Oshin wanted to follow the stream of the Mogami
Kei followed without a word.
Oshin looked so intense, starring at the river,
that Kei was stunned.
This river must be
a source of memories for Oshin.
Probably, sad and bitter ones.
Kei looked at Oshin with sympathy.
I got it!
I did get it, didn't I?
It's mine, I caught it!
Get lost, it's my rod!
But I caught it. It's my fish.
Get away!
Why can't I have my fish?
Grandma's ill, it's for her.
Give it to me!
You're just a girl, stupid.
Silly girl!
The water's freezing.
- You'll catch your death! - You should take care.
I wanted to get Grandma a fish.
You went fishing?
Grandma doesn't eat because of her illness.
I thought she might like a fish.
There you are.
You should behave like a girl.
Don't go fishing with boys.
- I feel sorry for Grandma. - Oshin!
It was me who caught that fish.
All right then.
Would you help me with lunch?
Grandma...
Please eat your food.
Otherwise, Oshin will be worried.
I don't need to.
I don't work enough to get hungry.
I'd rather give it to Oshin.
Fuji...
You work so hard all day in the field.
If you don't eat, your body will wear out.
You're going to have a baby, right?
I'll get lunch ready.
Quick, let's go.
Don't go fishing any more.
I don't even like fish.
You must be hungry after all this.
Run along, get your lunch.
Please have some, Grandma.
It's only mine.
Oshin!
I feel much better now.
I thought you couldn't eat
because of your illness.
You work too, Grandma.
You're doing needlework right now.
You've been working hard too.
I know it very well.
Please eat it.
No one's watching. They've all gone to work.
Oshin...
Mother!
Are you still there?
Grandma...
Please listen to Oshin.
We'll feed you somehow.
Grandma...
Grandma says,
if we send Oshin to work,
she'll cut down her meals to one a day,
so that Oshin can stay at home.
Grandma...
You don't have to do this to keep Oshin at home.
- I won't let her go. - Grandma!
I'll go to Father and plead for you.
However long I live, I'm no use to anyone.
I can't even die.
I'll be cursed if I eat what's not mine.
But Oshin is young.
Don't worry about me.
Just give Oshin as much as she needs.
You... You foolish Grandma!
Doing such a thing for me!
Oshin...
It's all right.
We'll take care of our dear Grandma.
I'll look after her.
"The family is so poor that if I eat all I want,
"Grandma will hesitate before eating."
Mere child though she was, Oshin realised this.
Then I felt extremely sad.
I saw that there wasn't enough food for all of us.
A non-working person, like Grandma,
had to live modestly.
Finally I understood
why my sisters went off to work.
It's cruel, isn't it?
And these old people had to bear it.
It's like leaving them to their fate.
It must have been hard for Grandma.
But it must have been hell for Mother
to provide for everyone.
I thought then...
that I was seeing real hell.
It happened just down here.
It was the same season as now.
Mother didn't come home by sunset,
and I went to look for her.
Then... I saw someone go into the water.
Mummy...
Mummy!
Don't worry!
I'll come out soon.
Don't you dare tell anyone. keep quiet.
Mummy... Mummy!
Help me, Mother's going to die!
Mother's in the river, she'll die!
Fuji!
It's nothing, don't worry about me.
Come out, don't be stupid.
Come out, quick!
Mummy!
- You fool! - Never mind me.
Such cold water!
You'll be dead before you miscarry.
Please don't worry about me.
You've behaved disgracefully.
What's disgraceful?
We women all go through this hardship.
How could you ever understand it?
Are you still cold?
I'm sorry.
Never mind.
I can't add to your earnings.
I'm sorry to be such a burden.
It's not your fault, Grandma.
Poor baby, to be born in this place!
I wish it wouldn't be born.
Fuji!
For the sake of the other children.
Mummy...
I'm sorry I've upset you, Oshin.
I'm all right now.
I...
I'm going to work.
Oshin!
What did you say?
I won't let you go.
I don't want to send you away.
I've decided.
Daddy...
If it has to be soon, I'll go tomorrow.
Oshin!
Mummy...
Never do such a thing again.
Oshin, you...
If I'm not here, Grandma can have her food
and Mummy can have a baby.
I wish you a healthy baby.
You're not supposed to worry about those things.
If I go to work, I can eat all I want.
Am I right, Daddy?
Oshin,
weren't you going to go to school?
At work, your duty will be to nurse babies.
You'll be nothing but a nursemaid.
Oshin...
It's only for one year.
Be patient for just one year.
If this year's harvest is good,
life will be a little easier.
Next year, when the snow melts,
I'm sure to take you back.
Father...
It's good of you to understand.
You don't have to go, Oshin.
I'll stop eating for a year.
It's all right, Mummy.
Spring will come soon.
You...
You're just saying this
because you don't know what it's like to work.
My sisters work without complaining.
I've nursed babies at home.
Oshin...
Don't worry, Grandma.
Was the water cold?
I've fallen in there, so I know.
It's really lucky you were saved, Mummy.
There you are, Oshin.
Is nobody home?
My parents and grandmother are out.
I see.
Then I'll just leave this here.
It's rice.
Rice?
What for?
It's your year's wage, Oshin.
They're paying in advance.
It's your duty now to work hard, Oshin.
I'll walk past the field and tell your father.
You're leaving tomorrow, so get ready.
Even though Oshin had said she would work,
she still thought she might not.
If she were given a choice, she wouldn't go.
But seeing that she was sold for a bale of rice,
young as she was, she understood
that there was no going back.
"Tomorrow, I'll leave home with a smile."