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Episode 47
This is Mr. Hirano from the textile factory.
He was Haru's supervisor. He came to see her.
Thank you for coming to see her.
She was just coughing up blood. I hope she can recognize you.
Haru!
It's Mr. Hirano he's here to see you!
It's Mr. Hirano!
Haru it's me!
Mr. Hirano...
It's really you?
He wanted to see you.
Be strong. Get well and come back to us.
I thought I would never see you again...
Am I dreaming?
It's not a dream.
Look! He brought you flowers.
They're beautiful.
I remember you picked daisies for me once.
It made me so happy.
They were blooming behind the factory.
They suited you.
I dried those flowers and I still have them.
We'll go to pick more again.
Get well so that we can pick flowers together.
I want to get well...
And I want to be able to talk again.
We'll talk about the books I read. So you'd better hang in there.
I won't die.
I want to be able to see you again.
I won't die. I don't want to die!
Don't talk so much you'll get tired.
Get some rest.
I'll be right here beside you.
Thank you...
I'll never forget today. Thank you very much...
Thank you for taking time off to come to see her.
I had no idea she was that bad off.
We've given up on her...
But we're glad to see her cheerful again.
You were able to give her something to remember.
I know that the working conditions are terrible at the factories.
So many women workers have been victimized.
But there's nothing we can do.
If we speak up for worker's rights we will all be fired.
I'm afraid of losing my job. I'm so ashamed!
Everybody's got it bad.
This can't continue forever!
The capitalists can't continue to grow fat!
It can't be allowed!
The workers shall become stronger!
You and I must work towards such a day!
It's not just the sharecroppers. Workers all have it so bad.
I don't want to work for anybody anymore.
I want to be able to support myself.
I don't want to end up like my sister.
But at least you were able to make her happy.
You helped her.
You even came to see her. Thank you.
- Has he gone? - Yes.
Haru was in love with him? I had no idea.
Poor thing. I'm sure she has regrets.
I'm glad for her.
It's worse if she had nobody to love.
I've given up on Kota.
But I don't regret loving him.
I'm grateful that I got to love someone.
He really came...
Haru.
He brought me these flowers?
Yes.
I have no more regrets.
I'm ready to die.
Haru!
Make me a pressed dried flower from one of these daisies...
I will.
And put it in my coffin.
What are you both doing in here?
We need your help out in the fields.
Come here Oshin.
I heard about Haru.
She was such a good worker there.
I wanted her to quit before she got sick.
This is Mr. Katsugi he'll find Oshin a job.
He's well-known here and all over Yamagata.
I'll get you a good job.
What's wrong with it?
It's one of the biggest restaurants in Yamagata.
I can't work at a job pleasing men.
All you have to do is pour sake for them.
It's better than washing and cleaning.
You get to wear nice kimono too.
One of the girls I know earns 10 yen per night!
You can pay off your debts in no time.
You should be grateful that he's giving you a chance.
But...
Ordinary jobs don't pay enough!
Think about it. You'll be helping us.
Shoji and I can't possibly make ends meet.
Shoji will be getting married soon too.
We have to help him.
You would be doing us a big favor. The contract is only for three years.
You can go and get married after that.
Maybe you can find a husband there.
One of my other girls met a nice rich man to marry.
You'll go won't you?
Lie down or you'll start coughing again.
This is important.
Don't listen to that man!
I'm sure he's here with a sleazy deal for you.
You know him?
He used to come to the factory often.
He'd trick the girls at the factory
into selling themselves into prostitution.
Don't listen to him!
Well...
Don't tell me you accepted!
Father insisted.
Turn it down!
But it's already set.
- Oshin! - I couldn't help it.
Run away.
If you stay they'll drag you away.
Haru.
Take this money and go to Tokyo.
Tokyo?
There's an address in there too. Go there for help.
That's it. You can read it can't you?
There's no name on it. Who is this?
I've never met him but he knows about me.
I was supposed to go to work for him.
You were?
I didn't want to be at the factory forever
and I guess I was already infected.
I wanted to go to Tokyo and work as a hairdresser.
This person runs a beauty parlor?
A woman should be working for herself.
She has to be able to live on her own!
Once you learn to do hair you can go into business for yourself.
Do it for me!
I haven't much longer to live...
Live for me!
Do what I wasn't able to do...
Haru Haru.
Haru!
Don't worry about me...
Hurry and go! Don't tell father.
Don't show him the money!
Haru!
Haru...
Haru!
Maybe she won't make it...
Hers was such a short life...
And all she did was suffer. Please forgive me Haru.
She looks at peace.
She must have been happy to see Mr. Hirano.
Haru!
That night Haru passed on at age 19.
Oshin remembered Haru's final words to her.
Episode 48
Oshin's sister's funeral was a quiet affair.
There was no longer anything here to keep Oshin.
She decided to go to Tokyo and fulfill Haru's dying wish
but she was still concerned about her mother Fuji.
I wish I could've saved some of her things as a memento.
But with TB you can't keep anything around.
We have to burn everything that Haru ever owned.
There's nothing left to remember her by.
I'll never forget her.
Haru was good to me.
Her misfortune was being born a sharecropper's daughter.
She had it tough her whole life.
Mother...
I'm going to Tokyo.
Why?
I'll do what Haru was never able to do.
That's the only thing I can do for her now.
But you already have a job.
I feel badly for Haru but that's fate.
The textile factory didn't send a penny for her funeral!
They threw her out as soon as she got sick!
At least she didn't suffer a long time.
If one can't get well it's best that one dies quickly.
That way all of us are spared the pain and expenses.
Mother and Oshin wasted a lot of money on doctors and medicine.
That was Haru's dream?
She'd wanted to become a hairdresser in Tokyo.
She must have hated working at the factory.
She'd given up on ever being able to marry Mr. Hirano.
We sharecroppers can't ever have things our way.
But I'm willing to try.
I want to be able to go my own way.
Haru taught me that.
She could hardly talk yet she told me.
I'll have to go to Tokyo for her sake!
Will you be all right in Tokyo? You won't know your way around.
What if this hairdresser treats you badly?
You won't be able to turn back.
Haru said he could be trusted. I believe what Haru told me.
You're strong I won't worry about you.
But I feel badly that I can't be of any help.
I'm sure it's best for you to go.
I won't say anything.
I hope father doesn't give you a hard time.
I'm used to it. I'm not afraid of being hit.
I just want you to be happy.
Don't take your things I'll send them to you later.
Just don't let your father find out.
I can't do anything for you but I have this for you.
No Haru's given me some money.
I saved this up.
Take it in case things don't work out at the hairdresser.
I'll never come back.
I can't come back once I leave.
Even if I fail as a hairdresser I'll do my best to make it in Tokyo.
So take this money. I'll be all right.
Maybe we'll never see each other again.
We've parted many times... But Tokyo is so far away.
This might be the last farewell.
A time comes when we all must part.
Haru had to part from us...
And you'll be parting with us to make it on your own.
Forgive me. I know I'm not being filial.
Never mind.
We can't always be pulling each other down in life.
What's this?
We're having expensive white rice?
This is a meal of parting for Haru and Oshin.
I have chicken for us too.
What parting? Oshin's only going to Yamagata.
We don't need a ceremony!
Oshin eat heartily.
She can't eat at her workplace.
She'll only be gone for three years.
We can always go to Yamagata to see her.
She can come home any time she wants.
I have gizzards in the stew for you.
You're always so nice to Oshin!
Get your things.
Haru... I'm leaving.
We'll go to Tokyo together.
Go before your father and Shoji get up.
I'll come back for you.
Stay well.
You too.
Be waiting for me.
Hurry and go!
Where's Oshin?
She should be home by lunch.
She is supposed to go to work today.
That's why she left early to take care of things.
Of all days.
Is she all packed to go to Yamagata?
She's ready.
Where could she be?
I'm sure she will come back shortly.
I guess she's still talking to her friends.
I'm so sorry.
Why not she probably has a sweetheart.
There it is!
This is it!
Tanimura that's your maiden name?
The grave used to be up at our village but that village has been abandoned.
So all the graves were moved here.
Father mother and my brother
Shoji who put up this headstone are all dead now.
Haru's listed here too.
Died in the fifth year of Taisho 1916.
She was only 19?
TB can be cured now.
But back then it was always fatal.
So many people died from the disease.
I can't seem to relate the word tuberculosis with death.
The times have changed.
I had trouble with Shoji and we lost track of each other.
This is the first time for me to visit his grave.
I feel so badly for him.
You never did return to Yamagata?
I'm the only one left who remember Haru now.
Haru please forgive.
Oshin didn't know what life had in store for her.
She was still only 16.
She felt a mixture of anxiety and hope.
And she knew she'd never go home again.
Episode 49
When you left to go to Tokyo at age 16 how many hours did it take on the train?
I don't remember exactly...
Oshin and Kei left Yamagata as if in pursuit
of her memories of her escape to Tokyo.
You had a one-way ticket with no money for return fare.
What would you have done if things didn't work out?
I just wanted to escape from being sold as a hostess.
I didn't care if I starved to death in Tokyo.
I believed in what Haru had told me.
I figured I would make it somehow in Tokyo.
People from all over were there chasing their dreams.
But you were only 16 and all by yourself!
Okayo went to Tokyo with similar ideas too.
You knew where she was?
No but I felt better knowing she was there.
She was with Kota right? So she wasn't alone.
You arrived at Ueno Station?
We're taking the same route but the scenery's all changed.
I haven't been here at Ueno Station in ages!
The hairdresser's shop was in Asakusa?
That's close by but we can take a taxi.
I can walk.
I want to walk!
Back then I had to ask people for directions.
It brings back memories.
Oshin was in the crowds lost in her memories of
how she'd come here all alone at age 16.
Welcome!
There sure are pretty people here in Tokyo.
Welcome!
You came to get your hair done?
No.
If you're not a customer please leave.
I came to see the owner.
What do you want with her?
I want to get a job here.
Too bad we don't need anyone now.
Please leave. You're in the way!
- The owner... - She's not here now.
We're not the only hairdresser so go look elsewhere!
Go clean up inside.
- Thank you. - Please come again.
How long are you going to stand there?
If you persist I'll call the police!
We get so many girls like her.
They all want to come to Tokyo.
They think they can just show up and get a job!
They're so pushy!
Are you the owner here?
- Are you? - Who are you?
I'm Tanimura Haru's little sister.
I was told to come see Hasegawa Taka.
I was told I could learn to do hair.
Do you know about this?
My sister worked at a textile factory in Yamagata.
She gave me your address.
You're not the first one to come looking for work.
Sorry but we're not hiring now.
You can go to Keian an employment agent.
- They'll find you a job. - I want to work here!
We are overstaffed so go to Keian and see.
You have a guest waiting!
I'm sorry about that.
Ma'am!
Can't you understand?
We don't hire people without proper introduction.
We get too many dishonest people that come here.
Our owner's nice but she knows better.
Go to Keian!
Our owner says you can have this for train fare.
So please leave.
I didn't come here for handouts!
Don't be ungrateful!
In any case you can't just stand out here!
Did you make the hot water?
Thief!
What are you doing here?
I'm making the fire to boil you some water.
I thought you left!
- Go and get the police. - Stop all this noise.
She's acting like a thief!
I just wanted to help because you all seemed busy.
Mind your own business.
It's your fault for letting the fire go out!
I thought it was still lit.
You have to keep feeding the fire.
It's beginning to boil.
Let me help you with that too.
Stop that!
Don't keep our customers waiting!
Get back to work.
Please let me stay. I'll do anything.
I came out from Yamagata to learn hairdressing from you!
My sister Haru was supposed to come but she died so I'm here in her place.
I'm following Haru's last words!
I'll work hard. I'm doing it for Haru.
Her dream was to be a hairdresser.
I'll do anything in order to realize her dream!
The fire's going out again.
I don't want to have to tell you to do everything!
- I'll get you more hot tea. - Thank you.
Let me do that.
- Here you are. - Thank you.
This is good tea!
You make good tea.
Thanks. She's a good worker.
I never got service like this before.
Thank you very much.
Thank you so much!
Go and have lunch.
I'm hungry.
Let's eat.
- Go change the towels. - Okay.
I'll wash these.
Take your lunch now.
Let's eat.
We only have takuan pickles but we have plenty of rice.
Eat your fill.
Thank you. But I'm not a real employee yet.
Hurry up and eat or you'll miss your chance.
Yes I will. Thank you! I haven't eaten since last night.
May I stay?
Episode 50
Thank you for coming.
With the last customer gone
the busy day at the hairdresser was coming to a close.
Oshin still wasn't sure if she was hired
but she spent her first day in Tokyo working feverishly.
Taka the owner was the only one she could turn to
in a strange city so she decided to persevere.
Hurry up with dinner!
I will get it after I'm done cleaning.
Never mind that. We're all hungry!
Go help out in the kitchen.
Okay.
What will you do with that girl will you hire her?
We have an extra bedding.
Put her to bed with the rest of you.
You'll keep her?
She has nowhere else to go.
You don't even know her.
The last girl stole money and ran off.
Haven't you learned? We don't feel safe either!
I hire that last girl because I owed someone a favor.
Does this new girl have a guarantor?
What good is that?
The last one had a guarantor and she stole our money!
What's important is the person herself.
You trust her?
She's only been here half a day.
Don't tell me what to do.
Let's give her a chance.
We'll find out in 10 days or so if she can take it.
Someone with a guarantor can always find work
but that girl has nowhere else to go.
Her whole life is at stake.
I don't want to feel guilty about it later.
If she doesn't work out we can let her go.
What's your name?
It's Oshin.
Take Oshin to the bath with you.
I'm not worthy of a hot bath.
Ma'am.
Will I get to stay?
I can't chase you out since you have nowhere to go.
But you'll have to go if I tell you're fired.
- Keep that in mind. - I will.
Thank you very much!
It's too early to thank me yet.
You all go on to the bath. I'll clean up.
Shall I bring you tea?
You didn't go to the bath?
No I didn't.
They left you behind?
I was slow and I have no change of clothes.
I've never been to a public bath before.
You'll have to learn to do things like the others.
They only get to bathe once every three days.
I see.
You probably don't know where your bed will be.
Follow me.
You'll be using this room and use the spare bedding.
Okay.
Don't expect people to do things for you.
Remember that.
I will.
And don't get left behind again going to the bath!
What will my job be?
Don't expect to be told. Learn things on your own.
You'll never amount to much if you can't figure it out.
I'll make about two sho of rice.
They had cold rice for lunch and dinner.
That means it's cooked once a day.
What's next?
Use the comb in your hair...
- Pull it harder! - Okay.
You're pulling my hair out!
I'm sorry.
Ouch!
- Tie it well. - Okay.
Good morning!
The rice is done and I've done the cleaning.
Shall I make miso soup too?
You're taking my job away!
Will you put that daikon in the miso soup?
Then let me make it.
How old are you? You must still be 12 or 13.
I'm 16.
I can do more hard work on less sleep than you.
You can sleep later from now on.
If I don't work I'll be sent home!
I'm sorry. I'm not trying to steal your job.
I just felt sorry for you because you're young.
I have to work. I can't just go home.
Where's your home?
Chiba.
What does your family do?
We are sharecroppers and we are poor.
My brother got married so there's no room for me.
I want to learn to do hair and be able to make a living on my own.
My mother told me not to depend on anybody.
If you do everything I'll get thrown out!
We all have it rough.
I have to work as a maid for three years
before they teach me anything about doing hair.
I have no idea how many years I have to apprentice.
You have to do maid's work for three years?
That's how everybody learned.
Onatsu's the youngest at 16. She started at 12
and just started doing hair six months ago.
Otoyo and Osono are good enough to teach.
It took Otoyo 10 years and Osono seven years to get that far.
That's a lot of work!
But it's good to have our owner teach us.
She's good and she has a lot of important clients.
What do you use for miso soup stock?
Are you really planning to work here?
I'm no match for you.
They don't need two maids and rice prices are going up.
I'll surely be fired.
- I'll bring you tea. - Thank you.
Good morning.
Thank you for everything but I can't stay.
I'll look for another work.
I'm sorry to have forced my way in on you.
You've had enough after just one day?
I guess you're surprised at how tough it is to learn to be a hairdresser.
I won't stop you if you can't take it.
I don't mind hard work. I've had worse jobs.
But I don't want Oritsu to lose her job.
I realized that and I'm sorry.
Nobody spoke to me yesterday
and now I know why.
They were all trying to protect Oritsu.
If I stay I'll be taking her job away.
I don't want to have to do that in order to stay.
I know that it's a burden on you to hire an extra person.
I'm grateful to you for giving me a chance.
Thank you.
How can you tell me such nonsense!
You think I'm that narrow-minded? The rest of you too!
As long as people prove themselves I'll keep them.
Even if they're slow or not perfect
I would never turn my back on them!
Oritsu is still just 13 she will learn.
You have to have determination.
Even if you have to take jobs away from people!
If you think you're as good as Oritsu let's see!
I don't have to hear this kind of nonsense.
Go polish the mirrors instead of talking!
Oshin was happy to hear Taka talk like that.
She still hadn't gotten full approval to work
but now she could work as hard as she liked.
Episode 51
Thanks.
There's no need to thank me.
I'll handle the kitchen and you do the shop area.
I've made tea so serve the customers.
Okay.
Give me the dirty towels to wash too.
I will.
Oshin tried to work behind the scenes
in order to make Oritsu seem more useful.
She figured that would be the proper thing to do.
People all seemed to appreciate Oshin's efforts.
I'll go shop for dinner.
You stay in the shop I'll do the shopping.
Are you sure?
I don't really know what to buy anyway.
The owner gets one fish and we workers
get stewed daikon or some greens.
I'm told to spend only 30 sen per day.
You have to do all that?
It's so busy inside.
That's why we've been having just potatoes.
I'll figure it all out for you.
Thanks a lot!
I have 30 sen to work with everyday?
You can get credit at all the shops around here.
Welcome back.
- Where's the owner? - In her room.
We're back.
Thanks.
This is the payment we received.
You must be tired. Go and eat.
Thank you for waiting.
Ritsu didn't shop today did she?
No Oshin's handling all the kitchen matters now.
I want to see her.
Did you send for me?
Is everybody eating this for dinner?
Yes.
Do you know how much is allowed for dinner?
Yes 30 sen.
Then keep it within the budget!
I hate to sound tight
but it's part of your training to learn how to budget.
How much did all this cost?
It cost 29 sen.
I see fried bean curd here. That alone is expensive.
You think I don't know how much these things cost?
They were damaged so I got them cheap.
All tofu shops have damaged goods. I asked and they brought it out.
I asked them to save all damaged ones for us.
If you have preferences please tell me.
You must all be tired.
The bedding smells fresh.
The sun was out so I hung them out.
It's still warm.
The futon's all fluffed up.
We never have the time to hand them out.
I'm sorry I didn't realize.
It's too much work for Oritsu alone.
I'm able to do it because you mind the shop.
Oritsu is lucky to have you here.
When you're just 12 or 13 it's hard to do everything.
- How old are you? - I'm 16.
You're the same age as me.
No wonder you're a better worker than Oritsu
but it's tough to begin training at such a late age.
One usually begins at 12 or 13.
I'm prepared to learn.
Did you come knowing what it was going to be like?
My advice is to give it up now.
If you're 16 you'll be 19 before you even get to touch hair.
That's just washing hair and combing.
That goes on for years too!
We all get chapped hands from the hot water.
It hurts when hair gets into the broken skin.
A hairdresser's hands are always chapped.
You're pretty so you could work at an easier job.
Maybe as a waitress in a café.
Hairdressers work all day long
and on holidays you have to work even more!
You only work with women so you don't get to meet any men.
You're trapped inside all day long too.
But Onatsu and Osono were out all day today.
We had to make house calls today.
We went to clients' homes to do their hair.
I forgot I have some sweets I got for a tip.
I saved it for you all.
Looks delicious.
Sweets are the only things we can keep.
All monetary tips have to be turned in.
It can't be helped.
She keeps all the tips separate
and gives it back to us twice each year on holidays.
You two are the pros. Do you get paid?
Of course not! We're still working our time off.
After you're all done?
Then we're on our own.
It's tough to go into business for yourself.
And I'm already too late for marriage.
I've worked 10 years to get this far.
And for what?
We've lost out in terms of happiness. Happiness for a woman is in marriage.
Our owner is a spinster too.
Why miss out? Find a good man and have children.
That's best!
We're just warning you.
I'm not planning to get married.
My family is poor. We're sharecroppers.
When the weather's bad we have no harvest.
I've seen my mother suffer.
I want to learn a trade by which a woman
can make it through life on her own.
I don't want to have to rely on a man like my mother.
When I start earning money I can give my mother a better life.
I don't know when that will be
but even if it takes 10 years that's what I want.
Then I have nothing more to say.
But you'll miss out on a woman's happiness.
We're all like Oshin. We all come from poor families.
We had nowhere else to go
and we all want to make it on our own as women!
We can't urge her to quit! I'll say go for it.
I guess we can all help each other.
I haven't been officially hired but I'll do my best so I can stay.
Oshin sure can cook. That dinner was good!
Oshin kept working hard for a month. She had nowhere else to go
and she wanted to realize her late sister Haru's dreams.
She was doing it for her unfortunate sister.
This is to be sent out for cleaning.
All right.
Taken apart and sewn back together again?
Yeah there's a tailor shop we always use.
I can do this.
It's a fancy kimono with special stitching.
I can tailor and sew all fabrics.
Never mind. Just send it out.
But it'll cost money.
I'd like to do my part to earn my keep.
What if you should make a mistake?
Don't make extra work for yourself!
Can you really do it?
I didn't mean to be pushy but it would be such a waste.
Then I'll let you do it.
This is an expensive kimono!
She says she can do it.
Find what you need in the shed and you can use my sewing kit.
Thank you.
Don't take too long!
Don't blame me if the kimono gets ruined.
No you're busy.
I want to be able to do my assigned chores.
Is there enough tea for the customers?
Good morning! Breakfast is ready.
Everybody is still asleep. I was worried about you.
You sure do good work!
A kimono or tow is no chore at all.
Where did you learn to do this?
Nobody ever taught me this when I was a maid.
It had been a while since Oshin took up a needle.
She was remembering about Kuni and
what it had been like back in Sakata.
If it hadn't been for that incident involving Kota and Kayo
Oshin's life would have been different.
Oshin had no regrets.
But she thought back with fondness upon her life back in Sakata.
Episode 52
Good morning.
Nice flowers again!
They're blooming along the river now.
Flowers can be pricey.
It is autumn.
- Osode. - Yes?
Please take this to the owner.
You're done already?
I hope she likes the kimono.
You stayed up all night again?
She needed it in a hurry.
You'd better take it in to her yourself.
Yes but you have the job of serving the owner directly.
And I've been keeping track of what I've been spending on dinner.
The merchants will come to collect at the end of the month
so there's no mistake on what I charged.
You keep books on it?
She finished it in three days!
And this...
Oshin knows how to write!
Osode...
This is tea for our owner.
- Oshin. - Yes?
Come on in.
Okay.
Thanks for all that you've done.
How much schooling do you have?
I've been working since age seven.
Then where did you learn to sew and how to write?
While I was at a rice dealer's shop in Sakata the madam there taught me.
How long were you there?
Until I came here.
Why did you leave? I'm not scolding you.
You sew and write very well.
And you know how to arrange flowers too.
You can find work other than fixing hair.
It's too late for me to learn to do hair?
No I'm just curious why a girl like you
decided to come here to learn hairdressing.
- My late sister said... - I know but...
I really do want to be a hairdresser.
You'll really stick it out?
Yes.
I'm sure you have your reasons. I won't pry.
As long as you're willing to learn.
No matter how long it takes I want to learn hairdressing as a skill.
I don't want to have to rely on a man to make a living.
You have good hands.
I can tell by the stitches.
That's why I had you sew this it was a test.
You've worked hard for the past month.
You can stay if you like.
But it's all up to you whether you make it or not.
It's for you to learn not for me to teach.
Do you understand?
Yes.
Thank you very much!
That night Oshin wrote her first letter
from Tokyo to her mother back home.
Ofuji.
Are you here all alone?
Yes my husband and Shoji are both out working.
I came home to make dinner.
You have a letter from Oshin.
From Oshin?
She addressed it to me.
There was no return address so I didn't know who it was from.
Thanks.
She didn't want her father to know where she is now.
Sakuzo doesn't know?
No if he knew there'd be big trouble.
She would be brought back and sold!
Please don't mention this to anybody.
Of course not!
She doesn't have to write to me... I can't read.
I always think no news is good news.
That's why she sent the letter to me I can read.
Thank you.
Mother I'm sorry I hadn't written before.
I arrived safely in Tokyo...
I wasn't sure if I'd be allowed to learn hairdressing.
But I've been formally given permission to learn.
I can now be a hairdresser if I really try hard.
It'll take many years but I'll do my best for Haru.
I don't know when I'll start earning money for my work
but I'll send you some as soon as I can.
I want you to stay well and live a long time.
I look forward to us living together again.
Please take care of yourself.
Oshin sure is filial.
I'll bet father beat you for not divulging where I'd gone.
Thanks to you I was able to come to Tokyo.
Winter will be upon us soon.
I'm remembering what you look like and what
the hills and streams look like back home as I write this letter.
I look forward to seeing you again.
Again please take good care of yourself.
Oshin...
Dear mother I'll write again soon. - Oshin
She refers to me as dear mother?
So she's going to be a hairdresser.
Had she stayed in Sakata she could've had a good life
and she could have gotten married too.
What made her want to start over in Tokyo?
They always ask me about her in Sakata.
They were all so good to her.
She ended up disappointing them all but Oshin knows what she's doing.
Miss Okayo's gone to Tokyo too.
The Kaga-ya people must miss them both.
Miss Okayo's not back home yet?
They never heard from her.
They've given up on her.
The younger girl Miss Osayo will be taking over the business.
Young people today all want to go to the big city!
Ofuji!
Don't burn it!
I don't want her father to find it.
I want Oshin to live her own life the way she wants.
I don't want to pull her down on account of us.
I don't want her to suffer as Haru did.
Loafing around again... Where's our dinner?
You left the fields early to make dinner!
Is that any way to talk to your mother?
Stop it. Shoji's upset today.
You're much too easy on him!
You can't blame him. Our crop's a failure again.
After we pay our land-use rent we have to take out rice loans again!
The Great War has driven up the price of rice
but we sharecroppers don't benefit at all!
Only the landlords and merchants get rich!
We have to take out rice loans at higher rates.
How can we go on?
You let Oshin run away while father and I slave!
I don't know anything about Oshin.
Wait until I get my hands on her!
Leave Oshin alone!
Let this house of ours go bankrupt!
If you don't want to farm go work someplace else!
Stop it.
At least we have land to farm! Once we leave the farm
nobody will ever let us work their land again!
We must continue planting rice. If Shoji goes who else will do it?
Go make dinner!
Oshin knew she would never go home again.
If she were to go home she'd have to bring a lot of money with her.
That drove Oshin to work harder.
Where was this hairdresser's place?
I think it was around here...
It's gone?
The whole area burned down during the war.
But I can still see it. How it used to be.
How I used to walk these streets.
I never knew that you were a hairdresser.
I'll bet nobody else knows either. I can't imagine you as one.
I've never seen you fixing anybody's hair.
You even go to the beauty parlor to get your own hair done.
I see.
You never made it as a hairdresser!
Isn't that right?
If you had you wouldn't have opened a supermarket.
You'd have had a beauty parlor.
There used to be fields around here.
Dragonflies and butterflies would be flying around.
I wonder what happened to the other girls.
We all went our separate ways.
I never saw them again.
Some were my age and others were younger.
I'm sure some are still living. I'd like to see them.
Oritsu and Otoyo.
Osono and Osode.
And there was Okei. Onatsu too.
Episode 53
Eat a lot. There might not be lunch today.
- Okay. - We will.
New Year's Eve is the busiest time for hairdressers.
We might not even get any sleep.
All our regular customers will be here.
We'll put my mirror out in the studio too.
An extra mirror won't help we're shorthanded.
Oshin can help comb the hair today.
Osode can work on the finished side.
But...
It's about time you got promoted after three years.
Yes.
I'm not ready yet...
Have more confidence!
I've been letting you comb my hair every night.
I shouldn't be combing hair before Oritsu.
Skill is what counts in this business.
It may be impossible for a 12 year-old but you're 16
so you should be able to comb hair!
Oritsu understands don't you?
Yes.
Then that's how we'll do it. Are you clear?
Welcome!
- Welcome! - Welcome!
Welcome.
This way please.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
On New Year's Eve the hairdresser opens its doors before dawn
and doesn't close until about noon of New Year's Day.
It would be busy all during that period.
Thank you very much.
Even after closing all the workers are too tired to enjoy the New Year.
All they wanted to do was sleep but Oshin could not stay idle.
It was her job to make the special New Year's soup.
You go and rest. You worked hard.
So did you!
I'm used to it and it's easier than babysitting.
You sure are a strong one.
That's about all I'm good for.
It's done!
Thanks.
You must be exhausted.
I'm only doing my job.
Although I got to comb hair I'm still a maid.
Thanks everybody!
We made it through to the New Year.
Here are the tips we got from our customers.
- Here you go. - Thank you.
Here Oshin.
I get some too?
You worked just as hard as we all did.
Take it you were the busiest!
Working in the shop and doing the housework.
- This is for you Oritsu. - Thanks.
Thank you very much.
Rest up today. We'll be busy again tomorrow.
Let's celebrate with our New Year's soup.
- Let's eat. - Let's eat.
There was a one-yen note in the tip envelope.
It wasn't much but Oshin was happy.
She had been paid for doing a hairdresser's job!
But Oshin had little time for being happy.
It would soon be tomorrow and she would be
working hard as usual again in the new year.
Oshin!
Is our owner awake? I'll make tea.
Okei and Onatsu are quitting!
Why?
Who will take over their place combing?
If you want to leave go on.
You'll be able to get other combing jobs.
You can find better places to work I'm sure.
Go on. Leave!
Please try to understand how Okei and Onatsu feel.
What's the use? They just want to quit.
I can understand how they feel
and I know Oshin is a hard worker
but these two... had to work as maids for three years
before they could start combing hair.
They're upset because Oshin got promoted so quickly!
Is that what they're upset about?
I tried to talk them out of it.
Skill is what counts in this business.
But those who put in the long years of training are being shortchanged.
Okei and Onatsu put up with years of training!
And we did too.
Now you're breaking the understood rules.
- We all feel badly. - I see.
But if they don't like how I do things here they have to leave.
I don't want people like that working here!
But...
Please don't quit!
Oshin!
I'll be glad to work as a maid for three more years.
- I'm willing to do that... - You stay out of it!
No! Onatsu and Okei are both needed here.
I couldn't stay if they both left.
Oshin!
I'll even quit myself if that'll make things better.
Don't be silly! You have nowhere else to go.
But...
We all work here to learn hairdressing and to better our lots.
So please don't quit over trivial reasons.
Yes please don't quit.
Think of how Oshin feels.
Please forget about this and pretend it never happened.
Please forgive them.
Come on you two. Let's get back to work.
I'm so sorry for complaining!
I just wanted you to understand how the girls feel.
Ma'am...
I appreciate your kindness very much but...
You sure don't have much courage.
You'll never make it unless you're willing
to climb over others to get to the top.
I thought you had that in you...
but I was wrong.
If that's how you are I'll handle you accordingly.
After that Taka never let Oshin comb a customer's hair.
Oshin had missed out on a chance to get ahead.
But she had no regrets.
She knew that was the only way to survive
the harsh reality of living in a group.
She and Ritsu continued as before being maids.
Okei and Onatsu remained cold towards Oshin
and that hurt her feelings.
I've never stayed in a hotel before.
Are you sure it's all right?
Why not?
I'll probably never come to Tokyo again.
Once I go home I'll never get to enjoy such luxuries again.
It's my last fling!
Oh come on. You'll live to be 100.
I don't want to live that long.
I've had enough trouble in my lifetime already.
Why not just retire?
You have uncle Hitoshi to run the Tanokura Supermarkets.
You have nothing to worry about!
Nothing to worry about?
You suffered enough in the old days.
You worked day and night without pay.
And you got no holidays.
That would be against the law today.
I was in training and that's how things were.
You never quit and just hung in there?
When you have a bunch of women all living
under one roof you always have some trouble.
Listen to you
I get the feeling that we're all living willful and wasteful lives.
It's as if you were reprimanding us all.
That's why I never told anybody.
Nobody wants to listen to an old person talk about the past.
If you don't like it you can leave. I never asked you to come along.
Oh come on. You can't go wandering off alone.
- I'm concerned about you! - Mind your own business.
Your college should be back in session soon.
Why not go back to your rooming house while we're here in Tokyo.
It's fine.
I've decided to go along with you the whole way.
It will take at least another month.
I'll come if it takes a whole year more!
Kei.
To tell you the truth...
I enjoy your stories more than the lectures at school.
Your father might get very upset with you.
He's worried about you!
He's the one who asked me to stay with you.
- Shall we call him? - No.
I won't say where we are just let him know that all is well.
Aren't you curious to know what's going on back home?
I already know what's going on. That's why I left on this journey.
Are we going to keep waiting for your mother
to come back home on her own?
She's been gone 10 days already. It's about time she came home.
We have to seal our deal with Namiki!
What if he sells the land to developers?
What could I do?
Mother's friends with Namiki's old man.
I'm sure she can cut us a good deal.
She knows Namiki's owner?
How does she know him?
Never mind! It doesn't concern you.
However...
Is there any sense in waiting for her?
She might have left home knowing the problems we face.
That's what I think.
Mother knew our family business is in trouble?
And she's forsaken us?
She was against our opening our new store.
Don't be silly!
Mother's the one who built up Tanokura Supermarket!
She'd never do anything to hurt the business.
Episode 54
Two years had passed since Oshin began working for Taka.
Oshin was still a maid
and she wasn't allowed to touch the customer's hair.
She was 18
and in the prime of her maidenhood but spent all her days working.
Oshin. The toilet's dirty.
You two are the same age and she talks down to you.
I feel so badly for you...
It can't be helped Onatsu's my senior here.
You should've let her quit.
Then you could've had her job combing hair everyday.
Go mind the parlor!
Oshin's days were the same routine over and over.
Sometimes she felt as though time had stopped
she felt desperate.
But the world was fast changing around her.
The hairdresser's world was changing too.
Where's the owner?
She's out making house calls with Osode today.
It's too hot for a lot of our customers to come here.
Why do we have to get our hair done anyway?
Welcome!
Please sit down.
Okei there's a customer.
Welcome!
Isn't it hot today?
- No I just washed it. - But...
I'm in a hurry. Just do me in an easy casual way.
How?
You know the latest Taisho-maki style.
Give me a style that nobody has yet.
Maybe you can put waves in my hair.
We only do traditional Japanese hairstyles!
Then you should have told me as I came in.
You can't even do Western-style hair!
What a waste of my time!
Listen to her!
What's wrong with her... She's so rude!
I'd like to see her parents!
Western-style hair sure is popular now.
Sagami-ya's wife quit her traditional style.
She says her head feels lighter now.
Maybe I'll do the same...
Please stop joking!
A restaurant owner can't have modern hair.
I'm sure the geisha will never change their hair.
Oshin could sense it...
A day will come when traditional hairstyles will be gone.
Mail!
Thank you!
This one's for you.
It's from mother!
I haven't heard from you but I hope all is well.
I'm well and still working so don't worry about me.
I'm having Oriki pen this letter to you.
Kaga-ya's Miss Osayo just passed away.
She died of pneumonia.
Miss Okayo's still missing... The family's heartbroken.
I owe them so much.
I raised that girl on my very back.
I know there isn't much sense in me going
but I feel I should go to offer my condolences.
I realize I'm asking a lot of you but...
Will this much money do?
Thank you! I'll be sure to pay you back.
Never mind. It's for your hard work to date.
Take five or six days off. Stay as long as it takes.
Will you be coming back?
I haven't taught you much about hair yet.
I wouldn't want to have any regrets.
Wear this. It's too young for me.
Oshin had vowed never to return to Sakata
after the bitter experience with Kota and Kayo.
But now that Sayo was dead
she wanted only to comfort the Kaga-ya family.
She'd been gone from Sakata for two years.
I'm so glad that you came.
Sayo must be very happy too.
Where are you now?
Oriki said you went to Tokyo to learn hairdressing.
That's right.
As you always told me.
I feel I should have a skill so that I can live life on my own.
Have you any news of Kayo in Tokyo?
You don't know about the man she's with?
Stop it.
You haven't heard anything at all?
We promised not to talk about Kayo.
Yes but now that Sayo's dead
we need Kayo to come home.
I'd never let her take over the business anyway.
Even if she comes home I'll not let her inside!
Why don't you just stay here with us?
Please!
Mino...
Oshin grew up here just like Kayo and Sayo.
She's like a daughter to me!
Grandma wants you here too. You don't have to suffer in Tokyo.
- Stop talking nonsense. - But...
Now that both of my daughters are gone...
I'm so lonely...
There's no laughter in the house.
Please! Stay with us.
Oshin!
It's like old times... Those were such good days.
It's not good to live a long life.
Please don't say that.
It's not just about Kayo and Osayo.
I don't know how long our Kaga-ya can remain as is.
Have you heard about the rice riots in Toyama?
Yes I heard rumors.
America's declaring war on Germany
and in Russia they had a revolution.
And there's a big inflation in prices here in Japan.
The price of rice just keeps going up.
The wives of fishermen in Toyama began demanding lower rice prices.
if one hoards rice one can just sit back
and get rich as the prices keep going up.
People resent all rice dealers now.
Maybe it's punishment that we lost both Kayo and Osayo.
Thank you. Join me for tea now.
You see Oshin...
Happiness isn't found in money or material things.
No matter how much money we have
we're powerless to change what happened to Kayo and Osayo.
Happiness based on material things is fleeting.
The important thing is to live life without regrets.
I'd happily give up on Kayo if that's how she's living her life.
If you should ever run into Kayo
please tell her what I just told you.
But if she's having a hard time in life
please try and help her.
I will.
I'm so happy to see you again and talk.
You've lifted a great weight off my shoulders.
Oshin's visit to Sakata reopened the wounds
in her heart that she had tried to heal.
Oshin had just gotten back to Ueno Station in Tokyo.
She heard a crowd of men shouting.
There's a rice riot in Hibiya!
Episode 55
The rice riots had their beginning on August 3 1918 in Toyama
where angry fishermen's wives began a protest against the skyrocketing rice prices.
Soon similar riots were seen throughout the country.
More than 700 thousand people were said to have taken part in them.
In Tokyo too a crowd had gathered at
Hibiya Park on August 13 to demand affordable rice.
Oshin had just returned to Tokyo from having visited
Kaga-ya in Sakata after hearing of Sayo's passing.
You ran all the way to Hibiya Park from Ueno Station?
I was desperate and I was only 18 then.
You wanted to find the man you loved?
I wanted to find Okayo to help the Kaga-ya family.
I thought if I found Kota I'd find Okayo too.
Kota was an activist for the poor
so I figured he would be there at a rice riot.
There were so many people that I was swallowed up in the crowds.
I know about the rice riots but I didn't know you took part in it.
The people were all so excited.
The average office worker back then
made between 18 to 25 yen per month
but rice would cost as much as 70 sen per measure.
That means a month's salary could buy only a half bushel.
There were those who made big money by hoarding rice
and speculating on war goods for huge profits.
No wonder the people rioted.
The police didn't do anything?
They feared a revolution like the one in Russia the year before.
Did you find Kota?
Of course not!
I was shoved around and ended up in terrible trouble.
The world sure has become a dangerous place.
A customer told me that the riots are led by Reds!
The Reds sure are scary!
They started the Revolution in Russia too.
They're also stirring up all the labor problems!
The police are rounding up all the Reds now.
May I help you?
Is Hasegawa Taka here?
What's the problem?
Is she here or not?
I'm Taka the owner here.
You're the owner?
Do you know a Tanimura Shin?
Oshin is an employee here.
She does work here?
What has she done?
We're holding her at Hibiya Police Station.
She needs a guarantor to be released.
Please come and get her.
Oshin's been arrested?
She was arrested at the rice riots yesterday.
She's been cleared of any connection to the riot.
Bring your signature seal and come to the station.
Are you going?
I thought Oshin had gone to Yamagata.
It's funny that she was caught at the scene of the riots.
Leave her in jail.
She can ruin our reputation here!
Just ignore her.
She might be a Red!
Otherwise why would she be at the riots?
Red or not we can't just leave her in jail.
- But... - Watch the shop for me.
- She sure is trouble. - It's trouble for us all!
If people hear of this we'd all be suspected.
I'm sure our owner will have to let her go now.
Of course!
She might cause us more trouble.
She's no Red!
She has worked hard for two years.
Then why was she arrested?
It must be some kind of mistake! That's why she's being released.
Society will never overlook an arrest record!
That's ridiculous!
Come on in.
Oshin...
Sorry for worrying you.
I'm back.
I'm back now. I'm sorry.
You must be hungry.
I must get lunch ready for our owner.
I'm sorry to have been away for so long.
- Oshin... - Yes?
Did you go to Sakata?
Yes.
The Kaga-ya people are doing fine. I feel better now.
Thank you for all your help.
I have presents for everyone too.
And here's the five yen you loaned me.
Thank you.
The old madam told me to pay you back.
I told you you can keep the money.
Yes but...
I'm sorry if I sounded accusing...
But how did you get involved in the riots?
I'm so sorry.
When I got back to Ueno Station
I got caught up in the crowd as they marched to Hibiya.
There were so many people!
And that's where the police arrested me.
You must've had good reason to go to Hibiya.
I'm no fool I've known you for two years
and I know that you wouldn't have gone for no good reason.
I want an answer that'll satisfy me!
If my being arrested is a problem I'll leave.
But I wasn't there to take part in the rice riots!
I was looking for someone...
I thought I might be able to find him there.
You don't have to believe me.
You didn't find him did you?
I understand. Forget it.
I was afraid you might not return after visiting Sakata.
I thought it might have been an excuse to quit.
A girl like you is too good to work for us as a maid!
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound suspicious.
Never mind!
But people will talk...
There will be rumors. Just be prepared for it.
But I know that won't get you down.
I'm starving. Thanks for lunch.
Your soup is cold. I'll warm it up.
Fewer women want their hair Japanese-style now.
You've been losing customers?
It's because you don't do Western-styles here.
We don't consider it proper!
But they have so many interesting new styles.
- Isn't that right? - Sure.
Besides that's not why we lost customers.
There are rumors about one of our workers here.
You mean Oshin? The one who was in the rice riots?
She sure doesn't seem the type.
Young people today can be very scary!
I feel sorry for you.
I can't blame people for being upset with society.
Young people should get involved.
We have trouble paying 50 sen for a single measure of rice!
Do you realize how much trouble you've caused?
Just think of all the problems you've caused us!
You sure are bad.
What has she done wrong?
She was arrested due to a mistake!
Oritsu...
But she was arrested just the same.
Society won't let you off that easily.
The owner wants you.
What is it?
It's none of your business!
It's me Oshin.
People sure do talk.
Come on in.
You must be having a bad time of it.
I don't care what people say
but I do feel badly for involving all of you.
Maybe you should start thinking about your future.
That's what I wanted to talk to you about.
Oshin knew this was coming. She was being laid off.
But she had no regrets
for having ran with the rioters in search of Kota.
Episode 56
Are you ready to go to the bath?
Yes.
What about Oshin?
She's still in there talking to our owner.
We don't know how long it'll take.
Turn out the lights.
We're going to the bathhouse.
Let's go.
I'll wait for Oshin.
Who knows how much longer it will be?
About 10 days had passed since Oshin was arrested
by the police for taking part in the rice riots.
Taka had called her in for a talk.
Oshin was sure that she would be fired.
I'm not trying to fire you!
But I have caused you so much trouble.
I don't blame you for our having lost customers.
Fewer women are having their hair done in Japanese style.
But you have to be prepared to be called a Red or a rioter.
People have a way of spreading rumors.
But Oshin...
You can get over that by being a good hairdresser.
The customers just want a good hairdresser that's all.
You're 18 you'd better be thinking of your future.
Japanese-style hair is on its way out.
Soon there will be no more customers for us.
You can see it. We only get geisha girls now.
Soon they might be all gone too.
That'll never happen!
The times are changing.
Western-style hair is the way to go.
If you want to make it you'd better learn how to do Western-style hair.
Western-style is free.
It doesn't matter how or what you.
You can do it!
I'm sure you can!
And that's the only way you'll survive as a hairdresser.
Give it a try.
I have no intention of doing it myself but I can teach you the basics.
I couldn't possibly...
Don't tell me you can't until you've tried!
Don't mind the others I won't let them say a thing.
Training for Western-style hair is different from Japanese-style.
Okei and Onatsu too. If they want to survive
they should go ahead and try doing the new Western styles.
But we only do the Japanese-style hair here.
So I can't let you do it here.
I can't stay here anymore?
You can stay here but go elsewhere to study.
It'll be very hard to have your own place.
You want me to go out on house calls?
Let's get started right away!
Come with me.
You're here. Good. You can be the subject tonight.
It's best to learn the basics of the Japanese style first.
You've been here for two years already so you know how.
Let's see you do what you can.
It's beautiful!
Hurry!
Doing the sides and the top are important!
If you can't do that forget about being a hairdresser!
What's going on here?
Oshin will be doing Western-styles. She's practicing now.
The rest of you can do the same too.
No way!
We only do the Japanese-style here.
You'll all have to start thinking about your future.
If you're old-fashioned you'll be left behind.
Skill is what counts in doing Western-style hair.
That's good. A modified Japanese look!
Once you learn the basics you can improvise.
Just learn to use your hands and your head.
Okay.
Starting tomorrow go and look in on other parlors.
Stealing techniques is one way to learn.
I'm so glad I was afraid she was going to fire you.
Thanks.
But I'm sorry I had to practice on you.
I'm used to it and I'm glad to help!
I don't have much confidence. She says it's easy but...
You were able to do the Shimada real well!
Otoyo and Osono are better but at least you can do it.
I'd been looking in on how it's done for the past two years.
That's good! And besides you're very skillful.
I could tell by how you touched my hair.
You have good hands.
Better than Otoyo and Osono!
Your hands are as good as our owner's.
You were born to be a hairdresser.
I mean it!
Thanks for saying so.
Don't worry I know these things!
Believe me.
Even if I'm skilled at doing the Japanese-style
one has to be able to be creative with Western styles.
Western-style hair doesn't require much learning time.
Maybe I can learn too.
Then I can be on my own sooner.
And I'll be able to send money home to my parents.
I want to be able to help my mother have a better life.
Why is our owner having Oshin learn the Western-style?
Never mind that's not being a real hairdresser anyway!
It's a disgrace to our shop!
She's only going to be allowed house calls.
Is it that easy?
Let's see how she does.
I would like to see her earn real money!
Things aren't that easy in this world.
So pretty!
If the paper burns it's too hot.
Here. Be careful.
By day Oshin was still a maid.
At night she was taught the basics personally by Taka.
The other girls treated her worse but Oshin persevered.
She wanted to be able to earn money on her own.
That helped keep her going.
She also started looking in on other beauty parlors.
Thank you for waiting. You're next.
I'm in no hurry you go in first.
Are you sure? Thanks.
- What style is this? - I'm not sure.
I saw it at a parlor on the Ginza.
They had so many styles to choose from!
You just go and look?
Yes the parlors are crowded and I let people go ahead of me.
Then I will leave. That way I don't spend any money.
You're smart.
Stop laughing and start practicing!
About three months passed and 1918 was coming to an end.
Oshin realized that even doing Wester-style hair
took a lot of learning.
Then one day...
Welcome!
You want your hair done in Japanese-style?
Of course not!
Can't you see my Western-style dress?
- Tell her to leave. - Okay.
I'm so sorry we don't do Western-style hair.
It's fine. Have her come in.
Come in.
Please come in.
- You have a customer. - Who is it?
The owner wants you to do it.
Someone's here to see me?
No! She wants you to this lady's hair.
- Hurry! - But...
The customer is waiting.
I can't!
Don't keep her waiting. The owner has shown her in.
Where's Oshin?
Come on!
She'll be with you in a minute.
Oshin knew that this day would come but she was afraid.
All she could do was stare at her first customer.
Thanks to Avallac'h and XrayMind at D-Addicts.
Translation: UTB Channel