's gone wrong.
Raising children...
is difficult.
You should go to bed, Father.
Has Numata gotten in touch with you yet?
-Not yet. -Oh.
Good night.
Still awake?
lt's time for bed.
Look.
No one wants me, do they?
What are you talking about?
Just thinking about what Mother did.
l wish l'd never been born.
Take this for me.
Brother! Are you home?
Hello, Auntie.
You're here. Is your father home?
-Yes. -Good.
l was worried that you might have already left.
Not until 12:00.
-Please! -lt's okay.
You're a good little baby, aren't you, Michiko?
Remember what l told you?
About what?
Takako, come here for a minute.
You too, Brother.
-What is it? -Where is Akiko?
-She's at school. -Oh. Okay.
-How's Numata? -Fine.
Good. Like l said.
-Try this. It's a new lotion we're selling. -Thanks.
What do you think?
-About what? -Akiko's future husband.
The guy with the long face
is the second son
of a former Diet member.
Definitely a long face.
-Seriously! -Actually, that's my favourite.
There's also the second son of one of our wholesalers.
He often helps his father out in our office.
Very good-looking, like an actor.
Look.
l almost forgot to tell you. l ran into her.
Who?
l was in a department store, in the elevator.
She looked very familiar from the back. And it was her!
Who?
Kikko!
Mother?
Yes. She moved here two years ago.
l see.
-Did you know? -No.
She was with a man and she was in a hurry,
but l asked her about her life anyway.
She's had a tough life.
You need to hear this, Takako.
Yamazaki died in the Amur concentration camp.
Kikko found out about it
when she was in Blagoveschensk.
After that, she came to Nakhodka.
She runs a mah-jong parlour in Gotanda.
She doesn't live alone.
l think that man who was with her is her new husband.
Auntie.
Yes?
What is he like?
Messy hair, he looked like a gigolo.
What a coincidence.
lf l hadn't stepped into that elevator, l wouldn't have met her.
So, what do you think about these two?
Welcome!
Mother?
l'm Takako.
Takako.
Come in, please.
Please come in.
Won't you come in?
No, it's okay.
Don't be silly. You must come in.
lt was nice of you to come and see me.
l heard you have a daughter now.
She must be adorable.
What does your husband do?
Here.
Mother.
l came to ask you a favour.
Sure, whatever you want.
Don't let Akiko know that you're her mother.
Akiko doesn't have any memories of you.
She doesn't even remember your face.
She can't deal with finding out that you're her mother right now.
Why not? Why can't l tell her?
Father couldn't take it.
Please do me this favour. Goodbye.
Welcome.
Who's that woman who just left?
Welcome back.
She's pretty. Who is she?
The sister of that other girl who was here the other day.
-She was looking for her sister. -Really? She's very beautiful.
Soma wants to know if we're taking him up on his offer.
l think l want to go.
Muroran can't be as cold as Chiamussu is.
Manchurian winters are brutal.
So, what do you think?
The job seems pretty good. Sales Department.
Go if you want.
You don't like the idea? l'm not going by myself.
l couldn't sleep alone in that cold.
l want you to come with me.
Kasahara Clinic - Gynaecologist
Obstetrics Kasahara Clinic
Get plenty of rest.
Watch out for hemorrhaging.
Okay.
How much do l owe?
Today, 200 yen.
-Thank you very much. -Take care of yourself.
Next?
Have a seat.
What was your name?
Akiko Sugiyama.
Sugiyama.
Have you decided what you're going to do?
l think l should...
Yes, l think that's best. You seem too fragile.
Which bar do you work at? Shinjuku? Shibuya?
We get a lot of girls like you in here.
Sometimes the daughter of a good family sneaks in here.
They don't go through with it unless they have a good reason.
-Excuse me, but... -Yes?
Do l need to be hospitalised?
Two to three hours until the ether wears off.
Then bed rest at home. The thermometer, please.
No fever.
Do you want to do it today?
Yes, please.
3,000 yen. Do you have it?
Yes.
Afterwards, some patients have no money and they never come back.
You definitely have it?
Yes.
Okay, if you have it.
Come with me.
Come this way.
You're a good little girl, aren't you?
Who is it?
Oh, Akiko.
-l'm home. -Welcome back.
What's wrong? You look pale.
l have a headache.
Did you catch a cold?
What's the matter? You're acting really strange.
Do you want me to make up your bed for you?
-Are you okay? -Yes.
You'd better change out of those clothes.
l'm okay.
lt's nothing. Don't worry about it.
But...
l just want to rest for a while.
-Do you want some medicine? -No, thank you.
You don't have a fever.
-Do you have the chills? -l'm fine.
Auntie came by today after you left.
Noisy as always. She has two candidates
for your future husband. She brought their pictures.
One has a really long face.
Auntie likes the other one better.
l'm not getting married.
l can't.
Why not?
l don't want to.
l guess my marriage isn't a really good example.
Akiko, most marriages are very happy.
Mine is just an exception. You're still young.
You've still got your whole life ahead of you.
My marriage is just an exception.
Your life is only beginning. You'll find happiness.
-Takako. -What?
Just let me sleep in peace.
Are you tired?
Get some sleep. Are you cold?
Let me know if you need something.
l'll leave the light off.
Come in.
ls the president here?
He's in a meeting with the director of the dockyards.
They'll probably be a while.
You know where to find me.
-Please let me know when they're done. -Yes, sir.
Mr Sugiyama really likes pachinko.
He always shoots for the top.
Just like him.
He is the only auditor who actually studies the daily reports.
Balls won't drop in number 70.
One moment.
Fancy meeting you here.
Hello.
The girl told me you'd be here.
What's up? This one is stuck, too!
You know, Hasebe's back.
lt was in the paper.
He must have gone through a rough time.
lt might be good to have an alumni meeting.
-Will you come? -l suppose so.
l have to go to Osaka for a few days.
Will you let the others know?
-Me? -Can you? l'm really busy now.
l guess l have no choice. Want to try this? Here.
lt's hard, isn't it?
Not like golf. You have to have good thumbs.
Right.
Where do you want to meet?
Somewhere that's not too pricey and can accommodate a large group.
All right.
By the way, Akiko came by our house and asked to borrow some money.
Did she tell you?
No, she didn't.
My wife lent her the money without asking questions.
Do you know what it was for?
-l'll pay you back. -No rush.
She needed it to help this friend of hers.
-5,000 yen, right? -Don't worry about it now.
You can pay me back later.
l had already left the house that day. Please thank your wife for me.
ls my boss here?
He hasn't come in yet.
Where is he?
-Your boss is missing? -Yes.
He's addicted to mah-jong.
He was here until 2:00 a.m. And he was winning for once.
lt's a miracle.
That's a nice hobby.
Hypocrite.
Absolutely.
He pretty much paid for this shirt. What a great guy.
lndeed. Oh, here we go, everybody.
Finished?
-Hello. -Hi.
l thought Kenji was with you.
He left for Shinjuku.
When?
Why are you always chasing him?
You don't look so good.
Are you okay?
-Start the game. -All right.
Good evening.
Your sister's very pretty, isn't she?
My sister?
Yes.
How do you know her?
She was here the other day.
-Here? -She was looking for you.
When?
Maybe four or five days ago.
She was?
You're leaving?
See you.
Wonder what she's so uptight about.
Why is Kenji avoiding her?
For a very serious reason.
lt's quite sad, really.
What is it?
lt's Tomita's fault.
He's the bad guy here.
l am not. l don't know anything about it.
l'm not so sure about that.
What are you talking about?
-He won't admit it, that sly fox. -So?
A long time ago,
there was a boy and a girl who were at university together.
Young, good-looking and innocent,
they were the best of friends.
But a villain lived in the boy's dormitory.
He planted seeds of mischief in the boy,
bringing the boy and the girl together
into relations that were far from pure.
Really?
Yes, indeed, completely true. Shocking, isn't it?
Very shocking.
All right, enough.
Wait. There's more.
The girl left school
and started studying English shorthand.
More and more
she strayed from the righteous path. She joined the villain's group.
An ancient and oft-repeated story.
Now the girl is after the boy.
This story grows in interest.
Something else might be growing as well.
Maybe she's increasing the population.
You sure about that?
ls it true?
Who knows? But either way,
it's an interesting phenomenon. Don't you think?
To think that that girl... l'm speechless!
True, quite true. It's shocking.
Very.
-What did you play? -lt's West.
Wind again.
-Pon, -Pon?
l'm shocked.
Who is it?
Oh, it's you.
Come upstairs with me now.
Why, what's wrong?
What's going on?
Why did you go to that mah-jong parlour?
Why did you?
What did you go there for?
Tell me why you went there.
Why did you go without telling me?
lf l had told you...
Who told you about that place?
Auntie said...
How did she know about it?
How did she find out?
Tell me the truth. Answer me!
Auntie met her.
Met who?
Mother.
Then that woman really is our mother?
You said she couldn't be our mother. Why did you say that?
l didn't think she'd return to Tokyo.
lt was the last thing l expected.
What made you so sure?
Tell me.
Tell me the truth. What happened?
Why did Mother leave Father?
Father was away in Seoul at the time.
We were living somewhere else then.
One of Father's subordinates Yamazaki, came to the house oft!en
and helped us out with many things.
He was a tall, interesting man.
We both liked him.
l was only a child then
and didn't understand what was really happening.
Mother and that man...
Never mention this in front of Father.
l remember after Father came back from Seoul
he took us to the zoo.
it was a sunny day. You were so happy.
You toddled back and forth.
You fell asleep on the way home,
and Father had to carry you.
When we got home, the front door was locked.
And...
we never saw her again. She never came back.
Akiko, don't say a word to Father.
He's tried so hard to forget about it.
-So maybe... -Yes?
Maybe he's not my father.
Akiko, what are you talking about?
l must look exactly like Mother.
l don't take after Father at all.
lt's Mother's tainted blood.
No! Don't be ridiculous.
What makes you say that?
l'm sure of it. l can't be his child.
Akiko!
l'm home.
lt's Father.
l'll go and ask him!
No, Akiko!
You don't understand.
Akiko!
Father!
What?
l want you to tell me...
Akiko!
What?
What's going on?
''The law against prostitution.''
-ls Kikko here? -Welcome.
Kikko!
Good evening. Are you alone?
There's something l want to ask you.
What is it?
Please come with me.
Are you leaving?
Only for a moment.
Now what is it?
Can we go somewhere where we can talk alone?
Let's see. l think l know a place.
Come with me.
Welcome!
Can l use your back room?
Of course. It's a mess, though.
That's okay.
l'm the only one who works here.
l guess this will have to do.
Come in. It's not great, but it's a room.
So what's your question?
Tell me who my father is.
What do you mean?
l know you're my mother.
Who told you? Who said that to you?
My sister.
Takako told you?
Mother, whose child am l, anyway?
Tell me, who is my father?
l'm sorry, Akiko.
l didn't forget you and your sister.
You were always on my mind.
Your brother, too. l didn't know he was dead.
l kept worrying about you.
Even if l admitted that l was wrong,
you wouldn't forgive me.
Never mind that.
All l want to know is
whose child am l?
Your father's child, and mine.
Liar.
He's really my father?
What are you thinking?
Are you that suspicious?
Don't you believe me?
He's your father.
That is one thing l don't have to be ashamed of.
Akiko, that is one thing that you must believe.
You have to believe it!
You have to!
Do you understand?
You understand, don't you?
Thank you.
Akiko, one of the customers was talking about you.
l hope you're all right.
He said you were having a baby.
Are you? Is that true?
l'll never have a baby. Never!
Why?
lf l do, l won't abandon it the way you did!
l'll love it with all my heart!
Akiko!
l hate you!
This one wasn't any good.
That sixth hole is jinxed.
lt's tricky, that one.
How did l get it in?
Where'd she go, anyway?
How should l know?
Don't hide it. Come on, you can tell me.
l have no idea.
You're lying. l know you are.
Don't run away.
Quit moping. Forget about him.
Find another guy. There are plenty of fish in the sea.
What's so special about him?
Tell me.
lt's okay. l'm leaving.
Say, who's that girl?
She's pretty.
Her? She's a delinquent.
So what?
All the more intriguing.
-You think so? -You ought to know.
Another, please.
Good evening.
-Sake. -Right away.
lt's getting colder. It might snow.
l heard Kenji's moving. Looking for a place
in the Kamata area, eh?
Find a good place yet?
Here.
They say it's hard to find a good flat nowadays.
The new ones are rather pricey.
Another.
l think you've had enough.
l'm fine.
All right.
Were you here the whole time?
l looked everywhere for you.
l knew that you'd be worried.
l couldn't sleep.
lt's true. l've lost weight.
What's that for?
That surprised me.
Made me spill some of the sake.
These modern young women have bad tempers.
You'll get hurt if you're not tough enough.
What happened?
l'm just gonna go check.
Hey! What's going on?
-Still feverish? -No change yet.
That's inconvenient for you.
What can you do? She's a customer.
That Kenji! He didn't come with her, the coward.
Yes?
Go right ahead.
-Come in. -Thanks.
What happened, Akiko?
lt's very kind of you.
Sure surprised me, the way it happened.
Heard the whistle blowing, so l rushed out.
She had just left my place.
That's always been a dangerous intersection.
Newspapers once reported about it.
Nothing's happened lately.
l was shocked.
The watchman wasn't paying attention.
When he finally saw the train coming,
he quickly lowered the gate. But it was too late.
She had already been hit.
The watchman's been arrested and taken away.
A policeman was here. He left a while ago.
He told me to ask you to wait.
This is really terrible.
Thank you. You've been very kind.
Not at all. l'll leave now.
lt must have inconvenienced you.
Don't worry about it.
Father, his name.
Yoshihira Shimomura. l run a noodle house nearby.
They call me Gihei. Real name's Yoshihira.
We'll stop by and pay our respects later.
Don't worry about that. Please excuse me now.
-Please excuse me. -Thank you very much.
l'll be leaving now. Good night.
Say, l forgot to mention the name of my place.
Tell them it's Chin-Chin-Ken.
Akiko!
What happened? Are you all right?
What happened? Akiko!
Am l dying?
l don't want to die.
Don't worry, you're not dying.
Pull yourself together.
l don't want to die.
You shouldn't worry like that.
Father.
What is it, Akiko?
l want to start all over again.
l want to lead a new life
a better life.
Akiko!
l want to live!
Of course you will. Don't worry.
Mother.
Hello.
Akiko is dead.
When did this happen? How?
How did this happen?
lt's your fault.
Takako!
Takako, Takako. Pon!
Welcome!
Sake, please.
Did you hear from the company about the fire extinguisher?
They want to put it in their own little spot. Isn't that selfish?
Wakana's mad and refused to put up money.
Here you go. Is it warm enough?
What are you doing here?
Hey!
What's wrong?
ls Soma's offer still good?
lt's still good.
l don't like Tokyo anymore.
Why not?
lf you came with me, that would be great.
Will you come?
Yes, l will.
You will? That's great.
l'll go tell Soma right away.
Waiting on customers
is not the life for me.
Well, let's have a drink.
The cold isn't unbearable.
lf we go together, we'll be warm enough.
So you're willing to go.
l'm so glad.
Hello?
Anyone home?
Yes!
As l told you on the phone...
l'm leaving on the 9:30 train to Hokkaido.
l want to offer this to Akiko.
ls that all right?
Here, take it.
We may never meet again. Take care of yourself.
l'll be going now. Goodbye.
The Tsugaru express to Aomori
will depart from track no, 12 at 21,r30,
The train will stop at
Omiya, Toyama, Utsunomiya, Nishinasuno, Shirakawa
Koriyama, Fukushima, Yonezawa, Yamagata, Shinjo,
lnnai, Yokote, Omagari, Akita, Higashinoshiro,
Odate, Omachi, Hirosaki and Aomori,
Good thing we came early and got these seats.
She's not coming. Don't bother looking.
Why would she come? Have a drink.
You'll spill it.
l told you it's no use looking. It's getting cold.
l'm telling you, she's not coming.
-Another one? -No, thanks.
We'll be on this train till tomorrow noon. Our butts are going to be sore.
Should have brought a blanket.
Yeah.
Hey!
Not seeing her off?
There's still time.
Don't stay because of me.
Father...
Yes?
l think l'll go back.
Where?
l don't want Michiko to feel like Akiko did.
A child needs the love of both parents.
You were good to her,
but Akiko still felt lonely.
She wanted a mother.
You may be right.
l tried my best, but l guess it still wasn't enough.
She would have been able to tell a mother things she couldn't tell me.
Do you think you and Numata can get along?
l'll try my best.
Even if it's hard, l'll try.
Michiko is getting older.
l see. So you'll go back to Numata?
l'll try very hard this time,
so you don't have to worry about me.
l understand.
lt's not all his fault. It's mine, too.
We all have faults.
Anyway, try it, and l think you'll succeed.
l'm determined to.
But if l leave
what about you, Father?
Don't worry about me.
Akiko isn't here anymore.
l'll be fine.
l can ask Tomizawa to come by again.
That's that.
Are you going to be home early?
As early as possible.
What about supper?
Well, cook the rice for me. l might not eat, though.
Leave when you want to. l have a key.
Which shoes are you wearing today?
The black ones.
the end