TIME OF JOY AND SORROW
FIRST PART
- Do you hear the noise? - Today's the feast?
I don't see any flag.
What a shame...
What shall we do to then?
You surely don't know anyone here.
You go first. I'll wait for you here.
Shanghai is under martial law.
Having the mission to protect all the Japanese residents,
the Imperial Navy is taking
all kinds of precautions.
The inhabitants are advised...
Hi.
I'm back already.
Excuse my absence.
Did you manage to see your father before he died?
Yes, I saw him.
I'm glad. My deepest sympathies.
I thank you all very much.
War has started in Shanghai.
- Have a little rest. - Yes.
Well... Go on listening to the radio.
Listen, Arisawa came back with a wife.
Death, war and marriage. All at the same time.
Let's go.
- Long live Shiro Arisawa. - Long live!
- Long live the newlyweds. - Hurray!
Who's bringing the sake?
Tears or sighs?
Let sad thoughts be gone.
Let's say goodbye.
Stop torturing us with this song.
In the honor of the happy couple.
- It isn't an appropriate song. - Oh, it isn't?
It's a time for condolences,
and also for congratulations.
It's strange, but that's how it is.
How happy your father would be
if he could have seen you now.
Let's drink in his honor.
One more and that's it. I have to go to work.
What a serious boy.
That's how his father would wish him to be.
Exactly.
- Let me pour for you. - Yes.
I have to work.
I have a wife to provide for.
Wil you be able to provide for her? Give me more sake.
Be a good wife. I care a lot for Arisawa.
Yes.
We are the lighthouse keepers
and lonely lives we have.
We watch over
the boats on the sea.
We make the light
powerfully shine
with all our energy.
Thank you.
- A letter? - There's lots of things I have to write.
Do you mind if I look?
It shames me. Your uncle told me you write very well.
It's nothing.
He told me you were very hard-working, besides being beautiful.
Then... can I tell you what he told me about you?
- What? - That you are formal...
...and that you have a beautiful nose.
Not that I was a horse.
- Can I read it? - I'll read it to you.
Yes.
"My first wife..."
I don't like it. It's obvious I'm the first.
- I'll change this part. - Sounds strange.
But this is good. Don't laugh.
I won't.
"The Kannonzaki lighthouse"
"was the first in Japan"
"built in Western style."
"In this place, together with my wife..." Sounds bad?
- It's fine. - That's what I thought.
Go on reading.
- "With my wife..." - Start from the beginning.
Sit down and listen.
"This Kannonzaki lighthouse"
"was the first in Japan"
"built in Western style."
"In this place, together with my wife,"
"a new light shines in my life."
"Today is the 29th of January 1932."
"It's a happy day for me."
"Even if there's a war in Shanghai."
Kyoko.
Can I call you like this?
Yes, please.
Everything's strange.
My father's funeral, the wedding and then the train journey.
It's our first night together.
- Let's try it. - Yes.
- Let's be happy. - Yes.
Together for ever, till death.
Yes. Come what may.
Thank you.
Alright... I'll be back later.
Do you need anything else?
No, just come back quickly.
Help!
Shiro!
Idiot!
I should have told you about her.
She's the lighthouse boss's wife.
Why didn't you tell me?
I didn't want to frighten you. Don't worry.
What happened?
Tell me the truth.
Kyoko...
This lighthouse is better placed than most lighthouses.
Most of them are isolated,
far away from everything.
It's not an easy life.
I'm new.
They don't tell me where I'm heading.
You'll also go through hard times.
What happened?
A couple of years ago,
she and her husband were living separately.
When he was sent on some remote island,
she became mad thinking he was unfaithful.
Worse even, her daughter died in an accident.
The poor thing.
All the same today,
when she saw someone she didn't know...
It's cold in here.
I'm wondering what hardship does the future have in store for us.
I prefer wondering
the joys that are waiting for us.
- Mrs. Arisawa. - Good day.
Now you really look like a wife.
It doesn't seem true.
You looked like an innocent girl when you came.
Really?
And only one month ago.
Now you're a very good wife.
Do you want to eat anything?
- Don't mind if I do. - Red beans, they bring good luck.
- Alright. - Are you disappointed?
Next time I'll cook something better.
I'll wait till then.
Red beans don't agree at all with me.
Mrs. Arisawa!
You have a visitor. A woman called Fuji.
O, yes? Thank you.
Fuji!
Fuji.
How come you came without telling me? I'm surprised.
Come to my house.
Everything was so rapid, I couldn't even see you.
What brings you here?
I came to see you.
I'm glad. Let's go.
- What happened? - Your husband?
- No, but it doesn't matter. - Can I see him?
He's in the lighthouse, cleaning things up.
He'll be very glad to see you.
I don't think so.
He doesn't know me and you're not glad to see me.
Don't lie.
What happened?
I'm very curious.
He married you without knowing you.
You only came to say that to an old friend?
Yes.
By the way, why didn't you marry Hasuike?
He hasn't yet managed to forget you.
I'm sorry, but it's not my problem.
He tried to give me a love letter,
that's all.
It's all the same to you, but...
Enough is enough!
If you only came to tell me this, you can leave.
What's the matter with you?
Don't you know you made two people suffer?
You can marry Hasuike!
You're an idiot!
Had he been able, he'd have come here to die.
If you'll marry him, fine.
But he told me he still loves you.
He might be dying right now!
You were stupid to get married like this, at first go.
But he loves you. Who are you to say how I feel?
Put yourself in my place. You must listen to me.
I'll die in this sea you look at every day!
Fuji!
Forgive me.
Don't be stupid!
Stupid! Idiot!
- Leave me alone! - Come here.
- Let me go! - Come!
- Come here. - No! No!
Idiot!
What happened?
You're mad.
Like my wife.
She called you an idiot.
But can you call her that?
She might be mad,
but she still keeps her dead daughter's dolls.
I put flowers in her hair.
It might seem ridiculous. But she's happy if I do that.
So I do it.
Every day,
when I brush her hair, she cries.
I am so saddened that I can't help crying!
That's how she is, but I still love her.
I'll go on embracing and loving her.
I married her right away after meeting her. Do you think I'm stupid?
You don't have a clue about what love is,
nor about what life is.
How could you understand the lighthouse keepers?
Go! Go home and think.
I don't want someone like you...
...to dirty our sea.
Leave!
Remember we were talking here,
just when I had arrived.
Let me say it again.
Whatever problem the future might have in store for us, we'll overcome it together.
Maybe you don't know everything about me.
Maybe I also don't know you.
But, at least, we believe in this.
Let's share our hopes and we don't have to be ashamed.
Yes. That's what matters.
That lady has left.
The boss says he'll blow the siren,
to make you feel better.
KANNONZAKI
ISHIKARI, HOKKAIDO
What a cold!
My son wants to go to college.
Since I've left my family, I've been living alone.
I'm also separated from my wife.
It's for the kid's college. I help them.
Mrs. Arisawa is the only one who lives here.
We'll be having a child, so...
Please, help us.
My wife's a dreadful cook.
Don't count on me.
You can see he's very healthy, you only have to look at him.
My skin is dry and rough.
Because you are old.
It's not true!
I can't work with this belly.
And if it's the baby?
- I'll make the rice. - And I the miso soup.
He'll be born the coming month.
Why don't you go to the hospital beforehand?
He's right.
We're like bears.
We can eat no matter what and survive.
My husband's rather like a rabbit.
I depend less on my wife.
Be patient. We are independent now.
We still don't belong to the United Nations.
The 28th of March, isn't it?
"No wife, no son. I only have the snow."
Living here,
the only thing that matters is the cold.
Whatever happens in the world or in Japan,
it's very far.
He spends his days playing the mandolin.
He doesn't do anything else.
He must feel lonely, without his wife and kids.
Do you also worry about the light?
When I get up, you also get up.
It's already one year and two months.
I liked Kannonzaki.
My first assignment. Who'd have married me?
No one, except me.
Well, it doesn't surprise me.
I'll go take a look.
"THE EASY PREGANANC Y AND BIRTH"
I told you you should have left beforehand.
It's too late now. And what if the midwife doesn't get here in time?
Don't worry. Kyoko, in this magazine...
Easy.
October! The October issue!
We need hot water.
I'm right beside you!
The baby's born!
Congratulations, Arisawa!
It's a beautiful baby girl!
Don't make such strange shapes.
Look what I'm making.
- Don't dirty yourself, alright? - No.
- Let me. - No, thank you.
- Let me do it. - No, really.
Let him do it.
He wants to do it with his wife.
A New Year without the family. What a bore, isn't it?
- We all went through that. - Yes, that's true.
Hello.
- Making rice cupcakes? - Yes.
It's a good moment for good news.
A cable for you.
Thank you!
- This time it's a boy! - Really?
Hurray!
He always goes out running when happy.
Like when Yukino was born.
- Hurray! - Hurray!
"I'm enjoying holidays in Shinshu, my home village. "
"Time flies."
"Your mother and I took Kotaro to the shrine today. "
"There I met someone I didn't expect to. "
Fuji!
Kyoko!
- I'm very sorry... - It's nothing.
- Have you come to the shrine? - Yes.
What a pity!
I knew you were back,
but I was so ashamed...
Come see me when you want.
Know what? I'll be geting married next month.
Great! Who's the lucky guy?
Please, don't laugh.
No.
Hasuike.
Great!
Congratulations! I'm very glad.
Mother, go home. I'll be following you.
I'm very glad.
She wanted me to get married with Hasuike.
I went back home and made my mind.
I'll marry him even if he hates me.
But they drafted him.
I waited for three long years.
And, finally, he came back home.
I hope you'll be very happy.
Thank you.
Maybe I'll not be happy,
but that's the life I chose.
Come what it may, I'll stick to him.
"I hope from the bottom of my heart that she'll be happy. "
"That's all for today."
"I could have come back home sooner,"
"but I stayed so I don't get sick."
"Greetings to everybody."
"How's Mrs. Suzuki?"
"I'll send you some apples. Share them with everyone. "
It's beginning already.
Good news?
I'd like her to come back.
Be patient. If you want her, be patient.
I want to see the baby. But it could catch a cold.
Do you miss your wife?
But, what if she gets sick, like Mrs. Suzuki did?
We have decapitated
the Prime Minister
in the slowly
falling snow.
What a destiny...
He's so desperate, he's dancing.
He's been living in lighthouses for 25 years,
and still doesn't like this life.
You've been leading the same life for ten years. You like it.
I don't have any other option. It's my job.
The world has forgotten us.
Do those on the boats you guide know how hard our life is?
Do they care?
I know your worries.
And you know mine.
That's what matters.
Life is very hard.
Stop complainig. Grumbling gets you nowhere.
I hope our children will be fine.
The boss's wife takes care of them.
Why did you say I was sick?
I have to take care of the children.
Be patient. Stay in bed until spring.
- Have a little sake. - Thank you.
- How are you feeling? - Thank you.
I feel weak.
I'd like being able to take care of you, too.
Be patient and get well.
- See you. - Yes.
- Sir. - Yes. Tell me.
- A cable. - For who?
You're reading it again?
There's something to celebrate.
- What? - Here.
Hurray!
His wife's coming back.
That's why he came out running the other time.
I wanted to see this snow again.
That's why I hurried.
It's very cold here.
Yes, but I'm happy to be back.
What if Kotaro catches a cold?
Daddy, in your letters you said you wanted us to come back.
It's true.
- Welcome. - I'm glad to see you.
- Look. - Oh, how nice.
Let's go inside.
Did the apples arrive?
- Yes. - A short while ago.
They were very good.
How is Mrs. Suzuki? I brought her apples.
It seems that a while ago she was worse.
In great pain.
- Some other time? - Is she feeling that bad?
Yesterday she was worse.
The siren's bothering her.
I'll say hello.
- Hi. - Hi.
Now that the sleigh is here, I'll go back to my wife.
Is she feeling well?
She might not make it till spring.
The village doctor can't do anything.
I'll take her to the town hospital.
But the town...
I can't leave her like this.
- Could you take us? - Sure.
Suzuki, think well about it.
The town is far away.
I know.
I could go with him.
Yes, go with him.
One wife gets in and another one gets out.
My sleigh is like a bridge.
Happy passengers make me happy.
Sad passengers make me sad.
Arisawe, she's dying.
Itoko. Itoko!
Light sends the sea to sleep.
Light, so sweet, like a dream.
Watching
it shine.
Watching
it shine.
People
go on living
their lives.
Itoko, my love.
Do you see that light?
Do you see how it illuminates the sea?
It was for that light that we used to live, but know...
Look carefully. Say goodbye to the island.
I didn't use to like it, but when you have to leave it...
The snow's gone.
But we aren't going far away.
ISHIKARI
OSHIMA ISLAND
I'd like it here.
I agree.
OSHIMA ISLAND
MINAKOJIMA ISLAND
Would you like this one?
What?! It frightens me...
MINAKOJIMA ISLAND
MESHIMA ISLAND
How desolate. It looks like the end of Japan.
That's where all the lighthouses are.
They all are at the end of Japan.
Yukino, go play.
Mother has to cook.
Father will be back from work and he'll be very hungry.
Why don't you go pick some flowers for father?
You'll find a lot of flowers.
Tomorrow we'll go fish shrimps, won't we?
And we'll get lots of them.
Have you come here to play?
I told you not to come here, because you might get hurt.
Daddy, lets go some place.
- Where? - Far.
Not the first boat, the next one.
Why not the first?
How could the lighthouse keeper leave?
If it's hard for a grown up, imagine how it must be for a child.
Come here, Yukino.
Youth, divine treasure.
We're the lighthouse keepers
and lonely lives we have.
We watch over
the boats on the sea.
We make the light
powerfully shine
with all our energy.
What're you doing, Kotaro?
Are you playing?
- Look. - How nice.
Don't break it.
- Look, mother. - Come on.
- It's in the ground. - Oh, yes?
It fell.
Really?
This rice is dreadful.
And what do you want me to do?
Food is our only pleasure.
Could you get a quick transfer?
I mean, if you ask for it.
Don't talk nonsense.
Who'd want to come here?
Think about the children.
It's worse than Hokkaido.
We are 80 km away from the nearest village.
Don't complain.
I'm the only woman with children living here.
Do you want to leave here that much?
What are you saying? It's not for my sake.
It's for the children.
I also think about them.
Why didn't you then send us to the village?
Well, you can go. Stop complaining.
Leave now.
When did I complain?
You always complain.
The rice is bad because there's no water.
You can't eat this!
You don't have any reason to get mad either.
I'm fed up.
Do what you like. Pack up and leave!
Shiro!
Eat your supper. Do you want more fish?
Do what he says, before he changes his mind.
This island is unbearable.
Nozu. What do you say?
Come on, leave.
I won't change my mind. Go pack your things.
Yukino, come with daddy. Come here!
Do you want me to leave? It looks like it.
Do what you wish.
Kotaro, come with daddy. Very well.
Mother has to pack her things.
Ready, ready.
Come here, Yukino.
Can I have something else besides rice? I almost forgot to ask you.
Alright, but it tastes bad.
Put this on, it'll rain.
A woman who calls
an island her home
is ready for love and travel
Coming!
- Your wife gave it to me. - What for?
Because it'll rain.
What're you doing?
I'm packing up.
What happened?
We had a fight.
How strange.
It was our first fight.
And that's why you're packing?
I'm leaving the island. It's a farewel.
The boat won't come until next week.
It's stupid to fight when on such a small island.
I once had a fight with my wife
and told her to leave.
But the boat came only in ten days and we had time to calm down.
You're daydreaming,
I thought you were busy,
working a lot.
But look at what you are doing.
I have the right to get mad.
There's going to be a storm.
So what?
We'd better prepare ourselves. The roof isn't alright.
Come help me.
Go.
A storm.
Watch it.
It's going to rain?
Behave well, yes?
Behave well.
"BATTLE BETWEEN JAPAN AND CHINA ON THE MARCO POLO BRIDGE"
It's already far.
Do you see the island, Yukino?
It wasn't only for the children.
Maybe I was the one who most wanted to leave the island.
I'm sorry.
It's nothing.
Yukino almost doesn't talk. I'm sorry for all.
Yes, I know.
Drop the newspaper and pay attention to me.
There's a battle on Marco Polo bridge.
There always is a battle in one place or another.
There was one in Shanghai the day we went to Kannonzaki.
What's going to happen now?
Do you want to leave me?
What are you saying?
I was only asking.
What shall we do?
We've always been together, until now.
We were separated once,
when you had Kotaro.
I felt lonely and I hated him.
But maybe it's better
for the kids to leave the island.
I always think about how lonely I felt.
But I now the children come first.
Is it true, Yukino?
Your mother wants to leave me.
But she's going to live in the village for your sake.
And there you'll have lots of friends, won't you?
Let's eat something.
Yes, I'm starved.
- Shall I take the savings? - Why not?
Savings aren't everything.
Not that we've saved that much.
1938, PASSING OF THE NATIONAL MOBILIZATION ACT
1939, THE SECOND WORLD WAR BEGINS
1940, FRANCE SURRENDERS TO GERMANY
Hurry up, mother.
Don't run like this.
Mrs. Arisawa!
Nozu!
- When did you come? - Right now.
You ran very quickly, I couldn't catch up with you.
Yes.
Wait here, children.
Don't move, alright?
- Any message from Shiro? - No.
Some husband.
I've got a favor to ask you.
What's the matter? Why are you so ashamed?
Come on, you really want me to ask her that?
Please.
- I've been suffering for three years. - Really?
Yes. And you are the only one who can help me.
I'd like to help you, but...
- I'm counting on you. - I don't think it's good.
You know all the good and all the bad in this life.
The good and the bad?
I'm serious.
And I'm listening to you seriously.
But the wife of the lighthouse boss always says...
...she won't let her daughter...
To marry a lighthouse keeper.
She says that when she's angry.
But she'll see that I'm not like her husband.
I can't tell her that.
You can talk well about me.
- I'll look after Yukino. - But Nozu...
Please!
Nozu.
We can't talk here. Let's go there.
Nozu!
- Hi. - Hi, Nozu. How're you?
You look like a college kid.
Do you want a ride?
- Do you? - Yes.
Push.
Bye.
I won't give her up, no matter what you say.
It's very embarassing.
I won't give her up.
Accept it. She said no.
It's all the same to me, I won't give her up.
Don't get like this.
Or what?
What if I get like this?
Listen, we shared our difficulties at the lighthouse,
don't do this.
- Please, forget her. - No.
You can't understand real love.
I won't give up!
Nozu.
- Are you asleep? - No.
- Care for some melon? - No, thanks.
Get up and come here.
Why?
I want to talk to you.
I don't know what my mother has said, as far as I'm concerned...
Thanks for the melon.
I like you. You've always been very nice.
- Not always. - Anyway, now you're sad.
You always talk very calmly.
- Because nothing worries me. - Doesn't it?
I'll never marry a lighthouse keeper.
Not you, not anyone else.
You sneaked away only to tell me this?
You aren't very nice.
Forgive me, I don't want to disappoint you.
Then what?
I never rejected you, it's not that.
- Sure. - I like you,
but I'll never marry a lighthouse keeper.
- Do you understand? - Of course. I'm not stupid.
Always moving from one place to another.
Always changing friends.
I already know how it is.
I saw what my mother has gone through.
I decided I'll never marry a lighthouse keeper.
It's as simple as that. Don't pull this face.
- Do you understand? - Yes.
Then smile.
I can't.
- We're friends. - Yes, we'll be friends.
Very well. Let's go back now.
Going back to the island will do you good.
- Try forgetting Masako. - I never will.
I presume it'll be difficult.
You know? When you told me
I didn't know what true love was,
I realized one thing.
How much I love my husband.
Tell him I long to see him.
Sure. See you next month.
- Bye. - Nozu!
Take this letter to my father.
A transfer. Women are wondering who's being transfered.
I hope it'll be me.
Up to now I've never wanted to leave the island.
Farewel.
Say hello to everybody.
Nozu!
Shall we dock on the cape?
It'll save ten minutes of walk on the land.
Are ten minutes that important?
Hey!
Daddy!
Welcome!
- We're being transfered! - At last!
Goodbye to these waves.
- Where to? - The center of Japan.
How nice!
We're off to a better place.
MESHIMA ISLAND
SECOND PART
HAJIKIZAKI
8TH OF DECEMBER
JAPAN DECLARES WAR TO THE USA AND UK
- Say it again! - Why not?
- You want to enlist? - Yes.
I'll show you!
Shiro.
Yes?
I think Mizuide had a fight.
- Why? - He's messed up and cries.
- Why don't you go? - Tell him to come up.
He can't.
Mizuide, my husbands wants to see you.
What for?
He's worried about you.
- But my face... - It doesn't matter.
Come with me, come on.
Did you have fight? Why? With whom?
You should be an example.
Instead, you get into fights.
You're young and maybe you don't realize it,
but we're responsible for you.
You could have got hurt.
A good thing the boss is sleeping.
You should go to sleep.
They said I was a coward.
What?
That I worked here because I didn't want to fight in the war.
What?
I got mad when I heard them saying that.
- Who said that? - I don't know their names, but...
Who were they? Take me to them!
- What are you doing? - Shut up.
I was just telling Mizuide...
- I'm responsible! - They'll hurt you!
- The boss will scold you. - I don't care!
- Wait, don't... - I'm going.
Mizuide, you didn't accept this work
because you didn't want to go to war, did you?
Of course not.
Show me. Hit me.
Mizuide, are you a coward?
Alright, let's go.
Pay him back!
Don't worry!
They should be here.
You want more?
- Come here! - Is there anything else you want to tell my son?
Shall I be damned, it's the lighthouse keeper!
Come, have a cup in this beautiful day.
You talk to someone else.
Please.
Come on, don't stay here.
Come on, move. Forward, move, move.
Sit down, please.
- I didn't want... - Sit down.
Mizuide!
- What happened? - He fell.
My God!
I told you to be careful. Get up.
- Did they hurt him? - No, his drunk.
And I am, too.
What a disappointment!
If he was so convinced...
What a cold!
- Sake? No, thank you. - I must tell you something.
- What happened? - Are you listening to you?
Don't you need the sleigh anymore?
How did you get here?
Masako's father died.
- Nozu wrote. - What?
He fell when trying to fix the anemometer.
I'm sorry for his wife and for Masako.
They'll transfer Nozu.
They'll transfer him at last.
He's still in love with Masako,
but he has no cure now.
The truth is I also wouldn't like
our Yukino to marry a lighthouse keeper.
We all go on the same road.
16TH OF FEBRUARY, SINGAPORE IS OCCUPIED
18TH OF APRIL, FIRST BOMBARDMENT OF JAPAN
Mizuide.
Our condolences for the death of your brother.
We want you to know we are sorry.
We had a lot of respect for him.
He was very courageous. He died for his country.
Your brother's death has
decided us to do our best to defend our seas.
We'll pray for your brother.
We'll recite an elegy
in his honor.
We hope it'll comfort you.
Let's pray in silence for Mizuide's brother.
May he rest in peace.
Arisawa! Arisawa!
The light on the breakwater is turning off.
I'll go fix it.
- Kyoko. - Yes.
- I can't ask you this. - Don't worry, I'll go.
They need you here.
Mizuide is trying to find a boat...
We'll try.
It's dangerous on this storm.
- You must try. - Then...
Mizuide!
- Arisawa! - How is it?
They say it's impossible.
What do they know?
- I'll row. - Really?
I'm a fisherman's son.
Alright. Let's go.
- I'll come too! - Alright, quickly!
He went in the boat.
Will he be fine?
There might be a lot of boats trying to get to the shore.
I'm worried about this light. Not him.
Come on, shout,
as loud as you can.
Will they see this light or not?
Look how the light shines
in our hearts
with all its might.
- It's fixed! - Great!
- Done. - He's waving the torch.
HAJIKIZAKI
OMAEZAKI
Anouncement from the East defense base
50 B-29 planes are approaching from the South
heading Nort-East. We repeat, North-East.
There's danger of an air raid for the Tokio-Yokohama zone.
The B- 29 formation that has previously attacked
is now flying over the Inubo Cape and Tateyama
and could attack any moment. Attention...
Look at me!
You must show strength.
You must advance lightly, like this.
And then attack! Back again.
Are you well? What's the matter?
Don't fuss over her.
Refugees from the town are weak.
Try again. Let's go!
Forward!
Back!
Forward! More!
Forward! Attack!
Back!
Everything burnt in the first air raid.
Luckily, nobody was killed.
- It must have been terrible. - Yes.
They've drafted my husband.
I came here with my sons. I have two.
I also have two children. My husband works at the lighthouse.
- Like the lighthouse keeper. - It's him.
I'm Mrs. Arisawa.
Glad to met you. I'm Mrs. Natori.
Mother!
Yukino.
They're transfering Nozu here. He just sent a letter.
- Nozu? - Yes, he'll come here.
- Wonderful! - I'm so happy!
Thank you for helping me.
- Are you sure you're alright? - Yes, I have to go.
Excuse me.
Tell your boys to come to the house and play some time.
You're very kind, I'll do that.
Arisawa!
Nozu!
Hi, Nozu!
Nozu!
I'm so happy to see you!
How you've grown up! No more playing the horse.
How soon you came.
I took an express.
- You look more mature. - Yes.
We were gathering clams for you.
Great, thank you.
But...
Masako!
I brought my wife with me.
- Nozu! - I'm so happy!
I'm very sorry for your father.
In the end, you married Nozu.
They transfered me to Tanegashima.
We were writing to each other, but when they transfered me here...
I made my mind.
The wedding, in the train...
It was the same with me.
Well, we must congratulate you.
- Congratulations. - Congratulations.
- Thank you.
I've been thinking a lot since my father died.
And your mother gave way in the end?
I told her I'd only marry a lighthouse keeper.
Well done.
I think I have always loved Nozu.
Come on, I see you've changed your opinion.
You weren't talking like this before.
Nozu wrote to me saying he was being transfered here.
I thought that was the moment: "Now or never."
My mother was happy, after all.
I'm sure your father'd have been glad.
You must teach me how to be a good wife.
I want our marriage to be as happy as yours.
Alright, you'll do your best.
KINKAZAN LIGHTHOUSE NIMURA DIES ON DUTY
SHIOYAZAKI LIGHTHOUSE YAMAMOTO DIES ON DUTY
SHIRIYAZAKI LIGHTHOUSE MURAO DIES ON DUTY
INUBOSAKI LIGHTHOUSE TAKAGI DIES ON DUTY
RYORIZAKI LIGHTHOUSE MIZUIDE DIES ON DUTY
Coming!
Mrs. Arisawa!
Careful!
I'm Shingo. My mother was wounded.
She wants Mrs. Arisawa.
Wait, I'll go look for her.
Mother. Mother.
I'm here, Mrs. Natori.
I was worried about my sons and...
Don't worry. I'll help them.
Thank you.
You are very kind.
Shingo, Mrs. Arisawa will help you
until your father comes back.
I'll do my best.
Take care and get well soon.
They wouldn't sell food to us until now.
I'm glad your mother will be well.
Can you cook?
Only rice. Nothing else.
But your parents had a restaurant in Tokio, didn't they?
- I didn't like that. - You didn't?
We only have plain food.
Restaurants are like a dream.
Is your mother eating well?
She's very happy you always give her food.
Well, a fisherman gave us yesterday's fish.
Everyone's been very kind to us.
It's because of your work.
Yes, I'm glad we have it.
It's the only thing that makes me go on.
Before, wars were fought far away.
Never so close.
They didn't affect us directly.
Nobody thought things would turn up this way.
Why don't they stop the war? They won't win it.
We must bear with it. We'll fight till the end.
We'll lose anyway. Wouldn't it be better to give up?
We'd lose less.
What a stupid thing to say.
We tried. We did our best.
Is it our fault we don't have enough boats and planes?
Well, it's our responsibility...
When Japan wins, as well as when it loses.
Maybe, but...
Think about all those young men dying.
You must have pity on them.
It looks like it'll never end. Attu, Iwojima...
We don't know how much it'll take us to die.
I, as a mother, I don't want to see my children killed.
- They're the most important. - But if the war goes on...
That's why I say it's better to stop it.
- You're stupid! - Kyoko!
Why do you say that?
Someone to see you.
Hi. I'm Natori.
Natori!
Thank you for having taken care of my family.
- Have you arrived today? - Yes.
It was difficult finding a train ticket,
but I managed in the end.
- Please. - Yes, do come.
No, I just wanted to thank you.
You did a lot for my wife and children. Thank you.
Everything's so dark and lonely.
What's the matter? Why are you laughing?
You're very strange.
- You said I was stupid. - So what?
It's the first time you said that.
Are you angry?
No, I'm happy.
You really are strange.
You never told me that.
- I tried not to. - I thank you for this.
I had told myself I'll never call you "stupid".
Not even when fighting.
Since when?
Since the first night we were like now for the first time.
- I wouldn't have minded. - Then from now on...
- I'll do what's best for the children. - I'll also say what I think.
I don't want them to die.
- How stupid. - Again? So quickly?
All parents love their children.
But can't you understand the country needs them?
No, I simply can't understand that.
War means killing.
Must innocent women and children also die?
"B-29 PLANES DROP A NEW TYPE OF BOMB ON HIROSHIMA"
"THE EMPEROR ADVISES THE NATION TO SURRENDER"
- Kotaro. - Yukino.
We're leaving.
We're going back to Tokyo.
Come visit us, will you?
We won't forget you.
Not how you used to bring us food, not how we gathered clams.
Thank you for everything.
Going away is sad.
When we'll settle up, will you come visit us?
Let's hope they will.
You'll miss them, won't you?
Grow up to be a beautiful girl.
What are you saying, mother!
- Shall we go? - Let's go.
- Thank you for everything. - Farewel.
- See you soon. - See you soon.
- Farewel! - Farewel!
Will they come back to see us someday?
At least, now we know someone in Tokyo.
- Yes. - Arisawa!
We're being transfered.
It'll be a long trip.
- Where're you going? - Up North.
- In Hokkaido. - Come on.
How disappointing.
Having lost the war included.
There'll be a lot of changes.
Don't lose your spirit, Masako.
We, from Kannonzaki, they send us to Hokkaido.
It was very cold and we went through harsh moments,
but we endured. It's time you get over that.
Hardship made me realize what my husband was worth.
You'll see.
- Hear that? - That's good, isn't it?
- We'll make it! - Yes.
It looks like everyone's leaving. From one sea to the other.
Remember what they used to say in Kannonzaki when someone left?
"Clouds move, rivers flow,"
"people come and go."
OMAEZAKI
ANORI
"The 1 st of November has been designated the day of the lighthouse. "
"Today it's the first day it's celebrated."
"Today it's celebrated for the first time."
It's the same.
Let's see.
"The 1 st of November has been designated the day of the lighthouse."
Go on and do it correctly.
"And today it's the first day it's celebrated."
"In this day of great joy and merriment,"
"with words of gratitude and encouragement..."
"With your words."
"With your words of gratitude and encouragement,"
"we feel that our efforts..."
- "Daily efforts." - Same thing.
"Our daily efforts are rewarded"
and... and...
You're worrying me.
Thank you a lot for your signs of appreciation.
Today I'd like to single out
especially Yasue for his 30 years of service.
That's why he's in Tokyo today.
So I'll speak in his name.
The first Western style lighthouse in Japan opened up on
the 1 st of November 1868,
to ensure the security of the boats in Kannonzaki.
Light shone over a sea
that had been dark and dangerous.
Foreign boats began coming on our shores.
And that's why...
That's how the isolation of Japan came to an end... Meaning...
Our... isolation and...
In other words... Our country...
That's where they were.
I wonder what can they have bought all the way from Toba?
They lost my speech.
- What a shame it was. - I said it very well.
You mean, you hid it well.
I couldn't get the words out.
Hi!
- What have you bought me? - Very nice things.
- You'll see now. - Mine is for dad.
And mine for mum.
- Here. - Thank you.
- How nice! - A handbag!
- You chose it well. - Of course.
Nice color.
Yours is modern as well.
I wanted one. How did you know?
It isn't bad, is it?
Thank you. You made me very happy.
- Yes, thank you. - The postman's coming.
Will he be bringing us a nice letter from someone?
"We want to know what you think."
"Maybe you don't think it's a good idea,"
"but we want to show you our deep gratitude"
"for the kindness you showed us."
"If you'll find our proposition acceptable and decide to go with it,"
"it'll be a great satisfaction for us."
"Please don't be angry with us for asking."
"And don't take it badly."
"At least think about it."
Great! Say yes, mother!
Say yes, father!
The Natoris are very kind to have made this offer.
Let's go to Tokyo!
I don't know.
The truth is that studying in Tokyo has its advantages.
It'd be a great opportunity for Yukino.
I want to go.
Me also.
But, sending a girl alone to Tokyo...
Don't worry.
The Natoris are good, pleasant people.
Besides, think that our children have never been able to go
where they really wanted.
- That's true. - Please.
- Shall we accept? - Yes, please!
How lucky Yukino is.
The time has come.
- Really? - Yes.
You have to study a lot and be admited at university in Tokyo.
Great!
Yukino can't sleep. You'd better decide.
You promissed Kotaro.
It'll cost a lot.
But it's worth giving our children a good education.
We were used to poverty.
If Yukino gets to know the pleasures of the good life in the city,
she'll make things difficult for us.
She's a very sensible girl.
That's for sure.
We'll be lonely if she leaves, but we'll cope with it.
Poor Kotaro.
You'll be more lonely than him.
Of course.
You have a longer hair in your eyebrow.
- I'll take it off. - Makes me old.
Ouch!
See how long it is.
We have to go.
Imagine we'll be transfered in some remote place.
We'll also be separated by classes, won't we?
Let's say yes, let's make him happy.
Shall we?
Yes, nothing'd make him happier.
Girls get married, one day or another they leave.
I'll tell him it's yes.
ANORI
OGISHIMA ISLAND
Yes.
Yes, right away.
Was it Kotaro?
He's dying!
Father!
Kotaro is...
What's the matter?
Kotaro is in the hospital. It's very serious.
- What happened? - I didn't ask.
You could have!
You go, I can't.
Not even for Kotaro?
I told you to go.
Mrs. Arisawa, the boat's ready.
- I'm very sorry. - Thank you.
- How is he? - We don't know.
What happened?
They stabbed him in a fight.
Quickly, let's go.
He was very disappointed when he failed the entrance exam for the...
...University.
Stupid.
He began skipping classes.
But he left home every day!
True,
but not for going to school.
He'd have graduated in one week.
- How is he? - He's sleeping.
Thank you for everything.
Are you the mother?
- Yes. - The doctor wants to talk to you.
Yes? How is he?
The doctor says it's very serious.
Please, come here.
Hello?
You'll come, won't you Hello? Hello?
There's nothing we can do...
- Shiro! - I'm working.
Shiro.
I'll come as soon as I can.
As soon as the inspection team is back.
Tell Kotaro to wait for me.
Tell him he must hang on.
Kotaro.
Mother.
What happened?
I'm sorry, mother.
Was it because you failed the exam? That's why?
That's why? Going to University is not that important.
It's that...
I was afraid to disappoint father.
That's what you were thinking?
You didn't have an easy life.
Always changing schools,
not being able to study in the same place.
It's not your fault you failed.
I gave up the idea of going to Tokyo.
I could be a lighthouse keeper, like father is.
I'd study for this.
It's a very good idea.
Father would be very pleased...
...knowing you'll follow in his footsteps.
He's getting old and he could use some help.
Father didn't go to University, but he is very good.
Yes, but brains is not all there is.
Your father has a great body and a great mind.
You too, mother.
Of course. We're equal.
Are you tired?
I see a shining light,
moving around me.
Father is a great man.
Shiro.
If I hadn't told him to come to Tokyo,
this wouldn't have happened.
No, it had to happen.
It's like this opened my eyes.
Until now, I didn't care what went on in the world.
Nothing else existed.
I only cared that the lighthouse was working.
This wicked world killed my son.
It killed Kotaro. The wickedness of the world.
Something's wrong in this world.
It's the fault of the war.
It made knaves out of us.
It brought too much cruelty
upon honest people like us.
Mrs. Kanamaki from Kannonzaki came back mad.
Now I know why.
Mother, I won't go back to Tokyo.
I'll stay with father.
No.
You must graduate.
Do it for Kotaro.
Father will be fine.
Kotaro said he'll follow father.
We are satisfied with this.
We're going again to Omaezaki. We should be content still...
Life's not so tranquil as it used to be.
Hundreds of lighthouses.
Tragedies happen everyday.
A lot of families died in train accidents.
There are shipwrecks.
I'm happy we are alive.
I'll go to Omaezaki as the boss.
This is also destiny.
TOKYO
Hello.
- This way, please. - Yes.
- Sit down, please. Yukino. - Yes.
I thank you for having come from so far away.
Glad to meet you.
What a nice restaurant.
Thank you. We worked a lot.
How lucky you are, Yukino.
I'm lucky and I'm happy.
And your husband?
I'd have liked him to be here. Take this.
But Shingo won't be long.
He must be a fine young man by now.
He said that, unfortunately, he wouldn't be able to meet you.
But that he'd come to see you
Hold this a little.
- Hi! - Oh no!
Well.
I'm happy to see you.
- Me too. - How you have grown up.
We were talking about you.
So you are now in Omaezaki? Please, sit down.
I miss that place.
It's not that far away from here.
Ah, of course, Nozu will go to Inubozaki.
It's just close by.
Please.
Help them, Yukino.
Thank you.
Remember when I told you that restaurants were like a dream?
It's true.
You fed us in those days.
Please, eat as much as you like.
- Thank you very much. - With pleasure.
A message, madame. Your husband came back home.
Thank you.
Tell him we'll be back in one hour.
As a matter of fact, I had just decided
that we were going to visit you.
But we are very happy you are here.
And we are very grateful for this.
So we think it's better to ask you right away.
We don't expect you to answer right away.
Shingo doesn't like restaurants
and he went to work for a foreign company.
And it's possible he might be sent to work abroad.
It's something that, I suppose, you have to bear in mind.
We are very honored
to know that you wish Yukino to be Shingo's wife.
We are the honored ones. She's a lovely girl.
It might be destiny,
so that, if you accept...
But, if Shingo leaves,
he wants Yukino to go with him.
Shiro, what do you think?
Since Kotaro has died,
you only have Yukino.
With Takeshi, who's now in France,
things would be different.
He'll take over the restaurant,
and Yukino could have stayed closed to you.
But with Shingo's job
we don't know where Shingo could be sent.
Things don't always turn out the way we want.
We understand.
Let us think about it.
Of course.
Make yourselves comfortable. This is your home.
I'll bring more tea.
You were here?
We've already talked about it.
Mother.
What's the answer? Yes or no?
Be patient, all in due time.
My parents will decide what they think is best for me.
Why're you laughing?
- It's very funny. - What is?
Everytime we talk, we do it in here.
In the four years you've been with us,
we've always talked in here.
Like if we were guests in here.
This rooom knows all our thoughts.
And our promisses.
Yes.
Looking at the sea
makes me think Yukino and Kotaro are here, playing.
Yes.
They'll call me and run to me.
Once, it was only the two of us.
It doesn't matter,
they must be happy wherever they are.
You always were so strong.
The waves have taught us to be strong.
Problems don't matter,
we go on in Japan.
But abroad things are very different.
It isn't worth worrying so much.
It's like Yukino already is with Shingo.
This is the problem.
What problem?
You're too obstinate when it comes to our children.
So what?
Didn't you once say up there
that you'd do whatever was best for them?
And I called you stupid.
We are not stupid parents.
We are intelligent.
Mrs. Arisawa, someone to see you!
Fuji!
My husband was an alcoholic.
I had to sell the house.
We had to leave the village.
He made me work from the first day we met.
I worked hard, but he hit me and abused me.
And I stayed with him like an idiot.
I knew it wasn't right,
that he had fooled me.
But I thought
that by marrying him I'd have fulfilled my destiny.
He died in an air raid.
I couldn't even die there.
Do you know what his last words were?
He said he had a daughter
with some other woman.
He asked me to take care of her. And I had no children.
I took care of this girl
all through the hard postwar years.
Strange, isn't it?
Now, she's the one taking care of me.
She gives me money and food.
I work as a cook in a geisha house.
You're living in Shizuoka? Come see me when you wish.
By chance,
my daughter's husband came here the other day.
And he saw a card with your husband's name.
- What a coincidence! - Yes.
Now, he's the lighthouse boss, isn't he?
Congratulations.
Thank you.
I remember when you went to Kannonzaki.
You chose a good husband
and without knowing him.
I want to ask you to forgive me.
I was very unfair.
It happened so long ago. Forget it.
True, many years have gone by.
I wrote Natori a letter about Yukino.
- What did you write? - Read it yourself.
I have to go out.
Excuse me.
Excuse me for a moment.
Father!
Well, I'm leaving.
Already? So quickly?
- You seem very busy. - Not at all.
It's only that my husband goes out running when he's happy.
Shingo Natori,
do you take
Yukino Arisawa for your lawful wife,
to have and to hold, from this day forward,
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickenss and health,
until death do us part?
Yes, I do.
Yukino Arisawa,
do you take
Shiro Natori for your lawful husband,
to have and to hold, from this day forward,
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickenss and health,
until death do us part?
Yes, I do.
I, Shingo, take thee, Yukino.
- To be my lawfully wedded wife. - To be my lawfully wedded wife.
Until death do us part.
- Amen. - Amen.
Stop crying.
Yukino was such a little girl...
We should have gone to Yokohama.
Not at all.
It's better here.
We must have lit the way to thousands of boats.
Maybe today we'll safeguard
the boat in which our daughter sails to her future.
It's the perfect goodbye for the newlyweds.
All hardship was worth the trouble.
That's enough.
Let's turn on the light together.
Maybe they can see us.
I hope so.
Did you tell them I was going to blow the siren?
They are waiting for our signal.
How far away.
They'll see a lot of places.
- What a wonderful honeymoon. - Yes.
Look at this light!
- Where? - There! Do you see it?
The signal!
Hey!
Father.
We'll also blow the siren.
I helped her into this world with my own hands.
My hands were shaking when I cut the umbilical cord.
Shiro,
all the hardship we went through, I don't care.
I am totally satisfied.
I don't think that way.
I think good things are awaiting for us.
Here they are!
Hey! Blow the siren! The siren!
Mother, father, thank you.
We are the lighthouse keepers
and lonely lives we have.
We are the lighthouse keepers
and lonely lives we have.
We watch over
the boats on the sea.
We make...
the light...
powerfully shine
with all our energy.
- THE END -