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Episode 37
So this is the Sea of Japan?
The water is different from what I'm used to in Ise.
How long were you in Sakata?
Until I was 16.
You were at Kaga-ya the whole time?
Okayo loved the sea too.
She would come here to do her sketches.
She became an artist?
What do you want to be?
I don't want to work for Tanokura Supermarket
but I don't mind being a businessman like uncle Hitoshi.
You're not like Nozomi at all.
I've never wanted to take over after my father.
I'm not interested in pottery
and I've seen my father having such a hard time of it.
Or maybe because I'm not artistically inclined?
Am I really my father's son?
Father has a gift for pottery.
Don't be silly. You're his son!
Whom do I take after? If only I were your true grandson.
You're a real genius. A real businesswoman.
It's not that I ever wanted to be in business.
And that's not why I began the supermarket.
It's just that I was so poor in my youth.
I just did my best to survive. I had no time for likes or dislikes.
I didn't have the luxury of choosing my own way of life.
Is it a luxury to be able to choose one's own way of life?
Of course! You got to pick out your own college
and you get to choose the job you want.
Really?
I still don't even know what I want to do
or what I want to become.
If I'd been able to choose
maybe I'd have lived my life totally different.
But I always had to send money home.
I couldn't quit my job at Kaya-ya.
I'd wanted to learn about business.
And I'd believed that being a merchant
was the way to get some real money.
A woman was thinking such thoughts?
When my grandmother died I'd decided never to be poor again.
That's why I worked at Kaga-ya until I was 16.
The old madam there taught me so much.
If that incident hadn't occurred maybe I could've married a merchant
and my life might have been easier.
But everyone's life is predestined.
Oshin!
Oshin's at the store. The old madam called for her.
Again?
We have a manager to run our store.
She's always counting on Oshin to help out.
Oshin has her hands full with household matters!
She trusts Oshin because she trained her herself.
I'm sure Oshin is having a hard time of it.
Oshin's already told us what to do back here.
I'd better go see what they're up to.
In the spring of her ninth year Oshin had lost her grandmother.
Now still at Kaga-ya she was 16 years old.
In Taisho 3 (1914) World War I had begun.
Japan was in an economic boom as a result.
Now it was 1916.
- Mr. Sakuragi is here. - I'll be right there.
I'd better be checking on dinner.
Thank you for your help.
Thank you for doing all the work.
The head and the gills are to be cooked in sauce.
I'll make the broiled fish.
Okay.
How are you coming with the potatoes?
The old madam wants you to take tea into the guest.
I'll finish making dinner for you.
I can't have you working in the kitchen!
It's good for me to work in here once in a while.
I no longer have a small baby to mind.
Besides you do a lot of work at our store too.
So the least I can do is to help out here.
But...
Hurry with the tea or she'll be yelling!
I'll take it in right away.
- Oshin. - Yes?
Have you seen Kayo?
I was at the store so I didn't see her.
Isn't she here?
Where could she be?
I don't know much about the tea ceremony but that was quite good!
You've trained her so well.
Please enjoy and never mind the ceremony.
You take care of Oshin like she was your daughter.
She's always been such a bright girl so I've tried to look after her.
She writes so well and she's good with the abacus too.
Really?
She keeps the books better than the store manager.
I'm hoping she grows up to be good in business.
Oshin takes care of all the household duties too.
She cooks well and she can sew a kimono in two days.
I'm done with my ceremony.
I'll take over.
Has the old madam told you?
I was hoping you could stay with us
and continue being a good friend to Kayo.
What's she thinking about?
- Welcome home! - Welcome home!
Kayo!
Kayo.
Kayo!
You were out all day!
Your vacation is over.
When will you return to school?
I'm not going back. I intend to quit.
Not that again!
You have to take over Kaga-ya's business one day!
We have to find a suitable adopted son-in-law!
Sayo can take over the family business.
Don't be silly! The eldest daughter takes over!
What law says that?
What difference does it make if it's me
or Sayo that takes over the business?
I want to be an artist and paint. I want to go to Tokyo to study.
You think we'll allow that?
Human beings are free to follow their calling.
What good is life without freedom?
Why do you always talk like that?
What's come over you?
What good is drawing pictures anyway?
Be more like Oshin!
She's already completed her bridal training.
Oshin is Oshin and I'm me!
Kayo!
Stop making so much noise. I can't study!
Okay.
Kayo Oshin's getting married!
There's a couple here looking Oshin over to be the bride for their son.
Look at them.
They're one of the newly rich! I'm sure he got rich off the rice market!
Kayo!
The Sakuragis?
Oshin's seen him too.
They seem to be doing very well.
But they want her for their second son.
Second sons get a good part of the family business too.
I'm sure they'll give their son a house of his own.
It's a perfect match for Oshin.
You're going to marry their son?
I've just heard of it.
You can't marry a man you don't even know!
Kayo!
Marriage can only work if there's love.
It's not a matter for others to decide.
You can't get married unless others set it up for you.
Arranged marriages are the best.
I don't want to have to send Oshin away
but the Sakuragis all live here in Sakata.
She won't be far away.
You can't push your will upon Oshin!
She's thinking of what is best for Oshin.
I haven't the right to oppose it but do consider what's best for you.
It was all so sudden
and Oshin hadn't had time to think things over.
But she couldn't help thinking of all the
things that had happened in her life up until now.
Episode 38
Otama... You'd better get to bed.
Otama you're 14 right?
When I was 14 I could already sew.
Make good use of this opportunity to learn.
I will do that.
You came here after the fourth grade in school.
I came here without any formal education to babysit.
You all commute now but I was trained by
Okiku and Oume who were both live-in maids.
They taught me to sew too.
They both got married and left. Now it's my turn to train you.
Are you really going to get married?
Look at that man!
Does Oshin really intend to marry him?
Miss Okayo.
Come on in.
I've brought you tea and sweets.
You're so considerate. I'd been wanting some tea.
You're going off to paint again?
I can't seem to get it the way I want.
You should stop making your mother worry.
Are you lecturing me?
You've changed since going to that girls' school in Yamagata.
One has to learn about the world around them.
That song you were singing is it new?
It's the "Song of the Gondola." It's from a stage play I saw.
Like that song they sing in the Resurrection?
Yes that was last year.
This year it's the "Song of the Gondola."
You sure keep up with the times!
- Oshin. - Yes?
I saw that man you're set to marry.
What's so good about him?
I hope you're not really going to marry him.
There's no need to marry him if you don't want to.
I'm honored to be made the offer.
I'm the daughter of a sharecropper.
If I go home I'd have to marry a sharecropper too.
But because I came here
I have a chance for a good marriage.
I should be grateful.
I sent you that women's rights magazine the Bluestocking.
Did you read it?
Thank you but I've been busy. Besides it's hard reading for me.
Don't sound so pathetic. You used to love to read before.
What's happened to you?
You and I are of different circumstances.
The White Birch is a literary journal put out by
Mushanokoji Saneatsu and Arishima Takeo.
They espouse new ideas!
I see.
The Bluestocking is put out by Hiratsuka Raicho.
It's a magazine made strictly for women!
It says that women were once the center of the universe.
They were the sun!
But now we're the sickly pale moon.
We must become the sun again. Do you understand?
We have to break the bonds that keep women down.
We must live our own lives!
In a play I saw
the character casts off home and fortune to find true happiness.
Women must realize.
We don't want to be dependent on men anymore!
This Bluestocking what does it mean?
It's "Seito" in Japanese and it's the kind of long
blue stockings Western women wear think of it as socks.
The women's rights people in England all wore blue stockings.
That's why they call it by that name?
Rich people sure have a way about them!
I want you to live like the sun.
If you get married now what will become of you?
You'll just be another sickly pale moon!
But I don't understand things like that.
I don't know about being the sun or the moon.
But I do value myself!
That's why I never want to be poor again.
And that's why I don't mind marrying Sakuragi.
I want to do it for myself.
I always thought you were smarter than that.
I'd study hard so that I wouldn't lose to you.
But you always managed to do better than me.
We are different and we live different lives.
So you're getting married?
I'll have to give an answer soon.
I wish you'd go back to school.
I'm not going back there.
I've packed up all my things at the dormitory already.
You're quitting school?
It's not doing me much good.
I want to do some good paintings and take them with me to Tokyo.
What will happen to Kaga-ya?
One has to get out from within one's shell
in order to bring out your own talent.
I'm going to paint the Sea of Japan!
Miss Okayo...
We made a mistake in sending Kayo off to the girls' school.
I was always against it! Education or not
it's not a good idea to send a young girl to live away from home.
It's too late for that now.
Nowadays a woman needs a good education.
Kayo's going to be taking over our business.
It's best if we train her for marriage
and have her learn how to run the business.
We'll have to find a college-educated
man to be her adoptive husband too.
A man doesn't need an education. All he has to do is work hard.
If Kayo wants to quit school let her.
I'll train her. It's not too late.
Just find a man for her right away.
Once she's married and has a child she'll quit talking nonsense.
That's how women are!
Bring Kayo in here.
Yes I'll get her.
I'm glad we caught it in time.
She wants to paint? That's being childish.
What if she'd found a boy she liked in Yamagata?
Then it would've been too late.
I trust Kayo!
Trust or not one can't control matters of the heart.
Sorry to bother you. Do you know where she is?
I'm sure she's at the sand dunes.
Please go tell her to come right home.
Drag her here if you have to.
Okay.
Just keep walking.
I'm being followed. Don't worry.
If they think I'm meeting a woman I can fool them.
Oshin? Is that you Oshin?
Miss Okayo!
Don't cry out.
I didn't know you had a lover!
I don't know this man.
I was sent here to get you. Then this man grabbed me.
Sorry to scare you. I had to think of something.
Thank you for your help.
Are you wanted?
Did you paint this?
It's nice.
It shows the rustic loneliness of the Sea of Japan.
Oil painting is a new technique.
Maybe you should try to express more of the rusticness.
The man had come out of nowhere to enter Oshin and Kayo's lives.
But this chance meeting was to change their lives forever.
Episode 39
Where's Kayo?
She went out to paint again. I've sent Oshin to get her.
It's because you buy her everything she wants!
I'll throw away all her painting supplies!
Let her paint! A girl should have a hobby.
I hope it's just a hobby.
But she's talking about going off to Tokyo to study art.
She's dreaming!
It happens to us all in our youth.
But we should get her a husband.
An adopted son-in-law isn't all that easy to find.
I have an idea.
Betto's second son!
He went to work for a trading business
in Yokohama right after graduating from school.
That's the one!
I hope she'll listen to us.
It's your duty as parents to make her listen!
If you let Kayo have her way
the Kaga-ya business will be finished!
But she's so headstrong.
She knows she can get her way with you two!
Shape up!
Nobody's ever praised my work before.
Do you paint?
No I don't I just like to appreciate art.
Whose art do you like?
I'm fond of Gauguin.
I'm attracted to Gauguin's work!
Your mother wants you home.
She's just going to lecture me. Just let her be!
But...
I'm sorry to have bothered you.
I'm sorry I scared you. You were a great help to me.
Goodbye.
- Do you live in Sakata? - No.
Where are you headed?
I have a room at an inn.
We'll walk you there.
You might still be followed.
Miss Okayo!
You can go home if you like.
But...!
Please don't worry about me.
It's best to be careful.
I'd regret it for the rest of my life if something happened to you.
Carry those things for me.
Do we look like sweethearts?
Miss Okayo...
Tell mother that I've gone to a friend's house.
No it's really okay.
You'd better go. This girl came to get you.
No I'd worry about you!
You're hard to deal with.
I'd better go with you. You can't go off with a stranger!
- Oshin! - She's right.
I might be a wanted criminal.
No you're not a criminal.
I can tell.
Thank you this is far enough.
- I'll walk you to the inn. - It's right around the corner.
Thank you for all your help.
My name's Kayo. My parents run a rice business.
This is Oshin our maid. She and I were raised like sisters.
Who are you?
I guess you don't trust us.
You can contact us if you need help.
I'll be glad to help.
This is our phone number.
I don't know how long you'll be here
but I hope to be able to see you again.
Please take care.
I was so scared.
I didn't know what was going to happen!
Now I know which inn he's staying at.
I'm so lucky to have met him!
Miss Okayo!
He's no ordinary man. He's an intellectual!
He knows who Gauguin is and he appreciates my work!
But why is he being followed?
He must be up to no good.
You don't understand.
I should have been more firm with with.
I'll give her a piece of my mind when she comes home!
It's worse to come on too strong. Just pretend nothing's wrong.
And just get Betto's boy to marry her!
Don't worry about her feelings so much.
I'm sorry to be so late.
Where were you?
I was painting.
I had Oshin wait until I was done.
- Right Oshin? - Yes.
I'm sorry.
It's my fault not yours.
Is something wrong?
You really don't plan on returning to school?
No.
Why is that?
It's my life!
There's no use trying to run my life.
Kayo!
Let her do as she wishes she can stay home.
You can learn some feminine skills.
Oshin knows how to make tea and arrange flowers.
You haven't learned any of those skills.
What good does it do to know such skills?
A woman has better things to learn!
The days of a girl learning to be a wife are over!
Learn from Oshin!
Human beings are all different.
I have my own life to live and so does Oshin!
Kayo!
Did they give you a hard time?
Mother says she won't let you paint anymore.
She has no right to restrain her own daughter!
Human beings are free!
You can take over Kaga-ya. I don't want any part of it.
It's all yours.
All I want is my freedom.
- Oshin. - What is it?
Pack a good lunch for me tomorrow.
You're going somewhere?
I'm taking the food over to him.
Who?
That man we met today.
Miss Okay...
I want him to enjoy some real cooking so do your best.
He may be a wanted man don't bother with him!
All you have to do is make the lunch!
Please don't do it.
What if you should get into trouble?
I won't cause you any trouble.
- But... - So please do as I say!
I was wondering what you were doing up so early.
What's the lunch for?
Miss Okayo is taking it to her friend.
What kind of friend?
Don't tell anyone about it.
Hello.
Is there a man here from Tokyo?
Mr. Yasuda?
Tell him that Kayo's here.
Just a moment.
You have a guest.
Who is it?
She says her name's Kayo.
Tell her I'm not here.
I know you're here!
Don't worry. I didn't tell anyone about you.
Please have some of this.
You shouldn't have.
I'm on your side!
Just as I thought. I enjoy books like these too.
My classmates in Yamagata read books like these.
Are you a college student in Tokyo?
No I'm not.
You're in a political movement? What brought you here?
Don't try to speculate.
I'm just a merchant here in town for business.
Oh come on. I'm a new age woman!
I've studied about Marx and Lenin too.
I'm sympathetic to socialism!
I'm not like that.
Just trust me!
I'm a daughter of a capitalist but I've always hated it.
It's not anything you should get involved with.
I don't expect you to understand me right away.
I just want you to know that there are women here in Sakata like me.
Oshin was concerned for Kayo.
Oshin had no idea what Kayo was thinking.
About three days later...
There's a telephone call for you.
- For me? - Yes it sounded urgent.
Hello. Sorry to keep you waiting.
Who's calling?
We met at the sand dunes the other day.
Will you come to the inn? I need help.
My name's Yasuda.
Please don't tell Kayo or the other at the store.
Please.
Episode 40
I need to go out but I'll be right back.
Okay.
Oshin.
Yes?
Who was that call from?
Somebody from back home is in town.
I was concerned. You seemed worried.
It's nothing.
I just wanted to go visit for a while.
Go ahead and your friend can have lunch here.
Hello.
Is there a Mr. Yasuda staying here?
You must be Oshin. He's waiting for you upstairs.
It's Oshin.
I'm sorry to have you come like this.
Please come in.
Sit down.
I shouldn't be asking you for favors
but I don't have anybody else to turn to.
I hate to trouble you again
but I missed meeting someone here in Sakata and I'm out of money.
We maids have to send money home so I don't have any money...
No it's not that.
I called home to have them wire me money
but I can't receive it here at the inn.
So I had it sent to you at Kaga-ya.
To me?
I can't have people knowing where I am.
You'll be receiving money by wire.
Why are you asking me to do this?
I don't know anyone else here in Sakata whom I can trust.
I know I'm imposing but there's no other way.
I can't help you.
I've already made the arrangements!
The money will come by tomorrow morning.
Without it I can't do anything.
I'm sorry but I can't help you.
Why can't you receive your own money?
I just don't understand. Please cancel the money order.
If I could I wouldn't be asking you like this.
I don't want my parents to know where I am.
I can't even go to the post office!
Please understand.
I'm leaving.
I thought I could count on you please!
I'll show my gratitude.
I can't help you in matters I don't understand.
I thought you'd called me about Miss Okayo.
I know she thinks a lot of you.
I don't want her getting involved with a strange man.
This has nothing to do with Okayo.
I'm glad. Now if you excuse me.
You think I'm a suspicious character but I'm not!
And yes I'm being followed but there's something I must do.
Do you know about farmers called sharecroppers?
They don't own their own land and grow rice for others.
They pay half their crop to the landlord for rent.
The remaining half isn't enough to sustain them.
They must keep taking out loans from the landlord.
They have to pay this rice back with interest.
Life is hell for them.
They grow rice but they can't eat their fill.
They mix daikon turnips in with the rice for gruel.
They don't even get enough of that!
The landlords don't work.
They live off the sweat of their sharecroppers.
It's so unfair!
We want to get society right.
I guess you wouldn't understand.
I want sharecroppers to have a decent life.
Can that be done?
If one doesn't have one's own land
one has to rent that land from the landlord.
Yes it can be done!
If the rent paid to the landlord can be reduced from 50% to 30%.
You're dreaming.
All sharecroppers must band together.
We must explain this to all the sharecroppers.
But today ideas like these are considered dangerous.
I saw how sharecroppers live in the Tohoku region.
I wanted to devote my life to their cause.
That's why the secret police are after me.
That's why I can't even tell my parents where I am.
To be afraid is to do nothing.
I'll one day form a union of all sharecroppers
and show people that life can be better.
I'll bring you the money once it's wired to me.
Thank you.
I'm a daughter of a sharecropper.
I grew up eating daikon gruel.
I know how hard poverty is.
I've been working away from home since age seven.
My grandmother died without even eating much white rice.
My little sister was given away as a baby.
My parents still can't make ends meet.
A sharecropper's life is worse than that in hell.
Sharecroppers feel that there's nothing they can do.
I don't know much about you
and I guess I was telling you what you already knew.
I can also do your laundry. That's the least I can do for you.
Thank you.
- Welcome back. - Welcome back.
Sorry to leave like that.
I've cleaned all the rooms.
We'll have to start dinner soon.
Miss Okayo was looking for you.
It's me Oshin.
I heard you were seeing a visitor.
I'm sorry I wasn't around.
It's not often you get visitors from back home.
What can I do for you?
I'm going out so pack me a meal.
You're going to visit Mr. Yasuda?
That's not his real name.
He's working undercover for a cause.
He told you about himself?
People like that don't talk about themselves.
But I know a little bit about these things.
I've tried to get him to talk but he won't.
That's proof that he is with a movement.
That's what's so cool about him!
You'll be starting lessons today in tea ceremony and flower arrangement.
I don't have time to bother with that.
Kayo!
You needn't go to school but a girl must know about these arts.
It's not a skill. It's training for one's heart.
It's so hard to figure out what you're thinking!
Kayo!
No more lectures!
No use being too hard on her she'll rebel.
Just arrange a marriage for her. I'll set her straight when it's set.
Has she told you anything?
You have a telegram money order. i signed for it.
Thank you so much.
Who could be sending you money?
A friend of mine in Tokyo wants
me to send her something from Sakata.
The food in Tokyo doesn't taste good.
Thank you. You've been a great help.
This is for your trouble.
I didn't do it for the money!
I insist you went through a lot of trouble for me.
I'm just glad to be of help.
It's a lot of money I was surprised.
I hate to trouble my parents but I must eat.
They must be so worried about you.
They've given up on me.
They just want me to be safe.
They think it's their fault that I entered the farm movement.
My father's a big landowner.
I can't even liberate our own sharecroppers.
And I get tainted money from my father.
It's pathetic.
I'd better go.
I ordered some tea.
Miss Okayo will be coming soon.
I asked her not to come.
I don't want her to bother me.
She seems to know a lot about you.
She's very smart but she just wants to be fashionable.
She's just rebelling. She's at a dangerous age.
But...
I appreciated the food she brought.
The food here is terrible.
Especially since you made it. It was very good.
I'm leaving tonight but I'll be back.
Will you see me when I come back?
I'll write to you.
Please be waiting for me.
Episode 41
I didn't know you could drink!
I was too busy working to drink before.
Let's drink every night.
No if I drink I'll end up telling stories again.
Why not?
I'm impressed that you had such experiences.
I don't really want to remember it all.
I fell for a man I hardly knew.
It happens to us all and it could be the real thing!
It's pure youthful love.
He seemed so grand.
He was risking his life to better
the lot of the sharecropper farmers.
As the kids today say I was turned on!
I couldn't believe that there could be such a wonderful man.
I was head over heels in love!
You regret it?
No I was seriously in love.
It was my first time loving a man.
He was my one and only.
Oshin?
What's wrong with you?
You've been daydreaming. It's so unlike you.
Never mind just hurry and finish cleaning!
Welcome home.
Come to my room.
I hear that you've been up to Mr. Yasuda's room alone.
He left town so I asked the innkeeper.
She told me that you'd been up to see him.
Why didn't you tell me?
I asked her for a description of this woman and it was you.
I just did some favors for him that's all.
He told me not to tell anyone about it.
That's why I couldn't tell you.
What did he ask you to do?
I'm sorry I promised I wouldn't tell anyone.
You can't even tell me about it?
I guess you know a lot about him then.
No I just ran an errand for him.
Where did he go?
Why would I know?
He didn't tell me anything important.
I thought you were my ally?
I really don't know.
You can't tell me what you two talked about?
He asked me to take receipt of a money order from his family.
He didn't even want his parents to know where he was staying.
That's all.
I see.
Why didn't he just ask me for help?
He didn't want you to get in trouble.
I guess he was just being considerate.
Will I ever see him again?
No I'm sure he'll contact me. He knows how I feel about him.
Next time he contacts you for a favor let me know.
Make sure you tell me about it.
Mail!
Here's today's mail.
It's not often that you get mail. There's no sender or return address.
I'm sure he forgot.
You know who sent the letter?
A relative. An uncle of mine.
May I close this account?
Yes.
Isn't it a nice day?
Mr. Sakuragi it's good to see you.
I was attending a meeting near here.
I've brought you a small gift.
Thank you for being so considerate.
Oshin seems to be working as hard as ever.
I'll make some tea.
Take some tea out to our guest.
I hope all is well with you.
I'm visiting villages around the Mogami River now.
I'm trying to talk to the young farmers before they're too busy with planting.
I'll be coming to Sakata in about 10 days.
I would be happy if you'd see me then.
I'll be waiting for you at 3:00 p.m. on April 12th.
At the sand dunes where we met before.
If I don't see you there I'll just be on my way.
Please don't feel that you have to come.
Take good care of yourself.
I'll write again. - Kota
Just do the preparations and I'll do the rest when I get back.
- Okay. - We'll do that.
Tell the madam I went shopping.
I'll do that.
Oshin had tried to talk herself out of going to see Kota.
But when the time came
she went to the appointed place as if drawn there by a thread of fate.
I'm glad you came.
Thank you for your letter.
I'd planned on forgetting you if you didn't show up.
I know I can't have a family as long
as I'm in this farm reform movement.
But you're the only one who understands me.
Being with you makes me feel less lonely.
I'd longed for a person with warmth.
I knew that person was you when we first met.
I'm not one to be put on a pedestal.
At our house there was a maid from Yamagata.
You remind me of her.
But my mother sent her away when she learned that I had feelings for her.
She went home and died of tuberculosis.
It was she who got me started in my farm reform movement.
I went to see her at her house
and I saw the poverty in which she lived.
I'd like to see you whenever I'm in Sakata.
We can just talk.
You can give me strength to fight the loneliness.
One day I'll come for you and we can be together.
Just thinking that I can conquer anything.
That's the kind of person you are.
You're going away for a long time?
Yes but I'll be back.
And I'll take you away from all this.
But you have your own life. I won't tie you down.
I haven't the right.
I just wanted to tell you how I felt.
I don't want to lose you.
I want you to give me a dream.
A dream that you are waiting for me.
I don't deserve your love for me.
I'll come back for you.
And I'll take you away from this town.
Welcome home.
I'm glad you're home.
Everybody was asking where you were.
Your mother's here.
She is?
Go and see her.
Thanks.
I'm sorry. I was out shopping.
The madam here was worried about you.
She works hard. She deserves some time of her own.
Don't be so ungrateful!
What brings you out here? Has something happened?
I sent for her.
We got a letter about your engagement.
That's why I rushed over.
Such a fine offer! I can't believe it.
Your mother's very happy for you.
You sure are a lucky girl!
After coming back from meeting Kota
all this was chilling news to Oshin.
The marriage offer had gone this far.
Oshin felt herself going pale.
Episode 42
Mother...
I'd like to keep sending you money.
So will you cancel this marriage offer for me?
Don't be silly. Your father can still work.
Your brother Shoji is a man now
so he can take care of the farm by himself.
Haru and Mitsu send us money too.
The younger two are out working too.
So there's only three of us to feed now.
We can manage after you get married.
I'm thinking of getting a job away from home too.
Mother...
Your father and Shoji can manage on their own.
If you leave it'll be just them two at home.
Who will do their cooking and washing?
We still owe the landlord so much
with the interest on the amount we borrowed.
The prices keep going up.
I won't get married.
I can't!
Please cancel this offer for me.
Kaga-ya's found me a job as a live-in.
I asked them for help and they arranged it.
Work as a laborer carrying bales of rice from the warehouse to the boat?
You can't do hard labor like that.
I can still carry two or three bales of rice!
No don't!
If you need money that badly I will keep working.
Please turn down this marriage offer for me!
It's too late now.
Why didn't you refuse when this first came up?
Oshin...
You have someone else you love?
Do you?
You promised to marry someone else?
And can you marry this man?
I don't know but I want to wait for him.
I can't tell the madam myself.
I want to meet this man tomorrow.
Will you let me see him?
- He's not in Sakata. - Where is he?
I don't know.
But he's coming back for me. That's why I want to wait.
I'm going to accept this marriage offer for you.
- Mother! - It's for your own good!
He's a good man!
You're too young to know.
Yes but...
Don't be willful!
Oshin...
You know what it's like to be poor.
Listen to me and the madam.
Do you understand?
Wasn't that your daughter at Kaga-ya?
Yes.
I hear she's got herself a good marriage offer.
You don't have to be there with her?
Kaga-ya takes good care of her.
A sharecropper's daughter shouldn't marry a rich man!
Don't be silly!
You should be there at the ceremony!
I'm so glad the gift exchange ceremony went well.
The wedding ceremony is next.
Learn from the old madam about business
and such before you become a wife.
So Oshin is really getting married.
How can you stand marrying a man you don't love?
Kayo!
I don't want that kind of marriage! That's the same as death!
Don't say such things at this auspicious ceremony!
Marriage without love is merely a tool.
You're the one responsible for carrying on the Kaga-ya name.
We have a husband all ready for you.
You'll be marrying about the same time as Oshin.
Sayo can take over Kaga-ya!
Mother.
I hate seeing you work like that.
It's better than working in the fields carrying a baby on my back.
But you're getting older.
I can still work. At least I get to see you often.
This is from the old madam to you.
Since you couldn't come to the ceremony.
It's food from the ceremony.
That's so considerate of her. I was invited to attend
but I didn't feel right about coming.
Did it go all right?
I'm glad.
What's wrong?
I don't want to get married! I can't marry a man I don't love.
Stop it! Just try it out. It's like riding a horse.
You'll get used to the man and love will come later.
It'll never work out if you have an attitude like that.
You were chosen!
If you try hard you'll be well-taken care of.
I have to get back to work.
Get rid of whatever silly dreams you have.
I hope all is well with you.
I've been traveling in the various villages
of Iwata Akita and Aomori prefectures.
People are set in their ways and my work isn't going too well.
The farmers are all busy with the planting season
and they have little time to talk to me.
I've decided to go back to Tokyo for a while.
I will stop by in Sakata to see you.
I'll see you at the same dunes on May 20th at 3:00 p.m.
You saw your mother?
Wasn't she happy?
You don't seem too happy.
I need to see you.
I trusted you.
I didn't believe the innkeeper
when she said she saw you walking with a man.
I had no idea you were with Mr. Yasuda!
How could you betray me?
I only...
I don't want to hear excuses!
I'm breaking off our friendship!
I'll never have anything to do with you again.
Miss Okayo...
That's all I wanted to say!
Oshin's not coming!
Oshin's getting married!
She had her gift exchange ceremony today.
She's marrying into a rich Sakata family.
She'll be happy now.
Happiness means different things to different people.
I want to go to Tokyo.
I want to go with you! Take me with you.
- Welcome home! - Welcome home!
It took all day to shop with Sayo.
Where's Kayo?
- She's gone out. - Where to?
She didn't say.
We're having important guests over tonight.
She's meeting her future husband.
What about dinner?
We will have what you're making now.
The old madam says not to be too formal.
We want him to see how we really live.
There was a letter for you today.
I put it in the living room.
Thank you.
I had it right there.
Maybe somebody took it in for you.
Oshin knew.
She now knew why Okayo was so upset about Kota.
What was in the letter?
The world seemed to come crashing down all around Oshin.
Episode 43
Excuse me!
Hello!
Oh it's you!
- Is Mr. Yasuda here? - No he's not.
Do you know if he's coming?
I haven't heard.
Do you need to see him about something?
No... Excuse me.
A letter with no name of the sender addressed to Oshin was missing.
Oshin knew that the letter was from Kota.
She also knew that Kayo had taken the letter and read it.
Kota had written to tell Oshin the time and place of their next meeting.
Now Oshin had no idea as to when and where that meeting was to be.
Worst of all Kayo now knew about the relationship between Oshin and Kota.
Where were you?
Please be sure to tell us when you go out.
Otherwise we can't tell the madam and young madam when they ask.
I'm sorry. It was an emergency.
Is Miss Okayo back yet?
No.
Her mother's very worried.
Oshin!
Yes?
I'm sorry I had just gone out for a bit.
I need to speak to you.
Kayo left me this note. Read it.
I have some things to think about so I'm leaving home.
Please don't try to find me.
I have no intention of getting married
I want to make it through life on my own.
Very sincerely Kayo.
Have you any ideas where she might be?
She didn't tell you? She used to tell you everything.
Please go look for her at the station.
At least find out what ticket she bought!
I haven't told her father or grandmother yet.
We must find her before they learn of this.
Kaga-ya's daughter bought a ticket to Ueno in Tokyo.
She said she had business there.
Has the train already left?
Yes.
Was she with anyone?
I'm not sure...
But a young man also bought a ticket to Ueno.
We don't get many people going to Tokyo.
That's why I remember.
Oshin has her own life to lead. Everyone wants to be happy.
She was born poor and that's why she's chosen to marry a rich man.
You can't blame her.
But I'm not afraid of poverty!
I want to be true to myself.
That's why I decided to follow you. I'm leaving everything behind!
I won't be a burden to you.
A friend of mine from my school in Yamagata
has a sister in Tokyo who's studying piano.
I can have her help me find a place to stay.
In Tokyo women have no trouble finding work.
I have enough money to live for a while.
I won't be a burden to you.
But please don't forget that you're the reason I'm going to Tokyo.
Kayo's not back yet?
What are you doing?
She's run away.
You weren't watching her close enough!
You had no idea what she was up to?
And you call yourself her mother?
You're her parent too!
How much money did she take with her?
I hope you didn't let her talk you into giving her money.
I've been giving her money to buy her art supplies.
Painting supplies cost a lot!
So you have been giving her money!
I didn't want her to rebel. That's why.
I used to send her extra money while
she was at school in Yamagata too.
You were sending her extra allowance?
Maybe she's been saving up all her money for this Tokyo trip.
It's too late for you to realize that now!
At least she's not going to starve.
It's all your fault!
It's me Oshin.
What time shall I serve dinner?
This is no time for dinner!
Oshin.
Yes?
Did Kayo have a man?
She never mentioned it to me.
If there's no man involved we need not worry.
She'll be back when her money runs out.
She's not used to hardship.
Once she's out of money she'll come back home.
She can't withstand poverty
and she could never work to support herself.
What if something should happen to her before then?
Living alone in Tokyo is just asking for trouble!
If you're so worried go to Tokyo and find her!
I would never find her in that big city!
That's unreasonable.
Then we'll just have to wait for her to come home.
Kayo's disappearance had draped everyone
at Kaga-ya with an air of heavy despair.
Oshin felt worst of all since she knew the truth about Kayo and Kota.
She wished she could quit her job and leave.
But she would stay and wait for word from Kota.
She could not get him out of her mind.
But even after 10 days there was no word from either of them.
Oshin was getting desperate.
Yes this is Kaga-ya!
Oh Mr. Sakuragi.
Yes we're all fine.
Yes we'll be sending Oshin over.
The Sakuragi's are having an iris-viewing party
for all the well-to-do people of the town.
They want Oshin to come over and help out.
That's just an excuse.
They want to show Oshin off to everyone as their son's bride-to-be.
I don't feel up to it.
You can't refuse now.
I'm too concerned about Miss Okayo.
But we haven't told anyone else about that.
Besides it hasn't anything to do with you.
Just go and make a good impression on people.
We'd like for you all to enjoy some tea.
She's very good!
That's Oshin. Our son's bride-to-be.
Oh she's the one who works for Kaga-ya?
She's received very good training at Kaga-ya.
It's best to have a hard-working wife.
Not just someone from a good family.
You don't have to do that!
Please come and pour sake for us!
I'll be right there.
Don't be embarrassed. We're engaged!
Please stop!
You're already the same as being my wife!
I'll treat you right.
Oshin!
Has something happened?
It's nothing. I just wanted to see you.
You're back early!
We didn't expect you back until tonight.
The old madam wanted to see you when you got back.
Oshin!
I'm back.
What have you done?
That's no way to treat your future husband!
They called and threatened to call off the wedding!
Go and apologize! I'll come with you.
Oshin!
I have no intention of apologizing.
Episode 44
Even after learning that Kayo had run away with Kota
Oshin still believed in him and was waiting for word from Kota.
However an incident was about to
bring changes to Oshin's life again.
Mr. Sakuragi feels as if you two were
already married and he was drunk.
If you refuse to apologize and if this
engagement falls through you'll never get a better one!
So go and apologize.
Just tell him you were just startled.
I'll go and help you apologize.
I don't even intend to marry Mr. Sakuragi.
I'm glad they've canceled.
Oshin!
I'm sorry!
Why didn't you just refuse at the beginning?
I'm sorry to have caused you all to lose face.
Never mind that!
I've always thought of you as having potential.
That's why I have trained you well
and that's why I found you a good man to marry.
I wanted you to be happy.
Now you go and wreck every- thing over something so trivial.
I was only thinking of your own good.
First Kayo and now you!
I can't figure you young people out!
I'm grateful for all that you've done for me
but I'd like to take leave from my job.
Why?
I've caused you too much trouble.
You really don't intend on marrying Mr. Sakuragi?
You have someone else?
Is he from here in Sakata?
I can't bear to stay here anymore.
Please let me quit.
Oshin.
Your mother is here to see you.
The old madam has told me all about it.
You didn't tell me yesterday but I knew something had happened.
I've caused the old madam to lose face.
Then think it over!
She wanted me to talk to you.
She says she'll talk to the Sakuragis for you.
I didn't know but Okayo's left home hasn't she?
You can't quit on them at a time like this.
You can't be selfish now.
She knows that you love another man.
Why worry about a man who's totally unreliable?
Why sacrifice your own happiness for him?
You know how terrible poverty is.
Stop dreaming.
This decision can affect your whole life.
Shape up!
I don't dream of ever being able to marry a man I really love.
- I've given up on that. - Then why?
But I can't marry another man. I realize that now.
Oshin...
I used to think that to be a man's wife
means to let him have his way with you.
But when Mr. Sakuragi touched my hand...
I couldn't bear his touch!
I can't marry him.
It's not something I can pretend.
Oshin...
I'm sorry mother.
I understand.
If you feel so strongly then the marriage won't work.
You'll only be unhappy.
I'll talk to the old madam for you.
But you don't have to quit your job.
Forget the engagement and just keep working.
Mother...
Miss Okayo ran off with the man I love.
I can't tell anybody else about this.
It's a secret I must bear
and I can't keep facing the Kaga-ya family every day.
I'm lying to them each time I see them!
I want to quit.
I want to forget about Miss Okayo too.
As long as I'm working at Kaga-ya
Miss Okayo will always be on my mind and I won't be able to forget him.
Thank you for all that you've done for me.
You were just eight when you came to us.
You've served us well.
It's a shame that this had to happen.
If only we hadn't made the match with Mr. Sakuragi.
You would have stayed with us longer.
You did what you thought was best for me.
It's just my own willfulness.
I don't know how to apologize.
It'll be lonely with Kayo gone and now Oshin's leaving too.
She raised you so don't ever forget her.
What will you do once you go home?
I will probably find another job.
Will your troubles never end?
I won't try to stop Oshin.
I know she has good reason to want to quit.
Come back to me for help anytime.
As long as I'm alive I'll always help you.
This is from me to you.
I can't take it!
I've caused you embarrassment.
You used to send all your wages back home.
You need to have some money of your own.
You'll be staying with your older brother until you get another job.
With money you don't have to feel small.
You won't have to rush into finding a new job.
i can't accept this money. I've caused you too much trouble!
It's from the old madam's heart.
Take it in good form.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much!
Take care of yourself.
You too. And everyone.
Please stay well.
So you're going home?
I'll miss you.
I won't be coming back to Sakata.
This place holds too many memories for me.
Forget about Miss Okayo and that man.
Your father and Shoji won't welcome you home.
I wish I could be there for you.
I'm prepared.
I'll be starting over again from scratch.
I want to work hard and let you have a better life.
The boat up the Mogami River used to depart here.
It made me feel sad to think that I would
never be seeing the town of Sakata again.
They were good to me at Kaga-ya.
Those were the happiest days of my life.
There were so many fond memories.
You never returned to Sakata after that?
To think about it now why was I so intent on leaving this place?
I guess it's because I was 16 and still so young.
Sure you were still pure of heart and full of young innocence.
I was such a fool.
I knew I could never marry that man
and yet I thought about him day and night.
If you had never met him
you probably would've married that Mr. Sakuragi.
Maybe so...
I used to think that's how women got married.
Oshin returned home with a heavy heart.
She didn't know what was in store for her now.
Episode 45
Oshin was home again after eight years.
She was reluctant to go inside.
She knew that her father and older brother
Shoji would not welcome her homecoming.
Oshin...
Is that you?
You sure have grown up! Did you get time off?
I figured you'd be home before you got married.
Come on inside!
Grandma.
I'm home.
I'm sorry I haven't been home to offer you incense.
She sure would've been glad to see you.
You've grown up to be a fine woman.
She would've been so happy to hear that you're getting married.
How long can you stay?
I'm not going back to Sakata anymore.
I've quit my job with Kaga-ya.
I've turned down that marriage offer too.
They turned me down.
Oshin...
I'll find another job soon. Let me stay until then.
Why did they turn you down?
A lot happened.
I'm still only 16 there's no hurry.
I'll find another job right away.
It couldn't be helped... I'm sorry!
That's all right.
Even if that man's rich
it's not as if you can do as you please with his money.
To become a wife is to work for nothing!
It's ridiculous! I didn't want you to get married.
Keep working and you can earn good money.
I still have debts to pay off.
Your younger siblings have gone to work too.
We were counting on the money you sent each month.
I'll earn money for us all!
Shoji!
Oshin!
Who's that on your back?
That's Haru.
Haru...
Get her bedding out in the shed.
Why the shed?
Just do as I say.
She's sick. We'll put her inside.
It's all right. I'll be okay in the shed.
It's me Oshin!
You're home now. I'll make dinner right away.
Oshin!
She has a high fever.
She needs a doctor!
Never mind...
I know how bad it is.
But...
A doctor will be a waste.
I'll make you comfortable.
You'll catch what she has!
I'll take care of myself.
I don't want others to catch what I have.
Haru...
It's her lungs.
They say it's highly contagious.
She'll die like this! I'll get a doctor.
It's no use!
That's why they sent her home from the textile factory.
She needs a doctor some medicine and food!
We don't have money for a doctor!
She's our sister!
We don't even have enough to eat ourselves!
Haru...
I'll just rest in the shed.
I don't want anybody else to catch it.
Leave me alone!
I don't need a doctor or medicine.
Eating can't help me now.
It'll just be a waste.
Haru...
Just put me in the shed. I'll be fine.
I have money!
You can get better... Don't worry.
You'll get well!
Oshin...
You've had it rough.
You've worked yourself to the bone.
Why didn't you come home sooner?
Thank you for coming. I'll come for the medicine later.
- Oshin. - Yes?
I'll be honest...
There's no medicine that can help her now.
Let her eat what she wants.
She's worked hard. Let her enjoy herself.
Let her see her mother while she still can.
- It's that bad?\- - Yes...
With Oshin and Haru here...
I'll never be able to pay off our debts!
I told you I have money that Kaga-ya gave me.
I want to be able to help Haru.
What a time to get sick like that.
She can't work and she'll cost us money!
Don't talk like that!
For whom was she working? It was for you all!
I don't want her in here. If we catch it we'll all die!
You're just going to leave her in the shed?
We have to think of the living first!
Shoji!
Don't blame me.
That textile factory is a terrible place.
They made her work.
Now they've tossed her out because she can't work.
They made her sick.
They should be the ones to care of her!
It's no use talking like that now.
I'll go to Sakata. Mother needs to come home.
She's working.
Mother would want to see her!
She's working don't bother her.
Father!
You and Haru aren't working we can't have mother here too!
- I gave you money! - 30 yen isn't enough!
That money will be gone in no time! It's barely enough for your food!
What are you doing here?
I prefer it here in the shed.
Never mind me.
Tuberculosis is bad.
If you catch it that'll be the end of you.
I can cough all I want out here.
I'm just waiting to die. That's all.
What...?
Where are you going with the bedding?
Haru insists on sleeping in the shed.
She feels badly for you both. This is her house too!
All sick people go out to the shed. Be careful so you don't catch it!
Here.
Thanks.
Don't worry about me.
I didn't expect you home. Why did you come back?
I'd heard that they were taking good care of you in Sakata.
The gods sent me back here to care for you.
Oshin...
Don't mind our father and brother. I'll take care of you!
You worked hard and sent home all your earnings.
You deserve to take it easy now.
I'll do anything for you.
My body is shot I can't do anything now.
I have nothing I want.
Only one thing...
If I had to live my life over again
I don't want to be born to a sharecropper's family.
I don't blame anyone.
It's just a shame that I'm a sharecropper's daughter.
I don't envy the rich.
I just don't want a sharecropper's life.
I've had enough of it...
Episode 46
Oshin had returned home with a broken heart.
Haru Oshin's sister had returned home with TB.
She had developed the disease while toiling at the textile factory.
Sis...
How do you feel?
I guess I feel good being home.
Too bad you have to sleep out in the shed.
It's okay I feel more comfortable out here.
I made you white rice.
You'll get stronger and better in no time.
Don't mind me.
I'm not worth anything I can't work anymore.
Don't get father and brother upset. Then you'll have it harder too.
Don't be silly.
You got ill working for all of us!
It's only natural that we get you well again.
Just relax and get well!
You haven't changed.
Eat it while it's hot.
It's so good!
Gruel made with white rice is the best.
At the factory we only got barley mix to eat.
But it was better than the daikon gruel we have here.
Eat all you want.
That factory was bad.
We slept two to a futon.
Two people together?
No.
We'd work two separate shifts.
Since we use the same bedding if one gets TB
the other one will catch it too.
That's absurd!
We were all weak from overwork. Many girls got sent home to die.
We were exhausted from working 12-hour shifts.
They told us we'd learn tea and flower arranging
but all we ever wanted was to sleep during breaks.
I would ask myself why I was doing all this.
But I had to work to earn the money.
It's been hell for the past eight years.
You had nothing but hardship for eight years.
Compared to you I had it easy.
I didn't have it all bad.
There was a supervisor who was good to me.
He'd stick up for me.
His name was Hirano and we'd talk often.
I lasted because of him.
If I hadn't gotten ill
I would still be happy working with Mr. Hirano.
I've given up on him because of my illness.
I feel sad because I can't see him anymore.
You were in love with him?
Did you two promise to marry?
I was just a worker.
Besides I got sick.
How did we get on to this subject? I've never told anyone before.
It's your fault!
I feel better now. You didn't have it all bad.
It doesn't do much good to talk about him.
I can't ever see him again.
You can see him when you get better!
That's why you have to get better!
Haru!
Mother!
I got the telegram. I came rushing home!
Why are you sleeping out here?
Mother...
What's wrong with you?
What's wrong?
You sent the telegram?
A real busybody!
A mother should be with her daughter when she's sick!
We need you to work.
We had a bad harvest last year.
And we just finished planting this year's crop.
We need money for food until the harvest.
We have a sick one and Oshin too!
You being here is not going to get Haru better!
You call yourself a human being? All you think about is money?
Oshin did right in sending for me.
You want money so badly?
I won't eat and I'll take care of Haru!
I don't like being the way I am!
No matter how much I work we are still poor!
Life isn't easy!
Stop it Shoji.
Shoji has it rough too.
He is the eldest son. He's responsible for everything.
He works and gets no rewards.
I don't blame him for saying those things.
He's not the only one working. Haru Mitsu and Oshin
they all worked to help the family out.
It's so unfair.
Being a sharecropper is the problem.
We have to pay out high rents to the landlord.
We never have enough rice left for ourselves.
We're forced to take out high-interest loans.
We have to borrow more before the first loan's all paid off.
The landlord doesn't work yet his coffers are full!
The sharecroppers just gets deeper into debt.
As long as there are sharecroppers there will always be poor people.
It's wrong that only the landowner gets rich!
Oshin...
It's nobody's fault. It's the system that's wrong!
The system is what made my brother like that
and the system made my sister ill.
If Haru dies it's as if the landowner killed her.
When did you learn such things! Who taught you this?
Don't ever say such things outside the house.
Without the landowner how are we landless farmers going to live?
We have been under the landowner's care for generations.
There's nothing we can do to change anything.
The police are looking for agitators
who are stirring up the sharecroppers.
So don't talk like that again!
Thinking like that is what keeps the sharecroppers down!
That's why you'll always be poor.
What's that?
Apologize!
I'm not saying anything wrong.
Apologize Oshin!
I won't let her talk that way to me!
What did you say?!
Please...
Please don't...
Stop! Stop it!
Oshin! Apologize to him!
Josei Textile Factory
I'm Hirano.
I'm sorry to come unannounced.
You're Haru's sister? How's your sister?
She mentioned how kind you were to her.
Please sit down.
She was very weak when she left.
You came to give me news about her?
I have a request.
Can you come and visit her just once?
I don't know if you have feelings for her
but I want her to be able to see you before anything happens to her.
She hasn't much longer to live.
It's her last wish.
I have one yen here use it for your journey.
I don't understand.
I love someone too.
I know how much my sister wants to see you.
You don't have to mean it.
Just make her feel that it was worth living.
I feel so badly for her.
She has never had any joy in her life.
You're the only bright spot in her life.
Please understand.
Haru was nice. We would talk often.
But I didn't know she felt that way about me.
You won't come?
Haru are you all right?
Poor thing.
We can't do anything for you.
I wish I could change places with you.
She started coughing blood after you left.
Mr. Hirano.
Thank you for coming the other day.
I was afraid you wouldn't make it here in time!
Is she that bad off?
I'm sure she'll get better the minute she sees you.
Thanks to Avallac'h and XrayMind at D-Addicts.
Translation: UTB Channel