1954 Art Festival Entry
Ministry of Education Choice Film
Excellent Film Appreciation Club First Choice Film
Shochiku presents
TWENTY-FOUR EYES
Produced by KUWATA Ryotaro
Based on the novel by TSUBOI Sakae
Photography KUSUD A Hiroyuki
Editing SUGIWARA Yoshi
Music KINOSHITA Chuji
Cast:
RYU Chishu KOBAYASHI Toshiko
NATSUKAWA Shizue KIYOKAWA Nijiko
TSUKIOKA Yumeji AKASHI Ushio
NANIWA Chieko URABE Kumeko
AMAMOTO Hideyo TAKAHARA Toshio
IGAWA Kuniko TAMURA Takahiro
TAKAMINE Hideko as OISHI Hisako
Written and Directed by KINOSHITA Keisuke
Among the islands of Japan's Inland Sea ...
... the second largest is...
... Shodoshima
This story takes place there ...
... more than two decades ago
The children in this village attend ...
... a local school for the first four years
For the fifth years and above ...
... they must walk three miles to a consolidated school
The ringing of the hammer resounds without a break ...
APRIL 4, 1928 Sparks fly and boiling water splashes,
The wind from the bellows blows without end,
The village blacksmith is hard at work
He's known by all as a stubborn old fellow,
Early to bed, early to rise and never known sickness at all,
He's proud of his arm that is stronger than iron,
Though his spirit is strongest of all
No sword does he forge, but scythe and sickle,
Hoe and harrow, plough and axe,
He forges tools of peace ...
Teacher!
Are you leaving?
I'm leaving you and the island today
I've said goodbye
After I'm gone, I want you all to study hard
What's our new teacher like?
She's very nice
Are you sure?
Sure, yes. She's a fine teacher
But she's just a beginner
So was everybody once
Don't you make her cry like you did me
You'd better not ... She's my daughter's teacher
- What's her name? - Miss Oishi
That means she's big
But she isn't. She's as tall as my shoulder
But her name ''Oishi'' does mean Big Stone
Then she's only a pebble!
Miss Oishi won't cry like I did
I told her ...
''If the children tease you, just think they're monkeys
''And if they're mean, just call them noisy birds''
All right, monkeys and birds ... Get moving
Ding-a-ling!
Ding-a-ling man!
Goodbye. Take care!
Have a nice wedding !
Good morning
- She's riding a bike! - She's really modern
Foreign clothes! And a new bicycle, too!
Good morning
There's a woman on a bicycle!
Must be the new teacher
In a suit ... she's acting like a man
Good morning
Come quickly! The world's changing. Look!
It must be the new teacher
Riding a bicycle and wearing a suit. What's the world coming to!
It's pretty!
Haven't you seen a bicycle before?
Want a ride?
My house is near that smokestack
It takes fifty minutes to get there by bicycle
Yes, it's a fine day. Not too hot or cold
Lovely for early April
I'll just go take a look
I have a problem
What's wrong?
It's the new teacher
She's a graduate of a normal school
Do you think she's clever?
I think so
You didn't expect her to ride a bike?
Why have they sent such a teacher here?
What must the principal be thinking?
It's time for school
Don't get discouraged
Better wear shoes today
All right, I should look modern
Everybody line up!
Attention !
You're all first years, aren't you?
Is everybody here?
One, two, three, four ...
Are there twelve?
They're all here
Let's line up
Come here
Everybody over here
You're going to study with me from today
All right, don't look the other way
Where are your eyes?
Look at me
Look this way
That's it
When I call your name, answer in a loud voice
I want to learn your name
Okada Isokichi
Okada Isokichi? Are you here?
Answer ''here'' when I call your name
Okada Isokichi
Sonki, that's his name
Everybody calls you Sonki?
All right. Big Sonki Isokichi!
Next ... Takeshita Takeichi
That's the way to answer
Next, Tokuda Kichiji
- Kich-chan - Here!
Answer when I call you, Kich-chan
Morioka Tadashi
Tanko!
Answer me when I call your name - Morioka Tadashi
So you're called Tanko, yes
Aizawa Nita
You're a talkative boy. What's your nickname?
Nikuta
Nikuta? Does that mean you're a bully?
It's not nice to be called that
Kawamoto Matsue
- What do they call you? - Mats-chan
Nishiguchi Misako
And are you called Misa-chan?
I'm Mi-san
Mi-san? That's cute
Kagawa Masuno
Don't say ''yeah'', it sounds funny
Say ''here'' when I call your name
She's Mach-chan!
Kinoshita Fujiko
Your relatives used to be heads of the village?
Yamaishi Sanae
Katagiri Kotoe
Kabe Kotsuru
Your father is the delivery man?
The ding-a-ling man !
Now you mustn't say things like that
Goodbye
Big Stone! Pebble!
Goodbye
Big Stone! Pebble!
She wrote down all the nicknames
She said Mi-san was a cute name
She's playing favourites already
What about Fujiko?
She asked if her family used to be village leaders
Village leaders! They're bankrupt
Class, where is the Emperor?
Nikuta
The Emperor is in the cupboard
In the cupboard?
Isn't he hiding in there?
That's not the Emperor. It's only his picture
We don't have a proper place for his picture ...
... so we cleaned up the cupboard to keep it there
It doesn't mean the Emperor himself is in there
The train chuffs along puffing white smoke,
Choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo,
Through the tunnel, across the railway bridge,
The train chuffs along ...
Choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo,
The train chuffs along puffing white smoke,
Choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo, choo,
Through the tunnel, across the railway bridge ...
Mother Crow, why do you sing so sadly?
Because she left a beautiful child of seven ...
... in the mountain,
''I miss him, I miss him'' sings the crow...
It's opened, it's opened
What flower has opened?
The lotus flower has opened,
And the minute it opened ...
... it closed before I realised it
It's closed, it's closed
What flower has closed?
The lotus flower has closed,
And the minute it closed, it opened before I realised it
I hope this rain will stop
Your school is so far away from here
I talked to the other teacher today ...
... I asked him why people aren't more friendly
He said it's my suit and my bike - They're too flashy
I don't know what to do about it
Don't worry about it
People will talk regardless
I can't wear a kimono
It's nine miles both ways
You're not showing off
It's too far to walk
It's hard enough making payments on the bike
You still owe a lot
My colleague's saving all the money he can
He must think I'm just a silly spendthrift
The villagers think so too
People say the other teacher is a miser
That's why he came here
I made my suit myself out of an old kimono
Yet he still thinks I'm too ''modern''
It can't be helped
They'll understand some day
They say it's hard to be a teacher here
A test for young women teachers
And they send older men here ...
... who have failed to become headteachers
You're only here for a year
Time flies, it'll soon be summer vacation
So don't worry
Be patient and cheer up
Takeshita Takeichi
Tokuda Kichiji
Morioka Tadashi
Aizawa Nita
Kawamoto Matsue
Nishiguchi Misako
My pupils and I were both new to school
The experience made us all a little uneasy
There were twenty-four beautiful eyes looking at me
I'll never forget them
My pupils are only in their first year ...
... yet they have no time to play after school
They have to take care of younger children
Or help with fishing and housework
It's a poor village
I shouldn't let the rain get me down
Oh, my ... You're talking so big now
I don't care what they say
That's it
That's all for today
That banker's wife wants me to hurry with the kimono
But it won't make her daughter any prettier
She's too fat and too plain
Mother, it's stopped raining
Good
The stars have come out
SEPTEMBER 1
Is it always like this?
You pick up the stones?
Teacher!
How's Nita?
The walls of his house fell in
We could see inside
Nita was sitting in the closet
In the closet?
He was pretending to be the Emperor
Hey, teacher!
What's so funny?
Other people's troubles?
You don't care, laughing at others
I'm sorry ...
My husband fell off a roof
Is that funny?
You couldn't care less
So why were you laughing then?
You can leave the road alone!
Making children clear the road for your bicycle!
I gave her a piece of my mind!
Let's stop now
I was wrong, I didn't mean it
Let's go to the seashore
Little crab whisks up ...
... some shaving foam,
Old man crab clicks his nippers proudly,
Snip, snip, snippety...
In comes Rabbit ...
... here's a customer,
''A haircut, please, and make it quick, ''
Snip, snip, snippety...
Rabbit's in a hurry...
Teacher!
We found a rare seashell!
- What kind? - Come and look
Where did you find it?
I'm all right
Go get help
I can't walk
Miss Pebble is hurt!
Somebody come with us!
Miss Pebble is hurt!
It's not broken
But she must go to a doctor
Carry her to Naka-machi
It's quicker by boat
Not in this weather
Doh doh doh rei mi mi mi so so so lah so,
Mi mi mi mi rei rei rei,
Doh doh rei mi doh
That sounds terrible
Is it my fault? I only went to grammar school
Is Miss Oishi giving you a hard time?
No, it's worse for her
Your organ playing isn't as painful as her leg must be
I hear a tendon was torn
She may not come back to school
Her mother was angry when I visited
She doesn't want her daughter to teach here
I don't blame her
Should we find a replacement?
I'm also tired of teaching sewing for nothing
That's why we can't save any money
I'd better get back to practicing
Go on then
Oishi teaches them folk songs, not school music
It's like a party
They'll respect you more if you play the organ well
Doh doh doh rei mi mi mi
Doh doh doh rei mi mi mi so so so lah so,
Mi mi mi mi rei rei rei,
Doh doh rei mi doh
Let's sing it together
Why don't you sing?
You're hard to teach
You can't learn
Everybody stand
Stand!
Sing whatever you want. I'll listen
Ready. One, two, three ...
Teacher, what should we sing?
Anything
''Song of the Plover'' - I know that one
On nights when the plover sings,
Even with the window closed,
It's still so cold
I don't like that music class
Miss Pebble's songs are better
When's she coming back?
I'd like to see her
At the hospital?
She's already out of the hospital
She'll be coming back to school soon
She can't even stand up yet
Let's go visit her
Come on, then. Let's go!
Teacher's house is near that smokestack
How long does it take?
It's not far
I went by bus and I didn't even have time to eat
Not even one dumpling
Liar! You can eat a dumpling in one minute
Even a fast bus can't get there in a minute!
But I was still eating when I got off the bus
- Swear? - I swear
- Swear then - I swear it's true
I'd like to go to her house
Let's go
Let's run all the way!
We'll go after we eat
Don't tell your folks
Sneak out
We'll meet behind the bushes. All right!
Let's go!
Kotoe, aren't you going to eat?
My grandma won't let me out
I can't go home
I'll bring something to eat. Wait for us
Miss Pebble will be surprised
Does her leg hurt?
This is where she got hurt
Big kids are coming!
Hide!
Keep quiet!
What are you doing in there?
Hello
Have you seen our Kotoe?
I can't find Sanae anywhere either
- Hello - Hello there
Have you seen Sanae around?
I haven't seen our Matsue
Fujiko's so good, where would she go?
Where I wonder?
Our children are gone - Is Takeichi around?
Where could they have got to?
Have you seen Kich-chan?
He ate his lunch here
Where did they go?
MINAZUKI RESTAURANT
The first graders are all gone!
Masuno's gone, too?
Excuse me. Did you see a group of children go by?
I saw them near the store
Did they go to a show?
Without any money?
They'd go to look at the billboards
Wait till my girl gets home
Should we scold them?
Well, we can't praise them
Wear this
Just as long as it takes to eat a dumpling?
I was on the bus at the time, you know
You lied?
No. But I was watching the scenery, not eating
So you just held it in your hand?
Kotoe, we have to keep walking
I'm hungry
Come on!
Miss Pebble! Teacher!
Miss Pebble!
What's happened?
We wanted to see you
We didn't tell anyone we were coming
You'd better get in the bus, then
I made a lot so eat all you want
You still have some
I'm so glad I got back early from the doctor
I want more!
Me, too!
Ready everyone?
All right? Here we go, look at the flower
Steady now ...
... and it's done!
Goodbye!
Hisako, why don't you answer the principal?
You've already decided who will take my place?
At a teachers meeting. Isn't that what you ...
It's not that ... now I have a problem
A problem?
I promised the children I'd go back
I'm surprised
Can you go by yourself?
Your mother says you can't ride your bicycle
Hisako, the principal is being very kind
If she transfers to the consolidated school ...
... she can go by bus
Can you transfer her?
Your successor is Mrs Goto
Normally, she'd have to retire next year
If she takes your job she can work longer
Three more years
She'll be happy to come here
Isn't that nice?
She takes after her father
Stubborn
She does resemble him
Your father and the principal were friends
That's why he's so kind to you
Excuse me!
Thanks for treating the children the other day
It was nothing. I was happy to have them come
Here are some presents
From the families ...
Rice, beans, dried fish ...
Miss Pebble!
Miss Pebble's coming!
How's your leg?
Can you ride your bike?
It may take half a year more
Will you come by boat?
It's too far to walk
Let's go to school
Teacher!
How's your leg?
It's all right
Thanks for the rice the other day
I want to thank you for the beans
I sent sesame seeds
Then thanks for the sesame
Thank you for your gifts
I was going to send you something ...
... but I was too late
Pardon me!
Thank you for all of the presents
Not at all
I'm always meddling ...
I can't ride my bicycle for quite a while
And yet school is so far away
If I limped along, it would take a long time
That's why I can't ...
We'll come for you every day by boat
And take me back home?
Thank you
I wish I had known that sooner
I'm transferring to the consolidated school
I'll be there when you're in the sixth year
I just came to say goodbye
Another teacher will take my place
Study hard
I loved teaching here
But with my leg like this ...
We're sorry
It's all right
All children dig holes
It was my fault
She came especially to see all of you
You should be happy
Instead you're all crying
Are you all right, Miss Oishi?
Yes, thanks
Women and children are hard to handle
Everybody cry!
Cry!
It's too much
Teacher!
Come again!
When your leg gets better!
Promise us!
Goodbye!
Let's sing her a song!
Mother Crow, why do you sing so sadly?
Because she left a beautiful child of seven ...
... in the mountain,
''I miss him, I miss him'' sings the crow,
Go and look in the mountain,
There you'll find a beautiful child ...
The colour of the sea and the shape of the mountains ...
... remained the same, but tomorrow became today
Five years passed
The Manchurian and Shanghai Incidents occurred
The entire world went through a depression
Without knowing the future ...
... the children were caught up in their own joys and sorrows
It's the principal!
Good morning
Why did you come here?
We want to see Miss Oishi's husband
- How did you know? - Kotsuru found out
He's an officer on a ship. Everybody knows that
We want to see him
You certainly know how to stare, don't you?
- Is Miss Oishi coming? - She's getting ready
- She's very beautiful - Let's go see!
I'm too shy!
I've got to go home
Why? Today's special
I already had a hard time sneaking out
You all better go home and help your parents
School starts in five days
So we're playing now
Is that any way for sixth years to talk?
There's work at home
The boat's coming !
He's so fat!
Her husband's the one at the back
He's all right!
Matsue!
What do you want?
Stop playing
Your mother's having the baby now
- Really - Hurry home
You can't walk all the way back!
Matsue, give your father plenty to eat
Don't fill up yours ...
... it's too big
I want a new lunch box with a lily on it
- Buy me one - I can't get up yet
When you do get up
Who's going to pay for it?
Wait until your father earns some money
- I'll buy you one - You will?
Be patient
Stay home today
I don't feel so good
- Matsue can stay - I need all the work I can get
You'd better hurry to school
- Don't you need me? - Don't stay here
It's your first day in the sixth grade
Come home right away
Don't mention the lunch box in front of him
Your father is having trouble finding work
The other girls have new lunch boxes
You promised to buy me one this year
I'm ashamed of my old one
My mother had a baby girl
Congratulations! What's her name?
Nothing yet. I'm going to give her a name
- Have you thought of a name? - I'm thinking now
What's a good name?
You seem happy. What is it?
My mother is going to buy me a new lunch box ...
... with a lily on the lid
That's nice. With a picture of a lily?
Lily's a good name! Lily - Yuri!
Name her that! Yuriko or Yurie
Yurie is better. There are too many Yurikos
It smells good
You smell like a bride
What's going on? Somebody's sick
Appendicitis?
Mats-chan, what's the matter?
You're very kind but unless the baby dies ...
... I can't let Matsue go to school
I'm sorry for Matsue
I'm a widower now
I don't know what to do
Mats-chan, this lunch box has a lily on its lid
Use it when you come back to school
Help your father at home
I'll be thinking of you
Mats-chan, you're a good girl
She wanted a new lunch box
Thank you
The baby is premature ...
... and has no mother
She hasn't much of a chance to live
She's better off dead
What hope is there for poor families like us?
Teacher!
Mats-chan's baby sister died!
My grandmother went over ...
... Matsue's father was drunk and crying
The poor baby
Good morning
What is it?
They arrested Mr Kataoka
The police are still here
- What did he do? - They say he's a Red
A Red? How can they say that?
He'll be released soon for lack of evidence
It's most unpleasant
- What's the complaint? - It's because of Kataoka's friend
His friend tried to spread anti-war ideas
He and his pupils printed a little book
The police thought Kataoka had a copy
I've seen that book
That's evidence?
Say that and they'll think you're a Red!
I was quite impressed with it
My class read parts
Some of the essays were very good
But it's dangerous!
A copy was sent here
- Where is it now? - In my classroom
Oh, no!
We teachers must be patriotic
You nearly frightened me to death
Dear Matsue ...
... I heard about your baby sister
It made me very sad
Such things cannot be helped
Cheer up. In our hearts we can still love her
When will you be back?
I look at your empty desk and think of you
Class, who gets a newspaper at home?
Who reads one?
Only three of you?
Who knows what a communist is?
You don't know? How about a capitalist?
They're rich
All right. What are labourers?
As your father's friend, I'm concerned about you
Your mother will worry if you get into trouble
My students knew about Kataoka and the book
They asked questions
Tell them you don't know
That's enough. You must be careful of what you say
Proletariat, capitalists ...
... don't discuss such things
I'll be careful
Do that
It's foolish to be too outspoken
Teacher
What about Matsue?
Did you give her my letter?
I saw a strange woman when I went over there
She took Matsue with her on the ferry
Matsue's being adopted
Matsue cried saying she wouldn't go
Her father was calm and gentle at first
She refused again ...
... so he began to hit her
She cried a lot but finally agreed to go
Everybody was crying
I cried too
I went to see her off but she didn't speak
AUTUMN
OCTOBER
Fujiko and Sanae should have come
Mi-san too, even if she is an only child
Why couldn't she come?
She might catch a cold
They'll give her the trip money anyway
Mi-san told me
She could save money anytime
But this trip is something to remember
I'm using the money I got from fishing
I sold eggs
Sonki and I took out our savings
I'm using my savings, too
My folks paid
My dad bought me this suit for the trip
Look at your shoes
Can you walk in them?
I wanted size ten but my father said I grow fast
What size are they?
Size eleven
Fujiko's too poor so she couldn't come
Her house is awfully big but it's empty
They've got nothing left to sell
Don't say such things
If you want to be a mid-wife, you shouldn't gossip so much
Let's sing some more
Let Mach-chan sing
Masuno, you're our best singer
- Sing ''Moon over the Ruined Castle'' - ''Song of the Beach''
Wandering at the seashore in the morning,
To remember old things passed away,
Sound of wind, shape of cloud,
Waves coming up and colour of oars
Walking around at the seashore in the evening,
To remember the people of old times,
Waves coming up and going out,
Colour of moon and shadow of stars
There's the ship!
You'll fall overboard
Don't bother me!
There he is! It's her husband!
- Teacher, wave to him! - You have to wave!
Look at him! He's waving !
At Yashimaura, the sea reflects images of the dead
The sea has flowed calmly for 7 60 years ...
... after the pitiful end of the Heike family
Vanished like a dream, the battlefield remains ...
... with cool waves and wind washing their past glory
Their beautiful voices can almost be heard
Their epic stories are all that remain
Ritsurin Park is located at the eastern foot of Mt Shiun ...
... south of Takamatsu City
Its beauty is equal to the national parks of Kairakuen ...
... Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, and Korakuen in Okayama ...
Do you feel ill?
I'm all right
Here is the famous mountain, Sozuyama
It has one of the best scenic views in Shikoku
Halfway up, 251 metres above sea level ...
... is the original shrine to the beloved Kompira
Rising from the bottom are 7 85 stone steps
Next are 583 more steps to the inner shrine
Kompira is a deity who protects ships, homes and business
Many people come here to worship
Teacher, you look pale
I'm tired and feel cold
Do you want some medicine?
I took some
I want something warm. Let's eat
We have time
I'll tell the others
How about some noodles?
Let's try over there
Mats-chan !
Please come in !
You've been working as a waitress all along
Who are you?
Don't bother my employees
She's my teacher
She was very kind to me
I'm from Shodoshima
Oh? Come in. Her teacher?
Serve them some tea
Shall we go in?
Thank you
I was worried about you
But you seem all right
She was one of my pupils
You're working hard
She's a good worker
We're busy here
An order's ready
Are you sightseeing?
- A school excursion - I'm glad to meet you
You both must be tired
It must be trouble travelling with kids
Will you have something to eat?
What do you want to do?
- Do you have noodles? - No, sorry, we don't ...
Welcome
We have egg, shrimp, and rice dishes
We only want a snack. There isn't much time...
Then have some tea
Crab on rice, too!
Going on the next ferry?
It'll leave soon
- We should go - Want to talk to her?
We're busy here
Matsue, don't just stand there
Say goodbye to your teacher, she's leaving
Please excuse me
Excuse us, we haven't been very hospitable
Mats-chan ...
Take care. Write to me
Goodbye
HOPES FOR THE FUTURE
''My Hopes for the Future''
I am an only daughter
That is why my mother wants to send me away...
... to the girl's high school on the mainland
Just looking at numbers gives me a headache
I really want to go to a sewing school ...
... they don't have entrance examinations
Women ought to have regular jobs
Without a job a woman will have a hard time ...
... like my mother did
That is why my sister became a nurse
She will help send me ...
... to a normal school
I want to become a teacher
Fujiko, why don't you write something?
Come on, what's wrong?
What is it?
Can't you tell us?
Come along with me
There's nothing I can write about the future
Don't write then
You don't have to write. I understand
I wanted to go on the school trip
We can't stay in our house much longer
Somebody bought it
It's all right
Don't say any more
I don't know what to say ...
... but you're not responsible for the hardships
It's not your parents' fault, either
That's the way things are in the world
Don't be discouraged. You must be strong
Maybe I'm making you do the impossible
I don't know what else to say
If you feel like crying ...
... come over to my house
We'll cry together
You're going to quit?
Don't you like school?
Why don't you stay at least another year?
You've got the ability
It's a shame to quit
I've already promised
Who did you promise?
My mother
I promised I'd quit if I could go on the trip
There's nothing I can do that would help?
My sister will be in the fifth year this year ...
... it's my turn to stay home and cook
Your sister cooked the meals until now?
Your mother has to fish?
Almost every day
That's why you wrote that you were sorry you weren't born a boy?
Yes. I feel sorry for my mother
You were born a girl
Being a girl isn't your fault
It's a shame ... if you must leave
When my sister finishes sixth year ...
... my mother will let me work for a dressmaker
When I'm 1 8, I can be a maid in Osaka
I'll buy clothes like my mother did
Then you'll marry?
You'll get married ...
... just like your mother
I'm going to middle school
I'll graduate from high school
I'll fish and study until I'm drafted
Then I'll be a sergeant
- A non-commissioned officer - You get paid monthly
I'll go to college and become a lieutenant
Stop bragging
I'd go to middle school if there was no exams
Why join the army?
It's better than being a poor fisherman
I'd rather be a soldier than run a rice store
You'd better think about it carefully
Do you hate soldiers?
I prefer fishermen and storekeepers
- You're a coward - Yes, I'm a coward
Mother! I've brought the teacher
She won't listen to me
I don't care if she has a good voice
Lots of girls in Japan have good voices
Learning the samisen is more appropriate
She's the daughter of a restaurant owner
Instead, she's trying to study foreign music
That's why she wants to go to high school
Please talk some sense into her
She's being difficult and won't eat
You listen to what your teacher says
Suppose she graduates from a conservatory ...
... how could she help us in this business?
It's not proper for me to express an opinion
I understand what you say ...
... but I know how Masuno feels too
What Masuno says is just not realistic
I've known her since the first year
She was so small ...
... like a doll
Masuno, your happiness means a lot to me ...
... I'm ashamed I can't say anymore now
All the boys want to be soldiers
That scares me because they may be killed
You're a girl so I don't have to worry about that
I want you to be happy and healthy
I want to help you realise your ambitions
But I can't say anything else today
That's all I can say
What is it?
Oishi...
Please sit down
I've heard rumours that you're a communist
You should be careful
I don't understand
What have I done?
I warned you before, didn't I?
There are things you must not say to the pupils
I don't know what I said
I didn't tell them anything that's wrong
That's the trouble. You're young
You discuss everything that comes to mind
You'll have to do better or you'll be in trouble
What do you mean by that?
You're aware of recent events in Manchuria
There may be a war with Russia
We have air-raid drills here
Japan is now threatened by its enemies ...
... yet you keep saying it's stupid to become a soldier
I don't want my students to be killed
You're wrong
All I said was ...
Say nothing!
Don't see, hear, or talk
Teachers have a duty
We prepare our students to serve the nation
How grateful we are ...
... to our teachers,
How the years in the playground ...
... flew by,
As we look back ...
... over those precious days,
Now we part ...
... and must say goodbye
The friendship and kindness ...
.... shown every day,
Will stay with us ...
... the rest of our lives,
We'll fend for ourselves ...
...make our names and work hard,
Now we part ...
... and must say goodbye
The familiar school windows ...
... at morning and eve,
The glow of the fireflies ...
... and deep snow so white,
We can never forget the years ...
... we have passed here,
Now we part ...
... and must say goodbye
Mother?
Are you awake?
- Where's Mother? - She went shopping
How do you feel?
Better, I slept
You seem weaker since the school trip
No, it's the baby
You'll be all right
Men think it's easy
- Have it soon - Don't be silly
I'm looking forward to the baby
It should be adorable
School's probably made you tired of children
The truth is that ...
... I'm fed up with teaching
School starts in two days
Should I resign?
Why?
I'd like to quit and start a sweet shop
I think I've done my best for my students
But, it's impossible to have strong ties between us
Teachers and students are united by one thing ...
... by the official textbooks
It's always ''loyalty and patriotism''
Half my boys want to be soldiers - I hate it!
It's the times
Can you end the war by running a sweet shop?
My mother told me not to marry a seaman
You wanted to marry me
I hate to think of what will happen if war starts
You'll be drafted into the Navy
I could be widowed
We have a baby coming
Why don't I resign?
You can quit your job
We could be farmers
No, do what you want to
I'm quitting. I'll tell Mother
You're too impulsive
I'm not
Your mother is too old for surprises
She's still working, you know
You've got a pleasant job on that boat
But I'm serious, I hate being a teacher
Hisako
- She's back - Some students are here
Hello!
Sorry, I'm like this
I'm glad you came
Come in
We have to catch the next bus
Catch the one after it
It'll be too dark then
I'll walk you to the bus stop
What's that cap for?
I'm quitting school
You're quitting?
I want to thank you for all you did for me
Wait, I'm walking with you
What will you do now?
I'm going to work in Osaka
My employer will send me to night-school
It's very sudden. What kind of work?
- A pawnshop - You'll become a pawnbroker?
No, just a clerk. I'll work until I'm drafted
Well, be a good clerk ...
... and write to me
Takeichi, when's school start?
In two days
Are you quitting school?
Yes, I'll tell you about it later
You're quitting school?
You won't be there anymore ...
... so why should I be?
Come on in
When you come back, be sure to visit me
I've watched you all grow up
You were my first and my last students
Now we're just friends
You, too, Takeichi
Fujiko and her family moved away yesterday
Yesterday?
They went in a small boat
They didn't have much left to take with them
Her parents never did any hard physical work
Everybody's afraid they'll become beggars
That's terrible
I pity Fujiko
Thanks for everything
Good luck
The colour of the sea and the shape of the mountains ...
... remained the same
Tomorrow, turning into today
But the lives of the people of Shodoshima ...
... drifted in the currents of war with China ...
... and the large waves of history
EIGHT YEARS LATER
Excuse me
Kotoe, it's me
Don't get up
I wanted to visit you sooner ...
... but the baby keeps me busy
Thanks for coming
Are you alone?
Everybody's away fishing as usual
I'm glad you came
I wanted to see you
So did I
I look at our first year picture all the time
I take it out and look at it too
Everybody's so young
We were so hungry when we came to see you
I was the first to cry
You were all crying when I met you
The noodles you gave us tasted so good
I can still taste them
Now you've all grown up
I heard that Misako had a beautiful wedding
She's lucky to be an only child
Sanae's now a teacher at our old school
She was an honour graduate from college
I met Kotsuru in Osaka
She did very well at midwife school
Yes, she writes to me
I'm the worst ...
I don't have long to live
Why say that? You'll be all right
I've been unlucky
I know - you had very hard times
Do you remember when I was in the sixth year?
We talked once about ...
I remember
I wanted to be kind to my mother when I grew up
I was happy to go away and become a maid
Yes, I remember that
You were the brightest girl in the class
I hoped you'd go on to high school
Teacher...
I worked hard but got sick and was sent home
Since then, my parents won't come near me
I'm left alone all the time because I have tuberculosis
There are others whose lives are difficult
I saw Mats-chan eight years ago on our school trip
She had a hard life as a waitress
Fujiko and her family had to move, too
Kotsuru's been writing to me
She's now working in a cafe in Kobe
Masuno's the only one who should be happy
But she can't stand her parents' restaurant
There aren't that many happy people
So don't think you're alone
Please cheer up
I'll visit you more often
Take these
Thank you
TOKUDA Kichiji
AIZAWA Nita
TAKESHITA Takeichi
MORIOKA Tadashi
OKAD A Isokichi
How about some sake?
You think we should celebrate?
It's customary
He hasn't left yet because he's sick
Stop arguing
I'd like some sake
It's war - it can't be helped
Look at the children!
Be quiet!
They don't even know how I feel
Let them have some fun
Come to your father
Don't you be sad, you'll make me worry
I want you to grow up ...
... so you can take care of your mother and grandmother
I'll be leaving for the army, so sing for me
A full four years have passed
The war in Asia broadened
There were many more plain white grave markers for soldiers
I wish I was bigger so I could enlist
You want to die?
After all the pain I had to bring you up?
You want me to cry for the rest of my life?
You'd be the mother of a patriot
I don't want you to die
I want to be an ordinary mother
All I want you to be is a human being
Just an ordinary person who values living
Nobody else talks like that!
They may not say it but they think it
My teachers don't!
That's why I quit
- Coward! - You're a coward!
I don't care if I am, who cares?
I love my children, that's all
Hisako ...
Mother? Can't you sleep?
Is it painful?
You'll be all right
I'll make some soup
What's wrong?
Is the bedding too heavy?
Daikichi, come here!
Go get the doctor. Tell him to hurry
Mother ...
You'll be all right
Have him come at once!
Oishi, your mother's here
What do you want?
Your father's dead
I just got the notice
We must be strong, you understand?
SHODO-GUN TOWN & VILLAGE ASSEMBLY
AUGUST 1 5, 1 945
Attention !
Eyes front!
Today we have an important assembly
You will soon hear the voice of the Emperor
He will address the entire nation by radio
Listen respectfully
There's no need to worry about it
Children can now be children again
Let's eat
Didn't you hear that we've surrendered?
I heard
It's good - the war is over
It's the end of killing
People will return
We didn't die for our country
And that's good
Are you glad?
Stop talking like a fool
What do you think?
Your father was killed
He won't ever return
Aren't you going to cry because we lost?
I cried for the dead
I cried and cried
Please help!
Doctor!
She fell out of a tree! Please help!
Yatsu!
Daikichi
Mother!
Doctor!
You were so small, and so hungry
No wonder you climbed that persimmon tree
It wasn't your fault
You just wanted something to eat
The year following the end of the war
APRIL 4
It's clearing up
Is it your first time over this way?
I've had no reason to come this way
It's something I hadn't thought about ...
... teaching at the local school again
It's been 18 years
Almost two decades
I can take you by boat in good weather
If there's a storm, I'll walk
You'll get tired
I intend to work hard
I still have to take care of you and Namiki
You need a bike
We can't afford one
They're expensive
Are you tired?
No!
You're good at rowing like your father
Anyone can row
I remember I had a first grader named Takeichi
He once offered to take me home in a boat
That was long ago. He was killed in the war
Somebody you taught?
When I call your name, answer 'here' in a loud voice
Kawasaki Satoru
You all seem healthy. Your voices sound good
You're Kotoe's sister?
Kotoe died, didn't she?
Are you related to Matsue?
My mother's in Osaka. She sent me this dress
So you're Matsue's daughter?
Is your mother Nisaguchi Misako?
You look like her
In the rape fields ...
... the setting sun grows thin,
A deep mist frames ...
... the distant mountains,
A spring breeze blows ...
... and you gaze up to the sky,
Where the evening moon ...
... glows pale and red
The glow of fires in the village ...
... colours in the woods,
People following the paths ...
Morioka Tadashi's grave
Teacher!
Misako!
My daughter said you went home this way
It's good to see you
I wanted to meet you again
My daughter will be in your class just like I was
Please take care of her
It'll be a pleasure
When I heard you were back teaching, I cried
Two generations ... it's a rare thing
I owe it to Sanae
She's a teacher at the consolidated school
She recommended me - I thought I was too old but she said I wasn't
Sanae, Kotsuru, Masuno and I got together
We want to have a party for you at Masuno's
You're all very kind
We're grateful to you and happy
It'll be wonderful to see all of you again
Tadashi always wanted to be a soldier
I wonder if he's satisfied?
Over here
Takeshita Takeichi's grave
The army was better than a rice store
And so he ends up here
There's Nita's grave
Aizawa Nita's grave
I remember him ... he was big, and loud
He was a very good boy
On our school trip, his shoes were too big
Crybaby teacher!
Teacher, you've got another nickname already
It was Miss Pebble, now it's Miss Crybaby
Crybaby teacher!
The bus is quicker
Are you tired already? You're such a weakling
- I'm not tired - I don't mind walking
All right - today's a picnic so we'll walk
The bus costs money
If we took a bus, it wouldn't be a picnic
Mother, we'll play in the shrine grounds
What if your party lasts a long time?
Play on the beach below the restaurant
What if kids tease us?
Then tease them back
Maybe they're tougher
If you two can't beat them, cry
- They'll laugh! - I'll laugh at you, too
I'll clap my hands and laugh !
Will you be able to see the beach?
Probably ... I guess so
Will you look for us?
I'll look out and wave my hand
You can go
Don't leave your lunch boxes behind
Mother! What if it rains?
Do something about it!
Teacher!
We have an unexpected face! Guess who?
- Unexpected? - Can you guess right the first time?
You scare me. Do you trust me or don't you?
Unexpected, you say
Can it be two people? Fujiko or Matsue?
- Right? - No, which one is it?
Then it's Matsue
It's Matsue!
- She came from Osaka! - So it's Matsue ...
That makes me happy
I haven't seen you since the school trip
You're all looking well
Kotsuru, you got fat - just like a mid-wife!
Watch what you say
I'm Matsue
I'm so glad you came, Mats-chan
I'm really glad
Misako wrote to me
I had to forget my shame
I had to come to the party this time ...
... or I'd be left out in the future
Let's go
Teacher!
I could hardly wait. Please come in
Thank you - we're meeting at your place?
Sonki and Kich-chan? - They haven't come yet!
We want to give you this from all of us
Because you've come back to our school
Let's sit down and relax
We could have a drink
Sonki's coming!
Sonki's blind
It must be difficult
It's good he could come
He came back but he's blind
Sonki's studying to be a masseur
He used to say he'd rather be dead
Poor boy
That means there's nothing left to live for
Sonki, what kept you?
I'm sorry to be late
It's been a long time
A very long time - Five years
And now I'm like this
So let's have a good time
Sonki, you sit by Teacher
- Kich-chan hasn't come
Who wants a soft drink?
I'll have sake
So will I
Sonki, you want sake?
I'll have some since it's your party
I want to thank you all for the bicycle
Don't thank me - I only gave a little
Thanks to you all, I can ride to school now
You're all here? You're late!
What a big fish!
It's good to see you
It's been a long time
Kich-chan, don't leave the fish here
I caught it especially for our teacher
I'll have it cooked
Thank you, everyone
You're very kind
Mother Crow, why do you sing so sadly?
Because she left a beautiful child of seven ...
... in the mountain,
''I miss him, I miss him'' sings the crow,
May I see the photo for a second?
Let him see it
Can you see it?
This picture ... I can see it well
Teacher's in the middle
Takeichi, Nita and I are in front
Mach-chan is to the right
Fujiko's over here
Mats-chan has her arms folded
Wandering at the seashore in the morning,
To remember old things passed away,
Sound of wind, shape of cloud,
Waves coming up and colour of oars
Walking around at the seashore in the evening,
To remember the people of old times,
Waves coming up and going out,
Colour of moon and shadow of stars
THE END