Brought to you by Gifted Ones www.giftedones.net
Please do not stream or make profit from these subtitles.
Episode 19
Shunsaku who had cared for Oshin through the long winter
was shot and killed before her eyes.
Oshin couldn't understand why he had to be killed like that.
She hated the soldiers who had shot him.
The soldiers led her back to her village.
Where's your home?
You killed Shunsaku.
What's your name?
Why did you kill him?!
Where were you two living?
Why did you kill him?!
Talk or you'll be sorry.
Why did you kill him?!
That man disobeyed our Emperor's orders!
He was just a hunter!
We checked his body and found out...
You just don't know!
He was an ordinary hunter!
Deserters are shot!
He was a good man. Why did you have to kill him?
Who else was there? He wasn't living alone right?
Answer me and I'll send you home.
To harbor a criminal is a serious offense!
Tell the truth or you'll be punished too.
It was just the two of us. There's nobody else.
Take us to where you two were living.
I can't. I don't know!
Come on let's go.
I really don't know!
You must know!
I was saved by him in the blizzard.
I stayed with him until the snow melted.
He was taking me home! I don't know the way there.
Have you found out anything?
No it seems that deserter was all alone up there.
Let the girl go.
Do you have a home?
- Send somebody with her. - Yes.
I can go home by myself!
Where's his body? I don't want him to be all alone.
Don't worry. We've offered incense in his memory.
He was once a soldier. We'll take good care of his body.
But...
His parents are coming from Tokyo to claim his body.
So don't worry. Just go on home.
Oshin!
We thought you were dead!
What's she doing here after all this time?
Maybe she was taken by the gods. Maybe she's crazy.
Shoji go get some firewood!
It's Oshin it's her ghost!
What?
Oshin...
Mother!
Oshin!
You're alive!
It's Oshin it's really her!
I'm so glad to have you back!
No don't! You want to kill her?
How dare you come back like this!
We suffered because of you!
No don't!
Just be thankful that she's safe!
Come inside. Grandma's been waiting for you.
Oshin...
She can't be let back in!
Father!
She can't get away with what she did!
She's no good. She's no daughter of mine.
Go away!
Sakuzo!
Oshin...
Where will you go?
Oshin...
It's my fault. I can't come home.
Don't say that!
This is your home. You can't go away!
I'll apologize to your father for you.
Don't worry.
Just go and rest. He'll get over his anger.
Where were you all this time?
It must've been so hard for you.
You poor thing.
Shunsaku...
I have food for you and a futon quilt.
It's cold in here but just bear it.
Your father knows. He's just choosing to ignore you.
He just wanted us to know how he felt.
He'll forgive you. So try to understand him too.
Because you ran away from your workplace
we had to return the rice that was paid to us.
We also had to give some rice for your funeral service.
That's not all...
Your father really thought you were dead.
He suffered too!
Here eat.
Grandma...
Eat this too!
Is this your share?
Don't worry about anything.
We already ate.
I knew you were alive. I knew you weren't dead.
Where were you?
And what were you doing all this time?
Was somebody taking care of you?
You have to tell us.
Or you'll never be let back into the house.
You can't just ignore the issue.
I don't care.
That's no way to talk!
It doesn't matter anymore... He's dead.
Oshin...
The young hunter... He was good to me.
Why did he die?
We were deep in the mountains
I couldn't make it down until the snow melted.
Why were you up there?
He saved my life. He found me in the blizzard.
I see.
You were up in the mountains with him?
When did he die?
Was he ill?
Oshin!
What's wrong?
Are you feeling all right?
Oshin?
Leave her alone. She's just a little girl.
And she's been away from home a long time.
She had more trouble than she can talk about.
Get a good night's rest!
Wrap yourself up real good.
You've had it tough...
Oshin.
Oshin?
Grandma.
You sure slept well but come inside and rest.
Your father and Shoji are both out in the fields.
I'm home.
Yes you are.
Your father will forgive you soon.
Come inside and eat.
Oshin!
Is it true that you were with a deserter?
Everybody's talking about it!
They say the military police killed him.
And you were taken in for questioning too!
You've shamed us all!
No she did no such thing!
He was a good man. They didn't have to shoot him!
A deserter is a criminal!
He didn't do anything wrong. He was a great man!
What's so great about a deserter?
Oshin!
Oshin... Oshin! Oshin!
Oshin! Oshin... Oshin...
Oshin... Oshin!
Oshin!
Episode 20
How could you do that to her?
Oshin are you all right?
That was no way for a father to act!
She shouldn't be in this house...
She made me lose face!
No matter what you say I'll care for Oshin.
She's my daughter too!
You dare go against me?
What has she done wrong?
At her age she shouldn't be working away from home.
It's our fault... We were wrong!
I'm saying...
She didn't know the man was a deserter. She liked him!
If he hadn't saved her she would be dead!
He was our benefactor!
He fed her and took care of her.
It's only natural that she's grateful!
We caused her this grief by sending her out to work.
Oshin...
I'm sorry... It's our fault.
You'll sleep with me and take your meals with me.
Oshin...
Aren't you still in pain? Don't overwork yourself.
I'm all right.
I can't let mother do all the work.
If only I were in better shape to work.
Grandma...
Oshin!
You were with a deserter!
The military police got him!
Why weren't you killed too?
You should die too!
- You should... - Stop it!
Are you hurt?
Those kids are terrible.
Go tell them off!
What they say is the truth. People all hate us now.
Shoji!
Maybe he was a deserter but he'd fought in the war!
He's killed a lot of enemy soldiers. He's an honorable wounded veteran!
But he ran away. A deserter's a coward!
He's no coward!
What are you doing?!
Apologize for what you said!
Apologize! I told you to apologize!
Stop it!
Oshin...
Matsu-ji...
I heard the harmonica I knew it was you!
This isn't a good place for us to talk.
Is being a deserter such a bad thing?
It goes against the Emperor's orders.
Are you a criminal too?
Are all the things people are saying true then?
Shunsaku's no criminal.
But he was killed as a deserter.
He did run away from the army...
But it wasn't because he was scared of fighting.
Shunsaku's from an old samurai family.
His father was a military officer and so were his brothers.
He had great respect for the military
but it all changed when he was on the front lines at Port Arthur.
He saw so many people killed... Not just the enemy
but all of his friends and comrade in arms.
He began wondering what all the killings were for.
Enemy and friends alike he knew that
the dead had families and he began hating war.
That Russian fort on Hill 203 was impregnable.
Tens of thousands of Japanese soldiers died attacking it.
Shunsaku got wounded too.
They were going to ship him back to the front when he got better
so he escaped from the hospital before he was completely healed.
He said he doesn't remember how he got away.
I found him passed out up in the mountains.
He was almost dead from fever due to his wounds.
I took him back to my shack
and I'd wanted to protect him for as long as I could.
But he's gone now...
If he hadn't saved me he might still be alive...
It's all my fault...
Oh come on...
You made Shunsaku happy! I was happy too.
He was on the run... He was very lonely.
He'd killed and he'd ordered his men into death.
That's a big burden to live with.
Life was a living hell for him...
He used to carve those Kannon figures
to atone for having killed people in battle.
He was having a hard time...
Maybe it's best that he died like that...
Maybe he's better off now...
He told me when he died... He told me not to worry...
That he was finally going to a better place.
Is that what he said?
Oshin...
Shunsaku's no coward... He just hated war!
He told me never to hate...
He said I'd one day have to experience war
but he also told me to resist! I now understand what he meant.
It was the war that made him like that...
It killed him!
That's right.
Even if people call him a deserter
I want you to understand him for what he was.
Otherwise he'd never rest in peace.
I don't care what they all say. He was good.
To me he was the greatest. That's enough for me.
I'm glad I came. I wanted to tell you about him.
Please come again. I'll be waiting.
Oshin I don't live up those hills anymore.
I'll probably never come this way again.
Where will you go?
I was happy being with you and Shunsaku.
I'll never forget...
You'll face difficulties in life but never give up!
Live like the waterfall that never freezes... Always flow!
Live for Shunsaku too!
You were only seven and you witnessed such cruelty.
I was eight by then...
There's not much difference.
What was I doing when I was eight?
Your mother used to complain that all you wanted to do was play.
That you never did your homework!
I wasn't like you at all... You were denied education!
Parents have to beg their kids to study nowadays.
There's no more draft... I guess we're lucky.
That's right.
Second and third sons of a farm family had no choice
but to go into the army... To help their families out.
It was just after the terrible Russo-Japanese War...
Deserters were considered the lowest of the low.
What a terrible time that was.
We got to where we are now because of what we went through.
For me it was the most important of times.
I got to meet somebody wonderful like Shunsaku...
I learned that one didn't need money
or things to be happy as long as you had a warm heart.
I also learned how terrible war could be...
Shunsaku taught me all that...
I shouldn't have to be reminded of these things in my old age.
You've always done your best. You've done good!
You wouldn't understand...
Oshin was looking back upon herself.
She wanted to return to her former self once again.
She wanted to live her life differently... All over again.
Oshin was filled once again with regret and nostalgia.
Episode 21
Sister Haru!
What are you doing home?
My term is up!
Is that right?
Your mother and father didn't tell me.
I'm glad you're well. Welcome home!
You won't have to go back? You can stay with us?
I'll be working in a textile factory now.
Textile factory?
Father arranged for me to work there because they pay more.
They say factory work is very hard!
I'll be paid regular wages
and I'll come home wearing nice silk garments!
Come on in. You must be tired.
Oshin I heard about you... Rumors are spreading everywhere.
Poor thing. You've had it tough.
I appreciate all the help you've given us.
I hear it's better at the factory than working as a live-in.
As a live-in you work from dawn to dusk.
At the factory you get to rest in a dormitory when your shift is done.
They let you train to become a bride too.
So many girls come home sick from the factories.
I've never been sick a day in my life
even after working three years as a live-in.
Have Mitsu work at the factory too! Working as a live-in isn't worth it.
I'm sure the agents only tell you the good things.
It'll be tough!
Grandma.
Don't tell her things like that!
If you have it too rough just come on home.
Don't worry about us...
We're running out of rice to eat already.
We'll have to borrow rice from the landlord again.
We have too many mouths to feed and loans to pay back.
What will happen if we have another bad crop?
I didn't want her to work at the textile factory...
I'm eager to go!
If only Oshin hadn't run away from her job...
And since that deserter thing nobody's willing to hire her.
She just loafs here...
She helps me out a lot I'm thankful she's here.
You can't make money working at home!
Father!
Isn't that a harmonica?
My employer's son used to play it a lot.
Why do you have one? They're expensive!
Shunsaku gave it to me.
Shunsaku?
Oh that deserter who was shot and killed?
You lived with him up in the mountains?
He told me to play it when I was sad.
It would comfort me.
It's become a memento for you now.
He gave me books and all kinds of other things.
He taught me words too. I can write now!
And I can read books.
I know poetry too.
My dear brother. Do not die...
You were not born to kill or be killed...
You probably wouldn't understand it.
Oshin...
I know my multiplication table too.
2 x 2 = 4 2 = 3 = 6
2 x 4 = 8 2 x 5 = 10
2 x 6 = 12 2 x 7 = 14
2 x 8 = 16 2 x 9 = 18
I'm amazed!
Test me I can add subtract and divide too!
What's 11 + 6?
That's 17.
Subtract 7 from 15.
First subtract 5 from 7 which leaves 2.
Then subtract 2 from 10 and you'll get 8!
Oshin...
I'll train myself to do harder problems!
I'll learn to write kanji characters too!
I owe it to Shunsaku to learn more.
Yes.
We never got to go to school so I can't write or read kanji too well.
But you're different... You're great!
Shunsaku sounds like a nice man. You're lucky.
You'll need a slate and some chalk for writing. Here!
No I can study without them.
I can scratch things on the ground or in the ashes.
Shunsaku taught me like that.
You still need a slate and some chalk!
It's from me to you.
You might need this money for yourself.
I won't need money at the textile factory.
But...
I want you to be able to learn! But don't tell Father...
I got the money as tips where I worked I didn't tell him.
Oshin...
You're not like the other kids. Take good care of yourself.
Oshin! Where were you?
You weren't home for lunch.
Everyone's worried.
The baby's hungry too.
Change him and get him milk from your mother.
Dear Shunsaku.
You're probably living happily in heaven.
I went and bought a slate and a piece of chalk.
My feet got sore from walking so much.
But I'm happy. And I owe it all to sister Haru.
I'll write you every day from now on.
Oshin Oshin!
I forgot to make dinner!
Were you in the shed?
You didn't even make dinner!
She was probably sleeping.
She works hard. I don't blame her.
It's my fault. I was in pain all day.
We have two freeloaders here. I can't take it!
Watch what you say!
Oshin never answered back to criticism.
She had her slate and chalk that was all she needed.
It's no good?
The sun came out too late. Too much rain.
This summer's crop won't be much...
We farmers are depending upon the sun.
Where's Oshin?
It's time to give milk.
Maybe she's out in the shed.
Loafing again while the rest of us work!
Father...
You freeloader! The rest of us are slaving away.
What's that?
Who gave this to you?
Who gave you the money?
We don't even have rice to eat!
What are you doing?
Who gave you this? You won't tell me?
Father!
Please forgive her. She does her chores and babysits.
Let her have some time to herself.
Apologize to him!
Father's irritable... The rice crop's failing.
Oshin...
You...
You wrote all these words?
Yes.
You've learned so much!
Haru gave me 30 sen to buy that slate and chalk.
Don't tell father!
You must miss school so much.
It's all our fault. I'm sorry.
Don't worry. I can learn on my own.
Oshin I wish I could let you study more.
But...
Mother is it true that we'll have no rice crop?
You don't have to worry about it.
But...
It'll be all right.
Oshin knew that to have the rice crop fail would be fatal to the family.
They would all starve.
There was no time for studies now.
But something else came up suddenly.
Oshin!
Oshin come on home.
Your father needs to talk to you.
Episode 22
What's father going to talk to me about?
Is he going to yell at me again?
You babysit and do your chores well.
He has nothing to yell at you about!
Then what does he want?
As you all know about 800 families have gone to Brazil.
Two families from our village have gone there too.
The soil here is poor and the weather isn't good.
It's not good for rice cultivation.
We sharecroppers will never get ahead here.
I can understand why people want to move on.
Due to disease we'll have no rice crop this year.
As it is we'll be in debt for the rest of our lives.
I feel like giving up!
Father!
So I've decided to emigrate to Brazil.
Go to Brazil?
How else can we get out from under our debts?
You and I were both born here grandma and the kids too.
We've all worked hard for the land!
What good has come of it?
We can't even eat our fill here...
And we work until we can no longer move!
But there's no guarantee that Brazil will be better.
It's a strange land... What if things don't go right?
Brazil's soil is rich the sun shines all year around!
There's no winter there!
That should make things a lot easier.
They'll give us land too. Our own land!
What we plant and harvest will be all ours!
We can grow sugar cane and all kinds of crops!
We can make money!
I've applied for us to be among the next group going.
Father!
So get ready to travel!
Will I be going too?
Over there nobody will bother you about being with a deserter.
But...
I've made up my mind!
What about Haru and Mitsu?
We'll all go and work together.
Grandma's not well enough to go...
She can stay with either Kozo or Eizo.
With one of your younger brothers?
We can't take her... It can't be helped.
It's the eldest son's duty to care for his parents!
We can't let Eizo or Kozo take over that responsibility.
She's their mother too! Why should I have to do it all?
What did I ever get being the eldest?
I had to take over this sharecropper's post!
Father!
You understand don't you grandma?
It's for me and your grandchildren.
I'm against the idea!
You're willing to live like this forever?
I won't go if we have to leave grandma behind.
- You're going against me? - Yes I am.
She's your own mother!
Ofuji...
Never mind me.
I know how tough things are here.
I'd go to Brazil if you could come too.
I'd only be in your way. Besides I'm too old to go abroad.
I won't go... I can't!
Thanks for feeling that way about me.
I'm grateful for having you as my son's wife.
I just want you all to be happy.
It'll make things easier for me too.
Dear Shunsaku. We'll be going to Brazil.
We'll be taking a big ship there.
I don't want to go but it can't be helped.
Grandma can't go... I feel so badly for her.
What's the matter?
Grandma!
Grandma?!
Where's grandma?
I'll go look for her so take care of the baby!
Grandma!
Grandma! Grandma!
She was headed for the river...
Grandma!
Grandma! Grandma!
Grandma!
What are you doing up there? It's dangerous!
Don't come... Don't come over here!
No don't!
Don't do such a stupid thing!
You were trying to jump...
Why did you stop me?
It's best for everybody if I'm gone...
I'm not good for anything...
I'd be a burden on Eizo and Kozo too.
Grandma...
Ofuji doesn't want to leave me behind.
I'm holding her back from going to Brazil.
I'm better off dead...
You fool! You fool!
You're a fool grandma!
I won't go... I'll stay with you.
I'll work hard and when I'm older I'll care for you.
So please live a long life!
I won't go... You can go by yourself if you want to.
The contract is to go as a family together!
We have to work together.
Do you realize what you're putting grandma through?
You don't care if she dies?
Sakuzo!
Go on... Hit me some more!
I'll never abandon grandma to go to Brazil!
Ofuji don't worry about me.
You should know why grandma can't move around anymore!
She's worked her body to a breaking point raising her family!
Ofuji...
Just because she can't get around...
it's inhumane to just abandon her now!
Even if the rice crop fails we'll get by.
We're sharecroppers. We're dead without the crop.
I'll go out and work...
A woman couldn't possibly earn enough!
She can if she puts her mind to it!
Fuji...
Oshin can take care of the little ones.
Grandma can help...
You still have a baby that needs milk!
You're thinking nonsense!
Let's go to work.
Do your legs hurt!
It's a wonder she could climb the cliff.
She hurt her leg when we almost fell.
I'm so glad you were there to stop her.
I couldn't have gone on if she'd killed herself.
I'm sorry...
I'm so sorry...
I'm the on who's sorry. You've had nothing but hardships.
Grandma...
You were nice to me when I came as a wife.
You made it bearable for me.
I don't care if you can't move. Don't die on us!
Oshin finally understood what it meant to be poor.
She wanted money. To help her mother and grandma.
This incident was to leave a permanent impression on Oshin as she grew up.
Sakuzo never again brought up going to Brazil.
But Fuji began going away to work.
Mother where will you go and what will you do?
What about the baby...
Will you be taking her too?
Mother?
Episode 23
Sakuzo had given up on taking his family to Brazil because
of his family's concern for their grandma.
Fuji now had to find work away from home...
It was a day in early autumn...
What are you bundling up?
Have your fill of milk while you can...
It's a great day to set out on a journey.
Thank you for coming.
I'm glad to help out.
I'm feeding the baby now.
There's no hurry.
Go on... have all the milk while you can.
Are you done?
I guess that's all she wants for now.
I beg your kindness.
Good girl...
A cute baby...
That family you'll be giving the baby up to is rich don't worry.
I trust you to find her a good home.
It's best if I take the baby over...
It'll save you the heartache...
They'll raise her as their own.
They asked that you not know who they are for the baby's sake.
I understand...
If I knew who they are I'd want to see the child.
It's better that I don't know...
I'll take it as I didn't bear this child I've prepared myself for this long ago.
These are her clothes. Please take them.
I'm sure they have fine clothes for her there but please take it.
Mother! You're giving Sumi away?
Where is she being taken?
Go on they must be waiting.
They're outside waiting. Well then...
No she's my sister!
I'm sorry.
I have no choice.
Mother...
Oshin I don't want Sumi to have to suffer as you do.
To be born a girl here is to suffer!
I want her to have a better life.
I don't care how poor we are...
I don't want to be adopted by somebody else!
Sumi's just a baby... She'll never miss us.
She'll grow up thinking of the new family as her own!
Sumi's a cute baby...
They'll be good to her.
She won't have to go to work like you or eat daikon gruel!
She won't have to babysit clean or do the wash.
She'll wear pretty clothes eat her fill and maybe even go to school.
Oriki's taken Sumi... I feel better now.
Grandma and Oshin can care for the younger ones.
Now I can go and get a job. I'm leaving tomorrow morning.
You're leaving already?
They've been after me to come to work sooner.
But finding a home for Sumi took a while.
Where will you go?
I'll be going to the hot springs in Ginzan.
What will you do there?
I'll work as a maid there at the inn.
What does a maid do?
Well.. I'll cook clean and do other chores.
Is it hard work?
Easier than working in the rice paddy.
I'm counting on you to fill in for me here.
If only I'd stayed at my job...
Don't worry... I'd have to work anyway.
So just take care of things here.
Let's eat!
What's the matter... Are you ill?
I'm not sick...
I'm just full of milk because I'm not feeding Sumi.
Mother...
I'm sorry I said those mean things to you.
Fuji left early in the morning.
Although she said she'd work as a maid
the kids had no idea what she really would be doing.
You saw her off?
I hope nobody cried...
If I weren't here Ofuji wouldn't have had to go away to work.
Oh stop it! It's not your fault.
We all work hard and so do you!
It's not our fault that we're poor.
Nobody's loafing...
It can't be helped.
I'll get us some money when I'm older.
I'll have a lot of money so that we can all live in comfort!
Let me change your dressing.
Remember... We all need you here!
So we want you up and around soon.
Not ready yet? You have to get up before dawn!
Go help out with planting cedar saplings today.
Every family has to contribute one worker.
You'll be going in your mother's place.
Shoji and I are too busy.
But...
You have no more babysitting chores so you will have to fill in!
Rest if you're tired.
I couldn't believe it that her father sent her here.
But she sure has a lot of determination!
When will these grow tall?
It'll be 40 or 50 years before they're ready for cutting.
We'll all be dead...
How old will you be?
In 40 years I'll be 48. In 50 years I'll be 58.
You can count? That's very good!
What will you be doing then?
I'll be rich and I'll buy these trees that I'm planting.
You'll buy the whole hill?
I don't want anybody else to have it.
She's no ordinary girl!
Did you buy the trees later?
No!
Those seedlings gave us a lot of trouble.
I worked hard so as not to fall behind the others.
I went on for days but I never quit.
I just kept working.
Thanks that's enough.
You sure are a big help to me.
I'm probably a big bother for asking so many questions.
I'd be lonely if I had nobody to talk to.
No wonder you're so tough. You're not like us!
You enjoy working.
Nobody wants to have to work hard.
As a poor farm girl I had no choice.
It wasn't just me...
We all had it tough in those days.
Going off to work wouldn't have been so bad...
Many had to get jobs catering to male customers at inns.
Compared to that it was good to work at home.
I was made to work hard but I was lucky.
I soon found a live-in job. I was so happy.
Two years of work for five bales of rice!
You were sold again for rice?
Five sacks of rice means a lot to my family.
I was look down upon as a sponger so I was glad to be of help to my family.
Work for two years and get five sacks of rice only!
This is really unimaginable to us now! I cannot understand...
The rice dealer is looking for a babysitter.
Oshin can get five bales of rice for two years of work.
Oshin's a good worker. They will like her.
But...
Do they know that she failed at her last job?
They don't know. She won't have to worry.
Sakata's too far to hear about it.
I'll go and I won't run away this time.
I won't cause us all to lose face again.
What will we do without you?
We'll get five bales of rice?
Episode 24
I'm against the idea!
Shoji and I can do the cooking.
That's not what I'm talking about.
I don't want Oshin to have to work again.
That's why Ofuji decided to go out to work herself!
The money she's earning isn't enough?
The money is not enough to last us for a year.
We won't have a rice harvest until next fall!
Don't you know why Ofuji gave Sumi up for adoption?
I work as a laborer all day and do piecework by night!
Still the prices for everything keeps going up.
People look at us funny because of what I've done.
I had given up on ever getting a live-in job.
I'm willing to go and work anywhere.
When I'm gone
you can start eating regularly again with the five bales of rice.
Oshin...
Please take good care of grandma for me.
Never mind me!
I'd miss you if you were to go away but that's not why I'm objecting.
I can still do housework if I put my mind to it.
But I'm so worried about you.
Don't worry.
I can't earn any money if I stay here.
Besides I will be paid five bales of rice!
I'm proud to go and earn it!
I'll stop by to see mother on my way to Sakata.
I won't be seeing her for the next two years.
I want to tell her that I'll be getting five bales of rice!
Don't be ridiculous!
It's too hard a place for you to get to...
Is Ginzan such a tough place to get to?
Mother went there alone. I could get there too!
Don't be silly.
My legs are as strong as mother's!
I told you not to go!
Take care of the daikon and green onion patches before you go to Sakata.
It might start snowing early this year!
I know.
Grandma please be here waiting when I come home.
Excuse me...
Which way do I go for Ginzan?
- Ginzan? - It's a hot spring.
You're going by yourself?
My mother is there!
Take that road over there!
Oshin.
Oshin!
Oshin?
Oshin!
Oshin wanted to see her mother.
If she gets put on a boat to Sakata
there's no way she could stop by to see her mother.
Oshin had no choice but to leave home without notice.
It's dark and she's not back. She must've gone to see Ofuji.
She doesn't realize how far Ginzan is...
She'll freeze to death. What a fool!
- She has no money either... - She took some rice with her.
With the rice she'll make it somehow.
I didn't want her to see Fuji...
Hello! Anybody home?
I'm on my way to Ginzan but it's gotten dark.
May I stay the night?
- You're all alone? - Yes.
I'm hungry but I have my own rice.
Hello!
- Does Ofuji work here? - Ofuji?
She's my mother.
Yes she's here.
I'm so glad I've come to see her!
Go around to the back.
- Ofuji. - I'm busy now...
I can't possibly leave you!
That makes me happy.
Thanks for that comb you bought me.
I'll buy you a kimono next!
Don't buy me a cheap one!
Then what do you want?
Ofuji!
What a bad timing.
What is it?
Do you know an Oshin?
I have a daughter by that name.
Then she's yours.
Don't talk to me about my family while I'm working!
Oshin's here!
She is?
That's impossible. Stop trying to kid me!
Don't scare me.
I don't know what's going on but go and see her!
She's walked the whole way to come to see you.
She looked so tired. I feel sorry for her. Just see her!
If it's not her then that's fine.
Oshin!
Mother...
You're so pretty! I almost didn't recognize you!
- You came by yourself? - Yes.
What if something had happened to you?!
I wanted to see you. I made it here all on my own!
You're such a fool. You shouldn't have come here.
You sure smell good!
I'll put you two together for the night.
Thank you.
I understand.
I had to leave my own child to come here too.
Be good to her.
May I take the night off from work?
Yes you two can have dinner and relax.
What a feast!
I wish grandma could have some too.
You can have my portion too.
I'm so glad that I came here!
How did you manage to come all by yourself?
I brought rice and I stayed at someone's house.
The lady made me a big rice ball to take with me!
People were all good to me. They even gave me directions.
You didn't tell your father or grandma about coming here?
No I didn't. They told me not to come.
But I'll be going away to work in Sakata for two years
so I thought I wouldn't see you.
You'll be working again?
I'll be working for five bales of rice!
Oshin...
You sure looked pretty... What work do you do?
Oshin...
You will understand one day
but I'm not doing anything here that I have to be ashamed of!
Just remember... You'll never have to be ashamed of me.
I didn't know it then but I figured out later
why my father and grandma forbade me to go.
I didn't know why my mother had to go out to work... and not my father.
But I still believe in what she told me.
I want to remember her words forever.
That's why you kept that little kokeshi doll?
Mother was so worried about me going to work.
I didn't care I was happy to get five bales of rice!
I didn't think about what kind of work was waiting for me.
I didn't want you to have to work.
Episode 25
Oshin went to visit her mother in Ginzan hot springs
before going off to work in Sakata herself.
She was to work as a live-in for two years.
So she wanted to see her mother before she had to go.
That night they shared a bed.
She'd never slept with her mother before.
You're so warm.
You're a strong girl.
You came all this way to see me.
You'll be facing hardships but I won't worry about you.
You're special.
Nothing will ever happen to you.
You even got to this faraway place all on your own.
Oshin...
Live your life as you see fit.
Have no regrets!
Never depend on others... You can do it.
Wherever you go be able to live on your own.
Leaving already?
She has to get an early start to reach Sakata.
She's not going home?
She's going there to work as a live in.
At her age?
I get paid five bales of rice for two years of work.
I have some sweets for you to eat with your rice balls.
Ofuji made them.
Thank you for everything.
I couldn't do anything for you. You just take care!
She's nice isn't she?
Yes.
Oshin always return the kindness you receive from others.
Never be selfish or uncaring of others.
Here.
Don't lose your money for transportation to Sakata.
No I can walk!
Sakata's a very faraway place. Take the boat.
I got you a ride on a horse cart until the boat dock.
Mother...
Don't worry. I can't do much else for you.
I wish I could give you spending money too.
Forgive me.
I didn't come here to get money. I'm just happy I got to be with you.
Oshin...
I won't see you for another two years but I can wait now.
I won't run away like the last time.
The horse cart will be leaving soon.
Mother take care of yourself.
I'll see you off.
Mother this kokeshi doll looks like you!
See this one!
It doesn't resemble me.
It has a kind face just like yours.
Take it with you.
This doll will keep you company in my place.
Think of it as me...
Mother!
This always falls off the shelf!
She's so strange... Why keep this old kokeshi?
Oshin took a boat down the Mogami river.
Her journey to Sakata was finally coming to an end.
This is the place.
This is it? It's a big store!
Be sure to work hard.
Thank you.
Hang in there!
Hello.
I'm Oshin I've just arrived to start work here.
Please look after me.
Who brought you here?
I came here by myself.
Aren't you mistaken?
Isn't this Kaga-ya the rice dealer?
Yes.
Then I've come to the right place.
I don't recall asking for a new worker.
I was told to come babysit here!
Who told you?
- Oriki told me! - Oriki?
Go and ask the young madam at to come.
Welcome back!
Welcome back.
I've settled things with Sawada-ya.
That's good!
Be sure to take care of all the details.
You can't rely on me for everything!
You know Sawada-ya so things went smoothly!
You can't depend on your mother all the time.
I want to retire!
It's tough to have children late in one's life.
Who's this child?
Did anyone ask for a babysitter?
A babysitter? I don't think so.
It must be some kind of mistake.
See this isn't the place!
I was told to come to Kaga-ya the rice dealer!
We didn't ask for you so go on home.
Welcome home.
The madam here has already cleared up the matter.
Don't tell me you asked for a babysitter without first asking me?
We'd never do such a thing without your permission!
I was told to come here!
I'm supposed to get five bales of rice for two years of work.
I'm not lying... Oriki told me!
It's the truth! I'm not lying!
Is Oshin really with Ofuji?
I hope she didn't just go to Sakata.
Maybe she did.
But that deal isn't set yet!
You mentioned that job to Oshin. That's why she went!
I was just asking her how she felt about it.
I haven't talked to Kaga-ya yet!
Will they turn her away at the door?
They weren't certain they needed a babysitter yet.
Or maybe they found somebody on their own.
If they won't give her the job it will be too cruel...
She was so happy about going to work!
I'll go to Sakata tomorrow and check.
Thanks.
I have business there anyway!
This is for you.
You can't go all the way home being hungry.
You did ask Oriki to find you a sitter?
You think Osayo doesn't need a babysitter.
There's no reason why Omino can't look after her own baby.
She hasn't been well since giving birth.
She was never strong to begin with.
It's all my fault.
You can't care for Osayo.
We have two girls to help us but one will be taking Kayo to school
so you will end up doing most of the work.
If you do all the work and care for the baby you'll get sick!
I raised all five of my children myself!
Can't you take care of just two?
I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.
Sorry but you'll have to go.
Stay at an inn tonight and take the boat home tomorrow.
This is money for the inn and the boat fare. Keep the rest.
I'm sorry you had to come so far.
Please eat before you go.
I'm not going home.
I came to work for the rice! Please keep me here!
I'll work hard!
I can't go home! I won't go home!
Please! I beg you!
I beg you! I beg you!
Episode 26
I beg you!
Our rice crop failed so mother had to go away to work.
My two older sisters work at the textile factory.
But my sick grandma and younger siblings
don't even have enough daikon gruel to eat!
I don't want grandma to go hungry.
If I can earn five bales of rice it'll help them.
And I won't have to be yelled at for being a loafer.
So please let me work here. I will do anything.
I don't know what Oriki told you but there was no firm agreement made.
We can't pay five bales of rice to a babysitter.
I'm sorry...
Omino...
I'm not saying no because of the rice.
Even if she were to work for nothing it wouldn't do.
We don't need a babysitter.
I know that I didn't expect Oriki to send us such a young girl!
She told me she had someone in mind
but this little girl couldn't possibly do the work.
That's why I'm sending her away.
I refuse to hear any more of this.
Take that money and go home! And eat this udon noodles first.
Madam!
I'm sorry to cause you all this trouble.
I'll talk to mother about hiring a sitter for you.
So give up on that little girl.
I'm glad. That girl's too young to work.
Omino...
I will be looking after Osayo myself.
I'll never bring up this babysitter thing again.
Let that girl stay.
She can go home when her term is up.
But...
Sharecropper families have it tough when they have a bad crop.
She came all this way by herself so that
her sick grandmother and siblings can have food to eat.
Think of how she feels!
Maybe she can't do good but let her try.
We sell the rice all those sharecroppers grow.
That's how we prosper. Let's help them out!
Deliver five bales of rice to her family.
I'm sure she'll learn in the two years that she'll be here.
She'll be so happy that you gave your approval.
Just tell her that you've decided to keep her.
That way she will feel grateful to you!
That will make things easier for you.
Go and tell her. She's probably all upset.
I'll leave as soon as I finish eating.
What's your name?
It's Oshin.
You may stay!
You'll be working here so don't worry.
Just do the very best that you can.
Thank you. Thank you very much!
I'll introduce you to the others when you're done eating.
Okay.
There's no need to rush!
This is our madam the owner's mother.
My name is Oshin.
I beg your kindness.
And this is our owner.
How do you do.
This is Kayo.
I'm pleased to meet you.
You and Oshin are the same age Kayo.
This is Sayo.
You'll be looking after this baby.
I'll work hard!
Okiku and Oume have been with us from age 10.
They can help you learn your job.
Please teach her a little at a time.
We will.
I'm pleased to meet you.
She had a long journey so she is tired.
Let her rest!
Thank you!
I'm so glad for you.
I owe it all to the young madam.
She's so kind. She's like the Buddha!
Call her young madam.
Okay.
Your answer funny!
The teacher at school told me to answer "yes" with "hai."
You were in school?
Just for a short time.
Tell me what to do. I can help clean up after dinner.
We're already done. I'll show you to your room.
Go check the bath!
I'll make the fire for the bath.
Not tonight.
Then I'll clean up and scrub the bathroom.
That's too much work for you!
I used to do that at the last place I worked.
This isn't your first job?
I went to work at age seven. For a year.
When you were seven?
I'm surprised you were able to do it!
I'm used to hard work. What can I help you with?
You can start tomorrow.
This is our room.
I'll be staying here?
It's the maid's room.
It's too nice. The gods will punish me!
So much light too. We get to use it?
Oil for lamps cost a lot.
I've only seen them at the inn at Ginzan and at my old workplace.
At home we only have light from the fireplace.
Lamps are outdated. We have electricity in Sakata!
Electricity?
You just turn on the switch. It's brighter than a lamp!
We'll soon get it here too.
It's like magic. You'll have to see it to believe it!
We'll probably throw these lamps out soon.
Are your things coming later?
What I own is what I have with me.
We'll get you your own bedding tomorrow.
You can share our futon tonight.
We workers get to sleep on quilts too?
What a surprise.
Oshin.
Yes?
These are Kayo's old kimono. Wear them.
They should fit. You're about the same size.
I can have these?
Good for you!
Oshin has all her belongings in that bundle.
I was worried that she might not have any change of clothes.
Now she can look nice! Isn't that right?
I've never had kimono like that before.
Try it on.
It's too good for me.
It's yours!
You look great.
You're a pretty girl!
Now she looks more like a Kaga-ya worker!
What are you doing here so early in the morning?
I came down to start the fire for rice.
You can't possibly make rice!
I used to do it all the time at home.
Start the fire hot until the rice boils.
Then pull out the coals and let the rice steam.
I'm good at it!
But I didn't know which pots to start here.
The big ones is for the worker's rice and barley mix.
The small pots for white rice for the owner's family.
They eat white rice.
And we don't have to eat daikon gruel?
What a surprise.
Let me do that.
You're the babysitter!
If I'm good at it I'll do it every morning and you can sleep in.
I'm getting paid five bales of rice. I want to do more!
Oshin made all the rice?
Yes she's good. I won't need to worry about her!
She must've led a pretty hard life.
I can do the wash before lunch.
I can do that.
Then I'll clean.
We do the cleaning after the owners go to work out front.
Just show me I can do anything.
I don't want to just stand around.
Shall I go sweep the street?
That's a job for one of the boys.
Then I'll go wash the diapers.
- Good morning! - Good morning!
Good morning!
Good morning! Did you sleep well?
Yes the futon quilt was so warm.
Please look after the baby now.
Okay.
I'll wash the baby's dirty diapers too.
You don't have to. Just mind the baby.
Washing diapers is part of a babysitter's job!
Where were you?
I washed these at the river.
Wash them again.
The river water isn't clean.
Use the well water for washing!
But...
Osayo's not like babies at home.
Oshin had a lot to learn at Kaga-ya.
The affluence of the place was hard for her to get accustomed to.
Everything was so different and it made Oshin uneasy.
Episode 27
Although refused employment at first
Oshin was allowed to stay as Kaga-ya's babysitter.
She didn't know that it was Kuni
Kaga-ya's woman owner who had allowed her to stay.
Oshin was prepared to work hard for her payment of rice.
It's such a big store. Not like my earlier workplace.
Good morning.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
- Where are you going? - To school.
School! Kayo goes to school?
Don't call her Kayo. Call her Young Miss!
Okay.
You go to school too?
I'm just accompanying her.
She can't go to school by herself?
We don't want anything to happen to her.
Go on and eat so that they can clean up.
To Oshin Kayo seemed to dwell in another world
all dressed up and going to school with an attendant.
Although they were of the same age their lives were so vastly different.
Oshin was beginning to understand.
Thanks.
You can take your meal now.
I hear you got up very early this morning.
You can relax and eat now.
The baby's asleep.
She likes being carried on your back.
I can watch her while I eat.
No I can at least watch her when you eat.
This is yours.
It's rice and barley. Eat as much as you like.
One needs food to work hard.
Thank you.
Serve your own rice and soup.
There's so much here!
Don't hold back.
The owners want us to eat a lot and they want us to work hard.
A business depends on its employees for success.
Go on and eat!
This rice and barley mix is good!
You get to eat like this everyday?
Rice and barley mix everyday.
At home we only eat rice and daikon gruel.
That's what we got at my last workplace too.
One can't work hard eating like that!
Our owner doesn't hold back on food for the employees.
So eat a lot and work hard!
I will.
Oshin what are you doing here?
I was just looking around at the property.
A babysitter shouldn't get in the way of work.
It's dangerous.
Okay.
Go on back.
All this is new to you?
Yes it is.
I've never seen such a big house!
It's so big.
It's a warehouse for our rice.
The sharecroppers grow the rice for their landlords
and we buy it and store it here.
Oshin wouldn't understand such things.
Understand it or not she needs to be told.
She is young and she's full of curiosity.
We shouldn't ignore that.
This warehouse is stocked full of rice?
It is.
Oshin!
Oriki!
My boat just arrived and I'm headed for Kaga-ya.
Is that Kaga-ya's baby Osayo?
Yes.
You're working there?
That's right.
I'm so happy! I was so worried.
What a relief!
You came all the way here for me?
I got you into this so I came to check.
I'm glad you're well.
I thought I'd have to take you back home with me.
Thank you.
At first they said they never asked for a sitter
but the young madam let me stay on.
The old madam said no but the young one said yes?
She's such a nice person!
She must like you.
I'm relieved and I can face your father and grandma again.
They said their men will be delivering the rice to my house.
Isn't that nice?
Kaga-ya's is one of the biggest landlords in Sakata.
They're known for being good to their workers.
You're lucky to get this job!
Are rice dealers rich?
Yes they sell rice to big cities like Tokyo and Osaka.
They make money just by buying and selling rice?
My family grows rice but they only eat gruel.
Kaga-ya doesn't grow rice but they eat white rice everyday.
Even the workers get to eat all the rice and barley they want!
Oshin...
Being in business is better than being a sharecropper.
Don't tell the others what you're telling me.
The Kaga-ya people won't like you talking that way.
If it weren't for rice dealers your father couldn't sell his rice.
Without them your landlord wouldn't let your father use the fields.
It's live and let live.
Anyway a child shouldn't be worrying about it.
I'm not going to be a farmer. I'm going into business!
I don't care what you become.
Just concentrate on being a good worker for Kaga-ya.
The young madam may be nice but the old madam is very difficult
so never cross her! Do you understand?
You should be resting while Osayo naps.
All you have to do is babysit!
I want to help. Okiku and Oume are busy.
You're still Kayo's age. You probably want to go and play.
I'm not like Miss Kayo I've worked all my life.
So this is nothing.
Miss Kayo's back.
I'm hungry.
Have some mochi. Then do your homework.
You also have koto practice today.
I hear that Kaga-ya delivered the rice.
Thanks. We owe it all to you!
I caused you all the trouble in the first place.
We want to give you something for your efforts.
I didn't get Oshin that job for a reward!
I thought Oshin was perfect for the job that's all.
But...
I've already gotten my commission from Kaga-ya.
We appreciate it.
You think Oshin will be able to do the job?
I hope she doesn't cause you to lose face.
Don't worry. She has it easy.
Besides she's a very hard worker but is a little too bright for a child.
Did something happen?
Don't worry I'm sure I'm concerned over nothing.
Why is she so precocious?
She ran away from her last workplace and took up with a deserter!
That's nothing to worry about. The young madam likes her.
She was given their daughter's old kimono to wear!
She dresses nicely and gets to eat her fill!
Their daughter's the same age as Oshin?
Yes.
She'll probably be taking an adoptive husband and inherit the family business.
She's such a precious daughter for them!
They take such good care of their daughter!
That must be tough on Oshin.
Their worlds are so vastly different.
Don't be silly! Oshin knows she's just a sharecropper's daughter!
I'm glad for Oshin and she'd better do good this time.
If she quits I won't let her back in the house!
Brother do not die.
Dear Shunsaku I got another job.
There's a girl here called Miss Kayo who's my age.
Miss Kayo's a girl like me but we're so different.
Thanks to Avallac'h and XrayMind at D-Addicts.
Translation: UTB Channel