"YOU WERE LIKE A WILD CHRYSANTHEMUM"
Produced by Kozo Kubo
Based on a story by Sachio Ito
Photography by Hiroyuki Kusuda
Art Director: Kisaku Ito Music by Tadashi Kinoshita
Starring:
SHINJI TANAKA NORIKO ARITA
Chishu Ryu Takahiro Tamura
Toshiko Kobayashi Haruko Sugimura
Keiko Yukishiro Kazuko Yamamoto
Kumeko Urabe Kappei Matsumoto
Adapted and directed by KEISUKE KINOSHITA
"An autumn wind reminds me
Of the sad days in my youth."
You hear well for your age.
How old are you?
73 already.
I've become really senile these days.
No wonder. My grandson is a college student.
You must be carefree.
I had a hard time during the war.
But, I can afford to go out now.
I wanted to come to my old home before I die.
People rarely go by boat nowadays.
I thought you were curious.
There was no train in my childhood.
This river reminds me of many things.
The Saitos were a big old family.
Since the reform they've fallen and disappeared.
I don't know where they are.
We didn't exchange letters often...
...after my brother had died.
His adopted son took over.
We're relatives only by name.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Even real brothers can't stay together forever.
Life is really a short dream.
In happiness or sadness.
Everyone, rich or poor, must go into a grave.
It was in autumn too.
I can never forget.
It was 60 years ago...
So I don't remember the details.
But, I feel it was only yesterday.
Please don't laugh...
...at an old man's sentimental remembrance.
"You were my only love in life."
"I can never forget."
Masao.
Tamiko!
Your letter just arrived.
How is your mother? Very sick?
No, not very.
Mrs. Saito is weak.
She was better in spring.
Everyone is either poor or weak.
We can't afford to stay in bed.
Are you going to help her? Why not marry Masao?
Don't fool me!
He's waving.
You should answer him.
Who is living in that house now?
Nobody. That's too big for any villager.
And too old too.
It'll fall down some time.
Children call it a ghost house.
My native house became a ghost house.
Life is really transient.
"Things have mercilessly changed."
"I really miss the good old days."
You smeared my paper!
Don't interfere!
I want to study with you.
Then I'll clean your room.
It's dirty here.
I'm studying!
Your fault.
No, yours. Go now.
Finish your work quickly.
Don't interfere with Masao.
I want to study too.
Girls must learn house work.
Dressmaking, for example.
What a shame!
Will he leave in November?
Yes, he must enter a highschool.
I'll be lonely.
Don't be childish.
Send for my medicine.
Take tea to the others on the field.
Let's go see the firework tonight.
How about you?
No, I can see it from home.
There is a show too.
I must help my aunt.
They're always together!
I like staying home.
Me too.
Tea at last.
They always loiter on their way!
We brought your tea.
The bath fire's gone out.
You're only worried about Masao.
Fidgeting all the time while he is away.
His mother is worried.
Don't lie. She's been asleep.
You didn't come to help, only to see Masao.
Stop talking and work.
You must be dareful too, Tamiko.
Masao is late. Go and see.
Don't tease Tamiko. She's my niece.
You're an employee, Omasu.
Be nice to me.
Come with me to a show.
You two aren't children any more.
People say you're too intimate.
Be careful.
Don't go into his room, Tamiko.
You're older than him, aren't you?
You're 17. You can't have a bad reputation.
You must be careful too, Masao.
But, we aren't doing anything wrong.
You told me she's as good as my sister.
Yes, I treat her like my daughter.
But, people talk...
They've no ground.
Let them talk.
Tamiko, finish that dress tonight.
She always sticks to him.
Mother thinks they're children. I warned her.
You misunderstand.
They're innocent.
You're jealous because she's pretty.
Why not marry her, then?
You may leave me for her.
"A jealous wind snakes the light."
"I cannot say it isn't right."
A beggar?
How is Mother?
She seems better today.
Don't be so formal.
You never come to my room.
Will you clean it?
Do it yourself.
Masao, go and pick egg-apples.
I thought you were studying.
Why not ask Tamiko to do it?
Pick a lot of them.
Your mother sent me.
She sympathized with me staying home all day.
Did you know I was here?
Of course.
"It was only a moment's love."
"But I have no regret."
What is it?
You're cold these days. You don't like me any more.
Oh, how can you say that?
You seem so.
Your mother scolded us. What could I do?
I'm a woman and I'm older than you.
I'm trying hard to obey her, and you blame me.
I didn't really mean it. Don't be angry.
You have changed and don't even talk to me.
I've been lonely.
What can I do?
Mother said I should ask you to clean my room.
Did she say so?
And she sent you here after me.
How nice she is!
Maybe she made a mistake.
I'll take the blame. Never mind the others.
I won't. We've been good friends since childhood.
Look, the sun is beautiful!
She'll say something.
Never mind. Mother sent us together.
Hello, lovers!
You call me a stupid?
Damn premature kid!
Omasu was frank and good to me before.
Lately she's very sarcastic. Maybe she hates me.
She's only jealous about us.
Jealousy is a woman's vice.
You talk like a grownup man.
Sure, I'm no longer a child.
Better go. People will talk again.
You said you wouldn't care what people would say.
I don't care either.
Good night!
Tamiko.
Let's keep away from each other.
It'd be better for you.
I'll be lonely but it can't be helped.
Go and sleep now.
I'll go so they wouldn't see me.
Good night.
"Poor star-dust falling"
"Without brightly shining."
Eat a lot.
Thanks for your help.
We forgot to reap the cotton in the mountain.
We must hurry.
Yes, the festival is beginning.
Masao, will you go with Tamiko?
Can you manage without them?
Yes, we can do the rest alone.
Then, we'll ask you two.
Will you massage me, Tamiko?
Make good lunches for them for tomorrow, Omasu.
Sending them into the mountains!
Mothers don't understand. Why don't you tell her?
That's the proper job for them.
Villagers talk about them.
A really shameful rumor.
Don't you know?
Aren't you the source?
Masao, what are you doing?
I was waiting.
Oh, beautiful! I adore starworts.
You too? I like them very much.
Maybe I'm an incarnation of starwort.
I can't love it more.
That's why you're like a starwort.
Let's go.
Why am I a starwort?
Well, you radiate the same feeling.
Did you say you liked it?
I do like it.
What are you thinking of?
Nothing.
You're thinking of something. Be frank.
To be frank, I'm sad about my age.
I'm older than you.
That makes me sad.
You were born ahead of me. That's all.
You're 17 now, and I'll be 17 in 2 years.
You're odd today.
Tired?
We came half way.
Let's rest after we get there.
Yes, we'll be alone there.
Hello! Nice day, isn't it?
Are you enjoying your honeymoon?
My mother has sent us.
You're making me jealous, Tamiko.
Tsune, leave us alone.
Oh, yes, sorry. Have a good time.
I must leave next month. Only 2 weeks left.
This may be the last chance for us to talk.
We must part.
That's what I've been thinking of.
You laughed at my worries.
Cheer up. You needn't cry.
I can come home once in a while.
Your sister and Omasu say nasty things to me.
My sister-in-law is cross.
But, Omasu is good at heart.
Her parents were killed in the war,
when she was a baby.
We should be kind to her.
Yes, I think so too.
I often give her my things.
You're really a kind man.
Why are you smiling?
You're like a bellflower.
You radiate the same feeling.
You're sarcastic.
I didn't know it was so beautiful.
I've fallen in love with it.
You're a starwort, and I'm a bellflower?
"Because you understand how I feel,"
"I don't insist more from love."
You must be tired. Shall we take a rest?
I didn't think we'd be so late.
No use to worry.
Let's hurry the way.
We aren't doing anything wrong.
You're too careless, Mother,
...sending them into the mountains.
I'm worried about them too.
Maybe I must be more careful.
But, you shouldn't say that.
Leave them.
Welcome back.
I'm home.
You're late. Take a bath and eat.
Thank them for their trouble at least.
I planned to send you to highschool next month...
...but I changed my mind.
Leave in 3 days,
immediately after the festival.
I want to stay out of bed during the festival.
But I feel weak.
Help yourselves.
"I couldn't control my heart,"
"Uneasy like a bush in a wind."
I feel like doing nothing at all.
I don't want to go out or read.
I only think of you, Tamiko.
Whenever I'm with you, I'm happy.
I wonder what happened to me.
"Like a flower without roots,"
"I don't know what to do in love."
I've been looking for you.
Read this later.
"I wonder what happened to me."
"I must go and study at high school..."
"...but it's hard to part from you."
"You're worried that you're older than I."
"But I don't care."
"Let's promise we'll be each other's some day."
"I'll return and see you in the winter vacation."
"Yours truly, Masao"
I'm ready.
Goodby, Masao!
"We expected another meeting,"
"This vague, unreliable thing."
I lived in a dormitory...
...but I couldn't forget her a moment.
I scolded myself but it didn't work at all.
I tried to mix in the others, and tire myself to sleep.
So passed the year.
I came home in late December on vacation.
I'm home.
Welcome home.
Change quickly.
You were away for 2 months.
How are you?
I'm better, if it's not so cold.
And the others?
Collecting wood in the mountains.
I'll go and see.
They'll be back soon.
Relax.
How's school?
Interesting?
Busy working.
I'd hoped I'd see Tamiko today, but I couldn't.
Nobody told me a word about her.
I guessed she had gone home.
I controlled myself and didn't ask anyone.
What are you doing?
Only seeing the fields.
I know what you think.
I'm sorry for you and Tamiko.
Your sister-in-law is really cross.
I hate to stay with her any longer.
She sent Tamiko away the day before yesterday.
She made low hints about you and Tamiko.
Even to your mother.
I'm so sorry for Tamiko.
I was cross too before.
I heard you sympathized with me, Masao.
Thank you.
I did my best to help Tamiko.
She cried everyday since you had left.
Stop crying and write to him. Here's a letter pad.
I can't do it.
The others want to separate me from him.
Don't mind them. Better write.
Masao can't write to you.
He lives in the school dormitory.
My letter would cause him trouble.
You're cousins.
I won't write. He'll return in winter.
But, you'll have no chance to talk with him.
I don't care.
I'm sorry for you.
Forgive me for what I did.
What were you doing?
Crying again? What's so sad?
Mother wants you.
She'll be late. She walks crying all the way.
I should've sent her earlier for medicine.
Perhaps she stopped at her house to cry.
She's often absent-minded these days.
She wants to marry Masao.
People believe so.
That's impossible.
Masao has to study.
You should tell her.
I told her indirectly.
She won't give up hope so easily.
It's her chance to get fields.
And she knows you love her.
If you don't want her to marry him...
...you'd better send her away now.
I don't mean to oblige you...
...but I've really loved you.
You shared my milk with Masao.
Whenever I made clothes for Masao...
I made some for you.
I treated you like my daughter.
It's not my real wish...
...to send you away before Masao returns.
I also want you to listen, Omasu.
I know how you feel, but you'd better go.
You can't stand to be talked ill of, can you?
If you stay until Masao returns...
...you'll only have a harder time.
I'm sorry to say this.
But please do me this favor.
It'll be good for Masao too.
He has to study for many years to come.
I'll leave, auntie. Thanks for everything.
I'll leave too!
Don't do that.
If you leave now, people will laugh too.
Bear up.
Stay at least on New Year's day.
Only that day.
Drop at her house on your way.
During the New Year holidays.
Tsune's funeral.
He drank too much a few days ago.
He was found drowned in the river.
A bad-hearted man never dies beautifully, they say.
Man's life is really frail.
Are you awake?
Feeling better?
The postmaster is downstairs.
He invited us to the theater on the 5th.
I don't want to go.
His real reason is you, Tamiko.
He brought a proposal...
Father and Mother are happy.
I hope you'll be happy too.
Kiya's son wants you. His family is very rich.
Get well by then.
I really hope Tamiko'll accept it.
I'm sorry to trouble you.
I wanted to visit your family in any case.
I feel better, and the day is fine.
I'm all right now, thanks to Tamiko.
But, she's very stubborn.
We don't know how to persuade her.
We're obliged to the postmaster.
We can't refuse without any reasons.
I'll talk to her somehow.
I'd appreciate it.
Look at the cherry blossoms!
Shall I go and see?
No, better not.
I hope she won't hold out against her aunt.
Listen, Tamiko.
If you think of marrying my son...
I won't let you.
I'll never agree.
Even if you refuse Kiya's son or anyone...
...you won't be Masao's wife.
Masao hasn't come for a long time.
I like him better than Eizo.
He's honest and good-natured.
I imagine how he's grown.
I remember he climbed up the persimmon tree...
He picked many persimmons...
...and Tamiko was under him collecting them.
4 or 5 years ago.
Yes, it was 4 years ago.
I'm sorry for both Tamiko and Masao.
Is she still being difficult?
No!
She agreed.
She's coming down.
Has she agreed?
She's a good girl after all.
She listened to me and agreed.
Is that so?
Thank you very much!
What are you saying? Tamiko has agreed herself.
The postmaster'll be happy.
Poor girl!
I'm sorry I troubled you, auntie.
I'm glad you have understood.
Have you agreed?
Can I tell them?
Don't change your mind.
You're lucky to marry Kiya's son.
Many girls have wanted to be his wife.
Remember that.
Thank you again, auntie.
Tamiko, try to forget Masao.
I understand how you feel.
I'm happy.
Everything goes well now!
Tamiko is lucky.
I'll go to the postmaster.
I don't understand why you're so happy.
Aren't you her mother?
What do you mean?
Sympathize with her.
Aren't you happy?
You don't understand.
Listen, everyone.
In the past 60 years of my life...
Do you know what was the happiest thing in my life?
It was when I married my dead husband.
My life was worth living because of that.
The other things weren't important.
Are you opposed?
I'm not opposed to this marriage.
I only want you to understand how she feels.
A bride should lower her head.
I was told not to tell you about this.
Not even to write to you.
I thought it was too late too.
Are you going to Tokyo?
I can't stand your sister-in-law any more.
I'm determined to leave.
I can work as a servant anywhere.
I wish you happiness.
Thank you. My brother found me an employer.
He says it's an easy job, but I'm ready for hard work.
All I can do is work faithfully.
Take care.
You too. I'm sorry I brought only bad news.
But, I couldn't keep it unsaid.
I'm all right.
Tamiko is Tamiko. Her marriage doesn't matter.
I know she thinks only of you even after marriage.
Otherwise, she wouldn't keep living.
I must go now, Omasu.
Thank you for coming.
Hello, anybody in?
They're in the fields.
I'll bring them soon.
A telegram for Masao Saito.
"COME HOME IMMEDIATELY STOP MOTHER"
I'm home.
You came quickly.
What happened?
Mother's waiting.
Mother, what is it?
Masao! Thanks for coming quickly.
The telegram shocked me.
I had to see you. Anyway, eat first.
I thought you got worse.
Yes, a little.
You must be hungry.
Masao, did you know Tamiko got married?
Yes, I did.
Oh, did you know that?
Why didn't you warm his soup?
It's OK.
Why are you excited?
Did Mother tell you anything?
Not yet.
Give me hot water.
Not so hot.
Your fault, stupid!
You're bad!
Tamiko is dead.
Is it my fault?
What have I done?
Ask your own heart!
I'm sorry.
I was cruel to Tamiko.
Apologize to her for me.
When did she die?
4 days ago. It's just like I caused her death.
How did she die?
She must have been thinking only of you...
...even after she got married.
Her husband didn't like it.
After her 5-month baby miscarried...
...she got divorced and was in bed at home.
Why didn't you let me see her before dying?
Tamiko, it's me.
Don't be weak.
Be strong and try to recover.
Thank you for everything, auntie.
What are you saying/
You've been kind to me.
Don't say that.
I think I'm dying.
Don't be so weak!
You aren't dying. Don't give up.
I don't want to live, auntie.
Don't be silly! Tamiko!
Tamiko didn't say a word about you.
So, we thought she had given you up.
We're sorry we didn't even tell you.
When we were fixing her bed after she died...
...we found she held something...
...in her left hand placed on her heart.
We pitied her but we were also curious.
We opened her hand and saw what it was.
It told us everything.
She didn't say a word about you...
...because she couldn't excuse herself to you.
In her hand was a package of red silk...
...which contained your letter and a bellflower.
"Late autumn and the fields are lonesome."
"Only crickets sing by her grave."
"YOU WERE LIKE A WILD CHRYSANTHEMUM"
THE END