As the 'China Incident' dragged on and daily necessities ran short...
my grandfather, the ex-police chief, came to Tokyo again...
and summoned us to an inn in Yotsuya.
We're going out!
You're here?
Oh, no!
Come this way.
Here.
I've brought the eggs.
They said we can have more meat if there's not enough.
Can you break your own egg?
Yes.
What a waste!
I'll bring a cloth.
Father, who is that lady?
My new wife.
Why didn't you introduce us?
I was just about to.
Thank you.
You don't see much beef these days.
There. Another egg.
Thank you.
This inn's connected with the police. You can get anything you want.
I'll do the beef now.
I should have spoken sooner. I'm his eldest daughter, Kayo.
My father is in your care.
Not at all.
I understand your husband is in prison.
I'm sorry we're so much trouble.
I'm sure you're worried. The food must be awful in there.
Sure it is!
Soldiers out fighting for the nation don't even get decent food.
Japan doesn't have the rice to feed traitors.
Yes, dear.
There you go.
Kayo, did you read my letter?
You resigned as head of the Community Center?
I couldn't very well be a public servant...
with my son-in-law in jail for thought crimes.
Father, I'm sorry.
I wonder if Shigeru could think about that?
Whose fault is it a little woman like you has things so hard...
out working, not eating right, keeping two girls in school?
Spouting those foolish ideas...
and bringing grief to everyone around him!
How's he going to change the world...
when he can't even look after his own family?
Isn't that so?
Let them eat, will you?
You keep quiet!
So Kayo...
Shigeru's written a recantation, hasn't he?
He's written one, but they threw it back at him.
I saw the Prosecutor today.
I said Shigeru's had a change of heart...
and sincerely regrets his past mistakes.
Why?
Why does he have to ha v e a change of heart?
I don't believe that his ideas are foolish at all.
Can this be?!
My own daughter, professing treason?
Father...
I have never once regretted marrying Shigeru.
If that's professing treason, then I'm guilty.
Divorce Shigeru and come home to Yamaguchi.
No. I will wait until he comes back.
Then cut your throat and kill yourself here and now.
And I'll do the same!
Go on!
Stop acting like a fool!
The children are here!
Kayo...
forgive him.
Back home they're all talking about how his son-in-law's a traitor.
It's like your father's lying on a bed of nails.
I realize that.
Oh?
You understand my position, yet you continue to defy me?
Then I've made up my mind.
I disown you.
You're no daughter of mine!
Stop it!
No...
Out of my sight!
We're going.
Hatsuko, Terumi...
The poor things!
Take good care of my father.
Talking like that after those girls came to see their grandfather!
At least they could have had their sukiyaki...
Stop that crying, will you!
I wanted to eat beef!
Don't be greedy!
But I'm hungry!
Kabei!
Kabei, I'm hungry!
Stop crying.
'Today is a good day.
'Our Emperor was born.
'Today is a good day.
'The light...
'shines upon us.
'Today is a good day.
'Together we celebrate...
'he whose light...
'shines on the world...'
Hearing Mother had fainted, Yama rushed over on his bicycle.
Sorry!
Hey!
Missus! Are you all right?
Yama!
I'm here...
What are you doing? Does she have a fever?
Just water won't help!
I'm going.
Where?
For ice!
Ow!
What are you doing?! Give me that.
What did the doctor say?
She hasn't seen one.
Why? Didn't you call one?
They use the Nomura Clinic by the station.
Hatsu-bei went...
but young Dr Nomura's been drafted, and his father's too busy to come.
That's crazy!
Hatsu-bei!
Take me to that clinic!
Get on.
Doctor, I'm turning.
Hi!
Hello, Doctor!
You need rest and nourishment.
I realize that's hard these days...
but keep on like you have, and you won't get better.
I'll do my best for you...
but you must take time off work.
How long?
Three weeks, or a month if you can.
I've heard about your husband.
What a world!
Madness all around and we have to carry on...
like it didn't bother us.
Um, about your bill...
I'm sorry? What did you say?
About paying you...
Oh, don't worry about that.
Call it a gift for your husband.
This'll hurt a bit...
There.
Here we go!
We'll be right back.
You're his amanuensis?
Sorry?
You're his amanuensis?
Something like that.
You want to watch what you say these days.
'The walls have ears and the doors have eyes.'
Sorry, I'm deaf in my left ear.
What did you say?
I'm getting hard of hearing.
Lately I don't hear very well. Getting old is no fun!
I see!
'The Princess was glad to see Taro, and every day she treated him...'
Is that right?
Yes.
'...and taught him games.'
What games?
Cards, maybe...
That's not right...
Princesses don't play cards!
No? Mahjong, maybe?
Quiet! I'm studying!
I'm studying, too!
Stop shouting, will you? Kabei's asleep!
Are you a wake?
Will you have some rice gruel?
Maybe I will.
Great!
Thank you, Yama.
Feeling better?
Hungry?
Yes, a little.
Did Auntie make dinner?
Yeah.
Was it good?
No!
That's right. She can draw, but she can't cook.
She'll hear!
What did you say?
Nothing!
Hatsu-bei...
It's beautiful.
Hatsu-bei!
Thank you.
Good night.
Families are nice...
You have one, don't you?
My parents died when I was small. I hardly remember them.
I see...
What a beautiful full moon...
Yama...
It's good to have a man around the house.
I didn't say that.
Kayo did, just now. Under her breath.
Keep on helping out, all right?
Good night.
The summer vacation of 1941.
In Europe, Hitler's Germany went to war with the Soviet Union.
In Asia, Japan occupied Vietnam...
and the third Konoe cabinet took power.
We went through those unsettling times...
hoping against hope for my father's return.
To my wife, from your husband.
I write watching thunderclouds through the high window...
of my cell.
I am happy to hear that Yamazaki will take you...
to the beach.
That is something that I, as their father, should be doing.
It pains me that again this year I cannot.
I want to spend a brief holiday caressed by the sea breezes.
Do not worry about me.
I am eating properly.
Cold!
It's cold!
Come on, swim!
Kabei!
Give back the tube!
No!
Hatsu-bei! Teru-bei!
Come out for a bit!
Come and sunbathe!
You hear me?
OK!
I want to play more!
That was fun!
Good.
Your lips are blue!
Are you cold?
Kabei, is that Yama?
He's drowning.
Not that close in...
Help!
I can't swim!
Oh, no!
Yama!
No, don't!
I'll get him!
Please!
It's all right! Settle down!
It's all right!
Lay him down here.
Spit it out.
Is Yama dead?
He's fine. He just swallowed some water.
Thank you.
Yama...
I thought I was dead!
'At the east of Asia...
'where the sun rises...
'our holy Emperor...
'appears.
'His divine light...
'dispels the fog...
'covering the old land...'
Later on that autumn, Aunt Hisako...
went back to her home town of Hiroshima.
Her mother had fallen ill.
Tobei said to give you that.
Really?
These are some sweets for your mother.
Even these are hard to find.
And this is soap.
Thank you for all you've done for me.
We'll miss you.
My brother can't be with Mother, so I will.
The filial daughter.
Can't you just take time off from art school...
...instead of quitting?
Studying there made me realize I don't have any talent.
I'll go back to Hiroshima, teach art to children...
and meet somebody nice.
You know, Hisako, I always thought you'd get together with Yama.
I guess not.
He doesn't appeal to you?
He's got someone else.
He does?
What's she like? Do I know her?
You haven't noticed?
Don't you see?
That's impossible!
I mean, I...
You have a husband you love.
Meaning that Yama's fallen in love with someone he shouldn't have.
It's not your fault.
It's sad, but what can you do?
It's a shame, though.
Give these to Teru-bei.
My old stuff.
She should paint, you know.
She might be better at it than me.
Oh?
Hurry, Terumi!
OK!
I'm back!
There she is.
Hi!
You're here, Auntie?
You're staying for dinner?
Hello.
We're going to Sachiko's. Their dog had pups.
Your homework!
Later!
Hello.
Who's that pretty girl?
She's not a girl. She's my aunt!
Then came that morning...
December 8th, 1941
Good morning.
The time is 7 o'clock.
One moment, please.
This is a special news announcement.
From Imperial Headquarters, December 8th at 6:00 a.m.
The Imperial Army and Na v y have opened hostilities against...
American and English forces in the Western Pacific.
The Imperial Army and Na v y have opened hostilities against...
American and English forces in the Western Pacific.
It's started!
What's happened?
Something terrible!
Finally!
War with America! It had to be!
That's a relief!
We have to knock them down!
Don't we!
A surprise attack on American vessels and aircraft in Hawaii...
has been a success.
Two: today the Imperial Navy has invaded Singapore...
and achieved excellent results.
Three: the Imperial Navy this morning attack ed...
enemy installations in Davao, Wake, and Guam.
The teacher!
Boys and girls, you all heard what the Principal said.
Japan has gone to war with two great big countries...
called America and England.
Lessons are canceled today so you can go to Hachiman Shrine...
and pray for victory in our crusade.
Put your books away.
That night the black out began...
and the whole city went dark.
Ow!
It's too dark to sew!
Is that for Tobei?
Yes.
I thought I'd sew a lining into his kimono...
since cold bothers him so much.
Kabei!
You know what Teru-bei's writing?
What?
'To Father, from Teru-bei.
'Are you well? I'm feeling great!'
Don't!
He's sick, isn't he?
Don't tell him you're great!
Why not?
Tobei will be happy to hear it.
What have you written?
'Father, how are you feeling?
'We are all doing fine.
That's good. And?
That's as far as I get.
I'm not doing fine!
To tell the truth...
I hate school.
Why?
The other day in Etiquette class...
I stirred the tea wrong and everyone laughed at me.
Even the teacher.
I cried.
I couldn't stop till the next period, in Phys-ed.
I want my life to be over.
It's no fun being alive.
But if I write that to Tobei, he'll just get worried.
I don't think so.
Write what's on your mind.
I'm sure Tobei will listen.
After all, he's always been on your side.
All right.
I will.
What will you write?
Yes...what should I write?
Do you call him 'dear'?
'To my dearest, from me.
'The year is almost over. Do you have any news?
'Things here go on as usual.
'Hatsu-bei is doing more around the house, which is a great help.'
What about me?
'Teru-bey is her same old self, always saying...
' ''I'm hungry! I'm hungry!.''
I don't say that!
Then how about this?
'Teru-bei is a very good girl.
'She draws wonderful pictures with the things her aunt left her.
'Some day I'm sure she'll be as famous as Marie Laurencin.'
Go on...
'I very much enjoy watching the children grow up.
'How much you must want to see them...
'How much you must want...
'to put your arms around them and hold them tight.
'Just the thought of it...
'stabs at...
'stabs at my heart.'
Mrs Nogami! We can see your light!
Uh-oh...
Turn it off.
This isn't a drill! We're at war!
What if they were really bombing us?
One!
Two!
Three!
Here goes...
Hey, there's Yama!
Happy New Year.
Were you up home?
Yep, in my home town.
Where's Kabei?
In Shinjuku. She says if she lines up, she'll get butter.
And you're here playing hanetsuki?
It's no fun playing with Teru-bei. She keeps missing.
Then I'll play you.
A gift.
Here.
Teru-bei...
You're the umpire.
Here goes!
Ready!
One!
Two!
Three!
You're awful!
That was a fluke. It won't happen again.
One!
Two!
Three!
You can't just lash out at it!
Sorry.
Darn it!
You're awful!
Good afternoon.
Is this the Nogami residence?
That's right.
Telegram.
Thank you.
What should we do?
Open it.
What does it say?
I'II read it.
'Shige...runoga...mi...'
'Shigeru Nogami'...
Oh, Tobei...
'Died this morning...'
Let me see.
It's bad news.
I want you to stay calm and listen to me.
The professor...
Your father...
He's dead.
When did Kabei leave?
Just after 12.
So she’ll be back in an hour...
I'll wait at the station.
You two stay here.
You poor kids...
You poor kids!
shigeru nogami died today 7:30 am
come sugamo prison hospital
Hatsu-bei!
Kabei's back!
Kabei!
Tobei!
Where's that seal?!
I should never have gone!
I stood in line for an hour in the cold!
What a fool I am!
I might be late getting back, so lock the front door.
If it gets too late, I'll send Yama on ahead.
Be careful, you hear?
Now, about dinner...
Kabei, it's all right. We can do that.
You can? All right.
Yama, are you sure you don't mind coming?
Of course!
Take care.
From Shigeru Nogami
Hatsu-bei!
A letter from Tobei!
The telegram was wrong!
Tobei sent this letter on December 24th.
What's the date today?
It's New Year's, stupid!
To my wife and daughters.
Today is what in the west they call Christmas Eve.
I feel terrible that on this day I have no gifts...
to give you.
Thank you for your letters.
I am astonished at how mature Hatsu-bei is becoming.
My spoiled little girl is now brooding seriously on life.
How quickly time passes.
At this point in your intellectual growth...
when a father is most important to children...
I regret I cannot be with you.
Dear...we're home.
Hatsu-bei and Teru-bei...
you will have many griefs and dangers to face.
That I know.
As your father, is there nothing I can do...
but pray for you?
My father's funeral was held hidden from prying eyes.
With no time to grieve...
my mother had to return to work.
In February, while the conquest of Singapore...
was being celebrated across the land with banquets and parades...
Hello.
There's an extra saké ration till 3.
All these victories!
Yama, what are you doing?
The bottom's coming off your mailbox.
I'm sorry to be making a scholar like you do carpentry.
I'm getting better at it.
Oh?
There.
Thank you. I'll make some tea.
Where are the girls?
Sorry?
The girls...
They took a bottle to get some of the Singapore saké ration.
Perfect.
You can have a drink tonight.
I'm relieved.
Why?
You're back to your old self. Your color's come back.
It has?
The other day Hatsu-bei was saying...
'if I get married, I want a man like Yama.'
Then Teru-bei said 'I do, too!' and they both started fighting.
You've been a real savior to us.
I'm very grateful.
Not at all.
Oh...I have a present for you.
These were Tobei's socks.
They're new.
The girls and I wanted to give them to you.
Garters, too.
When was it?
You were kneeling like that, and when you stood up...
your feet were numb, and you fell over.
Your big toe was sticking out of your sock.
Do you remember that?
Very well.
I'm very glad to have these.
I'll wear them when I'm inducted.
What did you just say?
Inducted?
My draft notice came.
I join my regiment in Yamagata the day after tomorrow at 10.
But you said they wouldn't take you because of your bad ear.
As of last November, even the physically unfit...
are now subject to the draft.
They're going to be needing soldiers.
At least you have this evening, don't you?
To have dinner with us...
I have to take the overnight train to Yamagata.
I'm out of time.
I thought I'd just go and a void saying goodbye...
but I had to see you one last time.
Thank you for everything you've done for me.
Are you going to go away without telling the girls?
I can't face them.
I know they'll start crying.
I'II be going.
I won't see you again?
I'm going to war. I am resolved.
'Resolved'?
Resolved to die?
That is correct.
What kind of big talk is that?
Why do you have to resolve that?
A spineless...
clumsy crybaby like you...
who can't even swim!
Why are they taking you?
Yama...
why are you leaving us?!
We're back!
Goodbye.
After three years, atom bombs fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki...
and Japan surrendered unconditionally to the Allies.
In Hiroshima, our beautiful Aunt Hisako...
died a painful death from radiation sickness...
a month after the war.
Misery followed the war's end.
With nothing to eat, nothing to wear...
living one step ahead of starvation...
my mother rushed around, working herself to the bone...
to provide for two growing girls.
And then one day...
A jeep!
Yama?
Mrs Kayo Nogami?
Yes.
My name is Komiyama. I served with Yamazaki.
How do you do.
Our regiment was at a place called Mudanjiang, in Manchuria.
We became good friends.
We were moved north to Dongning, on the Soviet border.
Then last fall we were suddenly sent south.
We got summer uniforms...
and boarded a troopship at a port in Korea.
On the southern front it was one loss after another.
No one said so, but it was about then we started feeling Japan would lose.
Yes...
The Americans had total command of the sea.
The moment our ships reached the East China Sea...
they'd be torpedoed and sunk.
We sat in that sweltering ship...
trembling in fear, wondering if now it was our turn.
Komiyama...
You're a good swimmer...
Yeah. My dad's a fisherman.
I can't. I swim like a hammer.
If this ship goes down, I'm dead.
But you've got to stay alive and make it back to land.
And then...
go to this house...
and tell them how I died.
There's a beautiful missus there named Kayo.
Tell her this:
'I'm no longer in this world...
'but my spirit is always with you...
'watching over you.'
The next day we got hit by an enemy torpedo.
We were on a freighter, lightly armored.
It sank in a flash.
I grabbed onto Yamazaki...
as hard as I could...
but he pushed my hand away.
'It’s OK.
'Don't bother'...
he said.
Can I see that?
Now, look.
The ear and the nose aren't level. Bring this down.
Very imaginative!
Yes!
Excuse me...
Everybody, listen!
I have to go, so watch carefully while you draw.
A well-rounded person needs more than just literature and math.
Hi, it's me. Grandma's taken a turn?
Yeah...
OK.
I'll be over this afternoon.
Tell your dad to get over there.
You go, too.
'Bye.
Your mom's ill?
She's old.
Where is she?
Mitaka. My sister's a doctor there, so that helps.
Hatsu-bei...
Hi.
How is she?
She recognizes the grand-kids. She's talked to each of them.
Kabei...Teru-bei's here.
Kabei, it's me. Can you hear me?
What?
What did you say?
Thank you...
for everything.
What are you talking about? That's for us to say!
Goodbye.
Are you going?
Yes...soon you'll see Tobei again.
Yama, and Aunt Hisako... they'll all be there.
Say that again?
What?!
No!
What did she say?
She wants Tobei in this world, not the next.
She wants him alive, not dead.
Hatsu-bei!
5:30 a.m.
That's when you wake.
You turn on the gas.
You start boiling the rice.
Then...
you wake up the girls for school.
You make their lunches.
You are a poorly paid supply teacher.
Thin and worn as you are...
you must summon...
all the energy of a child.
You must sing your songs loud.
How many hours a day must you work?
All feel injustice...
but all fear being fired.
Lose that job...
and you can never go back.
For me, and for the children...
you grit your teeth...
and struggle on.
Your aching body doesn't weigh 40 kilos.
You are like a piece of cracked china.
Who is it...
that hurts you so?
Who is it...
forcing this grief on us?
You are no longer beautiful.
No longer young.
But now a thought strikes me...
and I must look at you anew.
You glow with the force inside you!
In my weakness, that gives me...
the strength to live on...
and reminds me...
that I am human.
Directed b y Yoji Yamada
Subtitles Ian MacDougall