KABEI - Our Mother
Hi!
Kabei, Tobei's home!
Dad's nicknames, 'Kabei' for Mom and 'Tobei' for himself...
probably came from his sense of humor and affection for us.
What's the matter?
Those censors again.
And I tried to be as careful as I could.
Not Approved
'Don't write' is what it means.
How late are we with the rent?
Three months.
Oh, well...shall we sell some books?
We don't have to go that far.
We’ll manage.
Manage how?
If you think you can manage, you will.
Sayuri Yoshinaga
I guess that's all we can do.
Tadanobu Asano Rei Dan
Terumi! Come out and play!
Mirai Shida Miku Sato Keiko Toda Terumi! Come out and play!
Mirai Shida Miku Sato Keiko Toda
Let's play!
Coming!
Tsurube Umenosuke Shofukutei Nakamura
Your homework!
Tsurube Umenosuke Shofukutei Nakamura
Later!
Tsurube Umenosuke Shofukutei Nakamura
Hey!
Tsurube Umenosuke Shofukutei Nakamura
A cat got run over!
Mitsugoro Bando A cat got run over!
Mitsugoro Bando
Where?
Mitsugoro Bando
Where?
Mitsugoro Bando
By the collier's!
Wait for me!
Based on the story b y Teruyo Nogami Wait for me!
Based on the story b y Teruyo Nogami
Screenplay: Yoji Yamada Emiko Hiramatsu
Executive Producer: Junichi Sakomoto Produced by Teruki Matsumoto
Producers: Hiroshi Fukasawa Takashi Yajima
Cinematography: Mutsuo Naganuma
Art Director: Mitsuo Degawa
You can start.
Bon appétit!
Sound: Kazumi Kishida Bon appétit!
Sound: Kazumi Kishida
Lighting: Takeshi Nakasu
Music: Isao Tomita
Politician Resigns For 'Speaking Against Nation'
'Crusade' To Be Permitted
Editor: Iwao Ishii
Line Producer: Tomohiko Saito
Production: Takakazu Aiba
Directed b y Yoji Yamada
You promised you wouldn't read
Directed b y Yoji Yamada
the paper at dinner!
Directed b y Yoji Yamada
Sorry.
What manners!
Wearing a scarf in the house!
I'm sensitive to cold.
I'm from Hiroshima.
Is it really warm there?
It's a fine place.
Bright sun, white sand, and green pines.
You can see the ocean from the house he grew up in.
Open the window, and all you can see is blue.
'The sea is so wide...
'The sea is so vast...
'There the moon rises...
'and there the sun sets.'
Our dinner table at home...
My sister 'Hatsu-bei' was 12.
I was 'Teru-bei'. I was still only nine.
February 1940
Carry on.
It's freezing!
Let's go.
Wake up! Something's wrong.
I'll go. You get dressed.
Who is it?
Police. Open up!
Shigeru Nogami, you're coming with us.
I'm under arrest?
You're being detained.
Get ready.
Turn on a light!
Hey!
Check behind, too.
I'm scared!
It's all right.
Come on.
Please! There are children here!
Shut up!
Let's go.
He'll be gone a while, Missus.
Do what Kabei says while I'm gone, all right?
Don't worry about me.
I'll be back.
Your lunch.
Eat up. You'll be late.
'Bye.
Wait!
At school, don't act like anything's wrong.
Smile just like always.
Did Tobei do something bad?
No. He'd never do anything bad.
Then why did they tie him up?
Like a thief...
Stupid! He's not a thief! What are you talking about?
You two know better than anyone he's not bad.
Cheer up and get to school.
All right.
Come on.
I'll never forget that morning, walking through the frost to school.
What'd you do, pal?
A kind of thought crime, I guess.
You're a red?
Can't have you sitting by the pisser, can we.
Come here.
Excuse me.
They work you over bad?
Watch it!
From then on, my mother went to the police station every day...
but was never allowed a visit.
Father? What brings you here?
Come in.
Come inside.
I don't have that much time.
But we can't talk here...
Kayo, why didn't you write me a letter and tell me...
Shigeru had been arrested?
I'm a police officer!
I had to find out...
from the Prefectural Police.
It was very embarrassing!
I didn't want to cause trouble.
I've been keeping it as quiet as I can.
I opposed your marriage because...
I thought exactly this kind of thing would happen.
I'm sorry you've been disturbed.
But Shigeru hasn't done anything, so one of these days soon...
Are you mad?!
He's been arrested under the Peace Preservation La w!
He wants to reform the state, which means he's against it.
There's no greater crime!
At worst, the penalty is death.
You don't have the faintest idea about it!
I'll go to the police station and introduce myself.
Then I'll take the night train back to Yamaguchi.
Without even any tea?
This is to help out.
I thought you'd be living in a nicer house than this.
Tobei, bon appétit.
There.
Is that them again?
Who's 'them'?
Who is it?
Yamazaki.
'Yamazaki'?
I was a student of Professor Nogami.
I realize it's late.
I was here twice with friends when I was in school.
Oh yes, you sang Schubert very loudly.
Yes, that's me.
I remember you well.
Come in.
Thank you.
Hello, everyone.
I'm sorry to interrupt your dinner.
I won't stay long.
Ma'am...
Yes?
My sympathies.
I was astonished when Prof. Kobayashi told me.
You must be very concerned.
We've look ed into visits and what you can take him.
As I'm sure you know, each station has its own policy.
Some cooperate, while others let gifts of food sit until they rot.
How is yours?
How are they at Horinouchi Police Station?
Well, they've let me leave things for him...
but they haven't allowed a visit.
No visits yet?!
No.
In that case...
you should talk directly to the Prosecutor in charge.
As to where you should go...
Sorry!
Your money!
Excuse me.
Why don't you sit down?
Thank you.
Please.
Thank you.
The office is at the Tokyo District Courthouse.
Go to the 'Thought' section.
It's in Kasumigaseki.
Here's a map.
What's that?
Thank you. I'll go tomorrow morning.
Don't let them brush you off. Insist on talking to them.
And if anything happens, call me.
I will.
This is the number of the publisher...
where I work.
Well, I'll be going.
Won't you have some dinner? It's nothing fancy...
No, I couldn't.
Mrs Nogami...
Yes?
Girls...
Yes?
You mustn't lose hope.
The Professor...
Sir, you are not alone.
There are many of us looking out for you.
Don't give up.
Thank you.
Good night.
No!
I'm sorry. I'm fine.
Are you all right?
Yes!
Don't touch me! My feet have gone numb.
Mr Yamazaki, or 'Yama', as we called him...
was from that day on someone we couldn't do without.
Thank you, Mr Yamazaki.
No, thank you very much.
Come back, OK?
Sure. We'll go somewhere.
Great!
Good night.
For you.
A fresh egg.
Thank you.
It's nice and warm.
Good night.
Good night!
Hold it!
Hey!
Hey, you! Halt!
Hey!
Oh, good evening. Can I help you?
Can you help me?
Why didn't you stop when I told you?
I'm sorry. I'm deaf in this ear.
Where are you off to?
Sorry?
Where are you going?
I was visiting the home of a professor of mine.
I'm going home.
Scholar, huh?
You look fit. Why aren't you in the army?
I registered for the draft in university...
but I'm very near-sighted, and I'm deaf in this ear.
Unfortunately, I was rejected.
One ear or two, there are still lots of ways to serve your country!
Yes!
If a draft notice comes to one such as I...
I will fight like a demon for my country!
Good! On your way.
Good night.
Yeah, sure!
Time after time Mother went to the Police and the Prosecutor...
but it was cherry-blossom time before she finally saw my father.
I've brought him a meal. May I give it to him?
And a change of clothes.
Thank you.
Teru-bei! You came, too?
How are you?
Well, as you can see...
I wanted to come sooner, but the procedures...
But with Officer Kosuge's help, finally...
Could he change clothes?
It itches.
Here.
You're weak, so chew carefully...
Hey! No whispering.
It's hard on you too, huh?
No.
Bet when you married him you never dreamed of this.
Imperial University graduate, a scholar...
If he'd played his cards right he'd be a full professor.
We'd have nothing to say to him.
Putting a pretty young wife through all this!
Divorce him.
Yeah.
Your father dropped in here.
What a surprise!
A police chief down in Yamaguchi Prefecture!
This must put him in a real bind...
his son-in-law being a thought criminal!
Nogami!
Think a bit about how her father must feel.
Yes, sir.
And you've got daughters.
You've got to get yourself home.
I'd be grateful.
When might my husband be released?
That depends on you.
You have to talk to him.
Get him to start thinking like a proper Japanese.
Yes.
You miss him, don't you?
Ow! Hey!
What did you do that for?!
Because he...
It's rude to point! And he's helped us!
Apologize!
I'm very sorry. She's spoiled.
Apologize!
No!
She’ll come to a bad end, too.
I'm sorry.
Like father, like daughter.
Mother cried all the way home.
All those tears... I was shocked at the sight.
Shall we eat?
Tobei, bon appétit.
Do you do that every time you eat?
Good for you!
Hello.
Hisako...
Today sounds like it was hard.
Yes.
Aunt Hisako made dinner.
Really?
No, I didn't. I just bought some croquettes.
I'II make you some tea.
Why are you so quiet, Teru-bei?
You saw Tobei...
Was he all right?
He had a beard, and his hair was all stink y.
He was like someone else!
He can't help that.
He probably hasn't had a bath.
Anyone would smell.
And?
Kabei says he really liked the food she took.
Didn't he.
I'm sure he loved Kabei's cooking.
It's awful food in there.
Every day, really bad food.
My poor brother!
What else?
Kabei hit me.
Hit you?
Why?
She hit me hard. It hurt!
I know!
You did something bad.
This is a hard time for Tobei. Were you being selfish?
No.
She didn't do anything wrong.
I'm sorry I hit you.
That was the only thing I could do.
You're a big girl now, so please try to understand.
Teru-bei, I'm sorry.
It's 7 o'clock!
There's a Neighborhood Association meeting.
What about dinner?
I'II eat later.
You poor thing!
You must be tired.
Will you stay the night?
Maybe I will.
I'd like to hear about my brother.
It's cold out there.
Back soon.
Off you go.
Ah, there you are.
Sorry I'm late, Mr Fukuda...
Uh, 'Mr Chairman'.
They're all waiting.
I'm sorry.
With the mess your husband's in...
these meetings are important.
Mrs Nogami's here.
I'm very sorry to be late.
Oh, don't be like that. Come in.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
We begin the Sumiyoshi Block 2 Neighborhood Association meeting.
First we will bow to the Imperial Palace.
Would everyone please face the palace.
Bow.
Mr Fukuda...
isn't the Emperor at his Hayama Residence now?
The paper said so.
Yes, that's right.
Then we should face Hayama.
Which way is that?
It's that way.
That way?
Bow.
But it's 'bowing to the Imperial Palace'.
So shouldn't we face the palace?
Oh.
But he's not there!
Well, Chairman?
In that case... I'll ask the Area Chairman.
You can at least decide that!
Yes!
The head of our Neighborhood Association was kind to my mother.
He arranged for her to get a job supply-teaching at a primary school.
'Putting his head out...
'above the clouds...
'Looking down on the mountains...
'in all directions.
'Listening to Lord Thunder...
'down below...
'Mt Fuji is Japan's...
'highest mountain.'
In time my father was transferred to a prison.
There he was allowed to have regular visits...
to exchange letters, and to receive books.
His letters were always filled with the titles of books...
he wanted us to bring him.
Look at all his notes!
You have to erase them all?
No writing in the books is allowed.
This is very important.
Miss Hisako...
could you find this book? It should be on that shelf.
What does it say?
'Also sprach Zarathustra'. By Nietzsche.
That's German! I'II never find it.
You look for it. I'll erase.
If you wouldn't mind...
When are you going?
At 1.
It's almost time.
Teru-bei, you're in the way.
We're going.
Goodbye!
Say hello to Tobei!
Words can't express how sad it made us...
that children weren't allowed to visit.
Now, don't forget. Start with the main things.
I will.
It’ll be over before you know it.
The first time I saw him I cried all the way through.
We couldn't talk about anything.
But you're a man, so you'll be all right, won't you?
Yes.
Everything's written here.
I'm counting on you.
I've brought Mr Yamazaki.
Yamazaki! I'm glad you've come.
Kabei wrote me...
about how much you're doing for us.
There's not much time, Yama. You start.
It's been a long time, Sir.
Are you well?
No, not very.
No, you wouldn't be, would you.
I'm sorry.
It's just such a shock to see you like this.
Are the kids all right?
Yes.
Hatsu-bei's started her new school. Did you get her a uniform?
Mrs Tsubota gave us Kinuyo's old one.
But it's very good quality.
Look...
Isn't she pretty?
And you? Are you all right?
Don't worry about me.
I've left your books.
But the Nietzsche...what was it?
'Untimely Meditations'...
And Goethe's 'Italian Journey'.
We couldn't find them. We'll bring them next time.
Yama...
Yes.
You've lost some weight, Sir.
Not 'some'! I've lost more than 10 kilos.
But this is better than the holding cell I was in.
At least here I can read.
Yes, that's right.
That's right.
Stop crying and tell him what you came to say!
Guard, do you have any tissue?
Any what?!
Sorry!
Thank you.
Excuse me.
First, about the German Literary...
Your crying like that made me want to.
We couldn't talk about anything!
You weren't much help.
Forgive me.
I just never thought he'd look like that.
His clothes all filthy...
thin as a r ail...
Why are they doing that to him? He's not a thief or anything.
Just wanting war isn't patriotism!
It's for our country's sake that he opposes the war in China!
That's all I could think about.
Then I have to go and ask him if he's well!
I'm not much use, am I.
I'm no use.
I'm useless.
You have a good heart, Yama.
Hello!
Mr Fukuda...uh, 'Chairman'.
Don't worry about that. I've brought some charcoal.
Hello.
Hello...
I just need a half-bag!
Keep this quiet, but they're going to start rationing fuel.
You'd best stock up.
Pay me when you have it.
Where are the girls?
At the bath.
You're lucky you've got girls.
They won't get drafted.
These days if you've got sons you're always on edge.
Even this guy might get taken.
Will you be a soldier, too, Kenichi?
Aye.
That's awful!
When will it all end?
Not for a while.
China just won't give up.
Then there's America and England.
We’ll deal with them.
You mean we'll go to war with them?
Yes!
When Japan finishes off America, we’ll rule Asia.
Germany will rule Europe.
After that will come the final war with Germany...
and Japan will rule the world.
Wow!
So for now...
we're being friends with Germany.
That's what I've hear d. Don't tell anyone.
You know a lot, don't you.
There's lots of things I can tell you.
So the Germans have taken Paris...
They're back.
Good night, Missus. Let me know if you need anything.
Thank you.
We're back.
Careful!
Was it busy?
Pack ed! Like a crowded train.
You smell of soap.
I love you!
Let's get to bed.
Dear Shigeru, are you well?
It's almost summer.
The 2,600th anniversary of national foundation is coming...
...and the girls are busy practicing.
It looks like it will be a big national festival.
After I saw you last, I obtained permission...
to buy a fan from the prison shop and leave it for you.
I ordered some flowers, too.
I am sure it is very hot in there.
I will be happy to think you are even a little cooler.
I worry because you are so sensitive to heat and cold.
From your wife.
Can I read it?
Out loud.
'To Kayo Nogami, from your husband.'
'Husband'!
'Received your letter of the 15th.
'The fan has been a great help.'
He got it. Good!
'And the flowers.'
You gave him flowers?
Yes.
'Flowers have never offered me such consolation before.
'Thank you.
'I enjoy Teru-bei's letters. They are always so cheerful.
'But why does she make mistakes in writing her characters?
'She should practice writing more.'
See?
And?
'Last night I had a dream about Hatsu-bei.
'She was still a little girl, crying on my lap...
'with her big round eyes filled with tears...'
I want to see him!
Just into summer vacation...
an uninvited guest appeared.
My uncle from Nara, the black sheep of the family.
Are you going to pick those up?
Why would I?
That's littering!
Don't be silly. Look at them!
They'll sprout, put down roots...
get bigger and bigger and bigger...
and next year it'll be watermelons and watermelons...
a whole hill of them, more than you can eat!
Wow!
Hot, ain't it!
Would you like to wipe off the sweat?
Yeah, maybe I will.
Kayo...
Can I use in here?
Certainly.
Hey, Kayo...
Has Shigeru read all these books?
That'd turn you into a red.
Hello.
It's so hot!
Come in.
Kayo! There's someone here.
You're real pretty.
Who's she?
In Tokyo studying art, are you?
Ain't that something!
How many years till it pays off?
'Pays off'?
Lessons and paint must cost a pile...
I'm not studying art to make money from it.
Then why?
Money and art don't mix.
You sound like your brother!
Is that wrong?
Look...
he's ended up where he is because he thinks too much.
Reasoning gets you nowhere.
You and Shigeru both need to realize that.
But what is there without reasoning?
Money.
Money, of course!
It's money that talks in this world.
I think my brother's idea is that there shouldn't be a world...
where money talks.
That'll never happen.
You work ed very hard to get your money, didn't you.
I like you. You understand.
Listen to me, Teru-bei.
Everyone dies one day.
So in this short life...
you have to make lots of money and have fun, or you lose out.
Are you rich, Uncle?
I've got money.
Don't I.
Yuck!
I hate that old man! Even the sound of his voice.
Why is Kabei in there laughing with him?
Really!
Hey, Hatsu-bei!
Yes?
Come sing with me!
Come and sing!
Idiot!
Number!
NA-123.
As the heat carries on, I'm losing my appetite.
If I had chilled noodles, though, I would eat and eat and eat.
Would you please bring me...
Tolstoy's 'War and Peace', all three volumes.
War & Peace Tolstoy's 'War and Peace', all three volumes.
War & Peace
This is my chance to read it again.
I'd also like you to go to the home of...
Professor Nikaido in Nishi-Katamachi...
and borrow the following German texts:
Kant's 'Critique of Judgment'...
and Hegel's 'Jena Logic'.
I am sure the Professor is worried about me.
Convey my respects to him.
A piano!
Sit straight.
I've made notes in them, but you can erase those.
Thank you very much. I'll be sure to return them.
When was Nogami taken into custody?
February 5th. It was cold.
The Special Police went into his den with their boots on.
They emptied all his shelves and drawers onto the floor.
They thought something might be hidden behind the shelves...
so they threw his books everywhere...
and tied his hands right in front of the children.
What did he do to deserve that?
One moment...
You speak as if you are the victim here...
but he was arrested on suspicion of violating the law.
But what has he done wrong?
The law will reveal if he has done something wrong or not.
Yes, the Peace Preservation La w is a bad la w.
But a bad la w is better than no la w.
Citizens must uphold the la w.
If they do not, the result will be chaos.
Are you saying my husband is a criminal?
I have said no such thing.
But...
It's impossible to get coffee these days.
This isn't very good.
have some cake.
As one who instructed Nogami, I very much regret...
that a scholar of his ability...
has let 'freedom of thought' lead him astray.
Whatever's the matter?!
We're going.
The cake...
Cake!
Mrs Nogami! The books your husband wanted to read.
I'm sorry my husband was of so little help.
He has his position to think of.
Miss, have this cake.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
I'll make sure they're returned.
I'm told that won't be necessary.
Luxury is the foe!
No more perms!
Luxury is the foe!
Exercise restraint in your clothing!
Good film?
Support our troops!
Luxury is the foe!
May we have a word?
We hope you'll cooperate in the campaign against luxuries.
I'm afraid we must ask you to stop wearing rings...
for the sake of the nation.
If you would.
Those clothes are a little fancy, too.
Hey, lady...what did they do?
We're campaigning against luxuries, in line with national policy.
We ask your cooperation.
'Say no to extravagant clothes'...
What's wrong with young women looking pretty?
They're a sight for sore eyes.
Would that be a gold ring?
The real thing.
That's appalling!
Don't you know that precious metals are vital for producing weapons?
Please donate that.
Please.
Donate it?
Are you crazy?
I worked hard for this.
If I hit hard times, I can sell it and keep myself going.
This is my life savings!
Do you refuse to cooperate with national policy?
Who cares?!
This man is a traitor!
He is flaunting a gold ring!
Lady, I can flaunt what I like.
I live for money!
Luxury's the foe?
Luxury's for show!
Good line, huh?
Luxury's for show!
Remember that!
Come along!
Ow!
Throw him in jail!
Traitor!
My arm!
Tobei sure studies hard.
That's right.
It's so hot!
Take a rest.
Just a bit more.
Hot, ain't it!
Are you all right?
Yeah.
The police picked you up?
They sure did!
'Next time we throw you in jail,' they said.
Anyway, I wasn't charged.
Where was the campaign going on?
Shinjuku.
Just east of the station?
Yeah.
Me, too!
They got you, too?
Yes!
This nasty-looking old lady came up and said...
'your clothes are a bit too fancy,' and 'no more lipstick.'
What did you say?
I got mad.
'What's wrong with a girl trying to look nice?' I said.
I said the same thing!
You two agreeing on something? That's rare.
Good!
What's wrong with luxury?
Ah, me!
Teru-bei...
What?
If I had money, I'd be good to you.
I'll keep you all in luxury.
What would you buy me?
Cake, and chocolate...tons of it!
Yay!
And for Hatsu-bei?
She's beautiful.
I'd buy her hairpins and kimonos fit for a princess.
Kayo...
She needs a new dress, now I think of it.
Yes, it is getting a bit small.
She's really growing up.
Just think, not so long ago I was putting her in the bath.
She's turning into a woman.
She's quite something from the side. Breasts, too!
Stop it!
Hatsu-bei?
I'll go.
What's the matter with her?
I just said she was pretty.
You have to watch what you say. It's a difficult age.
Did I say something wrong?
It was lacking delicacy, to be frank.
Isn't it about time you told him to go home to Nara?
He simply has no manners!
That's true.
I'II start the rice.
Thank you.
Why do you have him hanging around?
He eats up all our rations...
makes us do his laundry, and farts all the time!
Why doesn't that bother you?
I understand how you feel.
It's just...how can I put it?
When I see him I relax.
In the teachers' room at school, or with the Association...
I can't say what I want.
I'm always tense, always telling lies.
But with him I can say anything I want.
To me he's not a bad man at all.
He's a very good man.
But you hate him, don't you.
Yes, I do.
Tonight I'll tell him to go, then.
I'm sorry.
Is she all right?
Yes. Come on.
Uncle seemed a bit sad...
but he took his little suitcase and went back to Nara.
I'll be on my way.
Yama...
I came to help. Sorry I ended up being a burden.
Take this and give it to Kayo...
as a token of thanks.
Tell her to sell it and buy everyone sukiyaki.
But don't donate it.
The government says it all goes for weapons...
but I don't believe it.
It goes into their pockets, is what happens.
Tell her she's not to donate it, no matter what.
All right.
I'll tell her.
Hurray for Keijiro Yokota!
Goodbye.
Serve your country with your life!
Iwao, take care of Mother.
Hatsu-bei...
What?
Take care of Kabei.
What are you going to do in Nara?
Well, I can't be much use to the country.
I'll go die in the Yoshino Mountains at cherry-blossom time.
Uncle, I'm sorry I said those things to you!
That's all right!
Yama, you get along with Hisako, you hear?
Soon after the war ended, word came that Uncle had indeed been found...
dead in the mountains of Yoshino.
New Year's came in 1941...
without my father being released.
Shall we begin?
Tobei, Happy New Year.
Happy New Year.
We greet the new year in good health.
The times are getting harder and harder...
but we are determined to keep our hopes up.
And now, a toast.
Cheers!
Girls...
sing that song Tobei likes.
Good and loud, so he'll hear you.
One, two...
'By the well...
'stands a linden tree.
'In adoration I came...
'and dreamed sweet dreams.
'In its trunk I carved...'
Yama! Sing with us.
Right!
He sounds like Tobei!
That was good!
Sugimoto, the Prosecutor.
Sit down.
I attended your lectures in second-year university.
The text was Hermann Hesse. It was a very good course.
You were in the same class as Yamazaki...
In this situation, I will not use polite forms of speech. Forgive me.
Your memorandum must be rewritten.
Why?
It cannot be seen as atonement for your past.
Even the words you use.
For one thing, you refer to the China Incident as a 'war'...
when it is obviously a 'crusade'.
'Crusade'?
Do you really think...
the China Incident is a 'crusade', Sugimoto?
How dare you!
Who do you think you're talking to?!
I apologize...'Prosecutor'.
Do you know what they call people who think like you?
Traitors, sir!
Traitors!