Oshin
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Episode 10
Why are you hiding out there? It's dangerous.
The school teacher's here...
Teacher from the school?
He's here to complain about me being there today.
What were you doing at school?
I begged the teacher not to tell on me.
I apologized and told him I'll never come again.
Oshin was looking in on your classroom?
I'm so sorry I'll speak to her about it.
I didn't come to complain.
Children enter school at age seven
so I'm here to ask you to let her come to class.
Send Oshin to school?
Primary education is compulsory it's the law.
All children have a right to education.
The guardian must respect that right.
But she's just an employee!
However she's still entitled to an education.
So please understand.
She's very keen not just curious.
I could tell!
But she needs to be here to babysit!
I don't mind if she brings the baby.
I'm from a farm too. I had many siblings.
I used to pack one on my back when I went to school.
I still managed to get an education!
I'll do all I can to accommodate her.
You talk about compulsory education but...
Please we should be encouraging her to learn.
I understand.
What?
If Oshin wants to go and if you're willing
to supervise both her and my Takeshi she can go.
She just plays while she babysits anyway.
This isn't right.
We employed her...
It's our duty to see that she's educated.
Thank you!
Oshin?
Oshin!
What do you want with Oshin?
Master wants her. Where is she?
Master wants to see her?
Yes.
Shall I go with you?
No it's my own fault.
Just keep your head bowed down. That's the best way.
Poor kid all she did was to go to school!
How much more can they mistreat her?
I'm sorry.
I'll never go to school again!
That's not why we called you in here.
Master says you can come to our school.
Come starting tomorrow.
I'm Mr. Matsuda.
I'll get you some used textbooks we have.
We have slates and chalk you can use too.
There's nothing to worry about.
Do as your teacher says and study hard!
I'm going to school! I'll be in the first grade!
I'll be studying in a classroom!
They didn't yell at you?
Master's a nice man. I'm glad I work here!
Mother I'll be going to school!
I'm against it!
She can't go to school while she babysits!
My husband's already decided it's all set.
But...
Once he decides he won't back down.
Babysitting is not all that Oshin does!
I'll still help in the kitchen and clean.
I'll wash the diapers too!
Keep your mouth shut!
Why do you think you were employed?
You weren't brought here to go to school!
You're here to work!
That's enough.
I see.
If she goes... she gets no lunch.
Otsune!
She's overstepping her place as an employee.
She'll work less so she'll get less to eat!
Do you understand?
I understand.
You still want to go?
Yes.
Then you can do as you want!
Unlovable child!
It's all been decided... Let's help her.
I'm responsible for her. I'll handle her my way!
She thinks she'll get out of work if she goes to school.
She just wants to loaf!
I know he is a kind man
but master shouldn't be too easy on his employees!
It's not good for Oshin...
That's why I'm always strict with her.
I'm not mean to her because I hate her.
I want her to understand...
I don't care if I go hungry.
I'm not one to give in so easily!
We'll be late for school!
Be careful.
I'll be going now.
I'm going now.
Bye!
Oshin's admirable.
She's going to study while she babysits.
She'll bring the baby to school like this.
Help her all you can and learn together.
Understand?
- Yes. - Yes.
I'm pleased to meet you. The baby's name is Takeshi.
He's pleased to meet you too.
You'll sit in the back.
I put a mat down. You can change his diapers here.
Cute baby.
Why not put him down?
No I don't want him to cry.
Let's begin!
What's the answer?
Oshin can you solve it?
Come on up here.
"Hei."
At school yes is "hai" not "hei."
"Hai."
What's wrong?
He's done it!
You mean...
Let me help.
It's my job. I'm used to it.
It smells!
Be quiet!
Now it's your turn.
Very good!
Five and six is?
It's 11!
11!
That's right.
What's six and nine?
Shin?
She's so stubborn!
Is it true that you don't get lunch? You can't last if you don't eat!
I don't mind I get to do what others can't do.
You want to go to school that badly?
No! What if you get sick?
Oshin madam is done eating!
I'll talk to Otsune.
No don't. You'll get into trouble again.
But...
You'll get me in trouble too.
I can take it. As long as I get to go to school.
I better get the baby. I go back to school after lunch.
A i u e o.
Ka ki ku ke ko.
Sa shi su se so.
Ta chi tsu te to.
Na...
Takeshi fell asleep. He thinks it's a lullaby.
Once more!
Mr. Matsuda made sure Oshin caught up with the others
by teaching her after school.
Oshin studied after the others were all gone.
Then she couldn't wait for dinner.
Without lunch she often felt very weak.
What will you buy?
Grandma you kept this coin so preciously.
I can't spend it just because I'm hungry.
A i u e o.
Ka ki ku ke ko.
Sa shi su se so.
Ta chi tsu te to.
Na ni nu ne no.
Ha hi fu he ho...
Episode 11
That Oshin!
I thought she'd give up if we held out on lunch.
She's so stubborn.
Oh come on. Give her lunch!
I don't want word to get out that we don't feed our people.
Our reputation as a business will suffer!
Am I wrong?
I didn't say that...
Nobody else lets their employees go to school!
I'm sure people are all laughing at us!
Oshin does her job...
Mr. Matsuda says she takes good care of Takeshi
and does well in school too.
For a girl of seven she has determination!
She's hung in there a month already so...
Master says to let up on her too.
To train her properly is my job!
Sorry to be late!
I'll take Takeshi now.
He has such a nice disposition!
He gets cuter each day.
Take good care of him.
I will.
It's been a month since Oshin started school.
She had endured hunger and overwork.
Mr. Matsuda's support is what got her through.
Good morning!
Sorry I only have potatoes for you today.
I'll get you lunch each day so don't give up!
Let's go.
Mother I haven't missed a single day of school.
I'll be able to write you letters soon.
I don't have it hard. I get to go to school!
I'll endure anything.
Mother... This is good!
The river led to her home upstream where her mother was...
Oshin would come to the river to think of home.
Mr. Matsuda began giving her food when he learned that
Oshin wasn't being given any lunch at work.
Mr. Matsuda was married and ha children.
Life wasn't easy for him either.
Oshin always ate the lunch he brought at the river.
But Oshin's happy days did not last.
Don't shuffle around us!
Stop his crying!
You just keep working!
But...
Don't talk to her that way.
Oshin wants to learn that's why she comes to school.
You're all her friends. Help her out!
Five and two is seven.
Seven and six thirteen.
Don't come to school anymore or leave that baby at home!
We can't study!
Babysitters shouldn't be in school!
My mother says so too.
I got yelled at today because of you!
Get down on the ground and apologize!
What did I do?
It's because you bring that baby to school!
The teacher said I could bring him.
You think you're his favorite?
We know that he gives you lunch!
Yes but...
You should quit!
I...
Or I'll make it so that you can't come!
I'll hurt the baby too!
Do you want me to hit you?
You think you can make me quit?
Stop it!
I'm sorry.
Please don't hurt the baby.
You can hit me but not him.
You shouldn't be in school!
And don't you dare tell our teacher.
Or I'll beat the baby!
Are you okay Takeshi? Don't worry it's my fault.
I'm sorry it's my fault. It's all my fault.
I'm glad you didn't get hit.
Where were you? You forgot feeding time!
We were worried that something happened.
You're bleeding!
I'm sorry. I fell down.
Clumsy child! Is the baby all right?
Take care of her hand. It's all swollen too.
Your legs too?
You didn't fall down did you? That's not from falling down!
I fell...
There were sharp stones.
The baby's fine and I'll be more careful.
I'm sorry.
You must've been horsing around in school!
I'm sorry. And I'll quit school too.
Oshin!
It's wrong that a babysitter goes to school.
Tell me what happened!
A babysitter should just babysit.
Did somebody say something?
I just feel like quitting...
So you finally understand?
That's good.
I'm sure it was rough going without lunch.
Want some mochi we got for a celebration?
I withheld lunch not because I hate you.
I wanted you to wake up!
A girl has to learn things they don't teach in school.
I wanted you to learn that in one year.
Yes I know it isn't easy but the hard times now will help you later!
She didn't want to leave school.
If it had been just her she could've gone on.
But she didn't want baby Takeshi to be hurt.
She felt she couldn't continue as before.
Oshin...
Oshin.
Why aren't you coming to school?
I've quit.
And I left the books and things on my desk.
That's why I'm here.
Did your employers tell you to stop coming?
I just felt like quitting.
The studies are too hard.
Oshin why...?
Nobody told me anything. I decided on my own!
I'll never forget your kindness.
If I work hard I'll get to go home in a year.
Working hard?
I enjoy doing the wash in the summer!
It gets hot carrying the baby around.
But it's so hard in the winter. You could die!
I'll get to go home one day.
You haven't lived through the winter here yet.
If I make it through the winter I'll get to go home.
I'll be going up the river to float lumber down.
Will you be making a raft like the one I came down on?
Yes I'll be passing by your house I could stop by.
You don't get to go home on your days off.
They must be worried about you at home.
I'm sure you'll want to know how they are too.
Let me know if you want to send a message.
But don't tell the master.
I'm not supposed to make any stops!
I wish I could go with you.
I'll be your messenger.
I'll write a letter. Let me use that!
I know how to write!
A i u e o. I learned all the letters!
Just give them my note.
Tell mother that it's all in that letter.
That night Oshin wrote her mother a letter under the faint light of the moon.
It was her first letter.
It was almost dawn when she finally finished it.
Episode 12
Was Sadaji able to see her mother?
Did he hand her the letter that she'd written?
For Oshin who wasn't allowed home leave
Sadaji who offered to stop by her family during work
was her only hope of getting word to them.
Oshin had managed to learn enough writing
to have sent a letter home by way of Sadaji.
I came early before you went to the fields.
I'm glad to see that you're both well.
You're the one who came to get Oshin that day!
Yes.
Has something happened?
No I came up here to put together another raft.
The lumber yard doesn't know...
You took time out to stop by?
This is a letter from Oshin. She wrote it herself.
A letter? She can write now?
She was going to school for a while.
I don't know what it says there.
Oshin's written words!
She wrote this by herself!
He can't read either...
There's nobody here that can read.
We're too busy in the fields to send kids to schools.
That's a problem...
Oshin gets to go to school?
And she can write?
I don't care if we can't read it. We're glad to get a letter!
Right?
I don't have much schooling but I can read a little script.
Please!
Grandma's in bed. I want her to hear it too!
Let's all go inside!
We're so busy. Who needs to hear a letter read?
As long as she's fine!
Your rheumatism's gotten worse again.
It's a letter from Oshin so listen well.
Mother and father I'm well so don't worry.
I get to eat my fill of meals too.
Master and his wife are both very nice.
Work is easy.
Takeshi's a cute baby. I watch him everyday.
Please take good care of grandma for me.
Mother please have a healthy baby.
Is that all?
Yes.
Thank you.
Oshin gets to eat and her employers are nice!
She can write too!
I'm so glad we sent her out to work.
We owe it all to you!
We can't do much. All we do is worry about her.
We feel much better.
Please tell Oshin not to worry about us.
Tell her that I'm all better.
Tell her that since she works we live much better.
Have him take some roasted beans back for Oshin.
We can do without. She has to live with strangers!
She's not hungry!
She says she gets to eat her fill.
A year will pass quickly. She'll be coming home soon!
Your letter was full of lies.
Your mother and grandmother were both so happy!
That's how I want them to be.
But...
What's the use of writing about how tough it is?
That won't get me home.
What was grandma doing?
She's much better and she's working!
Your mother was big with the baby and working too.
She'll have an easy birth.
By the time you get home there'll be another baby.
All I have to do is hang in there.
I'm still indentured too. So I don't get a salary.
But once I get to have my own shop I'll make sure you get a lot to eat.
I can't help you know but please hang in there.
I'm prepared for what I'm going through.
Mother told me never to depend on others.
That's good.
Soldiers!
It's kempei! (military police)
Kempei?
They're policemen for the army.
What do they do?
I hear they're looking for draft dodgers.
If you don't go you get arrested?
It's going against the law of the land!
He's been with us since the age of 12.
He's a good boy.
If you see a suspicious character tell us right away!
It was time for the fall festival after harvest.
But since Oshin didn't get an allowance
she couldn't have fun as the other children did.
She couldn't bear to part with the 50-sen coin
her grandmother had given her.
Winter and its snow came soon after the festival
and a lingering blanket of snow covered the village.
Mother... Just a little longer.
When the snow melts I'll get to come home.
I will go home once the snow melts.
Are you sure?
I'm not so old that I miscount money!
You shouldn't suspect other people.
How else would money vanish?
I paid the vegetable man for the daikon.
Then I put my purse down for a while.
Oshin was the only one there.
She was making the fire but she could've gone through my purse.
Otsune just forget about the lost 50-sen coin.
Oshin works hard. Don't accuse her.
You want me to overlook her stealing?
We have to follow the rules!
It's not how much money that matters!
The bath water's full.
It was you wasn't it? You took money out of my purse!
What did you want to buy with it? Or have you already spent it?
You're saying I stole your money?
Who else would do it?
We don't treat you so badly that you have to steal!
We even got you a winter kimono! You get three meals a day too.
So why?
I didn't steal any money!
Take off your clothes!
Hurry!
That's going too far.
If she's innocent she'll remove her clothes.
Take that amulet off!
Oshin!
You still deny it?
Grandma gave me that!
She gave it to me the day I left home!
You think I'll believe that?
It's the truth!
Your family's so poor. Where would she get money?
That's mine. Give it back!
Otsune!
We can't go easy on her.
I didn't take any money. Give me back my coin!
You want me to turn you into the police?
I'll let you go this time but don't ever do it again!
You'll be arrested!
Go wash the diapers!
Hurry it up!
Now!
Grandma I'm sorry. That coin was so precious to you.
What's this?
You call this clean?
It still smells!
You didn't wash it enough!
Don't do a poor job just because the water's cold.
We didn't just bring you here so you can steal!
Go wash them one more time!
Hurry and go!
I'll keep sending you back out until they're all clean!
Something seemed to burst within Oshin.
Enough of this!
Her patience had snapped.
She'll never go back there again.
If she walked up this river
she'll get home to her mother and grandmother.
She began walking without turning back.
The winter's darkness brought a blizzard.
Oshin became enveloped in a white sheet.
Episode 13
They don't know of any Nakagawa Lumber Mill.
I thought it was around here.
Well that was 75 years ago and I was seven.
A child's memory isn't all that accurate.
This whole area's changed.
I'm sure there are new people and businesses here now.
No wonder they've never heard of the lumber mill.
But since nobody remembers the name
something must've happened to that business a long time ago.
Yes.
A lot has happened since then.
The Great Depression and the war.
Many big businesses went under back then.
Maybe the town hall has some records.
Never mind. I didn't come here for that.
It's just that I've never come back after I left that day.
I was just curious to see if the mill was still here.
I'm sure the people from back then are all gone.
But...
I did want to see Takeshi if he's still alive.
But I'm sure he wouldn't remember me now.
I came to reminisce that's all.
It really was a long time ago.
There's nothing here to remind me of those days now.
Even the river has changed.
I can't remember where I used to wash the diapers.
It's as though it was all a dream...
I'm sure it snows a lot here.
It must get cold!
It gets colder than cold!
Oshin was thinking back to her childhood.
She was only seven yet she had to endure hardships.
That day... What had snapped within her?
She didn't even think of the blizzard.
She just wanted to go home to her mother.
Oshin missed that single-minded determination of her youth.
Mother I'll be home soon.
I'm home!
Welcome home!
We're so glad to see you!
Grandma!
I'm so happy that you're well!
We'll never send you out to work again!
We had a good harvest so just stay home!
You've come to?
Go back to sleep.
Who are you?
You're all right. Just rest quietly.
I have hot soup for you.
What am I doing here?
I was worried so I stopped by to see how she was.
This is hot. Drink it slowly.
It's badger soup it'll give you strength.
It smells bad but it's good for you!
It's good.
I can eat by myself.
Here.
Your clothes aren't dry yet so wear this.
I thought she was done for when you brought her in.
This young man saved your life.
He held you naked to warm you back up.
I told him that you were frozen but he insisted.
He held you all night long.
I guess your persistence paid off didn't it?
What village do you come from? Why were you out walking like that?
Were you lost?
He didn't know where to take you
so he carried you up the mountain to this place.
You saved me?
You were buried in the snow. I almost didn't see you.
Good thing there was still light.
You're a lucky girl.
When you get better I'll take you home.
Where do you live?
You do have a home don't you?
Have you forgotten?
What's your name?
She's tired. Let her sleep.
All right. She's your guest.
But I'm sure people are waiting for her to come home.
They must be worried.
Yes.
I'll be going then.
You go that way!
Oshin's only seven.
Go easy on her!
I don't enjoy being so strict on her.
But stealing has to be dealt with sternly!
I did it for her own good.
Oshin stole something? I didn't know about that.
It's nothing...
I didn't want you to know about it.
If you knew it would be hard on Oshin when she came back.
Oshin took a 50-sen coin from Otsune's purse.
She took it while I went to the shed.
Oshin was the only one present!
And we found the coin on Oshin. Otsune had no choice.
I feel badly for Oshin now.
I took that coin!
I needed change to give to one of the boys.
You did?
I forgot to tell you about it.
You forgot?
Then where did Oshin get that coin?
She said her grandmother gave it to her!
Maybe she'll never come back...
Go and find her!
She'll be back.
We've already paid her wages. She has to finish out her year!
Oshin knows she can't just run away.
The blizzard's dying down.
We can make it down the mountain now.
He'll go down with you so you won't get lost.
If we wait more snow is bound to fall.
I'd like to take her all the way home but...
Go to that village and you're a dead man!
We're busy up here hunting and making charcoal.
Once we take you down you can find your own way home.
You look much better now. And your family is waiting.
We have snowshoes for you too!
If you don't leave now you'll never get home.
I have no place to go. I have no place to call home.
Oh come on.
I ran away from my place of employment.
I wanted to go home to my mother. If I go home my father will yell at me.
I'll get sent back!
I never want to go back to where I work!
I'll go back there over my dead body!
But you can't stay here.
Fine.
You can stay here if you don't mind this place.
Shunsaku!
Even if we take her down she might not make it home.
I'm sure her village is all snowed in.
She'd never make it home on her own.
If we take her down someone else can help her.
She has her own reasons for wanting to stay.
She can stay until the snow melts.
Shunsaku!
That's best.
Just stay here.
What will you do with her up here?
Don't you realize your own situation?
You're in no position to be helping people!
You're supposed to be in hiding!
If she goes home and tells people about you you're all done for!
It got away.
It doesn't matter! Your life's in danger!
What about me?
I took you in as a godsend.
For my son who was killed at Hill 203 in the Russo-Japanese War!
I got us a rabbit for dinner.
Shunsaku!
She's on the run just like me. I have to help her.
Oshin had no idea who these men were.
But she knew that the bearded man's eyes were kind.
Oshin's future was uncertain yet she felt strangely calm.
Episode 14
Oshin could remember trying to walk home
through the blizzard but that was all...
When she came to she was in this hut.
A man had saved her from a frozen death.
But Oshin had no idea who this man was.
I want to help. What can I do?
I can clean and I can cook rice too.
We have no rice to cook.
I just throw whatever I have into this pot.
Tonight we have rabbit turnips and chestnuts.
Rabbit meat is good!
You melt snow for water?
When there's no snow I go down to the river.
You and that other man live up here all year long?
We make charcoal throughout the seasons.
You're a charcoal maker?
I'll cut that.
You keep making the fire.
You live all alone? You have no mother or father?
How old are you?
I'm seven years old.
And they sent you out to work?
I have many younger siblings so there's not enough food for all of us.
We got a whole bale of rice as my wages!
Now my mother's baby won't have to die.
She can give birth without worry.
Was it rough?
So rough that you ran away?
It wasn't the work...
I was wrongly accused of stealing!
That wasn't all of it...
They took away the 50-sen coin that grandma gave me
when I went off to work. That coin was precious to her!
When I was hungry I was tempted to spend that money but I didn't.
Grandma had saved it all these years!
They said I stole that coin and took it away!
I tried to hang in there...
I was paid a bale of rice to work there
I wasn't about to run off and go home.
But while I was washing diapers in the icy river
I suddenly wanted to go home.
That's enough!
Why didn't I stay?
All I had to do was last until the spring.
What's your name?
Oshin.
That's a good name.
"Shin" means believing and it also means heart.
It's also the "shin" in the word for perseverance
and the "shin" in the word for center.
"Shin" also means new. As well as truth!
"Shin" as in perseverance...
The character for gods can be read "shin" too.
You have a truly wonderful name!
Don't cry or your name will suffer.
Even if my name is so good I still can't go home.
Not while there's still snow.
You can't do anything no matter what.
Just stay here.
Everything will be all right in the spring.
The food is ready.
You insist on keeping that girl?
Take her down. And tell her not to turn you in!
We have food enough for only you and me.
No matter how much charcoal I make or how many pelts you collect
you can't go down to town to sell any of it!
We can't eat charcoal or pelts!
This is good!
Go on eat more!
I've never eaten so much!
At work I got a bowl of daikon gruel and cold soup.
There was never anything in the soup.
It was terrible!
Even at home...
I wish I could feed this to mother and grandma.
Poor thing.
Your family must be poor sharecroppers.
I was the third son of a poor farmer.
I went to work for the landlord at about her age.
Even when my term was up I had no plot to call my own.
I couldn't get married so I started making charcoal.
I'd go from mountain to mountain. I finally found a wife and had sons.
Then the army took them when they grew up.
But... The army was their only chance to get ahead.
But they were both killed.
Who killed them?
The war killed them up on Hill 203!
They volunteered to serve their country
because they didn't want to end up with a life like this as charcoal makers.
Don't keep talking about it. They won't come back.
I'm telling you so that you'll learn!
Do whatever you can to stay alive!
You gave me this life I have. I won't waste it.
My father makes charcoal in the winter too.
But I've never seen him doing it.
Do you always work up here?
No when I run out of trees I move on.
The young man too?
Yes.
It's time we all moved on. We'll go elsewhere in the spring.
Where will you go next?
How should I know!
The young man has nowhere to go too?
This is home to us!
That's him!
We'll have to move as soon as we get her down from here.
She'll tell on him!
You killed it?
You're a master with the gun!
This life was all new to Oshin.
Oshin was captivated by all that she saw.
Soon she had forgotten all about work or home
as if they had happened in a distant world.
You told us she was nine. She's only seven!
She's worthless and she ran away!
It was a mistake to trust your words!
I'm sorry.
We have no word from her family.
We don't know if she reached home safely.
It's been 20 days... We're so worried!
If something happened we would know about it.
I'll go see her family.
Don't bother bringing her back here!
I tried to teach her well and she reneged on me!
We want that rice we paid for her!
Otsune!
That's the deal!
Bring us another girl. A better one!
The madam here needs a babysitter.
It's all your fault!
Work fast!
If you see Oshin give her this 50-sen coin.
Make sure you give it to her.
What's this for?
Oshin will know.
Tell her it was our mistake and we're sorry.
There's no need to tell her anything! It's her fault for not persevering.
So don't worry about it!
You're a hunter?
I shoot animals eat the meat and trade furs.
I guess I'm a hunter.
Hunters speak differently? You don't talk like the rest of us.
Really?
You can read too? I see that you have a book.
I can read the katakana script.
But those words in that book are different.
I'd like to learn to read like you.
I wish I could go to school and learn.
You like books?
I've never read one. You went to school?
Get to bed...
I can write in katakana too. I even wrote a letter home!
There's no mail service here.
I wish I could send word to them that I'm being cared for
by a hunter and a charcoal maker so they don't have to worry.
I want to stay up here forever.
I'll get to bed now.
Gensuke!
You came all the way up here in the snow?
Has something happened to Haru or Mitsu?
I hear Oshin's come home...
Oshin?
I got scolded for getting her the job!
You've ruined my reputation!
Oshin's not here!
You can't try to fool me!
She ran away more than 20 days ago!
Where would she go?
That long ago?
I'm not here to take her back.
They don't want her but we'll have to settle.
It's the truth! Oshin's not here!
Did something happen? Where could she be?
Episode 15
Gensuke came to Oshin's house to report her disappearance from work.
But Oshin had not come home.
Sakuzo and Fuji couldn't believe that
she would run away from her workplace.
No don't! You'll get hurt!
- Let go! Our rice! - That's the deal!
They take the rice back!
That Oshin!
I won't let her back into the house!
I won't stop you from punishing her but...
But...
She might not come home. She might be dead!
Don't say such things!
We have no word on her...
Maybe the blizzard got her and she's buried under the snow.
Please go find her!
Don't be silly!
We'll never find her in this snow...
I'll find her!
Fuji!
She needs me!
You fool!
Sakuzo!
She's not the only child that needs you!
We don't even know where to start looking for her!
You don't care if your baby starves?
The baby's crying!
Shoji and I have to go and make charcoal.
If you're away from home what will happen?
Go and prepare the food we'll need up in the hills.
Oshin went to work for our sakes I'll have to find her body...
She's alive.
She's not like the other children.
She'll be all right.
I'm sure she had reasons for running away.
But she's only seven.
She can't find her way home in this snow!
You're her mother. Have faith in Oshin!
Oshin's not dead.
I'm sure she'll come home soon...
Gensuke sent this over for Oshin.
Her employers entrusted him with it
but he forgot to give it to you earlier.
What's this coin?
Why did they have this coin?
What has happened to Oshin? Why isn't this coin on her person?
I mended this for you.
Never mind.
I can sew. I used to mend clothes for my siblings.
I can do it myself!
I want to be useful so that I can stay.
I want to do things for you.
That's enough!
What's the matter?
Feeling badly?
I...
I had no right in trying to help her.
It's like picking up a puppy. It's a bother!
We have to be footloose. Nothing can weigh us down.
Doing favors sometimes brings bad results.
Don't pay too much attention to that girl.
If you feel too sorry for her it'll end up hurting you.
We'll move on when spring comes.
Once she goes home we'll be in danger up here.
What's that?
It sounds nice.
Shunsaku's gruffiness made Oshin feel sad.
She felt unwanted...
She wanted to go home to her mother.
She felt so alone.
He has a high fever!
It's terrible!
What's wrong?
He passed out and he's not moving!
Let's go!
What are you doing?
He's wet from walking in the snow bring dry clothes!
Don't watch!
The water seeps out of his wound...
The bullet is still inside.
That's why he can't overexert himself!
Why does he have a bullet in him?
He got hit on Hill 203! The war's made him like this.
Bring some hot water! We need to bring the fever down.
And get some snow too. To cool him down!
Okay.
I dozed off...
His fever's gone!
You're getting better!
You went through the worst of it!
Oshin stayed up all night caring for you.
We'll get you out of your sweaty clothes.
And we'll make you gruel. We still have some rice!
Will this do?
And I'll cook the gruel.
Get me the rice.
I will wash these he has no other change of clothes.
She sure works hard and she's attentive too.
I can't believe she's only seven!
Shouldn't you be lying down?
We have tofu soup for dinner.
Jun-chan made the tofu.
He can do anything...
You want to change your clothes?
It was sunny today they should be dry.
I'll warm it up.
Thanks.
I'm just glad... I thought you might die.
You scared me.
You said you wanted to learn to read books...
I'll teach you once I get better.
Oshin couldn't believe what she heard.
Shunsaku's gruffiness had hurt her but he was making her very happy now.
Episode 16
Shouldn't you be in bed?
Oshin cared for Shunsaku while fever plagued him.
Oshin's devotion opened up his heart to her.
He began teaching Oshin how to write.
She was happy with the expectation
that she would be able to read books.
But she was more happy that he was willing to teach her.
Very good!
Next let's see you write the letters for na ni nu ne and no.
"Na" starts out words for name (namae) and rape blossoms (nanohana).
"Na" also starts words for eggplant (nasubi)
greens (nappa) and pots (nabe).
And nakimushi! (a crybaby)
We couldn't possibly get up to where that cabin was.
I'm not planning to go up there! I never really knew its location.
But you came down from there right?
You could see Mount Gassan from there?
It must be around here somewhere.
It doesn't matter.
What's important are the memories.
Those were perhaps the happiest days of my life.
A primitive life like that?
I had nothing to write with...
I'd use bits of charcoal on a piece of bark.
I'd wipe with a rag and it'd all get black!
That's why you get upset when we waste pencils and pens.
You'd scold me
and all the employees thought you were tight.
I'm used to people criticizing me.
I was so happy just being able to write words.
I had no idea that people at home were so worried about me.
Shunsaku taught me so many things.
That we could be happy having very little.
And what it meant... to live life fully.
What do these words mean?
Oshin!
Come and take a look. You can see Mount Gassan!
I can read this book now.
Sorry.
I read your book without permission.
But I just wanted to read what you enjoyed reading.
I tried to read the pages you had marked with a leaf.
I'm sorry. I'll never do it again.
You're too young to understand that book.
The characters had phonetic readings next to them.
But the words were so alien to me.
This is a book of "shi" poetry.
"Shi" as in death?
No not that.
They're like songs.
The poetry songs you like?
Yes.
I want to hear you recite these poems!
Please.
All right. I'll read you one.
My younger brother I love you so.
Yet they have placed a weapon in your hands to kill.
At age 24 they told you to kill and then to die.
You are to run our family business in Sakai.
So do not go and die.
It matters not if Port Arthur falls or not.
It's not our family tradition that young men die in war.
Brother do not die.
Our Emperor does not wish to go to fight.
Do not shed blood. Do not become a beast.
Our Emperor does not wish his sons to die.
Shunsaku...
Do not make your young wife weep if you still remember her and love her.
You are my brother and I wish you to live.
Do not die.
I'm impressed! You can read such hard words.
- This poem is... - That's enough!
Oshin will one day have to face war.
Japan can't go on in its present course!
If we keep seeking resources abroad there will be war.
That's too hard for a child like her to understand.
I'm not trying to teach her.
I just want her to remember what I said.
This poem is by Yosano Akiko for her brother at the front.
She tells him not to kill or be killed.
War is a folly that man cannot afford.
She didn't raise her younger brother to go and kill.
He has a young wife waiting for him. Her brother is precious to her.
She cannot allow him to go and die.
It doesn't matter who wins or loses the war!
She just wants him to come home safely.
That's what this poem means.
Can you understand?
She's just a kid. How could she understand?
Oshin couldn't care less about war right?
Didn't you go to war too?
You're still carrying that bullet inside you.
That's why you got sick.
Matsu-ji?
You have big scars! So many of them.
I couldn't help but tell her about your wounds.
But don't ever tell everyone else about it!
Why not?
To be wounded in a war is a big honor!
A man from my village lost his leg in a war.
But he's very proud about it!
It's no honor...
In a war the side that kills the most wins!
Do you think it's so great to kill or be killed?
If you had a fight with someone and killed him.
I'd never do such a thing!
See!
Even in a fight one can't kill or injure someone.
Isn't that so?
If I did that the policeman would take me away!
That's right and you'd be punished.
But in a war the armies do that.
Nobody's punished for killing. They're applauded for their killing!
That's how wars are won...
You think winning like that is an honor?
Matsu-ji's sons both died honorable deaths.
But his grief is beyond tears.
You still think wars are honorable?
For those killed or wounded in a war
there are family members shedding tears and suffering grief.
You think wars are just?
Good.
Remember this well... One should not fight wars!
Even if Japan goes to war you should resist!
One person is powerless
but if everyone gets together on an idea
they can change national policy!
Individual ideas and are very important.
I'll let you have this book.
One day you'll know what it contains.
Then remember me.
I guess I'll go hunting.
The weather's clear. There'll be game out there!
You got the rabbit!
I guess you learned to shoot well in the war.
You shot people too?
How many did you kill?
Countless numbers...
That's why I quit being a soldier.
Father...
Father?
Father.
What is it?
Oshin's calling me...
She's calling out to me in the blizzard.
"Mother mother!"
I want to help her but I can't reach her...
It's just a bad dream... Don't bother about it!
She's dead... She can't rest in peace.
She's buried somewhere under the snow.
She's calling me!
Stop it!
We'd better hold a funeral for her or she'll never rest in peace!
I've given up on her...
She was such a good girl...
Why did she have to die?
My dear brother... Do not die.
We did not raise you to kill or be killed.
My dear brother... Do not die...
Episode 17
The mortar's done!
You've made both the mortar and pestle?
Matsu-ji wanted you to be able to enjoy mochi so he made this for you.
We don't usually pound mochi up here.
I'd bought some mochi rice to make dumpling offerings.
You did all this for me?
It was easy!
You can make anything!
I used to pound mochi for my sons.
Matsu-ji...
I think it's just right.
You turn the rice. I'll pound it.
I've never helped pound mochi.
Tokyo people are useless!
Then you pound and I'll turn it.
Not like that!
Move aside.
Pounding mochi is hard!
So there are some things you can't do.
I'll turn the rice.
We pound mochi at home on New Year's.
You're good!
Oshin was happy the happiest she's ever been.
She got to eat her fill here and learn many things.
But most of all there was the warmth of heart.
Oshin learned that it took more than material things to make people happy.
13... 14... 15...
We have 15 mochi!
Now we're ready for the New Year.
Here's something for you to wear on New Year's.
I made it from rabbit pelts that Shunsaku got.
They're valuable!
When spring comes you can go into town and trade pelts for many things.
Don't you worry about it.
It feels so warm!
You look lovely.
You won't have to wear Shunsaku's anymore.
It was too big for you anyway.
You need clothes until you go home in the spring.
I can still patch up my old kimono.
I don't need anything new.
Thank you very much.
Thank you so much.
I'm a lucky girl!
I forgot to take in the wash.
- Matsu-ji... - What?
You're as soft on her as I am!
Oshin's like a grand- daughter to me.
But spring will come even if I don't don't want it to come.
My dear brother do not die.
I wonder if mother had her baby yet?
Is it a new brother or a sister?
Where were you?
Fuji!
You snuck some rice out! Where did you go?
You think I don't know?
A single measure of rice can feed us for days!
Fuji!
Ofuji...
Oshin's finally come home...
What's going on?
I went to the temple to get Oshin a posthumous name.
I took them one sho of rice for the prayers.
I feel so badly for Oshin...
But I just want her to rest in peace.
You fool!
Sakuzo!
We don't even know if she's dead yet!
And you gave away our precious rice!
Who needs this?
She's only seven...
No word means she's dead!
I've been dreaming about her...
I've been wanting to hold services for her!
You want rice that badly?
And that's why you deny that she's dead?
I don't care if I don't eat I did it for Oshin!
Ofuji...
Sakuzo loves Oshin too.
That's why he refuses to believe that she's dead.
I want to believe it too...
When the snow melts in the spring we'll know...
It won't do any good to find her dead...
She'll never make it to heaven on her own.
She's buried out there in the snow...
Fuji...
Oshin's had it tough all her life...
I want to make sure she gets into heaven...
That's a mother's love...
Oshin... Enjoy life in heaven.
I went to help pound some mochi.
I pounded five sho of rice. When will we pound ours?
It's almost New Year's!
We won't have any...
Why not?
We harvested a lot of mochi rice this year!
We have a death in the family... There'll be no New Year!
That's why we can't have any mochi!
Your home brew isn't bad!
We only drink once a year. I aged it well.
This is a very happy New Year!
It was just you and me last year it was no fun.
Thanks to Oshin we even made mochi this year!
I haven't felt like this in years!
What's the matter?
I used to hear that song...
as I was washing diapers where I worked.
It always makes me feel sad.
I used to dream of going back up the river... to my home.
You want to go home?
They must be worried sick about you.
I won't go home until my work period is up.
What about your employers?
They think I've gone home.
My family doesn't expect me until the spring.
You sure are a smart girl and brave too!
3 x 3 =9 3 x 4 = 12
3 x 5 = 15 3 x 6 = 18
3 x 7 = 21 3 x 8 = 24
3 x 9 = 27
Will you sell that kannon figure to the villagers?
No...
Then why do you keep carving so many?
It's to soothe the souls of the dead...
For all those who died in the war.
No...
For all the men that I've killed...
Oshin...
In life you'll have many problems. You'll meet people you don't like.
But never hate people or hurt them.
To hate is to hurt oneself.
To hurt someone is also to hurt yourself.
It'll all come back to you.
Before you even think of hating someone put yourself in their place.
Ask yourself why they're being so hard on you.
There has to be a reason... So try to better yourself.
But if they're mean without good reason just pity them.
They must be miserable souls to want to hurt you.
They're to be pitied.
So forgive them.
Can you understand that?
I want you to grow up being able to forgive.
To be able to love is to allow them to love you.
That'll make your life more full. Just remember that.
I've taught you to read and to compute numbers.
But that doesn't make a complete person.
Even if you have a lot of learning
if you're not worthy that learning will be worthless.
Maybe that's too hard for you to understand.
Oshin wasn't able to understand all that he said.
But she could understand that Shunsaku was deeply hurt
for having killed people in the war.
She wanted to grow up being able to love.
But she didn't yet know what love was.
Without Oshin realizing it spring was almost upon them.
Episode 18
Spring had come to the mountains.
The day was getting nearer for Oshin to part from Shunsaku and Matsu-ji.
You have to go home.
You're free to go now that spring has come.
Your family's all waiting for you to come home.
They'll be worried to death if you don't go back.
You worked hard up here. You're smart and very sweet.
You'll be facing hardships in the future.
But never give up home and you'll find happiness.
We can't make you happy up here.
Go home!
You'll leave at dawn. Help her get ready.
Let's cook the last of the remaining rice tonight.
We'll have some iwana fish too.
The streams free of ice I'll go catch some.
I'll show you how good a fisherman I am!
Cheer up.
You will be seeing your family tomorrow.
Hurry! It's Matsu-ji!
I guess I'm getting old. I've never fallen before.
Good thing you didn't fall in the water.
No bones broken. We'll put some of this medicine on.
That should work well.
But we'll never be able to leave the mountain tomorrow.
It'll take a while. You're all swollen.
That means I'll get to stay until he's all better.
I'm so glad!
I'll take you down.
Shunsaku!
I can't take her all the way home but I will take her down.
Oshin can make it on her own from there.
You don't have to!
To delay her departure will only make it harder for her to go.
I'll take her down the mountain tomorrow.
It's not snowing much. Shall we go?
Shunsaku...
Let me hear you play that instrument you have.
I don't know what it's called but I like it a lot.
Once I go home I'll never get to hear it again.
Please play it for me.
Thank you for everything.
You can have this.
You seem to like it.
I can't take that!
Go on.
You can play it when you're having a tough time.
It will comfort you.
No I can't!
It's called a harmonica.
I took it to war with me.
It contains a lot of memories but I have to forget those memories.
It's too painful to hold onto it.
But...
If you'll treasure it and play it it's better than me holding onto it.
It's easy. You'll learn to play it quickly.
Try it.
Just blow into it.
That's good.
Blow some more.
All you have to do is find the notes of the song
and you'll be able to play it.
It won't take long.
I know that song because you always played it.
Here it's your harmonica now.
I promise I'll learn to play that song too.
I've made rice balls for you.
Make sure you eat them. You'll need the strength.
I'm sorry I can't walk you down myself.
But I'll be praying for your safe journey.
There's no need for a formal farewell!
Go on now. Before it gets dark.
Hurry and go!
Thanks for the quilt and all the good food.
I'll probably never see you again.
Oshin...
Well then...
Be careful.
It's not just you they're after.
I'll be going.
Do you need to rest?
No we need to get down before dark.
Okay.
I can see my village! Just drop me off here.
I can make it from here on my own.
Soldiers.
What are they doing here?
Be quiet.
Please go. I can make it.
No you'll never make it on your own.
Who are you?
I'm a hunter here in these parts.
What's your name?
Kasuke.
Who's the girl?
She's my sister. I'm taking her to a relative's house.
- Who's the relative? - Sakuzo.
- Take them in! - Yes!
What have we done?
We're taking in all suspicious characters.
I'm just a hunter. Why do I have to go?
Just come with us!
Oshin! Oshin!
Oshin!
Leave the girl alone!
Oshin!
Shunsaku!
Oshin...
This is how it's supposed to be...
Shunsaku!
Live your life without regrets...
Shunsaku! Shunsaku!
My dear brother. Do not die...
You were not born to kill or be killed...
The nation has ordered that you go and kill...
We did not raise you to kill or be killed...
There is no need for man to fight...
Our Emperor does not wish to go to fight...
Do not shed blood...
Do not live the life of a beast...
To die is not an honor...
The nation will understand...
Thanks to Avallac'h and XrayMind at D-Addicts.
Translation: UTB Channel