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Oshin
Episode 1
Screenwriter: Hashida Sugako
Music: Sakada Koichi
Narrator: Naraoka Tomoko
Episode 1
It was early spring of 1983...
Oshin the grandmother of the Tanokura family
residing in a small town on Shima Peninsula left home...
She was 83 years old.
Hitoshi her son was busy preparing
for the grand opening of the 17th store in his regional supermarket chain.
Oshin was responsible for the prosperity the family currently enjoyed.
The family members couldn't believe that Oshin
the matriarch would disappear on such an important occasion.
Of course no one knew why she had left.
I was just calling to see... Thank you.
We have to go now.
Shall we postpone the store opening ceremony?
No we have the mayor and other regional dignitaries coming!
But your mother needs to be there too!
She'll show up. That's how she is!
You're all making too much of a fuss over her.
Besides she has absolutely no reason to run away!
But she was very much opposed to opening the new store.
Nonsense!
She's the one who made our supermarket chain what it is today!
She's gotten too emotional in her old age...
She had good to oppose opening the new store?
It's all nonsense!
Do you notice anything missing?
I try not to disturb her and her things...
I don't even know what she keeps in her drawers.
Tei it's good that you're here. I'm only her son's wife.
She'd planned this all along!
Three of her favorite kimono are gone and so are two of her obi sashes.
She's taken her undergarments too.
That bag I got for her in Paris is gone too.
But why?
I feel so badly...
Mother never liked to complain...
She must've kept her feelings all pent up!
Why didn't she talk to me?
Oh Kei.
I heard grandma left home... Father's worried.
Nozomi's here with you?
She didn't leave a note?
You know how Michiko is...
She acts big because her family's loaned our family so much money.
Your grandmother was trying to be nice to her.
But Hitoshi's been too eager to please his wife.
Your grandmother just couldn't take it anymore!
Did she tell you anything?
Kei you are her favorite grandchild...
No...
Maybe she told your father something.
She always had more faith in your father than all her natural children.
I see... I was afraid of this.
We can't be so certain that she's run away!
Maybe she just decided to take a trip...
Why go today?
That's why we're all so concerned!
Nozomi you have no idea where she might be?
Mother always told you everything...
I haven't a clue.
I've gone against her wishes and became a potter.
I don't know anything about the family business.
Maybe it was over a business disagreement?
The supermarket chain's doing well. She has no cause to disagree with me!
Maybe you said something to upset her?
You're blaming me?
As you know she's quite sensitive.
Oh come on! I always defer to her!
I treat her with utmost care!
Michiko.
She wouldn't leave because I said something!
She doesn't think much of me...
She does what she pleases anyway.
You know that!
I'd like to run away from home!
Besides your mother thinks you're unworthy!
She treats Nozomi more like a son than you!
This isn't the time to talk like this...
I need to get it out!
My husband's done his very best to open this new store!
She has no reason to oppose!
And today's the grand opening ceremony!
How could she run away!
She's being very inconsiderate of her son!
Michiko!
She can go wherever she pleases... I'm glad she's gone!
Go ahead and hit me!
But I can't forgive her...
If this new store fails all your efforts would have been for nothing!
Tei and her husband and Takeshi too!
The whole Tanokura family could be in trouble!
She's trying to jinx the grand opening!
- That's not what she meant... - You stay out of this!
You're not part of our family business.
Am I wrong?
- The car's waiting! - Any word yet?
Let grandma be... She doesn't have to be there!
But we all have to be there for the opening ceremony!
Let's hurry!
Where's Sachiko?
She's waiting at the door.
What are you doing here? It's time to go.
Yeah...
Don't worry.
Your grandmother will be all right.
Okay...
She's not one to go and kill herself...
She does whatever she puts her mind to do.
So she won't die.
I hope she wasn't kidnapped.
That's what you were worried about?
No.
Sitting here in her room it's as though I can share her thoughts.
- Can you? - Not really.
Grandma was attached to this kokeshi doll.
She's had it as long as I can remember.
Has she ever told you about it?
No she doesn't like to remember the past.
She never talked about her tough beginnings.
Has she talked to you about it?
No.
But...
Excuse me.
I've made you tea.
We were just about to leave. Don't bother.
No let's stay for some tea.
Have you any ideas as to where she might be?
I saw her before she retired last night.
She was smiling as usual. Nothing at all seemed usual.
Maybe she's already at the opening ceremony.
She's one to take business seriously!
Why aren't you two at the grand opening?
We aren't part of the family business.
But all the other relatives are attending!
You're the owner's younger brother!
And Kei's her favorite grandson.
I don't want to attend anyway.
This has been a big dream of mine
to open this new supermarket for our chain.
I owe it to you all.
I'm glad it's a success from the start.
Congratulations.
The local merchants were all against it. They figured they'd lose customers.
Supermarkets contribute a lot to society.
Thank you.
I'll do my best to serve the people.
This is my eldest son Takeshi. He's my managing director.
His wife Sachiko. Susumu my grandson.
Say "hello."
The Tanokura family is blessed with good fortune!
I hope they all live up to expectations.
My sister's husband Tatsunori.
I ask for your continued support.
And my younger sister.
Thank you for being so good to my brother and husband.
The whole family's here?
But I don't see the Vice President.
She's not well...
That's not good... She's of advanced age!
I'd been wanting to meet her.
It's time my mother retired she deserves it.
Meanwhile Oshin was on a train headed north.
Where will she go and what will she do?
Only Oshin herself knew.
May I have some money about... 100000 yen?
I want to take a trip.
I might be gone for a while but don't worry.
Nozomi was taken aback by Kei's sudden request.
But he also knew that his son must have good reason for making such a request.
I'm sorry to interrupt your work.
You're a nuisance!
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Episode 2
Ohatsuko?
- Never mind please keep working. - Any word about mother?
Tei called to ask if she was here at my house.
She must be really worried.
- Has she really run away? - It seems that way...
You went over to the main house?
They called I had to go. What about you?
If they don't know how can I be of help?
I didn't want to have to hear them complain.
I came here to see if you'd heard something.
I really haven't a clue. It's all so sudden.
I guess she wasn't getting along with Michiko.
She doesn't let her daughter-in-law get her down.
Mother raised us both but still we don't understand her all that well.
She's a woman...
And you Hatsuko have devoted yourself to caring for her.
Without ever getting married yourself.
Then she threw you out of the house when Hitoshi got married to Michiko.
She did it for my sake.
I was adopted and raised as a Tanokura
and raised me as if I was a part of the Tanokura family
But I came to be in the way once Hitoshi got married.
That's why she bought me that shop.
So that I could be independent and be on my own.
She wasn't deferring to Michiko.
Shall I make us some tea?
You're so easygoing.
They're all going crazy at the Tanokura house!
She knows what she's doing. What's the use of us worrying?
She'll be back once she gets it out of her system.
Besides you're not really worried about her.
Mother's not one to do anything foolish.
That new store means a lot to Hitoshi.
And she runs away on the day of its grand opening.
That's not like her.
Yes it's like her!
She was against opening that new supermarket.
She wouldn't leave just because of that.
She seems tough but she's really very nice.
I guess she's a woman after all.
She needs a rest.
She's had to put up with a lot over the years.
She could use a break.
I hope that's all there is to it.
What else could there be?
There are some things we can't let people such as Michiko and the others know.
It'll compromise mother's honor.
Even Hitoshi keeps those things to himself...
- Kei what are you doing home? - It's spring break.
Why didn't you come visit me then?
I've been worried about you living alone in Tokyo.
I'm doing okay.
Thank you for taking good care of my father.
Listen to you. Talking like an adult!
Your father's my younger brother.
A sister takes care of her little brother!
Now that you're in college you seem so much older.
Your mother would've been proud of you.
I'll see you later.
- Going somewhere? - Just going out.
Kei!
- No use trying to stop him. - You're spoiling him!
I have young people working for me.
I'm not lonely just because he's away at school.
Where did he go?
I don't know...
You didn't even ask him?
He's 20 he can handle himself. Why try to keep tabs on him?
What's happening to families today?
I have people watching the shop for me.
I'll stay to make you dinner.
I'm sure you don't get nutritious foods.
Don't worry.
The men here can cook.
But... I'm concerned.
There's a man from the town where that new supermarket opened.
One of your workers?
He tells me all the supermarket chains want to open stores in that town.
They're trying to buy up land near the train station.
The local merchants are all against the big chains.
They'll be hurt now that Tanokura's opened its new store.
So several local merchants are thinking of quitting altogether.
Really?
Even we can't compete with the big national chains!
Did Hitoshi and mother know about this?
It's just a rumor.
But I'm sure they knew about it.
Maybe mother's running away is related to this?
Running away wouldn't solve this problem.
I can't figure it out...
But that's what she's like...
This food's lousy!
This fried shrimp is just awful!
You gave out these lunches at the grand opening?
Just eat quietly! It's auspicious food.
I don't care if it's auspicious food!
That's no way to talk.
You're both Tanokura girls!
You'll one day help your brother run our stores...
No way!
That's why I majored in art and got a job.
I let you take that job and I'll find you a husband!
No adoptive husbands for us!
We don't want a man like aunt Tei's husband.
He has to defer to his wife and all of you.
Midori!
Our brother can run the chain on his own.
Don't you know how we all feel? I sweated blood to get us all here!
I did it all for you!
I thought you did it all for grandma?
She spanked him to work harder!
He suffers from a mother complex!
Your grandmother worked hard so that her children could succeed.
That's what keeps me going.
That's how it is between a parent and child...
That's too old-fashioned!
You can't push us into a mold.
Akane!
Grandma ran away on grand opening.
- She stood you up! - What?
Stop it the girls are right.
Everybody asked where the Vice President was
and I had to make excuses for her!
She couldn't have been thinking much about you or our new supermarket!
All you do is accuse her!
You're not even concerned for her safety!
That's why she ran away...
Your mother is being willful!
If she didn't like something she should have told us.
Let's drop it.
Don't fight just because grandma ran away!
I'm sick of it all.
We have our own lives to lead.
Grandma can't affect our lives that much.
It's time that you weaned yourself from her!
Did we say too much?
It's good to tell him. He doesn't listen to me.
Tei?
No.
There's been no word yet.
If she doesn't come home tonight we will go to the police.
Tell Tatsunori.
No don't worry.
She's just old that's all.
Just do as I say!
Brother's all irritable... Why's he yelling at me?
Mother left home because of his wife!
He can't yell at Michiko.
That's why he yells at his little sister.
Just put up with it.
It's all because he got money from her family.
He can never get out from under her!
That's not the only reason why mother left.
What other reasons could there be?
I'll go to the police tomorrow.
That might start some rumors.
Let's give it a little more time.
I'll talk to him.
But mother's really done it this time!
We're here.
You've been here before?
- Going out? - Just for a bit.
But there's still snow on the sidewalk!
I'm used to the snow.
- Will you get me a taxi? - Yes.
I'll need the driver for the day.
Where will you go?
Good morning!
She'd told no one...
Yet Kei had found her up here in the mountains of Yamagata.
Oshin was surprised...
She wanted to have some time alone here.
But she was happy to see her grandson.
You're quite a boy!
I was shocked to hear that you'd run away.
Episode 3
Good morning!
Nobody knew where Oshin was or why she'd left...
But Kei had found her here in the mountains of Yamagata.
You must be cold go and take a bath.
The hot spring here will warm you up.
Here's your yukata and padded tanzen.
Use this towel here.
No I don't want you to take off on me while I'm in the bath.
Then I'd never find you again!
You haven't eaten yet have you? I'll go order you some food.
Sit down!
Don't try to run away from me!
How did you manage to find me?
I thought that nobody would know.
I know all about you!
I remember...
I once told you about this place.
You haven't gone senile yet...
That kokeshi doll... I'd never told anyone else.
You'd asked me about it.
You were the only one to ask about it.
I was curious as to why you were so attached to it.
You're a strange boy...
You told me that you and your mother had
stayed at the inn here at Ginzan Onsen.
And that she bought that kokeshi here.
You also said that you wanted to visit here once again before you passed on.
You seemed so moved when telling me about it.
That name Ginzan Onsen stayed with me...
I took a chance in coming here.
I guess my hunches aren't that bad.
But I couldn't believe it when I saw you standing on that bridge!
You didn't have to come out all this way.
Listen to you!
You're 83 and ran away from home!
Everybody's so worried.
Nobody's really worried.
The business won't fail just because I'm gone.
They're probably glad to be rid of me!
Oh come on. You caused a big commotion!
Because the Vice President didn't show up for
the grand opening of the new store?
I guess one gets to think like that in your old age.
I know what's good for me.
Does everybody know where I am?
No.
I didn't want to make a fool of myself if you weren't here.
I'd better call and tell them.
Oh no you don't!
But...
You must be hungry... Just relax!
I had two box lunches on the train.
You can't keep your whereabouts a secret.
I would've called once I settled in.
- Here then. - I'll call them later.
Grandma.
All right... You call them.
Tell them I might be gone awhile but not to worry.
What do you mean by that?
I have many places I want to visit.
Where?
And what for?
None of your business!
It is my business And think about your age.
I have my reasons.
Then tell them!
There's no use telling people... It's all personal anyway.
Excuse me.
Is this your grandson? What a fine young man!
You must be so proud of him. Will he be staying on with you?
Stay the night and go home tomorrow.
He'll be leaving us?
- Did you get me the car? - It'll be here shortly.
Thank you. I'll be right there.
He'll be staying here. Please take good care of him.
All right.
You're going out?
I'll leave it to you to call home for me.
No way!
- Let me come with you! - I'll be back.
You were on the train all night you're tired.
Wait!
Sit down.
And let's call home now!
I should never have told you that story...
I'd never told anyone else before...
It's too late for that now.
It's me... Kei.
- Is father there? - You're calling Nozomi?
I don't want to call the main house.
Father can get the word out to them.
Father? I'm at...
Don't tell him where I am.
I found grandma.
Talk to him.
You said you would do all the talking.
No she won't come to the phone.
Sure she's perfectly fine.
No... I can't say where we are.
He asks why you ran away.
No comment. She won't even tell me.
The taxi's here.
No it's just my hunch. There's no time to talk now.
I'm just calling to tell you she's all right.
I'll try to convince her to come home.
Don't worry I'll stick to her like glue!
I'll find out why she ran away.
Good luck!
I'll call you later!
You can't leave without me!
Let's go.
You got a call?
I wasn't there to get your message.
I'm glad you're so busy.
There's a knitting exhibition.
Some of my yarn shop customers are entered in it.
Kei really found mother?
- Yes. - Where?
He's not allowed to tell us.
- What's going on? - Who cares?
It's fine as long as she's all right.
I guess so I'm glad Kei is there with her.
I wonder... How did he find her?
You knew too! That's why you let him go.
No... He asked me for money
and he's not one to just spend money needlessly.
It took Kei to find her.
He's not related to her by blood but she liked him the best.
And he seems to know her best...
Mother's got him to contend with now.
It defeats the purpose of running away.
That means she'll be coming home!
But there's bound to be trouble once she does come home.
She knows what she's doing.
It was her decision to run away
but I hate to think of the flak we'll take.
Kei will be scolded too!
Brother resents the fact that his girls are less bright.
Kei got into an elite college in Tokyo!
Hatsuko!
Hitoshi Tei and you and me...
We all grew up eating out of the same rice pot.
Let's never forget that!
I miss those days...
We were like real brothers and sisters...
Why did Kei call?
And he only called Nozomi!
Both mother and Kei are acting strange.
Why didn't he call you?
Why did he go find her by himself?
Why didn't he tell us where she is?
Maybe mother told him to join her. He's her favorite!
They could at least tell us where they are!
What are those two thinking about?
Never mind she doesn't have much time left.
Let her enjoy herself!
With Kei there with her I feel much better.
Maybe you're satisfied but I'm not!
She ran away from my house! People think I drove her out.
- Why else would she leave? - Tei!
Not just you...
My husband thinks so too.
Yes it's all my fault.
If she hates me so much she can stay away for good!
She can go live with Tei Nozomi or Hatsuko.
There's no reason why she has to live with us.
I'll be glad to see the back of her.
I served her for 30 years!
Now she's making me feel so miserable!
Why does all this have to be discussed here?
I can sympathize with your wife.
Mother sure is a problem!
It's a time of crisis for our business!
Where is this place you want to visit? Is it far away?
Why go there? Do you know someone there?
You just have no idea...
Do you realize the trouble you've caused everyone?
People say it's trouble between you and Michiko.
I feel sorry for her because of such rumors.
Who'd say such nonsense?
That's what people think and believe.
At least auntie Tei believe so.
Rumor can't break her... Michiko is Hitoshi's wife!
As long as they're happy as a couple that's all that matters.
It could develop into trouble between them.
Think of other people for a change.
That was delicious!
You were against opening the new store.
Is that it?
- People are saying that? - You're not?
Why would I leave just because I oppose the opening of a new store?
Then why did you leave on grand opening day?
I'll leave the money here.
The snow's still too deep. We can't get up to that village.
Then let's walk...
You must be joking! You're not dressed for it.
And besides that village's been abandoned for years.
I see...
Nobody lives there?
It's no place for people to live.
I guess it can't be helped.
Then we'll have to come back again tomorrow.
I'll come dressed to hike up there.
I know my way!
I know my way up there very well.
You'd never make it!
- I'm used to walking in snow. - Yes but...
Such a nice big bridge...
There used to be just a small suspension bridge here...
It would roll in the wind...
So scary!
Why do you want to go to this village?
It used to snow a lot when I was a child...
Sometimes it would be too deep for me to walk in...
Maybe I'm too old to walk up there...
You really want to go?
I'll take you!
Even if I have to carry you.
You're not strong enough for the task.
Don't take me lightly!
I've climbed many a high snow peak!
I can carry you easily!
You want to go right?
That's why you came here isn't it?
I'll do anything for you.
Kei didn't know why Oshin was so adamant
about going up to an abandoned village.
But Kei was moved by the look of determination on Oshin's face.
Episode 4
Look at you now!
Thanks for letting me wear your boots and coat.
I don't know where you're going but please be careful.
Don't worry I'll be taking good care of her.
I'm prepared to carry her on my back.
I don't need to be carried I can still walk in the snow!
Be careful!
Where could they both be going?
- There's still a trail. - Yeah.
There are other villages up ahead
but they don't clear the roads so no cars can come up here.
Maybe we should give it up... There's so much snow!
What are you saying? You insisted on coming!
We can come back when the snow melts.
Come on I'll tie you on my back. That's why I bought this.
Don't worry Nobody's looking.
Come on.
There it is! I can the village!
I can see it!
So this is your old home...
Am I right?
This is the place...
Isn't it?
Do you feel better now?
I'm sorry to have drawn you into it.
But I couldn't have made it without you!
Thank you Kei.
Don't mention it
I'm glad I got to see your birthplace.
But why did you choose this time of year?
You wanted to see the village in the snow?
That's right.
For those of us who grew up in the mountains of Yamagata
snow brings back a lot of memories.
The winters were long and tough...
But you didn't have to
leave so abruptly on the day of your new store's grand opening!
That's just why I felt like coming here.
I'd been thinking about it for a long time.
I couldn't sleep the night before.
When morning came I just had to leave!
So you were against opening the new store?
It's not for any silly reason like that.
Then...
Well let's go home.
You just wanted to see your old village.
Everybody will understand.
There are many other places that I still want to visit.
- Grandma... - You can go home tomorrow.
Don't be like that!
I'll take another bath and turn in.
If you're not leaving I'm staying too!
- I'll follow you everywhere! - You have your classes to attend.
We're on spring break and I have money!
I can't go home without you. Otherwise I have no leg to stand on!
Kei...
I couldn't leave you all alone up here anyway!
It might turn into a long journey.
I don't mind.
But what's the purpose?
You had never complained before
but if you don't like it at the main house come live with us.
Kei...
I feel as if I've lived my life all wrong.
It's my fault that Hitoshi grew up like that.
Why?
You made Tanokura Supermarket what it is today.
Uncle Hitoshi too.
If he keeps running the business like that
the Tanokura Supermarket chain will eventually fail.
Grandma...
Maybe it can't be helped. It's my own fault.
I raised Hitoshi to be what he is.
I'd been working so desperately all these years.
I never looked back and just kept going!
But I'd gone wrong somewhere along the way.
I want to know where I went wrong.
I don't like to dwell on the past. What's past is behind us.
But I feel as though I've left much behind along the way.
I need to reclaim those things.
Otherwise Hitoshi and I will both fail.
I have a feeling...
That's why I took this trip...
To make myself remember those things...
You probably wouldn't understand. Maybe nobody can.
I don't really care if others understand.
People will think it's just an old woman reminiscing.
But...
I know how you feel.
I don't know what you've left behind
but I know that you want to reclaim them.
I think it takes living 83 years to feel like that.
I've never seen you act so willful before.
You were always so calm and collected.
You never revealed your emotions.
Now you go and run away from home
and you insisted on going up to that village.
I've never seen you act this way.
That's what made me want to help you.
I guess you didn't come here just for sentimental reasons.
You displayed a lot of passion there...
You made me understand how you felt.
That's... where I began my journey...
From that house I was looking at...
My old house used to be there.
It was a tiny thatched hut.
The icy draft came through the walls during the winter.
We only had an open hearth for heat.
But it was a warm and happy place for me.
We had a big family and we were close.
That made me feel all warm inside.
Father mother and grandma.
An older brother and two older sisters and a younger brother and sister.
With me it made nine.
I was seven that spring by the old count.
Today they would've said I was age six.
My older sisters were home from their jobs.
How old were they when they went off to work?
My oldest sister was 11 and the other one was nine.
- They were just kids! - That's right...
No way!
They worked as live-in help?
Today that'd be against the child labor laws!
It was the latter part of the Meiji era.
There weren't any child protective laws back then.
All poor families sent their kids out to work.
The ways they got were a pittance.
They got sent out to reduce mouths to feed.
Mouths to feed?
Back then most farmers were sharecroppers.
We got our land to farm from a big landlord.
Half the rice crop would be paid as rent.
The rest of the rice was to feed the family.
If the harvest was bad due to the weather
we wouldn't have enough to eat.
Even with a good harvest large families never had enough to eat.
If one or two kids went off to work
we'd have less mouths to feed.
That's a very cruel way of putting things.
We were called 5-tan farmers which means we had about 1225 acres.
We could get 25 bales of rice with a good harvest.
Rent would be 13 bales and the rest would be
to feed the family and bartered for subsistence items.
So it was tough!
Back then we had poor crops for two or three years in a row.
I'm sorry we only have daikon turnip gruel to feed you.
We don't mind we're both happy to be home and eating!
They don't feed you much at where you work?
It's the same everywhere.
I don't care if I get little to eat I want to stay home.
Mitsu.
Mitsu have another bowl!
Me too!
Give Oshin my share.
If only I could work...
Grandma it's not your fault. It's your hands.
Does it hurt?
It's rheumatism it keeps me from working.
You got that way from overwork.
You deserve to rest.
You too father.
I'll watch the baby mother. Go ahead and eat!
Don't you want more?
- She's had enough! - Mother!
I envy Oshin she doesn't know anything.
I'll be going to school in April.
Kiyo is going too.
Her family's already bought her a kimono.
Will you buy me one too?
Stop dreaming!
- We're... - Shoji!
Buy one for me!
Mother! Buy one for me!
I didn't know what it meant to be poor.
That's why...
Kei...
I'll call home I'm sure they're still up.
I'll tell them we'll be gone for a while.
I won't tell them anything more.
I want to stay with you.
Episode 5
Hello! Yashiro.
Oh Kei?
Yes I was working. I was interrupted.
Somebody switched the phone to my workshop.
Never mind...
When is grandma coming back?
She deserves to take a trip.
Does it matter where? I'll be with her.
So don't worry.
It's me Yes I'm fine.
I'm sure I'm causing you all concern.
But I didn't leave out of protest.
So let's just say it's an old woman's willfulness.
Money? Sure I have some.
I'd planned on taking a long trip.
I'll be monopolizing Kei for a while.
He insists on coming along.
I'll call you again soon. Good night.
Hello?
You're not going to have any fun following me around.
I wanted to help you pick up the pieces you left behind in your 83 years of life.
You've turned 20... You grew up in good times...
Soon nobody will know what real poverty is like.
Let's go to the bath. I'll wash your back.
I finally feel like I'm at a hot-spring resort.
I've been so worried about you that I haven't had the time to enjoy the baths.
Young people needn't hear stories told by old people.
You're a strange one...
It had been a long life...
She left pieces of her life behind her.
And she wanted to pick up the forgotten pieces...
Kei was moved by Oshin's determination.
She must've had a life that he knew nothing about.
What has she gone through in her life?
She had never talked much about her past.
Kei was curious to hear her tell her story.
What's daikon gruel?
You told me that's what you ate as a child it sounds good.
It's not!
After paying off the rent with the rice we grew
there wouldn't be much left for us to eat.
We'd cut up the daikon turnip into small pieces
and cook it together with the rice.
It's awful stuff.
But all the neighbors did the same so we thought nothing of it.
I didn't think it was terrible then or that we were living in poverty.
After all I was only seven at the time.
Oshin was born in 1901 the 34th year of Meiji
in a small village in the Yamagata Prefecture.
Her family worked their farm as sharecroppers.
Her mother and father did the heavy labor.
Her grandfather was dead and her grandmother would do a little weaving for extra income.
By the time Oshin came to know her the grandmother
was afflicted with rheumatism and couldn't do much of anything.
Her parents worked the fields by day
and stayed up late at night making straw sandals.
During the winter they'd either go and make charcoal
or barter the little produce that they grew.
They all worked day and nights...
Still by the time planting season came around
their winter's stock of food would all but be depleted.
In time of extended winters rice would have to be
borrowed from the landlord increasing their debt.
The more children they had the more they suffered.
Oshin grew up during such hard times.
But she was used to poverty and didn't think much about it.
What bolstered her was the love shown by her family.
It was the spring of her seventh Oshin first realized her situation.
Oshin.
Is this the girl. She seems bright!
Are you Oshin?
I'll be coming for you later on.
Thank you for coming.
I'll take good care of her.
Who is that man?
Come here Oshin!
Sakuzo!
You're doing this to Oshin too?
Fuji...
Oshin.
I'm against it!
I don't care if I don't eat... I don't want her to go!
Get in here!
I can't let her go she's still only seven.
They say it's all right so I let it be...
I feel sorry for Oshin!
You want us all to starve?
Can't we figure out something?
Figure what out?
I've borrowed all that I can...
Oshin!
- Did you call me? - Yes.
Go play outside...
You'll have to finish your field work.
- Oshin. - Father!
It's best to get it over with!
Go on and play...
I'm not doing this because I want to.
She has to go or none of us will eat!
Sit down over here...
Listen.
You'll be going off to work...
At a lumber dealer down the river from here.
You're going to be babysitting.
It's a big business and they're rich.
You'll get to eat a lot!
Why do I have to go?
You don't get enough to eat here...
- If you... - No.
I don't care if I don't eat. I won't go!
Oshin!
It's already been decided.
I'm not going.
I start school soon with Kiyo!
You won't do as I say Oshin?!
Father!
Oshin... we have no more rice for you to eat.
That's why you have to go. Do you understand?
They'll feed you well.
Your sisters went so why can't you?
No I want to say with you all. I don't want to go anywhere!
Oshin!
My brother doesn't have to go why do I?
He's a boy...
We need his help in the fields.
I'll help in the fields and I'll babysit too.
So please let me stay...
Do as I say!
I want to go to school with Kiyo!
What's the use of girls learning how to read and write!
Father!
I'll talk to her later.
Oshin don't cry. Go play outside.
Mother!
Fuji...
Never mind... You won't have to go.
If only I could work...
Don't worry I'll do whatever it takes.
Oshin I'll let you go to school.
You like going to school so you'll do well in your studies.
Father...
Please reconsider Oshin's situation.
Why can we stay together if we all starve anyway?
We'll all have to work more that's all.
I'm sure we'll be able to make it!
You're carrying another child...
One more mouth to feed.
We'll manage...
At that time
I still didn't know what it was like to be dead poor.
That's why I was able to protest.
Later I did realize...
Let's go to sleep.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Sorry for visiting in the early morning
but I thought I'd come and tell you...
I've already heard.
Mother's not coming home for a while?
- She called. - Where is she?
She and Kei won't say.
She said she didn't leave out of protest
so she wanted you both to know that.
Then why didn't she call us directly? Kei too!
It's just and old woman being willful.
We can't take it so lightly. Think of how we feel!
Never mind we can manage without her.
Let her take her trip!
I'm sure Kei will let us know if there's a problem.
Good morning.
Tatsunori what is it?
I have to talk to you.
The Namiki store by the train station has agreed
to sell its business and lot to that large supermarket chain!
It sure is cold!
I'm sure my father's getting a hard time from your son and his wife.
Because I didn't tell him where we are.
I'm sure Hitoshi's got other worries more pressing.
Where will you go today?
Maybe we should rest you had a tough day yesterday.
Maybe we'll go up the Mogami River.
- Get us a taxi? - Okay.
You didn't have to go to work as a child?
Or did you go?
Just get the taxi!
Episode 6
Kei followed Oshin to the Mogami River.
Seeing the intent way in which she stared into the flowing water
Kei was at a loss for words.
This river must hold painful memories for her.
These memories won't fade away in time.
Kei wanted to comfort her without words.
I got one!
I did get it didn't I?
It's mine I caught it!
This is mine!
- It was my pole! - I caught it it's mine!
What are you doing?
I caught it so it's mine!
My grandma's sick I want her to have it.
Give it to me!
You're just a girl!
You fool!
You could've died in the freezing river!
You should be more careful.
I wanted grandma to have the fish.
Did you go fishing?
She's sick and isn't eating I thought she might eat the fish.
You shouldn't be fishing with boys anyway.
- I feel sorry for grandma! - Oshin!
- I caught one but... - Never mind...
You can help me make lunch.
Grandma please eat or Oshin will worry more!
I don't work so I'm not hungry.
Give Oshin my share.
You've been working all day.
You should eat too! Or you'll get sick.
You're with child!
The lunch will be ready soon. Let's go.
Don't go fishing I don't like fish.
You must be hungry Go on and eat.
This is mine please eat it.
Oshin...
I feel relieved.
I thought you weren't eating because you're sick.
You do enough work.
Your needlework and you've done more than your share in the past.
I know that!
So please eat. Nobody's here to watch you eat.
Oshin...
Mother! You're still here?
Try to understand how Oshin feels.
There's enough for you to eat.
Grandma...
Grandma's been skipping two meals per day
so that you don't have to go away to work.
Grandma I won't let Oshin go to work!
Grandma!
I'll talk to my husband.
I'm useless...
And I can't even die!
I'm worthless...
But Oshin's just getting started.
Don't worry about me.
I want her to eat.
You... You foolish grandma!
Don't say such things!
Oshin...
Don't worry I'll make sure grandma's taken care of.
I'll look after her!
Oshin realized for the first time that is she ate her fill
her grandmother would have to do without.
It made me so sad.
We never had enough to feed the whole family.
Those who couldn't work had to feel badly about eating.
I knew then why my sisters had to go to work.
It's terrible.
Old people getting hungry because they can't work anymore.
That's like abandoning them to die!
Grandma felt badly but my mother felt worse.
It was as if I was looking through the window into hell.
It was just over there...
Just about this time of the year.
I went looking for my mother because she was late coming home.
I saw someone going into the water...
Mother...
Mother!
Mother! Mother!
Don't worry I'm all right! Don't tell anybody!
Mother! Mother! Mother!
Help mother's going to die!
Mother's in the river she's going to die!
Mother! Mother!
Fuji!
Leave me alone...
Come on up here! Don't be foolish!
Get out of the water!
Mother!
- You fool! - Let me go!
Stop that!
You'll hurt yourself more than the baby!
Leave me alone!
What do you think you're doing?
Hurry up and get warm!
What a stupid thing to do!
What's stupid?
Women have it hard!
A man would never understand!
Are you still cold?
I'm sorry.
Never mind.
It's because of me that you have to go and do so such a thing.
It's not your fault.
I just don't want my baby born into a life like this.
The baby shouldn't be born.
Fuji...
It's best for the other children too.
Mother...
I'm sorry to worry you. I'm all right.
I'll go to work.
Oshin!
What are you saying?
No I don't want you to you!
I've decided.
I'll go tomorrow.
Oshin!
Please don't ever do what you did again!
Oshin you...
If I go grandma will get to eat
and the baby will get to be born.
Oshin it's not for you to worry about.
I'll get to eat a lot at my workplace.
Isn't that so?
Oshin...
I thought you wanted to go to school?
At work you'll have to babysit all day.
And you'll never get any learning.
Just go for one year.
Bear it for just one year.
Once we get our harvest in we'll be better off.
Next year after the snow melts I will come and get you.
Father...
Thanks for agreeing to go.
Don't go I can go another year without eating.
Don't worry. A year will pass quickly.
You say that because you don't know what it's like having to work for another family!
My two sisters work I can do the same.
Oshin...
Don't worry grandma.
I know how cold that river can be I fell in!
I'm glad you didn't die.
There you are Oshin. Isn't anybody home?
My parents are working and grandma went up into the hills.
Then I'll just put this rice down here.
This is rice.
Rice? What for?
It's payment for you going to work.
It's for one year of work so you'll have to work hard!
I'll talk to your father.
Be ready to be picked up tomorrow.
She agreed to go to work yet she was unable to make up her mind.
Oshin didn't really want to go.
When she realized that she was to go in exchange for a single bale of rice
there was no turning back.
She'll go with a smile the following day.
She knew that crying wouldn't do any good.
Episode 7
Oshin born in a tiny village along the Mogami river
went off to work at age seven.
She had to leave home in order to lessen the family's financial burden.
Oshin's two older sisters had gone to work before her.
It was 1907 two years following the end of the Russo-Japanese war.
In the villages of northern Japan such occurrences weren't uncommon.
Please feed the kids. They were hungry and crying!
I gave them some takuan pickles but that wasn't enough.
I'm sorry.
And you have to go off to work tomorrow.
- Father! - Yes?
The man left this. As advance payment for my wages.
I guess I'd better work hard to earn it.
Oshin...
I'm sorry. Forgive me.
Haru and Mitsu are working I'll do my part too!
What the hell?!
This isn't the holidays!
What's the meaning of making rice!
Grandma this is to celebrate Oshin's going to work tomorrow.
You cared for her so much.
It's her rice and she wants you to be the first to enjoy it.
Oshin you eat a lot too.
I wanted to exchange this good rice for some that's not as high high quality.
So that there'd be more for us to eat!
It's such a waste!
It's Oshin's wages for a whole year!
So what if I feed it to her!
How dare you!
Father!
Shoji be thankful. You get to have this because of Oshin!
White rice sure is good!
Eat a lot so that there'll be no regrets!
Oshin doesn't realize how hard work can be.
She's just happy eating white rice.
She's only seven.
I feel so badly for her...
She knows what she's getting into.
They know Oshin's age they'll be good to her.
And you trust that employment agent?
If I didn't I wouldn't have considered.
- You're still up? - Just a little longer.
It's almost dawn
and you have a full day of work! You should get some sleep.
I have to get this done so you can wear it.
- It's for me? - Yes.
I never was able to give you a new kimono.
And I can't have you go off wearing tatters.
This kimono is what I wore when I came here as a bride.
I'm fixing it so that you can wear it tomorrow.
That's your wedding kimono?
I held onto it all these years.
I gave Haru and Mitsu my kimono too. This is yours.
But...
I didn't think you'd be going off so soon...
Mother...
Here. Put it on.
It looks great.
They say clothes make the man!
I couldn't do much for you.
You've always been very independent.
You helped us out and did the babysitting
but you will be all alone from now on.
Nobody will help you. Don't count on anybody!
You'll have to make it all on your own.
Remember that!
When things are rough or you feel like coming home. Just bear with it!
But if you just can't bear it come on home.
I'll always be waiting for you.
Mother!
Take care of yourself.
I'm from the Nakagawa Lumber Mill.
I've come for that babysitter girl!
Thanks for coming.
Hurry it up.
I've packed your change of clothes.
I can't give you much but I've made rice balls too.
What are you doing?
I hope they take good care of you.
Grandma...
Don't tell anyone.
Take it.
This is all I can do for you.
Forgive me.
Shall we go?
We'll be taking the raft down the river.
Bring your straw raincoat.
I thought you had a boat!
It costs money to hire a boat. A raft of cut trees costs nothing!
That's too dangerous for a child like her!
Fuji.
I'll be with her.
- No rafts it's dangerous! - Fuji!
If he doesn't take her we'll have to deliver her ourselves.
He was kind enough to come here for her.
- Be thankful! - But...
She has been paid. She's their employee now!
Sorry to cause you trouble.
No if I took those mother won't have them to use.
Oshin...
Fuji!
You're not even going to see your girl off?
And you call yourself her father?
She's doing this to help you!
Hold on tight!
Don't stand up on the raft no matter what.
Please take good care of her.
I will.
Oshin!
It's dangerous! Just sit down!
Mother! Mother!
Mother!
Mother...
Mother!
Father...
Father! Father! Father!
Father!
Oshin.
Oshin!
Father! Father! Father!
Oshin!
Oshin I'm sorry...
I'm sorry!
Her father was suffering too.
He'd never shown his true emotions.
For the first time Oshin could understand him better.
You rafted down this single river for a single bale of rice as payment?
It's nobody's fault...
A sharecropper's life was a sad lot.
We all had it tough.
People all had to do whatever it took to survive.
My father was desperate too.
He was always yelling at us
but he just didn't want us to know how vulnerable he was.
I think I understand.
There are poor people today but it was harder in the old days.
I've also forgotten how though things can be.
After what I went through I should be able to take anything!
Nothing can compare to the hardships back then.
Oshin at age 83... What was she looking at?
Kei tried to follow her eyes to what she was seeing.
Come on.
We're here.
- Has she arrived? - Yes.
Is this her?
She's a little seasick.
Oh she's so useless.
Can she really handle the work?
For a girl of nine she seems so small and fragile.
Maybe we should send her back?
No she will be fine.
She'll be better once she gets over being sick.
I'll train her!
Take her inside.
Episode 8
Oshin's job foretold of her coming hardships.
She was brought here to work at the lumber dealer's on a raft
in order to save money on a boat's passage.
Oshin was overcome with seasickness.
She came into a little storage room.
In a strange house where she was all alone.
How do you feel?
If you're well meet the master and his wife.
Come!
I'm Otsune I've been serving the madam here since her wedding day.
For over 20 years!
I handle all the household matters.
From now on...
Listen to what I say and work hard!
You can't answer me? Answer me with a yes!
You have no voice?
I already have grave doubts about you!
Hurry it up!
Thanks for coming. You're only nine?
Babysitting will be hard work So hang in there.
- I'm seven years old. - You're not nine?
I'm seven and I start school this year.
That employment agent lied to us! No wonder you seem so small.
This girl can't handle babysitting. We should just send her back!
I babysit my little brother and sister I took care of them!
But...
Don't send me back I can do anything!
If I don't work my parents will suffer.
The whole family will suffer!
She has her reasons for being here.
If we'd known that she was only seven we would've said no from the start.
Now it's too late. We'll keep her.
But...
She's a fine girl and she seems to be of strong nature.
I'll help her!
If you want to stay you'll work as a nine year-old!
And I'll treat you accordingly!
Answer me!
I understand.
This is the baby you'll be looking after.
Take good care of it!
She's cute.
It's a boy!
But he's wearing a red kimono.
He smiled at me!
- You like babies? - Yes.
Good think of him as your little brother.
Take good care of him.
I will.
We'll get an early start tomorrow.
Have you eaten?
She got seasick she shouldn't eat.
This will be your room.
Be grateful you get your own room!
The master's a kind man.
You'll get up early tomorrow and help make the rice.
We have to make food for all the employees.
After that you'll clean.
You'll babysit from the time the madam sits
at the accounting desk until we close up for the day.
Understand?
Yes.
Sleep well.
What about the light?
You don't need it. You'll be sleeping!
I'm so hungry...
Mother...
I wonder if Oshin got there safely.
I wish we could've hired a boat to take her.
- Where's the money? - We have Oshin's rice!
What if something went wrong?
What's the use of talking about?
We'll hear about it if something went wrong.
No news is good news!
It's a half-day's journey down the river.
It's so far way...
It's not a distance that we can just come and go.
Get out of bed!
You can't work here if you can't get up on your own!
You eat daikon gruel here too?
I thought you would be eating white rice.
With so many employees we can't afford it!
Hurry up and pour the water!
- Good morning! - Good morning!
- Work hard today! - We will!
What are you doing?
You'd better go clean now. You have to be ready to babysit!
Squeeze the rag good and wiple it down clean.
Get more force behind that broom! Don't sweep against the grain!
Learn to sweep right!
Squeeze out the rag!
You're just pushing dirty water around!
Where's your answer?
As you say.
Rinse that rag out more often!
I will.
See... The baby's awake!
You'd better do everything right tomorrow!
Okay.
Eat after you finish cleaning.
Yes!
This is yours.
Don't take too long eating.
There's no rice!
What are you saying?
Sure there's rice.
One bowl should be enough. A child only needs that much.
There's a bowl of soup too.
Hurry it up! A worker eats quickly.
I'll be going out now.
I'm sorry we were coming for him. This kid's taking too long!
She's new she'll get used to it.
I'll call you when I'm ready to feed him.
Okay.
Let's go!
Babysitting already?
Those kids are off to school?
Yes.
I'm envious...
You want to go to school?
School's no fun!
I quit after a year and came to work!
I can't read but I can steer a raft. And I can measure lumber!
School's useless.
Otsune is strict but she can teach you well.
So just hang in there.
I'm sure the baby feels heavy to you.
No I'm used to it.
Come to me if you need to talk I can help.
Oshin!
Time for milk!
Go wash the diapers while he's having milk.
That's part of a babysitter's job.
You can't wash diapers by the well!
Well needs to remain clean!
All the washing gets done at the river!
The water's so cold.
The baby felt heavy on Oshin's shoulders.
When she sat down he would cry.
She had to remain on her feet all day.
Oshin had no real break from babysitting.
She had to withstand the freezing water.
She couldn't go home.
She had to persevere.
Episode 9
Oshin!
Yes.
Hurry now.
Thanks.
You're done for the day.
Are you sleepy?
Hurry and eat your dinner!
Make the bath after dinner!
Keep the fire strong!
Hey!
You got to keep it going!
Did you make sure the fire's out?
Yes.
Did you pour water on it like I told you?
I did.
I'll check later...
Go take your bath and get to bed.
I don't need a bath.
No clean the bathroom while you bathe!
The last one cleans up!
I understand.
Mother...
I wonder how Oshin's doing...
I hope she reached there safely You think she's doing all right?
Haru and Mitsu are older so I don't worry but Oshin's still only seven!
I hope the employers are kind to her.
They run a big business so I'm sure there's enough to eat.
I'm glad for that. At least she gets to eat.
But babysitting will be so hard for her.
I want to know how she's doing.
We can send her a letter but I can't write.
I wish I'd learned the basic script at least.
Don't be silly. Oshin can't read either.
But someone could read it to her. And somebody could help her write me.
But I can't read and it'll be tough to get my feelings across.
I wish we could have given her some education.
The days were harder then Oshin ever imagined.
Babysitting was rough
but it made her feel good to be carrying the baby.
It gave her a sense of freedom.
We'll be late for school.
Oshin!
Elementary School
Very good.
Can you read this?
Today's weather is good.
Good. It says today's weather is good.
Come up here and write it for us.
You all try it without looking at mine.
Today's weather is good.
You don't see her?
Where could she be? I told her not to wander off!
Maybe they fell into the river?
That can't be!
But she knows when it's feeding time!
I'll have our men look for them!
I'm so sorry!
That Oshin. I'll teach her!
Where are you from?
I'm sorry.
I wanted to see what school was like.
Please forgive me.
Did you enjoy it?
How old are you?
I'm seven years old...
Then you should be in school.
I came here to work as a babysitter.
Where?
At the Nakagawa Lumber Mill.
Oh at Nakagawa?
I won't come back so please don't tell them.
Oh no... It's time for his milk!
Where were you?
The house is in an uproar!
But I'm glad to see that you're all right.
Come on I'll go back with you.
She got lost. She's new here.
So please don't be so hard on her.
Otsune!
You stay out of this!
You're no one to stand up for her!
Stay out of this!
She needs to learn her lesson!
It's my fault... Go on and hit me.
Don't ever do this again!
I won't.
Hurry up and go!
Otsune...
Oshin's still little. Don't be so hard on her.
I don't hate her... I'm doing it for her own good.
I want her to learn what work is all about.
It's a mountain song...
I thought I would never hear it again.
I'd hear them sing as I did my wash...
They sing to help the boat's struggle up the river.
And it just sounded like a song.
They call it the Mogami River Song nowadays.
Back then it was just a series of chants.
When I had a bad day the singing would
make me feel sad and made me miss home.
But it brings back memories of both pain and suffering.
You'd think that I'd be able to handle anything
after what I went through as a little girl.
It happened later on that day...
Mr. Matsuda the school teacher came by to visit.
Oshin cringed at the sight of him... What if he'd come to tell on her?
Oshin felt guilty for having gone to the school
when she had no right to go to school.
Thanks to Avallac'h and XrayMind at D-Addicts.
Translation: UTB Channel